Board of Directors

Sami Ahmad

Sami Ahmad is the Chief Financial Officer at Trecora Resources LLC. He has more than 25 years of experience in finance and accounting. From 1991 through 1998 he held various positions with ARCO Chemical Company including financial analysis, marketing, mergers and acquisitions, and investor relations. From 1998 through 2006 he worked for Lyondell Chemical Company as Director of Investor Relations, Assistant Treasurer, Corporate Finance and Director of Corporate Development. In December of 2007 Lyondell Chemical Company was acquired by LyondellBasell Industries, and Mr. Ahmad continued to hold the position of Director of Corporate Development. From 2009 to 2011 he was Vice-President and Treasurer of Exterran. He then served as Chief Financial Officer for Southwest Water Company, Inc. for approximately 10 months. From July 2013 through August 2016, Mr. Ahmad served as the Chief Financial Officer and Board member for Armada Water Assets, Inc.  He holds an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Saied Alavi

Saied Alavi is SVP of Special projects and innovation at MAREK, a Houston based interior commercial construction company with offices in Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee. Saied has been with MAREK for 41 years and currently leads the firm’s innovation and offsite manufacturing. Saied has a degree in Marine Engineering from Maine Maritime Academy and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from University of Maine. He currently serves on the board of directors of Interfaith Ministries of The Greater Houston (IMGH), The Community Family Centers, and previously served for 6 years on the board of Rice Design Alliance. Saied is dad to two children and proud grandfather of three beautiful girls.

Greg L. Armstrong

Greg L. Armstrong is the Co-Founder and retired Chairman and CEO of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. He currently serves as a director of Plains; NOV, Inc.; and Memorial Hermann Healthcare System and also serves as a member of the Baker Institute Board of Advisors at Rice University. He is a member of the Advisory Boards of Veriten and the Cox School’s Maguire Energy Institute at Southern Methodist University. He is a member of the National Petroleum Council, where he served as Chairman from 2017 to 2019. He previously served as a director in the Federal Reserve System for eleven years, retiring as Chair of The Dallas Fed in 2021.

E. William Barnett

E. William Barnett received his bachelor’s degree from Rice University and his LLB from the University of Texas School of Law. After law school he began his career with Baker Botts LLP. In 1984, he was elected managing partner of the firm and continued in that role for 14 years. In 1998 he moved into a senior counsel role until his retirement in 2004. He is a member (and former chairman) of the Baker Institute Advisory Board at Rice University. Bill served as chairman of the board of trustees of Rice University from 1996 to July 2005.   He is also a director of The Methodist Hospital Center for Performing Arts Medicine Advisory Board and the Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance Board. He is a trustee emeritus of Baylor College of Medicine and the Greater Houston Partnership and a Life Trustee of the University of Texas Law School Foundation. Barnett served as chairman of the task force which recommended, and the Houston City Council approved in 2002, the privatization of the operation of the Zoo. Barnett was elected the first chairman of the board of the private non-profit corporation, Houston Zoo, Inc., which now operates the Zoo. He continues to serve as Director Emeritus. 

George Basu, M.D.

George has been a practicing cardiologist with Houston Cardiovascular Associates.  He is the board chair for his practice.  He is also on the national clinical governance board for US Heart and Vascular and the co-chief medical officer for US Heart and Vascular.  He chairs the growth and development committee for US Heart and Vascular.  All of these activities are geared toward improving the delivery of clinical cardiology for Houston and nationally.  He enjoys running, tennis and most of all traveling with his wife and two daughters, despite leaving his beloved dog Hermes in Houston.

Carlos de Aldecoa Bueno

Carlos de Aldecoa Bueno is the president of Cadeco Industries and Gulf Coast Distillers. His current civic and philanthropic engagements include Boys & Girls Country, Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston Partnership, East End Management District and the Young Presidents Organizations. De Aldecoa Bueno received his degree from the University of Houston.

