Leadership Team

Julie Butner

President & Chief Executive Officer

Prior to joining the Tarrant Area Food Bank in January 2020, Julie spent most of her career working in the healthcare and hospitality industries, specifically focused on food and nutrition, and has held a variety of leadership positions 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: Fort Worth Circle Theatre, Leadership Fort Worth, Delta Gamma Fraternity, Leukemia Society, The Cowtown Marathon, and Fort Worth Sister Cities.

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

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, Advocacy

Quarterbacks the organization’s advocacy efforts in nurturing relations with elected officials, cultivating grassroots partnerships, and advancing anti-hunger policy priorities at the local, state, and federal level.

Dr. Williams is a graduate of North Crowley High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Fort Valley State University – a historically black college and university, a master’s degree in Environmental Science from Texas Christian University, and a doctorate in Environmental Science and Science Education from the University of North Texas.

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Karen Duncan

Karen Duncan

Chair

John Peter Smith Hospital

Ty Stimpson

Ty Stimpson

Chair-Elect

Peterson Law Group

Christy Lara

Christy Lara

Secretary

Albertson’s

Mark Jones

Mark Jones

Treasurer

Mark M. Jones & Associates, PC

Don Mills

Don Mills

Past-Chair

Texas Christian University

Valerie Washington

Valerie Washington

Member-at-Large

The City of Ft. Worth

Ashli Blumenfeld

Ashli Blumenfeld

Standard Meat

Mercedes Bolen

Mercedes Bolen

Hillwood

Rachael Capua

Rachael Capua

Tarleton State University

Judy Carter

BNSF

Hettie Richardson

TCU College of Education

Lou Ann Richardson

Wells Fargo

Pat Smith

Serve Denton

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