Bexar County Officials - Serving with Integrity and Pride - Information - http://maxpages.com/bexarcodemos/Bexar_County

RALPH LOPEZ BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF
Ralph Lopez
200 N. Comal
San Antonio, Texas 78207
EMPLOYMENT:
Sheriff of Bexar County Elected 1993
Re-elected 1997
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio Police Department 1957-1991
San Antonio, Texas
Served in Patrol, Vice Undercover, Homicide Investigations, Community Relations, Crime Prevention, Recruiting and Academy Instructor. Co-founded Crime Stoppers Program in conjunction with KENS-TV, created Public Information Bureau for SAPD (1983), created Municipal Integrity Unit for the City Manager while serving as Management Assistant, City Manger's office 1981-87.
EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in Political Science, St. Mary's University, san Antonio,Texas, 1976.
Bachelor of Arts in Public Justice, St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas, 1974.
Professional Affiliations and Distinctions:
* President, South Texas Chapter Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA), 1999.
* Member Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, 1974-Present.
* President, Major County Sheriffs'Association(National Sheriffs' Association), 1998-2000.
* Vice President, FBI/CJIS Uniform Crime Report Committee.
* Chairman, Legislative Committee for Sheriffs' Association of Texas, Sheriff Wayne Farmer, President, 1999.
* Chairman, Golden Gloves: Boys & Girls Club, 1999.
* Member, Public Sector Gaming Study Commission, 1999.
* Hosted National National Sheriffs' Association Conference, San Antonio, Texas, 1995.
* Member, Leadership San Antonio: Crime and Punishment Committee, 1986.
* Member of Airport Advisory Committee, 1983.
* Department of Justice Community Conflict Mediation for the Community Relations Service, 1974-76.
* President's Council on Youth Opportunity, 1969-1972.
* St. Mary's University, Adjunct Professor.
* San Antonio College, Adjunct Professor.
* Palo Alto College, Adjunct Professor.
AWARDS:
* Hispanic Heritage Celebration Award, La Prensa, (1998).
* Outstanding Political Service Award, Texas Public Workers Association, (1996).
* Barbara Jordan Award for Excellence in Public Service, San Antonio Democratic League, (1995).
* Most Cooperative News Source, Sigma Delta Chi Society of Professional Journalists, (1993).
* Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, International Association of Shrine Provosts, (1993).
* Outstanding Law Enforcement Administration, Combined Law Enforcement and Training Organization of Texas, (1993).

SYLVIA S. ROMO BEXAR COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR
Tax Assessor-Collector Sylvia Romo has accumulated a long list of accomplishments, honors and recognition in both her professional and political careers. Her community activities compliment her success in business.
Ms. Romo in 1996 became the first woman to be elected to the office of Tax Assessor-Collector of Bexar County (population 1.3 million). She is also the first Latina elected to any countywide executive post in government. As a Certified Public Accountant, businessperson and former legislator, Ms. Romo provides a unique mix of technical, management and political expertise coupled with an in-depth understanding of the critical issues and challenges facing the Bexar County Tax Office. Additionally, Ms. Romo serves as the Voter Registrar, responsible for the integrity of the voter registration rolls.
During her term in office, Ms. Romo's leadership and creativity skills increased public awareness of taxpayers' and voters' rights. She openned the door to new ideas for streamlining the Tax Office and promoting employee participation. She worked aggressively and successfully accomplished the consolidation of the City and County tax collection to eliminate duplication and reduce costs. To be more responsive to customers' needs, Ms. Romo extended service hours and provided suggestion boxes. This October, she published an educational newsletter that summarized Tax Office programs, services,and the rights and remedies available to the taxpayer.
In 1992 and 1994, Ms. Romo was overwhelmingly elected to the Texas House of Representatives. During her two terms in office, Ms. Romo authored and sponsored more than 92 pieces of legislation, many of which were signed into law. During her first term, she passed a Constitutional amendment that would provide funding for women and disadvantaged businesses, making her the first freshman member to pass a major constitutional amendment. She was appointed to the powerful Ways and Means Committee, serving as the committee's only woman legislator and only one of three women to ever be appointed in the history of the committee. In 1990, Ms. Romo was elected Chair of the Democratic Party of Bexar County making her the first Latina to win a countywide political position and the first Latina elected to that position.
With the idea of promoting role models for future aspiring women politicians, Ms. Romo raised private funds to research and produce a documentary on the history of women elected officials. This video covered the historical aspects but most importantly it conveyed their political legacies. Her community involvement includes presentations to professional groups, community organizations and underprivileged students/citizens on political and economic issues that impact their future.
A native of San Antonio, Texas and a mother of four sons, Ms. Romo recieved a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She earned her Certified Public Accountant designation in 1981. As a Certified Public Accountant she is President of her own firm, Sylvia Romo & Associates, Ltd. Ms. Romo is currently working toward certification as a Registered Tax Assessor.

Bexar County Democratic Party Office
301 S. Frio, Suite 164
San Antonio,	Texas	78207
M-F, 9-5
210-220-1212
Fax 210-220-1215
bexarcodemocrats@aol.com

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Page Updated Wed Sep 6, 2000 9:04am EDT