December 1 , 2006

CONTACT: Josh Spradling
1-800-CLEAN-TX

Keep Texas Beautiful Appoints New Executive Director
New ED to Lead Statewide Organization into 40 th Year and Beyond

AUSTIN , TX , 12/01/06 – Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide nonprofit headquartered in Austin, is pleased to announce its new executive director, Cathie Gail. Ms. Gail spent the past two years serving as the chief development officer of Special Olympics Michigan before joining KTB on November 29.

Ms. Gail has extensive experience fundraising, maximizing productivity and resources, and marketing organizations. She has been with Special Olympics for more than 20 years, both in Michigan and Texas.

“I look forward to bringing my experience with statewide nonprofits to this wonderful organization,” Ms. Gail said. “Keep Texas Beautiful has a rich history, an outstanding Board of Directors, and a unique place in the hearts of Texans across the state. We are an organization positioned to go to the next level and I am excited about being a part of KTB’s future.”

KTB has the largest environmental and community improvement network in the state, including an affiliate group that has the ability to reach 17 million Texans with its litter prevention, beautification, and waste reduction message. KTB will be celebrating its 40 th anniversary in 2007, with the 40 th Annual Conference in July highlighting the milestone.

“We are confident Cathie will continue to grow Keep Texas Beautiful and help intensify our fundraising and branding efforts. We are enthusiastic about the organization’s future and look forward to her leadership,” KTB Board President Debbie Johnston said.

Ms. Gail will be managing a $1 million budget at KTB as well as implementing a newly adopted strategic plan. In addition to her time with Special Olympics, Ms. Gail has previously worked at the American Red Cross, Greater Houston Chapter and Houston Area Women’s Center Shelter for Abused Women. She earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree from Central Michigan University.

Stacy Cantu, KTB’s outgoing executive director, recently took a position as president and chief executive officer with the Texas Healthcare Trustees.

Keep Texas Beautiful , a statewide grassroots environmental and community improvement nonprofit and affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, strives to educate and engage Texans to take responsibility for improving their community environment. KTB and its over 340 affiliates work with government, businesses, civic groups, and volunteers to ensure that every Texan has the opportunity to take individual responsibility for making Texas the cleanest, most beautiful state in the nation. For more information, call 1-800-CLEAN-TX or visit www.ktb.org.

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