Carol's practice was to meet regularly with civic leaders, civic clubs, area clergy and business leaders to discuss community initiatives. She hosted several Saturday morning town hall breakfast meetings for community leaders, bringing City of Houston department heads to these gatherings. These leaders got the opportunity to ask questions and more importantly, get results. Carol also worked closely with Mayors Bill White and Lee Brown on ordinances and programs that are making a difference for the people of Houston. She worked to close down nuisance bars in neighborhoods, has helped secure cameras at problem rail crossings throughout the city, was instrumental in the creation of the Parking Commission, and led the effort to establish a deed restriction database. Carol is proud that she took the lead in ushering through a city ordinance that bans smoking in public restaurants and bars.

Carol's lifelong commitment to quality-of-life issues is demonstrated through her current leadership in the effort to improve air quality throughout our community. Carol is one of the region's most passionate and effective advocates for emission reduction. Working with Mayor White, industry is now entering into settlement agreements with neighboring communities.

Carol has also been instrumental in the creation of jobs and business opportunities. She has been active in promoting much needed expansion for the Port of Houston and insisted on the inclusion of small businesses in this process. Carol's work on downtown revitalization has helped make central Houston not only a major economic success story, but also a must-see destination for tourists as well as a fun recreational area for Houston's hard-working citizens.

Carol's political education and involvement in local politics began as a child. Prior to her election to the city council, Carol worked in City Hall as Senior Executive Assistant to Houston Mayor Lee P. Brown. Her past work experience includes serving as legislative assistant to Congressman Gene Green in Washington D.C. and as a consultant in economic and community development in the neighborhoods of the East End. Carol is a graduate of the University of Houston, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. She received her MBA from the University of Houston in December of 2008. Carol is a proud homeowner in the Idylwood neighborhood of Houston's East End and attends St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.

Memberships

Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas, Board Member

National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), Board Member

Texas Municipal League, Past President

Women Professionals in Government, Member

Hispanic Elected Officials (HELO), Immediate Past President and Board Member

National Organization for Women (NOW), Member

UH Alumni Association, Member

Texas Democratic Party, Member

League of Women Voters, Member