AARO, A NON-PARTISAN THOUGHT LEADER FOR CENTRAL TEXAS, HAS WORKED BEHIND THE SCENES ON CRITICAL REGIONAL ISSUES SINCE 1980. THE MEMBERSHIP IS AN INTENTIONALLY DIVERSE GROUP OF CENTRAL TEXAS LEADERS DRAWN FROM BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, REAL ESTATE, NONPROFITS AND FOUNDATIONS. IN 2023, AARO HOSTED OVER 50 PROGRAMS ALLOWING MEMBERS TO ENGAGE IN SUBSTANTIVE AND FRANK CONVERSATIONS AROUND CRITICAL ISSUES FOR THE CENTRAL TEXAS REGION. MOST COMMITTEE MEETINGS WERE HELD IN A HYBRID FORMAT WHILE MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS AND THE ANNUAL MEETING WERE HELD IN PERSON. COMMITTEES CONTINUED THEIR EXPLORATION OF BBQS (BIG BEAUTIFUL QUESTIONS) AND THE VISION COMMITTEE COMMISSIONED AND OVER SAW RESEARCH BOARD EXPLORED THE CONCEPT OF AN AARO SUMMIT OPEN TO MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS. IN ADDITION, AARO PROVIDED TEN EXCEPTIONAL CENTRAL TEXAS LEADERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN AARO'S ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE MCBEE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.