Governmental Affairs and Communications

Lewis J. Benavides, SPHR, of Crossroads, recently retired as the Senior Associate Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer at Texas Woman’s University. He previously served six years as a Commissioner of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, before being appointed to the Texas Medical Board in 2012. He is a member of the National Museum of the Pacific War, and the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. Benavides received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Southwest Texas State University

Laurel E.P. Simmons, of Houston, is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Houston Law Center. Simmons previously worked as an attorney with WimerHale, clerked for the Chief Judge on the Northern District of Georgia, and served as a Special United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas. Additionally, she served on multiple nonprofit boards. Simmons received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wake Forest University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Stanford Law School.

Rajesh G. Shenava, M.D., of Houston, is a nephrologist, who has been in private practice since 2010, and is a member of the American Society of Nephrology. Following his training at Tulane University, Shenava previously served as a faculty member at the Louisiana State School of Medicine. Shenava received a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Mangalore University Kasturba Medical College, and a Doctor of Medicine from Kuvempu University J.J.M. Medical College.

Kimberly R. Phillips, J.D., of Houston, is the General Counsel for Global Litigation at Shell Oil Company. She is a member of the National Bar Association, Houston Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, and the Institute for Energy Law and a former director and alumni for the Texas Lyceum Association. Phillips received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Central Missouri State University and a Juris Doctor degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. 

Sheela L. Lahoti, M.D., of Houston, is the Associate Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs at the McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, where she also serves as a Professor of pediatrics. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Lahoti received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Miami and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Miami School of Medicine.

Mark Hobson, of Houston, is retired and has more than 46 years of experience in the furniture industry. He is an advisory board member of the Neuhaus Education Center and a volunteer for the Christian Community Service Center. Additionally, he is the former president of the Royden Oaks Association of Property Owners and a former member of the board of directors for the Briar Club. Hobson received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University.