BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board President

Tony Hernandez was born in Dallas, where he grew up in a home rich with love, though not with material wealth. As a teenager, his family moved to Mineral Wells, and at 18 he enlisted in the military, proudly serving for six years.

After his service, Tony pursued education through the GI Bill, studying welding at Weatherford College and heating and air conditioning at Lincoln Tech. He now owns and operates his own air conditioning company.

Tony’s greatest passion is serving the Lord. Along with his wife, he serves as a Kids Pastor, pouring into the next generation. He is currently attending the District School of Ministry, certified as a pastor, and working toward his license with plans to pursue ordination.

Through it all, Tony strives to live a life of honesty, obedience, and faith—seeking daily to be the man God has called him to be and giving thanks for the many blessings the Lord has provided.

Vice-President

Don Crawford

SECRETARY

Joy Eaton

Treasurer

Linda Porter-Bradford
Linda Porter-Bradford has lived in Mineral Wells for more than 65 years and has always been actively involved in community initiatives and service. She is married and the proud mother of four children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, working in the yard, playing pickleball, golfing, and reading.

Linda holds a B.S. in Biology, an M.S. in Biology, and an M.S. in Educational Leadership. She served in the field of education for 32 years as a teacher, counselor, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. Her responsibilities included managing budgets, human resources, federal grants, and professional development trainings.

Following her career in education, Linda served eight years as Executive Director of the Children’s Alliance Center. In this role, she oversaw all administrative operations, maintained the organization’s nonprofit status, managed federal grants and budgets, led fundraising efforts, and represented the agency in public presentations.

Throughout her career, Linda has developed deep empathy and skill in helping individuals navigate challenges, especially those facing trauma. She continues to feel a strong calling to serve her community and believes her background aligns closely with the mission and programs of the Mineral Wells Center of Life. At this stage in her life, she is eager to invest her experience and leadership in supporting the unique and rewarding work of the organization.

Board Member

Stacey Maples has been married to her husband, William, for 27 years. Together, they have three wonderful children—Justin, Breanna, and Lane—and Stacey finds great joy in being “Nana,” watching her grandchildren grow and cherishing every moment spent with them.

Stacey has worked in Mineral Wells for more than 20 years, and for the past 12 years she has served as a Customer Service Representative at Community National Bank & Trust. She loves being connected to her community through her work and building lasting relationships with those she serves.

Faith, family, and community are at the heart of Stacey’s life, and she treasures the time she gets to spend surrounded by those she loves most.

Board Member

Carla Hay-Perdue, DNP, FNP-C, NC-BC has dedicated her career to nursing since 1976 and has served as a Family Nurse Practitioner since 1993. For 25 years, she provided compassionate care as the Nurse Practitioner for Palo Pinto Rural Health Clinic in Gordon, Texas.

Carla earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Texas Tech University, where she also obtained board certification as a Nurse Coach. She is certified through the American Holistic Nursing Credentialing Corporation and holds additional certification as a Functional Nutrition Counselor through the Functional Nutrition Alliance.

Currently, Carla serves as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and Health & Wellness Educator/Coach at Palo Pinto General Hospital, where she integrates her extensive clinical experience with holistic health and wellness coaching to support the well-being of her patients and community.

Board Member

Karen Mori has been a lifelong resident of Mineral Wells. She currently serves as the Business Manager at Santo ISD and is a graduate of Tarleton State University, where she earned her degree in Accounting.

Karen is married to Bobby Mori, a teacher and coach at Mineral Wells High School. Together, they have two sons—Levi, a senior at Angelo State University, and Brazos, a graduate of Mineral Wells High School. She is also blessed with a stepdaughter, Emily, who lives in Bangkok with her husband, Eren.

A dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Mineral Wells, Karen has always been committed to serving her community. She previously served on the Board of Directors for Hope Shelter for five years before stepping down to pursue her college education.

Board Member

Ferell Gage
Ferell has called Palo Pinto County home since 2004 and has served faithfully as the Director of Missions for the 23 churches of the Palo Pinto Baptist Association since 2010. In this role, he works to strengthen and support local churches, build partnerships, and encourage collaboration that meets both the spiritual and practical needs of the community.

Ferell’s involvement with Mineral Wells Center of Life began through friendships with three unhoused neighbors who once lived on the Association’s property. These relationships opened his heart more deeply to the struggles faced by those on the margins and inspired him to engage in the daily ministry of serving meals, offering rides, praying with neighbors, and walking alongside individuals in their journey toward stability. His church now regularly provides meals at the Center of Life, and Ferell counts it a privilege to serve with his congregation and others in this work of compassion.

Deeply committed to the call of Christ, Ferell believes that every person has value and deserves hope, encouragement, and the opportunity to thrive. He loves to dream, collaborate, and help bring vision into reality for the glory of God. For Ferell, serving in Mineral Wells is not just ministry—it is a joyful expression of being the hands and feet of Jesus and walking in unity with fellow believers to make a lasting difference in the community.