ANRA - Key Persons
Cory Blaylock, of Lufkin, is the director of Workforce Partnerships at IPC, International.
She works to establish strategic partnerships that drive workforce development and economic growth.
Her most recent efforts focus on the growth of registered apprenticeship programs and career and technical education in an effort to develop a skilled workforce for electronics manufacturers across the United States. She is a board member of the Lufkin Education Foundation and the Texas Forest Country Partnerships.
Blaylock received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University and a Master of Science in Science Education from Montana State University.
Dale Morton, of Nacogdoches, is the pastor of New Life Christian Fellowship, but also served as the superintendent of Wells Independent School District for 19 years.
He is a member of the Texas Association of School Administrators and the Global Network of Christian Ministries. He is also a past president of the Area IX Ag. Teachers Association.
Mr. Morton received a bachelor's degree in agriculture and a master's degree in education from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Job Titles:
- Insurance Fund, Executive Committee Member
- Texas Council of Governments, Director
Erin Holloway, of Arp, is a financial advisor and owner at The Holloway Partnership. She previously served as a financial advisor and office manager at Texas Financial and Retirement.
She has earned multiple financial licenses and designations, including passing the Series 65 securities exam, making her an Investment Adviser Representative.
She is a current member of the Association of Independent Financial Advisors and a volunteer with the Junior League of Tyler.
Mrs. Holloway received a bachelor's degree in animal science and a master's degree in business from West Texas A&M University.
Francis Spruiell, of Center, is the regional president for the Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Garrison, and Timpson branches of Austin Bank Texas.
She has worked in the community banking industry for more than 30 years and has been responsible for the Nacogdoches office since it opened in 2001.
She is a member of the Texas Bankers Association, serves on the boards of the Nacogdoches Economic Development Executive Corporation and Solid Foundation, and is the current president of the Rotary Club of Nacogdoches.
She is active with the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and was elected as the Nacogdoches branch's Woman of the Year in 2016. She also served as a past chairman for both the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce and the Nacogdoches Medical Center Hospital Governing Board.
Mrs. Spruiell received an associate's degree in applied science from South Plains College and is a graduate of the Texas Tech School of Banking and Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.
Jenny Sanders, of Apple Springs, is an independent contractor specializing in wildlife and private lands conservation projects and initiatives in Texas.
She is a board member of the Texas Wildlife Association, Texas Forestry Museum, and the Apple Springs Independent School District. Additionally, she is a member of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Texas Forestry Association, and The Longleaf Alliance.
Sanders previously worked for the Texas Wildlife Association and Texas Agricultural Land Trust.
Sanders received a Bachelor of Science in Rangeland Ecology and Management and a Master of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University.
Jeremiah Poling, deputy general manager, has served the Authority since December 2009.
Initially, as an information technology generalist, he has worked diligently to maintain, modernize, and expand the Authority's electronic infrastructure to facilitate its goals and objectives. Mr. Poling also serves as the Authority's Chief Information Officer. Mr. Poling is also very involved in environmental monitoring, serving as the lead for the Authority's Clean Rivers Program and related efforts.
Prior to joining the Authority, Mr. Poling was the technology lead at Lufkin Printing Company for 10 years.
Mr. Poling, an East Texas native, resides just outside of Lufkin with his wife of more than 20 years and their two children.
Jody Anderson, of Lufkin, is the co-owner of Timberland Mobile Housing.
He serves on the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee and formally served as the executive director of the Texas Manufactured Housing Association, in Austin, Texas, for nearly three years.
Mr. Anderson received a bachelor's degree in business from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Job Titles:
- General Manager
- General Manager, Has Served the Authority since February 1991
Kelley Holcomb, general manager, has served the Authority since February 1991.
He began his career in the operations division by providing technical assistance and operation of water and wastewater systems throughout East Texas. He worked his way up the ranks and was appointed in November 2008 by the Board of Directors to become the Authority's 7th general manager.
As the Authority's chief executive officer, his duties include ensuring ongoing compliance with the policies adopted by the Authority's Board of Directors, as well as state and federal law. He also provides leadership by establishing employee development programs, goals and objectives that are geared toward accomplishing the mission and purpose, and guidance and direction in navigating an ever expanding regulatory environment.
He has dedicated his career to community service by serving on several local and state boards and advisory groups including:
Kimberly McRae Childs, of Nacogdoches, is the Dean in the College of Sciences and Mathematics, Executive Director of the STEM Research and Learning Center, and professor of mathematics at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Dr. Childs received her bachelor's degree in mathematics from Dallas Baptist University, master's degree in mathematics teaching from SFA, and her doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction/mathematics education from Texas A&M University.
She has taught mathematics at the high school, community college, and university levels, earning the rank of professor at SFA in 2005.
While at SFA, Dr. Childs has received the College Teaching Excellence Award and the SFA Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Childs serves as a mentor for the Texas Academic Leadership Academy and was accepted into the Harvard Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Management class of 2021.
Over the past 25 years, Dr. Childs has authored and directed grant-funded projects from the National Science Foundation, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Texas Education Agency for grant awards totaling over $14 million. She also played an integral role in the university's efforts to secure a $46.4 M Texas Revenue Bond that funded the construction of the new state-of-the-art Ed and Gwen Cole STEM Building at SFA.
Job Titles:
- Executive Manager, Communications
Kimberly joined the Angelina & Neches River Authority team as the communications director in February 2020.
Before joining ANRA, she spent the 10 years as a communications lecturer and director of the speech and debate program at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. She was awarded Adjunct Professor of the Year in 2011 and led the debate team to national and international success, competing all across the United States and in Germany in 2019.
An environmentally-conscious advocate, Kimberly serves as vice-president on the board of directors for Angelina Beautiful/Clean, is a Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful board member, and volunteers and coordinates with several other East Texas affiliates. She previously served on the Keep Tyler Beautiful board and was an integral part of Keep Tyler Beautiful receiving the Governor's Community Achievement Award in 2008.
She graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of North Texas and a master's degree in communication from Stephen F. Austin State University. She was inducted into Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership society, and was a finalist for Graduate Student of the Year.
She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, a certified Texas Master Naturalist (Longleaf Ridge Chapter), a Texas Water Specialist, and a Texas Stream Team trainer. She also serves on boards for the Texas Forest Country Partnership and the Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation, is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Nacogdoches and has recently been accepted into the 2026 Leadership Lufkin class.
Raised in Lufkin, Texas, Kimberly is an avid outdoor enthusiast, who recently discovered her "green thumb," and also enjoys traveling, crafting, horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, rescuing animals, and taking her husband, horse, goats, and many dogs on adventures.
Hopkins has experience in Texas Law and General Curriculum from his time with the Texas Department of Public Safety, attended the Southern Methodist University School of Banking, and has completed courses in Economic Development through the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service Basic Economic Development Program.
Tom Murphy, of Crockett, is retired from VHSC Cement.
He serves on the boards of the Texas Concrete Pavement Association and the Military Service Academies Board, District 8. He is also a member of the American Concrete Institute and the Associated General Contractors of America.
Mr. Murphy received his bachelor's degree in agriculture from Stephen F. Austin University and has additional coursework in geology, meteorology and finance from the University of Houston and Wharton School of Business.