MARTY BOWYER

Maricela aka “Marty” G. Bowyer has been working for Texas A&M University-Kingsville since July 1, 2008. Prior to becoming a Business Operations Manager for Student Health and Wellness, Bowyer came to SHW with 18 years of Banking/Accounting experience. As Business Operations Manager, currently Bowyer is responsible for the development, direction and administration within the four units. She will administer and provide leadership, coordinate, strong decision making, assign responsibilities and encourage continuing professional development/education of staff members. Bowyer has over 13 years of experience in administration. I’d love to be a staff council member primarily because my passion is serving the Javelina community faculty, staff, and students with pride. I love to be competitive, make sound decisions, and tackle new ideas to assist in improvement of the campus. Second, I accept and carry out additional responsibilities beyond regular job assignments for the campus community as a whole. I love sports and enjoy working out at the GYM because I believe in staying healthy and active. Finally, this opportunity will help my voice to be heard within the campus community attaining the knowledge and experience. I feel I am qualified and would be a fair and equitable representative serving as staff council.

JUAN GARZA

Hello. I am Juan Garza, Environmental Health and Safety Manager under the Enterprise Risk Management Department. I’ve been employed at TAMUK for 12 years. In my time here, I have witnessed simple ideas to nationally-recognized programs. I have a long standing history with Staff Council that started about seven years ago. I was asked if I didn’t mind helping with the Spring Fling and Fall Carnival BBQ’ing Turkey legs. After the first year of volunteering, I was hooked. I knew this was a hardworking group that I wanted to dedicate my time to. I was elected into the council shortly after and served a total of six years. I have had the privilege of serving on numerous committees within the council and have held the leadership role of President as well. I also had the honor of being selected as the Staff Council Employee of the Year. Council by-laws required me to take this year off, but I was still extremely active volunteering in activities. I really enjoy helping people and advocating for our university staff community. I would love to be elected to serve once again so that I may continue to work hard for you, bring more staff development opportunities to TAMUK, and to promote the values and mission of Javelina Nation.

DEBBIE BRANSTETTER

After receiving her BBA from Texas A&I and her M.Ed. from TAMUK, Deborah’s Higher Ed career began at Coastal Bend College as the Customized Training Representative in Continuing Education. During her tenure at CBC, she also served as Dual Credit Liaison, and Site Director (Kingsville & Alice Sites). Deborah has engaged in many community activities and boards in the Kingsville area: Boys & Girls Club of Kingsville Board of Directors, Kingsville Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Noon Rotary Club Board of Directors, Woman’s Club of Kingsville, Kleberg County Adult Literacy Council, H.M. King ISD Career & Technical Advisory Board, Santa Gertrudis ISD Task Force for Excellence, Epiphany Episcopal School Board of Trustees, and First Presbyterian Church of Kingsville Deacons. She also completed the Leadership Kingsville class in 2002. Deborah joined TAMUK in the Office of Finance & Budget in the summer of 2015 as the Manager of Travel Services and has enjoyed being on the campus of her alma mater every day! As a Staff Council member, Deborah will bring her experience in building relationships, facilitation/problem solving, and education/training as well as leadership skills. “I look forward to helping continue to build the University Community by strengthening the connections and collaborations across campus. I’m excited about the opportunities to promote staff experiences and development!”

JEANETTE GONZALEZ

Jeanette Gonzalez is the Assistant to the Chief Information Officer, a position in which she provides assistance to the iTech department and campus. She has been employed at Texas A&M University-Kingsville for a total of nine years. Jeanette has served as a Staff Council Member for the past two years and enjoys participating in the Spring Fling and Fall Festival activities to name a few. Jeanette would like to serve on Staff Council to continue bringing opportunities to the university staff. In addition to her roles here at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Jeanette is married, has 3 children, and 2 grandchildren. Jeanette attends St. James Catholic Church in Bishop where she is also a member of the Alter Society and Catholic Daughters of Americas. In addition to these activities, she serves as a Bishop CISD School Board Member. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and supporting them in their many sports they participate in. She also enjoys reading and walking.

ELISA GUERRA

Originally from San Antonio, TX, I relocated to Kingsville in 2009 with my husband and our two children when my husband took a job in the area. I joined the TAMUK family in July 2011 as an Administrative Assistant for the Department of History, Political Science & Philosophy. Always up for a new challenge, I transferred to the College of Arts & Sciences as the Office Manager in October 2012 and have been in this position since. I thrive on the fast-pace and daily interaction with administrators, faculty, staff & students. I am proud to have been selected as a TAMUK Employee of the Year in 2014 and 2016. By nature, I am a planner - I enjoy planning, creating, assessing, and implementing. I am a firm believer that in order to succeed as a whole, we each have to do our part. I believe in a team concept and in showing appreciation - each team member brings value and giving appreciation for a job well done is key. I strive daily to help others succeed and to do my job to the best of my ability. I would love the opportunity to do the same as a member of Staff Council.

