BOARD OF VISITORS

At the University of Houston, we believe in innovation, risk-taking and challenging the status quo. When we set out to achieve a goal, nothing can stop us. The University of Houston Board of Visitors plays a crucial role in our success, working alongside influential leaders and visionaries to shape our bold future. 

The board serves as a champion for the University’s key priorities, collaborating closely with University leadership to transform dreams into reality. Comprised of private sector leaders, change-makers and advocates, board members are valued partners of the University of Houston. They have the unique opportunity to foster meaningful discussions about our greatest ambitions. Together, this diverse group leverages their broad array of expertise, interests and connections to provide leadership, guide their strategies and amplify their message as ambassadors to the community. 

For over 10 years, the board has influenced the advancement of our strategic priorities and witnessed the profound impact of their success across all areas of the University. Their efforts have played a pivotal role in our growth, including the establishment of the Fertitta Family College of Medicine, the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, support for our transition to a Power Five athletics conference and various campus enhancement projects. As essential allies in fulfilling our mission, the board embodies the hunger, determination and spirit that lives within every Cougar. 

Executive Committee

Arturo Chavez, Chair of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Arturo Chavez (’90)

Chair

Senior Vice President, Buildings

Stantec

Houston, TX

Aylwin Lewis, Past Chair of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Aylwin Lewis (’76, M.B.A. ’90)

Past Chair

Former Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

Potbelly Corporation

Spring, TX

Devika Kornbacher, Vice Chair of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Devika Kornbacher (’98)

Vice Chair

Partner

Huggins Reddien Kornbacher LLP

Houston, TX

Anu Lal, New Member Liaison of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Anu Lal (’94)

New Member Liaison 

Vice President

Sales and Marketing

Piping Technology & Products, Inc.

Houston, TX

Judy Nyquist, Chair of the Vibrant Campus Task Force for the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Judy Nyquist

Community Volunteer and Arts Patron

Houston, TX

Dave Smalley, Chair of the Marketing Task Force for the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Dave Smalley (’79)

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Spectrum Concession

The Woodlands, TX

Michele Verma, Chair of the Student Success Task Force for the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Michele Verma, Ph.D.

Educator and Philanthropist

Houston, TX

All Members

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Nory Angel

 President

American Leadership Forum

Houston, TX

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Christos Angelides ('89, M.B.A. '94, D.B.A. '26)

 Honorary Consul of the Republic of Cyprus to Texas

Managing Director of Sustainability & Energy

Ernst and Young

Houston, TX

Katharine Barthelme

 Fine Arts Consultant and Founder

Barthelme Art & Appraisals

Houston, TX

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Patricia "Pat" Booker

 Philanthropist

Board Member of Houston Golf Association

Houston, TX

Natara Holloway Branch, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Natara Holloway Branch (’98)

 Chief Executive Officer

Houston Exponential

Houston, TX

Douglas H. Brooks, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Douglas H. Brooks (’75)

 Chairman of the Board

Southwest Airlines

Former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Brinker International

Dallas, TX

Janis Burke, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Janis Burke

 Chief of International Sport and Strategy

Sports Events and Tourism Association

Houston, TX

David L. Callender, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

David L. Callender (M.B.A. ’95)

 President and Chief Executive Officer

Memorial Hermann Health System

Houston, TX

Richard J. “Ric” Campo

 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Camden Property Trust

Houston, TX

Halina E. Caravello, Ph.D. (M.S. ’85)

 Representing the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean’s Advisory Board Founder

H. Caravello Consulting

Cape Coral, FL

Meredith Chastang, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Meredith Chastang

 President

Chastang Consulting Company

Houston, TX

Brett Cullen, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Brett Cullen (’79)

 Film and Television Actor/Producer

Venice, CA

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Rosanette "Rose" Cullen (’57)

 Philanthropist

Houston, TX

Carlos de Aldecoa (’97)

 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Gulf Coast Distillers

Houston, TX

Charles D. Dorn, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Charles D. Dorn, CCM (’80)

 Managing Director

The Dorn Group, Ltd.

Rye, NY

Thasunda Brown Duckett, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Thasunda Brown Duckett (’96)

 President and Chief Executive Officer

TIAA

Greenwich, CT

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Laura Espinosa, Ph.D., RN

 Representing the Andy & Barbara Gessner College of Nursing Dean’s Advisory Council

Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President

Houston Methodist West

Houston, TX

Ellie Francisco, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Ellie Francisco (M.B.A. ’80)

 Founder

francisco+co

Houston, TX

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Christina Funston

 Co-Founder

Save a Mind Foundation

Penn Valley, PA

Steve Goodman (’83, M.S.A. ’85)

 Representing the C.T. Bauer College of Business College Board

Founder and President

Goodman Financial Corporation

Santa Monica, CA

Chris Gamble (’00)

 Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Caliber Holdings

Houston, TX

Benito Guerrier, AIA, LEED GA (M. Arch. ’91)

