Dr. Laura Matteson (LaCroix)

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Wisdom Animal Clinic
LT Class of 2000

Dr. Laura Matteson (LaCroix) is a country girl at heart, growing up in DeKalb, Texas. She followed a family tradition by attending Texas A&M University where she received a Biomedical Science Degree in 1994, before becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. Dr. Matteson moved back home and joined Wisdom Animal Clinic in June of 1998 and has never looked back.

Myra Loving

Licensed Professional counselor
Private Practice
LT Class of 2015

I’ve learned that adding a supportive group is a wonderful way to be a leader in Texarkana. When I graduated from Leadership Texarkana, I began a feee support group ‘Left Behind’ for survivors whose loved ones died by suicide. This group meets monthly and has provided an avenue for fostering safe relationships among those with (an often taboo) shared trauma. Establishing this group has also opened a door for adding an ‘International Survivor Day’ in November. I plan to incorporate other agencies so that this might become a day for more people to come honor their loved ones.  

To me, leadership is a practical skill and endeavor someone takes on to help better a group, community, project, etc. Leadership encompasses more than ‘taking charge’ but in working collaboratively and willingly together toward a common goal. Being a leader means finding your best asset that helps as a catalyst toward this common goal. 

Debra Moore

Sr. Vice President
Commercial National Bank of Texarkana
LT Class of 1994

What have you learned most about making a difference in Texarkana (or about your opportunity for community leadership) from being a part of Leadership Texarkana?

Patsy Morriss

President, Women for TAMU-T

What have you learned most about making a difference in Texarkana (or about your opportunity for community leadership) from being a part of Leadership Texarkana?

I was relatively new to Texarkana when I participated in the program, so I learned a great deal about who’s who and what makes the community tick. In order to make a difference, you have to understand what’s going on; Leadership Texarkana is the perfect vehicle for achieving that. 

Dr. Andrew Curry, D.D.S.
Dentist & LT Class of 2002

What have you learned most about making a difference in Texarkana (or about your opportunity for community leadership) from being a part of Leadership Texarkana?

Texarkana is blessed to have so many people that care about this community.  

Cassy Meisenheimer

Marketing and Development Director, Belay Global
LT Class of 2008 

What have you learned most about making a difference in Texarkana (or about your opportunity for community leadership) from being a part of Leadership Texarkana? 

By participating in Leadership Texarkana I learned there are many opportunities to give back and be a part of a thriving and energetic community. We have so much to offer on both sides of state line and many ways to find your niche, to step into an organization and share your personal strengths to create progress and change. 

 Stepping Up to Make a Difference

Stepping Up to Make a Difference: Willie J. Ray

LT Class of 1997-1998
Retired City Councilperson
City of Texarkana, TX

Stacye Magness

Marketing Communications Coordinator, 
CHRISTUS St. Michael 
LT Class of 2017

What have you learned most about making a difference in Texarkana (or about your opportunity for community leadership) from being a part of Leadership Texarkana?

Dennis Lewis

LT Class of 1998
Retired, RRAD
Texas Military Preparedness Committee

Andrew Mathis Hill

Business Manager, Texarkana AR Schools

Born and raised in Texarkana, Andrew is a 1983 Suma Cum Laude and Top Ten graduate of AHS, a 1987 Magna Cum Laude and honor graduate of Jackson State University with a BS in Accounting, and a 2008 graduate of Colorado Tech University with an MS in Management-IT Management. He currently serves as the Business Manager for TASD and as a minister at the Lonoke Baptist Church. Andrew and his wife, Dana, have 7 children and 2 grandchildren.

My mission for this wonderful community is to support the beautification efforts of downtown and other areas of Texarkana through volunteering my time, financial support, and planning knowledge whenever needed. Additionally, I definitely plan to volunteer for available non-profit boards, and to also assist any area businesses in any way I can to obtain the necessary resources to help them not only survive, but to also flourish. By investing all of our God-given skills and talents into our community and acting in the capacity as servant leaders, I believe we will reap the benefits of restoring our community to the level of being the great industrial, arts and cultural center that Texarkana has always been destined to be.

Dr. Catherine Hagen Howard

Dean STEM; Prof of Chemistry/Biology, Texarkana College

Dr. Catherine Hagen Howard is Dean of STEM and professor of Chemistry and Biology at Texarkana College. With more than 30 years of experience in education, Dr. Howard has a heart for students of every age and ability and a genuine love of learning. She is an active member of St. Edward Catholic Church, on the boards of Habitat for Humanity of Texarkana and the Texarkana Museum Systems, and a member of the Texarkana Homeless Coalition.

“I have been enormously blessed. My mission for community significance is to do all I can to help others who do not enjoy the same advantages that my family and I do: the homeless, poor, underemployed, undereducated. I hope to continue my efforts to help through my affiliation with the Homeless Coalition, Habitat, the Museum Systems, as well as through my church and my work at Texarkana College. As Luke 12:48 teaches 'For unto whom much is given, of him shall much be required.'"

Samantha McCallister

Bart Spivey

Business Development Project Manager, Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas & LT Class of 2017

What have you learned most about making a difference in Texarkana (or about your opportunity for community leadership) from being a part of Leadership Texarkana?

Leadership Texarkana exposed me to the great number of development efforts taking place in our community.  As a leader in the community, you don’t always need to start a new project or initiative.  Sometimes all you need to do is lend your support and contribute to those meaningful efforts already underway.  

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

Bradley Morgan

Senior Pastor
Williams Memorial United Methodist
LT Class of 2017

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

 The Leadership Texarkana Class of 2017-18

Bravo to the 38th group of citizens to invest their time and energy in Leadership Texarkana, dedicating their talent and wisdom in working together toward community excellence in Texarkana USA­— on your behalf. Pictured at right: the first Leadership Texarkana class in 1981.

Larry Manley

Control Room Coordinator, Cooper Tire

Larry D. Manley, is a  lifelong resident Texarkana, AR, and a 1984 graduate, Arkansas High School. Larry earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Finance, Southern Arkansas University and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Army. Retired Major, serving in various leadership positions for over 20 years. Employed with Cooper Tire and Rubber Company, Larry is currently president of the Texarkana Arkansas School Board. Married to his best friend Alicia for 25 years, they are the proud parents of 2 outstanding young men, Jalen and Kaleb. They are members of Christ Nations Church.

Brian Goesl

Executive Director
Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council
LT Class of 2002

A native of Texarkana USA, Brian is one of those Best and Brightest who returned to make a significant difference in Texarkana.  Prior to spending intervening years in NYC and beyond, Brian put his theatre background to work in the Arkansas schools and the community at large, and was part of the original restoration of the Perot Theatre in the early 1980s. 

Dan Shiner

Chief of Police, City of Texarkana, Texas

 Chief Dan Shiner has been a police officer for over forty years.  He retired from the Santa Maria, California Police Department in August 1998, serving the last six years there as Chief of Police. After retiring from Santa Maria, Chief Shiner joined the Lancaster, Texas Police Department in September of 1998, serving that community as Police Chief until August 2007.Chief Shiner immediately reported for duty as Chief of Police for the City of Texarkana, Texas, on August 3, 2007, where he continues to serve.  

What have you learned most about making a difference in Texarkana (or about your opportunity for community leadership) from being a part of Leadership Texarkana?