Board of Directors
Child Advocates of Fort Bend is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a diverse group of 30 business and civic leaders representing a variety of professional sectors, geographical regions, ages, genders and ethnicities. Our Directors share a passion for impacting the lives of abused and neglected children in our community. We are fortunate that every year, 100% of our Board Directors make a financial contribution. They are also actively involved in outreach and ambassadorship as well as serving as CASA and CAC Volunteers.
- David Lanagan, President
- Eileen Akerson, Vice President
- Dexter McCoy, Secretary
- Jim McClellan, Treasurer
- Jim Lockwood, Parliamentarian
- Farha Ahmed
- Dr. Betty Baitland
- Cynthia Barratt
- Jill Curtis
- Carrie Fix
- Joe Freudenberger
- Valerie Golden
- Narmin Kermally
- Rhonda Kuykendall
- Bruce Longaker
- Vickie Looney
- Matthew Martin
- Xavier Maza
- Ruthanne Mefford
- Marcelo Moacyr
- Carla Mondt
- Irfan Motiwala
- Apurva Parikh
- Nancy Olson
- Carlos Perez
- Darrell Roth
- Pat Somers
- Patti Tuma
- Shiroz Virani
CASA and CAC Advisory Councils
In addition to our Board, Child Advocates of Fort Bend is supported by four advisory councils. The CASA Advisory Council and CAC Advisory Council provide program guidance and expertise. Their members are subject matter experts ranging from attorneys, law enforcement officers, medical providers, child welfare specialists, school superintendents and administrators, placement agencies and community representatives. These program councils meet monthly to advise on programming, community outreach, outcomes measurement, and the legislative and legal issues impacting our cases.
- Marjorie Hancock, President
- Lynne Spiwak, Secretary
- Dr. Connie Almeida
- René Cannavo
- Carrisha Cook
- Casey Davis
- Leshia Fisher
- Carrie Fix
- Dr. Ilene Harper
- DeJuana Jernigan
- Metoyer Martin
- Ruthanne Mefford
- John Robson
- Shannan Stavinoha
- Dallis Warren, Chair
- Sandra Sanchez, Vice Chair
- Fran Clark, Secretary
- Farha Ahmed
- Mike Berezin
- Rob Bostic
- Afshi Charania Merchant
- Jennifer Chiang
- John Colburn
- Danny Cornelius
- Jeff Craig
- Sheriff Eric Fagan
- Dr. Karen Gollaher
- Vita Goodell
- Mike Harvey
- Alex Hunt
- Juli Johnson
- Tyra McCollum
- Ruthanne Mefford
- Chinnu Meher-Homji
- District Attorney Brian Middleton
- Suzy Morton
- Jarret Nethery
- Bridgette Smith-Lawson
- Jarita Wharton
- Dwayne Williams
Volunteer Council
Volunteer Council is comprised of ten tenured volunteers representing both our CAC and CASA programs. Members meet monthly and serve at least one year. The Council serves as a link between our staff and volunteers to facilitate communication and provide volunteer mentorship and support. They participate in our quarterly New Volunteer Trainings and at the New Volunteer Swearing-In Ceremonies and Luncheons.
- Deann Reuff, Chair
- Donna Anderson
- Nancy Dale
- Kathy Eyring
- Carrie Fix
- Alexis Jackson
- Julia Saller
- Sheri Walters
Friends of Child Advocates of Fort Bend
Friends Council is an auxiliary group dedicated to direct assistance to the children we serve. Friends Council raises funds through annual membership ($40/year) and currently has approximately 100 members. Friends membership form
- Pat Somers, President
- Alexis Jackson, Treasurer
- Lynn Halford
- Jessica Kij
- Joyce Levine
- Sue Lockwood
- Judy Maddison
- Lisa Moore
- Daisy Ohnimus
CAFB adheres to a strict Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse Policy in our practices and operations.
