I am deeply honored to serve as a Board Member for the American Red Cross, East Texas Chapter, for FY25. For the past 13 years, I have called East Texas home, living here with my wonderful wife, Sadia, and our two daughters, Soha, 13, and Amal, 9. As a physician of Pakistani descent, I currently practice at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. My specialties include Hospital Medicine, and I am board-certified in Internal Medicine, Health Care Quality and Management, and as a Physician Advisor. Additionally, I hold the position of President for APPET (American Pakistani Physician of East Texas), a local physician organization dedicated to philanthropic, social, and cultural activities in East Texas and abroad. Our family enjoys traveling, playing tennis, taking morning walks in the scenic landscapes of East Texas, and fostering positive change in our community through participation and organization of various events. My personal goal is to bridge the gap between diverse ethnic communities, dedicating my time, expertise, and passion to influence the strategic decisions and policies of the American Red Cross.

Cullen is a dedicated local attorney specializing in assisting Veterans with their VA disability ratings and other military-related legal issues. He holds membership in the State Bar of Texas and has accreditation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Cullen retired from the United States Army, where he also served as a lawyer.  Although a native Texan, Cullen is a newcomer to Longview and looks forward to making East Texas his family's home. His legal background spans criminal defense at both state and federal levels and providing counsel to Commanders and Soldiers on military law. In addition to his legal practice, Cullen serves as a board member for Operation True North, Longview Teen Court, and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board of Longview. After experiencing a death in the family while he was serving overseas, Cullen saw the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program in action.  He's now excited to serve the East Texas Chapter and make a difference in our community. 

I moved to Tyler, TX in 2011 when I married my wife, Jocelyn.  I attended Tyler Junior College and finished my bachelor’s degree at UT Tyler in 2008.  I completed a one-year graduate finance program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 2014.  I started working in the banking industry in 2006 and transitioned into a Lending role in 2015.  With almost 18 years of banking experience, I have come to know the Tyler market well and I am proud to call Tyler home.  Being part of local boards like the American Red Cross of East Texas allows me to give back to my community from which I have gotten so much.  Also, the mission behind the American Red Cross of East Texas resonates with my life in so many ways.  Outside of my work life and serving on local boards, I have a passion for coaching people of all ages from young professionals to youth soccer.  One of my favorite things to do in my personal life is visiting National Parks with my wife Jocelyn, my daughters Camila and Sofia, and my son Mateo.

LaRhonda Hamilton is an East Texas Native and relocated to Tyler, Texas in 2017. She is a criminal justice professor, U.S. Army veteran, and committed community advocate. With over 20 years of military service, a decade as a correctional officer, and experience as a child maltreatment investigator, LaRhonda brings a wealth of knowledge, integrity, and leadership to the academic and civic arenas.

She holds an Associate of Arts in General Studies, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and dual Master of Science degrees in Administration of Justice & Security and Psychology.

An accomplished speaker and event leader, LaRhonda has served as keynote speaker and mistress of ceremonies for numerous veteran, women, and educational programs, including events at the University of Texas at Tyler, Grace Community School, Whitehouse High School, and multiple local elementary schools. She also led the prayer for world peace at the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. She is the visionary behind the annual East Texas Veterans Banquet, World Changing Women Leadership Night Out at Tyler Junior College and the Elevate Her: Mind, Body, Soul, Health, and Wealth experience.

LaRhonda is deeply engaged in civic and organizational leadership. She is the founder and current president of the East Texas Chapter of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, vice president of community relations for the East Texas League of Women Voters, and a board member of CampV and the Empowerment Community Development Corporation.

Her numerous awards include the Top Four Remarkable Women of East Texas, Presidential Citation Award, Humanitarian Award, the Regional Initiative Grant by Texas Women in Higher Education, the Tyler Junior College Endowed Teaching Excellence Award, and Leadership Tyler Class of 36. She has also been honored by Women in Tyler, the Empowerment Community Development Corporation, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and others for her outstanding service and leadership.

LaRhonda Hamilton continues to lead with purpose, using her platform to advocate for veterans, women’s rights, and justice reform, making a lasting impact across East Texas and beyond.

