NewSpring Board of Directors
Earl Lambert
Board Chairman
Earl has more than 45 years of experience in the information technology industry. He began his career as a programmer for the Federal Reserve Bank in New Orleans. In 1979, he joined Ernst & Young’s (E&Y) Information Technology consulting practice and rose to the partner level. Over the past twenty-five years he served as the senior Information Technology executive for several companies in the energy industry and Chief Technology Officer for the City of Houston. Currently, Earl is assisting clients with the challenges of using big data and advanced analytics tools to operationalize visionary change. Earl and his wife, Susan, are members of Chapelwood United Methodist Church. Earl and Susan have two children and three grandsons.
Madonna Barfoot
Board Member
Madonna Barfoot is a Project Manager for PNC. She brings more than 20 years of banking and 15 years of treasury management experience. In addition to her background in Treasury Management, Madonna has served her entire career in banking and held various sales and operations management positions. Madonna is a graduate of Auburn University and is a Certified Treasury Professional and Project Management Professional. Madonna is active in the city as a volunteer with the Charity Guild of Catholic Women, a docent for Museum of Fine Arts Houston/Rienzi, Greater Houston Auburn Club alumni association, and Dress for Success. She is a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
Kathleen Bowen
Board Member
Kathy has over thirty years of experience in Energy Banking. She has been with PNC and its predecessors for 27 years and is currently a Managing Director and Head of the Upstream Team in the Energy Group with commitments of approximately $4 Billion. She began her career as a credit analyst for MBank where she worked in the Energy Group prior to joining PNC. Kathy received her BBA from the University of Illinois and her MBA from the University of Texas in Austin. She is a member of the Houston Producers’ Forum and the IPAA. Kathy and her husband Greg are members of Foundry United Methodist and volunteer with Cy Hope. They have two sons, Christopher and Connor. Connor is currently a senior at Baylor University.
Sharon Collins
Board Member
After retiring from a career in employee benefit management, Sharon Collins had no aspirations to be an artist or an author, but God had different plans. In early 2018, He called her to create a website and write devotionals to pair with abstract paintings. Those website postings ultimately became her first book, Becoming His Masterpiece, which was published in November 2020. Sharon has served on the Board of Interface-Samaritan Counseling Centers. At her church home, Grace Presbyterian, she has served as both Elder and Deacon as well as in leadership roles for women’s Bible studies. Sharon is married to Ron and has three stepchildren and four exceptional grandchildren whom she loves to spoil by serving them ice cream for breakfast!
Patricia Garcia
Board Treasurer
With over 17 years' experience, Patricia is a hands-on CPA in audit, accounting and assurance. She enjoys working with mid-size companies in a variety of industries, including energy, distribution, manufacturing, healthcare and nonprofit organizations. She volunteers with several organizations including Latin Women's Initiative, serving as VP of Finance Chair, Unity Opera Board Member and Texas Society of CPAs member. Patricia is a resident of the Spring Branch/Memorial area.
Deborah Grabien
Board Member
Deborah is a seasoned strategic marketing, communications and business development executive. With 30+ years of experience, she has earned a reputation as a go-to leader in the legal field for her industry knowledge, aptitude for strategic thinking, client development initiatives, and successful employee development. Deborah is a Senior Fellow, American Leadership Forum Class of XLVII and currently serves on the Board of Family Houston and on the Advisory Committee of Girls Empowerment Network.
Julie Hempel
Board Member
Julie has a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Development and taught for ten years in Georgia and Virginia. After a move to Houston, Julie transitioned careers, working for American Capital Funds in the Human Resources Department as Benefits Manager and at Chase Bank. She held various positions on the board of Collaborative for Children and is actively involved in Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church where she has served on the Personnel Committee and as elder for the Food Service and Connection Ministry. Julie is married to Milt Hempel and they have one son Peter who is married to Emily Conner Hempel.
Susan Marriott
Board Member
Susan grew up in the Midwest, earning a BS from Iowa State University and PhD from Kansas State University. She studied human cancers at the National Institutes of Health and has been a Professor at Baylor College of Medicine for 30 years. In 2001 Susan co-founded BioScience Writers, LLC (BSW) a company that provides professional editing, writing, and training to the global scientific community. BSW was blessed to participate in and win the 2014 NewSpring Business Plan competition and graduate into the NewSpring Edge small business development program. These programs, and the continuity of business advising they provide, have transformed BSW business practices and elevated the business acumen of BSW employees. Susan is committed to education and providing opportunities at all levels and is eager to bring her small business perspective to NewSpring as a Board member.
Walter Mata
Board Member
Walter Mata was born and raised in Houston, TX, specifically in the Spring Branch community. He attended Spring Woods HS and participated in the NewSpring Art Auction in 2010 and 2011. After high school, he attended The University of Houston where he received his BS in Civil Engineering. During college, Walter interned with NewSpring as an Art Instructor and worked during college as an engineering teacher's assistant. Professionally, Walter gained his civil design experience in the Oil, Gas, and Chemicals industry working for Houston's second largest civil engineering company. Walter has previously served as a communications instructor, helping engineers with their presentation and soft skills. Walter is currently a licensed civil engineer in Houston and serves on the safety committee for the world's largest chemical company.
Terry Sabom
Board Vice Chair/Secretary
Terry Sabom uses his over 40 years of experience in private law practice and as in-house counsel to help clients start new businesses, grow their enterprises to a sustaining level, and sell or pass along their companies to buyers, family members or employees. In addition to being a product of the Spring Branch schools and participating as a coach in Newspring’s Business Plan Competition, Terry acts as a mentor for Spring Branch middle school and high school students and is the president of his college fraternity’s 501(c)(3) foundation, a member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, and a trustee of the MDPC Foundation. He and his wife Martha have enjoyed 48 years of a very happy marriage.
Lesa Smith
Board Member
Lesa graduated The Art Institute of Houston in 1983, and worked as an interior designer for over 30 years. Her first interiors job was with Cyril Gerac Interiors, where she got to work with some of Houston’s most famous, including Mickey Gilley. Lesa and Edgar have been married for 39 years and have two adult sons. She was chaplain of the Northwest Aggie Mom’s Club 2013-2016, where her duties included praying for Aggies, student care package distribution, and crafting for the boutique fundraisers. January 2019, Lesa began volunteering at NewSpring’s front desk and helping with snacks. Over the years, she has supported NewSpring students by attending the art auctions and now owns 8 beautiful works. Lesa has been a member of NewSpring’s Inner Journey team since 2017 and is looking forward to what God has planned as she uses her love of art, prayer and working with students to serve on the board.
Trey Storer
Board Member
Trey is currently the Head of Business Strategy & Investor Relations at Labs196. In this role, he mentors the Labs 196 accelerator program participants, works to support the portfolio of firms to achieve their objectives and builds relationships with potential investors and partners. Prior to this Trey had a 25-year career in banking holding multiple roles with BBVA and its predecessors in the US. He obtained an undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s University and later graduated from Texas A&M University with an MBA. Trey and his wife Renee currently live in Sugar Land with his three children Cole (22), Isabella, (18), and Greyson (12) and her two children Reese (15) and Ryan (12). He enjoys music, his family and traveling, along with volunteering regularly with GiGi’s Playhouse, a Down Syndrome achievement center and as a youth sports coach.