What is a Board of Advisors?

Steve’s career was providing equipment to electric power utilities. As a second vocation, he founded of Power From the SON, a non-profit organization which has electrified hospitals, schools, and orphanages in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Honduras.

He and his wife Linda are recent residents of Bryan from Arlington, Texas, where he served on The Salvation Army Advisory Board and was the inaugural Chair of the Inspiring Hope Luncheon. The Arlington Rotary Club awarded him the Distinguished Rotarian Award, and he is a Paul Harris Fellow.

A graduate of Texas A&M, Steve is a member of the Legacy Society of the Texas A&M Foundation, an Eppright Donor and Champions Council Member of the 12^th Man Foundation, an Endowed Century Club Member, and he and Linda have an Excellence Endowment at the Bush School of Government and Public Service.

Steve’s first book, When Faith Lights the Way, The Quest to Restore Electricity to a War-Ravaged African Hospital was published in 2018.

Larry Catlin grew up in Mobile, Alabama. He received his BA Degree from Birmingham Southern College in 1969 and his JD Southern Methodist University in 1974. Married to Carmen Catlin of Bandera, Texas for 46 years. They have three children and four grandchildren. Larry served as Assistant District Attorney in Bexar and Brazos County from 1974 through 1978. He was interim City Attorney and on the Bryan City Council for eight years. He is a member of First Baptist Church Bryan, taught Sunday School for seventeen years, has served on several committees and is currently a Deacon. Larry has been on the advisory board of The Salvation Army since 2009 and is a member of the Bryan Rotary Club. Larry served in the United States Army in Korea from 1969-1970.

Joey Dunn currently serves as Deputy City Manager for the City of Bryan, Texas. Born in Virginia and raised in Alabama, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Communications & Human Relations, with a minor in Music from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee in 1991.  That same year, Joey and his wife Leslie moved to Texas for him to attend graduate school in Architecture at Texas A&M University. While still in grad school, Joey began his career with the City of Bryan Main Street Project, directly involved in early efforts to revitalize Historic Downtown Bryan.  After obtaining his Masters in Urban Planning, Joey found local career opportunities that allowed him to put down roots, raise his family, and develop a deep connection to the Bryan-College Station community. Over the next 25 years, Joey held three positions with the City of Bryan and two positions with the City of College Station, during a time of significant growth. Joey is a Credentialed City Manager with the International City/County Managers Association (ICMA-CM), a member of the Texas City Managers Association (TCMA), and a Certified City Planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Joey works directly with the Bryan City Council, serves as the City of Bryan’s liaison to the BCS Chamber of Commerce, the Experience Bryan College Station (EBCS) Board of Directors, Secretary of the Blinn College Brazos County Advisory Board, and is responsible for staffing over 13 city boards and commissions.  As a long-time member of the Bryan-College Station Salvation Army Advisory Board, including roles as immediate past Chair and current Secretary, Joey has a heart for the mission of The Salvation Army in the Bryan-College Station community.  He is a long-time member of the Bryan Church of the Nazarene, and enjoys spending time with his wife Leslie, who is a school teacher, and caring for his special needs son and three other children, ages 13 through 24.

Ronnie has a Bachelor of Business Administration ’69 and a Master of Public Administration ‘83 from Texas A&M University. Currently is the Assistance Director Emeritus at Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Accomplishments include: Texas AgriLife Extension Service Superior Service Award in 1983, Bryan High School Academic Excellence Program; Distinguished Service Award in 1990, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Cooperative Extension Administrative Management Award in 1993, Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence from the Texas AM University System Agriculture Program in 1993, and the Bryan ISD Hall of Honor in 2012. Public service includes: Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center Board of Directors 1974-77, Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Brazos Valley Board of Directors for 17 years, PTO Board of Directors, Viking Booster Club Board of Directors for 17 years, B ISD Foundation Board of Directors from 2001-2004, and The Salvation Army Board of Advisors from 2011-present.

