CATHERINE AND DANIEL BURDETTE

By Patti Otte

Work Hard. Play Hard. Give Back. That’s the motto Catherine and Daniel Burdette wrote together years ago and still wholeheartedly embrace in their daily lives.

Both native Texans, Cat, as she is affectionately known to her friends, and Daniel met at Adair’s Saloon in Dallas, a Deep Ellum stalwart. Cat is a native Houstonite, while Daniel grew up in Waxahachie, after a few years living on a farm in Mt. Pleasant in his youth (with several scars to prove it, he chuckles). Cat graduated with bachelor’s degrees from both the University of Colorado and the University of Northern Colorado before living in Denver and later moving to Dallas. She then earned a master's degree in Radio, Television and Film from the University of North Texas.

Daniel earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band (WHOOP!), a specialty unit in the Corps of Cadets. As a member of the Corps, Daniel had the opportunity to shake the hands of five US Presidents. He was one of a dozen senior cadets asked to escort dignitaries around the library grounds at Texas A&M when the Bush Presidential Library was opened in 1997. Past presidents Ford, Carter, Bush (41) and Clinton were in attendance, as was Nancy Reagan. George W. Bush, who was Texas’s governor at that time, was also in attendance.

After graduating from college, Cat and Daniel pursued very different career paths, one in media (Cat) and the other in software development (Daniel). After years working in other cities, they have both joined Richardson-based companies. Cat is a Senior Producer of video and podcasts for Infosys and Daniel is the Senior Director of Software Development for ADVault. A natural storyteller, Cat was honored with a 2020 Lone Star Emmy for producing the Family First 2010 Single Spot/Campaign at WFAA. The statue stands proudly in their home next to Daniel’s two patents, both impressive inventions too complicated to describe.

When asked to describe each other, Daniel says Cat is smart, decisive and beautiful, whereas Cat calls Daniel easygoing, funny and hard-working. And folks who know the couple admire Daniel’s kindness and patience and Cat’s wittiness and creativity. They balance each other out in so many ways. And they share a great love of dogs, particularly their giant pups River and Bob.

The Burdettes are in constant motion and love to travel! When they first started dating in 2002, Cat and Daniel decided to go on an adventure for their first New Year together, ringing in 2003 at the base of Big Ben in London. A tradition was born and they’ve been exploring new places ever since.

Australia and New Zealand are on their bucket lists.

Also avid runners, the couple has completed 17 marathons together, and a few that one or the other did solo. Memorable among the marathons are the Berlin Marathon, which Cat ran in 2019 and the Comrades Marathon, a

56-mile ultramarathon in South Africa, which Daniel completed in 2012.

In addition to being avid runners and travelers, Cat and Daniel are self-described patrons of the arts, enjoying Richardson’s live music and theatre performances, art galleries and festivals. They’re also steadfast supporters of a variety of philanthropic organizations within the community. They serve together on the Board of Directors for the Richardson Adult Literacy Center and Daniel is currently serving a term as president of the organization while Cat leads the Murder Mystery fundraiser committee.

The couple also enjoy attending many of the fundraisers for organizations and nonprofits in town, many at which one or both of them volunteers and/or helps organize: RALC’s Murder Mystery, Network’s Fork Off, Methodist Richardson Medical Center Foundation’s Call for Compassion Gala, and the RSO Beaujolais Bash, to name a few.

Daniel and Cat are both graduates of Leadership Richardson, Daniel in Class 28 and Cat in Class 29. Daniel went on to serve on the Board of Directors for the LR Alumni Association, starting as the Vice President of Membership and later as President. Participating in this foundational program cemented their interest in all things Richardson.

Members of First United Methodist Church Richardson, they have served on various committees and strategic planning areas over the more than 20 years they’ve been members. Daniel has sung in the bass section of the Chancel Choir since their first week at FUMCR and has enjoyed the opportunity to perform with many talented artists, including Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Sandi Patti, and the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, to name a few.

On living here, the couple reflects in unison: “We love the innovative and collaborative spirit in the city…from the vibrant and engaged neighborhoods, to the numerous parks and trails (there’s a park within a 10-minute walk of every home in Richardson!), and the multitude of opportunities for citizens to learn and get involved in the city. We also love that our city leadership and elected officials are so accessible.”

If ever a couple deserved to be called movers and shakers, Daniel and Cat do! And the city is better for having their involvement in so many aspects of the community. Cheers to the happy couple!