Amber Mink of Mink Plumbing was among those recently elected into the Better Business Bureau's 2025 Board of Directors. (Contributed Photo)

From Staff Reports

Cherokee County DA announces Regina Brooks to new position

The Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office has announced that Regina Brooks, Cherokee County Crime Victims Coordinator, has been appointed to an at-large Victim Assistance Coordinator position for the Texas District Attorney’s Association (TDCAA) Key Personnel-Victim Services Board, as of the beginning of January.

The TDCAA Key Personnel and Victims Services Board is a collaborative platform that prepares and develops operational procedures, standards, training, and educational programs. It addresses all appropriate matters dealing with key personnel and victim assistance in conjunction with TDCAA throughout our state.

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Brooks graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1991 and Stephen F. Austin in 1999 with a Bachelor’s degree in social work. In 2016, she obtained a graduate certificate in Christian Ministry from Liberty University. Regina has a wealth of experience, having worked as a full-time or part-time hospice social worker for 18 years.

While serving as the Cherokee County Crime Victims Coordinator for the Cherokee County District Attorney’s office for the last six years she also works part-time as a hospice social worker for Angel Hands Hospice.

Brooks serves as a minister at Kingdom Christian Center under Pastor Charlvin Doty. Additionally, she is the co-founder and director of the “in His Image Ministry,” a Jacksonville-based mentor program for adolescent young ladies aged 12-18.

Brooks is passionate about helping young and older women learn their true identity and understand that life’s obstacles, trauma, and defeats do not define them. Brooks not only walks alongside victims of crime during the criminal justice process but seeks to assist victims in moving past the trauma and how what they experience is only a part of their story. Brooks is married to Christopher Brooks and has one adult son, Justin.

“Mrs. Brooks’ appointment underscores her commitment to victims of crime and her profession as a whole. We are proud of her accomplishments,” said Jonathan Richey, Cherokee County’s District Attorney.

Craig Funk named President of Encompass Health’s Southwest Region

Encompass Health Corp. recently announced that Craig Funk has been named president of the company’s Southwest region. The Southwest region includes 20 post-acute, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals across Texas with more than 4,800 employees.

“It is an honor to be selected as the Southwest region’s next president,” Funk said. “I am excited about our continued growth in Texas and look forward to leading the highly skilled teams who are dedicated to providing compassionate rehabilitative care to our patients.”

Funk transitions into this role after serving nine years as the Southwest region’s vice president of operations. In this position, Funk was responsible for strategic and operational aspects of all hospitals, including revenue and expense management, quality patient outcomes and employee satisfaction. He will oversee the region’s 21st hospital opening in Amarillo in the fourth quarter of 2025.

“Craig is experienced in building and motivating multi-disciplinary teams to achieve goals and excellent customer satisfaction,” said Mark Tarr, Encompass Health’s president and CEO. “He has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, operational expertise and a firm commitment to our Company values, enriching our patients’ and employees’ experience. I look forward to his continued success at Encompass Health.”

Prior to joining Encompass Health, Funk served as a vice president with UT Health Science Center Houston. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University.

Funk assumes the Southwest regional president position from Frank Brown, who is retiring after 15 years of service with Encompass Health. Encompass Health’s Southwest region includes the large metropolitan cities of Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Waco and Tyler.

BBB welcomes new board chair, members

Better Business Bureau (BBB) announced the election of the 2025 Board Chair and four new individuals to its Board of Directors.

BBB is introducing Shane Rohrbach, Partner for Gollob Morgan Peddy Certified Public Accountants, as the Chair of the Board of Directors for 2025. Rohrbach succeeds Nancy Rangel, Executive Director for the Tyler Hispanic Business Alliance. Rangel remains on the board as immediate past chair.

Other officers elected were:

Vice-Chair/Chair Elect — LaToya Young, Executive Director, Tyler Area Business Education Council

Vice-Chair — Troy Bevill, Jr. Owner, Proforma Horizon Total Source

Treasurer — Michelle Small, CEO, Kelly Community Federal Credit Union

Secretary – Chris Molina, Senior Vice President, Austin Bank

Legal Counsel — David Dobbs, Dobbs and Porter, P.C.

Mechele Mills — President and CEO, Better Business Bureau

“East Texas has evolved into a vibrant center for commerce, education, and top-tier healthcare facilities. The Better Business Bureau’s steadfast commitment to fostering a fair and trusted marketplace significantly contributes to our region’s prosperity. In 2024 alone, the BBB delivered nearly 2 million instances of service to East Texas,” Mills said. “As we begin our 40th year serving East Texas, I am deeply privileged to support our ever-growing community of BBB Accredited businesses who proudly support ethical standards and have earned the BBB Accredited Business seal.”

Rohrbach said it is both an honor and a privilege to be serving as the incoming board chair.

“I am proud to support an organization that upholds the highest standards of integrity and trust,” he added. “And I look forward to working alongside our dedicated team to continue making a positive impact in our community.”

2025 Directors elected:

Kim Beckham, Kim Beckham Collaborative Leadership

Lance Browning, Income Solutions Wealth Management

Linda Cooper, Henry & Peters, P.C.

Nicole Cox, Ables-Land, Inc.

Mary Alice Guidry, Tyler Economic Development Council

Chris Hazelip, Edward Jones Investments

Eric Kolder, The Kolder Law Firm

Kim Lessner, Tyler Junior College

Juan Martinez, Martinez CPA

Amber Mink, Mink Plumbing

Daniel Nagore, Nagore Consulting Group

Megan Riaz, Bethesda Health Clinic

John Soules, Sr., Texas Organics