Meet TSAE’s New Board Members

Our new board members were installed at a board meeting on June 20. They will officially be recognized in September at the New Ideas Annual Conference in Houston.

SANDRA J. BENCH,
CMP, CASE

Director, Business Development
Freeman

Sandy Bench, CMP, CASE has been in the hospitality and events industry for nearly 20 years, starting her career as a meeting and incentive planner, then moving to destination sales. In her current role at Freeman, she oversees the sales team for San Antonio, Austin and Houston. In addition to TSAE, Sandy is a member of Professional Convention Managers Association, International Association of Exhibitions and Events, and Society of Incentive Travel Executives, where she served as president of the Texas Chapter in 2009. She is an active volunteer for the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, an avid golfer, and is a member of Executive Women’s Golf Association. She enjoys traveling and running and has completed seven half marathons.

JENNIFER MITCHELL CANADAY, CAE

Governmental Relations Director
Association of Texas Professional Educators

Jennifer Mitchell Canaday, CAE has worked since 2004 as a member of the lobby team of Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE), the country’s largest independent educators’ association representing 100,000 members statewide. Before moving to Texas, Jennifer was Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Louisiana Dental Association. Her diverse professional background also includes previous work in state government roles and as a legal researcher and writer, law office manager, campaign consultant, and television spokesperson. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication from Louisiana State University, where she was also a fellow of the LSU Academy of Politics.

RENITA FONSECA, CAE, CMP

Executive Director
Texas Radiological Society

Renita Fonseca, CAE, CMP is passionate about the association industry where she has spent her entire 20-year career. As the sole employee and Executive Director of the Texas Radiological Society (TRS) for 15 years, she has enjoyed working with all aspects of association management from board governance to strategic planning, meeting planning to program development, budgeting to daily operations, membership to marketing and more. Under her leadership, TRS has increased its financial assets by $1.33 million, established a PAC and foundation, and implemented a successful governance restructure. Renita is passionate about travelling, and she and her husband Joaquin enjoy taking adventurous overseas trips each year. She also enjoys the outdoors, fitness and dancing.

JODI ANN RAY

President & CEO
Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants

Jodi Ann Ray joined the Texas Society of CPAs as President & CEO in 2017. She has more than 24 years of experience in association management and most recently served as Vice President of Membership and Volunteer Experience for Meeting Professionals International, where she was responsible for governance, as well as chapter operations, membership and member services. Prior to her work with MPI, Jodi Ann served as the CEO of several chambers of commerce in Connecticut, North Carolina and Texas. She is a graduate of Fairfield University and is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and the CPA Society of Executives Association. Jodi received her Institute for Organization Management designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband Joey live in Celina with their five children and three mini dachshunds.

LINSAE SNIDER

Executive Director
Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA)

Linsae Snider has served as Executive Director of the Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) since July 2010. She is a retired school administrator, having served Texas public education for 31 years. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Tech University, as well as a mid-management certification. During her tenure, TSPRA membership has increased 30 percent with an operating budget increase of 52 percent and an annual conference attendance increase of 70 percent. Lindsae has been a member of TSAE since 2010, a member of the 2014 Leadership TSAE class and served on the TSAE Magazine Planning Committee. Snider currently serves as a district judge for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. Her hobbies include supporting Texas Tech athletics and events, jogging/walking, traveling, supporting Texas public education, and anything that involves having funVANESSA STEWART, CMP

VANESSA STEWART, CMP

Regional Director of Sales – Texas
VisitDallas

With a nearly lifelong passion for hospitality, Vanessa Stewart, CMP has enjoyed her career of 25 years in the conventions industry. From her start as a banquet server to her rise as Director of Sales, she has represented hotels of all sizes and is a believer in spreading the light and warmth of hospitality. Since joining VisitDallas in 2012, she has served on several committees for TSAE, MPI and Southwest Showcase.  Personally, she devotes volunteer time to Keep Austin Fed and her church’s Cook & Bake Ministry.  While residing in Austin, she enjoys time with family, gardening, hiking and kayaking.

2018-2019 Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

CHAIR
Theresa Parsons, CAE, CMP
Executive Director
Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education
Austin, TX

CHAIR-ELECT
Tracy Tomson, CAE
Executive Director
Restaurant Facility Management Association
Plano, TX

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
Christopher Williston, VI, CAE
Chief Operations Officer
Independent Bankers Association of Texas
Austin, TX

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Steven Stout, CAE
Executive Director
Texas Society of Association Executives
Austin, TX

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joe Bedsole, CTA
Director of State Accounts
Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau
Austin, TX

Sandra J. Bench, CMP, CASE
Director, Business Development
Freeman
San Antonio, TX

Jennifer Mitchell Canaday, CAE
Governmental Relations Director
Association of Texas Professional Educators
Austin, TX

Jennifer Cawley, JD
Executive Director
Texas Association of Life & Health Insurers
Austin, TX

Alicia Dover, CAE
Executive Director
Associated Plumbing Heating & Cooling Contractors of Texas
Buda, TX

LaChelle Evans, CTA, CSEE
National Sales Manager
Frisco Convention & Visitors Bureau
Frisco, TX

Renita Fonseca, CAE, CMP
Executive Director
Texas Radiological Society
Austin, TX

Devorah Jakubowsky, CAE
Associate Director
Texas Veterinary Medical Association
Austin, TX

Tiffany McGee, CAE
CEO
Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Austin, TX

Tim Niedecken, CAE
Executive Director, Association Services
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers
Fort Worth, TX

Jodi Ann Ray
President & CEO
Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
Dallas, TX

Kim Schoppert
Chief Administrative Officer & Assistant to the Executive VP
Texas Land & Title Association
Austin, TX

Linsae Snider
Executive Director
Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA)
Austin, TX

Vanessa Stewart, CMP
Regional Director of Sales – Texas VisitDallas
Dallas, TX

Megan Woodburn, CAE
Founder & CEO
Strategic Association Management
(Fulfilling vacant one-year term)

We thank our outgoing Board members for their volunteer service to TSAE. These members will be honored in September at the New Ideas Annual Conference in Dallas.

JJ Colburn, CAE (Past Chair)
President & Partner, Strategic
Association Management

Paul Bellantone, CAE
President and CEO, Promotional Products Association International

Rick Bondurant, CAE
Market President, Austin Region & Statewide P&C Lead, Frost- Banking, Investments, Insurance

Lori Gracey, CAE
Executive Director, TCEA

Charles Popper
President, The Wyman Company

Gloria Terry
CEO, Texas Council on
Family Violence

Meg Winchester, CMP, CTA
Director, Galveston Island CVB