Mr. Howard is a retired public sector executive with extensive experience in intergovernmental relations, program development and management, budgeting, board relations and state and federal grant administration.

Prior to his retirement, Mr. Howard served as Chief Operating Officer of the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) where he directed five service and planning departments of regional council of governments serving the greater Houston region, with a combined annual budget of $250 million. Mr. Howard is a long-time community volunteer with the United Way of Greater Houston, chairing its Community Impact Committee and serving on its Board of Directors.  He also served on church finance, personnel and foundation committees.

Mr. Howard holds a BA in Political Science and Business from Stephen F. Austin State University and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas.