2026 CLF Executive Board Elections
Clayton Library Friends is pleased to announce that voting for the 2026 CLF Executive Board election will open soon. Voting members have the opportunity to shape our organization’s future by participating. The election is being conducted entirely online on the CLF website. You will receive a separate email with the link to your ballot.
The election will open Saturday, November 8, and close at 11:00 a.m. (CT) on Saturday, November 15, 2025, during the quarterly membership meeting. Once you vote, you will not be able to revise your vote.
In preparation for the election, you may review the slate of candidates show below. This slate was recommended by the CLF 2026 Nominating Committee as prescribed in the bylaws.
You may also nominate a candidate “from the floor” to be added to the ballot. To make a nomination, email info@claytonlibraryfriends.org by November 6. The Nominating Committee will verify each nominee’s eligibility and add them to the ballot. Nominees must be an active, dues-paying CLF member for the current year and agree to be a candidate for the position.
SLATE OF NOMINEES
Gail E. Lover – Secretary
Gail is a retired jeweler and gemologist, as well as a retired public and private high school and college educator from San Diego, California. She is also a Professional Registered Parliamentarian (PRP) and has served as a Distinguished Toastmaster (Speaker) for over 27 years, serving in the Districts of San Diego County, Harris County Texas and New York. Gail’s genealogy research spans the world, immediate family and free personal inmate research for incarcerated persons.
Kathie Kochanowsky - Treasurer
Kathie is a native Houstonian who spent her childhood all over the county as the daughter of a USAF officer. She earned her BSN from LSU, MSN from UT-Arlington, and spent several years teaching at the University of Oklahoma and Montgomery College. She earned a post-master’s certificate as an Adult Nurse Practitioner specializing in Primary Care. Kathie has visited Clayton since 1991. The author of three family history books, Kathie is a member of DAR, Houston Genealogical Forum, Texas State Genealogical Society, and the National Genealogical Society. Kathie currently serves as secretary on the CLF Board.Sam Akkerman - Director of Correspondence
Sam earned her B.A in English Literature from the University of Houston. She began researching her family’s history about twelve years ago, attempting to answer the many questions left by her parents’ generation. She began volunteering at Clayton about three years ago and has served on the board for two years. In addition, Sam has volunteered with numerous other local organizations. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Prior to becoming involved with genealogy, Sam served twenty years as the Fleet Historian of the now 128-year-old Houston Yacht Club. During this time she researched and authored two editions of the book From Buffalo Bayou to Galveston Bay, The History of the Houston Yacht Club as well as numerous periodical articles. In addition to her writing, Sam has also curated and/or researched historical photography exhibits. She also contributed to Rice University’s online exhibit Business & Pleasure on Houston’s Waterways, 1897-1927 and served on Mayor Bill White’s Houston History Commission.
Kristin Dennis – Director of Acquisitions
Kristin Dennis is a very active member of the Houston-area genealogical community. Currently, she is working on obtaining her professional CG© credential and doing client research. She volunteers at Clayton Library, ProGen Study Groups, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the APG South Central group. Her main research interests are the American South and early German immigration. Mary Dyess Barrow - Director of Volunteers and Hospitality
Mary graduated from University of West Florida in Pensacola, FL, in 2008, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts/Public Relations, Minor in Marketing. Since then, she has held several different positions in various divisions/subsidiaries of Golkow Technologies, Inc. – Global Court Reporting & Litigation Services Company, including Business Development & Marketing Manager, Billing Manager for Precision Trial Solutions, Inc., Scheduling Assistant for Golkow Litigation Services and Accounts Receivable Specialist with Golkow, a Veritext Division. As a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Lady Washington Chapter), Houston, TX, Mary served as co-chair on the state magazine committee and curator, registrar, 1st Vice Regent, Chapter Regent, and is now Honorary Regent. She also spent several years working with the Junior League of Houston in advertising and fundraising. Mary served as CLF Second Vice President from 2020-2022 and held several positions in other legacy organizations.