Latest news with #SanAntonio-based
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kiolbassa Smoked Meats Announces Executive Leadership Transitions to Support Future Growth
Michael Johnson named President effective July 1, 2025; Bill Wagner appointed Executive Vice-Chairman; Jerry Carnes joins Senior Team SAN ANTONIO, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiolbassa Smoked Meats, the San Antonio-based smoked sausage company known for its premium products and purpose-driven culture, today announced a strategic leadership transition effective July 1, 2025, marking the beginning of its FY26. Michael Johnson has been named President of the company, while current President Bill Wagner will transition into the newly created role of Executive Vice-Chairman. In addition, Vice President of Sales Jerry Carnes will assume expanded management responsibilities and join the company's Senior Team. The succession plan was created by Michael Kiolbassa and unanimously approved by the company's Board of Directors and Advisory Board in the latest board meeting. "Michael Johnson is a remarkable leader whose deep understanding of our business, operational excellence, and values-driven leadership make him the ideal person to guide us into our next chapter," said Michael Kiolbassa, CEO and Chairman of the Board. "He has grown alongside this company—from summer intern to executive leader—and has earned the full confidence of our board, our team, and our family." Johnson joined Kiolbassa Smoked Meats full-time after earning his MBA from Texas Tech University and has held numerous leadership roles over his 18-year tenure, including Director of Marketing, Senior Vice President of Organizational Development & Finance, and most recently, Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer. He played a key role in integrating Values-Based Leadership and the Great Game of Business into the company culture. Johnson has had a major role in the company's implementation of Lean Manufacturing Principles throughout the organization, and he co-developed the company's strategic business pillars in 2022 which have guided the company's growth for the past three years. "I'm incredibly honored and thankful for the opportunity to serve as President of Kiolbassa Provision Company. This company has played a major role in my life over the past two decades, and I'm grateful for the trust placed in me. I'm committed to carrying forward our legacy of integrity, quality, and care for our people as we continue building a business that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others," said Johnson. Current President Bill Wagner, who has led the company since July 2022 as its first non-family president, will transition to Executive Vice-Chairman. In this role, he will serve as a strategic advisor to the Senior Team, with a special focus on mentoring the Finance department and supporting long-term planning as a member of the Board of Directors. "Bill's steady leadership and commitment to building a lasting legacy for our family business have been invaluable," said Kiolbassa. "He has accomplished more than we imagined possible in just a few years, and his continued presence will be instrumental as we move forward." The company also announced that Jerry Carnes, Vice President of Sales, will assume expanded responsibilities in managing the sales function and will join the Senior Team. This change reflects Kiolbassa's continued investment in leadership development and the importance of a strong, aligned sales strategy. "I'm excited for what the future holds with Michael Johnson at the helm, supported by a deeply talented leadership team," said Kiolbassa. "With strong leaders all aligned, I'm confident in our continued growth and ability to enrich lives across the communities we serve." About Kiolbassa Smoked MeatsFounded in 1949 by Rufus and Juanita Kiolbassa on the west side of San Antonio, Kiolbassa Smoked Meats has grown from a local meat company into a nationally distributed brand known for its handcrafted, slow-smoked sausages made with premium cuts of meat. The company remains family-owned and committed to enriching lives through honest food, meaningful service, and purpose-led leadership. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Kiolbassa Provision Co. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Culinary, wellness-focused resort coming to Utah ski destination
This story was originally published on Hotel Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Hotel Dive newsletter. Michelin-starred chef Charlie Palmer and luxury hospitality pro Christopher Hunsberger — the partners behind luxury hotel brand Appellation — are collaborating with wellness guru Deepak Chopra to bring a new branded hospitality concept near Park City, Utah. The 78-acre hospitality retreat, Ameyalli Park City by Appellation, will include an 80-key hotel, a wellbeing center and multiple luxury dining concepts in the mountain town of Midway, Utah, according to a news release from Appellation, which will manage and operate the property. Ameyalli Park City by Appellation launches as luxury travelers increasingly seek immersive experiences centered on wellness. The resort is the latest to come to the Park City area, which has seen several high-profile hotel developments announced in recent months. Ameyalli Park City by Appellation will blend 'culinary excellence with a transformative wellness experience,' offering a Charlie Palmer restaurant and bar as well as a 50,000-square-foot wellbeing center with a spa, luxury mineral pool and garden-to-table restaurant, Appellation shared. Using Appellation's culinary-first hospitality approach, Ameyalli will offer guests locally inspired and interactive dining experiences. The resort's 55-acre natural geological preserve and biodiverse garden will support its on-site dining concepts. Ameyalli will be built around a natural geothermal spring, offering 28 natural hot springs and views of the Wasatch Mountains. According to Appellation, for generations, people have visited the resort's site to 'connect with the land's healing energy and breathtaking views.' A product of San Antonio-based architecture firm Overland Partners, the resort's design will take inspiration from the surrounding landscape. The resort will also be home to the Ameyalli Center of Excellence, offering health and longevity programming aligned with Chopra's seven pillars of wellbeing: emotional regulation, sleep, mindfulness, movement, relationships, nutrition and laughter. The resort's debut comes as travelers seek immersive experiences focused on holistic wellbeing — and hotels are finding more ways to meet that demand. Luxury resort brand One&Only, for example, is expanding to New York's Hudson Valley with a wellness-oriented property set to offer guests 'immersive one-off experiences' created in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America. Sam Nazarian's SBE, meanwhile, launched a longevity-focused resort brand that will offer medical services like preventative MRI and CT scans and advanced blood diagnostics. Ameyalli Park City by Appellation, set to debut in 2026, will be located 10 minutes from the newly expanded Deer Valley Resort. Grand Hyatt, Canopy by Hilton and Four Seasons are all expanding in the market as demand for the Utah ski resort picks up. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nueces County may join opposition to potential property tax exemptions
Nueces County may join other taxing entities in publicly opposing potential property tax exemptions related to a workforce housing program and a large electric provider — which, if granted, would likely impact property tax revenue collected for the public coffers. Among items on the Nueces County Commissioners Court's May 21 agenda is a closed-door discussion with attorneys on the Corpus Christi Housing Authority's and CPS Energy's 'tax-exempt issue, and all related matters.' The court could take action after that discussion, potentially echoing the objections of Del Mar College and the city of Corpus Christi. The court hadn't received preliminary projections of how much the potential property tax exemptions could affect the budget, but officials are 'doing everything we can as fast as we can to figure out how to put a stop to this,' said Nueces County Commissioner Brent Chesney on May 16, describing the implications as 'far-reaching.' No one wants to take legal action in the matter, he added, but that may be necessary to protect the interest of the county and residents. 'It's just too big a deal; you can't just lay down on it,' Chesney said. 'You have to go fight and figure this out because it's millions of dollars out of taxpayers' pockets.' Both the Corpus Christi City Council and Del Mar College Board of Regents made formal overtures May 13 to potential legal action related to a new workforce housing program spearheaded by the housing authority. The college's board additionally took a position of opposition against possible property tax exemptions related to the purchase of two power plants by CPS Energy, a San Antonio-based utilities provider. As part of a new workforce housing program, the housing authority acquired at least 13 apartment complex properties, according to officials, with others potentially pending acquisition. It amounts to at least $330 million taken off the tax rolls, according to preliminary appraisal values. Appraised values as of mid-May are not yet certified and are subject to change. Acquiring the properties makes them tax-exempt, Corpus Christi Housing Authority CEO Gary Allsup told the Caller-Times on May 14. As part of an agreement between the apartment complex owners and the governmental agency, the participating apartment complexes must make about half of their unit inventory available for workforce housing, he said. It's a mechanism that will fill a crucial gap in housing options for a segment of the population that is 'caught in the middle,' Allsup has said. In the case of housing, 'workforce' means individuals and families whose