MOMENTUM
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD WINNER
Leadership Tyler Distinguished Alumni Award Winner for 2025 is James Sheridan. James is a graduate of Leadership Tyler Core Program Class 17. “James’ participation in Leadership Tyler Class 17 contributed greatly to his community involvement,” said Walter Wilhelmi in recommending James for the award.
“James is a native Tylerite who has spent his entire adult life serving our community. He not only is an outstanding leader through numerous organizations, but he presents himself in the community as a competent, friendly and enthusiastic representative of the organization,” said Paul Latta.
James currently serves as President of the Board for the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. He has served on multiple community boards including Past President - United Way of Smith County, Past President - Better Business Bureau, Past President - Tyler Rotary Club, Past President Tyler Rotary Club Foundation, Past President - University of Texas at Tyler Patriots, Past President - Tyler Junior College Alumni Association, Past President - Junior Achievement of Greater Tyler, Past Board of DirectorCystic Fibrosis Foundation, Past Board of Director - Habitat for Humanity, Past Board of Director - Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Tyler, East Texas Area Council of Boy Scouts of America - Fundraising committee.
According to friends, James is devoted to his family. His wife, Gillian, also graduated from Leadership Tyler Class 17, and they have two teenage daughters.
Robert Wilson describes James, “James has that ‘Spark’ of Leadership. It’s that indescribable charisma that - combined with his humor and energy - James has been able to do so much good for
the people in this community. This is a quality many aspire to but so few have. James is definitely a leader that merits recognition as Distinguished Alumni of Leadership Tyler.”
Janet Hills wrote in her recommendation, “James’ leadership positions come from having a servant’s heart. His willingness to help those in need in every area is inspiring. Nothing is menial to him. His excitement is infectious, and his integrity is unmatched. It’s an honor to know him.”
James will be recognized at Leadership Live 2025 on Tuesday, September 23rd at Green Acres CrossWalk Center at 11 am.
James has that ‘Spark’ of Leadership. It’s combined with his humor and energy.
- Robert Wilson
INTRODUCING THE CORE CLASS 39
Welcome Core Class 39! The leaders selected for Class 39 are embarking on what promises to be and exciting and enlightening journey. They will spend the next nine months learning more about our community and themselves, forging relationships, and stretching their comfort zones. We are excited to welcome them to the Core Program.
Sungani Banda
Gollob Morgan Peddy
Taylor Bell Mentoring Alliance
Starla Bickerstaff East Texas Food Bank
Jason Boyd UT Health East Texas-Physicians
Braden Brady Boathouse Ministry
Steve Brunson Guide Path Financial Group
Reagan Butts RLB Legal Group, PLLC
Nicole Cromeans Andrews Center
Cecilia Cuellar
The University of Texas at Tyler
Tracey Daniels Creative Solutions
Lauren Deaton The University of Texas at Tyler
Jessica Domingos The Evie Effect
Laquesha Ford-Mcquay UT Health East Texas
Ann Marie Hoover
Transworld Business Advisors of East Texas
Liz Hutson
The University of Texas at Tyler
Grant Ingram Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce
Jill Johnson Community Volunteer
Akiko Lewis
Akiko Lou Salon & Boutique
Jordan Loy Bearded Dad Drones
Mario Martinez
The Genecov Group
Sarah Massey Halff
Kimberly Miller Gladewater ISD
Garrett Northcutt Tyler Junior College
Rachel Parker Breckenridge Village
Lizzie Podany CWJ Strategies
Jessi Reel
The University of Texas at Tyler
Michelle Salge UT Tyler School of Medicine
Melissa Salinas Bethesda Health Clinic
Michelle Seaton Uber Technologies Inc.
Susy Smith Caldwell Zoo
Marcio Soares The Soares Law Firm, PLLC
Micha Stone UT Health East Texas
Jennifer Sudduth CHRISTUS Health
Luke Swanson Burns Commercial Properties
Adam Tarrant
Tyler Texas Police Department
Kimberly Taylor Delek US - Tyler Refinery
Michael Tropea Grace Community Church - University Blvd
Alyx Tutt Plaza Tower
Jacob Walker HDR Engineering
Freda Wilson Delek US
Tim Winebarger Knackforge Inc
BOARD SPOTLIGHT
MEET OUR BOARD PRESIDENT, JAMES WANSLEY!
James is a graduate of LT’s Core Program - Class 26, but James has served our organization in a multitude of roles over the years. James and his wife, Leah, were also recognized as Leadership Tyler’s Distinguished Alumni in 2022. While James isn’t serving LT, he acts as Product Owner at the Genesis Group, all while serving as Mayor of Whithouse, Texas!
When asked what Leadership Tyler means to him, James said, “It means that Tyler is intentionally developing its community leadership, helping new executives establish roots in Tyler, and coming together to think about the issues that might impact our community for the next 100 years. And Leadership Tyler means friends and mentors that I would have never met otherwise.”
A fun fact about James is that he and Leah were certified Zumba instructors for several years. “She was the talent, and I was her backup dancer,” he said. They attended the annual Zumba convention each year in Hollywood, Florida, and they have danced at Cowboys Stadium and in Amsterdam. “We are worldwide...like Pitbull.”
