UHCL's Alumni Association Executive Council members are appointed by the president of the university to serve a three-year term. The AAEC works with the Office of Alumni and Community Relations to lead the association's efforts to contact, engage, serve, empower and acknowledge UHCL alumni through meaningful services, events and outreach.
The AAEC meets quarterly on the 3rd Thursday of August, November, February and May, 5-7 p.m. An annual planning retreat is held each summer. For a complete listing of the upcoming meetings, please visit the Alumni Events page.
If you would like to contact the AAEC, please send an e-mail to alumni@uhcl.edu.
Get involved!
We invite your involvement. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni and Community Relations, 281-283-2021 or alumni@uhcl.edu.
"I have worked with a lot of volunteer organizations over the past ten years of my banking career, and this group is by far the most professional, well organized and driven group of people." – Sean P. Murphy, Vice President, HomeTown Bank of Pearland
2012-13 AAEC Members
Kanch Weerasinghe, '98 BS, '00 MS – AAEC Chair Originally from Sri Lanka, Kanch Weerasinghe came to the U.S. in 1996 to pursue higher education. He graduated in 1998 with a B.S. in Computer Science (Summa Cum Laude) and in 2000 with a M.S. in Computer Science. During his four years at UHCL, Weerasinghe was actively involved in student leadership and shared governance. He served terms as President of Alpha Chi, Omicron Delta Kappa and Rotaract Club of UHCL. He also served as Vice President of Communications on the Student Government Association Executive Council 1997-1998 and 1998-1999. Weerasinghe was awarded Orientation Leader of the Year and Teamwork in Leadership Award while he was a student at UHCL. Currently a Information Technology Manager at Artisan Network, Weerasinghe oversees ERP, payment gateways and logistic applications. He is married to Keshani Perera, '00, '02, and has one daughter. He has served on the Alumni Association Executive Council since 2005.
Joyce Delores Taylor, '04 MA, '06 MA, '08 MA – AAEC Vice Chair Joyce Delores Taylor is a Human Resources Consultant and Project Manager, as she acts as President and Chief Executive Officer of Js Dynamic Transformations. She has over 18 years of human resources experience, as well as over 20 years of project management and organization development experience. Taylor is a native of Memphis, Tennessee and has undergraduate degrees from Wilberforce University and the University of Dayton in Ohio, a Certificate from Hull University in Hull, England, Leadership degrees from Lakewood Church Institute, and three Master's degrees from UHCL: M.A. in Behavioral Science in 2004, M.A. in Criminology in 2006 and M.A. in Multicultural Studies in 2008. She has been very involved with UHCL, serving as the President of the Student Government Association, the Black Students Association, Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society and many others. Taylor has received numerous academic honors and has been recently selected as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Human Sciences and Humanities in the Criminology program. She is also very active in her community, as a member of Lakewood Church where she serves as a Prayer Partner. She has also given service in the following organizations: UHCL's Outreach and Community Service Program, now known as SLICE, Past President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Houston Chapter with over 15 years membership, also serving as first Vice President of Membership and Parliamentarian; and she is a registered Voter Deputy for the City of Houston. She has served on the Alumni Association Executive Council since 2011 and is the current alumni liaison for the School of Human Sciences and Humanities. In 2010, Taylor received the Alumni Leadership Service Award for her service both to the university and to the Houston community. She has also received the Presidential Award and the Outstanding Member Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, and the Woman of Excellence Award from the Federation of Houston Professional Women.
James Robert Lay, '04 BS, '06 MBA – Communications Officer During his sophomore year at San Jacinto College in 2002, James Robert Lay founded PTP NEW MEDIA from his bedroom to help small business develop an online presence and as a way to help pay for school. Since then his company has grown into a full service creative and innovation agency, focused on helping credit unions build relationships with their members through offline, online, internal and external marketing channels. Lay completed his M.B.A. in 2006 from University of Houston-Clear Lake, where he now is a guest speaker. Over the past three years, he has spoken at over 100 conferences and events around the US. Lay shares his life and travels with his wife, son and daughter. James Robert Lay has served on the Alumni Association Executive Council since 2010.
William E. (Bill) Shock, '03 BS, '06 MBA – Outgoing AAEC Chair Bill Shock graduated from Deer Park High School in 1978. After high school, he attended University of Arkansas (1978-1980) and St. Mary's University (1980-1981) seeking a degree in education. In 1982, Shock joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served as an Intelligence Analyst until 1985. In early 1985, he completed the program and was officially assigned to the U.S. State Department to serve as a Marine Security Guard at the U.S. Embassies in Georgetown, Guyana and Mexico City, Mexico. Shock completed his tour of duty with the Marines in 1987. During 1988, he attended Florida International University, and the next year, returned to Houston to take a position with his current employer, Occidental Petroleum Corp. Shock attended San Jacinto College in 1999 and transferred to UHCL in 2000. In 2003, he earned a B.S. in Finance and in 2006 received his M.B.A., both from UHCL. Shock currently holds the position of Senior Tax Agent and works in the Greenway Plaza Office. He has been a member of the Alumni Association Executive Council since 2009 and currently serves as Chair for the 2011-2012 term.
Kimberly Campbell, '87 BBA, '92 MBA In 2007, Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Kimberly Campbell created QUEST Business Strategies in the Clear Lake area. She gleaned from her more than two decades of marketing and communications experiences when she founded QUEST, an agency that supports clients’ communications and outreach initiatives. Prior to QUEST, she served as vice president of marketing and communications at SPACEHAB, Inc., in addition to graduating from Model-Netics, an elite management consulting program. Campbell was featured in “Women of Space, Cool Careers on the Final Frontier,” and earned her M.B.A. in 1992 and Bachelors of Business Administration in 1987, both from UHCL. She joined the AAEC in 2012.
Patrick Cardenas, '07 BS, '09 MA Patrick Lawrence Cardenas has been a member of the Clear Lake community since the age of five and knew at a very early age that he would be attending the University of Houston-Clear Lake. After graduating from Clear Lake High School, Cardenas attended San Jacinto College where he received his Associate of Arts degree in Psychology. He then transferred to UHCL and received a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology as well as a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. During his student years at UHCL, Cardenas served as SGA President for two consecutive years, SGA Vice President – Administration, and on countless university committees and executive councils for student organizations. His is also a lifetime member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, I/O Psi Honor Society, and the Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society. Cardenas recently earned his second Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Sam Houston State University and is now the Coordinator of Student Life – Student Organizations at UHCL. As part of the Student Life team, Patrick has coordinated several annual campus traditions, including I Heart UHCL Day and Chili Cook-Off. He also provides guidance for more than 70 student organizations and coordinates the Student Leadership Banquet. Cardenas has served on the Alumni Association Executive Council since 2012.
Dilhar De Silva, '91 BS, '94 MS Dilhar De Silva graduated with a B.S. in 1991 and a M.S. in 1994 , both in Computer Science from the UHCL School of Science and Computer Engineering. He founded AtLink Communications Inc. and operates as the Chief Technology Officer. De Silva was a member of the core team that created Unified Modeling Language, which is a globally accepted standardized visual language used to design, analyze and construct software and is supported by major software companies including IBM, Oracle, HP and Unisys. De Silva has served as the president of the Sri Lankan American Association of Houston and mentors computer science and computer information systems students through UHCL graduate capstone projects. In 2008, he received the UHCL Distinguished Alumni Award. De Silva has served on the AAEC since 2010 and currently acts as liaison to the School of Science and Computer Engineering.
