David L. Bales, President

David Bales was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and graduated UT Austin, where he studied Political Science and History. His medical and political connections run deep.

From 1987 to 1991, David was a Medicaid Fraud Investigator with the Texas Attorney General's Office. From 1991 through 1993, he worked with the Texas Senate in the capacity of Research Director for the Nominations Committee. David joined Texans for Stem Cell Research in 2005, and has been both a Board Member and the Secretary before taking the position of President in 2007. He is a real estate agent in the Austin Metropolitan area and currently works as a Petroleum Land Man.

Previously, David was an owner of Scholz Garten, the famous political watering hole. David's father, Larry Bales, was a State Representative in the early 1970's, and wrote the State's first significant ethics legislation under the trees at Scholz's, so you might say that David comes to us with politics in his blood.

Mary Beck, Treasurer

Mary Beck has over 23 years of financial and budgetary experience with the State of Texas. She has also worked with various non-profits throughout her career, including serving as treasurer and finance director for the Executive Women in Texas Government.

Over the years, Ms. Beck has volunteered at various non-profits that serve children with medical issues such as Austin Children's Hospital and the Faith Home, and is very excited about the possibilities of stem cell research and its far-reaching potential in our lifetime.

Lee Leatherwood, Secretary

A fifth generation Texan, Lee’s interest in public policy and advocacy dates back to his childhood in Bonham, Texas, when he was a Cub Scout volunteer for the funeral of his hometown’s most illustrious resident, U.S. House Speaker Sam Rayburn -- a national event attended by Presidents Truman, Eisenhauer, Kennedy and Johnson.

Lee graduated in 1978 from UT-Austin (BA-English/Radio-TV-Film) and enjoyed a long and successful career in hotel management. As past President of the Central Texas Hotel Sales and Marketing Association, Lee’s active leadership was instrumental in galvanizing public support for the creation of the Austin Convention Center. Since 2004, he has served as a family counselor for Dignity Memorial funeral homes, helping hundreds of Austin area families.