Al “Eliseo” Cantu, an Army veteran, was first appointed as a Commissioner for the Texas Veterans Commission in April 2008 by then Governor Rick Perry and served as Chairman May 2012 through December 2019.
Cantu is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1966 following graduation from Officers Candidate School, at Fort Gordon, GA. He is a graduate of the Signal Officers Advance Course and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tampa, Tampa, FL, in August 1973.
Cantu’s military assignments include Communication Center Officer in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, Communications-Electronic, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, NC, Assistant Division Signal Officer, 82D Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC, Acting Battalion Commander, Battalion Executive Officer, Battalion S-4, Company Commander, and Platoon Leader.
After his military career, he worked as an internal Auditor with Nueces County and later with Driscoll Children’s Hospital. There, he worked in the Finance field and served as a member of the Executive Committee for over 21 years until December 31, 2001, when he retired.
Cantu is the former Commander for the Department of Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. He was elected State Commander for the Department of Texas at the 87th State Convention held in Corpus Christi in June of 2007.
In April 2008, then Governor Rick Perry appointed Cantu to the Texas Veterans Commission for a six-year term. He was reappointed and elected as Chairman in May 2012. Cantu completed his final term on December 31, 2019.
Cantu lives with his family in Corpus Christi where he continues to serve the veterans in and around Nueces County. He is a strong advocate for veterans and their families.
On July 19, 2023, Cantu was recognized in appreciation of his service to the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). Pictured from left are TVC Commissioner Kevin Barber, Cantu, TVC Chairwoman Laura Koerner and TVC Executive Director Thomas Palladino.
