Mark is a partner in the Houston office, where he practices in the areas of complex commercial arbitration, business litigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Mark has extensive experience with the international and domestic arbitration and litigation of banking, financial and securities transactions. He has also represented numerous clients in matters regarding international and domestic construction contracts, power purchase and sale agreements, energy contracts, joint ventures, and project finance and development agreements.

Mark is a co-head of the firm's 17-office International Department and also co-head of the firm's Arbitration and ADR Practice Group. He is also a member of several firm committees.

Recent arbitration and ADR activities include:

• Arbitrator in AAA dispute involving breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, violations of Texas Theft Liability Act and Texas Penal Code, tortious interference with contract, violations of Texas Insurance Code, violations of DTPA, violations of Texas Securities Act, liability of control persons and aiders, conspiracy, negligence
• Arbitrator for matter involving a large international power-plant construction dispute
• Arbitrator in AAA trademark dispute involving negligence, statutory fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, DTPA claims
• Arbitrator in ICDR arbitration concerning breach of contract
• Represented oil and gas products supply company in personal injury dispute arising from alleged malfunctioning valve in Texas refinery 
• Advised on an ad hoc arbitration for a US energy company against a Bermudan re-insurer
• Represented a Texas-based international music producer against a European company in an ICDR arbitration involving issues of breaches of intellectual property rights
• Represented a major international oil and gas company in relation to a dispute in offshore West Africa
• Represented a US oil services company in a dispute against a Eurasian oil company in an ICC arbitration
• Represented a North American energy company in a contractual dispute against a Latin American state-owned entity in a UNCITRAL Arbitration and a parallel 28 USC 1782 action
• Represented an independent North American oil and gas exploration, development and production company on the bilateral investment treaty implications of the restructuring of its investment in a major offshore oil field
• Represented Canadian corporation against Venezuela in a UNCITRAL arbitration and an ICSID arbitration
• Arbitrator in BIT case involving investor and Asian country
• Represented several investors in different ICSID proceedings against various South American countries
• Represented Russian Energy company in numerous arbitrations and court proceedings
• Acted as sole arbitrator in ICDR international contract dispute between Australian and American parties
• Acted as arbitrator in an ICC international intellectual property dispute between Mexican and Spanish parties
• Acted as the sole arbitrator in AAA international arbitration concerning a joint venture to develop Azerbaijan oil fields
• Acted as the sole arbitrator in international arbitration over a Mexican/American joint venture
• Represented Canadian oil company in ICC arbitration dispute concerning West African offshore oil fields
• Represented Brazilian energy company in ICC arbitration dispute over construction of power plant
• Chaired domestic and international tribunals, which heard disputes over the development of customized computer software
• Represented a multinational energy company in 3 UNCITRAL arbitrations against the El Salvador governmental energy agency regarding long-term electric power purchase agreements
• Represented United States clients in ICC arbitrations in connection with various Brazilian power purchase agreement disputes
• Represented a subcontractor in ICC arbitration against a U.S. company dealing with an Indonesian power project
• Represented a Chinese company in AAA arbitration against a Bangladesh company over the construction of a chemical plant in Bangladesh
• Represented various Canadian companies in different AAA international arbitrations against various U.S. companies over preferential rights affecting Canadian and American oil fields
• Acted as sole arbitrator in a multi-million dollar arbitration regarding a long-term petroleum derivatives contract with Venezuela
• Represented an energy service company in AAA arbitration in a dispute involving six interrelated multi-million dollar energy services and internet technology contracts
• Represented clients in ICC and ad hoc international arbitrations regarding construction of several related power projects on the Indian subcontinent
• Chaired an international tribunal hearing dispute between Australian and U.S. financial institutions
• Represented a U.S. client in a Stockholm arbitration over a semiconductor fabrication facility in Thailand
• Represented a client in both AAA and ICC arbitrations between U.S. and Mexican companies regarding the construction of a large industrial manufacturing facility and a series of energy supply contracts
• Represented a French company under an ad hoc arbitration agreement against a U.S. entity regarding long-term supply issues
• Chaired tribunal hearing complex financial disputes between a U.S.-based borrower and various international financial institutions
• Mediated a complex computer dispute between an Israeli and a U.S. company
• Represented a German company against a U.S. company in arbitration over specialty machinery for marine applications

