The Board of Regents

Jim Albers
Walburg, TX

Mr. Albers is a 1975 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Accounting and received his CPA Certification in 1978. Jim joined the firm of Brown, Graham & Company, P.C. in 1975 and was staff accountant from 1975 to 1979. Jim was admitted as shareholder in 1979. Jim’s area of specialization is tax and construction industry. Jim is professionally affiliated with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Texas Society of CPAs (TSCPA).

In addition, he has served on the United Way of Amarillo-Citizens Budget Committee from 1987-1988, Texas State Board of Public Accountancy Constructive Enforcement Advisory Committee from 1989-1992, Texas Cattle Feeders Association Insurance Employee Relations Committee from 1995-1996. Jim is a member of the Rotary Club of Georgetown and served as president from 1996-1997. Jim and his wife, Deborah, are members at Zion Lutheran Church in Walburg, Texas.

Christopher J. Bannwolf
San Antonio, TX

Mr. Christopher Bannwolf serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Broadway National Bank. He has served in various positions at Broadway National Bank since 1984 including Commercial Credit Analyst, Vice President Commercial Lending Officer, Vice President Investment Analyst and Senior Vice President Investment and Asset/Liability Manager.

Mr. Bannwolf received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern California in 1983 and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1987.

Mr. Bannwolf currently serves on the Advisory Board of The Salvation Army San Antonio Command and previously was a board member of the Texas Church Extension Fund and Lutheran High School Association of San Antonio.

Born in Rockford, Illinois, his family moved to Texas in 1973 and his interests include travel and collector automobiles.

James Cleary, Jr.
Houston, TX

Mr. James Cleary, Jr. is a 1992 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, member of the Virginia Law Review, and completed his BA from Texas AM University in 1987. He is a partner in the law firm Martin, Disiere, Jefferson Wisdom, L.L.P. in Houston. He actively represents employers in federal and state court, arbitration proceedings, and before administrative agencies. In addition, Jim provides counseling to his clients on these issues, including drafting policies, procedures, and agreements relating to all phases of employment. He also handles other forms of complex commercial disputes, both in state and federal courts and in arbitration, as well as prior to the initiation of litigation.

Jim also provides corporate assistance to clients, including counseling and drafting relating to company formation and all types of commercial agreements. Jim is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has professional affiliations with the State Bard of Texas and Houston Bar Association. Jim was named to the Texas Super Lawyers list by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, as featured in Texas Monthly and Texas Super Lawyers magazines (2011-2018). Jim and his wife Pat are members at Trinity Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas.

Dr. Theodore Crofford
Fort Worth, TX

Dr. Theodore Crofford is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with the Texas Hip and Knee Center in Fort Worth, Texas and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area. Dr. Crofford received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1985, completed his internship at St. Paul Hospital in 1986, fellowship at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 1992, residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in 1991 and his undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University in 1981. While at John Peter Smith Hospital, he was Associate Professor of the Orthopedic Surgery Training Program. Dr. Crofford has been in practice for over 30 years and has won a number of awards, including Patients' Choice Award 2012 and Compassionate Doctor Recognition 2012.

Dr. Crofford currently serves on the Board of Directors of ACH Child and Family Services, an organization committed to supporting children with unfavorable home environments and victims of abuse. He has six years of service to the school board and church council at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Fort Worth, where he and his wife Delynn are members. Dr. Crofford was blessed to marry Delynn Parker Crofford in June 2015. He and Delynn have seven children: his two daughters and son, and her four sons.

Mark De Young
Austin, TX

Mr. Mark De Young was elected to the Concordia University Texas Board of Regents at the 2014 LCMS Convention. Mark is a project manager for Dell, Inc. where he is in charge of purchasing and replacing assets for support staff. Mark attended Concordia Lutheran College from 1981 to 1983, then transferred to Sam Houston State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in General Business Administration. He served in the US Navy for six years and has been working at Dell ever since.

Mark is Vice-Chairman of the Board of Elders for St. Paul Lutheran Church in Austin, has sung with the Texas Choral Consort and is a member of the Austin Saengerrunde.

Quentin Anderson
Harlingen, TX

With more than 33 years of experience in public accounting, Quentin provides tax, accounting, and consulting services to small businesses, governmental entities (including Texas school districts), construction companies, financial institutions, and not-for-profit entities. In addition, he provides services in the areas of employee benefit plan audits, federal single audits, and reviews and compilations.

Quentin is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA), and a past president of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the TSCPA. He is a returning member of the Board of Regents for Concordia University Texas. Within the community, Quentin is treasurer of the Harlingen Boys and Girls Club, a past chairman of St. Paul Lutheran School’s Board of Education, a graduate of Leadership Harlingen, and a past president of the North Harlingen Rotary Club.

Dr. Mary Beth Gaertner
Magnolia, Texas

Mary Beth is married to husband, Dean, originally from LaGrange, Texas. They have been married for 43 years, and have two married daughters and 6 beautiful grandchildren - 3 boys and 3 girls. All of them are at Salem with Mary Beth every day! She is currently serving her 30th year in ministry at Salem Lutheran School, Tomball, and is in her 16th year as the Director of Formal Educational Ministries. She began the Early Childhood Program at Salem in 1981, taught five years in Texas public schools and 15 years as adjunct professor for North Harris County Community College and Sam Houston State University. Mary Beth grew up in Boardman, Ohio, and is the product of public school education. She completed high school in Boardman and then moved to Houston, Texas. She graduated as a Speech and Language Pathologist from University of Houston, Sam Houston State with a Masters in Education and from California Coast University with a Doctorate in Educational Administration. Her dissertation was The Effect of Home Schooling on Lutheran Schools in Texas. Mary Beth received Lutheran Colloquy from Concordia Texas in 2007. She received the National Distinguished Principal Award in 2013 from the National Association of Elementary School Principals. In 2011, she authored “Way to Go”, a research-based strategy for developing a positive relationship with parents, and currently serves districts and schools throughout the USA in implementing the strategy.

Mary Beth currently serves on the LEA Board and just completed serving as a mentor for the LCMS SLED program.

Mr. Peter Hames
Willis, TX

Pete is a 1965 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy where he earned a BS in Marine Engineering, a USCG Third Assistants License, and a commission as Ensign in the US Navy Reserve. He graduated from Adelphi University in 1976 with an MBA. Pete served three years as an Engineering Officer on Texaco Oil Tankers and then worked ashore for Texaco Marine Department in a number of positions in engineering, operations, administration, employee relations, marketing, and quality. Pete retired from Texaco in 1995 and started Maritime Quality Consultants, Inc. During the next 18 years he assisted a number of companies implement and maintain Quality, Safety and/or Environmental Management Systems. In 1976 he was selected to be an Examiner for the Texas Quality Award. Pete is a lead auditor for an ISO 9000 Registrar and performs external audits on companies in the Maritime Industry. He closed his consulting business in 2014 so that he could spend more time on volunteer activities.

He is a member of the United States Power Squadrons, a non-profit organization teaching boating safety, where he was Squadron Commander of the Beaumont Power Squadron (1995) and chairman of the National Leadership Development Committee (2009-2012). Pete is President of Living Savior Lutheran Church in Montgomery, Texas, sings in the choir and also serves on the Worship and Long Range Planning Committees. Having lived in a number of states, Pete has been a Sunday school teacher, choir member, chair of an Endowment Committee, Vice President, and founding Treasurer of a church preschool and day care center. Pete and his wife Suzann have a son and daughter and five grandchildren. Daughter Ginger is a 1995 graduate of CTX with a BA in Early Childhood and Elementary School Education and a Christian Education Certificate. Since then, Pete and Su have followed the development of Concordia and contributed annually towards its success. They enjoy traveling, lighthouse photography and spending time with their kids and grandchildren at their home on Lake Conroe.

Rev. Michael W. Newman
San Antonio, TX

Michael Newman has been a pastor since 1987 and currently serves as President of the Texas District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

Before his current mission work, he served congregations in Texas, Minnesota, and the Chicago area. His latest books are: “Gospel DNA: Five Markers of a Flourishing Church,” and “Hope When Your Heart Breaks: Navigating Grief and Loss.”

In 1983 Pastor Newman received his B.A. degree from Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Michigan, majoring in Philosophy and Biblical Languages.  He received his Masters of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri in 1987. 

He has been married to Cindy since 1983. They have been blessed with two wonderful daughters and their families. In his spare time you might catch him hanging out with his family, running a few miles on the Texas roads, or enjoying a good book.

Rev. Nathaniel W. Hill
Winchester, TX

Rev. Nate Hill is the pastor of Saint Michaels Lutheran Church in Winchester, Texas. Following graduation from Concordia University Texas in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Sciences, Rev. Hill continued his education at Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis, Missouri, earning a Master of Divinity in 2012. In addition to his congregational ministry, Rev. Hill serves the Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Department as their chaplain and a firefighter.

Rev. Hill also serves on the Texas District Theological Convocation Planning Committee and has previous experience teaching religion courses at CTX on an adjunct basis.

He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree through Concordia Seminary.

Rev. Hill and his wife, Candice (Bielss) Hill, a CTX alumna herself, have been married since 2009 and have two sons, Jack and Carter. In his free time, Rev. Hill enjoys cattle raising, hunting, kayaking, fishing, and spending time with his family.

Rev. Stephen Sohns
Spring, TX

Dr. Stephen Sohns is the husband of Ursula, the father of three sons (Aaron, Ben (wife Jessica) and David).  His family roots go back to central Texas through parents W.J. and Lyn Sohns.  He has been the pastor of Resurrection Lutheran in Spring since April of 1990 after previously serving a dual parish in Manchester/Delaware Iowa from his graduation in 1984.  Dr. Sohns has a passion for those who are disconnected from Jesus and has been privileged to work with Texas Board for Missions, Board for LINC Houston, and part of the Evangelism committee for Iowa District East.

He has served recently as a circuit visitor in Texas before his election to the board of Regents for Concordia University of Texas. Personal joy has been in serving on mission teams to Peru, Mexico, El Salvador, India and Belize. Being a part of PLI and currently serving as a coach and mentor for PLI Leadership Essentials has provided an opportunity to see the growth of leaders for mission in the LCMS.  Being able to help oversee a new church plant in the Spring/Woodlands area with other Lutheran Churches is a learning and mission experience.   Dr. Sohns looks forward to using his board experience to help aid Concordia Texas in building Christian leaders who are impacting their world and Community.

Raymond L. Kym
Tomball, Texas

Ray Kym is currently retired and spends most of his time as a volunteer, assisting with family, church, city and neighborhood projects. Prior to retirement, Ray spent his entire 34 year career with Worth Hydrochem of Houston, Inc. He began as a service technician in 1979, was promoted to service manager in 1984 and vice president in 1990. He purchased the company in 2000 and sold the business in 2013.

Ray completed his Business Management degree from Hesston College, Hesston, Kansas in 1979. He has numerous continuing education classes relative to water treatment and management.

Ray is married to Patricia Ann (formerly Patricia Bokenkamp) and they have four children and one grandchild. Ray and Pat are active members of Salem Lutheran Church, Tomball, Texas. His service to Salem Lutheran Church includes church elder, chair of Trust Fund, worship team song leader, water well mission team, and cemetery maintenance team. Ray provides support to many Texas District, LCMS and community areas, Lutheran Malaria Initiative under LWR, his wife as an LCMS Foundation board member and LINC Houston board member, LINC Houston in training of Central American Lutheran pastors and Inner City Mission projects. He also serves as a board member on Powder Mill Estates Homeowners Association.

Ray enjoys travel, golf, hunting, fishing, singing and hanging out with Redhot.

Dr. Margaret Landwermeyer
Austin, TX

Dr. Maggie Landwermeyer completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1997. She completed her MD degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston in 1993 and her BA in Chemistry from Texas Tech University in 1989. In 2000, she received board certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Landwermeyer is a founding partner of Hill Country OB/Gyn Associates where she has been practicing since 1999. Her practice includes general obstetrics, gynecology and infertility with special interest in minimally invasive surgery utilizing the DaVinci Robot. Her experience includes holding office of Vice Chief of OB/Gyn Department at South Austin Medical Center (1999-2000), Chief, OB/Gyn Department at South Austin Medical Center (2000-2001), and Vice Chief of Staff at Seton Southwest Hospital (2007-2008). Dr. Landwermeyer and her husband Bryan have been members of Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin since 2001. Her service to the church includes Kindergarten Sunday school teacher summer 2003, served on Long Range Planning Committee 2009 and provides life talks to confirmation students covering fetal development (when does life begin?) and Biblical references about sex (what do God and the Bible say about sex?) 2010-present.

Heidi Lewis
Houston, TX

Ms. Heidi D. Lewis joined Dynegy Inc. in 2005 and currently serves as Vice President and Group General Counsel with responsibility for managing legal affairs, including legal services supporting Dynegy’s corporate areas. Prior to joining Dynegy, Ms. Lewis served as an associate at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer Feld LLP and King Spalding LLP.

Preceding Ms. Lewis’ legal career, she served as a Marriage and Family Therapist where she provided services to at-risk youth and their families in Galveston, Texas. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center, Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University and Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Colorado State University.

Noreen Linke
Sugar Land, TX

Ms. Noreen Linke, baptized and raised Lutheran, grew up in Bismarck, ND, along with her husband Scott, whom she married in 1980. She has served the church in many areas: musician; Evangelism Explosion; Nominating Committee chairman; Parish Planning secretary; LWML; Sunday School teacher; women's prayer group leader; founder of fellowship groups; VBS director; youth director; Christmas program director; small group Bible study leader/treasurer; nursing home/hospital visitation(certified); Braille Bible making; and Orphan Grain Train. She has organized and attended numerous church conferences and retreats. Currently her emphasis is on providing administrative and personal support/assistance to pastors and missionaries.

Noreen was very active in Concerned Women for America, serving at the local chapter level and on the Indiana State Board of Directors. She was responsible for publishing the Indiana Chapter newsletter, helped organize a national rally, and wrote articles covering the event. While attending the national conventions in Washington, D.C. she had opportunities to lobby, do radio interviews, and intern for one day in the office of U.S. Representative, Steve Buyer. She has volunteered in many capacities in local schools. Noreen has had diverse employment, the most recent being the Administrative Assistant for a radiology group. As a personal business, Noreen and Scott owned and managed nine apartments. Noreen is a member of Peace with Christ Lutheran Church since moving to Fort Collins, CO in 2017.

Charles Requadt
Seabrook, TX

Mr. Chuck Requadt is a native of Bay City, Michigan and has been in the Houston area since July 1970. Chuck is married to Julie (Krug) Requadt and they have three children, Amy Gress (Houston, TX), Jill Michaud ( Superior, CO) and Charley Requadt presently in the Dominican Republic serving in the Peace Corps. Chuck has a BS in Marketing and Management, from Valparaiso University and attended Rice University for continuing education courses in negotiating strategies. In July 1969, he joined Manitowoc Engineering Company (Division of The Manitowoc Company) in the marketing department in the crane division, then moved to Houston in 1970 as Area Manager covering six states. In July 1979, became co-owner of a Manitowoc Crane distributorship, Coastal Equipment.

The company was sold in July 1999 and he turned his attention to more actively extending the Kingdom through the ministries of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Nassau Bay, TX. Chuck’s service to his church includes Board of Directors, Chairman of 2010 Vision Committee (2000), Chairman of multiple building committees, active in small group ministry, Serving Beyond ministry, and project manager for renovations (2007). He has interests in competitive sports (specializing in swimming), competitive sailing and a strong interest in all types of sailing.

Carol Mueller
Austin, TX

Carol Mueller is currently the Head Principal of Redeemer Lutheran School in Austin, Texas. She has served in that position since 2015, after having served Redeemer as a middle school teacher. Carol graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois and went on to receive her Masters in Elementary Administration from Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska.

Carol and her husband, David (who currently serves as principal of St. Paul Lutheran School in Thorndale), have two sons, two daughters-in-law and several adorable grandchildren.

Rev. Alan Taylor
Galveston, Texas

Pastor Taylor was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas in San Antonio with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (BBA) in 1981. His field of study was accounting. He worked for eight years with companies in Houston and San Antonio. Pastor Taylor is a former CPA. He completed the CPA exam in 1984 and did not renew his license with his career change. In the fall of 1989, Pastor Taylor and his family moved from San Antonio to Fort Wayne, Indiana to begin his studies at Concordia Theological Seminary. He was awarded the degree of Master of Divinity (MDIV) in 1993. He is currently working toward a Ph.D. in Missiology at Concordia Theological Seminary.

Pastor Taylor was called to serve as pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church, Galveston, Texas in 1993. Pastor Taylor has served as Circuit Visitor of Circuit 36 for ten years. Pastor Taylor is married to Dawn (McCarty) Taylor. They have been married since 1978 and have two daughters, Jennifer and Leslie. Jennifer is married to Rev. David Schmidt and they live in Royal Oak, Michigan. Leslie is married to Christopher Lockett and they live in Round Rock. Their first grandchild, Luke Wyatt Schmidt, was born to Jennifer and David in 2014. Their second grandchild, Caden Rider Lockett, was born to Leslie and Chris in 2015.