- Counties, Harris County: Amy Perez, Deputy Executive Director, Fort Bend County – Christopher L Breaux, Fiscal Compliance Office
- City of Houston: 4 major credits: Houston Public Works – Samir Solanki, Deputy Director, Houston Airport System – Clint Stephens, CFO, General Obligation System – Melissa Dubowski, Finance Director, Houston First Corporation – Frank Wilson, CFO.
- Luncheon Keynote: Greater Houston Partnership – Steve Kean (CEO)
- Other Municipalities: City of Dallas – Jenny Kerzman, Assistant Director , City of Austin – Debbie Fleming, Deputy Treasurer
- School Districts: Aldine ISD – Stan Osborne, Chief Financial Officer, Houston ISD – James Terry, Chief Financial Officer.
Panelist Photo Gallery and Biographies
Brief biographies below the photo gallery
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Bhumit Shah
Deputy Director, Harris County
As the Deputy Director for Harris County, Bhumit Shah plays a significant role in overseeing the operational aspects of one of the largest counties in Texas. His responsibilities include managing key county functions, facilitating large-scale infrastructure and public works projects, and ensuring efficient public service delivery. Harris County, being a hub of economic activity, requires adept management of its resources, and Bhumit’s role is crucial in maintaining fiscal discipline and driving organizational improvements. Shah’s experience in public sector management and strategic planning enables him to optimize Harris County’s operations and improve services for its millions of residents.
Melanie Bush
Treasurer, Montgomery County
Melanie Bush is the Treasurer for Montgomery County, Texas, a role that entrusts her with the safekeeping and investment of public funds. In her position, Melanie manages the county’s cash flow, investment portfolios, and ensures the efficient and legal distribution of public resources. Known for her strong fiscal discipline, Melanie has introduced various financial policies to streamline operations, cut costs, and increase the transparency of county finances. Her leadership also includes working with various county departments to oversee and approve budgets that support public safety, education, and infrastructure projects.
Christopher L. Breaux
Fiscal Compliance Officer, Fort Bend County
As the Fiscal Compliance Officer for Fort Bend County, Christopher L. Breaux ensures that the county’s financial practices adhere to state and federal regulations. His role includes overseeing audits, ensuring compliance with financial reporting standards, and mitigating financial risks. Christopher’s work is critical for maintaining the fiscal integrity of the county, ensuring that public funds are managed responsibly and transparently. His background in financial management helps Fort Bend County remain compliant with regulations while maximizing the efficiency of its fiscal operations.
Samir Solanki
Deputy Director, Houston Public Works
Samir Solanki serves as Deputy Director for Houston Public Works, one of the largest public works departments in the U.S. In his role, Samir is responsible for overseeing critical infrastructure projects, including water supply, wastewater management, road maintenance, and municipal utility systems. His expertise in public infrastructure management allows Houston to continuously improve its services and ensure that the city’s infrastructure can meet the demands of its growing population. Samir’s leadership has been instrumental in implementing sustainable practices and ensuring the efficient operation of Houston’s essential public works systems.
Clint Stephens
Chief Financial Officer, Houston Airport System
Clint Stephens is the Chief Financial Officer for the Houston Airport System, one of the busiest airport networks in the United States, which includes George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P. Hobby Airport, and Ellington Airport. Clint oversees all financial aspects of the airport system, including budgeting, revenue management, and capital expenditures. His role involves managing financial strategies that ensure the airport system’s growth while maintaining its financial health. With decades of experience in financial management, Clint ensures that the Houston Airport System remains competitive and well-equipped to handle increasing air traffic and large infrastructure projects.
Melissa Dubowski
Finance Director, City of Houston
As Finance Director for the City of Houston, Melissa Dubowski manages the financial operations related to the issuance and management of general obligation bonds. These bonds are critical for funding large-scale public infrastructure projects such as roads, schools, and public buildings. Melissa’s expertise in financial planning, debt management, and public finance ensures that these projects are funded responsibly and remain on budget. Her role also involves maintaining strong relationships with bondholders and ensuring the county or municipality meets its debt obligations.
