DENISON ISD DEPARTMENTS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DISD School Board of Trustees
Seated, left to right: Board Secretary Shelle Cassell, Board President Bob Rhoden,
Board Vice-President Becky Russell
Standing, left to right: David Hawley, Linda Flemming, Amber Pilcher, Eric Hunt
Shelle Cassell
Place 1 Ward Zone 6
Term Start: 2021 Term End: 2024
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Shelle is a graduate of Denison High School. She returned to Denison after completing a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Advertising Design from the University of North Texas. Her work experience includes a full-service advertising agency, the healthcare industry, and 31 years as Director of Marketing and Public Information at Grayson College. After retirement from GC, she worked for the Denison Chamber of Commerce and Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Shelle’s support of the community and education is illustrated through her service and appointments to many civic, economic development, statewide, and public education boards and committees. Shelle was an active member of the Denison ISD Facilities and Bond committees. She is currently serving, or has recently served, on the Denison Education Foundation (past President), Texoma Health Foundation, Denison Chamber of Commerce (past Chairman of the Board), and Denison Development Foundation (past Chairman of the Board). Her husband, Randy, and their two sons, are all Yellow Jackets. Their granddaughter attends Denison schools, and their daughter-in-law, who moved to Denison in 2016, is quickly learning that It’s Great To Be A Yellow Jacket.
Bob Rhoden
Place 2 Ward Zone 3
Term Start: 2015 Term End: 2024
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Bob has served Ward 3 on the Denison ISD School Board since 2015 and currently holds the position of board president. Bob and his wife Loretta have lived in Denison since 2001 and have two sons, Koby a DHS graduate and Kyle a Senior. They have one daughter-in-law, Jenna a DHS Graduate, and a grandson, Asher. Bob has a degree in counseling and serves as executive director of Four Rivers Outreach in Sherman. Prior to this position he spent more than 20 years in workforce development, including 18 years with Workforce Solutions Texoma. Loretta, herself a Yellow Jacket, is Office Administrator with Covenant Development. Prior to becoming a Board trustee, Bob served as chair of the Bond Oversight Committee, and served on the DISD Bond Committee, DHS Campus Improvement Committee, Lamar Elementary Campus Improvement Committee, as well as the District Wide Improvement Council. Bob also serves on the Board of Directors of the Denison Education Foundation, where he is Past President. He is past president of the Boys & Girls Club of Denison and North Texas Youth Connections and served as vice president on the Denison Chamber of Commerce Board. Bob is an ordained minister and former youth pastor and music minister.
David Hawley
Place 3 Ward Zone 2
Term Start: 1998 Term End: 2025
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David has served on the Denison ISD Board of Trustees since 1998. David served as an elder and deacon at First Christian Church in Denison. David and his wife Kathy were married in 1983. Kathy is a deacon in the in the church, and works in and coordinates the nursery. Both David and Kathy are graduates of Denison High School. They have two sons that are graduates of DHS and both are Eagle Scouts. David retired from the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office after proudly serving 34 years. He spent the last ten years of his L.E. Career supervising the Civil Section, Crime Prevention and Public Relations. After a short five-month retirement, David ran for and was elected Grayson County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 2. David is active in the Truancy Prevention Efforts by visiting the schools in his precinct, talking to at-risk students, and attempting to intervene with alternatives in hopes they won’t be referred to come before his court. David was active in the Boy Scouts and has been recognized several awards in his 20+ years in scouting before stepping down. David is active in civic groups and organizations and volunteers in his community when asks. In his spare time, David enjoys spending time traveling with his wife Kathy, family, friends and relatives riding their SeaDoo’s on Lake Texoma, camping and riding their side-by-sides on the trails of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Eric Hunt
Place 4 Ward Zone 4
Term Start: 2022 Term End: 2025
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Born on October 5, 1969 in Denison, Texas at Texoma Medical Center to parents Linda M. Curry (Fleming) and James W. Hunt Jr., Eric is married to his wife Dawn and together they have three children: Christian, Jaydan and Ethan. Eric and his family are members of the Greater Coffey Memorial Church of God in Christ.
Eric graduated from Denison Senior High School in 1988 where he was a member of the National Honor Society. He is a National Merit Scholar, a Sam Rayburn Scholar a member of Who’s Who Among American High School Students, and was awarded the Leo Short Scholarship and is a recipient of the Munson Foundation Scholarship.
Following graduation from DHS, Eric attended Grayson County College and the University of North Texas. From there, he obtained his Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) Jailer Basic Certification in 1995 and became a Texoma Regional Police Academy graduate in 1996. Eric received his TCLEOSE Basic Peace Officer License in 1996 and his TCLEOSE Instructor’s Certification in 2000. He has attended the Southwest Law Enforcement Institute for Internal Affairs, Professional Standards and Ethics and the Texas Municipal Police Association where he earned his Sexual Assault & Family Violence Special Investigator Certification in 2003. Eric has over two thousand hours of continuing education in Law Enforcement.
In April of 1994, Eric began his career in law enforcement as a Corrections Officer for the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO). He then served in roles as Shift Sergeant for the GCSO, Detention Facility Supervisor with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant for the GCSO. In October of 2000, Eric became the Assistant Jail Administrator with the rank of 1st Lieutenant for the GCSO. Then in July of 2001, Eric worked for the North Texas Job Corps, first as a Vocational Instructor in the area of Private Security and Law Enforcement then was promoted to the position of Campus Safety Manager. In September of 1997, Eric taught as an Adjunct Instructor for Grayson County College at the Texoma Regional Police Academy and in October of 2005, he began as a Loss Prevention/ Inventory Specialist for Best Buy Inc. Currently, Eric serves as a Lead Court Security Officer for Centerra LLC, a contractor with the United States Marshal’s Service, with the designation of Special Deputy United States Marshal.
Eric believes faithfully in giving back to the community that raised him. He has served as a Boys and Girls Club Advisory Council member, Chairman of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Denison’s Advisory Council, a City of Denison Parks and Recreation volunteer coach for the Summer Track Program for 5 years, a City of Sherman Parks and Recreation volunteer coach for the Summer Track Program for 6 years, and a Boys and Girls Club volunteer coach for Football and Basketball for 10 years.
Linda Flemming
Place 5 Ward Zone 1
Term Start: 2016 Term End: 2025
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Linda is a Denison native who graduated from Denison High School in 1972. She began working in various capacities in the banking industry until her retirement in 2015. Her husband, Lester, is a retired educator. Linda and Lester are the proud parents of two children and five grandchildren. Linda, her son, and her grandson all received Munson Foundation Scholarships upon graduation from DHS. Linda’s hobbies are reading and encouraging her grandchildren in their various activities. She was appointed to the board in August 2016 to fill the vacancy in Ward 1, Place 5.
Amber Pilcher
Place 6 Ward Zone 7
Term Start: 2024 Term End: 2025
Amber and her husband, Zach, both proudly attended Denison ISD. They have three children, Brendon, Victoria, and Charlotte. Brendon and Victoria currently attend Denison schools, and Charlotte will soon follow. Amber graduated cum laude from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Finance.
Her love for the Denison community is evident in her continued service and volunteerism. Previously the board president of Denison Service League, President of North Texas Young Professionals, a member of the Denison Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Treasurer of the Denison Chamber of Commerce Board, Denison Youth Leadership Academy mentor, and graduate of Denison Leadership Academy. She is currently serving as the Vice President and Treasurer of the Denison Education Foundation board and President of Hyde Park Parent Teacher Organization.
In 2018, Amber received the Athena Young Professional Leadership Award, presented by Austin College Center for Community and Regional Development, in partnership with United Way of Grayson County. Amber currently serves as the Finance Controller for the City of Denison and considers herself blessed that this job allows her to directly support the community’s vision each day.
Becky Russell
Place 7 Ward Zone 5
Term Start: 2019 Term End: 2026
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Becky graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a certification in Early Childhood. Becky has been a resident of Denison for 47 years. She married a Denison Yellow Jacket and former B. McDaniel Science teacher, Jim Russell. She taught one year in Hamlin, Texas, but the rest of her 33 years of education took place in this Denison. Becky taught 17 years as a first grade teacher at Lamar. Later for 16 years, she served as a Gifted and Talented teacher for the district rotating elementary campuses every three years. In conjunction, while teaching GT, she became a Kindergarten/1st grade curriculum coordinator for 12 years. Finally, the last 10 years, she helped develop and implement the current mentor training for first year teachers. She has served on the Denison Education Foundation and is a member of the Denison Performing Arts. Becky and Jim have three Denison graduates, Andy, Katie and Amy. They have been blessed with 10 grandchildren, two of which are Yellow Jackets. The family attends Park Avenue Church of Christ, where Becky is involved with Children's ministry and the Women's Ministry. When asked, why school board? Becky says often, "I am passionate about this district! I have a big love for teachers and kiddos! My service is not complete!"