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St. Vincent's House
Board of Directors
God is the only one who can make the valley of
trouble a door of hope
Hosea 2:15
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 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.
The gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to be agents of hope and transformation in the lives of individuals and families. St. Vincent House provides services and resources to empower people to become self-sustaining and contributing members of our community.
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. As an independent business woman, Dee shares her knowledge of sound business practices integrated into the non-profit sector. In addition to her role as Vice President, Dee also serves on the Development Committee.
John Speich
Board Treasurer
Few things are more important to the integrity of a non-profit than careful financial management. John Speich has served St. Vincent’s in many ways over the years, currently serving as Treasurer and as a member of the executive, development and facilities committees.
His professional expertise in assisting the board and executive director in crafting the budget has been invaluable. John is a life-long Episcopalian and member of Trinity Episcopal Church Galveston where he has served as usher, Lay Eucharistic Minister and Worship Leader. He led the Outreach Committee and has served on the Vestry as Senior Warden and currently as Treasurer.
Professionally John is a Certified Public Accountant having worked in public accounting and a variety of industries. Presently he is an accounting systems consultant with Innovative Financial Systems.
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Ann O'Connell
Board Secretary
When Ann joined the SVH Board, she was employed as Vice President of Ambulatory Services at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. 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 brought her executive skills into play as secretary of the board and a a volunteer in the UTMB clinics housed at St. Vincent's.
Dorothy "Dotsy" Balentine
Board Member
Dotsy Balentine lives here on Galveston Island, is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, and works at Moody Bank as Vice President in Administration. She is engaged to David Herrin, and has a daughter, Lauren Balentine, who is in medical school at Tulane. Dotsy serves on the Board of HomeTown Bank, N.A., and has served on a number of boards in leadership positions for the past thirty years.
Rev. Mike Brady
Board Member
Mike attended Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, LA. where he initially studied law, but following a call to music ministry changed his major to vocal/instrumental music education. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1989 and a Master of Education in 1990.
Over 30 years Mike served as a high school band director, worked in pipe organ sales and service, and in Human Resources from which he retired in 2017 and began a career in residential real estate.
Mike completed his Master of Divinity in June 2015 from Newburgh Theological Seminary and graduated from the Iona School for ministry in 2019. He was ordained to the transitional Diaconate in June 2019 and was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests in Jan 2020.
He serves as Vicar of the historic St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church in Galveston, TX. St Aug (as it is called) is the first African American Episcopal Church in Texas, founded in 1886 by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.
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 became one of the reasons she and her husband, Bruce, are making the Island their second home. Elaine, an active member of the Development Committee, is a seminary graduate with a heart for helping those in need.
Pastor David Gomez
Board Member
David Gomez has been the Lead Pastor of New Life Fellowship, a multicultural, multigenerational church, for the past 30 years. Married to his wife of thirty-four years, together they have three adult children. He previously served on the United Way and Galveston College Universal Access Board. Currently, David enjoys serving on SVH Board because of the impact of its mission and ministry to the community.
Dr. Vivian Hernandez
Board Member
Education
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University of St. Thomas, School of Education and Human Services- Doctoral Program, Ed.D., Ethical Leadership
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University of St. Thomas, School of Education-M.Ed.-Leadership & Administration
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University of Houston Clear Lake-Bachelor of Arts- Humanities
Professional Experiences:
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Galveston Independent School District Administrator, Galveston, Texas (Present)
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District Bilingual Family and Community Engagement & Data Specialist Newcomer’s Resource & Community Liaison
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Ball High School, Galveston, Texas. (August 2015-2018)
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APEX Magnet Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Media Arts Pathway Coordinator
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Tutor-a-Tor Mentoring Founder & Coordinator
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Ball High School, Galveston, Texas. (August 2012-2015).
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Dual Credit Academic Advisor: Ball High School, Galveston, Texas. (January 2008-2012)
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Internship/Mentoring Coordinator: Roosevelt Wilson-Texas City, Texas (December 2004-2008
Presentations at National Conferences
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“How to Construct a Mentoring Program”, Advancing Improvement in Education Conference, San Antonio, Texas, 2012; 2014
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“Addressing the Needs of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Students Who are at Risk” Mid-South Magnet Schools of America Conference, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 2016
Douglas W. Matthews
Board Member
Doug Matthews brings to the St. Vincent's House board three decades of experience in both municipal and health care 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.
Doug is an ordained Deacon in the Catholic church, serving in a variety of capacities at Holy Family Catholic Church in Galveston.
Linda Rutherford
Board Member
Linda Rutherford is a BOI and a retired attorney, recently returning to live on the island with her husband, John, a practicing attorney.
Linda and John volunteered at an agency similar to St. Vincent's when they lived in the Dallas area. She visited SVH with one of our long-time volunteers and immediately fell in love with our mission and our ministry. Linda is the newest member of the SVH Board and is excited at the prospect of working both as a volunteer and at the board level.
Reverend Kerry Tillmon
Board Member
Pastor Kerry W. Tillmon responded to God’s call and purpose for his life (Jeremiah 29:11), thereby accepting the awesome responsibility of proclaiming the gospel of Christ. He is a graduate of Houston Baptist University with a Bachelor’s degree in Christianity and a minor in Government and Knox Theological Seminary with a Master’s degree in theological studies.
Kerry joined the St.Vincent's Board in 2020.
Pastor Tillmon has served as the shepherd of West Point Baptist Church for 35 years. He currently holds the following affiliations and leadership roles:
*Pastor - West Point Missionary Baptist Church (35 years)
*President - Baptist Ministers’ Association of Galveston/Galveston County
*Moderator - American Baptist Eastern General Association of Texas, Incorporated
*President - American Baptist General Convention of Texas
*Board of Directors and Publishing Board, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.