James W. Butzner

James “Bill” Butzner retired as the Director of Internal Audit at Exterran Corporation in 2017. Prior to that he served in Audit and Financial positions with Cameron, Coastal and ExxonMobil Corporations based in the United States, and expatriate positions in Aruba and Saudi Arabia. He holds a B.A. from Gettysburg College and an MBA. from Boston College. Bill has achieved the professional certifications of Certified Public Accountant (Pennsylvania), Certified in Financial Forensics by the American Institute of Public Accountants, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified in Production and Inventory Management.

He currently serves on the Houston Zoo Audit Committee, The Memorial Park Conservancy Finance Committee and Board of Advisors, and the United Way Organizational Review work group. Previously he served as a volunteer with Junior Achievement in the Katy Independent School District.

He has a daughter and grandson and enjoys travel including hiking in the U.S., South America, Europe, and Africa. He has completed at least one marathon on seven continents and has completed Ironman Texas four times.

Beto Cardenas

Beto Cardenas is Chairman of BC Global LP and works across Texas as a leading, recognized attorney in state and local tax matters. He negotiates and drafts tax reductions and limitations on property appraisals for newly constructed industrial and commercial properties, and industrial district agreements for facilities in extraterritorial jurisdictions. Beto has extensive experience drafting legislative solutions for various matters, representing clients on statutory and regulatory issues before governmental entities in Texas, and advising businesses with respect to U.S. immigration laws. He earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and his juris doctorate from the Texas Tech University School of Law. Beto is married to Norma Bustamante and works across the Houston region to assist and serve faith-based, civic, and non-profit organizations. Norma and Beto reside in West University Place, Harris County with their son Sebastian.

Neil A. Chapman

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, Neil Chapman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Surrey in 1984. Upon graduating, he joined Esso Chemical Company in 1984 at the Fawley Refinery in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Chapman advanced through engineering, operations, planning and commercial roles in various chemical affiliates in the United Kingdom, Belgium, the United States and Hong Kong prior to the 1999 merger between Exxon and Mobil. He then served as ExxonMobil Chemical Company’s Asia Pacific polyolefins sales manager before becoming the project executive of the Fujian integrated refining and ethylene joint venture project in China.

In 2002, Mr. Chapman took over responsibility for aviation fuels marketing and, later, industrial and wholesale fuels. In 2005, he was appointed vice president of ExxonMobil Chemical Company’s global polyethylene business.

In 2006, Mr. Chapman served as executive assistant to the chairman of Exxon Mobil Corporation and in 2007, as president of ExxonMobil Global Services Company.

Mr. Chapman returned to ExxonMobil Chemical Company in 2011 as senior vice president in charge of the company’s global polymers businesses. In 2015, he became ExxonMobil Chemical Company president, a position he held until joining the Exxon Mobil Corporation Management Committee as senior vice president in 2018.

Mr. Chapman has served as a member of the board of directors and executive committee of the American Chemistry Council, the board of directors of the International Council of Chemical Associations, and the board of directors and executive committee of the National Association of Manufacturers. In 2014, Mr. Chapman was awarded an honorary doctorate by his alma mater, the University of Surrey.

Kris Chikelue

Kris Chikelue is Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at Memorial Hermann Health System (MHHS) and is responsible for managing the health system’s investment program.

Prior to joining MHHS in 2013, Kris worked at Crestline Investors, a multi-billion dollar investment management firm that evolved from the Fort Worth Bass family office. Prior to joining Crestline, he worked at Ranger Advisors, a Dallas-based fund of hedge funds. Earlier in his career, Kris worked as a management consultant, including as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company.

He serves on the Board of the Houston Zoo, the Advisory Board of the TMC (Texas Medical Center) Venture Fund and the Investment Committee of Henry Ford Health in Michigan. He has received the “Rising Star” award by Institutional Investor and was named a “Top Health System Chief Investment Officer” by Trusted Insight.

Kris received a B.A. in Economics from Rice University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Joe Cleary

Joe was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Temple University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Construction Technology, Joe moved to Houston to work for Harvey Construction Company. Joe is currently the Co-Chairman of Harvey.

