Hemisfair Announces the Retirement of CEO, Andres Andujar, After 14 Years of Visionary Leadership
The Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation (HPARC) Board of Directors announces the retirement of Chief Executive Officer Andres Andujar, effective April 1, 2025, marking the culmination of an extraordinary career, including 14 years dedicated to transforming Hemisfair into a world-class urban district. Andujar was named CEO of Hemisfair in 2011 and has been instrumental in driving the vision to create one of the world’s great public places. Under his leadership, Hemisfair has transformed the 1968 World’s Fair site into an urban district featuring multiple parks, residences, and local businesses, making it a sustainable and self-funded destination filled with events authentic to San Antonio.
“Andres has been an extraordinary leader whose vision and dedication have reshaped Hemisfair into a world-class destination,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “His impact on San Antonio’s urban landscape is immeasurable, and we are profoundly grateful for his years of service.”
Beyond his work at Hemisfair, Andujar played a key role in the development of River North, coining the name and leading the vision that resulted in a 400-acre urban rezoning and the creation of a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. For these efforts, he received an honorary title from the American Institute of Architects. His contributions to urban development have earned him numerous accolades, including being named 2006 Downtowner of the Year, one of San Antonio’s Visionaries in 2008, and a Texas Powerbroker in 2017 by the San Antonio Express-News. Most recently, Andujar was honored with a membership in the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni at The University of Texas at Austin.
To ensure continued success, the Board has appointed Melissa Robinson as Interim CEO, effective April 1, 2025. Robinson, a longtime member of the Hemisfair team, has played a key role in advancing the organization’s vision and mission. With years of experience in leadership and deep knowledge of Hemisfair’s redevelopment efforts, she is well-positioned to guide the organization through this transition. A nationwide search for a permanent CEO will begin in May, with a final selection anticipated in the next year.
As Hemisfair looks to the future, the completion of Civic Park, the second phase of redevelopment, stands as a testament to Andujar’s visionary leadership. With the second phase of Civic Park opening in March, Hemisfair, along with the City of San Antonio, now envisions an innovative entertainment district—the transformative third phase of its evolution—set to redefine San Antonio’s urban core with dynamic experiences and vibrant community spaces.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead Hemisfair and contribute to the revitalization of this important and historic site,” said Andujar. “I look forward to seeing the next chapter unfold and how Hemisfair perfects the place where San Antonio meets.”