OWNER BIOGRAPHIES

JEFF SMITH has worked in public relations since his graduation from the University of Texas at Austin in 1991. Jeff started his career as the Houston Finance Director for the Carole Keeton Rylander campaign, and then as state Supreme Court Justice Craig Enoch's Deputy Campaign Manager, helping raise almost $2 million for his successful campaign. From there he went to work for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, managing direct mail fundraising and fundraising events.

Jeff also served as Partner and Director of Public Relations and Marketing for The Abbey Group, the largest party rental and event production firm in the southwest. At Abbey, Jeff developed and coordinated all public relations activities including media relations, marketing, special events and advertising.

Jeff has always been very involved in civic activities, currently serving on the boards of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, Partnership for Baylor College of Medicine, Junior League of Houston Advisory Board and Moores School of Music. Jeff has previously served on the boards of the Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet Foundation, Association for Community Television (PBS Channel 8), The Child Development Center and The Houston Fire Museum among others. He also served as the Junior Chairman of the Houston Ballet Ball, and is a current member of the Houston Symphony Guild, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Fire Museum and a founding Board Member of the Houston Symphony Partners. Jeff is also a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

In 2005, Jeff along with his wife Kathryn, were honored by the Cancer League of Houston being named as "2005 Honor Roll of Great Houstonians - Pacesetters of the Year."

KATHRYN SACCO SMITH BIOGRAPHY