About

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

About Us

The Amarillo Area Foundation was founded by a remarkable group of far-sighted individuals who knew that Amarillo working together brought a strength that any one of them working separately could not.

Formed as only the second Community Foundation in Texas, the development of the Medical Center transformed healthcare and the future of healthcare in this region. With the bequest of Don D. Harrington that enabled the Foundation to begin making grants, this early healthcare-focused vision grew into what is today a $250 million organization, having the philanthropic impact of strength, breadth and ingenuity.

Dedicated

to enriching the lives of those in the Texas Panhandle

Chairman’s Letter

One of my favorite T-shirts was seen at Bob Wills Days and served as a guidepost for outsiders to identify the geographic location of the host city.  “Where in the world is Turkey, TX?  Just 9 miles from Quitaque.” When you travel the country, few people can really identify where the Texas Panhandle is on a map. Is that by Houston? Do you know J.R. Ewing? But when asked to describe my hometown of Amarillo, I don’t describe a location on a map.  I talk about wide open skies. I mention the beautiful sunsets. Most importantly, I boast about the amazing people that call the Texas Panhandle home.

A volunteer fire department that fights back a wild fire threatening a ranch house. A dedicated kitchen serving meals and providing shelter every day for our most vulnerable residents. A nonprofit volunteer-based health care clinic for our sick. We are spoiled to think that every community must have such caring, generous citizens, but the truth is, We Are Exceptional. I have been very blessed to be involved with the Amarillo Area Foundation.  This year signifies the 60th anniversary of this organization.  Thanks to the generous endowment bestowed from Don and Sybil Harrington and now thousands more philanthropists who have donated time and resources, the Foundation services needs all over the Texas Panhandle.

During the past year, I have been most proud of our work with the ACE program. This successful program has been providing college educations for our area students for over 20 years. We continue to expand the program and partner with communities to make sure that we are giving all students the chance to pursue their educational goals. Not only does that help the students achieve their dreams, but it provides a high-quality work force for the Texas Panhandle and a true chance at upward social mobility. The Amarillo Area Foundation continues to be creative in ways to address our areas of highest needs. Our newly formed Catalyst Grant program gets support to non-profits faster and more efficiently to meet their short term needs all the while engaging a new generation of philanthropists. We have also implemented designated grant programs, designed to drive out the best proposals to deal with our area’s toughest challenges.

2018 will bring all new opportunities. I am confident that the Amarillo Area Foundation is poised to both identify and implement solutions to improve quality of life for everyone we serve.  I invite you to join us in our efforts, get involved in the programs, and find out more about the reason we call the Texas Panhandle home-the People!

JASON HERRICK | Board Chair

"We are so fortunate to live in a community where the generosity of the people shows up in the most unexpected ways."

-JASON HERRICK | Board Chair

President’s Letter

“Slow and steady wins the race.” -Aesop

The parable of the tortoise and the hare has always been a favorite of mine! Even as a youngster I could relate to the tortoise working consistently and methodically towards a goal. The hare was flashy, fast, and made for a delightful story, but in the end, he didn’t stick with it and the tortoise’s persistence paid off. As dull as the tortoise seems, he really had the right approach. The story always reminds me of the power of endowment. Money invested today can grow, generate spendable income, and preserve value for generations to come. In foundation terms, endowment represents the ultimate investment in the future of our region! Like the tortoise, endowment continues to move forward and fund projects in our region every year – forever.

In 2017, the Amarillo Area Foundation celebrated 60 years of service to the residents of the Texas Panhandle. As I reflect on that, it is incredible to remember all the outstanding projects that have benefitted from the Foundation’s support during that time. In the history of both the Amarillo Area Foundation and The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation, these organizations have supplied more than $176 Million in grants and distributions. Let that number sink in! Think of all the tremendous benefits realized by our region’s residents because of these funds. In addition to these distributions, the foundations have combined assets of $250 Million. Over time, the combined foundations have generated $426 Million in assets. By maintaining our focus on creating endowments, the foundations will continue to grow as we move forward. For residents of the Panhandle, this represents a significant investment in local communities. In 60 years, the Foundations have provided significant support to important projects and initiatives such as: The Don Harrington Discovery Center, The Harrington Cancer Center, The West Texas A&M University Amarillo Center, The ACE Scholarship Program, The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, Countless community centers, outreach programs, and other support to rural communities.

We take pride in the projects we have supported that have had such a significant impact on our region. However, like the tortoise, we do not rest. As we look forward, it is easy to be excited about the possibilities for the Panhandle. We are fortunate to live in a region where our residents are among the most generous in the US. There is a passion in our region for helping our neighbors. We are excited every day about the opportunity to work with our partners to improve quality of life for our neighbors. It is always tempting to focus on short-term projects and highlight our recent successes. But, we must continually look forward. We succeed by focusing on the long-term goal of making life better for all residents in our region!

CLAY STRIBLING | President & CEO

Board of Directors

  • Cliff Bickerstaff

  • Vanessa Buzzard

  • LeRayne Donelson

  • Raymond Gaitan

  • Anthony Harris

  • John Henderson

  • Steve Hoard

  • Mike Hughes

  • Vanessa Miles

  • Julie Mitchell

  • David Prescott

  • Linda Rasor

  • Eddie Scott

  • Caroline Smith

  • Roy Urrutia

Executive Committee

  • Clay Stribling, President and CEO

  • Jackie Pearson, First Vice Chair

  • Jason Herrick, Chair

  • Jeri Bezner, Member at large

  • Kathy Cornett, Member at large

  • Lori Henke, Secretary

  • Paul Clark, Treasurer

  • Paul Matney, Member at large

  • Puff Niegos, Immediate Past Chair

  • Roy Bara, Second Vice Chair

  • Stephania Jones, Assistant Secretary

  • Suzanne Willis, Member at large

Board Members & Staff

The Amarillo Area Foundation Board members and staff are made up of tremendous leaders who offer their time and talent to help the Foundation fulfill its mission. They are our board members, volunteers, committee members, and staff, each bringing their own expertise to make the Texas Panhandle a better place.

