Email the entire board at board@youthfirsttexas.org

Chris-James Cognetta
Chair
chris.cognetta@youthfirsttexas.org
Chris is an Instructional Designer with specialization in Adult Learning Theory and Interactive Multimedia simulation. He recently acquired his Masters in Counseling Psychology from SMU, and is a 20-year veteran in Training and Development who has also spend 17 years teaching young adults in the Dallas County Community College district, Dallas County Jail Education and the Ford Foundation.  He joined the board with the aim of focusing on the social and recreational services that are needed by LGBTQ youth and creating awareness for those who may still feel marginalized by society.

Jeremy Liebbe
Secretary
Chair, Social Services Committee
jeremy.liebbe@youthfirsttexas.org
Jeremy served with Youth First Texas as a volunteer for two and a half years before joining the board of directors in January 2011. Professionally, Jeremy is a Detective Sergeant with the Dallas ISD Police Department who specializes in mental health / crisis intervention and juvenile narcotics and represents Dallas ISD as the governance chair of the Dallas Area Drug Prevention Partnership.  He studied general science at the University of North Texas, computer science at the University of Texas at Dallas, police science at Ottawa University and is currently pursuing his masters degree in forensic psychology through Walden University.  Jeremy has been active in the LGBTQ community for a number of years through a variety of efforts, including serving the past few years as one of the police operations commanders for special events including the Alan Ross Freedom Parade, Oaklawn Halloween Street Party and Razzle Dazzle Dallas.

David Freudiger
Governance Chair
Chair, Programs Committee
David.Freudiger@youthfirsttexas.org

Kevin Mackenroth
Treasurer
kevin.mackenroth@youthfirsttexas.org

Linnea Fohlbrook
Chair, Volunteer Committee
linnea.fohlbrook@youthfirsttexas.org

TJ Wilson
tj.wilson@youthfirsttexas.org
TJ has been an international Flight Attendant with American Airlines for 34 years, providing service and safety for his passengers, whether they are youth or happen to be adults who act like youth. In addition, for the last 20 years, TJ has been active on non-profit boards in both North Carolina and Texas, most recently as an Advisory Member of the Black Tie Dinner in Dallas.  Currently, TJ lives in a 1950s-era home in North Dallas with his circus kitty, Bobo.  TJ’s commitment to the youth has an emphasis in mentoring and treating each one as an individual. With the advent of 2011, one of his priorities is to develop effective partnerships with other organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Past Directors:

Feleshia Porter (2007-2011)
Feleshia Porter is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice who has been serving the Dallas LGBT community in various capacities for over thirty years and is well known for her experience providing counseling services for the transgender community.  Feleshia came to Youth First Texas with previous board of directors experience with Razzle Dazzle Dallas, the Oak Lawn Art Festival, Extra Mile Awards and the HRC Fairway to Equality golf tournament.  During her tenure on the YFT board, Felishia served as the board secretary.

Oliver Blumer (2008-2011)
Oliver Blumer is a licensed chiropractic physician who has been involved in the Dallas LGBT community for over thirty years.  Oliver served on the board of directors for The Womens Chorus of Dallas, was a founding member of Mosaic and sang with the community chorus Resounding Harmony.  During his tenure on the YFT board, Oliver served as the chair and co-chair of the human development & social services committee.  Oliver’s work in the LGBT non-profit world continues as he currently serves as the vice chair of the board of directors for the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT).

Chris Hendrix (2010-2011)
Chris Hendrix is a certified professional accountant who served a number of terms on the YFT board of directors during the lifetime of the organization.  He previously served on the YFT board in the position of vice-president and president before taking a year off and returned to the board as the fund raising chair.

James Nunn (2010-2011)
James Nunn works for Big Brothers Big Sisters.  His previous LGBT non-profit experience included the Victorian AIDS Council / Gay Men’s Health Center, Frisco Pride, the Collin County Gay and Lesbian Alliance and the Triangle Foundation (formerly the Collin Equality Foundation).

Jo Bess Jackson (2011)
Jo Bess Jackson is a Dallas-area estate planning attorney with specialized experience in the estate planning needs of the LGBT community.  Jo Bess is a member of the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Bar Association and formerly was the chair and general counsel for the Women’s Business Network.  Jo Bess’ work in the LGBT non-profit world continues as she currently serves on the board of directors for the Legal Hospice of Texas.