TEXAS PAYROLL CONFERENCE - Key Persons

Barbara Biri

Job Titles:

Treasurer of the Board of Directors

Carolyn Cox

Job Titles:

Member of the Board of Directors

Chester Morgan

ch..@streamrealty.com

Job Titles:

Member of the Board of Directors

Judith, "Judy" Houghton passed quietly in sleep at Presbyterian Hospital on January 19, 2012 at the age of 72. She was born in Rawlins, Wyoming, and moved to Texas at the age of 3. Many current-day attendees may only recognize her name because the TPC scholarship which was established in her honor. TPC veterans knew Judy as our first conference planner. Judith studied dance and drama at the University of Texas. Not long after graduating in 1957, she choreographed shows in Dallas, Austin, Galveston, and Texas City, and began teaching at a new dance school in Dallas. She was affiliated with the Southern Methodist University dance faculty and produced live shows at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, at Six Flags locations in Texas and Georgia, and at Marine World and Seven Seas. She also partnered with Charles R. Meeker, Jr. and others in the operation of "Charlie's Place" in Fort Worth. Ms. Houghton worked with show business legends such as Bob Hope, the Smothers Brothers, and Jimmy Durante while serving as Vice-President and General Manager of Miss Teenage America. She not only produced the Miss Teenage America national telecast for many years, but traveled the world producing Miss Universe pageants. Her credits include countless major productions for communities as well as major corporations such as Dr. Pepper. She took joy in spotlighting young talent, and several Broadway and television personalities made their professional debuts in her shows. Ms. Houghton went on to work as Communications Director for the Alzheimer's Association in Dallas and as meeting planner for the Texas Payroll Conference, which is where so many of us met her and came to love her. As the meeting planner for TPC from 1989 to 2005, Judy was a loyal and committed friend and supporter of the payroll profession and the Texas Payroll Conference. She was called on a gloomy Saturday about 24 years ago to meet a group of well-intended payroll professionals who needed "some help" planning a state-wide payroll conference. Judy agreed to meet this small group at a Steak & Ale Restaurant to see if she could offer any assistance. Not only did she succeed in helping this small group organize the very first TPC, but she in helping this small group organize the very first TPC, but she began a legacy that lasted over 17 years.