Photo Credit: Rod PradoPeople
Interfaith of The Woodlands announces 2026 Hometown Heroes to be honored at Celebration of Excellence Gala
Interfaith of The Woodlands is excited to announce the 2026 Hometown Heroes, a group of remarkable individuals and organizations whose dedication and service have made a lasting impact on our community. Established in 1999 to honor The Woodlands’ 25th Anniversary, this beloved tradition continues to celebrate those who exemplify leadership, compassion, and a commitment to making The Woodlands a better place. The 2026 Hometown Heroes include four outstanding individuals, one philanthropic couple, a nonprofit, and one corporation, each recognized for their meaningful contributions to the community.
The 2026 Hometown Heroes are:
- Jim Carman
- Laran Cone
- Elvira Graham and Lonny Soza
- Michelle Little
- John Powers
- In the Pink of Health
- Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital
View photos and video from the Hometown Heroes Reveal held on November 12, 2025 on the Hello Woodlands Instagram and Facebook pages:
These honorees will join a distinguished group of individuals, businesses, and organizations that make up this prestigious legacy. They will be celebrated at the 2026 Celebration of Excellence Gala, presented by Woodforest National Bank and Huntsman, on Friday, February 13, 2026, with Linsey Bibler serving as event chair.
Over the coming months, Interfaith will highlight each Hero’s remarkable contributions and unwavering commitment to serving others, showcasing how they continue to uphold Mr. George P. Mitchell’s vision for The Woodlands community.
“Our community continues to shine because of the extraordinary individuals whose selfless service strengthens The Woodlands as a place to live, work, play, and pray. This year’s Heroes, nominated by their neighbors, embody exceptional leadership, compassion and commitment to others. We are truly honored to celebrate their impact at the Gala this February,” shared Missy Herndon, President and CEO of Interfaith of The Woodlands.
The honorees were revealed at the Hometown Hero VIP Reception on November 12th at The Woodlands Towers, surrounded by family, friends, and Hometown Heroes alumni. The event was graciously hosted by Howard Hughes and underwritten by Truluck’s The Woodlands. The Woodlands Towers was transformed by Premiere Events and Piney Rose, who generously donated all of the florals and décor.
The criteria for selecting Hometown Heroes include demonstrating exceptional leadership, serving as a positive role model, and dedicating time and energy to volunteerism. These individuals and organizations have also shown a willingness to sacrifice personal gain in pursuit of noble goals. They exhibit courage, and embody the core values of The Woodlands community. Nominations were accepted from the public this summer and reviewed by a selection committee made up of past Hometown Heroes.
The Woodlands Celebration of Excellence Gala is one of Interfaith of The Woodlands’ largest annual fundraisers. Generously supported by local businesses, individuals and community partners, proceeds from the event directly fund Interfaith’s vital Programs and Services, which provide basic needs assistance to families and Seniors in South Montgomery County.
For more information about the event, to purchase tickets, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, visit hometownheroesgala.org or contact Development at development@woodlandsinterfaith.org or 832-615-8225.
2026 HOMETOWN HEROES
Jim Carman
Jim Carman is President of the Texas Region at Howard Hughes, where he leads the real estate strategy and execution for three award-winning master planned communities: The Woodlands, Bridgeland, and The Woodlands Hills.
Since joining Howard Hughes in 2012, Carman has overseen more than $3 billion in development across the region, including the 79-acre Hughes Landing, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, The Woodlands, and the $565 million acquisition of The Woodlands Towers at The Waterway. In 2025, he received the Houston Business Journal Landmark Award for his contributions to shaping the region’s real estate landscape.
With more than 25 years of construction and development experience, Carman’s work spans all real estate asset types, including mixed-use and commercial projects such as The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, The Hughes Center in Las Vegas, and Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
Carman earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. He is actively engaged in his community, serving as Chairman of the Board for Montgomery County Food Bank. He previously served as Chairman of the Board for The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce and has held Board of Directors positions with Interfaith of The Woodlands, Leadership Montgomery County, Light the Night, and The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership. Mr. Carman lives in The Woodlands with his wife Leigh Ann and daughter Grace.
