James A. Baker was appointed Secretary of State on January 22, 1989, and served until August 23, 1992. Baker brought almost two decades of experience in politics, both behind the scenes and in key administration positions with him to the State Department.

James A. Baker

Honorary Co-Chair

J.P. Bryan

Chair

William “Bill” King

J. P. Bryan has spent a lifetime amassing the finest privately held collection of Texana and materials related to the settlement of the western United States. For decades, he has generously shared his collection, which was housed at his office, and recently took the major step of opening the Bryan Museum in Galveston as a permanent home. I

Elizabeth Winston - Jones

Cynthia Pickett Stevenson

Treasurer

Suzanne Dixon

Elizabeth Waddill

Bill King is a life-long resident of the Houston area. He was born and raised in Kemah and later attended the University of Houston where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a law degree. Bill currently is President of Southwest Airport Services at Ellington Field and writes a weekly column on politics and public policy for the Houston Chronicle.

Elizabeth grew up in Houston, spending most of her time outdoors, exploring and being captivated by nature while playing, fishing and hunting in and along Buffalo Bayou, the Texas coast, and South Texas. Throughout her adult life, she has served as an advocate and activist board member for local and international nonprofits involved with leveraging nature for the benefit of the community. Elizabeth received a B.A. in History and a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.

James Dion

Cullen Geiselman

John L. NAU III

Honorary Co-Chair

Paula Whitney

Russ Waddill

For more than 40 years, Mr. Nau has served in many leadership roles for civic, community, and philanthropic organizations in Texas and throughout the United States.  His service to the community currently includes Chairman of the Texas Historical Commission, Regent of Andrew Jackson Foundation Board of Trustees, National Park Foundation Board of Directors, American Battlefield Trust Board of Directors, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors to name a few.

Cynthia Pickett-Stevenson is a fourth generation Houstonian. She is a practicing attorney with over 34 years of experience, primarily in oil and gas, real estate, manufacturing, construction, and business acquisitions and dispositions. Cynthia earned a BA in Spanish from the University of Texas and JD from South Texas College of Law.

Cullen K. Geiselman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Policy from Duke University and an Master of Arts and Doctorate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Columbia University. In addition to her research, she works with her family on business matters and philanthropy and serves on the Board of Directors of the Houston Zoo, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, Bat Conservation International, Contemporary Art Museum Houston, and the Blaffer Art Museum at University of Houston.

After years of traveling the world in a corporate job, Paula decided to make the waterfront in Palacios her home. She purchased The Peaceful Pelican in 2014 to create a peaceful and fun getaway for Texans and other travelers. Paula has always loved nature and has enjoyed hobbies such as gardening, fishing, birding, nature photography, kayaking, and hiking.

Suzanne Dixon, based in Washington, DC, US, is currently a Founder and Partner at Thunderbird Strategies. Suzanne Dixon brings experience from previous roles at National Audubon Society, Independent Consultant and Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Suzanne Dixon holds a University of Leicester. With a robust skill set that includes Nonprofits, Fundraising, Community Outreach, Public Policy, Volunteer Management and more.