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PROFILE: Liz Fazio Hale

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.  


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PROFILE: Brandon Washington

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

 

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PROFILE: Today's Youth, Tomorrow's Leaders

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

 

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PROFILE: Justin White

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

 

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PROFILE: Jennifer Tanner

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.

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PROFILE: William Morriss

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

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PROFILE: Mark Bledsoe

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?


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We Invite YOU to Step Up as a Texarkana Leader

We invite YOU to step up as a Texarkana leader!

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PROFILE: Traci Pitman

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?


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PROFILE: Novella Medlock

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.  



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PROFILE: Prissy Hickerson

CONGRATULATIONS TO PRISSY HICKERSON! 

LT Class of 1983

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PROFILE: Paul Norton, Local Leader of Leadercast

Stepping Up to Make a Difference

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PROFILE: James Henry Russell, Local Leader of Leadercast

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!

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PROFILE: Skylar Rogers

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.

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PROFILE: Mary O'Farrell

"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. 

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PROFILE: Barbara Pitts Riley

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. 

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PROFILE: Jennifer Harland

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. 


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PROFILE: Bill Harp

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?


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PROFILE: Wes Kirkham

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?


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PROFILE: Kristie Dempsey

“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
Kristie Dempsey is currently Trust Officer for Bank of the Ozarks. She has been Executive Director of Teen Court of Texarkana. Past experience includes Executive Assistant to Executive Director to Literacy Council of Bowie & Miller Counties, Inc.  She also was a financial planner for Hutchinson Financial, Inc.  
Kristie is an avid civic volunteer. She has served on boards from Komen Race for the Cure to CASA. She is a 2000-2001 LT graduate and also served on the LT Board of Directors for two terms. Leadership Texarkana asked Kristie her views on Leadership and the Texarkana community. This is what she had to say…
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?
LT taught me to think more broadly and to really listen to others.
For what community organization or issue or opportunity do you have a passion and invest your time, talent or money?
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.
If you had one wish and could make a difference of significance in Texarkana (your small corner) what would you do with that one wish and why?
I must defer to Eleanor Roosevelt: “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.”
What do many people not know about you that you would to share with us?
To my knowledge, I was the first female Certified Financial Planner™ in the Texarkana area, back in the early 2000s.
What are some of your passions and hobbies?
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.
What do you most love to do in Texarkana?
Eating out Sunday lunch after church is my favorite thing to do with family and friends at various Texarkana treasures!
What do you most love about Texarkana, in general?
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!