District 16 President
I was introduced to bridge in 1971, four months after college while waiting to join the US Army. I’ve been fascinated with the game ever since. In the service from 1971-1975 I served as a lieutenant in Air Defense Artillery in El Paso, Germany, and Korea. After the service, I worked for Schlumberger 1976-2015. As a member of Unit 174 I was on the board in Houston, during my term holding various offices including president. I’ve also served as the District 16 Recorder and currently volunteer at a local club. It has also been a great honor to be a District 16 Star Award recipient. I’ve had two strong role models I strive to emulate: Jim Brister and Ed Groner. Those two always made opponents feel comfortable with warm greetings, and were able to get the best from their partners. I deeply miss them both and hope to continue their tradition.
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First Vice President
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Born/raised in Syracuse, New York I went to college at Kansas State (BSEE) where I was introduced to bridge between – instead of – going to classes. After college, it was the USAF for almost 30 years retiring as a colonel in 1999. Some highlights: 184 combat missions in Vietnam; Distinguished Graduate with MS in Facilities Management, AF Institute of Technology; Commander, 554 Red Horse Squadron (400-man heavy construction unit) in Korea; Executive Director/Commander, AF Center for Environmental Excellence, Brooks AFB, Texas. A Diamond Life Master, certified ACBL teacher and club director since 1982. I just completed five years as Unit 172 President, having chaired the 2018 San Antonio Regional and cochaired the 2023 effort. I look forward to continuing my support of our game on the District 16 Board.
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Kristen Onsgarrd
Second Vice President
Kristen is a native Dallasite. She earned her M.S. in Marine Biology from Texas A&M. Her primary employment is as a statistician for SCA, the promotions firm owned by Bob Hamman, who also is Kristen’s bridge mentor. Kristen’s love of cards comes from time spent with her father’s family playing bridge, and her mother’s family playing pinochle. She learned bridge while sitting on her father Henry’s lap as he played kitchen table bridge. Kristen is an ACBL National Champion (Women's Pairs, Spring 2024 NABC) and has multiple top 5 finishes in other events. She is the Second Vice President of the District 16 ACBL board, and also is on the board of the American Bridge Teachers’ Association (ABTA). Kristen is an ABTA Master Teacher, ACBL accredited instructor, a certified ACBL online instructor and club director.
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James Southerland
Executive Treasurer
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Jamie Southerland, currently District 16 Executive Treasurer since October 2023. I am a relative newcomer to the game of bridge. A couple of friends introduced me to rubber bridge on a cruise in 2019. I have been hooked ever since. I retired from UT Austin in 2020, and I now play regularly at the Bridge Center and on BBO. I have served on several nonprofit boards in various capacities including serving as treasurer of Unit 207.
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Betty Starzec
Immediate Past President
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Betty Starzec, District 16 Jacoby Award recipient, District 16 Star Award recipient, member ACBL National Goodwill and Charity Committees, trustee ACBL Educational Foundation, member ACBL Advisory Committee, past President American Bridge Teachers Association. ABTA Master Teacher with 35 years teaching experience including ACBL Senior TAP instructor for 15 years. Consultant in creation of ACBL Best Practices Program. Cochair of two North American Bridge Championships: Houston NABC2002 and Houston NABC 2009. Betty was District 16 President 2022-2024, and is currently on the Executive Committee.
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BJ Sanders
Executive Secretary
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Born and raised in New Jersey, I received a BS from Douglass College and an MBA from Rutgers University. I worked for Time Inc in the young cable TV industry of the 80’s and 90’s as Division VP Marketing in North Carolina and Texas. My bridge life began as a fill-in for my mom while she was hosting party games at our home, or while we were riding out tropical storms at the Jersey Shore. Next phase was Sunday games at the home of Audrey and Ken Kennedy in Lakeway, Texas. Ken handed Mark and me an 11 page Goren handout (5 Card Majors) and told us that was all we would ever need to know. Audrey pushed us to find the Duplicate Club and that is how we met Larry Davis and took many lessons from Scott Humphrey. Since then I have taught, directed, been on the Bridge Center Board, chaired I/N Regionals and the GNTs, chaired the 2021 Austin NABC and joined the District 16 Board. And, wherever Mark and I travel in the world we always find the local bridge group and play.