Board of Directors

Tom Etheredge is a long‐time resident of Smithville, Texas, serving the city council (Place 2) for the City of Smithville. Born and raised in Central Texas, Tom developed his professional foundation over more than 30 years in the real estate and banking industries. From 1992 to 2003 he held senior positions at Texas‐based Guaranty Bank. From 2003 to 2016, he held executive roles at Forestar Group, a publicly traded real estate and natural-resources company based in Austin, Texas. He currently serves as president of an Austin-based real estate development and construction company specializing in affordable housing, build-for-rent single‐family homes, and traditional multifamily communities. Tom holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics (summa cum laude) from St. Edward’s University in Austin, and a graduate banking designation from the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He is actively engaged in his community and has supported various charities over the years, including serving on the board of the American Red Cross where he was Chairman of the Finance Committee and later Chairman of the Board.

Betty Voights is a respected regional leader with deep expertise in intergovernmental collaboration and community development. She served as Executive Director of the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) for approximately 28 years, overseeing a broad spectrum of regional planning, economic development, transportation, homeland security and community‐services initiatives across central Texas. During her tenure at CAPCOG, Betty played a leading role in initiatives such as regional mitigation planning, solid‐waste and emergency communications projects, and securing federal and state grants to strengthen local government capacity. Betty also serves on the board of the Smithville Workforce Training Center, contributing her experience in regional affairs, workforce development, and rural community capacity‐building. Her long career is characterized by effective leadership of regional collaborations, commitment to serving multiple counties within central Texas, and the ability to navigate complex policy, funding and implementation landscapes.

Joanna Morgan grew up in Nederland, Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Economics, and then attended graduate school at A&M, majoring in Computer Science through the School of Business Administration. Her whole career was in Houston, in Information Technology management in multiple industries: manufacturing, retail, oil & gas and in government with Harris County. She and her husband Mike bought weekend property outside of Smithville in 1989 and retired here in 2000. Since living in Smithville, she has served on various boards, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Library Board, the Administrative Council at the Methodist Church and 12 years on City Council, as Council Member and as Mayor. She currently serves as a member of the Smithville Whole Health Partnership and on the Board of the Smithville Community Clinic in addition to serving as Treasurer on the Board of the Smithville Workforce Training Center. She and her husband have a son, daughter-in-law and grandson in Austin.

Willy Culberson attended College at the University of Houston, Houston, TX, and received a degree: in Psychology. Willy is a Professional Pilot and a Certified Flight Instructor in Helicopter as well as a Commercial Multi-Engine Airplane Pilot. Mr. Culberson is also a Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 , Master Army Aviator with 27 years of service and a veteran of Vietnam War and Desert Storm. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1996. Mr. Culberson, retired from his 2nd career as Rescue Pilot/ Director of Aviation Operations with Travis County STAR Flight after 21 years. Willy is a member of the Helicopter Association International and the Critical Incident Stress Management Team for Helicopter Air Ambulance Industry. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Central Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross, and as a Mentor for Blackshear, Barbara Jordon and Overton Elementary School's for the "I CAN" PROJECT. Willy currently serves on The Smithville Food Pantry Board as a volunteer. He is also a Member of Bastrop County Cares and Board Member for the Smithville Chamber of Commerce, Smithville Community Clinic and Friends of Smithville Veterans Memorial Park. Mr. Culberson wanted to join and serve on SWTC Board of Directors to continue to give back and help improve the lives and job opportunities of the citizens of Bastrop, Lee and Fayette Counties. Willy is married to Dr. Carla Emery-Culberson, and they have 2 adult children, Tamara and Patrick and a grandson, Jalen.

