In a recent announcement made by Governor Greg Abbott, Catarina Gonzales is appointed to the Environmental Flows Advisory Group. As stated by the Office of the Texas Governor, the group acknowledges the environmental significance of Texas' riverine, bay, and estuary systems and their impact on the state's economy and residents' quality of life.
Gonzales, from Austin, has been a Commissioner at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality since February. Previously, she served as a budget and policy advisor in the Governor's Office and worked as a lawyer at firms in Austin and Houston. According to the Office of the Texas Governor's announcement, her appointment is effective immediately and will last until the Governor decides otherwise.
With a strong background in environmental and government affairs, Gonzales is also a member of the State Bar of Texas. She has led her peers in the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section and previously volunteered with the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas and the Dachshund Rescue of Houston. In recognition of her contributions, she received the “40 under 40” award from the Houston Business Journal and the “Rising Star” award from the League of Women Voters, as per the announcement from the Office of the Texas Governor.
Gonzales has an impressive academic background, graduating from Trinity College and earning her Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law. She further specialized in environmental law with a Master of Laws in Energy and Environmental Law from the University of Houston Law Center. Additionally, she spent time as a visiting student at the University of Texas School of Law, where she contributed to the American Journal of Criminal Law.
