Serving the City of Houston for nearly 40 years in the Houston Fire Department, District Chief Mc Donald holds the title of Master Mechanic. Chief Mc Donald’s primary responsibilities as Master Mechanic have been managing various aspects of the HFD fleet. Chief Mc Donald is twice the previous chairman of International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Emergency Vehicle Management Section (EVMS). Chief McDonald is also in his third term serving as an elected Harris County Commissioner for Emergency Service District (ESD) 3, which serves Rosehill, Texas and surrounding areas. He received Highest Honors from the Houston Community College System, with an associates degree in Applied Sciences in Fire Science Safety Technology with Public Administration Specialization and received his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from West Texas A&M in Emergency Management Administration. Currently, Chief Mc Donald is in the process of furthering his education by challenging the Masters of Public Administration degree at Lamar University. Harold joined the Board in 2006.

A sales and marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in HVAC and mechanical systems, Andy is passionate about enhancing the customer experience through communication and networking. A native Houstonian, Andy enjoys sharing his experience as a sought-after consultant and as a mentor to high school graduates and new hires in the industry. Andy joined the Board in 2014.

Currently a member of City Council for the City of Tomball, Randall Parr was the Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Tomball for 17 years prior to his retirement in 2021. Prior to his career in the fire service, Chief Parr was the controller/chief financial officer for several local and regional real estate developers including Trammel Crow Residential (Phoenix and Houston Divisions), Zimmerman/Wilhoit Properties (Springfield, Missouri) and Turner-Adreac (Sugar Land). Chief Parr has maintained a professional accounting practice for ten years focusing on real estate development and construction companies. He currently maintains an accounting and tax practice focusing on tax exempt entities and Emergency Services Districts. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Indiana University and a Masters in Public Administration degree from Sam Houston State University. Chief Parr is active on numerous boards including the Tomball Rotary Foundation, Sam Houston State Alumni Association (Treasurer), Sam Houston State University College of Humanities and Social Sciences Advisory Board and the Northwest Emergency Services Leadership Coalition. Randy has been on the Board since 2020.

Starla is the Founding Director and Owner of Legacy Performing Arts Academy in Humble. Starla finds great joy in being able to share her passion for dance with her three daughters, who partnered with her and joined forces to expand the studio as a team. Starla was a volunteer with the Dennis W. Holder Scholarship for many years when her children were little in an effort to support the organization above what she was able to support financially at the time. Starla wants Firefighters to benefit from a program that exists not only to recognize the sacrifices of the profession, but to thank Firefighters and their families. With Firefighters spending so much time in service to the public, Starla is happy to encourage the community to offer something tangible to Firefighter families, like a scholarship to their children and grandchildren. Starla is the wife of Retired HFD Captain, Ken Gregory from 65s and the mother-in-law of a Missori City Firefighter. The Gregory Family has a long and proud history in Civil Service. Starla joined the Board in 2010.

Leslie is a native Houstonian with business savvy and intrinsic entrepreneurial skills. She is the owner and president of Safari Marketing Group, a Houston based company providing marketing services and specialty staffing throughout the state of Texas since 1996. Her drive and dedication underpin Safari’s success and continued growth. Leslie maintains that people and relationships are always number one and this is evident through her continuous involvement in the local community. As a former professional singer, Leslie has a passion for music and still sings occasionally for special events (and in the shower). She also has a keen eye for fashion and interior design but her true love is spending time with her son Tucker and her family. Leslie joined the Board in 2012.

Jeffrey Bacot is an experienced insurance professional who started working in the insurance field in 1996 during a high school internship. He continued working during college for River Oaks Benefits and later became the Marketing Director for the Texas Health Care Purchasing Alliance. He worked as a Benefit Consultant for Core Benefits from January 2007 until November 2011. He went to work with Securance Corp in November 2011 where he still works today helping employers with their benefits packages. He is a 5th generation Houstonian and 6th generation Texan. He attended M.B. Lamar High School and the University of Houston. He is an Eagle Scout. He is served as the President of the Houston Association of Health Underwriters in 2014 and is a member still today. He is the proud uncle of 16 nieces and nephews. Jeff has been on the Board since 2012.

