Foundation Staff

Lisa Crawford

Program Assistant

Email: lisacrawford@tlltemple.foundation

Lisa Crawford, Program Assistant for the foundation, provides support for the Program Officers. She grew up in East Texas and attended the Art Institute of Dallas. Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to new places, and never misses an opportunity to sing and dance. She finds passion leading her non-profit animal rescue sanctuary.

Lisa is honored to have the opportunity to work for the T.L.L. Temple Foundation which feeds her drive to change lives in her community. She strongly believes that serving others can make a difference.

Steve Jack, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Boggy Slough Conservation Area

Email: stevejack@tlltemple.foundation

Steve Jack is the founding executive director of the Boggy Slough Conservation Area. He came to East Texas after working over two decades at the Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichauway in Newton, Georgia. He has a bachelor’s degree from Erskine College in Due West SC, a master’s degree from University of Florida, and a doctoral degree from Utah State University.

Dr. Jack leads the foundation’s mission of establishing and using Boggy Slough as a touchstone of excellence in East Texas through three programs – research, conservation, and outreach – to promote the conservation and stewardship of natural resources in the region. The Foundation’s long-term impact on the environment in East Texas will be maximized through the nexus of these programs, positively affecting land management, ecosystem conservation, and environmentally sustainable policies in the future.

Steve has more than 25 years of experience in conservation and natural resource management. At the Jones Center from 1997-2019, his primary position was conservation ecologist where he worked to integrate the center’s research and resource management activities. Steve’s research and management interests include forest stand dynamics, silvicultural manipulations to achieve multiple objectives, and developing a better understanding for the ecological basis of uneven-aged silvicultural practices. He co-edited a book on the management and restoration of longleaf pine forests, served as a primary instructor for multiple workshops and short courses, and advised agencies and landowners in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. Prior to working at the Jones Center, Steve was an assistant professor in the Department of Forest Science at Texas A&M University.

Steve enjoys outdoor activities, reading, and working on projects around the house. He is active in multiple community organizations and his church.

 

Jerry Kenney

Program Officer, Education and Economic Opportunity

Email: jerrykenney@tlltemple.foundation

In the United States and across the globe, Jerry has developed solutions at the intersection of education and economic development within the academic, federal, and non-governmental sectors. Most recently, Jerry coordinated regional and national networks, led program initiatives, and created the essential guide and tools to accelerate the recovery and strengthen the resilience of the early education sector in the aftermath of disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic. He designed and directed the nation’s largest early education recovery program following Hurricane Harvey that provided assistance to more than 700 damaged child care providers and 32,000 young children across Greater Houston. Jerry led innovative child care resilience pilot programs, leveraging technology partnerships and local peer networks to strengthen business viability, build social capital, and increase emergency preparedness in low-income communities.

Jerry specializes in program design and development, particularly launching new organizational initiatives. He played a key role in establishing the Center on Conflict and Development at Texas A&M University as well as a Sub-Saharan Africa support office for agricultural research and extension programs. Jerry has coordinated breakthrough student experiential learning opportunities, including the Iraqi scholars program, an agricultural extension exchange for South Sudanese college graduates, and a capstone field research program to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Jerry has served as a lead representative in national-level policy and advocacy forums and conducted field research for several technical and advocacy reports. Jerry started with classroom teaching and community development as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia from 2007-2009. Based in the U.S., South Sudan, and South Africa, Jerry has worked for Save the Children, Collaborative for Children, World Vision, The Samaritan Inn, and Texas A&M University. He has a Master of International Affairs from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and a bachelor’s from Austin College.

Kevin Lambing, CMSgt (ret), USAF

Senior Program Officer, Health

Email: kevinlambing@tlltemple.foundation

Chief Master Sergeant retired Kevin Lambing is a 1983 graduate of Lufkin High School.

Kevin’s 30-plus-year career in the Air Force culminated in his service as the Senior Advisor to the Air Force Surgeon General.  In this role he defined, shaped, and executed health care policy in support of 45,000 personnel at 75 medical treatment facilities around the globe, ensuring a cost effective, patient-centered and prevention-based healthcare continuum for 2.6M beneficiaries.

He has an extensive clinical background in peace and wartime that includes Orthopedics, Dialysis, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine. From 2002 to 2005 he served as the EMT and HAZMAT consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General, and was on the Board of Directors for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Throughout his decorated career, he played a key role in many strategic and historic Department of Defense initiatives.  He has served around the globe in Europe, Asia and the middle east.

He earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from the Community College of the Air Force, Bachelor’s of Science degree from Wayland Baptist University, a Master’s of Business Administration degree from Webster University and has completed multiple prestigious leadership courses to include:  The Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, The Keystone Executive Leadership Course, National Defense University, Suffolk, Virginia, and the Gettysburg Leadership Experience, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Kevin has served his entire professional career and is humbled to be home serving in the East Texas communities that formed the foundation of his successful career.    His passions include teaching, hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time with family.  Kevin currently serves as an Adjunct Professor for the University of the Incarnate Word’s Health Sciences program.

He is married to his wife Sheliea of 35 years and they have 2 children, Noah (21) and Lydia (15).

Sylvia A. Leal, Ed.D.

Senior Program Officer–Education & Economic Development

Email:  sylvialeal@tlltemple.foundation

Sylvia A. Leal is a Senior Program Officer responsible for leading the Foundation’s Education and Economic Development initiatives.  She received an Associate in Arts Degree from Texas Southmost College in Brownsville, a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in School Administration from the University of Texas Pan American, and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston.

