Our Board

Tom Harris

Tom Harris is Co-chairman of The Foundation and Jordan's dad. Tom is a retired executive with the Hillwood Development group at the Alliance Texas project in Ft. Worth, Texas. Tom is a native of Syracuse, New York, graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and has been a part of the Ft. Worth business community for close to twenty-five years. He is the founder of the Alliance for Infant Survival, a non-profit organization supporting the SIDS community in North Texas. Tom is also the past board chair of the national SIDS organization, First Candle and past board chair of the Birdville ISD Education Foundation. He is a member of multiple higher education business advisory boards in North Texas and an avid supporter of various regional education ventures. Tom has always believed that we were put on this earth to help other people, particularly those most in need.

Ellen Harris

Ellen Harris is Co-chairman of The Foundation and Jordan's mom. While Ellen had a 25-year career serving customers at American Airlines, she always believed that her most important job was and is being a parent. Nonprofit work has long been an interest of Ellen’s, serving as an administrator of the Birdville ISD Education Foundation, and being involved with the Alliance for Infant Survival for over 20 years. Ellen is a member of the choir at her congregation and loves spending time with her new grandson, George.

Candace Ammori

Candice Ammori graduated from University of Michigan's Ford School of Public Policy in 2012, focusing on sustainable business. She was a Princeton in Asia fellow in Singapore, spent time helping a Cambodian microfinance firm with its business strategy, and hopes to continue combining numbers and creativity in socially conscious business environments. Candice and Jordan became fast and lasting friends while moving into their freshman year dorms.

Chris Culver

Chris Culver is originally from Denver, went to University of Oklahoma and has lived in Fort Worth for 28 years.  Chris has 25 years of healthcare sales and ran his own business, Culver Metal Supply, for 10 years.  Chris has been active in LOSS (Local Outreach for Suicide Survivors) Team of Tarrant County, MHMR of Tarrant County, McBride Foundation and The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation where he first met Ellen and Tom. Chris lost his wife of 34 years, Lezlie Culver, to suicide in July 2021.  Lezlie and Chris have a wonderful, gorgeous daughter, Madalene Culver.  Madalene lives in Dallas and graduated with a Masters in Accounting from Tulane.

Lezlie D. Culver, MSW

IN MEMORIUM

Lezlie was a founding member of LOSS (Local Outreach for Suicide Survivors) Team of Tarrant County, Texas. She was a member of the National Association of Social Workers, and American Association of Suicidology. Lezlie provided consultations and training to new and existing LOSS Teams across the country. Lezlie presented and trained survivors, mental health professionals and communities across the country.  Lezlie received her BA in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma, and attended Syracuse University of London, England for Special Studies. Lezlie also earned her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Andy Deufel

As owner of Aspire Coaching, Andy Deufel supports individuals and businesses in various stages of transition, specializing in leadership development and employment transition. A TCU alumnus, he and his wife Melissa live in Fort Worth. His growing family stretches from two daughters, both married and living in Fort Worth, to a son living in Arlington, VA - with six grandchildren spread across the bunch. Andy enjoys cycling, travel, bird watching, reading, and is an avid college sports fan.

Mary Margaret Graham

Following 29+ years at CIA, Mary Margaret Graham retired while serving as the first Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Collection. She earned several prestigious medals for her service among which were the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal in 2008. Giving back is also important to Mary Margaret, as she serves on many industry-related boards and also volunteers as a docent at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts and is on the MFA's Patron Program Committee.  Mary Margaret is the sister of Tom Harris and Jordan's aunt.

Bill Greenhill

Bill Greenhill is an attorney in the Fort Worth law office of Haynes and Boone, LLP. Bill is a proud UT Longhorn, graduating with honors with both his Bachelors and Juris doctorate degrees. Besides his work with The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation, Bill serves the community on other boards like the Board of Trustees of the Tarrant County College District and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Community College Association of Texas Trustees. Bill and his wife, Ann, have three sons: Duke, Frank, and Joe. In his free time, he enjoys reading thriller novels, gardening, and playing with his twin six-year-old grandsons, James and Joe.

Susan Miller Gruppi

Susan Miller Gruppi is the founder and co-president of M2G Ventures, a commercial real estate private equity and advisory development company based in Fort Worth. A dedicated nonprofit and community servant, Susan has served on a variety of boards in Fort Worth, including the Cultural District Alliance, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce  and the TCU Center for Real Estate. Susan’s connection to TCU also runs a little deeper - that’s where she got her BBA in Finance. Public art and mental health initiatives are also important to Susan.

David Harbin

David is the Texas Region President for Drees Homes, the 37th largest builder and the 6th largest private builder in the United States. After losing their beloved son Matt to suicide in 2018, he and his wife Libby got involved with The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation, including establishing a Hope Squad program in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD where their kids attended school. The family is dedicated to the work of treating depression and eradicating suicide. David’s hobbies include cooking, cycling, golf and travel. He and Libby also have two sons (Scott and Brett) and a daughter-in-law (Jordan) living in Austin.

Elisha Harris

Elisha Harris graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology & Health and a minor in Psychology. Spending most of her career serving others in healthcare, Elisha currently works at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago as a Residency Program Coordinator for the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery residency program. Outside of work and serving on the JEHF Board of Directors, Elisha enjoys traveling, riding her bike, and exploring everything that the great city of Chicago has to offer. Elisha is Jordan’s younger sister.

