The Brooks Development Authority board voted to enter into contract negotiations for its next chief executive officer, but leaders are not ready to divulge his or her identity.
Manny Pelaez, chairman of the Brooks Development Authority, said the board interviewed 402 viable candidates out of the 6,000 applicants.
Last week the field of applicants for the next CEO of Brooks was narrowed to only five, and Wednesday the board chose one to take Brooks into the future.
"What we were really looking for - aside from subject matter expertise - was passion," Pelaez said. "Passion for our mission, passion for San Antonio, passion for the Southeast Side of San Antonio, and I believe that we found it. We found somebody to carry us on to our next step in the evolution of Brooks City Base."
Pelaez would not say who the person is because they wanted to shelter him or her from the spotlight until the details are worked out
Pelaez said that Brooks, originally an Air Force Base, is now a source of growth for business and industry on the Southside.
"We have DPT Laboratories that is manufacturing very sophisticated pharmaceuticals. We've got a hospital that is head and shoulders above - as far as quality and cutting-edge technology. We have Nexolon, who is a manufacturer of sustainable energy products - solar panels in particular. We have Texas A&M," Pelaez said.
He said he sees the future of Brooks as a landing spot for more business and a place where people live as well.
An attorney is working with the person chosen by the board on a compensation package, which Pelaez described as generous. An official announcement is expected in the next couple days.
