Ben Mayo

How I’m Involved:
o   Member at St. Edwards Catholic Church
o   Involved in Leadership Texarkana, Taught Today’s Youth Tomorrow’s Leaders
o   Co-chair of the American Heart Association Heartball, 2010
o   Co-chaired a past CASA fundraiser
My Family: Married to Stacy; Son, David; Parents, Ann and Mike; Brothers and Sisters-In-Law, Stephen and Alison, Patrick and Lauren; Niece, Adyson.
My Interests: I enjoy cooking, swimming, being outdoors but mostly spending time with family.
Who Inspires You Most: My grandparents; to be a part of the greatest generation and to have gone through the struggles of their time from the Great Depression to the World War are unimaginable to me.
What Do You Want Your Legacy To Be: First, I would like my family to be a positive influence on our community and secondly I would like to leave the family business better that it was when I joined it..”

Billy Lavender

How I’m Involved:
o   Member of First Baptist Church Moores Lane
o   Vice President of Texas A&M-Texarkana Alumni Board
o   Texarkana, AR Baseball Association Board Member
o   Owner, Villa Liquor Store
My Family: Married to Debbie; Son, Trey; Daughter, Libby.
My Interests: Razorbacks, Kids and sports- ALMOST in that order! My favorite is when all three are combined!
Who Inspires You Most: It would have to be my dad and my son. My dad inspires me to live the right way, and my son inspires me to be a better man because I know he’s watching me!
Favorite Quote: “As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.”- Ben Hogan

Burns A. Barr, Jr.

How I’m Involved:
o   Member at Beech Street First Baptist Church
o   Working for KLFI TV, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through television
o   Involved in security ministry at BSFBC
o   Involved in Threads
My Family: Married to Rebecca; Daughters, Addison and Anna Clair.
Interesting Fact About Me: I am one of three “Burns” in my family. My grandfather, father and myself are all named “Burns.” When you have such an original or different name, most people you meet want to know what your name means or the significance of the name. In my case, there isn’t a meaning or story behind it! My grandfather has no idea why his mother named him “Burns.” Of course I was named after my father, as he was named after his. So now, we joke that I am “Third Degree Burns!”
Favorite Quote: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”-Philippians 4:13

Chad A. Edgington

How I’m Involved:
o   Associate Pastor for Worship and Senior Adults, FBC Wake Village
o   Member of the FBCWV Benevolence Team helping the needy and homeless
o   Serve on the Board of Directors for the Friendship Center, Inc.
o   Leader of Mission Work Teams
My Family: Married to Melissa; Daughter, Adelade; Son, Sawyer.
What Brought Me to Texarkana: I was called by FBCWV to serve as Associate Pastor in December, 2009. Prior to that, I was practicing family and criminal law with a law firm located in Abilene and living in Eastland, Texas. This is my first full-time ministry position and I love it!
Interesting Story About Me: I made extra money in law school working as an Elvis impersonator at the Cactus Theater in Lubbock , Texas. I won my election as class President my second year of law school by promising that if I won, I would wear my rhinestone decorated Elvis jumpsuit to Constitutional Law class.  It was my only campaign promise and I made good on it!

 

Chad Sparkman

Member at Pleasant Oaks Baptist Church
o   Sunday School Teacher, young adults
o   As a Restaurant Owner, Donates food and service to different churches, schools and      non-profit organizations
o   Donates toward local church missions as well as missions around the world.
My Family: Married to Emily; Son, Colton; Daughter, Havyn.
Interesting Fact About Me: I have started four new companies. With my partner, in 2009, I started Lonestar Lawns and Landscaping. In 2010 we opened The Green Tomato and formed Premier Marketing Group in Shreveport, and we recently opened Daddy Dougaloo’s.  Our hopes are for one of our two restaurant concepts to really take off and start expanding even more.  It’s been a blast and I look forward to the challenges ahead.
Favorite Quote: “Don’t tell me the sky’s the limit, when there are footprints on the moon.”- Unknown Decide to work hard and chase your dreams, and there is no limit to our potential. Don’t let others set your boundaries!

David Magness

How I’m Involved:
o   Leadership Texarkana Graduate
o   Heavily Involved in Heritage Church Community Groups
o   Texarkana Chamber of Commerce Ambassador
o   Praise Band Guitarist at Heritage Church
My Family: Married to Chase.
My Interests: I am a member of Team Edge, a local cycling race team, and I enjoy mountain biking, running, kayaking, reading, playing and writing music, watching baseball and watching good movies.
Interesting Fact About Me: I am named after my grandfather, who passed last year after battling cancer. Last October, my dad and I rode our bicycles in Austin for the Livestrong Challenge in honor of my grandfather. We rode 90 miles, and it was really special to do that with my dad. Next time, we’ll be joined by my mom and my wife!the

Frank Pryor, Jr.

