Leadership Team

Julie Butner

President & Chief Executive Officer

Julie Butner serves as President and CEO of the Tarrant Area Food Bank, serving 13 counties in North Texas, one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. The Tarrant Area Food Bank works with 500 community partners to distribute more than 1 million meals each week to a half million residents facing food insecurity. Julie’s leadership began three short months before the onset of a global pandemic. Julie led the food bank through unprecedented times, providing record amounts of food into the community. Tarrant Area Food Bank saw an 80% increase in the need for food and doubled the amount of food processed, an historic record of food distribution that continues today to meet the increased rate of population.

Julie has led the Food Bank to develop innovative strategies to fulfill the Food Bank’s mission to alleviate hunger and improve health. As a result of her leadership, the Food Bank has increased and diversified its donor base, while making historic investments in building the capacity of the Food Bank to meet the growing need. Notably, Julie has led the Food Bank in establishing the healthcare partnerships, initiative, expanding the Food Bank’s community resources capacity, and opening four new facilities including the Sid W. Richardson Agricultural Hub, a regional produce hub; the Ready to Learn Resource Center, a hub of child-centric community resources for neighbors, children, and families; and two satellite branches – Tarrant Area Food Bank West in Parker County and TAFB North in Denton County.

Prior to joining the Tarrant Area Food Bank in January 2020, Julie held several executive leadership roles in the healthcare and hospitality industries, specifically focused on food and nutrition, and in operations and business development. Julie also served as a Captain in the United States Army during Operation Desert Storm.

Julie graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Coordinated Dietetics and holds a Master of Science in Food Systems Management with an emphasis in Health Promotion from the University of Oklahoma. Julie is a Registered, Licensed Dietitian.

Julie has served the Fort Worth community through leadership roles in many organizations including: the Feeding Texas Board of Directors, Food Bank News Editorial Advisory Board, Leukemia Society, Charles Schwab Challange Executive Women’s Day, Delta Gamma Fraternity, Fort Worth Sister Cities, and The Cowtown Marathon.

In her spare time, Julie enjoys running, yoga, golf, and travels with her husband of thirty years, Greg, and their two Labrador retrievers.

Val Aguilar

Chief Operating Officer

Val joined TAFB in 2016 after working most of his professional career in grocery retail operations. He currently oversees the Community Impact and Volunteer Services teams as well as Operations and Logistics for all TAFB facilities. He graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science and currently resides in Johnson County.

Amie Hebdige

Chief Programs Officer

Oversees Ending Hunger programs, which include Community Nutrition, Healthcare Partnerships, Garden and Farm Programs, and Workforce Development. She has 20 years of strategic leadership experience in the financial, global defense and non-profit sectors. She joined Tarrant Area Food Bank in 2011 after serving two years as a volunteer for the organization. Amie received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Christian University and is an alumna of Leadership Fort Worth.

Erica Chilcutt

Chief Financial Officer

Erica joined TAFB in 2021 after serving as the Accounting Manager for a local accounting and operational firm in Weatherford, Texas. She oversees the Accounting and Finance functions for TAFB including financial reporting, budgeting, audit, tax and risk management. Erica received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Southwest Texas State University in 1998.

Kevin Robles

Human Resource Leader

Oversees the organizations Human Resource operations and manages talent acquisition/engagement, training and development, compensation, benefits, employee relations and regulatory compliance. Kevin is responsible for setting, enforcing, and evaluating legally compliant human resources policies, procedures, and best practices. Kevin received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University.

Stephen Raeside

Chief Development & External Affairs Officer

A twelve-year veteran of TAFB, he leads the agency’s fundraising and marketing/communications team. Philanthropic support of TAFB comes from a wide variety of foundations, corporations, events, and generous individuals.

Jared Williams, Ph.D.

Vice President, Government & External Relations

Quarterbacks the organization’s marketing, communications, and advocacy work, where his team is laser-focused on amplifying stories about the Food Bank’s work to alleviate hunger, nurturing relations with elected officials, cultivating grassroots partnerships, and advancing anti-hunger policy priorities at the local state, and federal levels of government.

Dr. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree from Fort Valley State University, a master’s degree from Texas Christian University, and a doctorate in Environmental Science from the University of North Texas.