Trustee Biographies

Jeff Hamilton-President
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Position #1 Term Expires 2024

Jeff Hamilton

Jeff has served as a New Diana ISD Trustee since 2012. He is the President and Principal Engineer for Able Engineering, PLLC. He is a graduate of Longview High School, earned a degree in Engineering at LeTourneau University, and is married to his childhood sweetheart, Angela. They have four children and chose to enroll their oldest as a first-grade transfer student in 2006 because of the education opportunities provided at New Diana ISD. They moved to Diana in 2010. Their oldest, Brennon, is now studying Civil Engineering at LeTourneau University. Lanie is a 2020 ND graduate and is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Development Education at LeTourneau University. Emma is a sophomore at NDHS and is active in the Band and multiple sports including Cross Country, Track, and Soccer. Their youngest, Paige, is in the fifth grade at Robert F Hunt Elementary.



TJ Shafer-Board Member
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Position #2 Term Expires 2026

TJ Shafer

Partner at Monument Resources LLC and owner of Shafer Land & Timber LLC.   TJ has been a resident of Diana for 12 years and has served on the New Diana Board of Trustees for the last 3 years. TJ and his wife Sara have been married for 18 years and have three daughters. Abbie, attends New Diana High School, Sydnie, attends New Diana Middle School and Annabella, attends Robert F. Hunt Elementary School.




Jodie Stark-Board Member
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Position #3 Term Expires 2024

Jodie Stark

I have had the honor of serving on the New Diana ISD Board of Trustees since November of 2016.  Native to East Texas area, I grew up in and around the Harleton area.  I graduated from Harleton High School in 1998.   I received my degree from Kilgore College and later completed my banking education at the South West Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.  My wife Charity and I have been married since 2004 and we have 2 children, Audrey and Harrison.  Both of our children are students at NDISD.  We are proud to serve the community.  I hold the position of Senior Vice President for First National Bank Hughes Springs and my primary office is in Diana.  I have been banking since 1996.




Jerry Cobb - Member
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Position #4 Term Expires 2026

Jerry Cobb


I have lived in Diana for over 30 years and married to Debbie (Hawkins) Cobb. I retired from the Longview Fire Department as a firefighter and paramedic, attaining the rank of Captain before retiring. I also served as a police officer and SWAT medic for the Longview Police Department for 13 years.  After retiring, I then began a new career as a private investigator and Chief Operating Officer for Bullock Protection providing security for area businesses and educational facilities.

Both of our children, Jennifer and Ryan graduated from New Diana ISD and have since moved back to be a part of the community.  Currently, I have 2 grandchildren, Bailey and Jackson Hudnall attending New Diana ISD. After college Jennifer came back and taught for several years at New Diana early in her career before promoting to teaching at the college level. Ryan became a professional firefighter in the area to be a service to people in need.  On Debbie's side of our family, there are 4 generations that have attended New Diana ISD and a Grandfather that served as a board member in the late 60's.




Cari Roberts-Board Member
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Position #5 Term Expires 2026

Cari Roberts 
 

 Cari Roberts, is a 2007 graduate of TSTC with an associate's degree in Software Engineering Technology. She is a native of Arizona. Cari is a parent of a blended family of five children across the district- Hayden- 10th grade who is active in Band, Ag, and Robotics, twin 7th graders- Callie who is active in Ag, Band, Volleyball and Track & Katherine who participated in Ag, Band, Cheer, Volleyball, Cross Country, Track and would eventually like to try out for Powerlifting, Caylen 5th grade who is on his 2nd year of Robotics, and Tessa Kindergarten who want to start showing goats with her sisters next year. Cari moved to Diana after marrying her husband Shaun Roberts, a New Diana graduate of 2000. Cari is known for working as the ND High School Registrar for almost 8 years before moving on to City of Longview HR & Risk Management.  She has been seated on the Elementary PTO as well as the New Diana Youth Cheer Board, and coached various age groups during her tenure with the association.  Cari hopes that between being an active parent at all levels and her time with the district, it will help guide the board to make the best decisions for staff and students alike.


Becky Smith-Board Member
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Position # 6 Term Expires 2024

 Becky Smith

Becky Smith is a graduate of New Diana  High School, class of 1983. Has been teaching for 31 years.  Married to Samuel of 31 years and have two grown children Kate and Rachel.  Also a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelors of Science, and a graduate of Texas A&M University-Commerce with a Masters of Science. 



Donald Willeford-Vice President

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Position #7 Term Expires 2024

 Donald Willeford 

Mr. Donald Willeford is a 1978 High School Graduate of New Diana ISD. He has served on the New Diana ISD Board since November 6, 2012.   He has been in Law Enforcement for 37yrs and works as a SRO at Gladewater ISD.  Mr. Willeford has been married to Kim for 39yrs.  Kim graduated in 1982 from New Diana ISD.  They have two children Kira and Drew, who have both graduated from New Diana ISD.  









































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