A NOTE FROM WENDY
Happy Summer LT Friends! We are embarking on another fiscal year here at Leadership Tyler. Our 39th to be exact! As we start our year, I would like to welcome our newest board members: Kristen Brice (Class 36), Broderick McGee (Class 27), Tom Perkins (Class 31), and Octavio Téllez (Class 37). They join an amazing group of leaders who have a vision for continuing our mission to equip leaders to enrich the community.
I also want to invite you to join us at Leadership Live 2025. We will gather at Green Acres CrossWalk Center on Tuesday, September 23rd at 11 am and welcome Core Class 39, honor James Sheridan, Distinguished Alumni Award Winner, and hear from a dynamic speaker, Liz Bohanan, about the importance of building community. You don’t want to miss it!
Thank you to all of the alumni volunteers who make our programs amazing! You roll up your sleeves, offer your talents, and share your insights. It is such a privilege to work with such impactful and passionate leaders!
Wendy Frizzell - Class 31
IT’S ALMOST HERE... LEADERSHIP LIVE 2025
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Green Acres CrossWalk.
Better Together: The Power of Community Guest speaker: Liz Bohannon
We’ve all heard “It takes a village!” But the vast majority of people are left wondering where exactly to find said village. Is there a number to call or a memo we missed?
Liz Bohannon, a leading workplace connection expert, knows you likely won’t “find” your village. But you can build it. She’s done it time and time again in both personal and professional settings and will teach you and your team how to design a life and organization that prioritizes human connection and relationships and unleashes your people and teams to reach their full potential by going faster and further together.
Designing workplaces that elevate connection and authentic community is the fastest path to collaboration, fulfillment and impact, and it is at the heart of The Community Quotient™, a dynamic and refreshing perspective from Liz Bohannon that disrupts conventional thinking on organizational design.
ALL ABOUT ALUMNI
“Equipping Leaders to Enrich our Community”…This is WHY the LT Alumni organization exists. It is my privilege to work with the Alumni Committee to provide ways to intentionally fulfill this mission. Here are two fabulous opportunities designed to further develop leaders for an even better community.
1. Impact Tyler is an event where community members meet nonprofit organizations to connect, support, and partner. Deadline for nonprofits to register for a table or booth is August 22nd. Community members will visit with the various nonprofits to explore possible opportunities of service.
ALL ABOUT ALUMNI
2. Equipping Leaders Series provides training to expand our leadership journey. Bridging the Divide: The Art and Practice of Conflict Resolution, is the third in the series of six different leadership topics. Registration is open to all LT Alumni and the general public.
Hanson is a 35+ veteran of both public and private sectors. Her foundation in education, paired with her extensive counseling experience, brings a unique psychoeducational approach to the journey of self-improvement and enhanced relationships. Participants will learn the psychology behind conflict and how to approach it constructively, techniques for effective communication to de-escalate tension, and practical and interactive exercises to develop and strengthen our conflict resolution skills. Attendees will gain practical tools that we can apply immediately in real-life situations, while practicing techniques that will enhance our communication, self-regulation, and conflict resolution skills. This training is recommended for all of us.
I encourage you to register and attend Impact Tyler and Bridging the Divide. In addition, many networking, socials, service opportunities, and other events are offered through your LT Alumni Committee. Please choose one or more and come mix and mingle with other LT friends. It is a great group of people. As always, contact me with any questions or ideas!
In service, Jackie Cannon | 903.520.6700 | jackie@leadershiptyler.org
LEADERSHIP TYLER BOARD OF OFFICERS
James Wansley - Class 26
President
Thomas Neuhoff - Class 33 Past President
Matthew Ramirez - Class 29 President Elect
Alan Cumming - Class 19 Treasurer
Neal Anthony - Class 35 VP Development
Whitney Patterson - Class 29 VP Alumni
Kaitlyn Shultz - Class 33 VP Outreach/Marketing
Ginger Cardwell - Class 29 VP Programs
DIRECTORS
Dawson Barksdale - Class 34
Kristen Brice - Class 36
Alesha Williams Buckner - Class 21
Anthony Brooks - EOS 2021
Esmeralda Corona - Class 35
Elena Gomez - Class 33
Erika Gonzalez - Class 33
Broderick McGee - Class 27
Joshua Neaves - Class 33
Tom Perkins - Class 31
Dr. Deana Sheppard - 2019 EOS
Octavio Tellez - Class 37
STAFF
Wendy Frizzell - Class 31 Executive Director
Jackie Cannon - Class 31 Director of Alumni
ANONYMOUS
Azalea Orthopedics
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital
Brookshire Grocery Company
Callynth Photography
Eye Care Associates of East Texas
Gollob Morgan Peddy PC
Jasper Ventures
Jim Huggler, Attorney at Law
Latta Family Dentistry
Anwar Khalifa
Jackie & Bruce Cannon
D & N Grocery
East Texas Communities Foundation
Halff Associates, Inc
Christy Hanson Counseling
NET Health
Protho Wilhelmi & Co. PLLC
Ride Tyler
Merrill Lynch/LMT Wealth Management
Prosperity Bank
Root Construction
Southside Bank
Tyler Junior College
Tyler Neurosurgical Associates
Scarborough Commercial Real Estate
SCI Construction, Ltd.
Toyia Jordan The Dacus Firm Your Philanthropy