1. River Barge Design Competition
The City of San Antonio, in partnership with AIA San Antonio, seeks an innovative,
visionary approach to the 21st century watercraft experience on the San Antonio River.
The design solution should support a ridership that includes tourists, residents, and
daily commuters, and responds to the competition goals.

2. RIVER BARGE DESIGN
COMPETITION - OFFICIAL JURY
CARIÑO CORTEZ
Chef, Viva Villa
EVERETT FLY, FALSA
PETER KUTTNER, FAIA
PETER NOBLE
Co-founder, Eva's Heroes
CHRISTIANE GARCIA
STEVEN QUINTANILLA
Co-founder, SpaceCadet Fleet, Inc.
ALEX RUBIO
NEAL THURMANSUZANNE SCOTT
San Antonio Artist
President, Fiesta Texas San Antonio
General Manager, San Antonio River Authority
President, Cambridge Seven Associates, Inc.
President, Noble Associates LLC
Owner, E L Fly Architect
ROBERT THRAILKILL
Vice President, Zachry Hospitality
MARTIA MARTINEZ
General Manager, Marriott Plaza San Antonio

3. CARIÑO CORTEZ
Chef, Viva Villa
Chef Cariño Cortez is a third-generation foodie who grew up in the restaurant business. Their family tradition
began at Mi Tierra Café in San Antonio, but her passion for cooking has taken her across the country. After
obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Accounting, Cortez pursued a culinary arts degree
from the Culinary Institute of America to marry her business foundation with her love of comida.
Cortez spent her externship working in New York City three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Jean Georges, later
going on to study authentic Mexican food in Chicago under Rick Bayless. At the Michelin-starred restaurant,
Topolobampo, she worked as a lead line cook under Chef de Cuisine Andres Padilla, and was able to hone her
culinary skills on the restaurant’s monthly menu development team. She returns to her home state of Texas to
share her true passion for authentic Mexican cuisine and continue the family tradition as chef/general manager
for the Cortez Family of Restaurant's newest addition to the San Antonio restaurant scene, Viva Villa Taquería.
A profound care for food, family and culture inspired her custom menu creation and the evolutionary concept
development for Viva Villa.

4. EVERETT L. FLY, FASLA
OWNER, E L FLY ARCHITECT
Everett Fly is a licensed professional landscape architect and licensed professional architect. A Fellow of the
American Society of Landscape Architects, he is a nationally recognized planning, design and historic
preservation consultant. His expertise includes detailed urban design, site design, irrigation design, architectural
design, landscape architectural design and photography. His Black Settlements in America research and
methodology have been referenced by the National Park Service, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and
the Library of Congress, and his expertise has been featured on National Public Radio. He has also served a
seven year appointment by President Bill Clinton to the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.
Everett is the owner of E L Fly Architect. He has also served on the Board of Humanities Texas, a non-profit
organization aiming to advance heritage, culture, and education. He was the Mayor’s appointee to the City of
San Antonio Historic Commission for six years, and he served six years on the Texas Historical Commission
National Register Board of Review. Currently, he and architect Ellen Pulner Hunt/AIA are working in
collaboration to provide complementary expertise in multi-disciplinary design, traditional architecture, and
landscape architecture in all regions of the United States. He has accumulated more than thirty five years of
experience in major public, commercial, urban, rural and residential planning, design, and construction projects.
Everett was awarded the National Humanities Medal honor in 2014 for preserving the integrity of African-
American places and landmarks. The President of the United States selects and awards the medals to individuals
or groups whose work has advanced the humanities and deepened the nations understanding of the capacity of
the humanities to illuminate our lives. He has also been awarded the Arts and Letters Award by the Friends of
the San Antonio Public Library in 1995. Award honorees are selected for enriching the cultural and spiritual life
of San Antonio in their chosen fields.
Everett is a native of San Antonio, and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture, with honors, from the
University of Texas at Austin in 1975. He earned his Masters in Landscape Architecture from Harvard
University Graduate School of Design in 1977.

5. CHRISTIANE GARCIA
Co-founder, Eva's Heroes
In 2006, after noticing a lack of programming available for individuals with intellectual special needs,
Christiane co-founded Eva's Heroes with actress Eva Longoria. Today, Christiane and the staff of Eva's Heroes
strive to provide a fun and enriching environment for individuals to interact, grow, learn, and love.
Christiane began her career as a special education teacher in San Antonio's Northside Independent School
District, where she taught for more than 11 years. She has always believed that every individual deserves the
same opportunities in life. Her desire to provide growth and opportunity for others has been a common thread
throughout Christiane's educational and professional careers.
Christiane is the Board President of Eva’s Heroes. She serves on the SAHCC Board of Directors and is a
member of the St. Matthew Catholic School Council. She also serves many other roles within St. Matthew
Catholic Church and School.
Christiane graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio in
1994. She earned her Master of Education in Special Education from Texas State University (formerly
Southwest Texas State University) in 1998. She and her husband, Rene, reside in San Antonio and have two
beautiful children, Tiannah and Gavino.

