Susan Coulter, J.D.
Vice President, Office of Institutional Advancement
Phone: 713-500-3044
E-mail: Susan.Coulter@uth.tmc.edu

As Vice President, Susan Coulter is responsible for guiding the synergistic efforts of the development and communications operations to successfully support the comprehensive, campus-wide advancement effort. Since 1998, Coulter was vice president for university advancement at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB). There she directed communications, public affairs, alumni relations, development and special events for UTMB. Coulter began her career in 1983 with the Indiana University Foundation, where she served in several capacities for the Campaign for Indiana, which raised $311 million. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and a law degree from Indiana University.

Betsy C. Frantz
Assistant Vice President for Fundraising & Advancement Programs
(713) 500-3202
E-mail: Elizabeth.C.Frantz@uth.tmc.edu

A fourth-generation Texan, Betsy Frantz has lived in Houston since graduating from The University of Texas at Austin in 1965. She completed a Masters in Public Health degree from UT School of Public Health at Houston in 1972, and worked from 1972-1992 first, at the School of Public Health and later, in the university’s Development Office. From 1992-1993, Betsy served as the first woman president of the Houston Texas Exes, the largest and most active chapter in the nation. From 1995-2004, she worked for UT Austin and its “We’re Texas” campaign, as the major gifts officer-in-residence for the Houston Region and its 55,000 alumni. In 2004, she was Director of Development for the George R. Brown School of Engineering and the Weiss School of Natural Sciences at Rice University, returning to UT Austin in 2005 as Executive Director of Principal Gifts for the Houston Region.

Sylvia A. Salas
Managing Director of Development
(713) 500-3291
E-mail: Sylvia.Salas@uth.tmc.edu

Sylvia A. Salas comes to the UT Houston Development Office from Sharp HealthCare Foundation in San Diego, California where she was the Chief Grants and Resources Officer. Sylvia has worked in various fields of healthcare including development, research, program management and public health and has held the positions of director of program services with the March of Dimes, Texas Chapter, and researcher for two Schools of Public Health at Boston University and Harvard University. Sylvia has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from St. Edward’s University in Austin and a Masters in Public Health from the Boston University School of Public Health. In her role as managing director of development, Sylvia oversees the development services efforts for the Office of Institutional Advancement, and provides support to the UT Houston schools and health units.

Tara McNeill
Director of Development Services
(713) 500-3213
e-mail: Tara.McNeill@uth.tmc.edu

Tara McNeill joined The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT-Houston) Office of Institutional Advancement in September 2005. Prior to joining UT Houston she worked as a development officer at the Museum of Fine Arts - Houston, as well as several arts organizations in New York City. Tara has an MBA and an MA, Art Administration from Southern Methodist University and received a BA in Art History from the University of Texas at Austin. Her role in the central office is to coordinate and implement a defined program that supports institutional development staff in planning strategic approaches to prospects and contributors representing corporations, foundations, and individuals.

Cynthia Johnson, Ph.D.
Director, Development Communications
(713) 500-3058
e-mail: Cynthia.J.Johnson@uth.tmc.edu

Cynthia Johnson serves as Director, Development Communications, helping UTHSC-H expand its philanthropic funding from individuals, corporations and foundations.  She works closely with faculty, administration, and development staff throughout the University and its related health units to develop an understanding of their objectives, programs, services and funding needs and to communicate these goals effectively to the communities we serve.

Before joining UTHSC-H, she held administrative positions in both industry and academia.  She has nearly thirty years of experience in communications, is the author of numerous reports, proposals, and policy papers, and has taught in France and in the U.S.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University, an M.A. from the University of Kentucky, and a Ph.D. from Rice.

Ellen Wallace
Development Specialist
(713) 500-3394
email: Ellen.Wallace@uth.tmc.edu

Ellen Wallace is a native Houstonian and has numerous years in a corporate and administrative environment. She has participated and led multiple fundraising campaigns and special events in both Arlington and Houston. Her business background includes owning a mid-level retail hardware store and leasing in the oil and gas industry. Ellen’s role at UT Health Science Center is to manage Corporate and Foundation Gift Acknowledgements for all major gifts, as well as assist in stewardship and fund raising efforts.

Nesh Aqrawi
Development Board Relations Coordinator
713-500-3024
E-mail: Nesh.Aqrawi@uth.tmc.edu

Nesh, a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Houston, is responsible for all communication between the university and the Development Board, coordination of the Board’s executive committee, membership committee, and the Development Board councils. She is the liaison and coordinator for Leaders of Tomorrow. Before promoted to this position, Nesh was a Special Programs Coordinator and executed communications and events for UT Health Science Center. She began her career at Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P.

