Board of Directors
Board of Directors - United States

Mark Mathews - Board President

Mark Mathews founded Lighthouse Station, Inc. in 2006, expanding his life-long commitment to serve underprivileged children and families. Mark holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Economics and Finance from East Texas State University, a Master’s degree in Education from Stephen F. Austin University, and he served as an officer in the United States Air Force. Professionally, he has worked for State Farm Insurance Company as an agent and manager for the past 26 years.

Mr. Mathews’ enduring dedication to assisting underserved communities is evident in his many years of volunteering and mission work. He purchased and maintained an apartment complex in Dallas, Texas to assist individuals transitioning out of confinement. Additionally, he moved into the inner city in Dallas and served as a volunteer for five years to work with and among families and individuals living in poverty.  Mr. Mathews created his vision for a faith-based nonprofit organization during his many years of mission work in Central America. He founded Lighthouse Station to better the lives of underprivileged children and families throughout the world.

Martha Butts

Martha Butts is a founding board member of Lighthouse Station and has spent her entire professional career dedicated to the education of children.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Stephen F. Austin University and a Master’s degree in Supervision from Lamar University.  Additionally, she is certified in Elementary Education, Learning & Language Disabilities, Mental Retardation, and Vocational Education, and is a certified Educational Diagnostician.  During her thirty years of experience in the Texas school system, she has worked both in the classroom as well as in several administrative positions.  Martha is the current Chairman of the San Augustine County Child Service Board, a Member of the Association of Children With Learning Disabilities, and an active volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club of America.

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Ro Diaz

Born in Havana to a Cuban immigrant businessman who fled an oppressive Communist regime, Mr. Diaz is an accomplished artist who learned early that there are those who will go through life with little or nothing to call their own. This thought has touched the heartstrings of the artist and inspired him to use his artistic talents to raise funds for the poor through his artwork. Mr. Diaz holds a Bachelor’s degree in fine art, and his work has been exhibited in museums, galleries and private collections across the United States. Recent exhibitions include the Grace Cultural Arts Museum, The L.A. Thompson Gallery, Gallery 209, The Pace Collection, and the Florence Art Gallery in Dallas. Many of his paintings are inspired by the images he has seen and the stories he has heard while traveling through the developing world.  Mr. Diaz joined the board of Lighthouse Station in 2008.

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Emily Mathews

Emily Mathews is the founder and Executive Director of ReviveAmerica. Prior to founding ReviveAmerica, Ms. Mathews led her own successful management consulting firm for ten years.  In that capacity, she developed comprehensive business and management strategies for non-profit, public, and private sector organizations on multiple continents. 

She holds a M.A. in Psychology from Pepperdine University and a M.P.A. from the Harvard Kennedy School.

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Trisha Treece

Trisha Treece joined the board of Lighthouse Station in 2006 and brings many years of experience in the issues affecting nonprofits. She has professionally worked for several 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organizations and has served as a Program Officer for a private foundation. Ms. Treece is currently the Director of Development for Girls Incorporated® of Greater Houston, a nonprofit organization that provides in-school and after-school educational programs to girls in high-risk, underserved areas. Ms. Treece is a summa cum laude graduate of Pepperdine University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Psychology.  She has also received her Certification in Nonprofit Leadership from the Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives at Rice University..

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