About Catherine

·  U.S. Air Force Intelligence Office (Honorably Discharged as a Captain)

·  Aerospace Engineer

·  Past President: Community Assistance Center; Dunwoody Nature Center; Mill Glen Swim and Tennis Club

·  Board member: Discover Dunwoody

·  Appointee: Dunwoody Economic Recovery Advisory Committee

·  Leadership role: Austin Elementary PTA; Dunwoody High School PTSO

·  Leadership Perimeter alumna and Program Director

I was born in Naples, Italy, to Navy parents. Both my mom and dad served. I moved about every two years as a child. I graduated from high school in Ogden, Utah. I went to Boston University on a full ROTC scholarship. I graduated with a BS in Aerospace Engineering. 

I spent four very active years in the US Air Force, serving as an Intelligence Officer for a C-130 unit in North Carolina. My job was to brief pilots on any threats they may encounter on their mission. Our mission was worldwide and busy even during peacetime. I deployed to Ethiopia (bringing aid to Somalia), Germany (dropping aid into Bosnia during that war), and Honduras. I concluded my service as a Captain (O-3). My favorite experience was getting an F-16 ride!

My first civilian experience was as a Product Engineer for a manufacturing plant in Charlotte. While working, I finished by MBA at UNC Charlotte. I then spent several years raising my kids. This showed me all the opportunities available in the non-profit world. I began volunteering at Austin Elementary, running the book fair for a couple of years. I edited the bi-weekly newsletter at Dunwoody High School. I served as President as well as Tennis Chair of Mill Glen Swim Club.

I served eight years on the Community Assistance Center’s Board of Directors, two years as President. I chaired their signature fundraiser Vintage Affair, raising over $100k. I oversaw a successful $2 million capital campaign. I then served six years on the Dunwoody Nature Center Board, two years as President. I am currently a Trustee with The Nature Conservancy, Georgia Chapter.

I have been a member of the Board of Discover Dunwoody since January 2019. This is our official destination marketing organization, tasked with investing the hotel taxes for the betterment of our city. I currently serve on Dunwoody’s Economic Recovery Advisory Committee, appointed by Mayor Deutsch. 

My day job is Program Director of Leadership Perimeter. Each year I educate 45 class members about the Perimeter area with the goal of making them active community members.

I have been married to my husband Conrad for 34 years. We met while both living in Hawaii. He retired from Bank of America this year. We have two wonderful children. Brynn graduated from Chamblee High, then Vassar College. Cade graduated from Dunwoody High and the University of Michigan. My in-laws Conrad and Susan Lautenbacher are also Dunwoody residents. 

Catherine is finishing her first term on the Council.