From Wheat Fields to Community Impact: John Wittler of Ogallala
This is the Panhandle
📍 Brought to you by the Amarillo Area Foundation.
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Everybody Has Value: A Conversation with Don Powell
This is the Panhandle
In this episode of This is the Panhandle, host Kimberly Anderson sits down with Don Powell to explore the person behind his prominent titles and accomplishments. While Don’s résumé includes leadership roles such as President & CEO of First National Bank of Amarillo, FDIC Chairman, and federal coordinator for Gulf Coast recovery efforts, the conversation focuses on his personal journey, values, and lessons learned along the way.
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Rooted in the Panhandle: Doug Loomis on Leadership, Family & Education
This is the Panhandle
In this episode of This Is the Panhandle, host Kimberly Anderson sits down with Doug Loomis—recently retired superintendent of Amarillo ISD—to explore his journey from growing up in Dalhart to leading one of the region’s largest school districts. Doug shares personal stories about his upbringing, football days, and family life; reflects on the lessons that shaped his leadership and advocacy for public education; and offers insights on community collaboration. Midway through, Vice President of Community Investment Laura Escobar joins to outline grant opportunities through the Amarillo...
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Welcoming the Foreigner: A Conversation with Ryan Pennington
This is the Panhandle
🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode, host Raul Rodarte Suto sits down with Ryan Pennington, Executive Director of the Refugee Language Project. Ryan shares his journey—from growing up in Washington State to studying linguistics and Bible translation at Dallas Baptist University, then serving as a missionary in remote villages of Papua New Guinea. He reflects on the challenges of first‐contact language work, the power of cultural humility, and the life-changing lessons learned on that mountain ridge. After returning to Amarillo in 2016, Ryan channeled those insights into welcoming...
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Beyond the Boardroom: A Conversation with Anette Carlisle
This is the Panhandle
🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode of This is the Panhandle, host Kimberly Anderson sits down with longtime friend and community leader Anette Carlisle. Known for her extensive service in education and community development, Anette shares insights into her early life in Borger, Texas, her academic journey in zoology, and her passion for nature and birding. The conversation delves into her personal experiences, including her family life and the values that drive her commitment to public service.
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Navigating Career Pathways with Myron Sims
This is the Panhandle
🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode of This is the Panhandle, host Raul Rodarte Suto reconnects with longtime friend and community leader Myron Sims. They delve into their shared history in Amarillo, reflecting on early educational experiences and the challenges faced during their formative years. Myron shares his journey from uncertain college beginnings to his current role as a Career Pathway Supervisor at Amarillo College. He discusses his work in guiding youth through educational and career opportunities, emphasizing the importance of support systems for students, especially those...
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Sitting Down with Glenn Backus with the Market at Tierra Blanca
This is the Panhandle
Episode Spotlight: Glenn Backus and The Market on Tierra Blanca Glenn Backus, director of The Market on Tierra Blanca in Canyon, Texas, shares how this innovative grocery-store-style food pantry is transforming the fight against food insecurity in Randall County. Located at 3900 South Tierra Blanca Drive, the Market offers a dignified, client-choice experience for individuals and families—98% of whom live at or below the poverty line. Highlights: Empowers clients through monthly credits to shop for their own groceries Serves a diverse clientele including seniors, students, and families ...
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Sitting Down with Wheeler's Kristen Moudy
This is the Panhandle
Kristen Moudy, Executive Director of the Wheeler Chamber and EDC, shares her journey from Dallas back to her hometown of Wheeler, Texas, to invest in rural community development. In this episode, she talks about improving quality of life through collaborative projects like downtown revitalization and the Tom Britt Memorial Park, while addressing common misconceptions about Economic Development Corporations (EDCs). Kristen also explores how small towns can attract and retain young talent, participate in regional initiatives like The Panhandle Gives, and harness community spirit to build a...
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Sitting Down With Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine
This is the Panhandle
Kullen Sorrels, a third-year veterinary student at Texas Tech, shared his journey from Dalhart, Texas, to veterinary school. He highlighted the rigorous first year, which involves 22-23 hours of classes per week, and the hands-on experience that begins in the first semester. Colin emphasized the importance of grit and adaptability. He also discussed the unique community at Texas Tech, where students support each other through the challenging program. Peyton Priest, Associate Director of Development, highlighted the school's focus on rural and regional veterinary needs, its non-traditional...
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Welcome to Season 7 of This Is The Panhandle
This is the Panhandle
The podcast introduces three new co-hosts from the Amarillo Area Foundation - Kimberly Anderson, Kevin Friemel, and Raul Rodarte Suto - who will bring diverse perspectives to sharing stories about the Texas Panhandle. The hosts discuss the unique characteristics of their region, highlighting its pioneering spirit, philanthropic nature, innovative problem-solving, and rich community talent across various sectors including arts, agriculture, and nonprofit work. They emphasize the Panhandle's strength lies in its people's ability to come together, adapt to challenges, and support each other,...
info_outlineThe 100 Club is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization fully membership/donation supported with the mission to:
- Provide immediate financial assistance to the families of certified peace officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty
- Provide immediate financial assistance to certified peace officers and firefighters injured in the line of duty and unable to work
- Purchase life-protecting and lifesaving equipment for law enforcement and firefighting agencies that cannot be secured through budgeted funds.
Just as our lives have not been easy, theirs have not been either. Many of them don’t feel as safe as they once did in serving and protecting. We have seen the need for more (and better) life-protecting and lifesaving equipment thus increasing the need for more funding. Please take a few minutes to watch this quick video about the 100 Club story https://youtu.be/D5D2QipL4D8.
Will you join me in standing behind the men and women behind the badge with an annual membership and a year-end donation to help with lifesaving and life-protecting equipment?
Join online www.texaspanhandle100club.org/membership
and/or make a donation to help with lifesaving equipment for our area first responders:
Firefighters Equipment Fund https://square.link/u/v53sG4Ns
Law Enforcement Equipment Fund https://square.link/u/eVgGyHGQ