2025-2026 TMHRA Board Candidates

2025-2026 TMHRA Board Candidates

TMHRA’s Nominating Committee and Board of Directors present the 2025-2026 nominees for the Board of Directors. There are ten candidates for five trustee positions, and there is one candidate for vice president. All terms will begin on October 1, 2025.

 Consistent with the TMHRA Constitution, the voting membership may cast their vote by electronic ballot beginning June 10, 2025, and it will close on June 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.

Nominees

Vice President

LaShon Gros is the Director of Human Resources and Civil Service for the City of Taylor. She began this role in January 2021. Her focus is on recruiting and retaining talented employees, increasing employee engagement, and making a positive impact in the organizational culture. LaShon began her career in municipal human resources with the City of Killeen where she served 5 years. Her duties included employee relations matters, managing the recruitment cycle, overseeing the hiring and promotion processes for Civil Service, and assisting with training. LaShon discovered her love for human resources while serving in the United States Army. She retired from the army after 20 years of service in 2016. LaShon has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Master of Human Resources Management, and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. She is also a Society of Human Resources Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and Public Sector Human Resources Association Senior Certified Professional (IPMA-SCP). LaShon loves spending time with her family, watching movies, and traveling.

Board Trustees

Haley Archer began her Municipal Human Resources career in 2012 as a summer intern for the City of University Park. After graduating college, she began working full-time in municipal Human Resources and over the years has worked in several small cities and often as a department of one. Her most recent and current role, began in 2022 as the HR Director for the City of Burnet.  She is SHRM-CP and IPMA-HR CP certified and has obtained both Bachelor and Master degrees in Human Resources Management. She is currently pursuing her senior level Human Resources certifications.

Haley was born and raised in North Texas, but currently resides in the beautiful Texas Hill Country with her husband, Bryan, two boys, Wesson and Colton and three dogs. Outside of work, Haley enjoys spending time with her family and anything to do with sports and outdoors, specifically Texas Rangers Baseball.

Eyvon McHaney serves as the Director for Human Resources and Civil Service for the City of Arlington. Prior to joining the City of Arlington, Eyvon served as the Director for Human Resources and Civil Service for the City of Corpus Christi for over 3 years. Originally from Chicago, IL, she brings more than a decade of experience in various aspects of Human Resources, Leadership and Social Services. Eyvon’s professional affiliations include Texas Municipal Human Resources Association (TMHRA), Society for Human Resources (SHRM), DallasHR, National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA), and the Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA).

Eyvon is most passionate about training and developing new and aspiring human resources professionals to help promote continued interest in the field and ensuring that human resources teams continue to not only have a seat at the table, but that they also have a voice that is well-respected and sought after.

In 2025, Eyvon was honored as DallasHR’s 2024 Change Champion of the Year for leading strategic change in service deliver, compensation and benefits—efforts that included restructuring the City of Arlington’s benefits plans and achieving $4.8 million in cost savings.

Eyvon has a Master of Human Resources Management from Keller Graduate School of Management, where she graduated with GPA Distinction, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She earned the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) through the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) in 2015.

Elliott is currently the Employment and Employee Relations Manager for the City of McKinney. He has over 20 years of municipal government experience, 13 years of which has been in Human Resources. Elliott has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Human Relations from Amberton University and holds SHRM-CP and PHR certifications. Elliott has also held positions in the Facilities Maintenance, Building Inspections, and Fire departments during his time in municipal government. His passion to serve the public led Elliott to municipal government and the opportunity to also serve employees led him to Human Resources. Elliott currently lives in north Texas with his wife and 2 kids.

Nicole is the Assistant Director of Human Relations & Development, bringing over 14 years of experience in local government and private sector within the City of Midland and the Midland Chamber of Commerce. Known for her innovative approach to human resources, Nicole excels in areas such as recruitment, employee relations, performance management, leadership skills and retention.

At the City of Midland, Nicole has played a key role in enhancing employee engagement through initiatives like recruitment, onboarding, appreciation events, budgeting, benefits, and programming. Her passion for people drives her to support and develop the city’s workforce, aiming to create a more diverse, skilled, and motivated team to deliver exceptional service to the community.

Nicole earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising from Drury University in 2005 and completed the Certified Public Managers program at Texas Tech University in 2023 and is SHRM-CP certified. She is actively involved in the Greenwood ISD CTE advisory board and serves on the Midland College Bachelor of Applied Technology advisory board. Nicole has graduated from several leadership initiatives throughout Midland including Midland 101, Leadership Midland, and the Non Profit Management Center’s Generations program. Nicole is also a member of the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association program committee as well as the Permian Basin SHRM.

Outside of her professional work, Nicole enjoys being a mother to one child and three pets. She is an avid crafter and shirt maker, and she’s known for her clever “mom jokes” that rival even the best dad jokes and ALWAYS roots Boomer Sooner!

Susan Finch has dedicated nearly 19 years of service to the City of Boerne, building a distinguished career rooted in public service and a deep commitment to people. She began her journey in the Administration Department, first serving in the City Secretary’s Office and later transitioning to the City Manager’s Office. In 2021, Susan followed her growing passion for employee engagement and organizational development by moving into the Human Resources Department.

Following a nationwide search, Susan was selected as the City’s Human Resources Director in May 2022. Her appointment marked a significant milestone in her career and allowed her to fully embrace her calling—supporting and serving the people who serve the community.

Outside of her professional life, Susan is a proud wife and the mother of a uniquely blended family that includes two sets of twin boys—two of whom are bonus sons—and another bonus son, all now grown. She treasures time spent at her second home in Rockport, where she finds joy and peace inthe salt air and coastal lifestyle.

