Staff

Janice grew up in Lyndhurst, Ohio, graduated from Kent State, and retired as a U.S. Army Colonel after 30 years in communications/ logistics. A Bastrop County resident for 35+ years, she earned a Master’s in Human Dimensions of Organization (HDO) from UT Austin in 2017. From 2013–2023, she was Executive Director of Smithville Community Clinic. She served on Smithville City Council (2020–2024) and CAPCOG’s Executive Committee. In 2024, she became Executive Director of Smithville Workforce Training Center, now Career Tracks. Janice is active in the Rural Whole Health Coalition, the Quad County Skilled Trades Coalition, Smithville Noon Lions Club, and several St. David’s Foundation housing and health equity committees. Janice is married to Gerard Hynes and has seven children (blended family), four grandchildren, and another on the way.

Alan Butler grew up in Dubuque, Iowa and comes from a family who has a long history in the skills trades. Throughout high school Alan worked for builders and roofing companies. When he graduated high school, he started taking courses in construction management while working full-time building banks and custom homes. While that work was interesting, he learned you could go to school to go fishing all day and get paid for it. Alan holds a B.S. Environmental Science from the University of Dubuque and has worked all over the country and internationally doing fisheries biology work in some unique places such as Alaska, Paraguay, Coastal Louisiana conducting research after the BP oil spill. When he moved to Bastrop, Texas in 2012 he and his wife fell in love with the community and Alan started his own contracting business to pay off student loans and have extra income while working for Texas Parks and Wildlife. His business exploded into more than he ever expected and quickly realized the need for the skills trades in the community. Alan served on the Smithville Workforce Training Center Board for nearly 2 years before jumping into day-to-day operations in the summer in 2023. Alan is passionate about the community and is proud to be a part of the Smithville Workforce Training Center. He said, “The program at the Smithville Workforce Training Center, now Career Tracks is a program that will set the stage for citizens and businesses to have amazing opportunities going forward as our community grows.” Alan wants to make sure people in the community get the training and opportunities that can change their family tree and do work that matters. As a business owner he understands the difficulty in finding highly skilled employees and is also passionate about helping business owners get the qualified employees they need to help grow their businesses and the community. Alan enjoys spending time with his wife and 4 children traveling around Texas visiting parks and historical sites, hunting, fishing, eating good BBQ, and in his busy schedule even finds time to coach Little League.

Ronnie is a native of Memphis, Tennessee and has been a part of the Smithville Community for over a decade. He served as a member of the Smithville Housing Authority Board and is a member of the Smithville Ministerial Alliance. Ronnie graduated from Mt. Olive Bible College with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies. Prior to joining the Smithville Workforce Training Center, he worked for the University of Texas at Austin Charter schools in the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement for the past 16 years. He served as an instructional aid providing computer-based education to students with disabilities within various treatment centers throughout Austin and in Bastrop. Ronnie has been married for 24 years to his sweetheart Lenora Holt. He has two children and two grandchildren and loves spending time with them. Ronnie has volunteered with many organizations in the Smithville Community and serves as Senior Pastor at Abundant Grace Community Church. He is excited to help people meet their career goals through Career Tracks.

Nirian Benitez is a passionate and empowering leader whose journey reflects resilience, heart, and a deep commitment to helping others thrive. Born in Mexico and raised in the United States, Nirian embraces the best of both cultures, carrying with her a rich appreciation for diversity and connection. As a fluent bilingual speaker in Spanish and English, she naturally bridges communities, creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported. Family is at the center of Nirian’s world. As a proud mother of two boys, her love and dedication shine through everything she does. Those who know her describe her as genuine, down-to-earth, and endlessly kind—a person whose warmth inspires trust and whose compassion uplifts everyone around her. When she isn’t leading programs or empowering participants, Nirian enjoys exploring new places, spending time with loved ones, and expressing her creativity through cooking and sharing meals. Nirian’s professional path began in 2013 when she graduated as a Medical Assistant. Guided by her passion for growth and service, she transitioned into workforce development, joining Bastrop Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area in 2022. Her drive and dedication quickly propelled her from Talent Engagement Specialist to Talent Development Specialist, Opening a Case Manager position with Career Tracks in 2023 and now to her current dual role as Community Engagement / QA Official. In her work with Career Tracks, Nirian leads with empathy and vision. She connects individuals to opportunities, fosters meaningful community partnerships, and ensures that every participant’s experience reflects the organization’s mission of empowerment and growth. Her story is one of perseverance, leadership, and purpose reflection of the values that define Career Tracks itself.

