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Leadership & Staff

CLAY STRIBLING

President & CEO

President’s Letter

Moving forward

As we work to emerge from the initial shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear the effects of this crisis are not just a memory. In 2021, we made great strides in working to transition from crisis management to addressing the specific needs of our community moving forward.

The strategic priorities for the Amarillo Area Foundation were temporarily paused as we addressed the unique challenges our community faced while dealing with COVID-19. These priorities included addressing the Health, Education, and Economic needs of our region. In returning to these priorities, we were able to more carefully identify the areas of greatest need and greatest opportunity.

In Health, it was clear that both before and after the pandemic, mental health was a significant challenge. The loss of life and health, the stress of dealing with interruptions to our lives, and the absence of a sense of “normal” took a toll on our friends and neighbors throughout the Panhandle. In addition, food insecurity has similarly been identified as a significant need throughout our region and one that we are working diligently with our partners to address.

The Foundation has always had a strong presence in education, and we will continue to work on postsecondary achievement through our scholarship programs and our Panhandle Community Partnership (formerly No Limits, No Excuses) initiative. In addition, our data show a significant need to address literacy in our early childhood population. To do so, we are seeking to address this challenge for young children and parents alike through a variety of creative initiatives.

As many entities are working to bring high-speed broadband into Texas Panhandle communities, we will look for partnerships that will bring additional tools needed to make these initiatives truly successful. This can include access to digital devices such as laptops, digital literacy training, and technical support. Finally, we are working to address the critical needs of families and employers in our region by working to create childcare solutions for our residents that will allow parents to return to the workforce with a childcare plan that is convenient and affordable. To accomplish this, we will need to work closely with regional employers to research their needs and resources as more and more employees look to re-enter the workforce.

As we focus on all of these critical areas, we will continue to support many of those constituents that have long looked to the foundation for critical support. We will support Arts and Culture initiatives through a generous program funded by The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation, and we will support nonprofits in crisis who need immediate assistance to continue their great work.

It is exciting to consider all the possibilities in our region as we move through 2022 and beyond. By focusing on these key challenges, we are confident that we can prepare our region for continued success and improve the quality of life for all our residents.

2021 Staff Members

Clay Stribling

Clay Stribling joined the Amarillo Area Foundation as President & CEO in May 2011. Prior to joining the Foundation, he had a successful career as a health care attorney. First with Jenkens & Gilchrist of Dallas and then with Brown & Fortunato of Amarillo, Clay provided health care regulatory counsel to hospitals, pharmacies, and durable medical equipment providers and was a nationally recognized speaker and author on Medicare billing and compliance matters. He is a 1988 graduate of West Texas State University and graduated with honors from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University in 1999.
As President & CEO of the Amarillo Area Foundation, Clay directs the organization in fulfilling the Foundation’s mission to improve quality of life for Texas Panhandle residents. Clay is originally from the Texas Panhandle and after just short of a decade in Dallas, found himself called to return. He moved back to the area in 2002 with his wife, Katherine, and son, Spencer.

CLAY STRIBLING

President & CEO

Keralee Clay

Keralee grew up in Amarillo and is a proud Amarillo High Sandie. She received a BA in Vocal Performance from Arizona State University and lived in NYC for 10 years where she pursued a performing career. During this time, she also maintained a “day job” with her consulting company, Red Clay Consulting, assisting small firms with HR, training, and IT. After the birth of her son, she and her family returned home to Amarillo and she worked as the Director of Ticketing for the Civic Center/Globe-News Center. She joined the Foundation in 2016 as the Director of Operations, became the VP of Operations in 2019, and Senior Vice President in 2021. She oversees HR, IT, Operations, Communication, and Special Projects. In addition, she has an enhanced role supporting promotion of the foundation's mission through community outreach. She and her husband have two amazing kids and she can occasionally be seen on stage with her cabaret act. Keralee goes to work every day excited to collaborate with the dedicated and creative AAF staff, working to improve quality of life for her Texas Panhandle neighbors.

KERALEE CLAY

Senior Vice President

Lara Escobar

LARA ESCOBAR

Vice President of Community Investment

David Hurtt

David Hurtt joined the Foundation as the Director of Accounting in 2015. He was promoted to Vice President of Finance in 2019. He has lived in the Panhandle since 1998 and calls Amarillo home. David has over twenty-five years of experience in accounting, internal auditing, and operations management. Prior to joining the Foundation, he held positions as a Controller, Director of Internal Audits, and Director of Administration. David graduated magna cum laude from Texas Tech University and holds a degree in Accounting. He is a Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Fraud Examiner.