Mark has arbitrated before many of the world's arbitral bodies and has been involved in numerous alternative dispute resolution procedures. He is frequently selected to serve as an arbitrator on domestic and international arbitration panels. In every year since 1998, he has chaired at least eight significant arbitration cases. His professional activities and memberships include:

• Director, New York International Arbitration Center
• IBA Subcommittee on State Mediation - Member of Working Group on Rules for Investor-State Mediation (2011)
• IBA Subcommittee on Evidence Rules - Member (2009 - 2011)
• Executive Committee Member and Member of Board of Directors of the American Arbitration Association; Chairman of its International Advisory Committee
• International Bar Association (IBA) - Dispute Resolution Section, the IBA's largest and most active committee, former Vice Chairman
• The Global Arbitration Review - Advisory and Editorial Board Member
• Institute of Transnational Arbitration - former Co-Chair of the Annual Arbitration Workshop (the largest arbitration event in the U.S.), Advisory Director 
• American Arbitration Association - Panelist for International, Large Complex Claims, Commercial, and Commercial National Sports Resolution Panels
• London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), London, England - North American User Counsel Vice President, Member of LCIA Company, and former Member LCIA Arbitration Court
• Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Lausanne, Switzerland
• Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London, England - Fellow since 1998
• CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals - Arbitrator for International, Energy and Commercial Panels, and CPR Advisory Board member
• Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), London, England - Accredited Mediator
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Geneva, Switzerland - Panel Arbitrator and Mediator
• Arbitration Center of Mexico (CAM) - Panel Arbitrator
• USA Track and Field, under the jurisdiction of the United States National Olympic Committee - Panel Arbitrator
• Southern District of Texas - ADR Panel
• Center for Legal Responsibility of South Texas College of Law - Planning Committee and Founding Member
• American Bar Association
• State Bar of Texas - Current Member; Former Committee Member of ADR Planning Committee
• College of the State Bar of Texas
• Houston Bar Association

