MEET THE BOARD

The Arc of Katy’s volunteer board brings diverse experience and a shared commitment to empowering adults with IDD through connection, growth, and purpose.

Fred Shafer, President

Fred Shafer The Arc of Katy Board President

A native Texan, Fred Shafer spent more than 40 years in special education leadership. He served as special education coordinator at Region 3 ESC (Victoria), executive director for special education, counseling, and psychological services in Katy ISD, director of special education at Region 4 ESC (Houston), and executive director for special education in Beaumont ISD. He was also appointed by the Texas Education Agency as a conservator and special education monitor. Fred serves on The Arc of Katy Board of Directors, mentors students through the Katy ISD KEYS Program, and supports the Katy ISD Education Foundation. Fred and his wife Patti were honored by Katy ISD as the namesakes for Fred and Patti Shafer Elementary. An active member of Kingsland Baptist Church as a Deacon and Executive Director of the Special Needs Ministry. Fred and his wife, Patti—a retired Katy ISD principal—live in Fulshear near their two children and four grandchildren.

Ellen Candito, Secretary

Ellen Candito was born and educated in Boston, MA. She has been Board member since 2012 and Secretary since 2020, she serves on the Program and Gala Committees and regularly supports monthly Socials, and all fund raising events. Ellen retired in 2021 from Katy ISD, where she worked with high school students as a speech-language pathologist. She holds a B.S. in communication disorders from Bridgewater State University with minors in special education and psychology, and completed graduate studies at the University of Houston and University of Denver. Her career has included roles with Houston ISD and in the geochemical industry marketing seismic data. Before settling in Katy in 1994, she lived in Denver, Dallas, and Billings. A former confirmation catechist for 10 years, Ellen enjoys kayaking, biking, yoga, and international travel. She completed the 500-mile Francés route of the Camino de Santiago and hopes to walk the Portugués Coastal Route of the Camino de Santiago very soon. Ellen is a member of the American Pilgrims on the Camino. Time spent with family and friends brings her joy.

Mike Lattal, Treasurer

Mike Lattal joined The Arc of Katy’s Board in 2010, serving as treasurer and past president. Mike’s passion for The Arc’s participants grew through his wife, Therese, Be Strong Program coordinator/instructor and former Adult Day Program director. He spent 30+ years in the oil and gas industry focused on natural gas and liquids with BP and Statoil, and served on the board—and as president—of the Natural Gas Processors Association. A Chicago-area native, he holds an MBA from DePaul University and a bachelor’s from Western Illinois University. In the community, he is a member of Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community and assists the St. Vincent de Paul organization. Mike and Therese have three children and two grandchildren.

Cherie Duddridge, Past President

Cherie Duddridge joined The Arc of Katy’s board in 2017. She serves on the Finance Committee, co-chaired the 2019–2020 Gala, and served as President from 2020-2025. A Pittsburgh native, Cherie brings 30 years in the oil and gas sector across engineering, quality, construction, and property management roles in Cleveland, Los Angeles, London, and Chicago. She was property director for BP’s Houston Westlake campus and now serves as Global Property Management Outsource Project Manager. Cherie moved to Katy in 2011 from Wheaton, Illinois. She has served on the boards of SIDS of Illinois and the Taylor High School Orchestra Parents Association. She holds a B.S. in civil engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and studied environmental engineering at the University of Houston. Cherie lives in Katy with her husband, Ian; they have two sons, Andrew and Kristian. She’s a certified USA Swimming and UIL official who enjoys walking, yoga, and reading.

Bonnie Holland, Board Member

Bonnie Holland retired in 2019 after 53 years in public education, including 36 with Katy ISD. At Katy, she advanced from diagnostician/special education supervisor to director of special education, executive director of special services, executive assistant to the superintendent, assistant superintendent for special programs, and associate superintendent for administration, governance, and legal affairs. She led development of district policies for ADA and Section 504 compliance; launched Response to Intervention; authored the discipline management plan and student code of conduct; created a hearing officers’ guide for new administrators; drove the District of Innovation plan; and maintained policy and administrative regulation manuals. Bonnie has served as a KEYS student mentor, on the Katy ISD Education Foundation investment committee, and is a proud supporter of Bonnie Holland Elementary.

Amy Campbell, Board Member

Amy Campbell is a longtime Katy ISD educator and advocate for students with special needs. After graduating from Sam Houston State (1981), she began teaching in 1982 at Katy High School, where she piloted the Life Skills program and launched the swim program that became Adaptive Aquatics. In 1995 she moved to James Taylor High School, starting the Life Skills and Vocational Adjustment programs and sponsoring the Best Buddies club (2001–2016). A founding member of The Arc of Katy since 1990, Amy has served as vice president and Board member and was re-elected in 2015. She helped start The Arc’s pilot Adult Day Camp (2005), was Taylor HS Teacher of the Year (2005), and received the Ann Davis Founder’s Award (2014). Now retired after 34 years with Katy ISD, Amy co-chairs The Arc’s Program and Communications & Marketing Committees and remains active at Amy Campbell Elementary.

