HENDERSON COUNTY
Executive Director, Keith Loper
As the Executive Director of CASA of Trinity Valley, Keith brings more than two decades of experience working with children and families. His career began in residential treatment centers, group homes, and juvenile facilities, where he worked directly with youth navigating complex and challenging circumstances. This foundational work shaped his lifelong commitment to child advocacy.
Keith joined CASA in June 2012 and has spent more than 13 years serving the organization in various roles. Throughout his tenure, he has remained deeply dedicated to supporting children in foster care, strengthening volunteer advocacy, and ensuring that every child’s voice is heard within the court system. His leadership continues to focus on serving the children of Henderson County and empowering the volunteers who stand beside them.
A former rodeo announcer, Keith brings a unique blend of heart, communication, and community connection to his work. He found his true calling through CASA, where advocacy and compassion intersect. For Keith, the most rewarding part of being a CASA advocate is witnessing the real, lasting difference made in the lives of the children served.
Program Director, Penny LaPlant
Penny has been with CASA of Trinity Valley since June 2016, beginning as a Casework Supervisor dedicated to supporting children involved in the child welfare system. Penny expanded her role in 20219 to include volunteer training and recruitment, where she ensured CASA advocates were well-prepared to effectively serve the children assigned to them. In 2021, Penny became Program Director and now leads program operations, supports staff and volunteers, and advances CASA’s mission of providing consistent, informed advocacy for children and families in the community.
Director of Development, Angela Hinojosa
Angela moved to Athens in 2011 to be closer to her family and joined the team at CASA of Trinity Valley in 2017, where she found her passion for advocacy and a desire to serve the community firsthand. During her time at CASA, she has served as Office Manager/Events Planner, Resource Development Officer and Director of Development. Currently, she is focused on sourcing new revenue streams, grants and other financial support to keep CASA of Trinity Valley a thriving non-profit organization. One of the main driving forces behind Angela’s work is her determination to fight for the rights of those who cannot advocate for themselves and to support and strengthen the causes she believes make a difference in the world.
Office Manager, Amanda Jenkins
Amanda serves as the Office Manager for CASA of Trinity Valley, where she plays a vital role in supporting daily operations and ensuring the organization functions efficiently in support of its mission.
Amanda moved to Athens in 2012 with her husband, Coty, and together they are raising two daughters. She brings years of experience in office administration and clerical support, with strengths in organization, record management, scheduling, and day-to-day operational coordination. Her attention to detail and dependable work ethic help ensure the office runs smoothly and with excellence.
Guided by her faith and a true servant’s heart, Amanda has a deep love for children and a strong passion for advocating for their safety and well-being. She believes every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and heard—especially during difficult seasons of life. Through her work at CASA, Amanda is honored to use her skills and dedication to support families, empower volunteers, and advance the organization’s mission of advocating for the best interests of children. She considers it a calling to be part of work that brings hope, healing, and lasting impact to children and families in her community.
Casework Supervisor, Brittany Irby
Born and raised locally, Brittany has a deep love for her community and the people who call it home. She is a proud mom to three incredible children, and her role as a parent has greatly shaped her passion for advocating for children and families who need a strong, consistent voice.
Brittany is honored to serve with CASA, where she works alongside dedicated volunteers, families, and community partners to help ensure children in foster care are safe, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive. She believes every child deserves to be heard, valued, and surrounded by people who are committed to their best interests.
Outside of work, Brittany cherishes spending time with her family and fur babies. She also enjoys photography, which allows her to capture meaningful moments and reminds her of the importance of seeing the world through a lens of compassion and understanding.
Casework Supervisor, Chloe Urrutia
Chloe is a Casework Supervisor at CASA of Trinity Valley, where she supports advocates and works to ensure children in the foster care system have a strong, consistent voice. She enjoys building meaningful relationships, mentoring others, and creating a supportive team environment grounded in thoughtful, child-centered advocacy.
Chloe earned her Master of Science in Social Work from The University of Texas at Arlington, which strengthened her commitment to ethical practice, trauma-informed care, and meaningful advocacy. She is dedicated to empowering children and volunteers alike to make every voice count.
