Board Members

Rhonda grew up in Dallas and attended Trinity Christian Academy. She then attended the University of Texas at and became a law firm administrator. Her love of antiques and design pulled her career in a different direction and she opened Three Graces Antiques and studied Interior Design at El Centro College. She then opened Three Graces Interiors has worked as an Interior Designer, construction manager and consultant for 25 year. 

She is married to H.N. Cunningham, III (Newt).  In 2012 Rhonda and Newt found and fell in love with Fannin County.  They currently reside in Allen’s Chapel.  They have adopted Honey Grove as their home town. They are members of McKenzie United Methodist Church, where Rhonda is a Trustee. In 2015 she began a volunteer program at the HGISD called Reading Buddy’s. She has served as secretary of the Friends of the Library. She was elected Board Member of Bois d’ Arc Municipal Water District in 2016 and serves as the President.  In 2017 she was named Honey Grove Citizen of the Year. 

Born in Honey Grove, Greg graduated from Honey Grove High School and then graduated from Texas A&M Commerce with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Greg also served nine years in the Marine Corps. 

He is married to Rebeka Beavers and they have two children and reside north of Honey Grove. 

Barbara Caffee is a retired educator and a longtime advocate of public libraries.  Born and raised in Honey Grove, she graduated from Honey Grove High School and attended Texas A&M University – Commerce earning BS, MEd, and EdD degrees and teaching, supervisory and Mid-management certifications.   Her teaching, supervisory roles and consulting took place in various educational settings in Arkansas and Texas including several Region Service Centers.  She was recognized as both the Texas and National Social Studies Supervisor of the Year.

In addition to her work with the Foundation Board, Barbara serves as President of the Honey Grove Preservation League, is a member of the Friends of the Honey Grove Library, the Honey Grove Book Club and serves on committees at McKenzie United Methodist Church.  She and her husband Claude were recognized as Citizens of the Year by the Honey Grove Chamber of Commerce and received the Community Builder Award from the Honey Grove Masonic Lodge.

Gary J. Fernandes retired as Vice Chairman of Electronic Data Systems Corporation (EDS), a global technology services company, in 1998, after serving on the Board of Directors of EDS since 1981.  After retiring from EDS, Mr. Fernandes founded Convergent Partners, a venture capital fund focusing on buyout of technology related companies.  He also served as Chairman and CEO of GroceryWorks, Inc, an internet grocery fulfillment company until 2001.   Mr. Fernandes is currently the Chairman and President of FLF Investments and serves as an advisory director of MHT Partners, a Dallas based investment banking firm serving mid-market companies. Gary also serves on the Bois d’Arc Lake Zoning Commission in Fannin County.Gary attended East Texas State University in Commerce as well as Baylor University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965. Fernandes also serves as a trustee of the O’Hara Trust which benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dallas County.  Gary and his wife Sandra reside on their farm in Fannin County, Texas.

Gillian grew up in East Dallas and spent most of her adult life in North Texas, moving to Allens Chapel in March 2019 with her husband, Thomas, and son, Bishop.

Gillian’s family moved to Allens Chapel so that Thomas could pursue his dream of raising livestock on land that has been in his family since about 1850.

Libraries have always been special to me, as my mom was a school librarian and avid supporter of our local library during my childhood – my brother and I spent lots of time checking out books and attending library-sponsored programs, which I know contributed to a lifelong love of reading and learning.”