Board of Commissioners
Celestine Daugherty, Resident Commissioner
Celestine Daugherty, originally from Campbell, Alabama, has been a resident of Texas since 1977. Ms. Daugherty attended Texas State Technical College graduating in 1984. She went on to fulfill a successful nursing career until her retirement in 2011 from private duty nursing. Ms. Daugherty is a mother of six children and finds volunteering to be rewarding and fulfilling in her free time.
Vanessa Faz, Board Chair
Vanessa Faz, a seasoned professional in the banking industry, has dedicated 18 years to First Financial Bank since joining in 2005. With a wealth of experience spanning 26 years in mortgages, she has become a cornerstone of the institution's success. Vanessa's notable contributions include the establishment of the Affordable Home Loan program, a pioneering initiative that empowers low to moderate-income families in reaching their dream of homeownership.
Fluent in Spanish, Vanessa plays a crucial role in assisting Spanish-speaking borrowers navigate through the intricacies of mortgage loan processes. As an underwriter for First Financial Mortgage, she specializes in FHA, VA, and USDA mortgage loans, showcasing her expertise in diverse financial products.
Beyond her professional achievements, Vanessa actively contributes to the community. She served on the Professional Women in Building board, where she shared her insights and experiences with fellow industry professionals. Additionally, Vanessa held a position on the executive boards of both Habitat for Humanity and the Abilene Housing Authority, demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact on housing initiatives and community development.
Gary Bone, Commissioner
Gary has always called Abilene home. As a youth, he attended Bonham Elementary, Lincoln Middle School and Cooper High School. He received his college education from McMurry and Hardin Simmons Universities, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science and a Master of Education degree.
Gary entered the Abilene Police Academy at the age of 22 in 1997. He served on the Abilene Police Department in various positions for over 20 years before retiring in 2018.
Gary has been a licensed REALTOR in Abilene since 2017. He is the Broker Owner of Momentum Group Real Estate. Gary is an active advocate for private property rights and is active with the REALTOR organization through the local Abilene Association of REALTORS. He served as the Board President in 2024. He also serves at the state level for Texas REALTORS as the Regional Vice President for Region 2, and an Executive Board member.
Gary and his wife Mary have been married for 21 years. They have 3 children ages 30, 27, and 17, and 1 amazing granddaughter who is almost a year old.
Dr. Matthew Dodd, Commissioner
Dr. Matthew Dodd, a local university professor and recent small business owner, is proud to call Abilene, TX his hometown since 1981. Dr. Dodd graduated from Abilene Christian High School and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Communication and two Master's degrees in Communication and Marriage & Family Therapy respectively, from Abilene Christian University. He went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Family Studies from Texas Woman's University as he began his higher education teaching career at McMurry University. During the final stages of completing his doctoral degree, Dr. Dodd accepted a position as the Assistant Director of the ACU Center for Conflict Resolution, where he served as a professional consultant and speaker (including service as Facilitator for AHA Strategic Planning Sessions from 2009-2013), taught graduate courses as an Assistant Professor, and earned a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution.
After 10 years at ACU, Dr. Dodd served one year back at McMurry University as the Director of McMurry Online Degrees before leaving higher education to become a small business owner. After selling his small business, Dr. Dodd moved back into full-time teaching at Hardin-Simmons University as a Visiting Associate Professor of Psychology and Communication. Dr. Dodd enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, as well as extended family and friends in Abilene and the Big Country.
