Board Members

  • Board of Directors:

    CHAIRMAN, HAL LYNDE
    Raymond James

    Managing Director of financial services company Raymond James and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Houston Furniture Bank, also known as “Captain Cash” on local radio station KTBZ-FM “The Buzz”, Hal has been involved with the Furniture Bank since its inception in 1992, joining the board in 2004 and becoming Board Chairman in 2006. His leadership skills are moving the Houston Furniture Bank to be a self-sustaining non-profit, with a focus on re-use and recycling.

    VICE-CHAIRMAN, LARRY CRESS
    New Tech Global Companies


    Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors for Houston Furniture Bank, Larry Cress has been involved in the programs of Houston Furniture Bank since 2000 and serves as Director for our Mattress Recycling Program. Mr. Cress is also CEO/President of New Tech Global Companies, which he founded in March of 1998. A registered petroleum engineer, Larry graduated from Texas A&M in 1976 and has over thirty-six years of drilling and completion experience. Additionally, Mr. Cress is CEO of Wild Stallion Vineyards located in Spring, Texas. He and his wife Karen are active members of Faithbridge Community Church in Spring, Texas.

    FRANK MONACELLI
    Nino Realtors

    After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a Masters Degree in Public Administration, Frank Monacelli began his career with General Telephone & Electronics Company in 1978 and then M.W. Kellogg Company in 1981. Mr. Monacelli joined Nino & Associates, Inc., in 1987, where his expertise in Relocation and Human Resources complemented the residential real estate home-finding services of both Nino Realtors and Nino Corporate Lodging. Mr. Monacelli holds a Texas Real Estate Broker’s license, has designation from Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), and is a Certified Relocation Professional (CRP). Frank has been a former Board member for YES College Prep School as well as Houston Relocation Professionals and is currently a Board Member of the Houston Furniture Bank.

    MINERVA PEREZ
    Minerva Perez Media, LLC


    Minerva Perez is a Co-Host, Executive Producer, and Partner of the Multimedia “Latina Voices: Smart Talk”. She is also Owner/President of Minerva Perez Media, LLC, a video production/communications firm. Minerva became the first Latina news anchor at KTRK TV/ABC 13 in Houston, as well as at KTLA TV in Los Angeles. She has won two Golden Mike Awards, a Cesar Award, a Los Angeles Press Club Award, and three California Emmy nominations, as well as several awards and numerous accolades from community organizations. Minerva has also been featured in the textbook Juntos (Prentice Hall) as one of three Texan Hispanic role models, including the former Archbishop of San Antonio and the former HUD Secretary/Mayor of San Antonio. A Lone Star native, Ms. Perez grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and is a graduate of the University of Texas at Pan Am with a degree in Mass Communications/Spanish and continued studies at Rice University.

    MILES MARKS
    12th Man Foundation/ Avalon Advisers

    Miles Marks is Director of Client Development in the Wealth Management division of Avalon Advisers. In 1998, Miles became President and CEO of the 12th Man Foundation, where he served for 15 years. Prior to his role at A&M, Miles was a banker with the Texas Commerce Bank / Chase Bank of Texas organization where he worked for 12 years. Miles is active at Second Baptist Church, serves an Advisory Director of Cadence Banks, is a member of the Ambassadors Council of the 12th Man Foundation at Texas A&M as well as the A&M System’s Chancellor’s Century Council, and joined the Houston Furniture Bank board in 2016.

    STEVEN SCHNEE, PhD
    MHMRA of Harris County

    Dr. Steven Schnee served as Executive Director of the Harris Center for Mental Health & IDD from 1992-2018. It was Dr. Schnee’s decision in 1992 that helped initiate the Harris Center’s furniture-donation program to serve patients transitioning out of mental health facilities. In 1995, he authorized the extension of these services to other Harris County non-profit agencies. In 2003, Dr. Schnee helped engineer the separation and establishment of the program as an independent non-profit agency. Today, he continues to help us meet our mission through his support of the Harris Center-Houston Furniture Bank partnership. A well-known community advocate, Dr. Schnee serves as a Director on several Boards including the Harris County Healthcare Alliance, the Network of Behavioral Health Providers, and the Homeless Youth Network. Additionally, he is a member of both the QUAD Agency and the Annie E. Casey Foundation Executive Steering Committee, as well as being the Harris Center representative for the Harris County Youth and Family Services Division. Dr. Schnee holds memberships on the Advisory Committee for several organizations including Asian-American Family Services, Children at Risk, and the Harris County Adult Probation Department. Dr. Schnee earned his B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, and his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.

    KARI SMITH
    D.I.V.A.S.

    Kari Smith is a professional in the interior design industry serving residential clients. Kari is also the Co-Leader of Houston Furniture Bank D.I.V.A.S. Prior to her work in interior design, Kari was a commercial banker at Wells Fargo Bank, serving clients in the Large Corporate sector. Kari has also served in volunteer leadership positions at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and Texas Special Olympics. Kari is a graduate of University of Texas at Austin, receiving an undergraduate degree in Finance from the School of Business.

    MARK MONTGOMERY
    BBVA Compass Bank

    Mark serves as Houston City President of BBVA Compass and is responsible for management of all aspects of the Commercial Banking, Commercial Real Estate and Large Middle Market lines of business. Mark got his start in banking when he joined Allied Bank’s training program in 1984. During his 4½ year tenure, he spent time in the workout and loan review departments. In 2008, Mark joined BBVA Compass as manager of the Houston Commercial Bank and was later promoted to Houston City President in 2010. Since joining BBVA Compass, the bank has improved its depository market share to 4th in Houston. Mark is proud of the BBVA Compass culture of client care.

