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Linda holds a Liberal Arts Associate Degree in Business Administration from Lee Junior College. Her career has taken her into administrative positions that included Motorola, Lake Travis ISD and now Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 17. She is known for her skills to set appropriate goals with keen attention to detail, proficiency in record control, event planning and travel coordination.

Linda has actively been part of the Camp Agape, advisory board member; City of Lakeway Parks & Recreation, committee member; Lake Travis Youth Association, former President and remains part of several service organizations. Giving back to her community, family and friends is paramount as she works with Rexanna’s Foundation for Fighting Lung Cancer.

Linda worked alongside Coach Hawkins from 1987 – 1997 formulating the Lady Cavaliers Softball Team inception. Her daughter, Kasey, was a former student/athlete of Rexanna Hawkins as well as becoming lifelong friends. Linda and Kasey’s mother-in-law / grandmother died February 2000 of lung cancer giving both a strong passion to fight for those that never gave up their fight against cancer.

Thomas Rhodes is the President of Rhodes Graduation Services Inc. Rhodes is a family owned and operated business that has been representing Jostens since 1975. With more than 40 staff members and four office locations in South Carolina and Florida, Rhodes is the largest Jostens representative in the U.S., providing rings and graduation supplies to more than 40,000 customers annually.

Thomas was raised in the small town of Summerton, SC. The son of a school teacher, he was very active in high school sports and activities, serving as Student Body President, Captain of the Football and Basketball team his senior year, as well as the State Student Government President. After high school, Thomas attended Clemson University pursuing a degree in Management with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship. While at Clemson, Thomas was a Student Senator, an officer of Sigma Nu fraternity, the Student Alumni Council, the Inter-Fraternity Council and served as the Chairman of the Class of 2006 Senior Council. Thomas was recently honored by the Clemson Alumni Association with the Roaring Ten Award, the honor is given to ten individuals who exemplify Clemson University’s core values of honesty, integrity, and respect.

After Clemson, Thomas joined his father, Dusty Rhodes at Rhodes Graduation and since 2006 they have been able to expand their business substantially, achieving over 75% growth in the last 9 years. Thomas is a Member and Usher at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Columbia and serves on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Visitors at Clemson University, and the Board of Directors of the Rexanna’s Foundation for Curing Lung Cancer and is also a participant in the South Carolina Education Policy Fellowship Program. Thomas is also an avid saltwater fisherman, waterfowl hunter, sailor and private pilot. Thomas’ best accomplishment was convincing his wife Caroline to marry him, they live in Columbia with their two children, Lee and Virginia and their Boykin Spaniel, Bailey.

Rue Ann Claybrook is from Refugio, Texas, and has served on the board for Rexanna’s Foundation since it’s beginning in 2007. She is a retired educator who taught and coached with Rexanna Hawkins for 10 years in the Refugio Independent School District. She graduated from Texas State University (SWTSU) in 1977 and served in the field of education as teacher and coach for 35 years . She has also worked as a unit director for the Refugio County Boys and Girls Club for over 3 years. She is presently employed as a school bus driver for Refugio Independent School District and as a sales clerk for a local boutique. She joined the board out of love and respect for Rexanna’s passion for people, education and love for her students and friends. Rue Ann is motivated to serve on this board because she fells compelled to keep her dear friend’s wish alive, that being to help find a cure so that another young woman doesn’t lose her life to this terrible disease . Rue Ann is supported in her efforts concerning this organization by three amazing sons, a remarkable daughter-in-law, two beautiful grandchildren and the most wonderful man a girl could ever walk through life with.

Kristen Alex is married to Kevin Alex and they have two beautiful children, Kate and Gray. She currently lives in Cedar Park, Texas. She has been affected by cancer through personal and family experiences.

Kristen began her career in education in 1995 teaching and coaching in secondary schools.  She worked with Rexanna at Lake Travis ISD. Kristen continued to teach and serve as an educational coordinator until the birth of her second child.  At that time, she had the opportunity to stay at home with her children and volunteer as the T.E.A.M. Coordinator for Rexanna’s Foundation. She began to create and present training for educational staff and students on lung cancer awareness and effects of tobacco use.

She also consults on coordinating and integrating community service and fundraising activities related to lung cancer and tobacco awareness into schools.

Kristen was fortunate to re-enter the work force in the premier district of Leander ISD where she has been since 2012. She currently serves as administration for Grandview Hills Elementary IB World School.  Her two children also attend school in the district. She continues to be passionate about children and know that this journey of Rexanna’s Foundation along with education is part of her life’s calling.

