Downtown Residents Association

DRA Officers

Joanna Foster, Secretary

Joanna Foster has lived downtown for 14 years, right on the River Walk! She and
her husband, Jerry, still consider San Antonio's river development second to none.
As a condominium owner Joanna served as president of her condominium association. She later became involved in the Downtown Residents Association where she served as president from l997-l999. That position introduced Joanna to many of the leaders of the city as well as many of the issues facing San Antonio.
Attending numerous and various organizational meetings she served on the design committee for the San Antonio River Oversight Committee, as an appointed member of the SAISD (San Antonio Independent School District) TIF (Tax Increment Funding) committee and, after assisting with the establishing of the Public Improvement District, served on the Centro San Antonio Board for three years.
Joanna has also been a member of downtown's Travis Park United Methodist Church. She has been involved with their outreach to the homeless and has particularly lobbied the city for public restrooms which stay open 24 hours a day. She is currently trying to establish a Neighborhood Advisory committee for the Haven for Hope, the latter promising to be a "world class" center established to transform the homeless from a sense of hopelessness to productive
and promising futures. Joanna is serving a second term as secretary of the DRA (Downtown Residents Association).

Fred Preston, Treasurer

Relocating to San Antonio approximately three years ago, Dr. Frederick Preston has already become active in his new community. Currently, serving as Treasurer of the San Antonio Downtown Residents Association, he has also been a class a member of the most recent Masters Leadership Program of San Antonio and Bexar County. Prior to arriving in the Alamo City he served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Stony Brook University (NY) for over 25 years. During that period he also served
on numerous boards, including Habitat For Humanity of Suffolk County NY), United Way of Long Island, and United Way of New York State. Among his many award citations are proclamations by the U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate recognizing professional excellence and service to higher ed. students, and recognition by the
Suffolk County Council (NY) as "Volunteer of the Year".

Cathey Meyer, President

Cathey Meyer is a native of San Antonio and a graduate of Churchill High School and the University of Texas at Austin. Career opportunities have given me the privilege of living in Austin, New York City, Houston and Washington DC and allowed for extensive travel across the United States and around the world—BUT—I always return home to my roots. My last move back to San Antonio allowed me the opportunity to live in the urban bustle of downtown and participate in the changes and growth of downtown. Currently, I am teaching 7th Grade English at Stinson Middle School in NISD and work part-time as a freelance writer. Past careers include High School teacher and girl’s athletic coach; Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Street Gang and Youth Violence Consultant; Real Estate Agent and office manager. I am the author of two books on juvenile issues; served on the Downtown Advisory Board; member of San Fernando Cathedral Parish and have been a member of the DRA since 2003.