Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s Board of Trustees is comprised of conservation leaders who share a commitment to safeguarding our state’s natural resources. Trustees support the mission of the foundation, raise awareness, and exercise fiduciary oversight.
Mike Greene, Chairman*
Fort Worth
Mark E. Bivins, Vice Chairman*
Amarillo
Kelly R. Thompson, Chairman Emeritus*
Fort Worth
John Burpee*
Dallas
John A. Cardwell
Austin
Kathy Cook Collins
McAllen
Dan Craine*
Fort Worth
Bruce Culpepper
Houston
Robert E. Fondren
Houston
L.R. (Robin) French, III
Houston
Russell Gordy
Houston
Will Harte
Fort Davis
Parker Johnson
Houston
Steve C. Lewis
San Antonio
Cadell Liedtke
Midland
Margaret Martin
Boerne
Carman Mullins
Spring
Richard Nunley
Sabinal
Randy S. Risher
Houston
Corbin J. Robertson, III
Houston
Eric Stumberg
Austin
*denotes Executive Committee members
Honorary Trustees
The Honorable Lee M. Bass
Chairman Emeritus
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Fort Worth
Will C. Beecherl
Dallas
Edwin L. “Ed” Cox, Jr.
Athens
George C. “Tim” Hixon† (1937-2018)
San Antonio
C. Patrick Oles, Jr.
Austin
Ex Officio Trustees
The Honorable Oliver J. Bell
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Houston
The Honorable Jeanne W. Latimer
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
San Antonio
The Honorable S. Reed Morian
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Houston
Carter Smith
Executive Director
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Austin
Staff Leadership
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation staff carry out the day-to-day business of the foundation. Led by Executive Director Susan Houston, TPWF team members are passionate about the work they do and the mission they support.
Susan Houston, Executive Director
Susan Houston joined Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation in September 2012 as Major Gifts Officer in Austin, Texas and in June 2019, became Executive Director. Prior to joining the Foundation, Ms. Houston was the Corporate Relations Director for the National Audubon Society. During her 10 years with Audubon, she assumed various development roles including Director of Development for the Texas state program. Before entering the nonprofit sector, she was an account manager for the largest Steelcase distributor in central Texas.
Merrill Chester Gregg, Associate Director
Merrill Chester Gregg joined Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation in March 2016 as Conservation Finance Director and in June 2020, became Associate Director. Prior to joining the Foundation, Ms. Gregg was a Vice President of Marketing for Texas and the Southeast at Brigade Capital Management, a $16 billion dollar credit asset manager based in New York City. Ms. Gregg started her career at Goldman Sachs, where she worked in New York City and Hong Kong consulting hedge funds on capital raising.
Emily House, Marketing and Membership Director
Emily House joined Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation in June 2018 as Marketing and Membership Director. Prior to joining the Foundation, Ms. House was Vice President of Olsen + Company where she helped non-profit and political organizations build membership audiences, raising more than $25 million through online and direct gifts. Ms. House also served seven years as an appointee with the U.S. Department of State, the Office of Management and Budget in the White House and the U.S. Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C.
Lydia Saldaña, Communications Director
Lydia Saldaña joined the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation team as Communications Director in September 2014 after more than 23 years of state service with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. For 17 of those years, she served as Communications Division Director and was responsible for agency communications, marketing, media relations, education and outreach. As TPWF communications director, Ms. Saldaña provides strategic input and guidance to the leadership team and implements annual integrated communication and marketing plans that support TPWF’s mission.
Julie Shaddox, Stewardship and Support Director
Julie Shaddox rejoined the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation team in 2019 as the Director of Partner Programs and in June 2020, became Director of Stewardship and Support. Her prior roles at TPWF include serving as Development/Grant Writer from 2014-2015 and Philanthropy Relationship Manager from 2015-2018. Ms. Shaddox holds a bachelor’s degree from Trinity University and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago. She enjoys travel and previously lived in Ankara, Turkey, where she taught English at the Bilkent University School of English Language.