Texas Governor Greg Abbott has made new appointments to the Texas Commission on Marriage and Family, as reported by the Governor's office this week. The Commission's role is to explore and devise ways of strengthening marriage and family structures within the state. Carl Caton, founder of The San Antonio Marriage Initiative, has been named chair, with his term, along with the other appointees, concluding at the end of 2026.
Joining Caton on the Commission are Michael Hiller, a family law attorney and mediator based out of Lakeway, and Robert Pearle, D.Min., the current senior pastor at Birchman Baptist Church in Aledo. According to the Governor's office, these individuals were chosen for their experience and commitment to supporting families and promoting stable marital relationships. Hiller has notably initiated a divorce prevention program through his legal practice.
Caton's background in business and his leadership of a marriage initiative suggest a practical approach to the Commission's objectives. He's spent over two decades heading Caton Development, Inc. and holds a Finance degree from Angelo State University. Caton also carries the mantle of leadership in religious and marital counseling groups, factors likely contributing to his selection as chair.
With a B.A. in Semiotics from Brown University and a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, Hiller's expertise crosses into understanding the language and symbols within family dynamics. His legal credentials, outlined in the announcement from the Governor's office, are complemented by his role in community and spiritual support networks that can be critical in familial frameworks.
Completing the trio, Pearle brings a pastoral perspective to the Commission. His extensive educational background in Christian Ministry, coupled with administrative roles within religious educational institutions, positions him as an advocate for traditional family values. Pearle's assignments with executive boards and his leadership within the church community may lend an overarching moral vision to the Commission's deliberations.
With the terms for these appointees set to expire on December 31, 2026, the Commission has a clear timeline to develop their objectives and potentially influence the Texas legislature in support of marriages and families across the state.
