Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Carl Caton as chair of the Texas Commission on Marriage and Family. In addition to Caton’s appointment, Michael Hiller and Robert Pearle, D.Min., have also been named to the commission for terms ending December 31, 2026. The commission is tasked with studying and developing strategies to promote strong marriages and healthy families in Texas, as well as making recommendations to the legislature aimed at creating a supportive environment for marriage and child-rearing.
Carl Caton, from New Braunfels, is the founder and president of The San Antonio Marriage Initiative. He previously led Caton Development, Inc. for over two decades. Caton serves on the board of the National Alliance for Relationship and Marriage and founded Garden Ridge Men’s Bible Study. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Angelo State University.
Michael Hiller of Lakeway works as an attorney and mediator at Hiller and Associates PC. He is a member of both the State Bar of Texas and Travis County Advocates, with Board Certification in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Hiller has created a divorce prevention program through the legal system and participates in Healing Israel as a committee member. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Semiotics from Brown University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center.
Robert Pearle, D.Min., from Aledo, serves as senior pastor at Birchman Baptist Church. He sits on the executive board for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and acts as trustee for Hannibal-LaGrange University and Truett McConnell University. Pearle earned his Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from Southern Bible College along with Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.
“The Commission is created to study and develop strategies for promoting strong marriages and healthy families and to make recommendations to the legislature to advance the goal of creating an environment in this state that is favorable for marriage and raising children,” according to Governor Abbott’s office.
