Founders

Erin Kiltz is the founder and Director of Brookwood in Georgetown (BiG). BiG is the first replication of The Brookwood Community in Brookshire, Texas.

Prior to moving to Georgetown, Erin co-founded His Grace Foundation with her husband, John, in 1998, a nonprofit organization that provides physical, emotional and financial support to patients and families on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of Texas Children’s Hospital. She also co-founded Wheels of Fun in 2006, a company that creates custom spoke guard covers for wheelchairs. Each of these endeavors was inspired by the youngest of the Kiltz’ three children, Gracie, who was born with Down Syndrome, battled leukemia, and was left with severe brain damage after serious treatment complications.

Erin’s love for her daughter and family, combined with her years of experience in nonprofit management and development, interior design and education make her a true visionary who has brought a “future and a hope” to our BiG citizens through her creativity, endurance and compassion.

On September 8th, 2018- Gracie unexpectedly departed for heaven. Erin and John are more committed than ever to seeing that Gracie’s life and legacy continue to thrive! She gives all glory and honor to God for giving her the privilege of leading the BiG mission. Erin has also discovered there is no greater joy than being a grandmother (GiGi) and spending time with her six grandchildren.

John A. Kiltz

John A. Kiltz is a Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner of Stonelake Capital Partners. Mr.Kiltz directs the firm’s institutional investment and acquisition program.

Mr. Kiltz also serves as a Member of the Stonelake Investment Committee having invested institutional capital for over 20-years. Prior to founding Stonelake, Mr. Kiltz was responsible for directing U.S. investments at Cypress Real Estate Advisors, a private equity firm in Austin, Texas. Mr. Kiltz was one of four Partners at Cypress and served on the four member investment committee.

Prior to joining Cypress, Mr. Kiltz was the President of CCG Venture Partners, a private equity firm, where he headed acquisition and disposition activity, joint venture structuring and corporate governance establishment.

From 1992-1997, Mr. Kiltz was Vice President of JMB/Heitman Financial, a large national pension fund advisor. While at JMB/Heitman Financial, he led acquisition activity in Texas and directed management operations. Prior to that, he was a Partner in the Houston office of Trammell Crow Company responsible for new industrial development and acquisitions.

Mr. Kiltz received his undergraduate degree in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin and his Masters of Business Administration from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas. Mr. Kiltz serves as a Board Member of Southwestern University and Seton Hospital.

Board Members

Barry Smitherman

Barry Smitherman is an attorney, consultant, and private investor focused on Texas oil, natural gas, water, and electricity related issues and companies. He recently completed a stint on the NRG Energy, Inc. board of directors where he was instrumental in crafting the ‘transformation plan,’ a strategic directive involving asset divestment, cost cutting, and margin enhancement. Since announcement of the plan, NRG’s stock price has nearly doubled. Prior to joining the board of NRG, Barry was a partner in the law firm Vinson & Elkins, LLP. He is presently an adjunct professor at The University of Texas School of Law. Barry is a former Chairman and Commissioner of the Texas Railroad Commission. During this time he was Chair of the Gas Committee for National Assoc. of Utility Commissioners. Barry was also Chairman and Commissioner of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. He sat on the Board of ERCOT, on the Regional State Committee of the SPP, and served two terms on the US DOE Electricity Advisory Committee. Before public service, Barry spent 16 years as a public finance investment banker, holding leadership positions with Credit Suisse First Boston, J.P. Morgan Securities, and Banc One Capital Markets. Barry graduated with a BBA summa cum laude from Texas A&M University, a JD from The University of Texas School of Law, and an MPA from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, where he received the first Joel Leff Fellowship in political economy. He and his wife have been married 31 years, have four wonderful children, and reside in Austin, Texas.

