Texas Leadership Hall of Fame

Justice Eva Guzman has served at three levels of the Texas judiciary. in 2009 she was appointed to serve on the Supreme Court of Texas by Governor Rick Perry. She was elected to a full term in November 2010, when she became the first Hispanic woman elected to state-wide office in Texas. Justice Guzman is the Court’s liaison to the Commission on Judicial Conduct, the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and the Texas Access to Justice Commission, responsible for oversight and funding of the state’s legal-assistance programs for the poor. She also is Chair of the Supreme Court’s Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families.

Kirk is President and CEO of Latigo Petroleum, LLC. In that leadership role, he manages, operates and exploits diverse oil and gas assets and surface lands with properties located throughout the United States and the Gulf Coast of Mexico. He also serves as the lead manager for: Las Colinas Energy Partners, Las Colinas Minerals, LP, MacLondon Energy, LP, Alexis Energy, LP, Noelle Land & Minerals LLC, and the various mineral estates of the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research in Rochester, Minnesota. He was also a former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ban k of Dallas’ El Paso Branch Board.

Enrique’s mother and father always believed we should have an active approach to life, whether they said it or showed it, he was inspired to involve himself in some activity. His career started with selling candy to classmates in junior high, and working summers at his dad’s plumbing company. After working several other jobs from flipping burgers to a bank teller, he was invited to work in the family business full time. He was involved in public relations, as well as the development and implementation of a cross-connection division. During his work at AAA Plumbers, he found himself with a new project, his dad and his partner bought a small safety company, and placed their two sons’ in charge of producing a profit. Diamond Safety is web-based business now and improving daily. Real estate always interested me and after a brief leave of absence to see the world, I returned to my destiny. He currently works with Ameristar Realtors, which has proved to be a great partner. His business is primarily residential with my commercial business growing.

Emma Gibney is an exemplary high school junior who has been influential through her involvement in her school and community. As an underclassman she was apart of varsity swim, varsity theatre, and Student Council, but over the last year has shifted her focus to Student Council and other organizations where she can better give back and serve others. As Student Body President, she has organized and led many school events including Mactown Miracles, which feeds 700 families during the holidays, the Backer rally, a community pep rally to continue the town’s school pride, and an awareness day for inner beauty inspired by Operation Beautiful. This last year she also directed the Anti-Bullying campaign video for her Peer Assistant and Leadership organization. Reaching out into the community, she goes off campus three times a week to spend time with her elementary school pal and middle school special needs pal through the Peer Assistant leadership Program. Lastly, this summer she spent 6 weeks abroad in France as an exchange student, to further expand her outlook and perspective on the world.

Mr. Estrada, an attorney at law, is Chairman of the Board of Estrada Hinojosa & Company, Inc., an investment banking firm he founded in 1990. He has served in The White House as a Special Assistant to former President George Bush and was a State Director for the late United States Senator John Tower. A native of Mexico City, Mexico, Mr. Estrada is a U. S. citizen who considers Brownsville, Texas, his hometown. He has spent most of his adult life in Austin and Dallas, but now resides in Fort Worth, Texas.

Wallace was appointed chief justice September 14, 2004, by Gov. Rick Perry. He was elected in November 2002 before becoming chief justice. His appointment as chief justice was confirmed unanimously by the Texas Senate on March 9, 2005. He was elected chief justice in 2006 and re-elected to a full term in 2008. As a partner in the appellate-specialty firm Crofts, Callaway & Jefferson, he successfully argued two cases before the United States Supreme Court. He is a graduate of the James Madison College at Michigan State University and the University of Texas School of Law.

A San Antonio native, Mayor Julián Castro is the youngest mayor of a Top 50 American city. First elected on May 9, 2009, Mayor Castro was handily re-elected to a third term in 2013. Throughout his tenure, Mayor Castro has focused on attracting well-paying jobs in 21st century industries, positioning San Antonio to be a leader in the New Energy Economy and raising educational attainment across the spectrum.In late 2010, Time magazine placed him on its “40 under 40” list of rising stars in American politics.

