Published: Three Perfect Biking Spots for Beginners Near San Antonio

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How the San Antonio Founder Lions Club Stays Involved in the Community

Previously the chief financial officer and vice president at A’GACI, a retail fashion organization located in San Antonio, Reid Hackney is an alumnus of Penn State, having earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting before beginning his career in finance. Now retired, Reid Hackney enjoys getting involved in the local San Antonio community, and has served as a member of the San Antonio Founder Lions Club since 2017.

The San Antonio Founder Lions Club has been around since 1915, making it “the oldest Lions Club in the world.” Active in the San Antonio community, the club has a number of different methods of outreach, with a particular interest in assisting those who are struggling with vision impairment or blindness. The club collects eyeglasses in order to refurbish and donate them to those who can’t afford to purchase prescription eyeglasses of their own. Additionally, it assists with funding a mobile eye screening initiative, where a travelling unit offers free eye exams to the public.

In addition to many other outreach efforts, the San Antonio Founder Lions Club is proud to continue offering the Texas Lions Camp, a residential camping facility that caters to children suffering from various illnesses, including cancer, type 1 diabetes, and other kinds of physical disabilities. The children are able to participate in a variety of activities, including music, fishing, arts and crafts, archery, swimming, and drama.

Published: San Antonio Initiative Shares the Streets Expands Pedestrian Trails

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Mixtli Named Best Restaurant in San Antonio

Reid Hackney holds an accounting degree from Penn State University. Beyond his professional success, Reid Hackney is active with the San Antonio Founder Lions Club. As a self-described foodie, he also enjoys the city’s thriving culinary scene.

Founded by James Beard Award semifinalists, Chef Diego Galicia and Chef Rico Torres, Mixtli offers an uplifting and inspired modern take on Mexican cuisine. Five years after opening its doors, Mixtli secured the title of Best Restaurant  in San Antonio by the popular publication, the Express-News. The restaurant is well-respected for its diverse beef, vegetable, and bean dishes, which are served as a multi-course tasting menu.

Every ingredient of the restaurant is made from scratch, resulting in dishes with authentic and traditional flavors. The tasting course also suggests beverage pairings, including wines sourced from a local distributor. Mixtli operates from a converted boxcar and delivers an intimate experience for up to 12 diners at a time.

The San Antonio Founder Lions Club and the Tower of the Americas

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Penn State University alumnus Reid Hackney retired in 2017 after serving as vice president and chief financial officer at the retail fashion organization AGACI. Now residing in Texas, Reid Hackney spends his free time cycling, hiking, attending concerts, and completing community service through the San Antonio Founder Lions Club.

Established in 1915, the San Antonio Founder Lions Club is the oldest Lions Club in the world and works to support those who are blind or visually impaired. The organization pays for glasses and eye exams for those without the necessary means and helps fund a Mobile Eye Screening Unit. It also supports a children's summer camp and helps fund the Lions Sight Research Foundation. It is able to do this via a variety of fund-raising methods, including its operation and maintenance of the seven telescopes at the Tower of Americas in Texas.

Every year, San Antonio Founder Lions Club members collect upwards of $12,000 in quarters from the telescopes. Situated on the observation deck of the 750-foot tower, the telescopes cost 50 cents per use and provide users with a panoramic view of the Alamo City. The tower also features the revolving Chart House Restaurant and the 4D theater ride Skies Over Texas.

Separated by a Century - The Naming and Founding of San Antonio

Reid Hackney is a graduate of Penn State who has an extensive background in information technology and organizational financial oversight. A longtime San Antonio resident, Reid Hackney has a particular interest in exploring the history of the city embodied in its surviving missions and colonial-era artifacts. 

The name of the city itself predates its foundation and goes back to June 13, 1691, when a Spanish expedition force reached a sizable river. As described by Father Damian Massanet in his diary, the men arrived at a rancheria of Payaya nation Indians. Their horses stampeded upon arrival due to the sheer abundance of buffalo in the area. Because this happened to be on the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua, they named the place, called Yanaguana by its inhabitants, San Antonio de Padua, and built an altar at the location. 

A formal settlement was not established until 1718 by an expedition that had governor of Coahuila y Texas Don Martin de Alarcon at its helm. The location was advantageous because it was the only place in the region that offered fresh spring water. With May 1, 1718 recognized as the official founding date, the city celebrated its 300th anniversary last year.

Boosting Operational Efficiency in a Retail Space

San Antonio, Texas, executive Reid Hackney worked in retail finance for more than two decades before retiring. During his time as senior vice president of finance and CFO for the Dressbarn brand, the Penn State graduate spearheaded the growth of the company from 40 to more than 2,500 stores. Reid Hackney’s work at the company included boosting operational efficiency.

Operational efficiency in a retail space centers on the shopping experience. A good shopping experience affects customer retention and acquisition. When customers have a good experience at a store, they will rave about the service to friends, family, and others. This word-of-mouth marketing is free to companies and helps bring in new customers for less than traditional marketing efforts. 

Meanwhile, great experiences entice customers to return to a business on a repeat basis, increasing their total lifetime value and boosting company revenue.

Operational efficiency in retail also depends on inventory management and automation. Automated systems prevent retailers from overselling products, since they decrease the chance that inventory information will be incorrect. When inventory is accurate, customers are disappointed less often, and have an easier time finding the products they want. Better shipping processes that offer improved order fulfillment, improved synchronization between online and brick-and-mortar stores, and tidier warehouses also play a role in operational efficiency.