OUR SPONSORS PLATINUM
BECOME A SPONSOR
BECOME A SPONSOR
BECOME A SPONSOR
BECOME A SPONSOR
REGIONAL RESILIENT ECONOMY CONFERENCE
BUILT IN TEXOMA, MADE IN AMERICA
GOLD SILVER
BECOME A SPONSOR
BECOME A SPONSOR
BECOME A SPONSOR
BECOME A SPONSOR
BECOME A SPONSOR
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PANEL
PURPOSE & AUDIENCE REGIONAL
BUILT IN TEXOMA, MADE IN AMERICA
Event Overview
The Texoma Made Conference, set for November 5, 2025, at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, is a regional summit focused on advancing economic development, innovation, and cross-border collaboration across northern Texas and southern Oklahoma. As the Texoma region experiences significant growth in manufacturing, business development, and job creation, the conference provides a timely platform to address key infrastructure and workforce challenges critical to sustaining this momentum.
Through a full day of expert-led panels, keynote discussions, and strategic sessions, attendees will explore practical approaches to building stronger communities, supporting small business growth, enhancing connectivity, and strengthening regional partnerships. Local governments and stakeholders from counties in both states will come together to share insights, align priorities, and co-develop solutions for long-term regional resilience.
With breakfast and lunch provided, the event also offers meaningful networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Texoma Made is more than a conference it’s a catalyst for uniting the region around a shared vision for a more connected, resilient, and prosperous future.
Who should attend?
Texoma Made is both a regional summit and a high-impact networking event bringing together leaders, innovators, and community champions to exchange ideas, forge connections, and inspire action.
• Public Sector & Regional Leaders City and county officials, planners, EDCs, and Chamber leaders looking to collaborate on infrastructure, policy, and regional strategy.
• Business & Industry Professionals Entrepreneurs, small business owners, developers, investors, and executives in manufacturing, logistics, and real estate seeking growth opportunities and partnerships.
• Workforce & Education Educators, workforce boards, training providers, students, and job seekers focused on the future of work and regional talent development.
• Nonprofits & Community Advocates Organizations supporting housing, tourism, equity, arts, and revitalization efforts across Texoma.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from keynote speakers, join meaningful conversations, and build lasting connections with fellow changemakers shaping the future of North Texas and Southern Oklahoma.
CONFERENCAGENDASCHEDULE
8:00 - 8:45 AM: Conference Registration & Advance Networking (Mabee Banquet Hall) Light breakfast provided at Johnson Gallery)
8:45 - 9:00 AM: Welcome-Remark (Mabee Banquet Hall) Eric Bridges, Executive Director, TCOG
9:00-10:00 AM: Seven Breakout Concurrent Sessions (20 mins each session + Q&A)
DOWNTOWN CORE THRIVING Combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces creates a vibrant, sustainable hub for economic growth and community engagement. This preservation-based effort earned the City of Denison the 2025 Great American Main Street Award Speaker: Renee Waggoner, Assistant City Manager, City of Denison. (Room A)
LAND USE & ZONING Address housing needs and downtown revitalization through strategic land use plans and zoning ordinances, promote sustainable growth Speaker: Mary Tate, Director of Development Services, City of Denison. (Room A)
DRIVING BUSINESS GROWTH The Chamber of Commerce plays a pivotal role in building and strengthening the local economy from within by connecting and supporting small businesses Speaker: Diana Theall , President & CEO, Denison CoC. (Room B)
TOURISM PANEL From DFW to McKinney, Texoma, and Southern Oklahoma, tourism helps connect communities through cultural trails, local businesses, and shared stories. These regional efforts boost rural resilience by diversifying economies, creating jobs, and showcasing the unique assets that make our region thrive Speakers Panel: Aaron Werner, President and CEO, Visit McKinney, Brandi Burkhalter, Executive Director, Lake Texoma Association, Steve Smith, Board Chair of Trinity Coalition, Visit DFW . (Room B)
TRANSPORTATION By improving connectivity, creating jobs, expanding housing options, and opening markets, these efforts build sustainable economic resilience for rural communities Speaker Clay Barnett, Vice President of Huitt-Zollars (Room C)
BROADBAND Reliable wireless service supports communities in tracking progress and making informed decisions to strengthen economic resilience Speaker: Paul Narro, Policy Director, TekWav (Room C)
10:00-11:00 AM: Five Breakout Concurrent Sessions (20 mins each session + Q&A)