Johnny Galaviz, '07 BBA Johnny B. Galaviz grew up in the Houston area and graduated from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 2007. Galaviz then began his career at First Investors Corporation, a 90-year old Wall Street-based investment firm. In 2007, he decided that he wanted to give back to those who had helped him along his educational journey, and he chose UHCL as a starting point. Along with bring one of the most beautiful campuses in the Houston area, the university boasts friendly people and smiling faces. Anytime Galaviz needed help or guidance pertaining to his education, there was a friendly staff member that was quick to provide aid. Galaviz has served on the UHCL Alumni Association Executive Council since 2011. Networking is one letter away from not working, which is something he truly believes in. As of today, he sits on the executive council for the United Way of Great Houston-Interagency group, volunteers for many non-profit/for profit organizations, and is a youth mentor for the City of Houston Mayor’s Office.
Ash Gupta, '98 MHA/MBA As a native of India, Ash Gupta came to the U.S. in 2000 to work as Marketing Communications Manager at an Immuno-diagnostic manufacturing company in Houston. As his interest in healthcare administration grew, Gupta decided to pursue his M.H.A./M.B.A. dual degree from UHCL and graduated in 2008. During his years at UHCL, Gupta was actively involved in student leadership and shared governance, serving as the Student Government Association as Vice President - Committee Coordinator for two terms, the SGA representative for the Healthcare Students Association, and was awarded the Presidential Status in the National Society of Leadership and Success. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has served as the co-chair of the Membership Committee at the Southeast Texas chapter of ACHE. He has over 15 years of management experience and over six years of healthcare management experience. Gupta was invited to join the AAEC in 2010.
Jack Leavell, '80 BA, '84 MA U.S. Air Force Veteran Jack Leavell landed at UHCL in 1977 after attending San Jacinto College to study psychology, and went on to complete his bachelors in 1980 and a M.A. in behavioral psychology in 1977. He began his career with Johnson Space Center as an electronic specialist in 1966 after being discharged from active duty and returning to active reserve duty at Ellington AFB in 1959. Leavell is still employed at the NASA complex by Jacobs Engineering, and operates his own family counseling business. Since graduating from UHCL, he has remained active in the UHCL Alumni Association and became and AAEC member in 2012.
Michael Phillips, '08 MS A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Michael Phillips left his home country to pursue his M.S. in Management Information Systems after receiving a scholarship from UHCL. Phillips immediately got involved in campus activities, as he transitioned from SGA Representative of the Black Students Association to VP Committee Coordinator of the SGA during his first year at UHCL. With great passion and enthusiasm, he got involved with numerous organizations and honor societies. Since graduating in 2008, he has worked as a Software Developer for INX Inc. Phillips is anxious to engage his new role as Alumni Association Executive Council Member, as he seeks to enhance and encourage the relationship alumni have with students, the university and the community. He has served on the AAEC since 2011.
Marilyn S. Sims, '88 BS Marilyn Sims began her working career at Crane Packing Company. Sims received her Associate's degree from San Jacinto College and earned her B.S. from UHCL in Accounting (Summa Cum Laude) in 1988. Sims continued her education at The University of Houston Law Center, attaining her Doctorate of Jurisprudence Degree in May 1992 and was admitted to the Texas State Bar in November 1992. In 1993, Sims joined her current law firm, Weycer, Kaplan, Pulaski and Zuber, P.C. as an associate attorney practicing in the transactional area. She joined the firm in 2000 as a shareholder and helped to develop the estate and probate section of the firm. Sims is active in her community, serving on the Board of Directors for The Bill and Helen Crowder Foundation and treasurer of The Deer Park Education Foundation. She is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court, American, Houston and Pasadena Bar Associations, the Texas and Houston Society of CPAs and various other professional organizations. Sims is a Life Fellow of the Houston Bar Foundation and a Fellow of the Chartered Honored Endowment Fund Scholar of the College of the State Bar of Texas and has been voted an AV preeminent rating in ethical and legal skills by her peers. She received the UHCL Distinguished Alumni Award in 2010 and has served on the Alumni Association Executive Council since 2011.
