San Antonio – Bexar County Judge‑elect Ron Nirenberg announced that his longtime aide, Zack Lyke, will serve as chief of staff for the new county administration. Lyke, 39, previously held the same position in the mayor’s office when Nirenberg was mayor of San Antonio, rising from communications advisor and speechwriter to chief of staff in 2021.
Lyke’s background with Nirenberg
Lyke first joined Nirenberg’s campaign during the hard‑fought 2019 runoff against Greg Brockhouse. After the victory, Nirenberg called Lyke a political “savant” in a memoir released last year and brought him into the mayor’s office. In that role, Lyke helped shape messaging, policy strategy and community outreach for the city’s leadership.
Return to public service
When Nirenberg stepped down as mayor in June 2025, Lyke moved to the private sector, serving as director of account management and external affairs at Dalkia Energy Solutions. He said he did not plan to re‑enter politics, but the chance to address public‑health challenges that have touched his own life drew him back.
Lyke has spoken openly about growing up with bipolar disorder and spending time at Laurel Ridge Treatment Center as a young adult. Those personal experiences inform his enthusiasm for Bexar County’s public‑hospital system, which the incoming judge has identified as a top priority.
What the new chief of staff aims to achieve
“To be in a position to have an immediate effect on these issues is a privilege that I would be foolish to turn down,” Lyke said. He added that working with Nirenberg, whom he describes as a mentor and great friend, offers a unique opportunity to serve the community.
In a statement, Nirenberg praised Lyke’s dedication, noting, “There is not a more challenging role in politics than being chief of staff — it’s grueling and requires strategy, policy chops, and above all, a selfless commitment to the service. There is no one I’d rather have leading my office and my agenda forward.”
Preparing for the Jan. 1 swearing‑in
The new Bexar County Judge administration will be sworn in on Jan. 1. While the transition team builds out the office, Lyke emphasized a hard‑working approach: “We’re building an incredible team, and we’re gonna work our a**** off for the people of this community.”
Lyke’s appointment signals continuity in Nirenberg’s leadership style while bringing fresh focus to health‑care access, a critical concern for many Bexar County residents. As the county prepares for the new year, the chief‑of‑staff‑to‑be will play a central role in shaping policy, overseeing staff and ensuring that the judge’s agenda is executed efficiently.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
