Board of Directors

is the Director of Business Development for Hoar Construction, where she builds strong relationships and secures new projects. She is an innovative thinker with a gift for fearless leadership and strategic growth. Tala joined the RMHC CTX board in 2015 and served as the Development Committee chair, 2015 Bandana Ball chair and the 2016 Red Shoe Luncheon chair. Tala is a tireless advocate for what she believes in. She is a board trustee for Rawson Saunders School and deeply involved with Community First! Village, Flatwater Foundation, Girls Empowerment Network, Hill Country Conservancy and is a member of Leadership Austin’s Essential Class of 2018.

Kim Rose is a the vice president of finance with Kendra Scott. Prior to joining Kendra Scott, she was a private banker with J.P. Morgan and served as the chief financial officer of a private family business. She also served as senior finance manager for Dell Inc., and began her career with the Dallas and then Austin offices of KPMG as an auditor.

Ryan Meyer is a vice president of Corporate Banking for Frost Bank in Austin where he assists commercial companies on a wide range of banking services including loans, leasing, and treasury management solutions. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Texas Tech University. Mr. Meyer is a founding member and past president of the Friends of the House, a young professional group serving the mission of RMHC CTX. He and his wife, Haley, co-chaired the 2010 Lights of Love and will be the 2017 Bandana Ball co-chairs.

Patrick Ley provides commercial real estate brokerage services for ECR. He has earned his SIOR and CCIM designations placing him among the leading experts in commercial real estate for leasing and investments. Patrick has been recognized as an Austin Business Journal “Heavy Hitter” and Austin Under 40 winner among other notable industry and community awards. Patrick served as past-president for the Commercial Brokers Association, co-chair of the Community Advisory Council for RMHC CTX and as past president for Friends of the House, a young professional group supporting RMHC CTX. He is also a member of Leadership Austin and the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Patrick and his wife, Beth, are the 2018 co-chairs for the Bandana Ball.

Christopher Born is president of Dell Children’s Medical Center, having joined the hospital in October 2017. Most recently, Chris served as President and CEO of Texas Children’s Health Plan, the nation’s largest provider sponsored Health Plan in Texas serving Medicaid and CHIP populations. Prior to his role within the Texas Children’s Health Plan, Chris was tasked by the organization to create a pediatric primary care network for the Hospital. Established in 1995, Chris led the effort to build Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates, the largest pediatric primary care group in the country with more than 300 physicians. Chris serves on the board of directors of numerous professional organizations and is the past chairman for Greater Houston HealthConnect.

Bobby Boenigk is an entrepreneur that has been involved in several startup companies. Bobby and his family moved to the Bryan/College Station in 1967. He attended public school in Bryan and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1977. He previously served on the Board of United Way of the Brazos Valley and currently serves on the Brazos Valley Community Advisory Council for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. Bobby and his wife, Rebecca, were the catalysts to the expansion of RMHC CTX services in the Brazos Valley.

Jennifer is a life-long volunteer and enjoys serving others. She grew up in Dallas and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Baylor University. Jennifer married her college sweetheart and they have three grown children. In addition to her work as a full-time mother, Jennifer has volunteered for a variety of school and community organizations. She served for five years as the Teaching Director of Community Bible Study of Central Austin, has been a member of Impact Austin, Hospice Austin and the Dell Children’s Women’s Trust. She currently owns Ann Bowden Design, a floral design studio. Jennifer and her family have lived in Austin for 16 years. She is honored to serve on the Board of the Ronald McDonald House.

Nicky Brennig is a partner in the Global Investment Funds practice at DLA Piper LLP (US). Her practice focuses on advising pension plans, endowments, insurance companies, private market solutions providers, family offices and other financial institutions on all aspects of their business. She is also an active volunteer and enjoys serving her community and has served for several years as a member of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Board. Nicky and her husband Chris have lived in Austin for twelve years and have two children.

JoAnn Dalrymple is an attorney with her own alternative dispute resolution practice: Dalrymple ADR. Before launching Dalrymple ADR, JoAnn spent 23 years in private practice, helping clients resolve their business, contract, insurance, managed care, and ERISA benefits disputes in state, federal, and arbitral tribunals across the country. She now draws on these experiences as an arbitrator on the Healthcare and Commercial Panels of the American Arbitration Association, and as a mediator focusing on the resolution of contract, insurance, health, and ERISA disputes. JoAnn earned her J. D. from The University of Texas School of Law. She has served as an officer and board member of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum and actively volunteers with Meals on Wheels, Capital Area Food Bank, and Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas.

Bonnie began her community involvement by volunteering at her church and children’s schools over three decades ago. Starting in the late 80s, she became actively involved with the Ronald McDonald House in Houston by volunteering and serving on the Friends of the RMH board. In 2010, RMH Houston named Mrs. Denny Volunteer of the Year. Today, she is actively involved on the boards of the Woman’s Club of Bryan, Friends of the Sterling C. Evans Library, and MSC OPUS.

Thomas Fowler is the vice president of Central Engineering at Silicon Labs. He is responsible for coordinating a large multi-national team of engineers and layout designers, as well as managing the business relationships with Silicon Labs’ global supply partners. Mr. Fowler has a degree in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas Austin and an MBA in Technology Management from University of Phoenix.

Ariadyn Hansen is a communications and social media specialist for homebuilder and developer, Brookfield Residential Texas, where she is responsible for leading their communication, social media and public relations efforts. Ariadyn currently serves as Leadership Council president of Friends of the House, a young professional group that supports the children and families served by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas.

