Scenic Houston announces new Executive Director

Scenic Houston has selected Andrea French as its new Executive Director. French, who spent the last nine years as executive director of TAG-Houston Region, brings a strong background in advocacy, planning, public policy and public engagement to her new position with Scenic Houston.

“We were impressed by Andrea’s previous experience building coalitions and communicating with a broad range of stakeholders and elected officials,” said Scenic Houston Board Chair Bill Odle. “Advocacy for the elimination of visual blight and improved scenic standards to create a more visually appealing Houston is the backbone of our mission. We are excited to have Andrea on board to help advance our mission and grow the organization and its impact.”

Before joining TAG-Houston Region, French was the Government Relations Manager for the Greater Houston Partnership, where she initiated programs to increase engagement between GHP members and local lawmakers. She moved to Houston from Oklahoma City, where she was the Public Affairs and Marketing Manager for the City of Oklahoma City. While in Oklahoma City, she developed and directed the public engagement and public relations for a $140 million downtown improvement project and managed all aspects of a political campaign that resulted in voter approval of funding for eight local economic development projects.

“I have spent my entire career advocating for and communicating on critical public policy issues,” said French. “I look forward to putting my experience and public engagement skills to work on behalf of the only organization in Houston dedicated to preserving and enhancing Houston’s visual environment with beautiful, thoughtfully planned public spaces and thoroughfares we all can enjoy.”

French succeeds Heather Houston, who is leaving to pursue other professional opportunities.

“We thank Heather for her service over the last two years and her help with the search process for our new Executive Director,” said Odle. “She guided our public awareness campaigns against the addition of huge LED billboards along our freeways and the placement of 125 digital sidewalk billboards in neighborhoods all over Houston. Under her leadership, Scenic Houston weathered the pandemic and initiated several programs – the My Scenic Houston Photo Contest, #MyScenicHouston social media campaign and the Scenic Mornings breakfast conversations with local leaders.”