TPEA Celebrates 80 Years

How do you properly honor 80 years? With a big party, of course! This month, TPEA held an anniversary celebration to mark eighty years of advocacy for state employees and retirees. And what a time we had!

First, a shout out to our sponsors! 

Our Lonestar Legend sponsors made the 80th Anniversary Celebration possible.

Thank you to our other event sponsors for your support!

The celebration was held on Friday, October 9 at Punch Bowl Social in Austin. We were joined by some wonderful members, benefit partners, and state agency and legislative staff. Games were played, pictures were taken,  snacks were eaten, and stories were shared.

Celebrating 80 Years

Attendees arriving

A look back over 80 years

Executive Director Elke Gonzalez and Director of Membership and Development Bianca Rawlings address the crowd.

Legislative Consultant and long time TPEA member Ray Hymel addresses the crowd.

A certificate of recognition from House Rep. Simmons.

More wonderful attendees

Director of Finance and Operations Charlotte Wilsan helping attendees get checked in.

(L-R) Shack Nail from ERS, TPEA member Carroll Fuchs, Carolyn Fuchs, TPEA member Jim Zukowski, Anita Zukowski

More attendees and benefit partners

Lively conversations

TPEA Team
(L-R) Vernon Pittman, Charlotte Wilsan, Bianca Rawlings, Ray Hymel, Robbie Williams, Elke Gonzales, Cathy Tilton

Looking forward to the next 80 years

We had such an incredible time talking with everyone about where TPEA has been and where it's headed. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU. Thank you to all those who came out to celebrate with us, thank you to everyone that signed our public support campaign, and thank you to all the members (past and present); you are the reason we do we what we do. 

We're getting ready for the 90th Legislative Session, beginning in January 2027. If you haven't joined TPEA, now is the time. Your voice makes us louder at the Capitol, and we're ready to MAKE SOME NOISE!