education, resources, and advocacy
education, resources, and advocacy
Meet the THN Team
Eric Samuels, President and CEO
Eric Samuels, CEO/ President. Mr. Samuels has twenty-six years of experience working with local, state, and national organizations on developing services and housing for persons experiencing homelessness. After college, he moved from Arkansas to Austin to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA member for two years, his second as VISTA Leader at Texas Homeless Network (THN) in 1998. After working for four years at the Enterprise Foundation, primarily on advocacy efforts for people with disabilities, Eric served as the AmeriCorps Coordinator for the program that became Keep Austin Housed at the then newly opened Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH).
In 2004, Eric moved back to his home state to be near family and took a job as Executive Director for Seven Hills Homeless Center in Fayetteville, AR. Before his return to Austin in 2006, the agency was near completion of constructing a new PSH and TH program, and Eric had provided the framework for moving the day center to its current location.
From 2006 to 2015, Eric built the TX Balance of State CoC to its current level. In August 2015, Mr. Samuels was named President/CEO of Texas Homeless Network. Mr. Samuels holds a Master of Arts in Sociology from Texas State University and received his Bachelors from the University of Arkansas. Eric and his wife Leslie have two young children, Renn and Asa.
Jen Beardsley
LHC Coordinator
Jen Beardsley is the Local Homeless Coalition (LHC) Coordinator at Texas Homeless Network, where she works to support and help build collaborative groups working to address homelessness in their communities across the state. She has a background in commercial real estate appraisal, marketing, and cooperative housing advocacy work. Jen is passionate about building more just systems through partnerships, and spending long lazy days at the beach.
Kraig Blaize-Fiero
Operations Coordinator
Kraig started his career with THN as a volunteer before being placed at THN as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in 2012. During his VISTA service, which ran from 2012-2014, he worked with various homeless coalitions around the Central Texas area helping to raise awareness within the communities and coordinate annual Point In Time surveys. Today he is the Operations programs assistant and helps coordinate daily activities for THN. Kraig is a Texas native and graduated high school in Johnson City, TX and is currently working on attaining his associate degree in Social Work from Austin Community College.
Paula Dewey
Database Coordinator
Cosme Dominguez
Data and Policy Analyst
Cosme’s role as the Data and Policy Analyst at THN includes providing support on the Coordinated Entry training process, providing technical assistance to HMIS end-users, and developing data visualizations and reports. He has a background in education and media policy. Cosme is originally from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and holds a B.S. in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin.
Sam
Dir. of Development & Communications
Sam serves as the Director of Development & Communications at THN. With over a decade of social work experience and a Master of Social Work degree from Texas State, Sam’s expertise spans direct service work, statewide policy development, programmatic technical assistance, advocacy campaigns, and conference coordination. Outside of work, volunteering and hiking bring joy—often combining the two—and time spent with family and beloved pets is cherished.
Gabrielle Llamas
HMIS Data Manager
Gabrielle is the HMIS Data Manager at THN. Her role is responsible for supporting the integrity of HMIS and building relationships with community members around the Balance of State CoC. Gabrielle is originally from San Antonio, Texas and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Texas at Austin. Her previous experience includes teaching elementary school, coordinating an emergency domestic violence shelter, and organizing a youth program in Chicago.
Diego Garza
Housing Solutions Project Manager
Diego is the Housing Solutions Project Manager at THN where he manages the Day 1 Families Fund Grant.
He is energized by THN’s commitment to ending homelessness and honored to be overseeing a fund with the focus to Family Homelessness.
Originally from Edinburg, TX Diego earned a Degree in Business Management from Texas State University before moving to Austin and eventually joining the team at THN.
He creates a meaningful life by communing with friends and sharing in meals, art, and conversation.
Katie Good
Coordinated Entry Lead
Katie is a Coordinated Entry Lead at Texas Homeless Network. In this role, Katie provides technical assistance, education, and training to communities in the TX Balance of State CoC that are implementing and maintaining a local Coordinated Entry process.
Katie is a Texas native and holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of North Texas. Her experience in providing direct services to households at risk of and experiencing homelessness has informed and influenced her commitment to making homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring in communities all across Texas. Outside of her work with THN, Katie is a part time artist and full time cat mom.
