The University of Houston is pleased to welcome twenty-five new members to its Board of Visitors for the 2025-26 academic year — with representatives from across Texas, New York, California and beyond — providing a powerful platform to celebrate the University’s momentum and achievements on a national scale.
These new additions, appointed by UH President Renu Khator to terms that began on Sept. 1, join an established group of outstanding innovators and visionaries who are committed to enhancing and advancing the University’s brand and reputation, and pushing UH closer to its goal of becoming a Top 50 ranked public institution and leading up to its Centennial in 2027.
“The Board of Visitors is a phenomenal group of leaders and power players driving UH to greater heights — and our new members are no different. From CEOs to influential executives, art consultants to philanthropists, this incredibly talented new cohort will amplify UH as we head towards our Centennial.”
—UH President Renu Khator
The Board of Visitors is chaired by Arturo Chavez (’90), board member and principal at Page, now Stantec, a multidisciplinary design, architecture and engineering firm with offices in Houston, across the U.S. and around the world.
“We welcome our new members at a defining moment in the University of Houston’s history,” Chavez said. “With our Centennial on the horizon, this is more than a milestone — it is a moment to look ahead. Together, we will help guide UH into its next century of impact, innovation and service, ensuring that the University continues to rise as a beacon of opportunity for Houston, for Texas and for the world.”
New Members
- Nory Angel, President, American Leadership Forum, Houston/Gulf Coast Chapter
- Chris Angelides (’89, M.B.A. ’94), Honorary Consul of the Republic of Cyprus to Texas; Managing Director of Sustainability & Energy, Ernst and Young
- Katharine Barthelme, Fine Arts Consultant and Founder Barthelme Art & Appraisals
- Patricia “Pat” Booker, Philanthropist; Board Member of Houston Golf Association
- Richard J. “Ric” Campo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Camden Property Trust
- Halina E. Caravello, Ph.D., (M.S. ’85), Founder, H. Caravello Consulting
- Rosanette “Rose” Cullen (’57), Philanthropist
- Carlos de Aldecoa (’97), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Coast Distillers
- Laura Espinosa, Ph.D., RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President, Houston Methodist West
- Chris Gamble (’00), Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Caliber Holdings
- Steve Goodman (’83, M.S.A. ’85), Founder and President, Goodman Financial Corporation
- Benito Guerrier (M. Arch. ’91), Executive Vice President and Director of Government Projects, Kirksey Architecture
- Michael Hainkel (’78, M.S.A. ’79), Executive Vice President and Chief Tax Officer, Lionsgate Entertainment
- Rick C. Jaramillo, Houston Market Executive, Bank of America
- Avi Katz (’97), Chief Executive Officer, Katz Coffee
- Mohammed “Ali” Lakhany (’07), Chief Executive Officer, CSM Group
- F. Paul Lott (’84), Owner, LLW Consulting, Inc.
- Reginald E. McKamie Sr. (J.D. ’86), Captain, USN (Ret.); Founder/President, Law Offices of Reginald E. McKamie, Sr., P.C.
- Rose Hochner Nelson, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications and Chief of Staff to President, University of Texas Health Science Center
- Andrew Quartapella (UHD ’88), Managing Member, FMQ Partners
- Michael Ramos (’00), President, APEX Financial Management Services
- Ashley Smith (LL.M. ’93), Former Representative and Chair, Texas Higher Education Committee, Texas House of Representatives
- Sharmagne Taylor, CMP (’86), President, On-Site Partners
- Kwaku Temeng, Former Director of Upstream, Aramco Americas; Board Member, Core Laboratories
- Jo Dee Wright, Executive Assistant, Datum Equipment Company, Inc.
Members of the UH Alumni Association Foundation Board of Directors also serve on the Board of Visitors as ex-officio members. Joining as a new ex-officio member this year is Vanessa Flores (’02, UHCL M.S. ’08), Executive Director of Instruction, Central Division, Houston Independent School District.
Click here for a complete list of UH Board of Visitors members.