ABOUT NETWORK

Network of Community Ministries is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization with a service area that encompasses the entirety of the 14 zip codes within RISD.

Founded in 1985, Network began during an economic downturn when several churches and community organizations came together to form an alliance to assist families in need.

Network is a non-denominational, community-based organization serving over 32,000 individuals through over 241,000 units of service. Current programming includes:

  • Basic Needs Assistance
  • Mobile Food Pantry
  • Seniors’ Net
  • Pampillonia Stabilization Programs
  • Mental Health Services

Our Stakeholder Partners

  • All Saints Catholic Church 
  • Altrusa International, Inc. of Richardson
  • Arapaho United Methodist Church
  • Baha’i Faith of Richardson
  • Big Springs Baptist Church
  • The Bridge Church
  • Calvary Chapel Church
  • Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church
  • CARE Church
  • Central Christian Church
  • Chase Oaks Church
  • Christ Community
  • Christian World Family Church
  • City of Richardson
  • Community Christian Church
  • Concordia Lutheran Church
  • Congregation Beth Torah
  • Cornerstone Family Church
  • The Dialogue Institute
  • Eastside Community Church
  • Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
  • First Baptist Church Richardson
  • First Baptist of Hamilton Park
  • First Church of Christ, Scientist
  • First Presbyterian Church Richardson
  • First United Methodist Church Richardson
  • Forest Meadow Baptist Church
  • Grace Church Lake Highlands
  • Hamilton Park United Methodist Church
  • The Heights Baptist Church
  • IANT – Islamic Association of North Texas
  • King of Glory Lutheran Church
  • Kiwanis Club of Richardson
  • Lake Highlands United Methodist Church
  • Messiah Lutheran Church
  • North Garland Baptist Fellowship
  • North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship
  • NorthPark Presbyterian Church
  • Park Cities Baptist Church
  • Preston Highlands Baptist Church
  • Restoration Anglican Church
  • Richardson 7th Day Adventist
  • Richardson Church of the Nazarene
  • Richardson East Baptist Church
  • Richardson East Rotary Club
  • Richardson Independent School District
  • Richardson Rotary Club
  • Richardson Woman’s Club
  • Saint Barnabas Presbyterian Church
  • Spring Valley United Methodist Church
  • Springcreek Church
  • St. Joseph Catholic Church
  • St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
  • St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
  • Temple Shalom
  • Trinity Fellowship Church
  • United Disciples Christian Church
  • Woodcreek Church

All Saints Catholic Church
Altrusa International, Inc. of Richardson
Arapaho United Methodist Church
Baha’i Faith of Richardson
Big Springs Baptist Church
Calvary Chapel Church
Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church
CARE Church
Central Christian Church
Chase Oaks Church – Richardson Campus
Christian World Family Church
City of Richardson
Community Christian Church
Concordia Lutheran Church
Congregation Beth Torah
Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
First Baptist Church Richardson
First Baptist of Hamilton Park
First Church of Christ, Scientist
First Presbyterian Church Richardson
First United Methodist Church Richardson
Forest Meadow Baptist Church
Hamilton Park United Methodist Church
IANT – Islamic Association of North Texas
King of Glory Lutheran Church
Kiwanis Club of Richardson
Lake Highlands United Methodist Church
Lake Pointe Church – Richland
Messiah Lutheran Church
North Garland Baptist Fellowship
North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship
NorthPark Presbyterian Church
Northrich Baptist Church
Park Cities Baptist Church
Preston Highlands Baptist Church
Restoration Anglican Church
Richardson 7th Day Adventist
Richardson Church of the Nazarene
Richardson East Baptist Church
Richardson East Rotary Club
Richardson Rotary Club
Richardson Woman’s Club
Saint Barnabas Presbyterian Church
Scofield Memorial Church
Spring Valley United Methodist Church
Springcreek Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
Temple Shalom
The Heights Baptist Church
Trinity Fellowship Church
United Disciples Christian Church
Woodcreek Church

Meet Our Board

2023-2024 Board Officers

For more than 30 years, Marta Gómez Frey has helped grow businesses and communities. From her beginnings in a family business to her current work with entrepreneurs through the Collin Small Business Development Center, she has advised 100’s of local organizations in the areas of marketing, financing, growth strategies, process improvement, and proposal writing. As a community advocate, Marta served on the City of Richardson City Council – Place 5, Richardson City Plan Commission, and the Richardson Charter Review Committee. She serves as the Governance Chair of the Methodist Richardson Medical Center Foundation board, past Board Chair for the Leadership Richardson Alumni Association (LR Class XXVI), and is on the Board of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce. Marta moved to Richardson in 1976 and attended Dartmouth Elementary, Hamilton Park Elementary, Apollo Junior High, and Berkner High School. Marta is a graduate of Texas A&M University and is the proud mother of two sons, Alex and Noah.