Laran Cone
Born in El Paso, Texas, Laran spent her early years in Houston until the age of 12. In 1971, her family packed up and moved to “The Country,” long before The Woodlands became what it is today.
Laran graduated from Conroe High School in 1977 and married her high school sweetheart, Brian Fordinal. Together, they were blessed with two beautiful children, Amie Fordinal Oelze and Justin Fordinal. Sadly, their story was cut short when Brian passed away from leukemia at the age of 26, leaving Laran to begin the journey of starting over with two small children.
In 1985, Laran returned to The Woodlands determined to rebuild her life. A few years later, she met and married Jim Cone, and together they made The Woodlands their home for 32 years. Through Jim, Laran gained two wonderful stepsons, Jerome and Justin Cone, and over time, their family grew to include daughters-in-law Blythe, Lu, and Barachel, and son-in-law Jarrod, each bringing love and joy into their lives. Today, their family has grown to include 11 beautiful grandchildren who light up their world.
In 2002, Laran followed her creative passion and launched a design and remodel business, serving both commercial and residential clients in The Woodlands area for 20 years. Alongside her business, she volunteered weekly for 10 years at Kids’ Meals, Inc. in Houston, helping children living in food insecurity—an experience that became one of her greatest passions.
Eventually, Laran approached the Board of Directors with a dream to start a Kids’ Meals program in Montgomery County. That dream became a reality on April 1, 2019, when the first meals were delivered to children in need. Since then, the program has expanded to four routes, and this year alone has delivered over 209,000 meals. Helping families nourish their children has filled Laran’s heart, and she considers it one of her greatest joys to see how a simple act of kindness can change a life.
Elvira Graham and Lonny Soza
Born into a proud military family, Elvira Graham grew up moving frequently as the daughter of a Marine Corps pilot, including the memorable years her family spent stationed in Okinawa, Japan. From a young age, she found purpose in helping others – volunteering throughout high school and college, as well as at the UNC Jaycee Burn Center’s Camp Celebrate, a children’s summer camp for burn survivors. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Elvira’s early experiences helped shape her lifelong dedication in giving back.
After becoming a mother, Elvira sought a community rooted in faith, connection, and service. She and her children moved to The Woodlands in 2009, where she soon became active in causes that reflected those values.
Her philanthropic journey began with Interfaith of The Woodlands, serving on the Celebration of Excellence Gala Committee in 2010. That first volunteer experience sparked a deep love for the organization and its mission. Since then, Elvira has chaired three Celebration of Excellence Galas and served on numerous Celebration of Excellence and Giving Goes Glam committees (later co-chairing the latter), as well as contributing as Fashion Editor for The Book The Woodlands.
Her dedication extends beyond Interfaith. Elvira has chaired two Go Red Luncheons benefitting the American Heart Association, volunteered at her children’s schools, New Danville’s Chapeaux for Charity, HOPE: The Will Herndon Fund, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, as well as Angel Reach.
Elvira considers it a blessing to have been approached to serve as Media Campaign Chair for the Montgomery County Women’s Center in 2018, an opportunity that ignited her passion for raising awareness about domestic violence. Since then, she has co-chaired six “Open Your Purse for Change” events benefiting MCWC and also has proudly served on its board for the past six years.
A 2019 Woman of Distinction honoree, Elvira has also been recognized as a Community Model for New Danville’s Chapeaux for Charity, Art N Fashion, and Giving Goes Glam. Most recently, inspired by her mother’s diagnosis with dementia in 2024, Elvira will share their story at the upcoming Alzheimer’s Association Memory Ball.
Looking ahead, Elvira is dedicated to advocating for reform within Texas’ child support system, working to address its challenges and bring meaningful change for the many single parents who depend on it.
Above all, Elvira’s heart is fullest in her role as mom to Dylan and Isabella, her greatest blessing and proudest accomplishment.
Lonny Soza is the Vice President of Fertitta Automotive, a Houston-based dealer group specializing in ultra-luxury brands. With 30 years of executive leadership in the automotive industry, Lonny has built his career on excellence, integrity, and a deep commitment to community.
Born in Richmond, Texas, and now a proud resident of The Woodlands, Lonny’s philanthropic journey began in 2003 with a simple dare to ride the MS 150 from Houston to Austin. At the finish line, he saw a woman holding a sign that read, “Thank you for saving my life, one pedal at a time.” That moment changed everything—and inspired a lifelong mission to give back.
Lonny went on to complete the MS 150 ten times and became a founding member and co-chair of the Houston Tour de Cure, supporting the American Diabetes Association from 2009 to 2013. He later served on the ADA Board of Directors for several years. He is currently an active supporter and board member of the American Heart Association’s Gulf Coast/Houston Metro area. He was also instrumental in the early days of Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center, helping create meaningful social experiences for patients and their loved ones.
Lonny’s impact extends across organizations including Angel Reach, Montgomery County Women’s Shelter, Breakthrough T1D, YES to YOUTH, Interfaith of The Woodlands, HOPE: The Will Herndon Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, The Faris Foundation, John Lucas Fund, Brothers in Arms, Kym Coleman Education Foundation, New Danville, The Pangea Network, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Lonny’s ongoing commitment to service reflects his belief that lasting success is built through shared effort and that strong communities grow when people invest their time, resources, and compassion in others. He is also the proud father of two daughters.
Michelle Little
Michelle Little is the Vice President of Community Affairs and Corporate Giving at Waste Connections, where she has built an impressive career spanning nearly eighteen years. In her leadership role, Michelle oversees the company’s nonprofit foundation, WCN Cares, which drives a variety of fundraising initiatives and charitable partnerships throughout Montgomery County and across the communities Waste Connections serves. Her vision and commitment have helped grow WCN Cares into a cornerstone of the company’s culture of giving, fostering meaningful impact for local nonprofits and the individuals they support.
Deeply rooted in community involvement, Michelle recently completed her term as Chairman of the Board for Inspiration Ranch, an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with special needs through equine-assisted therapy. She will now step into a new leadership role as Chairman of the Board for Angel Reach, continuing her mission of supporting and empowering others through compassionate service. Michelle also contributes her time and expertise as a board member of New Danville and The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, where she actively champions collaboration between the business community and local nonprofits.
Beyond her professional and civic roles, Michelle has devoted the past seven years to mentoring and inspiring young girls as a Girl Scout troop leader, shaping the next generation of confident, compassionate leaders.
Originally from California, Michelle and her husband, Jim, moved to The Woodlands in 2011 when Waste Connections relocated its corporate headquarters to Texas. Together, they are proud parents of their daughter, Melba Rose, who brings great joy and energy to their lives.
Michelle is a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. Her blend of professional expertise, philanthropic leadership, and personal dedication to service continues to make her a respected and influential presence within both the Waste Connections family and the broader Montgomery County community.
John Powers
John Powers is a distinguished retired public servant whose nearly fifty-year career is defined by visionary leadership and a deep commitment to community service. Throughout his tenure, John held pivotal roles in local government and non-profit organizations, consistently driving positive change and fostering collaboration across the community and beyond.
As Assistant General Manager of Community Services for The Woodlands Township, John led award-winning departments in parks and recreation, environmental services, transportation, law enforcement, covenant administration and neighborhood services. John oversaw the development of over 100 parks and helped manage the transition of services of TCID and the Community Associations into the Township.
John’s dedication to service has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Dan Whitworth Fellow Award from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society, the Paul Harris Fellow and Service Above Self Awards from The Woodlands Rotary Club, and the Five Who Share Award from Interfaith of The Woodlands.
Beyond his professional achievements, John has held influential leadership positions such as State President of the Texas Recreation and Parks Society, past president of the Gulf Coast Parks and Recreation Directors’ Association, curriculum chair for the National Recreation and Park Association’s Park Maintenance and Natural Resource School and Treasurer of The Friendship Center. He is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery County and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy. His commitment to youth and civic engagement includes serving as a Rotary Sponsor of The Woodlands High School Interact Club, and leadership roles with The Woodlands Rotary Club and Rotary District 5910.
