BMPR Smorgascopia

Melissa Ludwig

Melissa Ludwig Band

San Antonio Express News Reporter

On Twitter: Melissa_Ludwig

By day, Melissa Ludwig is an education reporter at the San Antonio Express News. By night and on weekends and everywhere in between, she’s co-founder of the Melissa Ludwig Band, where she brings her vocals and acoustic guitar talents to the homegrown group. Since forming in late 2008, the Melissa Ludwig Band has played more than 150 shows in the San Antonio area, honing their distinct Americana rock sound.

After the band ran out of money to finish their debut album “Now That You’re Here” — they turned to online social media fundraising site Kickstarter.com and more than exceeded their goal. Melissa will talk about the process, how the band uses social media and maybe we can twist her arm into singing a wee little ditty for BMPR.

Sam Lerma

Filmmaker and Teacher

On Twitter: @samlerma

Sam Lerma is a filmmaker and high school film teacher in San Antonio, Texas. He’s worked in the TV/Film industry for 12 years. Sam never intended to go into film after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. But during his last semester of school, he realized he wanted to be a storyteller. So he used his last student loan check to buy a video camera, and he’s been making films ever since. Sam has worked for two San Antonio news stations, KABB/FOX29, and KSAT-12, the local ABC affiliate, as a video editor, news photographer, and video journalist. Sam is using Kickstarter to finance his new film Lilia. The project has surpassed its $3,500 goal.

Jaime Castillo

Communications Director/Sr. Policy Analyst

Office of Mayor Julian Castro

On Facebook: Jaime

Jaime Castillo is the Communications Director and Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of Mayor Julián Castro. He is responsible for developing media strategies across both traditional and social-media platforms to highlight and enhance the profile of the Mayor. Mr. Castillo also is responsible for talking points, issue-oriented materials and the planning of events to achieve consensus and buy-in for major initiatives supported by the Mayor and City Council.

Prior to joining Mayor Castro’s office, Mr. Castillo held a variety of roles at the San Antonio Express-News, including writing a three-times-a-week Metro column. Starting in 1997, he worked in the newspaper’s Austin bureau covering the Texas Legislature and subsequently held the titles of Political Writer and Political Editor. Jaime will talk about how San Antonio’s Office of the Mayor is using social media.

Rob La Gesse

Chief Disruption Officer

Director of Customer Service

Rackspace

On Twitter: @kr8tr

Father of two, mother of none. Rob has lived across the globe. He has moved back to San Antonio more times than most people move. Now he’s here to stay (so he says!) Rob loves fixing things which explains his backgrounds in medicine, software quality assurance and customer care. Rob now heads up social media efforts at Rackspace. His passion is taking care of customers and he goes to great lengths to do so. From passing out his home telephone number on Twitter, to working around the clock to find customer solutions – Rob is what Fanatical Support is all about. Rob will talk about Customer Service and Social Media: What exceptional service looks like.