ETCOG Announces Regional Award Recipients for Exemplary Contributions to East Texas

East Texas Council of Governments • March 26, 2024
A collage of photos of people standing next to each other holding awards.

ETCOG honored regional citizens who exemplify excellence in performance, innovation, and contributions to the community at its 105th Semi-Annual Board of Directors Meeting last week at the Jeffersonian Institute in Jefferson, Texas. The meeting was led by ETCOG’s Board Chairman, Harrison County Commissioner William Hatfield, which included celebrating seven regional award winners at the ceremony. Honoree information is as follows:

 

REGIONAL FIRST RESPONDER AWARD

ETCOG presented a Regional First Responder Award, recognizing a first responder who has rendered extraordinary service, putting their lives on the line for our safety while performing their duties. Sergeant Konrad Roberts, from the Longview Police Department, was recognized for his dedication to ensuring the safety of his community and fellow officers. His dedication and character go beyond his duty, as he actively mentors young officers, shoulders additional responsibilities, and continuously seeks opportunities to enhance his leadership skills. Beyond his role as a sergeant and police officer, Roberts is a devoted father and full-time student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. An excerpt from his award nomination proudly states, “Konrad Roberts deserves this award for not only the commitment he gives to the Longview community through serving and protecting, but for the countless hours he spends trying to improve himself so that he can be the best possible version of himself for the people of Longview.”

 

REGIONAL CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

ETCOG's Regional Citizen of the Year award is designed to honor a citizen of East Texas who has contributed to the region's well-being. Dina Carroll of Jefferson and Paula Jimenez of Longview received the awards.

 

Dina Carroll, a lead volunteer helping run the Friends of Jefferson Animals rescue, has been awarded this prestigious award for her dedication to animal welfare. Carroll was nominated for this award by over 50 community members for her tireless efforts in rescuing, caring for, and finding homes for abandoned and abused animals. Through her leadership efforts, she raises awareness of the importance of spaying and neutering pets, advocates for responsible pet ownership, and educates the community on animal protection issues. Friends of Jefferson Animals is a non-profit run by three volunteers, including Carroll, who also works full-time and dedicates her free time to the agency along with her son Cooper.

 

Paula Jimenez is passionate about supporting communities and vital resources. Raised in adversity by a single mother among seven siblings, Jiminez is a testament to hard work and resilience. Despite facing many challenges, her spirit and drive propelled her to become a first-generation college graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology. During her time as a private investigator, she provided free services advocating for justice through her involvement with “The Innocence Project,” working to reunite torn families. Within our communities, she has helped release 14 innocent citizens from incarceration and helped reunite 134 children back to their families. Beyond her professional endeavors, she supports victims of human trafficking and leads fundraising initiatives for numerous nonprofits, showcasing her leadership and dedication to serving others.

 

REGIONAL CORPORATE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

The Regional Corporate Citizen of the Year award honors a corporate partner in East Texas who has contributed to the region's well-being. The ETCOG board conferred the award to The Genesis Group in Tyler, a software solution provider that has revolutionized public safety operations while remaining deeply committed to making a lasting impact in the region. In their 35 years of operation, they have supported public safety initiatives with software to promote emergency preparedness, ensuring the safety of public safety operators and enhancing overall community resilience. One notable initiative is the groundbreaking eBONDS software platform, offered at no cost to county governments, modernizing jail operations across the ETCOG region, reducing detention periods, and streamlining bail bonding processes. Through strategic partnerships and targeted philanthropic initiatives, The Genesis Group has supported local nonprofits dedicated to addressing issues such as children’s welfare, education, and food insecurity.

 

REGIONAL STATESMANSHIP AWARD

Gladewater Councilwoman Brandy Flannagan has been awarded this year's Regional Statesmanship Award for her valuable and dedicated service to regional cooperation. Flannagan was nominated by several community members, including a fellow Gladwater councilperson, who shared, “Brandy has served the Gladewater City Council tirelessly for six years and has now committed to lending her talents to and running for the office of mayor. She has been instrumental in the long process of creating a budget surplus in our city, moving the balance from $13 in 2018 to an estimated $1 million-plus this year. She brings a wealth of fiscal knowledge to the table and uses that expertise to benefit all of the citizenry.” Flanagan’s impact transcends municipal boundaries, as evidenced by her role as a business advisor for many East Texas counties through the UT Tyler Longview Small Business Development Center. Her leadership has facilitated increased engagement from local businesses, fostering economic growth and access to resources in neighboring communities.


REGIONAL COMMITTEE SERVICE AWARD

Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano has served on the ETCOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee for over 20 years. Through his exemplary service, he was chosen for the Regional Committee Service Award, recognizing an individual who has demonstrated a sustained, dedicated commitment to ETCOG efforts and activities. Sheriff Cerliano has been a dedicated committee member, lending his expertise, insights, and discernment to advancing regional grant recommendations and other needed services for our entire region. His tireless efforts have played a crucial role in shaping policies, initiatives, and programs to enhance public safety and promote fairness within our criminal justice system. His dedication to upholding the principles of justice, integrity, and professionalism has earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and colleagues throughout East Texas.


