Strategy Consultant, Permian Consulting Chris is a founding member of several businesses. He founded Permian Consulting in 2011 and is dedicated to helping small business focus on growth and improve performance. His clients range from entrepreneurs to multi-million dollar businesses representing an array of industries. He created a clothing line, Beard Fit, with a group of friends that has been worn by celebrities and sports athletes. Most recently, he has started a private investment company focusing on emerging industries and providing capital for businesses in these markets. Along with a childhood friend, Chris has ventured into a completely different direction and will be opening a CrossFit gym in Plano. Even with a full workload, Chris has served on several boards in the community. He is a board member for My Community Federal Credit Union, a member of the Board of Directors for the Odessa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and a past board member for the Ellen Noel Art Museum. Chris is a graduate of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, with a Bachelor of Business in Accounting in 2013. He is supported in all his endeavors by his wife, Jenni, and kids Jacob, Noah, and Emma.
District Court Judge for the 446th Judicial District Court, Ector County Sara Kate Billingsley has the distinction of serving as the first female district court judge in Ector county history. Appointed by Governor Abbott in 2015, then elected in 2016, Sara presides over the 446th District Court. Her court focuses on family and children cases that had experienced a large backlog prior to her taking the bench. She has applied her work ethic and long hours to clear 2,300 cases in fourteen months, and she continues to move these difficult cases promptly through her court. Sara stays very involved in the community. She serves on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club and Downtown Odessa. She is also an advisory board member of the West Texas Food Bank. She previously served as president of the board for Food2Kids and as chairman of United Way’s Pillars Club. sara is an Odessa native and a graduate of University of Texas of the Permian Basin. She earned her juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
CPA, Johnson, Miller & Co. Judd Campbell has worked for Johnson, Miller & Co. accounting firm for nine years. He became a shareholder in 2013. Judd’s accounting expertise spans taxation, controllership, internal controls, auditing, and more. He serves clients from a variety of industries, including manufacturing, oil and gas, and financial services. Judd has been a leader and volunteer for numerous local organizations. He is a Board Member of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce and an advisory board member for Permian Basin Rehabilitation Center. He was a member of the 2008-2009 Leadership Odessa class, and has formerly served on the boards of Main Street Odessa, Jim Parker Little League, and High Sky Children’s Ranch. Judd is married to his college sweetheart, Libby, and they have four children: Katie, Max, Sophie Grace, and Lucy. Judd received his bachelors and Masters of Accounting from the University of Oklahoma.
Executive Director, West Texas Food Bank For Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Campbell, stamping out hunger is a way of life. Libby has been the Executive Director for the West Texas Food Bank since 2012. In 2014, she organized a very successful capital campaign, raising $13.3 million, to build new facilities in Midland and Odessa. These facilities have greatly improved the food bank’s ability to fulfill its mission to provide food to those in need in West Texas. Libby is a committee member with PEAC, which advocates for 200 food banks throughout the United States, and a board member with Feeding Texas. Locally, she is a board member for the Ellen Noel Art Museum, and a member of Education Foundation’s catalyst committee. She is also active in other groups. She is a recipient of Non-Profit Management Center’s Beacon Award for excellence in organizational leadership. Libby and her husband, Judd, are the proud parents of four children: Katie, Max, Sophie Grace, and Lucy. She is an Odessa native and graduate of the University of Oklahoma.
Founder, Musketball Group Joshua Crawford has utilized his experience in efficiency and technological innovation to become a serial entrepreneur. As an inventor, Joshua knew the importance of hard work, determination, and consistency. This earned him a reputation as a man who develops solutions and does what he says he will do. He translated his understanding of the technological needs of the 21st century into Musketball Group. There, he uses his experience to help oil and gas companies become more operationally and financially efficient via STEM Software and provides technology solutions through Musketball Networks. Joshua earned a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2002 and then, a Masters of Public Administration in 2006 from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. He is an active member of Gideons International and Rotary International. He is a volunteer for Jordan 7, helping provide clean water for the needy, and is also a member of Odessa Bible Church where he, his wife Janice, and his three children attend. As a family, they enjoy spontaneous excursions, as well as reading, fishing, and swimming.
Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending, SouthWest Bank Phil George is a Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending for SouthWest Bank. Phil has a total of 15 years in the banking industry, but he found his professional home when he joined the SouthWest Bank family in 2008. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Finance from Texas State University in 2002. Currently, Phil serves as treasurer of the Board of Commissioners for the Odessa Housing Authority. He is also a member of the Odessa College Foundation. He previously served as board president for Catholic Charities of Odessa, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, and the Quarter Century Partnership. Phil is the youngest son to Mike and Phyllis George. He is very honored and thankful for their leadership and encouragement throughout his life. He has two older brothers, Jay and Ryan George, who have both been involved in the Odessa community. In 2011, Phil married his best friend, Krista. They have two beautiful daughters, Adalyn (4) and Allie (2). He has always enjoyed hunting and playing golf, but now the best part of his day is playing in the backyard with his girls.
General Manager, Odessa Country Club Ryan George is the general manager of the Odessa Country Club where he has been employed for the last 13 years. He graduated from Texas State University where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration. Ryan is involved in the community and serves as a board member for several organizations. He is currently president of the Permian Basin Restaurant Association and Texas Alliance of Recreational Organizations. He is the immediate past president of the Odessa Family YMCA and Texas Chapter of Club Managers Association and served as Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer for both organizations. In 2015, Ryan was selected as the United States Tennis Association Small Facility Manager of the Year. Ryan enjoys spending time with his family and friends as well as hunting. Ryan is married to his wife, Jennifer and they have three children, Elodie (7), Ellison (4), and Emmett (3). Ryan’s mentors are his parents, Mike and Phyllis George.
Recreation & Special Events Coordinator, City of Odessa Parks and Recreation Chris Hallmark is the Recreation & Special Events Coordinator for the City of Odessa Parks and Recreation Department. He specializes in special events, including Mother/Son and Daddy/ Daughter Dances, Fall Festival, and Starbright Village. Chris received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Sport Science from Texas Tech University after graduation from Odessa High in 2007. In 2016, Hallmark completed his MBA from the University of Dallas. John Maxwell’s quote “Talent is a gift, but character is a choice” sums up Hallmark’s passion to serve the Odessa community. He is active in his community and with Young Professionals of Odessa, where he was awarded Networking Professional of the Year in 2015. He also volunteers with HEB Feast of Sharing, Downtown Odessa, Inc., and many more. Chris was recently married to his wife, Krysta.
Marketing/Sales Representative, Atmos Energy Jake Hantz is a marketing/sales representative with Atmos Energy. At Atmos, some of his accomplishments include increasing market share by 8% over the past four years and negotiating with three local homebuilders to become 100% natural gas users in all new homes built indefinitely. Hantz was also nominated for the Atmos Energy Rising Spirit Award. Hantz is a graduate of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. He is dedicated to community service, including serving as a board member for the Permian Basin Builders Association, Grow Odessa, and Junior Achievement. In addition, Hantz is a graduate of Leadership Odessa and is currently completing Leadership Midland 2.0. Hantz has been recognized as Volunteer of the Year by the PBBA for the past 5 years. As a Level 1 CrossFit coach, Hantz enjoys helping people with their fitness and nutrition. He has been training others at Basin CrossFit in Midland for the past five years. He was also designated by Atmos Energy as the West Texas Division’s Wellness Champion and represents them by advocating and educating employees about living a healthy lifestyle. Jake has been married to the love of his life, Jessica, for 10 years.
Attorney/Shareholder, Atkins, Hollmann, Jones, Peacock, Lewis and Lyon, Inc. Melanie Hollmann, 36, is an attorney/shareholder at Atkins, Hollmann, Jones, Peacock, Lewis and Lyon, Inc. where she has worked for 10 years. Melanie received her Bachelor of Arts in History from Texas Tech University in 2002 and went on to receive her Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2005. Melanie is on the Board of Directors of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, where she serves as the Vice President of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. She also serves as the President of the Odessa Housing Finance Corporation, board member of the West Texas Food Bank, member of the State Bar of Texas Chief Disciplinary Counsel Grievance Committee, and Chairman of the Compliance Committee of Odessa Development Corporation. In 2014, Melanie received the Pro Bono Award from West Texas Legal Services. Melanie’s parents are Daniel J. and Jeanette T. Hollmann. Melanie is married to her husband Steven Pope who brought two sons to the family: Aaron Pope, wife Jackie and their daughter Addilyn, and Jay Pope, wife Courtnay, and their son Luke. Together Steven and Melanie have a son, Nolan, who was born on February 27th of this year.
