Welcome New Texas CASA Board Members
Our Board of Directors plays a vital role in guiding our governance, overseeing financial stewardship and ensuring Texas CASA has the resources needed to fulfill its mission. We are profoundly grateful for their commitment to strengthening and advancing our work — supporting local CASA programs through training, community awareness, resources and public policy to make a positive difference in the lives of children and families in Texas.
Meet our new board members below!
Karmen Bryant
Karmen Hendrix Bryant, a Midland, Texas native, is a community volunteer who has dedicated her life to positive social change through action. Volunteering from an early age, Karmen continues to serve countless nonprofit organizations with enthusiasm and vision in numerous roles. Her true passion not only lies in board governance but also in fund development, having helped raise millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations. She holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Arkansas, is the Managing Member of KHB Energy, LLC and President of the Bryant Family Foundation.
Matthew Conner
Matthew Conner is the Managing Principal at Arete Public Affairs. With over a decade of experience across federal, state, and local government, as well as political campaigns, Matthew has earned recognition as the Top Education Lobbyist of 2024 by the Texas Lobby Guide and is ranked 30th among Capitol Inside’s Top Hired Guns. He previously served as Director of Government Relations for the Houston Independent School District, District Director for U.S. Representative Michael McCaul, Deputy Regional Director for U.S. Senator John Cornyn, and worked on campaigns for Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Houston and is a Senior Fellow in Class 63 of the American Leadership Forum. He resides in Houston with his wife, Fiorella, and their two children, George and Hannah.
James Hamilton, Regional Representative
James Hamilton has been the Executive Director of CASA of Grayson County, Inc. since 2020. Before joining CASA, he spent 15 years working in the juvenile justice system. He has served on the Tom Bean Independent School District Board of Directors since 2016 and on the local youth sports association board of directors from 2015 to 2024. He also served as the chairperson of the Texoma Anti-Trafficking Coalition and was the Human Advocacy Coordinator for GoSendMe Global from 2019 to 2021. James holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He and his wife, Melisa, have four wonderful sons and reside in Grayson County, Texas.
Kevin Kyle, Regional Representative
Kevin Kyle was named Executive Director of CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties in December 2020. He has worked diligently to manage daily operations, improve community relationships, and support staff and CASA volunteers. Under his leadership there has been significant growth in volunteers, funding, and community engagement. Prior to joining CASA, he spent 33 years in collegiate athletic administration. Primarily involved in external relations, he enjoyed a successful career in athletic development that culminated after 20 years as the Director of Athletic Development at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Other stops along the way included 5 years at his alma mater, McNeese State University as Associate Athletic Director, and stints at Kent State University in Ohio, and Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. He started his career at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and earned his M.S. in Sports Administration in 1990 and spent 3 years as the Marketing Director. A native of southwest Louisiana, Kevin graduated from McNeese State University with a business degree in 1984. He is married to Kristy and they have 7 children and 7 grandchildren.
Darrell Picha
Darrell Picha is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with over 40 years of experience spanning corporate, creative, and non-profit sectors. As Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Darrell Picha Creative, he specializes in branding and strategic marketing for startups, small businesses, and mission-driven organizations. Darrell spent two decades as Creative Director at Halliburton, where he led global communications, corporate branding, and high-profile initiatives in partnership with executive leadership. His early career includes design and illustration roles at The Houston Post, building on a foundation in fine arts earned through a BFA from Lamar University. Now based in Wimberley, Texas, Darrell is deeply engaged in community service and continues to bring passion and creative vision to every project he undertakes.
Stephen Skeeter
As a member of the Symphony Executive Committee, Stephen is responsible for assisting on the overall growth and development of Symphony’s business in the Southwest US. He is also responsible for sourcing proprietary brokerage opportunities and works with business leaders to enhance Symphony’s client service strategies by minimizing a client’s overall cost of risk. Stephen has over 30 years of experience in P&L management, operations, industry/specialty service strategies, multinational, alternative risk and captive management insurance solutions. Prior to joining Symphony Risk Solutions, Stephen worked at Marsh USA, LLC. Stephen has been married to Beth for 33 years and has 4 children. He enjoys golf, tennis, traveling and spending time with family. Stephen serves on the Family Promise of Clear Creek board, a non-profit organization working to solve family homelessness. He is a steward with Friendswood Friends Church and a former Trustee of Houston Graduate School of Theology.
Dr. Sheila Taylor
Dr. Sheila Taylor is the owner of Sheila Taylor, CPA, a Texas-licensed CPA firm that provides tax compliance, planning and controversy services to small businesses and high-wealth individuals. Sheila has worked in senior management in public accounting with roles at Andersen, Deloitte and Touche and Baker Tilly. She also worked as a tax director for a materials company. Sheila was first elected to the Lewisville Independent School District’s Board of Trustees in 2022 and is now serving a second three-year term. Sheila serves as Board Secretary. She is a three-time breast cancer survivor who serves as a National Advocacy Ambassador for Susan G. Komen. She also volunteers with Community in Schools as a mentor. Sheila is a member of the National Charity League – Highland Village Legacy Chapter. She received a BBA in Accounting from Jackson State University, a Master of Science in Accounting from Purdue University – Global and a Doctorate in Education – Innovation and Leadership from Purdue University – Global.
Kimberly Wise
Kimberly D. Wise, MPH, MA, is an award-winning healthcare marketing communications leader, child advocate. Founder and president of Wise Health Communications. With more than 20 years of experience leading strategic communications for global healthcare companies, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations, Kim brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal conviction to every effort she supports. Kim has been a CASA Advocate in Dallas for nearly 10 years, chaired and served on the SISGI Group’s Beyond Good Ideas Foundation board for six years. Her commitment to CASA is rooted in both lived experience and a belief in the power of second chances. As a mother to a vibrant daughter and a mentor to many, she remains deeply committed to helping children in the foster system find safety, belonging, and hope. Kim holds dual bachelor’s degrees in communications and psychology, master’s degrees in public health and healthcare dispute resolution and is a certified mediator in TX.
