Board of Directors

The Texas Forts Trail is a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and is governed by a regional board of directors comprised of no more than fourteen voting members and no more than fourteen ex offico members.

The Board of Directors is the decision-making entity that facilitates the program strategies of the Texas Forts Trail. Voting board members are selected by a nomination-by-application process from community leaders within the region. Board members are elected for a three-year term. There is a commitment of at least six board meetings throughout the fiscal year, plus additional time spent working on such issues as historic preservation, economic development, promotion, education and heritage tourism. Applications are available from the Executive Director and Board members.

In recognition of the importance and value of having representation from the historic forts that anchor the Texas Forts Trail and certain other heritage tourism related organizations, the board also has Ex Officio board members. Ex Officio members are non-voting but bring a depth of knowledge considered critical to our success.

2022-2023 Board of Directors

Voting Members

President - Dr. Will Cradduck, Sate of Texas Longhorn Herd Manager, Fort Griffin

Vice President - Mary Adams, Director and Curator, W.K. Gordon Museum and Research Center for Industrial History of Texas

Secretary - Cathy Partridge, CEO, Graham Chamber of Commerce

Treasurer - Denise Hudson-Brian, Tourism Director, Visit Early

Karen Hunt, Sweetwater & Nolan County Chamber of Commerce, Sweetwater

Julie Smith, Main Street Director, Stephenville

Alan Huffines, Fort Belknap

Terry Kelley, Presidio de San Saba, Menard

Candis Hicks, Heritage Park, San Angelo

Larry Sanders, Atlas Missile Silo, Lawn

David Waller, Albany

Senora Scott, Journalist, Big Country Area

Troy Myatt, Design Director for Corporate Magic, Fate

Ex Officio Members

Jim Hammond, Fort Belknap, Graham

Garland and Lana Richards, Fort Chadbourne, Bronte

Bob Bluthardt, Fort Concho National Historic Landmark, San Angelo

Mitch Baird, Fort Griffin State Historic Site, Albany

Charles Eckert, Fort Mason, Mason

Cody Mobley, Fort McKavett State Historic Site, Fort McKavett

Laura Whitehurst, Fort Phantom Hill, Abilene

Robert Frie, Fort Richardson State Park and Historic Site, Jacksboro

CeeCee Kelley, Presidio de San Saba Restoration Corporation, Menard

Jeff Salmon, Frontier Texas!, Abilene

Tiffany Nichols, Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Abilene

Suzanna Valenzuela, San Angelo Destination Marketing, San Angelo

Lori Dodd, Texas Midwest Community Network, Abilene/San Angelo

Executive Director

Tammie Virden