Sara Kate Billingsley, Odessa
Sara Kate Billingsley is the Presiding Judge of the 446TH District Court of Ector County and serves as the first female District Judge of Ector County. She graduated magna cum laude in 2002 from The University of Texas, Permian Basin with a BBA in Marketing, studied International Human Rights in the Law at Brasenose College at Oxford University in 2005, and went on to receive her Juris Doctorate with honors from The University of Oklahoma, College of Law in 2007. She spent five years on the board of Harmony Home Children’s Advocacy Center, five years on the board of Catholic Charities, six years on the board of The United Way of Odessa with one year as the Pillar Chairman, seven years active in the Junior League of Odessa, and four years on the board of Food2Kids, with one year as its President. Ms. Billingsley is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the State Bar of New Mexico, Texas Young Lawyers Association, New Mexico Young Lawyers Association, the Ector County Bar Association serving two years as its Treasurer and two years as its President, and is a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. She currently serves on the board of directors for Downtown Odessa, Inc., the Boys and Girls Club of Odessa and Pink the Basin.
Teresa Burnett, Monohans
Teresa serves as the Executive Director of the Monahans Chamber of Commerce, where she has dedicated 14 years of service. She is currently the secretary of the Ward County Community Endowment, a member of the Monahans Lions Club where she was awarded Lion of the Year three times, Ward County Crime Stoppers, and on the Better Business Bureau Board. Teresa also serves currently on the Ward County Agrilife Horticulture and Leadership Advisory Board, is the Odessa College Monahans Campus Advisory Chairman, and a member of the Relay for Life Committee. Teresa was named Monahans Citizen of the Year in 2007. Girls Scouts taught Teresa life living skills that she still uses today. She cooks foil packet meals to this day, a technique she learned while camping with her Girl Scout troop as a girl.
Alice Duerksen, Ft. Stockton
Alice retired in 2007 after a 38-year career in as an educator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in and Teaching Certificate from Sul Ross University, and a Master’s of Education from Sul Ross University. Ms. Duerksen began her career as a 7th and 8th grade Reading and Language Arts teacher, then launched and taught the Gifted and Talented program for 4th-8th grade in Fort Stockton, TX before becoming the first female campus administrator there as Principal of Comanche Elementary School. During various points of her tenure, she also served as principal of Fort Stockton High School, Pecos Elementary in and later Pecos High School in Pecos, TX until 1997 when she was named Director of Student Services at Fort Stockton High School. She was named Fort Stockton’s Outstanding Female Citizen in 2017 by the Chamber of Commerce there. Alice currently teaches in the ELA for Adult Education Program at Midland College in Midland, TX. Alice was a Girl Scout for 9 years, and an adult leader for her daughter’s troop, being cookie chairman twice where she recalls her living room acting as the, “Cookie War Room,” for weeks!
Kristi Edwards, Midland
Kristi Edwards was named CEO for Centers for Children and Families in Midland, TX in 2017. She holds a Master’s Degree in clinical psychology from the University of Texas, Permian Basin. She is a graduate of Leadership Midland, and of the Nonprofit Executive Leadership Certificate Course. Kristi sits on the Advisory Board of the Midland College Drug Abuse Advisory Council, and is an Executive Board Member at Midland County System of Care. She also serves on the Midland County Crime Victims Board and The Permian Basin Mental Health Providers, is a Deacon in the PCUSA, has held board positions at the Midland Independent School District PTA and Lee High School Soccer and Football. She is involved in the HEB Feast of Sharing in Midland and Odessa. Kristi is a lifetime member of PsiChi, the National honor Society for Psychology.