DAVID HURTT

Vice President of Finance

Melanie Smoot

Prior to joining the Foundation in 2021, Melanie was the Development Director for a non-profit in Frisco, Texas. She began her career in the non-profit field 18 years ago in Amarillo and has raised funds for various non-profit organizations throughout the state of Texas since then. She loves meeting new people and hearing their stories.

Melanie grew up in the Texas Panhandle and graduated from West Texas A&M University with her Bachelor of Music and Master of Business Administration degrees. It's been a joy for her to return to her roots and serve the people of the Texas Panhandle.

MELANIE SMOOT

Vice President of Development

Kimberly Anderson

Kimberly joined the Foundation in 2020 as the No Limits No Excuses Program Assistant and became the Panhandle Community Partnership Officer in 2021, overseeing NLNE programs and facilitating collaborative relationships between its partners. Kimberly is a lifelong Amarillo resident with a passion for the power of education, constantly seeking to use her time and talents to advance equitable education practices and increase equitable access to quality education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from West Texas A&M University.

KIMBERLY ANDERSON

No Limits, No Excuses
Program Officer

Roxann Ball

Roxann Ball has over 20 years of nonprofit management, accounting, and fundraising experience and has been a resident of Amarillo for the last 14 years. Roxann served as Business Manager at Marian High School, a nonprofit girl’s academy in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and in the accounting department of Upper Hudson Primary Care Consortium, providing data for the organization’s grant writer. She joined the Amarillo Area Foundation in 2007 and currently serves as Program Officer for the Nonprofit Service Center where she directs the Center’s consulting, education, and peer group activities. Roxann is committed to using her skills and the resources of the Amarillo Area Foundation in exceptional service to the nonprofit community of the Texas Panhandle. Roxann is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree.

ROXANN BALL

NSC Program Officer

Connie Bradford

CONNIE BRADFORD

ACE / Thrive Coordinator

Beth Cameron

Beth originally joined the Amarillo Area Foundation in 2008, working with the Community Youth Development program in the “79107” Program, first as a Youth Coordinator at Palo Duro High School and then as the CYD Program Assistant. This grant was focused on providing prevention and early intervention services to at-risk youth in the 79107 zip code, where Beth grew up. While at Palo Duro High School, she worked closely with the Foundation and Amarillo ISD staff members in the ACE office. It was during this time that Beth developed a passion for education as a means to improve quality of life.
Beth rejoined the Foundation in January of 2018 as the Scholarship Program Assistant and became the Scholarship Program Officer in 2020. She enjoys being a small part of removing financial barriers which could hinder deserving students from pursuing higher education. Beth has lived in Amarillo her entire life and comes to work every day excited to be part of the mission of the Amarillo Area Foundation. In addition to her work at the Foundation, Beth is pursuing a degree in Education from West Texas A&M University.

BETH CAMERON

Scholarship Program Officer

Jada Carr

Jada started working for Amarillo Area Foundation in 2021 as the Scholarship Program Assistant, working closely with the Scholarship Program Officer to help give students an opportunity to gain an education without financial barriers. She wants to be able to make a difference in children’s lives through her work. She received her Associates Degree in Criminal Justice at Amarillo College and is currently a student at West Texas A&M University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration.

She grew up in Clinton, Oklahoma, moving to Amarillo in the 6th grade. She attended Palo Duro High School but eventually moved and graduated in Oklahoma from Clinton High School. She moved back to Amarillo and married her high school sweetheart, and they have one son. While working on her associates degree, she had the opportunity to work for Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in the Donor Services Department where she was able to gain experience with children and how organizations regulate. She is proud to be a part of Amarillo Area Foundation’s mission and success in the community and looks forward to helping students prosper.

JADA CARR SIMS

Scholarship Program Assistant

Broc Carter

Broc started working at the Foundation in July of 2015 as the No Limits No Excuses Program Officer. He was promoted to Director of Marketing in July of 2018. He oversees the blog, podcast, and marketing for AAF. His goal is to tell the incredible story of the Amarillo Area Foundation.