Over the past 40 years, Joe has been involved in a number of not for profits and is currently on the boards of The Houston Zoo, Texas Children’s Hospital, The University of St. Thomas and The Salvation Army of Greater Houston.

Joe and Cathy have four children, John, Joe III, Randi and David, daughter-in-law, Brigid, son-in-law, Jeff and grandbabies, Tanner, Jack, Hayden and Caroline.

Joe and Cathy enjoy traveling, outdoor sports, volunteer work and spending time with family.

Anne Clutterbuck

Anne Clutterbuck brings extensive experience serving in government and on boards. Anne is Vice Chair of the Board of Community Health Choice, Inc., a Houston based managed care organization licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance. Anne was elected to serve three terms on Houston City Council and served as Houston’s Mayor Pro Tem. She has worked in the global infrastructure industry and in small business.  With over 30 years of experience at the local, state, and federal levels she is a seasoned veteran of the political process and has strong relationships with elected officials throughout the U.S.   

Anne received her undergraduate degree from Baylor University and her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. She and her husband John have two adult children, Caroline and William. Anne is thrilled to part of the Zoo Board and its mission to connect the community with wildlife education and conservation. 

Heather Crowder

Heather Crowder serves as Vice President and General Tax Officer for Phillips 66.

Heather has extensive experience with companies across the energy supply chain, including drilling services, renewables, upstream, midstream and downstream, both domestic and international.

In addition to her tax work, she has spent significant time in Washington, D.C., working with policymakers on the business impact of tax laws on the energy industry.

Before joining Phillips 66, she served as managing tax counsel, Corporate, for ConocoPhillips. Prior to that, she worked in several leadership roles over her career at KPMG, ultimately serving as a tax partner at the firm.

Heather was the first woman appointed to the board of directors for DCP Midstream, LP — a natural gas logistics, marketing, gathering company operating across nine U.S. states. She is currently chairing American Petroleum Institute’s (API) General Tax Committee.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law.

Heather has always prioritized community involvement that focuses on improving lives for families in Houston. She served as a Board Member for ESCAPE Family Resource Center and Treasurer for Mark Twain Elementary PTO. Currently, she serves as Secretary for the Houston Habitat for Humanity.

Heather and her family have been long time members and visitors of the Houston Zoo.

Josh Davidson

Josh Davidson is a senior partner at Baker Botts, where he has spent his entire career. Josh handles a wide range of corporate and securities work and is recognized nationally for his expertise with master limited partnerships. Josh is head of the firm’s Capital Markets Practice.

At Houston Zoo, Josh chairs the Community-Based Conservation Committee and serves on the Governance Committee. He is also a member of the Houston Bar Association and serves on the board of directors of the Houston Grand Opera and Longneck Manor Conservation Foundation. Josh graduated from Yale University with a degree in history and received his law degree from Harvard Law School. He and his wife Mindy have two daughters and two granddaughters.

Mike Dishberger

Mike Dishberger is the CEO and co-owner of Sandcastle Homes. He heads up the construction, purchasing and accounting operations of the company. Mike has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Texas A&M and an MBA from the University of Houston. Mike was a captain in the U.S. Army before and worked for several large national builders in Houston. He was recognized as the Texas Association of Builder Builder of the Year in 2016, Greater Houston Builders Association Builder of the Year in 2008, Bay Area Builder of the Year in 1988, Memorial Park Volunteer of the Year in 2015. He also serves on the University of Houston MBA Real Estate Advisory Board, Stages Theatre Board of Directors and the Alley Theatre Board of Directors.  

Anne Duncan

Anne Duncan is actively involved in numerous community organizations. In addition to the Houston Zoo, where she serves as Director Emeritus, Anne has served for many years on the board of DePelchin Children’s Center, including a term as chair of the board. She is a Life Trustee of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and currently is Vice-Chair of the Board.  She also serves on the Yellowstone Forever National Advisory Council, Emeritus Director of Baylor College of Medicine, The Nature Conservancy of Texas, The Duncan Fund, and the Shepherd Society at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. 

