Meet The Team

The People Behind the Mission

Behind every act of support is a team of volunteers, board members, and community leaders who make it all possible.

2025-2026




President:

Mike Erinakes

In 2026, Michael Erinakes continues to lead the Chisholm Trail 100 Club as President, driving significant expansions in financial support for over 2,000 first responders and their families across Johnson, Somervell, and Hood Counties.

2026 Benefit and Scholarship Expansions

Building on his commitment to the "safety net" mission, Erinakes has implemented major increases to both immediate line-of-duty benefits and long-term educational support:

  • Insurance Milestone: As of 2026, the line-of-duty accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance benefit has been raised to $100,000. This ensures that the families of fallen or injured heroes receive even greater financial security during times of crisis.
  • Doubling Educational Support: Under Erinakes' leadership, the organization has planned a major increase to the MAAD Hunter Venture Capital Group, Inc. Scholarship. Starting in 2026, these renewable scholarships for the children of first responders are set to increase to $8,000 over a four-year period ($2,000 per year). This is a 100% increase from the previous $4,000 total, reflecting a deep investment in the future of the first responder community.

Background and Philosophy

Erinakes' professional journey—from his roots in law enforcement to his success with Maad Hunter Venture Capital—fuels his hands-on approach to philanthropy. By hosting major fundraisers like the annual Clay Shoot VIP party at his MAAD H Ranch, he integrates his business resources directly into his mission to protect and provide for those who serve the public.

Vice President:

Mike Peacock

Serving as Vice President of the Chisholm Trail 100 Club, this Board Member also sits on the Executive Committee and serves as Chair of both the Clay Shoot and Disbursement Committees. A Life Member of the Club, he has dedicated over 10 years of service to the organization. He is a retired Paramedic with 22 years of service and currently serves as City Manager for the City of Joshua, where he has worked for 17 years. He has been married to his wife, Michelle Peacock, for 28 years.

Secretary:

Bruce Basden*

Is a founding member of the Chisholm Trail 100 Club and has served on the Board for over 15 years, including a term as Past President. He currently serves as Secretary and is active on the VIP Party, Scholarship, and Executive Committees. Bruce is Chairman of the Board of Basden Steel Corporation, Big B Crane, and a partner in Burleson and Joshua Storage. A Burleson resident since 1963, Bruce and his family are deeply involved in charitable work and are active members of St. Ann’s Catholic Church and First Baptist Burleson. The Basden family is passionate about supporting first responders across Johnson, Somervell, and Hood Counties.

Treasurer:

Tim Southerland*

Has served on the CT100 Club Board for over 10 years and has previously held the roles of Treasurer, Vice President, and President. He currently serves as Treasurer and is a member of the Executive Committee and Clay Shoot Committee. Tim has been a local Burleson banker for 27 years and remains deeply committed to serving his community.


Executive Director:

Cara Ellison

Brings more than 35 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors to her role as Executive Director of the Chisholm Trail 100 Club. Known for her strategic leadership and problem-solving mindset, Cara is passionate about strengthening organizations while honoring their history and mission. She is deeply committed to youth development through her volunteer work with Texas 4-H and enjoys spending time ranching, supporting Aggie athletics, and with her family.

Advisors:


Matt Wylie 

Is the elected Constable for Precinct One in Johnson County and comes from a family with deep roots in law enforcement. He began his career in 1989 with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and has since earned his Master Peace Officer License along with numerous advanced certifications. Matt has served multiple terms as Constable and remains active in state and national law enforcement associations. He and his wife, Becky, have been married for 25 years and are proud parents and grandparents.


Ron Becker 

Serves as Chief of the Cresson Fire Department and is a member of the Awards Committee. A Stephenville native, Ron retired from the oil and gas industry in 2005 after serving as President of one of the nation’s largest convenience store and truck stop chains. He has dedicated over 20 years to the Cresson Volunteer Fire Department, including the last 10 years as Chief, and currently serves as Mayor of the City of Cresson.


