about us
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.
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 non-profit 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, mostly 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 has responsibility for hiring, onboarding, employee relations, and IT. Rochelle's 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 Communications Officer
megan dupree
Megan oversees communication, marketing and development. She works with an internal team to cultivate and distribute messaging designed to generate volunteers, donations, and support. Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication-Public Relations from Texas State University. Her professional background includes marketing within higher education and state government. Megan lives in New Braunfels with her husband and two daughters.
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 wife Kristina, son Kari, and dogs Bumblebee and Optimus Prime. He enjoys Legos, drawing, soccer, and video games.
Chief Community Services Officer
elaine brandon
Elaine has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology (Guidance and Counseling) from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Elaine became a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in 1998 and a LPC supervisor in 2006. Elaine works with adolescents that exhibit at-risk behaviors (running away, truancy, substance abuse, and family conflict), have experienced trauma, and are struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, psychosis, suicidal ideation/attempts, and self-harm. Her specialized training includes play therapy techniques, trauma and abuse, anger management, conduct disorders, and cognitive behavioral therapy. She has a passion for working with masters level students and LPC-Associates, helping the next generation of counselors as they learn, grow, and reach their future goals.
Chief Prevention Officer
stefanie garcia
Stefanie has been with Connections for ten years as a certified prevention specialist. 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.
board of directors
President
AMY CUNDIFF
Amy has 20+ years of experience in the social services field. She currently works remotely as a project coordinator for The Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA) in Peoria, IL, an organization that provides social and recreational programming for individuals with disabilities. Her current role consists of coordinating special projects; grant writing; creating and revising staff training; revising program handbooks; and coordinating a yearly basketball field trip for over 2000 students with disabilities. Before relocating to New Braunfels in 2017, she served as a program manager, supervising a year-round day program for adults with developmental disabilities. Amy has a master’s degree in Human Development Counseling from Bradley University and served as a family counselor at Catholic Charities in Peoria, IL. While living in Belgium, she was a volunteer counselor at the British School of Brussels and on a private basis for individuals and families. Amy, her husband, and two children love living in New Braunfels and are proud to call it home.
Vice President
PIA LOMAX
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, Chris Stansbury, are proud New Braunfels residents and devote many hours to playing racquet sports and their rescued furry friends. Together, they began their journey into working with non-profits and community service in 2021, and Pia is thrilled to be a part of Connections and infinite possibilities.
Treasurer
Hal holtman
Hal is a graduate of New Braunfels High School and the University of Texas at Austin. Hal is a Certified Public Accountant and has practiced in New Braunfels since 1982. Hal has served on various boards in the community. The non-profit boards include the following: the McKenna Health System, Connections, New Braunfels Noon Lions Club, and New Braunfels ISD Education Foundation. He currently serves as a board member on First Commercial Bank and was previously on the bank boards of Citizens Bank (now Wells Fargo in New Braunfels) and First State Bank (now Prosperity Bank in New Braunfels). Connections is a special organization to Hal because it helps provide choices and empowerment to children and families who do not have the same opportunities as their peers. Hal is married to Karen Holtman. They reside in New Braunfels. They enjoy the outdoors and their nine grandchildren.
Secretary
janie childers
Jane is a professor and chair of the Psychology Department at Trinity University. She has a B.A. in Psychology from Baylor, and an MA and PhD in Developmental Psychology from UT-Austin. In addition to teaching courses in child development, she has an active research lab studying children’s early verbal learning. She lives in New Braunfels with her family, and is an active member of Christ Presbyterian Church.
Member
alex marlow
Alex is employed by Delta Airlines. He has an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from WIU. During his time with Caterpillar, Alex graduated from the Caterpillar Digital and IT Development three-year program where he spent one year in each of the following divisions: Corporate Treasury, Network Services, and Industrial Power Systems. Alex spends additional time coaching interns through case competitions and college recruiting.
Member
caleb scott
Caleb is currently a student at Texas A&M University. In high school, Caleb co-founded FloatMe, a company dedicated to financial wellness of employees by providing early access to pay, a way to save, and financial health. After a summer at Stanford, Caleb started a new startup, Lecturely, with a mission on 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
Member
Brent Perry
A lifelong Texan, Brent moved to New Braunfels in 2005. He holds an undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies along with minors in Psychology and Substance Abuse Counseling from Texas Tech University. Brent later went on to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Parker College in Dallas. He is a founding doctor of Airrosti and co-owner of three dental practices with his wife Lara. Brent is also the proud adoptive father of two beautiful little girls. Brent’s passion for working with at-risk youth can be traced back to his time on staff at a residential treatment center in Lubbock. He looks forward to continuing this service by supporting the mission of Connections to help children and families of New Braunfels and the surrounding communities.
Member
george scofield
George Scofield is with Norton Rose Fulbright where he has practiced law in the health care and tax exempt finance areas for over 40 years. George attended LSU and received a BA in accounting and a law degree and received a Master of Law degree from NYU. 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 or is serving on the boards of United Way of San Antonio, Salvation Army, Morningside Ministries, Charity Ball Association, BioMed SA, and San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, among others.
Member
MATTHEW BONINE
Having lived in South Central Texas most of his life, Matthew and his wife, Kaci, settled in New Braunfels in 2013. He attended The University of Texas where he received an undergraduate degree in Government then embraced his entrepreneurial spirit owning and operating five companies over a decade. In recent years, Matthew has worked in the accounting and tax industries and currently owns bookkeeping and business management company. Community and non-profit service is near and dear to Matthew's heart as evidenced by his service to underprivileged children. 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.
Member
whitney henderson
Whitney is a long time Texas resident and highly regarded member of our community. Working as a licensed real estate agent with Real Estate Haus, Whitney enjoys building positive relationships with clients while maintaining both a servant heart and professional demeanor. Whitney has served in many capacities professionally including small business ownership for more than 30 years. She has also served on the auxiliary board of the Hill Country Youth Ranch in Ingram, Texas. While staying active in her church and family, Whitney is the proud wife of local handyman, Jack, and mother of three children and eleven grandchildren. Whitney joined the board in 2021 and is joyfully committed to the vision and purpose of Connections Individual and Family Services and looking forward to serving in their mission.
Member
TASHA CHINELO
Tasha is from Seattle, Washington. She is a surviving military spouse and mother to her daughter. They both live in New Braunfels. Tasha is a former dental assistant with specialized experience working with medically compromised, disabled children, and at-risk youth. She enjoys volunteering within the community, photography and being outdoors. Tasha joined the board in 2021. She is excited to be of service and support the mission.
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 within the Transitional Living Program. Given her past experience with board development and her interest in helping foster care youth, she decided to join the Connections Board of Directors in 2021. Amanda lives in New Braunfels with her husband, Matt, their two daughters, Dutchez and Gracie, and their four-legged companions, Duke (dog) and Navani (cat).
Member
HOPE SKIbitsky
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 & training, career advising, crisis counseling, and has several decades in leadership and management. Hope has a long history of working with non-profits and community service organizations, particularly those serving the underprivileged and at-risk persons. She is honored to be a part of Connections!