United Way Capital Area Board of Directors

The volunteer Board of Directors provides leadership and sets policy for United Way Capital Area. Board members act as stewards for the monies raised in our community, understand United Way's legal responsibilities, review existing policies and formulate new policies, review and approve the annual budget and audit and review and approve agency funding decisions.

Marie Baker
Retired, CSC

Marie Baker retired from CSC where she last served as the  Director in the Managed Services Sector. In previous assignments with CSC she has held various management roles in Europe and the Americas including global account executive for a major outsourcing client, CIO for the Financial Services Group, and director of hosting service strategy.

Marie is a past chair of the United Way Capital Area Women’s Leadership Council. She is active in the Personnel Committee and Interfaith Hospitality Network and past moderator of the Stewardship Commission at Hope Presbyterian Church. She also serves on the Duke Alumni Admissions Committee for the Austin area.

Marie has a B.S. in Computer Science from Duke University and an M.B.A. from the University of Delaware.

Debbie Bresette
President, United Way Capital Area (UWCA)

UWCA President Debbie Bresette has worked at United Way Capital Area since 2003 and served as the interim president and Chief Professional Officer for nine months before becoming President in Dec. 2009.

Among the efforts directed by Debbie during her tenure at UWCA, are expansion of the United Way 211 Texas and a redesign of the Volunteer Center into a civic engagement model now called Hands on Central Texas. Bresette also was a 2009 finalist for the Austin Business Journal’s Profiles in Power and Women of Influence award. Prior to UWCA, Debbie was a founding member of the Family Crisis Center in 1981 and the Executive Director of the non-profit for 22 years. During her tenure, Debbie created emergency shelter and a wide variety of critical services specifically for women and children in four rural counties in Central Texas. Under her leadership, 21 transitional housing units were developed, built and funded along with support services for battered women and their children. This effort increased affordable housing by 10 percent in the community.

Mike Blue
Office Managing Partner, Ernst & Young, LLP

Michael Blue is the Managing Partner of the Austin office of Ernst & Young. Prior to assuming his role in Austin, Michael was a Partner in the firm’s Capital Markets Group in Paris, France. In this position he was responsible for European multinational companies going public in the U.S. and other European multinationals becoming registered on the U.S. stock exchanges. He also has worked in the firms San Jose, Calif.; Frankfurt, Germany; and Houston, Texas offices. Michael has more than 22 years experience serving high growth, multinational public and privately held companies. He has extensive expertise in SEC reporting, corporate governance, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, as well as international accounting and auditing and strategic transactions.

Michael serves on the Boards of Ballet Austin, The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and the University of Texas Accounting Department Advisory Board. In addition, he serves as the UWCA Audit Committee chair .

Ray Bonilla
Partner, Ray, Wood & Bonilla

Ray Bonilla is a partner in the Austin, Texas law firm of Ray, Wood & Bonilla. He represents a wide range of governmental entities, businesses and individuals on issues involving state and local taxation, open government, collections, elections, ethics, and campaign finance. Ray also represents numerous school districts on issues relating to school finance. He has extensive experience in administrative hearings before state agencies and in judicial appeals of state agency determinations. Ray is active in a variety of community and professional organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the St. David’s Foundation. His past service includes President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin, Vice chair of the Capital Area Aids Legal Project and serving as a Board member of the Travis County Bar Association, Mexic Arte Museum, Austin Community Development Corporation, Ballet Austin and Texas Lyceum Association.

Ray is an honors graduate from both the University of Texas at Austin (B.B.A. in Accounting) and the University of Texas School of Law.

Heather Brunner
Chief Operating Officer, Bazaarvoice

Heather Brunner, COO of Bazaarvoice, oversees the marketing, product strategy, client services and engineering organizations. Heather has built a career delivering technology to create business value for both privately-funded new ventures and Fortune 500 companies. Before joining Bazaarvoice, Heather served as President and CEO of Nuvo, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Trilogy and as the COO for B-Side, a privately funded entertainment technology company.