MODAL TXDOT Modal programs boost connectivity and growth. Multimodal transportation offers flexible, cost-efficient access to markets and jobs, attracting investment and supporting rural economic development Speaker Caroline Mays, Director of Planning and Modal Programs, TxDOT (Room A)
AFFORDABLE HOUSING: DEVELOPER-GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP Examples of successful collaborations between developers and local governments highlight key strategies communities can use to address housing affordability challenges and help Texoma municipalities prepare for future growth while ensuring housing remains attainable Speaker: Maggie J Paker, Founder, Innovan Neighborhoods (Room A)
SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERING The Chamber of Commerce strengthens the local economy from within by building community partnerships connecting leaders, resources, and small businesses to support local growth and resilience. Speaker: Sandy Rehkopf, President & CEO, Sherman CoC (Room B)
SBDC + SBA PANEL SBDC and SBA support small businesses with counseling, capital, training, and recovery driving innovation, diversification, and long-term economic resilience Speakers Panel: Dr. Karen Stidham, Director of SBDC, Bridget Moon, Economic Development Specialist, SBA (Room B)
THE ALPHABET SOUP OF CITY FUNDING (40 mins) A variety of Infrastructure & Capital Funding Tools, such as MUDs, PIPs, TIFs, and TRZs, will be explored to highlight the different approaches available for supporting community development and resilience Speaker: Joey Grisham, Economic Development Director, City of Anna. (Room C)
REGIONAL RESILIENT ECONOMY CONFERENCE
BUILT IN TEXOMA, MADE IN AMERICA
TOPICS BY KEYNOTE SPEAKERS CONCURENT SESSIONS
11:00-12:00 PM: Three Breakout Concurrent Sessions (20 mins each session + Q&A)
FISCAL STRATEGIES (40 mins) These strategies help cities plan, manage, and align funding with community priorities supporting infrastructure, services, and sustainable economic growth -–Speaker: Renee Waggoner, Assistant City Manager, City of Denison (Room A)
WATER FINANCING TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD offers funding for water projects to improve infrastructure and promote economic resilience. Collaboration with TWDB is key for addressing regional water issues. Speaker: Scott Galaway, Financial Programs Outreach Specialist , Texas Water Development Board (Room B)
ENERGY EFFICENCY PROGRAM SECO/SPEER share energy efficiency best practices, helping reduce energy and water costs for municipalities Speaker: Shaun Auckland, Senior Manager , Government and Community Engagement, SPEER (Room B)
12:00-12:30 PM: Lunch (Mabee Banquet Hall, food will be set up at Johnson Gallery)
12:30—1:30 PM: Economic Development Panel (Mabee Banquet Hall)
REGIONAL ED PANEL Join leaders from the Big 5 EDCs and Southern Oklahoma to discuss lessons learned, What is the current economic impact across our region, and where are we most vulnerable? how we build resilience, and why a diversified economic ecosystem is key to sustainable regional growth Speakers Panel: Kent Sharp, President, EDC Sherman, Tony Kaai, President, EDC Denison, David Ellis, Executive Director, EDC of Van Alstyne, Joey Grisham, Economic Development Director, City of Anna , Katherine Moore, Director, Durant Economic Development City
1:30-2:15: Four Break out Concurrent Sessions (30 mins each session + Q&A)
WORKFORCE SOLUTION PANEL Discover programs and strategies that support current sectors and prepare for future growth. We’ll discuss key messages to share and which school districts offer relevant workforce readiness programs. Learn how these efforts drive sustainable economic growth in the region Speakers Panel: Janie Bates, Executive Director of WFS, Lisa Holloway, Director of Corporate Foundation and Government Relation, Austin College, Dr. Chase Machen, Dean of Academic and Workforce Instruction, Grayson College, Dr. Dr. G. Brent Wallace, Chancellor/CEO, NCTC Foundation College, Elizabeth Clayton, Coordinator of Career, Sherman ISD, Dustin Anderson, CTE Director, Denison ISD (Room A)
AI TOOLS TO HELP GROWING BUSINESS Thrive Discover how artificial intelligence solutions can streamline operations, boost productivity, and drive innovation empowering your business to grow efficiently and stay competitive in today’s market Speaker: Amy May, Owner of May Media (Room B)
TEXAS PACE PROGRAM helps property owners finance energy-efficient and renewable upgrades through property tax assessments, promoting sustainable development and strengthening community resilience. Speaker: Charlene Heydinger, President, Texas PACE Authority (Room C)
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IMPACT MODEL Learn how this tool can help communities evaluate the return on investment of for new residential projects and estimate break-even timelines for recovering public costs Speaker: Paul Scheuren, Managing Partner & Economist, Impact Data Source, LLC (Room D) (Mabee Banquet Hall) ?
