The Board of Directors

President

Morgan Newman

Morgan was a Litigation Paralegal for 20 years before obtaining her real estate license. Last year she was nominated and awarded Best Realtor by The Huntsville Items Choice Awards for 2024. Morgan has served numerous local organizations over the years. She served on the PTO of Faith Lutheran School for 10 years and the Huntsville Junior Services League for many years. She continues her service with SHAC, known as the School Health Safety Advisory Committee for New Waverly ISD and is very involved in her local residential community, known as Elkins Lake. Where she actively participates in the Community Association and the Elkins Lake House Committee. She has truly enjoyed serving on the Good Shepherd Mission-Huntsville board for the past two years and is looking forward to a great year ahead!

In her spare time, she spends time with husband her two-girls at their cheerleading and volleyball games and most recently New Waverly Little Dribblers. Morgan picked up the title this year, Concession Stand Mom, where she is now helping the New Waverly Booster Club. They enjoy their yearly travels and her family are members at University Heights Baptist Church. Her oldest daughter has recently enjoyed attending youth at Zeal House. Morgan is passionate about serving others and her community and is grateful about continuing to do so!

Vice President

Bruce Parks

Bruce was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He has lived in multiple cities across the United States before retiring to Elkins Lake in Huntsville in 2017. He enjoys Huntsville’s small, college town vibe and central location to Houston, Dallas, and College Station. His spouse was involved in Christian ministry and counseling for 40 years. They have three children and seven grandchildren. He is an active member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Huntsville. We have a high energy Old Scotch Farm Collie from working, herding lines which is intelligent, and both lovable & aggravating at times. We enjoy reading, movies, cooking, hunting and exercise. Bruce holds a BS and MBA degree. He also holds a CPCU (Certified Property & Casualty Underwriter) and ARM (Associate in Risk Management) designation. He was employed by several insurance carriers in the commercial Property and Casualty insurance industry with which he held various corporate officer positions during his 45-year career. He participated in various state and national industry and legislative groups and organizations during his career. His skills are now utilized by serving the GSM as Vice President of the Board of Directors.

Secretary

Kathy Durham

Kathy came to Huntsville in 1996 after marrying William Durham who currently serves as the Walker County District Attorney and is a lifetime member of Huntsville. Kathy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who worked at Huntsville Memorial Hospital for five years until she transitioned in 2001 to Bayes Achievement Center. For the past 22 years she has been a therapist for children and adolescents in residential treatment helping them build resilience, learn new skills, and identify their personal value and potential purpose in life. Kathy is also a mother of two who both graduated from the Huntsville public school system. Her daughter graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and is in her first year of medical school at the University of Houston. Her son is a freshman in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. During their primary and high school years, Kathy spent much time volunteering at their schools in the classroom tutoring students in need, as a member of the PTO, and as a board member of various booster clubs for extra curricular activities. For leisure, Kathy enjoys all forms of exercise, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Member

Amanda Beeman

Amanda is originally from south Texas but moved to Huntsville to attend SHSU. She graduated in 2011 and 2015 and became a mental health counselor. She has served several local non-profit organizations as an advocate and volunteer. She is grateful to serve on the GSM Board of Directors several years after contributing to GSM as a Case Manager and Counselor Intern. She currently operates her own private practice from the comfort of her home where she homeschools her two young children. She is passionate about education and individualized learning practices. Amanda is a Ph.D student focused on Special Education with an interest in autism and neurodiversity. When she is not reading, learning, or teaching, she can be found outdoors exploring nature with her children. She believes fresh air, sunlight, and laughter can remedy any bad day. She is married to her best friend who enjoys life's great adventures in traveling to the finest U.S cities.

Member

Monica Bayes Criswell

Monica is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Program Director at Bayes Achievement Center. Beyond her professional endeavors, Monica is a devoted spouse and mother of two. Actively involved in the community, she serves on the Board of Directors of Rotary and contributes to the PTO at Faith Lutheran School. Monica enjoys traveling, church activities, and spending time with family in her spare time.

Member

Dee Howard

Dee served her second term as City Councilmember At Large #2, which ended November 2022. She was initially elected in 2018. Dee was born and raised in Huntsville and attended Sam Houston State University. She majored in Criminal Justice and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She later earned a Master of Art degree in Human Resource from Webster University. Dee’s career included positions as a Juvenile Parole Officer (Texas Youth Council), Juvenile Probation Officer (Harris County Juvenile Probation Department), U. S. Probation Officer (Southern & Western Districts of Texas). Following retirement, Dee was the Executive Director of a non-profit agency in San Antonio. Dee has served on numerous community boards and state commissions. She successfully completed Leadership Austin, Leadership Texas and Huntsville Leadership Institute (Walker County Chamber of Commerce) Class #39. Dee is proud a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority/Theta Epsilon SHSU, Huntsville Lions Club and First Baptist Church. Dee was recognized in 2020 by the Huntsville Item as one of Walker County Proud, served on the 2020 Arise2Read 5K Planning Committee and participant on the Huntsville 2023 MLK Program. She received the 2023 SHSU Alumni /Black Alumni & Friends Humanitarian Award. Dee is currently a freelance reporter for the Huntsville Item.

Member

Taylor Morrison

Taylor was born and raised in Huntsville, Texas and served at the Good Shepherd Mission throughout her childhood. Taylor earned her B.A. in Anthropology with Honors from the University of Texas at Austin and her M.A. in Applied Anthropology from the University of Denver. Her graduate work explored the lived experiences of women experiencing homelessness in Denver, Colorado. When Taylor relocated back to Huntsville in 2016, she was eager to serve her community using the knowledge and skills gained through her academic experiences. Taylor is Partnerships Coordinator for the Center for Community Engagement at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. In her role, she establishes and maintains relationships with local organizations to facilitate campus-community partnerships. After working with the Good Shepherd Mission on various community engagement projects, Taylor felt called to serve on the Board.