Board of Directors

Tandy Ervin
Chair, Board of Directors, Grace After Fire

Tandy Ervin has a degree in Business with an emphasis in accounting at Fontbonne University. After a five year hiatus from the business world to be with her young growing family, she re-entered public accounting here in Dallas. From a public accounting firm she was hired as part of the accounting staff of our largest client, which started her 19 year stint in corporate accounting.

It was during her corporate accounting years that she had the opportunity to serve on the board of the company's profit sharing plan. As board members they conducted all of the research for and selection of the plan's investments. She did not know it at the time but that experience laid the groundwork for her career in financial services. In 2003, she began her career as a financial advisor. By February 12, 2008 she was an independent wealth manager and a full-service advisor to her clients. The move to her own advisory business enhanced her resume to include triathlete and radio show host.

Her practice has naturally gravitated to service to female entrepreneurs which lead her to an opportunity to hear Kim Olson speak to a women’s group she happened to attend. The compelling story shared by Retired Colonel Olson touched not only her heart but her intellect and personal history. She was educated in an all-female environment through college leading her to male-dominated careers in finance. So to understand and sympathize with women in the military is a natural course for her. She is honored to be a part of Grace After Fire and have the privilege of working with Colonel Olson and her exemplary staff.

During the last ten years she has served as a member of the Boards of Fretz Recreational Park in Dallas, the North Dallas Business Women's Organization and is currently the President of The PrestonGreen Homeowners' Association Board.

Karen Myers
Vice-Chair, Board of Directors Grace After Fire

Karen Myers holds a BA from East Texas State University, an MA from the University of North Texas, and a PhD from Northern Illinois University.· She is president of Karen Myers Strategies, a government relations consulting firm that provides legislative analysis, political advocacy, and business development solutions to multinational corporations and trade associations seeking to expand revenue, earnings, and market share in an intensely competitive global economy.·· She has a 20-year track record of working with corporate executives to raise the profile of multinational companies in the United States and abroad, shape legislative and regulatory policies, and expand business opportunities in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

A past president of Women in Government Relations and member of the WGR Leader Foundation board, she is a recognized leader among women in the government relations profession. She serves on the board of directors of the Close Up Foundation, which brings thousands of young people and teachers to Washington, D.C. each year and was active in establishing the Close Up program for students from military families.

Charity Smith

Treasurer, Board of Directors Grace After Fire

Charity L. Smith holds a Master of Science degree with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of North Texas.· Charity has over 19 years of combined experience in both Public Accounting and private industry.· During her career she has focused on corporate tax planning for multinational corporations where she has advised some of the largest corporations in North Texas.· Additionally, Charity has experience in private industry, where she served as the Tax Director for a large retail chain.

Charity is currently a Director with PricewaterhousCoopers LLP in Dallas, Texas.· She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and a member of the Network of Executive Women (NEW).· She is a licensed CPA in the State of Texas.

Yolanda Perez
Secretary, Board of Directors Grace After Fire

Yolanda D. Perez is a Dallas Baptist University Alumni and operations management executive with more than 20 years of experience in customer service & relations, performance and process improvement, and strategic business planning with recognized organizations such as the American Heart Association and Sprint PCS. With strong interpersonal communication skills she is accustomed to interacting and working with C-level executives and key opinion leaders across industry and cultural lines. Throughout her career she analyzed and developed innovative solutions, developed and implemented formal business practices and technology that improve the overall quality and delivery of services, revenue generation, increased profitability, cost controls and acceleration of business growth. She is an energetic, mission-driven, service excellence professional with excellent problem solving and technical skills.

She is the General Manager/Executive Director (Dale Johnson State Farm Agency) in Richardson Texas, and is an avid community supporter in activities such as mentoring (high school/college students), Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes, Race for the Cure and Heart Walk. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Women, the Network of Executive Women (NEW), and American Society for Training & Development (ASTD), Contact Center World Association (CCWA), International Customer Service Association (ICSA), National Association of Call Centers (NACC), the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business (SOCAP). Most recently she accepted the role of Customer Engagement Director with ACCENT where she will oversee general operation of a 400-seat customer engagement center and now serves on the Board of Directors for Grace After Fire.

Elizabeth McCormick
Member, Board of Directors Grace After Fire

Elizabeth was a Black Hawk Pilot flying missions such as Air Assault/Rappelling, Command & Control, VIP, and Military intelligence. In 1999, Elizabeth supported UN peacekeeping operations in Kosovo as the S-4 Logistics Officer in Charge at the Battalion level and receiving the Meritorious Service Medal for her excellence in service.

She was retired from the military in 2001 as a Chief Warrant Officer 2, after a career-ending injury. In 2011, Elizabeth was honored with the 2011 Congressional Veteran Commendation for her commitment to duty and community.

Elizabeth is a founding member of the John Maxwell Team of speakers, coaches and trainers, as well as an award-winning sales consultant. A dynamic entertainer, Elizabeth is a sought-after keynote speaker. She inspires audiences with her experiences and stories from her years as a Black Hawk Helicopter pilot and turns them into lessons that you can understand and use. A No. 1 best-selling author, Elizabeth co-wrote Succeeding in Spite of Everything and her 3rd book is due out in February.  She is currently writing her 4th book, and has more in development.

Elizabeth lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

General Rebecca Halstead
Member, Board of Directors Grace After Fire

Becky served 27 years in the United States Army and retiring as a Brigadier General.  As a premier logistician and leader in the Army, Becky has been educating, training, and inspiring leaders and developing cohesive teams for almost 30 years.  She is a change agent, innovative and passionate about improving the environment she works and lives in.  In Iraq she led over 20,000 soldiers and 5,000 civilians, and commanded eight out of her last eleven years in the army—achieving a few historic milestones as the first female graduate of the United States Military Academy to earn the rank of General Officer, the first female Commanding General to command in combat at the strategic level, and the Army’s first female Chief of Ordnance. 

Becky’s tremendous success, passion and energy led her to establishing her own company, STEADFAST Leadership, LLC and she now specializes in inspirational speaking and leadership training—sharing her leadership insights and experiences with the corporate sector.  She is also a member of the Board of Advisors for several companies, providing her logistics and leadership expertise.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point, her Masters degree in Military Art and Science (Visionary Leadership), and her Master of Science in National Resource Strategy (with Manufacturing focus) from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington D.C.