Lifetime resident of Bryan, Texas.  Seventh generation Texan.  Great great grandson of founder of Bryan, Texas, William Joel Bryan, and Great great great nephew of the Father of Texas, Stephen F Austin.  Married Rebecca Wood Bryan of Longview, Texas, for 48 years.  Three children.  Eight grandchildren.  Bachelors degree in Business from Texas A&M University ‘69.  Law degree from Baylor University School of Law in Waco, 1972.  Elected District Attorney Brazos County 1978 and served 5 years.  Criminal defense trial lawyer 31 years.  Currently Elected State District Judge in 272nd District Court, Brazos County, since March 17, 2008.   Bryan North Little League baseball and girls softball coach 17 years.  Bible teacher at Crosscentral Church and Drug Recovery Center, Bryan.  Prison Ministry Bible Teacher at Bryan Federal Prison Camp for Women, 1998 to present.  Accepted Christ as savior at 12 years old at First Baptist Church of Bryan.  Lover of our Heavenly Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jennifer graduated from Texas A&M University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science.  She also received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1988.  While working full-time on campus, Jennifer completed her master’s degree at A&M in Higher Education Administration in 1994.  She received her Ph.D. in the same field in 1998.  Her dissertation was titled, “Occupational Progress and Career Planning of Former Football Players in the Newly Created Big 12 Conference”.

Jennifer joined the staff of The Association of Former Students in May 2001 as the Director of Travel.  The travel program offers trips all over the world and on all 7 continents.  When Jennifer started with The Association, only 10-12 trips per year were being offered.  The program has grown to 80 plus trips per year with approximately 1,500 former students traveling with the Aggies in 2019.

Jennifer an emeritus board member from higher education/colleges/universities on the Executive Advisory Board of the National Educational Travel Conference. Jennifer has presented and moderated several sessions annually at the national travel conference, which attracts over 600 attendees from all over the world.  Jennifer chaired and hosted the 2013 Southeast Travel Planner Conference for schools from the SEC and beyond.  Jennifer also serves on the Alumni Council for Oceania Cruises.

During her 20 years with the Traveling Aggies, she has visited around 90 countries and hosted over 275 trips. During 2019 she was on the road for 237 days.  Jennifer had the honor of hosting 18 Traveling Aggies trips with 439 travelers on these trips.  In 2019 she had traveled almost 200,000 miles all over the world

Prior to her joining the Traveling Aggies, Jennifer worked at Texas A&M University for 10 years.  She was an Academic Counselor in the Ag Economics department from 1990-1994, then accepted a position to develop and direct the Athletic Career Services Program.  In this capacity she was in charge of student-athletes’ summer employment, jobs upon graduation, and NCAA employment compliance.  This was a joint endeavor between the Athletic Department, the Career Center, and the Compliance Office.

Jennifer spent 2 years at the University of Minnesota as the Director of Student-Athlete Development.  She was in charge of 700 student-athletes’ community service, career development, leadership programming, and personal development.  Jennifer authored a textbook with Prentice Hall publishers in 2000 titled Career Game Plan for Student-Athletes.  Jennifer has also taught numerous classes at Minnesota and Texas A&M including Life Skills, Succeeding in College, Career Development, and Leadership Development.

She has been involved in the community in many capacities, including Past Presidents of the Brazos County A&M Club, the College Station Noon Lions, the B/CS Jaycees, and the University Advisors and Counselors.  She is a Leadership Brazos Alumni and a former ABWA Woman of the Year.  Jennifer was on the Advisory Board for the Division IA Athletic Directors Association for 4 years.  Additionally, she was on the 2001 NCAA Final Four Committee.

Jennifer was faculty advisor for Squadron One of the Corps of Cadets from 1994-1999, winning the Advisor of the Year Award in 1995.

Jennifer grew up in Houston, Texas, attending Bellaire High School.  She currently resides in Bryan.

