“Seeing adults with I/DD thrive at Noah’s House drives me to keep going every day. I love being their advocate. Being a lifelong learner, I prefer a challenging environment where I am encouraged to explore new avenues and think of new ideas. Our residents definitely inspire me to do just that. When they come back from a hard day’s work knowing they have made a difference – I see that we are more similar than what meets the eye.”
Our Team
Noah’s House is a team committed to excellence. Noah’s House includes our Executive Team, Program Staff, and Board.
Our Executive Team
Our executive team, consisting of our Executive Director and Program Coordinator, ensures that our residents are empowered with the resources to flourish in their independence. Duties include, but are not limited to, overseeing the resident’s programs, managing staff, fundraising, and developing relationships with external organizations.
Jonte M. Reed
Executive Director
Jonte M. Reed - Executive Director
The Executive Director (ED) reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for overall leadership and operations of Noah’s House. The ED manages a staff that assists our residents in their day-to-day activities, including work, transportation, doctor’s visits, social outings, meals, and medication management.
The ED is also responsible for developing external relationships with other organizations to help identify potential future residents and grow Noah’s House’s external base of financial support. The Board of Directors and ED work closely together on fundraising and marketing.
The Executive Director understands leadership and management principles as they relate to nonprofit organizations and business best practices. Additionally, they should have demonstrated success in the management of human resources, organizational operations, financial administration, and development.
Jonte M. Reed - Executive Director
Jonte M. Reed is a living testament to the power of community support, intervention, unconditional love, and empowerment. After graduating from Urbana High School, Jonte obtained a B.S. in Sociology from Illinois State University and completed coursework towards her Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois. She is certified in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Balanced and Restorative Justice Practices, and Wraparound Facilitation and Implementation.
Jonte has been employed in the social service arena for over 20 years. She received the SAMHSA Excellence in Communications and Outreach Bronze Award in 2012 and 2013, and completed the Leadership Houston Class XXXIX in 2021. She was named a Central Illinois 40 Under 40 recipient and was a class of 2014 United Way Emerging Leaders graduate. Jonte excels in organizational leadership, nonprofit management, budget oversight and management, and community outreach. She believes in second chances and the importance of learning from life’s lessons. Faith, Love, Hope, and Happiness are the underlying forces that drive all facets of her life – spiritually, personally, and professionally.
Christy Estrada
Program Coordinator
“For the past several years, I’ve been working at Noah’s House where I have been fortunate to grow my passion for Program Management. There is no better feeling than giving someone the tools to build their own path.”
Christy Estrada - Program Coordinator
The Program Coordinator (PC) plans and monitors the administration of all Residential Service programs within Noah’s House, including but not limited to care coordination, workforce development, transportation, daily living skills, and social recreation skills. Additionally, the PC develops, implements, and enhances programs to effectively meet the needs of residents. The Executive Director and Program Coordinator work closely together in development of all Residential Services.
The PC serves as leader in the wider Houston community by performing public speaking and promoting Noah’s House Residential Services, along with ensuring program operations are in compliance with contract agreements.
Christy Estrada - Program Coordinator
Christy is a dedicated management professional with experience handling a wide range of programming, operations, administrative, and executive support tasks. She excels at resolving employer challenges with innovative solutions, systems, and process improvements that increase efficiency, client satisfaction, and the bottom line. Christy is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in business management at Western Governors University.
Christy strives to help make life better for I/DD adults by taking part in initiatives that foster strength, recognition, and inclusivity. She is also passionate about creating a culture that appreciates all workers, which not only increases productivity but also motivates staff to work as a family.
Kristle Ellis
Operations and Engagement Coordinator
“I’m passionate about advocating for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, creating opportunities for growth, independence, and meaningful relationships. What motivates me most is seeing our residents gain confidence, achieve milestones, and feel a true sense of belonging in their community.”
Kristle Ellis - Operations and Engagement Coordinator
The Operations and Engagement Coordinator reports to the Executive Director and manages resident recruitment and admissions at Noah’s House. The Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact for prospective residents and their families, guiding them through the admissions journey while ensuring all documentation and processes are handled efficiently and compassionately.
Working closely with the Executive Director, the Coordinator develops and implements resident recruitment strategies, builds relationships with referral sources and local service providers, and represents Noah’s House at community events. They maintain meticulous records of admissions documentation and resident files while collecting and analyzing recruitment data to prepare regular reports on activities and outcomes.
