Beto Altamirano is the Co-founder and CEO of Irys Technologies, a firm building government technology solutions. Under his leadership, Irys developed the city’s 311SA app, enhancing civic engagement by allowing residents to report and track service requests.
Beto is also a Vice President and Board Member for the San Antonio Port Authority and was selected to represent the US on the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s Task Force on Digitalization in Energy. In 2024, he announced his candidacy for Mayor of San Antonio, emphasizing a vision for the city’s future that includes improved public safety, infrastructure, and economic development.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [6:21] Beto Altamirano talks about growing up on the Texas-Mexico border and how it shaped his worldview and values
- [12:27] How Beto maintains relationships and networks through mentorship and social media
- [16:21] The role of technology in civic engagement and social impact
- [20:19] Unique skills Beto brings to the San Antonio mayoral race as a non-career politician
- [26:22] Beto explains how he balances bilingual messaging in his campaign and reaches Latino communities
- [28:19] Why Beto decided to run for Mayor and how his background informs his campaign
- [39:03] Advocating for regional collaboration across Texas, New Mexico, and Northern Mexico
In this episode…
In cities with growing minority populations and complex needs, regional strengths often remain disconnected, youth lack access to STEM careers, and public trust in local government feels fractured. How can leaders bridge cultural divides, leverage technology, and create opportunities for underserved communities?
Tech entrepreneur and mayoral candidate Beto Altamirano maintains that cities like San Antonio can grow by listening to residents and focusing on pragmatic solutions. Drawing from his South Texas roots and bicultural upbringing, Beto emphasizes the importance of regional collaboration, youth mentorship, and tech innovation. Launching listening tours, analyzing public data alongside community stories, and using digital platforms to boost civic engagement can strengthen communities and bridge cultural divides.
In this episode of The Lawtino™, John Gomez and Jessica Lujan interview Beto Altamirano, Co-founder and CEO of Irys Technologies, about building stronger communities through civic tech and cultural insights. Beto talks about bridging cities across South Texas, embracing bilingual storytelling, and the role of empathy in leadership.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- John Gomez on LinkedIn
- Jessica Lujan on LinkedIn
- Gomez Trial Attorneys: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
- Beto Altamirano: Campaign Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook
- Irys Technologies
- The Crack Podcast on YouTube
- “From Courtrooms to Community: An AG’s Journey to Justice” with Raúl Torrez on The Lawtino™
Quotable Moments:
- “You have to believe in yourself before anyone else believes in you. So believe in yourself.”
- “Sometimes people leave their cities in pursuance of more opportunity, but sometimes that opportunity isn’t there.”
- “When I think of someone, it doesn’t matter what time of the day it is, I text [them].”
- “Growing up in a bilingual, bicultural or binational setting teaches you about empathy and other cultures.”
- “We need more champions again. And we need more young people stepping up across the country.”
Action Steps:
- Invest in regional collaboration strategies: Connecting cities like San Antonio, Brownsville, and Laredo fosters shared economic growth and innovation. These efforts help unlock underutilized regional strengths and attract investment to historically overlooked areas.
- Promote STEM pathways for underrepresented youth: Creating paid internships and mentorship programs empowers students from marginalized communities to enter high-paying, future-ready careers. Early exposure helps shift generational expectations and diversifies the tech and science workforce.
- Leverage civic technology for public engagement: Tools like the 311SA app streamline how residents report issues and receive services, increasing transparency and trust. Accessible technology makes local government more responsive and inclusive.
- Center campaign strategy around listening tours: Meeting residents where they are and documenting their stories leads to data-informed policies that reflect actual needs. This bottom-up approach builds credibility and deepens community connection.
- Use bilingual storytelling to broaden impact: Creating content in both English and Spanish ensures broader reach and cultural resonance in diverse cities like San Antonio. It also reinforces inclusivity and helps engage multilingual communities more effectively.
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by Gomez Trial Attorneys, a personal injury law firm based in San Diego.
Award-winning attorney John Gomez developed a nationally recognized legal team that goes above and beyond for injured clients.
With numerous designations, distinctions, and top-notch resources, we have what it takes to fight and win against major corporations.
For a free case evaluation, visit https://www.thegomezfirm.com/contact/.