A lifetime resident of Bryan-College Station, Randy graduated in 1972 from Bryan High School (attended Crockett, Sul Ross, Lamar, SFA and BHS). He graduated in 1978 from Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, TX) with General Business Degree. He is married to Cheryl with 6 children and 14 grandchildren. Randy is a member of Skybreak Church. He worked while in school with his family who owned 5 commercial child care centers in Bryan-College Station from 1978-1982 which they sold to Kinder Care. At the time of sale, the business employed 125 employees and the centers had a daily average attendance of over 750 children per day. He sold the business because he desired a career in real estate. Randy worked as the marketing director for Lero Construction in Bryan, TX from 1982-1986. During this time, Randy was in charge of subdivision development and marketing, sales and management of various multifamily complexes and office buildings that company built/sold. Randy founded Stylecraft Builders, Inc. in 1986. which currently builds appox. 750 homes per year throughout Central Texas. He serves or has served on various Boards which include: Hubble Realty, Des Moines, IA. The Salvation Army,  Scotty’s House, Brazos Valley Research Partnership, B-CS Homebuilder Association, B-CS Chamber of Commerce, Brazos Valley Community Foundation, and The Med Hospital. Other passions and accomplishments include: prison ministry volunteer, Twin City Mission Capital Campaign, Crestview Capital Campaign, Member/Broker Texas and B-CS Board of Realtors, and the 2013 Philanthropic member of the year for the Texas Association of Builders.

Mrs. John Halsell (Keith) has been an enthusiastic volunteer with The Salvation Army since 2010. A past president of the Women’s Auxiliary and a current member of both SAWA and The Salvation Army Advisory Board. Keith is the co-chair of the 2019 “Doing the Most Good” Luncheon. Keith is active in First Presbyterian Church, The Women’s Club of Bryan, Gamma Alpha House Corporation at TAMU, Community Bible Study, and various other social and philanthropic organizations. A graduate of Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan and The University of Texas in Austin, Keith is a retired teacher and business owner. She and her husband have two children and four grandchildren.

Gave my life to Jesus Christ and do my very best to serve Him.
Liz (Hernandez) Husband and Aubrey’s Grandfather
Jonathan, Patrick, Mac & Luke’s Father; Sydney (Parks) and Taylor (Reavis) Father-in-Law
Born to Edwin & Patricia Keiffer McAuliffe’s son.                                                               Liz and I raised our family and currently reside in Bryan, Texas

Land Agent for the City of College Station, Texas, USA (since 2000)
Former Student of Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (Class of 1986)
Graduate of Strake Jesuit, a Catholic Preparatory School, Houston, Texas (1982)

Kathleen Ninke has served on The Salvation Army board since 2015, the same year she moved to Bryan, Texas, to work at KBTX Media. At KBTX, Kathleen anchors the 4 and 6 p.m. newscasts Monday through Friday. In her profession, Kathleen works to share stories about what makes our community great, including the efforts on non-profits like The Salvation Army. Kathleen was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, and attended the University of North Carolina. She has two wonderful parents, three smart brothers and one ornery cat. Kathleen is an active member of Friends Congregational Church in College Station.

Brigadier General Joe Ramirez is a native of Houston, Texas and is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Texas Aggie Band in the Corps of Cadets. He received his commission in the United States Army Field Artillery from Texas A&M in 1979 as a Distinguished Military Graduate. During his 31 years of military service, General Ramirez commanded soldiers around the world and served in leadership positions in various joint and operational commands. He was the Deputy Chief of Staff for United States Central Command during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and was the Deputy Division Commander for the 2^nd Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea. His most recent assignment was Deputy Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy for US European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. General Ramirez holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from Texas A&M (1979); a Masters Degree in Management from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri (1993); and a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania (2000). His numerous military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Parachutists Badge.

Kenny Taylor is an Assistant Professor of the Practice at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. He also serves as the Director of Outreach and Professional Development at their Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy. Dr. Taylor possesses more than 12 years of executive leader experience within the nonprofit sector, is a State of Texas credentialed mediator, and holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies.