    Patrick Duffy
    Colliers International

    Pat is President of the Houston office of Colliers International. Pat has over 34 years of experience in commercial real estate as a producing broker, educator, sales manager and managing broker. Pat enjoys assisting people with creating strategic and tactical plans leveraging his broad-based commercial brokerage background as a practitioner, manager and instructor. ​Pat started his career as Director of Marketing for a real estate data base company where he spent three years interviewing top brokerage houses throughout the United States and assisted in their automation needs as a consultant and instructor.  As President of the Colliers Houston office, he has direct responsibility for recruiting, training and managing the sales and leasing teams, property management and business plan creation and coordination for the company.

    TOM HARWELL

    JEANNE MAYO

    JESSICA NEWHOUSE

  • Advisory Board:

    RODNEY FINGER
    Finger Furnture

    Rodney Finger is the fourth generation in his family to be in the furniture business, dating back to his great grandfather, Sam Finger. Besides leading Finger Furniture, Rodney makes it a point to give back to the community, whether it’s helping to provide scholarships to deserving high school students or supporting the Houston Furniture Bank in its efforts to supply furnishings to families in need. Since the mid-1990’s, Rodney has generously supported our mission not only by contributing time and materials, but also by providing Houston Furniture Bank with its present home. In addition, Rodney has been instrumental in enabling the Houston Furniture Bank to start its Mattress Recycling Program for which he has provided both space to house the program as well as product to be recycled. Rodney’s favorite spot at the end of the day? “For sure, …it’s my mattress!” Thanks to Rodney and Finger Furniture, many of the families we serve will be able to say the same thing!

    EDWARD JOSEPH “JODIE” HOFFER
    Hoffer Furniture

    As a successful business man in our great city, Jodie is a firm believer that one must give back.  “Giving back is what makes a difference in the quality of life — for everyone.  Helping others brings us joy and accomplishment.”
    Founder of Hoffer Furniture in 1977, and Co-Founder of Houston Furniture Bank in 1992, Jodie has been “giving back” for decades, generously sharing his time, energy, and success with both local and national organizations such as:  American Cancer Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Boy Scouts of America, Republican National Finance Committee, National Furniture Rental Association, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Wortham Theater, Houston Ballet, Shriner’s Crippled Children’s Hospital, Birthing Center at Ben Taub Hospital, Huffington Center at Baylor College of Medicine, and the Greater Houston Partnership (“I Love Hou!”), to name just a few…
    A native of Beaumont, Jodie attended the University of Texas and is listed on the “Excellence Program” at both the University of Texas and the University of Houston, as well as being affiliated with the “I Have A Dream” program at Lamar University in Beaumont.  Jodie has been honored by the March of Dimes, and — along with his wife, Maryann — has been designated as a “Pacesetter of the Year” by the Cancer League, as well as a “Houston Treasure” by The Social Book.  He and Maryann have four children and twelve grandchildren.

    RALPH MAREK
    Marek Brothers


    Board Chairman of Marek Family of Companies, owner of Stanley Construction & Development, and President of Marek Family Foundation, Ralph Marek has supported us from the beginning, donating the first truck ever owned by Houston Furniture Bank.

    GORDON QUAN
     Quan Law Group 

    Gordon Quan has been a staunch supporter of Houston Furniture Bank since he served as City Council Member and Mayor Pro Temp of Houston. Gordon produced the first video documenting a DIVAS home make-over, winning national recognition for the video as well as for Houston Furniture Bank and the DIVAS. Founder of the prestigious law firm Foster Quan, Mr. Quan is a passionate advocate for the rights of immigrants and the poor, both of which are also served by Houston Furniture Bank.

    DAVID VAN HORN
    Rice University

    David VanHorn is an Associate Professor in the Practice of Operations Management and has taught at the Jones School since 2007. He teaches in two areas: -Created and leads the second-year Capstone course, a comprehensive applied-strategic planning course for the MBA-Professionals and Executive MBA programs that works directly with Houston community non-profit organizations on strategic challenges. VanHorn has over 20 years of hands-on experience in strategy/business development, operations, manufacturing, supply chain management, services management, and engineering/product development through both management consulting and industry positions. He is currently the Managing Partner for Angel Rock Management Advisors and prior to that was a partner/principal or director with Booz & Company, Archstone Consulting, and Deloitte. VanHorn has been working extensively with the non-profit community for over ten years through leadership positions and the Capstone course. The 90+ community organizations with which he has experience span a range of causes such as education and childhood development, healthcare, social services, environment & conservation, and the arts.

    BILL WARD
    Former President of Star Furniture

    Bill Ward has 46 years of experience in the furniture retail business. Bill served as the President & Chief Operating Officer of Star Furniture from 1998-2018. Star Furniture is a retail furniture chain consisting of nine showcase stores and two clearance centers located in four cities. Results driven senior executive with comprehensive leadership skills in all facets of furniture retailing. Utilizing a unique blend of experience in store operations, warehousing, distribution, logistics, expansion, sales and customer service to reach goals and objectives. Recognized for creating and leading a profitable, operationally sound, distinguished company with an emphasis on fostering a culture of respect, integrity, accountability and high performance. Part of the team that created a brand that customers identified with and was well respected within the industry.

    STEPHANIE HAYNES
    Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston

    MICKEY MORGAN
    SertaSimmons

    JENNIFER ROBINS
    Cort Furniture

    FARRUKH SAYER
    CPA

    WAYNE YOUNG
    Harris Center for Mental Health & IDD