 

Messina received her undergraduate degree from the University of Tulsa – spending her last year abroad in Germany. She went on to earn a juris doctor from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. After completing her 14 years of service at the Dallas District Attorney’s in 2015, Messina made the strategic move to criminal defense. A capable leader in a tumultuous time, Messina was voted by her peers in 2014 as Prosecutor of the Year. She was the youngest attorney ever appointed to the role of First Assistant to the DA in Dallas County, overseeing approximately 220 attorneys and nearly 500 total employees. During that time, Messina helped create the Reformative Justice Unit, which is the nation’s largest DA-driven diversion unit, as well as the DA in Schools program, which helps build relationships between law enforcement and at-risk youth. She currently serves as the Criminal Law Chair for the Dallas Bar Association. Awards and Service Positions:• D Best, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021• Super Lawyers, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021• Top 100 National Trial Lawyers• Criminal Law Chair, Dallas Bar Association• Board Member Trial Skills Section, Dallas Bar Association.

Messina is married to Anthony Pampillonia. They live in Richardson with their three children and two dogs.

 

 

Charlie has lived in Richardson for 34 years; the president and owner of United Benefits, Inc., a group of life insurance companies also in Richardson. He is a graduate of Rice University with a BA in mathematical science and economics. A certified actuary (Fellow of the Society of Actuaries – FSA) and investment analyst (Chartered Financial Analyst – CFA). Member of First United Methodist Church of Richardson. Charlie and wife Helen, celebrating 39 years of marriage, have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Hobbies include golf and writing.

 

Heather Hurd is a Business Banker and Vice President at Frost Bank in Richardson. She has been with Frost for 20 years, beginning her career in Fort Worth before moving to the Richardson area. Her focus at Frost is small business lending. Heather was recognized for providing exceptional service during PPP by going above and beyond for the customers.

Heather earned her BA in Finance from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT, and her MBA from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, TX.

Heather has been tremendously involved in the non-profit community, including time spent in her hometown of Bethel, Connecticut and she jumped into the community when she arrived in the Dallas/Richardson/Garland area. She was nominated for Altrusa’s Outstanding Women of Today in 2017 and part of Leadership Richardson Class 32 also in 2017.

Heather has a passion for education, kids and empowering others. She is currently at Board member and past President of the Boys and Girls Club of Richardson, 2018 to today, and a Board member of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, 2020 to today.

Heather brings her connecting skills, financial literacy, and sense of adventure to her various roles in the community. She is a very active partner in the Richardson community and always finds ways to become involved and help others.

Heather and her husband, Ronnie, enjoy their country life together raising cattle on their east Texas farm. She is also a dog mom to Pebble’s, a mini Aussie.

Monica Scott has recently moved back to Richardson proper, but has lived in or near Richardson for over 50 years. She is a product of RISD schools and a graduate of University of Texas at Dallas with both an undergraduate degree in Finance and Economics and again with an MBA. She graduated from Leadership Richardson and has been heavily involved in that organization as a curriculum advisor and Alumni Association board member. She is a member of the Richardson East Rotary and serves on the RISD Excellence in Education Foundation, Richardson Symphony and Canyon Creek Homeowners Association Boards. Professionally, she and her family own and operate an embroidery and promotional product business. Personally, she is married to Glenn with a blended family including Taylor, Shelby, Cole and Garrett.

After leaving her position as a Vice President in the mortgage industry, Linda began her second career as a volunteer. She has served on the church council, coordinated for Meals on Wheels and delivered for them. Linda is also a Stephens Minister. She has served as president of the Network Board and has volunteered in almost every capacity at Network since 1990.
 
Board of Directors

Beril Berk is an Attorney-at-Law working in the DFW area. Prior to being licensed in the US, she worked as a corporate attorney in Istanbul for 15 years. She is a member of the Dialogue Institute of Dallas, a local non-profit organization located in Richardson, Texas, and leads the “Serve Together Committee” thereof.

 

She has a diverse experience in non-profits by serving the community also in Henderson, Nevada for 5 years before moving to the DFW area. She graduated from Leadership Richardson Class XXXVIII. She became an ambassador for the City of Richardson’s “Envision Richardson” program. She is also volunteering for the Women in Leadership Committee of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce. She holds a master’s degree in law from Nottingham Law School in Nottingham, UK. She is married and has two boys and a cat. She enjoys history, good books, traveling, and movie nights with her family.

