Board of Directors

Tala is the Vice President of Business Development for Structure Tone where she is responsible for cultivating and managing client relationships in the commercial construction space with a focus on corporate commercial interiors and healthcare. 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. She is 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.

Thomas Aylor is the chief financial officer at RetainMeNot, Inc. As the head of the global finance organization, he manages the financial accounting and international finance teams. Thomas brings many years of experience to the company, including expertise in strategic financial transactions and public company compliance from previous roles at Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young. During his 12-year tenure at Ernst & Young, he served clients ranging from growth-stage technology companies to Fortune 500 companies. Thomas received his Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Texas State University.

Kaeley Benson is the research director of the Child and Family Research Partnership at the University of Texas at Austin. She provides oversight and guidance to the family strengthening, fatherhood, early childhood, and community impact research projects and teams at CFRP. Kaeley holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin. Previously, she worked as a research assistant at the Yale Child Study Center and on the Texas KIDS COUNT project at the Center for Public Policy Priorities in Austin. Kaeley is the 2019 president of Leadership Council for Friends of the House and has been volunteering with RMHC-CTX since 2008.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Brad Knippa is a partner in Jackson Walker’s Corporate & Securities practice group and is a Certified Public Accountant. He also serves as de facto general counsel for many of his operating company clients. Prior to joining Jackson Walker, Brad practiced as a Certified Public Accountant with Ernst & Young LLP, and as Certified Public Accountant and tax attorney with KPMG, LLP. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and is a member of the State Bar of Texas. Brad received his Bachelor of Arts and his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas.

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.

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.