Leaders from healthcare, business and community service bring new perspectives to the Food
Bank’s 13-county mission
FORT WORTH, Texas — Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) welcomes eight new members to its
Board of Directors: Dr. Nadia Alawi-Kakomanolis, Karen Anfin, Alex Carter, Justin Light, Priscilla
Miller, John Pathak, Doug Renfro and Michael Tripp. Their terms begin on October 1st
.
“Our board helps guide how Tarrant Area Food Bank serves neighbors across a diverse 13-
county region,” said Julie Butner, President and CEO of Tarrant Area Food Bank. “These new
members bring experience in healthcare, food production, community partnerships, architecture,
law and business. We look forward to the perspectives they will bring as we work to improve
access to nutritious food and support the health of our communities.”
Dr. Nadia Alawi-Kakomanolis, JPS Health Network | Dr. Alawi-Kakomanolis is a healthcare
executive and practicing internist with more than 20 years of experience improving clinical
operations, patient outcomes and organizational performance. Her work spans strategic
planning, quality improvement, and team development. She earned her medical degree from
Stony Brook University School of Medicine and an MBA from Texas A&M University.
Karen Anfin, K & L Enterprises, Inc. | Anfin brings extensive experience in community service
and nonprofit leadership. She has supported organizations focused on children, families and
education, including Safe Haven of Tarrant County, where she served on the board and chaired
its Fund Development Committee. She earned a degree in journalism and public relations from
Texas Tech University.
Alex Carter, Kroger | Carter oversees 19 Kroger stores and 14 fuel sites in the Tarrant County
area, leading approximately 1,500 associates. He is responsible for store operations, leadership
development, and service to local communities. Carter previously held merchandising
leadership roles supporting more than 100 stores. His experience in grocery retail and his deep
roots in the region have shaped his commitment to ensuring families across our community
have reliable access to nutritious food.
Justin Light, Ben E. Keith Company | Light is regional general counsel at Ben E. Keith
Company, where he advises legal matters across the food and beverage business. A Fort
Worth native, he also serves on the board of Tarrant County Samaritan Housing and has
supported other local organizations through board and volunteer service.
Priscilla Miller, Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services | Miller is director of
community relations and special events at Higginbotham, where she builds community
partnerships, supports nonprofit organizations and engages employees in service. She
previously held nonprofit leadership roles with Habitat for Humanity and Junior Achievement.
She also founded the Engagement and Philanthropy Leaders Network.
John Pathak, Schwarz Hanson Architects | Pathak is a principal at Fort Worth-based
Schwarz Hanson Architects. He brings experience in architectural design and project leadership
across the firm’s work with a range of clients and building types.
Doug Renfro, Renfro Foods, Inc. | Renfro is president of Renfro Foods, the family-owned
company behind Mrs. Renfro’s salsas. He joined the business after working in finance at
Electronic Data Systems and has since led work across product development, quality
assurance, sales, and operations. Renfro previously served as president of Tarrant Area Food
Bank and has held leadership roles with several Fort Worth and industry organizations.
Michael Tripp, Nationwide Insurance | Tripp is senior vice president of Personal Lines Sales
and Distribution at Nationwide, where he leads strategies to support agency partners and
strengthen customer experience. He has more than 20 years of insurance industry experience,
including leadership roles at AmTrust, Chubb, The Hanover Insurance Group, and Hartford. He
earned a bachelor’s degree in insurance from the University of North Texas.
In addition to these newly appointed Directors, the Tarrant Area Food Bank Board also
welcomes a new slate of Officers and Members-at-Large:
Chair: Christy Lara
Chair-Elect: Lou Ann Richardson
Past Chair: Ty Stimpson
Secretary: Diana Gardner
Treasurer: Mark Jones
Member-at-Large: Dr. Semi Ali
Member-at-Large: Robert Sturns
About Tarrant Area Food Bank
TARRANT AREA FOOD BANK (TAFB): One of the largest charitable organizations in its 13-
county service area, TAFB provides over 1.25 million nutritious meals weekly and food &
nutrition education programs to those facing hunger through its network of 400+ partner
agencies, volunteers, and donors. As a member of Feeding America, TAFB empowers
communities to alleviate hunger and improve health. For more information, visit www.tafb.org.
