Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott has named Carl Caton as chair of the Texas Commission on Marriage and Family. The governor also appointed Michael Hiller and Robert Pearle, D.Min., to serve on the commission until December 31, 2026. The commission's role is to study and develop strategies that promote strong marriages and healthy families in Texas, and to provide recommendations to the legislature aimed at fostering an environment favorable for marriage and raising children.

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, based in 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 established a divorce prevention program through legal channels and participates as a committee member for Healing Israel. 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., resides in Aledo where he 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 as well as 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.

"Carl Caton of New Braunfels is the founder and president of The San Antonio Marriage Initiative. He previously served as president of Caton Development, Inc. for twenty-three years. He is a board member of the National Alliance for Relationship and Marriage and the founder of Garden Ridge Men’s Bible Study. Caton received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Angelo State University."

"Michael Hiller of Lakeway is an attorney and mediator at Hiller and Associates PC. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and Travis County Advocates and is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law. He is an advocate for families and children, having established a divorce prevention program through the legal system. Additionally, he is a committee member for Healing Israel. Hiller received a Bachelor of Arts in Semiotics from Brown University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center."

"Robert Pearle, D.Min. of Aledo is the senior pastor at Birchman Baptist Church. He is a member of the executive board for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and a trustee for Hannibal-LaGrange University and Truett McConnell University. Pearle received a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from Southern Bible College and a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary."