Gene Rodriguez

Eugene (Gene) Rodriguez is  is board secretary and co-founder of CHEST. He was raised in South San Antonio as the oldest of 8 children in a family-owned neighborhood food market. He earned a BA and MA in Government, St. Mary’s University and an MS in Environmental Management, UTSA.

He currently serves as Director of Policy, Office of D4 Councilman Edward Mungia. A Vietnam era veteran, he was awarded a U.S. Army Commendation Medal for service as Chief of Security, Plans and Training, ASCOM Depot in South Korea.

His public service experience includes Associate Director, UTSA Center for Studies in Business, Economics and Human Resources; Founding Director, CoSA Department of Economic Development; Director of Field Operations, National Urban Coalition; Executive Director, Economic Opportunities Development Corporation; Director, Concentrated Employment Program; Southwest Regional Director, City Venture Corporation; Regional Consultant, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; Lecturer in Political Science, St. Phillips College and University of Maryland (Far East).

He has served on Executive Committee of United Way, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Task Force on Hispanic Business, and as Treasurer, San Fernando Historical Foundation. His publications include A Political Profile of Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez, Arno Press and co-author, Planning a Regional Center for Small Business Development Through Advanced Technology, National Science Foundation.