The Dee Howard Foundation
Friday, September 12, 2025
11:00am - 1:00pm
Boeing Center at Tech Port
Title Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Tullos Wells
Bronze Sponsors
Wayne and Barbara Alexander
Wayne and Julie Fagan
Print Sponsor
Volunteer Supporters
Boeing
Communities in Schools of San Antonio
For decades, Kelly Air Force Base offered life changing opportunities to generations of San Antonians. Thousands built careers as aircraft mechanics, technicians, administrators, engineers, and more — supporting our nation’s defense while enabling local families to achieve the American Dream.
That foundation was shaken in 1995 with the announcement that Kelly would close. But as Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison said, “When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.”
Community leaders, including today’s honorees, rolled up their sleeves and developed a plan which helped thousands of Kelly workers transition seamlessly through the most uncertain years.
Their work laid the foundation for Port San Antonio, which continues Kelly’s legacy of “Building Futures.” Today, the Port is home to more than 80 companies and 19,000 employees. They are advancing aviation and aerospace, and blazing new trails in cybersecurity, IT, space, national defense, industrial robotics, and other technologies that make our world safer and more productive.
Today, the Dee Howard Foundation honors those visionary leaders who helped transform Kelly into Port San Antonio, as well as the educators and advocates opening doors for the next generation of aerospace innovators.
Juan Solis III, José Villarreal, and Tullos Wells (IBASC Tri-Chairs)
The 2025 Aerospace Industry Impact Award honors Tri-Chairs Juan Solis III (City Councilman '92-'97), José Villarreal, and Tullos Wells for their extraordinary leadership in the successful transition of Kelly Air Force Base following its BRAC closure. Appointed by Mayor Thornton in 1996, they led a coordinated civic, political, and business effort to mitigate economic loss and retain aerospace industry capabilities in San Antonio. Working closely with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, they secured a five-year delay in the closure and negotiated agreements that enabled McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) to assume airframe operations. Their advocacy also led to a public private partnership framework preserving engine work at the Kelly Aviation Center and keeping the TF-39 and T56 engines in the region. The Tri-Chairs played a key role in bringing new military workloads, including the KC-10 and C-17, to San Antonio. They also helped eliminate significant transfer costs through a lease back arrangement, allowing continued military use of key facilities. Recognizing the importance of long-term economic stability, they spearheaded workforce development and education efforts to support the evolving aerospace sector. Their vision and collaboration laid the groundwork for what is now Port San Antonio, a thriving innovation hub that employs more people at higher wages than Kelly AFB did at its peak. Their legacy continues to shape San Antonio’s aerospace future.
Student Showcase
