San Antonio Water System

As Chief Financial Officer, Velasquez is responsible for SAWS’ financial operations, as well as Customer Service and Strategic Initiatives.

Since the beginning of her career at SAWS in 2010, Velasquez has distinguished herself within the financial and audit industries. She began as an internal auditor and rose within the audit department to become a manager before joining the finance team. In Finance, she was responsible for all of SAWS’ financial reporting, while overseeing a budget in excess of $1 billion.

Velasquez was also instrumental in our Rate Advisory Committee (RAC) process, and most recently, played a pivotal role presenting our rates proposal to the community and SAWS Board of Trustee.

During her time in Customer Service, SAWS was awarded an IDC Smart Cities 2025 North America Award for our ConnectH2O electronic meter program. Under her direction, the massive rollout was completed a year ahead of schedule due to implementation of new installation efficiencies.

In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, Velasquez is a Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information Systems Auditor and a SANS GIAC Systems and Network Auditor. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Master’s in Professional Accounting degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

She has been recognized by the San Antonio Business Journal as a “40 Under 40” honoree and is a member of Leadership San Antonio Class 46. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas and Any Baby Can of San Antonio.

Financial Services

The Financial Services Group ensures the utility’s efficient operation by effectively managing and reporting on the corporate financial position, ensuring compliance with current legal and regulatory requirements, and providing timely financial support, services and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.

Budgeting and Rates – Responsible for short and long range financial plans, and developing and implementing the budget.

Accounting – Manages payroll, general records and property records.

Accounts Payable – Responsible for the vendor disbursement function of SAWS.

Treasury – Handles investment management, cash management and bank relationship management.

Finance – Responsible for the securitization and overall management of the utility’s debt.

Purchasing – Manages the processing and contracting of all purchasing requests for materials, supplies and services.

Supply – Responsible for inventory and distribution support of all materials for SAWS.

Customer Experience & Strategic Initiatives

The Customer Service and Strategic Initiatives Group is responsible for providing the highest level of service to SAWS customers at all times, responding in the most expedient and professional manner possible. This group is also responsible for the accurate and timely billing of SAWS customers and the maintenance of customer accounts.

Billing – Reviews the billing process for accuracy of all SAWS bills printed daily; resolves customer service online billing issues.

Customer Care – Promptly handles all inbound telephone customer inquiries regarding billing, account information, service problems and payments.

Field Services – Responsible for service turn-on/turn-off requests; collection of delinquent accounts; fire hydrant meter readings; and setting, removing, repairing and testing water meters.

Meter Reading – Ensures all SAWS water meters are read on schedule, recorded and researched for accurate billing.

Revenue Collections – Determines and ensures correct billing format for customer accounts; handles inbound calls regarding collection of delinquent accounts.

Customer Centers – Four full service walk-in locations provide friendly, personal interaction with SAWS’ residential and commercial customers.