St. Vincent's House
Board of Directors
Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled team of volunteer Board members is the backbone of St. Vincent's House.
Their ideas and experience help shape the vision and mission of our organization as it continues to develop.
Read on to learn more about some of our incredible team members.
Bishop Hector Monterroso
Board Chair, Bishop Assistant
“My training in the seminary did not include how to [plant] new churches,” he said, but with his inherited soccer skills, he soon made headway. "Many young people came to the church to meet and to play on my soccer team. Eventually, we had our own soccer team sponsored by the Episcopal Church. It was good advertising,” he laughed.
In addition to his experience as a missionary, and as Bishop of Costa Rica, Bishop Monterroso also served as Secretary General of Province IX (1986-2000); as editor of the Revista Anglicanos magazine for 16 years and as Secretary General of the Anglican Church of the Central Region of America. During his tenure in Costa Rica, he secured its financial stability, increased the number of clergy from seven to 29, assured that most congregations were self-sustaining, and gained governmental recognition and support for many of the Diocese’s programs.
In Texas, Bishop Monterroso will continue to strengthen the growth in both Hispanic congregations as well as new missional communities and church plants. He will visit 45 congregations during the year, primarily in the southern region of the Diocese of Texas; chair the board of St. Vincent’s House, a social service agency in Galveston; support growth of multicultural presence in all congregations and help to create a strategy for new ethnic church plants and missional communities.
Bonnie Farmer
Board President
Bonnie Farmer joined the St. Vincent's House (SVH) board after many years of volunteering in various capacities. As president, she shares with her fellow board members the vision and drive to continually improve upon the programs and services offered by SVH to our clients throughout the Galveston County community. She has focused her efforts on supporting the Executive Director and Staff as they work to ensure SVH provides service to our clients with expertise, integrity and a heart for ministry.
Bonnie believes in both the vision and the mission of SVH:
Vision
The gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to be agents of hope and transformation in the lives of individuals and families.
Mission
St. Vincent House provides services and resources to empower people to become self-sustaining and contributing members of our community.
John Speich
Board Treasurer
John Speich, board treasurer, is one of our veteran team members. His years of experience as a CPA have ensured St. Vincent's House (SVH) finances are carefully monitored. With John's help, SVH works diligently to provide good stewardship of the resources at our disposal.
Ann O'Connell
Board Secretary
Ann joined the SVH Board when she served as Vice President of Ambulatory Services. She was the executive responsible for providing operational and financial oversight for a large network of campus and community-based primary and specialty care practices and regional maternal and child health mission clinics.
Ann is a self-described mission-driven servant leader with demonstrated success in accomplishing strategic goals. She has used her executive skills to help
Administrators, Medical Directors, Practice Managers, Faculty and Staff.
Douglas W. Matthews
Board Member
Doug Matthews brings to the St. Vincent's House board three decades of experience in both municipal and helathcare administration. A former Galveston City Manager, Doug has served for over 20 years in Government Relations representing the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in legislative affairs in Austin and Washington D.C.
Rev. Edward Thompson
Board Member
The REv. Edward Thompson, associate rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston, brings to St. Vincent's House (SVH) a lifetime of ministry experience.
He is a gifted preacher, teacher, author, and pastor known for his spirit of kindness.
Originally from Liberia, the Thompsons have lived and worked in the United States for almost 20 years.
Bob Fleming
Advisor to the Board
Bob Fleming has been an important resource for St. Vincent's House (SVH) for many years. His depth of experience and expertise in management of non-profits and social service agencies is an invaluabel asset to SVH. Bob brings a wealth of experiential knowlede, tempered by the heart of a true servant.
Rev. Lillian Hyde
Advisor to the Board
The Rev. Lillian Hyde is one of our veteran team members. She brings her years of experience and skills in the ministry and in community engagement to the forefront in helping our organization grow and succeed.
Dee Darby
Board Vice President
A resident of Houston, Dee Darby has made the commitment to serve on the board of St. Vincent's House (SVH), in spite of the distance she has to travel. Dee has long been an advocate and supporter of SVH, even before she joined the board. She brings with her expertise in fundraising and non-profit organizational skills.
Elaine Culver
Board Member
Elaine Culver is a relative newcomer to Galveston Island, but a long time supporter of St. Vincent's House (SVH). A resident of Dallas, Elaine learned of the important work being done at SVH and it soon became one of the reasons she and her husband, Bruce, are soon to make the Island their home. Elaine brings to her board role seminary training and a heart for helping those in need.
Reverend Kerry Tillmon
Board Member
Miss Rose, as she is fondly known, is a mainstay in Episcopal life on Galveston Island and beyond. She brings her years of knowledge of the community and local church bodies to her position of the St. Vincent's House (SVH) board. She has become an invaluable member of our SVH team.