Kerry Galvin

Kerry Galvin practiced law for more than 30 years, including 26 years as in-house counsel. She spent 18 years (1990-2008) with Lyondell Chemical Company, a publicly traded chemical company in the Fortune 200, based in Houston, TX. For the last eight of those years, she was an Executive Officer and General Counsel. From 2010-2015 she was an executive officer and General Counsel at Axip Energy Services LP, a privately held oil field services company, also based in Houston, Tx. She then served as a consultant to Axip.

Ms. Galvin has more than 30 years of experience in managing legal and compliance matters and has worked extensively in corporate finance, risk management, securities law and corporate governance, including advising boards of directors. She has managed human resources, compliance, HSE, risk management, public relations and government affairs functions.

Ms. Galvin currently serves on the Board of Directors of Orion, a publicly traded company with executive offices in Houston, TX.

Ms. Galvin is a member of the Finance, Audit and Human Resources Committees of the Houston Zoo. She is a member of the Smithsonian’s Houston Regional Council and the United Way of Houston’s Stay United Committee and Women’s Initiative.

Ms. Galvin earned a B.S. in foreign service from Georgetown University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan.

Robert Graham

Robert Graham is the retired chairman and co-founder of AIM Investments. Before joining the board of Houston Zoo, he served on the board of the Zoological Society of Houston. He also serves as a member of UT Health development board, UT System Chancellor’s Council executive committee, UT McCombs School of Business Advisory Council, Positive Coaching Alliance National Advisory Board, Prison Entrepreneurship Program Advisory Board. A Houston native, Graham received a BS degree and MS degree in electrical engineering, and an MBA in finance, all from the University of Texas at Austin. 

Sanjay Kalavar

Sanjay Kalavar is a Senior Partner of global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company and Managing Partner for the Houston Office. He leads the firm’s Oil & Gas Practice in the Americas and focuses on helping energy operators and investors evaluate, acquire, improve, and exit assets. Sanjay began his career with McKinsey in 1997 but during a several year leave of absence, he worked as a private equity investor at General Atlantic Partners. He also worked in Peru for Technoserve, a not-for-profit firm focused on building agricultural businesses in the developing world. Sanjay has a degree in economics from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He previously served on the Board of Directors of KIPP Texas, coaches youth sports, and lives in Houston with his wife and four children

Monica Karuturi  

Monica is Executive Vice President and General Counsel of CenterPoint Energy. In this role, she oversees the company’s legal department and risk management functions, including claims, environmental, insurance, enterprise risk management, ethics, compliance and privacy and cybersecurity. She also has responsibility for the company’s supply chain, strategic planning and utility strategy teams. Until July of 2023 when the business was sold, Monica also had responsibility for the company’s performance contracting and energy services business.

Since joining the company, Monica has led more than $30 billion in mergers and acquisitions and financing transactions, including CenterPoint Energy’s $6 billion merger with Vectren and related financing activities, as well as the company’s recent divestitures of its infrastructure and energy services businesses and Enable Midstream.

During her tenure with CenterPoint Energy, Monica has served in several leadership roles, including Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. Before joining the company, Monica was at LyondellBasell Industries, where she served in various roles, including counsel for corporate, finance and strategic transactions. Prior to LyondellBasell, she worked in private practice as a corporate associate at Baker Botts LLP.

Monica has received prestigious honors for her work and impact on the legal industry. She was named to the National Diversity Council’s Top 50 General Counsel, Top 100 Most Influential Women in Energy and Top 50 Women Lawyers lists, recognized her for inspiring others and molding the future of the legal industry. Monica was also presented with a Magna Stella Award by the Texas General Counsel Forum for in-house leadership and excellence in the Senior Managing Counsel, Large Legal Department category.

