McBee Fellowship
The McBee Fellowship

Act as stewards for the greater common good.

The Frank McBee Jr. Fellows Program is a rigorous, 13-month program for civic leadership development. Frank McBee Jr. Fellowships offer exceptional Central Texas leaders first-hand, practical experience working with regional civic entrepreneurs on a variety of public policy issues to improve the long-term economic and social quality of life for all Central Texans.

The Fellowship is designed to seed Central Texas with leaders who think regionally and act as stewards for the greater common good. Like AARO members, McBee Fellows:

Lead with integrity - individually and collectively.

Establish and nurture relationships of trust.

Think and act systemically, considering the interdependency of issues.

Engage in collaborative, non-partisan efforts that honor the wisdom inside and outside of AARO.

During the program year, Fellows actively engage with many of the region’s most influential business and community leaders through AARO committee and membership meetings. In addition, each Fellow meets regularly with two AARO mentors throughout the year. AARO carefully selects the mentors for each Fellow to maximize their growth as leaders and enhance the quality of the Fellowship experience.

Fellows are expected to repay the privilege of participating in the Fellowship year by contributing to the region as future leaders. AARO hopes McBee alumni will inspire others in their spheres of influence to think and act in the long-term best interest of the region.

Application Information

The application for the 2019 Class of Frank McBee Jr. Fellows will be available in summer 2018.

Application Preview

Contact Diana Barton at (512) 477-4000 or dbarton@aaroregion.com for more information.

Closed: Applications for the class of 2023 McBee Fellows are now closed. Please email aaro@aaroregion.com if you would like to be notified when the application window opens in the summer of 2023 for the Class of 2024.  Thank you!

The McBee program looks for early to mid-career leaders working to enhance the social and/or economic well-being of Central Texans. Individuals giving their time in more than one sector, policy area or community and are interested in engaging in similar work at a regional level are well positioned to get the most out of this Fellowship. Scholarships are available for candidates needing financial assistance. Review the information packet here.

Contact aaro@aaroregion.com with any questions about the application process or McBee Fellowship.

2023 McBee Fellows

Valerie Esparza

Deputy Director
Center for Women in Law

Frances Jordan

Director, Communications & Strategy
Rifeline

Fang Fang

CEO
Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce

Amy Knop-Narbutis

Senior Research & Evaluation Officer
Hector and Gloria Lopez Foundation

Samuel Franco

President and Founder
Infravest Strategies, LLC

Cynthia Martinez

Communications Director
Travis Central Appraisal District

Joel Gross

CEO
Austin Monitor

J. Pieratt

Partner
DLA Piper, LLC

Liz Johnson

Director of External Affairs
St. Edward's University

Jackie Sekiguchi

Community Affairs Manager
Texas Mutual Insurance Company

2022 McBee Fellows

Current AARO McBee Fellows

William Askew, Jr.

Program Manager
Capital IDEA

Ann Boren

Manager Market Rules and Stakeholder Support
ERCOT

Ruben Cantu

Executive Director of Inclusive Innovation & Entrepreneurshipt
The University of Texas at Austin

