Below you will find backgrounds for the nominees of the 2007-09 TATOA Elections. Ballots have been mailed and are due January 15, 2007. Your vote counts so please participate!
President:
Margaret Somereve, Assistant to the Director of Public Works, City of Farmers Branch
Vice President:
Janet DeVault, Information Services Specialist, City of Richardson
Secretary:
Sheena Harden, Program Coordinator, City of Austin
Treasurer:
Ernest B. Davis, Franchise Manager, Finance and Administration, City of Houston
South Regional Representative:
Gerardo J. Leal, Public Access Director, City of Laredo
East Regional Representative:
Victoria LaFollett-Koenig, Deputy City Manager, City of Nacogdoches
West Regional Representative:
Pam Percival, Information Coordinator, City of Abilene
North Regional Representative:
John Cabrales, Jr., Public Information Officer, City of Denton
Government Access Programming Representative:
Keith Reeves, Cable TV Manager, City of Austin
Margaret Somereve, Assistant to the Director of Public Works, City of Farmers Branch
I am the Assistant to the Director of Public Works for the City of Farmers Branch. I have been responsible for cable, telephone, gas and electric regulations, franchises, legislative issues as well as negotiating contracts with cellular companies for locations on city facilities for the last 10 years.
I received an undergraduate degree in political science and a graduate degree in public administration. I have been a member of NATOA and TATOA for the past 10 years.
Janet DeVault, Information Services Specialist, City of Richardson
I am the Information Services Specialist for the City of Richardson’s IT department. I have been responsible for cable franchise, regulatory and legislative issues for over 15 years and for telephone, gas, and electric regulations, franchises and legislative issues for over 10 years. I have been a member of TATOA for the past 10 years and have held the position of both the north regional representative and secretary. I am also a member of NATOA and TCCFUI. I have a BA in Government and Politics from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Sheena Harden, Program Coordinator, City of Austin
I am the Program Coordinator for the City of Austin’s Grant for Technology Opportunities Program under the Community Technology Initiative. I have assisted in the planning of and created the conference booklets for the TATOA conferences for the last four years. I graduated cum laude from Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Geography & Planning where I focused on City Planning and Environmental Studies. I live in Austin, Texas with my husband, Mark and four cats.
Ernest B. Davis, Franchise Manager, Finance and Administration, City of Houston
Mr. Davis is Franchise Manager with the City of Houston’s Franchise and Administration Department. He manages the Franchise Administration Division, which is responsible for the regulation, franchising, and negotiation of public utilities and cable television providers, along with the collection of utility revenue. In addition, he is responsible for the administration and issuance of permits to entities interested in encroaching within the city’s right-of-way. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Houston and presently serves as Treasurer for TATOA.
Gerardo J. Leal, Public Access Director, City of Laredo
Statement not available at this time.
Victoria LaFollett-Koenig, Deputy City Manager, City of Nacogdoches
Victoria LaFollett-Koenig is the Deputy City Manager for the City of Nacogdoches and is a certified public manager. For one year, she also served as interim City Manager for Nacogdoches. This Texas native is responsible for the City's Finance Department -- including utility regulation and franchising. In addition, Victoria oversees the Water Utilities, Engineering, Public Works, Information Technology, Airport, Library and Parks & Recreation Departments. Prior to this, Victoria served as the Community Relations Manager for the City of Longview where she was directly responsible for cable TV franchising and access channel operations (a total of five channels).
Victoria has been a member of TATOA since its start-up and has served as a Regional Board Director since 1997. She holds current membership in the International City Management Association and the Texas City Management Association.
Pam Percival, Information Coordinator, City of Abilene
Statement not available at this time.
John Cabrales, Jr., Public Information Officer, City of Denton
John Cabrales is the Public Information Officer for the City of Denton. He has held this position since September 1999. John is responsible for regulating the City’s cable television franchises, and for emergency communications in the event of a crisis. He is also the legislative liaison for state legislative matters and often travels to Austin to give testimony.
John is very active in the Denton Community. He is a past president of the Denton League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council #4366. He is past chair of the Denton Chamber of Commerce Multicultural Council, past chair of the Denton Cinco de Mayo Celebration Committee, and a member of the Denton Rotary Club. John also serves on several boards including the United Way of Denton County and UNT Public Administration Alumni Advisory Board. John and his wife, Richelle, have a daughter, Gabriella Brooke and are expecting another child in July 2006.
Keith Reeves, Cable TV Manager, City of Austin
Keith Reeves was the Cable TV Manager for the City of Denton, Texas award winning government access television station, DTV * Denton Television Network from 2000 until 2006 until taking the position of Cable TV Manager for the City of Austin in late 2006. Keith's role as the Programmer's Representative on the TATOA Board of Directors includes organizing the TATOA Programming Awards and the TATOA Annual Conference programming sessions. He has also served on the NATOA Programming Awards Committee and the NATOA Multimedia Committee.