TPA Committees and Volunteer Leadership

Volunteer leaders are the backbone of the Texas Psychological Association. Through their time, expertise, and dedication, they help advance TPA’s mission, strengthen our professional community, and advocate for the field of psychology across Texas. Committee service is a vital way for members to get involved, develop leadership skills, and make a meaningful impact. TPA opens its annual Call for Committee Volunteers each November— we encourage all members to consider lending their voice and expertise.

Standing Committees

Executive Committee
President: William July, Ph.D.

  • Guides and directs the Board of Trustees (BOT) and the Executive Director in organizational operations and strategic actions.
  • Supports the BOT in achieving both short- and long-term goals aligned with TPA’s mission and long-range planning.

Finance Committee
Chair: Dean Paret

  • Reviews all financial matters and makes recommendations to the BOT.
  • Oversees TPA’s investment portfolio.
  • Meets annually to evaluate finances and propose the next year’s budget.
  • Holds monthly calls with the Executive Director to monitor financial health.
  • Presents an annual financial overview at TPA's Annual Conference (open to all members).

Legislative Committee
Chair: William July, Ph.D.

  • Develops and implements TPA’s legislative agenda.
  • Guides the Grassroots Committee on legislative strategy.
  • Reviews filed bills and advises on TPA’s policy positions.
  • Participates in weekly calls and coordinates testimony during legislative sessions and interim periods.

Elections Committee
Chair: Marnie Richard

  • Develops the annual election slate and provides rationale for Board approval.

Committees Established by Policy

Membership Committee
Chair: Lance Garrison

  • Leads membership drives and engagement initiatives.
  • Proposes changes to member benefits based on survey feedback.
  • Reviews hardship dues requests and ethical application responses.

Convention and Awards Committee
Chair: Ashlee Martinez

  • Manages the submission portal for Convention content.
  • Selects keynote, invited, and plenary speakers within budget parameters.
  • Reviews submissions in collaboration with the Science Committee.
  • Recommends nominees for TPA awards (excluding the current President).

Public Education Committee
Chair: Laura Beth Cooper

  • Develops and promotes the TPA Speakers Bureau.
  • Advances public mental health education initiatives.
  • Expands educational and media resources available on the TPA website.

Texas Psychologist Editorial Board
Editor-in-Chief: John Delatorre

  • Oversees the publication of The Texas Psychologist.
  • Creates and maintains an annual Editorial Calendar.

Academic and Higher Education Committee
Co-Chairs: Teresa Collins-Jones and Ela Ashtari

  • Builds TPA connections with academic programs, internships, and fellowships.
  • Facilitates ongoing communication with educational institutions.
  • Conducts surveys of academic psychology programs.
  • Engages with researchers and internship sites to promote training opportunities.

Science Committee
Chair: Steven Coats

  • Partners with the Convention Committee to review submissions.
  • Enhances public understanding of psychological science.
  • Supports the Legislative Committee with academic references as needed.
  • Promotes the integration of scientific perspectives across TPA initiatives.

BHEC/TSBEP Committee
Chair: Carol Grothues

  • Represents TPA at Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBEP) and BHEC meetings.
  • Informs TPA leadership of regulatory developments affecting psychology practice or policy.