Meet the TMHRA Board of Directors
President
Veronica Sanchez
About Veronica
Director of Human Resources
City of San Angelo
(325) 657-4221 • Email
Veronica brings over 25 years of progressive human resources experience across both the private and public sectors. Her expertise spans civil service administration, compensation, benefits, performance management, employee relations, and organizational development. She has held multiple leadership roles with the local SHRM Chapter, including two terms as President, during which she successfully led the organization to achieve both Gold and Platinum Chapter designations.
Throughout her career, Veronica has been recognized for her leadership and impact, earning the distinction of HR Professional of the Year and being named one of San Angelo’s “20 Under 40,” an honor celebrating emerging leaders who contribute to the community through professional excellence, innovation, and civic involvement.
Veronica holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management and a Master of Science in Organizational Psychology and Human Resources from Angelo State University. She is also a graduate of the Texas Certified Public Manager program at Texas State University and has maintained multiple HR certifications throughout her career. Dedicated to advancing the profession, she has served for many years on the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association (TMHRA) Board, most recently as President.
Vice President
LaShon Gros
About LaShon
Director of Human Resources and Civil Service
City of Taylor
(512) 539-6035 • Email
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.
Past President
Tadd Phillips
About Tadd
Director of Human Resources
City of Lewisville
(972) 219-3450 • Email
Tadd Phillips is the current Director of Human Resources for the City of Lewisville. There he leads a diverse and talented team of 10 professionals including Human Resources, Training & Equity, and Risk Management. His municipal HR experience in Texas spans five cities over 22 years including director roles at Georgetown, McKinney, and San Angelo.
Tadd earned his MBA from the University of North Texas, his BA from The University of Texas at Austin, and SPHR/SHRM-SCP certifications. He is past president of the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association and the Texas Public Employer Labor Relations Associations. He has served as a board member for the Texas Municipal League, advisory committee member for TMRS, and recently served as Board President for Meridian World School Board, an award-winning International Baccalaureate K-12 Charter School with 1,700 students. He’s also a Leadership ICMA graduate from the 2019 cohort. He is a husband of 23 years, father of three, and a recovering youth soccer coach.
Secretary/Treasurer
Jeriana Staton
About Jeriana
Director of Human Resources and Special Projects
City of Sanger
(940) 458-7930 • Email
Jeriana serves as the Director of Human Resources and Special Projects at the City of Sanger, where she started as the Human Resource Coordinator and Deputy City Secretary in late 2016. Promoted in April 2020, she assumed the roles of Director of Human Resources, Special Projects, and Deputy City Secretary. Adding to her responsibilities, Jeriana temporarily served as Interim City Manager and City Secretary from August 2020 until returning to her HR role in July 2021.
With over a decade of experience in Human Resources spanning both private and public sectors, Jeriana also boasts seven years of board volunteering experience. Leading a small team, she manages recruitment, onboarding, training, benefits administration, risk management, and employee relations.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Jeriana stays abreast of governmental updates impacting her team. At her residence in Ponder, TX, she treasures time with her spouse, two teenagers, and their Corgis. She unwinds with family trips to Florida or weekends exploring Texas rivers.
Jeriana’s steadfast commitment to workplace service propels her role today, and she considers it a privilege to contribute to the TMHRA Board.
TML Representative
Chereé Bontrager
About Chereé
Chereé Bontrager,
SPHR, SHRM-SC
Director of Human Resources
City of Allen
(214) 509-4677 • Email
Chereé is currently the Director of Human Resources for the City of Allen. She has over twenty years of experience in Human Resources with municipal government and a total of 25 years of experience in Human Resources. Chereé obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Human Relations at Amberton University and a Master’s Degree in Conflict Management & Dispute Resolution at SMU. In 2008, Cheree’ obtained her SPHR certification through the Human Resources Certification Institute and obtained her SHRM-SCP through the Society for Human Resources Management in 2015. Cheree’ has served on the TMHRA Board since 2016 and has been a member of TMHRA since 2003. She is passionate about partnering and building connections with HR professionals across the state of Texas in order to provide caring services to municipal employees.
TMRS Representative
Christi Klyn
About Christi
Director or Human Resources
(940) 761-7633 • Email
Christi Klyn attended Midwestern State University where she received a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology, and a M.A. in Training and Development. Christi worked in private sector Human Resources for more than 8 years prior to beginning her municipal service with the City of Wichita Falls in 2013. She began her career with the City of Wichita Falls as the Human Resource Manager/ Civil Service Director and promoted to Director of Human Resources/Civil Service in 2015. Christi is responsible for oversight of Personnel Services, Risk Management, and Employee Benefits.
During her time with the City, Christi has formed a Wellness Committee and supported the committee’s implementation of a City Wellness Program, is in the process of working with departments to implement and support the City’s first formal safety program, and collaborated with the Police Department to implement an alternative promotion system for the Wichita Falls Police Department. Christi is a member of SHRM, TMHRA, and Wichita Falls Human Resource Management Association. Christi would be honored to serve as Trustee on the TMHRA board and is eager to support the organization through her commitment to human resource best practices.
