2025 Outstanding Young
San Antonian Award

Kevin L. Matula

Director, Government Relations

USAA

Kevin Matula is a respected government and public affairs professional, civic leader, and bridge-builder whose work reflects a strong commitment to service, integrity, and community. As Director of Government Relations at USAA, he represents one of the nation’s most trusted financial institutions at the state and local levels, helping advance public policies that support military families, strengthen communities across Texas, and foster economic opportunity.

Throughout his career, Kevin has been drawn to mission-driven institutions—organizations that not only carry economic weight but also embrace social purpose. From his early days at the Texas Capitol to roles at Zachry Group and CPS Energy, he has worked to advance causes that deliver essential services and anchor communities. His passion for public policy is rooted in a deep belief: institutions, when led with integrity and accountability, can be powerful forces for good.

Kevin is a trusted civic voice and dedicated volunteer. He currently chairs the Public Policy Council for the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and previously led its Economic Development Council. He has served in executive committee roles with United Way of San Antonio & Bexar County, the Texas Association of Business, San Pedro Playhouse, and The Hidalgo Foundation. A proud alumnus of St. Mary’s University, Kevin now chairs the Advisory Board for its College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, where he champions the importance of preserving liberal arts and education. He also mentors students through the university’s legislative internship program, believing deeply in preparing the next generation of public servants.

A proud son of Karnes City, Texas, Kevin’s life is grounded in faith, family, and a quiet sense of purpose. He credits his parents, Leon Jr. and Ginger Matula, for instilling the values of service, humility, and compassion that continue to guide his life. Though his journey has taken him to Washington, D.C., and Austin, it is San Antonio that adopted him—where he chose to call home, to build a life, and to give back to the community that gave him so much.

More than anything, Kevin is known for his calm presence, thoughtful insight, and enduring belief in the power of connection. In a time when life moves fast and relationships can slip through the cracks, he’s the friend who works to show up—loyal, grounded, and intentional about staying close to the people and places that matter. Outside of work, he enjoys time with family and friends, coastal walks, travel, celebrating Fiesta San Antonio in style, art in all its forms, and the occasional (and earnest) attempt at meditation or exercise.

The Rotary Club of San Antonio is proud to recognize Kevin Matula as the 2025 Outstanding Young San Antonian, honoring a young career and life of thoughtful leadership and enduring impact.

What is the Outstanding Young San Antonian Award?

Established in 1931 by the Jaycees, this award honors outstanding young San Antonians who exemplify the Rotary philosophy of “Service Above Self” by making exceptional contributions to the community.  In 2002 the Rotary Club of San Antonio began selecting recipients.

Recipients included Tom Slick, Tom Frost Jr, Nelson Wolff, Henry Cisneros, Bonnie Reed, Pat Frost, Tim Duncan, Rick Cavender.

Previous Recipients

2023 – Cyle Perez
2022 – David Robinson
2021 – Emma Faye Rudkin
2020 – Ryan Lugalia-Hollon
2019 – Lorenzo Gomez
2018 – April Ancira Thompson
2017 – Rey Saldaña
2016 – Brandon Logan
2015 – Jon Marek
2014 – Shannon Sedwick Davis
2013 – Rev. Gavin Rogers
2012 – Jennifer Paquette
2011 – Armen Babajanian
2010 – Bruce Bowen
2009 – Rebecca Brune
2008 – Mark Larson
2007 – Lanham Napier
2006 – Dr. Fernando Lopez
2005 – Josh Davis
2004 – Leslie Mouton
2003 – Tim Duncan
2002 – Mark Mays
2001 – Mayor Ed Garza
2000 – Justice Wallace Jefferson
1999 – Pat Frost
1998 – David Robinson
1997 – Ron Barshop
1996 – Lyle Larson
1995 – Richard H. Cavender
1994 – T.J. Connolly
1993 – Robert G. Marbut, Jr.
1992 – Richard P. Ojeda
1991 – Judge Carleton B. Spears
1990 – Judge Bonnie Reed
1989 – Karyne Jones Conley

1988 – Thomas Yantis
1987 – Cyndi Taylor Krier
1986 – Dr. Louis Agnese, Jr.
1985 – Gilbert F. Vazquez
1984 – Roy Barrera, Jr.
1983 – Paul Rush
1982 – Gary Short
1981 – James Dublin
1980 – Carl D. Newton, III
1979 – Frank Tejeda
1978 – Dan Loveland
1977 – Tom Vickers
1976 – W.W. McAlllister, III
1975 – Henry G. Cisneros
1974 – Bernard M. Brooks, Jr.
1973 – Reese L. Harrison
1972 – Nelson W. Wolff
1971 – Bob Lee
1970 – Segal V. Wheatley
1969 – Charles S. Nelson
1968 – Douglas Mitchell
1967 – Boone Powell
1966 – James L. Hayne
1965 – Lloyd Jary, Jr.
1964 – Charles L. Smith
1963 – W. Don Tiner
1962 – Franklin S. Spears
1961 – Tom Frost, Jr.
1960 – Jack Pitcluk, Jr.
1959 – Porter Loring, Jr.
1958 – Jack Cones
1957 – John Daniels
1956 – Hubert Green, Jr.

1955 – Walter Corrigan
1954 – Bob Hollingsworth
1953 –  Bill Southwell
1952 – Sam Riklin
1951 – Bill Camp
1951 – Sam Jarle
1951 – Sam Riklin
1951 – Phil Willis
1951 – Forres E. Wood
1950 – William Bellamy
1950 – John W. Fielder
1950 – Jack C. Hamilton
1950 – Paul K. Herder
1950 – Henry J. Sebastian
1949 – James V. McGoodwin
1948 – Tom Slick
1947 – Dan Gates
1946 – Lou Riklin
1945 – Angus Cockrell
1944 – Carl Stromberger
1943 – Willis Tate
1942 – Harold Risener
1941 – Walter Thomas
1940 – Jake Tiner
1939 – Albert Buss
1938 – Jesse Fletcher
1937 – Theo Weiss
1936 – Fred Felty
1935 – Joni Jones
1934 – Bailey Peyton
1933 – Guy Bonham
1932 – Arthur Pfeil
1931 – Youngs Crook