Board of Trustees and Staff
Nine Trustees serve on the Board of the UH Foundation. Trustees are nominated and elected for a three-year term. All Trustees have either an advanced degree from, or other close connection to, the University of Houston.
Trustees
Robert Arnold
Trustee for UH Foundation; Trustee for Cullen Trust for Higher Education; Lifetime Trustee for The Council on Recovery
Trustee for UH Foundation; Trustee for Cullen Trust for Higher Education; Lifetime Trustee for The Council on Recovery
Mike Booker
Mike started Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors more than thirty years ago with the goal of providing unbiased, objective financial advice and investment management. He knew that if he adhered to these principles, hired and trained the right people well, his firm would thrive.
Mike has enjoyed meeting with existing and prospective clients over the years, helping build Financial Synergies into the firm it is today. He counsels clients on many complex areas of financial planning and investing, helping them to achieve their long-term goals and simplify their lives.
Mike has earned three top-shelf credentials: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Chartered Financial Consultant® and Certified Fund Specialist®. He has authored chapters in highly-respected financial books and has won an array of awards for his work in financial services.
Mike and his beloved wife Pat are dedicated philanthropists. After Mike’s struggle with melanoma, the couple started the Mike and Pat Booker Melanoma Endowment, which is now worth more than $1 million, and they recently started a foundation that donates a sum each year to deserving charities.
Mike is a competitive amateur golfer and was inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 2019 and has recently written The Tournamant Golfer's Playbook, a Best Seller on Amazon.
Mike started Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors more than thirty years ago with the goal of providing unbiased, objective financial advice and investment management. He knew that if he adhered to these principles, hired and trained the right people well, his firm would thrive.
Mike has enjoyed meeting with existing and prospective clients over the years, helping build Financial Synergies into the firm it is today. He counsels clients on many complex areas of financial planning and investing, helping them to achieve their long-term goals and simplify their lives.
Mike has earned three top-shelf credentials: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Chartered Financial Consultant® and Certified Fund Specialist®. He has authored chapters in highly-respected financial books and has won an array of awards for his work in financial services.
Mike and his beloved wife Pat are dedicated philanthropists. After Mike’s struggle with melanoma, the couple started the Mike and Pat Booker Melanoma Endowment, which is now worth more than $1 million, and they recently started a foundation that donates a sum each year to deserving charities.
Mike is a competitive amateur golfer and was inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 2019 and has recently written The Tournamant Golfer's Playbook, a Best Seller on Amazon.
J Downey Bridgwater
Chief Executive Officer Gulf Capital Bank
Mr. Bridgwater has more than 43 years of banking experience at varous banks in the Houston Market ranging in asset size. He began his Houston banking career with Alleid Bank in 1978 where he held positions of increasing responsibility over a 12-year period, including serving on the merger team for Allied Bancshares, Inc. and First Interstate Bancorp.
He retired from Banking in 2021 and dedicated his time to ranching and other family-owned businesses until goining Gulf Capital Bank's board of directors in June of 2023 followed by his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in September of 2023.
He is a graduate of the University of Houston and is a Distinguished Alumnus. He is the immediate past Chair of the Texas Medical Center and has previously servied on the boards of the Greater Houston Partnership, The Dean's Advisory Board at the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston.
Having obtained a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Houston Law School, Mrs. Douglass is an attorney with trial and corporate law experience. She also holds a degree in Architectural Interior Design and has received highest recognition for work in Historical Estate Preservation. Mrs. Douglass has been a trustee of UHF since 2005, service as its Chairman from 2021-2022. She served as a Director and Chairman of the Houston Alumni Association, Chairing the Red and White Ball in 1995. Since 1978, Mrs. Douglass has been a Founder, Director, Chairman and CEO of various private and public businesses, including charitable entities.
Mia Lorick
Locke Lord LLP
Orlando Sanchez
Graduated from University of Houston cum laude with a degree in political science. In 1997, Sanchez was the University of Houston Social Sciences' Outstanding Young Alum and in 2001 received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. He is a fellow of the British-American Project and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Graduated from University of Houston cum laude with a degree in political science. In 1997, Sanchez was the University of Houston Social Sciences' Outstanding Young Alum and in 2001 received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. He is a fellow of the British-American Project and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Alvin L. Zimmerman
Former President of the UH Foundation Board of Trustees
Former Harris County District Judge
Past:
- Outstanding UH Alumnus
- Outstanding UH Law Alumnus
- President of UH Alumni Association
- UH Law Foundation
- UH Law Review Foundation
Former President of the UH Foundation Board of Trustees
Former Harris County District Judge
Past:
- Outstanding UH Alumnus
- Outstanding UH Law Alumnus
- President of UH Alumni Association
- UH Law Foundation
- UH Law Review Foundation
Lisa Duchman
VP, Duchman LTD., Doctor of Optometry, University of Houston 1997.
Arturo Chavez
Senior Principal/Board Member – Page Southerland Page, Inc.
- University of Houston - Bachelor of Architecture Class of '90
- University of Houston Board of Visitors
- University of Houston College of Architecture Leadership Council
Jeff Granberry
A Graduate of the University of Texas of Austin (Class of '87) and of the University Houston ('92), Jeff is married with 3 adult children and lives in Houston. Jeff and his wife Claire are strong supporters of the University of Houston and look forward to helping it become a top university for our community and the State of Texas.
Eloise Brice
Ex Officio Non-Voting Member
Vice President for University of Houston Advancement