Leadership & Action
Meet the Kerr Together Team
The Kerr Together Long-Term Recovery Group (KTLRG) is the coordinating body for Kerr County’s recovery and rebuilding. Our leadership structure is straightforward: a community-led Board of Directors sets priorities and accountability; KerrEDC powers economic revitalization; and Work Groups deliver results in housing, unmet needs, business recovery, tourism, river safety, and more. We meet regularly, publish actions, and track progress against measurable goals.
Kerr Together Board of Directors
The KTLRG Board ensures resources are prioritized, allocated with accountability, and aligned to a clear recovery plan. The Board maintains transparency with local, state, federal, and philanthropic partners and serves as the public face of Kerr County’s recovery.
Board Chair: John Dunn
Vice Chair: Jonathan Letz
Funding Coordination: Mark Haufler, Greg Appel
What They Do: Set strategy, approve priorities, and steward resources across all recovery tracks. Funding Coordination aligns grants, donations, and audits for transparency.
Kerr Economic Development Corporation (KerrEDC)
KerrEDC leads business continuity and economic revitalization in partnership with the KTLRG: assessing impacts, connecting firms to SBA Disaster Loans, advising on workforce and supply-chain gaps, and supporting re-openings. KerrEDC also helps target capital to priority corridors so recovery spending strengthens long-term competitiveness.
KTLRG Working Groups
Our work is divided into specialized Work Groups: each with a Citizen Chair knowledgeable in the subject area. Each working group defines projects and contributes elements of the recovery plan. These projects are tracked and measured through our Recovery In Motion Report. This blended structure of technical expertise, frontline experience and observation of on the ground conditions ensures an effective and efficient recovery.
KerrEDC Steering Committee
Led by Todd Bock & Theresa Metcalf
What They Do: Guide business continuity and economic revitalization with private-sector partners; align capital, workforce, and corridor recovery.
Communications
Led by Tim Rye & Kim Clarkson
What They Do: Coordinates official updates, website content, media, and partner messaging.
Government Affairs
Led by William Whitson
What They Do: Aligns city, county, and state partners on policy, permitting, and regulatory timelines.
Business
Led by Chris Hughes & Paul Zipp
What They Do: Helps local businesses assess damages, reopen safely, and access infrastructure financing.
Economic Development
Led by Kelly Hagemeier & Larry Howard
What They Do: Targets investment to key corridors; supports supply chain, workforce, and site readiness.
Tourism Recovery
Led by Julie Davis & Scott Fineske
What They Do: Restarts demand, restores events/attractions, and promotes responsible visitation.
Arts & Culture
Led by Katharine Boyette & Angela Kennedy
What They Do: Activates cultural assets for community healing and venue recovery.
Individual Assistance
What They Do: Provide comprehensive and collaborative assistance across all disaster related individual needs
Unmet Needs
Led by Beth Palmer & Lori Payne
What They Do: Case-managed assistance for essential expenses not covered by insurance or federal aid.
Legal Assistance
Led by Brittanny Perrigue Gomez
What They Do: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) appeals, contractor and insurance disputes, and consumer protection.
Infrastructure
Led by John Dunn & Bruce Bicknell
What They Do: Coordinates utilities, roads, and critical repairs that affect residential rebuilds.
Emotional & Spiritual Care
Led by David Payne & Bill Blackburn
What They Do: Crisis counseling, faith-based care, referrals, and survivor support groups.
Housing Coordination
What They Do: Scopes of work, contractor standards, permits and inspections, and rebuild closeout.
Emergency Response & Mass Care
Mass Care & Community Resources
Led by Debbie Zabica & American Red Cross
What They Do: Facilitates, manages and supports shelter operations, feeding, supplies, and reunification.
Emergency Response & Public Safety
Led by Chief Eric Maloney
What They Do: Strengthens emergency response, safety systems, and preparedness for the community.
Flood Warning System & River Riparian
Guadalupe River Flood Warning System (GRFWS)
Led by Tara Bushnoe & Bill Rector
What They Do: Upgrades gauges, alerts, and public education for river safety and preparedness.
River & Environmental Working Group
Led by Jonathan Letz & Becky Etzler
What They Do: River access restoration, debris strategies, and coordination with parks & recreation.
Key Initiatives
Explore current, measurable projects the KTLRG is managing — from the Non-Woody Riparian Initiative and permanent housing efforts to corridor revitalization and flood-warning upgrades. Each project includes scope, timeline, funding stack, and progress metrics.