Patricia Shield Ayres

Founder, Trustee, and President Emeritus of the Shield Ranch Foundation

Pat Ayres is the founder of the Shield Ranch Foundation. She treasures her experiences on Shield Ranch Barton Creek since it was purchased by her parents, Fred and Vera Shield, in 1938. A native of San Antonio, Pat visited often during the days when cattle, sheep, Angora goats, and quarter horses were raised on the Ranch.

She attended Wellesley College, and soon after married Robert M. Ayres, Jr., an investment banker in San Antonio. Pat and Bob shared their love for the Ranch with their children, Bob and Vera, as they were growing up.

In 1977, Pat and Bob founded the Shield-Ayres Foundation. Pat served as president until 2014. She has been an advocate to feed the hungry through her Bread for the World board service and for youth in the State of Texas. She was appointed to the Texas Youth Council by Governor Dolph Briscoe and served as chair of the board. She also served on the board of Texans Care for Children, an organization she helped to found.

Pat and Bob built their casita at Shield Ranch Barton Creek where they lived until Bob’s death in 2018. Pat continues to enjoy time on the Ranch and remains engaged with family and staff in planning for the future of Shield Ranch.