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
Enter bio here.
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
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Cathy Meek
Rocking M. Ranch Lodge & Event Venue, Owner-Proprietor
I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and graduated from McCallum High School. Early in my career, I worked for the City of Austin in the Planning and Engineering Departments and became the City’s first Floodplain Administrator for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
In 1989, I married my high school sweetheart and moved to Sugar Land, where we raised two wonderful children, Max and Kelcy. While working for H2O Partners, I earned a B.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Houston in 2004. As a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Specialist, I helped communities across Texas develop long-term plans to reduce risks from natural disasters—one of which covered the Lower Colorado River Basin, including Bastrop County and Smithville.
After my husband’s passing in 2008, I relocated to the Smithville area and continued working as a FEMA contractor. I also served on the LCRA Regional Council representing Smithville. I retired in 2017 after over 40 years in public service but remain certified as a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Specialist and Certified Floodplain Manager.
In 2021, I launched Rocking M Ranch Weddings, Events and Lodging, and began volunteering with the Smithville Chamber of Commerce. I now serve on the Chamber Board and chair the Tourism Committee, working to promote local businesses, enhance downtown, and support smart, sustainable growth.
Nicole Smith
Owner of Baca Entertainment
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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
Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce
512-237-2313
Enter bio here.