Board of Directors
Jesse Oliver, J.D.
Mr. Oliver, retired deputy executive director of DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit), has a diverse background with experience in management, labor and employment matters, public finance, legislative processes, legal expertise, and transit development. A former Texas legislator and judge, Mr. Oliver co-sponsored the legislation that created Dallas Area Rapid Transit. He was later appointed by the city of Dallas to the DART board and served for 10 years as a member and chairman.
Chair, Board of Directors
Thomas A. Turnage, Ph.D.
Secretary
Dr. Turnage is executive director of Dallas Services, an agency dedicated to helping people with sight-related disabilities and other needs achieve their potential by fostering inclusiveness and independence throughout their lives. Dallas Services operates a Low Vision Clinic and two Day Schools, among other services. Before he joined Dallas Services, Dr. Turnage was the clinical director of the Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Jeff Agee, CPA
Treasurer
Mr. Agee is a Certified Public Accountant and is the recently retired Chief Accounting Officer of a Dallas-based private investment firm. His business experience includes accounting, financial reporting, internal control design and financial planning in energy-focused private equity investments, and electric utility construction and operations. Mr. Agee currently serves as Executive Director of a non-profit corporation that supports new ministers working in Christian ministry. He is actively involved in pastoring and teaching young people in his local church. Mr. Agee is a 1987 graduate of Abilene Christian University.
Scott Burns
Mr. Burns is the Dallas Morning News financial columnist. After his first retirement as a syndicated financial columnist, he co-founded AssetBuilders, an investment advisory group.
Mr. Burns’ articles and columns have appeared in Worth, Boston, Playboy, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar. He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in humanities and biology.
Dan Pryor, Ed. D.
Dr. Pryor has a long career helping individuals and organizations. His work has taken him throughout the United States as well as parts of Australia, Canada, and Europe. Clients have included Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profit and faith-based organizations, educational institutions, and associations. In addition to his consulting, seminar work, and speaking, he is currently a lecturer in business communication at the University of Texas at Austin. He currently writes and distributes the online newsletter, “Speedbumps-a Cerebral Tap of the Brakes” (readspeedbumps.com). Dan received his doctorate from the University of North Texas where he researched system approaches to learning.
John Proctor
Mr. Proctor retired as President and CEO of Coverall Management & Associates, an Environmental and Demolition General Contractor, founded in 2001. He is the founder of Coverall 2nd Chance Foundation, hiring ex-offenders throughout the DFW Metroplex.
A member of the Parkland Health & Hospital System Board of Managers, Mr. Proctor has also served on the First Fair Park Board of Directors, Regional Black Contractors Association and the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce.
Melanie Wells, Ph.D.
Dr. Wells is a psychologist in private practice who formerly worked with the Highland Park Independent School District in two elementary schools assessing autism spectrum disorder, emotional disturbance, attention difficulties and functional behavior.
She holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology and an M.S. in applied psychology from Texas A&M-Commerce, an M.S. in social work at the University of Texas at Arlington and a B.A. in Education from the University of Dallas.
Ivan Martinez, M.S.
Born in Guines, Havana, Cuba, Mr. Martinez came to live in the United States with his older sister and brother-in-law at the age of 10. He earned BS and MS degrees in political science at Florida State University. He is a small business owner and has an extensive background in higher education.
Mr. Martinez taught at Eastfield College for 12 years before moving to the Texas Attorney General Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. He has recently returned to teaching.
Scott Robelen, J.D.
Scott Robelen is a long time resident of Dallas County and a lifelong champion for the underdog. Scott is a Board-Certified Trial Attorney with a Bachelors degree in Finance and a Law Degree from the University of Oklahoma. Throughout his career, Scott has been actively involved in pro bono work providing services and counsel to the less fortunate. He has been named Pro Bono Attorney of the Year in the East Clinic of the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program many times. Scott has been an avid supporter of Homeward Bound, Inc. over the years and now brings his years of experience and dedication to its Board of Directors.