Guidehouse, a prominent global consulting firm with established offices situated in Austin and Houston, is actively expanding its operations into San Antonio, where it aims to create a remarkable 1,000 job opportunities in the forthcoming five years.
Capturing the Guidehouse expansion was a strategic move for San Antonio and Bexar County, as they did not have to provide any conventional financial incentives to attract the company, according to Greater:SATX CEO Jenna Saucedo-Herrera. “They chose San Antonio based primarily on its talent pool and favorable location,” she stated.
“Adding one thousand office jobs is currently one of the largest expansions occurring in the state,” she added with enthusiasm. “This is a significant development; they are a global entity actively looking to grow their presence worldwide.”
In a swift response to their plans, Guidehouse had already listed several job openings based in San Antonio on its website on the same day as the announcement, demonstrating their proactive approach to staffing.
She emphasized that San Antonio “made sense to them from both a business development perspective and with regard to the quality of the workforce available.” The city’s commitment to enhancing educational attainment is becoming an attractive incentive for employers.
“Our educational attainment has improved by six percentage points over the last five years, outpacing our peer metropolitan areas,” she noted, while recognizing that there is still progress to be made.
Furthermore, she pointed out that investments in “place,” which encompass improvements at the San Antonio International Airport including new routes and increased capacity, significantly influenced Guidehouse’s decision. With Guidehouse’s headquarters located in Washington, D.C., the accessibility of nonstop flights from DCA was noted as particularly advantageous, alongside the new direct service to Boston.
Guidehouse will establish its new office at 9903 Westover Pl., located in the far west region of San Antonio; this location will function as a regional operations hub. The firm intends to deliver advisory, digital, corporate, and managed services across Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, as outlined in their recent press release.
“Our expansion into San Antonio — identified as a leading industry hub for cybersecurity, financial services, health and life sciences, intelligence, defense, and security — underscores our dedication to enhancing the support we offer clients in this vibrant marketplace,” commented Scott McIntyre, Guidehouse CEO. “We are eager to engage actively with our numerous clients and colleagues, integrates into the larger San Antonio community, and facilitate local opportunities for our growing network of Texas-based employees and partners.”
Guidehouse is a portfolio company of Bain Capital, which acquired Guidehouse in late 2023 for a substantial $5.3 billion from Veritas Capital, which had owned the company for five years. The firm has expanded through strategic acquisitions and now boasts a workforce of over 17,000 employees across 55 locations globally.
The San Antonio expansion signifies a pivotal moment in the firm’s strategic growth plan, as it continues to broaden its influence and deliver innovative solutions to its diverse market, as noted in the official press release.
**Interview with Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, CEO of Greater:SATX**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Jenna. Guidehouse’s expansion into San Antonio is exciting news! Can you tell us why San Antonio was the chosen location for this major investment, especially since no financial incentives were needed to attract them?
**Jenna Saucedo-Herrera:** Thank you for having me! Guidehouse’s decision to expand in San Antonio primarily stemmed from our city’s impressive talent pool and favorable location. The company recognized the potential of our workforce and the positive business climate that exists here, which are vital for their growth.
**Editor:** It’s impressive to hear that the area has become increasingly attractive to large firms without the need for financial incentives. What does this say about San Antonio’s economic development strategies?
**Jenna Saucedo-Herrera:** It highlights the effectiveness of our focus on improving educational attainment and workforce quality. Over the last five years, we’ve increased our educational attainment by six percentage points. This growth is crucial in positioning us favorably against peer metropolitan areas and further solidifies San Antonio as a destination for high-caliber employers.
**Editor:** Guidehouse plans to add 1,000 jobs over the next five years. How significant is this for the local job market and economy?
**Jenna Saucedo-Herrera:** This is undoubtedly one of the largest expansions in Texas at the moment. Adding that many office jobs will have substantial positive effects on our local economy, not just by increasing employment but also by enhancing the overall business ecosystem in San Antonio. It helps create a ripple effect, encouraging other businesses to consider setting up shop here.
**Editor:** You mentioned improvements in “place” influencing Guidehouse’s decision. Could you elaborate on that?
**Jenna Saucedo-Herrera:** Certainly! Investments in infrastructure, particularly at San Antonio International Airport, have significantly enhanced our connectivity. The availability of nonstop flights, especially to key cities like Washington, D.C. and Boston, makes our city more accessible for a global entity like Guidehouse. This shows how vital our local infrastructure is in attracting businesses.
**Editor:** Lastly, with Guidehouse establishing its office in the far west region of San Antonio, how will this affect the community there?
**Jenna Saucedo-Herrera:** The new office at 9903 Westover Pl. will serve as a regional operations hub, which will drive economic activity in that area. It’s an opportunity for collaboration and growth, benefiting local vendors and service providers. We’re looking forward to the positive changes it will bring to the Westover Hills neighborhood and the broader San Antonio community.
**Editor:** Thank you, Jenna. It’s clear that San Antonio is on a promising trajectory with such developments.
**Jenna Saucedo-Herrera:** Thank you for having me! We’re excited about the future.
