MEET OUR TEAM
Get To Know The Hughes & Cozad Orthodontic Team
Our team is made up of the highest-quality people working in the orthodontic profession. Scroll down to meet us and tap or click to learn a little more about what makes us so unique.







Dr. Todd Hughes
DDS, MSD
Dr. Hughes has deep roots here in The Woodlands. He and his wife, Jennie, grew up in The Woodlands and both are graduates of McCullough High School!

Dr. Ben Cozad
DDS, MSD
Dr. Cozad has deep roots throughout Spring, The Woodlands, and the Greater Houston area and feels blessed to practice so close to where he grew up.

Dr. Jackson Valencia
DDS, MSD
Dr. Valencia has deep roots here in The Woodlands, literally living his dream of becoming an orthodontist while attending College Park High School!

Alvaro
Lab Technician
I’m from Brownsville, Tx and have been in the dental field for over 25 years. I enjoy working behind the scenes to help create dental appliances that transform a patient’s smile. I enjoy drawing, sculpting and painting during my free time.

Amy
Records Technician
From the sun-drenched beaches of Southern California to the vibrant heart of Texas, my life journey has been intricately woven into the dental industry. I've discovered true fulfillment in the art of creating radiant smiles, and I've come full circle, finding a home in orthodontics.

April
Orthodontic Assistant
I have been in Orthodontics since 2005 and have been with Hughes and Cozad Orthodontics since 2022. I have been married to my husband, Toby, since April 2024. I'm a cat mom to Zoe, Zara, and Zeus. In my spare time I enjoy music, movies, cruises, chilling by the pool, and rooting for my Houston sports teams. Personally, I think everyone looks better with braces! Yay Braces!

Ashlee
Treatment Coordinator
Although I was born in Oklahoma, I was raised right here in Texas, growing up in the Tomball and Magnolia areas. I’ve been working in the orthodontic field since 2016 and joined the Hughes & Cozad Orthodontic family in February 2024. As a Treatment Coordinator, I truly enjoy connecting with new patients and being a part of their smile transformations from start to finish. Outside the office, I love spending time with my husband, our two beautiful daughters—Delilah and Isabelle—and our two silly dogs, Bonnie and Beaux.

Ashley
Orthodontic Assistant
Hi, I'm Ashley! I've been a dental assistant since 2019 and love getting to connect with patients every day. I live in the Conroe area close to the water, so when I'm not at work, you can usually find me outside enjoying nature. My biggest bucket list goal is to visit all the national parks. I grew up playing sports, so I'm naturally competitive in just about everything I do. Spending time with friends and family on game days is one of my favorite things - the rivalry makes it even better, and yes... Hook 'em!

Becca
Orthodontic Assistant
I recently moved to Texas and joined Hughes and Cozad Orthodontics in 2025 but have been in the dental field since 2017. When I am not working I enjoy spending time at home with my two cats or reading a good book with some coffee.

Brianna
Orthodontic Assistant
Hey I’m Brianna. I was born and raised in Houston, TX. My first passion is softball. I dedicated 16 years to the game and continue to share my love through coaching. On the weekends, you can find me playing with my dog, Nugget, hanging out with my friends, and spending time with my family.

Cassidy
Lead Scheduling Coordinator
Hi, I'm Cassidy! I was born and raised right here in The Woodlands. I have been a registered dental assistant since 2017 and been part of the Hughes & Cozad team since 2018. I love getting to know our patients and watching their smiles light up as their confidence grows. When I'm not at the office, I help my in-laws run their BBQ restaurant. Otherwise, you can find me hanging out with my husband and our son, Hank. We're always up for cheering on the Astros and discovering fun new restaurants to try.

Elena
Orthodontic Assistant
I was born in Mexico and move to Houston in 1995. I am married and blessed with two kids, one boy and one girl. We love to spend time together. We also have 3 crazy pit bulls.

Elizabeth
Orthodontic Assistant
I have been a part of the orthodontic field since 2018 and have a passion for helping patients achieve their best smiles. I love being part of each patient’s journey and seeing the transformation from start to finish. Outside of the office, I enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends. My husband and I love spending days at the lake, shooting sporting clays, and enjoying the outdoors whenever we can.

Evelyn
Records Technician
Hello there! I've been in the dental field since 2024 and been with Hughes and Cozad Orthodontics since 2025. I was Born and raised in Corpus Christi, TX. In my free time I love to play golf, go to the beach, or do puzzles!