Staff Roster

  • Clay Stribling, President and CEO

  • Stevie Jones, VP of Financial and Resource Management

  • Trent Hill, VP of Development

  • Katharyn Wiegand, VP of Community Investment

  • Roxann Ball, NSC Program Officer

  • Connie Bradford, ACE Program Director

  • Broc Carter, No Limits No Excuses Program Officer

  • Keralee Clay , Director of Operations

  • Karen Delashaw, Donor Services Data Coordinator

  • Cynthia Estrada, ACE College Liason

  • Kathie Grant, Grants Administrator

  • Sarah Griffin, Administrative Services Assistant

  • David Hurtt, Director of Accounting

  • Angie Knight, Executive Services Manager

  • Amy Lovell, Director of Development

  • Janet Luman, Office Coordinator

  • Suzy Murray, Staff Accountant

  • Karen Phillips, Donor Services Admin Coordinator

  • Traci Shields, Scholarship Program Officer

  • Jessica Tudyk, Grants Manager

60 Years of Chairmen

  • Mr. Jason Herrick, 2017

  • Ms. Puff Niegos, 2016

  • Mr. Cliff Bickerstaff, 2015

  • Ms. Julie Mitchell, 2014

  • Mr. Mike Engler, 2013

  • Mr. Terry Caviness, 2012

  • Ms. Alice O’Brien, 2011

  • Mr. Mark Bivins, 2010

  • Mr. Glen Parkey, 2009

  • Mr. James Herring, 2008

  • Mr. Eddie Bradley, 2007

  • Mr. Richard Ware, II, 2006

  • Ms. Julie Attebury, 2005

  • Mr. Sam Lovelady, 2004

  • Ms. Lilia Escajeda, 2003

  • Dr. Bud Joyner, 2002

  • Ms. Fay Moore, 2001

  • Mr. Ron McVean, Jr., 2000

  • Mr. Ron Boyd, 1999

  • Mr. Don Powell, 1998

  • Mr. Danny Conklin, 1997

  • Mr. John Marmaduke, 1996

  • Dr. Ted M. Nicklaus, 1995

  • Mr. Lawrence Pickens, 1994

  • Mr. Jay O’Brien, 1993

  • Mr. Greg Mitchell, 1992

  • Mr. Tom Patterson, 1991

  • Ms. Betty Cooper, 1990

  • Mr. John Stiff, 1989

  • Mr. Bill Quackenbush, 1988

  • Mr. Jose Rael, 1987

  • Mr. R.C. Neely, Jr., 1986

  • Mr. David Warren, 1985

  • Mr. William Landess, 1984

  • Mr. Dick Harris, 1983

  • Mr. John C. Maynard, 1982

  • Mr. C.A. Cash, 1981

  • Dr. Winfred Moore, 1980

  • Mr. Wales H. Madden, Jr., 1979

  • Mr. Gene Edwards, 1978

  • Mr. J. Avery Rush, Jr., 1977

  • Mr. R. Earl O’Keefe, 1963 – 1976

  • Mr. Robert E. Clements, 1957 – 1962

  • Mr. Jason Herrick, 2017

  • Ms. Puff Niegos, 2016

  • Mr. Cliff Bickerstaff, 2015

  • Ms. Julie Mitchell, 2014

  • Mr. Mike Engler, 2013

  • Mr. Terry Caviness, 2012

  • Ms. Alice O’Brien, 2011

  • Mr. Mark Bivins, 2010

  • Mr. Glen Parkey, 2009

  • Mr. James Herring, 2008

  • Mr. Eddie Bradley, 2007

  • Mr. Richard Ware, II, 2006

  • Ms. Julie Attebury, 2005

  • Mr. Sam Lovelady, 2004

  • Ms. Lilia Escajeda, 2003

  • Dr. Bud Joyner, 2002

  • Ms. Fay Moore, 2001

  • Mr. Ron McVean, Jr., 2000

  • Mr. Ron Boyd, 1999

  • Mr. Don Powell, 1998

  • Mr. Danny Conklin, 1997

  • Mr. John Marmaduke, 1996

  • Dr. Ted M. Nicklaus, 1995

  • Mr. Lawrence Pickens, 1994

  • Mr. Jay O’Brien, 1993

  • Mr. Greg Mitchell, 1992

  • Mr. Tom Patterson, 1991

  • Ms. Betty Cooper, 1990

  • Mr. John Stiff, 1989

  • Mr. Bill Quackenbush, 1988

  • Mr. Jose Rael, 1987

  • Mr. R.C. Neely, Jr., 1986

  • Mr. David Warren, 1985

  • Mr. William Landess, 1984

  • Mr. Dick Harris, 1983

  • Mr. John C. Maynard, 1982

  • Mr. C.A. Cash, 1981

  • Dr. Winfred Moore, 1980

  • Mr. Wales H. Madden, Jr., 1979

  • Mr. Gene Edwards, 1978

  • Mr. J. Avery Rush, Jr., 1977

  • Mr. R. Earl O’Keefe, 1963 – 1976

  • Mr. Robert E. Clements, 1957 – 1962

Supporting Organizations