Daughters of the Republic of Texas announce new Alamo Administrator
Change results from new agreement with Texas General Land Office
SAN ANTONIO, TX -- The Daughters of the Republic of Texas today announced the selection of Melinda Tomerlin Navarro as Interim Executive Administrator for the Alamo. This position had previously been filled under the title of executive director but the position has been changed under the new management agreement with the Texas General Land Office.
“Melinda is a wonderful and smart choice,” said Karen Thompson, president general of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. “She has been such a dedicated volunteer at the Alamo and has done such a great job she is the obvious choice for the future. No one knows what it’s like to operate the Alamo like Melinda.”
Currently Chairwoman of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Alamo Committee, Navarro has served in this capacity as a volunteer administrator of the 300-year-old mission since last year. The new title and increased responsibly is an early step in a management restructuring at the Alamo that will include the selection of a state Director of the Alamo to be named by the General Land Office in the next few months. As Daughters of the Republic of Texas Interim Executive Administrator, Navarro will be directly responsible for all Alamo staff and operations, and will report to the state Director.
"With the new partnership between the Land Office and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, I see great opportunities ahead for the Alamo,” said Navarro. “I embrace the changes and challenges ahead."
Ms. Navarro brings a background in operational management to the Alamo position. Before joining the Daughters in 2004, she worked as general manager for a local downtown business, handling marketing and customer service responsibilities among other duties. She also has an extensive volunteer background for local civic organizations. She has served on the Alamo Committee in 2007-2009 and served as district representative on the Board of Management from 2009 to 2011.
“Managing the Alamo is a very difficult, 24-hour, seven-day-a-week job, and Melinda has done it as a volunteer,” said Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. “Her dedication to the Alamo is truly impressive. Every Texan should appreciate her stewardship of the Shrine of Texas Liberty.”
Located on Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio, Texas, the Alamo represents nearly 300 years of history. From its start as an early Spanish Mission to the 1836 Battle that forever earned its place in the history of Texas and the world, the Alamo is a "must see" for all who come to San Antonio.
The Alamo is open every day of the year except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Our hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. To better serve visitors, the Alamo will remain open on Fridays and Saturdays until 7 P.M. during the months of June, July and August. As always, admission to the Alamo is free.
The Alamo is owned by the State of Texas and under the jurisdiction of the Texas General Land Office. At the direction of the Legislature, the Alamo is operated by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas under contract to the Land Office. Established in 1836, the Texas General Land Office is led by Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.