LEADERSHIP TEAM

MEET THE TEAM

Get to know the people behind Tarrant Area Food Bank

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.

Jeff Akers

Chief Operating Officer

Oversees the activities of the “Field 2 Fork” team that is responsible for all aspects of food sourcing, inventory management, partner agencies relations and food distribution.

Amie Hebdige

Executive Vice President, Programs

Oversees the program teams, which include Community Nutrition and Food for Kids. 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 Cooking Matters volunteer for the organization. Amie received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Christian University and is an alumna of Leadership Fort Worth.

Stephen Raeside

Chief Development Officer

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

Dr. Shagranda Traveler

Executive Vice President, Advocacy, Communications & Culture

Oversees all local and national advocacy and government relations, marketing and communications, and organizational people and culture initiatives for the food bank. She is an alumna of Leadership Mansfield, recognized as a Community Champion of the Year by the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA), and international Leadership Excellence Award (LEA) recipient. She is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University, University of Dallas, and earned her Doctor of Business Administration from Walden University. Dr. Traveler joined TAFB in 2021.

Bryan Hiett

Chief Financial Officer

Oversees the Accounting and Finance functions for TAFB including financial reporting, budgeting, audit, tax and risk management. Bryan received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Christian University and is a Certified Public Accountant. He joined TAFB in 2019.