Board of Directors / Advisory Board.
Tim Culliver
Founder/President
Tim was born in Jackson, Mississippi, graduated from Raleigh High School in Raleigh, Mississippi, earned his Associate in Technology Degree from Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi, and completed his degree of Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi. He married Donna Heintz, the love of his life in 1991. Together they have a son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons. Tim is the father of "Angel Adam" and co-founder of Adam's Angels Ministry. Tim and his family are active members of First Baptist Church in Brenham. Tim has always been active in the oil and gas industry and has made this his career.
Since the loss of Adam, Tim has become an advocate for children and families of childhood cancer. He and Donna have worked with Congressman Michael McCaul, to make funding and the need for better drugs for childhood cancer research a national priority.
Tim is presently serving on the Advisory Board of Children's Cancer Hospital of M D Anderson in Houston, Texas and a member of the Texas Cancer Coalition (formerly Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas) Advisory Committee on Childhood Cancer. Tim is also a member of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
979-836-0955Donna Culliver
Founder/Secretary
Donna was born and raised in Brenham, Texas. She married a southern gentleman from the State of Mississippi. Tim and Donna have a son and daughter-in-law and two grandsons. Donna is also the mother of "Angel Adam" who died of childhood cancer in January 2003. Donna is an active member of First Baptist Church in Brenham.
Donna graduated from Brenham High School, received her Associate in Arts Degree from Blinn Junior College, and in later years received certification as a Paralegal from Southwestern Paralegal Institute in Houston, Texas. Since the loss of Adam, Donna devotes her time to her family and the ministry. Most importantly Donna, along with her husband, Tim, co-founded Adam's Angels Ministry in 2004 in memory of their son Adam, who died of acute myelogenous leukemia.
Donna is a member of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and an active advocate for childhood cancer, locally, for the State of Texas, and in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill. She has worked alongside our Congressman Michael McCaul, who co-chairs the Childhood Cancer Caucus in D.C. Presently Donna serves on the Advisory Board of Children's Cancer Hospital of M D Anderson in Houston, Texas chaired by Linda McCaul.
Losing a child to cancer changes your perspective on life. No one realizes what families go through until you have walked in their shoes, although our journey was short. We were blessed as a family to have the support of family and friends, to be a part of an awesome church family and community. Through AAM we work hard to help make a difference in the lives of childhood cancer families. The fight for awareness, funding, education and better drugs will always be on the forefront; but, more importantly, knowing God is in control and having faith and hope of an eternal life is what helps me put one foot in front of the other each and every day. God is Good!
979-836-0955James Fritz
Treasurer
James is a native of Brenham, Texas. He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy, in 1982. He attended Blinn College and Sam Houston State University and earned a BBA in Accounting. James is a Christian and he and Nancy have been long-time members of First Baptist Church in Brenham. James has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1995.
James is a proud member of the 1975 and 1976 State Championship Brenham High School Baseball Teams. His hobbies include spending time with his family and grandchildren and working outside in the yard and garden.
Alesia Whaley
Vice President
Alesia and her family moved to Brenham from Houston in 1995. She is married to Steve Whaley, and they have two children, Brandon and Ashton. Upon moving to Brenham, Alesia became involved in the Washington County community, serving with the Chamber of Commerce as a Blue Blazer for over five years, representing the Blue Blazers as President in 2000. She later served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Alesia also served on the board of the Rotary Club, Washington County Council, American Heart Association and Christian Women’s Club.
Alesia and Donna became friends in the short years following Alesia’s move to Brenham. Knowing Adam and the Culliver family, Alesia has always had a personal attachment for the cause and mission of Adam’s Angels Ministry.
Alesia has been serving with Adam’s Angels Ministry for several years, helping with various events such as the 5K Dash, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the Annual Christmas Party at MDA. However, in the most recent years has been the Chairperson for Fundraising Events.
Heather Thielemann
Board Member
Dr. Heather Thielemann has a passion for service. She is a sixth generation resident of Washington County. Though her pursuit of education took her to Baylor on a track scholarship where she obtained both her bachelor and masters’ degrees, she moved back to Brenham and married Arlen Thielemann. A doctorate at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and a position as Vice President for Enrollment Management at SHSU for 13 years has not kept her away from her beloved Brenham as she commutes daily to work.
Since childhood, she had dream to keep Brenham a beautiful town, connecting people in Brenham to each other through service. That dream has been fulfilled as she has:
- Serves as President of Brenham GameChangers
- Serves as a board member for Adams Angels
- Serves as board member Scott & White Foundation (March 2017 – current)
- Coordinates, plans and organizes the annual Cannery Kitchen Thanksgiving Day meal
- Served as Maifest President (2010-2017).
- Member of 1st Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas; member of Personnel Committee (2012-2015); FBC Women’s ministry planning committee (January 2016 – current)
- Washington County Heritage Society board member (1996-2003);
- Volunteer/planner for the City of Brenham Christmas Stroll Parade (2005-current)
- Volunteers to help with local track meets
Other committees and awards/honors:
- John Maxwell Team certified speaker/coach (January 2016 – current)
- Troy Glasco Servant Leadership Award – December 2016
- “Make a Difference” award – Brenham ISD, February 2016
- Texas Baptist General Convention, Nominations Committee for Affiliate Ministries, 2015/2016
- National Exemplary Practice Award – Community College Business Officers – Blinn College – (2003-2004)
- Legends Award – Baylor University track award for 1st All-American women in track (2011)
- College All-American in Track and Field - 3200m relay for 1991 indoor season (1st All-American women at Baylor for Track and Field); Women’s Southwest Conference Champion - 800m run for 1991 outdoor season
- Greater Houston Partnership – State Relations Committee (current)
- Several state-wide committees with her role at the University
Heather will always see Brenham as a town with a bright future and numerous opportunities for people to come together. She considers each volunteer experience as a way to celebrate people while serving with her family: Arlen, and their children Shea, Dillon and Addie.
