Board of Directors

Senior Pastor
First United Methodist Church, AR

Jaimie is a graduate of Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas and Chandler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. He has been Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church of Texarkana Arkansas for six years and has been an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church under appointment of the Bishop of the Arkansas Conference of the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church for 32 years. He relocated to Texarkana in 2017 from Rogers, Arkansas and has fallen in love with the community. He also serves locally on several non-profit boards and is an active volunteer in many more. Jaimie is past president of each Ministerial Alliance where he has lived, he formally served on the Arkansas Conference Council of Ministries, Advisory Board of Aldersgate Ministries, C.I. Solutions Board, as a docent for the Texarkana Museum System, and former columnist of White River Journal for 21 years. 

Keith Beason (LT Class of 2014)
goTXK Team
Community Engagement/ Parks
City of Texarkana, TX

Keith is married to his wonderful wife, Melissa, and they have three kids, Micah, Mila, and Matilda along with some pretty cool pups, Von and Jagger. Keith was raised in Texarkana and attended K-12 at Redwater ISD. Keith received his bachelor's degree from Southern Arkansas University and Master of Adult and Higher Education degree from Texas A&M University-Texarkana. In 2024, Keith completed the Certified Parks and Recreation Professional program with the National Recreation and Parks Association. Additionally, Keith served as a board member for To Reach Every Youth and serves as the Community Engagement/Parks Project Manager for the City of Texarkana, Texas Parks and Recreation Department. 

TYTL/TedX
Dean
UAHT-Texarkana

Jennifer has over a decade of experience in college admissions and enrollment. As UAHT-Texarkana Dean, she oversees day-to-day operations on campus. Prior to her role as Dean, Jennifer served as the Director of Student Relations in the Enrollment Management Office at UAHT; before UAHT Jennifer held multiple roles at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR, as the Associate Director of Admissions and Recruitment, Transfer Counselor, and Social Media Specialist. She earned her Master's in Sports Administration and Bachelor's in Mass Media from Henderson State University and is a current doctoral student pursing Education Leadership at TAMU-T. Jennifer is a member of AR Association of College Registrars and Admissions Offices and the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership-Arkansas Planning Team. In 2022, she was awarded the Southern Association of College Registrars & Admissions Offices President's Award for 'Outstanding Professional Presentation' and invited to present at the national ACRAO conference in 2023. In 2021, Jennifer received the International Communicator Award of Excellence for 'Best Host' in a virtual/online event for her work on UAHT's "Registration Night Live!" event. 

Controller 
Goins Plastic Source, Inc. 

John David Goins, a native of Texarkana, attended college at the University of Mississippi and attained his Bachelor of Accountancy in 2017. Following his heart for missions, he left for two years, traveling the world twice over, living in 23 countries along the way. Upon returning he decided to forgo a job with a public accounting firm and return to take over as Financial Controller for Goins Plastic Source in 2019. Since then, he earned his CPA license, graduated from Leadership Texarkana Class of 2020-2021, completed his MBA at the University of Arkansas in 2023, and today sits on the Leadership Texarkana board and Boy Scouts of America--Caddo Area Council Board. Now, as part owner of Goins Plastic Source, a manufacturer of food grade plastic packaging that has been in Texarkana, AR, since 1999, he is the Chief Accounting Officer. As A CPA, one of his greatest passions is connecting financial statements to a mission. 

TyRhonda Henderson (LT Class of 2023)

Finance Director

Texarkana, AR Schools

TyRhonda has been married to her husband, Jeffrey, for 11 years and they have 3 boys Micah, Myles, and Carter. She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Webster University with a Master of Business Administration. She has worked for the City of Texarkana, AR for the past 12 years. She has filled various roles within the city including Staff Accountant, Grants Administrator, Purchasing Technician, Controller, and Finance Director. TyRhonda has been involved with various community organizations such as Worth and the Be Like CJ Foundation. She developed the team that organized the 1st Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Ashdown, AR. 

Christina Huntze (LT Class of 2023)

LT Curriculum Team/Grants 

Director of Human Resources
Encompass Health Rehab Hospital 

Christina settled in Texarkana with her 4 children in 2009 after spending most of her life moving from state to state with the military. She worked in Human Resources at NAF Red River Army Depot for many years and also taught Special Education and Math for New Boston ISD and Texarkana ISD. Christina holds a bachelor's degree from Western Kentucky University and a Master of Science degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Texas A&M-Texarkana. Much of her time in past years was spent working concessions stands and traveling with the Texas High School Marching Band, where she was Volunteer Coordinator and Vice President. She is a current board member for Partnership for the Pathways and has served in various community volunteer roles since moving to Texarkana. Christina and her husband, Rick, have eight children combined and four grandchildren. 

