Meet The Board

Cherie Duddridge, President

Cherie Duddridge joined The Arc of Katy board in 2017. She serves on the Finance Committee for The Arc of Katy and also as co-chair of The Arc of Katy Gala Committee in 2019 and 2020.  In February 2020, The Arc of Katy board elected Cherie to be President-Elect.  

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Cherie and her family moved to Katy in 2011 from Wheaton, Ill. She is a native of Pittsburgh, Penn., with 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry in a wide range of roles from engineering, quality control, construction and property management at a variety of locations ranging from Cleveland, Los Angeles, London, the United Kingdom, and Chicago. She was the property director of the Houston Westlake campus for BP and is now the Global Property Management Outsource Project Manager.

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Cherie served on the Board of Directors for SIDS of Illinois and the Taylor High School Orchestra Parents Association. Cherie obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, as well as attending the University of Houston to study environmental engineering.

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Cherie lives in Katy with her husband, Ian. They have two sons, Andrew and Kristian. She is active in the USA Swimming and UIL swimming as a certified official. Cherie enjoys walking, yoga and reading.

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Fred Shafer, Past President

A native Texan, Fred Shafer’s career in the field of special education spanned over 40 years before retiring. His career included serving as special education coordinator for Region 3 Education Service Center in Victoria, executive director for special education, counseling and psychological services in Katy Independent School District, director of special education for Region 4 Education Service Center in Houston and executive director for special education in Beaumont Independent School District. Fred also served as a Texas Education Agency appointed conservator and special education monitor.

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In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for The Arc of Katy, Fred remains active in Katy ISD by serving as a KEYS student mentor and supporting the Katy ISD Education Foundation. He and his wife Patti are also actively involved in supporting Fred and Patti Shafer Elementary in Katy ISD.

Fred is a member of Kingsland Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon, usher, greeter, community group teacher and teacher in the Special Needs class. Fred lives in Fulshear with his wife Patti who is a retired principal from Katy ISD. They have two children and four grandchildren who all live in Katy.

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Mike Lattal, Treasurer & Past President

Mike Lattal joined The Arc of Katy Board of Directors in May 2010 and is treasurer and past president. He also has supported The Arc as a volunteer assisting in fund-raising and charity events and the Program Committee. He developed his passion for The Arc of Katy participants through his wife, Therese, who is Be Strong Program coordinator and instructor, and past Adult Day Program director. Mike spent over 30 years in the oil and gas business specializing in the natural gas and gas liquids business with BP and Statoil.

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Mike served on the board and as president of the Natural Gas Processors Association, an industry organization representing natural gas midstream operations. A native of the Chicago area, he received his Master’s in Business Administration Degree from DePaul University and an undergraduate degree from Western Illinois. He is a member of Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community in Katy and assists the St. Vincent DePaul organization. Mike and Therese have three children and two grandchildren.

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Ellen Candito, Secretary 

Ellen Candito was born, raised, and educated in Boston, Massachusetts. Ellen was first elected to The Arc of Katy's Board of Directors in 2012 and to the office of Secretary in August 2020.  She serves on the organization's Program Committee and participates in the monthly Socials, as well as on the Gala Committee. 

She is employed as a speech-language pathologist with Katy ISD and works with the high school population. She received her undergraduate degree from Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts in communication disorders with a minor in special education and psychology. She did graduate work at the University of Houston and the University of Denver.

She was a speech pathologist with Houston Independent School District before moving to Denver, Colorado, where her son and daughter were born. She also worked in the geochemical industry, marketing seismic data. From there, she lived in Dallas, Texas and Billings, Montana, before arriving in Katy in 1994.

She was a confirmation catechist for 10 years while her children were going through the program. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities including kayaking, biking, and yoga. International travel is a passion. Ellen completed the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile walking pilgrimage through France and Spain, and hopes to complete the Portuguese
Coastal Route of that pilgrimage when travel restrictions are lifted. Spending time in the company of family and friends brings her joy.

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Mary Alcocer, Board Member

Mary Alcocer was elected to the Arc of Katy Board of Directors in March 2021.

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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. 

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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.

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In her spare time, Mary enjoys reading, visiting with friends, swimming, and spending time with her two granddaughters.

