Elizabeth E. Costello
Director



As Director of the City of San Antonio International Affairs Department - the largest and oldest effort of its kind in the US, Ms. Costello administers and coordinates activities promoting international trade and cultural programs by promoting San Antonio’s targeted industries abroad. She is responsible for attracting foreign direct investment through the City’s trade office in Japan, and conducts bilateral trade through the City’s foreign offices or “Casas” in Mexico’s three principal cities. Additionally, her department trains local companies to export globally; plans and coordinates itineraries for visiting foreign dignitaries and manages San Antonio’s award-winning Sister Cities Program.   She oversees a budget of $1.6 million.

Ms. Costello has more than 25 years of international affairs experience, including sixteen years with the City in various capacities including serving as the City’s first Director of International Affairs Department.

Reynaldo Cano
Assistant Director

Reynaldo Cano is currently Assistant Director for the City of San Antonio’s International Affairs Department. In his position, he is tasked with helping the Director with all aspects of managing the team in San Antonio, Mexico and Japan. Previously he was with the UTSA International Trade Center where he assisted 400+ clients during his ten-year tenure. These clients attributed a total of $75 million dollars in new sales and export sales to his assistance. He has spoken at various conferences at local, regional, state, national and international levels on the array of international trade and business development topics.  Special projects include participation in an incubator program for foreign companies interested in establishing a U.S. presence (IBDC) in San Antonio and working with entities in Mexico to develop a Small Business Development Network in Mexico.

Reynaldo earned his MBA in International Business from The University of Texas at SanAntonio and is a member of the North American Small Business International Trade Educators, Associacion Mexicana de Centros de Desarrollo Para La Pequena Empresa (AMCDPE), and the National Society of Hispanic MBAs.  As a member of the NASBITE Board of Governor, a working Board, he participates on various standing committees, such as strategic planning, conference planning, member development/marketing, and CGBP planning and development. He is a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) and is part of the Centurion group earning this credential. 


Iñigo Arzac
Global Trade &
Foreign Investment Manager

Iñigo Arzac’s 17 years of corporate experience encompass managing high volume sales operations and personnel training, to international finance and economic development. As the current Global Trade and Foreign Investment Manager for the City of San Antonio, he leads the International Affairs Department programs to create valuable economic activity for the city, and oversees the three Mexico trade offices in Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City.   An accomplished relationship manager and presenter, Iñigo’s background includes a 10 year career in finance with global companies like Citibank where his last role was Assistant Vice President for the San Antonio Area and Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management where he worked with high net worth clients and companies throughout Latin America.  

Iñigo has a Bachelors Degree in Management and International Business, and will be completing his Masters in Business Administration in 2009, both degrees from the University of Texas at San Antonio.   He currently serves on the boards of the University of Texas at San Antonio-Alumni Association, the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio, and the UTSA-Mexico Center Advisory Board. In 2007 he received the Alumni Volunteer of the year award and is currently an alumnus of the Leadership San Antonio Class XXXIV. He and his wife Iliana are the proud parents of a baby boy, Iñigo II.


Jose M. Vega
Senior Protocol Specialist


Jose Maria Vega is currently Chief of Protocol for the City of San Antonio International Affairs Department. In his role, Jose Maria advises, assists and supports San Antonio officials on matters of diplomatic procedure. Jose Maria is also responsible for providing assistance in planning visits and welcoming high-level guests, diplomats, foreign officials and other distinguished guests to San Antonio and City Hall. Jose Maria brings to the Department an extensive global experience, having lived in Venezuela, Mexico and Italy. He has traveled to more than 20 different countries and is fluent in 4 languages, including Spanish, Italian and French. He is also conversant in Portuguese, and has some basic knowledge of Russian and Japanese. Prior to joining IAD, Jose Maria worked in Italy with the City of Milan’s Communications and Public Affairs Department. In his role he assisted international PR efforts that helped secure Milan's bid to host the World’s Fair (aka World Expo) in 2015. Jose Maria received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies from Trinity University with concentrations in European Studies and International Affairs with a Minor in Economics. He also completed Master-level coursework in Business-Government Relations at the prestigious Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi in Milan, Italy.

