“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.
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.
Alyssa Hightower
Board Member
Alyssa Hightower - Board Member
Experience: For the past 25 years she has been living in Houston, with her husband and 4 children. Alyssa’s primary role has been as a stay-at-home parent and volunteer in the local community for the past 20 years, including helping found a special needs ministry, being Parent President of a special needs private school, and helping with many fundraisers. Alyssa is very active with Scouting America both locally and at the National level helping to support and coordinate program for youth and families with disabilities and special needs. She has served on other local non-profits, specifically supporting organizations for special needs or disabilities. She has a passion for mental health and is an instructor for Mental Health First Aid.
Personal Tie to Mission: Alyssa has 2 sons diagnosed with IDD, one has been a resident at Noah’s House since 2023.
Education: Bachelor of Arts Business and Art History Franklin College Switzerland
Amit Desai
Board Member
Amit Desai - Board Member
Experience: Growing up in a family involved in the hotel/motel business, I moved around frequently, attending 13 different schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. This nomadic lifestyle instilled adaptability and flexibility as core values in my life. Many of the neighborhoods we lived in were difficult socio-economic conditions. This helped instill a drive for me to help others in the community in any way I can. I’ve volunteered and continued through various Houston nonprofits in my time in Houston and I’m also a graduate of Project Blueprint from the United Way. Noah’s House is my first board member role where I’d like to increase my community impact through this great organization.
Personal Tie to mission:
I don’t have a direct tie to the IDD community but as I’ve got a chance to observe this organization I can see the great impact we are having on the lives of our residents. For me, the positive impact on people’s lives is most important and I’m happy to be a part of helping this community.
Education: I graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, followed by a Master’s in Telecommunications Management and an MBA in Finance. I joined ExxonMobil straight out of college and have enjoyed 19 wonderful years which were spent in various managerial and technical roles.
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.
Brennan Flannery
Board Member
Brennan Flannery - Board Member
Experience: In 2021, Brennan Flannery was sworn in as an Assistant County Attorney with the Environmental Division at the Harris County Attorney’s Office, where she continues to practice today. As an ACA, Brennan primarily focuses on environmental enforcement of County regulations, the Texas Water Code, and the Texas Health & Safety Code while working with other County departments, including the Harris County Engineering Department, Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Harris County Pollution Control Service Department. In addition to civil litigation, Brennan also works on regulatory issues and advises clients on special projects such as compliance initiatives and standard documents needed for enforcement. Brennan currently serves as the Intern Coordinator for the Environmental Division, overseeing interns and assisting with running the internship program.
Personal tie to mission: While she does not have a direct personal connection to Noah’s House, Brennan grew up around family friends with I/DD and volunteered in activities geared towards I/DD individuals.
Education: Brennan attended Texas A&M University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies. She then attended and graduated from the University of Houston Law Center where she primarily focused her course work on environmental and human rights issues. During law school she interned with the Harris County Attorney’s Office Environmental Division and served as a judicial intern in the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas for the Honorable Gray H. Miller.
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
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
Tammy Arrington
Board Member
Tammy Arrington - Board Member
Experience: Tammy lives in Houston with her spouse and two children. She serves as a full-time Social Worker at the VA Hospital and also works part-time as a therapist. In addition, Tammy is a member of the VA’s Community Care Outreach Team, where she enjoys giving back to others.
Personal Tie to mission: She is passionate about supporting vulnerable populations and brings both compassion and hands-on experience to her role on the Noah’s House board.
Education: Bachelor’s in Social Work
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