 Representing the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture + Design

Leadership Council

Executive Vice President & Director of Government Projects

Kirksey Architecture

Houston, TX

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Michael Hainkel (’78, M.S.A. ’79)

 Executive Vice President and Chief Tax Officer

Lionsgate Entertainment

Santa Monica, CA

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Shawn Kirksey Jackson

 Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Kirksey Architecture

Houston, TX

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Rick C. Jaramillo

 Representing the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine Founders’ Council

Houston Market Executive

Bank of America

Houston, TX

Isaac Johnson, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Isaac Johnson

 President and Chief Executive Officer

TDECU

Sugar Land, TX

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Avi Katz (’97)

 Chief Executive Officer

Katz Coffee

Houston, TX

Case Keenum, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Case Keenum (’10)

 Quarterback, Houston Texans

National Football League

Houston, TX

Robert Kneppler, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Robert Kneppler (’85)

 Executive Vice President

Marsh McLennan Agency

Houston, TX

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Mohammed “Ali” Lakhany (’07)

 Chief Executive Officer

CSM Group

Houston, TX

George Lancaster, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

George Lancaster

 Global Head of Brand

Hines

Houston, TX

Carl Lewis, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Carl Lewis (F.S. ’82)

 Head Coach

University of Houston Track & Field

Houston, TX

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F. Paul Lott (’84)

 Representing the College of Pharmacy Dean’s Advisory Council Owner

LLW Consulting, Inc.

Sugar Land, TX

Nick Massad, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Nick Massad (’73)

 President and Chief Executive Officer

American Liberty Hospitality, Inc.

Houston, TX

Jason McCann, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Jason McCann (’91, M.B.A. ’96)

 Chief Executive Officer

Vari

Coppell, TX

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Reginald E. McKamie Sr. (J.D. ’86)

 Representing the UH Law Foundation Board of Directors

Captain USN (Ret.)

Founder/President

Law Office of Reginald E. McKamie, Sr., P.C.

Houston, TX

Jerad McMayon, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Jerad McMayon (’00)

 Founder and Partner

Table Rock Group

Houston, TX

Hannah McNair, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Hannah McNair (UHD ’07)

 Vice President

Houston Texans Foundation

Houston, TX

Tanner Moran, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Tanner Moran

 Managing Director

Jumana Capital

Houston, TX

Cullen Geiselman Muse, Vice Chair of the Vibrant Campus Task Force for the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Cullen Geiselman Muse

 Chair 

The Cullen Trust for Healthcare

Charlotte, NC

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Rose Hochner Nelson

 Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications & Chief of Staff to President

University of Texas Health Science Center

Houston, TX

Sandi Nicholson, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Sandi Nicholson

 Philanthropist and Art Enthusiast

Houston, TX

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Andrew Quartapella (UHD ’88)

 Managing Member

FMQ Partners

Houston, TX

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Michael Ramos (’00)

 Representing the Cullen College of Engineering Executive Leadership Board

President

APEX Financial Management Services

Liberty, TX

Carroll Robertson Ray, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Carroll Robertson Ray (J.D. ’02)

 Vice Chair

The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts

Houston, TX

Samuel Schreiber, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Samuel Schreiber (’74)

 Senior Adviser

Trustar Bank

McLean, VA

Lillie Robertson, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Lillie Robertson

 Philanthropist

Houston, TX

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E. Ashley Smith (LL.M. ’93)

 Representing the Hobby School of Public Affairs Advisory Board

Former Representative and Chair

House Higher Education Committee,

Texas House of Representatives

Houston, TX

Steve Stephens, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Steve Stephens (’80)

 Chief Executive Officer

Amegy Bank

Houston, TX

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Sharmagne Taylor, CMP (’86)

 Representing the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership Dean’s Advisory Board

President

On-Site Partners

Seguin, TX

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Kwaku Temeng

 Retired, Former Director of Upsteam

Aramco Americas

Board Member Core Laboratories

Houston, TX

Aruna Viswanathan

 Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer

AlphaX Decision Sciences

Houston, TX

Lea Weingarten, member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Houston

Lea Weingarten

 Principal

Weingarten Art Group

Houston, TX

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Jo Dee Wright

 Representing the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts Dean’s Council

Executive Assistant

Datum Equipment Company, Inc.

