FORT WORTH, Texas (Sept. 8, 2026) — United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC) announced today that Barbara M. Williams will serve as chair of its Board of Directors for the 2026-27 term. Grant Helmer will serve as vice chair, and five new members have joined the board.
Williams, of counsel at Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP, has served on UWTC’s board of directors for the last six years. She has decades of experience overseeing the Fort Worth office of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson and chairs the firm’s client relations subcommittee. Williams has served as city attorney for Crowley and interim city attorney for White Settlement. She has served on the boards of Girls Inc. of Tarrant County, the Women’s Policy Forum and Fort Worth SPARC.
“Our new and returning board members bring exactly the kind of experience and community ties that make United Way of Tarrant County effective,” said Adam D. Powell, UWTC president and CEO. “Barbara M. Williams has been a steady, thoughtful voice on this board for years, and I'm glad Tarrant County gets the benefit of her leadership as chair.”
Helmer, senior vice president in dealer services funding at GM Financial, will serve as vice chair and committee chair of the Investment Committee. With more than 25 years at GM Financial, Helmer oversees U.S. funding and disbursement activity for the company, including retail, lease and commercial originations.
Steve B. Bobb, retired executive vice president and chief marketing officer of BNSF Railway Company, will continue to serve on the board as immediate past chair.
The following board members were elected to their first term of service:
Anne Albrecht, Ph.D., CPA, associate professor, Texas Christian University
Albrecht is an associate professor of accounting at TCU’s Neeley School of Business, where she has taught since 2016. She previously worked as an audit senior at Deloitte & Touche and brings extensive expertise in audit quality and financial reporting. Her research has been cited by The Wall Street Journal, CFO Journal and Compliance Week. Albrecht has served on United Way of Tarrant County’s Audit and Finance Committee since 2022.
Elizabeth R. Brands, Ed.D., president and CEO, The Morris Foundation
Brands leads The Morris Foundation, where she previously served as head of education giving and acting executive director. She also serves as executive director of Read Fort Worth. Brands began her career as a classroom teacher before moving into philanthropy and later leading Reading Partners in Oklahoma, where she tripled the scale of the organization in four years and launched a citywide grade-level reading campaign with the Tulsa mayor’s office. She brings extensive experience in education, philanthropy and community engagement.
Kerry “Kacey” Cornelius Jr., executive vice president, Frost Bank Tarrant Region
Cornelius leads a commercial banking team at Frost in Fort Worth serving private investors, family offices, investment managers and commercial clients. He joined Frost in 2007 and has held a variety of leadership roles during his career in commercial banking. Cornelius serves on the boards of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and previously served on the boards of the Downtown Fort Worth YMCA and the Fort Worth Chamber’s Vision Fort Worth, which he chaired.
Rev. Parish E. Lowery, pastor, Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
Lowery has served as pastor of Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth since 2010. He began his career working with youth through the Downtown Dallas YMCA and Dallas Independent School District before moving into public recreation management, where he focused on serving at-risk youth. Lowery began preaching in 2007 and brings extensive experience in faith-based leadership, youth development and community service.
Scott Wrenn, assurance partner, Ernst & Young LLP
Wrenn is a partner in EY’s real estate, hospitality and construction assurance practice in Fort Worth, where he has spent more than 23 years leading audit engagements for public and private clients. He advises clients on business combinations, complex accounting issues, internal controls and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Wrenn also leads EY’s Fort Worth recruiting efforts and is a certified public accountant licensed in Texas.
Members continuing their board service for a second three-year term include:
- Marnese Barksdale Elder, CEO and founder, Mecca Management Solutions LLC
- Rosa Maria Berdeja, attorney at law, The Law Office of Rosa Maria Berdeja
- Brian Rudd, senior vice president, commercial banking market leader, PNC Bank
For the complete list of board members, visit unitedwaytarrant.org/about/leadership.
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About United Way of Tarrant County
United Way of Tarrant County, a North Texas nonprofit leader, mobilizes our community to action so all can thrive. We identify critical needs, foster collaboration, and invest in solutions that drive change. Through our four impact areas—education and youth opportunity, community health, financial security, and community resiliency—our programs serve nearly 400,000 individuals annually. After celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2022, we remain committed to empowering Tarrant County residents for generations to come.