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Audrey Bivens, Board Member

Audrey Bivens is a retired special education administrator with over 30 years of experience. She obtained a Bachelor's Degree from Lamar University, a Master’s Degree from the University of Houston, and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Audrey recently retired from Katy ISD where she worked as Instructional Officer for Autism Services and Behavior Programs and Supports, Program Specialist,  special education teacher, and parent trainer. Prior to Katy ISD, Audrey worked as a special education teacher in Cypress Fairbanks ISD and as a Child Placement Worker for the state of Texas.  In 2001, Audrey developed and supervised the KISD specialized autism programs, which has expanded to include all school-age groups, early childhood, elementary, junior high, and high school. 

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A resident of Katy for over 37 years, Audrey and her husband raised three children. She is happiest spending time with her children and grandchildren. Audrey is active in her church and volunteers with The Bridge, the Special Needs Ministry of Grace Fellowship. She is also a former volunteer coach for the Katy Wolf Pack Special Olympics team.

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Amy Campbell, Board Member

A native of the Texas Panhandle, Amy also grew up in the Houston/Memorial area and attended school in Spring Branch Independent School District. After graduating from Sam Houston State University in December 1981, Amy began her teaching career as a substitute teacher in Spring Branch I.S.D in Spring 1982, and then as a special education teacher at Katy High School in Fall 1982. While at Katy High School, she piloted the Life Skills Program and helped start a swim program for students with special needs that later became known as the Adaptive Aquatics Program. She later moved to James E. Taylor High School in 1995 and started the Life Skills Program and Vocational Adjustment Program there. Amy served as a faculty sponsor of the James E. Taylor High School Best Buddies Club from its start in 2001. It was the second high-school Best Buddies Club in the State of Texas, until December 2016.

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In 1989 Amy was present at the first organizational meeting of Katy ISD staff and parents of students with special needs who worked together to form a local chapter of The Arc. Amy has been a member of the organization since its original charter in August 1990. She later served as a member of the Board of Directors and then as vice president of the organization and was re-elected again to the Board of Directors in May 2015.

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Amy helped start The Arc of Katy’s pilot Adult Day Camp in 2005 and that same year she was also named James E. Taylor High School’s Teacher of the Year. In 2014 she was recognized for her service to The Arc of Katy by being named as the Ann Davis Founder’s Award honoree at the annual gala. In addition to serving as a member of the Board of Directors, Amy also is co-chair of the Program Committee and co-chair of the Communications and Marketing Committee. Amy retired from a rewarding teaching career after 34 years with Katy ISD. She remains active in the school district, at Amy Campbell Elementary School in Katy ISD, which is named for her.

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Fran Dahl, Board Member

Fran Dahl joined The Arc of Katy Board of Directors in 2018 and has been active as co-chair of The Arc of Katy 2019 and 2020 Fundraising Gala Celebrating Hometown Heroes and on the organization’s Facilities, Board Development, and Communications and Marketing committees.

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Fran and her business partner Chris Dahl specialize in DTP Realty in residential real estate and property management. She also is an officer of Katy Foreign & Domestic Auto.

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A long-time, active member of the Katy community, Fran is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce and is active in the Katy Business Association. She also has volunteered with Katy ISD, Zoey’s Angels, Cinco Ranch Charities, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. 

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Don Elder Jr., Board Member

Don Elder, Jr. joined the Board of The Arc of Katy in 2017 and serves on the organization's Board Development and Gala committees.  

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Don was raised on a rice farm and ranch in Katy, where his dad and two uncles farmed for over 33 years. Don attended all the Katy schools and graduated from Katy High School in 1963 and then attended Sam Houston State University where he received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees. Upon graduation, he was a professor at both Sam Houston and Hill College. At Hill College, he had his own local sports radio program and served as the athletic public relations director. Following teaching, Don worked in sales and marketing in the Ready-Mix business for over 30 years. He now owns Elder Consulting where he works with school and governmental entities.

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Don served on the Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees for two terms. After that, he was elected to the Harris County Department of Education County Board. He served on this board for 10 years, two terms as president. He was on the Katy City Council for five years. He resigned from the council to run for Mayor and was elected May 12, 2007. He ran unopposed in the May 2009 election and was re-elected for a second term. The Mayor again ran unopposed in May 2011 and his term expired in 2013. The mayor’s position in Katy is term-limited.