She has been active with UWCA for nearly a decade serving on the Community Impact Cabinet. Heather holds a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Trinity University.

Sam Bryant
President, Bryant Wealth Investment Group, LLC

Sam Bryant is President of Bryant Wealth Investment Group, LLC. A graduate of Tuskegee University, he is a registered investment representative serving high net worth individuals with MLR Wealth Management. A veteran of the technology community, Sam served in executive roles with Applied Materials as Austin Site Director, Director of Global Community Affairs-North America and Director of Human Resources. Prior to joining Applied Materials, he held positions in human resources with Tandem Computers and Johnson & Johnson.

Sam was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Board of Regents of Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas in October 2007. Improving education for all students from birth through college is his primary civic focus. He is an active leader in the Greater Austin community and currently leads United Way’s Financial Stability Initiative. Sam also serves on Westminster Manor’s Board of Directors, President of the Tuskegee Alumni Association of Central Texas, President of Mt. Sinai Christian Academy and as a deacon in Mt. Sinai Baptist Church.

Sam is a former board member of the Austin Area Research Association, Austin Community Foundation, and Capital IDEA.

Kevin Cole
Chair of UWCA Board and Attorney, The Cole Law Firm

Kevin Cole founded his own law firm, The Cole Law firm, in 2008. He has a variety of experience in handling trials, appeals, civil service proceedings, and administrative matters such as discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge and a number of employment-related areas. Kevin initially worked as a litigator for the law firm of Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan,Kever & McDaniel, L.L.P., in Austin, Texas, where he focused his practice on civil rights defense litigation and labor and employment litigation. In 1998, he became a partner at Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever & McDaniel, L.L.P. From there, he joined Wickliff & Hall, P.C., in 1999 to manage its Austin Office. He then went on to form Cole & Powell, P.C. in 2002.

Prior to attending law school, Kevin worked as a Certified Public Accountant in Houston, Texas, his hometown. While in his third year of law school, he served as a teaching quiz master (legal research and writing instructor for the first year law students) at the University Of Texas School Of Law . After law school, he served as a briefing attorney to the Honorable Jack Hightower on the Texas Supreme Court.

Juan González
VP of Student Affairs, University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Juan C. González has been the Vice President for Student Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin since September 2005. In this capacity, he oversees a large portfolio of services and programs designed to enhance the academic careers of 51,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Before coming to the university, he served for two years as Vice President of Student Affairs at Arizona State University, where he was responsible for key services to 55,000 students. From 2000 to 2003, Juan was Vice President for Student Affairs at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

His degrees include a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Illinois, a master’s in Bilingual-bicultural Education from The University of Texas in San Antonio and an undergraduate degree in Latin American Studies from Texas Tech University.

Butch Hayes
Managing Partner, Fulbright & Jaworski

Butch Hayes, who joined Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. in 1995, is the managing partner in the firm’s Austin office. His practice is a blend of counseling and litigation and focuses on general employment litigation, employment discrimination claims, administrative investigations, advice and counseling of employers, and employment - related tort, trade secret, and commercial litigation.

Butch was admitted to practice law in Texas in 1992. He is certified as a specialist in Labor and Employment law by the Texas Board of Legal specialization. In addition, he is admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court; Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; all Texas state courts; and all federal district courts in Texas.

He is a member of the America Bar Association, Texas Bar Association, Travis County Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association, Austin Chapter. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Asheville; and a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law.

Catherine Q. Morse
General Counsel and Director of Public Affairs,
Samsung Austin Semiconductor

Morse has served as General Counsel of Samsung Austin Semiconductor since August 2007 and Director of Public Affairs since July 2010. Prior to Samsung, she worked at Freescale Semiconductor and Applied Materials as in-house counsel.