Brian Goodner
Chief Financial Officer
Brian is THN’s Chief Financial Officer and has been at THN since 2011. Prior to working at THN, Brian worked as Controller for multiple companies and has diverse experience in accounting, auditing, financial reporting and budgeting. During this time, Brian has worked with these companies establishing proper internal controls surrounding accounting and finance activities while working with management to improve any areas of deficiency. This has included doing field audits of service locations to ensure that company processes and procedures were being followed. Brian also worked with management on budgeting, forecasting, preparing financial statements and reviewing monthly and quarterly financial results. Brian has a BS in Accounting from The University of Arizona.
Jordan Hulin
Systems Change Coordinator
Lindsay LaGrange
Director of Data
Lindsay is the Director of Data at Texas Homeless Network. She is charged with maintaining the integrity of our Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database for the Texas Balance of State CoC. She is passionate about serving the marginalized people in her community and grateful for her role in working to end homelessness. Lindsay is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from University of South Alabama.
Deanne Lock
Accounting and HR Coordinator
Deanne is the Accounting and Human Resources Generalist and assists the President/CEO and the Director of Finance and HR with administrative, human resources, and financial operations. Deanne started as a volunteer with THN in 2012 before being hired as the Office Manager in 2013. Deanne holds an MS in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine which explains her calming effect on the office atmosphere. She was born in Corpus Christi, and spent 20 years of her life in the Middle East.
Katie Martinez
Systems Change Manager
As the Systems Change Manager, Katie supports systems change efforts at THN by partnering with communities within the TX Balance of State CoC on their Coordinated Entry (CE) process efforts. Her main focuses are CE assessor training and CE implementation in new regions. Katie is originally from the Houston, TX area and received her bachelor’s degree in Community Health from Baylor University. Her passion lies in food access and nutrition, women’s health, and fair housing.
Kristine McCool
Coordinated Entry Data Lead
Kristine McCool is the Coordinated Entry Data Lead. She supports Systems Change efforts by coordinating with assigned regions participating in a local Coordinated Entry process on data matters. With over a decade of non-profit experience and a Masters of Public Administration from Sam Houston State University, Kristine has served as Intake Specialist, Case Manager, Program Coordinator and Program Evaluation Specialist in large and small organizations. Her passion is in ending homelessness in BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities by using data to tell stories of the amazing work being done and to identify the work still needed. She is a systems thinker and a part time artist, specializing in figurative oil painting.
Ava Paredes
Data & Engagement Coordinator
Ava is the Data and Engagement Coordinator for the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care. She is in charge of the design, implementation, coordination and analysis of the annual Point in Time (PIT) count and Housing Inventory Count (HIC) across the Texas Balance of State CoC.
Ava is from Austin Texas and has lived in the area for her entire life. She graduated from UT Austin with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and psychology. She is passionate about voting rights, and economic justice. Ava believes that housing is a human right and is dedicated to using her knowledge to bring an end to homelessness in the state of Texas.
Yvie Peña
VISTA Project Coordinator
Yvie Peña is the AmeriCorps VISTA Project Coordinator at The Texas Homeless Network. In her role, she helps strengthen non-profits across Texas to better support vulnerable communities, working closely with VISTA members, site supervisors, and new recruits to build capacity in an effort to create tangible change. Outside of her professional work, Yvie is a ceramicist, an avid camper, and a hiker who loves a long trek to a swimming hole. She also runs a DIY Community Space on Austin’s East Side.
Marcel Rivers
Planning & Engagement Coordinator
Marcel serves as the Planning and Engagement Coordinator for the Texas Balance of State CoC. Marcel has a Bachelors in Social Work & a Master’s in Public Administration, he is passionate about empowering communities and fostering sustainable change. Marcel combines strategic vision-data-driven decision-making and a compassionate approach to create impactful programs and drive long-term success.
Hope Rodgers, LMSW
Director of Systems Change
Billy Streu, LMSW, CFSW
Director of Planning
Billy was born and raised in Lubbock, TX. Prior to THN, he has worked in non-profit and faith-based organizations, as well as financial services in sales and service roles. Billy earned a Bachelor’s in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech and a Master’s in Social Work from Texas State. He is now a Licensed Master Social Worker.
Billy is passionate about economic and housing justice, financial social work, policy and advocacy. In his free time, you can find him running, playing piano or guitar, or hanging out with the Streu-dles (his three wild and wonderful children).