CJ has lived in Richardson and its school district since 1955.  Currently, he lives in far north Dallas with his wife of 53 years, Joy. He is a graduate of RISD schools and the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in economics and finance. Presently he is semi-retired serving as Chairman Emeritus of Capital Ideas, a money management firm he founded in 1984. He remains fully active as a partner of Alliance Financial a stock brokerage firm he helped found in 2008.

Ten years ago, he gave up his hobby and retired completely from SMU, where he enjoyed teaching investing and financial planning for 35 years. He served for many years on the board of

St. John’s Episcopal School where he helped advise on matters related to its rapid growth. He and Joy are members of Richardson’s First United Methodist Church where he served on the finance committee advising on budget and fund-raising issues. In his leisure time he enjoys working out and reading about new investment ideas.

Warren Caldwell is a born and raised Richardson kid who threw a Richardson Daily News paper route, sometimes on a unicycle. It was a magic time spent climbing on the rocket at Heights Park, eating at Pizza Villa and buying Beatles albums at Sound Town in Promenade Shopping Center. When we skinned our knee, we rubbed dirt into it and carried on. A product of Richardson schools, for the last 20 years Warren has served as an independent Real Estate Broker and Realtor who operates his own firm, Homes North Texas. He is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Warren is the President of the Canyon Creek Homeowner’s Association and is a Graduate of Inside RISD, the Richardson Citizen’s Police Academy, the Richardson Citizen’s Fire Academy, Richardson CARES and Leadership Richardson Class XXXII. Warren currently serves as an Advisor and Curriculum Coordinator for Leadership Richardson. He previously served as a Director on the Board of the Richardson Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association. He participated as a member of a Strategic Action Team tasked to create a Plan to guide the Richardson Independent School District into the next decade. Warren also serves on the Business Program Advisory Committee at Richland College. He is deeply involved in the Boy Scouts of America serving in many different capacities including Quartermaster. Warren was privileged to be tapped out for Order of the Arrow and sits regularly on Eagle Scout Review Boards. Warren and his wife Laura recently celebrated their 34th Anniversary and have a son (Wyatt) who is an Eagle Scout and Fighting Texas Aggie Engineering Graduate. The Caldwells share their home with 2 rescue dogs and a one-eyed dratted cat.

Kristen Ceaser was born and raised in Richardson, and after living in Colorado and Georgia for several years, she and her family moved right back to Richardson.

Kristen is the Director of Communications at First United Methodist Church Richardson where she’s been on staff for 13 years. She leads a talented team that plans and creates everything from worship bulletins to a children’s celebration video to a quarterly magazine. She’s driven by connecting with people, storytelling, and building bridges for a greater good.

Kristen is passionate about serving in the community and supporting those caring for our neighbors. She’s been on the Board of Directors for HEROES, and she currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Richardson Adult Literacy Center along with recently joining Network of Community Ministries.

She was part of Leadership Richardson Class XXX and is honored to have served in several different roles with LRAA, including class representative and publicity chair. She’s most recently served on the Leadership Richardson Advisory Board and is a “ROC” to the current class.

Kristen received her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Texas Tech University and her master’s in Communication Studies from the University of Colorado. She and her husband, Ken, have three children. Natasha and Nico are RISD graduates and successfully adulting in Tampa and Denver. And the baby, Brooklyn, is a junior at JJ Pearce. She loves spending time outside, visiting new places, reading a good book, and at the end of the day, having a binge-worthy show to watch.

David Dugger is a Financial Planner and Partner at WDW Financial. After growing up in Richardson, David graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accounting. David spent four years with the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers prior to joining his current firm in 2000. He has been a CPA since 1996 and a CFP since 2002. David was a member of the Board of Directors of iGoGlobal, a Christian missions organization from 2004-2018 and he and his family are involved in their church. David and his wife have a daughter in college, a son in high school and two crazy rescue dogs. He spends his free time enjoying travel, the outdoors and live music.

