Today we’d like to introduce you to Aimee Schumacher.
Hi Aimee, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I spent 22 years in the U.S. Army, and my husband also served, so we were a dual-military family for most of our careers. When the Army PCS’ed us to San Antonio in 2022, I did not expect to fall in love with the city or Texas Hill Country – but it did not take long. Now we are settled in Boerne, raising our two fierce daughters and enjoying a little more stability.
I joined the Army through ROTC at the University of Arizona, and the military community has been part of my life since I was 17. So when I retired, I knew I wanted to stay connected and continue serving in a different way. That led me to the MOAA Alamo Chapter, which has been part of the San Antonio community since 1961. It started at Fort Sam Houston and has grown into one of the largest MOAA chapters in the country, both in membership and geographic reach.
I joined the board in 2023, served as President-Elect in 2024, and now serve as Chapter President beginning in 2026. During that time, I was also part of the Masters Leadership Program Class XXI in 2025, which really helped me grow as a nonprofit leader here in San Antonio.
For me, it has been a continuation of service – staying connected to a community that has shaped so much of my life and helping make sure it stays strong for the next generation.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road – but I think that’s true for most membership-based nonprofits right now.
A big challenge is simply staying relevant and connected. People care about the mission, but they are busy, and not everyone naturally plugs into a traditional membership model anymore. That means we’re constantly thinking about how to meet people where they are and make sure what we offer actually matters to them.
For us, there is also the reality that we are a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization – so it is not just about engagement. It is about making sure we are truly capturing the voice of our members and representing that effectively at the state and national level. That is a responsibility we take seriously.
Geography adds another layer. Our Alamo Chapter spans a huge part of Texas – from San Antonio up past Austin, down through the Valley, and out toward West Texas. So building real connections and communicating effectively across that footprint is a constant challenge.
We also support a 501(c)(3) Educational Foundation under our Alamo Chapter umbrella. The Educational Foundation does incredible work with ROTC and JROTC students through scholarships and leadership programs. Like many organizations with both a (c)(4) and (c)(3), we have to be intentional about supporting both missions clearly and making sure they complement each other without competing for attention or resources.
Lastly, there is the fact that we are a 64-year-old organization. Among the earliest MOAA chapters in the nation, Alamo Chapter comes with a lot of history, pride and strength. As well, we are modernizing how we operate and communicate in the post-COVID era.
At the end of the day, those challenges just keep us focused. It is less about doing everything and more about doing the right things well and building something people genuinely want to be part of.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I do now is lead the MOAA Alamo Chapter, which is a nonprofit focused on connecting and advocating for military members, veterans, and their families across a large part of Texas. My background is 22 years in the Army, so I tend to approach things from both an operational and strategic lens. How do we actually support the military community in an impactful way.
I would say I specialize in building and leading organizations through transition. I have been fortunate to have been put in change agent and change sponsor positions while serving in the military. Now I appreciate applying these skills in the nonprofit space for MOAA in Military City, U.S.A.
What sets me apart probably is my energy and commitment to continuous improvement. For better or worse, I tend to dive into an initiative both feet in. A natural devil’s advocate, I am usually not swayed by “that is how we have always done it” without data and a compelling argument behind it. Ultimately, I care about whether something is effective, sustainable, and worth people’s investment.
What I am most proud of is continuing to serve – just in a different way. When I was in the service, I truly appreciated setting up holiday visits to our veterans in the local Veterans Affairs care facility, volunteering at the elementary school on our military post, and visiting injured children at the Egyptian hospital on Bagram Air Force Base, Afghanistan. Now, it is an honor to serve MOAA’s Alamo Chapter and help our team position it for the next generation while staying grounded in its mission – that’s really meaningful to me.
What sets me apart is really my background and how that’s shaped the way I lead. I’m a first-generation U.S. citizen, the oldest child of immigrants from France and the Philippines, and the first in my family to go to college. The military and higher education gave me structure, opportunity, and a sense of purpose early on – and that’s something that has stayed with me throughout my life.
I have had had the chance to serve in a variety of environments and alongside people from very different backgrounds. That experience has given me a broad perspective on what service looks like for different people and at different stages of life.
At the end of the day, it all comes back to purpose and connection. And I think that is where organizations like MOAA matter. For a lot of veterans, especially those who’ve transitioned out – there is a question of “what’s next?” My goal is to help create a space where service members, military spouses and families, can stay connected, continue to serve in a meaningful way, and feel like they are still part of something bigger than themselves and that their voices matter.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are a few different ways people can get involved with the MOAA Alamo Chapter, depending on what they are looking for. For current or former military service members and spouses, the easiest way is to join us as a member. That is really the entry point to everything we do, from advocacy to events to staying connected with the military community here in Central and South Texas.
We also welcome partnerships and collaboration with other organizations that support veterans, service members, and their families. San Antonio has such a strong military community – it’s Military City U.S.A. for a very good reason! So we are always looking for ways to work alongside others.
For those who want to support our impact more directly, especially around developing future leaders, people can get involved with or contribute to our Educational Foundation of MOAA Alamo Chapter. The Educational Foundation provides scholarships, leadership grants, and recognition programs for ROTC and JROTC students across the greater San Antonio, South and Central Texas.
And honestly, one of the simplest ways to support us is just to stay connected and spread the word. A lot of what we do is about building community – helping people find purpose, connection, and support after or during military service. We are here to pay it forward by serving those who serve, have served, and will serve. There is truly a place for people to contribute at every level.
Pricing:
- Alamo Chapter Annual Membership Dues: $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alamomoaa.com/
