22nd Annual Texas Independence Day Dinner
Honoring
Jody Conradt and Ruth J. Simmons
March 3, 2026
6:30 p.m. VIP Reception • 7:00 p.m. Reception • 7:30 p.m. Dinner & Program
On March 3, 2026, the Texas State History Museum Foundation honored Texas legends
Jody Conradt and Ruth J. Simmons with the History-Making Texan Award. The award was presented at the
Foundation's annual Texas Independence Day Dinner at the Bullock Museum in Austin.
Dya Campos of San Antonio served as the event Chair and Jan Felts Bullock of Austin was the Honorary Chair.
The dinner celebrates the state’s rich cultural heritage and generates support for the Bullock Museum, the nation’s
premier institution on Texas history. Over 450 business, political and community leaders from around the state
attend the event. Through the generosity of event sponsors, the evening raises support for foundation's efforts
to fund the many educational programs and special projects of the Bullock Museum, including
School Tours and Distance Learning that benefit over 66,000 students annually.
View or download free photos of the event (Compliments of TSHMF Board of Trustees).
View Jody Conradt tribute video
View Ruth J. Simmons tribute video
For more information or questions, please contact Krystle Alvarado at 512-296-8841 or e-mail her.
Jody Conradt and Ruth J. Simmons with the History-Making Texan Award. The award was presented at the
Foundation's annual Texas Independence Day Dinner at the Bullock Museum in Austin.
Dya Campos of San Antonio served as the event Chair and Jan Felts Bullock of Austin was the Honorary Chair.
The dinner celebrates the state’s rich cultural heritage and generates support for the Bullock Museum, the nation’s
premier institution on Texas history. Over 450 business, political and community leaders from around the state
attend the event. Through the generosity of event sponsors, the evening raises support for foundation's efforts
to fund the many educational programs and special projects of the Bullock Museum, including
School Tours and Distance Learning that benefit over 66,000 students annually.
View or download free photos of the event (Compliments of TSHMF Board of Trustees).
View Jody Conradt tribute video
View Ruth J. Simmons tribute video
For more information or questions, please contact Krystle Alvarado at 512-296-8841 or e-mail her.
2026 Dinner Committee
Dya Campos, Chair
Jan Felts Bullock, Honorary Chair
Mark Benson
Louise Griffeth
Debbie Raynor
Karl Rove
Jan Felts Bullock, Honorary Chair
Mark Benson
Louise Griffeth
Debbie Raynor
Karl Rove
2026 Texas Independence Day
Dinner Sponsors
Lead Underwriters
Joan and Bruce Blakemore / Michelle K. Brock / Claudia Huntington and Marshall B. Miller, Jr.
Charles Butt and The Charles Butt Foundation
H-E-B
Margaret and Jim Perkins
Daryn and Don Wasek
Presenting Underwriters
Buena Vista Foundation / Carla and Brad Moran / Julie and Pat Oles
Stacey and The Honorable Dan Branch / Lisa and Clay Cooley / Gloria Moncrief
Major Underwriters
Shannon and Chris Bush / Sarita and Bob Hixon / Karen and Karl Rove
The Dian Graves Owen Foundation
Friends of Coach Conradt
Frost Bank
Greenberg Traurig Foundation
HCA Healthcare / St. David's HealthCare
Luther King Capital Management
The Men and Women of Hunt Consolidated, Inc.
John L. Nau, III
Shiner Beers
Still Water Foundation
The University of Texas at Austin
Benefactors
Bank of America Private Bank / Mark Benson
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Exxon Mobil Corporation
Louise Spence Griffeth
Josh and Martita Hunt/ Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation
IBC Bank
David Killam / Pam and Richard Leshin
Mrs. Loyd W. Powell, Jr.
Strake Foundation
Texans for Lawsuit Reform
Sponsors
Association of Electric Companies of Texas, Inc. / Oncor
Jane and John Barnhill
Blue Bell Creameries
Laurie and Miles Boldrick
Jan Felts Bullock / Debbie and Alan Raynor
Curated Texan
Joanie and Don Haley
Cherie and Alan Hassenflu
Herndon Family Foundation / Rebecca Nelson Davis
Anna and Walker Hobby
Renee and The Honorable Wallace B. Jefferson
Jeanne and Michael Klein
La Cima Partners / Joe Straus
Kristy and Brad Knippa / Jackson Walker
Lynn McBee
Georgeann and Admiral Bill McRaven
The University of Texas System
Chris Plonsky / Pam and George Willeford
The Honorable Tommy Williams
Friends
Ramona and Lee Bass
Eleanor Butt Crook
Ann and Frank Houseman
Nancy and Admiral Bobby Inman
Karen and Chip Oswalt
Regina Rogers
Judy and Charles Tate
Marnie and Kern Wildenthal
Media Sponsor
Curated Texan
Joan and Bruce Blakemore / Michelle K. Brock / Claudia Huntington and Marshall B. Miller, Jr.
Charles Butt and The Charles Butt Foundation
H-E-B
Margaret and Jim Perkins
Daryn and Don Wasek
Presenting Underwriters
Buena Vista Foundation / Carla and Brad Moran / Julie and Pat Oles
Stacey and The Honorable Dan Branch / Lisa and Clay Cooley / Gloria Moncrief
Major Underwriters
Shannon and Chris Bush / Sarita and Bob Hixon / Karen and Karl Rove
The Dian Graves Owen Foundation
Friends of Coach Conradt
Frost Bank
Greenberg Traurig Foundation
HCA Healthcare / St. David's HealthCare
Luther King Capital Management
The Men and Women of Hunt Consolidated, Inc.
John L. Nau, III
Shiner Beers
Still Water Foundation
The University of Texas at Austin
Benefactors
Bank of America Private Bank / Mark Benson
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Exxon Mobil Corporation
Louise Spence Griffeth
Josh and Martita Hunt/ Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation
IBC Bank
David Killam / Pam and Richard Leshin
Mrs. Loyd W. Powell, Jr.
Strake Foundation
Texans for Lawsuit Reform
Sponsors
Association of Electric Companies of Texas, Inc. / Oncor
Jane and John Barnhill
Blue Bell Creameries
Laurie and Miles Boldrick
Jan Felts Bullock / Debbie and Alan Raynor
Curated Texan
Joanie and Don Haley
Cherie and Alan Hassenflu
Herndon Family Foundation / Rebecca Nelson Davis
Anna and Walker Hobby
Renee and The Honorable Wallace B. Jefferson
Jeanne and Michael Klein
La Cima Partners / Joe Straus
Kristy and Brad Knippa / Jackson Walker
Lynn McBee
Georgeann and Admiral Bill McRaven
The University of Texas System
Chris Plonsky / Pam and George Willeford
The Honorable Tommy Williams
Friends
Ramona and Lee Bass
Eleanor Butt Crook
Ann and Frank Houseman
Nancy and Admiral Bobby Inman
Karen and Chip Oswalt
Regina Rogers
Judy and Charles Tate
Marnie and Kern Wildenthal
Media Sponsor
Curated Texan