Board of Visitors leadership welcomes new members

Business and community leaders across nation continue efforts to advance mission to end cancer

MD Anderson News Release September 04, 2018

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors (BOV), a nonfiduciary, appointed advisory board of volunteers who advance the institution’s mission to end cancer, marks the beginning of Fiscal Year 2019 with nine new members, effective Sept. 1:  

  • Kimberly Alfonso, Las Vegas, Nevada: retired vice president and owner of Vic Alfonso Cadillac Hummer Inc. in Portland, Oregon
  • Carlyse Ciocca, San Francisco, California: a member of the Franzia wine family and wife of BOV member Art Ciocca
  • Julie Crosswell, Houston: third-generation owner and vice president of Osborn Heirs Oil and Gas Company
  • Thomas Donohue, Washington, D.C.: president and chief executive officer of the United States Chamber of Commerce
  • Douglas Glass, Houston: partner of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP
  • David Herr, Houston: vice president of marketing for private midstream logistics firm Blackline Partners
  • Cappy McGarr, Dallas: president of investment firm MCM Interests LLC
  • Sherri Patton, Fort Worth: community volunteer, homemaker and former assistant district attorney
  • Tony Vallone, Houston: owner of Tony’s Restaurant Inc.

"We are proud to welcome these outstanding leaders and citizens as they join us in supporting
MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer throughout Texas, the nation and the world," said the Hon. Donald Evans, chair-elect and outgoing Membership and Board Development Committee chair, of Midland. "Their addition is a wonderful asset in our endeavors to make a significant difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families everywhere."

The new members will be formally recognized at the BOV's annual meeting in October.

"My colleagues and I are grateful for the dedication, compassion and support of the entire BOV membership," said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. "We are honored to welcome these new members as they join our collective efforts toward a world free of this terrible disease."

BOV members serve as national and international ambassadors for MD Anderson's world-class research, treatment, education and prevention initiatives.

"Each of our members brings unique talents and expertise to the fight against cancer," said Marsha Shields, of San Antonio, whose two-year term as BOV chair began Sept. 1. "I look forward to working with this dynamic group over the coming year in support of MD Anderson’s efforts in Making Cancer History."

Joining Shields and Evans on the BOV executive leadership team for FY19 are Jim Mulva, immediate past chair, of Austin; and Clarence Cazalot Jr., vice chair, of Houston. This year's committee and advisory group chairs include:

  • Mark Albers, of The Woodlands – Clinical Operations and Competitive Assessment Advisory Group
  • Pat Bodin, of Houston – Cancer Control Advisory Group
  • Clarence Cazalot Jr., of Houston – Membership and Board Development Committee
  • Gregg Falgout, of Houston – Events Committee
  • Wayne Gibbens, of Middleburg, Virginia – Governmental Relations Committee
  • Maureen Hackett, of Houston – MD Anderson Network Advisory Group
  • Tom Johnson, of Atlanta, Georgia – Public Affairs Committee
  • Pierre Lapeyre Jr., of New York – Bylaws Committee
  • Linda Mays McCaul, of Austin – Children’s Cancer Hospital Advisory Group
  • Don Woo, of Houston – Development Committee