Target Hunger Elects New Members to the Board of Directors

HOUSTON, May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Target Hunger, a nonprofit agency working to alleviate hunger and its root causes in the heart of Houston's inner city, has elected five new members to its Board of Directors for terms beginning May 2010 and lasting three years.

New Board Members include:

Kristi DesJarlais

Kristi DesJarlais is the Manager of Corporate Communications for ConocoPhillips.

DesJarlais began her career with Phillips Petroleum Company in 1990 as an employee communications writer at the company's Bartlesville, Okla., headquarters.  In 1997, DesJarlais was named Senior Media Relations Representative.  In 2007, DesJarlais was named Director of Media Relations.  In 2002, she became Manager of External Communications, and then was named Manager of Internal and External Communications in 2005 before being named to her current position in 2006.

Dale Elifrits

Dale Elifrits is the Area Vice President, North Area of the Houston Region of Comcast.  In this role, he oversees and manages all Technical Operations for the North Area including service installation, repairs and plant maintenance.  

Elifrits has more than 26 years of experience in the cable industry, holding various management and technical operations positions with Comcast and its predecessor companies, including AT&T Broadband, TCI, and Heritage Cable.

Ben Jolly

Ben Jolly has been the IT Director at BBS Technologies, Inc. since 2005.   He works with for VP's to leverage IT infrastructure to improve business processes in their respective departments.  He also evaluates companies and products for the CEO to help determine their value and if they are suitable for the company business model.

In addition to his position at BBS Technologies, Inc., Jolly is also a Consultant for Icentera

and Farmer's Copper and Industrial Supply.

Lisa Marshall

Lisa Marshall is the Managing Director of Corporate Communications for Service Corporation International (SCI).

Marshall has more than 25 years of strategic and tactical management, marketing, and communications experience in diverse and competitive industries.   Prior to joining SCI, Marshall worked as Communications Director at El Paso Corporation, Southern Company, and ARCO/Vastar Resources.

Michael Marx

Michael Marx is the Vice President of Operations for Kroger Food Stores for the Southwest Division's 208 stores in Texas and Louisiana.  Marx has been part for the Kroger family for 35 years where he has held numerous management positions.

Marx has served as a trustee of the John Herr Foundation; former President and board member of the Houston Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association; and past member of the Greater Vegetable Improvement Center of Texas A & M University.

Terrell Smith

Terrell Smith is currently the Senior Product Development Director at BMC Software, Inc.  Smith is responsible for development, QA and support functions for multiple products and functions.  

Prior to joining BMC Software, Inc. in 1993, Smith worked as a Systems Programmer at Southwestern Bell.  In this role, she was responsible for maintenance of various operating systems, database management systems and program products.  

Target Hunger, a United Way agency, was established in 1989 as a grassroots, community-based program to combat the growing hunger problem in Houston's inner-city neighborhoods.  Each month, Target Hunger distributes food to more than 9,800 needy Houstonians through its 11 food pantries, 11 senior day sites, and home delivery routes.  In conjunction with hunger relief, Target Hunger empowers families in need by providing a path to self-sufficiency.  Programs that are currently offered include nutrition classes, job training workshops, literacy classes, GED and ESL classes, self-esteem classes, afterschool and summer youth development programs and counseling services.

SOURCE Target Hunger