She serves as chair of the board of directors for the Houston Bar Foundation. In addition, she is a member of the Houston Pro Bono Joint Initiative Planning Committee, the Advisory Council of the Tahirih Justice Center and serves on the board of the CenterPoint Energy Foundation. In June 2015, Monica was appointed as a Commissioner of the Texas Access to Justice Commission by the Texas Supreme Court and served in this capacity for six years. She is also a former member of the Legal Services to the Poor in Civil Matters Committee of the Texas Bar Association.

Monica received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University, her master’s degree in public health from Columbia University and her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Peggy Kostial

Peggy Kostial is the senior managing director at Accenture and is responsible for leading the company’s business in its US Southwest region, which covers Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. She joined Accenture in 1986 and was promoted to managing director in 1996. Peggy is a member of the Accenture Foundation Board which focuses on grant origination, stewardship, and fulfilment. Additionally, she also sits on the boards of the Accenture Political Action Committee, Vanderbilt’s Owen School of Management, SpringSpirit Baseball and Space Center Houston. She also served on the 2017 Houston Super Bowl Host Committee. Peggy graduated from Vanderbilt University receiving a BS degree with concentrations in Mathematics and Chemistry.  She is an avid supporter of her native city and focuses her philanthropic efforts on promoting and bettering the community of Houston.

Jennifer Laporte

Jennifer Joseph Laporte graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She went on to receive an MA in Contemporary Art from Sotheby’s Institute London and the University of Manchester. Prior to moving back to Houston to raise her family, she worked at Sotheby’s in trusts and estates and business development groups in both London and New York.

 She is an active member of the Associate Board at the Elkins Foundation. In addition, she has served on the Boards of A+ Challenge, Greater Houston Community Foundation and Breakthrough Houston as well as a variety of committees of other organizations. Jennifer is married to Chris and has three children, Christopher, Isabel, and Jack.

Claire Liu

Claire Liu retired as the head of corporate finance at LyondellBasell in 2015, after retiring as managing director/senior vice president at Bank of America in 2006. She holds a BA in Economics and Mathematics from Yale University. She is the Chairman of the Board for Houston Grand Opera, serves on the Community Advisory Board for SEARCH Homeless Services, and is a member of the Community Impact Committee at The United Way of Greater Houston.

Kelley Lubanko

Kelley Lubanko was raised in Houston and graduated from the University of Houston with a BA in English. She met her husband Steve when both worked at Mitchell Energy. She is the proud mom of two daughters, Kaia and Elise, and has three perfect grandchildren. Passionate about the arts, children’s causes and saving wildlife, Kelley currently serves on the board of the Houston Ballet.

Dr. Stacy O’Malley

Dr. Stacy O’Malley is an owner and veterinarian at Washington Heights Veterinary Clinic of Houston. She has been practicing general medicine and surgery since 2000 in both equine exclusive and small animal hospitals. Dr. O’Malley received her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin. She obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine, and went on to complete a 1-year rotating internship at Littleton Large Animal Clinic in Littleton Colorado. In addition to enhancing the health and happiness of companion animals, Stacy has a keen interest in wildlife and marine life conservation. Stacy lives in Houston with her husband, two children and two dogs.

Byron Pope

Byron Pope is vice president, ESG and Investor Relations at ChampionX, an energy solutions, equipment and technology company. He is a member of the ChampionX Executive Committee and the advisory board for the company’s African and African American Resource Group (Essence). He joined ChampionX in 2020, after a 26-year career in energy financial services, split between investment banking and investment management. Prior to joining ChampionX, Byron was a managing director and co-head of research at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co., where he was also a member of the firm’s leadership council and the management committee of its parent company, Perella Weinberg Partners. Byron serves on the board of trustees and the RISE Council at Rice University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and managerial studies from Rice University, an MBA from Harvard University, and is a CFA Charterholder.

Jim Postl

Jim Postl is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Pennzoil-Quaker State Company.