Manasseh Durkin is a second-generation contractor with more than 15 years of experience in every aspect of commercial and residential construction management. As President of Durkin Enterprises, Manasseh has cultivated lasting relationships with both private clients and developers, leading to the company’s involvement in more than a quarter million square feet of commercial and residential tenant finish-outs, commercial amenities, and single-family residential build-outs in 2018 alone. Manasseh also helms Durkin Properties, a Richardson, Texas-based firm that focuses on adding value to assets and communities by purchasing and improving promising properties. In addition, Manasseh is the founder of Cityline Property Management. This gives him unique perspectives on the real estate life cycle, from new construction to managing tenant relationships. Manasseh is quick to credit mentors for his expertise and to offer advice to colleagues with the mindset that conducting business with generosity and integrity leads to shared success. Manasseh moved his family to Richardson in 2013, and quickly became personally and professionally involved in the surrounding community, devoting time and support to a number of organizations that promote its economic and cultural growth. He is a committee member of Richardson Real Heroes, an organization honoring the silent generosity of community members who serve others and is an Executive Committee member of the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. A Vice Chairman of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, Manasseh was named the 2018 Volunteer of the Year.
 

Dr. Melissa Heller currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Strategy and Engagement for the Richardson Independent School District. In her role she supports the district strategic plan, as well as all internal and external communications, and Community and Family Engagement efforts for the district. She previously served as the Executive Director for Professional Learning and has had the opportunity to lead and serve in RISD since 2016. Previously, she worked in Wylie ISD supporting staff development and instructional technology staff training since 2004. Melissa graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Consumer and Family Sciences. She received her Master’s in Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University and recently completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership, also from DBU. Melissa has been active in civic work as part of her professional career, including having previously served as the Chair of the Wylie Chamber of Commerce and active in the local Rotary club. She is also a proud graduate of Leadership Richardson Class 37. She is a proud mom to a son who attends RISD schools and is also a local Richardson ISD resident. She is excited to serve as part of the Board to support the important work and services that Network provides to the greater Richardson community.

Jane graduated with a BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M and earned a Graduate Marketing Certificate from SMU.  Her career in marketing and communications has spanned Fortune 500 companies, founder/owner of a marketing consulting firm and non-profit agencies serving the North Texas Community. She is currently working as the Global Vice President of Marketing for C&D Technolgy/ Trojan Battery Company, a multinational corporation in the telecommunications electronics equipment market. She is a graduate of Leadership Richardson class of XXXII.  Jane and her husband Paul have 2 children and are long-time residents of Richardson.

Jason has lived in Richardson for 34 years and is a graduate of Dallas Jesuit. Jason currently serves as the National Head of Hospitality for Embark which is a financial consulting firm based in Dallas. A certified public accountant who spent a total of 13 years at EY and Deloitte before joining Embark. Member of First United Methodist Church of Richardson. Jason and wife Sara have been married for 15 years and have 3 children who attend Canyon Creek Elementary in RISD.

Kathy Rogers is the Owner/Operator of Nothing Bundt Cakes – Richardson since 2016, and has been involved with that company since 2011. She is also Business Manager of Design Concepts and Graphics from 2001 to the present. Kathy is an alumna of Louisiana Tech University with both a BA and MPA in Accounting and a graduate of Leadership Richardson class of XXXIII. She was awarded the Richardson Chamber of Commerce Newcomer Award and has received the WOW Award for top customer service from Nothing Bundt Cakes, both in 2018. Kathy is currently active in her church and the Richardson Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador. She and her husband Bryan have three grown children and 2 grandchildren.

Kathleen Sotomayor is originally from Guatemala City, Guatemala. She is the Missions Minister at The Heights Church in Richardson, Texas. She has served with The Heights for 2 years and has a background in missions and business. Kathleen is an alumna of the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR with a BA in Marketing and Management. She is also an alumna of Dallas Baptist University with an MA in Global Leadership. 


Kathleen enjoys interacting with people from different backgrounds and contexts. She not only enjoys making global and local connections but to see them bear fruit.

Lindsay Turman has led the Community Services Division for the City of Richardson for the past 7 years; she began her career with the City 14 years ago. Lindsay grew up in small-town west Texas and obtained her BFA in Acting from Texas Tech University prior to receiving her MA in Theatre from Texas Woman’s University. She also graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with her Masters in Public Administration.

 

During her career, Lindsay has enjoyed working with citizens and leaders of the Richardson community to ensure it remains a vibrant place to live. She is a graduate of Leadership Richardson Class XXXV, the former Secretary for the Richardson YMCA, and now serves as the President of the Neighborhood Engagement and Revitalization Alliance for North Texas.

Lindsay is the proud mom to an amazing 6th grader named Jonah and four sweet puppy girls.