Tom Foster

Tom Foster has dedicated over four decades to fire service, beginning his career in 1981 with the Burleson Volunteer Fire Department and later becoming the city’s first career firefighter. He retired from Burleson Fire Department in 2016 as Deputy Chief of Operations and has served as Fire Chief and Executive Director of Johnson County ESD No. 1 since 2017. Tom joined the Chisholm Trail 100 Club as an advisor in 2017. He is married to Kelly Barrett Foster and has three children and nine grandchildren.


Directors:

Austin Justice 

Serves as a Board Member of the Chisholm Trail 100 Club, bringing a strong background in leadership, technology, and service. He is the Owner and Vice President of Justice IT Consulting, specializing in cybersecurity and federal compliance for aerospace and defense manufacturers. Austin is an Amazon Best Selling Author, a multi-time Top 250 MSSP Worldwide honoree, and a CRN MSP 500 award recipient. Outside of his professional work, Austin and his family are active in cattle ranching. His commitment to service and stewardship aligns closely with the mission of the CT100 Club.

Bob Alford*

Is a Co-Founder of the Chisholm Trail 100 Club and has served the organization continuously since its inception in 2010. He has held numerous leadership roles, including Past President, Board Advisor, and current Board Member. Bob serves on the Clay Shoot, Nominations, and Disbursement Committees. He dedicated 26 years to the Texas Department of Public Safety and 20 years with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, followed by 10 years as a Motion Media Animal Wrangler. Bob has been married to his wife, Marty, for 40 years and is a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He also serves as a Board Member at Shepherd’s Valley Cowboy Church.

Bonnie Davis*

Bonnie Davis is a longtime member of the Johnson County community and a Founding Member of the Chisholm Trail 100 Club. Alongside her husband, Gary, she has served the State of Texas through their ownership and operation of Vann/Elli Inc., specializing in roadway maintenance and infrastructure. Bonnie considers it a privilege to serve those who protect our communities and is deeply committed to the Club’s mission. She is married, a mother of three, a grandmother of four, and an active member of Northpoint Church.

Brett Morrison

Currently serves as Chairman of the Car Show Committee. He is the owner of Castrol Premium Lube Express and brings extensive experience from senior executive leadership roles in both domestic and international high-tech and consumer electronics organizations. Brett’s professional background and community involvement make him a valuable asset to the organization. 

Devin Jackson

Has volunteered with the Chisholm Trail 100 Club for more than six years, driven by a strong desire to give back to the community. He previously served as Committee Chair for the Hot Rods & Heroes Motor Festival for three years. Devin is deeply grateful for the opportunity to support first responders and the families who serve alongside them.

Fernando Rodriguez 

James McCroskey

Is a banking professional and community leader based in Burleson, Texas. A Burleson High School graduate, he earned his BBA in Finance from TCU’s M.J. Neeley School of Business. James has served as Banking Center President for American National Bank of Texas in Burleson since 2016 and joined the CT100 Club Board of Directors in 2022. His passion for supporting first responders drives his involvement with the organization. James and his wife, Melissa, enjoy spending time with their three children, attending youth sports tournaments, traveling, bird hunting, and fly fishing. 

Jon Puryear

Serves as a Board Member of the Chisholm Trail 100 Club and is a Lifetime Member of the organization. He founded the Life Saver Award Committee and continues to serve as an active member of the Clay Shoot Committee. Jon’s long-standing dedication reflects his commitment to recognizing and supporting first responders and their families.

Justin Hewlett* 

Is a longtime community leader and past President of the Chisholm Trail 100 Club, serving from 2018 to 2020. A lifelong Cleburne resident and Texas A&M University graduate, Justin has founded and led multiple successful companies serving financial institutions and local businesses. He has also served as Mayor of the City of Cleburne and held leadership roles with CISD, United Way of Johnson County, and several local foundations.Justin and his wife, Sydney, have been married for 47 years. His dedication to service, leadership, and community reflects the core mission of the Chisholm Trail 100 Club.Larry Woolley  

Serving his third term as Johnson County Commissioner for Precinct 4, having held office since 2015. Prior to public service, he spent 30 years in education as an agriculture teacher and school administrator. Larry holds degrees from Tarleton State University and Sam Houston State University and has maintained real estate broker and auctioneer licenses for over 37 years. A resident of Johnson County for 44 years, he remains active in civic leadership across the region. Larry and his wife, Leslie, have been married for 45 years and operate a small ranch together.