Lacy McMillen  (LT Class of 2001)

Trust Officer 
Farmers Bank & Trust 

Queenie Miller (LT Class of 2021) - Secretary/Membership

Development & Operations Engineer
Day and Zimmerman

Queenie Miller, a Mississippi native, moved to Texarkana in 2017. She currently works at Day and Zimmerman-Lonestar as a Development and Operations Engineer where she focuses on implementing process improvements to help increase efficiency in the manufacturing process. She also serves as a United Way committee member, Junior League member, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority member. Spending time volunteering in the community has made Queenie fall in love with this city. She is proud to now call Texarkana home. 

Caleb Mudford (2017)
goTXK Team
Project Manager
A.L. Franks Engineering

Caleb Mudford was born and raised in the Texarkana area and graduated high school from Genoa Central.  After high school he attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.  He worked as a transportation engineer in Tulsa for two years and Little Rock for one year before returning home to Texarkana.  After moving back home from college and work, Caleb decided that he wanted to become more involved in the community and was fortunate enough to be a part of Leadership Texarkana in 2017 where he made many new connections and learned a great deal about Texarkana.  After LT, Caleb served on the Economic Development Council and the Board of Directors for the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce. Currently, Caleb is a Project Manager for A.L. Franks Engineering downtown and is active in LNK TXK. Caleb believes you have to be the change you want to see. 

Fred R. Norton, Jr. (LT Class of 1985)

Past President
Partner
Norton and Wood, LLP

Fred is a member of the Texarkana law firm Norton & Wood where his practice is limited to matters of federal and state taxation, estate planning, probate and the administration of estates, and the formation and operation of business, professional, and nonprofit entities. He is Board Certified in Tax Law and in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been named a “Super Lawyer” in the field of tax law. He also serves as an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. A 1985 graduate of Leadership Texarkana, Fred currently chairs the Community Leadership Initiatives committee and bears primary responsibility for “LIfT”–the Leadership Initiative for Texarkana. He serves as a trustee of the Texarkana Independent School District and is a director of the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce. Beyond Texarkana, Fred is a trustee of the Baptist Foundation of Texas and Vice-Chair of the National Membership Committee of the Boy Scouts of America.

Patti O’Bannon (LT Class of 2013)

President
Principal, Texas High, TISD

Patti O’Bannon holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southern Arkansas University, a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and Principal Certification from Texas A&M University-Texarkana and a Superintendent Certification from the Bill Ratliff Executive Academy at Texas A&M University-Commerce. O’Bannon began her career in education 31 years ago and served as previous principal of Nash Elementary and Texas High School in TISD.  During her career, she led enrollment growth and district leadership within the Leader in Me program. In 2016, she helped lead Nash Elementary to their designation as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School by Franklin Covey Co. During that same year, the campus was also named a Texas Honor Roll School. 2018 brought more recognition to the Nash Elementary campus as it was recognized as a Lighthouse School of Academic Distinction.  In 2020, Mrs. O’Bannon was chosen as the Region 8 TEPSA Principal of the Year by the Texas Elementary Principals. O'Bannon has served on Sean Covey's International Advisory Board for the past two years. 

Jason Ross (LT Class of 2020)
President Elect
Texarkana Community President 
Simmons Bank

Jason B. Ross was a 2020 Graduate of Leadership Texarkana, and has served as a board member ever since. Mr. Ross was born and raised in Lewisville, AR. He graduated from Southern Arkansas University in 2005 with a degree in Business Administration. While in college Mr. Ross was a pitcher for the Mulerider baseball team. Mr. Ross absolutely loves being a banker.  Previously serving as Sr. Vice President for State Bank, Mr. Ross has over 15 years of banking and leadership experience. As the Texarkana Community President for Simmons Bank, Mr. Ross works daily within his network of local businesses and consumers to provide a diverse amount of financial solutions to meet their unique and specific needs. Mr. Ross believes there is a need for a personal approach when it comes to banking because people bank with people. Mr. Ross is married to his best friend, Lauren, together raising two daughters, Emerie (14), and Nora (6). Mr. Ross is an active member of Williams Memorial United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity board member, and volunteers with other various local community outreach organizations. 

Mendy Sharp  (LT Class of 2022)
Leadership Frameworks 
Executive Director of Community & Business Education 
Texarkana College

Mendy Sharp is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Texarkana. She was raised here in East Texas. Mendy graduated from Texarkana College in 1997 with an Associates degree and continued her undergraduate studies at Texas A&M-Texarkana where she earned a bachelor's degree in Education and a teaching certificate. After spending a few years in the classroom, she returned to A&M-Texarkana to earn a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with a Master Reading Certification, a Principal Certification, followed by a Superintendent Certification. Mendy has been an educator now for 20 plus years serving in the capacity of classroom teacher, assistant principal, adjunct instructor, curriculum director, and high school principal before moving to higher education. She joined the Texarkana College team 4 years ago working in the Community and Business Education Center where she enjoys working with the community and business leaders to craft training and classes to fit the needs of the audience. She works with TWC and other entities to attain grants to help fund training that can upskill the Texarkana workforce. She is a strong believer in consistently pursuing lifelong learning and her current role at Texarkana College allows her to make an impact on the lifelong learning of others. Mrs. Sharp currently serves on the state board of Texas Administrators of Continuing Education (TACE) and the planning committee for the annual TACE conference. Mendy has been married to Kevin Sharp for 25 years. They have two children and are actively involved in their membership at Northern Hills Baptist Church. 

