AACOG accepts resignation from embattled director Diane Rath

Published: Thu, 10/26/23

AACOG accepts resignation from embattled director Diane Rath


Longtime Alamo Area Council of Governments Executive Director Diane Rath has submitted her resignation. 
Credit: Bonnie Arbittier / San Antonio Report

San Antonio Report
by Andrea Drusch


The Alamo Area Council of Government’s board of directors accepted the resignation of its longtime executive director, Diane Rath, on Wednesday.

Earlier this month the board appointed an interim executive director while it investigated complaints that Rath had criticized employees and created a hostile work environment.

AACOG is an association of local governments from 13 counties — including Bexar County — that collaborates on projects like air quality, aging services, law enforcement and military affairs across the region. Rath had led the organization since 2014.

A board of regional elected officials oversees AACOG, and heard from a number of unhappy former employees at their meeting Wednesday. The board voted unanimously to accept Rath’s resignation, and both parties agreed to waive future claims.

“I want the public to understand that we’ve been working on this problem for some time. And we’ve had extensive discussions back and forth with Ms. Rath and her attorney. My motion is that, since Ms. Rath has indicated her desire to retire from AACOG effective today, I move that we accept her retirement request,” said the board’s vice chairman, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, according to KSAT TV.

Cliff Herberg, who had been AACOG’s general counsel before being named interim executive director earlier this month, will serve as the new executive director for at least the next six months.

“This is a unique and quick transition into the executive director role, but I look forward to continue working with our programs to serve the residents and member governments of our 13-county region,” Herberg said in a prepared statement. “We have staff providing essential programs and services, and we will seamlessly continue with our mission.”

Rath previously served as a senior vice president for a national workforce solutions company and chaired the Texas Workforce Commission, a role she was appointed to by Gov. George W. Bush and reappointed to by Gov. Rick Perry. According to her LinkedIn profile, Rath’s role at AACOG includes “transforming the agency to respond to the current environment.”

AACOG has roughly 350 employees and a budget of about $80 million, funded primarily by state and federal grants.

A text message requesting comment from Rath bounced back as undeliverable Wednesday.

Rath said in a statement to KSAT that in her nine years of leadership at AACOG, she was “immensely proud of what the team has accomplished in rebuilding the agency and the multiple national awards we have received.”

“There are always some disgruntled employees but I am pleased with the board’s decision and action. I wish AACOG continued success in the future,” she said.

 


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