Who we are
Carmen East (Chief Executive Officer and Founder)
Carmen East was born on January 22, 1970 in Corpus Christi, Texas, but has lived in El Paso TX all of her life. Carmen is an only child and was raised by her parents until her father died of colon cancer when Carmen was just 16 years old. Carmen’s mother worked very hard to provide for her daughter and succumbed to Alzheimer's in 2015. Carmen attend Father Yermo Catholic School for both elementary and High School.
Carmen met Floyd when she was 5 years old and the families frequented each other often because their mothers were childhood friends. It was then that she and Floyd began to form a bond with each other. They remained close until High School when life took them in different directions. They rekindled their relationship when they were both adults and had both been divorced. It was like they never were apart. They were together many years before marrying on December 12, 2012.
Carmen holds a BA in Business Administration with a Major in Computer Information Systems from the University of Texas at El Paso, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a Graduate Project Management Certification from the University of Phoenix. Carmen is certified in Group Crisis Intervention and Assisting Individuals in Crisis from UMBC. Carmen was awarded by President Donald Trump the National President's Volunteer Service Bronze Metal for her commitment to strengthen our nation and communities through volunteer service to others. Carmen was awarded the 2018 Latinas in Technology award for her technological contributions in the past 22 years.
Carmen carries with her the lessons learned from her family, Career and life experiences which is to take care of humanity, community and to have Compassion.
Tyler Snelson (Secretary)
Tyler Snelson is from Lubbock, TX. He has been a police officer for the Texas Tech Police Department for seven years, and a licensed law enforcement officer in the State of Texas. He is a Corporal and is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. Outside of work you can find him at the shooting range, or spending time with friends and family. He loves football and baseball (when there’s not a pandemic) and is a big Texas Country music fan. He has an Associate’s degree in Law Enforcement Technology from South Plains College. Currently he is a trained peer moderator for the Texas 635’s Blue’s Space retreat and serves as the new secretary on the Board.
Valorie Velasquez Gates (Director)
Valorie is a retired elementary school teacher. She is currently attending Grand Canyon University to complete a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her future aspirations are to serve as a Christian Clinical Mental Health Therapist in an organization that can use her skills to help promote the Mental Health and well-being of the community, and to remain committed to volunteering her special skills, time, and energy to support organizations that provide unique services to Law Enforcement Officers and their families, based on respect, compassion, and trust.
Throughout her life Valorie has been an active member of her church. She currently volunteers in the Youth, Children’s, and Ladies Ministries of First Baptist Church, El Paso, Texas. She is a middle school Sunday School Teacher in the Youth Department and assists in other youth ministry events. She volunteers as a pre-teen camp chaperone, assists with the Fall Festival, and teaches Vacation Bible School. She is part of the Ladies Ministry Team where she helps to plan and organize various, ladies’ events in the church. She is the proud wife of an ARMY Veteran and current Officer of the El Paso Police Department, because of this pride, she is an active member and Vice President of the El Paso Police Wives Association.