Texas Border Business
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Theresa Chang, and reappointed Mary Ann Heller and Karen Partee to the Texas Commission on the Arts for terms set to expire on August 31, 2025. The commission fosters the development of a receptive climate for the arts that will culturally enrich and benefit state citizens in their daily lives and attract outstanding artist to become state residents.Â
Theresa Chang of Houston is an attorney and special commissioner of the Eminent Domain Administrative Hearings. She previously served as Judge of Harris County Civil Court. She is a member of the Board of Directors for both South Texas College of Law and the Chinese Community Center. Additionally, she serves as a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum. Chang received a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from National Taiwan University, a Master of Science in chemical engineering from Texas A&M University Kingsville, and a Juris Doctor degree from South Texas College of Law.
Mary Ann Heller of Austin is president of DiamonDisc Records and chief financial officer of Heller Associates and Hell’er Highwater Ranch. Previously, she served as product manager for IBM in Austin and sat on the Austin History Center Board of Directors. She is a member of the Austin Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors and the Seton Development Board. Additionally, she serves on The University of Texas College Natural Sciences Board of Visitors, Butler School of Music Directors Council, and various other cultural organizations. She is a Dame of the Order of Malta (Knights of Malta) and is a Master Lady of the Knights of the Vine.Â
Karen Partee of Prosper is executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Texas Bank and Trust Company. She is past president and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Longview and a member of the Institute of Certified Bankers, Longview Regional Medical Center’s Women’s Advisory Council, and the Longview Ballet Advisory Board. Additionally, she is co-chair of the Marketing Advisory Board for the American Bankers Association. Partee received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Texas Tech University. Additionally, she received a diploma from the American Bankers Association School of Bank Marketing and Management and the Institute of Children’s Literature and a certification from the American Institute of Bankers.