“Sheriff Maxey’s commitment to Public Service and servants heart can be clearly seen in how he cares for the daily welfare of the law abiding citizens of Gregg County and East Texas.” Said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “His contributions to the County and the region over the past 25 years go well beyond the scope of this award. We are fortunate to have him as our Sherriff and I am glad we could honor him in this way!”


REGIONAL SHINING STAR AWARD

This year, ETCOG initiated the Regional Shining Star Award to recognize persons who have provided exceptional support or invaluable partnership to the East Texas Council of Governments. Nancy Hoehn, serves as our region’s Public Transportation Coordinator representative with TxDOT. ETCOG first worked with Hoehn in her previous role as the Transportation Director of the Ark-Tex Council of Governments to bridge service gaps and coordinate partnerships between our regions. ETCOG’s Assistant Transportation Director, Katey Pilgram, shared at the awards presentation, “Her relationship with ETCOG expanded when she took on her current role with TxDOT as our Public Transportation Coordinator, which involves overseeing multiple agencies, including ETCOG’s transportation program. Regardless of her role and duties, there is one thing that has not changed: her passion to educate and inspire transit agencies and other local organizations to work together for the greater good of the residents we serve. She has been a constant resource for ETCOG and always encourages partnerships between agencies. This has been successful because, during her tenure with TxDOT, all of the transit agencies in East Texas have agreements in place with one another that have resulted in no area in East Texas being unserved.”


"It was our honor to host our regional awards ceremony, where we celebrated the remarkable contributions of individuals, elected officials, and organizations that have made a positive impact on our region, said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. "This event is a tribute to those who have shown exceptional dedication and leadership in their respective fields and made a significant difference in the lives of the people they serve."


Photos of the event are available on the ETCOG Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EastTexasCOG.

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By Texas Commission on Environmental Quality • June 5, 2026
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USDA is Now Accepting Applications for Rural Businesses and Community Development Projects

By USDA Rural Development • June 2, 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that it is making $27.7 million in grants available through the Rural Business Development Grant Program (RBDG). This program provides funding for business and community initiatives that promote economic growth and job creation. Eligible applicants can include rural cooperatives, state government agencies, towns, and communities, nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher learning, and federally recognized Tribes. Individuals and for-profit businesses or organizations are not eligible to apply. Applications will compete in two separate categories: Business opportunity grants: May be used for business support centers, technology-based economic development, leadership and entrepreneur training, feasibility studies, business plans, long-term strategic planning, and other eligible activities. Business enterprise grants: May be used for training and technical assistance, project planning, business counseling, market research, feasibility studies, and product or service improvements, buying or developing land, easements, or rights of way, including access streets and parking areas, constructing or renovating buildings, and buying machinery and equipment, capitalizing revolving loan funds, and supporting rural business incubators and community economic development and other eligible activities. Electronic applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. local time through Grants.gov on the due date. The Rural Business Development Grant Program has two different closing dates: June 15, 2026, only applies to Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) applications. June 30, 2026, applies to the remainder of the applicants. For more information on how to apply please visit on gov or contact your local USDA Rural Development office .

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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 .
Sunset over a calm lake with clouds reflected in the water and a tree-lined shore

Application Period for Water Supply and Infrastructure Grants Now Open

By Texas Water Development Board • April 29, 2026
This is an announcement shared from Texas Water Development Board

ETCOG Awards Civic Marketplace to Expand Cooperative Purchasing for Rural Communities, Schools, and Local Districts

By Civic Marketplace • April 28, 2026
Today, the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announced the award of Civic Marketplace as the technology platform for COGWORKS, its cooperative purchasing arm. The partnership will leverage cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence to support regional purchasing for rural communities, school districts, and local governments across the East Texas region, state, and nationwide. For more than 50 years, ETCOG has supported East Texas through regional planning, coordination, and shared services. COGWORKS was established in response to member demand for dependable cost-control solutions that serve jurisdictions of all sizes through competitively awarded cooperative contracts. This collaboration strengthens COGWORKS by improving shared buying, administrative coordination, and visibility into contract activity, enabling members to operate more efficiently while meeting procurement requirements. “This partnership supports our responsibility to ensure rural communities, schools, and local districts can access purchasing programs that deliver measurable savings and efficiencies,” said David Cleveland, Executive Director of ETCOG. “COGWORKS allows participants to benefit from collective buying power and shared procurement expertise through a program they know and trust.” Civic Marketplace will partner with ETCOG to activate and operate COGWORKS on its digital platform, in order to expand participation and deliver measurable value to member agencies across East Texas. Through its purpose-built technology platform, proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) agentic, solutions, and hands-on program enablement, Civic Marketplace will support contract visibility, supplier onboarding, entity activation, and ongoing program analytics at no cost to member agencies. “This partnership demonstrates ETCOG's commitment to building a strong, sustainable cooperative purchasing ecosystem for East Texas,” said Al Hleileh, CEO and Co-Founder of Civic Marketplace. “Our goal is to help COGWORKS increase utilization and transparency of cooperative contracts, elevate local businesses, and deliver regional efficiency.” “Civic Marketplace was born in East Texas, with deep roots in the cities of Longview and Tyler,” added Ron Holifield, Co-Founder and President of Civic Marketplace. “Our partnership with COGWORKS is both a homecoming and a new wellspring for these communities, bringing together collaborative purchasing and cutting edge technology to help local government entities better serve their residents.” As COGWORKS continues to grow, ETCOG and Civic Marketplace will work together to expand contract offerings, support supplier participation, and provide members with the tools and information needed to use cooperative purchasing effectively. About Civic Marketplace Civic Marketplace is the AI procurement platform built for local governments and free for every SLED entity to use. By removing cost as a barrier, we make it easier for cities, counties, and school districts to modernize how they buy goods and services without adding strain to already tight budgets. Our platform connects government buyers to a network of pre-approved suppliers, ensuring every contract meets compliance and quality standards from the start. We're especially committed to expanding access for historically underutilized businesses, helping local governments support regional suppliers and strengthen the communities they serve. Procurement doesn't have to be slow, complicated, or expensive. Civic Marketplace is backed by venture investment and built to prove it.  Learn more at civicmarketplace.com

