About Us

Happy Town Community Galveston is a non-profit consultancy that provides free  and hands-on  event planning and implementation, strategic planning, board development, customer service training, data collection and analysis and grant proposal services to community non-profits in the Galveston area.


  • Dr. David Baca has decades of organizational development experience in higher education and community non-profits. Dr. Baca has lead strategic planning initiatives for Texas A&M University at Galveston and CONACYT, planned and hosted large domestic and international events such as the Texas Council of Academic Libraries and the International Association of Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers and reviewed grants for the Texas State Libraries and Archives and the Galveston Park Board of Trustees. Dr. Baca has worked closely with a wide array of Galveston non-profits including Vision Galveston, the Galveston Island Tree Conservancy, the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council, the Texas Surf Museum, Groundswell and La Izquierda.

MEET THE BOARD

  • Honi Alexander is the dynamic Director of Groundswell's Young Gardeners Program. In partnership with Galveston Independent School District (GISD), Honi oversees the integration of school gardens into both afterschool and school-day curricula. Through the Outdoor Learning Education program, developed in collaboration with EcoRise, she works alongside teachers to align garden-based learning with core academic subjects, supporting student engagement and achievement in innovative, nature-based ways. Honi also leads the SEED (Students for Eco-Empowerment & Diversity) internship program, which provides high school students with immersive experiences in gardening, leadership, and social impact. Honi sits on the board for Vision Galveston,  is the 1st Vice President of Galveston’s NAACP and is a Deputy Voter Registrar. Honi has become a trusted leader in sustainable education and culturally responsive teaching, continuing to grow gardens and minds. 



  • President

    Kristin Finklea serves as the current Board President of Happy Town Community in Galveston, where she brings years of leadership experience after a successful career in the private sector. Known for her ability to bring people together, Kristin applies her professional skills in organization, strategy, and collaboration to strengthen community initiatives and neighborhood engagement. She also serves on the board of the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council and the San Jacinto Neighborhood Association. Kristin and her husband, David, enjoy supporting local events and organizations that celebrate and enrich the Galveston community.


  • Secretary

    Dr. Don C. Wilkerson is Professor Emeritus and a retired Extension Specialist from Texas A&M University, where he devoted 28 years towards advancing horticultural science, environmental sustainability, and professional education throughout Texas and the southern United States. Dr. Wilkerson earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Arkansas State University, a Master of Science from the University of Arkansas, and a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University. His academic foundation and professional experience positioned him to become a leading authority in applied horticulture, landscape management, and environmental education. He played a developmental role in establishing the Texas Master Gardener Program and the Earth-Kind® Environmental Management System. Dr. Wilkerson’s contributions to the green industry have been recognized by the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (TNLA), which awarded him both the ARP Lifetime Award for Extension Education and the TNLA Staff Award for his outstanding leadership, service, and advancement of horticultural excellence in Texas. In retirement, Dr. Wilkerson continues to support community-based horticulture and sustainable landscape initiatives. He also serves as a lecturer in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) program at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), where he shares his expertise with adult learners interested in horticulture, sustainability, and environmental awareness. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to education, innovation, and environmental responsibility—hallmarks of the land-grant mission he served with distinction.


  • Dr. Temple is a professor, licensed psychologist, and the Associate Dean for Clinical Research at the School of Behavioral Health Sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, where he also holds the Betty and Rose Pfefferbaum Chair in Child Mass Trauma and Resilience. As the Director of the first CDC-funded Injury Control Research Center in Texas, his work focuses on the prevention of interpersonal and community violence, including firearm violence. He has been continuously federally funded by the National Institute of Justice, National Institutes of Health, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since finishing his training. He has over 205 peer-reviewed scholarly publications in a variety of high-impact journals including JAMA, JAMA Pediatrics, The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, Pediatrics, and the Journal of Adolescent Health. He recently co-edited a book on adolescent dating violence, co-chaired the Texas Task Force on Domestic Violence, serves on the Board of Directors for the Society for Prevention Research, and served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Psychological Association. Locally, he served for 7 years as the Vice President of the Galveston Independent School District Board of Trustees. His work has been featured on Forbes, CNN, New York Times, TIME, Washington Post, and even the satirical website, The Onion.


  • Treasurer

    Jessica Antonelli is a BOI artist and Director of Operations of La Izquierda Fest. She graduated with a major in Art and a Masters in Education from Austin College. Jessica taught art for 5 years at GISD schools and was recognized in 2013 as Teacher of the Year. The next year found her in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she opened an art studio featuring international artists, and taught art courses and held retreats. In 2019 she returned to Galveston to bring what she had learned running her business to community engagement on the island. She has worked with Groundswell, Seeding Galveston, and Galveston Artists in Action to share her passions for building community through managing events, marketing, content creation, and art-making.

    Jessica's journey with La Izquierda Fest began in 2022 as a volunteer. Committed to fostering collaborations with other Galveston organizations, she seeks to unite the community and offer creative opportunities and events that resonate with all islanders and enrich our local culture.

  • Erica Delgadillo is the Executive Director of MarMo Innovation, a nonprofit incubator space in downtown Galveston dedicated to creating access, opportunity, and community support for entrepreneurs, artists, nonprofits, and small businesses. She has served as Executive Director for the past two years and has been part of MarMo’s growth and development for four years.

    Erica’s roots in hospitality began at the young age of 10, and she has spent more than 25 years working in hospitality, restaurant management, and community-centered service. In 2019, she launched her own small business, Dough Mami Treats, where she experienced firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with entrepreneurship.

    Today, Erica uses that experience to help create the kind of resources, spaces, and support systems she wishes she had access to as a baker and small business owner. Through MarMo Innovation, she operates an incubator space that supports entrepreneurs and nonprofit partners. She is currently working toward launching an incubator kitchen to help food-based entrepreneurs grow from idea to opportunity.

    Erica is passionate about building community, expanding access, and creating pathways for people who may not traditionally have the resources or support needed to bring their ideas to life.

Contact us

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