District 16 Officers

President

Jack LaVigne

Jack LaVigne

I was introduced to bridge four months after college (1971) while waiting to join the service and have been fascinated with the game ever since. In the Army, I served as a lieutenant in air defense artillery in El Paso, Germany, and Korea from 1971-75. After the service, I worked for Schlumberger from 1976 to 2015. As a member of Unit 174, I was on the Board in Houston, holding various offices, including president, during my term. I have also served as the District 16 Recorder and currently volunteer at a local club. It has also been a great honor to be a D16 Star Award recipient. I have had two strong role models I strive to emulate, Jim Brister and Ed Groner. They always made opponents feel comfortable with warm greetings and were able to get the best from their partners. I deeply miss them both and hope to continue their tradition.


First Vice-President

Jerry Harrington

>Jerry Harrington

Born/raised in Syracuse, NY; went to college at Kansas State (BSEE) where I was introduced to bridge between/instead of going to classes. After college, it was the USAF for almost 30 years, retiring as a colonel in 1999. Some highlights: 184 combat missions in Vietnam; Distinguished Graduate with MS in Facilities Management, AF Institute of Technology; Commander, 554 Red Horse Sq (400-man heavy construction unit) in Korea; Executive Director/Commander, AF Center for Environmental Excellence, Brooks AFB, TX. A diamond life master, certified ACBL teacher, and club director since 1982, I just completed 5 years as Unit 172 President, having Chaired the 2018 San Antonio regional and Co-chaired the 2023 effort. Look forward to continuing my support of our game on the District 16 board.


Second Vice-President

Kristen Onsgarrd

Kristen Onsgard

Kristen is a native Dallasite. She earned her M.S. in Marine Biology from TX A&M. Her primary employment is as a statistician for SCA, the promotions firm owned by Bob Hamman, who also is Kristen’s bridge mentor. Kristen’s love of cards comes from time spent with her father’s family playing bridge, and her mother’s family playing pinochle. She learned bridge while sitting on her father Henry’s lap (her father) while he played kitchen table bridge. Kristen is a Silver Life Master with multiple top-5 finishes in national tournaments. Her highest finish was runner-up in the ACBL 2021 Fall Women’s Pairs. Kristen is the executive secretary of the District 16 ACBL board and also is on the board of the ABTA (American Bridge Teachers’ Association). Kristen is an ABTA Master Teacher, ACBL accredited instructor, a certified ACBL on-line instructor and club director.


Secretary

BJ Sanders

BJ Sanders
  • 2402 Toro Canyon Road, Austin, TX 78746
  • (512) 327-6078 (preferred)
  • (512) 773-6495 (mobile)
  • bjinaustin@gmail.com

Executive Treasurer

James Southerland

James Southerland

Jamie Southerland, currently District 16 Executive Treasurer since October 2023. I am a relative newcomer to the game of bridge. A couple of friends introduced me to rubber bridge on a cruise in 2019. I have been hooked ever since. I retired from UT Austin in 2020, and I now play regularly at the Bridge Center and on BBO. I have served on several non-profit boards in various capacities, including serving as treasurer of Unit 207.


Immediate Past President

Betty Starzec

Betty Starzec
  • 1414 Forest Bnd, Sugar Land, TX 77479-6282
  • (281) 343-8687 (home)
  • (713) 562-2568 (cell)
  • Lstarzec@comcast.net

Betty Starzec, District 16 Jacoby Award recipient, District 16 Star recipient, member ACBL National Goodwill and Charity Committees, trustee ACBL Educational Foundation, member ACBL Advisory Committee, past President American Bridge Teachers Association. ABTA Master Teacher with 35 years teaching experience including ACBL Senior TAP instructor for 15 years. Consultant in creation of ACBL Best Practices Program. CoChair of Houston 2002 and 2009 Houston NABCs.