Jenna C. Taylor
Development Communication Specialist
713-500-3038
E-mail: Jenna.C.Taylor@uth.tmc.edu

Jenna C. Taylor joined the office of Institutional Advancement in March 2008 and has been in the development field since 2002.  Jenna’s background includes experience in annual giving, special events, stewardship and collaborating with development boards. In her role as Development Communication Specialist, Jenna drafts and coordinates case statements for each of the schools and centers, as well as assists with proposals.  Jenna holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Texas Christian University.

Lisa Christison
Managing Director of Advancement Operations
(713) 500-3204
e-mail: Lisa.M.Christison@uth.tmc.edu

Lisa Christison has worked in the field of development for eight years, and has worked at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston since early 2004. As the director of advancement services, she supervises four departments: gift processing, prospect research, donor database management, and endowment compliance. Lisa is the key contact if a board member needs assistance with anything related to these areas.

Victor Cuffee
Manager of Gift Administration
(713) 500-3224
e-mail: Victor.M.Cuffee@uth.tmc.edu

Victor M. Cuffee has more than 20 years of experience as a hospital Chief Financial Officer and Controller. His education includes a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration. His current role is manager of gift administration and he is responsible for overseeing the proper processing of gifts to the university, as well as gift compliance and regulatory reporting. Victor is a key contact for questions concerning gift processing and related procedures.

Melissa Guerrero
Gift Administration Specialist
(713) 500-3206
e-mail: Melissa.Guerrero@uth.tmc.edu

Melissa Guerrero is responsible for the many aspects of gift processing, making deposits, keeping departmental gift records, and sending out pledge reminders. She has clerical/receptionist experience and has held customer service-oriented positions. Melissa’s extra training includes certificates in computer applications in business and in word processing.

Sally Heisler-Anderwald
Gift Administration Specialist
(713) 500-3075
e-mail: Sally.HeislerAnderwald@uth.tmc.edu

Sally Heisler-Anderwald has worked in the accounting field for more then twenty years with the past twelve being in account receivables. She is responsible for the many aspects of gift processing, making deposits, keeping departmental gift records, and sending out pledge reminders.

Alice Bushman
Prospect Research Coordinator
(713) 500-3187
e-mail: Alice.Bushman@uth.tmc.edu

Alice Bushman joins the health science center from the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, where she spent six years specializing in prospect research, foundation relations, and database management. She holds a BA in English and Managerial Studies from Rice University. In her role as Prospect Research Coordinator, Alice supervises the prospect research team and identifies and researches major gift prospects for the university.

Helen (Moss) Thornton
Prospect Researcher
(713) 500-3201
e-mail: Moss.F.Thornton@uth.tmc.edu

As a prospect researcher, Moss Thornton is responsible for background information on all prospects, including individuals, foundations and corporations. She has more than 20 years experience in broadcast news as well as experience in the catering and theatre industries

Desiree Salazar
Prospect Researcher
(713) 500-3068
e-mail: Desiree.Salazar@uth.tmc.edu

Desiree Salazar comes to the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston from the March of Dimes, where she specialized in special events.  In her role as prospect researcher, she is responsible for identifying and researching individual, foundation, and corporation prospects.  She holds a BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University. 

Ty Sponberg
Endowment Compliance Officer
(713) 500-3210
e-mail: Edward.Sponberg@uth.tmc.edu

Ty Sponberg has more than 15 years of compliance experience with the State of Texas. As the endowment compliance officer he is responsible for processing new endowment agreements, ensuring endowments comply with relevant rules and regulations, and seeing that university staff are kept informed on endowment issues. Ty is the key contact for questions concerning endowment compliance.

Daryl Jeffries
Data Management Analyst
(713) 500-3025
email: Daryl.Jeffries@uth.tmc.edu

Daryl A. Jeffries has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Tennessee State University – Nashville, TN and Master’s Degree in Business from American InterContinental University – Atlanta, GA. For more than 10 years, he has been involved in database management, security and maintaining data integrity. As a Data Management Analyst for the Advancement Services team, Daryl is responsible for the donor database. He is the point of contact for reports, queries, and overviews of that database.

Mary Ellen Butler
Senior Support Specialist
(713) 500-3207
e-mail: Mary.Butler@uth.tmc.edu

Mary Ellen Butler is responsible for providing administrative support to the endowment compliance officer. She is a native Houstonian with 10 years experience in meeting planning, events, promotions, and executive communications and has over 5 years experience in development. Mary is a key contact for questions concerning endowment compliance.