• Selected for inclusion in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the practice areas of International Arbitration, Commercial and International Arbitration, and Governmental
• "Texas Top Rated Lawyer," LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell (2013)
• "One of the titans of the arbitration world globally," Latin Lawyer 250 (2011)
• "One of the Decade's 40 Most Influential Lawyers," National Law Journal - one of 3 energy lawyers and only energy disputes lawyer selected (2010)
• "Arbitration Lawyer of the Year," Finance Monthly Magazine (2010)
• One of the top 30 foreign lawyers in Latin America, Latin Business Chronicle (2010)
• PLC Which Lawyer? (2011) Endorsed in Arbitration - one of only 4 lawyers in Texas
• PLC Which Lawyer? (2010) Endorsed in Dispute Resolution and Arbitration - one of only 3 lawyers recognized in both categories in Texas
• PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook (2009), standout for Dispute Resolution and for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration
• "Texas Super Lawyers" (2007 - 2012)
• Honored by LatinLawyer for his role as lead counsel in the ICSID case of Duke Energy & Electroquil Partners Electroquil v Ecuador (2009)
• 2009 Best of the Best USA, commercial arbitration (2009)
• Legal 500 U.S. Guide (2011), one of 17 Leading Lawyers, International Arbitration, "Mark Baker heads up the firm's international arbitration group and is 'impressive'"; (2009) Litigation, Energy and Litigation, International Arbitration; (2008) "In Arbitration Matters, He Is the Standard Against Which Others Should Be Compared," Leading Lawyer
• Honored by LatinLawyer for his role as lead counsel in the ICC case of UEG Araucaria, considered to be the most important legal matter for 2007 in Latin America (2008)
• Chambers Latin America (2009, 2011), ranked among the top five lawyers for international arbitration; named as one of Latin America's Leading Lawyers for Business in International Arbitration; described as having an "uncanny ability to anticipate opposition tactics and strategies"
• Chambers Global Guide, International Arbitration, recognized for "Global" and "Latin America-wide" work (2010-2013)
• Chambers USA Guide (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012), nationally recognized for work in international arbitration and honored for international arbitration work in Texas
• Chambers Global's Best, International Arbitration (2009), "Exceptional Advocate"  
• "Top 20 International Arbitration Experts," Practical Law Company (2008)
• "Outstanding Director Award," American Arbitration Association (2008)
• "Most Influential Lawyers in America," National Law Journal (2006) - one of 100 attorneys nationwide, and one of 4 in Texas, named to "have had a national impact in their legal fields and beyond over the last five years"
• The International Who's Who of Commercial Arbitration - "Most Highly Regarded" (2013)
• The International Who's Who of Oil & Gas Lawyers (2011), "very experienced energy practitioner" and "top-notch" as co-head of firm's international department and co-head of the arbitration and ADR group
• The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers (2010)
• The International Who's Who of Commercial Arbitrators (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), "the world's pre-eminent commercial arbitration specialist"; one of nine international firms from around the world who are leaders in their field 
• Who's Who Legal (2009), "Leading Arbitrator"
• "International Leader," International Arbitration, Chambers Global (2009) as noted: "Clients extol accomplished arbitrator Mark Baker for his work in alternative dispute resolution..." and, "Mark Baker is revered as an 'exemplary front lawyer' for a case, a claim backed up by his role in the Yukos case. He has become 'extremely well known in the community' and is credited for much of the firm's recent successes."
• "Leading Individual," Energy Arbitration, Chambers USA, as noted: "a 'practitioner of genuine distinction' whether acting in the capacity of counsel or arbitrator.  Admired for the 'vigour with which he sustains a vibrant practice.'"
• Asked to advise the United States delegation to UNCITRAL on the United Nations' revisions to both the Arbitration Rules and Model Arbitration Law (2006 - 2010)
• "One of the 500 Top Attorneys," LawDragon (2009 - 2012)  
• The Best Lawyers in America (2009 - 2013)
• "Expert in Commercial Arbitration," Expert Guides (2013)
• Benchmark Litigation - one of top litigators (2008, 2009)
• Benchmark Litigation's Local Litigation Star Series - international arbitration and general commercial (2013)
• Global Counsel - Dispute Resolution Handbook - one of the "Highly Recommended" dispute resolution practitioners
• Guides to the World's Leading Experts in Commercial Arbitration
• American Lawyer's International Arbitration Elite
• Houston Bar Foundation - Fellow
• Texas Bar Foundation - Fellow

Selected Publications:

