Liz Grindstaff Honored Among 2025 Texas A&M Outstanding Alumni
Freese and Nichols Client Services Leader Liz Grindstaff has been named a 2025 Harold L. Adams ’61 Outstanding Alumna by the Texas A&M University College of Architecture.
Liz, along with five other distinguished former students, was recognized during a banquet at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center on Friday, Nov. 14.
Established in 1997, the Harold L. Adams ’61 Outstanding Alumni Award honors former students who have achieved exceptional success and demonstrated strong leadership and service in their professions. Fewer than 1% of the College of Architecture’s former students receive this distinction, making it the school’s highest honor.
As a client services leader at Freese and Nichols, Liz builds trusted relationships with cities and counties across Central Texas. She connects clients with our firm’s experts to help communities manage growth, plan for the future and protect the character that makes them unique. Her work draws on more than 25 years of experience in municipal government, where she focused on historic preservation and downtown revitalization.
Before joining Freese and Nichols, Liz launched the City of Bryan’s Main Street Program and helped bring new life to the long-vacant La Salle Hotel. In Abilene, she led projects to restore historic buildings, improve parks and revitalize downtown streetscapes. In San Angelo, she implemented the City’s first capital improvement program, established a downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) district and oversaw major restoration efforts.
Liz also worked for Texas-Pacifico Railroad and served on the San Angelo City Council, including a term as mayor pro tem. She earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental design and a master’s degree in urban planning from Texas A&M.
She is a past president of Preservation Texas, a former board member of the Texas Downtown Association and currently serves on the Texas Historical Foundation board.
“This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the values that drive our work at Freese and Nichols: service, stewardship and community,” Liz said.
“I’m grateful to Texas A&M for providing the foundation that has guided me throughout my career and to my colleagues who share a passion for helping Texas communities thrive.”
Liz’s recognition highlights her commitment to helping communities across Texas grow thoughtfully and sustainably through collaboration, leadership and service.