Board of Directors
Diana Phillips
Board Chair
“The Greater Taylor Foundation is critical to the well-being of the community connecting resources and building capacity so Taylor can address its most pressing issues both now and in the future.”
Diana is the founding chair and driving force behind the formation of the Greater Taylor Foundation. She is the past chair of the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce and facilitates strategic planning and board retreats for the Chamber in addition to providing non-profiting consulting services.
Diana has a degree in Marketing and Management from Wayland Baptist University, a Certification in Non-Profit Management from Texas Tech University and is certified by the National Association of Non-Profit Organizations and Executives (NAMOE) as a non-profit executive and consultant. She has thirty-five years executive leadership with Girl Scouts, United Way and Community Action.
Rosemary Hauser
Vice Chair
“I am serving on The Greater Taylor Foundation board in order to help achieve the goal of bringing donors together with recipients of their generosity! This unique paradigm will provide an avenue of giving as well as a way to help meet a philanthropic need in the community.”
Rosemary B. Hauser spent the majority of her professional life in educational services. She was an ISD teacher for 14 years, an adjunct professor at Southwestern University for eight years, she spent nine years in Taylor as the Federal Programs Director, and nine years as the Executive Director for the Temple College Foundation in Temple. She raised approximately $2,000,000 for Taylor ISD through various grants. She, along with other community partners, raised $2,500,000 to start the Temple College at Taylor Campus. She raised over $5,000,000 for the endowment fund at the Temple College Foundation and also raised funds to build and renovate several buildings on the Temple College Campus. She received a Congressional Recognition as the Temple Chamber of Commerce 2007 Women in Leadership Award for Excellence. She currently sits on the Baylor Scott & White Advisory Board for Williamson County, is President-Elect for TCAT (Temple College at Taylor Foundation), and is a founding member of the BS&W Women’s Communities Connected Group. Rosemary has her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts, a Master’s Degree in Education, and an Administrative Certification from Texas State University. She brings her expertise and knowledge of fundraising and foundation business practices to the Greater Taylor Foundation board in order to help fulfill their mission to serve the needs of the greater Taylor community area.
Sam Dowdy
Secretary
“Your greatest legacy isn’t your dream. Your greatest legacy is the next generations your dreams inspires – the dream within your dream.”
Sam Dowdy, Sr., is a master plumber, entrepreneur, company founder, and visionary with more than 47 years of experience in the plumbing trade. Sam learned plumbing on the gulf coast and took to the trade very quickly. After acquiring his master’s license in 1981, he relocated to the Austin area along with his wife, Rhonda. Together, they launched S&D Plumbing and soon became a staple in the Taylor business community, earning a reputation for high-quality, honest service. S&D Plumbing has thrived in Taylor and now employs more than 40 talented men and women who deliver exceptional plumbing services on a daily basis. Sam has won numerous awards for his work at S&D Plumbing including “Local Employer of Excellence” by the Texas Workforce Commission and “Plumber of the Year” from Plumbing & Mechanical Magazine and most recently, “Citizen of the Year” from the Rotary Club in Taylor, TX.
Ryan Stiba
Treasurer
“The Greater Taylor Foundation creates the avenue to connect charitable resources with the community’s most pressing needs, building a better, more prosperous, and more beautiful town for all of us.”
Ryan serves on the board of the GTF as it provides me an avenue to give back and serve his community. Stiba is the Branch President of Citizens National Bank in Taylor and has been in banking for 15 years with a BA in Economics from UT Austin and a graduate of Southwest Graduate School of Banking at SMU Dallas. He currently serves as the Treasurer of the Greater Taylor the Chamber of Commerce, is a Chamber Ambassador, a Board Member of the Taylor Housing Authority, and President-Elect of the Taylor Rotary Club.
Jesse Ancira III
Board Member | Ancira Salsa
"As a Board Member of The Greater Taylor Foundation, I am committed to fostering meaningful opportunities for economic growth and community impact in Taylor and beyond."
With a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Texas State University, Jesse has a strong foundation in government and public administration. His career began as a Policy Analyst and Legislative Liaison, where he evaluated state policies, management practices, and fiscal affairs across key areas, including local government, criminal justice, and transportation. He has authored and published formal staff reports on critical issues such as law enforcement grant management and facilitated high-level policy discussions with Texas state agency directors and key stakeholders.
At the Legislative Budget Board, Jesse served as a vital liaison between legislative committees, state agencies, and stakeholders at the Texas Capitol, ensuring effective coordination in policy development, fiscal analysis, and communication among municipalities, counties, special purpose districts, and higher education institutions.
