Board of Directors & Staff
2025 Board of Directors & Staff
Caroline Noya
Chairperson of the Board
Keep Smithville Beautiful, Chair
Community Volunteer
Planning & Zoning Committee
Caroline Noya is a retired RN from a large teaching hospital in New Orleans, LA (Charity Hospital/Medical Center of Louisiana in New Orleans) and was blown here after Hurricane Katrina. After a few years of settling in, it's an understatement to say she became deeply involved in Smithville life.
Caroline fell in love with Smithville because it reminded her of what she imagined New Orleans was like when her dad was a kid—friendly, caring people in a quaint little town full of character and characters.
She has served on the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors since 2018 and has volunteered for many of the Chamber’s events. She is currently the Chairman of the Board. Caroline also serves as Vice Chair of the Smithville Planning and Zoning Commission, is a current Board Member and former Chair of Keep Smithville Beautiful, Co-Chair of the Rural Whole Health Coalition, former Chair and Board Member of the Historic Preservation and Design Standards Committee, and most recently, a member of the Smithville Film Commission.
Karrie McKeown
Smithville Jamboree
M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center
Karrie McKeown is a proud hometown girl, raised in Smithville, where she continues to live and thrive since 1976. With a heart for community and a mind for detail, Karrie has dedicated over three decades to public service as a Contract Administrator at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Her 32-year tenure at one of the world’s leading cancer research institutions is a testament to her commitment and excellence, marked notably by her achievement of a lifetime Certified Purchasing Manager Certification in 2014.
Karrie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Tarleton State University in 1985, laying the academic foundation for her long and successful career in contract administration and procurement.
Outside of work, Karrie finds joy in antiquing and has a deep passion for giving back to her community—a value she holds close to her heart. Whether volunteering her time or supporting local initiatives, her love for Smithville and its people shines through in all she does.
Josh Coy
Vice President Treasury Management
First National Bank of Bastrop
Josh, who is a VP of Treasury Management for First National Bank, is a fifth-generation resident of Bastrop, and spent 14 years as an educator at Bastrop ISD as well as a Community and Economic Development Rep for Bluebonnet Electric. Josh volunteers at nonprofit events and festivals in Bastrop County, is part of the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce Board, is a member of The Colony Municipal Utility No. 1C board of directors, Bastrop Chamber of Commerce’s ambassadors and a member of the chamber’s governmental affairs committee. Josh is also an executive committee member for Bastrop Sportsmen, a foundation that helps fund grants for Bastrop ISD programs and is involved in We Believe in BISD and the Bastrop Board of Realtors. He is also a past chair of the Bastrop Citizens Advisory Task Force and has been a political action committee member advocating for previous Bastrop ISD votes. Josh and his wife, Angela, who is Bluebonnet Electric’s manager of accounting, have two children, Lanie and Joey.
Alexis Peck
Smithville Recreation Center
Alexis Peck serves as the Recreation Supervisor and Rental and Special Events Coordinator for the City of Smithville, Texas. Since joining the Parks & Recreation Department in August 2017, she has been instrumental in organizing and overseeing a diverse array of community events, facility rentals, and public programs that enhance the city's cultural and recreational offerings .
In her capacity, She manages the scheduling and coordination of city-owned venues, ensuring that both residents and visitors have access to well-organized and memorable events. Her responsibilities encompass planning and executing events such as the annual Smithville Fall Festival, where she serves as the primary point of contact for event coordination
Beyond her municipal duties, Alexis contributes to the broader community through her involvement with the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce, where she is listed among the 2025 Board of Directors and Staff
Ms. Peck's dedication to fostering community engagement and her commitment to excellence in event coordination have made her a valued member of Smithville's civic landscape.
Jacki Short
Realtor, Nik Shehu Property Group
Subway, Franchise Owner
Jacki Short, is a local Bastrop/Fayette County resident for the past 30+ years. She specializes in Farm, Ranch, and Residential properties, including land deals and homes with renovation potential. With extensive experience in farm, residential, and commercial real estate, Having been recognized as a top-producing agent in Bastrop County. Also, a multi unit Subway franchisee and cattle ranch owner.