Barbara Brightwell

Dr. Barbara Brightwell has over 50 years’ experience in teaching and administrative positions in elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education, management of small businesses, and consulting with government agencies, corporations, churches, and healthcare institutions in Texas. In 1977 she became Dean for Student Development at Southwestern University. As a consultant with the Georgetown Healthcare System, she created the volunteer Pastoral Care Program and the Healthcare Foundation and served as Director of Community Relations and Educational Services at Georgetown Hospital, now St. David’s Georgetown Hospital.

She initiated and provided leadership in the creation of The Georgetown Project, the Williamson Council on Alcohol and Drugs (LifeSteps), the Georgetown Community Resource Center, the Williamson County Institute for Excellence in Nonprofits, and Seeds of Strength, a women’s philanthropic organization. She has served on numerous other boards and committees in the Georgetown community, including R.O.C.K., Ride On Center for Kids, the Georgetown Health Foundation, and the Chisholm Trail Communities Foundation. Dr. Brightwell is a founding member of Wellspring United Methodist Church in Georgetown.

Through her unwavering commitment to the Georgetown community, Dr. Brightwell has been honored with a number of recognitions and awards: Georgetown Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year,” Williamson County “Citizen of the Year,” Texas Hospital Trustees “Outstanding Board Member of the Year,” and the Central Texas Conference Bishop’s Award for exemplary service in the field of ecumenism. She holds Bachelor of Business Administration, Master in Education/Counseling, and Doctor of Ministry degrees.

Joshua A. Schroeder

Joshua A. Schroeder is a shareholder in the law firm of Sneed, Vine & Perry, P.C. where his practice includes representing clients in real estate, banking, construction, and other business matters. Mr. Schroeder received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas.

Mr. Schroeder lives in Georgetown with his wife and three children. He currently serves on the board of directors for The Caring Place, the Boys & Girls Club, and the Georgetown Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Vivian Shudde

Vivian Shudde, whose degree is in special education and psychology from the University of Texas, feels she was fortunate to grow up in a family with her sister, Vicki, who suffered severe brain damage due to complications which accompanied mumps. Vivian feels her greatest education came from her mother, Yvonne Streit, who is the founder and Executive Director Emeritus of The Brookwood Community and also the founder of The Briarwood School.

The blessings now continue because her own son, Wilson, is functionally disabled and is a resident at The Brookwood Community.

Vivian, who is a member at Grace Presbyterian Church, has worked at The Briarwood School for 25 years and is currently working at The Brookwood Community as Executive Director.

Alan Stewart

Mr. Stewart spent 20 years at Tenneco during which time he held positions of Assistant Treasurer for Tenneco, Inc., Treasurer for Tenneco International Inc. in London, Vice President Finance for Tenneco Financial Services and Tenneco Ventures, and Chief Pension Officer for Tenneco, Inc. In 1990, Mr. Stewart entered the investment consulting business as head of SEI Corporation’s Houston office. In 1993, Mr. Stewart joined The Cullen Foundation where he served as Executive Director for 24 years. Mr. Stewart holds a Masters Degree in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin and is married; he and his wife Claudia have three daughters. He currently serves on the Boards of the Texas Presbyterian Foundation (Dallas), the Houston Junior League Foundation, Brookwood in Georgetown (BIG), and the Board of Trustees of First Presbyterian Church of Houston where both he and his wife are actively involved. He also serves on the Advisory Board of Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP).

PJ Stevens

Mr. Stevens is the COO and a Principal with Steger & Bizzell Engineering, Inc., a Civil Engineering and Surveying firm headquartered in Georgetown, Texas. Mr. Stevens received his bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi and is a Registered Professional Land Surveyor for the State of Texas. In addition to his banking and finance background, Mr. Stevens brings with him over 23 years of experience in surveying and land development with a broad-based knowledge of state, county, and local government development requirements. Mr. Stevens is active in the Georgetown community, having been appointed to several boards and commissions, including current Chair of the City’s Unified Development Code Advisory Committee. He was also a recent appointee to the Georgetown 2030 Master Plan committee and the Georgetown Legislative Task Force created to enhance and expand the City’s Intergovernmental Affairs Program. Mr. Stevens previously served on the board of directors of the Georgetown Boy’s and Girl’s Club and is the past Chair of the Williamson County Historical Commission. Mr. Stevens resides in Georgetown with his wife, Holly. They have two adult children, a son in construction management located in Austin, and a daughter, a registered ER/Trauma nurse at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas.

