March 24, 2021

When did you join UTHealth? What brought you here?
I started at The University Texas Health Science Center at Houston in December of 1991.

Tell me about your work history here.
After graduating from Texas A&M University with my degree in accounting, I was fortunate to obtain a position in the Office of Auditing and Advisory Services. My career at the university started as a general auditor, performing operational and compliance reviews in many areas of the university.  After a few years, I transitioned into the role of information systems auditor, performing reviews of the university’s networks and other information systems.  I always had an interest in the law and in 1996, I decided to apply to law school at the South Texas College of Law located in downtown Houston.  I was accepted and started law school in the spring of 1997.   I attended law school at night while continuing to work full-time in the Office of Auditing and Advisory Services.  In 2000, before graduating from law school, I was offered a position as manager contract compliance in Financial Services working for Kevin Dillon.   I worked with our schools and departments reviewing the business/financial terms for contractual arrangements the university was in the process of negotiating.   After graduating law school and passing the Texas Bar exam, Frank Collura, the university’s chief legal officer at the time, offered me a position as a legal officer, in the Office of Legal Affairs.  I accepted and transferred into the Office of Legal Affairs in December 2000.  I am currently a senior legal officer with almost 30 years with UTHealth.

What are you most proud of accomplishing?
During my time at the university, there have been many accomplishments that I am proud of, but probably the most important to me are the individual relationships that I have  created over the years.  I have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people and assist them and their schools/departments.

How has the university changed since you first joined?
Over the period of almost 30 years, there have been many changes.  Obviously, the “footprint” of UTHealth has changed.  We have more buildings and have expanded to the South Campus.  However, the most notable change for me is the name recognition.  Back in 1991, I would routinely have to explain where I worked and what The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston was all about.  I think the “UTHealth” name is out in the community more than it ever has been, and that is a good thing.

Why have you stayed?
First and foremost, as I mentioned before it is the people.  I get to work with some of the best and most intelligent people on a daily basis.  When you couple that with exciting and challenging work, I could not imagine working elsewhere.  UTHealth has provided me a great work-life balance, and I get to do my small part in helping UTHealth achieve it mission.

When you are not at work, how do you spend your time?
For many years, my wife and I spent time chasing both kids and their sports teams (son – soccer and daughter – softball).  My daughter continues to play collegiately, so during the spring my wife and I travel and watch her play.  When I am not at a softball field somewhere, I enjoy playing golf and going to the lake with my wife and kids.