Juan Traslaviña, '87 BS, '93 MS Juan Manuel Traslaviña works for Science Applications International Corporation supporting the Safety and Mission Assurance Contract and the software safety of the International Space Station, and he is an active member of the SAIC Employee Forum. Traslaviña graduated from UHCL in 1987 with a B.S. in Computer Science and in 1993 with an M.S. in Software Engineering. He hosts a monthly technical speaker forum where professionals from industry and academia visit Johnson Space Center to share their experiences and lessons learned on technical, communication and leadership topics. In his spare time, he is a guitarist and composer and his music has been considered for Grammy and Latin Grammy nomination from 2002-2006 and 2012. His latest original composition entitled “Tribute to the Veterans of America” was considered in the 2012 Grammy Nomination. Traslaviña joined the AAEC in 2012.
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Originally from Sri Lanka, Kanch Weerasinghe came to the U.S. in 1996 to pursue higher education. He graduated in 1998 with a B.S. in Computer Science (Summa Cum Laude) and in 2000 with a M.S. in Computer Science. During his four years at UHCL, Weerasinghe was actively involved in student leadership and shared governance. He served terms as President of Alpha Chi, Omicron Delta Kappa and Rotaract Club of UHCL. He also served as Vice President of Communications on the Student Government Association Executive Council 1997-1998 and 1998-1999. Weerasinghe was awarded Orientation Leader of the Year and Teamwork in Leadership Award while he was a student at UHCL. Currently a Information Technology Manager at Artisan Network, Weerasinghe oversees ERP, payment gateways and logistic applications. He is married to Keshani Perera, '00, '02, and has one daughter. He has served on the Alumni Association Executive Council since 2005.
Joyce Delores Taylor is a Human Resources Consultant and Project Manager, as she acts as President and Chief Executive Officer of Js Dynamic Transformations. She has over 18 years of human resources experience, as well as over 20 years of project management and organization development experience. Taylor is a native of Memphis, Tennessee and has undergraduate degrees from Wilberforce University and the University of Dayton in Ohio, a Certificate from Hull University in Hull, England, Leadership degrees from Lakewood Church Institute, and three Master's degrees from UHCL: M.A. in Behavioral Science in 2004, M.A. in Criminology in 2006 and M.A. in Multicultural Studies in 2008. She has been very involved with UHCL, serving as the President of the Student Government Association, the Black Students Association, Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society and many others. Taylor has received numerous academic honors and has been recently selected as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Human Sciences and Humanities in the Criminology program. She is also very active in her community, as a member of Lakewood Church where she serves as a Prayer Partner. She has also given service in the following organizations: UHCL's Outreach and Community Service Program, now known as SLICE, Past President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Houston Chapter with over 15 years membership, also serving as first Vice President of Membership and Parliamentarian; and she is a registered Voter Deputy for the City of Houston. She has served on the Alumni Association Executive Council since 2011 and is the current alumni liaison for the School of Human Sciences and Humanities. In 2010, Taylor received the Alumni Leadership Service Award for her service both to the university and to the Houston community. She has also received the Presidential Award and the Outstanding Member Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, and the Woman of Excellence Award from the Federation of Houston Professional Women. 
During his sophomore year at San Jacinto College in 2002, James Robert Lay founded PTP NEW MEDIA from his bedroom to help small business develop an online presence and as a way to help pay for school. Since then his company has grown into a full service creative and innovation agency, focused on helping credit unions build relationships with their members through offline, online, internal and external marketing channels. Lay completed his M.B.A. in 2006 from University of Houston-Clear Lake, where he now is a guest speaker. Over the past three years, he has spoken at over 100 conferences and events around the US. Lay shares his life and travels with his wife, son and daughter. James Robert Lay has served on the Alumni Association Executive Council since 2010.