Carolyn Kares, Board Member

Carolyn Kares was elected to The Arc of Katy’s Board in 2015. A native of Port Arthur, she became involved through her nephew with autism who attends The Arc’s Day Program. Carolyn co-chairs the Program Committee and serves on the Social Subcommittee, Fundraising, and Scholarship Committees. She was honored as The Arc of Katy’s Volunteer of the Year in 2018. An active community volunteer, she supports Interfaith Ministries Katy Meals on Wheels, the Katy Fussell Senior Center, and the Katy Wolf Pack Special Olympics. She is a member and past president of the Houston Junior Forum and serves on the boards of the Houston Junior Forum and All Saints Third Age Learning Center. A longtime member of Beta Sigma Phi, she is a former Houston Council president and recipient of the International Award of Distinction. Carolyn attends Tallowood Baptist Church and has a daughter, son-in-law, and two grandsons.

Mary Alcocer, Board Member

Mary Alcocer was elected to the Arc of Katy Board of Directors in March 2021. Originally from upstate New York, Mary has lived in Texas much of her life. She attended High School in Plano, attended the University of Texas at Austin, and worked for TeleCheck/First Data/Fiserv as a leader in the Payments and FinTech industry for 30 years in both Houston and Dallas. She is currently employed with KeyBank as a VP of Strategic Account Management.
Mary and her two daughters settled in Katy in December of 2000 and have been active members of Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church. Mary’s volunteer interests have included coaching girls’ softball, serving as a neighborhood rep on Cinco Ranch HOA, being an elementary school student council sponsor as well as a serving as a Confirmation catechist and RCIA team member for 10 years in each role. In her spare time, Mary enjoys reading, visiting with friends, swimming, and spending time with her two granddaughters.

Cyndi Lawrence, Board Member

Cyndi Lawrence is a dedicated small business owner with 14+ years of building and leading ventures in the local community. She serves on the board of the Fulshear–Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, advocating for small business growth and meaningful community engagement. Cyndi also serves as the Waller County Republican Chair, reflecting her commitment to civic involvement and grassroots leadership. Known for practical insight and strategic thinking, she brings a deep understanding of local issues, economic development, and coalition-building to every role. Cyndi is passionate about strengthening connections among businesses, civic organizations, and residents to support a vibrant, resilient community.

Qiana Holmes Luckett, Board Member

Qiana Holmes Luckett is passionate about empowering individuals and strengthening communities. With over 30 years of banking experience, she serves as a Community Relationship Manager at Trustmark National Bank, where she has spent 13 years building partnerships that create meaningful impact. Qiana holds a master’s degree in project management and is dedicated to financial education, service, and inclusion. A devoted wife, mother of three, and proud “Duchess” to her grandson, she is actively involved in her church and local initiatives, channeling her faith and compassion into helping others reach their fullest potential.Qiana is dedicated to serving because everyone deserves opportunity, dignity, and hope with values that guide both my work and my heart.

Chris Sneller, Board Member

Chris is a Principal Consultant with The Table Group and Founder of Luceo Insight. For 25+ years, he has helped leaders and teams thrive across retail, nonprofit, media, church, and higher education in East Asia, Western Europe, and North America. He earned a B.A. in Speech Communication from Texas A&M University and a Ph.D. in history/education from King’s College London. In Houston, Chris and his wife, Monica, are raising six kids and serve in the student and special needs ministries at Kingsland Baptist Church. He also serves on Texas A&M’s Communication & Journalism Alumni Advisory Board. Off the clock, he enjoys travel, CrossFit, cheering his daughter’s wheelchair basketball team, and supporting Arsenal FC. His passion: fostering healthy teams and simple, actionable leadership.

Aaron Sturgeon, Board Member

Aaron Sturgeon was born in Riverside, California but has resided in Texas since a young age. He studied Psychology at the University of Texas at Arlington. In his free time he loves to read, write stories and spend time with his family.
Aaron's career has been marked by a desire to make a difference in the lives of others. He is a Certified Public Manager who has helped people get jobs, developed programs for at-risk youth, helped refugees resettle in the United States, supported under-resourced schools, served those experiencing homelessness, led regional financial stability programs, and now leads programs for individuals over the age of 60 and those living with disabilities. He became familiar with The Arc through his wonderful wife, a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst who works with individuals with disabilities. He is very excited to contribute to The Arc's ongoing success.
Aaron, his wife Anna, and their two children have lived in Katy since 2019. They are members of Kingsland Baptist Church