Jackie Callies
Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations
713-500-5222
Jacquelyn.Callies@uth.tmc.edu

Melinda Carter
Director of Development
713-500-5002
Melinda.Carter@uth.tmc.edu

Lynn Cutrer
Manager of Patient and Community Relations
832-325-7650
Lynn.S.Cutrer@uth.tmc.edu

Kristin Hook
Director of Development
713-500-3257
Kristin.R.Hook@uth.tmc.edu

Claire Lindsay
Assistant Director of Annual Giving
713-500-5181
Claire.Lindsay@uth.tmc.edu

Jean Long
Senior Staff Assistant, Alumni Relations
713-500-5065
Jean.Long@uth.tmc.edu

Resa Ott
Director of Alumni Relations
713-500-5084
Resa.McCullin.Ott@uth.tmc.edu

Mary Stevenson
Director of Development
713-500-5218
Mary.Stevenson@uth.tmc.edu

Tiffany Thomas
Development Specialist
713-500-5217
Tiffany.Thomas@uth.tmc.edu

Soraya Thompson
Administrative Assistant II
713-500-5121
Soraya.Thompson@uth.tmc.edu

Karyn Ullman
Director of Development
Children’s Learning Institute
713-500-3746
Karyn.Ullman@uth.tmc.edu

Derrick Wesley
Director of Development
713-500-5003
Derrick.Wesley@uth.tmc.edu

Richard Torres
Senior Staff Assistant
713-500-5108
Richard.Torres@uth.tmc.edu

Varessa L. Kelton
Assistant Executive Director
713-500-5124
Varessa.Kelton@uth.tmc.edu

Mollie Meagher
Development Specialist
713-500-5168
Mollie.Meagher@uth.tmc.edu

John Greer
Director, Development
Dental Branch
(713) 500-4380
e-mail: John.T.Greer@uth.tmc.edu

Tammy Keidel
Executive Assistant
(713) 500-4386
e-mail: Tammy.Keidel@uth.tmc.edu

Linda Haag Carter
Director, Public Relations & Development
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
(713) 500-9865
e-mail: Linda.M.Carter@uth.tmc.edu

Karen Minich
Development Officer I
School of Health Information Sciences
(713) 500-3912
e-mail: Karen.J.Minich@uth.tmc.edu

Catherine Guy Merriman
Director, Development
School of Public Health
(713) 500-9059
e-mail: Catherine.B.Merriman@uth.tmc.edu

Gail Fox
Director, Development
School of Nursing
(713) 500-2006
e-mail: Gail.Fox@uth.tmc.edu

S. Nicole Tate
Assistant Director Development
School of Nursing
(713) 500-2095
e-mail: Sara.N.Enterline@uth.tmc.edu

JoAnn Kent
Development Officer I
UT Harris County Psychiatric Center
(713) 741-7807
e-mail: Joann.Kent@uth.tmc.edu

Linda Brown
Administrative Services Officer II
(713) 500-3046
e-mail: Linda.C.Brown@uth.tmc.edu

Linda C. Brown is the administrative services officer for the Office of Institutional Advancement and has been with the university for 17 years. She is responsible for all personnel, budgeting and finances for the department. She meets frequently with the vice president, to discuss and prepare reports. She also serves as an internal and external liaison for the department to ensure a smooth and efficient flow of information.

Joyce Brown
Sr. Staff Assistant
(713) 500-3208
e-mail: V.Joyce.Brown@uth.tmc.edu

Joyce is a senior staff assistant for the Office of Institutional Advancement. She has over 20 years of administrative roles in sales, medical records, corporate tax, offshore exploration, property and merchandise accounting, supporting executives and directors. Joyce volunteers for many non-profit organizations and civic clubs.

Sandra Marroquin
Administrative Assistant I
(713) 500-3048
e-mail: Sandra.Marroquin@uth.tmc.edu

Sandra Marroquin has worked for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for 16 years. She is responsible for monitoring all expenses for the Office of Institutional Advancement. She maintains accurate records for inventory, time management and the proper use of the UT BuyCard expenses.

Margaret Zambrano
Administrative Assistant II
(713) 500-3049
e-mail: Margaret.Zambrano@uth.tmc.edu

Margaret transferred to the Office of Institutional Advancement from the Medical School. Margaret has been with the university since 1990 where she worked in Capital Assets.  Since then she has worked in the Office of Facilities Planning and Development and most recently in Family Medicine.  Margaret assists both in our administrative area and our development services area as well as performs Spanish translations for some of our Health Leader articles. 

Sheila Amiot
Executive Assistant
(713) 500-3021
e-mail: Sheila.Amiot@uth.tmc.edu

Sheila Amiot serves as the executive assistant to the vice president of Institutional Advancement.  She uses the management experience gained during  many years in the catering and floral industries to coordinate schedules and meet the exacting demands of the position. In addition, her variety of expertise is called upon by other areas of the office.

Janis McElligott
Executive Assistant
(713) 500-3211
e-mail: Janis.McElligott@uth.tmc.edu

Janis McElligott provides support to all aspects of the Office of Institutional Advancement. Janis is a fairly new "transplant" to Texas, and is originally from New York. Her attention to detail has been utilized in the demanding customer service and construction management industries.