Christine Foreman, Midland
Christine is a Mom, Registered Nurse, Community Volunteer, and Public Education Advocate in her native Midland. She joined Girl Scout Troop #67 in first grade and earned her Gold Award after actively participating and serving all the way through high school. Christine later led Daisy, Brownie, and Junior troops for her two daughters, just as her mother had once led her troop. She serves her community through the American Cancer Society as a two-time past chairman of Roundup and six-time Entertainment Chair. She is on the board of the Greathouse Charitable Trust Foundation, Rea Charitable Trust Foundation, Educate Midland Leadership, and the Vice President of the Board at the Midland Education Foundation. Her fond memories of the Girl Scouts include, “Being around strong and positive women leaders and mentors, learning to be independent and confident while also respectful and kind, mentoring other young women, and volunteering in the Midland and Odessa communities.”
Brooke Hendricks-Green, Odessa
Brooke is Judge of the Ector County Court at Law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and graduated Magna Cum Laude from McMurray University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law. Her impressive legal career includes her tenure as Deputy District Attorney in the Ector County District Attorney’s Office, time as an Associate Attorney at Hamilton Hull & Rogers in Midland, TX and nearly two years as Assistant County Attorney in Ector County, just to name a few. She has served the Permian Basin through many civic activities, currently as Legal Aid of Northwest Texas Pro Bono Advisory Board Member, as a volunteer at Jesus House, Harmony Home Kids in Court, and Odessa Teen Court Master Judge.
Lynda James, Midland
Lynda is Assistant General Manager and Controller at Fasken Oil & Ranch, a position she holds after 36 years with the company, where she began in 1982 as an office clerk. She has a BS in Accounting and Information Systems from University of Texas Permian Basin, and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is currently President of the Board at Permian Basin Gifts of Hope, Inc, Prairie Foundation Board Treasurer and Grants Committee Member, organizes company blood drives benefitting United Blood Services, participated formation of Fasken’s Partners in Education committee with Barbara Fasken Elementary School, participated in engaging Fasken ownership and employees in fundraising efforts for Barbara Fasken Elementary, Habitat for Humanity and other organizations, and has taken part in the construction of many Habitat for Humanity homes. She spent 8 years as a Girl Scout where, “camping, hiking, backpacking, skiing, selling cookies, songs by the campfire, and numerous friendships,” have left her with lasting memories. Her mother, godmother, and other Girl Scout leaders taught her, “that girls can accomplish anything with hard work,” and, “most importantly,” she says, “scouting instilled a sense of independence and self confidence that has influenced my life and career.”
Tammy Stallcup, Odessa
Tammy is a teacher and choral director with 32 years of service. A graduate of Permian High School, she holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education from Hardin-Simmons University and a Master of Choral Conducting from Hardin-Simmons University. Her volunteerism includes Kids First Odessa, First United Methodist Church, and One Accord. She is the co-founding director of West Texas Middle Schools Honor Choir, and Clinician for several regional junior high and middle school choirs as well as Texas Music Educators and Texas Choir Directors State Conventions. She was awarded the Marcie McEntyre Hero Award in 2014 for secondary music directors going above and beyond to care for students. She spent 6 years as an active Girl Scout. Tammy vividly remembers her troop meeting at Redeemer Lutheran Church, singing songs such as, “Make New Friends but Keep the Old,” writing stories and plays and attending map at Mitre Peak. Her mother was her troop leader and she credits things like commitment and honor becoming a part of who she is partly to her time as a Girl Scout.
Travis Woodward, Odessa
Those who know Travis Woodward would describe her as hard-working, competitive and dedicated. She is a loyal friend and committed volunteer. As past president of the Junior League of Odessa, her skill at organizing and facilitating is legendary. Travis continues her service with the JLO as a sustaining member providing help and advice. Her experience with planning Merry Marketplace proves invaluable to the younger members. Travis’ wicked sense of humor is well known. She is a dedicated party bridge player. She participates in weekly bridge marathons that rely heavily on gossip and wine. She is currently the mother of five — three Belgian Shepherds, one elderly but sturdy and grim Cocker Spaniel and an extremely precocious Papillon with a death wish. Travis’ competitive nature and love of dogs extends to dog sports, including agility and conformation shows which take up most of her weekends and all of her discretionary income. Loyalty, a strong work ethic and tenacity are qualities easily attributed to Travis who is currently the Director of Marketing and Communications at Midland College.