Karen Nicholson

LWV-TX President/LWV-TEF Chair (Midland)

Chair: Karen Nicholson (Midland) became Chair of LWV-TEF in June 2008 after serving as Organization Vice President of LWV-TX in 2006-08 and as a director in 2004-06. She previously served during 1989-95 in several positions, including Organization Vice President. She also served on the boards of the Leagues in Houston, Richardson, and Midland where she was president. She is adjunct instructor of mathematics at Midland College and a member of the Midland Independent School District school board.

Mary Finch

Advocacy Vice-President (Austin Area)

Mary Finch (Austin Area) was elected Advocacy Vice President for LWV-TX in 2008. She previously held the offices of Secretary, Voters Service Vice President, and Advocacy Chair of the Austin Area League. In the last position she coordinated the LWV-TX Capitol Corps, which consists of Austin members who assist LWV-TX Program Chairs during the legislative session.

Barbara Weinstein

Organization Vice-President (Dallas)

Barbara Weinstein (Dallas) is the Vice President, Organization, on the LWV-TX board. She rejoined the state board in 2006 after serving previously in 1988-91 and 1993-97. At one point she was Vice President, Public Relations, for LWV-TX. She served as president of the LWV-Dallas in 1991-93. She has been a LWV-TX trainer and program chair for Texas Election Laws/Voting Rights/Motor Voter.

Janet Imhoff

Program VP/LWV-TX President Pro-Tempe (Plano/Collin County)

Janet Imhoff (Plano/Collin County) is the President Pro Tempe and Program Vice President for LWV-TX. She has been a League member for more than 30 years, serving numerous positions including president of the Sherman/Grayson County League. She joined the state board in 2003 after retiring from teaching fifth and sixth grades and became Vice President, Program, in 2006.

Linda Wassenich

Public Relations VP/LWV-TEF Vice-Chair (Dallas)

Vice-chair: Linda Wassenich (Dallas) has served on the state board since 1999 and as Vice President, Public Relations, since 2001. She joined the League in 1970 and served two terms as president of the Dallas League as well as one term as Vice President, Organization. She is a licensed social worker and certified fundraiser and has been honored with the Outstanding Fundraising Professional award in Dallas in 1999 and the Lifetime Achievement in Social Work Award in Dallas in 2002. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Human Rights Initiative and the board of the Community Council of Greater Dallas.

Edie Jones

Treasurer (Tarrant County)

Treasurer: Edie Jones (Tarrant County) has been on the state board since 2003. She is now the Treasurer of LWV-TX and LWV-TEF. She chaired the LWV-TEF study on public transportation in Texas in 2003-06 and then was a member of the Services to Local Leagues committee in 2006-08. She has also served as the training coordinator for local Leagues in Texas. She is a past president and treasurer of the Tarrant County League. She is on the Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission for Fort Worth and is the Transportation Issue chair for the LWV-TX.

Barb Swartz

Secretary (Houston Area)

Secretary: Barb Swartz (Houston Area) joined the board in 2008 as Secretary. She also served on the state board in the late 1980's and has been president of the Houston Area League. She got her League start 42 years ago in Pennsylvania with a brand new League which elected her Program Vice President.

Dee Brock

(Tyler/Smith County)

Dee Brock (Tyler/Smith County) was elected to the board in 2008. She served 3 terms as as president of the Tyler/Smith County League. During her tenure, the League welcomed a delegation of emerging leaders from Russia for an eight day visit to learn more about women as leaders. This year she is chair of the steering committee planning an eight day educational program for elected officials from Kazakhstan who want to learn more about strengthening state and local government with an emphasis on transparency and accountability. She serves on the boards of several local organizations and is active on behalf of the arts and libraries, as well as informed voters.

Pat Cheong

(Tarrant County)

Pat Cheong (Tarrant County) joined the board in 2008 after serving as the President and Community Relations Vice President for the Tarrant County League. She holds a Masters of Social Work degree and has worked as a community planner with United Way of Tarrant County for more than 28 years, including 12 years as director of the Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County.

Joyce Robinson

(Sherman/Grayson County)

Joyce Robinson (Sherman/Grayson County) was elected to the board in 2006 as secretary. She is continuing on the board as a director of LWV-TX and a trustee of LWV-TEF. She taught high school English for 22 years before her retirement. She served as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of her local League.

Elaine Talarski

(San Antonio Area)

Elaine Talarski (San Antonio Area) is a trustee on the board. She was the Advocacy Vice President for LWV-TX in 2006-08. She joined the state board in 2003 after serving as president of the San Antonio League and local coordinator of LWV-TX 2003 Convention in San Antonio. She chaired the LWV-TEF study on Drug Policies and Laws in Texas. An RN, she served as a Public Health Officer in the USAF for 20 years, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.