Sara (Springer) Valentine grew up in Austin, Texas and attended Lake Travis school where Rexanna Hawkins was her coach.  Over the years, she and Coach Hawkins became great friends.

Sara attended the University of Texas at Austin and received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance in 2004. She was in the Delta Delta Delta sorority at UT and was also very involved with her church through her college years.

After college, Sara went on to study law at South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. She graduated from law school in 2007 and passed the bar that same year. After exclusively practicing family law for several years, Sara became Board Certified by the Texas Board of Specialization in 2014. Sara has practiced law her entire career at the firm Burgower & Rainwater, L.L.P. in Houston, Texas. Sara has previously served on the board of the Family Law Section of the Houston Bar Association, and she currently serves as a member of the Family Law Council of the State Bar of Texas.

In 2006, Sara married Glenn Valentine. They have a two year old son, Luke, and are expecting a daughter, Peyton, in February 2016. Sara and Glenn are members of Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas and are actively involved in church activities

Sheri is a 1981 graduate of Texas Tech University with a B.S. in Home Economics.

Sheri’s immediate family has been impacted significantly by lung cancer. Rexanna, her older sister, lost her battle with lung cancer in 2006 within two months of her diagnosis. Sheri’s mother, Patsy, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010 and died in 2014 of heart related illness. Sheri’s father, Rex, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1992 and, after surgery, lived another 20 years without further treatment or complications from the disease.

Sheri lives and works in Mansfield, Texas and is involved in many school and community organizations. Sheri’s husband Kyle is a rancher and twins Gage and Grace keep them busy with sports, cheer and other endless activities.

Sandy is a graduate of Baylor University with a BS in education. After graduating from Baylor in 1979 she married her husband, David and moved to Midland Texas where she began her teaching career. After teaching she became the director of the National Kidney Foundation of West Texas for several years.

Sandy has extensive experience in fundraising activities and organizing events. Over the past 30 years has served on many advisory boards including the American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, Midland Community Theatre and Junior League of Midland.

Sandy is a member of the First Baptist Church of Midland, Texas and a lifetime member of the Baylor Alumni Association as well as a life PTA member. Sandy has a wealth of knowledge bringing people together for a common purpose.

Sandy was Rexanna’s college roommate, they became best friends and years later became sister in laws.

Stephanie Kruger, President, was led to Rexanna’s Foundation for Fighting Lung Cancer after her mother, Dorchie Ferrell, lost her battle with lung cancer in 2006.  Her greatest desire is to change the staggering statistics of lung cancer and for the past 9 years has been committed to the fight.  Stephanie’s past professional experience is diverse and includes working for Josten’s for 25 years prior to joining Rexanna’s Foundation.  She has held many volunteer positions, including Children’s Hospital in Dallas and has served on the Young Life board in the DFW area.  Stephanie loves spending time with friends and family and truly enjoys working to make a difference.

Lisa Spain, along with her husband, Rex, founded Rexanna’s Foundation in memory of her best friend, Rexanna who passed away from lung cancer. Lisa & Rex have had extensive experience with cancer from immediate family members to friends and colleagues. Lisa has a passion for the fight against cancer and spends countless hours supporting those battling the disease and their caregivers.

Spain is also active member of LungCAN, an advocacy group comprised of over 23 lung cancer organizations committed to collaborative efforts focused on projects across the country to bring awareness to lung cancer. The past 4 years Spain as served as the facilitator of the national meetings bringing all these esteemed non-profits together for a common cause.

Lisa’s background includes 29 plus years of experience in public education, at all levels and in varied areas from rural, to suburban, to inner city. The CEO & owner of LYL Educational Systems, Lisa is currently an Educational Consultant. The past 12 years Spain has worked with over 750 schools all over the country and Canada working with administrators, students and teachers on leadership, culture & climate, motivation and instruction that engages and challenges students.

Spain has a passion for supporting schools in engaging all stakeholders in the education process to improve college and career ready and has extensive research to support methodologies she has created. Lisa is the author of the researched-based, highly effective initiative Commitment to Graduate® that is helping educators bring together a strategic focus on the importance of education and being college and career ready.

Spain has been the keynote speaker in over 11 State Educational Conferences, spoken at countless Opening Convocations and is consistently sought after for schools Professional Developments and organizations looking for a motivational speaker. Spain is a doctoral candidate in Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction, Hall of Fame Inductee at Missouri Valley College, and a proud grandma of 7.

Spain along with husband, Rex brings her personal life experiences and passion to the work of Rexanna’s Foundation for Fighting Lung Cancer tirelessly working to bring about funding for research, improvement in treatments and support for those impacted by this deadly disease.