Andrew Cates

       General Counsel & Managing Partner - State Affairs
 The Bingham Group

Angelo Foadey

Vice President Corporate Banking
Frost Bank

Carmen Luevanos

                    Community Relations Manager                   Texas Gas Service

Meg Moore

Principal
Austin Strategic Planning

Nico Ramsey

Senior Account Executive
ECPR Texas

Lourdes Rodriguez

Senior Program Officer
St. David's Foundation

Stephanie Tsen

President
Tsen Engineering
McBee Fellow Alumni
NameTitleAffiliationYear
Rodney AhartExecutive DirectorKeep Austin Beautiful2013
Theresa AlvarezSenior Vice President of Community Relations for Central TexasWells Fargo2013
David AndersonDirector of Land Use PolicyDrenner Group2009
Zach AndersonPresidentTicketCity2011
Stacy ArmijoChief Experience OfficerAmplify Credit Union2016
Becky ArreagaPresident, PartnerMercury Mambo2010
William AskewProgram ManagerCapital IDEA2022
Tamara AtkinsonExecutive DirectorWorkforce Solutions – Capital Area Workforce Board2015
Writ BaesePresident/OwnerHill Country Payroll2014
Shilpa BakreCommunications StrategistThe University of Texas at Austin2017
Brett J. BarnesVice President of DevelopmentLong Center for the Performing Arts2009
Jeff BartonPrincipal & Co-FounderGap Strategies2014
Jeremiah BentleyVice President, Marketing & Customer EngagementTexas Mutual Insurance Company2018
Fayruz BenyousefFounder & PrincipalFayruz Benyousef Consulting LLC2014
Marina BhargavaExecutive DirectorGreater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce2015
A.J. BinghamFounder & CEOThe Bingham Group LLC2021
Rebecca BraySenior Traffic Engineer/PlannerRS&H2013
Ann BorenManager, Market Rules and Stakeholder SupportERCOT2022
Wes BreyfogleChief Executive OfficerScanData Systems, Inc.2017
Jed BuiePartnerBuie & Co.2007
Eric BustosSenior Legislative RepresentativeAmerican Public Transportation Association2021
Ruben CantuExecutive Director of Inclusive Innovation and EntrepreneurshipThe Univeristy of Texas at Austin2022
Daniel G. CarlPrincipal & Regional DirectorBSA LifeStructures2019
Katherine CaffreyAssistant City ManagerCity of Cedar Park2018
Gerardo CastilloSenior Vice President/Chief of StaffCapital Metro Transportation Authority2009
Andrew CatesGeneral Counsel & Director of Government AffairsBingham Group LLC2022
Edward CharrierCEO & PresidentFractilia2010
Merrill DavisManaging Director, AustinHill+Knowlton Strategies2018
Ramiro DiazStaff Software EngineerSaks Fifth Avenue2021
Robert T. DoerrAccount Executive/Commercial Lines ManagerTCOR Insurance Management2012
John P. DonisiAttorney/Civic Volunteer2011
Tara A. DoolittleChief Of StaffUniversity of Texas at Austin2019
Michael DossExecutive Vice President - Area PresidentIndependent Bank Group2018
Michelle EarleyPartnerLocke Lord LLP2016
Chris EdwardsAssistant City AttorneyCity of Austin – Law Department2008
Mario A. EspinozaCivic Leader2012
Jimmy FergusonPresidentMaxtab, Inc.2008
Scott FlackPresidentLive Oak2009
Christian FletcherExecutive DirectorMarble Falls Economic Development Corporation2017
Angelo FoadeyVIce President - Corporate BankingFrost Bank2022
Erin O’Neil FranzFounder and PrincipalEOF Consulting2013
Karen FriesePresidentK Friese + Associates2010
Christie GarbeOwnerSerasana Bee Cave2011
Myndi GarrettConsultant2008
Kate GarzaChief of StaffOffice of Travis County Judge Andy Brown2021
Rebecca GeierCEOTREW Marketing2010
David GlassFounder and OwnerSilverado Business Systems Inc.2008
Steve GoldsmithHead of Communications ProductsAtlassian2014
Patricia E. GonzalesCommunications ManagerGuadalupe-Blanco River Authority2008
Hannah GourgeyConsultant2017
Dan GrahamFounderNotely2013
Larry GrahamManager – Regulatory AffairsTexas Gas Service2013
Teresa Granillo, Ph.D.Chief Executive OfficerAvance2019
Beth GuillotPrincipal, PresidentFuse Architecture Studio2010
Jeff HahnPrincipalHahn Public2007
Clint HarpVice President, Transition Strategic ServicesLower Colorado River Authority2017
Michelle HarperPresident and CEO United Way of Hays and Caldwell Counties2018
August HarrisPresidentCovenant Financial Solutions2014
David HartmanPartnerSmith, Robertson2008
Sara HickmanTexas State Musician2015
Heath K. HignightCenter Business Director – Upstream Petroleum Engineering Research CenterKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology2009
Nhat HoVice PresidentCivilitude2021
Amy HollowayPresident and CEOAvalanche Consulting2010
Daryl HortonAssistant Pastor/Youth PastorMt. Zion Baptist Church2018
Peter InmanPrincipalCamino Real Financial Strategies2013
Gerardo InterianoFounder and Managing DirectorPericles Strategies2016
Camille JobePartnerJobe Corral Architects2016
Debbie JohnsonPrincipalSuccessful Giving2017
Amy J. JonesChief Executive Officer, PresidentO’Connell Robertson2011
Edward KargboCivic Leader2014
Karen KennardShareholderGreenberg Traurig, LLP2010
Christopher KennedyChief Executive OfficerLeadership Austin2007
Steve KesterState & Local Government AffairsApple2010
Wayne KnoxVice President & Chief Operating OfficerHuston-Tillotson University2018
Kelly C. KocurekPartnerDuBois, Bryant & Campbell LLP2012
