Sandy Hentges Guzman

Executive Director

Sandy joined the Austin Area Research Organization (AARO) in March of 2020. Before her role at AARO, Sandy was the Legislative Director for Texas State Senator Kirk Watson. Initially focused solely on transportation policy for the senator, Sandy has also served as point on the senator’s 10 Goals in 10 Years since the initiative began in 2011. This led to the 2012 election to increase the Central Health tax rate to support a redesign of the community healthcare safety net system, the creation of the UT Dell Medical School and engage Seton’s commitment to build a new teaching hospital, the Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, Austin. The 10 in 10 effort is ongoing. 

Sandy first moved to Austin in 2000. Later that year, she joined the campaign for light rail as Deputy Campaign Director. Though the effort was unsuccessful, it provided Sandy the opportunity to get to know Austin, its elected officials and business and community leaders. It was also the beginning of her work on local and regional transportation policy. She subsequently joined the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce staff where she worked for eight years on local, state and federal policy issues, with a heavy emphasis on transportation issues/policy, on behalf of the business community as Senior Vice President for Public Policy.

Kelley Wallace

Bookkeeper

Kelley joined AARO in August 2017 as the Bookkeeper. Prior to joining AARO, she spent a year working for UT’s engineering department and over seven years working for a local church as Financial/Facility Administrative Assistant. Kelley has a B.B.A. in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin.

She lives in Austin with her husband of 30 years and a dog named Sisa. She has two grown sons. In her free time, she travels, reads and volunteers.

Christie Bradow

Executive Assistant and Meeting Coordinator

Christie joined AARO as Executive Assistant and Meeting Coordinator in October 2018. She is excited to work with the AARO staff to help support the AARO membership and their mission.

Prior to AARO, Christie had an extensive background in retail management with 15+ years as the General Manager of a department store. Most recently she was a Sales Manager with a large automotive retailer.

Christie has a Master of Arts in Organizational Development from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Houston.

Originally from Baton Rouge, LA, Christie has lived in Aruba, California, New Mexico and has been proud to call Central Texas home since 2004.