Morse became actively involved in non-profit causes and community initiatives in Central Texas as a result of her family’s experiences with their youngest son, who has profound special needs. She currently serves on the Austin Advisory Board of Citizen School; the Board of Directors of Envision Central Texas, a regional planning organization; and The University of Texas Service Scholar Community Advisory Committee.

Bill O’Brien
Consultant and Chief Operating Officer, MagRabbit

Bill O'Brien is a retired Executive of the IBM Corporation. Bill has been supporting UWCA with Board service and community involvement for almost three decades. He served as the Campaign Chair in 1989 and Board Chair in 1992. More recently he has served as a volunteer CFO and is a founding member of the President's Cabinet.

In addition to supporting UWCA, Bill has served on Boards of People's Community Clinic, Meals on Wheels and More, Austin Humane Society, Austin Museum of Art, Austin Quality Council and the Advisory Council of the Salvation Army. He is a past Chair of the Board of United Ways of Texas and currently serves on their Board as Chair of the Finance Committee.

“Bill came in as Chair at the perfect time," said Debbie. "He brings with him the rich and dynamic history of our organization, the time and experience to help UWCA be a leader among non-profits and within Central Texas and a keen understanding of the unique role that United Way fills in our community.”

Kristy Ozmun
Director, Kristy Ozmun Public Relations

Kristy Ozmun brings more than 20 years of knowledge and experience in public relations and public affairs leadership to her independent firm, which is based in Austin. Prior to opening her firm in 1998, she served as director of public affairs for H-E-B Grocery Company. Kristy helped develop the creative concept and name for H-E-B’s Central Market, a nationally recognized food emporium. She directed the launch of the debut store, converting vehement neighborhood opposition into widespread community support for the facility. Previous clients of Kristy Ozmun Public Relations include Pitney Bowes Corp., Barr Laboratories, NIKE, Time Warner, Valero Energy, Michael Angelo’s Gourmet Frozen Italian Food, Tivoli Systems, Globeset Software, Vinson and Elkins, LLP, and HEB Grocery Company, among others.

Kristy has served as director of special projects for the Texas Department of Agriculture, legislative aide for a state representative and editor of Encino Press, a regional publishing company owned by William Wittliff, best known for his screenplays Lonesome Dove and The Perfect Storm. She also managed two successful statewide political campaigns in Texas. She currently serves as a member of the Communications Council of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, and has previously served on the Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness, the Texas Consumer Association, and on the Food Council of the Texas Retailers Association.

She graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

Anne Smalling
President, HM International

Anne Meinig Smalling is President of HM International, LLC (HMI) a closely-held business providing management services to the joint interests of the Meinig and Hojel families. Assuming the position of President in 1999, she provides the key leadership role for both operating entities and investment assets. Her primary responsibilities include providing company management oversight and supervision, succession and strategic planning of the operating companies, obtaining financing, evaluating acquisition and divestiture opportunities, reviewing and approving capital expenditures and active management of external investment managers. Prior to her positions with HMI, Anne worked for FMC Corporation and SmithKline Beecham.

She currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Windsor Quality Food Company, American Innovations and PGI International. She also serves on the Board of Directors of EnLink Geoenergy Services, rateGenius, Inc. PDI Ninth House, Inc. and Igasamex. A trustee of the Meinig Family Foundation, she participates in the evaluation and allocation process of the Foundation’s gifts. is a member of Board of Directors of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School.

Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in Developmental Psychology from Cornell University and a MBA from Harvard Business School.

Bill Volk
Partner, Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P.

Bill Volk is a partner in the Austin office of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. He is a member of the firm’s Management Committee and serves as co-managing partner of the Austin office. Bill’s primary areas of practice are securities and corporate finance, with an emphasis on venture capital and private equity, mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance matters. He has extensive experience representing venture capital and other private equity firms, emerging companies and entrepreneurs in equity and debt financings at every stage of funding, from seed investments, through start-up and growth financings, to buyouts and recapitalizations. He has also represented venture capital firms and other private equity investors in forming and operating their funds and managing their investments.