Geneva
Orthodontic Assistant
I’ve been working in orthodontics since 1987. I’ve enjoyed orthodontics and seeing the result of so many beautiful smiles. I worked for Dr. Hughes in his earlier years and am grateful and excited to be back. My husband, Darvin and I have one son and a beautiful granddaughter. In my free time, I enjoy going to the beach with family and just enjoying the outdoors. The other parts of our family are a black lab, a rescued pit bull, an adopted Boston terrier, and three cats.

Hannah
Clinical Lead
I’ve been working in orthodontics since 2010 and truly love what I do. In 2019, I made the move from Beaumont to The Woodlands to be closer to my family, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. As Clinical Lead, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is watching our patients' smiles—and confidence—transform throughout their orthodontic journey. It's an incredible feeling to know I play a part in helping people feel great about themselves. When I’m not in the office, you can usually find me spending time with family, planning my next vacation, or hanging out with my Mini Aussie—she keeps me on my toes!

Holly
Financial Coordinator
Holly is a Financial Coordinator with over 25 years of experience in the dental field. She brings a strong understanding of patient care and practice operations. Holly is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable and informed when discussing treatment costs and financial options. Her friendly approach, combined with her deep industry knowledge, makes her a trusted resource for both patients and team members. Known for her bright and bubbly personality, Holly creates a welcoming and positive experience for everyone she works with. Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places.

Jasmine
Orthodontic Assistant
I was born and raised in North Dakota and moved to Houston in 2015! I found my passion for dentistry in 2021 and started in orthodontics in 2022. I love what I do and seeing the impact it has on patients when they see how transforming their smiles can bring them so much happiness! Outside of being dental assistant I like to paint and hang out with my chocolate lab Otto and my 2 younger brother

Jennifer
Treatment Coordinator
Born and raised in the Midwest, but a Texan since 2010, I started working in orthodontics in 1994. I took a long hiatus to stay home and raise a family. Since my youngest recently graduated from The Woodlands High School, I have found my way back! I love our staff and patients! When I'm not working, you'll find me by the pool, hiking in Sedona or walking our Vizsla, Tucker.

Kaitlin
Clinical Lead
I was born and raised here in Houston and now live in Magnolia with my husband, Mason. I’ve been fortunate to work in the dental field since I was 16, and I love orthodontics because it allows me to connect with patients and watch their smiles transform. I have been with Hughes and Cozad since 2021! Outside the office I enjoy watching football, spending time outdoors, and taking our two German Shepherds, Xena and Khaleesi, out for Jeep rides.

Karen
Scheduling Coordinator
I’ve had the pleasure of working at Hughes & Cozad Orthodontics since 2006, and I truly feel lucky to be part of such an incredible team. Originally from Houston, my husband and I moved to The Woodlands in 1993 and have loved being part of this wonderful community. Outside of the office, I enjoy staying active through running and triathlons, and I also love to bake, play golf, and spend quality time with my family, especially my two beautiful grandchildren!

Kim
Scheduling Coordinator
I was born and raised in the Houston area and now reside in Montgomery. I have always enjoyed working in the dental field, particularly orthodontics. In my spare time I enjoy watching the Astros, going to the beach, and spending time with my grandkids!

Leisha
Training Lead
I’m a proud Fort Worth native and have been in the dental field since 1997. Orthodontics is my true passion, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a team that shares the same dedication to patient care. Being here feels like home—thanks to both our amazing team and the wonderful patients we serve.

Lexi
Records Technician
I was born and raised in Texas and now a proud member of the Hughes & Cozad Orthodontics team. I couldn't be happier to be part of such a supportive environment. As a Records Technician, I enjoy connecting with patients and find it especially rewarding to see smiles grow in confidence.

Lisa
Scheduling Coordinator
I moved to Texas in 2026 to be closer to family and shortly afterward joined Hughes and Cozad Orthodontics, where I have truly enjoyed working. Prior to this, I worked for 16 years at a physician’s clinic in Louisiana. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters.

Liz
Scheduling Coordinator
Though I am new to working in orthodontics, I have many years of working in customer service. This has greatly aided me in helping patients with not only their appointments but answering any questions they may have. When I am not working, I enjoy watching football and scrapbooking, but most of all I enjoy spending time with my grandson.

Mario
Orthodontic Assistant
I've been a dental assistant since 2012. It's an honor to say I get to make people smile for a living. I have an awesome team at Hughes and Cozad that is always fun and a joy to be around. I love interacting with patients and sharing their journey with braces and life. I was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. My family is everything to me, and I love them so much. My passion is spending time with my amazing girlfriend Jil, watching football and other sports, and playing or listening to music.

