Ron Nirenberg was the mayor of San Antonio from 2017 to 2025. In Nirenberg: The Education of a Texas Public Servant, he reflects on the formative moments that shaped his path to public service, his early years working on public policy initiatives, and his time as mayor. Cowritten with David W. Lesch, the book explores the challenges of translating ideas into action in the city during changing times.
Photo Credit: David Teran
Ron Nirenberg served as the mayor of San Antonio, the seventh largest city in the United States, from 2017 to 2025. He previously served on the San Antonio City Council and worked in civic media and public policy. He is the Calgaard Distinguished Professor of Practice in the communication department at Trinity University and lives in San Antonio, Texas. He joins the Book Festival to discuss his book, Nirenberg: The Education of a Texas Public Servant.
Photo Credit: Trinity University
David W. Lesch is the Ewing Halsell Distinguished Professor of History at Trinity University and the author of 18 books, including A History of the Middle East Since the Rise of Islam, Syria: A Modern History, and The Arab-Israeli Conflict: A History. He lives in San Antonio, Texas.
He coauthored Nirenberg: The Education of a Texas Public Servant with Ron Nirenberg.
Vice-President, Government Relations for Valero Energy Corporation – Retired. Former Chief of Staff for Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Past Chair of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and served on several community Boards.