The Operations and Engagement Coordinator should possess strong interpersonal and organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience in customer service and community outreach, with a deep commitment to serving individuals in residential care settings.
Kristle Ellis - Operations and Engagement Coordinator
Kristle Ellis has been a valued Noah’s House team member for five years. She initially joined the organization in 2017 as a Program Assistant and, after a brief two-year hiatus, returned to continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of its residents. Currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences, Kristle is dedicated to enhancing her ability to contribute to the growth and well-being of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
With professional experience and personal insight—being a family member of an individual with I/DD—Kristle is vital in ensuring that Noah’s House residents receive the highest quality of care while fostering community engagement. As Operations and Engagement Coordinator, she oversees various administrative and operational functions supporting Noah’s House’s mission. For Kristle, advocating for individuals with I/DD is a personal and professional passion, as she works to ensure they know they are supported and can thrive.
Our Program Staff
Our program staff are the foundation of Noah’s House. They take care of the everyday needs of our residents and know our residents on a personal level. Forming these bonds is important to us at Noah’s House, because each resident has unique needs, desires, and dreams. Click on the following roles to see what our team does!
Food Service SpecialistsFood Service Specialists
Food Service Specialists
Our team of Food Service Specialists perform routine food preparation, cooking, serving, and storage duties. They review menus, production orders, and modified dietary needs with management and follow standardized recipes to assure the highest quality of food is served to Noah’s House residents. They are responsible for a clean and sanitary working environment to ensure the safe delivery of nutritious meals.
Program AssistantsProgram Assistants
Program Assistants
Our team of Program Assistants provide support to our residents through coaching and guidance in activities of daily living, personal health and hygiene, budgeting, leisure skill development, and coping skills. Their tasks include:
- Assisting residents with daily living and social skills through NH programs and activities
- Transporting residents to work, scheduled medical visits, shopping trips, community outings, and personal appointments
- Performing routine laundry services, food preparation, and serving food
Resident SpecialistResident Specialist
Resident Specialist
The Resident Specialist helps residents live as fully and independently as possible, enabling them to have a good quality of life. The Resident Specialist provides a variety of services to residents, such as the following:
- Assists residents with daily living and social skills
- Assists with medical coordination, such as scheduling appointments and attending visits
- Monitors grooming, hygiene, mobility, and other wellness needs of residents
- Transports and/or accompanies residents to appointments, personal shopping, places of employment, and/or community outings
- Assists with programming as needed
- Monitors resident changing needs and physical and mental states, such as behavior, mood, and functioning ability to help support them
Our Board
A board of 13 directors, who each give generously of their time and resources, governs Noah’s House. Directors serve three-year terms and volunteer their time and talent. Each of them brings a specialized perspective to our efforts, and together, they are critical to our success.
Bethany Dwyer
Secretary
Bethany Dwyer - Secretary
Experience: Since graduating Baylor Law School in 2015, Mrs. Dwyer has worked for Harris County Attorney’s Office as an Assistant County Attorney. She first worked in the Litigation Department handling several different types of cases from county defense, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and nuisance abatement. After two years, Bethany transferred to the Environmental Practice Group where she primarily focuses on environmental enforcement and works with Harris County Engineering Department and Harris County Fire Marshall to enforce Harris County regulations including Floodplain, Right-of-Way, Fire Code and Infrastructure regulations. She also works with Harris County Pollution Control on air emission and solid waste cases.
Personal Tie to Mission: Bethany and her husband both grew up with a family member in the I/DD community. Watching both her and her husband’s families raise their kids with intellectual and development disabilities sparked a long-term interest in supporting the I/DD community.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in English, minor in History and Sociology from Texas A&M University. Juris Doctorate from Baylor University School of Law.
Carl Sandlin
President, Facility Committee
Carl Sandlin - President, Facility Committee
Experience: Carl retired as the Drilling Safety Manager from Exxon, where he gained experience in executive management, business and operations analysis, personnel management, and manual labor.
Personal tie to mission: Carl’s friend had a family member who previously resided at Noah’s House. He desires for Noah’s House to continue to serve others like his friend as he saw how important such a place is for caregivers, as well as residents.