2:15 PM: Wrap Up- Remark (Mabee Hall) Tony Kaai, President, EDC Denison
GROUP 1: COMMUNITY PLANNING
Modal Program of TXDOT : Modal programs drive connectivity, mobility, and growth
About Caroline
Caroline is the Director of Planning and Modal Programs at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), where she oversees the Aviation, Maritime, Public Transportation, Rail, and Transportation Planning and Programming divisions. A nationally recognized leader in multimodal transportation, Mays brings over two decades of experience in planning, policy, and project development. She has been instrumental in advancing Texas’ freight and trade infrastructure, including the development of the state’s first Freight Mobility Plan and the TexasMexico Border Transportation Master Plan. Her prior roles at TxDOT include Statewide Freight Coordinator and Director of Freight, Trade and Connectivity. Before joining TxDOT, Mays led freight planning efforts at the Atlanta Regional Commission and worked as a transit planner in New York. She actively contributes to national and international transportation policy through leadership roles with the Transportation Research Board, AASHTO, and the World Road Association. Mays holds degrees in urban and regional planning from the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto and is a member of the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners. Her expertise and leadership continue to shape the future of integrated transportation systems.
FEATURING PRESENTATION
Downtown Core Thriving : Revitalization Denison Downtown Strategic Growth, Land use & Zoning Ordinances
About Rene
Rene is Assistant Manager of the City of Denison To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout. Thank you!) To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout. Thank you!)
About Mary
Mary is Director of Development Services of the City of Denison To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout. Thank you!) To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit withintheflyerlayout.Thankyou!)
Affordable HousingDeveloperGovernment Partnerships
About Maggie
mation. A Dallas native, Maggie began her career in community development while earning dual master’s degrees in public administration and city and regional planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She previously served as the first Director of The Real Estate Council’s Community Fund, a CDFI, where she helped deploy over $3.1 million in loans, secured $4.4 million in capital, and led collaborative initiatives to support development in underserved Dallas neighborhoods. Maggie is a certified Housing Development Finance Professional, a Coro Fellow, and a Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. Through Innovan, she connects real estate strategy with community voice to build inclusive, sustainable outcomes for historically marginalized communities.
GROUP 2: RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE READINESS
Transportation Overall for Texoma
Water, Waste Water Demand & Programs can help (TWDB)
Internet access/ Broadband (TekWav)
About Clay About Scott About Paul
Clay Barnett, PE, CFM
Clay Barnett is Vice President and Principal at Huitt-Zollars, leading infrastructure project management and business development across North Texas from the firm’s new Sherman office. With over 20 years of experience in civil engineering and public infrastructure, Clay has overseen projects in street maintenance, traffic operations, drainage, solid waste and recycling, parks, and airport improvements. His distinguished public sector career includes roles as Director of Public Works and Development Services for the City of Sherman, County Engineer for Grayson County, and Director of the Grayson County Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Clay holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas and a Certified Floodplain Manager. Deeply involved in the profession, Clay serves as State Treasurer of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers and is a past recipient of the TSPE Excellence Award and the Texas Engineering Foundation’s Distinguished Engineer Award.
