Bio | Eddie Aldrete

In January 2022, Eddie Aldrete founded Aldrete Strategic Partners, LLC and today serves as the firm’s CEO. ASP specializes in public affairs, community outreach, crisis communications, and the building of public support for issue and cause campaigns.

Prior to founding Aldrete Strategic Partners, Aldrete spent 16 years as a Senior Vice President for International Bank of Commerce where he oversaw all public affairs, legislative and regulatory efforts for the bank and reported directly to the CEO.

Based in San Antonio, he monitored legislation and regulation in Austin and Washington, DC that impacted banking and other key issues important to the bank. During his tenure, Aldrete spent a lot of time promoting international trade and economic development, including his efforts to help secure the passage of the USMCA trade agreement.

Aldrete has more than 40 years of experience in strategic communications, crisis communications, media relations, and political, governmental, and public affairs. Prior to joining IBC in 2005, he was a Managing Director of Public Strategies Inc. and also headed up his then Austin-based firms, Aldrete Communications (1994–2004) and Aldrete & Terrell (1992–1994).

In April 2023, Aldrete launched his podcast, “Beyond the Bite.” Today, the podcast has a statewide following that has filled a niche by focusing on the intersection of business, public policy, and politics.

He has run three successful issue campaigns including the 1996 effort to build the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ new football stadium, the 1999 Saddles & Spurs campaign to build a new NBA arena in San Antonio, and the 2003 campaign to build a light rail system in Houston. All three elections were successfully adopted by voters.

He is the recipient of many acclaims and honors. In 2019, he was honored by the San Antonio Mexico Friendship Council with their “Amistad Award.” He has been identified by Campaigns and Elections Magazine as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Texas Government and Politics,” and recognized by the San Antonio Express-News as one of the “Top 24 Most Influential People in San Antonio.”

Today, he remains active in volunteer efforts including his current service as a board member of the Hemisfair Conservancy, the fundraising arm of San Antonio’s Hemisfair Park. Additionally, Aldrete and his wife Cristina serve as the chairs of the capital campaign for the Alameda to complete the renovation of the historic San Antonio theatre that is set to re-open in fall of 2027.

He has previously served as Treasurer of the Texas Association of Business and as TAB’s Secretary of the Board of Directors. Prior to that, he chaired TAB’s Texas/Mexico Trade Coalition for three years.

In 2011, he served as board chair for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber and founded the CORE-4 STEM Expo for the chamber. In 2009, he was honored as “Corporate Executive of the Year” for his many contributions to the SA Hispanic Chamber.

Aldrete is married to Cristina Aldrete, a Managing Partner of Aldrete Strategic Partners, who also served as the CEO of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce until November 2022. The Aldretes live in San Antonio and have three children, Cristian (27), Diego (24) and Andrea (21).