BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Karen Bernstein is a Media Producer / Director / Editor who moved to Elgin in 2018 and became involved in civic life in her new home. A native of New York, Karen brings her experiences as a documentary professional to the Elgin Oral History Project. She has a keen interest in audio documentary and oral history. Her radio documentary pieces have aired on KUT Austin, Marfa Public Radio, and West Texas Public Radio. In her role as a series producer for American Masters and producer of Ella Fitzgerald – Something To Live For (1999), Bernstein received a national Emmy award for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series. For producing Lou Reed – Rock and Roll Heart (1998), she received a Grammy award.  (karen@bernsteindocumentary.com)

Sonia Browder was born in Elgin to Esteban, a United Methodist pastor, and Guadalupe Lara. She married her high school sweetheart Paul Browder in Amarillo, Texas. They moved to Austin where Sonia started her career in graphic design and marketing. With a camera in hand, she began recording stories and taking photos. Sonia partnered with her brother Steve Lara to form Enye Creative in historic downtown Elgin. In 2004, Enye Creative authored the first Heritage Walking Tour brochure for the Elgin Historical Association and the Downtown 78621 publication. Sonia has been an active member of the Art & Artisans group and served on and chaired Envision Elgin. She has actively participated in the Education Foundation Board, the Elgin Chamber of Commerce, and the First United Methodist Church. Sonia continues her work in marketing and communications as a Media Specialist for the City of Elgin and specializes in highlighting day-to-day stories and events.  (soniabrowder@gmail.com)

Deborah Cartwright is an Elgin native who resides in Austin and is a retired attorney. She is the daughter of Dorothy and Ewing Cartwright and the oldest of their six children. A graduate of Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, Debbie served as a member of its Board of Trustees for nine years. She currently serves on the Travis Central Appraisal District board of directors. Debbie remains active in Elgin’s civic affairs and is proud to have served as the co-chair of the Sesquicentennial Planning Committee in 2022. She is a member of the Bastrop County Historical Society and participates in community events.  (debbieinelgin@gmail.com)

Bob Makela first became enamored with oral histories after reading Studs Turkel while studying English Literature at UCLA. In the decades since, he interviewed hundreds of actors, directors, athletes, and musicians—plus many others from all walks of life—during his work as a writer, editor, filmmaker, and book publisher. His cover story on the HOPE outdoor art gallery ran in the Austin Chronicle. For the last fifteen years, he’s been a regular contributor to Emmy magazine, where he’s written extensively about television. Bob employs his formidable listening skills while driving a cab in Austin, volunteering at a Hollywood orphanage and a Jewish elderly assistance program in Los Angeles, and working with low-income students in Brooklyn. Bob plans to release his first feature film, Green Thumbs, an inspiring comedy about suicide, loneliness, and the healing powers of listening. Bob and his wife, Molly, moved back to Texas from Brooklyn in 2019 and currently live in Elgin, Molly’s hometown.  (13bob13@gmail.com)

Tracy Ortiz

Molly Owen

Ruby Simms

John C. Smith is an Elgin transplant, having moved to Elgin in 2001 from Austin. As a Master Sargent in the Air Force, he came to Texas in 1984. Upon settling in Elgin, John became involved with the Elgin Historical Association working as an archivist, the Bastrop County Historical Society, and the Bastrop County Historical Commission. He currently holds the office of President of the Elgin Oral History Project. John also is the current President of the Elgin Community Cupboard, works in the Elgin Evening Lions Club Thrift Store book section, and is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Elgin.  (bldgat1327@gmail.com)

Andrea Chavarria Taylor grew up in Elgin and graduated from the Elgin Independent School District. She attended the Bethel Iglesia Metodista Unida and The First United Methodist Church of Elgin. Andrea’s family has lived in the community for at least five generations with family members buried at the Elgin Latin Cemetery and the Elgin Mexican Cemetery. There is a long history of the Chavarria family being active members of the community. Her great-grandfather, Manuel Chavarria, was a prominent member of the Hispanic community and, with the help of others, would organize celebrations important to the community such as Diez y Seis de Septiembre. Her grandfather, Genobebo Chavarria, was a skilled musician who could play three instruments that he taught himself to play. He was a member of a local band that would travel around the area playing at dance halls. Her father, Geno Chavarria, was an Austin firefighter and owned and operated a business in Elgin. He volunteered his time to the Elgin Planning and Zoning Board and Elgin Historic Review Board and served as a trustee of the Elgin ISD Board from 2002 to 2020. Andrea is continunig in the tradition of community service by serving on the Elgin Oral History Project board. She believes that documenting personal stories can provide greater insight into how changes in technology, leadership, and governance impact local history.  (achavarria26@gmail.com)

T. Berry (deceased): educator, coach, historian, and author; served from 2022 until September 2024

Cheryll Dennis: PhD and educator; served from 2023 through 2024

Anthony Moore: native Elginite and community activist; served 2024

Angela Nunn: native Elginite and public school employee; served 2024

Jacque Smith: artist and community volunteer; served from 2022 through 2024