ETCOG Announces Councilwoman Merlyn Holmes as New Chairwoman

ETCOG Opens Applications for Veteran-Friendly Community Designation

Deadline for applications September 26, 2025

The ETCOG Board of Directors will meet this month to consider the largest budget in agency history! The proposed budget totals $86,053,366, reflecting an overall increase of $642,472 compared to the prior year.  Program area revenue totals for the budget this year are: Area Agency on Aging - $4,885,886 Public Safety - $4,363,393 Transportation - $11,745,053 Workforce & Economic Development - $64,503,626 GIS & Regional Technology Solutions - $279,824 General Fund - $275,584 The FY2026 Budget will serve as the financial guide to help each Division meet its respective performance measures and enable ETCOG to continue its efforts to maximize the use of technology to achieve desired service levels, streamline operational processes, safeguard its data investment, and realize our vision and mission. Other business items on the agenda include the chair's report on the year's accomplishments, the election of Executive Committee members and officers, and the presentation of the Chairman's Service Award. The 108th Semi-Annual Board of Directors meeting will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the Rusk County Youth Expo Center and Arena in Henderson, Texas. The meeting will begin at 11:45 a.m. We welcome our members and their guests to register to attend at www.etcog.org/open-meetings .

ETCOG is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Cornejo as the new Director of the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA). In this role, Cornejo will lead efforts to develop and coordinate services that support the health, independence, and quality of life of older adults across ETCOG’s fourteen-county region. Cornejo brings a strong background in healthcare leadership and military service. He most recently worked as an Account Manager for Humana’s Institutional Special Needs Plan program, where he partnered with skilled nursing facilities to improve care coordination, leading to a 20% reduction in hospital readmissions. Earlier in his career, Cornejo served in the United States Navy for nearly two decades, rising to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer and managing budgets exceeding $550 million while leading more than 350 Sailors and Marines. “Adrian’s leadership experience in both healthcare and the military has equipped him with the skills and dedication needed to serve East Texas seniors,” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “His background in building partnerships and his deep commitment to public service make him a tremendous asset to our team.” Cornejo shared his enthusiasm for his new role, saying, “It is an honor to join ETCOG and to serve the seniors of East Texas. My goal is to build on the strong foundation already in place at the Area Agency on Aging and continue to expand access to services that help older adults and their families live with dignity and independence.” The AAA is administered through ETCOG and is part of a nationwide network created through the Older Americans Act of 1965. It provides a wide range of services, including information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education, senior nutrition programs, housing repair, caregiver support, and Ombudsman advocacy for individuals in long-term care facilities. These programs are designed to help older residents remain active and independent in their homes and communities for as long as possible.

$ 161,705.00 Estimated to be Available for FY 2026/2027 East Texas Projects

Pictured left to right: Baylea Evans, GoBus Strategic Development Manager; David Cleveland, ETCOG Executive Director; Lindsay Vanderbilt, Communications Director; Dylan Cook, Communications Specialist; Katey Pilgram, Associate Director of Transportation ETCOG's rural transit system, GoBus , is pleased to be a recipient of the South West Transit Association's (SWTA) Annual Spotlight Awards . The awards celebrate the exceptional efforts and contributions of transit agencies and organizations across the region that have significantly impacted their communities. ETCOG received the Hit The Spot: Social Media Award for rural systems for our campaign, “On the GO with GoBus!” produced to promote service availability in the rural areas surrounding Longview for residents of White Oak, Lakeport, Hallsville, and Gladewater. "We are thrilled to win a Spotlight Award for our social media campaign developed to raise awareness of public transportation options available within the Longview Urbanized Zone, but outside the city limits where city bus service is not available. These communities, though part of the urban area, were without access to reliable transit. Through TxDOT funding and a unique partnership between Longview Transit and GoBus, we were able to extend service to these underserved areas. The campaign focused on educating residents about their new access to affordable, reliable transportation options,” said ETCOG's Communications Director, Lindsay Vanderbilt. Our Associate Director of Transportation, Katey Pilgram, joined other award recipients and marketing experts to share details on their award-winning campaigns and projects at the SWTA Summer University Conference held July 27-30, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The awards – reviewed and judged by marketing and communication professionals at transit agencies and private marketing firms – are among the oldest awards recognizing marketing campaigns and projects in the public transportation industry, first awarded in 1990. SWTA's membership covers Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Whether you're a board member, elected official, community partner, or simply curious about how regional collaboration works—this workshop is for you. ETCOG 101 is a great chance to learn how we serve as the bridge between federal, state, and local governments. From job training and transportation to emergency communications and aging services, we’re here to support what makes East Texas strong. Join us to: Understand our mission and regional initiatives. Explore how ETCOG contributes to shaping the future of East Texas. Connect with fellow partners and ETCOG leadership. Workshops will be held in person at ETCOG's main office located at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, TX. Each workshop will cover the same material, which includes a general overview of all ETCOG programs. Workshop Dates - Click to Register! Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM (completed) Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Thursday, November 13, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

On Tuesday, July 29, ETCOG will host Rebuilding the Fort for a Strategic Listening Session from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The event will be held at ETCOG offices located at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, with lunch provided courtesy of BBKLAW.COM . This session will introduce Rebuilding the Fort’s veteran-led model for community revitalization, focused on: Activating affordable housing Advancing workforce development Driving economic transformation in underutilized neighborhoods Their team has successfully implemented this approach in cities such as Fort Worth, Hurst, and Balch Springs using tools like:  Pattern books with pre-approved housing designs Land banks and housing trust funds Layered financing strategies (TIF, LIHTC, CDBG, PRI) Veteran development labs and public-private partnerships This is not just a presentation—it’s a working session. They're here to listen, learn, and collaborate with leaders in East Texas with the goal of identifying communities ready to lead regional transformation with the support of a scalable, proven platform. RSVP by emailing support@rebuildingthefort.com.