Abigail “Abbie” Kauffman brings more than a decade of diverse experience in nonprofit and higher education to Network of Community Ministries. She began her full-time career as a Development Officer in the University of Texas System in Odessa, Texas, and found in her passion in social services as Development Director for Centers for Children and Families in Midland/Odessa. Abbie returned home to Dallas in 2015, where she joined the staff of Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas as Director of Communications, and later Director of Development. Most recently, Abbie served as Catholic Charities Dallas’ Director of Special Projects and Information Services and CitySquare’s Senior Director of Strategy, where she worked across the organization focusing on program sustainability, metrics alignment, and collaborative partnerships. Abbie holds both a Master and Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Oklahoma where she held positions in the Center for Applied Social Research, Department of Communication, and Graduate College. In her volunteer time, she serves as a member of the Junior League of Dallas and is involved in her Richardson neighborhood. She loves sparkling water, fly fishing, a good book, and spending time with her family.

Don Magner’s service as City Manager began March 1, 2022. As City Manager, Magner is responsible for the coordination and oversight of the activities of all City departments. His staff leads the financial and budget management process for the City and directs the City’s planning efforts. His staff also conducts research, develops policies and evaluates potential public programs in accordance with direction provided by the City Council.

Magner began working for the City in 1996. His service includes time in the Human Resources, Building Inspection, Community Services and Development Services departments. While serving in these capacities, he was instrumental in the development of the City’s first Neighborhood Integrity and Vitality Strategy, which includes many of the City’s neighborhood revitalization and engagement programs and services still active today. Magner moved to the City Manager’s Office in 2012, where he has held positions as Deputy City Manager, First Assistant City Manager and Assistant City Manager.

Magner earned a Master of Arts from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics from the University of Texas at Dallas. He is also a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin’s Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs’ Public Executive Institute, the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service’s Leading, Educating and Developing (LEAD) Program, and the North Central Texas Council of Government’s New & Emerging City Managers Program.

Magner is a graduate of Leadership Richardson Class XX, the Richardson Citizens Police Academy, the Richardson Citizens Fire Academy and Leadership North Texas Class 10. He is an active member of the International City Management Association, the Texas City Management Association, the North Texas City Management Association, the International Economic Development Council and the Urban Land Institute.

Magner serves on the Methodist Richardson Medical Center Advisory Board and the Advisory Council for the University of Texas at Dallas. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the North Texas Commission and Ex-Officio Board of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Richardson Advisory Board.

Magner is the fifth person to be named to the position of city manager since the City’s adoption of a council-manager form of government in 1956.

Chief Gary L. Tittle began his career with the Richardson Police Department in March 2018 as a Captain and was promoted to Chief in 2021. Prior to that time, Gary spent over 30 years with the Dallas Police Department where he held every rank through Assistant Chief. During his Dallas tenure, Chief Tittle was responsible for numerous work groups to include the Strategic Deployment Bureau, which includes SWAT, Traffic, Love Field, Gang and the Criminal Intelligence Unit. He also oversaw the Patrol Bureau and Narcotics Bureau. As a Captain for the Richardson Police Department, Chief Tittle has served as commander of Support Division to include Communications, Detention, Crime Scene, and Property & Evidence and the Operations Bureau that included Patrol and Investigations. In 2019, during the 86th Texas Legislative Session, Gary represented the Chief of Police regarding criminal justice related matters, a role he has fulfilled since 2007. Chief Tittle has a Bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University and a Master’s in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management from Sam Houston State University. He has also completed the Lieutenant Leadership Series at the Caruth Police Institute and is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy and the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police.

* Indicates Ex-Officio Member

Meet Our Staff

Leadership Team

Abbie Kauffman

President & CEO

Tina Floyd

Chief Development Officer

Lee Ann Mills

Chief Financial Officer

Laurel Stanley Abihabib

Chief Programs Officer

Amanda_Portrait

Amanda Pels

Chief Strategy Officer

Our Staff

Eve Diaz

Building Engineer

Debbie Cox

Development & Events Specialist

Ben Jones

Marketing Coordinator

Charlie Ray

Food Market Manager

DeAndre Greer

Food Programs Assistant

Raymi Vasquez

Stabilization Coach

Samantha Methvin

Staff Accountant

Caroline Taglioli

Manager of Volunteers & Community Engagement

Kensey Methvin

Programs Coordinator

Roberto Perez Ortega

Warehouse and Mobile Market Manager

Patricia Rosa

Clothing Closet Coordinator

Holly Packer, LMSW

Clinician I

Ashley Gonzales

Clinical Case Manager

Ashley Edling

Assistant Director of Development

Rachel Herrera

Database Coordinator

Victoria Brizuela

Neighbor Intake Coordinator

Steve Wade

Food Programs Assistant

Jane Kovacs

Seniors’ Net Coordinator

Heather Chadwick, LMSW

Clinician I

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