• Co-Author, "Dissent - But Only If You Really Feel You Must," 16th Annual IBA International Arbitration Day, Making the Award: Need We Rethink the Process?, February 22, 2013
• Co-Author, "Are Challenges Overused in International Arbitration?," 29th AAA-ICDR/ICC/ICSID Joint Colloquium, The Frontiers of Arbitration, November 2, 2012
• Co-Author, "Ad Hoc International Arbitrations -- The Way of the Future?," José María Abascal's Liber Amicorum, World Arbitration & Mediation Review, Volume 6:2, June 2012
• Co-Author, "Getting a Better Balance on International Arbitration Tribunals," Arbitration International, Volume 27 Issue 4, 2012
• Co-Author, "In Search of an Exemplary Construction Arbitration," Seventh Annual Fordham Law School Conference on International Arbitration and Mediation, April 2012
• Co-Author, "The Regionalization of International Arbitration: Maintaining International Standards in Appointing Arbitrators," Hans van Houtte Liber Amicorum, The Practice of Arbitration -- Essays in Honor of Professor Hans van Houtte, October 2011
• "The Role of the Institution in Taming Electronic Disclosure," The Institute for Transnational Arbitration, Winter/Spring 2010
• Co-Author, "Show Me the Money - Convincing the Arbitral Tribunal (and the Other Side) of the Validity of Your Damages Claim," Swedish Arbitration Conference on Damages, September 16, 2010
• Co-Author, "Do 'Foreign Tribunals' Include Arbitration Panels?," The National Law Journal – International Arbitration: A Special Report, May 31, 2010
• Co-Author, "Cross-Examination in International Arbitration: The Effective Use of a Powerful Evidentiary Tool," Take the Witness: The Experts Speak on Cross-Examination, Juris Publishing, January 2010
• Co-Author, "The Unequal Playing Field: Companies Subject to Section 1782 in International Arbitration," Benchmark Litigation, The Definitive Guide to America's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys, 2009
• Co-Author, "The Role of the Institute in Taming Electronic Disclosure," Ulf Franke's Liber Amicorum, Juris Publishing, December 2009
• Co-Author, "US Court Assistance in Obtaining Discovery in International Arbitration Proceedings: Applications Under 28 USC 1782," The Taking of Evidence in International Commercial Arbitration, DIS Conference and Newsletter, October 2009
• Co-Author, "Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in Russia: Improving, But Still Uncertain," Oil, Gas & Energy Law Intelligence, Vol. 7- Issue 2, OGEL special issue on EU-Russia relations, May 2009
• "Due Process in Constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal," International Arbitration Day, Dubai, UAE, February 2009
• Co-Author, "Argentine Enforcement Now: A Storm in a Teacup," LatinLawyer, December 2008
• "The Challenges of Electronic Documents in International Arbitration," IBA Conference, Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 2008
• Co-Author of "Advocacy in International Arbitration," The Leading Arbitrators' Guide to International Arbitration, Second Edition, 2008
• Co-Author of the ITA Workshop, Dallas, June 21, 2007
• Co-Author, "2007 International Arbitration Report, Issue 1," Newsletter: The International Law Firm of Fulbright & Jaworski, June 22, 2007
• Co-Author, "ADR Continental Drift: The European Union Tries to Warm Up to ADR, But Its Embrace Is Tentative, at Best," The National Law Journal, November 27, 2006
• Co-Author, "Third Annual Litigation Trends Survey Findings: An International Perspective," The International Law Firm of Fulbright & Jaworski - 3rd Annual Litigation Trends, October 10, 2006
• Co-Author with Anibal Sabater, "Under-Privileged in the E.U.," Corporate Counsel, April 2005
• "A Cross-Comparison of Institutional Mediation Rules," Dispute Resolution Journal, July 2002

Mark is a frequent speaker at seminars and conventions in the United States and internationally.

Selected recent speaking engagements:

• "Dissent - But Only If You Really Feel You Must," 16th Annual International Arbitration Day, Bogota, Colombia, February 2013
• "Staying the Course: Saying No to the CEO and the Art and Ethics of Advising Strong Corporate Clients," ABA Forum on Construction Industry Fall Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, October 2012
• "Corporate Counsel's Strategy and Rules in International Dispute Resolution," ICDR 10^th Annual Miami International Arbitration Conference (the Corporate Counsel Series), Miami, Florida, September 2012
• "Arbitration Update - International, U.S. and Mexico Domestic," Instituto Mexicano de la Mediación-Fulbright Decennial Anniverary Joint Conference, Houston, Texas, June 2012
• "Courtroom is Flat: Challenges Facing Litigators and Courts in an Increasingly Global Legal Practice," The Commercial Bar Association North American Meeting, Istanbul, Turkey, June 2012
• "The Arbitrator's Perspective in International Construction Cases," Seventh Annual Fordham Law School Conference on International Arbitration and Mediation, London, April 2012
• "Making the Most of International Commercial Arbitration," CCCA World Summit, National Spring Conference, Montreal, Canada, April 2012
• "The Tribunal," LCIA European Users' Council Symposium on International Commercial Arbitration, Stockholm, Sweden, March 2012
• "The Dispute-Wise Study: A New Paradigm in Partnering of Corporate and Outside Counsel in Resolving International Commercial Disputes," International Centre for Dispute Resolution 9th Annual Miami International Arbitration Conference, Florida, September 2011
• "The New ICC Rules of Arbitration," 6th Annual ICC New York Conference (ICC North American Launch Conference), New York, September 2011
• "§1782 and Discovery in International Proceedings," The Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR), North American Meeting, British Virgin Islands, April 2011
• "Reshaping Arbitral Proceedings," Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre 25th Anniversary Conference, Hong Kong, November 2010
• "Has the time come for there to be more separation between those who advocate and those who arbitrate?," GAR Live, London Conference, London, October 2010
• Co-Chaired, "Questions of Jurisdiction," LCIA European Users' Council Symposium, London, September 2010
• "Damages and Other Relief in International Arbitration -- The Toolkit: Means, Burden, Manner and Level of Proof," The Swedish Arbitration Association's Swedish Arbitration Days, Stockholm, Sweden, September 2010
• "The ICC Task Force on the Production of Electronic Documents in Arbitration," AIJA 48th Congress, Charleston, South Carolina, August 24, 2010
• "General Corporate Matters: The Global Transactional Lawyer," Fulbright & Jaworski CB&B Training Program, Houston, Texas, August 19, 2010
• "Injunctive Support for Arbitrations Proceeding Either in the Same Jurisdiction or Elsewhere," The Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR) North American Meeting, Lisbon, Portugal, June 4, 2010
• "Concurrent Session: Political Risk Minimization Techniques in Structuring and Implementing International Investments," KPMG Global Energy Conference, Houston, Texas, May 25-26, 2010
• "Arbitrators and the Role of Law," Arbitration and National Courts: Conflict and Cooperation Conference presented by Houston International Arbitration Club, Permanent Court of Arbitration and University of Texas School of Law, Houston, May 13-14, 2010
• "Avoiding Dysfunctional Tribunals - Chemistry, Compromise and Dissent," Fourth Annual Energy Arbitration Conference, Western Canada Arbitrators Roundtable (WCART), Calgary, Canada, May 12, 2010
• "Corporate Strategies in Managing Oil & Gas Disputes," AIPN Dispute Resolution Conference 2010: Dispute Resolution in the International Oil and Gas Business and Boundary Disputes and Energy Sector, Houston, April 19-21, 2010
• "The Electronic Information Juggernaut: Taking Aim at ADR," ABA Annual Conference, San Francisco, California, April 8-10, 2010
• "How to Run a Fair, Efficient and Effective Arbitration Process from the Outset of the Case through the Pre-Hearing Stages," Juris Conferences' Sixth Annual Leading Arbitrators' Symposium on the Conduct of International Arbitration, Vienna, March 29, 2010
• "Enforcement of Host Government Contracts - What To Do When Commercial Steps Haven't Succeeded," 2nd IEL-SEERIL International Oil and Gas Law Conference, London, November 2009
• "Corporate Counsel's Views and Concerns Regarding Dispute Resolution of China Related Disputes," Second China Arbitration Conference, Beijing, China, October 29, 2009
• "Viability of International Investment Arbitration in Light of Recent Unilateral Acts by Sovereign Governments," Houston Committee on Foreign Relations, Houston, October 22, 2009
• "The Taking of Evidence in International Commercial Arbitration - Basics and Differences to State Court Proceedings," DIS Conference, Stuttgart, Germany, October 21, 2009
• "Potential Investment Claims by Chinese Parties Against Foreign States," F&J Second China Arbitration Conference, October 2009
• "Disclosure: Different Approaches to the Same Issue," ICC UK's Annual Practitioners' Symposium, London, July 9, 2009
• "E-Disclosure in International Arbitration," Permanent Court of Arbitration conference, The Hague, Netherlands, May 14-15, 2009
