BOARD & STAFF
Scenic Houston is driven by individuals who are passionate about enhancing the character of our city. The Scenic Houston Board, Advisory Board and Staff remains tirelessly dedicated to continuing that path and creating positives outcomes for Houston.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR
Ashley Grigsby
Transwestern
FIRST VICE CHAIR
Jeri Brooks
One World Strategy Group
SECOND VICE CHAIR
Alia Vinson
Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP
FINANCE CHAIR
Derrick Mitchell
Holland & Knight LLP
Muhammad Ali, Gauge Engineering
Nicole Boudreau, Hines
Chuck Carlberg, Carlberg Branding & Advertising
​Kristal Casey, Unicorn Service Solutions
Paul Charles, Neighborhood Recovery Community Dev. Corp.
Vanessa Cole, Cole Klein Builders
David Du, Tianqing Real Estate Development
Kathy Elek, Houston Airport System
Russ Frank, Metropolitan Transit Authority
Natalie Garza, Bank of Texas
Steve Hefner, Camden Property Trust
David Hightower, Midway Development
Omar Izfar, Wilson Cribbs & Green
Nikki Knight, Houston Southeast Management District
Bill Odle, TBG Partners
Eric Potts, Freese & Nichols
Jessica Rose St Kemp, BP America
Melissa Schmitz, Kirksey
Roger Soto, HOK
Amaris Zabiegala, Ernst & Young
Frequently asked questions
STAFF
Scenic Houston appointed Andrea French as its Executive Director in April of 2022. Andrea, who spent the nine years as executive director of TAG-Houston Region, brings a strong background in advocacy, planning, public policy and public engagement to her new position with Scenic Houston.
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“Though the word beautification makes the concept sound merely cosmetic, it involves much more: clean water, clean air, clean roadsides, safe waste disposal and preservation of valued old landmarks as well as great parks and wilderness areas. To me … beautification means our total concern for the physical and human quality we pass on to our children and the future.” - Lady Bird Johnson
Andrea French
Scenic Houston welcomed Esmeralda Ledesma-Tamayo as Program & Operations Manager in July 2025. Esmeralda brings over 15 years of experience in public engagement, nonprofit operations, and strategic program management. In her previous role as Public Involvement Lead at HillDay Public Relations, she managed community outreach and stakeholder engagement for major infrastructure and transportation projects throughout the Houston region. She is passionate about preserving her city's unique character through thoughtful development, inclusive public participation, and policies that enhance the city’s visual landscape. She is committed to supporting Scenic Houston’s mission to create a more beautiful and inviting city for all.