Trustee
Elliott Harper
About Elliott
Employment & Employee Relations Manager
City of McKinney
(972) 547-2092 • Email
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.
Trustee
Matthew Wright
About Matthew
Human Resources Director
City of Buda
(512) 312-0084 • Email
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
Trustee
Kelly Rodriguez
About Kelly
Assistant Director of Human Resources
City of Killeen
(254) 501-7600 • Email
Kelly Rodriguez is the Assistant Director of Human Resources for the City of Killeen. She began working for the City of Killeen in January 2020, working primarily with the City’s Public Works, and Recreation Services Departments. Her duties include managing the entire employee life cycle, employee relations matters, and acting as an advisor for the department leaders she works with. Kelly has also acted as the City of Killeen’s Wellness Coordinator and was instrumental in creating a successful Wellness program for the City. She discovered her love for Human Resources after obtaining an entry level position with the Killeen Independent School District’s Human Resources Office, where she managed the pre-employment process for the District’s Auxiliary staff. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from Texas A&M University – Central Texas in 2018. Kelly was named TMHRA’s Rising Star in 2021 and is currently working on becoming a IPMA -HR Certified Professional.
Trustee
Perla Cepeda
About Perla
Director, Organizational Development and Human Resources
City of Brownsville
(956) 243-1216 • Email
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.
Trustee
Eyvon McHaney
About Eyvon
Director of Human Resources
City of Arlington
(817) 575-8987 • Email
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), Coastal Bend SHRM, National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA), and 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.
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.
Trustee
Haley Archer
About Haley
Director of Human Resources
(512) 715-3213 • Email
Haley Archer began her Municipal Human Resources career in 2012 as a summer intern for the City of University Park. Upon completion of her Human Resources degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2014, she began working for the City of Celina full-time as an HR Manager. She has worked for several small cities and often as a department of one, including her current role as HR Director for the City of Burnet.
She is SHRM-CP and IPMA-HR CP certified and currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Tarleton State University. Haley was born and raised in North Texas, but currently resides in the beautiful Texas Hill Country with her husband, Bryan, and two kids, 3 and 5, and two dogs. Outside of work, Haley enjoys spending time with her family, anything outdoors, and Texas Rangers Baseball.
Trustee
(James) JW Bramlett
About JW
City of Texarkana
(903) 798-3533 • Email
J.W. Bramlett, SHRM-CP is the Administrative Services Director for the City of Texarkana, Texas, overseeing Human Resources and the Municipal Courts. He has spent 7 years with the City, 6 of those years being in Human Resources. During his tenure with the City’s Human Resources Department, J.W. has worked primarily in the
areas of recruiting, performance management, and professional development while also serving as a member of the City’s collective bargaining team during negotiations
with the Firefighters Union in 2019, 2020, and 2023.
J.W. served as the President of Tri-State SHRM Texarkana in 2020 and 2021, and he has served on the Tri-State SHRM Texarkana Board since 2018 as the Digital Marketing
Coordinator. Prior to working in Human Resources, J.W. spent 8 years in education as a teacher and coach at Pleasant Grove ISD in Texarkana, Texas. J.W. holds a bachelor’s
degree in Political Science from the University of North Texas. He is married to his wife Martha, and recently welcomed their first child Trey in April 2023.
Trustee
Lindsey Cox
About Lindsey
City of New Braunfels
(830) 221-4395 • Email
Lindsey worked in private sector Human Resources for 5 years as the Human Resources Director for Schlitterbahn Waterparks prior to beginning her municipal service with the City of Schertz in 2017. She is now the Assistant Director of Human Resources with the City of New Braunfels where she is responsible for the oversight of team member benefits, learning & development, Civil Service, and compensation.
Lindsey attended Texas State University where she received a B.A. in Management with a concentration in Human Resources. Lindsey obtained her SHRM-CP in 2016 and earned her IPMA-SCP in 2022. On top of her wealth of technical expertise, Lindsey is an inspiring leader who leads with eagerness, energy, and genuine care for others.
In 2020 Lindsey earned a City Manager’s Coin of Excellence in Schertz for her implementation of new HRMS software that led to the streamlining of recruitment, onboarding, and performance management. In her time with the City of New Braunfels, Lindsey has received the City Manager’s Award for her leadership of the Human Resources team and the progressive initiatives implemented for city team members. She serves as the Vice President of Membership with the Hill Country Human Resources Management Association, where she has leads efforts to significantly increase membership numbers for the chapter.
