San Antonio Movers and Shakers

John P. Walker – 8/28/10

President/CEO, Star Shuttle

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John Walker grew up in the transportation business, working in the family’s Advantage Rent-A-Car car rental offices during high school and college. While earning his Bachelor of Business Administration degree at the University of Texas at Austin, John worked and lived at the family business location in Austin.

Upon receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration degree, John started-up and managed the family’s operations in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex beginning in 1975. He also managed a new regional area including Oklahoma and West Texas from 1978-80. From 1980 to 1982, he attended the St. Mary’s University School of Law where he earned his J.D. John worked at the District Attorney’s office under DA Bill White and then Assistant DA Susan Reed during law school. He became licensed to practice law in Texas in 1983.

From 1983-1993, he was an attorney and shareholder/director of the law firm of Smith, Barshop, Stoffer and Millsap, where he practiced in the areas of transportation, real estate, ad valorem taxation, intellectual properties and business/contract law. In addition, during this ten-year period, John served on the board of directors of Walker Resources, Inc. and represented Walker Resources, Inc., Advantage and Star Shuttle on an ongoing basis. During 1991 and 1992, he was instrumental in the formative years of Star Shuttle and the negotiation of Star Shuttle’s first contracts. He resigned his position with the law firm in 1993 to devote his efforts full-time as President of Star Shuttle, Inc. In addition to winning contracts with VIA Metropolitan Transit, UTSA, UT Austin, Texas State Univ – San Marcos, Texas A & M Corpus Christi, Valero Texas Open, etc. Star Shuttle, under John’s leadership was recently awarded the Gray Line Worldwide Licenses for all of Central and South Texas.

He is one of five shareholders of Star Shuttle, Inc., Airport Triangle LLC , Walker Airport Properties, LLC and Walker-Southwest Properties. LLC. In addition to being President of Star Shuttle, Inc. Mr. Walker is Manager of the family’s real estate LLC’s. John also serves on the Executive Committee of TRAX Insurance, Ltd. He is past chair of the underwriting and risk committees.

Mr. Walker has been a member of the APTA, Southwest Transit Association, Board of Directors – San Antonio Tourism Council, Alamo Area Council of Governments – Clean Cities Task Force, Board of Directors of the Bexar Land Trust, City of San Antonio Transportation Advisory Board, Board of Governors – Plaza Club, American Bus Association, International Motor Coach Network and the Airport Ground Transportation Association. John is also an active member of the San Antonio Bar Association and State Bar of Texas. In July, 2010 Mr. Walker was recently elected President of Trax Insurance, Ltd. which is a captive insurance company owned by 38 of the largest independent passenger transportation companies in the United States.

He served on the Open Space Advisory Board of the City of San Antonio for six years, and was on the original Board of Directors of the Bexar Land Fund. John, his family & Star Shuttle support numerous charitable and civic causes. Mr. Walker is the recipient of St. Mary’s University’s first annual Distinguished Service Award and on behalf of Star Shuttle accepted the City of San Antonio’s Adult Literacy Volunteer of the Year Award.

He is a long time member of First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio. He has been married to Suzie Walker for 33 years and together they have 3 grown children, Austin, Sarah and Abigail.

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