Jackie, a non-profit professional has been fundraising and advocating for various local and nationally recognized organizations since 2000. She has a strong belief in social responsibility and gives back to her local community specializing in the areas of children and family initiatives that promote health and education. Jackie brings her management experience working with board members, donors, and volunteers. Currently she is the Senior Development Officer at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and Founder of Business Essentials Tax Service. Jackie, is also a proud 2000 Alumni of the University of Houston Downtown. Jackie joined the Board in 2016.

An executive with GeoSouthern Energy, an Independent Oil & Gas Producing Company specializing in production of Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford unconventional formations, Byron uses his past experience as a retired Houston Firefighter. With an eye for startups, Byron enjoys lending his business expertise to his family’s restaurant venture in Sealy, Texas, Kathy’s Corner. Byron joined the Board in 2017.

An attorney for over 30 years, Bruce A. Coane is board-certified in immigration law and nationality law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is also a recognized expert in employment law, and has compiled a national reputation for positive results in employment law cases. Together with Florida office managing partner Arthur Mandel, Mr. Coane leads an accomplished legal team whose practice focuses include immigration, employment discrimination, litigation, appeals, personal injury, state and federal administrative proceedings, business and commercial law, school law, family law, contracts and many more. Many of his Employment law and Immigration cases have been published in legal reference books and discussed in legal and professional journals. Mr. Coane is a frequent speaker at continuing education seminars for attorneys, as well as seminars and meetings for business groups, schools and community organizations. He has also appeared on various TV and radio talk shows, and he is the author of many published papers on various legal topics. Bruce received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors from Penn State University and his Juris Doctor Degree in Law from the University of Houston. Mr. Coane enjoys spending time with his family, playing basketball, and attending concerts, theater and sporting events. Bruce joined the Board in 2018

A Captain with the Houston Fire Department for nearly 29 years, Capt. Guerra is a native Houstonian from the 2nd Ward. Captain Guerra is liaison for the Communications Division of the Houston Fire Department for all special events in the City of Houston. Mico joined the Board in 2021.

Mr. Gonzales is Senior Director, Global Pensions and Investments at LyondellBasell Industries, joining the company in 2014. LyondellBasell is a leading producer of petrochemicals globally, with over 20,000 employees, pensions and savings plans in 16 countries, and retirement assets under management of over USD $4 Billion. He has over 25 years of institutional investment consulting experience and is considered an expert in developing teams and processes to provide advice to fiduciaries in an effort to achieve stated strategic goals.

From 2011 to 2014, he served as the Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer for the Houston Firefighters’ Relief & Retirement Fund. While there, he achieved top decile investment returns. Additionally, he developed new processes and procedures for asset allocation, manager search and selection, reporting, and trustee education. Mr. Gonzales began his investment consulting career in 1994, working for Morgan Stanley Graystone in Houston.

In 2021, Mr. Gonzales was appointed board member by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to serve a six year term on the Texas Pension Review Board.

Mr. Gonzales graduated from Houston Christian University with a BBA in Finance and from the University of Houston, with an MBA in Finance. He is a native Texan and currently lives in Cypress, Texas, with his wife and two sons. Christopher joined the Board in 2022.

A registered nurse and certified case manager, Michelle is owner of Horizon Rehabilitation Systems. Michelle is responsible for comprehensive medical case management for worker’s compensation, specifically monitoring the injured worker’s progress from date of injury to return to work and maximum medical improvement. She specializes in catastrophic, orthopedic, and neurological injuries, coordinating rehabilitation and making recommendations to facilitate recovery and case closure. Michelle is the daughter of Retired Deputy Chief Whitehorn and a graduate of North Harris Community College and Sam Houston State University. Michelle joined the Board in 2022.