To: Region VI Community Action Membership
From: LaQuita Thornley, Nomination Committee Chair ()
Community Action Association of Region VI Nominations has closed. Candidates seeking Office for 2016 - 2018 Board of Directors.
The Call for Nominations has now closed and below are the candidates seeking open positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, NCAF (National Community Action Foundation) Representative, and CAP (Community Action Partnership) Representative. The proposed slate of officers will be presented to the Board on Wednesday morning and the election of officers will be held at the General Membership Meeting on Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.
President
Dan Boyd, Executive Director, Community Services of Northeast Texas, Inc. , Texas -
Dan Boyd entered into the Community Action arena in 1993 as a staff accountant at the Community Council in Galveston, Texas. Under the leadership of the late June P. Ross, a highly respected pioneer in the industry, Dan learned a deep passion for helping those in need.
Moving quickly through the ranks, as Director of Energy Programs overseeing four counties, he was asked to join the original Planning and Evaluation committee which helped shape the State’s first Energy Assistance Pilot into the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program. The unique and innovative traits of the program have helped thousands of households in Texas.
As a computer technician proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel, Dan wrote a series of worksheets known as the CEAP Form Pack. Version 51 of this software is still being used today to help agencies effectively run the State’s Energy program.
After being promoted to Deputy Executive Director in Galveston, Dan began preparing to become an Executive Director. In 2005, he became Executive Director of the five-county Community Action Agency in Linden, Texas which was in jeopardy of closing. In the twelve years since Dan’s arrival, the agency has proudly recovered, and has now has grown to serve twelve counties and employs 135 staff members over five programs.
In 2013, Lucky became a Nationally Certified Results Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) Trainer (NCRT). He has mentored several candidates through the program, helpling them become certified trainers themselves, and will be certified as a Master Trainer in January 2017. Currently, he helps evaluate candidates who are seeking NCRT certification and NCRI (Implementer) certification.
Dan is currently adding to his list of certifications, seeking certification from the Association of Strategic Planning as a Certified Strategic Management Professional, training to be a FEMA Disaster Commander, entering the Certified Community Action Professional process, as well as continuing his online education through courses at MIT.
Dan is also a General Partner in the consulting firm of Adams Boyd Consulting, with offices in Linden and Coleman, Texas. Lucky and his business partner are highly sought after trainers in the world of government and corporate training.
Serving several terms as Parliamentarian, Secretary, 2nd Vice President, and now 1st Vice President for the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies, Dan also serves with different organizations in the community and is no stranger to Directorship or the workings of a Board of Directors.
Please consider nomination of Dan Boyd for President of Community Action Association of Region VI.
Vice President
Johnny Bryant, Executive Director, United Community Action Program (UCAP), Oklahoma -
Mr. Bryant has served in the Capacity Of Executive Director for United Community Action Program, Inc. based in Pawnee, OK for 47 plus years with services in the following counties: Osage, Pawnee, Creek, Kay, Noble, Okmulgee, Tulsa, Payne and Logan Counties. Programs under his direction include: Housing, Weatherization, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Community Alcoholism Program, Head Start, Early Head Start, Navigator Program, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and Transportation. He is responsible for over 400 employees with fringe benefits for staff to include health/life insurance and a 40lK retirement plan.
Johnny Bryant served in the National Guard, with 6 years of service in Combat Engineers, Demolition Sergeant, and attended a Non-Commissioned Officers Academy. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.
Johnny has served as Region VI Vice President for the past 5 years. He is a former President of the Oklahoma Association of Community Action Association, former Vice President of the Housing and Energy Consortium. He is a member of the Oklahoma and National Head Start Association, State, Region VI and National Association of Community Action Agencies, Oklahoma Housing and Weatherization Association, and the Oklahoma Transit Association. He has been honored with the Ted Allen Memorial Award from the State of Oklahoma for Excellence in Housing Program and Transit Program of the Year in Oklahoma in 2003.