JOSE MENDOZA

I have been employed as an Academic Advisor III/Lecturer for the College of Business with the Center for Student Success since October 2014. I am a native of Kingsville and a double Alum of TAMUK receiving my BS in Biology in 2005 and MBA in 2009. I have truly enjoyed working with students alongside a wonderful group of faculty and staff. During my previous employment, I served on committees to help raise employee morale including: staff appreciation activities, employee development and productivity, and promoting a good work environment. As an undergrad, I was involved with many campus organizations. I especially took pride in representing the COAS in the Student Government Association. I enjoyed being the voice for our college and expressing concerns that needed to be addressed. If elected, I will use my previous experiences to be a voice and advocate for my fellow staff members. I will make a positive impact and devote myself in whatever capacity is needed. When I first came to campus I was blown away with how welcoming everyone had been and was particularly impressed with all the Staff Council did to ensure everyone felt appreciated. I want to continue that tradition and represent you as an active Professional/ Non-Faculty member of Staff Council. Thank you for your consideration.

KATHY PAWELEK

I transferred to TAMUK in Spring 2001 as a student in Arts & Sciences, without knowing it would eventually become my home and family. I have faced some of the hardest and most wonderful times of my life here – including meeting & marrying my husband. This university supported and encouraged the fight within me to complete my degree – I am forever thankful. I am grateful to have served in three diverse areas as a professional staff member. I began as an Administrative Assistant in Special Programs 9 years ago. Here I got a taste for working with students and was thrilled when I was able to become an Academic Advisor. After __ years, I found myself missing the business side of things. The position I am in now brought me home to Arts & Sciences, giving me the opportunity to interact daily with faculty, students, and staff. I could not ask for more. I personally know how much we make a difference not only in the lives of our students, but also in each other. Becoming a member of Staff Council would allow me the chance to use my skills, knowledge, and strengths to advocate on behalf of the people and university I love so much.

ALFONSO RAMOS

I would like to offer a sincere thank you to those who nominated me for staff council. I appreciate the confidence you have in me and the opportunity granted to be elected. I am a Kingsville native and my wife and I both work at the university. My parents and many family members are proud Javelina alumni and I grew up around the campus community. My three years of service to the university have been a joy. Every day I am inspired by fellow co-works that help to make this campus a unique and welcoming place. I would like to be elected to represent the people I work with by voicing issues and concerns to upper management. The staff council events that I have attended were fun, informative and an excellent way for staff to meet and connect with others across campus. I want to become more involved in the events because they supports our career development and give staff a greater sense of community. As a member of staff council I would also like to find a way to support a fitness/wellness program that makes resources more available to promote a healthy life style for staff members. Thank you for your consideration and I would appreciate your vote.

PATSY RIOS

My name is Patricia Rios, but everyone knows me as “Patsy”. I have been employed with the University for 23 years, of which two of those years were as work-study. I worked all of those years in Strategic Sourcing and General Services, better known as “Purchasing”. I recently switched positions and am now the Office Manager for Art, Communication and Theatre. I have served as a Staff Council member twice during my years of service. I held the Office of Treasurer from 2013-2015. During my service, we held fundraisers to start hosting Staff Appreciation Week as a token of appreciation for everything the Staff does for the TAMUK. We started assisting with graduations by greeting visitors, offering water and being available for any questions, and we implemented the President’s Staff Round Tables. I participated in committees also: Book Scholarship & Parking Permit Award Committee, Welcome Back Luncheon, Thanksgiving Dinner Give Away and chaired the Employee of the Year Award Committee. We have always had a good hardworking team in Staff Council. I have enjoyed my involvement, especially meeting other employees on campus and working the activities. My husband and I are always willing and looking forward to helping out Staff Council whenever possible, whether as a member or not. Thank you.

LOREAL ROBERTSON

Loreal Robertson is the Coordinator of Campus Activities and Adjunct Lecturer for Student Success at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She chairs the Welcome Week and Homecoming Week committees and is a member of several university committees such as the Lectureship Series and Heritage Committee. Active in numerous professional organizations, Loreal serves as the Conference Logistics Coordinator on the Regional Planning Conference Committee (RCPC) for the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA). Loreal holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Order of Omega, and the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). Loreal is originally from Chicago and has lived in Texas for three years. Outside of work she is active in her church community, book club and is a member of a band called Venus Lily founded in Corpus Christi.

SAUNDRA SOLIS

Picture and Bio not available at this time.

ROSIE SORIA

Rosalva Soria, from Houston TX. Graduated from TAMUK with a Bachelors in Business Administration majoring in Accounting and Finance. I started working for the university as a student worker in 2009 and have been with the Department of Finance and Budget since. My favorite part of my job is the ability to help students, parents, and departments. On my free time I love to travel, I have a goal to travel to all 50 states by the age of 50!