TITLE: Recognizing Kelly de Schaun for her service as CEO of the Galveston Park Board.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Kelly de Schaun for her service as CEO of the Galveston Park Board.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Kelly de Schaun is concluding her tenure as CEO of the Galveston Park Board in 2023, after 12 years of dedicated service; and WHEREAS, An expert in coastal tourism and hospitality, Ms. de Schaun has overseen the Galveston Park Board's tourism marketing, coastal zone management, and park administration; under her leadership, the agency has tripled its budget, achieved more than $100 million in coastal restoration projects, and received numerous awards for special projects and operations; she has also chaired the Texas Travel Alliance; and WHEREAS, After serving with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic, Ms. de Schaun went on to enjoy a two-decade-long career in the Caribbean; she worked as the director of community and environmental affairs for Grupo Puntacana and as executive director of the La Romana-Bayahibe Hotel Association, and she helped found and lead the Puntacana Ecological Foundation and developed the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism; during that time, she oversaw the creation of a rural clinic, two primary schools, and a biodiversity center; and WHEREAS, Ms. de Schaun's accolades include being recognized as both the Citizen of the Year and the Woman of the Year by the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce and as the Advocate of the Year by the Texas Travel Alliance; she holds a bachelor's degree in hotel and restaurant management from the University of Houston and a master's degree in community and regional planning from The University of Texas; and WHEREAS, Kelly de Schaun has made significant contributions to advancing the mission of the Galveston Park Board, and she may take well-deserved pride in her exceptional record of achievement; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby commend Kelly de Schaun for her service as CEO of the Galveston Park Board and extend to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for Ms. de Schaun as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Middleton President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 25, 2023.