Advisory Board
Lucy Herrera
Lucia “Lucy” Herrera is currently a retiree and resident of Victoria. Prior to retiring, Herrera worked in healthcare for 20 years, specializing in contract strategy and negotiation, care management and clinical care. She took her Associate degree in Nursing from Victoria College. Active in the community, Herrera serves on the Detar Hospital Patient/Family Advisory Council. She has previously served as a board member of the Victoria Bach Festival, President of the VISD Education Foundation, member of the VISD Tax Rate Task Force, member if the City of Victoria Planning Commission, and member of the La Camara Hispanic Chamber of Comercio.
Cheryln A. Hodge
Cherlyn A. Hodge is a life-long resident of Victoria, Texas. She attended local elementary and high schools before studying at Victoria College. She took her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from the University of Houston-Victoria. She currently works as a Retention Specialist Counselor at Victoria College. She is a dedicated member of the community, serving on the Black History Steering Committee and the Civilian Police Academy.
Jodie Yancey-Sandoval
Jodi Yancey- Sandoval has deep roots in her community. Children and family are her passion. She is a Community Health Worker who recently worked at the Victoria County Public Health Department where she was instrumental in launching the “Be Well Victoria” initiative, a Hogg Foundation Funded project. More recently, she has helped to plant community gardens to ensure that people have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, worked with city officials and agencies to plan and execute community clean ups in underserved neighborhoods, helped to create and man a mobile Community Resource Center, and works to facilitate circle conversations within our community. She is the former treasurer of the Southside Community Coalition, on the advisory board for Salvation Army, and the director of a non-profit she founded in 2017, Teens Grounded Inc. Teens Grounded’s mission is to build up the youth by providing them support and connecting them to services that are designed to meet their physical, social, psychological, and spiritual needs. She attends C3 Victory church where she leads in the area of community development with her husband Joey. Joey and Jodi have a set of miracle twins Journie & Jordan who are 12 years old, a son Sebastian 24 years old , and a son Raymond 28 years old. She is a Yaya to her first grand baby Marlowe.
Keisha R. Smith
Keisha R. Smith joined the City Manager’s Office as Special Projects Manager in June 2022. Keisha grew up in Victoria, TX serving her community in various organizations. Her interest in architecture, economic development, community engagement, and neighborhood revitalization combined with undergraduate business studies at UHV led her to join the City of Victoria. She has been with the City since December 2020, first managing the COVID-19 Rental & Mortgage Assistance programs before moving to the Grant Specialist position in November 2021. Keisha is a sustaining member of The Junior League of Victoria, Texas and recently joined the Board of Meals On Wheels of South TX.