Staff

Brenda Dees, Executive Director

Brenda was selected to serve as the Executive Director of Scenic Texas in May 2022.

Before she arrived at Scenic Texas, she worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 25

years as an Executive Director responsible for self-starting the overall operations from

the ground up including the management and development and implementation of all

fund development goals, strategic plans, and board governance for several prominent

Texas nonprofit organizations. She is a strong dynamic leader with a track record of

vision and innovation, entrepreneurial leadership, rigorous practices in development and

program design, and a deep sense of loyalty and commitment to the mission of Scenic

Texas.

She brings experience in nonprofit administration and management, progressive

leadership, fiscal management, working collaboratively with the general public, partners

and boards, administration and management of operations, extensive work in public

policy, federal state, and local grant writing, created and launched fundraising

campaigns, progressive responsibility in supervisory experience and personnel

management to include planning, directing coordinating and monitoring the day-to-day

operations and services to include quality control, risk management and assurances for

accreditation of all state and agency regulatory compliance.

In addition, she has a proven record in successfully and strategically organizing and

prioritizing vision and financial goals by developing a culture of philanthropy with

stakeholders, foundations, and business leaders within communities. Her extensive

background and experience in project management and administration have led to the

growth, expansion, and high impact of Scenic Texas’ program services

Since her arrival, she has been passionate and dedicated to the mission of Scenic

Texas and is committed to preserving the natural beauty of Texas’ scenic landscapes.

Under Brenda’s leadership, Scenic Texas has decreased expenses, increased program

services, and added program components to the Scenic City Certification Program.

These program components include the Scenic City of the Year and Scenic City

People’s Choice Contests, Scenic City Leadership Network, restructured SCCP

membership to establish a self-sufficient program and developed the weekly Scenic City

Showcase to promote each Scenic City’s unique qualities. She has worked

collaboratively with Texas municipalities to create stronger scenic policies, high-quality

municipal standards, and greener public spaces and infrastructure. This includes

planting nearly 15,000 trees and securing in-kind tree donations totaling $750,000.00.

Additional successes followed these programs and the organization’s developments to

include implementing a highly effective paid internship program by partnering with

TAMUCC, producing numerous scenic and environmental conservation videos, and

implementing several successful For the Love of Texas Scenic Bike Ride annual

fundraisers. Under her leadership, Scenic Texas has increased its marketing and

community outreach, communications, and additional services to further advance the

organization’s mission.

A native Texan, born and raised in Freer, Texas, and passionate about scenic

conservation, she has worked diligently to inspire others to share Scenic Texas’ vision

and mission. Like Scenic Texas, board members and colleagues, she is dedicated to

honoring and serving the great state of Texas, its municipalities, and its citizens. She

invites you to join Scenic Texas in honoring Texas, preserving its scenic landscapes,

and working together to improve the beauty of Texas and the quality

• Fiscal Management, planning and controls to include development of annual budgets
• Collaboratively work with boards and staff to established 3-to-5-year strategic plans consisting of the overall financial and operation’s agency goals
• Responsible for collaboration and implementation of annual fund development plans
• Researched, prepared and executed of federal, state, and local grant proposals/public policy legislative team
• Created and launched fundraising campaigns, events, plans and activities for each individual agency
• Executed and implemented three non-profit agencies from their inception, created all agency policies and procedures and consistently increased revenues annually to include CASH RESERVES
• Exemplify highly effective communication, networking and persuasion skills that link donations with community impact and enhance relationships with donors and the mission of the organization
• Initiated expansion and increase in services to include establishing 2 satellite offices in different geographical locations and expanded our program services to 3 different cities tripling our organization’s revenue
• Progressive responsibility in supervisory experience and personnel management to include planning, directing coordinating and monitoring the day-to-day operations and services of an agency
• Quality control, risk management and assurances for accreditation of all state and agency regulatory compliance to include reporting to each respective entities, donors and partnerships.

In addition, I have a proven record in successfully and strategically organizing and prioritizing the vision and
financial goals of an organization by developing a culture of philanthropy with stakeholders, foundations and business leaders within communities. Due to my extensive background and experience in project management and administration, I have acquired and implemented numerus successful strategic planning initiatives. Most importantly, I have documented experience as a strong dynamic leader and administrator requiring minimal supervision and able to work well independently while eagerly listening and learning from board members ideas and their contributions.
Having been born in Freer, Texas and always passionate about being a Texan, along with my serious background in the non-profit sector, inspiring others to share Scenic Texas vision and mission has been an honor. I am a native Texan and was born and raised in Freer, Texas. I earned a Master of Science Degree from Corpus Christi State University in Corpus Christi and received a Bachelor of Science from Texas A & I in Kingsville, Texas.
Please feel free to reach out to me to advance, preserve and continue to join Scenic Texas in honoring our great state of Texas. I look forward to working together to ensure Scenic Texas reaches new level of growth and impact.