Sandra Greaney
Kids Outdoor Zone
(Non-Profit 501C3)
Special Events Coordinator
Sandra Greaney is the Special Events Coordinator with Kids Outdoor Zone (KOZ).
Sandra and her husband TJ moved their International Non-Profit Outdoor Ministry for boys, from Austin to Smithville, just three (4) short years ago.
Besides spending time with her three (3) grown children and six (6) grandchildren...she LOVES meeting new people here in Smithville and serving as a Chamber board member.
Cathy Meek
Rocking M. Ranch Lodge & Event Venue, Owner-Proprietor
Hi, I'm Cathy Meek, owner of Rocking M Ranch Weddings, Events and Lodging, based in Smithville, TX. I’m also Vice-Chair of the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and serve on the City of Smithville City Council.
Beginning my career with the City of Austin, then enjoying a lengthy career as a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Specialist, I have, and still am passionate about public service and promoting initiatives that foster connection, trust, and shared responsibility among community members. In 2008, I relocated to Smithville, was appointed to the LCRA Regional Council representing Smithville, and continued FEMA disaster work until retirement in 2016, when I launched Rocking M Ranch Weddings, Events and Lodging. I also joined the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce and began volunteering, which was a great networking opportunity to market the new venue, meet new friends, and support Chamber objectives.
In 2022 I was invited to join the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and currently serve as Vice-Chair and Committee Chair for several annual events. In 2024, I was elected to the Smithville City Council, which lends itself to a beneficial collaboration between the city and the Chamber and allows for a more cohesive approach to addressing local needs and achieving shared goals. I invite you to drop by the Chamber and say “Howdy”, and check out our fun, annual events! Better yet, sign up to volunteer!!!
Nicole Smith
Owner of Baca Entertainment
Ellie Thomas
Branch Manager, Community Banking Officer, Frontier Bank of Texas
My name is Ellie Thomas. I live in Smithville with my husband, Jeramie (a Smithville native), and our 4 children, Grace (7), Grant (4) and our twins, Graham and Grady. I am originally from New Braunfels (GO UNICORNS)!. I graduated from Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science. I am the Branch Manager at the Frontier Bank and have a true passion for customer service and a love for community. I look forward to bringing my skills and passion to the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce and excited to become a part of its success in this community.
Susie Cannon
Project Coordinator & Bookkeeper
Susie Cannon has been serving the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce in various capacities since January 2022 and now holds the role of Bookkeeper and Project Coordinator. She splits her time between the Chamber and another local nonprofit, Kids Outdoor Zone. Since moving to Smithville in 2019, Susie has grown passionate about supporting the people and small-town spirit that make this community so special. She and her husband share a home with their favorite joy: a three-legged wonder dog.
Craig Strickland
Treasurer of the Board
IT Architect & Section Manager - Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Originally from the small town of Huffman, and most recently from Pflugerville, before moving to Smithville. I have had a long career in the IT field managing server datacenters and providing server technical support at companies such as IBM, Apple, Dell, and Texas State Government Agencies. My family has a tradition of being involved in community organizations as well as running a family business in the video rental industry (when that was still a thing), and three generations of Diesel Mechanics. I have three children that have all moved on to follow their own journeys including a daughter that is a PhD University Professor of Astrophysics. I bring my skills and experience in team management, IT technical experience, and drive to serve the community in hopes to grow and give back to this wonderful little town we call home.
Mike Shell
Director of the Smithville Film Commission
Michael Shell is a screenwriter, filmmaker, and the Director of the Smithville Film
Commission. He has written five screenplays, including Wild Horses, which he originally
developed and cast with Robert Duvall before selling the script to him for production.
Michael has also produced, directed, filmed, and edited several short films, and is
currently developing four additional screenplays—6th Street Blues, Sau-in, The Silent
Spy, and The Ghost of El Sendero. He has overseen the creation of teaser trailers for
two of these projects and assembled experienced teams ready for production.
With hands-on experience in over 30 film and video projects, Michael has worked in
roles ranging from location manager and grip to director of photography and stand-in for
actors like Tommy Lee Jones and R. Lee Ermey. Through his work with the Smithville
Film Commission, he supports visiting productions by helping navigate local regulations,
scout locations, and coordinate resources. Michael’s lifelong passion is storytelling, and
his focus remains on writing and bringing compelling films to life.