Jill Strube, Ph.D. (2001, Florida International University), has worked with Smithville leaders and community members to help bring over $12M to this small, rural, central Texas town since 2009. She was integral in establishing Smithville as a “Preserve America” historic town through the National Park Service in 2009, as a Texas Cultural District through the Texas Commission on the Arts in 2013, and as the “extra small community” winner of the It’s Time Texas Community Health Challenge from 2018-2021. She has coordinated public participation, grant efforts, and reporting for sidewalk infrastructure, Arts programming, way-finding signage, economic development, comprehensive planning, and Census work. The Smithville Workforce Training Center brings her sights on enhancing community talents and capacity into sharper focus and promises to provide a much-needed link between a skilled workforce and local business needs in Smithville and the surrounding rural area.

Doug Lambert serves as the General Manager and CEO of Fayette Electric Cooperative, Inc., overseeing operations, strategic planning, and member services for the cooperative that powers communities across Fayette County, Texas. With a strong background in utility management, Doug is committed to delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective electricity while fostering long-term relationships with members and the community. Under his leadership, Fayette Electric Cooperative emphasizes operational excellence, innovation, and member-focused service. Doug is known for his approachable, servant-leadership style, prioritizing transparency, collaboration, and community engagement. Passionate about supporting local growth and sustainability, Doug ensures the cooperative not only meets today’s energy needs but also invests in the future of Fayette County. Outside of his professional role, he is actively involved in community initiatives and local development projects, reflecting his dedication to both the cooperative and the region it serves.

Jenny Jensen serves as the Director of Operations & Clinical Services at Aspen Hospice & Palliative Care, where she leads with compassion, professionalism, and a deep dedication to patient-centered care. With extensive experience in nursing and healthcare leadership, Jenny ensures that every patient and family served by Aspen receives the highest level of comfort, dignity, and support. Throughout her career, Jenny has worked in a variety of hospice and home-health settings, gaining a strong foundation in clinical coordination, regulatory compliance, and staff development. Her leadership approach emphasizes teamwork, empathy, and continuous improvement — qualities that have helped Aspen build a reputation for excellence and trust within the community. Jenny’s focus is on guiding her team to deliver exceptional care experiences while maintaining operational efficiency and quality standards across all programs. She is passionate about supporting both her patients and her colleagues, creating an environment where compassion and professionalism go hand in hand. Outside of work, Jenny enjoys spending time with her family, engaging with her community, and finding ways to support others through meaningful service. Her dedication to people — both in and beyond the workplace — reflects the heart of Aspen Hospice & Palliative Care’s mission.

Melissa “Missy” Rusek is a passionate entrepreneur and community advocate based in La Grange, Texas. With a keen eye for quality and a love for her local community, Missy has built a thriving retail business that brings together the best of local craftsmanship, regional flavors, and lifestyle products. Her store features everything from western wear and home décor to local wines, artisanal honey, slow-smoked BBQ items, sauces, and baked goods—creating a one-stop destination for residents and visitors alike. Missy’s journey as a business owner reflects her dedication to fostering community connections and supporting regional artisans. She combines creativity, business acumen, and a personal touch to make every customer feel welcome and valued. A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Missy is deeply invested in her community, contributing her time and resources to local initiatives and events. Her entrepreneurial spirit, warmth, and commitment to quality have made her a trusted figure in La Grange and beyond. When she’s not managing her business, Missy enjoys exploring new ideas, supporting local causes, and sharing her love of Texas culture and cuisine with family, friends, and customers alike.

Edith Mireles is the proud owner of H&R Foam Insulation LLC, a trusted insulation company based in Giddings, Texas, serving homeowners and businesses throughout Lee County and the Central Texas region. With a strong commitment to quality workmanship and customer satisfaction, Edith has built a reputation for excellence in energy efficiency, comfort, and long-lasting results. Under her leadership, H&R Foam Insulation specializes in spray foam and insulation solutions that help clients reduce energy costs and create more sustainable, comfortable spaces. Edith takes pride in offering personalized service, ensuring each project is completed with integrity, professionalism, and attention to detail. An active member of the Giddings Area Chamber of Commerce and local business networks, Edith values community partnerships and supports regional growth through local collaboration. Her dedication to both her customers and her community reflects the values that drive H&R Foam Insulation every day — quality, reliability, and trust. When she’s not managing projects or meeting with clients, Edith enjoys spending time with her family and contributing to community events around Lee County.

