Board of Directors
THLN's board of directors is comprised of individuals who bring their professional talents and animal welfare expertise to the organization to help further its mission for the animals. All work is provided on a voluntary basis. The duties of the board include: establishing and implementing legislative agendas designed to pass effective animal protection legislation; providing information to the news media concerning THLN issues; informing THLN's membership of animal-related legislation; increasing membership statewide; working with other organizations who share THLN's goals; and fundraising to provide the financial resources needed for lobbying, membership communications, and media-related activities.
Steve has built his professional career in real estate development and finance. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate from Southern Methodist University and an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin. More than 15 years ago, Steve and his wife Vickie began volunteering as a foster home for dog rescue organizations, helping countless dogs find loving, permanent homes. In addition to fostering, Steve actively fundraises and writes grants for several Dallas-area rescue groups. He also helps organize events that support humane education, raise critical funds, and promote pet adoption.
Before joining the board, Steve was a dedicated volunteer with the Texas Humane Legislation Network, supporting efforts in humane education, legislative advocacy, and fundraising. As chair of THLN’s grassroots committee, Steve is passionate about empowering Texans to connect with their elected officials and advocate for animals. He believes real change happens when neighbors reach each other where they live, work, learn, worship, text, and tweet. Steve and Vickie share their home with four beloved rescue dogs—and frequently open their doors to foster dogs in need.
Jaime is a partner at the Dallas law firm Skiermont Derby, where she practices patent and commercial litigation. Prior to that, she served as Legal Advocacy Counsel with the ASPCA, focusing on animal welfare litigation, animal cruelty prosecution support, and equine welfare issues. She has taught courses and delivered numerous presentations on animal cruelty laws, the LINK, and other animal law topics. Jaime holds a BA in Psychology and Biology with a focus on animal cognition from New College of Florida, an MS in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts University, and a JD from the University of Michigan, where she founded and led the school’s chapter of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Jaime has lived in Dallas since 2009. Her rescue dogs—Parker, Benny, and Lucy—are admittedly a bit pampered, but they serve as her daily motivation to work toward improving the welfare of all Texas dogs.
Parker Wilson lives in San Antonio, where he was born and raised, with his wife, daughter, two dogs, three cats, and one former hamster. He is the Vice President of Regulatory Law at Valero, where he has worked since 2002, and he previously served two terms on the board of the Bexar County Humane Society.
Before joining the board of the Texas Humane Legislation Network, Parker was an active volunteer who worked to advance THLN-supported tethering legislation. He is passionate about strengthening laws that protect companion animals from cruelty and ensuring meaningful consequences for those who cause harm.
Ken is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a partner in a public accounting firm. His practice focuses on supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations with their accounting and tax compliance needs. A passionate advocate for animals, Ken is dedicated to promoting animal welfare and giving a voice to the voiceless.
He is active in the Dallas–Fort Worth community, volunteering with local animal rescues and serving as a foster parent for dogs in need. Ken is a former board member of the LSU Dallas Alumni Chapter. He and his wife, Myka, live in Dallas with their three beloved rescue dogs—Beaux, Chumley, and Charlie.
Kelly is an attorney based in Galveston, Texas, where she practices first-party insurance law. She earned her Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law Houston (STCLH), where her interest in animal law began while working as a Research Assistant for Professor Fran Ortiz. Kelly went on to serve as President of the STCLH Animal Legal Defense Fund Chapter for two years, during which the group was named Student Organization of the Year.
Her commitment to animal welfare has been recognized through several honors, including the Honorable Michael H. Schneider, Jr. Animal Law Society Award and the Vinson & Elkins Public Interest Award. Kelly is passionate about community outreach and education, and she shares her life with two exuberant English Springer Spaniels, Molly and Kieran.
Meera lives in Houston, Texas, with her dog and three cats— all rescues, all female, and all spoiled! She earned a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. While in college, Meera began her broadcasting career at a local radio station and later transitioned to television, working as an anchor, reporter, and host. Her passion for animals started early, and as an adult, she made sure to give them a voice through her media work. In 2008, Meera stepped away from mainstream media to become a spokesperson for a local animal shelter. During that time, she witnessed heartbreaking cases of animal cruelty but also helped many mistreated animals find loving homes or sanctuaries. One of her favorite experiences was traveling from Houston to Romania to document the transport of Betsy, an abused brown bear, to her forever home at the Libearty Bear Sanctuary.
Meera finds fostering animals deeply rewarding, believing there is nothing more meaningful than saving those in need. A few years ago, she founded Maharani Media LLC to focus exclusively on animal welfare issues. She is currently dedicated to her passion project, Meera’s Animal Tribe, proudly embracing her role as an Animal Welfare Journalist. Through her storytelling, Meera aims to educate and inspire change so together we can end the inhumane treatment animals suffer worldwide.
Elisabeth Rutledge combines her passion for animal rights with extensive experience in public affairs and advocacy communications to advance THLN’s mission. She currently works as a communications consultant for the Jeff Eller Group, helping clients of all sizes protect and enhance their brand equity and stakeholder relationships. Her clients have included some of the nation’s leading names in advocacy, energy, health insurance, retail, private equity, and transportation.
Prior to joining the Jeff Eller Group, Elisabeth served as a senior vice president at Hill+Knowlton Strategies and as a managing director at Public Strategies. She earned a degree in American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and is a graduate of the Leadership Texas program.
Randy Turner spent much of his childhood in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Germany. He practices animal law in Fort Worth and is a co-founder and past chair of the Animal Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. Randy has been a dedicated member and supporter of THLN since 1987, including serving a term on its board.
He has served on the boards of various Texas animal welfare organizations and volunteered internationally on conservation projects in Borneo, Indonesia (orangutan rescue and rehabilitation), Kenya (elephant conservation), and Zimbabwe (black rhinoceros conservation). With over 30 years of experience, Randy has represented animal welfare and rescue groups, wildlife sanctuaries, activists, and animal owners. He has tried numerous animal-related cases to verdict and handled several appeals in Texas courts, including the Supreme Court of Texas. Randy frequently lectures on animal law and has testified multiple times before the Texas legislature on animal-related legislation. He divides his time between Fort Worth and a mountain cabin in Colorado with his wife, Patti, two rescue dogs, and three rescue cats.
Cindy Smiley, a native Texan, lives and works in Austin, where she practices environmental and water law. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Plan II from The University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. Cindy’s legal career includes experience with a major corporation, a state agency, and both large and mid-sized law firms. She served as Chair of the Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section of the State Bar of Texas from 2011 to 2012 and currently serves on the Council of the State Bar’s Animal Law Section. Since 2008, Cindy has been recognized by Best Lawyers in environmental and water law, and in 2018 she received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association.
In 2012, Cindy founded Smiley Law Firm, where she represents a wide range of clients, including individuals, associations, and businesses. Inspired by her experience as a volunteer puppy-raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind and Canine Companions, she developed a strong interest in legal issues involving animals in public places, especially service dogs and service dogs-in-training. Cindy is passionate about educating the public on the important work service dogs do and their legal protections. She was honored to testify on behalf of THLN on service dog and other animal welfare bills during the 2023 Legislative Session.
Advisory Board