*Past President

Michael Easter 

Michael Easter serves as a board member of the Chisholm Trail 100 Club and is an active member of the Clay Shoot Committee. He is the co-owner of Prescher Custom Homes, serving Johnson County and the surrounding areas. Michael has been married to his wife, Marcy, for 28 years. Together, they raised their two daughters in Joshua, Texas. He is deeply committed to supporting first responders and their families through both his professional work and community involvement.

Misty Young 

Has lived in the community for 28 years and, alongside her husband, has owned and operated Diesel Dynamics in Joshua for 20 years, recently expanding with their newest venture, Supreme Storage in Burleson. She has spent more than a decade serving on local boards, including the Chisholm Trail 100 Club—where she serves as Marketing Chair—and the Children’s Advocacy Center, where she served as Secretary. Misty and her husband also partner with Cleburne High School’s Diesel Program, launching a Racing Team to support student development.

Ryan Studdard

Ryan Studdard is the Broker and Co-Owner of Oak + Ash Realty with wife Lacy Studdard, practicing real estate since 2009. He is actively involved in the community, serving on the marketing committee for the CT100 Club and as Vice President of Programs for the Joshua ISD Education Foundation. Outside of work, Ryan spends his time on the ranch with his family—team roping alongside his son, Benjamin, and cheering on his daughter, Georgia, in barrel racing. 

Steve Smith 

Serves as Committee Chair for the Honoring Our Heroes Golf Tournament. He brings over 30 years of law enforcement experience, currently serving as Chief Deputy of the Hood County Sheriff’s Office. A Master Peace Officer, Steve is actively involved in numerous 501(c)(3) charitable organizations across multiple counties, supporting first responders and community initiatives.

Tim Davis 

Has been involved with the Chisholm Trail 100 Club for over 12 years, serving six of those years on the Board and volunteering for the Clay Shoot and Car Show fundraisers. A Johnson County resident for more than 30 years, Tim is the owner of Alpha and Omega Pest Control, which he has operated for over 27 years. He is passionate about supporting local businesses, community organizations, and first responders. Tim and his wife enjoy spending time with their family, especially their four grandchildren, on their family farm.

Tim Lyness

Tim Lyness of Rio Vista, Texas, is a seasoned leader with more than four decades of experience in construction, banking, and agriculture. He has spent 37 years with Lyness Construction and 19 years with First Financial Bank, where he currently serves as a local director. Tim remains actively involved in the agricultural community and serves with the Johnson County Junior Livestock Association. He and his family are active members of First Baptist Cleburne. 

Tom Cowan 

Has dedicated more than 52 years to law enforcement, including 34 years serving as Chief of Police for five DFW-area agencies, three of which were in Johnson County. A graduate of the FBI National Academy, Tom is a Life Member of multiple law enforcement organizations and a recipient of the Chisholm Trail 100 Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He is married and has one daughter and two granddaughters.

Travis Bursey 

Trisha White

Has been a Veterinarian at Rendon Road Animal Clinic since 1999, purchasing the practice in 2007.  She and her husband, Mike White, Johnson County Precinct 3 Commissioner, along with their children, Rachel and Brandon, are happy to call Johnson County home.  They are members of Shepherd's Valley Cowboy Church and proud supporters of many youth and charitable organizations.  Tully Janszen

Tully’s roots run deep in Texas land. A former University of Texas football player and 2005 National Champion, he went on to graduate from the TCU Ranch Management Program and has managed the Cross J Ranch in Bosque County for more than 15 years. Living in Glen Rose with his wife and three daughters, Tully brings hands-on ranching experience, a passion for land stewardship, and proven real estate expertise to every client he serves. From legacy ranches to first acres - Tully Sells Texas! 

 
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