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Tech
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, Georgia Tech
Darryl Schroeder
Board Member
Darryl Schroeder - Board Member
Experience: Darryl Schroeder has years of experience in construction, including building Noah’s House. The manual labor of love he put into Noah’s House only brought him closer to its mission, desiring for it to be a place of hope for adults with I/DD.
Personal tie to mission: Darryl had a close tie to the late Executive Director. He truly loves all the residents and watching them flourish puts a smile on his face.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree, University of Houston
1.5 years of law school
Dawn Baskin-Turner, LCSW-S
Board Member
Dawn Baskin-Turner, LCSW-S - Board Member
Experience: Dawn has 30 years of social work experience, service delivery and operations oversight related to the I/DD population. She currently works at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as a case manager. Her professional experience informs how Noah’s House Program Specialists provide support for its residents.
Personal tie to mission: Dawn has a younger brother with Autism, which brings great insight to the Board on how to care for a family member with I/DD and the challenges that family members experience as caregivers.
Education: Master of Social Work, University of Pennsylvania
Donald R. Ray
Board Member; Maintenance Committee
Donald R. Ray - Board Member; Maintenance Committee
Experience: Donald spent 31 years in the oilfield service industry in various executive positions and has served as President and Chairman of the Noah’s House Board of Directors. In 2016, Donald served as interim Executive Director of Noah’s House. He has also served on the finance committee of a local church as a trustee.
Personal tie to mission: Donald has firsthand experience with Noah’s House as his brother-in-law was a resident there. His insight and personal experience are great assets to strategic planning for Noah’s House.
Education: Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University
Matt Osborn
Board Member
Matt Osborn - Board Member
Experience: With his background in finance and business development, Matt has gained skills in business functions and advises on risk management and process improvement. He enjoys developing solutions to create value for organizations and building strategic partnerships to connect people.
Personal tie to mission: Matt’s first-born son has an intellectual disability (down syndrome). He says, “No matter how well my wife and I do our jobs to raise him and teach him to be independent, there will come a day when he needs an organization like Noah’s House to help him . I’m grateful for Noah’s House because they support adults with intellectual disabilities by helping them be independent while at the same time providing a sense of community.”
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Texas A&M University
Rev. Howard Bruce
Chaplain, Human Resources Committee
Rev. Howard Bruce - Chaplain, Human Resources Committee
Experience: Howard helped Noah’s House purchase the current property, as he was pastor of Almeda UMC, one of the earliest church supporters of Noah’s House.
Personal tie to mission: Howard’s sister was a resident with special needs who lived in a residential setting, which helps him understand how other nonprofits care for those with I/DD.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Houston Baptist University
Master of Guidance and Counseling, University of Houston
Master of Divinity, Southern Methodist University
Rick Rumford
Vice President; Development Committee
Rick Rumford - Vice President; Development Committee
Experience: He was the principal of On Target, which specializes in helping organizations achieve the highest levels of personal, professional and organizational success, through individual and team coaching, training and process facilitation. Through his experience, he gained skills in finance, social work, operations, strategic planning, change management, coaching, meeting facilitation, conflict resolution, team building, and policy and procedure Development.
Personal tie to mission: For many years, Rick has had a strong commitment to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities because of his personal experience with family members with I/DD.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing, Indiana University Kelley School of Business
Susan Freeman Reichenthal
Board Member; Facility and Development Committees
Susan Freeman Reichenthal - Board Member; Facility and Development Committees
Experience: Susan is the VP of Billing and Finance at Texas Iron and Metal. A former Development Director, she comes with a wealth of experience in fundraising, project management, communications/public relations, and nonprofit board service.
Personal tie to mission: With a sister-in-law living at Noah’s House, Susan has a personal tie to seeing adults with I/DD live their lives to the fullest.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies, University of Houston
Thomas A. Mack, CPA PC
Treasurer
Thomas A. Mack, CPA PC - Treasurer
Experience: As a Certified Professional Accountant, Thomas is able to have eyes on the finances of Noah’s House, ensuring that its revenue is stewarded well.
Personal tie to mission: Although Thomas does not have personal ties, he has grown to love Noah’s House and its incredible mission to support adults with I/DD through the years.
Education:
Bachelor of Business Administration, Stephen F Austin State University
Master of Science in Accounting, University of Houston/Clear Lake