Bill Shock graduated from Deer Park High School in 1978. After high school, he attended University of Arkansas (1978-1980) and St. Mary's University (1980-1981) seeking a degree in education. In 1982, Shock joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served as an Intelligence Analyst until 1985. In early 1985, he completed the program and was officially assigned to the U.S. State Department to serve as a Marine Security Guard at the U.S. Embassies in Georgetown, Guyana and Mexico City, Mexico. Shock completed his tour of duty with the Marines in 1987. During 1988, he attended Florida International University, and the next year, returned to Houston to take a position with his current employer, Occidental Petroleum Corp. Shock attended San Jacinto College in 1999 and transferred to UHCL in 2000. In 2003, he earned a B.S. in Finance and in 2006 received his M.B.A., both from UHCL. Shock currently holds the position of Senior Tax Agent and works in the Greenway Plaza Office. He has been a member of the Alumni Association Executive Council since 2009 and currently serves as Chair for the 2011-2012 term.
In 2007, Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Kimberly Campbell created QUEST Business Strategies in the Clear Lake area. She gleaned from her more than two decades of marketing and communications experiences when she founded QUEST, an agency that supports clients’ communications and outreach initiatives. Prior to QUEST, she served as vice president of marketing and communications at SPACEHAB, Inc., in addition to graduating from Model-Netics, an elite management consulting program. Campbell was featured in “Women of Space, Cool Careers on the Final Frontier,” and earned her M.B.A. in 1992 and Bachelors of Business Administration in 1987, both from UHCL. She joined the AAEC in 2012.
Patrick Lawrence Cardenas has been a member of the Clear Lake community since the age of five and knew at a very early age that he would be attending the University of Houston-Clear Lake. After graduating from Clear Lake High School, Cardenas attended San Jacinto College where he received his Associate of Arts degree in Psychology. He then transferred to UHCL and received a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology as well as a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. During his student years at UHCL, Cardenas served as SGA President for two consecutive years, SGA Vice President – Administration, and on countless university committees and executive councils for student organizations. His is also a lifetime member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, I/O Psi Honor Society, and the Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society. Cardenas recently earned his second Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Sam Houston State University and is now the Coordinator of Student Life – Student Organizations at UHCL. As part of the Student Life team, Patrick has coordinated several annual campus traditions, including I Heart UHCL Day and Chili Cook-Off. He also provides guidance for more than 70 student organizations and coordinates the Student Leadership Banquet. Cardenas has served on the Alumni Association Executive Council since 2012.
Dilhar De Silva graduated with a B.S. in 1991 and a M.S. in 1994 , both in Computer Science from the UHCL School of Science and Computer Engineering. He founded AtLink Communications Inc. and operates as the Chief Technology Officer. De Silva was a member of the core team that created Unified Modeling Language, which is a globally accepted standardized visual language used to design, analyze and construct software and is supported by major software companies including IBM, Oracle, HP and Unisys. De Silva has served as the president of the Sri Lankan American Association of Houston and mentors computer science and computer information systems students through UHCL graduate capstone projects. In 2008, he received the UHCL Distinguished Alumni Award. De Silva has served on the AAEC since 2010 and currently acts as liaison to the School of Science and Computer Engineering.
Johnny B. Galaviz grew up in the Houston area and graduated from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 2007. Galaviz then began his career at First Investors Corporation, a 90-year old Wall Street-based investment firm. In 2007, he decided that he wanted to give back to those who had helped him along his educational journey, and he chose UHCL as a starting point. Along with bring one of the most beautiful campuses in the Houston area, the university boasts friendly people and smiling faces. Anytime Galaviz needed help or guidance pertaining to his education, there was a friendly staff member that was quick to provide aid. Galaviz has served on the UHCL Alumni Association Executive Council since 2011. Networking is one letter away from not working, which is something he truly believes in. As of today, he sits on the executive council for the United Way of Great Houston-Interagency group, volunteers for many non-profit/for profit organizations, and is a youth mentor for the City of Houston Mayor’s Office. 