Pamela Richardson
Board Member
Pamela Richardson is native of Brenham. Pam has been married to Charles for 19 years and they have two wonderful boys, CJ and Cameron. CJ passed away of AML Leukemia on July 9, 2014. Cameron, the youngest, is presently a sophomore at Brenham High School.
Pam is a current employee of Brenham ISD and has been for five years. Her current position is Paraprofessional. Pam serves on the Leadership Committee at Alton Elementary School, Brenham, Texas and on the Brenham GameChangers Committee.
Pam and her family are members of New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church in Brenham. Pam’s Faith is strong and she believes that with a God all things are possible. Pam is a current student at Blinn College in Brenham seeking her Associates of Arts Degree in Sociology. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and having fun with friends, gardening and reading.
Pam believes she can help bring comfort and understanding to Adams Angels Ministry families through her past experience and her faith.
Cherry Fratus
Board Member
Cherry Fratus moved to Brenham in 2014 from Oceanside, California. She has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She is married to Brian Fratus and they have 3 children, Brady, Reagan, and Vivian who all attend First Baptist Church School. They are members at Brenham's First Baptist Church where she is involved with the Women's Ministry planning committee as well as the school board. Cherry loves being involved with Adam's Angels Ministry as she is the Co-Chair for the Christmas Sleigh Fund. Outside of work, she loves watching her kids play sports, vacation at the beach, and cook.
Morgan Ogden
Board Member
Morgan moved to Brenham from Cypress in 2014. She and her husband, Jonathan, attend Brenham’s First Baptist Church with their two daughters, Tyler, and Hadley. She has a bachelor’s degree in special education from Texas A&M and a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Houston. She is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and has experience in a variety of settings, including public schools, outpatient clinics, and hospitals. She has a passion for the rehabilitation/habilitation process and for being on mission for God in whatever setting he has placed her in. Morgan serves as Co-Chair for the Adam’s Angels Christmas Committee and looks forward to blessing Adam’s Angels families for Christmas each year. She is an animal lover and enjoys reading, attending baseball games, and spending time with family and friends.
Amanda Fathauer
Board Member
Amanda is not a native of Brenham but got here as fast as she could! Upon completing her education at Sam Houston State University, she moved to Brenham with her husband, Brian. They have two beautiful children, Emma and Grant, and a sassy poodle named Miles. She has been in public service since 2009 and finds her career very rewarding. She enjoys assisting those in need, lending a compassionate ear, and offering an encouraging word. In her spare time Amanda loves reading, watching classic movies with her family, and attending live music events. She believes no family should have to face childhood cancer alone and is honored to serve on the board of Adam’s Angels.
Dr. Gregg Workman
Advisory Board
Dr. Workman started Brenham Family Practice, Brenham, Texas in September 2003. He received his education from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Dr. Workman attended medical school at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas and his residency in Family Practice at Memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas. He and his wife Elisa have four children, Samuel, Gabriella, Emma, and Sofia. Dr. Workman's interests are cooking, fishing, gardening, his family, and church activities. The family is members at Brenham's-First Baptist Church.
Lauren Eckermann
Advisory Board
Lauren Eckermann Turnbill was born and raised in Brenham, Texas. She gained an interest in softball at an early age and after being named All-American in high school, Lauren went on to play at Temple Junior College where she was named JUCO All-American and held a perfect 31-0 record in her final season.
After Temple, Lauren competed for The University of Oklahoma where she was named a LOWE’S Senior Class Award Finalist, a member of the Academic All-Big XII Team, a NCAA All-American, Big XII Co-Pitcher of the Year and Big XII Tournament MVP. In 2007, Lauren tied the school record for most wins in a single season with 37. It was while she was playing at OU that Lauren met her husband, Kevin. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Lauren and Kevin moved to Texarkana where they coached softball for Texarkana College. Following a season of coaching, Lauren went on to attend law school at The University of Oklahoma College of Law, where she obtained her J.D. in 2012.
She and Kevin moved back home to Brenham in 2013 and welcomed their son, Hudson, the same year. Lauren is an attorney at Hoelscher, Lipsey, Elmore & Poole, P.C., in College Station, Texas, and she and Kevin welcomed their second son, Harrison, in March 2016. Lauren and Kevin are members of First Baptist Church Brenham and are also involved in the local community as volunteers for Main Street Brenham.
In addition to caring for their two sons, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and family, cooking, reading and instructing young softball pitchers.
Eshanna Hemphill
Advisory Board
Eshanna was born in Galveston, Texas on October 11, 1977 to Sandra Williams and Charles Hogan. She was educated in Hempstead, Texas public school and a Hempstead High School graduate. Eshanna continued her education at Prairie View A & M University where she received her Bachelor's degree as a social worker. She is the proud mother of two beautiful children, daughter Erin, and son Eric. God is the head of Eshanna's life and she knows she would be nowhere without Him.
Lance Weiss
Board Member
Lance was born in Bellville, Texas. He is the son of Doug and Melissa Weiss. He graduated from Bellville High School in 2007 and continued his education at Blinn College where he graduated in 2009. Lance is married to his beautiful wife, Taylor, and they have two beautiful daughters, Emery and Lia. Lance has dedicated his life to public safety and enjoys helping others. When not working, he enjoys family time, traveling, outdoor sports and just relaxing. Currently, he also serves on the Board of the Washington County Boys and Girls Club.