Our Staff & Board

Abby Boyd

Executive Director

Abby Boyd and her husband moved to West Texas in 2015, where she became head of Visitor Services at Chinati Foundation, bringing together her love of art and customer service. She went on to serve the City of Marfa as Director of Tourism, allowing her to grow local connections and gain a better understanding of the greater community of Marfa. In 2021 Abby was elected President of the Marfa Chamber of Commerce, and made it her mission to advocate for the Marfa local students will inherit when they enter the working world. Through that work, she found a deep passion for serving community. In 2023 the opportunity to join MEF came along, offering her the chance to work for the students, teachers and staff of Marfa ISD in a more direct way.  

Abby loves working with Marfa ISD teachers and staff and is inspired by their dedicated work in service of Marfa students.

Beth Kerzee

President

Beth Kerzee has been a Music Teacher, Drama Teacher, Choir Director, Musical Theatre Director, Orchestra Conductor, and the former Head of Music at Yew Chung International School, China.

Having earned a B. M. in music education (Dallas Baptist University) with a double concentration in piano and voice, a M. Ed. (SRSU) and a M.M. with a concentration in Choral Conducting (UTEP) has allowed Ms. Kerzee to teach music from two-year-old children up to senior citizens. Additionally, Beth has worked with local regional theatre’s from Texas to China, serving as Musical Director, Actor, Director, and crew member. Recently retired after 23 years of teaching in Texas and 12 years in China, Beth has served as a church musician and music minister in many churches throughout Texas, New Mexico, Hawaii, and China. Ms. Kerzee is presently serving as Music Director/organist at First Presbyterian Church, Marfa, accompanist to the vocal music program for SRSU and accompanist for the Big Bend Community Choir. Beth has also served on many non-profit boards as well as local chamber of commerce organizations and joined the MEF board in 2023.

Vicente Fuentez

Vice President

Vince Fuentez originally grew up in El Paso, TX, though his extended family on both sides is originally from, and still lives in, Presidio County.  Since the mid-1800s, his family has ranched, farmed, and wrangled horses in the Big Bend Region. He and his wife are grateful to have careers in which they can work remotely and be a part of the Marfa community.

Vince is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), knowledgeable in providing solutions for facility management and energy assessments.  He has spent the past 16 years in the high efficiency heating, cooling, and outside air system equipment sector providing application solutions for commercial buildings, both new construction and retrofit projects. Vince graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering & Engineering Management. Vince and his family reside in Marfa, where his children attend Marfa ISD, and his wife, Stela, is a member of the Marfa ISD School Board.

Kate Calder

Treasurer

Kate Calder is a success story that came of a rural education. Growing up on a farm in Illinois, Kate excelled academically. After earning her B.S. from the University of Illinois she enter the world of Corporate Finance, serving many years at Crate and Barrel and Ogilvy & Mather. In 2019, Kate made a huge life change, relocating to Marfa, Texas. In 2020 she took her biggest risk yet, becoming the owner of Communitie, a popular store on Marfa’s main street where she has become an important member of the local business community. Kate wanted to put her experience volunteering with children to use for Marfa kids and joined the MEF board in 2023.

Kathylina Acosta

Kathy Acosta is an educator and counselor who lives in Marfa, Texas, with her husband and two children. She is currently teaching a college Art History course. Kathy joined the MEF board in 2024.

Lori Flores

Lori Flores has been a member of the Marfa ISD School Board since 2023. She is very active in supporting the district in various organizations, including the Booster Club and PTO. Lori has two children who graduated from Marfa ISD and one graduating in 2026. Lori is a proud grandmother of three.

Malinda Galindo

Malinda Galindo came to Marfa in 2022 to join the Chinat Foundation as Director of Development. She is an experienced fundraiser, committed to nurturing the relationships that are essential to a foundation’s stability and growth. From 2017 to 2021, she was at El Museo del Barrio, New York, doing institutional advancement and patron programming. Galindo is cofounder of Atomic Culture, a curatorial platform that encourages dialogue around concepts of art and experimentation, which was the recipient of a 2019 Tulsa Artist Fellowship.

Robin Labbe

Robin Labbe moved to Marfa in the Fall of 2023 with her husband after becoming empty nesters. With a Bachelor’s of Art in Psychology from the University of Texas and a Master’s of Art in School Psychology from Texas State University, Robin brings a unique prospective to the MEF board. She worked as a LSSP (Licensed Specialist in School Psychology) and NCSP (Nationally Certified School Psychologist) from 2000 to 2013 across several districts around central Texas, mostly at the secondary level.

Robin’s favorite part of being a LSSP was getting to understand a student and pass that understanding on to their various caretakers and educators. She enjoyed facilitating understanding of a student as well as listening to the concerns of the other caretakers and educators. Robin continues to have an interest in education, learning, and community and the ways they intersect here in Marfa.

Roxye Lara

Roxye Lara is a proud graduate of the Marfa ISD class of 2005. As a parent, alumna, and lifelong member of this community, she has seen firsthand the positive impact MEF has had on our students and schools, and is proud to contribute to its continued success. To Roxye, Marfa is more than just home, it’s part of who she is and the village that has helped her raise her three children.

You may know Roxye from Marfa National Bank, where she has been employed for 10 years, as mom of 2024’s Marfa ISD Valedictorian, as treasurer of the Booster Club, or from around town where she is quick to offer a warm smile. MEF is proud to have her as part of our board.

Lori Wilmarth

Lori Wilmarth was born and raised in Marfa. Since graduating from Marfa ISD, Lori has gone on to build a robust career in business administration and consulting. For the past 8 years has worked with Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott LLP. Her work requires fostering relationships with businesses and community members throughout the Big Bend region. Lori is committed to showing up for her almamater and throughout the years has volunteered with the Marfa PTO and the Booster Club.

Lori is the parent of 4 children, three graduates and one currently enrolled at Marfa ISD. Lori represents the past, present, and future of our school district.