James R. Jesse resides in Burleson, Texas, and serves as the Executive Director of Education Opportunities Advancement Corporation (EOAC) Waco. With a decade of nonprofit leadership, James is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He brings extensive experience in addressing educational disparities and empowering underserved communities. James is honored to join Literacy Connexus as a board member.

Brent has over 30 years in public education, where he has served as teacher, principal, and recently Director of Human Resources. As a principal, Brent served a bilingual campus in the Lake Worth ISD and assisted in the district’s organization of Adult ESL classes for the community. Brent also volunteered as the accompanist for Chapel Choir (youth) at Broadway Baptist Church and sponsored mission tours for 25 years across America, Canada, and the UK.

Jacob lives in Fort Worth, Texas, and is the Vice President/CFO of The Nelrod Company, a national affordable housing consulting firm.  Working in partnerships with thousands of housing agencies across the nation, he understands the importance of literacy and how it directly affects communities.  He brings over 28 years of management and financial experience to his Treasurer position on the board.  Jacob is honored to have served on the board of Literacy Connexus since 2022. 

Fred retired from Texas Baptists in December 2024, where he served as Area Four Representative. His work included coaching, training, and strategic planning for churches. Previously, Fred was a missionary with the International Mission Board, serving 10 years in Brazil and 5 in Estonia, where he trained pastors, planted churches, and led social ministries. He also served as a Minister of Education in Texas and Mississippi churches.

Fred holds three master’s degrees: MDiv and MRE from SWBTS and an MHRD from Midwestern State University.

He and his wife Susan have two married children and five grandchildren.

More information coming soon.

Julie currently serves as the Director for Major Gifts for the Community Foundation of West Texas. She writes, “I am a native Lubbock girl who moved away as soon as I could and came back when I came to my senses! Fundraising, promotion, marketing, advertising, publishing, podcasting, and a little writing have paid the bills for the last 40 years in one way or another. Mostly another. I’ve only felt like I ever had 2 actual jobs because the rest of the time I’ve been so grateful to earn a living doing what I love. My extended family brings me great joy and, while too many of the people I love dearly are far, far away, I collect friends all over and see no reason to stop any time soon.”