2023 Outstanding Young
San Antonian Award

Cyle Perez

Director of Public Relations & Marketing

San Antonio Zoo

Cyle Perez is a San Antonio native who has an energetic passion for media, public relations, and entertainment. Cyle began his professional journey in the theme park industry, captivating audiences as a dancer, actor, and entertainer at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Walt Disney World for eight years.

Equipped with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Cyle carved out his nonprofit media path at Texas Public Radio. He served on the organization’s marketing, social media, and public relations team, overseeing South and Central Texas. During this time, Cyle held leadership positions on boards including Worth Repeating, Generation Listen, and San Antonio Young Professionals. After expanding his network and knowledge of the industry, Cyle’s passion for the attractions and media community led him to his role as Director of Public Relations at the 110-year-old San Antonio Zoo, a position he accepted in late 2021

At San Antonio Zoo,  Cyle spearheads an award-winning social media team boasting a dedicated following of over 4 million across social platforms and an annual reach exceeding 3 billion! As the primary spokesperson and storyteller for the zoo’s media initiatives, Cyle has orchestrated over 8,000 news mentions annually, gracing esteemed international platforms such as Forbes, CNN, The Washington Post, NBC News, and BBC, among others.

Motivated to amplify his positive influence within the community, Cyle currently participates in Class 48 of Leadership San Antonio, refining his leadership skills alongside 55 other esteemed community leaders. He actively shares his expertise with local and national boards and committees, promoting connectivity, boosting tourism, and driving the overall growth of San Antonio. Notably, Cyle served as the most recent president of San Antonio Young Professionals, the city’s largest young professional network. Additionally, he plays a vital role on the events committee for the San Antonio Hotel Lodging Association and the national Public Relations Committee for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Passionate about the local art scene, he served on the Art Selection Committee for the San Pedro Creek, actively shaping San Antonio’s cultural landscape. In his free time, he frequently hosts fashion shows, panel discussions, and festivals with flair and enthusiasm.

Cyle’s ability to merge his experience in media, nonprofit work, and entertainment allows him to tell compelling stories that inspire change and action in San Antonio and beyond. When not engaging as a spokesperson and nonprofit advocate, Cyle values quality time with his partner, Darian, and their beloved 12-year-old boxer. Together, they enjoy exploring new places, immersing themselves in varied cultures and meeting inspiring individuals, fueling his passion to drive change.

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

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