Scott Galaway is a the Financial Programs Outreach Specialist at Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it tofit within the flyer layout. Thank you!) To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it tofit withintheflyerlayout.Thankyou!)
(DBA Tekwav), wherehe leads public policy initiatives for the rapidly growing internet service provider. He oversees Tekwav’s advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels, evaluates new markets, and works with communities on large-scale infrastructure projects. Paul partners with the Texoma Council of Governments, local school districts, and libraries to pursue federal broadband funding. With over a decade of experience in compliance and policy, Paul is also the Co-founder and Treasurer of Connect2Educate, a nonprofit focused on rural broadband advocacy. He has supported legislators and policymakers in navigating broadbandbarriers and helped advance HB 5, which established the Texas Broadband Office. Paul also played a key role in forming the Grayson County Broadband Coalition to support coordinated, regional broadband expansion efforts.
FEATURING PRESENTATION
Energy Efficiency Program (SECO/SPEER)
trails. Her happy place includes the perfect baby back rib, dark chocolate, or a spicy margarita.
Shaun blends technical know-how with an authentic drive to make communities more sustainable and equitable. Reach out to her directly via email or visit her profile to learn more about her work and passions.
GROUP 3: CITY FUNDING & STRATEGIES
The Alphabet Soup of City Funding
Municipal Fiscal Strategies
Joey is the Director of Economic Development for the City of Anna, Texas, where he leads strategic initiatives to attract investment, create jobs, and support sustainable suburban growth. With over 20 years of experience, he is a recognized leader in North Texas economic development and a vocal advocate for cities like Anna, calling them “North Texas’ golden ticket.”
His past leadership roles span several Texas cities, including Hutto, Keller, Rowlett, Irving’s Las Colinas district, Lake Granbury, and Bonham. He has successfully negotiated major real estate deals, helped establish TIRZ and Public Improvement Districts, and secured state incentives like the Texas Enterprise Fund.
Named to D CEO Magazine’s Dallas 500, he holds a B.A. from the University of Mississippi, and M.A. and M.S. degrees from the University of Memphis and the University of Southern Mississippi. He is active in IEDC, TEDC, and other professionalnetworks.
Rene is Assistant Manager of the City of Denison
To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout.
Building Energy— Texas PACE Authority Program
best practices. PACENation recognized Charlene as one of three national 2020 PACE Champions.
On Capitol Hill Charlene served as general counsel to House Republican Leader Bob Michel, minority general counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and minority counsel to the House Judiciary and Energy and Commerce Committees. As vice president and Washington counsel for Capital Cities ABC, Inc., Heydinger represented the company’s television and radio networks and owned stations, ESPN, and print interests.
About Joey
About Renee
About Charlene
FEATURING PRESENTATION
GROUP 4: ROI TOOL
Evaluating ROI for Residential Development : (RDI Model)
About Paul
Paul Scheuren is Managing Partner and Economist at Impact DataSource, where he leads development of the Impact DashBoard, the firm’s economic and fiscal impact modeling tool. Since joining in 2009, Paul has supported clients in conducting impact analyses for individual projects as well as large-scale initiatives, including those seeking incentives through programs like the Texas Enterprise Fund and JETI.
Paul holds a Master of Arts in Economics from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Actuarial Science from Temple University. Originally from Pennsylvania, he relocated to Texas and embraces its vibrant communities.
Outside of work, Paul is an avid endurance athlete and an 11-time Ironman triathlete. When not training, he enjoys traveling the world with his wife, Anjie. Paul’s combination of economic expertise and disciplined focus informs his approach to helping communities achieve measurable growth.
Paul Scheuren
GROUP 5: REGIONAL ED PANEL
Join leaders from the Big 5 EDCs and Southern Oklahoma to discuss regional economic impact, vulnerabilities, building resilience, and the importance of a diversified economy for sustainable growth.
ipal economic development organizations: Shamrock, TX; Stamford, TX; Big Spring, TX; Gainesville, TX; and Abilene, TX.
