Barbara and Ulyesse, who were married as high school sweethearts more than 62 years ago, moved to Houston for the third (and final) time in 1983. Since that time they have been active supporters and financial contributors to the community.
During Ulyesse’s 40-year career with Exxon, they lived in Baton Rouge, Houston, New York and London and traveled extensively throughout the world. Barbara became a collector of the fine arts that decorate their home today.
They have been most active in the arts serving on the boards of the Houston Symphony and the Symphony League as well as hosting fund raisers in their home for the Symphony. In addition they have supported the fund raising activities of the Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Ballet, the SPA and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
In education, they have served on the Board of the Moore’s Society of the University of Houston’s School of Music and have been recognized by the President of Louisiana State University for their contributions to the University’s Endowed Professorship Program. Ulyesse has been named to the Hall of Distinction of the LSU School of Business.
In the medical field, they are life members of the Partnership for Baylor College of Medicine, life members of Cancer Fighters and contributors to medical research in the fields of cancer, arthritis, Cystic Fibrosis and other diseases.
Other activities include membership in the Asia Society as well as life membership in the Women’s Home. Ulyesse currently serves on the Advisory Board of Sight Into Sound and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Houston Symphony. He was recently inducted into the Financial Executives International Hall of Fame.
They have three children and six grandchildren.