Mary Rychlik Stahlke, LMSW
Director of Engagement
Mary serves as the Director of Engagement for the Texas Balance of State CoC. She facilitates the involvement of CoC members, including CoC Board members, local homeless coalitions (LHCs), and mainstream partners, in CoC planning and operations. She also coordinates CoC efforts with other programs, funding streams, and community planning activities.
Mary has expertise in HUD’s CoC Program, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program, and Consolidated Planning and in the education of homeless children and youth. She has facilitated processes on a CoC level and with LHCs and ESG recipients. Mary has 25 years of experience in homeless services, including direct practice, program administration, and performance evaluation in a school district, city and state governments, and faith-based and statewide non-profit organizations.
Mary is a Licensed Master Social Worker who earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in social work from The University of Texas at Austin. Her passion is working to end homelessness because every person deserves an affordable place to live, feel safe, and thrive.
Anja Taylor
THDSN Project Manager
Anja serves as the Texas Homeless Data Sharing Network Project Manager at THN. Anja is a passionate change-maker with expertise in grants management, technical communication, restorative justice, and conflict resolution. She holds a Bachelor of General Studies degree from Texas Tech University, and a Master’s degree in Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management from Southern Methodist University. Anja has a deep desire to help others and utilizes her skills to support nonprofits that serve to elevate the human experience.
Ashley Thomas
HMIS Data Coordinator
Ashley serves as the HMIS Data Coordinator at Texas Homeless Network. In this role, she supports users of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) within the Texas Balance of State CoC, offering technical assistance through the Help Desk ticketing system. Additionally, Ashley ensures the maintenance of HMIS data standards and upholds data quality standards. She is committed to using data to help address the homelessness crisis in her home state of Texas. Ashley, a native of Austin, Texas, holds a degree in Political Science. When she’s not immersed in her work, she enjoys exploring outdoor spaces with her dog and watching movies at the Drafthouse.
Dusty Wherrel
Policy and Planning Coordinator
As the Planning and Policy Coordinator at THN, Dusty aligns policy development and homeless advocacy across the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care (CoC). He provides strategic guidance, technical assistance, and performance monitoring for federally funded Continuum of Care and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs. Dusty has a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. He has experience in direct service in mental health and homeless services. Dusty desires to ensure that homelessness is brief and nonrecurring.
Kristin Zakoor
Chief Operating Officer
Kristin is the Chief Operations Officer at THN. She oversees the day-to-day administrative functions of THN to ensure the company has effective operational and programmatic procedures in place. Kristin has worked for several years in the homeless service sector and is very passionate about data, homelessness advocacy, and public health rights. She utilizes her background in data to help analyze and strategize process improvements that will have a positive impact on THN, service providers, and unhoused neighbors. In her spare time, Kristin loves cooking, doing yoga, and going on walks with her furry friend.
Jacq Taylor
AmeriCorps VISTA Project Assistant
Jacq is the AmeriCorps VISTA Project Associate. Previous to getting hired on with THN, they served two terms of national service as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, first with an education nonprofit in Houston, then as a Leader with Feeding Texas, a statewide nonprofit addressing food insecurity. They are excited to continue working alongside VISTA members to build systems and local coalitions to end homelessness. Jacq is a Texas native from the Lubbock area, currently living in Austin. They are passionate about building frameworks to advance racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, community coalitions, reading, and taking long walks with their dog, Summer.
Nick Thompson
Statewide Initiatives Manager
As the Statewide Initiatives Manager, Nick supports communities through THN’s Statewide Initiatives and Texas Balance of State’s (TX BoS CoC) programs. His primary function in this role is to administer an AmeriCorps VISTA intermediary program across the state, support advocacy efforts, and help with fund development.
Nick is originally from Dallas, Texas and holds a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies from St. Edward’s University. He is working on completing his Master of Public Administration from Texas State University. Nick has completed two AmeriCorps terms of service himself, one here in Austin and the other in St. Louis. His passion lies in voting rights, educational equity, housing reform, and public transportation.
Jim Ward
Assistant Director of Planning
As the Assistant Director of Planning, Jim works closely with the Corporation for Supportive Housing, CoC Leads around the State, Balance of State Stakeholders, Continuum of Care -funded Projects, ESG Recipients, SSVF Grantees and HUD Field Offices to further the CoC’s strategic vision of making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in the Balance of State.
Coming from a decade long career in direct service, Jim understands the pressures on the ground when working to end homelessness. Please consider him your ally in the fight to end homelessness.
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