Broc grew up in Canyon and has a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from West Texas A&M University. Prior to joining the staff at AAF, Broc was the Director of Marketing, Communications, and Advocacy at the High Plains Food Bank and United Way of Amarillo and Canyon. Broc believes that a community cannot thrive until all parts of the community have the access and ability to thrive! He has two amazing daughters that keep him on his toes!

BROC CARTER

Director of Marketing

Kathie Grant

Kathie is Grant Administrator for the Foundation. Kathie began at the Foundation as a receptionist in 1995. Those duties included assisting the assistant executive director with all aspects of the discretionary grant program. She also managed the Nonprofit Service Center Library for several years before joining the grants team exclusively. Born in Amarillo, Kathie graduated from Tascosa High School and attended classes at Amarillo College. She raised two daughters and is the proud grandmother of three boys and two girls.

KATHIE GRANT

Grant Administrator

Sarah Griffin

Sarah is a Grants Program Officer overseeing the external grant programs administered through Amarillo Area Foundation (AAF) including grants from the CNS Pantex Community Investment Fund, Pattern Panhandle Wind Civic and Education Funds, Women’s Philanthropy Fund, and the Louise Bowers Slentz Foundation Fund. Prior to this role, Sarah assisted with the AAF grants program as an Administrative Assistant for both the internal and external grant programs.

Sarah joined the Amarillo Area Foundation in September 2016. Prior to joining AAF, Sarah was busy full-time raising three wonderful children, serving within her church, the Junior League of Amarillo (JLA), and within various other civic and educational volunteer roles. Sarah has worked as a Communications Coordinator at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, as an accounting assistant for grants in the Controller’s Office at Rice University and assisted seven Computer Engineering Professors with grant submissions in the Electrical Engineering Department of Princeton University. Sarah also has grant writing experience through her JLA placement.

Sarah was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and attended the University of Texas at Austin where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Learning and Development for Elementary and Special Education. Sarah and her family moved to Amarillo in 2010 and has thoroughly enjoyed living and serving in the Texas Panhandle.

SARAH GRIFFIN

Grants Program Officer

Kyla Hodges

KYLA HODGES

Donor Services Coordinator

Angie Knight

In addition to performing the duties of Executive Assistant to the Foundation’s President and CEO, Angie also acts as liaison to the 37 members of the Foundation’s three Boards of Directors and their sub-committees.

Prior to joining the Foundation in 2016, Angie was the Executive Assistant to the CFO of Hastings Entertainment, Inc. until its untimely closure that same year. Angie also previously held positions in the Mortgage and Home Equity Lending Departments of Amarillo National Bank prior to becoming the assistant to the Executive Vice President of Operations at AIG Annuity.

After growing up on the East Coast, Angie moved to the Texas Panhandle in the late 1980s. She completed her secondary education at Tascosa High School prior to attending Amarillo College.

ANGIE KNIGHT

Executive Services Manager

Evans Langat

Evans Joined Amarillo Area Foundation in 2021, after working as an intern, for a CPA Firm in Amarillo. As a Staff Accountant, Evans oversee the foundation’s payables, depreciation, account reconciliations, and various fund accounting tasks.

Evans graduated from West Texas A&M University in 2017 with a Bachelors in Finance & Accounting, and a Masters in Professional Accounting in 2020.

Evans lived in Amarillo for four year, and one year in Dallas before returning to Amarillo in 2018. He and his wife have been blessed with one son.

EVANS LANGAT

Staff Accountant

Amy Lovell

AMY LOVELL

Director of Philanthropic Partnerships

Janet Luman

Janet joined the Amarillo Area Foundation in 2006 as the Office Coordinator. Her responsibilities include greeting guests, fielding calls, filing, keeping track of room schedules, and working directly with the Vice President of Operations in coordinating office tasks and staff needs.
Janet has lived in the Texas Panhandle all her life. Amarillo is her home town although she has deep family roots in Armstrong County where her family has farmed for 4 generations.
Janet graduated from Amarillo High School and received an associate degree from Amarillo College. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for 25 years.