A passionate advocate for animal welfare, Susan serves as Vice President of the Hill Country Animal League Board. The organization’s mission—providing low-cost spay and neuter services—is close to her heart. Susan is also deeply committed to helping every shelter animal find a loving home. Her leadership in both the public and nonprofit sectors reflects her unwavering dedication to service, compassion, and community.

Perla Cepeda is the Director of Organizational Development & Human Resources (ODHR) for the City of Brownsville, Texas, a position she has held since June 2019. In this role, she leads initiatives to develop a talented and diverse workforce through a Participatory Leadership Model, aiming to balance organizational and community goals and create leaders at all levels within the city government. Her tenure at the City of Brownsville has been defined by transformative leadership.

Before joining the City of Brownsville, Cepeda held various positions in organizational development and human resources. From June 2016 to May 2019, she served as the Learning & Development Director at Spellman High Voltage Electronics Corporation. Prior to that, she was the Organizational Development Sr Manager at Littelfuse from October 2014 to April 2015 and the Learning & Development Manager at Albéa Group from September 2004 to August 2014.

Cepeda earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Development from the Universidad de Monterrey in 2023. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. In addition to her academic credentials, she is certified in Public Management and is a Certified CTI Coach, credentials that reflect her commitment to leadership development and effective organizational practices.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Perla Cepeda is deeply engaged in community development and education. She serves on the board of Proyecto Juan Diego, a nonprofit organization committed to empowering families and individuals in the Brownsville area through education, health, and social services. In addition, she contributes her expertise as a board member of the Texas Southmost College Business Management and Technology Advisory Committee. This committee, composed of leaders from business, industry, and the local community, works to strengthen career and technical education by fostering strategic partnerships between education and the workforce. Cepeda’s extensive experience in organizational development and training provides valuable insight into evolving industry needs and workforce competencies, enhancing the relevance and impact of educational programs.

Pamela M. Williams is a dynamic and results-driven public administration professional with over a decade of leadership experience in municipal government, human resources, and organizational development. She currently serves as the Director of Human Resources for the City of Abilene, where she leads a high-performing team focused on strategic transformation, data-driven decision-making, and workforce innovation.

Pamela is widely recognized for her work implementing cutting-edge technologies—including Ceridian Dayforce HRIS and AI-powered analytics tools—to improve safety, efficiency, and employee engagement. Her leadership has contributed to award-winning initiatives and cross-agency collaborations that have reshaped local government HR operations.

A certified SHRM-SCP and Certified Public Manager, Pamela holds a master’s degree in Organizational and Human Resource Development from Abilene Christian University. In 2024, she was honored as the HR Management Professional of the Year by the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association.

Outside of her executive role, Pamela actively serves on nonprofit boards and frequently speaks on workforce planning, leadership development, and public sector innovation. She brings to every conversation a deep commitment to ethical leadership, collaboration, and impactful service.

In her spare time, Pamela enjoys exploring new destinations and embracing the outdoors—whether it’s traveling, hunting, or fishing alongside her husband, where they share a love for adventure and nature.

Matthew brings over 25 years of experience in municipal government, having served in key roles across several Texas cities. From 2000 to 2023, he served with the Austin Police Department, rising through the ranks to Lieutenant. In that role, he led Internal Affairs investigations and managed the department’s Risk Management Division. He now serves as Human Resources Director for the City of Buda, Texas.

With a background that bridges public safety and human resources, Matthew offers a unique and practical perspective to municipal HR. He focuses on policy development, compliance, and operational efficiency while remaining deeply committed to supporting employees. He is passionate about cultivating a workplace culture where people thrive — one that thoughtfully balances the needs of employees with the priorities and responsibilities of city leadership.

Matthew is a Certified Public Manager® and holds both the CPM credential and a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.

He has called Buda, Texas, home for 25 years, where he and his wife, Monica, have raised their three children: Taylor, Skylar, and Mason.

Sandra Cuellar-Wilson currently serves as the HR & Risk Management Director for the City of Deer Park, a role she’s held since March 2025. With over 20 years of HR experience, Sandra’s journey has included positions as HR & Risk Management Director for the City of Mont Belvieu and HR Director for the Galveston County Health District.

Sandra’s work focuses on areas we all know are vital from employee relations, risk and safety, policy administration, to employee development. She’s passionate about public service and fostering connections within the organization to create positive, lasting change in every space she works in.

Sandra holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Houston and excited to begin her MBA studies in the fall. She’s an active member of TMHRA, SHRM, and HR Houston, and is deeply committed to staying engaged in the HR community. Sandra was honored to be named TMHRA’s 2020 HR Professional of the Year and is especially proud that her team earned a TMHRA 2025 HR Impact Award. When she’s not focused on HR, Sandra enjoys spending time with her husband, three kids, and two beloved dogs – playful toy schnauzer and an affectionate golden doodle. With a true passion for human resources and a heart for service, Sandra would be honored to contribute as a Trustee on the TMHRA board and support those make a difference every day.

Nathan serves as Human Resources Manager for the City of Cleburne, bringing over 15 years of experience in public sector service. With a practical leadership style and a people-first mindset, he supports the city’s HR functions—focusing on recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and workplace investigations. His background across multiple departments and municipalities gives him a well-rounded perspective on what it takes to keep local government running effectively and efficiently.

Over the years, Nathan has worked across several North Texas communities in roles spanning human resources, finance, communications, and public safety. His background also includes time in law enforcement, giving him firsthand insight into the unique needs and challenges faced by frontline personnel.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from UT Arlington and is a certified public-sector HR professional through PSHRA.

Outside of his municipal work, Nathan runs Unique Style Engraving, a creative laser engraving business that specializes in custom hats, tumblers, and personalized gifts. It’s his hands-on outlet for design, craftsmanship, and building connections through small business.