I was invited to join the Advisory Board of The Salvation Army in early 2018.  Over the years I’ve heard many good things about the work of The Salvation Army but had never personally experienced it.  Being recently retired after 44 years in banking, in this community and others, I wanted to become involved in an organization that could truly make a difference, in Bryan/College Station and beyond.  I truly believe I have found that in The Salvation Army.  I have been impressed in the many areas that The Salvation Army provides outreach, all in a faith-based ministry.  Over the years I’ve been involved in at least 25 volunteer opportunities and organizations.  I believe each one made a difference in some portion of peoples lives.  I have never been involved in an organization like The Salvation Army, which works to not only take care of immediate needs but to change lives.  I am impressed, and reminded continuously, of not only the professionalism of our leadership and our staff but of their caring, commitment and compassion.  That same level of commitment is shared by each of our Advisory Board members.  I feel truly blessed to be a part of this organization and to being a part of making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

John is a retired business owner and has served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board for approximately 25 years. He is a veteran, past Post Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Bryan and currently serves as Commander District 17, Department of Texas,Veterans of Foreign Wars. Married, with three children, John is dedicated to doing community service, helping veterans, participating in patriotic events and is always willing to help with youth activities. He attributes his good life to his love and devotion to God and is honored to be a member of The Salvation Army Board.

Imogene Vetters has been an avid volunteer with The Salvation Army since 2009 and continues to be active with both the Army and the Auxiliary in many capacities.   She is a retired educator who taught honors and A.P. U.S. History classes at Bryan High School for 39 years.  Imogene is an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Bryan, and also the Presbyterian Women; The Woman’s Club of Bryan; the Bryan-College Station Newcomers – past President; the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary – past President and currently serves on the Executive Committee; the Brazos Valley Symphony’s Premiere Market; Alpha Delta Kappa Teacher Organization; and is a certified Parliamentarian, meeting regularly with the Brazos Valley Parliamentarian Unit.  She was a Founding Member of the Brazos County Girls’ Club; as well as, Imogene is an Honorary Life Member of the Presbyterian Woman.  She has been named as a Girl Scout “Woman of Distinction;” received the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum “Outstanding Educator Award,” and she was one of ten women honored by the Prenatal Clinic of Bryan at their annual “You’re The Tops” Luncheon in 2008. Imogene and her husband, Tom, have made their home in Bryan since 1967.  They have three children and seven grandchildren.

Herb Wade and his wife of 54 years, Sally Dee, moved to Bryan in 1971 to begin his practice of pediatric dentistry.  He was committed to a life of serving his profession, his community, and his Lord.  They immediately joined First Baptist Church in Bryan and began teaching a young married Sunday School class. Herb was ordained a deacon in 1975 and became a member of Gideons International.  He served the children of the Brazos Valley in his pediatric dental practice for 43 years.  During that time, he served as President of the Texas Dental Association; was selected Texas Dentist of the Year by the Academy of General Dentistry and Alumnus of the Year by the University of Texas Dental School.  He served on several committees and councils of the American Dental Association.  He served on the Bryan Independent School Board for six years:  five of those years as President of the School Board and as President of Region 7 Educational Service Center.  He was a founding board member of the Brazos Valley Arts Council, a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, and a director of the former First National Bank of Bryan.

Carol Wagner ‘00 and family moved to College Station thirty-five years ago and she has been an active volunteer in our community since.  Carol is retired from Texas A&M University where she was the Director of Advising for the Department of Educational Psychology in the College of Education and Human Development.  She earned her M.S. degree from A&M in 2000.   Carol is a graduate of Leadership Brazos and Leadership Texas.  She is married to Dr. John Wagner, also retired from TAMU, and they have two grown sons, a delightful daughter-in-law and a precious, precious granddaughter. Carol has been a volunteer for The Salvation Army for a number of years.  This includes time served on the Board and as President of the Women’s Auxiliary.  She has co-chaired the “Doing the Most Good” Banquet for the past four years.  In addition, Carol has been an active volunteer in the arts, for the Chamber of Commerce, and for College Station ISD, as well as for the Prenatal Clinic, the Prenatal Clinic Foundation, Voices for Children, Girl Scouts of Central Texas, OPAS and United Way among other community organizations.  Honors for her service include the Jefferson Award which she received in 2014. She and her family are members of St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church where she is active in various ministries.