JANET LUMAN

Office Coordinator

Matt Morgan

Matt started working for the Amarillo Area Foundation in 2018 as a Grants Program Officer. Matt oversees the Foundation’s Discretionary, Catalyst, and HRMC grants. He is passionate about the Texas Panhandle and sees AAF grants as an opportunity to create lasting impact on the lives in our community.
Matt grew up in Amarillo, TX but left for 4 years to earn a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. Prior to joining the AAF team, Matt was the Director of Personnel for a bank equipment and security company. Since Matt began his career in non-profit work, he is excited to be back in that community.

MATT MORGAN

Grants Program Officer

Suzy Murray

Suzy joined the Amarillo Area Foundation in 2015 as Staff Accountant. As Staff Accountant, Suzy handles the Foundation's payables, receipts, depreciation, accruals, reconciliations and various fund accounting tasks.
Suzy is native to the Texas Panhandle, being reared in Dalhart. She attended Texas Christian University and Texas Tech University, graduating cum laude from Texas Tech in 1982. She taught accounting for several years at Dalhart High School, and after moving to west Texas, she found her niche in tax preparation and fund accounting. Suzy and her husband returned to the Panhandle in 2013 and have made Amarillo their permanent home.

SUZY MURRAY

Director of Accounting

Karen Phillips

Karen was born in East Texas but moved to Amarillo in 1962. She is a proud Tascosa Rebel and attended Amarillo College. Karen began her career in the nonprofit sector at Downtown Women’s Center as Director of Development.
Charlotte Rhodes hired Karen as her assistant in 2013 as Donors Services Administrative Assistant. Karen’s responsibilities include processing and acknowledging all contributions and providing administrative support for the development department. She especially enjoys the creative writing opportunities that her position often requires.

KAREN PHILLIPS

Director of Donor Services

Board  of  Directors

The Amarillo Area Foundation is the only community foundation serving Texas’ northernmost 26 counties.  Since its inception in 1957 and into the future, the Foundation provides grants and services to strengthen nonprofit organizations and the services they deliver. The Foundation is enriching the Panhandle communities we call home as a result of partnerships between area philanthropists and social entrepreneurs. The Foundation is governed by a Board of private citizens dedicated to their leadership role on philanthropic, nonprofit, and community issues.

AAf Board of Directors

Amarillo Area Foundation Board of Directors

  • Clay Stribling  |  President and CEO
  • David Hurtt  |  Assistant Secretary
  • Paul Clark | Chair
  • Vanessa Buzzard  |  1st Vice Chair
  • David Prescott |  2nd Vice Chair
  • Sharon White |  Secretary
  • Cheri De Jong  | Treasurer
  • Lewis Britt  |  Member at Large
  • Nicki Crump |  Member at Large
  • Trent Sisemore |  Member at Large
  • William Ware |  Member at Large
  • Lori Henke |  Immediate Past President

Board Directory

Roy Bara | Amarillo
Christy Bertolino | Canyon
Bill Britain | Amarillo
Lewis Britt | Amarillo
Helen Burton | Amarillo
Vanessa Buzzard | Pampa
Trevor Caviness | Amarillo
Paul Clark | Amarillo
Kathy Cornett | Amarillo
Nicki Crump | Amarillo
Michael Cruz | Amarillo
Cheri De Jong | Hartley
Lori Henke | Amarillo

Mike Hughes | Amarillo
Bowden Jones | Amarillo
Mark Keys | Childress
Pedro Limas | Amarillo
Charles Mestas | Amarillo
Jackie Pearson | Spearman
David Prescott | Amarillo
Stella Sauls | Borger
Trent Sisemore | Amarillo
William Ware | Amarillo
Sharon White | Amarillo
Suzanne Willis | Perryton

Harrington Foundation Board of directors

The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation Board of Directors

  • Clay Stribling  |  President and CEO
  • Lori Henke  | Chair
  • Paul Clark  | Vice Chair
  • Vanessa Buzzard |  Secretary/Treasurer
  • Roy Bara
  • Mark Bivins
  • Dyke Rogers
  • Richard Ware II

HRMC Board of directors

The Harrington Regional Medical Campus Board of Directors

  • Clay Stribling  |  President and CEO
  • Bill Harris |  Chair
  • Steve Urban |  Vice Chair
  • J.B. Lane |  Secretary/Treasurer
  • Mary Bearden
  • Judy Day
  • Julie Mitchell
  • Rod Schroder
  • Carolyn Witherspoon
  • Alfonso Zambrano