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Things to do in Texarkana October 31-November 5

A T-TOWN TOP TEN

Profile in Leadership
Kimberly Keith

LT Class of 2014
Executive Director, Christian Care Center of Texarkana

"Personally I feel that by Leadership we can change the world! Leadership is being able to inspire, encourage, and assist those around me to be the best they can be."

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Texarkana USA: 
A thriving center for business, education and culture that attracts–and serves–us all.

Citizens committed to Working Smart for Excellence, Educational and Cultural Riches, Community Pride, Economic, Social and Personal Well-Being

Kudos to Jimmy Smith, Mark Shoptaw and all on the Arkansas Municipal Auditorium Commission (and the Texarkana A&P Commission) for dreaming of and funding the the Arkansas Municipal Auditorium Walk of Fame Park - reclaiming a demo site (for the old Westbrook Building) into a cultural asset to celebrate our community’s rich history, with auditorium performers including Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Louis Armstrong.

Speaking of Economic, Social and Personal Well-Being...

Did you know that in this month’s presentations on Economic Development in Texarkana USA to the LT Class of 2017, “Crime Rate” was noted as a criteria that prospects consider when selecting locations.  Texarkana, TX Police Chief Dan Shiner is part of this year’s class and says he is  “...proud to point out that the crime rate in Texarkana Texas fell more than 14% in Calendar Year 2015 and year to date 2016 it has dropped another 8%.  In spite of erroneous information that has been disseminated in the social media and through local news outlets, crime in Texarkana has been trending downward over the past four years and we believe this ‘community success’ can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of citizens and our officers (and did you know that the Texarkana Texas Police Department uses Twitter and Facebook to communicate to our citizens?).

More from Chief Shiner

The Texarkana Texas Police Department uses Twitter and Facebook to communicate to our citizens.  Included on a monthly basis is a monthly report that has data regarding the numbers of calls received, the most active locations (for traffic collisions and for calls for service) and there is a recap on incidence of crime with comparisons to the previous year.  View the report for September 2016.

Here’s to the GREEN at Curt Green & Company!  Curt knows the value of looking good for a business, OR a community. He shares a story of visiting Jonesboro, AR years ago, and being so impressed with how CLEAN the community, which is how he now always thinks of Jonesboro. A worthy ideal to shoot for for Texarkana USA: Here’s to all who work toward our being TWICE AS BEAUTIFUL

Email YOUR suggestions for places in the greater Texarkana USA area that deserve KUDOS for modeling the way and whose commitment to beauty are sources of community pride.

This week we profile the Leadership TEAM which brought to life the outstanding Totally Txk Fall Member/Partner Party for Leadership Texarkana. 

From Texarkana Trivia, to T-Town Tea, from Red River Sand and Arkansas Quartz to Texas bluebonnets and pecans, from the stateline sign to the first tire made by Cooper, the Boots and Roots themed evening was a celebration of our community–and you could feel the fun throughout. What’s to Love about Texarkana? The PEOPLE who step up as leaders to remind us how special we are! Thanks to the City of Texarkana, TX for sponsoring the evening and Congrats to the LT Class of 2016 for a job well done! Head over to Facebook to see photos of the event.

Want to have a list of 10 awesome things to do in Texarkana delivered right to your inbox every week? Sign up for the WeeklyLIFT today!

A T-TOWN TOP TEN

Want to have a list of 10 awesome things to do in Texarkana delivered right to your inbox every week? Sign up for the WeeklyLIFT today!

A T-TOWN TOP TEN

What a difference a DEMO makes! Let’s give three cheers that there’s been a demo of the abandoned and boarded up former fast food restaurant––an eyesore on North State Line, which is no more! 

US Soldiers that have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan often report that they make a point to look for RRAD (Red River Army Depot) stickers on equipment because they know that means the equipment is certain to be completely operational and ultimately save their lives. The RRAD places a sticker on every vehicle and piece of equipment that they service. Marshall McKellar, Director of Business Management at the Red River Army Depot reports that RRAD has a very good reputation among its customers for making quality products and he  says they frequently receive words of appreciation from soldiers that have been deployed thanking the RRAD for their quality products.    

The RRAD is an 15,835-acre facility located 18 miles west of Texarkana, Texas in Bowie County. The facility has over 3,000,000 square feet of storage capacity. The RRAD was originally established as an ammunition facility: however, due to the demands of World War II, the mission was expanded to include general supply storage and tank repair. Today, a dedicated workforce of more than 4,500 people are engaged in work ranging from producing timber to remanufacturing the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle. The depot occupies 18,703 acres and is host to ten tenant organizations. RRAD has risen to the challenge of every United States military conflict since 1941.