Tam Hawkins is currently the President and CEO of the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce. Prior to this role, she served as the Vice President of Corporate Engagement & Membership. Her background includes a primary concentration in Corporate Sales & Marketing management roles for some of the nation’s most admired companies. Tam’s volunteer commitments have been directly in line with her passion for the following local, national, and international organizations: Sickle Cell Disease Association Dallas Chapter, Special Events Chair; Literacy Instructions for Texans – Volunteer Teacher; Airline Ambassadors – United Nations Liaison; Susan G. Komen: Dallas Affiliates Chapter – Fundraising committee and a Mocha Moms Austin former board President. Tam serves as a board member of the East Austin Conservancy and Austin Partners in Education.

Jordan Mullins is a partner in the Austin office of McGinnis Lochridge where he practices general commercial litigation in state and federal courts. Jordan attended Texas A&M University and law school at South Texas College of Law. Jordan chaired Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas’s inaugural Men With Caring Hearts event and served as president of Friends of the House in 2014. He is a 2012 graduate of Leadership Austin's Emerge Program and has been named a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star.

Katie Owen is a vice president with J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Austin where she is responsible for managing solutions for her clients. This includes partnering with specialists across the firm to assist her clients with private banking, investment management, fiduciary services, and wealth transfer strategies. As an active member of her community, Katie is 2018 chair of The Contemporaries for The Contemporary Austin and serves on the museum’s Development Committee. She is also a founding member of the Dell Med Society for Health and Business. Katie will serve as the 2018 chair of RMHC CTX’s Red Shoe Luncheon, scheduled for September 2018.

Kyle Parks is the leading partner with Maxwell Locke & Ritter LLP, Austin’s largest locally owned accounting firm. He specializes in corporate tax planning, merger and acquisition structuring, and IRS compliance and reporting requirements. Kyle is very active in the community serving as a member on The University of Texas Accounting Department Advisory Council, The UT Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee, the West Austin Youth Association (WAYA) Board of Directors, and on the Opportunity Austin Solicitation Committee. He previously served on the Ronald McDonald House Board from 2008-2010, serving as its President in 2010. He will serve on the current Board as a Past-President’s representative.

Brigadier General Joe E. Ramirez is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Texas Aggie Band in the Corps of Cadets. He received his commission in the United States Army Field Artillery from Texas A&M in 1979 as a Distinguished Military Graduate. During his 31 years of military service, General Ramirez commanded soldiers around the world including serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff for United States Central Command during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Deputy Division Commander for the 2nd Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea. His most recent assignment was Deputy Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy for US European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. General Ramirez holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from Texas A&M; Masters Degree in Management from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri; and a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Becki Benton Russell is a second-generation McDonald’s owner operator. Ms. Russell began her career with McDonald’s at age 14 when working with her parents Mike and Dianne Benton. After careers in retail, banking and law, she returned to the family business to begin the McDonald's ownership track. In 2004, Ms. Russell became a certified McDonald’s owner operator. Collectively, Becki, her brother Allen Benton and their parents own 20 McDonald’s restaurants in the Austin area. They frequently volunteer at the House and with various committees.

Carolyn joined the RMHC CTX team in 2013 and serves as executive director. Carolyn has her Master's Degree in Social Welfare from UC-Berkeley. Prior to coming to RMHC CTX, Carolyn was founding executive director of Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM). She helped build a first-of-its-kind, nationally recognized organization, providing access to affordable health care for Austin's musicians. In 2009, Schwarz was named Austinite of the Year and won the Arts and Entertainment category for the 11th Annual Austin Under 40 Awards. In 2010, she was named a winner in the Austin Business Journal's 16th Annual Profiles in Power and Women of Influence Awards. In 2011, she was one of four people to receive Austin ICON Award. She lives in Austin with her husband and their two children.

Molly H. Sherman is the director of community affairs for the Central Texas Division of St. David’s HealthCare where she is responsible for identifying, negotiating and securing corporate sponsorship opportunities with local non-profits and community partners. Prior to St. David’s HealthCare, Molly spent 24 years as a nonprofit fundraising professional, devoting 17 years as the director of development at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. Molly has had the privilege of serving, both professionally and personally, numerous local and statewide nonprofit organizations.

Anne Meinig Smalling is president of HM International, LLC (HMI). Mrs. Smalling serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Quality Sausage Company, American Innovations, and rateGenius. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Igasamex, as Treasurer of Board of Directors of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School and is also a member of the Cornell University Advisory Council. As trustee of the Meinig Family Foundation, she participates in the evaluation and allocation process of the Foundation’s gifts.

Jeanie Smith is the owner of multiple McDonald’s restaurants in Texas, with over 25 years of experience with McDonald’s restaurants. She has previously worked with the Ronald McDonald House in Houston, Texas and has volunteered with many nonprofit organizations including American Cancer Society, Walker County Chamber of Commerce, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Christopher Szeliga is senior vice president of the JE Dunn Construction Austin office where he is responsible for management of projects and personnel along with strategic growth initiatives in Central Texas. Chris has been in the construction industry and worked with JE Dunn for 20 years. He is a US Navy Veteran with the SeaBees’ (Construction Battalion) from 1993 to 2001, and a LEED Accredited Professional. Chris serves his community as a member of The Associated General Contractors’ of America board of directors and has served as chair for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas’ Lights of Love in 2015 and 2016.

Earl Wurzbach is a retired McDonald’s owner/operator having owned restaurants in the San Antonio, Baytown and Bryan-College Station over a 25-year career. Mr. Wurzbach has extensive experience with Ronald McDonald House Charities having served as president of the Ronald McDonald Charities of San Antonio and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Houston and Galveston as well as being a member of their board of directors. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and a Masters of Education. He is very active in the community and has volunteered and participated in several nonprofit organization including the Baytown Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club of Baytown, and San Jacinto Hospital board of directors.