Martha serves as the Smithville Career Tracks County coordinator for Fayette and Lee Counties and previously served for more than 15 plus years with Workforce Solutions. She served as a Childcare advisor, Youth case manager and as the Business Solutions case manager. All of these were with Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area for Bastrop, Fayette and Lee Counties. Martha has many ties to Bastrop, Fayette and Lee Counties and she has worked with many local employers and work readiness opportunities geared towards young adults and transitioning professionals. In her free time, Martha enjoys her time with her husband traveling and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Brenda Hernandez is a forward-thinking professional with a proven track record of building strong relationships, aligning business goals, creative execution, and delivering measurable results. With over a decade of experience, she has led cross functional teams, launched high impact projects and helped companies grow their presence in competitive industries. As Program Manager, she joins the Career Tracks Team. She has worked in the Aerospace and defense industry for 20+ years and has enjoyed all the experiences and life's journeys. In her spare time, she minds the ranch, spoiling three miniature donkeys, a horse named Henry and cows. For an absolute fun day or two or three, you can find Brenda at the beach, the lake or saltwater fishing.

Emy Diaz was born and raised in a close-knit, warm town in the Republic of Panama. She earned her bachelor’s degree in industrial business engineering from Universidad Latina de Panamá. Nearly a decade ago, she relocated to Texas, where she has since built a life centered around purpose, family, and service. A devoted mother, Emy, draws her greatest inspiration from her beautiful daughter, who continues to be the driving force behind her ambitions. From her very first day as an intern at the Smithville Workforce Training Center (Career Tracks), Emy felt an immediate connection to its mission. She knew she had found not just a job, but a calling Helping individuals access better employment opportunities and witnessing the transformative impact on their lives brings her deep fulfillment. She finds equal joy in collaborating with a team of dedicated, compassionate professionals who work together toward the shared vision of uplifting their community.

With over 35 years of experience in bookkeeping and accounting, including a successful career as a Senior Accountant at Travis County-District Clerk, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. My background includes serving as a Financial Coach and mentor for youth programs. Fluent in both English and Spanish, I am dedicated to promoting financial literacy and prosperity within the community. In my current role as a Financial Manager and Human Resources Officer at Career Tracks, I continue to leverage my skills to drive organizational success and support the growth of those around me.

Becky is a lifelong resident of Smithville and currently resides in String Prairie which is a rural community of Smithville. She attended Smithville ISD from kindergarten to graduating high school. After graduating high school, Becky attended Blinn Jr. College and later transitioned to cosmetology school which led to a successful career for 20+ years as a licensed cosmetologist. On a whim, she decided to “try something different” which led her to a career as a Case Manager at SWTC. Becky has been married for 30+ years and is the proud mom of three boys which are all grown and starting families of their own. She thoroughly enjoys spending time with her husband, three sons and their families. Becky has volunteered throughout the years for several different organizations. She would prefer to be a “behind the scenes” volunteer but is not afraid of stepping up to the occasion when asked. She said “It is extremely gratifying helping people reach their goals and become successful. Lending a helping hand is sometimes the only thing between success and failure.” Becky’s attitude and work ethic make Career Tracks the perfect organization for her to aid and encourage others in need.

Sydney Rodriguez is a dedicated Case Manager with over three years of hands-on experience in case management, participant support, and program coordination. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong passion for empowering individuals to achieve their personal, educational, and professional goals. Her work is rooted in building trust, understanding participant needs, and guiding them toward meaningful, measurable success. Sydney specializes in relationship building, goal setting, documentation, and community resource navigation. With experience collaborating with participants, employers, and educational institutions, she brings a well-rounded understanding of program operations and client support. Her skills span intake and eligibility assessment, employment placement, OJT coordination, and detailed progress reporting to ensure each participant receives quality, individualized guidance. Previously serving as a Case Manager in both Smithville and La Grange, Texas, Sydney has supported diverse programs and engaged in team-based strategies to improve service delivery. Her commitment to accuracy, organization, and participant development has made her a reliable, compassionate, and solution-focused professional in the workforce and education services field. Driven by a positive attitude and a genuine desire to help others recognize and reach their full potential, Sydney continues to grow her expertise while contributing to programs that create lasting impact in the communities she serves.

Mason Friedel is a Smithville native raised in La Grange, Texas. Mason is excited and grateful to be giving back to the community that raised him. He works right alongside Lorena, helping with bookkeeping and file management. In his free time, he enjoys writing, photography, and film.