ETCOG Honors Eight East Texans for Service, Courage, and Regional Leadership

East Texas Council of Governments • March 23, 2026

A group of six people on the left and two people on the right holding awards at an indoor ceremony or event.

Top: Debbie Bryan, Judge AJ Mason, Laura Hill, Sandra Kooker, Dr. Robert Haberle, Officer Brady Gould
Bottom: Brookshire Grocery Company representatives Rachel Gee, Chris Jennings, and Mark Lawrence, and Officer Rachel Duraso with ETCOG's Director of Public Safety, Stephanie Heffner

At its 109th Semi-Annual Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026, the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) presented eight regional awards recognizing individuals and organizations whose work strengthens communities across ETCOG’s 14-county region.

“In East Texas, the people who contribute the most are often the ones who don’t ask to be noticed…first responders who run toward danger, volunteers who keep showing up, and leaders who build cooperation across city and county lines. During our regional awards ceremony, it was our honor to confer eight awards this year in recognition of the extraordinary dedication and leadership of those making a real difference in the lives of the people they serve,” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland.

With approximately 100 special guests, elected officials, legislative representatives, and staff in attendance, ETCOG’s board chairman, Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley, led the meeting held at the Whitehouse City Center. Awardees and a summary of their achievements are as follows:

REGIONAL FIRST RESPONDER OF THE YEAR (Two Recipients)

This award recognizes first responders who have rendered extraordinary service, putting their lives on the line for our safety while performing their duties as peace officers, firemen, EMS and dispatchers, DPS officers, and troopers.

Officer Brady Gould, Whitehouse Police Department

On the morning of January 29, 2026, Officer Gould responded to a residential structure fire in Whitehouse and arrived to find the home already engulfed. Neighbors reported an elderly woman was still inside. After encountering heavy smoke at one entry point, Officer Gould moved to another door, entered the home, and crawled beneath smoke that had dropped close to the floor, without protective equipment, to locate the resident. He guided her through the smoke-filled home and safely out. Fire officials later indicated the woman likely would have lost consciousness within minutes if help had not arrived. ETCOG recognized Officer Gould for decisive, selfless action under life-threatening conditions.

Officer Rachel Duraso, Longview Police Department

On September 1, 2025 (Labor Day), while off duty with her family at Hugh Camp Memorial Park in Liberty City, Officer Duraso heard gunshots and recognized an immediate threat nearby. Without her issued police equipment, she moved her children to safety and ran toward the danger, confronting and disarming an armed suspect. She then provided first aid to victims and assisted until additional responders arrived. She later supported the investigation, which resulted in an arrest and capital murder charges. ETCOG honored Officer Duraso for extraordinary courage and calm leadership in a high-risk situation. She was later recognized with the Medal of Valor by the Longview Police Department, along with congressional recognition from the office of U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran.

REGIONAL CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD (Two Recipients)

This award is designed to honor an East Texas citizen who has contributed to the well-being of the East Texas Region.

Debbie Bryan, Smith County Volunteer

Retirement did not slow Debbie Bryan’s commitment to public service. It redirected it. After retiring from the University of Texas System, Bryan became actively involved with the Smith County Office of Emergency Management, volunteering her own time and resources to strengthen preparedness across the region. She has participated in more than 75 emergency preparedness events, connecting directly with more than 4,000 residents to help families prepare for emergencies and access critical resources. She also helped coordinate training opportunities through Texas Ready, expanding access to state-recognized preparedness training, and prioritized outreach to vulnerable and underserved residents, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged households.

Sandra Kooker, Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center Volunteer

For Sandra Kooker, community service looks like long miles and early mornings because in East Texas, animal welfare is increasingly a regional challenge. Since 2021, Kooker has volunteered with the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center (LACAC), an open-admission facility serving animals across Gregg County and surrounding communities. As shelters elsewhere have reduced intake or closed, LACAC’s role has become even more essential and more strained. Kooker meets that need as a primary volunteer driver for LACAC’s transport van, making thousands-of-miles round-trip journeys to partner organizations such as North Shore Animal League America (New York) and The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue (Tennessee). In 2025 alone, she completed dozens of transports. With trips that carried up to 30 animals, she helped facilitate the rescue and rehoming of hundreds of dogs and cats, while also creating space for LACAC to continue serving the region.

REGIONAL CORPORATE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Regional Corporate Citizen of the Year award honors a corporate partner in East Texas who has contributed to the well-being of the Region.

Brookshire Grocery Company (Tyler, Texas)

In East Texas, corporate citizenship is measured by what a company does when communities need stability and essentials, especially under pressure. ETCOG recognized Brookshire Grocery Company for consistent, practical investment in the well-being of the region’s cities, nonprofits, schools, and families. During natural disasters, severe weather, or economic hardships, Brookshire’s is known for stepping forward decisively. The company keeps stores open, when possible, reopens quickly, and supports relief efforts with food, supplies, and logistical assistance in coordination with local leaders and organizations. ETCOG also highlighted the company’s long-term impact through local employment, economic stability, and sustained community engagement, often delivered quietly and without fanfare, but felt across the communities it serves.

REGIONAL COMMITTEE SERVICE AWARD

The Regional Committee Service Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a sustained, dedicated commitment to ETCOG efforts and activities.