• "Hearing and Post-Hearing Activities," Juris Conferences' Fifth Annual Leading Arbitrators' Symposium on the Conduct of International Arbitration, Vienna, April 6, 2009
• "How Global is International Arbitration? The Current State Today and the Current Wisdom on Tomorrow," International Centre for Dispute Resolution 7th Annual Miami International Arbitration Conference, Miami, Florida, March 13, 2009
• "Trends in Arbitration," Arbitration and Energy Seminar, Houston, November 17, 2008
• "Trends in Latin American Investor-State Disputes," Juris Conference in cooperation with the International Business Law Section of the HNBA, Miami, Florida, October 23-24, 2008
• "Disputes Amongst International Oil and Gas Companies," ICDR Oil and Gas Program, Rio de Janeiro, October 20-21, 2008
• "Arbitral Procedure: New Developments and Good Practice," IBA Annual Meeting, Buenos Aires, October 12-17, 2008
• "Saving Time and Costs in Arbitration," AAA Conference, Mexico City, September 10, 2008
• "Pre-arbitral Referee, Conservatory and Interim Measures," ICC/FIDIC Conference, Houston, Texas, June 2-3, 2008
• "Arbitrator's Pet Peeves with Counsel (and Vice Versa)," Young Arbitrators Forum, Houston, Texas, June 2, 2008
• "Falling Out - Key Features and Consequences of Dispute Resolution Which Is Not Amicable," Energy Investments and Resource Nationalism - the Role of Law Conference, London, May 13, 2008
• Second Annual Investment Treaty Arbitration Conference, Washington D.C., April 25, 2008
• "Challenges to the Tribunal's Award," 6th Annual Miami International Arbitration Conference: The Three Pillars of Strength: Practice, Procedure & Law, Miami, Florida, March 29, 2008
• "The Current State of International Arbitration and a Vision of the Future," ICC/AAA Conference, New York, January 31, 2008
• "International Arbitration in the Current Economic Environment," Commercial Arbitration in Dubai, The Dubai Corporate Counsel, Dubai, January 29, 2008
• "Discovery in International Arbitration," New York, November 14, 2007
• "Preparing Arbitration Cases: How They Are Different from Litigation," Fulbright & Jaworski LLP Arbitration Conference, Minneapolis, April 2007
• "Trends in International Arbitration Around the World: The Middle East," Fulbright & Jaworski LLP Arbitration Conference, Minneapolis, April 2007
• "Petro-Nationalism: The Efforts of Countries Around the World to Recapture Their Energy Reserves," International Law Institute, San Antonio, March 2007
• "The International Arbitrator's Perspective," AAA Practicing Law Institute Conference, New York, March 2007
• "International Arbitration in the Current Economic Environment," Dubai Corporate Counsel event, Dubai, January 29, 2007
• "Latin America's Investment Treaty Claims Avalanche," ABA International Law Conference, Miami, November 2006
• "Energy Investments in the Middle East: Capitalizing on Opportunities in a Time of Change Seminar," Speaker,  Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. International Seminar Series, London, England, May 2006
• "Yukos - a Strategic Arbitration," International Insolvency Institute, New York, New York, June 2005
• "Protecting Energy Assets," Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, Toronto, Canada, April 2005
• "What Makes Arbitrating in Brazil Different," International Centre for Dispute Resolution Conference, Miami, Florida, January 27, 2005
• "Modernizing the Process: Dispute Resolution and Beyond," Modernizing the Process: Dispute Resolution and Beyond, a combined program sponsored by the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, The International Institute for Sustainable Development, and Chatham House, London, England, January 15, 2005
• "Denial of Justice in Local Courts," British Institute of International and Comparative Law, London, England, September 10, 2004
• "Ethical Dilemmas in Arbitration," COMBAR, Barcelona, Spain, June 4, 2004

1984 - J.D., with high honors, Duke University School of Law
1981 - B.A., summa cum laude, History, minor in Economics and Philosophy, Yale University

At Yale University, Mark was one of 12 Scholars of the House and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. While in law school at Duke University, he was an Elvin R. Latty Scholar and Articles editor. Before joining the firm, Mark was a law clerk to the Honorable John R. Brown, former Chief Judge for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mark was admitted to practice law in Texas in 1984. He has practiced before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, Louisiana; the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, Colorado; and the United States Supreme Court. He also appears regularly in various Texas state courts, including its Courts of Appeals, as well as in the federal courts, including the United States District Courts for the Southern, Northern and Western Districts of Texas.

During his rare, but much appreciated, spare time, Mark enjoys activities with his family. He is an Eagle Scout and current Scout Leader for his two sons. He loves the outdoors, taking advantage of hunting and fishing seasons, and traveling with his family to wilderness areas around the world. Mark also plays the occasional game of golf, is an avid wine collector and opera aficionado.

• Texas

• Boy Scouts, Assistant Scout Master for Troop 55
• Yale Club
• Houston Grand Opera - past Director and current Trustee