Our Team

The RECA staff is here to help you. Take a moment to learn about each of us, the areas within RECA we manage, and our areas of expertise so we can assist you in your RECA experience. We look forward to getting to know you!

Dianne Bangle
CEO

Dianne Bangle is responsible for developing and executing RECA’s overall strategy and managing its day-to-day operations. As CEO, she forges alliances, establishes and maintains relationships with government officials and civic leaders, and ensures that RECA is involved in decisions surrounding Austin’s growth. Dianne Bangle oversees the administration of the organization, including its annual budget and goals. Bangle was selected to lead RECA in April 2017.

Prior to taking the reins at RECA, Bangle served as the Executive Director of Development at the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business, where she served as a key member of the Dean’s development staff, managed a team of major gift and annual giving officers, created donor and stewardship strategy and led capital campaigns and major projects. Prior to that, Bangle served for 12 years as the Executive Director of Shoes for Austin, a startup and incentive-based nonprofit organization that provided new athletic shoes to tens of thousands of deserving children at more than 40 social services agencies around Central Texas.

Born and raised in Seattle, Dianne has lived in Austin for more than 20 years. She's also a licensed attorney in both Texas and Colorado and holds a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Washington.

Alina Carnahan
Vice President of Advocacy

Alina Carnahan helps develop and coordinate programs to improve the effectiveness of RECA’s Advocacy with City, County and State Officials and assists in developing strategy to accomplish the organization’s advocacy objectives. Additionally, she is responsible for developing and overseeing key internal and external messaging including policy position statements and advocacy alerts.

Prior to joining RECA, Alina was the media relations manager for the Austin-Travis County COVID-19 response, where she collaborated with elected officials and Austin Public Health policymakers to deliver policy decisions, public health updates, and educational information to both the media and the community at large. She previously served as the Public Affairs Manager for Buie & Co., helping Central Texas development groups navigate policy and communications in Austin, and she worked for the City of Austin in various departments, including as the Public Information Officer for the CodeNEXT project.

Alina hails from Southern California and has lived in Austin since her time at The University of Texas, where she graduated with dual degrees in Government and Rhetoric & Writing. She continues to serve current UT students and area high schools as the chair of the Central Texas Model UN Board of Directors.

Joe Deshotel
Director of Policy & Government Affairs

Joe Deshotel is responsible for developing and executing the policy platform of the organization, while working in collaboration with the RECA CEO, Vice President of Advocacy, and the Board of Directors.

Before joining RECA, Joe was Vice President of Datum Tech. At this digital advocacy firm, he worked with clients to develop and deploy digital ad campaigns during state legislative sessions and ballot elections.

Joe has over a decade of public affairs experience and has previously worked on several high-profile political campaigns including a Presidential campaign during the 2020 cycle. As Government Relations Manager for Lime, Joe helped secure scooter permits across Texas giving Lime the largest market share in the state.

Joe is originally from Beaumont, TX but a love of music and politics brought him to Austin where he continues to be involved in the community, especially on issues for which he is most passionate, transportation and housing

Paula Romano
Director of Events

Paula Romano is responsible for planning, overseeing and executing all of RECA’s events including KnockOut Night, membership luncheons, networking happy hours and more.

Prior to joining RECA, Paula served as Member Engagement and Events Director at the Texas Association of Business (TAB) where she was responsible for development and management of all TAB conferences, meetings, round tables, golf tournaments and galas. In this role, she also had high-level board member engagement responsibilities. She also previously managed events and board member relations for the Baylor Scott and White Foundation in Irving.

Paula grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Texas since 1997. She graduated from South Catholic High School, and spent many years volunteering with the Catholic Church while raising her family.

Tabitha Sutter
Director of Membership

Tabitha Sutter is responsible for RECA’s membership recruitment, engagement and retention. She also oversees the two young professional programs, Leadership Development Council and REAL YP. Additionally, Tabitha manages the RECA website, email communications and social media.

Prior to joining RECA, Tabitha served as the Marketing and Special Events Assistant for the Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. In this role, she was tasked with implementing innovative additions to company hosted conferences and academies, executing new business strategies to bring in new members, and developing three-day conference and event schedules for over 500+ attendees and presenters. In previous positions, Tabitha has served as an assistant in operations to well-known names and events in the Austin community such as the former Executive Director Jean Spivey of Old Settlers Music Festival and former local radio personalities Jason and Deb of the 101x morning show.

Tabitha grew up in Austin and graduated with her Associates of Applied Science Degree in Music Business from the local community college, where she specialized in music production, promotions, and event operations.

Raeesah James
Office Administrator

Raeesah James is responsible for providing general office management for RECA by facilitating communications, operations and effective processes in all office departments. Raeesah additionally oversees administrative support to the RECA CEO and acts as the initial face and voice of the organization.

Prior to joining RECA, Raeesah served as the Business Development Manager at the Chuck Nash Auto Group. In this role, she was tasked with developing department wide goals, implementing focused strategies to support team members, and identifying opportunities for campaigns, services, and distribution channels to increases sales.

Raeesah grew up in Houston and graduated at Texas State University with her Bachelors of Arts in Marketing.