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Econautics Leadership

BOARD LEADERSHIP

Econautics is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors with experience spanning conservation, agriculture, education, public health, and community development. Together, they provide leadership, oversight, and strategic direction to advance Econautics’ mission across North Texas and beyond.

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John Wood , Esq.

President, Board Chair & Founder

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Dean Waterman, MBA

Executive Director

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Shelley Reed-Pouncy

Board Member | Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner

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Alicia Weber

Board Secretary

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Bryan Reese , Esq.

Finance Committee Co-Chair

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Whitney Strauss , PhD

Finance Commitee Co-Chair , Treasurer

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Mickey Richardson ,PhD

Vice President , Member at Large

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Tricia Demaree

Board Secretary , Special Education Coordinator

Our Commitment to Leadership

Econautics’ Board of Directors is committed to responsible governance, transparency, and long-term impact. Their collective expertise ensures the organization remains mission-driven, community-focused, and positioned for sustainable growth.

Photo of John Wood

John Wood , Esq.

President , Board Chair & Founder

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Dean Waterman, MBA

Executive Director

Dean earned his Masters in Business Administration from Trinity Theological where he emphasized nonprofit management. He has a Certificate in Strategic Leadership from the Jack Welch Management Institute. Dean brings his networking insight, management education and skill for strategic development to the role of Executive Director. He leads our fundraising initiatives and implements programs on-site at the Woodhaven urban agriculture hub. Dean grew up on a small farm and has a deep appreciation for the natural world and creating positive impacts on youth and students of all ages. Dean and his wife have a love of the outdoors, and believe in being stewards of the land others graciously protected in generations past. 
 

Shelley Reed-Pouncy

Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner

Econautics is honored to welcome Shelley Reed-Pouncy, Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner and healthcare advocate, to our Board of Directors.
With more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry and a Master’s Degree in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University, Shelley brings a deep understanding of patient education, disease management, and public health engagement. Her career spans clinical care, community wellness, and leadership in promoting healthier lifestyles through nutrition and active living.
Shelley’s passion for prevention and holistic health aligns perfectly with Econautics’ mission to foster well-being through sustainable food systems and education. Her guidance will drive our community health engagement efforts and strengthen the integration of nutrition and wellness into our programs.
Through her vision and expertise, Shelley helps ensure that Econautics continues to empower communities toward better health—mind, body, and environment.

Alicia Weber

Board Secretary

Econautics is pleased to welcome Alicia Weber, BCHN®, RHP, NTP to our Board of Directors. Alicia is a board-certified holistic nutritionist who helps midlife high achievers master their metabolism, clear brain fog, and spark the sustained energy needed to live their longest, most vibrant lives. A former journalist and board-certified paralegal, Alicia’s path to functional nutrition began with her own transformation. After earning a B.S. in Community Health, she reversed prediabetes and resolved chronic metabolic dysfunction through targeted nutrition and lifestyle shifts—proof that the body can heal when given the right support.

She founded Weber Therapeutic Nutrition, based in Dallas, Texas, to bring that same blend of hope, science, and clinical precision to others. Her practice integrates ancestral nutrition principles with the latest scientific research in gut-brain and metabolic health, using advanced functional lab testing to design personalized protocols that address inflammation, excess weight, glucose imbalance, and digestive dysfunction.

At Econautics, Alicia contributes her expertise in nutrition and community wellness to ensure community accessibility to locally sourced, nutrient dense, whole foods grown in accordance with organic standards. By empowering people, starting from a young age, with the knowledge of how to source and to prepare these foods for optimal nourishment, Alicia hopes to prevent many of the chronic health conditions associated with aging and inspire others to create a legacy of healthy stewardship of their body and resources.

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Bryan Reese , Esq.

Finance Committee Co-Chair

Bryan L. Reese is an attorney specializing in finance and mergers & acquisitions. His clients include leading financial institutions, private credit funds, private equity firms, and operating companies across diverse industries such as energy, financial services, food and beverage, franchise and hospitality, and life sciences and healthcare.

He earned his undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Georgia and his Juris Doctorate from New York University School of Law. Bryan’s commitment to education and economic justice stems from his upbringing in rural east Georgia, where he experienced firsthand the challenges of limited resources and access to opportunity.

Influenced by his early exposure to local farms and his mother’s dedication to wholesome nutrition, Bryan developed a lifelong awareness of issues surrounding food availability, nutrition education, and environmental stewardship. His work with Econautics reflects his compassion for those affected by systemic inequities and his passion for advancing humanitarian initiatives that empower communities and unlock the full potential of every child.

Photo of Whitney Strauss

Whitney Strauss , PHD

Finance Commitee Co-Chair , Treasurer

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Photo of Mickey Richardson

Mickey Richardson ,PhD

Vice President , Member at Large

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Tricia Demaree

Board Secretary , Special Education Coordinator

Econautics proudly welcomes Tricia Demaree, Special Education Coordinator for Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District, to our Board of Directors.
With nearly three decades in education and over 12 years of service in HEB ISD, Tricia brings exceptional leadership and compassion to our team. Her journey into special education began at age twelve, inspired by her sister’s birth with Down syndrome—a moment that shaped her lifelong commitment to advocacy and inclusion.
Throughout her career, Tricia has served as a teacher, behavior specialist, and district coordinator supporting students with emotional disabilities, autism, and behavioral needs. A recognized expert in Conscious Discipline, she empowers educators to approach behavior with empathy and skill-building. She also leads the development of CARE Rooms—safe, nurturing environments that support emotional regulation and growth.
At Econautics, Tricia’s expertise will help enhance the accessibility of our agronomy curriculum and strengthen our youth-focused educational initiatives.