TTN Officers

Tracey Prothro (2008-2011)
PRESIDENT

Tracey is the Superintendent of Natural Resource Programs for the City of Baytown, where she oversees the Baytown Nature Center and the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education Center. She holds a degree in Ocean and Coastal Resources from Texas A&M University at Galveston. Her philosophy that nature education inspires environmental stewardship is a natural fit with trail use and connectivity among trail systems. Tracey also enjoys kayaking, fishing, scuba diving, and her reptiles.

Jim Carrillo

Jim is a graduate of Texas A&M University and is the Director of Planning for Halff Associates Inc., a Texas based architectural, engineering and planning firm with offices throughout Texas. As a landscape architect and certified planner, Jim has focused on park, trail and open space planning and design efforts over the past 25 years, and has created master plans for over 50 communities throughout the Southwest, many of which have been recognized for their planning excellence. Jim splits his time between San Marcos and San Antonio, Texas, and is the number one fan of the best swimming holes in Texas in San Marcos and New Braunfels.

Nanette Smejkal, CPRP, CNU-A

Nanette Smejkal has been serving as the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of El Paso since December 2007. Prior experience includes directing municipal parks, recreation and community services departments in Reno NV, Fresno CA, Flagstaff AZ, and Richmond IN. Her career also includes non profit performing arts management in San Rafael CA, parks and recreation construction and service contract administration in Glendale AZ, therapeutic recreation in New Orleans LA, and military recreation (MWR) for both the Navy and Army at assignments in Puerto Rico, Bethesda MD, Concord CA and Fort Huachuca AZ. Nanette Smejkal received a BFA and MA from the University of Arizona. She is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) through the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). She is a member of NRPA and the Texas Recreation and Parks Society (TRAPS) and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Texas Trails Network. Nanette is an accredited member of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU-A).

Jim Waldbauer (2009 - 2012)
PAST PRESIDENT and TREASURER
Allen, TX

Jim Waldbauer, P.E., is a civil engineer with over 20 years experience and community service as Vice President of BW2 Engineers, Inc. in Garland, Texas. Jim's professional experience includes a wide variety of design projects for many municipalities. On a personal level, Jim has been a long-time community volunteer in Allen including 10 years on the Parks and Recreation Board, including several years as Chair. Subsequently, Jim founded the Allen Parks Foundation and is currently serving as President. These efforts led, in part, to Jim receiving the Texas Recreation and Parks Society Region 3 Advocate of the Year Award in 2002. In addition, Jim has chaired various committees for Allen's capital improvement bond programs and serves on the board of the Allen Chamber of Commerce.

John R. Collins, Jr., Ph.D. (2010 - 2013)
PAST PRESIDENT
Denton, TX

Dr. Collins is an Associate Professor in the Recreation and Leisure Studies Program at University of North Texas. His research interests include user needs assessment and preferences, facility design, park and trail planning and development, customer service assessment, and programming evaluation. Dr. Collins served as TTN's vice-president from 2001 to 2003, and as president from 2003-2006. He thoroughly enjoys the outdoors from gardening and hiking to flyfishing, and meeting other trail enthusiasts.