A seventh-generation Texan and descendant of a Stephen F. Austin Old 300 colonist, John is a proud member of the Sons of The Republic of Texas. He currently serves as President of the South County 4th of July Committee, proudly producing the beloved annual parade. John and his wife, Debbie, have two amazing children, a wonderful daughter-in-law and two very special grandsons and have called The Woodlands home for 27 years.
In the Pink of Health
Celebrating its remarkable 25th Anniversary, In the Pink of Health has invested more than $9.1 million dollars into its mission to reduce the incidence of breast and ovarian cancer while supporting survivors on every step of their journey.
The story of In the Pink of Health began with a small circle of passionate women who gathered around a table with a simple yet powerful idea—to inspire women to prioritize their health. They envisioned an event that would educate, empower, and connect women in a fun and social atmosphere. What started as an awareness luncheon quickly grew into a beloved community movement.
Just a few years later, as breast cancer personally touched members of the committee, the mission took on deeper meaning and the name “In the Pink of Health” was born—a celebration of life, strength, and resilience. Eight years ago, the group expanded its focus to include ovarian cancer, a disease known for its silent symptoms and late-stage detection, amplifying the need for awareness and early diagnosis.
Today, funds raised by In the Pink of Health directly impact lives across Montgomery County, Texas. They provide free mammograms for women in need, support cutting-edge technology at the Melissa Preston Breast Care Center, fund educational resources for patients, and sustain vital ovarian cancer awareness initiatives. Most notably, proceeds support Canopy, established in 2016—a warm, welcoming haven that provides over 80 monthly offerings where cancer patients and their families can receive free services ranging from counseling to yoga classes, to shavings with wig fittings, prosthetic fittings, cooking classes, and support groups. Services are offered to all free of charge, regardless of where they receive treatment, in an effort to elevate life above cancer.
This is all possible thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers whose compassion, creativity, and commitment have made Memorial Hermann’s In the Pink of Health a beacon of hope for a quarter century. Their tireless work continues to transform awareness into action and compassion into care—ensuring that every dollar raised stays right here at home, helping neighbors and families thrive.
Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital
Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital opened in 2017 as a part of the Houston Methodist system, continuing a legacy of medical excellence established by its flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Located on the southeast corner of I-45 and Highway 242, this 725,000-square-foot facility features 293 inpatient beds, 25 ICU beds, 58 birthing center beds, and 24 operating rooms—offering a full spectrum of care within a modern, state-of-the-art environment. Patients benefit from the same high standards of quality, safety, and compassion that define Houston Methodist, supported by advanced medical technology and a highly skilled team of physicians, nurses, and specialists. The hospital combines innovation with personalized, patient-centered service, creating a welcoming environment that prioritizes both healing and comfort.
What truly distinguishes Houston Methodist The Woodlands is “The Houston Methodist Difference”—a commitment to experience, innovation, compassion, and excellence. As a nationally recognized leader in specialties such as heart and vascular care, cancer treatment, neurosciences, orthopedics, and women’s health, the hospital continually sets new standards in patient outcomes and medical innovation. Its numerous honors include Magnet® recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Straight A’s from the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Guide, and multiple Centers of Excellence designations. These accolades reflect the hospital’s dedication to quality care, integrity, and community service. Whether offering complex procedures, advanced imaging, or compassionate bedside care, Houston Methodist The Woodlands stands as a beacon of medical excellence and innovation in North Houston.
The Houston Methodist difference extends beyond patients within the hospital walls. The team is passionate about supporting nonprofits and serving the community through leadership and service. Houston Methodist The Woodlands has teams supporting Light The Night, March of Dimes’ March for Babies, YMCA’s Run Through the Woods, and the Montgomery County American Heart Association Heart Walk. Their nurses volunteer at Interfaith Community Clinic’s Healthy Kids Festivals, and they serve as the official medical provider for The Woodlands Marathon. The team also volunteers at The Hand Me Up Shop and hosts numerous collections of food, toys, and school supplies to support local families.
About Interfaith of The Woodlands
Interfaith of The Woodlands is a non-profit social service agency providing numerous Programs and Services to meet the needs of The Woodlands and South Montgomery County. For more information on Interfaith’s Programs and Services, or to become a volunteer, please visit: woodlandsinterfaith.org or call 281-367-1230.
