Ronnie Volkening has served as the President and CEO of the Texas Retailers Association since October, 2007. He returned to Austin in 2007 after residing in Plano, Texas for 20 years, during which time he first managed state government affairs for Frito-Lay and later served as Senior Director of Government Affairs for 7-Eleven for 15 years.

Mr. Volkening is a Texas native, spending his formative years in Lake Jackson. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, as are both his two children, and he received his Juris Doctor from the University of Houston. Early in his career, Ronnie was engaged in government affairs representation on behalf of several state associations, including the Texas Automobile Dealers Association, the Texas Medical Association, and the Texas Association of Business.

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 Texas Interagency Task Force for EBT; the Texas Attorney General’s Employer Task Force; and the Texas Merchants Advisory Committee. 

In addition, he is currently serving as President of his community’s Municipal Water District, on the UH College of Technology Board, and also serves as Chair of the UH Consumer Science and Merchandising Advisory Board. In 2004, he was appointed to the Maternal, Infant, and Fetal Nutrition National Advisory Council by the Bush Administration and was made chair of the Council for 2006. He has served on the HISD Career and Technology Advisory Board, the Houston Chapter of the Red Cross and served many years on the Board of a local non-profit (SEARCH) that works with the homeless.

Ms. Gibson officially began her position as Vice President of Government Affairs on October 1, 2010.

Ms. Gibson comes to TRA after serving as Executive Director of Citizens against Lawsuit Abuse of Central Texas. As Vice President of Government Affairs, Ms. Gibson will be responsible for developing strategic direction for TRA’s legislative programs and for representing TRA member interests before the Texas Legislature. She will also play a vital role in TRA’s membership development initiatives.

Ms. Gibson brings approximately twenty years experience in all three branches of state government as well as regional association management experience. She has managed and fundraised for legislative campaigns and has facilitated client’s needs through the legislative process as a governmental consultant.

Ms. Gibson holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Oklahoma.

Anissa Kocian joined Texas Retailers Association as the Office Manager/Bookkeeper in 2008, and was promoted to Director of Operations and Events in 2011. Anissa is responsible for meeting planning as well as bookkeeping services for TRA, TFDS and TREF. Anissa is a graduate of the University of Texas.