Administrative Staff

Executive Director

Maxie L. (Max) Patterson

Max is the Executive Director of the Texas Association of Public Employees Retirement Systems. Prior to joining TEXPERS, he was the Executive Director of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund. He has also served as Deputy Director in the Finance & Administration Department for the City of Houston and as appointed City Treasurer and a fiduciary on the City’s three pension funds. Before coming to Houston, he was formerly an Assistant City Manager in Beaumont and also served as Chief of Police in the Town of Windsor, Connecticut and Albion, Michigan. Max has been active on the Executive Board of the Government Finance Officers Association and serves as an advisor to the Committee on Retirement and Benefit Administration. He currently serves as the Governor’s appointee to the Texas Emergency Services Retirement Board. He is retired from the U.S. Army Reserve with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer where he performed the duties of counterintelligence officer for over 30 years and was awarded three Bronze Stars, Army Commendation Medal for Valor & the Meritorious Service Medal. Max is a lifetime member of the Reserve Officers Association. He holds a B.A. and an M.P.A. from Michigan State University.

Director of Conferences & Member Relations

Carolyn Butterworth, CMP

Carolyn was born and raised in Texas. Prior to joining TEXPERS in 1997, Carolyn worked for a real estate developer for 20 years, where she held the title of Vice President. She earned her B.B.A. at Texas Tech. She is an active member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Houston Chapter. Carolyn earned her Certified Meeting Professionals (CMP) designation in 2010.

Research Analyst & Membership Services Coordinator

Arlene Truong

Arlene joined TEXPERS in 2004. She is a 2010 MBA candidate at the C.T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston. She completed her undergraduate education at Houston Baptist University, earning a B.A. in mass communications and a B.A. in English. Currently, Arlene serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Women MBAs University of Houston Chapter as the Vice President of Finance and also Chair of the Fundraising Committee.

Administrative Assistant & Accounting Clerk

Julie Nguyen