Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) - Promoting the humane treatment of animals through legislation, education and advocacy

Sherry began volunteering at the Houston Humane Society in 1982, finding her life's passion. She served as Board President for two years before taking the position as Executive Director.

Currently, in addition to serving on the THLN board, Sherry serves on two animal control advisory boards, the Texas Federation of Animal Care Societies, and several other animal care committees. Her family includes HHS adoptees Taylor, Mytcee and Guillermo.

Susan Hightower is a trademark attorney who rejoined the THLN board in 2012 after first serving from 2006 to 2008. She has served on the council of the Texas Bar Animal Law Section since 2006 and taught animal law at UT Law School since 2007.

On a volunteer basis, Susan also has submitted a brief to the Texas Attorney General on the legislative history of the state’s ban on breed-specific legislation; written the problem and twice been invited to judge the National Animal Law Moot Court Competition at Harvard Law School; and advocated for laws advancing animal welfare in the Texas Legislature. Susan also volunteers regularly for the Austin Animal Center.

A former professional journalist, Susan graduated from Stanford Law School in 2000.

Cile resides in Frisco, and has been active with the Network for more than thirty years. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree. Following graduation she worked as a veterinary orthopedic technician for 12 years and volunteered with the Garland Humane Society/Humane Society of Greater Dallas for several years.

She cofounded a Dallas area mobile pet sterilization program and stationary clinic for low income citizens; spearheaded an effort in Dallas to successfully ban the practice of pound seizure in 1991; and served on the Dallas Animal Shelter Advisory Commission for 6 years.

Cile is a distributor for the National Safety Association and she and her husband, Ben, have two children and enjoy the companionship of two dogs and a cat.

David was born in Waco, Texas and graduated with a BBA and a MBA from Baylor University. Upon graduation, he moved to Dallas to accept a position in the Credit Training Program for the First National Bank in Dallas (now Bank of America). David worked at the bank 14 years before leaving, and was a Vice President when he left. He worked in several lending divisions of the bank. In 2000, he joined Sewell Lexus, and is presently Sales Manager.

Away from work, David served 8 years on the Board of Directors of The SPCA of Texas, beginning in 2004. He stepped down from that board in December 2011. He was Vice Chairman of the Board for several years during the latter years of his term.

In addition to this board, David has been active as a Director on the Baylor University Alumni Board, and is an active member and Deacon at Park Cities Baptist Church.

David presently has two rescue dogs who love his regular trips to his ranch in Central Texas. Ruby is a Vizsla and Rebel is a mix. He has had two Beagles as well, one with papers and one rescue. They lived full lives with him and are now buried at the ranch. An avid animal lover, David has a strong interest in strengthening the laws focused on animal cruelty and overpopulation, and always wants to have two rescue dogs in his house.

Jack Knox grew up in Weatherford, Texas and is an energy industry entrepreneur and rancher who is  supportive of causes dedicated to stopping animal abuse .

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from SMU undergraduate school  and a Juris Doctor degree from SMU Law School . After graduation, he was active in the oil and gas industry for thirty years, developing and selling energy companies, both public and private . He has served as chairman and CEO for several companies and presently serves as president of Cafe Pacific, Inc.,  Knox Ranch Inc., and is the General Partner of Six Flags Over Texas Fund Inc.,  which he helped found .

He is the founder of The Foundation for Sick Children, a private charity that supplies medicine and equipment to hospitals and children in third world countries,  He has previously served in various capacities such as a trustee of Medical City Hospital Dallas, the board of directors of the downtown YMCA, the boards of directors of Sunshine Mining Inc., Bryson Oil and Gas Ltd, El Chico Inc., Summit Energy Inc,  Sixx Holdings,  the associate board of  SMU's Cox School of Business and the executive board of SMU's Dedman College School of Arts and Sciences.  In 2011 he received SMU law school's highest award, The Robert G. Story Award For Lifetime Achievement.

In animal welfare organizations he has served as a  former member of The City of Dallas Animal Shelter Commission Advisory Board, and presently serves as a member of the Associate Board of THLN,  the advisory board of the Dallas Companion Animal Project and other organizations dedicated to stopping animal abuse. In 2005 he received the Humanitarian of the Year award from Operation Kindness, and in 2011 received the Man's Best Friend Award from Paws in the City.

Mary Spencer has served on the SPCA of Texas Board of Directors since 1996,  serving as Chairman of the Board for 8 years and Building Chair for the McKinney SPCA Campus during that time.   During that period, the SPCA grew considerably and due to the Board's stewardship, the SPCA changed their "Open Door Policy" to "Reservation only" - meaning that the SPCA will not put any animal down for space and there are no time restrictions for any animal.  Currently, Mary has served as Chair of the New Building Committee for 2400 Lone Star campus which was completed Fall 2011.    Mary received the SPCA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, which has now been renamed the Spencer Humanitarian Award to all recipients.  

Mary has served on Dallas Animal Shelter Commission since 2008 and represents the Mayor of Dallas.   In 2012, Mary was asked to serve as Chair for the Commission.   During this same time, Mary served on the Task Force for the Humane Society of the United States Shelter Evaluation of the Dallas Shelter.    Currently, she was appointed by the City to serve on the Dallas Companion Animal Project (DCAP), Dallas' No Kill any Adoptable Animal Task Force.   In 2012, Mary served as co-chair of the SPCA of Texas major fundraiser - "Paws Cause" - in which all the contributions go towards the SPCA of Texas low cost spay-neuter clinic in south Dallas.  

Mary also serves on the Dallas Loves Animals Campaign Advisory Committee and received a Special Recognition for her efforts by Councilperson Delia Jasso in 2011.

Mary was a co-owner and founder of The Spencer Company, a contract furniture dealership in Dallas, Texas (listed as the 7^th largest furniture dealership and the 17^th largest woman owned business in the DFW metroplex) until she sold her interest in the company June 2011.  As the founder of The Spencer Company in 1977, Mary helped the company grow - all through internal financing and it employed over 80 employees.  

Along with her animal welfare leadership roles, Mary constantly rescues and fosters animals in need.   Over the course of the last 8 years, Mary has helped over 500 animals - taking care of their medical needs all at her own expense.    She writes a column in the White Rock Lake Weekly newspaper about animal welfare and in 2011, she self-published a collection of the columns into a book titled , "All My Fosters are Rockstars."  All proceeds from the sales of the book go to animal welfare organizations.