STAFF PROFILE: ALBERT GUERRA

ALBERT RENE GUERRA

Dining Manager / Pool Manager 830.336.9000 x163 / aguerra@cordilleraranch.com

HOMETOWN: San Antonio, Texas FAMILY MEMBERS: 2 older brothers, 1 younger sister / Mother and Father / 2 nieces and 2 nephews

HOW DID YOU BECOME EMPLOYED AT THE CLUBS OF CORDILLERA RANCH?

I originally started back in 2014. Chef Isaac asked me to come over and check the place out. I started off as a server here and grew to a supervisor of Food & Beverage. I left to try some new experiences and finally made my way back in February of 2022.

WHAT PAST WORK HISTORY PREPARED YOU FOR THE CLUBS?

I have worked for several luxury hotels — Omni La Mansion, Watermark Hotel & Spa, The Westin La Cantera Resort. I worked with Piatti for four years, which is part of Palisades Hospitality Group. For the past two years, I worked with the group to open two new restaurants — Camp Outpost Company, one of which was outside Zion National Park.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?

I think it would have to be being able to open two new restaurant concepts and travel with the openings. It allowed me to see a different part of the country every day that I probably would have only spent a couple of days at on vacation.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGE?

My greatest challenge would be opening a restaurant in September of 2020. Opening was a must due to already planning to have been open in January of 2020. It got me to really think through all the different scenarios going on in the country and how we had to adapt to be in compliance with the current laws and regulations.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT CORDILLERA RANCH?

What I like most is how great the membership is. They are like you and me. They care about you and want to get to know all about you. Over the years, both then and now, I have been able to see many of their children grow up. I have been able to be part of weddings, birthday/anniversary celebrations and so much more. Family is certainly at the core of Cordillera Ranch — from membership to the staff we work with.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS?

Loving, Caring, Genuine. Many times, people ask why I am so happy… it’s all because of how I have been raised by my parents and grandparents.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?

My favorite thing to do is be outdoors and hiking. I love exploring Central Texas and the Hill Country. If I am not doing that, I am usually trying to find time to go bike riding throughout various areas. My favorite is bicycling through downtown San Antonio. I also do some light wood work with refurbishing different items here and there.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO HAPPINESS?

Certainly, my faith has brought so much happiness. When things get tough, I always remember that God has a plan and I need to rely on his guidance.

WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

Sky diving, safari hunting, hot air balloon travel, hiking through all of North America and Europe.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK AND WHY?

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas — I love how the book tells about successes through hard work, friendships that fail while others grow and how even through tough times some people will always keep you close to themselves even after years of not being in contact.

MOST MEANINGFUL PERSONAL EXPERIENCE?

When I was in my mid to late 20s, I got certified to foster children. I was inspired to help those in need and show them a side of life that they otherwise would not have seen. I did that for a couple of years. I look forward to doing it again in the near future.

MEET VENUS and BILL STRAWN:

A Love Story in Cordillera Ranch

By Kimberly A. Suta :: Photography by David Teran

To know Venus and Bill Strawn is

to be witness to a great love story, or at least one that has happily survived the decades, the pandemic and the new era of online dating. To know them is to know a couple who is warm-hearted, full of life and always ready to dance… or play Pickleball.

Lorinda K. Photography

Although Venus was raised in New York, her family hails from Puerto Rico, and you can still catch a subtle accent when you speak with her. She received an RN nursing degree from the Roosevelt Hospital School of Nursing before she met Bill. “I loved being a nurse in New York City — it was a wonderful time in my life,” she said.

Bill, on the other hand, grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and has had a diverse yet storied career. He started working at the age of 12 for the Grand Ole Opry, selling souvenirs and programs. He remembers seeing icons like Johnny Cash and The Everly Brothers in concert. “It was a tremendous experience,” he recalled. “That’s where I learned in sales, not to prejudge customers by their appearance.”

He went to Middle Tennessee State University, where he received a Masters in Science and Biology before venturing into an esteemed career in medical sales.

Like many couples do, Bill and Venus met through work.

“I hired her as a sales rep. At the time, she was a nurse in NYC, and I was the northeastern general manager for Scientific Products division of American Hospital Supply Corporation. Venus came in for an interview after passing muster with everyone else,” shared Bill. “I didn’t call her back right away so she called and told me, ‘I’m still out here waiting.’ I told the HR guy that this woman has guts and I’d like to hire her. She went through sales training, and I would get to see her sometimes. I always liked her, so when I was promoted as president in Japan, I felt since I was no longer her boss, I could ask her out.”

From there it was something of a whirlwind romance. Bill asked Venus to accompany him to Japan, which she did, and it was there that they got married, in Kobe, before having a more formal wedding back in NYC.