income is moderate — too high for low-income housing eligibility but not high enough to make market-rate housing affordable. The federal government's definition of what qualifies as affordable is a household spending no more than 30% of its income on utilities, combined with either rent or mortgage. The program, as crafted, is not directed toward low-income housing. The acquisitions, in part, involve the housing authority becoming an owner of the property's grounds, as well as a 'small-portion owner in the actual improvements to the property,' Allsup said. Of the workforce units, 40% are intended for households bringing in 80% or less of the area median income, and 10% are set aside for households earning 60% or less of the area median income, he said. Rent for units reserved for workforce housing are then adjusted to a price that is considered affordable for those income levels, he said. Critics have questioned whether the program meets legal and propriety standards and whether it meets the mission of the housing authority. They have also raised concerns about the impacts on the property tax revenue. Opponents have asserted that property tax exemptions would take off the tax rolls properties appraised in the millions of dollars, subsequently pulling millions of dollars of otherwise expected property tax revenue. Del Mar College officials have estimated that should properties be found tax-exempt, it would mean about $1.1 million in lost property tax value, while city representatives have put that number at about $3.5 million. The city, which had previously cited a projected deficit of about $7 million in its 2026 budget, has said if the housing authority's acquisitions were taken off the tax rolls, the deficit would reach about $10.5 million. May 13, the Del Mar College Board of Regents approved college representatives and legal experts to take the 'necessary and appropriate action, including the engagement of outside counsel, to protect and pursue the college's legal status and potential claims' related to the potential property tax exemptions for the housing authority's acquired apartment complex properties. The City Council took similar action the same day, producing a resolution approving city management to 'to use all administrative, legal, and legislative means to prevent the improper and/or illegal use of property tax exemptions by the Corpus Christi Housing Authority, affiliates, and entities connected thereto.' Allsup said May 14 that 'there continues to be a misunderstanding of what the law is and under what programs that this is done for.' 'There's certainly not anything that's improper, and nothing illegal, in the way that these deals have been done,' he told the Caller-Times. 'It's been very transparent.' Although an official analysis was not immediately available as of May 19, a Caller-Times review of preliminary appraisal district records suggests the amount in lost property tax revenue for the county may be more than $800,000. Chesney told the Caller-Times that the acquisitions and contemplated property tax exemptions would 'damage people everywhere under this disguise of calling it 'low-income housing.'' 'All we're trying to do is stop the bleeding since the issue has been brought to our attention,' Chesney said. With an anticipated parallel effect, the purchase of two power plants — the Barney M. Davis and Nueces Bay generation plants — may take millions of dollars off the tax rolls, officials have said. The two power plants combined are appraised at about $151 million, according to preliminary assessments. Because CPS Energy is considered a governmental entity — it is municipally owned by the city of San Antonio — those two properties, previously on tax rolls, may be accepted as tax-exempt, local officials said. Addressing the Board of Regents May 13, Del Mar College Chief Financial Officer Raul Garcia estimated removal of the plants from the tax rolls would translate to about $500,000 in lost property tax revenue. CPS Energy's 'vision for delivering modern, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy services may have been the key factors behind this acquisition,' he said. The board mirrored its action related to property tax exemptions on the housing authority's acquired properties, approving the enlistment of outside legal counsel to look into potential property tax exemptions for CPS Energy's two power plants. In a news release issued May 2024, CPS Energy had announced the closing of the sale of the natural gas power plants, previously owned by Talen Energy Corp. The document shows CPS Energy also closing a sale of a natural gas plant in Laredo. 'This action supports CPS Energy's generation plan, approved in 2023 by its Board of Trustees, to power the greater San Antonio community into the future by securing an additional 1,710 MWs that are available immediately,' the news release states. 