6. PETER KUTTNER, FAIA
President, Cambridge Seven Associates, Inc.
Peter Kuttner is President of Cambridge Seven Associates, a Cambridge-based firm of architects, planners,
exhibit designers, and graphic artists whose international portfolio includes museums, education,
transportation, and hospitality design. Peter has a Masters of Architecture from the University of Michigan, and
has served on the College of Architecture Board of Governors and the University Alumni Council. At C7A
Peter is known, in particular, for his thoughtful design of spaces for informal and formal learning in aquariums,
museums, and college facilities, with a particular focus on interactive and participatory experiences in the
sciences.
Currently, he is Principal-in-Charge (PIC) on the new Geo-Science Centre, a major new science and
technology museum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is also completing design of the La Niu Children’s Discovery
Center in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, to become China’s first major children’s museum. In the US he is presently
completing documentation for the Knock Knock Children’s Museum in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Closer to the
Boston area, he completing design for the expansion of the Discovery Museums of Acton, a children’s science
center.
In the past few years Peter has been involved in master planning and design for a strategic series of phased
projects at the Museum of Science, Boston. He has premiered new exhibits for the Gyeonggi Children’s
Museum in Seoul, Korea. Peter was PIC for the Boston Children’s Museum, Boston’s first LEED Gold
museum. Other science museum projects include the renovation of Discovery Place in Charlotte, North
Carolina, the new Blacktip Reef renovation for the National Aquarum in Baltimore, Maryland, and the
exapansion of the Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale.
Peter is a past president of the Boston Society of Architects (BSA), a Vice-President of the American Institute
of Architects (AIA), and is presently on the national Board of the AIA’s College of Fellows. He serves on the
Boston Architectural College’s Board of Overseers, and is a member of the Boards of both the BSA and the
BSA Foundation.

7. MARIA MARTINEZ
General Manager, Marriott Plaza San Antonio
Maria Martinez is San Antonio! General Manager at the Marriott Plaza San Antonio since 2013 and an active
Board Member for the Paseo del Rio Association, the San Antonio Hotel Lodging Association, Tourism Council
and Convention Visitor’s Commission. Maria has also served as Vice Chair on the Mayor’s Task Force of the
CVB Restructuring Committee and was Queen of the River Walk for 2015, an honor received by raising record
breaking fundraising dollars for the Paseo del Rio Association to promote, protect, and preserve the San Antonio
River Walk.
Maria has represented Paseo del Rio throughout the year in various city-wide events, promoting the River Walk
and she takes great pride in her commitment to serve the San Antonio community spearheading events such as
the “Rock the Plaza” Food Drive, benefiting the San Antonio Food Bank. Maria is also incredibly active with the
“Eat on the Beat” program which provides meals for the San Antonio Police Department on Holiday’s and
works with the Children’s Hospital, SPCA, “Haven for Hope”, and “Toys for Tots”. Maria was also featured in
Portfolio Magazine as one of the “Women on the Rise in San Antonio”.
As a business professional, Maria has always been known for being involved within her community. In 2011,
she and her hotel team were recognized by Marriott International for service within the Community with the
“Spirit to Serve Award”. She is only the second female executive to be inducted into the “President’s Club” with
Remington Hotels, recognized as one of the top General Manager’s in the company. Maria has also won several
awards and recognition for her performance in her career for leadership, vision, operational excellence, service,
and General Manager of the Year.
Maria lives in North San Antonio, is a devoted wife and mother of three children and is described as fun-loving,
genuine, hard-working, passionate and having a huge heart. She is dedicated to the City of San Antonio, her
family, and her community.