Kent received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Texas Christan University in 1991 He has been twice elected to two local independent school district boards of trustees: Big Spring in 2001 and Gainesville in 2013. Sharp is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC), a member of the Texas Economic Development Corporation and the International Economic Development Council.
Kent is married to Angela Sharp and they have two adult children, Austin Sharp of Houston, Texas and Bailey Sharp of Sydney Australia.
Tony has been in the economic development business for over 35 years. He attained “Certified Economic Developer” status in 1993. He spent 15 years in Oklahoma and the last 20 in Denison, TX. During his tenure in Oklahoma, he served as the President of the Oklahoma Economic Development Council. In 1994 he was recognized as the “Professional of the Year” by the OEDC. In Texas he has served on Board of Director of the Texas Economic Development Council. Denison Development Alliance was awarded “Community of the Year” in 2005 and 4 other awards over his tenure for outstanding programs by the TEDC. Tony has extensive experience in assisting/recruiting back office, manufacturing, retail, and entertainment businesses.
To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role andorganization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout. Tohelpusprepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout.
Tony Kaai
FEATURING PRESENTATION
About Gainesville
To help us prepare the event flyer, could you pleasesend a briefspeaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout. To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout.
Named to D CEO Magazine s Dallas 500, he holds a B.A. from the University of Mississippi, and M.A. and M.S. degrees from the University of Memphis and the University of Southern Mississippi. He is active in IEDC, TEDC, and other professional networks.
the Industrial Authority and on boards for SODA and the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce. Moore believes Durant’s greatest asset is its people a community full of hope and opportunity driving its future.
GROUP 6: WFS READINESS PANEL
Join leaders from the Big 5 EDCs and Southern Oklahoma to discuss regional economic impact, vulnerabilities, building resilience, and the importance of a diversified economy for sustainable growth.
About Janie
Janie Bates is Executive Director of Workforce Solutions Texoma, serving Cooke, Grayson, and Fannin Counties with employment, training, and childcare services. She chairs the Sherman Economic Development Corporation and played a key role in developing the Texoma Tech Hub. Janie serves on multiple boards addressing homelessness and was a founding member of the Fannin Literacy Council. She has chaired the Sherman Chamber of Commerce, Grayson County United Way, Sherman Boys and Girls Club, and the Texas Association of Workforce Boards. A Distinguished Toastmaster, Janie received the Sherman Chamber Athena Award and Texoma Council of Governments Citizen of the Year. She was instrumental in establishing Grayson College’s Center for Workplace Learning and convened manufacturing stakeholders to create an advanced manufacturing program for high school students.
Janie is a graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University and lives in Sherman with her husband, Mike.
About Lisa
Lisa is the Director of Corporate Foundation and Government Relations at Austin College.
To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, pleasekeepitconciseinabout150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout. To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials:Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Keycareer highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit withintheflyerlayout.
About Jeremy / Chase
To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout. To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll formatittofitwithintheflyerlayout.
Dr. Jeremy McMilen/ Dr. Chase Machen
FEATURING PRESENTATION
About Dr. Brent
To help us prepare the event flyer, could you pleasesend a briefspeaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout. To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout.
About Elizabeth About Dustin
To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a briefspeaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout. To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout.
Tohelp us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout. To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fitwithintheflyerlayout.
GROUP 7: SMALL BUSINESS
Partnering for Business Success
Driving Business Growth
About Sandy
Sandy Rehkopf, IOM
Sandy Rehkopf became President & CEO of the Sherman Chamber of Commerce in July2024.She brings a fresh perspective and enthusiasm to advancing business and communitygrowth in Sherman, Texas. Prior to this role, Rehkopf served on multiple nonprofit boards and was the Community Outreach Coordinator for Waxahachie ISD. She is a graduate of the Institute for Organizational Management, enhancing her leadership expertise.
Rehkopf is recognized for her dynamic public presentations and creative initiatives that benefit Sherman’s business community. She has successfully expanded the chamber’s social media presence and increased membership. At the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives AnnualConference, she discussed Sherman’s role in the growing "Edge Economy" and the chamber’s commitment to supporting businesses of all sizes. The Sherman Chamber expresses strong confidence in her leadership and the positive impact she is expected to have on the community.