Vera was born in Camden, South Carolina to Marlin and Esther Clapp who were located there while Marlin was working for the Vincennes Bridge Company of Vincennes, Indiana, building bridges across the South. She was welcomed by her big brother, Harold, and just prior to her first birthday, the family relocated to Vincennes, Indiana, closer to their family roots. A younger sister, Karen, was born in Vincennes.

Vera attended Washington and Vigo Elementary schools, Clark Junior High, and Lincoln High School, graduating with the class of 1959. After high school, Vera continued her education at Vincennes University earning an A.S. in Elementary Education. Then on to Indiana State College to earn a B.S. in Elementary Education, followed by a M.S. in Elementary Education from Indiana State University. Post graduate classes and numerous seminars further enriched Vera’s education.

For thirty-seven years Vera taught grades four through six at Westview Elementary School in Richmond, Indiana. For three summers she taught Project Exploration, a summer program for gifted and talented students from across the city. Vera served as Site Base Coordinator for Westview School and represented the school on The Reading Council for numerous years. Vera was selected Educator of the Year by Richmond Association of Classroom Teachers, and Teacher of the Year by Richmond Community Schools. During her career, Vera was included several times in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Vera enjoyed teaching and expanding the walls of her classroom by arranging numerous educational field trips for her students to historical and educational events and sites. Supervising students teachers and students from IU East and Earlham College was a fulfilling aspect of her teaching career.

A member of Alpha Delta Kappa, a sorority for outstanding teachers, Vera held local and state offices during several bienniums: a secretary, treasurer, vice-president elect, and president.

Married to Lanny J. Wallem for nearly forty-seven years, Vera packed up her household and moved to College Station,TX, following Lanny’s, death in 2010. Aided in her move by her nephew, Kyle Sights, who lived in College Station, Vera became an active member of local organizations: BCRSP, Newcomers Club, Epsilon Delta chapter of ADK, and The Woman’s Club, holding several offices in the local organizations. A member of the A&M United Methodist Church, teaching Sunday school for the Golden Rule class was a new experience as was being a member of United Methodist Women where she served as a member of the Executive Board.

Serving as President of Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary will be a challenging experience as Vera learns and executes the duties and responsibilities of that office.

After college, Dwayne spent fifteen years in the heavy equipment industry.  This experience as a certified training instructor, and management consultant lead to a new career.  In 1996 he incorporated and began his own consulting firm. Through his firm, Dwayne has worked as a manager, trainer, consultant, and expert witness in areas concerning business management, marketing, safety, human resources, and continuous improvement. Dwayne has a Master of Education degree from Sam Houston State University, is a retired Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and has served on many non-profit boards. As a hobby, Dwayne enjoys remodeling construction, plumbing, electrical, welding, refurbishing antique tools, ranch work, traveling the US in an RV, working at whatever his wife Diane tells him to do, and of course, disaster response.

I am currently a junior at Texas A&M University pursuing a degree in psychology. I grew up within the Salvation Army and will bring those values that I have learned along with me as I lead this group. I enjoy spending my time reading, swimming, going to church, and hanging out with friends.

Kristi Sewell is an Aggieland native, and currently works at Baylor Scott & White as a nurse technician in the ICU, IMCU, ER, Medical Surgical, and Telemetry. She is currently pursuing her associate degree in nursing from Blinn College, where she also serves as an officer in the Blinn College Nursing Student Association as a student mentor. In addition, Kristi is also actively volunteering with the Junior League of Bryan College Station.

Kristi earned her first degree from The University of North Texas in Journalism with a double minor in marketing and psychology. She has worked with Marriott International for over 10 years and had the opportunity to work at properties across the US. In her late 20s, she discovered a great passion of caring for critically ill patients and now hopes to become an ICU nurse. In the far future, she plans on completing a master’s program to become a Nurse Anesthetist.

When time permits, Kristi enjoys traveling, exercising, and going on relaxing walks at Lake Walk in Bryan.