Brian Feld, a partner at Rosenthal Pauerstein Sandoloski Agather LLP, has been engaged in the practice of law since 2000. Mr. Feld has represented clients before the Texas legislature and Texas state agencies on a wide array of issues, including education, taxation, and environmental regulation. Brian was a member of Leadership San Antonio Class 34 and was recognized in Texas Monthly magazine as a “Rising Star” among Texas Lawyers in the field of Securities & Corporate Finance in 2009, 2010 and 2011. He was also recognized as a “Top 40 Under 40” business leader in 2009 by the San Antonio Business Journal and was recognized in 2008 and 2009 by Scene in SA Monthly as a “Rising Star” in the San Antonio Legal Community. He holds the degree of Juris Doctor, The University of Texas School of Law (Graduated with Honors; Order of the Coif), Bachelor of Arts, The University of Texas at Austin (Graduated with High Honors; Phi Beta Kappa; Elected Student Body Vice President), Member, Texas Lyceum Board of Directors (Vice President of Recruiting), and Executive Board Member, United Communities of San Antonio (Vice President, President-Elect, President)

Wesley Cole Smith is the owner / operator of the North Abilene free-standing Chick-Fil-A restaurant. He is the recipient of the 2008 Abilene Biz 20 under 40 award and the 2008 Chick-Fil-A profit award. Wesley is very active in Leadership Abilene, having graduated from the program in 2008, serving as Chair in 2011 and continuing to serve on the Orientation Committee. He is a Board Director for the Abilene Chamber of Commerce and serves on its Government Affairs Committee. Wes is also a board member for Junior Achievement, Abilene ISD Project Graduation Committee, Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Abilene Wylie Education Foundation Scholarship Committee. He is the Chair of the Abilene Business Council and a board member of Goodwill Industries of West Texas. He is also a board member of the American Cancer Society and the West Texas Rehabilitation Hospital. A graduate of San Angelo State University, he resides in Abilene with his wife, Amber Lieber Smith, and his children, Daisy Joy Smith and Fletcher Cole Smith.

Michelle Ingle is an extraordinary high school senior who has demonstrated leadership and community service that has greatly benefited Wichita Falls and everyone she comes in contact with. Michelle serves her community as an Aquatics Supervisor at the city’s waterpark and she has been a lifeguard for three years as well.  She has also participated in her school’s Peer Assistant and Leadership organization where she mentored kindergarteners. She was a co-founder of CSS (Clothes, Shoes, and School Supplies) Foundation that has donated over 2,000 articles of clothing to the local homeless shelter. Serving as her school’s Student Council President, she has participated in the Special Olympics, Teens Make a Difference, and Fall Fest to raise money for St. Jude’s Hospital, the Children’s Homeless Shelter, and the Humane Society. Her recognitions include a “good citizen” award from the Daughters of the American Revolution for outstanding patriotism, leadership, dependability, and service to community. In summary, Michelle is the kind of student that John Ben Shepperd would consider as an exemplar for all – engaged, committed to community, and being a great servant leader.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte, a pharmacist since 1980, represents a large portion of San Antonio and Bexar County. A former five term state representative, she has represented Texas Senate District 26 since 1999. From 2003 to 2011 she served as the Chair of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus.

Mr. Leodoro Martinez Jr. is the Director of the Middle Rio Grande Development Council, stewarding programs funded under federal, state, and regional mandates for the council of governments southwest Texas – including Maverick, Dimmit, Val Verde, Edwards, Real, Kinney, La Salle, Uvalde and Zavala counties along the Texas/Mexico border and representing over an area of more than 14,333 square miles. Mr. Martinez oversees regional workforce, economic development, emergency response, environmental quality, and aging service programs for the development council.

Attorney General Greg Abbott was reelected as the 50th Attorney General of Texas on November 2, 2010. Prior to his election as attorney general, Greg Abbott served as a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court and as a State District Judge in Harris County.

Chris Reed was appointed City Manager for the City of Nassau Bay in August 2009. Chris has twenty years of experience in municipal government; as part of that tenure he served as the City Administrator for League City, Texas and is a Retired Assistant Police Chief. In 1993 he was awarded the Law Enforcement Purple Heart for being shot in the line of duty. Chris was a paratrooper in the U. S. Army and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from LeTourneau University and a Master of Science degree from Sam Houston State University. He is a graduate of the 210th Session of the FBI National Law Enforcement Academy