Diana Theall serves as the President & CEO of the Denison Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 313 W Woodard St, Denison, TX 75020. With a commitment to fostering community and economic growth, she leads initiatives that support local businesses and enhance the region's development. Diana holds the Institute for Organization Management (IOM) designation, a credential earned through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, reflecting her dedication to professional excellence in chamber leadership. Under her guidance, the Denison Chamber continues to be an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, upholding high standards of trust and service.
AI Powers Small Business
role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout.
To help us prepare the event flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll format it to fit within the flyer layout.
FEATURING PRESENTATION
SBDC + SBA Panel
About Karen
Dr Stidham is the Executive Director of Small Business Developmen SBDC for 3 Cooke, Grayson, Fannin.
Tohelp us prepare theevent flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll formatittofitwithintheflyerlayout.
Tohelp us prepare theevent flyer, could you please send a brief speaker bio? Due to limited space, please keep it concise in about 150 words and include the following: Full name and credentials: Current role and organization, Areas of expertise, Key career highlights, Unique perspective or contribution you bring, Education (optional), We’ll formatittofitwithintheflyerlayout.
About Bridget
Bridget brings over 25 years of dedicated service to the U.S. Small Business Administration, currently serving the Northern 72 counties of Texas. She began her career as an SBA Disaster Loan Officer and advanced to Supervisory Loan Officer, specializing in home and business underwriting. Bridget also served as a Public Information Officer, leading disaster recovery efforts nationwide. She holds a degree in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management and has over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, founding businesses and guiding startups and expansions through business planning. Passionate about mentorship and collaboration, Bridget is committed to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth in her region.
Dr. Karen Stidham (SBDC)
Bridget Moon (SBA)
GROUP 7: SMALL BUSINESS (Cont.)
Aaron Werner is the Executive Director of Visit McKinney, where he's responsible for leading tourism development and marketing efforts for the city of McKinney, Texas.
Werner began his public service career in McKinney in 2014, working with the McKinney Performing Arts Center and the McKinney Main Street program. He later served as Director of Leisure Services and Managing Director of Communications and Engagement for the City of Denison, Texas, before returning to McKinney in June 2022 to lead Visit McKinney. He holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Werner's focus at Visit McKinney is on strategic tourism initiatives, datadriven decisions, and collaboration with city stakeholders and partners to enhance McKinney's tourism offerings. He is also actively involved in state-level tourism efforts, serving on the boards of the Texas Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (TACVB) and the Texas Travel Alliance (TTA).
Brandi Burkhalter has been with the Lake Texoma Association since January of 2016 serving as the Assistant Director, and then the Director of Membership & Events. Brandi was made Executive Director in July 2019.
Before joining the LTA, Brandi worked as a program coordinator for several years and holds a master’s degree in Native American Leadership from SE. Brandi is married and has two daughters.
Steve's early career as a rocket scientist in the Neil Armstrong lunar landing program equipped him well to found Smith Group Asset Management, specializing in finding companies that will grow faster than expected and capturing the reward for clients when that happens. Steve has always loved the outdoors. He attained the highest honor awarded, an Eagle Scout, in Boy Scouts of America and spent five summers volunteering in BSA camps.
In recent years, his love of the outdoors has led him to volunteer for a number of nature-oriented nonprofits, including recent board seats for Groundwork Dallas, Friends of Reverchon Park, Audubon Texas, and the Trinity Coalition, where he currently serves as Board Chairman
Steve Smith
FEATURING PRESENTATION
PROJECT PARTNERS
This project was made possible with funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), with deep gratitude to the Texoma EDD's Consortium, local economic leaders, chambers of commerce, regional city managers and planners, the City of Denison, Texoma Workforce Solutions, higher education institutions, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), tribal and rural community representatives, and all of our stakeholders, partner organizations, and supporting institutions. We are especially thankful for the dedicated volunteers, including the staff of the Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), whose time, energy, and commitment helped bring this effort to life. Special thanks to Austin College for generously hosting us and coordinating a warm and welcoming space for this initiative
TEXOMA