About Us
If you want to meet an extensive network of fantastic women, FAN is the club for you. Many are retired nurses, teachers, business owners, and executives; some still work or operate their businesses, and most volunteer in the community.
FAN has remained a respected women's club since its inception in 1979. Early on, FAN was established and is still guided by a set of Bylaws. In addition, an Executive Board is elected annually to oversee the club's goals, charity, membership, events, and financial decisions. The Board ensures that all activities align with FAN's three primary purposes of the club (see right).
EXECUTIVE BOARD 2025-2026
FAN purpose
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To provide an opportunity for members to become acquainted with others in the community in an atmosphere of friendliness, goodwill, and helpful information.
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To undertake and to promote charitable and humanitarian projects within the community.
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To form enduring friendships.
PRESIDENT
Sandy Darst
Sandy (Sandra Jane Ambrose Darst) graduated from the University of St. Thomas and received her Master of Education Leadership from Lamar University. She is a retired educator. Sandy has been married to her husband, Tommy, for 53 years, and together they run a successful business. She is an active member of the community through her memberships and board positions in various organizations. Sandy joined FAN in 2019 and served two years as the Directory Chairperson before serving as 1st VP, Programs for the last two years. She is the First Thursday Lunch Bunch lead and plays Mah Jongg and Mexican Train. She is kind, compassionate, and willing to serve our organization.
1st VICE-PRESIDENT
Ernestine Zawitkowski - Programs
Ernestine and her husband moved to Houston in 1990 from Washington, DC. She was born and raised in the Texas Hill Country. She has two children and two grandchildren. Ernestine retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation with 38 years of federal government service. Prior to the FBI, she worked for the U.S. House of Representatives and the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin. Her work experience includes supervising a variety of investigative processes, plus financial, facilities, project, and case management. Her leadership style includes transparency and clear and concise communication. She has a Master of Education from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Arts from St. Thomas University. Most recently, she served on the Rock Creek HOA Board of Directors and St. Thomas University Alumni Board of Directors. She joined FAN in 2018 and feels that this group provides a great opportunity to empower women through fellowship, networking, charitable contributions, and the valuable programs. She believes in FAN and wants to help grow this organization, utilizing her work experience and leadership skills. She welcomes ideas and promises to have an open mind in developing meaningful programs that will benefit our members.
2nd VICE-PRESIDENT
Marybeth Magallanes - Membership
Marybeth moved to Houston from Atlanta in 2023, where she was active in a local women's club, holding various board positions, and volunteered at the Forsyth County Alzheimer's Respite group. She grew up in Chicago, married, and raised her sons in upstate New York. Over the next ten years, she lived in Japan, Korea, Argentina, and Mexico. She retired in 2013 after a 35-year career at GE, where she served as a Human Resources Manager. Upon joining FAN shortly after moving here, she quickly became involved as Secretary, is now 2nd VP Membership and participates in numerous activities. She is an avid reader and game player and enjoys spending time with her family here in Houston as well as her other kids and grandkids in Atlanta, Boston and Steamboat Springs, CO.
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SECRETARY
Barbara Pack
Barbara is a retired Klein ISD employee, where she served as a Special Ed secretary. She loves to crochet. She plays Canasta, Bunco and National Mah Jongg. Barbara served for two terms as FAN Secretary. After completing her role as the Directory Chairperson this past year, she has accepted the nomination to once again serve as Secretary.
TREASURER
Laurie Nimberger
After graduating from The University of Texas, Laurie worked as a marketing specialist in the Oil & Gas industry for 24 years before becoming a local business owner. She enjoys decorating, traveling, spending time with her family, and being a Dog Mom to her two Labradors. Laurie loves playing Railroad Canasta, Mah Jongg and Mexican Train, and she co-hosted one of FAN's Spring Luncheons. She joined our club in 2020 and created a new FAN website while serving as the Social Media Chair (website and Facebook) for two years. She has most recently been the FANfare Newsletter Editor for the past two years.
AUDITOR
Idalia Skates
Idalia graduated from the University of Houston and retired from Aldine ISD. Her daily life centers around her grandchildren. She enjoys playing Mexican Train, supporting the Astros and the Texans, and working in her yard. She has been a member of FAN since 2011 and has served as Treasurer, Auditor, and Historian.
NEWSLETTER
Tiffany Cady
Northwest Houston is Tiffany's long-time stomping grounds. Tiffany has worked as a Marketing Manager, website designer, and graphic artist. She has owned her dog grooming and boarding business since 2010. As President of the Houston Dog Park Association, she maintained their website and newsletter for 5 years. She was a member of Rotary for many years where she performed community service projects, assisted with event organization, and attended personal and professional development retreats. Tiffany has hosted a foreign exchange student from China, and she adopted her daughter from the Texas foster care system. She has a heart for engaging and helping others. Tiffany is a huge board gamer and attends 3 to 4 game nights per week to appease her hunger for gaming. In FAN, she hosts Theater Goers and Couples Social groups; she is co-leader for Rummikub activity group; and she has led American Mah Jonng and Mexican Train activity groups.
HISTORIAN
Kathy Court
Kathy grew up in rural Nebraska, lived in Miami, Florida, for 23 years, and finally landed in Houston, Texas, in 1997 thanks to her job at Texaco. She has been loving retirement since 2014. Her hobbies include cooking (especially trying new recipes), home organization and decorating projects, reading and word puzzles. Kathy joined FAN in 2018. Her passion for FAN is evident in her active roles as board member, activity group leader and participant. She has held the positions of 2nd Vice President of Membership, President and Advisor, each for two years. She is the group leader for Literary Review Book Club, 5th Tuesday/Summer 1st Tuesday Fun Days, and Classic Restaurant Lunch Group. She is a member of the First Thursday Lunch Bunch, Dragon Ladies Mah Jongg, Antiquers & Junkers, and Mexican Train.
ADVISOR
Kim Gerrish
Kim grew up in Austin before moving to Houston for work. She is active in her home life with grandkids and her husband of 42 years. She loves estate sale hunting on the weekends, putting puzzles together, TV, and playing games. Since her retirement from the oil and gas industry and discovering FAN, Kim has been involved with the FAN Board as Fundraiser and Cookie Exchange Chair during Covid, two years as the Newsletter Editor, Spring Luncheon Chair, and just finished up two years as President. She is the Railroad Canasta Lead, plays Mexican Train and Mah Jongg, and participates in Day Trips and Happy Hour Gals. She will help out FAN this year as Advisor and Spring Luncheon Chair.
EXTENDED BOARD
Activities
Charity
Day Trips
Directory
Goodie Exchange
Greeters
Holiday Charity Luncheon
Hospitality
Social Media
Spring Luncheon
Sunshine
Donna Morris
Mary Ales
Carol Peterson
Karren Sims
Claudia Gallagher
Susan Kleimann
Dot Parmenter
Merry Keith
Susan Butler
Kim Gerrish
Betsy Wilks