Board of Directors

Mike Lykes is the Director, Special Projects/Community Affairs at Harris County District Clerk.

Mike Lykes is a seasoned professional with more than 23 years of leadership experience in business development, fundraising and community service. He is currently the Chief of Staff for Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the Precinct 2 office, which includes over 400 employees. Mike acts as an adviser to the Commissioner, leads strategic initiatives, policy and overall budget for the precinct. Mike has been instrumental in moving infrastructure projects forward as well as innovative programs that support economic growth in Harris County. Prior to this role, he served as Chief of Staff at the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector office of Ann Harris Bennett. As Chief of Staff for Mrs. Bennet, Mike led the implementation of the innovative programs that strengthen processes in the office. Mike played a critical role in increasing voter registration. Before joining Mrs. Bennett’s office, Mr. Lykes led the launch of BakerRipley’s workforce development program ASPIRE. ASPIRE partnered with employers in Houston’s growing industries to identify middle-skill job opportunities and connect with committed workers who are ready to acquire the skills needed to obtain these jobs. Hundreds of Harris County residents secured living wage jobs thanks to this program.

Mike was born and raised in Texas. He currently lives in Kingwood with this wife, has three kids and is a proud new granddaddy.

Sophie Elsner serves as the Policy Director to Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. In this role, she seeks to advance the mission of the precinct through research, analysis, development, and implementation of public policy relevant to our constituents. Prior to joining Commissioner Ellis’ office, Sophie practiced as a legal aid attorney, working with diverse coalitions of low-income residents and tenants associations, and clerked for the Honorable Keith P. Ellison in the Southern District of Texas in Houston. She received her undergraduate degree from Brown University and a law degree from Harvard Law School.

Conrad Joe has served Harris County Precinct Three, since 2007, in various capacities. He has lived in Houston since the age of three; leaving temporarily to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance at the University of Texas. His sense of service was cultivated at an early age from lessons learned to become an Eagle Scout. He still follows it to this day as a volunteer with the Memorial Hermann Hospital system for the past nine years.

Yarmon B. Kennedy serves as Chief of Staff, AIG Life & Retirement. In this role, he leads strategic initiatives, represents the organization’s interests in committees and other forums, and assists the CEO with day-to-day business activities. He serves as a member of the Life & Retirement Executive Team and is a cultural champion for customers and employees, facilitating connectivity and information sharing across the organization.

Mr. Kennedy previously served as Senior Vice President, AIG Retirement Services, responsible for developing and managing strategic customer-experience related initiatives and establishing and scaling its data and analytics environment. Prior roles included planning and analysis responsibilities for the company’s Fixed Annuities product line. He earned his master’s degree in finance from Tulane University and a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship from Hampton University. When he isn’t coaching his two sons in basketball or baseball, or doing something outdoors (fishing, lawn work, cycling), he dedicates his time to improving the livelihoods of at-risk youth in the Houston community.