'The addition of these units aligns with the generation plan, which includes the retirement of older coal and gas units and the addition of a blend of more efficient gas generation along with solar, wind, and energy storage.' Rudy D. Garza, president and CEO of CPS Energy, is quoted in the news release as saying the acquisitions represent a step in the entity's 'growing role as a regional energy utility, providing additional resiliency and reliability for our customers.' "This acquisition adds critical capacity to our generation portfolio to continue to reliably serve one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation,' he stated. 'Our customers will benefit from these investments for decades to come." In addition to San Antonio, CPS Energy also provides services to 'portions of seven adjoining counties,' according to the news release. Chesney contended that should property tax exemptions be awarded, it would prove to benefit only San Antonio. 'If someone's going to try to take money out of the Nueces County taxpayers' pockets and give it to the city of San Antonio, in the case of CPS, or give it to developers who are developing apartment complexes — that's not right,' he said. In a message to the Caller-Times on May 20, CPS spokeswoman Dana Sotoodeh wrote that 'CPS Energy is a municipally owned utility, owned by the City of San Antonio, and is a tax-exempt entity.' 'When the plants in Corpus Christi were acquired last year, those facilities were no longer subject to property taxes,' she wrote. 'We are collaborative partners with the communities in which we operate. We look forward to continuing our conversations with local leaders and working together productively.' It was not immediately clear as of the morning of May 20 whether city officials intended to take a position on the purchases of the power plants, or if money would be allocated for legal counsel. It was not addressed in the May 13 meeting. Early, non-certified appraisal records indicate the city's portion of taxes, if the plants are found tax-exempt, would be at least $400,000. For the county, the unofficial number would likely be at least $396,000, according to district documents. More: City, Del Mar College say Corpus Christi Housing Authority plan may cost them tax revenue More: Two years after tax dispute budget crisis, Texas law aims to protect local governments More: City of Corpus Christi may need to make $7 million in cuts this year. What will it mean? More: New apartments for the workforce class are coming to two defunct hotels. Here's how. This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Nueces County may join opposition to potential property tax exemptions
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PepsiCo officially buys Poppi for $1.95B. See which other Texas brands have been sold
A wave of recent acquisitions is reshaping the landscape of Texas's beloved food and restaurant industries, with iconic local brands and burgeoning startups catching the eye of national and international powerhouses. From a multi-billion-dollar beverage deal to the expansion of a Houston restaurant empire, these strategic moves highlight the growing value and appeal of Texas's culinary contributions. The trend underscores a desire by larger entities to tap into the flavors and customer loyalty cultivated by Texas-based businesses, while also signaling growth opportunities for the acquired companies. Austin-based Poppi, the rapidly growing prebiotic soda brand, officially completed its acquisition by PepsiCo on May 19. The deal, valued at $1.95 billion, brings the beverage into PepsiCo's vast portfolio. Poppi has carved a niche with its functional beverages, reflecting PepsiCo's push into the wellness drink market. In another significant move for PepsiCo in Texas, the global beverage and snack giant also completed its acquisition of Austin's Siete Foods in January. The deal was reported to be around $1.2 billion. Siete Foods, known for its health-conscious Mexican-American food products like grain-free tortillas and chips, further expands PepsiCo's natural and "better-for-you" food offerings. The iconic San Antonio-based fast-food chain, Whataburger, saw a major shift in ownership in June 2019. After nearly seven decades as a family-owned enterprise, a majority stake was acquired by BDT Capital Partners, LLC, a Chicago-based merchant bank. While the Dobson family retains a minority ownership and the headquarters remain in San Antonio, the acquisition aims to accelerate the brand's expansion into new markets while preserving its Texas heritage and core values. The Dallas-based "lodge-themed" sports bar chain, Twin Peaks, was acquired by Los Angeles-based FAT Brands in September 2021 for $300 million. FAT Brands added Twin Peaks to its growing portfolio of concepts, aiming to leverage its popular model for further expansion. San Antonio's Taco Cabana, a fixture in the Texas fast-casual scene, was sold in July 2021 for $85 million. The acquirer was Yadav Enterprises, a California-based franchisee with stakes in other well-known brands like Jack in the Box and Denny's. The sale by its previous parent company, Fiesta Restaurant