HENDERSON COUNTY
Keith Loper is the Executive Director of CASA of Trinity Valley and a former rodeo announcer. Keith has advocated for children throughout his career and found his calling through CASA. He came to CASA in June 2012 and has since dedicated himself to serving the children of Henderson County and the volunteers that directly serve them. For Keith, the most rewarding part of being a CASA advocate is seeing the real difference we make in the lives of the children we serve.
Keith can be contacted at casakeith@casaoftv.org.
Penny LaPlant is the Program Director of CASA of Trinity Valley. She has completed training in Trauma Through the Lens of Development, Trauma Informed Care and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder as well as PRIDE parenting classes. After a 6 ½ year respite to care for her three granddaughters, Penny decided to restart her career and joined the CASA team aspiring to give back to the community in which she lives.
Penny can be contacted at casapenny@casaoftv.org.
Kim Johnson is a Casework Supervisor/Recruiter in Henderson County. Kim has been with CASA for 30 years. Her commitment to supporting our stellar volunteers, and fierce advocacy for abused and neglected children runs deep. Kim lives with her husband of 42 years, Steve. She has two children and four grandchildren. For Kim, the most rewarding part of being a CASA is the opportunity to bring hope to hurting children and to help them find safe, forever homes.
Kim can be contacted at casakim@casaoftv.org
Angela Hinojosais the Director of Development for CASA of Trinity Valley. Angela is responsible for grant writing and development as well as the organization and planning of fundraisers and events for CASA of Trinity Valley. She also designs the media, graphics and ads for our website and social media accounts. She enjoys working “behind the scenes” on the planning and administrative side of things but can be seen at events and meetings making sure everything goes as planned.
Angela can be contacted at casaangela@casaoftv.org.
Chloe Urrutia is a Casework Supervisor currently enrolled in the Social Work program through the University of Texas at Tyler, where she will be among the first class to graduate with a BSW in Spring of 2024. Chloe has three children of her own and enjoys doing activities with them such as going to the movies, doing crafts and cheering them on at their sporting events. Chloe is grateful to begin her Social Work career with CASA after learning that in some instances, CASAs are the only positive consistent role to children in the system. Chloe is excited to have the opportunity to serve the children in Anderson, Cherokee and Henderson County that need it the most.
Chloe can be reached at casachloe@casaoftv.org
Kathy Moreland is a part-time Casework Supervisor in Henderson County. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science in 2010. She previously worked for Child Protective Services as an Investigator. Kathy has two grown children and two grandsons and enjoys attending her grandson’s sporting events. Kathy has a great love for children and animals and wanted to join CASA because of her desire to help children get a fair chance at a productive, successful, stable life and to experience compassion and love.
Kathy can be reached at casakathy@casaoftv.org.
ANDERSON COUNTY
Lee McCain Brown is a part-time Casework Supervisor in Anderson county. She was raised in Palestine, where she met and married her high school sweetheart Harry Brown, with whom she shared 53 happy years of marriage, a daughter, and a delightful granddaughter. Lee retired from teaching and counseling after 32 years in Texas public schools, then she joined the CASA Board of Directors. She has spent her life working with children, so it was only natural that she transitioned her experience into a position as a Casework Supervisor.
Lee can be contacted at lee@casaoftv.org.
Cindy Eppes is a part-time Casework Supervisor in Anderson County. She lives with her husband of thirty-seven years, along with their dogs, cats, and chickens, on a small lake in Freestone County. She enjoys flyfishing, sailing, and knitting, as well as spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her desire to work with foster children led her to become a CASA volunteer prior to becoming a Casework Supervisor in 2020.
Cindy can be reached at cindy@casaoftv.org.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Tracy Gonzales joined CASA of Trinity Valley as a volunteer in fall of 2022 and transitioned to her new role as a Casework Supervisor the following spring. Tracy has always had a passion for working with children. She was an elementary teacher for 8 years before becoming a CASA volunteer. She moved to Jacksonville with her husband Miguel 13 years ago. Together they share 5 children and one granddaughter. The children stay busy in sports so Tracy and Miguel are always at the ball field or watching a kids’ race. Tracy is very active in her community and her hobbies include traveling, listening to music, and her favorite sport, hockey. Tracy can be reached at casatracy@casaoftv.org