Past Presidents
| Year | President | City |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | Tadd Phillips | City of Lewisville |
| 2023-2024 | Lauren Safranek | City of Frisco |
| 2022-2023 | Andre Houser | City of Conroe |
| 2021-2022 | Shanté R. Akafia | City of Lewisville |
| 2020-2021 | Paula Kutchka | City of Sugar Land |
| 2019-2020 | Chereé Bontrager | City of University Park |
| 2018-2019 | Jill McAdams | City of Irving |
| 2017-2018 | Lisa Norris | City of Grand Prairie |
| 2016-2017 | Wendy K. Standorf, IPMA-CP | City of West University Place |
| 2015-2016 | Ronnie C. Kidd | City of Abilene |
| 2014-2015 | Martha Butz, SPHR | City of Highland Village |
| 2013-2014 | Melinda Galler | City of Lewisville |
| 2012-2013 | Tadd Phillips | City of Georgetown |
| 2011-2012 | Debbie L. Maynor, SPHR, IPMA-CP | City of Killeen |
| 2010-2011 | Janie Mehrens | City of Brenham |
| 2009-2010 | Donald W. Byrne, PHR. IPMA-CP | City of Odessa |
| 2008-2009 | Bonita J. Hall | City of Pearland |
| 2007-2008 | Laura Morrow, SPHR, IPMA-CP | City of Allen |
| 2006-2007 | George M. Mones, SPHR, IPMA-CP | City of Mesquite |
| 2005-2006 | Melanie Caballero, SPHR | City of Bryan |
| 2004-2005 | Lauren Safranek | City of Frisco |
| 2003-2004 | Barry Robinson, IPMA-CP | City of Greenville |
| 2002-2003 | Janet Melancon, SPHR, IPMA-CP | City of Waco |
| 2001-2002 | Mary E. Lanzara, PHR | City of Fort Worth |
| 2000-2001 | Cynthia C. Garcia | City of Corpus Christi |
| 1999-2000 | Jim Parrish, CPM, SPHR, IPMA-CP | City of Amarillo |
| 1998-1999 | Mary Andrews | City of Lubbock |
| 1997-1998 | Phyllis Stadler, IPMA-CP | City of Richardson |
| 1996-1997 | Luanne Hanford | City of University Park |
| 1995-1996 | Donna Barron | City of Lewisville |
| 1994-1995 | Missy Davidson, CP, CLRP, CCP | City of Baytown |
| 1993-1994 | Bill Chiabotta | City of Mesquite |
| 1992-1993 | Jan Stricklin | City of Wichita Falls |
| 1991-1992 | Karen Pavlinski | City of College Station |
| 1990-1991 | Kathryn Usrey | City of Carrollton |
| 1989- 1990 | Mark Bell | City of Lubbock |
| 1987-1988 | Carolyn M. Liner | City of San Marcos |
| 1986-1987 | Troy L. Coleman, Ph.D. | City of Dallas |
| 1985-1986 | Ben R. Blair, Jr. | City of Tyler |
| 1983-1984 | Nancy Carney | City of Garland |
| 1982-1983 | Charlie B. Shapard | City of Fort Worth |
| 1981-1982 | Martha Royal | City of McKinney |
| 1980-1981 | Benny Davis | City of Galveston |
| 1979-1980 | Sam Navarro | City of El Paso |
| 1978-1979 | Joe Francis | City of Plano |
| 1977-1978 | Charles “Chuck” Speed | City of Corpus Christi |
| 1976-1977 | Job L. Hammond | City of Amarillo |
| 1975-1976 | Pierson Ralph | City of Dallas |
| 1974-1975 | Fred Holmes | City of Houston |
| 1973-1974 | Howard Weaver | City of Lubbock |
| 1972-1973 | Frank Priore | City of Fort Worth |
| 1971-1972 | Davis Brinson | City of Port Arthurs |
| 1970-1971 | Bill B. Storey | City of Pasadena |
| 1969-1970 | Lloyd Tallent | City of Garland |
| 1968-1969 | LaVerne Marsh | City of Tyler |
| 1967-1968 | Charles R. Lummus | City of Corpus Christi |
| 1966-1967 | Jerome Goodloe | City of San Antonio |
| 1965-1966 | Ernest Crawford | City of Odessa |
| 1964-1965 | Jack P. Wood | City of Fort Worth |
| 1963-1964 | Ben Olson | City of Abilene |
| 1962-1963 | Ben Franklin, Jr. | City of Corpus Christi |
| 1961-1962 | Estrella Raybourn | City of Harlingen |
| 1960-1961 | Clyde McCullough | City of San Antonio |
| 1959-1960 | W. Coleman | City of Wichita Falls |
| 1958-1959 | Norman Heath | City of Lubbock |
| 1957-1958 | Bernice Woodson | City of Tyler |
| 1956-1957 | Phillip Morgette | City of Austin |
| 1955-1956 | Sydney Hughes | City of Houston |
| 1954-1955 | Bernard Huett | City of Abilene |
| 1953-1954 | C.C. Rutherford | City of Dallas |
| 1952-1953 | J.J. Herley | City of Fort Worth |
| 1951-1952 | Clovis D. Mann | City of Wichita Falls |
| 1950-1951 | Terrell Blodgett | City of Austin |
| 1949-1950 | Clifford Davis | City of Amarillo |
| 1948-1949 | E.M. Powell | City of Dallas |