8. PETER NOBLE
President, Noble Associates LLC
Peter Noble is naval architect and marine engineer with a wide range of expertise and experience in the marine and
offshore industries. His career has included positions with shipyards; with ship and offshore design consultants; with
offshore and marine research and development companies; with major classification societies and most recently as chief
naval architect with a major international oil company, prior to his retirement from full-time employment in 2013.
He has recently completed a two-year volunteer term as President of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine
Engineers, Washington DC and is currently serving as a Vice President of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science
and Technology, London, UK. He undertakes consulting and advisory assignments internationally in the fields of
offshore, marine and arctic technology and engages in lecturing and supporting student and young professional
activities on global basis.
Peter’s early career gave him insight into the Canadian marine and shipbuilding industries while he served in various
roles in Vancouver, Ottawa, Dartmouth, and Calgary, and latterly he has obtained unique experience in the international
arena while employed as Vice President, Engineering with ABS, a leading ship classification society, and, as mentioned
above, as Chief Naval Architect for a major international oil company This work included ship design and construction
projects in the US, Europe, South Korea, China and Singapore. These project included the construction of 5 high
specification tankers for the Alaska, North Slope trade in a US shipyard, 10 of the world’s largest LNG ships and the
construction of 3 high ice class 70,ooo ton dwt. icebreaking tankers in Korea plus two icebreaking ships in Singapore,
for year round operation in the Russian Arctic. Throughout his career, Peter has been active in professional marine and
offshore engineering community. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and has recently completed
a report for the Academy co-authored with 3 other fellows entitled “Engineering for Canada’s Northern Oceans”.
He is also a Fellow of a number of international learned societies including the Society of Naval Architects and Marine
Engineers, the Institute of Marine Engineers, Scientists and Technologists, the Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders in
Scotland and the Society for Underwater Technology. Peter’s professional accomplishments have been widely
recognized including receiving the SNAME 2006, Admiral Jerry Land Medal for "Outstanding Accomplishment in the
Marine Field", and he is a recipient of the 2005 ABS-Linnard SNAME prize for best paper. In 2009 Peter was
recognized by the Board of the Offshore Technology Conference and awarded the OTC Individual Distinguished
Achievement Award “for his contribution to innovative marine vehicle and floating system design and engineering,
including LNG vessel design, arctic engineering and icebreaker technology and for his dedication to encouraging and
mentoring students and younger professionals.”
Peter continues his involvement with the education and development of students and young professionals through acting
as an industry advisor for a number of universities including the University of British Columbia and the Memorial
University of Newfoundland.

9. STEVEN QUINTANILLA
Co-founder, SpaceCadet Fleet, Inc.
Steven Quintanilla is a San Antonio native, and a graduate of the John Jay Science and Engineering Academy
and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is CoFounder and Fleet Admiral of SpaceCadet.io, a startup
that creates a digital marketplace for those who own and want to use space through the sharing economy. He
also specializes in e-commerce with Peer 1 Hosting at the Pearl Brewery, and works with clients - startup to
enterprise - to help their businesses continue to grow online.
He has worked with crowdfunding for community real estate transactions at MassVenture.com and has mentored
numerous startups. Mr. Quintanilla spent time in Boston and Austin before settling in San Antonio to discover
solutions to difficult problems, and build systems to distribute those solutions to communities at scale.
Mr. Quintanilla resides near the Pearl Brewery with his wife, Sabrina, and is a firm believer that the City of San
Antonio is currently undergoing a Cultural Renaissance. He is a student of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and enjoys
traveling, learning, and discovering new adventures.

10. ALEX RUBIO
San Antonio Artist
Alex Rubio is currently the Artist-In-Residence for the Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum and Adjunct
Instructor at the Southwest School of Art. As an arts organizer, he has instructed and coordinated
community-based public art programs including, Community Cultural Arts Organization, Guadalupe
Cultural Art Center, San Anto Cultural Arts Organization and currently the MOSAIC Program at the Blue
Star Contemporary Art Museum.
In 2011, Rubio founded, ®space, a contemporary art space where he curates monthly exhibits for
developing, and emerging artist in San Antonio. Alex Rubio’s artworks have been exhibited locally in
“Psychedelic” at the San Antonio Museum of Art, “Exodus” at the Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum,
and “Estampas De La Rasa” at the McNay Museum of Art.
Rubio has attained national recognition with art grants from the Joan Michel Foundation in New York,
Vermont Studio Center Fellowship in Vermont, and ArtPace Foundation-London England Residency Grant,
and ArtPace Artist- In-Residence Grant in San Antonio. Rubio’s national touring exhibitions
include, “Chicano Visions” Cheech Marin Collection and Selected works from the Joe Diaz Collection