Transitioning to the private sector, he now applies his analytical expertise and strategic communication skills to entrepreneurship. As Sales Executive and Marketing Lead for Ancira Salsa, a specialty foods company in Texas, he drives sales growth and develops innovative marketing strategies that expand brand visibility. His passion lies in bridging strategic policy insight with business development, crafting compelling narratives that connect communities and empower brands.
Susan R Faykus, ChFC®
Board Member | Faykus Financial
Susan R. Faykus is a passionate business leader, economist, community builder, believer, mother, wife, and philanthropist. She is the Founder and CEO for Faykus Financial, LLC, a fully Registered Investment Advisor, serving families and businesses to help them grow their wealth intentionally and transform it from success to significance.
Susan received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in 1987 in Economics and Business Administration, and immediately joined the financial services industry, consistent with utilizing her gifts and talents to serve others and to grow their impact. She sits on numerous boards, to affect this initiative. With significant expertise and a deep bench of experts in investments, tax planning, estate planning, philanthropic planning, insurance strategies, tax and long term multi-generational wealth and transfer planning as a focus, Susan and Faykus Financial is passionate about serving those who desire to use their gifts and talents for good. The firm’s goal is to be a catalyst to give $1 billion to charity and help families create the impact they were intended for. Married to her spiritual soulmate, Blaine Faykus for 35 years and residing in the great city of Taylor Texas (home of new epicenter of the world- Samsung/ largest manufacturing facility in USA) the goal may be small. Together we WILL make a difference!
Joe Gonzalez
Board Member | VeraBank, N.A.
Joe Gonzalez is a seasoned business leader with over two decades of experience in business development, financial services, and community engagement. He has a proven track record of driving strategic growth and fostering meaningful relationships. Currently, he serves as the Vice President and Business Development Officer at VeraBank, N.A., where he excels at developing and executing strategies that enhance productivity, build key partnerships, and deliver tailored financial solutions to clients.
Joe has held key roles at New York Life, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, excelling in sales, customer relationships, and team leadership. A dedicated community leader, he serves on boards like the Hutto and Taylor Chambers of Commerce and the Jeremiah Program in Austin. With a Political Science degree from St. Edward's University and a background as a legislative aide, Joe blends policy expertise with financial and civic leadership, driving growth and fostering partnerships.
Keith Hagler
Board Member | Hagler Investments
“I am proud to be a member of the Greater Taylor Foundation because the Foundation will serve the citizens of Taylor and the surrounding areas immensely, for many years to come.”
Keith Hagler has been an active Taylor community member since 1989. In 1989, Hagler Investments was created and Keith remains the president and owner. Hagler is actively involved with the Taylor Rodeo Association, Temple College at Taylor Foundation, the YMCA Metro Board, TIADA, and NIADA which he is a past president of both, the Central Texas Community Foundation, the Brigmon Prison Ministries Board and is a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Taylor.
Ed Komandosky
Board Member | Community Leader
“I support community foundations such as the Greater Taylor Foundation because they offer unique opportunities to invest in the future of the community and its citizens.”
Ed is a Taylor native and retired military officer, continues to be active in numerous city, church, county and state organizations. He has been the chief board officer of the Taylor Chamber of Commerce three times and was Taylor’s Citizen of the Year in 1981. Ed has served on dozens of boards, committees and commissions over the past 40 years.
Randall Pick
Board Member | Randall Pick Law Firm
“The Greater Taylor Foundation is a long-needed institution in Taylor for connecting donors with causes that matter. It is very rewarding to be part of this great endeavor.”
Randall is a Taylor native and former high school history and civics teacher. An attorney since 1984, he has spent his entire legal career in general practice in Taylor and eastern Williamson County. He has served as chairman of the board of his church, the Taylor Chamber of Commerce, the Temple College at Taylor Foundation and a local Rotary club. He spent six years on The Taylor City Council, including one year as Mayor. He has also served on various boards and commissions, including the Temple College Foundation, both the Taylor and Williamson County Metro YMCA boards, and Capitol Area Council of Governments. Since January of 2002 he has served as Presiding Judge of the Taylor Municipal Court.
Cheryl Webster
Board Member | Noren Industries
“My passion is to help people have opportunities to thrive. The Greater Taylor Foundation will offer those opportunities to the people and businesses of Taylor.”
Born and raised in the California Bay Area, Cheryl now resides in Taylor, TX. She has a Bachelor of Science in Economics from UCLA. She is CEO and owner of her family’s business, Noren Thermal Solutions.
Taylor welcomed me with open arms 7 years ago. I’m honored to bring my experience to this Foundation.