As a native of India, Ash Gupta came to the U.S. in 2000 to work as Marketing Communications Manager at an Immuno-diagnostic manufacturing company in Houston. As his interest in healthcare administration grew, Gupta decided to pursue his M.H.A./M.B.A. dual degree from UHCL and graduated in 2008. During his years at UHCL, Gupta was actively involved in student leadership and shared governance, serving as the Student Government Association as Vice President - Committee Coordinator for two terms, the SGA representative for the Healthcare Students Association, and was awarded the Presidential Status in the National Society of Leadership and Success. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has served as the co-chair of the Membership Committee at the Southeast Texas chapter of ACHE. He has over 15 years of management experience and over six years of healthcare management experience. Gupta was invited to join the AAEC in 2010.
U.S. Air Force Veteran Jack Leavell landed at UHCL in 1977 after attending San Jacinto College to study psychology, and went on to complete his bachelors in 1980 and a M.A. in behavioral psychology in 1977. He began his career with Johnson Space Center as an electronic specialist in 1966 after being discharged from active duty and returning to active reserve duty at Ellington AFB in 1959. Leavell is still employed at the NASA complex by Jacobs Engineering, and operates his own family counseling business. Since graduating from UHCL, he has remained active in the UHCL Alumni Association and became and AAEC member in 2012.
A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Michael Phillips left his home country to pursue his M.S. in Management Information Systems after receiving a scholarship from UHCL. Phillips immediately got involved in campus activities, as he transitioned from SGA Representative of the Black Students Association to VP Committee Coordinator of the SGA during his first year at UHCL. With great passion and enthusiasm, he got involved with numerous organizations and honor societies. Since graduating in 2008, he has worked as a Software Developer for INX Inc. Phillips is anxious to engage his new role as Alumni Association Executive Council Member, as he seeks to enhance and encourage the relationship alumni have with students, the university and the community. He has served on the AAEC since 2011. 
Marilyn Sims began her working career at Crane Packing Company. Sims received her Associate's degree from San Jacinto College and earned her B.S. from UHCL in Accounting (Summa Cum Laude) in 1988. Sims continued her education at The University of Houston Law Center, attaining her Doctorate of Jurisprudence Degree in May 1992 and was admitted to the Texas State Bar in November 1992. In 1993, Sims joined her current law firm, Weycer, Kaplan, Pulaski and Zuber, P.C. as an associate attorney practicing in the transactional area. She joined the firm in 2000 as a shareholder and helped to develop the estate and probate section of the firm. Sims is active in her community, serving on the Board of Directors for The Bill and Helen Crowder Foundation and treasurer of The Deer Park Education Foundation. She is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court, American, Houston and Pasadena Bar Associations, the Texas and Houston Society of CPAs and various other professional organizations. Sims is a Life Fellow of the Houston Bar Foundation and a Fellow of the Chartered Honored Endowment Fund Scholar of the College of the State Bar of Texas and has been voted an AV preeminent rating in ethical and legal skills by her peers. She received the UHCL Distinguished Alumni Award in 2010 and has served on the Alumni Association Executive Council since 2011.
Juan Manuel Traslaviña works for Science Applications International Corporation supporting the Safety and Mission Assurance Contract and the software safety of the International Space Station, and he is an active member of the SAIC Employee Forum. Traslaviña graduated from UHCL in 1987 with a B.S. in Computer Science and in 1993 with an M.S. in Software Engineering. He hosts a monthly technical speaker forum where professionals from industry and academia visit Johnson Space Center to share their experiences and lessons learned on technical, communication and leadership topics. In his spare time, he is a guitarist and composer and his music has been considered for Grammy and Latin Grammy nomination from 2002-2006 and 2012. His latest original composition entitled “Tribute to the Veterans of America” was considered in the 2012 Grammy Nomination. Traslaviña joined the AAEC in 2012. 
