
High Point Village Board Members

Melynn Henry
President
Melynn Henry
Melynn Henry is a native of Amarillo and a graduate of Texas A&M University. She has a background in early childhood education and elementary reading. Formerly a literacy coach for LISD, Melynn is now a busy stay-at-home mom of two small children, Poppy and Wallace. She began volunteering at High Point in 2014 at summer camp. Her involvement is dedicated to her late “sister-friend” Carey who had Down syndrome.
Melynn is married to Ryan Henry. Their family enjoys supporting the arts and attending Texas Tech sporting events. They are members of Providence Presbyterian Church.

Kerry Miller
Vice President
Kerry Miller
Kerry is married to Lynn, a real estate agent with Westmark Realters. Lynn is also a former school teacher with Frenship ISD. Kerry and Lynn have three children, all of whom graduated from Frenship schools. Their daughter, Haley Balko, and their son, Jarrod, each graduated from Texas Tech University. Their middle son, Bradley, is a student in the Reach High Program at High Point Village.

Dr. Bob Freeman
Treasurer
Bob Freeman
Bob is a CPA and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Accounting at Texas Tech University. He earned his undergraduate degree at Louisiana Tech University and his MBA and Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas before serving 15 years on the University of Alabama accounting faculty and 30 years on the Texas Tech University accounting faculty.
Bob was a member of both the National Council on Governmental Accounting (NCGA) and its successor, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), the bodies that establish generally accepted accounting principles for state and local governments in the United States. He coauthors a leading government accounting textbook and for many years led CPE seminars nationally and served as a consultant and expert witness.
Bob is a founding member of High Point Village (with several other present and past board members) and serves as its Treasurer. He served on Carillon’s board of directors for many years and currently serves also on the board of a small dog rescue, Lubbock Pets Alive!
He and his high school sweetheart wife, Beverly, have five children, two of whom have Down syndrome and are long time Reach High villagers. Bob traveled a great deal until recently, and Beverly has served ably as the primary homemaker and resident parent for over 60 years. They are members of Bacon Heights Baptist Church, where Bob is a deacon.

Debra Salley
Secretary
Debra Salley
She has a Bachelors degree from Texas Tech University with a double major in Home Economics Education and Clothing & Textiles. She also has a Masters degree from Texas Tech in Home Economics Education.
Debra’s daughter, Jennifer, has Down syndrome and is her inspiration for High Point Village. Jennifer is blessed with many friends with special needs in the Lubbock area. High Point Village allows her to keep these friends for a lifetime and allows Jennifer to achieve the independence and have an adult life. Debra also has an older daughter and three wonderful granddaughters.

Jim Bertram
Jim Bertram
Jim is a graduate and Distinguished Alumnus of Texas Tech University. He retired in 2001 after serving thirty years as Director of City Planning and Assistant City Manager for the City of Lubbock. He is a past Board member of the Lubbock State School Volunteer Services Council and the Lubbock Regional MHMR.
Jim and Charlotte volunteer regularly at High Point Village.

Brad Pettiet
Brad Pettiet
Brad has served as the attorney for High Point Village and as a Board member since February 2008. Brad has been practicing law for 33 years. He is a graduate of South Plains College, Texas Tech University and Oklahoma City University School of Law.
Bradley and Karon have been married for 43 years and are the parents of three daughters. Karon is a retired Special Education and Elementary Teacher.

Dr. Jennifer Rojas-McWhinney
Jennifer Rojas-McWhinney

Sam Scheef
Sam Scheef
Sam is married to Jana, and together they have a blended family of five adult children, a daughter-in-law and one grandson. Sam’s son, Alex, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 7. After graduating from Frenship High School, Alex began attending the Dream Big program at High Point Village. This program has been a blessing in Alex’s continued development and socialization.

Collin Cooper
Collin Cooper
Collin is a native of Fairview, Texas and a graduate of Texas A&M University. He and his wife, Chloe, are deeply passionate about disability advocacy and have served the special needs community in different capacities throughout the state. Their efforts are driven by their sincere hope to have a world in which individuals who have a disability do not have their existence defined by it.
Collin is a commercial lender at Lone Star State Bank. He is the VP of the Board for Friends of McAlister Park, serves on the steering committee for Leadership Lubbock and was a recipient of the Lubbock “20 under 40” award in 2019.
Collin helps teach the Tuesday night cooking class alongside his wife at High Point Village. They enjoy exploring local restaurants, traveling, good wine, and the outdoors. They attend Redeemer Church.

Mitzi Lauderdale
Mitzi Lauderdale
Born and raised in Lubbock, Mitzi is a life-long Red Raider and earned three degrees from Texas Tech University. Mitzi serves as Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Texas Tech University, Associate Academic Dean for Students in the College of Human Sciences, and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Personal Financial Planning. She actively conducts research and training in estate planning for special needs families, is a Certified Financial PlannerTM, and is a member of the Texas Bar.
Mitzi and her husband, Lee, treasure time with their daughter Brylee (age 11) and son Brody (age 9), whether it be traveling as a family or cheering them on in their extracurricular activities.

Joel Tankersley
Emeritus
Joel Tankersley
Joel and his supportive wife, Sallye, have three children, Dean, Jeff, and Krista. Joel is a deacon at Bacon Heights Baptist Church, he is a former Scout Master and past President of the Rotary Club.

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Our mission is to create a village where individuals with intellectual disabilities can live, learn, work, worship, and achieve their full potential.
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