Liz Fazio Hale
Executive Director/ CEO
Riverbend Water Resources
LT Class of 2017

In her leadership position at Riverbend Water Resources District, Liz oversees the management and operations of a local water district representing 12 municipalities, 3 counties, and the state’s largest industrial park footprint. She is charged with the proper planning and development of our area’s most precious natural resource: water. Executive Director/CEO by title and charitable heart by nature, Liz also cares for her sister with mental and physical challenges. While Liz is ever-adapting to the role of wife and mother to a wonderful husband and two beautiful, precocious children, she was born into the role of a sister and passionate advocate for others in special need.  

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

Jennifer Tanner

Executive Chef for Events at
Julie’s Deli & LT Class of 2017

Jennifer is one of two grads elected by her LT Class of 2017 to represent the class for a one-year appointment to the Leadership Texarkana Board of Directors.

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

Mark Bledsoe
Executive Director
United Way of Greater Texarkana
LT Class of 1991

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?

We invite YOU to step up as a Texarkana leader!

Traci Pitman
Design & Creative Services Coordinator
Texarkana College
LT Class of 2013

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?

Novella Medlock   

Director of Patient Relations/Customer Services
CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System  
LT Class of 2013
LT Board of Directors 
LT Chair of Leadercast 2017

Leadership Texarkana Board member Novella Medlock is a passionate supporter of LT’s Leadercast 2017, bringing her leadership as LT’s chair of the event for the past three years.  As a member of CHRISTUS’ Leadership Team, Novella knows the power of ongoing Leadership development for building teams of excellence.  

CONGRATULATIONS TO PRISSY HICKERSON! 

LT Class of 1983

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

TC President James Henry Russell has been a leading force for the past three years in supporting Leadership Texarkana’s local presentation of the Leadercast program to benefit Texarkana’s leaders, generously offering the resources of Texarkana College.  

James Henry has learned firsthand the value of Leadercast and attends with his whole team. Hear why below!

Skylar Rogers
Senior Vice President
Reynolds Realty Management

Skylar Rogers is native son of Texarkana, USA. Skylar is a licensed commercial real estate agent and Sr. Vice President at Reynolds Realty Management Inc. with whom he has been employed five-plus years.

"I have learned that each one of us must take responsibility for the well-being of every person in our community  We must include even those who are not just like us. Leadership is about one life influencing another. I agree with Margaret Mead who said, 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.'"

Mary O'Farrell, life long resident of Texarkana, USA, charges any room in which she walks in with her non-stop energy.  Multiple organizations over the years have tapped that energy.  She is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Texarkana, Inc.  She was named Outstanding Sustainer of that same organization in 2014.  Mary made history by becoming the first female Rotarian in Texarkana when she joined Wilbur Smith Rotary Club (previously named Downtown Rotary Club).  She was later honored as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International.  The list of organizations continues:  Texarkana Homeless Coalition, UCRC United Community Resource Council, TACOAD Texarkana Area Coalition Organization Active in Disaster, Hands On Texarkana Board, Leadership Texarkana Board Member and Texarkana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  She is an active lifetime member of First United Methodist Church and she retired from as an administrator from Texarkana Texas Independent School District in 2000.  Mary is the proud grand parent of six. 

Barbara Pitts Riley
Director, Bridging The Gaps of Arkansas
LT Class of 1998

Under the leadership of Barbara Pitts Riley, and with the assistance of the youth team which she leads, Bridging the Gaps of Arkansas reopened the Sandflat, Glendale, Shannon Neighborhood Center on March 2. BTGA is a 501c3 faith-based organization with a global mission. Our mission is to bridge the gaps between individuals and the resources they need to be prosperous and successful. 

Jennifer Harland
External Affairs Manager
AEP Swepco
LT Class of 2011

Jennifer Harland is using her position as Government Affairs Director for the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce to make a difference for our region. She has invested innumerable hours over many months to develop the opportunity for groups of local community leaders to visit policy makers in both the Arkansas and Texas state houses, to build relationships, to foster mutual understanding, and to advocate for our community and its best future. 

William (Bill) Harp
Assistant Superintendent, School Services
Pleasant Grove Independent School District
LT Class of 2012

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?

Wes Kirkham
Executive Director of Instructional Services 
Texarkana ISD
LT Class of 2014

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?

“Be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” Jim Rohn

LT taught me to think more broadly and to really listen to others.

Currently, I am working on transitioning out of directing a non-profit (Teen Court) where I’ve devoted the last seven years and I am excited about reinvesting in other areas of interest, like supporting my kids’ education through the Red Lick Education Foundation.

I must defer to Eleanor Roosevelt: “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.”

To my knowledge, I was the first female Certified Financial Planner™ in the Texarkana area, back in the early 2000s.

I have three young boys, what’s a hobby?! My passions and focus revolve around them right now: being a referee/judge and sports/outdoor enthusiast, etc.

Eating out Sunday lunch after church is my favorite thing to do with family and friends at various Texarkana treasures!

We enjoy a small town atmosphere that is getting larger providing jobs, diversity and boosting our economy! Along with the big businesses here, we have many locally owned restaurants and specialty stores that make my hometown unique and welcoming to visitors and those looking to relocate. I love our minimal traffic, especially!