“I was 28 and he was 38 at the time, so you don’t mess around, waiting too long to get married,” joked Venus. “So, I became an instant mother living in Japan with a new husband and a new career. It was a great challenge, but we embraced it as a great adventure.”

Venus made lots of friends in Japan, from England, Scotland and Australia, thanks to the diverse international community there, and took courses on Japanese flower arranging and etiquette, such as how to behave properly at a wedding or a funeral.

Bill and Venus eventually found there way to Texas via Bill’s job. They settled in Austin and lived there for over 30 years on Lake Travis before moving to Spanish Oaks. Bill noted that they were one of the first 25 members of the Spanish Oaks Golf Club.

Both Bill and Venus continued to pursue their careers and passions, racking up numerous accomplishments during their time in Austin. Venus became an Austin civic leader. She was recognized as a “Women on Their Toes” honoree in 2009 and appointed to the board of Humanities Texas in 2009 by Governor Perry and in 2011 by Governor Abbott.

“I have an incredible passion for philanthropy and tend to focus my work on organizations that benefit children and the elderly,” she shared.

In fact, one of her proudest accomplishments is she co-founded the Dancing With the Stars Austin fundraiser for the Center for Child Protection, which is modeled after the popular TV series and showcases all kinds of ballroom dancing.

According to her proud husband, Bill, “Hands down, creating Dancing With the Stars is her biggest accomplishment. She co-founded the event with Jeanne Parker, who just joined The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. This was the first time in Texas for this type of fundraiser. It’s gone on now for 16 years and over the course of that time has raised around 16 million dollars. It’s one of the most prominent events in Austin. People come out of the woodwork every year to participate.”

As for Bill’s greatest accomplishments, of which there are many, he built a nationally recognized executive search firm, Strawn Arnold Associates, based in Austin that still exists today and conducts high-level searches in the pharma biotech industry.

Additionally, he built and owned a commercial subdivision named Preserve at Bee Cave, which he eventually sold when he retired: “I named a street in the subdivision off Bee Caves Road after our granddaughter — Ashley Worth Boulevard.” He was also the chair of the Judicial Compensation Committee for the State of Texas. “Judges never get a raise. I was a fighter for them to get a raise in 2013 and met with members of the legislature. After succeeding, the judges sent a letter of gratitude. They hadn’t gotten a raise in 10 years at the time,” explained Bill.

Eventually, though, the tremendous growth and congestion in Austin caught up with the couple. Their friends and neighbors in Spanish Oaks, Tom and Susan Boehme, had bought a house in Cordillera Ranch so they decided to come down for a visit and take a look.

“We looked at two houses on Sunday morning and one was under construction by Burdick Custom Homes. It had an open floorplan between the kitchen and the living room and was very efficiently designed. We also liked the large glass doors that open up to the porch and the pool area, which you can leave open, integrating the inside and outside. Monday morning, we signed a contract. So, that was a pretty quick deal. We love Cordillera Ranch. We like the active social life at the Club and the

wine dinners, so it’s really more than just golf. We like Pickleball and look forward to the opening of the dedicated Pickleball courts,” said Bill.

They moved into their new home on April 1, 2021, and although there were many enticements to live in Cordillera Ranch, being a part of an active community really sealed the deal for the handsome couple, and as you might have guessed, it didn’t take long for Bill and Venus to make a bunch of new friends.

“Here at the Club, there’s so much to do and interact with new people on another level. It’s just a different social lifestyle. The amenities are so great and the surrounding area is so beautiful,” shared Venus. “We have a Gold Rush night every Wednesday, which is so much fun, and I started a Pickleball group called the Pickleball Divas — it’s a great group of women from all over.”

The Strawns have been married now for 41 years, and they both agree that is, in truth, their greatest achievement. When asked what their secret is. “Tolerance,” joked Bill.

“We also have grandkids that actually call us to say hello, and they love to come visit,” said Venus. Their kids include sons Steve, who lives in San Antonio, and Brian, who lives in Boston. Their daughter Anita and her husband Jeff live in Sarasota Springs, and are parents to Ashley and Eric. Ashley is a recent graduate from UC Davis and lives in San Francisco. Eric is a senior at Cal Poly.

If you are lucky enough to make friends with Bill and Venus, make sure to ask them for a tour of the artwork in their home, which is a combination of southwestern and Japanese art. “We have a Japanese screen that’s almost 200 years old,” noted Bill. “It’s really beautiful,” added Venus. “We also have some art from an old Japanese artist who is 106-years-old, named Shinoda. She’s considered a Japanese treasure.”

Of course, in our humble opinion, you couldn’t find more of a treasure in the Strawn home than the love and welcoming energy that they share with all of the family and friends who walk through their door.