Governor Abbott Names Chair, Vice Chair And Appoints Eight To OneStar National Service Commission
Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed and named Ronnie Hagerty as Chairman of the OneStar National Service Commission for a term set to expire on March 15, 2018. He also named Lisa Lucero as Vice Chairman. Governor Abbott additionally appointed Sonal Bhuchar, Laura Dixon, Roger O’Dell, and reappointed Kirk Beckert for terms set to expire on March 15, 2018. He also appointed Annette Juba and Kate Williamson for terms set to expire on March 15, 2016, and James Senegal for a term set to expire on March 15, 2017. The OneStar National Service Commission Board promotes volunteerism in Texas and oversees the administration of the AmeriCorps programs for the state.
Ronnie Hagerty of Houston is assistant vice president of community relations and talent management for the United Way of Greater Houston. She is a lecturer at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and an adjunct professor at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. Hagerty serves in leadership positions as a board member for Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries, board member for ESCAPE Family Resource Center, chair-elect of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Houston Chapter and sustaining member of the Junior League of Houston. She was previously a member of Renewing our Communities Advisory Committee and the American Diabetes Association. Hagerty earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Saint Mary’s College/Notre Dame, master’s degree in business administration from the University of Houston, and doctoral degree in leadership and change from Antioch University.
Lisa Lucero of Austin is employed by the Texas Oil and Gas Association. She is currently serving on the Dress for Success Advisory Council and Governor’s Commission for Women. She has served as a volunteer with the Capital Area Food Bank, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, GirlStart, Central Area Girl Scouts, Diocese of Austin, St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, St. Austin Catholic Parish and past school board member and Parents Association president at St. Austin Catholic School. Lucero attended the University of Texas at Austin.
Kirk Beckert of Richardson is chief marketing officer at Texans Can Academies. Prior to that, he worked for Summit Consolidated Group and served as a teacher and coach at Richardson Independent School District. Beckert has served in leadership positions as a board member of the Texas Association of Business and member of the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. Beckert received his bachelor’s degree in hotel administration from Cornell University. He earned his master’s degree in education from the University of North Texas. He also holds a Region 10 alternative certification in special education.
Sonal Bhuchar of Sugar Land is a self-employed physical therapist at Therapeutic Concepts and office manager at Sugar Land Med-Ped Clinic. She currently serves in leadership positions as a board member for Child Advocates of Fort Bend, chairman for the Literacy Council of Fort Bend, board member for Fort Bend Cares and board member for the City of Sugar Land PARCS. Bhuchar has formerly served as a board of trustee and board president for the Fort Bend Independent School District. She has been actively involved with the Fort Bend Education Foundation, ACCESS Health, Sugar Land Cultural Arts, Sugar Land Heritage Foundation and is a graduate of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce leadership class of 2014. Bhuchar earned her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Bombay University in India.
Laura Dixon of San Antonio is the executive director of Silver & Black Give Back and manages the corporate social responsibility division for the parent company (Spurs Sports & Entertainment) of four professional sports teams – San Antonio Spurs (NBA); Stars (WNBA); Rampage (AHL) and Austin Spurs (D-League). Through her career, she is a member of the National Basketball Association, Jr NBA, Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations, San Antonio Area Funders and San Antonio Nonprofit Council. Dixon is currently active with the Texas Lyceum, Cancer Therapy and Research Center, Greater San Antonio YMCA, My Brother’s Keeper Advisory Board and ESPNWomen Global Sports Mentoring Program. She is formerly a director with the San Antonio ISD Foundation. Dixon received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Texas Tech University. She earned her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, Dixon received her certification in executive nonprofit management from Southern Methodist University and certification as a sports event executive from the University of Kentucky and the National Association of Sports Commissions.
Annette Gracy Juba of Austin is a social worker and deputy director of programs for AGE of Central Texas. Prior to that, she served as a social worker in several nursing homes including Westminster Manor Health Care Center. Juba is currently a member of Aging Services Council of Central Texas and volunteers her time for the Alzheimer’s Association. She also serves on the Texas State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease. Juba earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin.
Roger O’Dell of El Paso is the executive director of Model Cities-El Paso and Missionary Radio Evangelism which are two El Paso area nonprofit organizations. He also owns PosiTrend Industries which serves as an energy cost containment consulting firm. Previously, he was the manager of credit and collections for El Paso Electric Company. O’Dell is a life member of the El Paso Jaycees and Junior Chamber International JCI Senate. He has previously held leadership positions in the community as co-founder and member of the El Paso Character Council, chairman of the Rio Grande Economics Association, co-founder of El Paso’s East Side Civic Association, chairman of Hospice of El Paso, member of El Paso Auto Theft Task Force, alumni member of the U.S. Marshalls Citizen Academy, board member of El Paso Pregnancy Help Center and former chairman of deacons and chairman of trustees of Immanuel Baptist Church. O’Dell earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from the University of Texas at El Paso.
James Senegal of Conroe is police captain of the City of Magnolia Police Department. Prior to his current role, he served as patrol officer/SWAT team leader for the City of Hempstead Police Department. Senegal began his career as sergeant for North Forest ISD Police Department. He is a member of the Texas Police Chiefs Association, Texas Municipal Police Association, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police and East Central Texas Police Chiefs Association. Senegal graduates from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in December 2015.
Kate Williamson of Midland manages her own consulting practice and is associated in that capacity with Hooks Solutions, LLC. Prior to that, she has worked for both United States Congressman Mac Thornberry and Congressman Randy Neugebauer in their federal offices. Williamson is actively involved in her community as a class member of Leadership Midland, board member of High Sky Children’s Ranch, sustaining member of Junior League of Midland, Sunday school teacher at First United Methodist Church of Midland and associate teaching director of the After School Kids Community Bible Study. She is formerly a member of the Texas State Society of DC and was 2014 fundraising chairman of the March of Dimes Tour De Vine event in Midland. Williamson graduated with honors from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish.