Chuck Wemple is the Executive Director of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, an agency with an annual operating budget of over $600 million and 500 team members who focus on improving quality of life for the region’s 13counties, 123 cities, and 7.7 million people. H-GAC program areas of public service include transportation planning, community and economic development, public safety, senior citizen services, workforce development, and disaster recovery.

He is a certified foresight practitioner from the Institute for the Future and is currently exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence, public service and local governments.

Chuck is the Immediate Past Chair of the Executive Directors’ Council for theNational Association of Regional Councils, an American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow, and one of America’s 250 Public Service Champions by Local Gov 250 and the National Academy of Public Administration. Chuck is also a competitive fencer and aspiring magician.