About Connections
What started in 1981 as an organization to support at-risk youth in Comal County has expanded to serve 17 counties with counseling, prevention programming, an emergency children's shelter and a youth transitional living program.
MISSION
Strengthening communities, one youth and one family at a time.
VISION
We envision a community where every individual feels safe, is empowered to make positive life changes, and has the opportunity to lead a meaningful life.
MEET OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM
Chief Executive Officer
Jacob Huereca
Jacob has spent his career working with youth in foster care. He received a social work degree from Colorado State University-Pueblo and a master's degree in social work from the University of Texas. Jacob studied Community and Administrative Leadership with a focus on nonprofit management. Jacob is an Endeavor Fellow through the San Antonio Area Foundation and a graduate of Leadership New Braunfels. Jacob is a licensed social worker and childcare administrator as well as a Trust-Based Relationship educator. Jacob has six children and has been a foster parent twice. He is from Las Vegas but considers Texas home!
Chief Financial Officer
Nicole beauchamp
Nicole works closely with her team to manage grants, cash flow and budget reports while providing strategic financial planning. Her professional experience includes over eight years in finance and business management, primarily in group homes. Nicole is originally from Reno, Nevada, but now lives in New Braunfels with her husband and two sons. She enjoys baking, sewing and spending time with her family and friends.
Chief Human Resources Officer
rochelle menchaca
Rochelle is responsible for hiring, onboarding, employee relations, and IT in her role at Connections. Her background includes HR management for both nonprofit organizations and private businesses. Rochelle has a bachelor's degree from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio and currently lives in New Braunfels with her husband, Robert.​
Chief Residential Officer
charles hegstrom
Charles holds an undergraduate degree in sociology from KSU and a master's degree in criminal justice from WSU. He began working with youth through the Positive Pathways Program (P3) under BBBS for youth involved in the criminal justice system. Prior to Connections, Charles held various positions in residential settings including a group home, residential treatment center and a detention center. He also provided skills development and parenting courses to youth and their families from Austin to San Antonio. Charles spends his free time with his wife, Kristina, two sons, and dogs Bumblebee and Optimus Prime. He enjoys Lego, drawing, soccer and video games.
Chief Prevention Officer
stefanie garcia
Stefanie has been with Connections for 10 years as a certified prevention specialist. As the Chief Prevention Officer, she is responsible for providing oversight to all prevention programs and is passionate about seeing youth grow academically and in confidence. Stefanie was born and raised in Pleasanton, Texas.
Chief Community Services Officer
Micki Matthews
Micki has been a licensed family therapist for six years and began her journey at Connections 10 years ago interning as a graduate student. She transitioned into a leadership role after working closely with clients for many years and is passionate about collaborating with her team to enhance the counseling department and further its outreach into the communities Connections serves. Micki moved to Texas from Colorado and enjoys being outdoors and on the water with her family as much as possible. She believes in the healing power of nature, positivity and being present in the moment.
CONNECTIONS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Matthew Bonine
Matthew and his wife, Kaci, settled in New Braunfels in 2013. He attended the University of Texas and received an undergraduate degree in government. He's worked in the accounting and tax industries and currently owns a bookkeeping and business management company. Community and nonprofit service is near and dear to Matthew's heart; some of his fondest memories are of working in inner-city Houston with at-risk middle schoolers. Matthew and his wife have three beautiful children and they enjoy church ministries, sports, and watching movies together.
Vice President
Pia Lomax
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Pia is an executive coach, business strategy consultant, and retired Air Force Colonel with 33 years experience in LEAN/Six Sigma consulting, leading people, developing strategy, building new organizations and improving performance in large organizations. She believes everyone deserves great leadership and inspiration and is passionate about solving problems, instilling positive change and working with people. Pia and her husband are proud New Braunfels residents and devote many hours to playing racquet sports and their rescued furry friends.
Treasurer
George Scofield
George Scofield is with Norton Rose Fulbright, where he has practiced law in the healthcare and tax-exempt finance areas for over 40 years. George attended Louisiana State University and received a bachelor's in accounting and a law degree as well as a Master of Law degree from New York University. George has served as the chair of the board of San Antonio Medical Foundation, the Section of Taxation of the Texas Bar Association, and Any Baby Can of Texas. He has also served on the boards of United Way of San Antonio, Salvation Army, Charity Ball Association and BioMed SA, among others.
Secretary
Hope Skibitsky
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Hope has an undergraduate degree in Human Resources Management and is an almost 30-year veteran of the United States Air Force. A Texas native, she and her husband call Spring Branch home. She has a background in health and wellness, education and training, career advising and crisis counseling, and she has several decades of experience in leadership and management. Hope has a long history of working with nonprofits and community service organizations, particularly those serving the underprivileged and at-risk populations.
Board Member
Caleb Scott
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Caleb is currently a student at Texas A&M University. In high school, he co-founded FloatMe, a company dedicated to the financial wellness of employees by providing early access to pay, a way to save and financial health. After a summer at Stanford, Caleb developed a new startup, Lecturely, with a mission of providing a platform that tracks students' interests inside the classroom and bases the curriculum taught on those interests, keeping students more engaged and providing a more personalized learning experience.
Board Member
Amanda Anding
Amanda is the co-founder and owner of Anding Environmental Consulting, LLC, headquartered in New Braunfels. She is a Texas State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in international business and a master’s degree in geography. Amanda began volunteering with Connections in 2014 at the Transitional Living Program. Her past experience with board development and her interest in helping youth in foster care brought her to the Connections Board of Directors in 2021. Amanda lives in New Braunfels with her husband, their two daughters and their dog, Duke, and cat, Navani.
Board Member
Leanne Latham
Leanne is the Human Resources Manager for the City of Schertz. She graduated with her BBA from Stephen F. Austin State University. She has over 16 years experience in human resources and holds a Professional Human Resources certification. Leanne was born and raised in Texas and has lived in the Central Texas area for the past 13 years. She has called New Braunfels home since 2020, and she looks forward to supporting Connections and helping those in New Braunfels and the surrounding areas.
Board Member
Dawn Loding
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Dawn Loding is a real estate agent with Epique Realty and an entrepreneur here in New Braunfels Texas. She’s been helping families buy and sell homes for over 20 years and has a passion for helping others. Having raised four sons of her own and served on local boards such as New Braunfels Council of PTAs and Comal County Crisis Center, she brings her experience in working with children and serving her community.
Board Member
Caryn Benson​
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Caryn Benson moved to New Braunfels in 2000 to be closer to family. She enjoys getting involved in her community and giving back as much as possible. Caryn currently works at the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung as an advertising sales specialist and is a Blue Coat with the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. Caryn has volunteered with nonprofits focusing on helping children, animals, medical assistance, and people experiencing homelessness, and these experiences have fostered a larger passion for continuing to help others, which is why she's happy to be on the Connections board.