PROFILE IN LEADERSHIP
Mary Ellen Young
Dean of Liberal and Performing Arts & Honors College
Texarkana College
1995 Graduate of Leadership Texarkana
2010 Graduate of Leadership Texas 
Yet Another Best and Brightest Native 

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 offers a comprehensive view of the community from education to government to non-profit agencies, healthcare, and economic development.  It provides a platform for all of these entities to work together for the betterment of the community.   It has given me the opportunity to meet so many incredible people who have become lifelong friends.  Leadership Texarkana has also given me the opportunity to make connections and network with others to build stronger organizations and events not only in my profession but also in my work as a volunteer.  It has encouraged me to become much more involved my community.  

What does leadership mean to you?
I see leadership from a servant leader’s heart.  I do not ask of others what I am not willing to do myself.  I strive to lead by example.

Profile in Leadership
AMY ROBERTS
Curriculum Director, Liberty Eylau ISD
LT Class of 2016
Yet Another Best and Brightest Texarkana Native

Amy Roberts is a lifelong resident of Texarkana, Texas who attended Liberty-Eylau High School, Texarkana College, ETSU-Texarkana, and TAMU-Texarkana.  She is a career educator with classroom experience at the middle and high school levels in mathematics, English and technology.  She has held administrative positions on elementary, middle and high school campuses.  Amy is fortunate to be married to Mark Roberts, the father of her two beautiful children and with whom she shares four adorable grandchildren.

PROFILE IN LEADERSHIP
Sonja Yates Hubbard
Chief Executive Officer
E-Z Mart Stores, Inc.
1991 Graduate of Leadership Texarkana

Sonja Hubbard is a Certified Public Accountant who received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Sonja is the Chief Executive Officer for E-Z Mart Stores, Inc. and has served in this position since 1998 working for E-Z Mart nearly three decades post college graduation.  This time doesn’t include high school and college summer work stints.  During this tenure with E-Z Mart she has served in a variety of positions, including Receptionist, Copy Clerk, Analysis, Assistant Controller and Chief Financial Officer before assuming her current role.  Before beginning her career at E-Z Mart, Sonja worked in public accounting where she performed audit, tax and bookkeeping services for a two local firms.

Eric B. Cain
Executive Director
American Red Cross serving Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas
Graduate of Leadership Texarkana Class of 2008

PROFILE IN LEADERSHIP
Leanne Wilson Maynard
Marketing Liaison
Neighbors Emergency Center
1998 Graduate of Leadership Texarkana

"Control is not leadership; management is not leadership; leadership is leadership. If you seek to lead, invest at least 50 percent of your time in leading yourself--your own purpose, ethics, principles, motivation, conduct. Invest at least 20 percent leading those with authority over you and 15 percent leading your peers." --Dee Hock  I love this quote because it hits on how leadership is not just taking charge.  I believe servant leadership is a way of life.  

PROFILE IN LEADERSHIP
Justin Hamilton
Marketing/Leasing Manager
Jones Lang LaSalle
2016 Graduate of Leadership Texarkana

"Leadership is the ability to inspire group of people to work to together to accomplish goals that will have a positive impact of their community and others.  A great leader understands the importance of being a moral role model and helping others.  Great leadership lies in recognizing the talents of others and empowering others to reach their full potential.  Real leaders are passionate and follow their heart."

Theresa Cowling, serves as principal at North Heights Junior High School for Texarkana Arkansas School District.  She has been an educator for 28 years.  She earned a B.S.E. in Early Childhood Education from Southern Arkansas University in 1988.  Later, she earned a M.S.E. in administration and holds certificates in gifted & talented and curriculum and instruction.  Theresa served 14 years as a classroom teacher and gifted & talented teacher.  Theresa worked as an elementary principal for four years and now works with 7^th and 8^th grade students.

In 2016, North Heights was recognized as a school of distinction by Magnets Schools of America.  Theresa has graduated all three phases of Master Principal at the Arkansas Leadership Academy and has participated in Leadership Texarkana.  In June of 2016, she co-facilitated Today’s Youth… Tomorrow’s Leaders for Leadership Texarkana. Theresa serves on the board for Arkansas Association of Middle Level Educators and participates in other professional organizations and participates in a variety of community and clubs and projects.  She is a member of Kiwanis and promotes activities that help the children in our community.  Theresa is passionate about promoting Texarkana and helping to build a community everyone is proud to call home. 

PROFILE IN LEADERSHIP
Fred Meisenheimer
Sales Coordinator
Lonestar Truck Group
2007 Graduate of Leadership Texarkana

Leadership is... "Doing what’s necessary to make your organization great, and keeping it great.  Leadership is action, and not words.  We can all sit around and come up with great ideas, but if we’re not willing to get in the mud and do something, then it’s useless.  Then once you’ve created a great organization, you’ve got to make sure you’ve taught others around you how to keep it going after you are gone.  Sustainability is the difference in great leaders."