Meet the Board: AB Mendez

What inspired you to join the Vibrant Works board?

I had a desire to volunteer with a high-quality, community-oriented organization in San Antonio where I could potentially make a positive impact. I was introduced to Vibrant Works by dear friends Margaret Velasquez and Tom Stringfellow. I toured Vibrant Works and was touched and inspired by the work the organization does and the many ways it benefits people who are blind or have vision loss in our community.

What do you love most about Vibrant Works?

What I love most about Vibrant Works is the benefit it delivers to people who are blind or have vision loss, that the organization is always looking for new ways to serve its clients and that it continues working to increase the number of people it can reach with its existing services.

I also love that it brings together sighted people who are passionate about the mission and want to contribute.

And, of course, the people! You have an incredible team at Vibrant Works, and you have also attracted some amazing board members. I hope a little of that rubs off on me.

When did you join the Vibrant Works board?

January 2025.

What is a fun fact about you?

Some of my favorite bands and artists are Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Bob Marley, John Coltrane, Russell Malone, Art Blakey, Stan Getz, Wes Montgomery, Dave Matthews, My Morning Jacket, El Ten Eleven, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Mötley Crüe, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Outkast, Big Tymers, 50 Cent, Whitney Houston, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, GoGo Penguin and Robert Earl Keen.

What is your occupation?

I am director of investor relations at Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc., the parent company of Frost Bank. At the end of this year, I will have been with Frost for 12 years. Prior to my current role, most of my experience was in asset management across sell-side equity research, multiple types of investment funds based in New York and co-managing a mid-cap equity mutual fund at Frost Investment Advisors under my fearless leader, Tom Stringfellow!