Board of Directors
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Nancy Bridges
President of the Board Biographical Info Nancy has devoted her career to the field of education and is a natural cheerleader for all children and youth. Throughout her tenure with the Grand Prairie Independendent School District, she regularly supported nonprofits that served her students. Nancy joined the Children First Board of Directors in August 2020 and almost immediately began lending her talents to several committees. |
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Doug Bryan
Board Vice President Biographical Info Doug brings over 30 years of entrepreneurial business experience and community service to his role as a Children First board member, always with a "service above self" mentality. As co-owner of Insight College and Financial Solutions, Doug's planning, marketing, and financial expertise serve our agency well. |
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Reyes Flores
Board Vice President Biographical Info In his professional life, Reyes is co-owner of Encompass Business Solutions. Joining us in February 2013, Reyes brings a passion to see the work of mental health agencies provide care with excellence and dignity. |
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Richard Whitman
Board Treasurer Biographical Info Richard is a well-known and respected mortgage professional. He joined the Children First board in February of 2009 and has actively led by example from day one. Richard is a true champion for children, also serving on the board of directors for Dallas Children’s Charities. |
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Sammie Walker
Board Secretary Biographical Info Sammie Walker has devoted her life to educating and uplifting children throughout her professional career as a retired school teacher and school counselor. She has continued to inspire students as an adjunct professor at North Lake College. Children First is now benefiting from her considerable talents, professionalism and attention to excellence. |
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Sharon Boshart
Board of Directors, Facilities Committee Biographical Info Sharon brings a true spirit of service to her role as a community advocate after a successful career in administration at Lone Star Park of Grand Prairie, as well as the Grand Prairie Police Department. She also lends a wealth of knowledge about fundraising and foundations as a longtime member of the Lone Star Park Charitable Foundation. |
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Suzana Delgado-Gray
Board of Directors, Marketing Committee Biographical Info Suzana recently joined Children First's Board of Directors in January 2022. She comes to us with a wealth of nonprofit management, community engagement, and fundraising experience through her most recent position as district Vice President of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. Suzana is now the Chief Operating Officer of Girls, Inc. Tarrant County, and feels strongly about continuing her work serving children and families. |
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Chase DeBaun
Board of Directors, Facilities Committee Biographical Info As Vice President of Aerofirma Corporation, Chase's expertise in the commercial construction industry is a key asset as our organization is preparing to renovate our newly purchased office building, a first in Children First's 42 year history. Chase is a dedicated husband and father who clearly has a sincere care and concern for the children and families we serve. |
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Clayton Fisher
Board of Directors, Facilities Committee Chairman Biographical Info Clayton is a Certified Financial Planner with the Dix–Fisher Financial Consulting Group of US Capital Advisors. He has served on the Children First Board of Directors since 2009 and provided strong and positive leadership as the 2019 President. |
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Meagan Godfrey
Board of Directors, Marketing Committee Biographical Info Meagan is a Public Information Officer with the City of Grand Prairie, under the Tourism division. She brings a great set of marketing skills, along with a passion for nonprofit work, which she hopes to use to further develop Children First's public relations. Meagan recently joined the Board of Directors in January 2022. |
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Don Goldsmith
Board of Directors, Nominating Committee Biographical Info Don Goldsmith is an active community servant. He joined the Children First Board of Directors in May 2003, making him one of our most tenured directors. He currently serves on the Nominating Committee. |
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Jeff Kehr
Board of Directors, Facilities Committee Biographical Info New to North Texas, and to our Board of Directors, Jeff is the current General Manager of the Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie. He brings over 20 years of experience in the event planning business, and feels strongly about giving back to the community. Serving Children First is a perfect match for his commitment to help others. He will be an important part of our facilities team and we look forward to his leadership in the years to come. |
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Emily Liles
Board of Directors Biographical Info Emily is an avid community volunteer and was awarded the Texas PTA Lifetime Membership Award for her hours of service with various local PTAs. She has a focus on education as well as child safety and well-being. She currently holds a position with the GPISD Board of Trustees, with an additional role as Vice President. Children First recently welcomed Emily as a Board Director in February 2022 and we are excited to partner on initiatives to improve our agency's focus. |
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Michelle Madden
Board of Directors, Facilities Committee Biographical Info Michelle serves Grand Prairie as the President of the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce. She is also a very active community volunteer, working with other children and family related organizations in the area. Having served on our Board of Directors since August 2017, Michelle has very generously used her talents and excitement to further the combined efforts of the board, to engage the local business community in Children First's fundraising efforts. |
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Prudence Mathis
Board of Directors, Fundraising Committee Biographical Info Prudence is the Public Relations and Awareness Director for the David Nicklas Organ Donor Awareness Foundation. She shares her heart and energy with several nonprofits and is one of the most enthusiastic community servants to ever grace the Children First Board of Directors. She has served Children First since February 2008. |
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Julie Ramirez
Board of Directors, Facilities Committee Biographical Info Julie Ramirez is well known in the community as a successful realtor and dedicated servant leader. Early in her career, she began volunteering for PTAs, the YMCA, the Board of Realtors, and other local organizations. In January 2020, Julie joined the Children First Board of Directors, and we are blessed to have her energy and passion to further our vision of hope and healing for all. |
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Chief Daniel Scesney
