Helotes Heritage Board Members

Ronald Green, President
Wayne Owens, Treasurer
Kathy Smith, Membership Secretary
Judy Polk, Corresponding Secretary
Nettie Birnbaum, Member-at-Large
Garrie Gillespie, Member-at-Large
Tim Hlavinka, Member-at-Large
Steve Queller, Member-at-Large

Biography Of Board Members

Dr. Ronald T. Green, President:

Community Associations
Helotes Heritage Association, President, 2005-present
City of Helotes, Parks and Open Space Committee, Chair, 2006-present
City of Helotes, Comprehensive Planning Committee, Member. 2006-present
The Children’s Shelter, Executive Board Member, Advocacy Committee, Chair, 1998-present
Alamo Regional Mobility Authority Highway 16 Working Group, Member, 2006-present

Professional Associations
Employed at Southwest Research Institute, Institute Scientist, Hydrology and Environmental Geophysics, 1989-present
Edwards Aquifer Authority– Aquifer Science Advisory Panel, 2005-present
National Cave and Karst Research Institute, Board Member, 2007-present

Wayne Owens, Treasurer:

Wayne Owens, Ph.D., is professor of philosophy at St. Mary's University, after having taught at UT-San Antonio, University of the Incarnate Word, and Trinity University. He has been a resident of Helotes for twenty-four years. Like many others in Helotes, the prospect of a Wal-Mart in Helotes woke him from his slumber and reawakened the community activist in him. He was an active supporter of the Helotes Heritage Association from its inception, becoming Treasurer in January, 2006. He also serves on the Municipal Grounds Committee in Helotes.

Kathy Smith, Membership Secretary:

Kathy Smith is a retired Intelligence Analyst who worked for the Federal Government for 34 years. For several years she also volunteered at a Houston women’s shelter and on a rape crisis hotline. She and her husband Barney bought a home in Helotes in 2002. After living in Houston for 32 years, Kathy fully realized the beauty of the Helotes area and looked forward to living in this small town at a much slower pace. The threat of a Wal-Mart Supercenter coming to Helotes made reluctant activists of Kathy and her husband, and they joined in the fight against the building of the big-box store. She became active in local politics, served on the Ethics Commission, is currently serving on the City's Architectural Review Board, and is enjoying her busy new life as a community activist. Kathy was elected to the Board of the Helotes Heritage Association (HHA) in January 2006.

Judy Polk, Corresponding Secretary:

Judy Polk is an elementary school music specialist for Northside ISD. She currently services 1,380 general music students, teaches violin students after school, and directs a 30-member drum ensemble before school. During the past 4 years, she has secured grant money to take her 4th and 5th graders to hear the San Antonio Symphony. Judy has served as church accompanist and choir director for two Helotes churches. She also taught "Music and Related Arts" at UTSA for 4 years. Judy and her husband and children have lived in the Helotes area for 12 years. She is currently serving on the Helotes Comprehensive Planning Committee and as Vice Chair of the City Forestry Committee. Last year, she also chaired the Helotes Silver Anniversary Celebration Planning Committee. She was elected to the Board of the Helotes Heritage Association (HHA) in January 2006 and is currently serving as the Recording Secretary.

Members-At-Large:

Garrie Gillespie

Professional Associations
Employed as an Elementary Educator for 21 years, retired 2006

Tim Hlavinka, M.D.

Physician, practicing urology in SA since '91. Member of American Medical Association, American Urological Association. Board member of Helotes Heritage Association since inception. Joined because I believe the price of citizenship is active participation in the community.