A&M-Victoria to honor news anchor, realtor with alumni awards
As Texas A&M University-Victoria prepares to host its first Homecoming under The Texas A&M University System, the university also plans to acknowledge two alumni who have made an impact on their communities.
Ernie Zuniga, a news anchor for KSAT 12 News in San Antonio, will be honored as the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year during the annual Alumni Banquet. During that same ceremony, Jake Truss, president of the Ron Brown Company, will be named the Young Alumnus of the Year. The banquet will be on Friday, March 27 at Power Avenue Warehouse. The event is open to alumni, their families and friends and other university supporters. Tickets are $30 per person.
“We are excited to honor Ernie Zuniga and Jake Truss as our 2026 Alumni Award recipients,” said Kelsey Norgard, director of alumni relations and annual giving. “These individuals exemplify the impact our graduates make in their professions and communities. Ernie's dedication to journalism and his service to countless nonprofit organizations in San Antonio demonstrate the power of using one's platform to give back. Jake's entrepreneurial spirit, from rebuilding Victoria after Hurricane Harvey to now leading The Ron Brown Company, shows the deep commitment our alumni have to the communities that shaped them. Both Ernie and Jake represent the very best of Texas A&M University-Victoria, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements and service.”
Zuniga, a 1998 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in communications, has built a distinguished career in broadcast journalism after discovering an early passion for sports broadcasting. Although he initially planned to follow family tradition and attend Texas A&M University, Zuniga’s path shifted when he found his calling in television news.
Zuniga’s interest in broadcasting began in childhood after filling in for a Little League game announcer. Inspired by renowned sportscaster Don Brubaker, he pursued opportunities in local television at KAVU-TV while still in high school. After enrolling at Texas A&M University, Zuniga continued working in television during summer breaks and was later offered a full-time sports anchor position at KAVU-TV. He returned home to accept the role while completing his degree locally and working nights doing sports.
Following graduation, Zuniga accepted a sportscasting position in San Antonio, later transitioning to the news desk and becoming a morning anchor. After more than 22 years at the city’s FOX affiliate, Zuniga joined KSAT12 in February 2025 and became part of the station’s evening anchor team in October. He is also the creator, producer and host of the weekly talk show Pickup Lines, which recently surpassed 200 episodes and airs across KSAT’s digital and on-air platforms.
Beyond his professional achievements, Zuniga is deeply committed to community service. He regularly participates in school career days, assists with planning San Antonio’s annual Fiesta celebration, and frequently emcees nonprofit events.
“I always try to find ways to pay it forward the same way others have helped me,” Zuniga said. “So many people have supported me and encouraged me throughout the years, so it’s my turn to do the same for them.”
Zuniga also serves as a board member for Blood Cancer United, an organization supporting blood cancer research and patient advocacy. His involvement is personal – his mother passed away from leukemia in 2012.
His mother, Martha A. Zuniga, earned her bachelor’s degree in 1975 and master’s degree in 1999 from what was then the University of Houston-Victoria. She also served as an adjunct Spanish instructor for eight years at Victoria College and UHV. She completed her master’s degree in administration and supervision in 1999 and earned her mid-management certification from UHV. She achieved her lifelong goal of earning a Doctorate in Education from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2004.
Zuniga has been married to his wife, Tami, a fellow Victoria native, for more than 26 years. Together, they have two daughters and a son.
Jake Truss earned his Bachelor of Science in biology. However, it was the business classes he took in addition to his major that ended up having the most impact on his future career.
Truss’s college journey actually began at McLennan Community College in Waco, where he had a golf scholarship. After his freshman year, he spent a semester at Tarleton State University before his former roommate from MCC called him and asked if he was interested in coming to play in Victoria. After meeting with the coach and talking it over with his friend, Truss decided to transfer.
“I’d never been to the area before, but I liked what the coach had to say,” he said. “The school was very different back then. We really only had two buildings. But the real impact came from the friends I met here. I made lifelong friends in my classes and on the golf team. I also met my wonderful wife, who was born and raised in Victoria.”
After he graduated, Truss chose to take a different direction and went into real estate. He began working for Greg Spears Realty under his most impactful mentor and dear friend, Greg Spears. After completing his classes and requirements to become a broker, he moved to The Ron Brown Company, which was established in 1953; has offices in Victoria, Rockport and Yoakum; and at the time was owned by Lee Swearingen. Truss worked under Swearingen’s mentorship and built his skills and knowledge in the industry. Last year, he was able to purchase the company and continue its legacy as a locally owned real estate company that serves the community at the highest level, he said.
“Lee owned the company for 50 years, and he was always very involved in the community as a pillar of knowledge and information with local real estate,” Truss said. “He continues to show me the great importance of being heavily involved in our local community, and I am proud to follow in his footsteps.”
Since his graduation and throughout his career, Truss has found ways to support the Victoria community. He previously served on the board of directors for the Victoria Public Library, and he is currently serving on the board for the Children’s Discovery Museum and the Victoria Country Club. He is a member of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the Victoria Economic Development Corporation. He is also a donor to many other local organizations in the community.
“If we want Victoria to grow and prosper, we have to genuinely care and be intentional with our involvement,” Truss said. “We are the next generation of leaders, and it’s critical for us to continue the work others have started.”
Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.