Prior to Pennzoil, he served as president of Nabisco Biscuit Company from 1996 to 1998 and was president and chief executive officer of Nabisco International from 1994 to 1996.  Prior to Nabisco, Postl held a variety of management positions with PepsiCo, Inc. and Procter & Gamble Company.

He currently serves on the boards of American Heart Association (national, regional, and Houston), Foundation for Jones Hall, Good Reason Houston, Holdsworth Governing Board, Houston Zoo, Memorial Hermann Foundation, and Performing Arts Houston. He also serves on the Jones Graduate School of Business Board of Advisors at Rice University. He is past chairman of the national board of the American Heart Association, AHA SouthWest Affiliate, Memorial Hermann Foundation and the Foundation for Jones Hall, and formerly served on the boards of American Funds, Cooper Industries, Northwest Airlines, Pulte Homes, Greater Houston Partnership and United Way.

Alexandra “Alie” Pruner

Alexandra “Alie” Pruner is an independent director of Plains All American; NRG Energy; and Chair of the Boards of Encino Acquisition Partners as well as Malta Inc. She also serves as Senior Advisor to the Houston-based investment bank TPC&Co./PWP, where she was a co-founder, and previously served as CFO. In addition to the Houston Zoo Board, Alie serves on the TMC (Texas Medical Center) Board of Directors and is chair of Brown University’s President’s Advisory Council on the Economics Department. She also founded the Women’s Global Leadership Conference in Energy and Technology.

Nancy Pustka

Nancy Pustka graduated from the University of Texas, earning a Bachelor in Business Administration. A few years later, she was awarded a Chartered Financial Analyst (C.F.A.) from the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts. Until her retirement in 2015, Nancy worked in the investment management field for 39 years, managing investment portfolios for both institutional and individual clients. She has served on numerous Houston based charitable, school, and club boards and committees and has been an active volunteer in support of various organizations including the Houston Zoo, Houston Museum of Natural Science, UT Health Development Board, St. Paul’s UMC, Trees of Hope, Alley Theatre, Episcopal High School, River Oaks Baptist School, River Oaks Country Club, and the Briar Club. Nancy is married to David Pustka and has two grown children, Audrey Pustka White and Evelyn Pustka, and two grandchildren, Vivienne White, and Dallas White.

Liz Schwarze

Liz Schwarze is Vice President of Global Exploration for Chevron, based in Houston, Texas. In this role, she is responsible for Chevron’s worldwide exploration program and chairs the company’s Global Exploration Leadership Team.

Liz joined Chevron in 1990 as a development geologist in the Gulf of Mexico and has had assignments in the areas of exploration, reservoir management, strategy and planning, talent development and technology. She has had assignments in multiple locations in the United States, in Venezuela and in Singapore and has worked on projects around the world.

Liz holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from Duke University, a master’s degree in geology from The University of Texas at Austin and a master’s in business administration from Tulane University. She is the Chair of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the College of Natural Science and Mathematics at the University of Houston and former Chair and member of the Corporate Advisory Board for the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

Jordan Seff

After Retiring from a 13 year career in Oil and Gas Operations, Jordan Seff has devoted her time to raising her 3 young daughters. Since 2017 Jordan, a Native Texan, has volunteered in a development and fundraising capacity for numerous charitable causes in Houston and surrounding areas.

She is a former board member of The Children’s Assessment Center and of the Houston20 where she created and served as co-chair for Black Tie Boxing. The 2-year project netted $2.3 million and succeeded in purchasing and renovating a facility for long term emergency treatment for human trafficking victims.

She currently sits on the Board of Crimestoppers advocating for the Houston Safe Schools. She was the 2023 recipient for The Leiv Platou award for her volunteer work in community safety.

Her passion is relationship development and fundraising, specifically benefiting youth programs. Since beginning her philanthropic endeavors, she has collectively raised millions in funding specific to children’s charities. Jordan is a board member of Houston Classical Charter School, a new K-4 public school, located in Southwest Houston’s Alief Neighborhood.

