Meet our dedicated staff!

After a successful decade in the corporate world as a Director of Information Systems, Billy and his family chose to transition to nonprofit executive leadership, and work on behalf of those who need it most.

With a lifelong passion for dogs and a heart for helping people, Billy has led organizations serving disadvantaged youth, veterans experiencing homelessness and kids with special needs for over 15 years.

Before coming to Guide Dogs of Texas, Billy was the CEO of an organization that trained service dogs for Veterans with PTSD and Children with autism.

Billy has been married for 27 years to his wife Angie, and they have two daughters.

Billy, Chief Canine Officer (2017 - present) – Billy served two years in the Guide Dog Training program before being promoted to Chief Canine Officer in 2017. Billy enjoys working with guide dog puppies, and teaching dogs in training how to swim. A passionate and outgoing Labrador, Billy loves to tell people about our mission and demonstrate guide dog work. Billy is paid only in love, snuggles, and crunchy treats. Contact the office to request an appearance and help ‘pay the Bills’.

After serving as Director of Training, Jamie was promoted to Chief Program Officer in 2020. She was inspired to become a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor through her father’s experience with vision loss and subsequently becoming a guide dog owner. She became a certified GDMI in 2010 after her four year apprenticeship. Jamie served as Early Canine Program Manager from 2016-2017 where she oversaw the Breeding Program, Puppy Program, and the PAWSitive Approach Program. She participated in two International Guide Dog Conferences, and was a presenter, along with Sandy, at the seminar in Croatia in 2016 about the PAWSitive Approach program. Jamie is married with 5 children, one ridiculously chilled out kitten, and a sweet Great Dane.

Sandy Merrill is the Director of Programs and a certified Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (cGDMI); Sandy has been with Guide Dogs of Texas since 2001. She was the Chief Executive Officer from 2014 to 2022 and was the Director of Training for eight years prior to that. She worked in the Guide Dog Mobility field since 2001, serving as a delegate for seven International Guide Dog Conferences. She held the Chair of the Council of US Dog Guide Schools from 2017 to 2022. She has a M.A. from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. from Reed College and is a graduate of the SAAF’s Andeavor Leadership Fellows Program. She’s married with a very sweet ancient Beagle-bull, a Labrador (who serves as our Chief Canine Officer and now outranks her in the organization), and Thunderbird, a Sun Conure who teaches every litter of puppies about healthy interactions with birds.

Annie joined GDTX in 2008 as the Office Manager.  Besides keeping us all organized, she assists guide dog applicants with information and local resources. Before coming to GDTX she worked at a private school, and says non-profits are the right fit for her.  She’s married with two adult children and three grandchildren.  Her husband of 26 years is a Regional Director for a Franchise Company.  Her son is at UT Austin working on his PHD and her daughter is a first grade teacher.  When she’s not at GDTX, she can be found at her grandson’s football games, her granddaughter’s dance performances, and her other grandson’s ‘everything’.

Martha has been the GDTX Early Canine Program Coordinator since December 2018. She loves working with the GDTX puppies and has gotten to be part of seeing the puppies grow as a Breeding Program Assistant with the K and the L Litter prior to becoming the Early Canine Program Coordinator. Working with dogs has always been her passion. Before GDTX, she owned her own pet sitting & dog walking business for 15 years.
When she is not at Guide Dogs, she enjoys kayaking and loves to go for walks, of course always with a four legged furry friend. But what she values the most is spending time with her family.

Brianna has been an instructor/program assistant for Guide Dogs of Texas since September of 2021. In 2017, she graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science degree with a concentration in Biology and Minor in Criminal Justice. Her previous career experience includes 10 years as a veterinary technician, through which she expressed her love for animals. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities, and volunteering over 7 years with the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

With five years of dshe handling experience, Shay says she's always had a fascination with dogs and has a heart for people. At Guide Dogs of Texas, she is able to put those two things together with the hope of making a difference. She loves being part of something that’s bigger than herself.

Shay grew up in San Antonio and spent time volunteering with her church. When she's not working, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and their two huskies.

Andrea loves serving as a “storyteller with a purpose” as she cultivates support for our mission

A "lifelong learner," Andrea earned a B.A. in Journalism/PR from Arizona State University, an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Our Lady of the Lake University, and an Elementary Teaching Certificate from UTSA. In addition, she holds a Certificate in Advanced Advertising Studies from the University of Southern California and a Certificate in Social Media Communication from the University of the Incarnate Word.

Andrea is married, has three adult children, an English Springer Spaniel and a  German Shorthaired Pointer. When not at GDTX, she is performing with the San Antonio Mastersingers, attending opera and musical theatre performances, cheering on the Spurs or watching college football.

Zindy Infante is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Guide Dogs of Texas. Prior to joining GDTX, Zindy was the Director of the LiftFund Women’s Business Center in San Antonio, curating training programs and other resources to help small business owners improve their business acumen.

Zindy has a passion for pets and volunteering. In 2014, Zindy launched her own professional pet sitting business, which she grew and sold in 2020. Zindy currently volunteers with Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc., and has previously volunteered with Talk About it! SA, NAWBO, the Humane Society, Animal Defense League, and the San Antonio Zoo. Zindy has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Texas at Arlington and is a member of the San Antonio Calligraphy Guild. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Tobie, reading, hiking, and working on a variety of creative endeavors.

Jessica has had a lifelong dream of working with animals in a unique and special way, and she found that working at Guide Dogs of Texas. Jessica comes from another nonprofit organization that raised and trained Service Dogs for children with Autism and disabled veterans. Working for Guide Dogs of Texas has given her an opportunity to combine her love for dogs and desire to help people in need- it provides hope for both humans and animals, and she loves to be a part of it . Jessica graduated with her Bachelor’s in Sports Management with minors in Business and Criminal Justice and is from Sedalia, Missouri.

Ed Harloe heads up the GDTX technology/vehicle/program and facility support and is otherwise the organization's jack of all trades. He became interested in Guide Dogs of Texas because one of his friends is a guide dog owner, and one of the first graduates of GDTX. That same friend also introduced him to his wife, Sandy! Ed calls himself a 'gearhead' and ran the SA Sports Car Association for many years. He's a former software engineer with UTHSCSA and Southwest Research Institute.