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Don served on the Talent Committee of the Economic Development Board as well as the Governing Board of the Katy Economic Development Council. He has served on the Business Development Board of Sterling Bank and serves on the Development Board for Houston Community College. Some of Don’s other community involvement, to name a few, are a past member of the Katy Athletic Booster Club, past president of Katy High School Alumni Association, honorary member of Katy Future Farmers of America, as well as other schools in the District, past member of the Katy FFA Sales Committee, past member of Board of Directors for Katy Area A&M Club, past president of Katy Area A&M Club, past member of Board of Directors for Katy FFA Rodeo Committee, and member of the 12th Man Foundation, Texas A&M University. Don serves on the City of Houston Metro Board as second vice president, representing the 14 multi-cities.

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Don is married to Katy native Ida Faye Moore Elder. They have one son Shane, who is married to Maddie, and who have one child, Easton Grae Elder. Don and Ida Faye are active members of the First United Methodist Church. He enjoys hunting, visiting the Hill Country and attending sporting events, particularly the University of North Texas football games. Don also enjoys being able to spend as much time as possible with his grandson.

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Ida Faye Elder, Board Member

Ida Faye Elder joined the Board of Directors of The Arc of Katy in 2017 and serves on the organization's Board Development and Gala committees. 

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She was raised in Katy, where she attended Katy Elementary, Katy Junior High and Katy High School. She graduated in May 1966 from Katy High School. She married Don Elder that same year and moved to Huntsville, Texas. She attended Sam Houston State University for one year. She also had a full-time job at the college as a secretary and then later worked at the Huntsville Prison. She and Don moved to Hillsboro, Texas, where she worked as a secretary and attended classes to receive her Associate of Applied Science degree. They moved back to Katy where Ida Faye worked for the Katy School District as an administrative assistant. She retired in December 2011 after 35 years of service.

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Ida Faye has been a member and president of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was involved in Katy Athletics when their son, Shane, was in school. She also was co-chair for Project Graduation at Katy High along with overseeing the Katy High School Baseball Concession. After Shane’s graduation she was an officer with the Katy Aggie Moms. Along with Don, Ida Faye has been involved with the Katy A&M Club, Katy Future Farmers of America and Rodeo and church committees at First United Methodist Church, where they are active members. She currently is on the City of Katy Parks and Recreation Board. During the six years that Don was Mayor of Katy, Ida Faye was involved in many city activities and functions.

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Since her retirement, Ida Faye enjoys finding time to hunt with Don, to travel (she loves the Hill Country) and to spend as much time as possible with their grandson, Easton. She and Don still enjoy going to the Mean Green Football games.

Shane, their son, is married to Maddie. They and their son, Easton Grae live in Northlake, Texas.

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Bonnie Holland, Board Member

Bonnie Holland retired in June of 2019 after 53 years in public education.  Thirty-six of those years were in Katy ISD. During her tenure at Katy, she served as a diagnostician/special education supervisor, 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.  

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Bonnie was the administrator responsible for developing Katy’s policies and procedures for compliance with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, for creating the District’s Response to Intervention process, the discipline management plan and student code of conduct, a hearing officers’ guide for new campus administrators; the District of Innovation plan, and for maintaining the District’s policy and administrative regulation manuals.  She has also served as a KEYS student mentor, a member of the Katy ISD’s Education Foundation’s investment committee, and as a proud supporter of Bonnie Holland Elementary School. 

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Prior to coming to Katy, Bonnie’s career included employment as a speech pathologist, director of a learning disabilities center, director of special education for a special education cooperative, director of special education in Carrollton-Farmer’s Branch ISD, a consultant at the Regional Service Centers in Richardson and El Paso, and director of special education appraisal in Ysleta ISD. In addition, Bonnie taught graduate courses pertaining to special education and special programs for East Texas State University (now Texas A&M at Commerce) and the University of Houston Cinco Ranch.

 

Bonnie and her husband, Jon; moved to Katy in February of 1983. Jon passed away in February of 1995, but by then Katy was truly Bonnie’s home. She has one son, Chip, who is the Divisional Manager of a company that places caregivers in homes or facilities to meet the needs of individual clients. Some of these clients are adults with disabilities.  Chip and his wife have two children and three grandchildren.  

