Young Professionals Board

Colby Thomas

YP Board President

Colby Thomas grew up in Calallen, Texas outside of Corpus Christi. He graduated from Texas State University in 2009 with a BS in Engineering. He moved to Houston after graduating to embark on his career in oil and gas. Colby worked for Strike, LLC and GE Oil & Gas before joining Plains All American LP in 2012. He is an engineering manager in the Capital Projects Group at Plains All American, leading a team of Project Managers in expansion efforts across the company.

Colby has been involved with Sky High for many years, particularly beside his father who is currently on Sky High’s San Antonio Events Committee. In addition to his commitment with Sky High, he actively serves at his church, Second Baptist.

Colby and his wife Catherine live in Pearland with their daughter Bennett. He enjoys spending time with family, cooking, traveling, sports and doing triathlons.

Sydney Mafrige-Kerns

YP Board Vice President

Sydney is a fourth generation Houstonian, graduating with a bachelor’s in Corporate Communications from the University of Texas at Austin. She started her career in event planning with Keely Thorne Events, shifting her focus to Commercial Real Estate with Wulfe & Co. She is now employed at her family company, David Z. Mafrige Interests, as Vice President where she oversees leasing, sales and marketing, and design for over one million square feet around Texas.

Sydney started her involvement with Sky High on the Ladies Who Brunch committee. Her involvement has grown over time as she currently sits on the Young Professionals Board as Vice President, and is the upcoming Co-Chair for the Ladies Who Brunch.
Outside of her time with Sky High and work, Sydney’s hobbies include traveling, cooking, hunting, and golfing.

Patrick Fertitta

YP Board Member

Patrick Fertitta is a Director at Fertitta Entertainment, Inc., privately owned by his father, Tilman J. Fertitta. The company owns the Houston Rockets, Landry’s, Inc. and the Golden Nugget Casinos. A world leader in the dining, hospitality, entertainment and gaming industries, Fertitta Entertainment, Inc. (FEI) employs 60,000+ employees and operates over 600 properties world-wide, including more than 60 unique brands.

After receiving his BA in Business Administration from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, Patrick returned to his native Houston and makes his home in River Oaks.  As a Director at Fertitta Entertainment, Inc., Patrick works closely with the Executive Teams at the Houston Rockets, Landry’s, Inc. and the Golden Nugget Casinos focusing on innovative business solutions and strategy.

Continuing a long family history of philanthropy, Patrick participates in numerous charity organizations such as the Clutch City Foundation, Houston Children’s Charity, and the Houston Police Foundation, among others. Frequently serving as co-hosts with his siblings and parents, Tilman and Paige, Patrick continues the Fertitta’s well-known support for charities benefitting the city of Houston.

Miranda Knippers

YP Board Member

Miranda Knippers grew up in East Texas outside of Palestine with her mom, dad and younger brother, Leif.  Stock showing, hunting, fishing, working on the family blueberry farm, and riding 4wheelers to Grammie’s house were key highlights growing up.

A proud West Texas A&M University Buff Alum, Miranda graduated in 2011 with a BBA in General Business & Secondary Education.  As a student, Miranda was actively involved on campus and represented WT on the Texas A&M University System’s Chancellor’s Student Advisory Council, Student Government senator, a student worker at the HUB, and member of the Student Alumni Board.

Miranda now resides in Houston, TX and works for Nalco Champion, a specialty chemical company in oil and gas.  In her current role, she supports the college recruiting team and leads the US land and Gulf of Mexico sales internship program.

Cameron Miles

YP Board Member

Cameron is a Winterville, North Carolina native living in Houston, Texas.  She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and is currently working for Buckeye Partners.  In addition to volunteering for Sky High, Cameron enjoys traveling, cooking and most outdoor activities.

Jessica Morrison

YP Board Member

Jessica Morrison is a native Houstonian, and currently is a Vice President at Bank of Texas, where she is responsible for sourcing, analyzing, and managing new loan opportunities, as well as managing her loan portfolio.  Jessica has been with the bank for over 7 years, and has significant lending experience in the maritime, industrial, and oilfield services sectors.

She currently lives in Houston with her husband, Matt, and two pups, Jack and Milo.  They are both actively involved in their church, Bayou City Fellowship, as well as numerous organizations in the Greater Houston area.

Jessica received a B.B.A. in Finance from the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.