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  • Ray Berend
  • Ray Berend
  • Padgett, Stratemann & Co., LLP
  • Council Chair

Ray Berend serves as Managing Partner of Padgett, Stratemann & Co., L.L.P., the largest independently-owned CPA and business advisory firm in San Antonio. Since 1969, Padgett, Stratemann & Co., L.L.P. has served middle-market businesses in San Antonio and the South Texas areas.

Ray began his career with Padgett & Padgett, CPAs in 1965 and is one of the founding partners of Padgett, Stratemann & Co., L.L.P. As general service partner for accounting and consulting services for many clients in wholesale and retail, petroleum products distribution, and manufacturing, his main objective is to maximize the client's profits and operational efficiency. He became managing partner of the firm in 1990 and has led it to become the third largest independent CPA firm in the Southwest states with over 150 team members.

Ray was the recipient of the North Chamber Small Business Leader of the Year award in 2002.

As well as membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA) and San Antonio Chapter of TSCPA, Ray's professional affiliations include board memberships for the San Antonio Medical Foundation, United Way Foundation, Roy Maas' Youth Alternatives, Inc. Foundation, San Antonio Executive Board of Boy Scouts of America, and the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation. He is also a member of the St. Mary's University Business School Council of Executives and the Holy Spirit School Council and Development Committee.

He earned his bachelor's degree at St. Mary's University with a major in accounting and earned his CPA in 1968.

Chairman's Council

FOCUS: The Chairman's Council serves the North Chamber's highest level of investors by delivering the pinnacle of programming, relationship cultivation, and leadership development that far exceeds their annual investment in the North Chamber. Here, influential business leaders conduct high-level networking with other decision-makers, and are the first to preview trends and new initiatives planned for the San Antonio community and economy as detailed by elected officials and other industry experts. Membership in this Council is contingent upon a minimum investment level of $1,000 or more.

GAIN insight on the local, state and national economies at the annual Economic Update, as forecasted by noted economist Dr. Ray Perryman.

LEARN first-hand from elected officials and other industry experts about current events or initiatives at Special Programs scheduled exclusively for Chairman's Council members throughout the year.