Dr. Christy Hanson is a 35+ veteran of both public and private schools in Texas.  She is a proud former teacher, counselor, principal and district administrator.  Dr. Hanson owns Hanson Counseling Services where she provides individual, group, and family therapy to people of all ages.  Her volunteer work has included board positions for several non-profit organizations, including her church.  She is also an active alumnus of Leadership Tyler. Dr. Hanson is committed to the American Red Cross mission and has been on the board since 2023. 

Petra Hawkins is an RN/ Realtor and Council Member—District 2 with the City of Tyler. She graduated from John Tyler High School in 1989. While there, Ms. Hawkins participated in cheer squad, track (briefly), concert choir (1st soprano), science club, junior historians, debate, national honor society and graduated in top 10% of her class.

After graduating, she attended Tyler Junior College School of Nursing and became a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Six years later, she returned and obtained an ADN, becoming a Registered Nurse. Her healthcare career spans over 33 years! She has worked in many healthcare settings such as medical/ surgical, intermediate care or step-down ICU, ortho/ neuro, geriatrics, bariatrics, gynecology, urology, renal, home health, long-term care, and school nursing. Ms. Hawkins is also a licensed real estate professional.

Petra is currently a member of the Tyler NAACP, Founding Member of Tyler Chapter of Black Nurses Rock, member of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) and Tyler Area Board of Black Realtist (TABBR),and board member of the Smith County Clubhouse. Ms. Hawkins is also an active alumnus of Leadership Tyler- Class 38.

She has been married to Roderick (Rod) Hawkins for 29 years and have three grown children and 10 grandchildren! She and her husband own Air Pro Elite A/C & Heating, Hawkins Custom Homes, LLC and Hawkins Elite Properties, LLC, which owns and manages short and long-term rentals for traveling professionals. 

Anwar Khalifa grew up in Dallas and moved to East Texas out of High School.  He attended Kilgore College where he received an Associate of Science degree. He then attended Texas A&M University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering.  To further his education, Anwar attained a Masters degree in international business from the University of South Carolina. After working as a project engineer and sales engineer, he entered the home-building business in 1993.  He received his Graduate Master Builder designation from the National Association of Home Builders in 1998.   He received the Texas Star Builder designation from the Texas Residential Construction Commission in June 2007, one of the first 50 builders to receive this designation.   In May 2008 Anwar received the Certified Green Professional designation, the first in East Texas and in 2011 he was one of the first five in the nation to receive the designation Master Certified Green Professional.  Anwar is proud that all the homes will be built verified GREEN, abiding by the strictest of the National Association of Home Builders “Green” Building Guidelines.  Pyramid Homes under the direction of Mr. Khalifa was awarded and built two research homes in 2011 for the University of Texas at Tyler. These homes’ purpose is indoor air quality and energy efficiency research. We are currently building two research homes in cooperation with Owens Corning. He is a member of the Tyler Area Builder’s Association, Texas Association of Builders, National Association of Home Builders, The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, Greater Tyler Association of Realtors, the Women’s Council of Realtors, The University of Texas System Chancellor’s Council, and the Smith County Republican Club.

He is on the steering committee for the Tyler Ministerial Alliance, and the board member emeritus of the Samaritan Counseling Center. He serves as president of East Texas Cares Resource Center.  He serves as vice chair for the East Texas Red Cross Board.  He has served as a volunteer chaplain for the Tyler Police Department; on the boards of Tyler Area’s Builder Association, Adolescent Development & Prevention Tyler, the Freedom & Justice foundation, the East Texas Islamic Society and the Council on American Islamic Relations DFW.

Anwar has taught as a Construction Management Professor at the University of Texas at Tyler.

Governor Rick Perry appointed him to the Texas Human Rights Commission in April of 2004.

Anwar received the Martin Luther King award for Non-Violent Social Change in January 2005 and the TB Butler Outstanding Citizen of the Year award in October 2005 for his work in getting the Muslim & Jewish communities together to fund and build a Habitat for Humanity House for a Christian family. He was honored during the 2011 MLK Day for his interfaith work. Pyramid homes received two prestigious Texas Star Awards in 2011. These are statewide homebuilder awards. Anwar was the NAHB’s national award winner of Master Certified Green Professional of the year 2015.

Katie Krier is a creative marketing strategist and passionate advocate for small business success. She is the Founder and CEO of Krier & Co. Media, a boutique agency dedicated to helping businesses and local organizations grow through bold, story-driven marketing. Her team specializes in finding the heart of each business and bringing it to life through creative digital strategy. 

