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Meet Our Board
FRED SMITH- Board Chair
Fred Smith, author of "Where The Light Divides" and “The Edge Of The Inside” is a graduate of Denver University and Harvard Divinity School. He is the co-founder of Leadership Network with Bob Buford and served as President for 12 years. He founded the Fourth Partner Foundation in 1996 and served as President for 20 years. Fred is the founder of The Gathering, an international association of individuals, families and private foundations giving to Christian ministries and served as President for 35 years. He and his wife, Carol, have two grown daughters and a son-in-law. They also have four well-loved grandchildren.
TOM PERKINS- Vice Chair
Tom joined Edward Jones following a distinguished career in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer (earning the coveted ranger tab) and a successful career in corporate America, where he worked for and with Fortune 500 companies at the director level. He was honored to complete his undergrad studies at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY, and received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He currently serves as a Battalion Executive Officer in the Texas State Guard, has been married to his beautiful wife Sandy for 25 years, and has two wonderful children.
KRISTY EVERETT- Treasurer
Kristy Everitt, CPA, joined Henry & Peters in 1998 and currently serves as an officer of the firm. A graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, she is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA). Kristy has served in various roles with the East Texas Chapter of the TXCPA and has been involved with organizations including Susan G. Komen for the Cure, The Women’s Fund, and the East Texas Food Bank. She is President of the East Texas Food Bank Foundation, a graduate of Leadership Tyler Class XX, and has served on the Advisory Council for the Department of Accounting at Stephen F. Austin State University. Kristy and her husband, Terry, have two children, Collin and Abbey.
SHELBY ROGERS- Secretary
I am a mother of three adult boys, the wife of a disabled veteran, and a martial arts instructor.
We moved to Tyler almost ten years ago. Since then, I have been involved in local non profits. I
am unapologetically me, which can be both a good and bad thing. I am passionate about
helping people and animals. I have four Weimaraners. I like to fish, hunt, and spend time with
family.
We moved to Tyler almost ten years ago. Since then, I have been involved in local non profits. I
am unapologetically me, which can be both a good and bad thing. I am passionate about
helping people and animals. I have four Weimaraners. I like to fish, hunt, and spend time with
family.
LAUREN BUFORD- Board Member
Lauren first joined the Starbrite Board of Directors in the summer of 2020. She later stepped into the role of CEO in the spring of 2022, serving through 2025. Leading an organization like Starbrite came naturally to her, as it allowed her to serve the local non-profit community while combining her love for the Lord and horses. A Tyler native, Lauren is honored to continue her family’s legacy of giving back to the community she loves. She has spent a lifetime in the performance horse industry as a competitive barrel racer and hunter/jumper, and she is passionate about learning all she can about equine health and fitness. Additionally, she is a certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) through PATH Intl.. Lauren now continues her service as a dedicated member of the Board of Directors.
ERIC PETERSON- Board Member
Eric grew up in Longview and is a graduate of the University of North Texas and the University of Dallas. Eric moved back to East Texas and settled in the Tyler area in 2010. He and his wife Kathleen have one daughter, Abby, who loves being the center of attention. Eric works at Johnson Controls, Inc. as the West Territory Controller. Eric also volunteers on the board of the East Texas Down Syndrome Group and has seen firsthand the power that volunteering can have on the community.
BEDFORD HOLMES- Board Member
Bedford Holmes is a former Executive Director from the Christian camping world. He served at Pine Cove Conference Center for 16 years when he was a young man. One of his roles at Pine Cove was being the Ranch Camp Head Wrangle. Bedford has served as a volunteer with therapeutic equine programs in Oregan, Nevada and Texas. He has run youth camps in Texas, New Mexico, Oregon and Nevada. He currently does consultation work with non-profit organizations. Bedford and his wife Sara live on Lake Palestine and have been married 46 years. They have three grown daughters, three sons in law and eight grandchildren.
BRIAN SCARBROUGH- Board Member
Brian Scarbrough retired from the United States Marine Corps after 20 years of distinguished, faith-filled service, including combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and numerous other locations. A husband to April Scarbrough for 20 years, Brian is the proud father of three adult children and grandfather to three grandchildren. He serves as a Deacon at Landmark Baptist Church and is an active coach for Heroes to Heroes, as well as a key leader for Operation Heal Our Patriots (Samaritan’s Purse), serving over 25 veteran couples in the East Texas area. Brian’s journey with Starbrite began as one of the first veteran riders, and he now leads the weekly Starbrite Bible study. Known for his infectious joy and devotion, Brian is a true servant of Jesus, bringing leadership and passion to the Starbrite mission.
JACOB LAW- Board Member
Jacob Law, an Air Force veteran, returned to Tyler, Texas, in 2016 and currently serves as COO and Co-Owner of Stonewater Roofing, where he oversees day-to-day operations and leads the company’s charitable initiatives. Jacob's connection to horses and ministry began early in life when he worked as a counselor helping youth with special needs during summer camp. His passion for serving others and giving back to the community aligns with Starbrite’s mission. In his free time, Jacob enjoys experimenting with recipes in the kitchen or on the smoker, and spending quality time with his wife and five children.
HOWARD PATTERSON- Board Member
MEELA MEJIA- Board Member
Meela Mejia is originally from Lviv, Ukraine, where she majored in piano and piano education. She graduated from Kingsborough Community College, University of Indianapolis, and Otterbein University, where she was inducted into the Nursing Honor Society Sigma Theta Tau. Meela serves patients in East Texas through her nursing and physical therapy preparation and is a graduate of the Leadership Tyler Executive Orientation Series. She has also served on the Advisory Committee for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Tyler Junior College. Passionate about quality medical care, she treats every patient like family. Meela enjoys fostering and rescuing animals, with four rescue pets of her own. She values the mission of Starbrite, where her youngest son, Gabriel Elijah, participates.
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