Yesterday, Governor Greg Abbott officially appointed John Yochem, Jr. to the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) Board of Directors. Yochem will serve a term through the end of 2027, stepping into a role that oversees the preservation and management of the San Antonio River. His appointment fills a vacancy on a board that is critical to regional water initiatives.
Yochem is no stranger to public service or environmental issues. He's previously lent his expertise as a member of the SARA Environmental Advisory Committee. The experience, paired with his current chairmanship at the City of Goliad Board of Architectural Review for Historic Districts and Landmarks, is set to uniquely inform his tenure. The Governor's Office notes that Yochem is retired after a career spanning over four decades in furniture sales and interior design, a background that might oddly enough help to inform his new role. His diverse experience seems to perfectly align with the multifaceted challenges that the San Antonio River Authority faces.
A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts, Yochem's educational background marries the artistic with the practical. As reported by the Governor's office, his extensive involvement in arts and culture, including a former chairmanship of the Corpus Christi Arts & Cultural Commission, denotes a history of engagement in public spaces and community aesthetics. This history could serve as a beneficial perspective in the stewardship of the river, an essential public and environmental resource.
