Our Dedicated Team

Leadership

Kevin Kern

Chief Executive Officer

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Sonya Suter

Human Resources Director

Valerie Garate Ramirez

Chief Philanthropy & Communications Officer

Tomika Gallien-Ford

Director of Client Services

Charon Corbett

Operations Manager

Staff

Roxanne De La Rosa

Grant Funding Manager

Emma Foytlin

Donor Relations & Volunteer Manager

Naomi Lubin

Receptionist

Marilyn Blalock

Registered Nurse

Board of Directors

Tim Williamson

Board President

Huntington Bank

Allen C. Capps

Board Vice President

Enbridge

Ann Turnbach

Board Secretary

Ann Turnbach & Associates

Waylon Wood

Board Treasurer

BDO USA, LLP

David DeAnda

Board Member

ACU of Texas

Sidney Short Fagan

Board Member

BECU

Greg Hill

Board of Member

Hogan Lovells US LLP

Chereese Johnson

Board Member

Community Volunteer

Binita Patel

Board Member

Memorial Hermann Health System

Adam Winkler

Board Member

Winkler Public Relations

Steve Ullrich, PHD

Board Member

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Retired)

Avondale House is a successful, stable, and dedicated agency that makes positive changes in people’s lives every day. It is an honor to be involved in an organization with such an important mission and such great leadership.”
–Greg Hill, Board of Director

Kevin Kern

Chief Executive Officer

Kevin Kern joined Avondale House in February 2025 as Chief Operating Officer. Before his tenure here, Kevin served as Chief Operating Officer at The Center for Pursuit and has held leadership roles including Chief Program Officer, Senior Director of Operations, and Director of Residential Services.

With over 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, Kevin has dedicated his career to advancing services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. He actively serves on the Board of Directors for Bloom Fitness and the Private Providers Association of Texas (PPAT). He is a dedicated member of the Planning & Advisory Council for The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD and maintains active involvement with the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). His previous leadership roles include service on both the Texas Chapter of AAIDD and PPAT.

Kevin’s academic achievements reflect his commitment to advancing human services and organizational leadership. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Human and Social Services Administration, a Master of Public Administration, and a Master of Science in Human Resources Strategic Management, all from Bellevue University. In addition, he is a Certified Assisted Living Administrator, underscoring his expertise in quality care and operational excellence.