A graduate of Texas State University, Katie began her career as a television reporter before transitioning into marketing, where she discovered her passion for building brands with purpose and personality. 

 In addition to her work with the East Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross, she is the Vice President of the Tyler Young Professionals Network, a proud graduate of Leadership Tyler, and serves on the Leadership Tyler Alumni Committee. 

 Outside of work, Katie enjoys cooking, true crime podcasts, and evenings on the patio with her husband, Tud, and their three dogs: Pixie, Piper, and Pirelli.

Katrina Hines-Ligon is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, and she is the owner of Journey to Peace Counseling, PLLC in Tyler, Texas. She has a passion for providing the utmost quality of services to individuals, couples and families who struggle with mental health disorders. Katrina specializes in working with individuals who suffer from depression, anxiety, stress and domestic abuse. She also incorporates Christian spiritual beliefs into the treatment protocol to holistically address their needs if requested.

Before opening her private counseling practice, Katrina’s career included over 18 years of experience in the social services and mental health field. She has worked in different areas of case management with the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services, a mental health clinician for the University of Texas Medical Branch at Skyview Correctional Facility and Smith County Jail. Katrina has also held a senior-level position as the Director of Counseling at Jarvis Christian College.

She received a Master of Arts degree in Counseling and a Master of Science degree in Human Science with emphasis in Marriage and Family therapy from Prairie View A&M University. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University. Katrina is a member of the Texas Counseling Association. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Inc. Katrina is an active alumnus of Leadership Tyler- Class 38. She is a loving wife and devoted mother to her son and two bonus sons.

Katrina is committed to serving in her community and contributing to organizations that have a meaningful and lasting impact. The mission of the American Red Cross aligns closely with her personal and professional values. She brings a unique perspective with a background in mental health and community engagement. Katrina understands the importance of trauma-informed care, emotional resilience and equitable outreach, especially in underserved communities. Katrina wants to help ensure that the American Red Cross continues to build trust, expand access, and uphold its values of neutrality, impartiality and humanity.

Vinetta was born in Long Beach, California while her father was serving in the United States Air Force.  Growing up in a military family meant moving often to various states and countries, including Norway and attending school in England.  After high school graduation she attended Yuba Junior College and then joined Dunbar Stanley Studios as a photographer for Pixy Pinups.  While working in Rapid City, SD she met Richard Lundstrom and later married him at Hamilton Air Force Base in California.  Over the years Vinetta and her family continued moving across the United States as her husband’s position in the Air Force was relocated until he retired. Vinetta has served in a variety of voluntary positions throughout her life.  As a Family Services Coordinator, Vinetta helped to provide a range of support and resources to military families to help them navigate the unique challenges of military life like relocation assistance and deployment support. Vinetta served as the treasurer of the Conejo Valley Military Officer Associate of America (MOAA) and is currently serving as the second vice-president of the Rose Capital Chapter of MOAA. Vinetta served as the membership coordinator for the Conejo Valley Assistance League as well as a sales associate in the Assistance League of Conejo Valley Thrift shop. The non-profit organization supports ongoing philanthropic programs to improve the lives of children and adults in the community. Vinetta was recently nominated to serve on the Resident Council at Meadow Lake Senior Living.  This position represents the interests and concerns of the apartment residents to the management and staff.

Meme Thomas practices law in Tyler. She has been on the board of the East Texas Chapter of the Red Cross since 2022. She is married with one child. Meme is dedicated to the American Red Cross mission and currently volunteers as an International Humanitarian Law Basic Instructor.

Ebaristo Torres was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but grew up in Tyler.  He graduated from Chapel Hill High School in 1998 and attended Stephen F. Austin State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in music.  He became the owner of D&N Grocery in 2016. D&N Grocery has been a convenience store and gas station serving Tyler since 1987. Ebb enjoys running a local small business as well as staying involved in the community. 

Ebaristo currently serves on the Red Cross, East Texas Symphony Orchestra, PAVE, and Mosaic boards.  Aside from Boards, Ebaristo volunteers his time to East Texas Leadership Summit.  During Ebb's free time he enjoys spending time with family, traveling overseas, and taking fun day trips to explore all of what East Texas has to offer.