The 47th class of Leadership Odessa will commence on Tuesday, October 1, with a Welcome Reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, 700 N. Grant, Suite 200.
This incoming class has a total of 51 participants from all segments of Odessa businesses and non-profit organizations that were selected to be a part of this long-standing program. The participants make an eight-month commitment to the program to develop leadership skills and learn about the community first-hand through monthly sessions.
“The Odessa Chamber is ready and excited to welcome these new Leadership Odessa participants. This program is one of the longest running in the state, with more than 1,550 graduates having completed the course since its inception in the late 1970’s. These participants are about to be immersed into Odessa’s history and innerworkings and they will walk away in May 2025 knowing far more about our community than they ever imagined possible,” Renee Earls, President/CEO of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, said in a news release. “Plus, and most importantly, they will gain life-long friendships as strangers will become confidants,” she added.
The Welcome Reception will serve as an opportunity for Leadership Odessa participants to network and meet one another before heading to Prude Ranch on Friday, October 4, for the annual retreat. Incoming Chamber Board Chairman Shem Culpepper will address the incoming class and congratulate them on being selected.
The members of the 2024 – 2025 Leadership Odessa class are:
- Sara Aguilar, Catholic Charities
- Teresa Armendariz, Odessa Regional Medical Center
- Megan Baeza, UT Permian Basin
- CeCe Baldwin, Permian Basin Mission Center
- Cayli Burnett, LCA
- Morgan Chelette, Young Professionals of Odessa
- Karla Clemons, Permain Basin Rehabilitation Center
- Kevin Collins, Saulsbury Industries, Inc.
- Kay Collis, CASA of the Permian Baisn
- Courtney Davis, Medical Center Health System
- Marion Davis, Southside Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6717
- Spencer Denton, Chevron
- Jessica Dominguez, Ector County ISD
- Jodie Duran, CASA of the Permian Basin
- Isabel Erives, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Angel Garcia, BAM Entrepreneurial Center
- Jesus Gavaldon, Standard Sales Company
- Bailey Gonzales, Boys & Girls Club of Odessa
- Tara Graves, American Cancer Society
- Evan Green, Whitley Penn
- Channon Gregg, Complex Community Federal Credit Union
- Yvette Griffin, City of Odessa
- Jerry Hernandez, Market Street
- Alyssa Hinojos, Odessa College
- Tyler Houchin, Odessa Fire Rescue
- Karina Johnson, Young Professionals of Odessa
- Oruc Karais, OSEM Enterprises, Inc.
- Lucas Lemons, Frost Bank
- Lina Lerma, Medical Center Health System
- Lisa Masey, Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
- Oscar Menchaca, Odessa Fire Rescue
- Lisa Mikel, Ector County ISD
- Brittany Molinar, Ector County ISD
- April Morales, Meals on Wheels Odessa
- Becki Moralez, Woodhouse Spa
- Cristal Moreno, United Way of Odessa
- Steve Moss, First Methodist Church
- Andrew Murray, Pinkies, Inc.
- Hannah Nagos, Southwest Heritage Credit Union
- Randy Nguyen, Ector County ISD
- Clara Pride, Permian Basin Regional Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Christina Pugh, Heritage Real Estate
- Oscar Romo, Odessa Links, Inc.
- Erika Rubio, Bluecrest Financial Alliances
- Diana Salazar, Permian Basin Rehab Center
- Dalia Salinas, City of Odessa
- Ellias Sanchez, Standard Sales Company
- Elizabeth Shaughnessy, City of Odessa
- Stephanie Vega, First Basin Credit Union
- Kristine Wagner, Odessa Regional Medical Center
- Efren Zuniga, Ector County ISD
The Leadership Odessa year begins in October and runs through May with members meeting once a month for briefings and sessions. Program participants will grow in awareness and understanding of the challenges and issues facing our community. They will also develop valuable contacts and communication networks within the community. Most importantly, Leadership Odessa builds confidence and motivation to become actively involved in promoting positive change for Odessa. Employers and sponsoring organizations will see increased leadership and problem-solving skills in their employee. Leadership Odessa allows doors to be opened for greater corporate/organizational community involvement and visibility and helps identify where strategic alliances might be formed.