Bart Spivey (LT Class of 2017)
Frameworks/Grants 
Director of Workforce Development 
Simmons Bank

Bart Spivey was born and raised in Texarkana. After leaving for a few years for college, he moved back to Texarkana in 2011. Bart works as a project manager for Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas. In this role he works with partners throughout the Northeast Texas region including employers, community colleges, economic development and others. He is a 2005 graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Finance. Bart also graduated with a Masters of Healthcare Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington and an MBA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Bart and his wife, Amber, have three sons, Bret, Easton, and Beckett. 

Antonio Williams  (LT Class of 2018)
Wilbur Awards
CEO/Executive Director 
Village Communities of Texarkana 

Antonio D. Williams is the Chief Executive Officer of Village Communities of Texarkana, Texas (VCTT). He has more than 25 years of experience in the affordable housing industry and 12 years in government contracting for the Department of Defense and in Fortune 500 companies. He also has a deep passion to help people in need of a "quality of life". Antonio has participated in several national HUD focus groups in Washington D.C. to contribute to re-engineering of the business systems and protocols and assessment systems. Also, as a business owner and consultant, Antonio has provided technical services for agencies and small businesses in most of the United States and the Caribbean. Antonio earned a Master of Science in Project Management from Keller Graduate School of Management in Atlanta, Georgia and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff. 

One-Year Appointment representing the LT Class of 2024:

LJ Henson
TYTL
CEO/Scout Executive
Caddo Area Council, BSA

LJ Henson grew up in Central Arkansas and graduated from Bryant High School. L.J. attended college at the University of Arkansas and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Education with a focus on Kinesiology. After college, he pursued a career with the Boy Scouts of America. L.J. has been with the scouting movement for over 13 years. He is very passionate about the Scouting organization and the core values it instills in today's youth. L.J. is a high-energy, results-driven professional. He works hard to cultivate positive relationships with staff, volunteers and donors, creating a culture of mutual respect and partnership. L.J. and his wife Jessica have three kids. Their oldest son, Grayson, will be turning 18 this year and is currently in his senior year of high school. They also have three year old twins, Tate and Tilly. Jessica and L.J. are enjoying the best of both worlds with a teenage and toddlers in the house. 

One-Year Appointment representing the LT Class of 2024:
Dr. Heather McKnight 
Dean, College of Nursing, Health & Human Services
Texas A&M University-Texarkana

Dr. Heather McKnight is the Dean of the College of Nursing, Health & Human Services at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. Dr. McKnight has 20 years experience in nursing including education, acute care services, The Joint Commission Stroke program development, and Magnet® program development, among others. Program development, evaluation, and continuous improvement has been major areas of career focus for the last 15 years in both the acute care setting as well as academia. On a personal level, Dr. McKnight is married to Tony McKnight and they have two daughters, Berkley and Laiken. Her family is rounded out with two Australian Shepards, Merely and Jax. In her spare time, Dr. McKnight enjoys reading, wellness activities and spending time with her family. 

Ruth Ellen Whitt (LT Class of 1989)

Executive Director
Leadership Texarkana

A resident of Texarkana since 1983, Ruth Ellen is a native of College Station, Texas.  As LT's Executive Director since 2010, Ruth Ellen has recommitted to work she began with LT leadership during the 1990s, in particular the concept of scaling community leadership from core groups to the community at large, through LIFT: the Leadership Initiative for Texarkana / a program of Leadership Texarkana.  A 1989 graduate of Leadership Texarkana herself, and a 2009 graduate of the state's Leadership Texas program, Ruth Ellen earned BS and MA degrees in Communications from UT-Austin, multi-level teacher certifications including special ed, and all coursework, less dissertation, for a doctorate from the UT-Dallas.  An educator by profession, Ruth Ellen is also a certified Strategic Doing practitioner.  Prior to her tenure as Executive Director of Leadership Texarkana, Ruth Ellen drew on her lifelong study of the performing arts, serving as Executive Director of the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council from 1999-2008, after holding numerous other leadership positions there for the twelve years prior to 1999. Ruth Ellen holds a Certificate of Non-Profit Management from the University of Texas at Austin and has served as President of numerous non-profits in Texarkana, as well as as founding director of others. Ruth Ellen has been honored with the Leadership Texarkana's Idalee Hawkins Leader of the Year award in 1997, and with the Chamber's C.E. Palmer Award for Civic Leadership in 2009. 

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