Outside of CASA, Chloe can usually be found cheering on her children from the sidelines at sports games or unwinding with a documentary. She values time with family and friends, loves a good game night, and stays connected to her community through volunteering.
Casework Supervisor/Trainer, Kathy Moreland
Kathy is a CASA Supervisor and Trainer and has been with CASA for five years. She is passionate about advocating for children and enjoys supporting and working alongside CASA’s dedicated volunteers. Kathy is a determined professional with a strong appreciation for family, personal connection, and balance. She enjoys spending her free time at the beach, creating memories with loved ones, and doting on her dog.
Casework Supervisor/Recruiter, Kim Johnson
Kim is a wife of 44 years, a mother, and a grandmother. For more than 30 years, CASA has been an important part of her life and calling. Guided by faith and a deep belief in CASA’s mission to serve children in hard places, Kim feels honored to work alongside compassionate volunteers, dedicated coworkers, and valued community partners.
Throughout her tenure with CASA, Kim has served as a volunteer, Casework Supervisor, and Recruiter, and I currently serves as a staff advocate working with children in the permanent managing conservatorship of the state. Kim is motivated by the belief that every child deserves at least one caring adult who believes in them and offers hope for a better future.
Outside of her work with CASA, she enjoys spending time with family, adventures, traveling, and reading.
ANDERSON COUNTY
Casework Supervisor, Lee McCain Brown
Lee has dedicated her professional life to advocating for children and families, serving as a steady and compassionate voice for the most vulnerable for more than five decades. Her professional journey began in education, where she spent 19 years as a classroom teacher, followed by 13 years as a school counselor committed to supporting the emotional well-being and holistic development of students.
For the past 18 years, Lee has been an integral part of CASA of Trinity Valley, first serving three years as a Board Member and now in her role as Casework Supervisor. With extensive experience in education and deep knowledge of the child welfare and legal advocacy systems, she brings thoughtful leadership, consistency, and care to every case she oversees. Lee remains deeply committed to ensuring that every child served by CASA has a voice and the opportunity to achieve a safe, permanent home.
Casework Supervisor, Cindy Eppes
Cindy joined CASA as a volunteer in 2017 and became a Casework Supervisor in 2020. Having taught Spanish in public high schools, she had seen the devastation in young lives caused by trauma at home and wanted to help give children the best chance to overcome that trauma. Cindy believes that children facing these difficulties need to know that someone is consistently in their corner, and she has witnessed CASA volunteers and staff make a huge difference in their lives. When not working, she can be found with her husband of 42 years fly fishing or gardening.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Casework Supervisor, Tracy Gonzales
Tracy grew up in East Texas and has a strong passion for small town life. Tracy believes in being active and present in her community, and that to be individually successful, you should lift others up in every aspect—whether that is supporting children in school, helping those less fortunate, or volunteering in your community. She earned a BS in Elementary Education and taught elementary for 8 years due to her passion for protecting children and helping them achieve their dreams. Every child has the right to an education, to grow up happy, healthy and to be in a safe loving environment, and Tracy joined CASA to help ensure the children she serves can achieve all of those things.
When she’s not working, her hobbies include traveling and hockey. Tracy’s entire world revolves around her three children, two bonus children, and two grandchildren. She is a very proud military mom (Navy), a McMurry Warhawk mom, Texas A&M mom, and soon to be Texas Tech mom.
Casework Supervisor, Brookie McIntyre
Brookie comes to CASA with 29 years of service as an educator in the public school system. She served as a CASA volunteer before taking on the role as Casework Supervisor. Brookie has a BS in Education from UT Tyler and an MLS degree from Sam Houston State University. She lives in Jacksonville with her husband of 21 years and has 4 children and 5 grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to read, play games and solve word puzzles, make crafts, and go antique and thrift shopping. Brookie is passionate about helping others. Working for CASA is an excellent way for her to continue serving the needs of children, parents, and foster families in her community.