Honors and Awards

He entered the Houston Police Academy in 1989 and advanced through assignments in patrol, public affairs and internal investigations. From 2021 to 2024, he served as Houston police chief, leading more than 5,000 sworn officers and 900 civilian employees with an emphasis on accountability, officer wellness and community collaboration.

Finner earned his master's degree in criminology from University of Houston-Clear Lake while working full time as a lieutenant and supporting his family. His graduate studies examined relationships among history, race, crime and public perception, helping shape his approach to community trust. He also is a graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute, the Major Cities Chiefs Association Police Executive Leadership Institute and the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Police.

Throughout his career, Finner has emphasized transparency, respectful treatment, listening to residents and mentoring young people.

The Distinguished Alumni Award honors graduates whose careers have made substantial contributions to society and brought credit to UHCL. Finner's advancement and commitment to community-centered policing reflect those standards.

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For more than 20 years, he has studied the intersection of marketing, sales, technology and human behavior, advising financial institutions and leaders navigating change.

Lay began building his business while studying at University of Houston-Clear Lake, where a campus event introduced him to his first major financial-services client. He earned a bachelor's degree in management information systems and an MBA, combining technology, business strategy and marketing in work centered on people's needs and decisions. His industry contributions include advising, education and thought leadership on digital growth and change.

Lay has remained involved with UHCL, serving on the Alumni Association Executive Council and returning as a guest lecturer since 2010. Through those visits, he shares lessons and encourages students to use their education to help others.

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes Lay's entrepreneurial accomplishments, influence within financial services and continued investment in the university community.

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Utilitizing her background in health, fitness and wearable technology. Notable product work at Peloton includes guiding the launches of Lanebreak, the company's first fitness game; the award-winning Peloton Strength+ app; and Club Peloton, the member loyalty program.

Before joining Peloton, Avera was a human factors engineer at Apple, where she worked on wireless technologies, hardware ergonomics and inclusive design for older adults. She also contributed to research supporting fall and atrial fibrillation detection for Apple Watch.

Avera earned her master's degree in applied cognitive psychology from the University of Houston-Clear Lake after completing a bachelor's degree in human development at the University of Texas at Austin. Applied projects and internships with HP Inc. and Houston Methodist Hospital helped prepare her to move directly into industry.

She has contributed to 13 publications in human factors, presents regularly at conferences and co-chairs the NYC UXR professional club.

Avera also remains connected to UHCL by maintaining relationships with faculty, speaking to classes and mentoring current students.
                                                                                         

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In 2018, Ms. Koncaba was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to Texas Mutual’s board of directors where she currently serves on the Executive Committee and Operations Committee Chairman. She also currently serves on the boards of Stewart Security Capital, the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce, and South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce, on which she serves as Chair-Elect.  

In the past, Ms. Koncaba was the chairperson of the Texas Bankers Foundation Board, Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, and Bay Area YMCA Advisory Board. She was a Change Magazine “Women Creating Change” honoree, University of Houston–Clear Lake “Early Achievement Award” recipient, Perry Family YMCA Volunteer of the Year, Houston Business Journal – “Women Who Mean Business” honoree, and a University of Houston “Cougar 100” honoree each year for 5 consecutive years.  

While she has achieved much with her professional and civic involvement, Ms. Koncaba feels that it is even more important to give back to the community who has blessed her so much through active charitable engagement.  She and her husband, Kenny, support numerous local charitable opportunities that benefit groups or individuals in the region financially, as well as with their time and talent.  

The charity Ms. Koncaba gets the most joy with her involvement in is Kidz Harbor, a group foster home in Liverpool, Texas, where she has made it her mission to bring awareness to the foster children who reside there.  She has been active for many years providing and procuring funds for various improvements on the property for the betterment and enjoyment of these children. She also continues to be an active member of the Gala Committee, on which she has served for nearly 10 years.  

Ms. Koncaba and her husband, Kenny, have 3 children, Kristen Marinello, Matt Koncaba, and Alice Koncaba as well as one grandchild, Andy Marinello.  

During nearly two decades at UHCL, she has taught and advised undergraduate social work students, directed field education and helped maintain the program's national accreditation. She holds a bachelor's degree in social work from Murray State University and a master's degree and doctorate in social work from the University of Houston.

A professional social worker, Kanenberg has advocated for oppressed and disenfranchised populations, with a focus on children's health, women's health and public policy. Her research examines feminist policy analysis and issues affecting underrepresented populations.

In the classroom, she combines high expectations with an accessible, responsive approach that encourages students to contribute, ask questions and develop their professional voices. Beyond teaching and advising,

Kanenberg has served as Faculty Senate president and advised the Social Work Student Organization and Phi Alpha honor society. She received UHCL's President's Distinguished Service Award in 2019 and Faculty Advisor of the Year recognition in 2018.

The Outstanding Professor Award honors faculty who inspire students and build community through teaching, mentoring, student involvement and shared governance. Kanenberg's record reflects each of those commitments.


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