Chapter Leadership

San Antonio Chapter Board of Directors

Robert Vega...

Sonia Martinez Freeman is a photographer and video producer with experience in multimedia production for health care, government, military, small business and consumer industries.  

After interning at the Veterans Benefits Administration Educational Development and Training Department under the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program, Ms. Freeman began her media career producing educational corporate video for Kinetic Concepts International, (now a subsidiary of 3M), Labatt Food Service and AT&T U-verse.  After ten years in corporate multimedia production, Ms. Freeman transitioned into the creative world of wedding and portrait photography and video.  Her background in corporate communications, and constant desire to learn and create motivates her to produce content with impact.  

As a wife and mother of two boys, she is inspired by creating content that celebrates life’s moments and builds connections for a healthier community.

Mrs. Freeman specializes in event, commercial and portrait photography and loves telling stories in film.  She is a high school graduate of the first graduating class of Communications Arts High School in San Antonio, Texas and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts at The University of the Incarnate Word.  She is also a member of Professional Photographers of America and currently serves as President Elect ILEA San Antonio Chapter.

Gretchen Olivares is the owner and creative behind Aly Am Paperie!

She is a wife to Greg and mother to two awesome girls, Alyssa and Amber—who were the inspiration behind the store’s name, Aly Am. Gretchen has lived in San Antonio since 2001 and loves staying involved in her community through volunteering at several organizations. Gretchen currently serves on the executive board of ILEA, the gala and committees of ILEA and NACE, a member of AAHA, and founded S.T.E.P., short for South Texas Event Professionals.

Family means much to Gretchen and she considers it an honor to help bring to life the stationery that starts your happily ever after! Gretchen loves sitting down with clients one-on-one to help them figure out the details that will create the vision they have for their invitations. It is so important to make an invitation informative to the celebrations detail but also make it memorable as it will be a keepsake of your very special day. That’s why Aly Am's motto is “Celebrating Life’s Special Moments.”

Julie McGarraugh has been an ILEA member since 2009, Julie began her San Antonio board journey in 2012 and served as President in 2018-2019. She is happy to be back on the board to support the chapter and help it excel.

A 25-year veteran of the events industry, Julie has been at the McNay Art Museum for 18 years and is
the Development Officer of Earned Revenue and Events. She plans all museum fundraising events,
oversees the rental program, visitor services, and the boutique. A UTSA alum, she enjoys gardening and
traveling.

Tammy Blalock is a San Antonio-based, certified professional photographer specializing in live events. She is also a published author and a podcast host.

She has been a professional photographer since 2010 and during that time has placed a very strong emphasis on master-level photography education. To date, Tammy has earned over 40 international print competition awards. Combining her technical skill set and creative eye, Tammy strives to create clean images with energy and vibe and that relay a unique visual difference for her clients.

When you need a reliable, well-rounded professional who can add a touch of creativity to your photography project, call Tammy.

When Tammy is not making photographs, you can find her hiking, cycling, backpacking, camping, enjoying water sports, listening to music (Elvis and Prince), hunting for arrowheads, reading audiobooks, occasionally eating a few glazed donuts (my only weakness to sweets) and then re-starting her keto diet about every 10 days. The most important things in life are for Tammy to see her two daughters happy and to create a family history that her grandparents and grandchildren would be proud of.

Ata-Girl Photography, Co., LLC dba Sā Events carries full liability insurance. Tammy is also a member of ILEA (International Live Events Association), Visit San Antonio, WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Professionals International), Fearless Photographers International, Photo Wedding Stories, Cosmo International Awards, and WPE.

Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC and Sā Events are certified Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned, Emerging Small Business Enterprise, and a Small Business Enterprise by the South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency of Bexar County, Texas.

Nina Graham...

Alyssa Gonzales...

Flor Rodriguez is the Digital Marketing Manager for CSI DMC, a Destination and Event Management Company. She was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley and currently resides in San Antonio. A few short years ago, Flor transitioned from education to marketing and never looked back. An accomplished writer, Flor has successfully penned blogs, articles, social media, and web content for CSI DMC. She is passionate about the events industry and loves sharing the creative programs her colleagues create, on social media. Highly organized and creative, Flor is also fluent in Spanish. When she is not working, Flor enjoys spending time with her partner, and her dog, Kobe.

Brittney Davila...