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On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, business and community leaders gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn-Temple to celebrate the Leadership Temple Alumni and the Leadership Temple Class of 2024 at the annual Leadership Temple Alumni & Graduation Banquet. This event, a product of a Class of 2018 Action Team project, aims to enhance the Alumni Association and the future impact of the program. It is an opportunity to network, learn about the current class project, and celebrate the new graduates. Proceeds from the banquet contribute to the Leadership Temple Tuition Assistance Scholarship, designed to promote inclusivity and diversity within the program. This initiative supports small businesses and nonprofits, fostering a more representative community leadership landscape. Honoring a Distinguished Leader The highlight of the luncheon was honoring David Nix, a graduate of the Leadership Temple Class of 1988, the charter class of the program. Leland Gersbach, CPA, Retiring Partner at Brockway, Gersbach, Franklin & Niemeier, and founder of the Leadership Temple program, presented the 2024 Leadership Temple Distinguished Alumni Award to Nix. Nix, a dedicated community leader known for his commitment to economic development and civic engagement, recently retired as President of The David Nix Agency, which he founded in 1993. Under his leadership, the agency, now affiliated with Acrisure, won numerous industry awards for sales, service, and community involvement. His extensive civic contributions include service on the Boards of the Temple Economic Development Corporation, the Temple Chamber of Commerce, the Temple Business League, the Temple Industrial Foundation, the Temple Reinvestment Zone, and the Rotary Club of Temple, among others. “The banquet was a wonderful way to honor a dedicated community leader and alumni of the program, David Nix, and to celebrate the new graduates,” said Whitney Theriot, President of the Temple Chamber of Commerce. “It was encouraging to hear from a pioneering community leader and inspiring to learn about the work in service of the new graduates. Temple has a strong foundation of community leaders who model civic engagement for future generations. Temple’s future is bright with the new and recent graduates of the Leadership Temple program.” Celebrating the Class of 2024
The eighteen professionals of the Leadership Temple Class of 2024 were celebrated for their dedication to the nine-month program focused on community leadership, professional development, and personal growth. Led by Class President David Shine of Shine Richardson Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors and Curriculum Chair Tanner Johnson of Central National Bank, the 2024 graduates are: Jennifer Avery | Temple Economic Development Corporation Shane Brooks | Alliance Bank Central Texas Sydney Cable, MBA | Temple Area Builders Association Rachel Clemons, LMSW | United Way of Central Texas William Dabney | BKCW Insurance Tom Elmore | Workforce Solutions of Central Texas Mac Fairey | City of Temple - Police Department Taylor Fitzner, J.D. | Baird, Crews, Schiller & Whitaker, P.C. Lindsay Francis | City of Temple - Marketing Ben Hammonds, MBA | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Hudson Kennedy, CPA | Extraco Banks Chase Kern | Paramount Wastewater Solutions, LLC Erin Kiella, Ph.D. | Real Property Analytics Clarissa Martinez | Temple College Logan McClinton | CentraLand Title Company Joe Rela | Materials Transportation Co. Rob Schilling | Walmart Distribution Company #6083 Bobbie Jo Young | Temple Chamber of Commerce Action Team Project: Feed My Sheep Community Farm Collaboration The Class of 2024 presented their Action Team project, a collaboration with the Feed My Sheep Community Farm, aimed at addressing hunger and homelessness in Temple. The project involved significant contributions to Elizabeth Farm in East Temple, including acquiring a greenhouse, covering an eighty-foot grow house, donating fruit trees and topsoil, and developing a production plan for produce. The class also assisted in the installation of a tiny home on the property, providing housing for a previously homeless individual. Through their efforts, the class has bolstered the farm’s resources, providing the necessary infrastructure for the farm to begin growing fresh fruits and vegetables and providing educational opportunities for Feed My Sheep’s clients. This initiative complements the City’s ongoing Arbor of Hope project, making it a promising long-term investment for the community. “The Temple Chamber leadership is immensely proud of our Leadership Temple program graduates from the Class of 2024,” added Theriot. “Their commitment to professional development and community service embodies the spirit of Leadership Temple.” A Lasting Legacy The Leadership Temple program continues to cultivate strong community leaders. The contributions of David Nix and the Class of 2024 exemplify the spirit of service and commitment to the growth and prosperity of Temple. Thank you to the 2024 banquet sponsors, including the City of Temple, McLane Group, Extraco Banks, Garcia Architects, Johnson Brothers Ford Lincoln, First United Bank & Trust, Clark Associates, Workforce Solutions of Central Texas, Materials Transportation Company (MTC), and Walmart Distribution Center #6083, who helped make this celebration possible. As the Leadership Temple program moves forward, it continues to build a brighter future for the community, driven by passionate and dedicated leaders. For more information about Leadership Temple, visit www.templechamber.com/leadershiptemple.
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 The Leadership Temple Alumni & Graduation Banquet is on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the Hilton Garden Inn.
The banquet is a product of a Class of 2018 Action Team project to enhance the program’s Alumni Association and future impact. In addition to acknowledging a Distinguished Alumni of the program, it is an opportunity to network, learn about the current class project, and celebrate the new graduates of the program. The luncheon includes honoring a Distinguished Alumni of the program. The 2024 honoree is David Nix, a graduate of the Leadership Temple Class of 1988. “We’re excited to celebrate the achievements of alumni and the new graduates,” said Whitney Theriot, President of the Temple Chamber of Commerce. “This banquet not only honors a dedicated community leader like David Nix but also serves as an opportunity for all alumni of the program to connect, learn about the work in service of the current class, and support and celebrate the new graduates - our next generation of community leaders.” The banquet proceeds contribute to the Leadership Temple Tuition Assistance Scholarship, designed to promote inclusivity and diversity within the program. This initiative is a resource for small businesses and nonprofits to participate in Leadership Temple, fostering a more representative community leadership landscape. Reflecting on the 2023 Leadership Temple Alumni & Graduation Banquet that commemorated the accomplishments of the Class of 2023. Led by Camryn Bintz, KPA Engineers, and David Shine, Shine Richardson Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, the graduates presented their Action Team project and were recognized for their dedication to community leadership and personal growth. The 2023 Class Project focused on connecting the world of work to K-12 education through career exploration through reading. Inspired by the Workforce Solutions of Central Texas Student Occupational Awareness and Recognition Program (SOAR), which aims to expose, educate, and engage students in career development and decision-making for middle and high school students, the 2023 Class saw an opportunity to engage elementary-aged students to think about the world of work sooner. They worked with Temple ISD to identify a STEM book series called The Questioneers. Then they not only read to every second-grade class at the district, but through a grant purchased The Questioneers book sets for every elementary campus library. “The Temple Chamber leadership is immensely proud of our Leadership Temple program graduates from the Class of 2023,” added Theriot. “Their commitment to professional development and community service embodies the spirit of Leadership Temple.” The event also honored Gary Schmidt as the 2023 Leadership Temple Distinguished Alumni, recognizing his significant contributions to Temple’s economic and civic development. The Temple Chamber encourages individuals interested in community leadership and professional development to attend the banquet, offering a glimpse into the program’s impact and opportunities for involvement. The 2024 Leadership Temple Alumni & Graduation Banquet is sponsored by: the City of Temple, McLane Group, Extraco Banks, Garcia Architects, Johnson Brothers Ford Lincoln, and First United Bank & Trust. For more information about the Leadership Temple Alumni & Graduation Banquet and registration, visit www.templechamber.com.  The Temple Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is excited to announce that the Leadership Temple program is now accepting applications for the Class of 2025.
Leadership Temple is a professional development and education program that surveys the inner workings of Temple and Central Texas helping both current and emerging leaders understand the dynamics of the community and the role leadership plays in its long-term success. The 9-month program has class sessions once a month, and topics covered include City, County, and State Government; Fort Cavazos; Economic Development; and Social Services. The program facilitates opportunities for dialogue among participants and current community, business, and non-profit leaders. It also encourages participants to engage in activities that contribute to the growth and betterment of the community. Further details about the program, including the application, are available at www.templechamber.com/leadershiptemple. The application deadline is Friday, June 14, 2024. |
