Meet the Board

Katie Jackson is the founder and president of Pineywoods BEYOND Foundation. A lifelong resident of Zavalla, Katie is driven by a deep-rooted love for her hometown and a vision of a stronger, more connected community.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and works professionally as a Systems Administrator. With her strong background in leadership, organization, and problem-solving, Katie brings structure and strategic thinking to every project the nonprofit takes on.

Her heart for service began early. She worked as a CNA while still in high school and enlisted in the Navy at 17. Life shifted unexpectedly when she became a mother just before boot camp, but her commitment to growth and giving back never wavered. Katie has volunteered with food pantries, park cleanups, and book drives for years and believes that no one should be left behind simply because they don’t qualify for help on paper.

Katie launched Pineywoods BEYOND to revitalize public spaces, support families in need, and expand access to education. She is currently leading projects like the Little Free Pantry and the Zavalla park revitalization. One of her biggest goals is to bring a small-scale library to the community, something she believes every town deserves.

Katie is an outspoken advocate for human and civil rights and believes every person is worthy of respect, kindness, and opportunity. She is passionate about literacy and lifelong learning and believes that books are the past, present, and future of humanity.

She is happily married and a proud mom of four. In her free time, Katie enjoys photography, reading, and spending time with her family.

She lives by the motto: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Brittany Tarkington was born and raised in Zavalla and remains deeply connected to the town - her mother still lives there, and her son is active in a local church. She’s passionate about giving back and helping rebuild the community she grew up in.

She works as a Social Worker and Case Manager for teens in the state’s permanent conservatorship. A Zavalla High School graduate, Brittany holds an associate’s degree from Angelina College’s Paralegal Program and a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology.

Through her job, she often partners with local churches and organizations, gaining a clear view of both the challenges and opportunities in the community. Her passion for service was inspired by her mother, who regularly brought her to volunteer growing up. Now, she’s committed to modeling the same values for her son.

Brittany believes in restoring Zavalla’s sense of unity and creating a more family-friendly environment. Outside of work and parenting, she enjoys reading, writing, and binge-watching shows with her three dogs.

Fun fact: She’s a published author.

She lives by the motto: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Nickey Bordelon is the Co-Founder and Secretary of Pineywoods BEYOND Foundation.

Nickey was raised between Houston and Zavalla and considers both her hometown. She holds a master’s degree in social work from Stephen F. Austin State University and worked as a medical social worker in Angelina County for many years. Her profession as a social worker has equipped her with a vast knowledge of community outreach, assessing the needs of others and providing the tools that empower change.

The roles that Nickey is most proud of is that of wife and mother. She and her husband have been married for 19 years, share two daughters and an 18 month old granddaughter. Family and friends are the two most important priorities in her life, she and much of her family reside in and around Zavalla.

Outside of family life Nickey is passionate about social justice. It was the driving force behind her choosing a career in social work. She aspires to live in a world where everyone has equal rights and equal access to opportunities. Starting this foundation has been a lifelong dream and the hope is to provide a service based on the needs of the community. Giving back to the place that has given her so much is the truest way to show her gratitude.

Outside of her nonprofit work Nickey enjoys politics, writing and music. She tries to attend all the concerts and music festivals that she can. Her heroes are Maya Angelou, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

She lives by the motto: “Fight for the things that you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you” …(RBG)