BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Photo pending.

Biography and photo pending

Linda Burton is a retired executive with more than 40 years experience in Broadcasting, Business Development, Marketing and Healthcare. She has a bachelor’s in Journalism and MBA in Healthcare Administration. Ms Burton has managed to be particularly effective by bringing together the operations of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations to achieve shared objectives. She is currently the Chair of the City of Buda Task Force on Aging and is one of the founders of the Buda Police Foundation. She is part of the SALSA team in a Returnship program for the San Antonio Area Foundation. A returnship is an internship for older adults who are seeking to reenter the workforce in a different line of work or to learn something new. Her interests are Ageism, Reframing Aging and Aging in Place.

A graduate from Southwest Texas State University with a Bachelor's degree in Education and a minor in Mathematics. Also, a Master’s degree in Administration- Curriculum & Instruction from Lamar University. I am a retired Educator of 30 years experience as a Middle School Math Teacher, Elementary School Math Interventionist, Assistant Principal, Lead District Instructional Coach, and Coordinator of Professional Development in Hays CISD. 

I have served in the Buda community as a member and chairperson of the Historical Preservation Commission for 4 years. I participated and completed the Buda Citizen’s Academy (class 2018) and the Citizen’s Police Academy (class 2021). 

I believe it is important to be engaged and an active participant in the community where you live. Buda is a fast growing community in which I enjoy the many restaurants, shops, and parks in the downtown area

John Ellis is a retired educator with over 25 years in education. He holds a bachelor’s science degree in Industrial Arts Education from Southwest Texas State University. In addition, he has a master’s degree in Educational Technology Leadership from Lamar University. Mr. Ellis has a diverse background in career and technical education (CTE) as a CTE teacher, statewide CTE coordinator, educational consultant, and teacher mentor. He has served the City of Buda as a planning and zoning commissioner, a graduate of the Buda Citizen’s Academy, and the Citizen’s Police Academy.  

Freddy Erdman has worked for the Buda Police Department for six years and has been a sworn Peace Officer in Texas since 2014. Officer Erdman holds degrees in Criminal Justice Administration and Sociology.  He also holds a TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) Advanced Peace Officer certificate and is a TCOLE Certified Crime Prevention specialist (CCPS).  Officer Erdman joined Law Enforcement with 15 years of experience as a private-sector executive protection and security specialist.  He now serves as the program lead for the Buda Police Department’s first Community Affairs Division and department liaison to the Buda Police Foundation.  The Community Affairs Division’s primary task is building partnerships with the community to meet current and future challenges together.  This is accomplished through focused efforts in crime prevention, outreach and community relations functions.

For more than 20 years, Sandra Bryant has demonstrated strong passion, commitment, and leadership in serving her community. Her insight and ability to connect with children, parents (guardians), taxpayers, professionals, and elected officials has proven to be extremely advantageous to Hays County.

She served as the first elected African American Trustee on the Hays CISD School District from 2011 – 2017. She was elected twice as Vice President and Secretary of the School Board. Throughout her term, Sandra stayed connected to her communities by visiting all 22 schools and volunteering on numerous committees. Realizing the need for information to be disseminated across the district and to keep parents and guardians involved, Ms Bryant founded the Keeping Communities Connect (KCC) in 2011. She serves as its CEO/President and oversees mentoring services, the scholarship program and counseling for the nonprofit organization.

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Sandra Bryant is a first-generation college graduate, obtaining her Master Degree in Human Service Counseling: Marriage/Family Community Care, & Counseling from Liberty University, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at Texas State University and Associates Degree in Law Enforcement from Austin Community College. She currently works at University of Texas.

Ms Bryant was recognized by the City of Buda, as being a vital part of creating the First Black History Month Community Celebration. She was also honored for her contributions as a community advocate in the City of Buda and received the Black History Proclamation in the month of February 2020. 

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She is currently the President of Summer Pointe HOA, Chair and one of the founders of Buda Police Foundation, Membership Chair of the World Class Centennial Lions Club of Buda, member of Buda Citizen Police Academy and received the Hays County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy Sergeant’s Award. Sandra also served on the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC) and in the United States Army (Reserve). 

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As a volunteer basketball coach for more than 20 years, Ms Bryant credits basketball for teaching her how to work with others, increase communication skills, overcome challenges/disappointments, work hard, and never give up until the buzzer in the 4th quarter. She is married to Ray Bryant, City of Buda Councilman and both enjoy being involved in the community.