TAB Regional Chairs
Region 1:
Gulf Coast
Sam Kelner, Insperity
Sam Kelner, Insperity
Sam Kelner is a Business Performance Advisor with Insperity and brings a wealth of knowledge & experience in all three major sectors: Public, Private & Nonprofit. Sam developed incredible relationships with business, civic & nonprofit leaders across the great state of Texas while working for the Bush Administration American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), among others. Sam also proudly serves on the Board of Directors for Career Gear Houston and as the Founder/Co-Chair of the Champions of Freedom Annual Campaign/Luncheon in support of our military Veterans transitioning into civilian careers/life. Sam is also a member of the Bellaire Business Association, Network In Action-Bellaire, and the Bellaire SW Rotary Club.
Region 2:
North Texas
Mike Coffey, Imperative
Mike Coffey, Imperative
Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant. In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business. Mike shares his insight from more than two decades of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community. Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year. Additionally, Imperative is included in the prestigious Best Places to Work in Texas list and has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year. Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.
Region 3:
Panhandle/West Texas
Dee Margo, Former Mayor of El Paso
Dee Margo, Former Mayor of El Paso
El Paso has been Dee Margo’s home for 45 years. Dee has served as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, participated in the founding of the Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) – now the Borderplex Alliance, became the Chairman of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce, and gave his time to several non-profits. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2010, in 2013, he was appointed President of the EPISD Board of Managers, in 2015 appointed by the Governor to serve on the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Oversight Committee (CPRIT), and most recently, he served as the 51st Mayor of El Paso, Texas, from 2017-2021.
Region 4:
South Texas
Sergio Contreras, Atlas, Hall, Rodriguez
Sergio Contreras, Atlas, Hall, Rodriguez
Sergio Contreras is CEO of Atlas, Hall, & Rodriguez, LLP, a full-service law firm based in South Texas and provides financial and operational leadership and at the direction of the Firm’s Executive Committee, supports the development of the organization’s long and short-term strategic plan. Previously, Mr. Contreras served as President/CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership. The partnership is an organization where business leaders advocate for regional collaboration and economic prosperity in South Texas. Mr. Contreras has served as a board of directors for multiple organizations in Laredo, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley. He was appointed to the Broadband Development Office Board of Advisors by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, serves on the Advisory Council of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, and is a board member of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council and is the Immediate Past Chair of the Border Trade Alliance.
Region 5:
East Texas
Mark Robinson, East Texas Coalition
Mark Robinson, East Texas Coalition
Mark Robinson serves as a cabinet member of the East Texas Coalition, a business advocacy organization created by regionally focused Chambers of Commerce. He also serves on the Executive Boards of the Kilgore Area Chamber of Commerce, the Longview Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Longview United Way, the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, and several others. Mark is passionate about energy's important role in the success of our East Texas businesses in a global market. When not advocating for business, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and three children hiking, shooting hoops or fishing in the great outdoors.
Region 6:
Central Texas
Kevin Matula, USAA
Kevin Matula, Zachry Group
Kevin Matula serves as Zachry Group’s Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy, where he manages the organization’s interface with external partners, including elected officials and community leaders. Matula has served in local, state, and federal governmental offices, having worked for a congressman, three state representatives, a district attorney, and several candidates seeking public office. Previously he served on the Government Relations, Regulatory Affairs & Public Policy team for CPS Energy, the nation’s largest municipally owned utility. In the community, he serves on the board and executive committee of the United Way of San Antonio & Bexar County as the current Chair of the Emerging Leaders. Recently he was appointed the 2023 San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council Chair. Additionally, he serves on boards and committees associated with the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences at St. Mary’s University, The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, The DoSeum, and local education non-profits.
