Juan Lopez Hired as Director of Operations & Facilities

Juan Lopez has joined Arboretum San Antonio as Director of Operations & Facilities, bringing extensive operations leadership in construction scheduling, safety compliance, vendor coordination, and multi-site project delivery to support the Arboretum’s ongoing site stewardship and readiness work.

President and CEO Adriana Quiñones said, “Juan Lopez brings the expertise and leadership needed to help bring our Master Plan to life, translating vision into tangible progress on the ground. His role will be instrumental in building out the Arboretum and ensuring it comes into full fruition as a vibrant and lasting asset for our community.”

Arboretum San Antonio is developing San Antonio’s and South Texas’ first arboretum on a 200-acre site located at the former Republic Golf Course on Southeast Military Drive. The site was purchased in November 2023. A comprehensive master plan was revealed in May 2025 setting the foundation for Arboretum San Antonio to move through a multi-phase development path, with community access anticipated in some capacity by 2028.

Lopez’s background includes operational leadership across residential construction environments requiring rigorous scheduling, quality control, municipal coordination, and job site safety discipline. Most recently, he served as a construction manager with First America Homes, leading end-to-end build coordination across communities. He previously held superintendent and construction manager roles with D.R. Horton and Lennar, with responsibilities spanning trade partner management, schedule adherence, regulatory awareness, and customer-facing construction delivery.

A U.S. Army veteran, Lopez also brings leadership experience in training and instructing personnel—an operational advantage for organizations that rely on consistent safety practices, clear procedures, and well-documented field execution. “I am eager to support the stewardship and continued growth of Arboretum San Antonio and to help bring its vision to life for the enjoyment of the entire community,” said Lopez.