David LaibovitzFormerly, Assistant District AttorneyTravis County District Attorney2008
Lindsey LeavertonVice President, Wealth Private AdvisorBB&T Bank2016
Frank L. LeffingwellPresidentLeffingwell & Associates, P.C.2012
Andrew LevackSenior Program OfficerSt. David's Foundation2020
Lonnie LimonManaging DirectorDieste, Inc.2020
Sarah Churchill LlamasShareholderWinstead PC2019
Carmen LluevanosCommunity Relations ManagerTexas Gas Service2022
Mark MadridCEO/Executive DirectorLBAN/Latino Business Action Network2016
Karen MagidDirector of Sustainability and STEMHuston-Tillotson University2021
Sly MajidChief Services OfficerMayor’s Office – City of Austin2015
Kristin MarcumChief Executive OfficerECPR Texas2016
Mark MayfieldPresident/CEOTexas Housing Foundation2015
Michael McGillSenior Policy AdvisorMayor's Office - City of Austin2013
Catherine Knapp McHorseSuccess by 6 Earl Childhood Education Project ManagerUnited Way for Greater Austin2014
Shannon P. MeroneyPresidentMeroney Public Affairs2012
Rudolph MetayerAttorneyChamberlain McHaney2017
Dr. Leah MeunierCEOBig Brothers BIg Sisters of Central Texas2020
Thomas MirandaFounder and PrincipalSparkovation Advisors2011
Janet M. MitchellCEOM Group Agency2009
Dr. Meg MooreChief Development OfficerAustin Strategic Planning2022
Tom NesbittFounder and PartnerDeShazo & Nesbitt LLP2007
Howard D. NirkenPartnerDuBois, Bryant & Campbell LLP2011
James A. Nortey IIAssociate AttorneyDuggins Wren Mann & Romero LLP2017
Mike OdomPresident & CEOKnoxville Chamber of Commerce2016
Tracy LaQuey ParkerSenior Vice President, Business DevelopmentParker Solutions Group2016
Kyle ParksLeading PartnerMaxwell Locke & Ritter LLP2009
Becky PastnerChief Impact and Metrics OfficerSt. David's Foundation2018
Lauren PaverFounder & Principal ConsultantHigher Order Consulting2012
Alan PetersSenior Managing Director – Austin OfficeSavills Studley2014
Hondo PowellChief of StaffBluebonnet Electric Cooperative2015
Rebecca PowersFounderImpact Austin2008
Nico RamseySenior Account ExecutiveECPR Texas2022
Kerri QunellChief Marketing OfficerTrinity Episcopal School2008
Karen RanusDirector of Workplace ProgrammingNAMI Central Texas2020
Shannon H. Ratliff IIFounding PrincipalPolicy + Design Partners2008
Dr. Ruth RechisDirector, Healthy CommunitiesMD Anderson Cancer Center2015
Sarah RichardsPrincipalRichards Consulting2016
Shuronda RobinsonPresident & CEOAdisa Communications2021
Lourdes RodriguezChief Executive OfficerDavid Rockefeller Fund2022
Christopher RiosCommunity Development OfficerTexas Capital Bank2020
Gabriel RojasPresidentRojas Planning, LLC2018
Eva Rios-LleverinoDeputy Executive DirectorCapital IDEA2014
Katie Cook RomanoExecutive DirectorThe University of Texas System - The Archer Center2019
Miguel RomanoPresidentSeton and Ascension Texas Foundations2015
J.R. RuizSenior Manager, Human CapitalDeloitte Consulting LLP
Llyas Salahud-dinDirector of Major GiftsLifeWorks2017
Pilar SanchezVice President of Housing & Community DevelopmentHousing Authority of the City of Austin2013
Josh SchoederShareholderSneed, Vine & Perry, P.C.2019
Carolyn H. SchwarzCEORonald McDonald House Charities of Austin & Central Texas2012
Scott SellersCity ManagerCity of Kyl2019
David R. ShawPresidentArrow2008
Dr. Jill SilerSuperintendentGunter ISD2011
Bryant SmithExecutive DirectorMcCreary Veselka Bragg & Allen, P.C.2015
Parc SmithCEOAmerican YouthWorks2015
Stuart Vick SmithWealth Management PartnerMaxwell Locke & Ritter LLP2008
Veronica Vargas StidventPresidentStidvent Partners2019
Missy StrittmatterDirector of Development and EngagementLeadership Austin2020
Meme StylesPresidentMEASURE2020
Leslie SweetDirector of Public AffairsH-E-B2018
Ryan TherrellDirector of Client Services, AustinThe Beck Group2012
Juan TornoePartner & Chief Marketing OfficerCultural Strategies, Inc.2017
Stephanie TsenPresidentTsen Engineering2022
Alex ValdesShareholderWInstead PC2019
Javier ValdezChief Operations Officer & Co-CreatorKarisha2012
Matthew ValdezDirector of Business DevelopmentParamount Specialty Finance2014
Rosina Ruiz Valle, Ph.D.Associate Director - Center for P-16 InitiativesTexas State University2019
Wendy VarnellChief Strategy OfficerLifeWorks2010
Madge VasquezChief Executive OfficerMission Capital2011
Sharon VigilChief Executive OfficerCommunities in Schools of Central Texas2021
Michelle WallisExecutive Director of Innovation & DevelopmentAustin Independent School District2011
Deirdre WalshCEO & Co-FouncerIGC2021
Andy WebbShareholderWatkins Insurance2020
Meghan WellerDirector of Government RelationsHCA/St. David's Healthcare2020
Katy WellsCivic Leader2008
Casie WenmohsAssistant Director of External AffairsMeadows Mental Health Policy Institute2013
Terri Broussard WilliamsNational Director of Strategic Partnerships and Alliances, Government RelationsAmerican Heart Association2012
Ashley WilsonChief Strategy OfficerSeton Foundations2020
James Paul WilsonFormerly, VP – East RegionTexas Gas Service2009
Lloyd WilsonChief Operating OfficerImperium Health2008
Kennard WrightCity of Austin2007
Lourdes ZunigaExecutive DirectorFinancial Health Pathways2021

2007 - 2020 McBee Fellows