Chair - Howard Falkenberg (2007 - 2008)
Howard Falkenberg is President of Staats Falkenberg & Partners, one of Austin's most highly respected advertising and public relations firms, and also serves as the senior communications consultant to the agency's clients.
Howard began his professional career as a broadcast journalist but has served as an advisor to corporations, institutions and governmental agencies for more than 30 years. Outside of the office, Howard holds leadership roles in many civic and philanthropic organizations. He is past president of the Austin Area Research Organization (AARO), a former chair of the Austin Area Urban League, and a co-founder of the Austin 2010 Foundation. He received the 2002 Lifetime Achievement award from the Austin (Texas) Advertising Federation.
Howard has been a member of CATC's Board of Directors since the organization's inception and formerly served as Co-Chair of CATC's Technical Advisory Committee.
Secretary - Philip Bible
Philip Bible, a Senior Broker and Land and Industrial Specialist with NAI Austin, has been active in the real estate market in the Central Texas region since 1980, working in the brokerage arena, the development business and in asset management. He has more than 27 years experience in the real estate industry, with expertise in office, commercial, industrial, multi-family and single-family residential land marketing, sales and acquisitions. Philip has served on CATC's Board of Directors since 2006.
Former Chairs
Wm. Terry Bray, Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody
Terry Bray is one of CATC's founding members and has provided invaluable guidance to the organization since its inception. He served as CATC's Chair from 2002-2004 and Secretary from 1999-2001.
In addition to his CATC Chairmanship, Terry generously donates his time and energy to many civic and community organizations, including serving on the Envision Central Texas Board of Directors, as a member of the Austin Area Research Organization, and on the Austin Community College Foundation Emeritus Board.
Gary Farmer, Heritage Title
Gary Farmer is the President of Heritage Title, one of the largest title agency companies in Texas. Gary's 2001-2002 service as CATC's Chair is just one example of his commitment to maintaining the Capital Area's quality of life and healthy economy.
Gary has also served as the founder/past president of the Real Estate Council of Austin, Chairman of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce's Advantage Austin Campaign, Chair of the Caritas Community Advisory Board, and in leadership positions in The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Lands, and Boy Scouts of America.
John Foster, Wells Fargo
John C. Foster is the Community Banking President, Business Banking for the Greater Austin Region of Wells Fargo Bank. He has been with Wells Fargo, and predecessor institutions, since 1993 and has been involved in banking throughout his career beginning in 1971 as a management trainee with Interfirst Bank Austin. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering.
A husband and father of two, John has managed to successfully balance family, work and civic commitments that include serving on the Executive Board of Directors for the Boy Scouts of America Capitol Council; Chairman of the National Jamboree Committee for the Boy Scouts of America; Patron Chairman, KLRN,T.V. Auction; Advisory Board for Austin Family House; President of the National Kidney Foundation, Central Texas from 1995 to 1997; and is a retired Lt. Col., Texas Army National Guard. John has been an active member of the CATC's Board of Directors and also served as Secretary from 2003-2004.
F. Scott LaGrone
Scott LaGrone is another of CATC's founding members. Scott is one of the founders and principals of Radian Corporation, an environmental and technical services firm. He retired from Radian in 1997 after a 30-year career. In 1999, he was appointed as the Williamson County Representative on the Board of the Lower Colorado River Authority by then-Governor George Bush and has been appointed by Governor Rick Perry to serve on both the Texas Energy Planning Council and the Clean Coal Council of Texas.
LaGrone served as the chair of the Task Force of Austin Major Employers (TFAME) for two terms. He was a founding director and co-chair of Vision 2010, a Central Texas long-range planning organization. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in physics from The University of Texas at Austin.
Pike Powers, Fulbright & Jaworski
He is the managing partner of Fulbright & Jaworski's Austin office, where he has been a partner since 1978. Pike represented Jefferson County in the Texas House of Representatives from 1972 to 1979, and was executive assistant to Governor Mark White in 1983.
Pike is deeply committed to civic service and has played a critical role in bringing major developments to Austin, including 3M, Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corp. He currently serves on the newly created Governor's Council on Science and Biotechnology Development. Pike is one of CATC's founding members and served two terms as Chair from 1999 - 2001.
Pete Winstead, Winstead PC
Pete Winstead leads Winstead PC's Austin office, the firm which he co-founded and has offices in Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston, Mexico City, The Woodlands, and Washington, DC.
Pete has also served as president of the Real Estate Council of Austin, chairman of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Austin Area Research Organization, and was appointed by then-Governor George Bush as Chair of the Texas Turnpike Authority. In addition, Pete donates an enormous amount of time and support to numerous worthy causes and organizations. Pete is another of CATC's founding members and served as CATC's first Chair, from 1998-1999.
Founder - J.J. "Jake" Pickle (1913-2005)
The Honorable J. J. "Jake" Pickle was a true Texas legend and founding member of CATC. The University of Texas at Austin graduate and Navy veteran was one of the original owners of Austin's KVET radio station. His memorable career includes serving as director of the Texas State Democratic Executive Committee and as a member of the Texas Employment Commission, but he is best remembered for his 31 years of service as a U.S. Representative (1963-1995). Jake's 16 Congressional terms led to his being the third-ranking Democrat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, exerting influence on important economic, tax, trade and health legislation.
Jake was a tireless advocate for Central Texas mobility and a real visionary in his projections regarding the need for transportation infrastructure. He was responsible for securing the initial funding for study of what became SH 130, referred to as the "Pickle Parkway" by those who know about his enormous contributions to the project. He continued to champion SH 130's implementation even after he retired from public service as well as other critical transportation projects and funding initiatives, including serving as one of the founding members of CATC. He was deservingly termed the "father of [Texas] transportation" by former Texas Transportation Commission Chair David Laney.
We'll miss you, Jake.
Bruce Byron, Executive Director
Bruce Byron has served as CATC's Executive Director since the organization's inception.
Born in upstate New York, Bruce grew up in Richardson, Texas and graduated from the University of Texas of Austin and the LBJ School of Public Affairs. After serving in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer, he spent 25 years in community development as a city manager, lobbyist, land developer and consultant.
In addition to his commitment to saving Austin from traffic gridlock, Bruce participates in several civic and community organizations and serves as an active leader in his church. Bruce and his wife, Chris, are the proud parents of two daughters.
Loree Elton, Deputy Director
Loree Elton began working for CATC in 1999, shortly after moving to Austin. A native Texan, she grew up in the Dallas area and earned a bachelor's degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Illiois, Urbana-Champaign. Her background in government relations and non-profit associations meshes well with CATC's diverse range of issues and projects.
When she's not rallying the troops in support of regional mobility, Loree tackles home renovation projects, enjoys traveling, and serves as a volunteer for community projects.