Ashley Morgan

Ashley Morgan is an attorney with Erben & Yarbrough in Austin, Texas and specializes in governmental affairs and administrative law. Prior to her current position, Ashley worked in Texas state government for almost twenty years in numerous agencies and legislative offices. Ashley grew up in East Texas and married her high school sweetheart, Jim. She earned her undergraduate degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. Ashley and her husband live in Round Rock, Texas with their schnauzer Chloe. They are members of Saint Richards Episcopal Church, where Ashley has served on the Altar Guild, Pumpkin Patch Committee, Stewardship and Finance Committees, and also served as Church Treasurer. Ashley also sat on the Board of Penfold Theatre Company, and served two years as Chair. When Ashley is not spending time with her husband or working downtown at the state capitol, she enjoys time with family and friends, theatre, travel and sharing her love for BiG with others.

Linda Knebel

Linda Hutcheson Knebel is a native Texan, born in Houston Texas, attended High School at Anderson High School in Austin since 1979. She graduated from University of Texas in 1986 with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Special Education.

Linda married Kenny Knebel and has two sons, a daughter in law and grand baby. Brady, Tommy, Kennedy and Connelly Kay. She has always been involved in her churches and her son's schools throughout the years.

Linda has a passion for connecting people in every aspect of life. Linda was a Founding Team Member and Director of Sales for Open Arms where they hired refugee women and paid them a living wage to make apparel out of up cycled materials.

Linda's is currently a Realtor with Victory Ranch Sales and Founder of Surachi Design, where she developed and designed women's hats for the outdoor active woman.

Linda is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, is a member of The Assistance League of Austin and currently on the Lake Pointe HOA Board in Lake Pointe Neighborhood where she and her husband have lived for 20 years. Linda had the parks built in Lake Pointe and has been the head of the Parks Committee since 1999 when they moved into the neighborhood. She has been on many fundraising boards and committees at Lake Pointe Elementary, Lake Travis Middle School, St. Gabriels, St. Michaels and Emmaus Catholic Church.

Linda has a passion for fundraising and working with people with special needs and the Citizens at BiG.

Erin Kiltz

Erin Kiltz is the founder and Director of Brookwood in Georgetown (BiG). BiG is the first replication of The Brookwood Community in Brookshire, Texas.

Advisory Board

Paula Brent

Paula Brent is a partner in a real estate team in Georgetown, The Power of 4- Team Excellence, which is a successful team of 4 Realtors who give their clients the help of 4 Realtors for every listing. She and her team make a contribution to the client’s charity of choice for every real estate transaction they close. Their team was recently named in the Platinum Top 50 Realtors in Central Texas for their community service, real estate production, and professionalism.

Paula and her husband, Bob Brent, are community leaders who give much of their time to help Georgetown be the best it can be. She has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Georgetown Rotary Club, and has chaired several business programs and fund raising events. Bob and Paula have 4 wonderful adult children and 5 amazing grandchildren who are the loves of their lives. They both confess that God is the center of life and it is His will they choose.

Paula has served as a volunteer for Brookwood in Georgetown since the first time she took a trip to Brookshire to see what this was all about. She remained silent all the way back as she knew this was an organization she wanted to help bring to fruition in Georgetown. Her love of the citizens has caused her to feel a lifetime commitment to be involved in our mission for them.

Patti O’Meara

Patti O’Meara was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She is married to Kenneth O’Meara. Her finest accomplishment is her blended family, as they are blessed with two daughters, four sons, five granddaughters, five grandsons and six great-grandchildren.

