Munoz plans to quit as VIA’s boss on Feb. 1 [San Antonio Express-News]

Oct. 19--Henry Munoz III, the charismatic but sometimes combative chairman of VIA Metropolitan Transit who helped transform the bus company into a modern agency that is planning one of the country's largest streetcar systems, is resigning.

Munoz, board chairman for five years, will step down Feb. 1, less than a year before his term expires in December 2014, VIA Chief of Public Engagement Charlie Gonzalez said.

His decision surprised many, although Munoz had indicated since last fall that he might not complete his term because of competing demands.

Besides serving as VIA chairman, he's the CEO of Munoz & Co. architects and in January was named finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

"It was getting harder and harder for Henry to devote the time that he once did," Gonzalez said. The squeeze was only going to get worse next year, he said, because of the 2014 mid-term elections.

In a written statement to VIA trustees, Munoz said he knew he might depart before completing his term but stayed on because he didn't want to leave so soon after Keith Parker, the former VIA president, left last fall.

"Today, I believe VIA is well positioned for the future," wrote Munoz, who didn't comment for this report.

But his decision to leave still shocked some of Munoz's colleagues, including several board trustees. Even Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, one of Munoz's closest allies and friends, said he was unaware the decision was coming this week, though the chairman had been "complaining about the pressing business that he had in Washington."

Since he was appointed chairman of the VIA board in December 2008, Munoz managed to challenge convention, pushing VIA to dust itself off and embrace multimodal transit options. Public transit wasn't just about diesel-powered, rubber-tire buses in his view. Munoz believed it was about rail, electric and hybrid buses and the development of transit centers that would help revive struggling neighborhoods around them.

During Munoz's tenure, VIA approved the 5.9-mile, $280 million downtown streetcar project -- the first modern rail project in San Antonio, which is one of the last large cities in Texas without a rail system.

VIA also launched its bus rapid transit line, VIA Primo, and the agency secured millions in federal grants to improve its bus system and add electric and diesel-electric hybrid vehicles to its fleet.

"VIA is now viewed as a leader at both the statewide and national levels," Munoz wrote, "and is respected as a well-run and innovative institution that proudly represents its users, its community and the public transportation industry."

But it's not yet clear who might replace him or come armed with his many political and business connections. Munoz is an adept political fundraiser.

None of the nine other members of the VIA board -- one position remains vacant -- has a national profile like Munoz, who co-founded a Latino fundraising initiative with actress Eva Longoria to re-elect President Barack Obama and has hobnobbed with the likes of former President Bill Clinton.

The next VIA board chairman could come from within the ranks of the board or, like Munoz, be elected at large.

One of the possible internal candidates is Richard Gambitta, who was appointed to the board two years ago after serving on VIA's streetcar commission. Gambitta, a retired political science professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, has become a de facto board spokesman for the rail initiative.

Gambitta said Friday he's been approached about the position but that it's "entirely up to the board."

"It's a major position," Gambitta said. "I would have to reflect upon it."

VIA Trustee Lou Miller, who publicly challenged Munoz on a number of issues, also expressed interest in the position.

"I'd love to be the chairman," said Miller, a State Farm insurance agent. But he said the board "should elect someone who is best suited for that position. That may or may not be me."