Stay Tuned to This Space for Reunion Details!
How to Post Your Reunion Announcement
VIEW ALL REUNIONS

Class News

VIEW ALL CLASS NEWS

Today's Featured Biography

 
Donna Rybiski

After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Chemistry, I moved to Houston, TX to work at Baylor College of Medicine in the Texas Medical Center. For a bit more than seven years I conducted research to develop ways to detect low amounts of carcinogens in fluids of potential cancer patients and in the chemical changes that might cause heart disease.



I was slow to realize that without a Ph.D. I’d not go far so I left the world of medical research for politics. I’m sure there is a connection somewhere. I worked for seven years (seems to be a magic number) in the Mayor’s Office for the City of Houston where I worked with a team of individuals to conduct research (see, I knew there was a connection!) on urban issues, including housing, human services and infrastructure and to pull together the City’s budget.



Again, slow to learn, a new mayor was elected whose approach didn’t include me. So, I left in the late 70s to work for Tenneco, Inc., at the time the 12th largest company in the world with businesses in oil & gas exploration and production, insurance, chemical manufacturing, agriculture and ship building. It was here that I went to University of Houston to get my MBA. There I worked in program and strategic planning and tried my hand at operations in southern California with the House of Almonds, Tenneco’s agricultural product direct marketing company. Southern California was good but retail food wasn’t. Shelf life, bugs, shrinkage due to staff and all that stuff.



So, eventually I left Tenneco for a British-owned international Engineering & Construction firm called John Brown. Fun job, responsible for marketing in the US and liaison to the UK. An acquisition ended that career and after a few turns, I’m at the Center for Houston’s Future, a non-profit organization (all funded by the private sector), where I am the Director for Strategic Initiatives. Our form of strategic planning is scenario planning which is different from the norm and very interesting. Research again plays an important role once again.



Heretofore, it was Donna at work. I do have another life – thanks to my sister, Jan whom many of you remember. Jan is the mother of my children, Jennifer and Justin and they have two children each. Our grandchildren are the loves of my life and I spend a good deal of time, energy and money on them. Thank goodness they are all in Texas within a 3 hour drive.



I love to travel and do so whenever I can spare the time – US, Canada, Central & South America, Europe, Africa and Asia (only to Turkey so far). I combine my travel with another of my avocations – birding. Rockie and I have been known to disappear for days (at least hours when her family isn’t looking) to explore Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Peru binoculars in hand. The most fun is being with her, other friends and laughing at ourselves. It’s a great way to be in the moment.



Look forward to seeing everyone. With my somewhat feeble memory, it may be for the first time - again!! I jokingly say how inexpensive my life in advance age will be as I can read the same book over and over again.



Donna Rybiski







Donna L. Rybiski

Director, Strategic Initiatives

Center for Houston's Future

1200 Smith St., Ste. 1150, Houston, TX 77002

[email protected] . 713.-844-9327 . (F) 713.844.9347

futurehouston.org . Facebook.com/Centerforhoustonsfuture . twitter.com/FutureHouston

Center for Houston's Future: The Region's Think Tank

VIEW ALL BIOGRAPHIES

U.S. Armed Forces

Class Poll

Featured Links

Visit Other Classes