Sylvia’s career spans more than 30 years with experience in K-12 education as a bilingual teacher and as a curriculum specialist at Region One Education Service Center.  At Region One, she assisted educators across 38 school districts improve the teaching and learning capacity of students across South Texas as an Inclusion Specialist, a Science Specialist, and a GEAR UP Coordinator.  She has administrative experience at the university level where she served as Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and as Vice President of Enrollment at the University of Texas Brownsville and as Associate Vice President for Student Educational Outreach at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.  In that capacity she supervised various P-16 pre-college initiatives, federal grants, testing, and other student support services that supported first generation minority students to enter and succeed in higher education.

Dr. Leal has served on a number of boards and in community leadership positions.  She strongly believes that equitable quality education can transform the lives of students, their families, and their communities especially for diverse unrepresented students.  Sylvia continues her lifetime work to seek and develop innovative initiatives that increase the number of first generation students that obtain postsecondary credentials with labor market value.

Sylvia enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Tami Musick

Grants Manager

Email: tmusick@tlltf.org

 

Tami Musick works with the grants for the Foundation. Originally from Indiana, Tami enjoys water sports, gardening, and many other outdoor activities.

Tami said she loves working at the Foundation because it’s a job in which she can see she is making a difference in the lives of the people in the community.  From funding education/scholarships to feeding the hungry, the Foundation is making a huge impact for all of us in East Texas.

Kathy Parish

Office Manager/Receptionist

Email: kathyparish@tlltemple.foundation

Kathy is a native of Garrison, Texas and attended Angelina College and Stephen F. Austin State University. Kathy enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and cooking for friends and family gatherings at her home. Kathy loves working at the foundation because she gets to meet new people and be part of making a difference in communities across East Texas.

Wynn Rosser, Ph.D.

President & CEO

Email: wynnrosser@tlltemple.foundation

Wynn Rosser is President & CEO of the Foundation. Wynn earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Texas A&M University as well as an associate degree from Kilgore College.

Wynn’s awards and recognition include the H.S. Warwick Research Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation in the area of Alumni Relations and Educational Advancement and recognition as a Distinguished Former Student of Texas A&M University’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications. He also was awarded an honorary associate of arts degree from El Paso Community College.

He and his wife, Dr. Manda Rosser, are raising three children outside of the city limits. He enjoys reading, running, and cycling, and he is active in his church.

Wynn is committed to system-level changes – especially for low income and rural residents as well as to a regional approach to grant making and philanthropic leadership.

He is past chair of the Grantmakers for Education Board of Directors and is past chair of Philanthropy Advocates (formerly Texas Education Grantmakers Advocacy Consortium.) Wynn currently serves as a board member of the Texas Rural Funders and Texas 2036. He is also a lecturer in the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M.

Robert Sanders

Boggy Slough Conservation Area, Director of Forest & Wildlife Management

Email: rsanders@tlltf.org

Robert Sanders is the Director of Forest & Wildlife Management – Boggy Slough Conservation Area. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Forest/Wildlife Management from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Robert has received numerous awards, including the Eagle Scout – 1989; Lone Star Land Steward Award – Texas Parks & Wildlife – 2007;  Leopold Conservation Award – Sand County Foundation and Texas Parks & Wildlife – 2011; Texas Big Game Awards – Statewide Landowner of the Year – Texas Wildlife Association – 2012; Land Steward Award – Texas Chapter – The Wildlife Society – 2014-2015; and the Statewide Friend of Conservation Award – Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts – 2014

Robert enjoys all aspects of being outside, whether hunting, fishing, training Labrador retrievers, searching for shed antlers, exercising, or spending time with his two sons and wife Jenny.  The family is very adventurous and loves the piney woods of East Texas as well as traveling together and experiencing God’s creations throughout our incredible state, country and beyond.

He said growing up and having deep roots in East Texas has allowed him to realize how fortunate we all are to live in such a diverse ecological area of the U.S.  Because he spent the majority of his time outdoors growing up, he believes his life was transformed and molded into the person he is today through the outdoor experiences he was introduced to by his family and close mentors.

Robert said having the opportunity to work for the T.L.L. Temple Foundation allows him to manage the valuable forest, wildlife, and water resources while at the same time introducing a wide range of East Texans to the importance of conserving our natural resources through proven, up-to-date management strategies.  Giving back to the people of his hometown area and helping them to experience what he has been so fortunate to have learned over the years is very rewarding.

Laura L. Squiers

Senior Program Officer, Human Services, & Arts and Culture

Email: lsquiers@tlltf.org

Laura L. Squiers is a Senior Program Officer responsible for the Foundation’s health, human services, & arts and culture portfolio. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism with a Concentration in Public Relations from the University of Texas at Austin.

Serving and helping others is what motivates and inspires Laura.  She believes strongly in the work of nonprofits and the benefits they provide to all societal stakeholders.  Working in the field of philanthropy allows Laura to assist in the support of organizations whose mission it is to change lives.

She has served on the boards of many different nonprofits and managed one as Executive Director. Serving and helping others is what motivates and inspires her.  She believes strongly in the work of nonprofits and the benefits they provide to all societal stakeholders.  Working in the field of philanthropy allows Laura to assist in the support of organizations whose mission it is to change lives.

Laura enjoys reading, cross-stitching and traveling with her family.