Jami Haney serves as the Vice President of the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, where she leverages her extensive background as a business owner and executive to support the growth and success of small businesses in Bastrop County With experience working at the C-level, Jami has built and scaled brands, increased customer acquisition, and driven profitability across diverse business sectors. She has a strong track record of creating efficient marketing systems, operational frameworks, and mentoring entrepreneurs through key growth phases. In her role at the Chamber, Jami is passionate about helping small businesses thrive through strategic insights, actionable data, and authentic community engagement. She serves as a key liaison for Chamber initiatives, including advocacy, business development, and networking programs. Away from her professional work, Jami is committed to the local business ecosystem and community building in and around Bastrop — using her experience to foster connections, drive collaboration, and elevate the region’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Daniel Hrna is a dedicated pharmacist based in Smithville, Texas, bringing a strong commitment to patient care and community well-being. Currently practicing with Luker Pharmacy Management Inc., he serves the Smithville region with expertise in pharmacy services. Prior to his current role, Daniel gained experience working in a hospital-based setting at a regional medical center, where his responsibilities included ensuring medication safety and supporting clinical teams in delivering high-quality care. His professional journey reflects a deep understanding of both community and clinical pharmacy environments. Daniel holds a pharmacy degree and has maintained his licensure to remain current with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices in medication management. Outside his professional life, Daniel is an active member of the Smithville community—engaging with local health initiatives and contributing to efforts that enhance access to pharmacy care.

Jace Jones is the current Chief Administrative Officer for Ascension Seton Bastrop and Ascension Seton Smithville. Jace joined Ascension Seton in June of 2021. Jace began his career in healthcare as a Practice Administrator with Community Health Systems (DeTar Healthcare System) in Victoria, Texas in 2012. In that role, he developed a series of best practices to bring quality billing standards and measures, and instituted the strategic plan between administrators, providers and the Board of Directors. Soon afterwards, Jace transitioned to the executive development program within Community Health Systems. His first role was as the Assistant Administrator for Detar Healthcare system, a 300-bed hospital in Victoria, Tx. While in this program, Jace’s leadership was recognized, and he was promoted regularly over the next several years. These promotions were a result of being a high performer and achieving local and corporate strategic goals. He held positions as chief operating officer at Abilene Regional Medical Center, a 231-bed acute care hospital, and chief executive officer at Brownwood Regional Medical Center, a 188-bed acute care hospital. In his most recent role, Jace was Chief Executive Officer at Carlsbad Medical Center in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Some of his professional accomplishments include developing a family medicine residency program with Texas A&M Health Science Center, emergency room expansion from 28 to 40 beds, cancer center design and development, construction and leadership of a joint and spine center of excellence, secured capital and designed a new intensive care unit, brought robotic assisted orthopedic surgery to two markets, and recruitment of numerous physicians to the communities. Jace graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and then went on to get his Master of Public Health at Texas A&M Health Science Center, and Doctor of Public Health from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Jace and his wife Julie have two daughters, Emorie and Kenzie. In his free time, he loves to spend time with his family, play golf and travel. He also loves watching the Texas Longhorns play any sport.

Ms. Sharlene Scheler was born in San Antonio Texas. She and her husband Nelson are the parents of two daughters Kimberly Ann Scheler and April Scheler Rheams. She has two grandchildren. Sharlene graduated from the University of Texas School of Nursing Health Science Center of San Antonio. After a long history of hospital nursing Sharlene and Nelson moved to Smithville Texas where she is a Methodist Healthcare Ministries Wesley Nurse and practices community health nursing. She serves on the Smithville Community Clinic Board, Lions Club Board, and the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), Methodist Church Board. Sharlene is very active in the Smithville community.