She is the founder of Personal Administrators, Inc. Patti joined the SafePlace Foundation Board in 2002, has served on the SafePlace Major Gifts Committee and co-sponsored and chaired the SafePlace Celebration event in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. She also serves on the boards of the Texas Capital Bank, and Seton League House Board.

Nancy O’Meara Krenek

Nancy O’Meara Krenek began her legacy with R.O.C.K., Ride On Center for Kids in 1998 with one horse, four clients and a handful of volunteers. A school-based physical therapist at the time, she had a vision for making a difference in the lives of children with disabilities though partnering them with a horse. That vision blossomed into a dynamic nonprofit organization that now serves over 200 children, adults and veterans annually.

Nancy’s list of credentials and accomplishments is extensive. She holds a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy, is a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist, an AHA, Inc. Member Therapist, a PATH International Registered Instructor and is the CEO, Founder and Director of Therapy and Research at R.O.C.K.

The guiding force for R.O.C.K., Nancy is actively involved in creating a culture of excellence with the board, staff and volunteers and the programs she directs. In 2011, Nancy began partnering with the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Mounted Parsons Calvary to develop an on-campus program for equine assisted therapeutic activities for children, adults and children She is also actively involved in research in partnership with several institutions of higher learning and has been published in two professional journals within the past year on topics related to Autism and Veterans and the healing process that results through partnering with horses.

Barbara Hallmark

Through her service on the benevolence and missions ministries at The Worship Place, Dr. Barbara Hallmark has been an instrumental in fueling BiG’s mission. Barabara is a fifth generation Texan with deep ties to special Education. She tirelessly advocated for her younger brother, Bill Beggs born with cerebral palsy, deafness and aphasia. With his family’s support Bill became a beloved Sun City homeowner and his 2011 funeral was standing room only.

Barbara received her bachelors degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Texas, her masters in Education of the Deaf from Columbia University and her doctorate in 1966, in Special Education, from Columbia. Barbara taught at Southern Methodist University from 1971-1982. She served as full professor and department chair for the Department of Communications Disorders. She was president of both the Faculty Senate and Faculty Club.

Susan Upshaw

Dr. Susan Upshaw has experience in almost every area of education. She has taught all levels of General Education as well as Special Education. She was in at the ground floor of creating and developing a private school where she was a teacher and later served as the Elementary Principal, and Director of Development. During that time she also participated in an arm of the private school accreditation standards committee for the Texas Education Agency.

While taking time off as an educator to raise her 3 children, Susan co-opened and managed a successful marketing firm. Her first love called her back and today, she is in her 27th year of education as the District Special Education Transition Specialist for Georgetown ISD. She has been asked to present at numerous conferences and serves as a consultant for districts across the state of Texas as well as Regional Education Service Centers.

Susan earned her Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Texas at Austin in Special Education, her Master’s degree from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos in Educational Administration, and her Ph.D. from Texas State University in San Marcos in Continuous School Improvement. Her dissertation research was a political advocacy piece on what happens when Special Education ends and ADA begins.

Tina Lawhon

As a native Texan, you can’t get much closer to home than Tina.. She went to Southwestern University on a volleyball scholarship, and received her degree in Kinesiology-All Level Physical Education and Health with a minor in Generic Special Education. Tina comes to BiG with 31 years of special education experience at Georgetown ISD where she was a Certified Adapted Physical Educator. She has also used her time and talents as a Special Olympics coach and advisor.for 25 years. Now that’s dedication!

Tina loves seeing the look of pride when citizens see what they have accomplished. She loves opening the kiln each morning to see all the beautiful glazed products they have created. Ever since she was in college, Tina has wanted to work with clay. Now she gets to play with pottery every day!

Tina is married and has three children. She has been practicing being a grandma to four granddogs in preparation for the birth her first grandchild! She spends most weekends with her close knit family. Tina is a focused athlete who describes herself as “very competitive”.

Tina’s experience, passion and drive have made her a welcome addition to BiG.