Leadership Pampa kicked off its fourth year on Wednesday, August 26, welcoming a new cohort of 23 community members who will spend the next nine months developing their leadership skills, building connections and gaining a deeper understanding of Pampa and the surrounding area.
The opening session marked the beginning of the 2026–2027 Leadership Pampa program. Committee members led the cohort through a variety of team-building activities designed to encourage communication, collaboration and problem-solving while giving participants an opportunity to begin building relationships with one another.
Hugh Piatt, Superintendent of Pampa Independent School District, served as the luncheon speaker and presented “5 Essentials for Leadership.” Piatt shared practical principles of effective leadership and challenged participants to consider how those principles can be applied in their workplaces, organizations and community.
Leadership Pampa is a nine-month community leadership development program that combines leadership education with firsthand experiences throughout Pampa and Gray County. During monthly sessions, participants have opportunities to hear from local and regional leaders, explore businesses and industries, learn more about community organizations and institutions, and develop a broader understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the area.
A key component of Leadership Pampa is bringing together individuals from different professions, organizations and backgrounds. Through shared experiences, participants build relationships and gain a better understanding of how business, education, government, nonprofit organizations, agriculture, industry and other sectors work together to support a strong community.
Members of the 2026–2027 Leadership Pampa cohort are Jimena Aboytes, Courtney Blackmon, Lilly Calixto, Elizabeth “Liz” Carroll, Jaquelin Chavez, Reina Comer, Alejandro “Alex” Davila, Whitney Davis, Ethan DeFever, Nathan “Nate” Hester, Sam Logan, Erica Miller, Jimena Montes, Luke Raber, Chris Romero, Zack Scarlett, Cynthia Tapin, Tim Tucker, Luis Villanueva, Jack Ware, Jennifer Warren, Jessica Whitely, and Cody Wood.
Leadership Pampa is a collaborative effort of the Leadership Pampa Committee, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Gray County and the Pampa Chamber of Commerce. Together, they plan and implement the nine-month program with assistance from local businesses, organizations and community partners.
As Leadership Pampa begins its fourth year, the program continues its commitment to developing informed, connected and engaged leaders who are prepared to make a positive difference in their workplaces and throughout the Pampa community.
