The San Antonio Manufacturers Association (SAMA) installed Patrick Garcia of Division Laundry & Cleaners as chairman of its Board of Directors for 2023 at its January membership luncheon after his November election by SAMA members. Garcia succeeds SAMA’s 2022 chairman, James Franks, president of Franks Manufacturing.
Division, a family-owned commercial laundry founded by Garcia’s father in 1939 is headquartered in San Antonio and serves the healthcare and hospitality sectors in the San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi markets with 250 employees. Recent acquisitions in Houston and Dallas will allow the company to expand its service area and add 200 employees across its assets.
For SAMA and its members, Garcia said, “It is our intention to continue to make great strides with manufacturers to see them achieve success with their goals and objectives in their businesses and in our community. This is especially important as the manufacturing industry has endured the effects of the economy and coming through the pandemic.”
“Through SAMA’s programs this year, we are directly addressing the challenges of hiring, supply chain, and inflation. We also see opportunities in representing our members through raising awareness of manufacturing’s impact as a leading regional economic driver and on issues of energy, regulation, safety, and business-to-business connections.”
Founded in 1914, SAMA serves as the voice and advocate for its 281 member organizations, including manufacturers and associates, through education and professional certifications, workforce development, networking, and advocacy at the local and state levels. As a regional trade association, SAMA represents the interests of the more than 1,500 manufacturers with more than 51,000 employees and annual economic impact of $40 billion in Bexar County and the surrounding counties.
Dan Yoxall, SAMA president and CEO, said, “Patrick Garcia brings the perspective needed for this role at in this time. He has been a SAMA member and volunteer for more than four decades, leading his family business through growth addressing many of the issues our members face as manufacturers. In addition to his Board of Directors service, he is recognized for his civic leadership in issues related to water and energy as important resources for our community to manage, conserve, and plan for the future.
“SAMA is grateful to outgoing chairman James Franks for his tireless leadership in 2022, especially the return of our in-person South Central Texas Regional Trade Show and Conference held each May.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dan Yoxall, dan@sama-tx.org, 210-332-0747, www.sama-tx.org.
