Ronnie is a native Texan, who brings a wealth of association experience and retail expertise to Texas Retailers Association. He joined the association as its new President/CEO in October of 2007.

He’s an attorney who earned his law degree from the University of Houston Bates College of Law in 1977. He started his career as Staff Attorney for the Texas Automobile Dealers Association, and gained additional association experience with the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, the Texas Medical Association and finally serving as Senior Vice President for the Texas Association of Business from 1984 to 1988.

In 1988 he moved to the corporate side with positions at Frito-Lay and then Taco Bell. Ronnie joined 7-Eleven in 1992 as Senior Legislative Advisor and, in 1995, Ronnie was promoted to Director of Government Affairs.

Ronnie has been very active in advocating for the retail industry, serving on the Legislative Committees for national associations such as the National Association of Convenience Stores and the International Franchise Association. He has also served on the Government Affairs Committees for state associations from California to New York.

Family and community are top priorities in Ronnie’s life. Returning to Austin has brought Ronnie nearer to his two favorite Longhorns, his daughter Jennifer, who recently received a degree in Fine Arts; and his son Josh, who is a junior in the UT College of Communications.

Joe Williams is the Vice President Regulatory and Member Services of the Texas Retailers Association following the merger of Gulf Coast Retailers and Texas Retailers Association. He is also the main contact for the Texas Food Council. A graduate of Texas Tech University (BBA, 1971), Joe has worked in the association community for many years, serving as President of the Gulf Coast Retailers Association starting in 1994.

Joe is currently an active member in several industry related organizations, including the American Leadership Forum; the Food Marketing Institute (FMI­) Government Relations Committee; the Texas Interagency Task Force for EBT; the Texas Attorney General’s Employer Task Force; the Texas Medicaid Integrity Project (MIP); the Steering Committee to develop the Texas Integrated Services Card; and the Texas Merchants Advisory Committee. 

In addition, he is serving on advisory boards for the Houston Independent School District’s Career and Technology Education Program and for The University of Houston’s Consumer Science and Merchandising department. In 2004 he was appointed to the Maternal, Infant, and Fetal Nutrition National Advisory Council and was made chair of the Council for 2006. He also serves as the President of his community’s Municipal Water District and served many years on the Board of a local non-profit (SEARCH) that works with the homeless. He was recently nominated to serve on the Board of The Greater Houston Chapter of the Red Cross.

Lisa Jones joined the Texas Retailers Association in July of 2008 as the Communications Manager. Lisa is responsible for all association publications as well as management of the association website. Lisa has a BA in Psychology from Texas Tech University. Her previous association experience includes 5 years at the EMDR International Association. Lisa is a member of the Texas Society of Association Executives, and is working on pursuing her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation.

 

In August 2008, Anissa Kocian joined Texas Retailers Association as the Office Manager/Bookkeeper. Anissa is responsible for meeting planning as well as bookkeeping services for TRA, TFDS and TREF.