Abby Boyd
Executive Director
Abby Boyd has been the Executive Director of the Marfa Education Foundation since 2023, bringing more than a decade of nonprofit leadership, community engagement, fundraising, and organizational management experience to her work. She is deeply invested in the Marfa community and believes that a strong public school system is one of the most important foundations of a healthy, thriving community. Abby sees the education Marfa ISD students receive today as an investment that reaches far beyond the classroom, shaping the people, families, businesses, and community leaders who will help Marfa flourish for years to come. She is passionate about listening to teachers, understanding what students and educators need, and connecting those needs with the resources to make them possible. For Abby, supporting Marfa ISD is both a professional responsibility and a deeply personal commitment to the community she is proud to serve.
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.
Loir Wilmarth
Vice President
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.
Roxye Lara
Treasurer
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.
Martiza Bautista
Secretary
Maritza Bautista is an artist, educator, curator, and cultural worker who brings more than 20 years of experience in arts education and community-centered cultural work to the Marfa Education Foundation. Now the Education Manager at the Chinati Foundation, Maritza has spent her career creating opportunities for people—particularly young people and communities whose stories are often overlooked—to explore their creativity, develop their voices, and see themselves as active participants in their communities. She is passionate about the role education and the arts play in building thoughtful, connected, and thriving communities, and believes that investing in Marfa ISD students is an investment in Marfa’s future. Maritza is honored to serve MEF; supporting the teachers, students, and families who make Marfa such a special place to call home.
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.
Jose Salgado
Jose Salgado is the high school math teacher at Marfa ISD who always goes the extra mile for his students. Before joining the Marfa Education Foundation board, Jose made a lasting impression through his thoughtful teacher grant applications, kind and direct communication, and the care he put into making the most of the resources available to him and his students. He brings that same thoughtfulness, honesty, professionalism, and integrity to his work on the MEF board. Jose understands firsthand what teachers need to do their jobs well, and MEF relies on his willingness to ask honest questions, offer thoughtful perspective, and always look for ways to do more for Marfa ISD students and teachers. His commitment to going the extra mile, both in his classroom and in service to MEF, is a reflection of the kind of educator and community member he is.
Emily Bush
Emily Dowdy Bush is an educator, school leader, and education designer with more than 20 years of experience working alongside students, teachers, families, and school communities. A bilingual educator by training, Emily began her career as a kindergarten teacher and went on to serve as a literacy coach, principal, and district leader in Austin ISD before joining Transcend Education, where she partners with school communities to design more meaningful and responsive learning experiences.
Emily is drawn to MEF because she believes deeply in the power of community-rooted education and in listening to the people closest to students to understand what they need to thrive. As someone who splits her time between Austin and Marfa, as well as a parent and musician, she has a personal investment in Marfa and its future and is excited to help ensure that Marfa ISD students have the opportunities, resources, and support they need to flourish—both in school and in the community they will one day help shape.
