Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD) is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors representing the key regional interests of our five-county district. Five of the directors are appointed by the commissioners courts from each county in GCPD’s footprint, while the remaining six are appointed by the Texas governor . This structure was established when the Texas Legislature created the District in 2021.
How Board Seats Are Divided Across the District
GCPD’s 11 Board seats are structured to provide representation across our five-county district and from sectors closely connected to coastal protection. The commissioners courts of Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson and Orange counties each appoint one director.
The governor, with the advice and consent of the Texas Senate, appoints six additional members. Two are reserved for Harris County, while the other four seats are designated for a specific regional interest: one for a municipality within the District, one for ports, one for industry, and one for environmental concerns. To maintain regional balance, state law requires the governor to ensure that residents of any single county do not constitute a majority of the Board.
When a Board member’s term expires, the same appointing entity selects a successor.
Current GCPD Board Members
The strength of this governance model comes from the people who serve within it. Our current Board members bring a range of professional and regional perspectives to GCPD:
Roger Guenther
President
Governor appointee representing ports
Michel Bechtel
Vice President
Governor appointee representing Harris County
Sally Bakko
Secretary
Governor appointee representing municipalities
Larry Taylor
Assistant Secretary
Appointed by the Galveston County Commissioners Court
Robert Mitchell
Board Director
Governor appointee representing Harris County
Sharon Hulgan
Board Director
Governor appointee representing industry
Lori Traweek
Board Director
Governor appointee representing environmental concerns
Tina Petersen
Board Director
Appointed by the Harris County Commissioners Court
Allan Ritter
Board Director
Appointed by the Jefferson County Commissioners Court
Billy Combs
Board Director
Appointed by the Chambers County Commissioners Court
David Rutledge
Board Director
Appointed by the Orange County Commissioners Court
President
Roger Guenther
Governor appointee representing ports
Led Port Houston as executive director from 2014 to 2024.
View Roger Guenther’s full bio →Vice President
Michel Bechtel
Governor appointee representing Harris County
Former mayor of Morgan’s Point and president of Bechtel Exploration Company.
View Michel Bechtel’s full bio →Secretary
Sally Bakko
Governor appointee representing municipalities
Director of policy and governmental relations for the City of Galveston.
View Sally Bakko’s full bio →Assistant Secretary
Larry Taylor
Appointed by the Galveston County Commissioners Court
Former Texas state senator who chaired the Senate Education Committee.
View Larry Taylor’s full bio →Board Director
Robert Mitchell
Governor appointee representing Harris County
Former president of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership.
View Robert Mitchell’s full bio →Board Director
Sharon Hulgan
Governor appointee representing industry
Lead site manufacturing director for Dow’s Houston area operations.
View Sharon Hulgan’s full bio →Board Director
Lori Traweek
Governor appointee representing environmental concerns
Served as CEO of the Gulf Coast Authority for 27 years.
View Lori Traweek’s full bio →Board Director
Tina Petersen
Appointed by the Harris County Commissioners Court
Executive director of the Harris County Flood Control District and a licensed professional engineer.
View Tina Petersen’s full bio →Board Director
Allan Ritter
Appointed by the Jefferson County Commissioners Court
Chairman and CEO of Triple R Brothers and former Texas House member.
View Allan Ritter’s full bio →Board Director
Billy Combs
Appointed by the Chambers County Commissioners Court
Founder and co-owner of Combs Commercial Investment Properties, former county commissioner and mayor.
View Billy Combs’s full bio →Board Director
David Rutledge
Appointed by the Orange County Commissioners Court
Former mayor of Bridge City and past president of the Texas Municipal League.
View David Rutledge’s full bio →We invite you to learn more about our board members and the role they play in governing the District.
How the Board Guides District Decisions
Major coastal protection projects move forward through a series of decisions about funding, agreements, professional services and project priorities. Our Board meetings provide a public forum where many of those decisions are considered and acted upon.
Recent agendas have included updates on the Coastal Texas Project, including task orders for professional services, stakeholder engagement efforts, and other District business.
Board oversight is particularly important in our role as a non-Federal sponsor working alongside the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). As major projects progress through planning, design, funding and construction, the Board reviews and approves the commitments GCPD is responsible for carrying out on behalf of the District.
State law requires annual reporting related to our financial condition, operations, proposed budget and planned work. This level of transparency gives communities, partners, and taxpayers a clear view into how we are managing the responsibilities entrusted to the District.
GCPD Board Meetings: How the Public Can Participate
Board meetings are open to the public, and community members are welcome to attend in person or watch live online. Those who wish to make public comments must register in advance by e-mail or throughour online form.
GCPD Board meetings are generally held on the second Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. Central time unless otherwise posted.
Meeting locations, agendas, minutes and available recordings are posted on our public meetings page. Keeping up with Board meetings is one of the best ways to stay connected with the decisions shaping our important work. To learn more aboutour leadership teamor how to get involved, please contact the Districtat your convenience.