Laura Hill, City of Longview (ETCOG Solid Waste Advisory Committee)

The work of regional cooperation happens where plans become action, inside the committees that bring local leaders and technical experts together to solve shared problems. ETCOG honored Laura Hill for sustained, high-impact service supporting regional collaboration. With more than 30 years in public service, Hill brings steady leadership and deep experience to ETCOG’s work. Since 2022, she has served as Chair of the Regional Solid Waste Advisory Committee, helping guide the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan with a focus that extends beyond disposal to source reduction, reuse and recycling, and long-term planning. Under her leadership, the committee has helped evaluate projects, review proposals, and shape funding recommendations to advance regional goals such as reducing waste headed to disposal, curbing illegal dumping, keeping household hazardous waste properly managed, and strengthening long-term environmental quality. Hill has also supported broader regional priorities, including America250 coordination efforts and assisting with the Point-in-Time count, strengthening efforts to understand and support unhoused populations across multiple counties.

REGIONAL SHINING STAR AWARD*

The Regional Shining Star Award is designed to recognize people who have provided exceptional support or invaluable partnership to the East Texas Council of Governments. *This is not a standard ETCOG award given annually, but at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Dr. Robert Haberle, Workforce Solutions East Texas Board

Some leaders do not just serve a program. They shape its impact over decades. ETCOG presented the Regional Shining Star Award, reserved for rare, above-and-beyond service, to Dr. Robert Haberle for long-term leadership supporting ETCOG and Workforce Solutions East Texas. Since joining the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board in 2011, Haberle has helped guide a workforce system operating at a significant scale, with a budget of just over $60 million, providing no-cost services to employers and job seekers. In the past year alone, Workforce Solutions East Texas supported more than 81,000 businesses and job seekers, provided nearly $1 million in job training scholarships, helped thousands of unemployment claimants return to work, and subsidized child care for more than 9,000 families, alongside investments in childcare quality and support for small child care providers. Dr. Robert Haberle was appointed to the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board by the region’s Chief Elected Officials, through Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis, and has held multiple leadership roles, including Workforce Centers Committee Chair, Vice Chairman, and Board Chairman. He served six years as Chairman (October 2016 to September 2022), helping strengthen collaboration with the CEO Board, and he continues to lead key subcommittee work supporting new workforce centers in Longview and Tyler. He also represents East Texas statewide and nationally as Vice Chair of the Texas Association of Workforce Boards and as the region’s representative to the National Association of Workforce Boards. His public service also includes serving as Mayor of Jacksonville (2005–2011) and representing Jacksonville on the ETCOG Board of Directors.

REGIONAL STATESMANSHIP AWARD

The Regional Statesmanship Award recognizes a local, state, or federal official who has demonstrated valuable, dedicated service to regional cooperation.

Camp County Judge AJ Mason

Regional progress depends on leaders who build trust and keep cooperation moving, even when much of that work happens behind the scenes. ETCOG honored Camp County Judge AJ Mason with the Regional Statesmanship Award for dedicated service supporting regional cooperation and for leadership grounded in fairness, transparency, and respect. Nomination comments described Judge Mason as a leader who listens closely, engages directly, and ensures community members are heard, approaching decisions with an even-handed commitment to the common good. ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland also recognized Judge Mason’s behind-the-scenes service as an ETCOG Board officer and Executive Committee member, noting his willingness to serve across subcommittees and contribute detailed program knowledge where it matters most. Judge Mason is also respected among his peers, including service as Chief Elected Officials–Rural Transportation Planning Organization (CEO-RTPO) Vice Chairman over multiple consecutive terms, an additional example of a servant-minded approach that earns trust across the region.

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ETCOG/ETEDD and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grant writing workshop in Tyler, TX, August 27-28, 2026. This training is for grant seekers from all disciplines. Attend this class to learn how to write winning government grant proposals and find the available grant funding. Beginning and experienced grant writers from city, county, state agencies, K-12, colleges & universities and nonprofits are encouraged to attend. Registration is $525 and includes everything you need: Grant Writing USA Workbook Two days of expert instruction Lifetime access to Grant Writing USA Alumni Resource Center Grant Writing USA is offering ETCOG members a $50 discount. Please use the discount code "less50" at the time of registration. When: August 27 - 28 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Where: 1421 S Beckham Ave, Tyler, TX 75701 For event details visit: https://grantstraining.com/ty0826

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Tips from TDA to Prepare for Upcoming 2027 TxCDBG Applications

By Texas Department of Agriculture • July 13, 2026

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By East Texas Council of Governments • July 13, 2026

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By Texas Parks and Wildlife • July 10, 2026

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Grant Opportunity for: Clean Land, Healthy Communities

By East Texas Council of Governments • April 30, 2026

Many of our communities have properties that are abandoned or underutilized because of suspected environmental contamination from past uses. These properties are commonly referred to as “Brownfields.” Redeveloping a brownfield site does more than change the look of a property; it strengthens the health, economy, and spirit of the whole community. Through ETCOG’s Brownfield Site Reuse & Revitalization Program, local governments and property owners can receive no-match funding to assess and plan for the safe reuse of vacant or underused sites. Projects can include environmental studies, market analyses, community engagement efforts, and much more, that set the stage for growth while protecting public health and the environment. Every successful project begins with identifying potential sites. If your community has a property that could be brought back to life, now is the time to act. Find details and a site nomination form at www.etcog.org/brownfields-program .