Ned Harris

Dr. Ned Harris retired from a forty year career in higher education that included positions as Associate Provost for Enrollment and Academic Services at St. Louis University, Director of Admission at Le Moyne College, Associate Director of Financial Aid at the University of Notre Dame, Director of Enrollment Management at Eastern Connecticut State University, as well as executive enrollment positions in other institutions of higher learning. Service is one of Ned’s focuses in his career, which led him to this Board position and other volunteer roles. Ned is the brother of Tom Harris and Jordan's uncle.

Matthew Harris

Matthew Harris graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014 with a degree in chemical engineering. He is a Sales and Application Technology Manager at Sulzer Chemtech in Houston, Texas. Matthew was active in Jewish and Greek life at UT, while also volunteering his time for various causes around Austin. Matthew is Jordan's brother.

Kathleen Hicks

Kathleen Hicks served as a City Councilmember for the City of Fort Worth and was the youngest woman ever elected to the Fort Worth City Council.  She eventually served as Mayor Pro-Tem. Currently the executive director of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Tarrant County, she is a member of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Kathleen attended Mount Holyoke where she received a bachelor’s degree in politics and then a Masters degree in International Relations from the University of Nottingham.  Her board service includes the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

Katie Johnson

A licensed professional counselor (LPC), Catherine “Katie” Johnson is a trauma focused therapist that helps clients gain a sense of stability in their day to day life. A TCU graduate, Katie is passionate about emphasizing the importance of self-compassion, the mind-body connection, and safe connection with self and others. Her hope is to provide a safe space where clients can share their stories, struggles, and hopes for the future while they take steps toward a brighter future.

Melody Johnson, Ph.D.

Melody Johnson joins the JEHF Board with over four decades of experience in public education. Most of her tenure has involved work in our nation’s urban school systems facing the most challenging of educational issues.  She was the first female to serve as superintendent of the 87,000-student Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) in its 130-year history.  

Upon retiring from K-12 public education in 2012, Dr. Johnson served as the Scholar-in-Residence at Texas Christian University College of Education in Fort Worth.  

Dr. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma; a Master’s degree in Supervision and Education of the Gifted Child from Texas Women’s University in Denton; and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas in Austin.

Dr. Johnson remains active in the Fort Worth community and Tarrant County through volunteer service on numerous boards such as United Way and the Goff Foundation.  She views this as her, “giving back” time of life.

Tom Krampitz

Tom Krampitz is a solo practitioner attorney in Fort Worth specializing in governmental affairs and public policy advocacy.  His practice is focused in representing businesses and individuals in land use, economic development, and environmental and transportation matters. Prior to entering private practice, Tom served four years as General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs for Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

Barry King

Barry King’s career has been quite the journey - going from child artist to creative director to actor and even sauce company co-owner. You can also ask him about his “one time only” boxing sparring against Muhammed Ali. Barry is married to Leah who is President and CEO of United Way of Tarrant County. They have a son, Ian, a daughter-in-love, Eronia, and a wonderful two year old grandson, Ari. Barry has served on the Metropolitan Fort Worth Black Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Police Officers Award Foundation, Arts Council of Fort Worth, Circle Theater, ACH Child and Family Services, and Texas Center for Arts + Academics. Motivated by his own experience with depression and suicide, he is dedicated to removing the stigma of mental health issues.

Tracey Brooks Neilson

A CPA by trade, Tracey Brooks Neilson is motivated by her experience with a loved one’s struggle with depression and suicidal ideation to help others understand that depression can be treatable. Tracey graduated from Baylor University with a BBA in Accounting. A Fort Worth native, she and her husband Hugh remain active in the community and their church. She has a 22-year-old daughter, Ali, and a bonus son and daughter, Griffin and Maci, 22 and 19. In her free time she enjoys the gym, cooking, bible study, and entertaining friends and family. 

Brad Nowlin

A licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Brad began his private practice in 2002 in Kansas City, Missouri and moved to Fort Worth in 2016. Brad has a deep affinity for the mission of The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation, having experienced loss by suicide in his personal and professional life. Brad has a Master’s degree in Counseling from Mid-America Nazarene University, as well as an MBA from TCU. He is married to Grace, who is an artist, and they have four adult children. Outside of work, Brad enjoys running, swimming, golf and is a passionate fan of Texas Christian University and the University of Texas football, basketball and baseball teams.

Frasher Pergande

Born and raised in Fort Worth, Frasher Hudson Pergande considers herself a mental health warrier. With a deep background and multiple degrees in art history, she has worked for multiple galleries in New York City and Dallas. She and her husband John Pergande have three sons, one daughter-in-law, one grandson, and one future daughter-in-law. Frasher has served on many local nonprofit boards including Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and Fort Worth Country Day. Frasher also has a passion for live performance - whether it is The Rolling Stones, Chris Stapleton, or the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

Winjie Tang Miao

Winjie Tang Miao serves as senior executive vice president and chief operating officer at Texas Health Resources, evolving the system’s core services and focusing on consumers. A biomedical engineering graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Miao also earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration, with a concentration in financial management and quality management, from the University of North Carolina.