125. The Man Behind Brooks: How Leo Gomez Reimagined the South Side

Robert “Bob” Rivard is a veteran American journalist whose 46-year career has taken him across Texas, Latin America, and beyond. He co-founded the Rivard Report (later named the San Antonio Report) with his wife, Monika Maeckle, in 2012, building it into the city’s leading nonprofit news organization before retiring in 2022.

Bob has worked for five Texas newspapers, beginning his career on the border at the Brownsville Herald, then moving to the Corpus Christi Caller, the Dallas Times-Herald, and later serving as a foreign correspondent and chief of correspondents for Newsweek. He returned to Texas as senior editor of the San Antonio Light before becoming executive editor of the San Antonio Express-News (1997–2011).

His journalism has earned widespread recognition, including being named Editor & Publisher’s “Editor of the Year” in 2000 and receiving the prestigious Maria Moors Cabot Award from Columbia University for his reporting on Latin America and the U.S.-Mexico border.

He is the author of Trail of Feathers, a nonfiction book chronicling the disappearance and murder of journalist Philip True in Mexico’s Sierra Madre. The book, published by Public Affairs in 2005, was widely reviewed, excerpted in Esquire, and selected by People magazine as one of five recommended nonfiction works that year.

Bob now hosts bigcitysmalltown, a podcast featuring the people shaping San Antonio’s future. He and Monika live in Southtown, where she runs the Texas Butterfly Ranch blog and previously founded the annual San Antonio Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival. They have two adult children, Nicolas, a designer and artist, and Alexander, director of education for the Alamo Trust.

Alfredo De la Garza is the owner and lead audio engineer at Sound Crane Audio, a full-service post-production studio specializing in dynamic sound design and original music composition for TV, radio, and podcasts. With a deep passion for crafting immersive soundscapes, Alfredo brings exceptional creativity and technical expertise to every project. His dedication to high-quality audio ensures that bigcitysmalltown delivers a rich, professional, and engaging listening experience.

Cory Ames is a writer, podcaster, and media producer passionate about storytelling that highlights San Antonio’s people, history, and future. As the Founder of Ensemble Texas, he has built a platform dedicated to environmental, economic, and cultural resilience through video, podcasts, and long-form features. Cory has produced hundreds of interviews, including as host of The Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Podcast, and now brings his experience to bigcitysmalltown, crafting compelling narratives that celebrate the people who make San Antonio go and grow.

Erica Rempel is a visual storyteller and the founder of ER Media, a social media consulting and photography firm dedicated to creating impactful content for local businesses and nonprofits. With a background in graphic design and marketing, she specializes in event, headshot, and product photography, as well as video production tailored for digital platforms.

A San Antonio native, Erica is deeply involved in the local business community, serving in leadership roles with the American Marketing Association and the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas. When she’s not behind the camera, she enjoys playing and coaching soccer, exploring new restaurants, and connecting with fellow creatives.