BOARD MEMBERS
Samantha Wall
She/They
Board President
Samantha Wall (She/They) is a native East Texan growing up on a farm in Bullard, attending public school, the Brook Hill School, and homeschooling before earning an associate’s degree in business administration from Tyler Junior College. Sam then went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Texas at Tyler. During their master’s program, Sam was competitively chosen as a Bill Archer Fellow, which took them to Washington, D.C. to study public policy at the Archer Center and intern at the Human Rights Campaign. They have a history of volunteerism, board membership, or employment with many LGBTQI organizations across Texas and the U.S.
After graduation Sam moved to D.C. serving as Chief of Staff at The Sheridan Group, a boutique government affairs firm serving nonprofit clients for over 30 years with a motto close to Sam’s heart: “Helping the good do better.” After the COVID-19 crisis began, Sam departed for the District of Columbia Health Department, where they gladly served the people of D.C. and a Health Director leading the nation in response initiatives. They went on to work for J.P. Morgan Chase supporting the Global Head of Regulatory Affairs, the Pew Research Center primarily focusing on International policy issues, and the Pew Charitable Trusts supporting the fundraising and philanthropic work of the Senior Vice President of Partnerships, before deciding it was time to relocate “back home” to Texas.
Sam now spends her days on the campus she loves dearly the University of Texas at Tyler, working in the Fisch College of Pharmacy. When not working, they enjoy spending time with their wife, Aysha, dogs, and the newest addition to the Wall family, a parrot who mimics Sam every chance he gets. They are thrilled to be bringing their executive-level management, familiarity with philanthropic development, and long history of community building to the Glass House Resource Center. But most of all, they are honored to be able to give back to a community they have spent their life fighting for and alongside.
Mae Lynn
She/They
Vice President
Hi! My name is Mae (She/They). I am a mid-twenties, extroverted introvert born and raised in South Florida. I moved to Tyler, TX in 2017. I am multitalented creative with special interests in crochet and cosplay. I am an avid book hoarder and love reading! I love being present with my spouse and animals, and traveling whenever i can to Renaissance fairs and conventions.
CJ Brinlee
She/Her
Secretary
CJ identifies as a "Crazy Cat Lady"
Pronouns are She/Her/hey you/& meow ("hey you" in cat). She aspires to be 'that' house on the block, the one with the weird things growing in her garden, that's always attracting wildlife, and may in fact be haunted. Also her blue shed can be seen from space. By day she is legitimately a scientist, by night a mad scientist. Regardless, she's mildly successful at adulting and enjoys teaching other people how to passably pretend to be adults too.
Karen Wilkerson
She/Her
Treasurer
A native Oklahoman, Karen arrived in Texas at the age of three and has claimed the state has her home ever since. She spent her early years in Dallas, but has lived in Tyler almost continuously since age ten, leaving only for education at UT-Austin where she earned her B.S. in Advertising and spent a few years working in Waco in the 1980’s. Her career includes experience in the advertising agency business, freelance photography, and crisis counseling after earning M.S. Clinical Psychology at UT-Tyler in the late 1990’s.
“Retired” at the age of 50, she has devoted the last 20+ years to volunteer service on many boards and other leadership positions including United Way, Tyler Unity Center, Equality Texas Foundation, and Texas Democratic Party. The FIRST LGBTQIA+ couple married in Smith County in 2015, Karen and her wife Jolie spend their free time traveling, grandmothering, and enjoying life with two ornery cats.
Drew Adams
They/Them
Drew Adams (They/Them), grew up going back and forth between Pecos, Santa Fe New Mexico, and East Texas. They attended and graduated from BISD (Bullard School District).
In 2014, Drew came out to their parents (Summer and Steve Adams). Who got them into LGBTQ+ support groups. Drew has been attending events, meetings, and volunteering on and off since.
Drew has worked security, cake decorating at Brookshires, and is now a security dispatcher at UT Health East Texas.
Drew wants to give back and support the queer community with the same support they received.
Bunny
(They/He)
Hi! I’m Bunny, a 20-year-old volunteer who uses they/he pronouns. I’m disabled and an ambulatory wheelchair user, and I’m passionate about activism, art, music, dance, and jewelry making. I’ve been volunteering with children for nearly a decade, and my goal is to make a positive impact by serving the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities.
I believe that accessibility and inclusion are essential for building healthy, happy communities, and I’m committed to bridging the gap between these groups. I’m especially excited about the opportunity to show kids that people who use mobility aids can be visible, active members of their community. It’s important to me that young people feel seen and represented, and I’m dedicated to helping create spaces where everyone feels included.
VOLUNTEERS
Lexi Woods
She/Her
Volunteer/Dungeon Master
Lexi is a parent, as well as an active member of the local queer community. Lexi has a passion for helping others and leaving joy in her wake. Lexi is characterized by creativity, intelligence, and a sunny disposition, and has received rave reviews from kids and parents alike that are involved with Alphabet Army. With a bevy of creative and social skills she is an asset to our organization ensuring the youth in our community will be enriched, entertained, and have a sense of belonging.
Hi! My name is Alexander (he/they), but you can call me Al! I’m
currently a full-time student, working towards my degree in History
and Archaeology/Anthropology. In my free time, I’m either working on
my small jewelry business, spending time with friends and family, or
catching up on some much needed rest. I volunteer with the Glass
House because as a disabled trans man, I want our younger
community members to see that we can and will succeed. It might not
be the way we initially planned or envisioned, but slow progress is
still progress. I look forward to meeting you!
Summer Adams
She/Her
Summer Adams is a native East Texan, proud parent, and a LGBTQIA+ Ally. Summer's advocacy journey began in 2015 with PFLAG. From 2016-2022, she tirelessly served on the board of TAG. In 2023 she joined the Alphabet Army board, and we a very lucky to have her! A more dedicated ally to the East Texas Queer community would be very hard to come by.
Erin Bailey
Executive Director/Founder
I was born and raised in Utah until my marriage to a US Army soldier. For the past 20+ yrs I moved around and traveled quite a bit, and landed myself and my daughter here in Tyler, Tx. I am a mother to my only child and I have a wonderful fiance who supports me in all my endeavors. One of which is our LGBTQ+ Youth Group. I observed that there were plenty of other groups who are all wonderful and offer support to college age and older adults, but not a lot for our youth. They need to know they are not excluded from their community and peers.
