SYLVIA S. ROMO, CPA, RTA, CTA
Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector
Sylvia S.Romo has accumulated a long list of accomplishments, honors, and recognition in both her professional and political careers. Her numerous community activities complement her success in business.
In 1996 Ms. Romo became the first woman to be elected to the Office of the Tax Assessor-Collector of Bexar County (population 1.5 million). She is also the first Latina elected to any countywide executive post in government. As a Certified Public Accountant, business person, and former legislator, Ms. Romo provides a unique mix of technical, management and political expertise coupled with an in-depth understanding of the critical issues and challenges facing the Office of the modern day Tax Assessor-Collector.
As the Tax Assessor-Collector, Ms. Romo is responsible for the collection and disbursement of over 2.5 billion dollars of revenue each year, an operating budget of 10 million dollars, and a full time and seasonal staff of over 225 employees. She is certified by the State of Texas as a Registered Texas Assessor-Collector and a Certified Tax Administrator (R.T.A., C.T.A.). She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Bexar County Appraisal District. Her determination to eliminate the "we've always done it this way" mode has resulted in a more responsive and efficient Tax Office.
In 1992 and 1994, Ms. Romo was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. During her two terms in office, Ms. Romo authored more than 92 legislative bills, many of which were business related and signed into law. In her first term, she passed a major constitutional bill that would provide financial funding for women and disadvantaged businesses, making her the first freshman member to pass a major constitutional amendment. She was appointed to the powerful Ways and Means Committee, serving as the committee's only woman legislator and one of only three women ever appointed in the committee's history.
Ms. Romo received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She earned her certified public accountant designation in 1981 and has over thirty years of experience.
A native of San Antonio, Texas and a mother of four sons, Ms. Romo's special recognitions and honors include being inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame in 2000. She was selected to participate in the White House Women's Economic Leadership Summit in Washington D.C. She was selected as a Fellow by the Fleming Fellows Leadership Institute sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation, and also as an advisor to the U.S. President's Advisory Committee on Women's Business Ownership. She was selected Woman of Power by the Mexican American Business & Professional Women of San Antonio, Outstanding Woman in Business by the San Antonio Express-News, and Top Women of the Decade in the United States by the Business and Professional Women's Foundation in New York City.
Increasing community awareness of taxpayers' and voters' rights is one of Ms. Romo's chief goals. Her community involvement includes presentations to professional groups, community/neighborhood organizations, and citizens on political and economic issues that impact their future. Ms. Romo is a member of the College of Business Advisory Council for the University of Texas at San Antonio.