11. SUZANNE SCOTT
General Manager, San Antonio River Authority
Suzanne Scott was appointed General Manager of SARA in September 2007. As the chief executive officer of
SARA, she is responsible to an elected Board of Directors, directs SARA’s programs, projects and efforts and
manages the agency’s annual budget. She oversees and works with a talented staff including engineers,
scientists, environmental managers, field crews and a host of other professionals to extend SARA’s
environmental leadership, stewardship and expertise and broaden appreciation for the San Antonio River and
its ecosystem.
Scott began her career with SARA in May of 2000. She established the agency’s first intergovernmental and
public information office to increase SARA’s presence in the community and enhance its partnerships with
local, state and federal governments. Under Scott’s leadership, SARA has advanced its mission to inspire
actions for healthy creeks and rivers within the San Antonio River Watershed by working closely with a
multitude of governmental partners, citizen stakeholders and private sector contributors.
She has led the agency’s efforts to plan, develop and secure funding for the $384 million San Antonio River
Improvements Project in Bexar County to enhance access to and restoration of 13 miles of the San Antonio
River. The project has added miles of hike, bike, and paddling trails to the river, while restoring the
environment and creating more appreciation and value from this treasured natural resource. The completion of
the river’s restoration served as a key factor for the nomination and recent inscription of the San Antonio
Missions as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The success of the restoration of the San Antonio River has led
to SARA’s project management of the Bexar County funded San Pedro Creek Improvement Project as well as
projects jointly funded by the City of San Antonio to improve Elmendorf Lake, Olmos Creek and other key
creeks within the San Antonio River Watershed.
Scott is equally proud of the lasting improvements SARA has made in the health, safety and appreciation of the
San Antonio River through its nationally accredited water quality laboratory; the creation of nature parks and
paddling trails throughout the agency’s four-county district; the development and implementation of flood
mitigation projects and water quality improvements to promote sustainability throughout the San Antonio River
Basin.
Suzanne obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Advertising & Public Relations at Texas Tech University and holds
a Master of Urban Administration from Trinity University. She is a third-generation public servant and also
serves on the board of the Green Spaces Alliance, the Bexar County Arts and Cultural Fund, and the San
Antonio Chamber of Commerce.

12. ROBERT THRAILKILL
Vice President, Zachry Hospitality
Robert Thrailkill, Vice President of Zachry Hospitality, began his career with Hilton Hotels while attending
college. In 1982 upon graduation, he was assigned to the Hilton Palacio del Rio in San Antonio as part of the
Hilton Trainee Program. Thrailkill then moved to front office operations for such premier hotels as the Hilton
Boston Logan Airport, Trump’s Castle® Casino in Atlantic City and the Hilton New York in midtown
Manhattan. He assumed a variety of leadership positions for some of Hilton’s flagship properties in the Southern
U.S., including Executive Assistant Manager of the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort in Miami Beach and Resident
Manager at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. He returned to the Palacio del Rio in the mid 1990’s as Resident
Manager.
In 1998 Thrailkill was named the General Manager of the Hilton DFW Lakes. In 2002, while at the Lakes,
Hilton Hotels Corporation recognized Robert and his team with the coveted Connie Award (named after
company founder Conrad Hilton) for best overall performance by a Hilton airport hotel.
He was then selected as the opening General Manager of the 203-room Conrad Miami in August of 2003. A full-
service luxury hotel and the first new-build Conrad hotel in the United States, Robert was instrumental in
redesigning the entire food and beverage concept and launching the 25th floor restaurant/bar in 2007 before
being chosen as the General Manager of the Hilton Palacio del Rio, returning to San Antonio in July of 2009.
With almost 36 years as a hospitality veteran, Robert currently holds a dual role as the Vice President of Zachry
Hospitality and as the General Manager of the Hilton Palacio del Rio. He oversees the Hilton Palacio del Rio,
the Staybridge Suites - Downtown Convention Center and Embassy Suites San Antonio - International Airport
properties respectively. Thrailkill manages the day to day operations of all three hotels in addition to assisting in
the assessment of potential hotel acquisitions.
Robert is an integral part of the Hospitality Industry in San Antonio holding various positions on area boards
including that of President for the San Antonio Hotel and Lodging Association, and being former past Chair of
the Convention and Visitors Bureau. He serves on the Executive Boards of the Convention and Visitor Bureau,
the San Antonio Area Tourism Council, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as well as
being on the Board of the Central Alliance. Thrailkill was recently selected by Mayor Ivy Taylor as a Chair to
the San Antonio Tricentennial Commission of which he was elected President.
Robert is a graduate of the Conrad Hilton School of Restaurant and Hospitality Management at the University of
Houston, where he received a bachelor’s degree in hotel administration. He was extensively involved in the start
of The Conrad N. Hilton College - San Antonio located in the celebrated Sunset Station and presently serves on
their Advisory Board. Thrailkill is a native of San Antonio and is married with six children.

13. NEAL THURMAN
President, Fiesta Texas San Antonio
Neal Thurman, park president at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, has been with the Six Flags
organization in a variety of managerial positions for more than 20 years.
Prior to relocating to San Antonio in late 2014, Thurman served as Director of Operations at Six Flags Magic
Mountain in the Los Angeles area, beginning in 2007. His Six Flags career started in 1995 at Six Flags Over
Georgia gaining expertise in Operations, Human Resources, Guest Relations and Safety Management. He
then relocated to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in 2003 as the Operations Manager before becoming the
Director of Operations and Administration at the Six Flags Park in Louisville.
Neal is a licensed instrument rated private pilot and looks forward to flying in Texas. Neal comes to Six Flags
Fiesta Texas with a focus on the team member experience and a passion for providing outstanding guest
service. Neal serves on the San Antonio Tourism Council and the Convention and Visitors Commission.