(682) 712-0128

ilad@ilad.email

Board &

STAFF

LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO LOCAL PROBLEMS

Executive

STAFF

Brenda Holland

President & Executive Director

Ms. Holland, Executive Director of ILAD, spent 12 years in Togo, Africa where she worked with various development projects including women’s empowerment and literacy. Adding to her international experience, Ms. Holland received her master’s degree in International Community Development from Eastern University and a life-coaching certification from CoachNet International. Her education and extensive cross-cultural experience gives Ms. Holland a balanced approach to economic development among under-resourced language communities. Ms. Holland has served in this role since 2014.

our

LEADERSHIP

William Kotlan

Board chair

“Mr. Kotlan is a Professional Engineer and former city manager of Montgomery, Texas. He has over 20 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction of public works and development projects ranging up to $15M in construction cost. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University where he has a Bachelors in Civil Engineering.”

Deborah Cleveland

Board Member - Sec of the Board

Ms. Cleveland is a practicing attorney who operates her own firm in Ft. Worth, TX. She is also a Certified Public Accountant. She obtained her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the South Texas College of Law and her LLM in Taxation from Southern Methodist University. She is a member of a number of bar associations and CPA chapters and brings extensive legal and accounting expertise to the organization.

Stephen Bross

Treasurer

Mr. Bross is a project development manager for a major resource production company. He has worked in numerous areas around the world and managed significant projects for both his present and prior employer. He now manages the early framing and assessment of development opportunities for major projects company wide. He has a Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Charles

Charles Pierson

Board Member

Charles is a successful businessman with experience in the for-profit and non-profit sectors. He has spent nearly two decades involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and has filled a variety of roles for them. Charles has also worked as the President of Frog Street Press, an early childhood curriculum provider. He has a love for serving people and for helping them reach their potential.

Tony

Tony Fuller

Board Member
Mr. Fuller is a highly skilled senior executive who recently completed a 30-year career with Walmart. He began his career as a store associate and retired as Senior Vice President. During his career, he held positions in property management and maintenance, global sustainability, and real estate acquisition and disposition. He has a good understanding of the challenges faced by growing companies, and the governance needed to ensure future growth and is deeply committed to the development of strong organizations.
In addition to his extensive career with Walmart, Mr. Fuller owns and operates a 250-acre cattle farm with his sons. After a brief retirement, Mr. Fuller was hired by the Barnabas Group to provide executive coaching, venture consulting, and new business start-up and development oversight. In November 2020, Mr. Fuller was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of BioHiTech Global, a technology services company focused on providing cost-effective solutions that improve environmental outcomes.
Mr. Fuller has served on the Board of Directors at ILAD since 2019.
Jason

Dr. Jason Butler

Board Member

Dr. Jason Butler is a certified specialist in cross-cultural communication and cultural intelligence. He holds doctorates in intercultural studies and non-profit leadership, with additional degrees and specializations in sociology, entrepreneurship and human resource management. He is an entrepreneur at heart and loves to start and lead transformational ventures whose bottom lines are economic, humanitarian, social and environmental. He has co-founded and co-leads several global networks dedicated to identifying and training entrepreneurs and business leaders to start businesses that have positive community impact.

Shannon

Shannon Caraway

Board Member

Mr. Caraway is a Professional Engineer who has been actively involved for over 35 years in the electric power generation, delivery, and marketing business, serving in a wide variety of technical, commercial, and executive roles.  He holds an associates degree in automotive and diesel technology from Universal Technical Institute in Houston and a bachelors and masters degree in electrical engineering with a focus in power engineering and an MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington

Johnson

Dr. Charles Johnson

Emeritus Board Member

Dr. Johnson has an extensive and unique background as an educator, attorney, banker, business consultant, and entrepreneur, both domestically and internationally. His work includes the dynamic use of business and banking to holistically transform communities economically. He has an array of academic credentials including masters and PhD degrees in public administration, bank management and economic development which allow him to bring both a practical and academic perspective to his work, writing, consulting and teaching

Leslie Schmidt

Board Member
Ms. Schmidt is a Certified Public Accountant with a Bachelor of Accounting degree from Stephen F. Austin University. She has served as Controller and CFO for several large companies and currently is President of Tuxedo Distributors, LLC in Alvarado, TX. Ms. Schmidt brings extensive financial expertise to the organization as she serves on the Board.