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 Book Humphries Robinson LLP
FINANCE CHAIR
Derrick Mitchell
Holland & Knight LLP
Muhammad Ali, Gauge Engineering
Evans Attwell, Frost Bank
Chris Bilton, Bilton Consulting Group
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
Steve Hefner, Camden Property Trust
David Hightower, Midway Development
Cooke Kelsey, Parker & Sanchez PLLC
Bill Odle, TBG Partners
Eric Potts, Freese & Nichols
Vanessa J. Sampson, Fourth Ward Redevelopment Authority
Melissa Schmitz, Kirksey
Roger Soto, HOK
Tim Williamson, Cadence Bank
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Board Member EmeritusJonathan Day, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP Mary Lou Henry* Mavis Kelsey, Kelsey Commercial Real Estate Services Harry Masterson, Concourse Development Allan Port Carroll Shaddock* Max Watson *Deceased
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Advisory BoardAmber Alfred, Houston Association of Realtors Evans Atwell, Frost Bank Vernon Caldera, Texas Children’s Hospital Robin Cooley, Optum Behavorial Health Todd Curry, Houston Airport System Patricia Frayre, Frayre Engineering & Consulting Edwin Friedrichs, Walter P Moore Nikki H. Knight, Greater Southeast Management District Dr. Carol Lewis, Texas Southern University Margaret Lloyd, Scenic Texas Amar Mohite, HCTRA Sanjay Ramabhadran, Versa Infrastructure Kristopher Stuart, Gensler Mustafa Tameez, Outreach Strategists Gary Trietsch* Saul Valentin, Collaborate *Deceased
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Past Chairs2022-2023: Bill Odle 2020-2022: Marlene Gafrick 2018 – 2019: Derrick Mitchell 2017: Paul Chapman* 2015 – 2016: Harry Masterson 2011 – 2014: Claudia Williamson 2009 – 2010: Jeff E. Ross 2007 – 2008: Olga L. Moya 2005 – 2006: Jonathan Day 2003 – 2004: Kay B. Crooker *Deceased
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
In 2024, Sam Farley was appointed as the new Program & Operations Manager for Scenic Houston. Sam is a lifelong resident of Houston, who champions the city’s innovation, diversity, and beauty. She has worked for non-profits and small and mid-sized businesses since graduating in 2021 from the University of Houston.
A graphic designer by trade, Sam has transitioned into management roles due to her love of organization, growth, and leadership, and hopes to expand Scenic Houston’s messaging and reach in the coming years. In her free time, Sam is a designer for weddings, a painter, and a frequent visitor of Houston’s many walking trails.