ETCOG Awarded for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 24 Consecutive Years

By East Texas Council of Governments • April 28, 2026
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the East Texas Council of Governments for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024. The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the program's high standards, including demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. It is awarded to the East Texas Council of Governments Operations Division, which includes David Cleveland, Executive Director; Wendi Horst, Operations Director; and Operations team members Gini Blackwell, Sloane Bodle, Trish Branham, Christy Cross, Rita Hitt, Kelly Horn, Elizabeth Jones, DeAnn Jordan, Glenda Lamothe, Michaela Marotta, Jennifer Nicholson, Staci Reynolds, Cori Rhodes, Susan Schooley, Kim Scott, and Christine Weems. "I am impressed with the consistent excellence and professionalism of our Financial Operations Team! They produce excellent results for the East Texas Region every single day! When one considers the fact that they help manage well over 100 different federal and state funding streams, you can begin to understand why I am thrilled they continue to receive objective substantiation of their work every year they are recognized with this prestigious GFOA award!" said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. "This award is a tribute to our team's commitment to transparency, accuracy, and integrity in financial reporting. Earning this award for 24years in a row is a milestone we are incredibly proud of. While we celebrate this incredible streak, we remain focused on the future and upholding the values that have earned us this recognition and become the standard in everything we do," said ETCOG Operations Director Wendi Horst. ETCOG's 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report can be viewed at www.etcog.org/financials . About GFOA The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 25,000 members and the communities they serve.

Everyone Deserves Equal Access to Housing: Know Your Rights

By East Texas Council of Governments • April 1, 2026
Everyone deserves equal access to housing opportunities. During Fair Housing Month, ETCOG joins the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs in raising awareness about housing rights and protections under the Federal Housing Act and the Texas Fair Housing Act. These laws ensure that individuals can rent an apartment, buy a home, or obtain a mortgage free from discrimination based on: Race Religion National Origin Color Familial Status Disability Sex What to Do If You Experience Housing Discrimination If you believe you have been discriminated against, you have one year from the date of the incident to file a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division. 📞 Call: 888-452-4778 🌐 Visit: tdhca.state.tx.us/fair-housing For concerns related to TDHCA-monitored properties, you can also submit a complaint: 📞 Call: 800-525-0657 🌐 Visit: tdhca.state.tx.us/complaint.htm By knowing your rights and taking action against housing discrimination, we can work together to ensure fair and equal housing opportunities for all Texans!

Area Agency on Aging is Seeking Public Comments on 2027-2029 Area Plan

By East Texas Council of Governments • March 26, 2026
The East Texas Area Agency on Aging (ETAAA), a program of the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG), is inviting the public to review and comment on our 2027 to 2029 Area Plan. ETAAA serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Planning and Service Area 4, a fourteen-county region in East Texas. The Area Plan outlines our strategy to strengthen the Aging Services Network and address the needs of people age 60 and older, family caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. It also guides how we plan, coordinate, and oversee services supported by the Older Americans Act and other state and local initiatives. Our mission is to serve as the region’s leader in advocating for and delivering services that enable older adults to live independently, with dignity and purpose, in their homes and communities. Our vision, “Age Well, Live Well, ” reflects a person-centered approach focused on better choices, improved health, and access to nutritious food. We call it “Serving One Senior at a Time.” The 2027–2029 Area Plan is guided by a needs assessment incorporating data, service trends, and stakeholder input. Key priority needs include access to home- and community-based services, caregiver support, transportation, nutrition and food security, social isolation, healthcare access and chronic disease management, and improved service coordination and system navigation. How to share your input Public comments will be accepted through April 26, 2026 . Submit comments by mail or email: Mail: Area Agency on Aging, 3800 Stone Road, Kilgore, TX 75662 Email: Colleen.Halliburton@etcog.org
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