President Christy Knight -  We can consider Christy Knight a 2003 founding member and the driving force and inspiration behind the Down Syndrome Association of Brazos Valley. She is responsible for growing our board and the mastermind behind all of the group’s programs, activities, workshops and fundraisers. Christy works for Texas A&M’s Department of Agricultural Economics. She is married to Joe, who also devotes a lot of time, energy and talent to the association. The Knights have five children: James, Krista, Jessica Jones, Justin and seven-year-old Colton, who has Down syndrome.

Vice - President Darla Dyke -The Dyke family has been part of our group since its inception. The Dykes and the Knights organized the first Buddy Walk and have been active in the group and with each Buddy Walk since. Darla works as bakery manager for Kroger. Her husband, Shane, is a Kroger store manager. They have two daughters, two sons and three granddaughters. Their youngest, Dillon, now 16 years old, has Down syndrome. Because of the Dyke’s and their generous coworkers at Kroger, that store has donated hundreds of dollars worth of products to the group and to Buddy Walk for many years.

Secretary Sondra White - Sondra, Sam and Quentin White joined the group in 2005 after moving back to Bryan-College Station from Boerne, Texas. Before that they lived on the island of Guam, where 11-year-old Quentin was born. They were active board members of the Guam Down Syndrome Support Group, where they helped organize two Buddy Walks, and were members of the Down syndrome support group in Boerne. Sondra joined the board in 2006. A class of ’87Aggie, she works in marketing and communications for the Texas A&M Foundation. Sam is a realtor and new-media activist. She loves to write and edit, and enjoys publicizing the good news about the association and Buddy Walk through articles and advertisements. She hopes to help Christy with a regular association newsletter and to enhance the group’s social-media presence.

Treasurer - vacant position

First Member at Large Kate Marinio - Long-time member Katie Marino, 30, lives in College Station and works at Texas A&M’s Duncan Dining Hall. She attends most of the group’s events and workshops. She is participates with the Aggie Bombers in Special Olympics.

Second Member at Large Jessica Milulin - Bryan residents Jessica and Troy Mikulin, are parents to Makenna, age 5, who has Down syndrome, and Addison, age 2. Jessica is a licensed massage therapist at Galleria Day Spa. The Mikulins joined the association in 2005.

Third Member at Large Heather Rutledge - Heather and Robert Rutledge grew up on Bryan but live in College Station with their two boys, Robert (6) and Bode (7), who has Down syndrome. Heather has been secretary of the association’s board for the last three years. The Rutledges joined the group six years ago and her parents have also been active in the group, serving on the board and donation all the barbecue for Buddy Walk. Heather is an emergency room registered nurse at St. Joseph Regional Health Center.