Distinguished Citizen Award Luncheon

The Distinguished Citizen Award Luncheon honors individuals who share Scouting’s belief in leadership, determination and values, and have contributed significantly to the growth and vitality of our community. It also provides critical financial support through the Friends of Scouting campaign for all our programs across 15 counties in Central Texas.

When: February 20, 2025
Where: Hilton Austin, 500 E. 4th St., Austin, 78701

Registration/check in opens at 11:00am
Doors open at 11:30am
Lunch and program at 11:45am-1:00pm

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This Year’s Recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Award

2025 honoree: Jesús Garza

On July 1, 2013, Jesús Garza became chief executive officer of the Seton Healthcare Family. He also served as ministry market leader for Ascension Health’s Texas and Arizona ministries, including the Carondelet Health Network. Jesús retired from Ascension and Seton in August 2017.

Jesús joined the Seton Family of Hospitals, as it was known at the time, in 2002 following a career in the public-sector. Initially, he headed a newly created Health Ministry at Seton before moving into the chief operating officer position. An experienced manager of complex organizations, he quickly became known for implementing strong community partnerships early in his career.

Prior to coming to Seton, Jesús served as deputy general manager for the Lower Colorado River Authority, following eight-years as city manager for the City of Austin. He led the city during a period of considerable economic and population expansion. His tenure included business development, downtown revitalization, and the transformation of a former Air Force Base into the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Jesús had oversight responsibility of the city-owned Brackenridge Hospital during the time when it was named a regional Trauma Center. He also served as Austin’s chief negotiator in the lease agreement that brought the facility, now University Medical Center Brackenridge, into the Seton Family.

Jesús began his government career in Austin in 1978, enjoying increasingly responsible roles throughout his tenure. He also served as assistant city manager and deputy city manager in Corpus Christi and returned to Central Texas to become executive director of the Texas Water Commission.

Jesús was named Public Administrator of the Year by the American Society for Public Administration/Centex Chapter, Public Official of the Year by Governing magazine and recently received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He also received the distinction of being named the 2019 Austinite of Year by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Jesús received his Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Texas and a Master of Public Affairs degree from the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs.

Jesús currently serves on the following Boards: San Antonio Branch of the Dallas Federal Reserve, The City of Austin’s Waterloo Greenway Local Governing Council, Waterloo Greenway Governing Board, the Headliner’s Board, Christus Spohn Board, Christus St. Vincent’s Board Santa Fe, and is Co-Chair of 2030, a citizens’ group established by several philanthropists to assist the Austin Independent School District.

Event Volunteer Leadership

Event Chair

Mayor Kirk Watson

Event Planning Chairs

Joe Beal
Mollie O’Hara Leach

Event Vice Chairs

Event Impact

For more than 110 years, the Boy Scouts of America has provided programs with a mission of preparing young people for adulthood – and to be responsible citizens. Scouting offers exciting programs designed to inspire, build character, and instill the values boys and girls need to succeed today. Funds from the Award event benefit nearly 500 Scouting programs across 15 Central Texas counties serving youth regardless of ability or economic level.