She was recently named a 2023 Woman of Distinction, a 2023 Woman of Substance, inducted as a Houston Ballet trustee, and will serve as co-chair of the 2023 Houston Zoo Gala.

Bas Solleveld

Bas Solleveld is managing director and co-manager of CIBC Private Wealth Management’s Houston office. In this role, he works with clients and their advisors to develop and implement investment and asset allocation strategies. Bas is also a member of CIBC Private Wealth Management’s Multi-Manager Investment Committee. Prior to joining the Houston office in 2012, Bas directed the firm’s private equity and real estate investment platforms. Bas was the vice chair of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership board. Bas and his wife, Courtney, have chaired the Zoo’s Ambassador Gala and Bas chairs the Asante and Investment Committees at the zoo. He earned a BA degree from Franklin & Marshall College. 

Brian Thomas

Brian Thomas, CFA is the Regional Managing Director for PNC Private BankSM in the Southwest & Mountain Region. With his leadership team, he is responsible for the delivery of Private Bank capabilities and advice to the our clients across the southwestern United States and Rocky Mountains.​

Prior to joining PNC, Brian was the Global Director of Client Development for Northern Trust. He was responsible for all business development officers within wealth management. Previously, Brian was a Managing Director and held various roles with JPMorgan including being the investment team leader in Chicago and leading the High Net Worth Private Bank offices in Houston, San Francisco, and St. Louis. ​

Brian studied accounting and graduated with honors from Indiana University, Bloomington and holds an MBA from Cornell University where he was a Park Leadership Fellow. ​

Currently Brian serves various organizations including the Houston Zoo, Hermann Park Conservancy, and the University of Houston Blaffer Art Museum. Brian is also very active as a member of the Coronado Club (Churchill Society, Finance, and Speakers Committees). He has also been involved with the Houston Symphony, Houston Children’s Museum, and the Rice Alliance & Business Plan Competition ​

In his free time, Brian enjoys running half marathons and cycling. In addition, he has been the basketball coach and is involved at River Oaks Baptist School as well as Boy Scouts, Troop 55.

Kelli Weinzierl

Kelli Weinzierl grew up in Houston and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English and received her J.D. from The University of Houston Law Center. After working as a corporate and securities attorney in Houston and Dallas, she left the practice of law in 2003 to manage their family investment business and begin a family. The Weinzierls moved from Dallas to Houston in 2007.

Kelli is committed to supporting a variety of charitable organizations dealing with conservation, children in need, education and health. She currently sits on the boards of The Houston Museum of Natural Science and The Houston Zoo. Kelli is a past board member of the Houston Ballet, Trees of Hope, The Children’s Assessment Center, St. Francis Episcopal Day School and Texas Children’s Cancer Center Advisory Board, and volunteers for and supports many other charities. Kelli is married to John and has one son, Luke.

Randa Duncan Williams

Ms. Williams is the Chairman of Enterprise Products Holdings LLC.  In addition, she serves as Chairman of Enterprise Products Company, Chairman & President of the Dan L Duncan Foundation, and Chairman of Texas Monthly, LLC.  Prior to joining Enterprise in 1994, Randa practiced law with Brown, Sims, Wise & White and Butler & Binion. She received her undergraduate degree from Rice University and her JD from the University of Houston Law Center. Randa also serves as Secretary and Director of The Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation and The Alkek and Williams Foundation.  She is on the Board of Trustees of the Episcopal High School Endowment Fund and the River Oaks Baptist School Endowment Fund, and she is an actively involved member on the boards of Houston Museum of Natural Science, Episcopal High School, and Rice University.   

Austin Young

Austin Young has served as a director of Insperity, Inc., Tower Group International, Ltd. and Amerisafe, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer of CellStar Corporation until his retirement. Austin holds an accounting degree from The University of Texas at Austin. He is a member of the Houston and state chapters of the Texas Society of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs, and Financial Executives International. He has previously held leadership roles on the Houston Ballet Foundation board, The Park People board, the Alley Theater board, Houston Fire Museum board, and ESCAPE Family Resource Center.