Officers and Committee Chairs

HCYD is governed by a board of directors composed of the president, vice-president, development director, communications director, and events director. All officers are elected by a vote of the general membership annually in February.

Committees, task forces, and working groups are formed to focus on specific aspects of the organization. All chairs serve at the pleasure of the president.

Your Executive Board

Janaeya Carmouche – President
Janaeya Carmouche grew up in an active Democratic household, and began grassroots organizing as a teen. She entered the professional political arena in 2006, working for elected officials in Houston City Council, and the Texas State Senate. Her political involvement includes policy, community engagement, research, and program development. She currently works in education management and plans to begin her graduate studies in strategic public relations this fall. As president, she intends to work with the membership to position the organization as a force of policy, and manpower capable of moving our party to the next level.

Steven David – Vice-President
Steven David is a native Houstonian who has been involved in politics since 2006. He went to the University of Houston originally studying music performance but decided that he was MUCH happier with political science. He started his political career as a volunteer phone banker for Chris Bell in 2006, but then started volunteering with the Harris County Democratic Party in 2008. In 2009 he helped out multiple judicial candidates create an online presence through social media and website creation, and continued that through 2010. In June of 2010 he was hired on to the Harris County Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign as the Operations and Logistics Director and is now a campaign manager in the 2011 City elections. Steven has been married to his awesomely epic wife Jenni for 3 years this month, and he hopes to help continue and improve on the actions of the board members before him and looks forward to encouraging youth involvement in politics.

Matt Zeis – Development Director
Matt Zeis is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX with degrees in Political Science and History. Matt worked for the Harris County Democratic Party in 2004 as a field organizer and as a volunteer coordinator. Since then, Matt has worked at Lone Star Strategies, a fundraising and compliance consulting firm, and has assisted many Democrats in fundraising and compliance issues. Matt has been a member of the Harris County Young Democrats since 2004.

Tanya Makany-Rivera – Communications Director
Tanya Makany-Rivera is a graduate of the University of Houston with a major in Sociology and minor in Political Science. Tanya began her career at the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office where she was a Program Manger for a youth leadership program. The focus of the program was to recruit 15 youth from the Gulfton, 77081 zip code of Houston. This area is made up mostly of apartment complexes, immigrant population, high crime level and gang involvement. This program would provide a leadership program for at-risk youth, provide mentors, fieldtrips and prevention techniques. As the Program Manager, Tanya would assist them with resume and college applications. In 2005, Tanya participated in the Texas Legislative Internship Program through Senator Rodney Ellis where she interned in Council Member Adrian Garcia’s office. She worked her way up as Constituent Services Director, Policy Director and finally Deputy Chief of Staff. During the 80th legislative session, Tanya was a legislative aide to Senator Mario Gallegos. In 2009 when Garcia was elected Sheriff of Harris County, Tanya became Chief of Staff for Council Member and Vice Mayor Pro-Tem, Ed Gonzalez. Tanya hopes to obtain her Masters in Business Administration.

David Anderson, III – Events Director
David Anderson, III is a founding partner of 20.10 Media, LLC (http://2010media.net). The firm is a full service marketing and design company that specializes in, and is committed to, creating and implementing unique and innovative full integration strategies that speak directly to trend setting consumers. As we embark on 2011 Anderson’s latest venture is as a managing partner in The Gaia Group, Inc (http://thegaiagroupinc.com). The Gaia Group offers optimal energy solutions, services, and products across the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. David received his BA from the University of Virginia in 2002. He also serves on the board of several political, community, and faith based organizations.