Frank Wilson
Chief Financial Officer, Houston First Corporation
Frank Wilson is the Chief Financial Officer for Houston First Corporation, an entity responsible for managing Houston’s convention and performing arts facilities, including the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Wortham Theater Center. In his role, Frank manages the corporation’s financial planning, including budgeting, revenue forecasting, and managing long-term investments. Houston First plays a crucial role in driving the city’s tourism and convention economy, and Frank’s financial leadership ensures that the organization operates efficiently while contributing to the city’s economic growth.
Ge’Juan Cole
Director of Projects, Williams Companies
As Director of Projects at Williams Companies, Ge’Juan Cole oversees major infrastructure and energy projects. Williams Companies is a leader in natural gas processing and transportation, and Ge'Juan's role is vital in managing multi-million-dollar projects that are essential to the company’s growth and operations. His responsibilities include project planning, execution, and ensuring projects meet safety, environmental, and regulatory standards. Ge'Juan's leadership is critical in driving projects that expand Williams’ pipeline infrastructure and ensure the reliable delivery of natural gas across the U.S.
Vicki Hollub
CEO, Occidental Petroleum (Oxy)
Vicki Hollub is the CEO of Occidental Petroleum (Oxy), one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world. As one of the few female CEOs in the energy sector, Vicki is a pioneer in the industry, leading Occidental through significant changes, including its focus on sustainable energy solutions. Under her leadership, Oxy has increased its focus on carbon capture technology and sustainability while maintaining its leadership in oil production. Vicki’s deep understanding of the energy sector and her focus on innovation have made her one of the most influential figures in the global energy industry.
Stan Osborne
Chief Financial Officer, Aldine ISD
Stan Osborne serves as Chief Financial Officer of Aldine Independent School District, where he oversees the district’s financial operations. His responsibilities include budget planning, financial reporting, and ensuring that the district’s resources are allocated effectively to support educational programs and infrastructure. Stan plays a critical role in ensuring that Aldine ISD remains financially stable while addressing the needs of its students and staff through careful fiscal management.
James Terry
Chief Financial Officer, Houston ISD
James Terry is the Chief Financial Officer of Houston ISD, the largest school district in Texas. In this role, he oversees the district’s multi-billion-dollar budget, including the allocation of funds for educational programs, infrastructure, and operational costs. James is responsible for ensuring that the district maintains financial transparency and uses its resources to enhance student outcomes. His expertise in school finance is crucial for managing Houston ISD’s complex financial operations and supporting its educational mission.
Ann Wesbrooks
Chief Financial Officer, Spring ISD
Ann Wesbrooks serves as CFO of Spring ISD, where she manages the financial planning, budgeting, and fiscal policies of the district. Her leadership helps ensure that Spring ISD uses its financial resources efficiently to support its educational goals. Ann’s role also involves overseeing the financial aspects of capital improvement projects and ensuring that the district’s fiscal practices comply with state and federal regulations.
Kristy Vienne
Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration/CFO, Lone Star College
Kristy Vienne is the Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Lone Star College, one of the largest community college systems in Texas. Kristy oversees the college’s financial strategy, budgeting, and administrative operations, ensuring that resources are effectively allocated to support the college’s academic and operational needs. Her leadership is key to maintaining Lone Star College’s financial health while supporting its mission to provide accessible education to thousands of students.
Steve Kean
CEO, Greater Houston Partnership
Steve Kean serves as the CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, an organization focused on promoting economic development and business growth in the Houston area. Previously, Steve was the CEO of Kinder Morgan, one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America. In his current role, Steve leads initiatives that foster collaboration between business leaders, policymakers, and community organizations to drive economic growth in the region. His leadership at the Greater Houston Partnership is focused on advancing the city’s position as a global business hub.