Vice President of Operations for Process Solutions Division, DNOW Clayton Kenworthy has been employed with Odessa Pumps for six years and has been an important part of the company’s significant growth. He was promoted to Vice President of Operations for the Process Solutions division of DNOW, Inc. where he is responsible for 500 employees. He has a BBA in Accounting from Baylor University and a Master’s Degree in Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. Clayton is a founding member of Young Professionals of Odessa and currently serves on the board of the United Way of Odessa. He is also a member of the Compliance Committee for the Odessa Development Corporation. He has served as treasurer for two local bond elections, and is a past board member of Rock the Desert. For the past six years, he has also enjoyed volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Clayton’s parents are Winston and Susan Kenworthy and he has a brother, Carlton. His mentors are Toby and Sondra Eoff. During his free time, Clayton enjoys hunting, flying airplanes, and spending time with his friends.
Director, Odessa Convention and Visitors Bureau Lawanna Lambert is the director of the Odessa Convention and Visitors Bureau. Lawanna is a native Odessan with a degree in psychology from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. She currently attends Capella University and is working toward a Masters of Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Lawanna serves on various boards and organizations which impact the community such as the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Odessa Board of Directors, the Texas Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, and the Odessa Council for the Arts and Humanities. In 2005, Lawanna was named Best Step-On Tour Guide by the Texas Travel Industry Association. She has passion and enthusiasm to show that Odessa truly is “the right place in Texas” which can be witnessed through her interactions with everyone she comes into contact with. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and working outdoors with nature.
State Representative, Attorney, and Rancher Brooks Landgraf represents the 81st District in the Texas House of Representatives, which includes the counties of Andrews, Ector, Ward, and Winkler. He serves on the Energy Resources, Environmental Regulations, and Republican Caucus Policy Committees, making him a strong advocate for the Permian Basin. As representative, Brooks secured funding for University of Texas of the Permian Basin and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center of the Permian Basin, ensured the passage of the Down Syndrome Information Act, and introduced legislation creating a new district court for Ector County. Outside of public service, Brooks is an attorney and manages his family’s ranch. Brooks sits on the boards of directors for the Education Foundation and the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance. He is an advisory board member for the John Ben Shepperd Leadership Institute and a member of Young Professionals of Odessa, which honored him with the Sondra Eoff Leadership Award in 2015. In 2016, Brooks was awarded the Odessa American’s "Best Politician" award and the Teen Court Volunteer of the Year. Brooks and his wife Shelby have a daughter, Hollis Rose. He received his Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University and Juris Doctorate from Saint Mary’s University School of Law.
Owner/Founder, BLAZE, a Social Media Firm Danita Maldonado’s journey has taken her from West Texas to New York City and back again. Since 2012, Danita has grown her own marketing company, BLAZE, a Social Media Firm. She works with clients on local, regional and national levels, and has become a sought after digital media speaker and trainer. Danita sits on many nonprofit boards and committees. She is currently president of Catholic Charities of Odessa, the secretary of the Junior Achievement of the Permian Basin Board, and is the past secretary of the Recording Library of West Texas. She is active with the Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest and mentors high school girls through the Camp CEO program. Danita sits on the board of Young Professionals of Odessa, is a graduate of the 2014-2015 Leadership Odessa Class, and is an active member of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, where she also serves as the Chamber Ambassador Board Secretary. In 2015, Danita was named the Hispanic Heritage Young Professional of the Year and was an ALMA Award recipient. In 2016, she won a Media Newcomer Award and was named the YPO Board Member of the Year. Danita is the proud mom to 9-year-old Izabella Skye.
Executive Director, Medical Center Health System Foundation Bridgette Myers is the Executive Director of the MCH Foundation where she has worked for the past four and a half years. Bridgette played an integral role in raising $2.9 million for the Samantha Canady Center for Pediatric Care, the hospital’s first project fully funded by philanthropy. Bridgette was born and raised in Odessa, Texas and is a 2003 graduate of Permian High School. She holds an Associate of Applied Arts from South Plains College and a Bachelor of Science in Business from Dallas Baptist University with a concentration in vocal performance. She currently serves as the chair of Nominating and Placement for the Junior League of Odessa and has held many chair positions for the organization. She is a member of Young Professionals of Odessa, and a graduate of NELC and Leadership Odessa. Bridgette is also an active member of Stonegate Fellowship. She is married to Jeff Meyers, and together they have two sons, Jack and Harry. She gives credit to her husband and family for being so supportive in her journey as a working woman. She believes that family and community go hand in hand and loves giving back.
Assistant Principal, Permian High School, ECISD Tyler Press is an assistant principal at Permian High School. He obtained a degree in general studies from Dallas Baptist University in addition to a Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Prior to working in education, Tyler served as a pastor for Life Change Baptist Church. Tyler and his wife Alicia received the Angels in Adoption Award in 2012 by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Tyler gets tremendous joy from giving back to those less fortunate and in need. In 2015, he independently raised funds to build an Angel House Rescue Orphanage in India. In April of 2016, he started Community Bible Church and now serves as co-pastor and executive officer of the board for the congregation. Tyler has a strong commitment to the community and takes pride in every life he is able to touch, especially the youth of Odessa.
District Director, U.S. Congressman Mike Conaway Evan Thomas is a native of Lubbock and a graduate of Texas Tech University. Evan has served as District Director for U.S. Congressman Mike Conaway since September of 2012. Joining the staff in 2010, he previously served as the District Representative for Odessa. As District Director, Evan oversees the office’s operations within the twenty-nine counties of the 11th Congressional District of Texas. He supervises six district offices and staff, coordinates official events in Texas, and acts as a liaison between constituents and the federal government. Evan is a member of the Board of Directors for the Young Professionals of Odessa and a graduate of Leadership Odessa. He recently served as the chairman of the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute’s 2017 Texas Leadership Forum. He is a recipient of the Spirit of Pro Bono Award from Legal Aid of North West Texas.
Physical Therapist, Odessa Physical Therapy Michelle Stewart is a Physical Therapist and Assistant Clinical Director at Odessa Physical Therapy where she has worked since 2014. Michelle graduated in 2009 from Midwestern State University in her hometown of Wichita Falls, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. She then graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center where she received her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2014. Michelle moved to Odessa in 2011, and since that time, she has become very involved in the community. She is currently the Vice Chair of Young Professionals of Odessa, and was named Member of the Year in 2015. She serves on the Leadership Team and Merry Marketplace Committee of the Junior League of Odessa, and is in the current class of Leadership Odessa. Michelle has been a camp counselor for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Summer Camp for kids with neuromuscular diseases since 2005. Michelle enjoys indoor cycling, running and lifting weights. She has recently begun helping others succeed in their health and fitness through becoming a Beachbody coach. Michelle is married to her college sweetheart Kyle Stewart and they have three fur babies.
Director of Purchasing and Fleet, City of Odessa Phillip Urrutia is the Director of Purchasing and Fleet for the City of Odessa. He has worked on major projects for the city, including downtown redevelopment and water quality improvement. Phillip was born and raised in Lubbock with short stints in Amarillo and Levelland. While in Lubbock, Phillip graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Political Science. He later received a Masters of Public Administration and designation as a Certified Public Manager. Phillip is an active member of the Texas City Manager’s Association, United Way of Odessa Board of Directors, Texas Public Purchasing Association, and Fleetpros. Phillip is married to his high school friend and ‘girl next door’, Michelle, who teaches kindergarten at Hays Magnet Academy. They have a daughter named Cheyenne who is their biggest joy. Phillip is an outdoor person who enjoys playing golf, hunting, and cooking out. He enjoys the camaraderie of his fellow co-workers, golf buddies, and Crossroads Fellowship church congregation. Phillip plans to continue his career in municipal government. His goal is to become a City Manager.
Teacher, Crockett Middle School, ECISD Jesus "Baldo" Valeriano, is an art teacher at Crockett Middle School. Although born in Dumas, Texas, Baldo lived in Ojinaga, Chihuahua until the age of 15. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Sul Ross University and worked in the medical field for eight years before becoming a teacher. Jesus enjoys giving his time to those in need, which is evident by his unwavering contribution to ECISD and the community. He is the founder of ‘Solo Por Ayudar Ojinaga’ which collects school supplies for hundreds of students in need, and ensures they will have something special to open every Christmas. Baldo also voluntarily helps teachers get certified, and works with special needs students doing art. He also raises funds to take a group of his promising art students to New York City and Washington D.C. every summer.