For more than 40 years, Ric Campo has leveraged his energy, experience, and advocacy to build a better Houston.  As the Chairman and co-founder of Camden Property Trust, Ric built a business supplying homes to more than 100,000 families across America and created jobs for more than 1,700 team members.

Ric’s journey is based on a strong work ethic, continuous learning, and community involvement. Ric has served on numerous public and private boards, in service to families, children, reducing homelessness, and promoting our City.  He has led transformative economic development initiatives and played pivotal roles in building iconic sports venues and other civic buildings and gathering spaces in Houston.

While chair of Houston First Corporation, the team successfully executed civic investments of over $1.5B in Houston’s convention and entertainment districts assets. Projects include, Discovery Green, the reimagining of the George R Brown Convention Center, Avenida de Las America Plaza, Partnership Tower, and the 1,000 room Marriott Marque Hotel.

As a board member of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank Houston branch, Central Houston and the Greater Houston Partnership, Ric works to shape our region's economic stability and growth. Through his active participation, he helps foster an environment conducive to job creation, investment, equality, and overall economic prosperity.

Ric is the grandson of immigrant farmworkers, and was the first in his family to graduate from college, earning his Bachelor’s from Oregon State University.

Angela Lemond Flowers is a native Houstonian and the proud mom of four, including two 2022 Lamar High School graduates.

Angela has devoted her career to the advancement of children’s education. Angela began her teaching career at Jesse H. Jones High School and over her twenty year career she has developed her craft as a teacher and school leader in urban, suburban, and private school settings.

Becoming a teacher helped Angela understand the realities of educational inequity, the brilliance and potential within each student, and the truth – all students can achieve when given the tools and the right skilled adults to support each student’s growth.

Angela has also served as a school leader and district-level leader, developing other school leaders, expanding principal pipelines, and to providing students with expanded writing opportunities through nonprofit partnerships.

Angela earned dual degrees in English Literature and Theatre Arts at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA and her Master’s degree in School Leadership from Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York City.

Paula Mendoza, a Houstonian, has served her community at the local and state levels for more than 25 years, advocating on behalf of underserved youth and improving their opportunities for higher education and financial aid.  Paula dedicates a generous amount of her time to organizations serving youth, education, and the infrastructure of our city. As an entrepreneur and business owner, Paula works around the state of Texas to find projects, provide jobs, and is a strong advocate for her employees to further their education.  She also saves time in her day to mentor young adults in her community and small businesses.

Paula’s parents were from Mexico and raised their children on Houston's northside.  Although finances were not in abundance, the importance and power of education was always a family priority. 

Paula has served on several boards and commissions, including The Texas Ethics Commission and The University of Houston Board of Regents.  For the past few years, she has served on the TIRZ 15 Board, appointed by the Mayor and City Council, and currently serves as Chairman of SER Jobs Houston, the Chair of the East End Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Chair of the Community Outreach Committee, and the Executive Board for the YMCA Association, and was recently appointed to the Lone Star Community College Foundation.

Paula earned her MBA from UH Downtown, BS in Criminal Justice from UH Downtown, and Associates from North Harris County College.  Paula has been married to Robert L. Mendoza, Sr. for 35 years.  Their son is a graduate of Reagan (now Heights) High School, and they have three grandchildren and a goddaughter who captured their hearts at birth.

Michelle Cruz Arnold is a policy advocate with more than twenty years of experience working in government, philanthropic organizations, and public and higher education roles emphasizing college and career readiness and creating opportunities for students. She currently serves as the Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy for College Board. Previous work experience includes serving as Vice President of Public Policy for the Greater Houston Partnership, Coordinator of External Affairs for Clear Creek ISD, Manager of Government Relations for the Texas Education Agency, working in legislative roles in the Texas House of Representatives, and as an adjunct professor for graduate coursework at the University of Houston and Texas State University.

Born and raised in Baytown, Texas, Michelle has been a proud Houstonian since 2006. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies, a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Planning, and a Graduate Portfolio in Nonprofit and Philanthropic Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master of Public Administration from Texas State University. Michelle is married to John Arnold, a native New Mexican, and together they are the parents of an elementary aged son who attends public school in the Houston Independent School District. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, running, cooking, and volunteering.

Michelle believes in, and is a staunch advocate for, public education.  She and her husband have chosen Houston ISD for their family and believe it will prepare their son well for his future – whatever it may hold.  Michelle is committed to working to rebuild the credibility, capacity, and legacy of Houston ISD for all students and families.

Edgar Colón has been a key figure in Houston’s legal and academic communities. Since 2003, he has led his own legal practice, specializing in public finance, commercial transactions and corporate law. Beyond law, he has made significant contributions to education as a full-time lecturer in Political Science at the University of Houston-Downtown since 2008, teaching courses on government, constitutional law and nonprofit management.

His commitment to Houston extends to civic engagement, serving as Chairman of the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation and leading the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. A University of Houston alumnus with multiple degrees, Colón's influence spans law, business and education, shaping future leaders through both his professional and academic work. Fluent in Spanish, his expertise bridges local and international perspectives.

Janette Garza Lindner is a devoted wife and working mom of two children who attend HISD schools. She credits her education for the opportunities she’s enjoyed and is dedicated to making sure Houston students don’t have to depend on luck to get a great education.

Motivated by the opportunities her education had afforded her and the belief that every child deserves a great education, Janette's commitment to improving Houston's educational systems began when she and her husband started looking into schools for their first child. They were surprised to see the disparity among the elementary schools, not only across HISD, but in their own neighborhood.  Janette remains steadfast in her commitment to ensuring a high-quality education is accessible to all students, regardless of their backgrounds, financial circumstances, or ZIP codes.

Janette also actively contributes to creating healthier communities to meet our children’s needs through her service on the MD Anderson YMCA board, and she also collaborates with numerous local community groups to advocate for safer neighborhoods, protecting our parks, and sensible urban development. As a member of the Houston Cecilia Chamber Choir, she lends her voice to harmonious melodies and supports the local arts and music community as a devoted patron.

Janette is a management consultant within the energy industry.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Texas at Austin.

Marty Goossen retired as Vice Chairman of J.P. Morgan Private Bank in 2024 after working in Houston’s financial sector since 2006. Proud to call Houston home for the past two decades, he has been deeply involved in the city’s civic and philanthropic community, serving on the boards of the Asia Society Texas, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the United Way of Greater Houston. His commitment to education has led him to serve on advisory boards for Rice University’s Jones School of Business and Teach for America Houston. Marty is a graduate of Harvard Business School and holds a B.S. in Economics from Union College.

Lauren A. Gore was appointed to the Texas Southern University (TSU) Board of Regents in 2024, reflecting his dedication to education in Houston. A Harvard Law graduate and former instructor at its Program on Negotiation, he has contributed to academia by teaching negotiation strategies to university students and professionals. His leadership extends beyond education; as a General Partner at LDR Growth Partners in Houston, he oversees portfolio operations. Gore’s experience includes a military background as an Airborne-Ranger Infantry Officer and a legal career advising global infrastructure projects. His commitment to Houston is evident through service on multiple governing boards. His role at TSU highlights his dedication to fostering educational opportunities in the region, ensuring a lasting impact on students and the community.

Marcos Rosales is a trial lawyer and Partner at Beck Redden LLP. Marcos previously served as general counsel of a multi-industry business enterprise, giving him considerable business and litigation experience and extensive knowledge of a range of industries, including oil and gas, real estate, construction and insurance. Acting as general counsel for a commercial construction company, Marcos has negotiated construction, engineering, architecture and construction management contracts. The father of young children, Marcos previously served HISD on the Community Advisory Committee.