To the Our Wells Branch Friends and Neighbors—
WBNA Election Results
Please welcome our board members for 2024! We are excited to have a new member, Steve Cockrell, joining the team. Lara Bennett and Pam Wachholz have returned to the group
and their enthusiasm for the community is truly appreciated. On February 29, 2024, returning and new members were duly elected. Next year, positions 1, 3, 5 and 7 will be up for election in 2025.
There were no nominations from the floor for Position 1, so it remains open. We will continue to actively seek a volunteer for the remaining post. Following the general public meeting the new board will meet as a group and roles will be
assigned.
Please meet our current WBNA Board.
Place 1 – Vacant
Place 2 – Steve Cockrell
Update coming.
Place 3 – Lara Bennett
Hello Wells Branch! I’m Lara Bennett. I’ve been involved with the WBNA since 2000 when I ran my first Easter Egg Hunt for the neighborhood. The WBNA Easter Egg Hunt has always been a family affair with my son as the Easter Bunny for several years, followed by my husband, and finally our neighbor, Travers Hough. I have so enjoyed the events that involve the kids. I love seeing the joy on their faces during the Christmas Hayride and the Pumpkin Painting. Working for a wonderful community like Wells Branch as part of the neighborhood association has been a happy time for me. I look forward to many more Easter Egg Hunts and Hayrides!
Place 4 – Juli Thatcher – Vice President
Hello Wells Branch! My name is Juli Thatcher. I am honored to be serving on the Neighborhood Association Board! For the past 8 years, I have been a parent, community member, and small business owner in Wells Branch. I own a fitness franchise for moms called FIT4MOM Pflugerville. We provide outdoor fitness and wellness classes for every stage of motherhood and strive to build a tight knit mama village. We hold classes in Pflugerville and Wells Branch. Work out with us, Mama!
My husband, Todd, and I have lived in many places together, across several states. Neither of us grew up in Austin, but Wells Branch has become Home. I left a career I loved when my husband’s company moved us to Austin, contrary to my own career plan. I was scared, we didn’t know a soul here, and we had a 6-week-old baby. Wells Branch took us in and gave us a true family in a new place. This neighborhood means so much to my family. My children attend public school in this neighborhood, we work, live, and play in this neighborhood, and I run the trails on a regular basis when I need some tranquility. We’ve attended almost every event by now. We’ve enjoyed getting to know so many of you and I’m excited to get to know those of you that I haven’t met yet! I’m looking forward to building community through future events and can’t wait to see what we can do together!
Place 5 – Pam Wachholz
Update coming.
Place 6 – Nadia Bernard
Hey there, neighbors! I’m Nadia Bernard and I’ve been proudly calling Wells Branch home since 2019. Our community is something special that we should never take for granted. It’s all thanks to the hard work of passionate people who have made it such a close-knit place.
My husband and I fell in love with Wells Branch after traveling the world for six months. When we first walked the trails at KF Park, we knew we had found our home. It was so heartwarming to see people of all ages and fitness levels strolling under the beautiful trees. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, it felt like we belonged here from the start.
During the pandemic in 2020, we welcomed our first child, Rio, and then Sunny in 2022. Our fur babies love walking with us and you might spot us on the trails sometimes accompanied by our cats Loaf & Bone.
Originally from Hungary and raised in Israel, I’m fluent in Hebrew, Arabic, Hungarian, and even some Spanish. My parents were savvy real estate investors, and they taught me a lot about the industry from a young age. Since 2017, I’ve been a licensed Realtor, and I’m dedicated to bringing value to my clients and neighbors, as well as protecting the home values in WB.
I’m excited to continue serving this wonderful community and helping to make it even more united. Let’s keep this great thing going!
Place 7 – Margaret Sufke – President
Howdy! I’m Margaret Sufke, a Wells Branch resident since 2013. I have been active in the community for several years and have served on the WBNA for 10 years. I also served one term as secretary on the WB Friends of the Library board. In addition, I established and chair the Wells Branch Photo Club, now in it’s 10th year. I’ve played an active role in community program development and support of the WB Eco Fair, Cultural Diversity Fair and the WB Community Calendar photo contest. I maintain active participation in many on-going WBNA, FOL and MUD community events including guest speaker for several community programs such as the FOL Adult Financial Series, Disney’s First Star and the Solar Project Planning program.
Building Community Together. The WBNA motto says it all. Working together for the benefit of the entire community fosters fellowship and strengthens the sense of community within Wells Branch. Each community member’s individual contribution is what makes Wells Branch great. I would like to offer a personal commitment to help build that spirit of community.
Recently retired, in my professional life, I was a Senior Program Manager, Instructional Designer, Technical Instructor and Quality Process Engineer with strong technology-based and photographic skills. And of course, a true sense of fun and imagination. Please feel free to contact me at mmsufke@gmail.com or 512-341-0428.
Chuck Walters
Chuck left us in May of 2020, way too soon. His strong sense of community and friendship helped to shape and define the true spirit of Wells Branch. Please take a minute to remember him as you enjoy all the benefits of our wonderful community in the coming months. We all agree, he will be missed but his contributions will not be forgotten.
It’s worth noting that Chuck’s presence touched nearly everyone in Wells Branch in some way. Over the years, he held many positions within the community, WB MUD Board President, WB Armada President, WBNA Vice President, Homestead Board President, WB MUD ACC Board Chair, role model and District Representative for the various scouting programs, active participant in the WB FOL (Friends of the Library), as well as his tireless efforts for our community and his constant presence and on-going participation in the various neighborhood events. Chuck was a wealth of knowledge, a strong ally and a true friend. He is missed.