How I’m Involved:
o   Member at Crosspoint Baptist Church
o   Serving the community at various events including pageants, festivals and concert events
My Family: Married to Sarah; Son, Logan.
Interesting Fact About Me: Most people don’t know that even though I’ve been a musician/entertainer for over half of my life, I’m actually a pretty shy guy.
Who Inspires You Most: My wife, for putting up with me, being the wife and mother that she is all while going to school full time and working full time. She handles everything on her plate exceptionally well.
What Do You Want Your Legacy To Be: I could only hope to be the kind of parent to my son that my parents are to me. I hope that my time and work as a local musician, songwriter and record producer will enrich my community and make my family proud. ”

Greg Schwartz

How I’m Involved:
o   Worship Leader, Praise Band Bass Player- FBC Moores Lane
o   Technical Theatre Director at Pleasant Grove High School
My Family: Parents, John and Andrea; Sister and Brother-in-law, Amanda and Kyle; Engaged to Sarah.
Interesting Story About Me: The first time I saw my fiancé, I was a high school senior running out to football practice. As I was running across the top of the hill, I was bewitched by the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Watching this amazing red head, I wasn’t paying attention and ran over one of my teammates who had stopped to tie his shoe! She dated me anyway!
Who Inspires You Most: My students inspire me the most.  The smallest things make them happy, and a simple encouragement helps them feel invincible.  Being around them convinces me that anything is possible.”

Jason Vanderhoof

How I’m Involved:
o   Served on mission trips in Columbia, Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize
o   Uses his Landscape Company and Nursery to help renovate CASA, the Chamber of         Commerce, various churches and other non-profit organizations
o   Uses his Nursery to Donate to numerous schools and public service departments.
My Family: Married to Jodi; Daughter, Zoe Bella.
Who Inspires You Most: The Human Spirit- The most powerful force on this earth, especially when submitted to God’s will in their life.  When I was young, I grew up very humble in a single parent family. Many of the kids at school changed their heroes from day to day, and I never really voiced my hero because I DIDN’T HAVE ONE. When I was about ten, I started to listen at church because I had a “drug problem.” My mom “DRUG” me to church every Sunday so I might as well listen! The preacher was talking about the importance of putting your trust in no man and trying to be like the only example of a complete man that ever walked the earth- a hard worker who loved and spent time with his family, served his community and constantly preferred others over himself.

Josh Davis

How I’m Involved:
o   Member at Williams Memorial UMC
o   Serve on Texarkana, TX City Council Ward 6
o   Past MDA coordinator for TAFD
o   Volunteer for Community Charity Events
My Family: Married to Mandy; Daughter, Lora.
My Interests: I enjoy anything outdoors and working with my hands. I like anything with a motor; tractors, antique cars, Jeeps, and attending antique car and tractor auctions. I love farming and serving my community.
What do you want your legacy to be: My legacy will be my daughter. I hope she sees in me a man that loved and obeyed God. I hope that through me she will see anything is possible. Whether she wants to take over the farm or go into politics, be a teacher or a mom- she can do whatever she sets her mind to do! As long as she treats others fairly, I will be happy in knowing I raised a strong and confident woman, who sees I am hard worker who loved and spent time with his family, served his community and constantly preferred others over himself.

Josh Douglas

How I’m Involved:
o   Member of First Baptist Church, Genoa, and involved with other area churches
o   As Co-Owner of The Green Tomato and Daddy Dougaloo’s Restaurants, provides donations for fundraising for church mission trips, military groups, schools, children’s ball teams and pageants. Has also provided meals to visiting Christian bands such as Mike’s Chair, Brit Nicole and Building 429
My Family: Daughter, Raelyn Marie; Parents, Randy and Karen; Grandmother, Beverly; Brother and sister-in-law, Wesley and Leslie; Nephew, Graham.
Interesting Story About Me: When I was 20 years old I uncharacteristically became involved with drugs and substance abuse. Although this period in my life didn’t last more than a few months, it left me with a sense of obligation to play a role in the recovery of people in similar situations. There’s one person who I feel an extreme sense of satisfaction about.  After not seeing this friend for a number of years, I ran into her and immediately recognized the signs of substance abuse. I played a role in getting her into recovery and she, in turn, has taken a very prominent and public role in paying it forward. 