Bill is a member of the State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association and the Austin Bar Association. Bill is a sustaining life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, a fellow of the Austin Bar Foundation and a member of the Board of Governors for the Austin Community Foundation.

Bill has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Vanderbilt University and a law degree with honors from the University of Texas School of Law.

Ben Bentzin
CEO, Interactive Health Technologies, Inc.

Ben Bentzin is a Lecturer in Marketing at McCombs and CEO of Austin startup company Interactive Health Technologies, Inc. In his previous ten-year career as a Dell Inc. executive, Ben had various responsibilities for marketing, product development and e-commerce.

As a community leader, Ben is co-Chair of the UWCA's 2011-2012 Workplace Giving Campaign and over the past 17 years has served as a board member and officer for organizations including Austin public radio station KUT, the Center for Child Protection, The Helping Hand Home for Children, The Long Center for the Performing Arts and Ballet Austin. Ben also serves as a leader for Boy Scout Troop 990.

Don Kendrick
Regional President, Wells Fargo's Central Texas Region

Don Kendrick leads Retail and Business Banking in 180-plus banking stores with more than 1,700 team members throughout San Antonio, Austin and the Hill Country as Regional President for Wells Fargo's Central Texas Region. Don has been with Wells Fargo since 1983 in numerous positions including Community Banking president for the Kerrville, Hill Country and San Antonio markets.

Dedicated to his community, Don currently serves as the Corporate Walk Chair for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's South Central Texas Chapter Light The Night Walk and previously served as co-Chair for the 2008 United Way Capital Area Campaign and Chair for the 2006 Juvenile Diabetes Walk To Find A Cure. At this time, Don participates on several non-profit boards including PeopleTrust – Austin's Community Land Trust, the Greater Austin Economic Development Corp., and Ballet Austin.

Sheila Plank
Retired, President and CEO, SBPlank Associates

Sheila Plank retired in Austin following a thirty-year career, on the east coast, as a strategic marketing/management executive and business owner. Previously, Sheila was a senior executive at United Way of America (now, United Way Worldwide) for almost ten years, working to build the organization's relationships with corporate partners, local United Ways, professional leagues, and other constituents. She then served as CEO of the National Center for Children with Learning Disabilities in New York City for two years.

In 1991, she established her small, referral-based consulting and project implementation business which operated successfully for over 17 years. The business focused on major fund raising activities and campaigns; pro sports sponsorship development and management; marketing and promotion. Her eclectic client mix included national corporations; prominent athletes; major arts organizations and national non-profits.

In Austin, Sheila has been instrumental in shaping the role of UWCA's President's Cabinet and currently serves on the organization's Strategic Planning; Marketing & Communications; and Governance Committees.

Gayle Greer
Retired, Time Warner Entertainment

Gayle Greer retired in 1998 from Time Warner Entertainment, which at the time was a division of AOL Time Warner. During her 20-year tenure, she served in numerous capacities including Senior Vice President of Time Warner Communications Group and Group Vice President of Time Warner Cable.

Before moving to Austin, Gayle was the first female Chair of the Board of Trustee for the Mile High United Way in Denver, Colo. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Daniels Foundation in Denver, CO, which is very active in K-12 education. Since relocating to the Lone Star State, Gayle has served on UWCA's Youth Leadership Council, the Board of Directors of One World Theater, and volunteered on the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Denise M. Trauth
President, Texas State University

Denise M. Trauth began her tenure as President of Texas State University in August, 2002.

Denise is very active both in civic projects in Central Texas and in higher education organizations on the state and national levels including the Austin Area Research Organization, the Austin Chamber of Commerce, KLRU, Southwest Research Institute and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. She also serves on the American Council on Education's Commission on Women in Higher Education and as the Presidential sponsor of that organization's Texas Network for Texas Women in Higher Education.

Denise earned her Bachelor of Arts at the College of Mount St. Joseph, her Master of Arts at Ohio State University and her Ph.D. at the University of Iowa.