Group, allowed Fiesta to sharpen its focus on its Pollo Tropical brand. Dallas-based Velvet Taco, a fast-casual concept celebrated for its taco creations, was acquired by private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners in November 2021. This acquisition positioned the popular chain for potential accelerated growth and expansion under new ownership. Austin's Torchy's Tacos saw an ownership shift in November 2020 through a substantial investment, reportedly around $400 million, from GenRock Capital Management, General Atlantic, and other investors. While not a full acquisition by a single corporate entity, this private equity infusion fundamentally altered ownership and control. In a colossal $18.7 billion mega-merger in July 2018, the Plano-based Dr Pepper Snapple Group joined forces with Keurig Green Mountain, creating the beverage giant Keurig Dr Pepper. While not a restaurant, this acquisition represented a monumental change for a massive Texas-based food and beverage company, uniting two major players in the North American beverage market. Houston's renowned Pappas Restaurants Inc., the empire behind popular eateries like Pappadeaux and Pappasito's Cantina, announced in May its intent to acquire the bankrupt Tex-Mex chain On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina. This move is expected to expand Pappas Restaurants' footprint within the Tex-Mex casual dining segment, bringing the Dallas-area-based chain under the wing of a deeply established Texas hospitality group. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: From Poppi to Whataburger, here are 9 Texas brands that have been sold
CNBC
21-05-2025
- Politics
- CNBC
Judge says Trump administration violated court order with deportation flight linked to South Sudan
After a deportation flight with eight migrants left Texas reportedly intended for South Sudan this week, a federal judge on Wednesday ruled that the Trump administration had violated a previous order. District Court Judge Brian Murphy in Massachusetts said during a hearing that the Trump administration had failed to adhere to his injunction, issued in March, preventing individuals from being sent to a country other than their own without giving them an opportunity to raise fears of persecution or torture. The judge's ruling comes after the Department of Homeland Security confirmed during a press briefing Wednesday morning that eight individuals from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cuba, Mexico and South Sudan were deported this week. According to the DHS, many of these individuals had violent criminal convictions, including murder and sexual assault. "The department's actions," Murphy said, "are unquestionably violative of this court's order." A State Department travel advisory warns Americans not to go to South Sudan, "due to crime, kidnapping, and armed conflict" and notes that in March, because of conditions on the ground, the department "ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees from South Sudan." Government attorneys said that the migrants are still in ICE custody, and that the plane has since landed. They declined to share the location of the plane's final destination. Murphy, who relayed publicly the sequence of events leading to the deportation of these individuals after spending more than 30 minutes in a sealed proceeding, said the individuals were notified of their destination "sometime in the evening" on Monday, outside business hours. He added that they left the ICE facility the next morning at the latest in the 10 a.m. hour and at the earliest before 9 a.m. Without sufficient time to consult an attorney or family members, the judge said that it was "impossible" for those individuals to "have a meaningful opportunity to object" to their deportation to a third country. The hearing comes after immigration attorneys told Murphy that at least two of their clients, from Myanmar and Vietnam, were allegedly deported Tuesday morning to South Sudan. It's possible one of the migrants, Nyo Mint, might have been diverted to his home country of Burma but his San Antonio-based immigration attorney Jonathan Ryan says he is still in the dark about where his client is right now and says he has been "disappeared." "I have not heard from my client," Ryan said. "How am I supposed to take their word that they sent him to Burma?" Ryan says the government is acting as if due process is a privilege saying it's a problem "when we stop doing due process for unpopular people." South Sudan could be headed for another civil war. A 2018 power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, ended five years of civil war. But earlier this year, violent clashes between the factions have ramped up once again. Earlier this month, Murphy blocked the Trump administration's attempt to deport individuals from countries including the Philippines, Vietnam and Laos to Libya. Then, Murphy had reaffirmed his injunction on third country deportations in response to an emergency motion from the migrants' lawyers.