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Amber Jarvis, Board Member

Amber Jarvis was elected to the Board of Directors of The Arc of Katy and joined the organization’s Communications and Marketing Committee in August 2019.

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Amber relocated from Bossier City, La., to Katy in 1996. She graduated from Katy High School in 2005 and attended The Art Institute of Houston. She has worked in the web design and internet marketing industry for just over 10 years.

Amber also enjoys giving back to the community. She has volunteered with Best Buddies, Special Olympics, PetsMart, the Houston Zoo, and Camp for All as a counselor.

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When she is not volunteering, Amber is spending time with her family. Amber and her husband of five years have a blended family including five children, two cats and one chocolate lab. Avid Houston sports fans, you can find them rooting for the home team at Astros, Texans, and Rockets games.

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Amber became involved in the community of individuals with IDD because of her brother Adam. He was born with Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome, a rare disorder that affected his immune system. He was very active and played baseball, basketball and participated in swimming through Special Olympics. Amber reports that he was quick to make friends and loved everyone. Adam passed away in 2013 but his strength, bravery, and positive attitude have always been an inspiration to Amber and everyone who knew him in the community.

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Carolyn Kares, Board Member

Carolyn Kares was elected to The Arc of Katy's Board of Directors in May 2015. She is a native Texan having been born and raised in Port Arthur. She has a nephew with autism who attends The Arc of Katy Day Program and began volunteering with the Program and Gala committees. She also enjoys volunteering with Interfaith Ministries Katy Meals on Wheels, the Katy Fussell Senior Center, and Katy Wolf Pack Special Olympics Team. 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 senior program. She is a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and has served in various offices including president of the Houston Council and is a recipient of the sorority’s highest honor, the International Award of Distinction.

Carolyn attends Tallowood Baptist Church and has a daughter, son-in-law, and two grandsons.

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Carolyn serves as The Arc of Katy Program Committee co-chairman and participates on the Social Subcommittee,  Fundraising, and Scholarship Committees. She was recognized as The Arc of Katy Volunteer or the Year at the Arc's 2018 Gala. 

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Mary McGovern, Board Member

Mary McGovern joined the Board of Directors of The Arc of Katy in 2019 and is chair of the organization’s Fund Development Committee. 

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Mary began her professional career as a senior engineer with Westinghouse Electric Corporation’s Energy Systems Business Unit in Pittsburgh, Penn., and held various positions of increasing responsibility in advocacy, commercial development, marketing communications and strategic planning.  After taking time off to raise her two sons, Mary returned to the workplace and is now team manager for Power Aquatics in Katy, a level one USA Swimming affiliated club.

Mary’s volunteer interests have focused on education, community service and youth sports.  She was president of the parent-teacher organization at Yorkshire Academy in Houston; vice president of membership for the Taylor High School PTA in Katy; and Taylor’s representative to Leadership Katy in 2016.  Mary’s other community volunteer efforts include nine years on the Green Trails Three Homeowners Association Board of Directors including six years as president and eight years on the Green Trails Gators Swim Team Board of Directors. 

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A native of Philadelphia, Penn., Mary moved to Katy in 1995. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Albright College in Reading, Penn., plus a Master of Arts degree in international relations and a Master of Science in energy resources engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

   

Marchelle Peters, Board Member

Marchelle Peters was elected to the Board of Directors of The Arc of Katy in 2018. She serves on the organization's Program and Communications and Marketing committees.  

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Marchelle received her Bachelor of Education in special education from Baylor University and her Master’s in Educational Psychology/Special Education from the University of Houston. Marchelle has served as a diagnostician coordinator in Spring ISD, program specialist for assessment and inclusion and educational diagnostician in Tomball Independent School District. She was an educational diagnostician in Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District and was a teacher of students with autism and a PPCD Teacher in Pasadena Independent School District. She currently works in Katy ISD.  She was previously the Instructional Officer for PPCD, LIFE Skills and TIP  and is now the Director of Evaluations and Specialized Programs for Katy ISD. Katy ISD was fortunate to have Marchelle join the Special Education staff. She brings a wealth of personal knowledge to The Arc of Katy Board of Directors.

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Marchelle has three children: Brandon, Bryce, and Brea. She enjoys spending time outside as well as traveling and visiting new places.