Celebrating Leadership Temple Alumni and the Class of 2025

​On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, community and business leaders gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn-Temple to honor a Distinguished Leadership Temple Alumnus and celebrate the Leadership Temple Class of 2025 at the annual alumni and graduation banquet.
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Now in its fourth year as a combined event, this meaningful tradition was established by a Class of 2018 Action Team project. It provides a unique opportunity to strengthen alumni engagement, spotlight the graduating class, and share the impact of Leadership Temple on the broader Central Texas community.

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the Leadership Temple Tuition Assistance Scholarship, which enhances accessibility to the program for small businesses and nonprofits—ensuring the program reflects the full diversity and vibrancy of the Temple Chamber Membership.

Honoring a Champion of Leadership

A highlight of the 2025 banquet was the presentation of the Leadership Temple Distinguished Alumni Award to the Honorable Jon Burrows, a member of the Leadership Temple Class of 1989.

​Presented by Dr. Christy Ponce, President of Temple College and Temple Chamber Board of Directors, Vice Chair of Business and Community Development, the award celebrated Burrows’ decades of impactful service to Central Texas. His leadership resume spans five terms as Bell County Judge, a 27-year military career culminating in retirement as a Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, and decades of civic involvement across education, workforce, infrastructure, and economic development.

From his instrumental work on the Bell County Justice Center to his influence on countless community initiatives, Jon Burrows exemplifies the values of Leadership Temple—dedication, humility, and vision.

“Jon represents everything Leadership Temple aspires to cultivate in our community,” said Ponce. “A man whose impact spans from courtrooms to county offices, from military service to civic leadership. This is someone who went from a small town in Oklahoma to becoming one of the most influential leaders in Central Texas history.”

She added, “His talent for bringing people together—whether for ambitious infrastructure projects, to support the community, civic organizations, the college, or community celebrations—is truly legendary.”
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In recognition of his legacy, the Temple Chamber of Commerce presented an honorarium to the Jon & Katie Burrows Scholarship Endowment through the Temple College Foundation. This gift ensures his contributions to education and public service will impact future generations for years to come. 

Celebrating the Class of 2025

​The seventeen graduates of the Leadership Temple Class of 2025 were recognized for their completion of a ten-month journey focused on professional development, civic understanding, and community service.

​Led by Class President Tanner Johnson of Central National Bank and Curriculum Chair Logan McClinton of CentraLand Title Company, the class demonstrated exceptional dedication and teamwork.

The 2025 graduates are:

• Chantel Brooks | Texell Credit Union
• Jessica Diem, MEd | Office of State Representative Brad Buckley
• Terris Goodwin | Central Counties Services
• Victor Gueits-Burgos | Walmart Distribution Center #6083
• Nathan Harrell | Extraco Banks
• William “Trae” Liller, MS, MBA | Materials Transportation Company (MTC)
• Billy “BJ” Little | Turley Associates, Inc.
• JoAnne Mengelkamp | Baylor Scott & White Health
• Ryan Russell | First Baptist Church of Temple
• Robert “Travis” Sawin | Cloud Construction Co., Inc.
• Trey Simpson, PE | Clark Associates Civil Engineering
• Michael Smith | Temple Area Builders Association
• Taylor Stumberg | Pillar Architecture Studio
• Brett Wheeler, MS, CPA | SPJST
• Shanna Wildheart | Central Texas Housing Consortium
• Jacki Wright | Academy ISD
• Sabrina Young | Young’s Daughters Funeral Home & Bereavement Center

Action Team Project: The Homeward Project

The Class of 2025 presented The Homeward Project, a community initiative designed to combat housing insecurity by leveraging underutilized housing assets and cross-sector collaboration.

Driven by local data showing more than 670 unhoused students in BISD and TISD, the class partnered with Grace Temple Ministries, Family Promise of Bell County, Temple ISD’s CTE Department, and the City of Temple to rehabilitate a vacant single-family home. The project includes a unique rental assistance and “nest egg” savings program to help families transition into long-term housing independence.
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With wraparound services, a five-year cycle of tenant transition, and plans to replicate the model, The Homeward Project sets a new standard for scalable, compassionate, and sustainable solutions to family homelessness.

Looking Forward

Leadership Temple continues to shape the next generation of community leaders who are committed to driving positive change. The 2025 banquet was made possible through the generous support of sponsors including the City of Temple, McLane Group, Extraco Banks, Johnson Brothers Ford Lincoln, Garcia Architects, Materials Transportation Company (MTC), Clark Associates, KPA Engineers, and Andrew Lambert.

“The Class of 2025 and this year’s honoree, Jon Burrows, represent what makes this program so special,” said Whitney Theriot, President & CEO of the Temple Chamber of Commerce. “Their commitment to service, their compassion, and their willingness to lead with purpose make Temple stronger for everyone.”

The 2025 banquet was a powerful reminder that the spirit of leadership is alive and thriving in Temple carried forward by alumni like Jon Burrows and reignited with every new graduating class.
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As the program evolves, its legacy grows. Rooted in relationships, fueled by purpose, and sustained by those who believe that leadership is not just a title, but a responsibility to leave things better than we found them. 

Check out the event photos, and join us in congratulating the 2025 Leadership Temple class!