Secretary
Renee Brannon, Executive Director, Vernon Community Action Council, Inc., Louisiana -
My name is Renee Brannon and I am running for the position of Secretary for the CAA of Region VI Board of Directors. I currently serve as the Executive Director for the Vernon Community Action Council, Inc. During my twenty-four (24) years of service to the organization I have risen through the ranks from direct service worker to my current position which I’ve held for sixteen (16) years. Community Action has provided me the opportunity to do my heart’s work ~ serving people and changing lives. Professionally and in my personal life I have served on many non-profit and civic organization boards in various positions to include my favorite, Secretary. Please see some of my credentials below: CAA of Region VI ◙ Louisiana Representative Association of Community Action Partnerships of LA., Inc. ◙ Board Director ◙ Executive Committee ~ Rural Community Representative ◙ Conference Committee Chair ◙ Corporate Secretary ◙ Past Vice President Central Louisiana Coalition to Prevent Homelessness ◙ Coordinated Assessment Committee Co-Chair ◙ Board Director Louisiana Advocacy Coalition for the Homeless ◙ Founding Member ◙ Central LA COC representative ◙ Housing Development Committee Co-Chair Vernon Parish Social Response Team ◙ Hurricane Preparedness Coordinator Esther Chapter #26 OES ◙ Associate Matron ◙ Past Secretary American Legion Auxiliary ~ District #8 ◙ Past Secretary ◙ Past Vice President ◙ Executive Board Member American Legion Auxiliary Unit #145 ◙ Past Vice President I pledge that if I am elected to serve as the Secretary for the CAA of Region VI Board of Directors that I will perform the duties of the office with the utmost due diligence and to the best of abilities.
Treasurer
LaQuita Thornley, Executive Director, INCA Community Services, Inc., Oklahoma –
LaQuita became involved with Community Action in 1992 as a board member for INCA Community Services. She believed strongly in the mission of Community Action and wanted to be active on the front lines. She resigned in 1997 from the Board and when an job opening became available as an Outreach Worker in October 1998 for the county she lived in she jumped at the opportunity.
LaQuita has said many times she has finally found what she wanted to be when she grew up! She passionately sought to expand the services for low income families and create new partnerships. In 1999 through 2000 she took the lead on partnering with twelve school districts to offer joint pre-school and Head Start partnership agreements which brought in additional funds to provide quality Head Start classrooms. Also, in 2000 she wrote the first grant for public transportation services within the four county service areas.
LaQuita served as Transit Director from 2000 until 2004 when she because Executive Director of the four-county Community Action Agency located in Southeast Oklahoma. Under her leadership the agency has continued to grow and expand services to low-income families and communities.
LaQuita has served the Oklahoma State Association as Secretary, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President and has just completed her term as President. She has also served on the Region VI Board of Directors for the past two years.
Previously she worked in personnel management and trainer for Mobil Chemical Company and was awarded Mobil Corporation's Award of Excellence for new and innovative ideas. She lives in Atoka with her husband James and continues to be very active in local and state community activities. During her years of community services, LaQuita had the honor of being elected the first woman president of the Oklahoma Jaycees in and was also recognized as one of the Outstanding Young Women of America and a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma.
LaQuita is seeking the office of Treasurer. Her background includes eights year of working for one of the largest banks in Oklahoma as a Credit Manager and Financial Analysis.
Please consider nomination of LaQuita Thornley for Treasurer of Community Action Association of Region VI.
NACAF (National Community Action Foundation) Representative
William D. Powell, Jr., Executive Director, South Plains Community Action Association, Inc., Texas
43 years’ experience in CAA, 27 years Executive Director, 2000-2002, 1st VP CAP Partnership (National) 2002 - Present Region VI Representative NCAF 1 st VP TACAA Past Chair, Member, Levelland Chamber of Commerce Member South Plains College Foundation Board Asst. District Governor, Rotary 1992-95, 2010-2013 Past President, Levelland Breakfast Rotary Club Veteran, Vietnam 1968-69, U.S. Army Medic B.S. West Texas A&M, Canyon, Tx 1974
CAP (Community Action Partnership) Representative
Karen Swenson, Executive Director, Greater East Texas, Community Action Program, Texas –
Karen Swenson serves as the Executive Director of Greater East Texas Community Action Program based in Nacogdoches, Texas. She has served in this capacity for 18 years. The agency administers multiple programs in 18 counties and weatherization in 30 counties. Some of these include LIHEAP Energy Assistance, Head Start & Early Head Start, Case Management and CSBG supported services. Karen has served as the president of the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies and is currently the Parliamentarian for TACAA. She also serves as the Chair of the TACAA Legislative Committee. She is an appointment to the Texas Weatherization Advisory Board as well as numerous other boards & committees.
She began serving as the president of the Community Action Association of Region VI in 2011.
Ms. Swenson is known for being a passionate voice for those in living poverty. NCAF presented her with the Robert M Coard Award for Advocacy at the 2016 NCAF National Conference in Washington DC.
Questions can be addressed to nominating committee chair, LaQuita Thornley at
Members of the Nominating Committee are:
ArkansasMichael Lanier, Executive Director
Economic Opportunity Agency of Washington County
/ Louisana
Renee Brannon, Executive Director
Vernon Community Action Council, Inc.
New Mexico
Sherra Hester, Executive Director
Southeast NM Community Action Corp.
/ Oklahoma (Chairperson)
LaQuita Thornley, Executive Director
INCA Community Service
Texas
Kelley Franke, Executive Director
Combined Community Action, Inc.