Mary
Orthodontic Assistant
Since starting my career in orthodontics in 2019, I've been dedicated to creating beautiful, healthy smiles. Originally from Needville, I moved to The Woodlands in 2022 and enjoy a life of baking, playing guitar, and spending time with my husband and pets

Morgan
Marketing Coordinator
After diving headfirst into the dental field back in 2017, it was early 2019 when I found my home with Hughes & Cozad Orthodontics. Having worked on patients and with patients, I'm really enjoying being more behind the scenes seeing the magic happen from a different view. All while raising my sweet little boys. I love being a hands on mom and children's book author in my spare time.

Myra
Scheduling Coordinator
Hey there! I have been in the dental field for about 7 years, worked with H & C team since 2023. I was born and raised in Houston all my life. My husband and I have 2 wonderful fur babies – our cats Hashbrown and Arya. You can catch us at shows with our rave fam, EDM! On my spare time I like to do yoga and video game on Fortnite and Mario Kart

Nicole
Treatment Coordinator
Originally from California, I moved to Texas in 2002 and have been dedicated to the dental field since 1997. I joined Hughes & Cozad orthodontics in 2024 and bring decades of experience and passion for helping patients feel confident in their smiles. Outside the office, I enjoy spending time with my husband Zac, our daughter Kira, and our four cats.

Noemi
Scheduling Coordinator
I’m a Houston native with a background in the dental field and a passion for helping others. I’m friendly, outgoing, and enjoy cooking, relaxing at home, and spending time with the people closest to me.

Pam
Clinical Director
I have worked as an orthodontic assistant since 1998 and have been a proud member of the Hughes & Cozad Orthodontics team since 2006. I love creating a fun, welcoming environment for our patients and truly enjoy seeing their confidence grow as their smile transforms throughout treatment. Outside of the office, I enjoy cruising or taking road trips with my husband. We’re big fans of Mexican food and love spending time with our two dogs, Whiskey and Waylan. I also have a love for all things paranormal—ghost stories, haunted places, and the unexplained always pique my interest!

Quency
Scheduling Coordinator
I was born and raised in Honduras and made the move to Houstin in 2021. I have three handsome boys. Miguel, Hansel and Brayden. They are the sunshine of my life. In my free time, I enjoy going to the beach and just being outdoors. I joined the Hughes & Cozad family in February 2025 and feel grateful to be a part of the amazing team

Sarah
Scheduling Coordinator
I’ve been in customer service since 2013 and have been here since 2022 working at the front desk. When I'm not working, I'm kept busy by my two kids and two cats, who have all taught me a lot about patience and effective listening. I love to read books and binge watch shows on Netflix.

Shalece
Lead Treatment Coordinator
Born and raised in Southern California, I made the move to Houston, TX in 2024 when I joined Hughes & Cozad. I’ve been in the dental field since 2014 and truly enjoy being part of the journey that brings confidence and smiles to our patients. Outside of the office, you’ll often find me exploring local art museums or spending quality time with family.

Shawna
Financial Coordinator
I’ve been part of the Hughes & Cozad team since 2022. I began at the front desk and worked my way up to Financial and Insurance Coordinator, where I enjoy helping patients navigate their coverage and care. I was born and raised in Texas and have been married since 2012. My husband and I have three wonderful kids—two boys and one girl, along with a lively household that includes four dogs and a cat. When I’m not at work, I love spending time outdoors with my family, whether that’s riding motorcycles or just enjoying the simple moments together.

Shayna
Orthodontic Assistant
I have worked in the orthodontic field since 2014 and joined Hughes & Cozad Orthodontics in 2019. I love getting to know our patients and their families and watching their smiles transform throughout treatment. Outside the office, I enjoy watching sports and spending time with my husband, Bryan, our two children, Sadie and Bennett, and our dogs, Jackson and Watson. A fun fact about me is that I’m a big Star Wars fan!

Tyra
Treatment Coordinator
I’m Tyra! I moved to Houston from Minnesota. I have been in the dental field since 2019, and I love getting to know all my patients. My passion is people and service to others. When I am not at work, you can catch me by the pool reading the newest thriller books or hanging out with my daughter.

Yessica
Orthodontic Assistant
I’ve been working as an orthodontic assistant since 1996, and I’ve had the pleasure of being part of the Hughes & Cozad Orthodontics team since 2009. Over the years, I’ve truly enjoyed getting to know our patients and helping them feel comfortable and confident during their orthodontic journey. Outside of work I love spending time with my family and friends. I’m always dreaming up my next travel adventure whether I’m on the go or just making plans! I also enjoy digital scrapbooking, which lets me hang onto all those special memories in a creative way.