Kelly Frels
Houston, Texas

Kelly Frels, senior partner in the Houston law firm of Bracewell and Giuliani, was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas State in 1978. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in education from Texas State in 1966 and a law degree from The University of Texas School of Law in 1970. Since joining Bracewell and Giuliani that same year, Mr. Frels has spent most of his career representing public and private schools and other public organizations, and in 2004 he became the first recipient of the Chairman’s Award for Lifetime Achievement from the National School Boards Association’s Council of School Attorneys. In 1979, Mr. Frels was chosen as the Outstanding Young Lawyer by the Texas Young Lawyers Association. He later served the legal profession as president of the Houston Bar Association 1994-1995 and as a member of the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors. He was president of the State Bar of Texas 2004-2005.

In 2004, Mr. Frels was named Director Emeritus of the Greater Houston Partnership after many years of involvement. He served as a member of the Partnership’s Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, and he chaired the Governmental Relations Committee, the Environment Advisory Committee, and the Quality of Life Advisory Committee. He also served as chair of the Houston Area Flood Control Task Force, and in 2003 he was honored by the Houston Chapter of the American Red Cross as an “Everyday Hero.” Mr. Frels has also served as president of the Texas State University Alumni Association.