First, it was COVID and then it was “Snowmageddon,” two back-to-back disasters that made life miserable for just about everyone. But folks living in West Central Texas were lucky. They had the United Way of Abilene to help them through. Leading the way through those bleak times was Cathy Ashby, president and chief executive officer of the United Way since 2013. She had years … [Read more...]
Abilene Influencer: George Levesque
Everywhere George Levesque looks, he sees a construction project. But that’s OK with him because it’s a sign of progress. As executive director of the historic Paramount Theatre, he has to navigate his way through the downtown street construction just to get to work. Once inside, he sees more construction as the Paramount is making room for the added crowds that live … [Read more...]
Abilene Influencer: Katie Alford
It’s not the abundance of nonprofits Abilene is famous for or its many institutions that make the city unique in the eyes of Katie Alford. It’s something much more basic–friendliness. “It’s the magnet and the glue,” Alford said. Since 2009, Alford has led the Community Foundation of Abilene as President and Chief Executive Officer. She earned a degree in finance from Abilene … [Read more...]
Abilene Influencer: Blaise Regan
Long before Blaise Regan was elected to Place 3 on the Abilene City Council, he was doing his best to tout the city and to build it. A Wylie High School graduate, Regan went to Texas Tech University for a bachelor’s degree and then to St. Mary’s Law School in San Antonio for a law degree. But as soon as those goals were achieved, he headed home. Election to the city council … [Read more...]
Abilene Influencer: Shea Hall
A bit of advice once given to Shea Hall has turned out to be something that defines her: ”Show up early and stay late!” Everyone who knows Shea will tell you that she lives by that motto, whether in her numerous volunteer gigs or as the former West Texas Regional Outreach Director for U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and Ted Cruz. Shea’s fingerprints are all over the … [Read more...]