Justin Matlock

How I’m Involved:
o   Member at New Zion Baptist Church
My Family: Parents are Janet and Steve
My Interests: I take interest in riding motorcycles, fishing ,hunting and swimming.
Who Inspires You Most: My father inspires me because of his hard work and accomplishments. I am always trying to impress him.
Favorite Quote: “Ability is what you’re capable of. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”    - Lou Holts
What Do You Want Your Legacy To Be: I want to be known as the person who would give the shirt off his back if you don’t have one and as someone you can talk to when you have no one, someone you can trust.py, and

Mark Duch

How I’m Involved:
o   Parishioner at St. Edward’s Catholic Church
o   Volunteer Judge for Teen Court
o   Help to raise money for the local Animal Shelter
My Family: Married to Sarah.
My Interests: I enjoy playing guitar in the summertime, hunting ducks in the wintertime, playing tennis in the in-between times and following the Arkansas Razorbacks all the time. My wife and I love to travel, and we recently returned from a pilgrimage to Italy, stopping in Rome, Assisi, Sienna and Florence.
Who Inspires You Most: My mother, Shelia, for showing me how to gracefully and faithfully deal with fear and adversity.
What Do You Want Your Legacy To Be: That I stood ready to tell the truth to whomever dares to ask―?and whomever dares to listen. 

Mason Lafferty

How I’m Involved:
o   Member at Walnut Church of Christ
o   Member of Texarkana  Home Builders Association
My Family: Married to Amanda
My Interests: I love watching ALL sports, much to my wife’s dismay. I also love playing guitar and golf.
Interesting Fact About Me: I watch literally every Dallas Cowboys football game. I have a few different shirts/jerseys that I like to wear during these games, even if I’m at home. Amanda makes fun of me because if the player who’s jersey I’m wearing is not making good plays, I’ll go switch jerseys. She thinks it doesn’t help but I’m convinced it does!
What Do You Want Your Legacy To Be: I would like to be remembered as someone who had a big heart, loved deeply, helped others and never gave up on people.hem c

Micah Harp

How I’m Involved:
o   Organizes two golf tournaments per year- One to benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital
     and one to raise cancer awareness
o   Involved with the Komen Race for the Cure
o   Serves as a sponsor for various community non-profit events
My Family: Married to Amanda; Daughters, Annabelle and Sadie
What Brought You to Texarkana: I started my business three years ago here in Texarkana.  My wife and I decided that if our business was in Texarkana that we needed to live there as well.  So a couple of months ago we happily made the move. 
My Interests: I love golf and the Dallas Cowboys!
Interesting Fact About Me: I am a third generation jeweler.  My family has been involved in the jewelry business since 1952.y, hel

Shane Holland

How I’m Involved:
o   Participant in the Texarkana Wilbur Smith Rotary Club Program
o   Minton’s Sportsplex Foundation Scholarship Committee that benefits area schools
     and students
o   Pleasant Grove Educational Foundation Organization 5 K Run
o   Komen Race for the Cure and area Charity Golfing Benefits to raise awareness for
     different events
My Family: Married to Robin; Mom, Jeanie; Brothers, Brandon and K.C.; Parents-in-law, Joyce and Chris.
My Interests: I usually jump at the chance to participate or educate someone in any type of sports or physical activity. I enjoy holding classes at the Sportsplex in nutrition and wellness coupled with fitness training. Robin and I both enjoy working out and playing coed softball. I also enjoy just about anything athletic. I run in 5k runs when I can as well.  We enjoy going to sporting events and Longhorn Football!  My favorite thing is to make people laugh!  (However, my wife, Robin, told me NOT to quit my day job!)  I enjoy being surrounded by friends, meeting new people, entertaining, and just generally having a good time.

Stosh Skinner

How I’m Involved:
o   Member at Trinity Baptist Church
o   Involved in Church League Softball at Heritage Church
o   Involved with Race for The Cure
My Family: Parents, Tracy and Lavonda Skinner; Sister, Makenzie “porkchop” Skinner.
My Interests: I enjoy riding the Harley, dirtbike and mountain bike- anything with 2 wheels! I also enojy taking care of myself in the gym.
Favorite Quote: “Winning means being unafraid to lose.”- unknown
What Do You Want Your Legacy To Be: I want to be remembered as someone who made a difference in someone else’s life.s

Travis Jackson

How I’m Involved:
o   Student Pastor at Church on the Rock
o   Regularly serve at the Texarkana Nursing Home
o   Involved with Randy Sams homeless ministry
o   Organized Voter Registration Drive at Church on the Rock
My Family: Married to Whitney; Children, All the kids at the powerhouse!
My Interests: I like going to church, reading, working out, politics, flag football, softball and hanging out with my family and friends.
What do you want your legacy to be: I want my legacy to be that I lived for Jesus, and I did the best I could with what God gave me. That God used me to influence a lot lives for him, and that I finished the race strong and made my family proud.

Zach Lawrence

How I’m Involved:
o   Member at Williams Memorial United Methodist Church
My Family: Married to Amber; Son, Saxton.
My Interests: I enjoy fly fishing, golf, Razorback sports and guitar.
Interesting Fact About Me: I was an All-State Lacrosse player in high school, Baylor School Chattanooga, TN.
Favorite Quote: “Change is the law of life.”  -John F. Kennedy
What Do You Want Your Legacy To Be: I would like for my legacy to be that I worked hard and played harder.Th