John Whitmire
Mayor, City of Houston
John Whitmire was elected Mayor of Houston in 2023 after a long and distinguished career in public service. He previously served as the longest-tenured member of the Texas State Senate, representing Senate District 15 since 1983. During his time in the Senate, Whitmire became a prominent advocate for criminal justice reform, public safety, and education, earning the nickname "Dean of the Texas Senate" for his leadership and institutional knowledge. As Mayor, Whitmire focuses on improving public safety, expanding affordable housing, and driving economic growth in Houston. His deep understanding of both state and local government allows him to address Houston’s most pressing issues with a strategic and experienced approach.
Chris Hollins
Controller, City of Houston
Chris Hollins serves as the Controller for the City of Houston, overseeing the city’s financial operations, including accounting, financial reporting, and auditing. As Controller, Chris ensures the integrity of Houston's financial data and manages the city’s $5 billion-plus budget with transparency and accountability. His office is responsible for providing oversight on the financial performance of city departments and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. Chris's role is critical in maintaining the fiscal health of the city, ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently, and working closely with other city leaders to implement sound financial strategies.
Vernon Lewis
Treasurer, City of Houston
Vernon Lewis is the Treasurer for the City of Houston, tasked with overseeing the city’s cash management, investments, and debt issuance. As Treasurer, Vernon is responsible for managing the city’s portfolio and ensuring that public funds are managed in a manner that maximizes return while maintaining liquidity and safety. He plays a vital role in advising the Mayor and other city officials on fiscal policy, helping Houston maintain its strong credit rating, and managing the city's debt obligations in a fiscally responsible manner.
Jarvis V. Hollingsworth
Vice Chairman Irradiant Partners LP, Director Vital Energy, Inc., Core Scientific, Inc., MHHS; Chair
Jarvis V. Hollingsworth is Vice Chairman of Irradiant Partners L.P., an investment advisor that focuses on investments in renewable energy and liquid and private credit. Previously, he served as the Secretary/General Counsel and on the board of directors of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. and is a former Partner of the law firm Bracewell LLP where he served on the firm’s management committee. Jarvis has served as a director of several public and private companies and not-for-profit organizations, currently serving as a Director of Vital Energy, Inc. (VTLE:LPI), a diversified energy company, and as Lead Director of Core Scientific, Inc., the largest Blockchain infrastructure, hosting provider and digital asset miner in North America. He also currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, a $200+ billion pension trust fund for retirees, teachers and employees of education-related institutions, and as a member of the Memorial Hermann Health System’s board of directors. Additionally, Jarvis is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Financial Sector Advisory Council and serves on the board of the NACD Texas TriCities Chapter.
Ron Green
Former Controller, City of Houston
Ron Green is the former Controller for the City of Houston, serving from 2010 to 2016. As Controller, he was responsible for managing the city’s financial operations, including oversight of the city’s $5 billion budget, auditing city departments, and providing financial reporting. Before his tenure as Controller, Ron served on the Houston City Council, representing District K, where he focused on improving public safety, enhancing city services, and fostering economic development. His leadership in fiscal management and public policy helped shape the city’s financial strategy during his time in office. Ron Green is also known for his work in law and finance, contributing to various civic initiatives in the Houston area.
Martha Salazar-Zamora
Superintendent, Tomball ISD
Martha Salazar-Zamora serves as the Superintendent of Tomball Independent School District (Tomball ISD), a growing suburban district located in the Greater Houston area. With over 30 years of experience in education, Martha has held various leadership roles in Texas school districts, including Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer. As Superintendent, she is responsible for overseeing the district’s academic programs, budget, and staff, ensuring that Tomball ISD meets the educational needs of its diverse student population. Under her leadership, Tomball ISD has experienced significant growth and earned recognition for academic excellence. Martha is deeply committed to student success, innovation in education, and preparing students for college and career readiness.