Posted on November 20, 2024 by Wendy Frost
Meeting on campus then falling in love with the university, Becky, '80 and Jerry Salinas', '80 passion for UTSA and each other has grown over the years.
Becky and Jerry Salinas
Becky’s story is that they met in a finance class at UTSA. But, Jerry’s version differs. His recollection was seeing Becky in an earlier accounting class, then making an effort to sit next to her during that finance class to gain her attention. While passing test papers, Becky commented on Jerry’s perfect score. What began first as a friendship led to dating after graduation and then marriage several years later.
“I had a lot of great experiences at UTSA,” said Jerry, who was part of UTSA’s first freshman class as an accounting major. “It was a commuter school then and so different from campus today, but it was a great environment. Classes were so much smaller, and we had great relationships with the professors.”
“It was a great opportunity to get a little bit of the college life that we had not had before,” said Becky, who was also an accounting major. “We’d hang out at the Sombrilla. I was a member of the Accounting Club, and I remember attending Fiesta UTSA.”
Coming from humble beginnings, the Salinas’ were both first-generation college students. Jerry’s dad was an auto mechanic who passed away when he was 6. His mom was a homemaker/seamstress. Becky’s dad worked at Kelly Air Force Base, and her mom was a homemaker.
“My mom had made so many sacrifices for my family,” said Jerry. “I knew that I wanted to be successful so I could make her life easier.”
“Our work ethic came from watching our parents,” said Becky. “They passed that down to us.” Realizing that the challenges for first-generation students are greater, Jerry noted that it must be even harder now with the higher cost of a college education.
“It really tugs at your heart,” said Jerry, who is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. “But, our experience is being relived daily by current UTSA students. That is what truly motivates me to continue to be involved at UTSA.”
Jerry began his career in public accounting with Touche Ross where he spent six years. Looking to achieve a little more work-life balance, he answered an ad in the newspaper for a director of external reporting position at a public company. That company turned out to be Frost, and he has been working there ever since.
Jerry is currently group executive vice president and chief financial officer of Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. and Frost Bank. He'll retire from that role in 2025.
“I’ve had a great run,” said Jerry. “Frost has such a great reputation in San Antonio and across the state. I really enjoy the people and the culture.”
Graduating during the peak of the oil and gas craze, Becky accepted an accounting job in Houston with Transco Energy Company. Moving away from home for the first time in her life, she enjoyed the work and the lifestyle, but she returned to San Antonio to be closer to Jerry. She worked for several years at USAA in human resources recruiting accountants. But, during one of their layoffs, she chose to stay at home to be closer to her children.
“I’ve been a housewife ever since and happy to do it and support Jerry and watch his career grow,” said Becky. With their three daughters now grown, both Becky and Jerry look forward to becoming more involved at UTSA.
“It was meaningful to me when the business college was named for Carlos Alvarez,” said Jerry. “Obviously I knew him from his involvement on the Frost board, but to have his name on the school means a lot to San Antonio and to Hispanic business students–past, present and future.”
Lately their favorite pastime has been being grandparents to their grandson, Omar. They also enjoy spending time at their weekend house in Kingsland, traveling and being together.
Now, over 41 years later, their relationship with each other and the university is as strong as ever.
“We really enjoy each other’s company,” said Jerry. “She’s my best friend. We’ve been so blessed. I’m always so grateful to UTSA for giving me the foundation for my long career at Frost.”
“UTSA has our hearts,” said Becky. “We have a lot to be grateful for, and we did it with UTSA’s help.”
— Wendy Frost