Houston, TX

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Scott Zamir (’05)

 Vice President

Woodlake MRI

Houston, TX

Sandy Lee, Incoming President of UH Alumni Association Foundation at the University of Houston

Sandy Lee

President, UH Alumni Association Foundation Board

Community Volunteer, Former Educator

Bellaire, TX

Scott Rando, Treasurer of UH Alumni Association Foundation at the University of Houston

Scott Rando (’83)

Incoming President, UH Alumni Association Foundation Board

Senior Managing Director, Cushman Wakefield

Sugar Land, TX

Shazia Khan, President of UH Alumni Association Foundation at the University of Houston

Shazia Khan (’84)

Immediate Past President, UH Alumni Association Foundation Board

Field Medical Director, Pfizer

Houston, TX

Jason Payne, Member-at-Large of UH Alumni Association Foundation at the University of Houston

Jason Payne (’99, ’02)

Treasurer

UH Alumni Association Foundation Board

Founding Attorney

Payne Law Firm

Houston, TX

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Shawn Kuehn (’10, M.B.A. ’16, M.S. ’16)

Secretary

UH Alumni Association Foundation Board

Special Event Manager

Houston Public Library

Houston, TX

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Vanessa Flores (’02, UHCL M.S. '08)

At Large Member

UH Alumni Association Foundation Board

Executive Director of Instruction for

Central Division

Houston Independent School District

Houston, TX

Hari Agrawal

Terms of Service 2014-18

Anna M. Babin

Terms of Service 2016-18

Robert L. Bartkowiak Jr. (’84)

Terms of Service 2014-17

Nelda L. Blair (J.D. ’82)

Terms of Service 2014-17

John R. Butler Jr.

Terms of Service 2014-21

The Honorable John T. Carter

Terms of Service 2014-18

Fred S. Couples (’80)

Terms of Service 2014-16

Cheryl D. Creuzot (M.B.A. ’12, J.D. ’92, ’81)

Terms of Service 2014-19

Anette T. Edens, Ph.D. (’94)

Terms of Service 2015-22

William Granville III

Terms of Service 2014-17

Chaille Winston Hawkins

Terms of Service 2016-20

Richard “Racehorse” Haynes (J.D. ’56)

Terms of Service 2014-17

Eric M. Hilton (Honorary Doctorate ’85)

Terms of Service 2014-16

F. Carl Lewis (F.S. ’82)

Terms of Service 2014-17

Michael C. Linn

Terms of Service 2016-19

Ransom C. Lummis

Terms of Service 2014-15

Jugal K. Malani

Terms of Service 2017-17

John T. McNabb II

Terms of Service 2013-17

The Honorable Jack B. Moore (’77)

Terms of Service 2014-18

Laura G. Murillo (M.Ed. ’98, ’89)

Terms of Service 2014-22

John L. Nau III

Terms of Service 2014-16

Marvin E. Odum III

Terms of Service 2014-22

Joseph M. Pogge (’79)

Terms of Service 2014-15

Lillie T. Robertson (’72)

Terms of Service 2014-21

Samuel A. Schreiber (’74)

Terms of Service 2016-Present

Gregory Wayne Shoemaker (’79)

Terms of Service 2014-22

Dheeraj Verma (’00)

Terms of Service 2016-19

Daryl W. Wilkerson (F.S. ’80)

Terms of Service 2014-17

Floyd C. Wilson (F.S. ’72)

Terms of Service 2014-16

Dina Al-Sowayel (’91)

Terms of Service 2014-15

Donald Bacigalupi, Ph.D. (’83)

Terms of Service 2014-17

Jeffery Beauchamp (’73)

Terms of Service 2014-22

J. Downey Bridgewater (’84)

Terms of Service 2014-21

Richard J. Campo

Terms of Service 2014-15

John A. Clarke (’81)

Terms of Service 2014-18

James R. Crane

Terms of Service 2014-15

The Honorable David H. Dewhurst (J.D. ’80)

Terms of Service 2015-16

Stephen J. Felice (M.B.A. ’84)

Terms of Service 2014-15

C. Gregory Harper (’97)

Terms of Service 2014-16

Elvin Hayes (’85)

Terms of Service 2015-22

Chris Helms

Terms of Service 2014-18

Barbara Hines

Terms of Service 2014-16

Glenn T. Lilie (F.S. ’68, Honorary Degree ’73)

Terms of Service 2014-Present

Wayne M. Luckett (’74)

Terms of Service 2015-24

Frederick R. Lummis II

Terms of Service 2014-17

Jerad D. McMayon (’00)

Terms of Service 2016-Present

Pershant Mehta (’95)

Terms of Service 2014-15

The Honorable Mica Mosbacher (F.S. ’83)

Terms of Service 2014-16

Marvin D. Nathan (J.D. ’66)

Terms of Service 2014-15

Judy Nyquist

Terms of Service 2021-Present

Chris J. Pappas

Terms of Service 2014-15

Richard G. Rawson (’72)

Terms of Service 2014-18

Dominique Sachse (’90)

Terms of Service 2014-16

Darryl A. Schroeder (’69)

Terms of Service 2014-21

Steve D. Stephens (’80)

Terms of Service 2014-Present

Nicole Vogel (’00)

Terms of Service 2014-16

Bruce A. Williamson (M.B.A. ’95)

Terms of Service 2016-22

Please address all inquiries regarding the Board of Visitors to
the Board and Volunteer Engagement team at
bov@uh.edu or 713.743.5061.