Hugo Lizarraga Henderson
International Trade Specialist

Hugo Lizarraga Henderson has more than 12 years of experience in international sales, global sourcing, multimodal logistics, customs clearance operations, and foreign investment projects. As an International Trade Specialist for the City of San Antonio, he has earned a reputation for providing skilled and practical guidance to businesses by understanding their needs and being effective in multicultural negotiation strategies. 

As general manager of a food import and distribution company in San Antonio, Texas; he doubled sales in less than one year. As a business consultant and representative, he sold products nationwide to SYSCO Food Services, US Food Service, Unified Western Grocers, Albertsons, Smart & Final, restaurant chains, convenience stores and more. He has introduced different items to Home Depot, Lowes Home Improvement and other big box retailers in the US. Mr. Lizarraga has also worked closely with multinational companies and State Governments of México promoting foreign investment and international trade.  

Early in his career, Lizarraga collaborated with the Mexican Bank of Foreign Trade (BANCOMEXT) and Guanajuato Trade Office in Los Angeles. He obtained his BBA in International Trade at ITESM Campus Monterrey and has a Certification in International Business from UCLA. He acted as Board Member of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Los Angeles Chapter in 2007, coordinating community outreach programs, media campaigns and raising funds for this non-profit organization.


Jill Metcalfe
Director
Casa San Antonio in Mexico City


Since 1999, Ms. Metcalfe has been the international business representation for the City of San Antonio, in the Central and Southeast Mexico including Mexico City, where 80% of businesses Corporations Headquarters are located.  She organizes trade missions for San Antonio businesses and sends Mexican businesses to San Antonio for trade, investment, exchange and development.   Ms. Metcalfe is fully bicultural American/Mexican; complete fluency in Spanish and offers her business experience  from nine years as a Financial Advisor in Mexico, a former small business owner,  President of the Board of Directors of the Association of   U.S. State Offices in Mexico ASOM, Vice President Board of Directors of  American Society of Mexico and Member of the Board of Advisors of Mexec.   Her acumen allow her to share her insight of the Mexican business arena to insure San Antonio entrepreneurs have the information to obtain the results they seek.


Julian Guerrero
Trade Specialist
Casa San Antonio in Mexico City


Julian Guerrero Ibarguengoytia, Trade Specialist in Casa San Antonio, Mexico City, provides information and assists American companies interested in exploring new markets in Mexico City and Southern Mexico. Mr. Guerrero has a major in International Relations by the Iberoamericana University in Mexico City, and currently a Law student at the same university.


Javier Herrera Olguin
Office Administrator
Casa San Antonio in Mexico City


Mr. Herrera has been with Casa San Antonio for five years covering all the administrative duties for the Mexico City office, also under his responsibilities he has the procurement of the logistics for all the trade missions that visit Mexico City. Mr. Herrera studied Business Administration in the Escuela Bancaria y Comercial in Mexico City where he currently is also doing an internship in the Systems Department of the School.


Raul Rodriguez
Director
Casa San Antonio in Monterrey
Nuevo Leon, Mexico


With over 7 years experience in international trade, Raul Rodriguez, Director, Casa San Antonio in Monterrey, Mexico deals with businesses that not only want to explore the Mexican or the US market, but also helps companies through an array of highly effective services that could have a significant impact in the company´s client portfolio.   If a company wants to do business in Mexico, Mr. Rodriguez and his team of experts will make sure that your Trade Mission is a complete success!   Many businesses that want to invest in San Antonio, Texas visit with Mr. Rodriguez where he will then coordinate with a specialized team in San Antonio to help the investor pick the best place for their operations.   Remember, a package of incentives is waiting for you in San Antonio!