ETCOG Announces Councilwoman Merlyn Holmes as New Chairwoman

East Texas Council of Governments • October 15, 2020

New Officers Elected for 2020 - 2021 Year

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is pleased to announce the appointment of the City of Kilgore Councilwoman Merlyn Holmes as Chairwoman of the ETCOG Board of Directors and Executive Committee. The ETCOG Executive Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors and is responsible for carrying out the policies, programs, and services established by the Board on behalf of our 14-county region. Councilwoman Holmes has served as a member of the ETCOG Board of Directors and Executive Committee since October 2016.

"It is a great honor to have been chosen to serve as this year's Chair of the East Texas Council of Governments. Giving back to my community has always been a passion of mine as well as a priority in my life. Serving as an ETCOG board member has been a rewarding experience, and I'm excited to get to work with the Board to launch new projects that will assist our community within the 14-county region that we serve," said Councilwoman Holmes.

"Councilwoman Holmes has served her community and the entire East Texas Region with dedication and enthusiasm. Everyone who knows and works with her can attest to the fact that she serves with a servant's heart and the public's best interest in mind. I am certain she will excel as ETCOG's new Chairwoman of the Board and Executive Committee!" said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland.

Councilwoman Holmes has been a resident of Kilgore for over 50 years and has been married to her husband Gene for 43 years. Together, they have two sons, Brent and Greg, along with four grandchildren.

Councilwoman Holmes is beginning her 4th term on the City of Kilgore council and has a reputation of serving the community on several boards, including past President of Ambucs, past president of Lion's Club, past president of the United Fund of Kilgore, and past president of the Kilgore Main Street Advisory Board. Currently, she is the president of the TML Region 15 and serves as the Executive Director of the Kilgore College Foundation.

In addition to Councilwoman Homes serving as Chairman, the newly elected officers for the 2020-2021 Executive Committee includes 1st Vice Chairman – Panola County Judge LeeAnn Jones, 2nd Vice Chairman – City of Lindale Councilman Bob Tardiff, 3rd Vice Chairman – Harrison County Commissioner William Hatfield, and Secretary/Treasurer – City of Mineola Mayor Kevin White.

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Request for Applications: High Demand Job Training Grant FY26

By ETCOG & Workforce Solutions East Texas • September 4, 2025

Deadline for applications September 26, 2025

ETCOG Board of Directors to Consider $86M Budget for Fiscal Year 2026

By East Texas Council of Governments • September 4, 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 Welcomes Adrian Cornejo as New Director of Aging Programs

By East Texas Council of Governments • September 3, 2025

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.

Call for Applications for Regional Solid Waste Minimization Projects

By East Texas Council of Governments • August 19, 2025

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

GoBus Wins Marketing Spotlight Award from South West Transit Association

By East Texas Council of Governments • August 7, 2025

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.

You're Invited: Three Dates Set for ETCOG 101 Workshops

By East Texas Council of Governments • July 9, 2025

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

A poster that says rebuilding the fort strategic listening session

Strategic Listening Session on Veteran-Led Community Revitalization Coming to Kilgore

By East Texas Council of Governments • July 7, 2025

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.

Environmental Law Training Courses Offered by ETCOG

By Lindsay Vanderbilt • July 7, 2025

Day 1: Basic Environmental Law Training Day 2: Intermediate Environmental Law Training

ETCOG Receives National Recognition for Veteran-Friendly Community Program

By East Texas Council of Governments • June 30, 2025

The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) awarded the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) an Achievement Award for its efforts to build veteran-friendly communities in East Texas. Regional Achievement awards are presented annually to recognize excellence in programs and services of regional councils, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and other regional organizations across the country. The Achievement Awards were presented during a ceremony at the recent NARC 59th Annual Conference & Exhibition in Seattle, Washington, where ETCOG received the Rural Award. Launched in July 2024, the Veteran-Friendly Community Designation Program was developed by ETCOG in collaboration with the Alamo Area Council of Governments, the University of Texas at Tyler, and the University of Texas at San Antonio. The program formally recognizes communities that show strong, lasting support for military veterans through policies, services, and community involvement. It requires each participating city or county to provide a comprehensive community profile, develop a plan focused on veterans, and commit to an annual self-assessment to maintain the designation. Tyler/Smith County and Quitman/Wood County were the first to receive the designation and have become good models of how to support veterans in areas such as housing, employment, healthcare, and education. “We’re proud to be recognized by NARC for a program that recognizes the men and women that lay their lives on the line to keep us free!,” said David Cleveland, Executive Director of ETCOG. “In East Texas, we’ve always believed in taking care of our veterans—not just with words, but with our actions. This award means a great deal to us, and it demonstrates that when communities come together with a clear purpose, we can build something that truly makes a difference. We hope this program becomes a blueprint for how regions can support and encourage those who served all of us.” ETCOG has been a long-time member of NARC, whose member organizations are comprised of multiple local governments that work together to serve American communities, large and small, urban and rural. Eight projects submitted from regional planning agencies across the nation received Achievement Awards. About the National Association of Regional Councils NARC serves as a national voice for regions by advocating for regional cooperation as the most effective way to address a variety of community planning and development opportunities and issues. NARC’s member organizations are composed of multiple local governments that work together to serve American communities – large and small, urban and rural. For more information about NARC awards, conferences, and leadership, visit www.NARC.org .