SAN ANTONIO – Update at 6:20 p.m. on Sept. 11: This story has been updated with a statement from Rory Vance
Less than three months into her first term, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is losing at least her third staff member.
A spokeswoman for the mayor’s office confirmed Wednesday that Event Services Director Rory Vance had resigned from the mayor’s office. When reached by phone Wednesday afternoon, Vance declined comment to KSAT.
Vance’s LinkedIn profile shows he also worked on Jones’ mayoral campaign as a community engagement manager.
On Thursday evening, nearly a full day after KSAT’s story was first posted, a spokeswoman for Jones’ office emailed a statement attributed to Vance.
“I have decided to resign my position with the Mayor’s office as of 12th of September, 2025. This decision was made two weeks previous and the office was given two weeks notice. I would like to thank the Mayor and the Chief of Staff for giving me this opportunity to work with them to help the administration. In consultation with my family, I have decided to seek other positions that allow me to rebalance my work and family life. I am so glad to have had this opportunity, to work with amazing individuals, and wish the Mayor and her staff all the success during her tenure.”
Rory Vance
Jones was sworn into office on June 18, but her staff has already experienced some high-profile turnover.
Jones brought her campaign manager, Jordan Abelson, on as her first chief of staff. However, Abelson’s decision to leave was reported by the San Antonio Report just a few days before Jones announced the hiring of her current chief of staff Jenise Carroll.
Carroll, a former Air Force officer, was hired on July 7.
Gary Cooper, who had been a spokesman in the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department, served briefly as a spokesman for the mayor’s office in late July before being reassigned back to NHSD.
“One helluva week, though!” Cooper wrote on LinkedIn Aug. 1, before replying to a comment. “Not a good fit is what I was told.”
On Wednesday, KSAT Investigates reported Jones had brought on an outside media consultant with a $10,000 monthly contract.
Jones told KSAT the agreement is to bridge the gap until a dedicated communications person is in place.
More recent City Hall coverage on KSAT: