Introducing 2024 Oncomin
John Barnett, Real Estate Investor, Texas Art Collector
Rodney Ellis, Ed.D., Director, UT Tyler Longview University Center
John has been self-employed for the past 22 years as a real estate investor, and his office is in the historic Azalea District of Tyler. He is a member of the Exhibition Committee for the LMFA. His hobby or disease as he refers to it, is collecting Texas Art. He currently has ten paintings on display at the Tyler Museum of Art, titled Tyler Collects Texas Art: 1920 to 1970. John is married to his best friend, Sandy Barnett. They have nieces, nephews, godchildren, and two dogs; Blanca, the Therapet, and Atticus, John’s sidekick wherever he goes.
Dr. Ellis is active in the East Texas community, serving Rotary Club of Longview, STAR Foundation Board of Directors, Salvation Army Board of Advisors, and Longview Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Task Force. He earned his doctorate in Higher Education Administration and has nearly twenty-nine years of experience in postsecondary education with over twenty-two of those years as a Senior Level Administrator in higher education. Dr. Ellis was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, and has two daughters.
Zahckry Israel, Entrepreneur & Artist Zahck has a passion for Downtown Longview and serves on the Main Street Board. He owns and operates several downtown businesses with his business partners, including Ollie’s Skate Shop, Solo Sandwich Co., and Longview Cabinets. He is a lifetime artist, has painted several murals downtown, and married his high school sweetheart. Zahck was born and raised in Longview.
Ross Massengill, Retired Attorney Ross is from Ennis, Texas where he practiced law for 32 years. Prior to attending law school, he was a banker and savings and loan examiner. He served on the City of Ennis Historic Landmark Commission for 10 years, most of which time, as chairman. For the past 10 years, Dennis has renovated several historical buildings in downtown Ennis with a business partner. Ross and his wife, have been married for 17 years and have two cats. Since retiring, he enjoys spending time with his wife and grandchildren who live in White Oak, Longview recreation trails, attempting to learn a foreign language.
8
PERSPECTIVE | LMFA.ORG