Board of Directors, Car Show Chairman Biographical Info Daniel Scesney joined the Children First Board of Directors in March 2017 shortly after his promotion to Assistant Chief in the Grand Prairie Police Department. Sworn in as Grand Prairie's new Police Chief as of January 2020, Chief Scesney has reaffirmed his commitment to support and guide Children First. Under his leadership, the Grand Prairie Police Department's Annual Car Show benefiting Children First was established in 2018, and has proven to be an exciting event for fundraising and child abuse prevention awareness. |
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Mildred Walker
Board of Directors, Facilities Committee Biographical Info Mildred Walker is the original owner of The Oasis at Joe Pool Lake and Lynn Creek Marina, a popular local tourist attraction. She is also a founding member of our agency’s board of directors who returned to us in February 2010. Mildred’s many years of business experience and board leadership are a true asset to our board and to those we serve. |
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Shelley Whatley
Board of Directors, Marketing Committee Biographical Info Shelley is new to the Children First Board of Directors, joining in January 2022. She is a local licensed realtor with RE/Max Elite who has lived and worked in the community for many years, and has established relationships with area school districts. Having previously worked for Children First, and also in a volunteer capacity, Shelley has a heart for the agency's mission and serving children's causes. |
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Gail Wills
Board of Directors, Capital Campaign Committee Biographical Info Gail is a Past-President who has served multiple terms in that role for Children First. Her long history with this agency, and her expertise as a CPA, is a great asset in charting the direction of the agency. Her commitment to the work of this agency is clearly evident in every aspect of board service. |
Advisory Board Members
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Bryan Arnold
Advisory Board Member; Golf Tournament Co-Chair Biographical Info Bryan Arnold is an attorney representing clients in the family court system. His profession provides much insight into the issues of child abuse and domestic violence. Bryan joined our board in October 2008. |
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Jayne Christian
Advisory Board Member Biographical Info Entrepreneur Jayne Christian is a veteran board member with impeccable business instincts and a true desire to positively impact her community and children in need. This is Jayne’s second stint of service with Children First but her connection to this board dates back to May 2003. |
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Mary Dominguez-Santini
Advisory Board Member Biographical Info Mary Dominguez-Santini accepted an invitation to serve on the Board of Directors in 2013. Mary serves on multiple boards in the local community always sharing her heart for service, as well as her professional resources. Mary is the owner of North Texas Elite Special Event Planning and Catering. |
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Steve Dye
Advisory Board Member Biographical Info Former Police Chief and current City Manger, Steve Dye, has a commitment to victims of crime. He serves as an adviser to Children First and also as a board member of a local family violence shelter. |
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Greg Giessner
Advisory Board Member Biographical Info Greg Giessner joined the Children First Board of Directors in November 2000, prior to his election to the Grand Prairie City Council. He continues to be an avid supporter of Children First and other local charities. |
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Stan Graff
Advisory Board Member Biographical Info Stan Graff of Graff Chevrolet joined our Advisory Board in January of 2013. The Graff family name is synonymous with progress and service in our local community. We welcome Mr. Graff’s influence and input on behalf of the children and families served by Children First. |
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Ron Huggins
Advisory Board Member Biographical Info Ron Huggins of Huggins Honda adopted Children First as the beneficiary of his annual golf tournament over two decades ago. Still serving each year as the host and title sponsor of Golfun, Ron’s efforts have touched thousands of lives through his support of Children First. |
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Cole Humphreys
Advisory Board Member Biographical Info Cole owns and operates Austin Insurance, a full service agency. He is a young businessman who loves Grand Prairie and the surrounding community. He is a great supporter of Children First, even serving previously as President of the Board of Directors. Cole currently holds a City of Grand Prairie City Council position, over the district in which Children First's facility is located. |
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Eddie Bernice Johnson
Advisory Board Member Biographical Info Congresswoman Johnson is well known for her service to Grand Prairie and her entire district. We are so pleased that she has chosen to lend her support and influence to Children First. |
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Pastor Brian Loveless
Advisory Board Member Biographical Info Brian is not only a dedicated pastor and father, but a great community supporter. He brings big ideas, enthusiasm and wisdom to Children First as a member of our Board of Advisers. |
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Renee Medrano
Advisory Board Member Biographical Info Renee Medrano and husband Mike are partners in two Texas Roadhouse Restaurants. The Medrano family is well known for giving their full support to community service and this has certainly been true of Renee’s service to Children First since February of 2008. |
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Paula Newman
Advisory Board Member Biographical Info Paula Newman joined our board in February 2008 while serving as Vice President at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie. Her sharp analytical mind is a great asset in charting a fiscally sound course for our agency. |
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Mark Penson
Advisory Board Member; Golf Tournament Co-Chair Biographical Info Mark Penson joined our Board of Directors in May of 2003 after training with the Blueprint for Leadership Program. Mark is a past-president of our board and brings a dynamic and positive attitude to everything he does. Together, he and Enterprise Rent-A-Car are a winning team for Children First. |
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Don Pinkard
Advisory Board Member Biographical Info Don Pinkard joined our Board of Directors in July of 2009 after training with the Blueprint for Leadership Program. Don quickly became a stellar member of our board. As business travel made it difficult to attend monthly meetings, he moved to our Advisory Board and remains a valued member of our leadership team. |
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Chris Turner
Advisory Board Member Biographical Info Grand Prairie is blessed to be represented at the state capitol by the Honorable Chris Turner. Even before joining the Children First advisory board, he had demonstrated support of our mission. We feel privileged to have his influence and involvement to help further this important work in our community. |
