KERALEE CLAY
Interim President & CEO
President’s Letter
Dear Friends,
This year’s annual report theme, “Brighten the Corner Where You Are,” holds special meaning for all of us at Amarillo Area Foundation. Inspired by a song played at the memorial service for our dear friend and former President and CEO, Clay Stribling, this message beautifully captures how each of us can positively impact those around us through kindness, generosity, and dedication.
2024 was a year filled with challenges as we navigated Clay’s illness and mourned his passing in December. Yet, through these difficult times, we found strength in the legacy Clay left behind—one of compassion, resilience, and profound community commitment. His spirit continues to guide and inspire us every day.
Despite the challenges, we made significant strides forward in our strategic focus areas—health, education, and economic opportunity. Intentional grant-making and the establishment of meaningful coalitions have set the stage for powerful, lasting changes across our region. As an example, the partnership with Meadows Behavioral Health Institute is already reshaping how Panhandle residents engage with mental health care in the primary care setting. With the exciting launch of the Meadows Institute Panhandle, we anticipate further advancements, providing much-needed resources and hope to countless families.
This past year also tested our community with the devastating and historic wildfires. The incredible outpouring of generosity and unity we witnessed in response was nothing short of inspirational. Neighbors helping neighbors reminded us of the love and resilience that defines our community.
I am profoundly grateful for the dedication and warmth of the AAF team, who met each challenge with grace, professionalism, and care. Our heartfelt appreciation also extends to our Board members, donors, partners, and community members whose support lifted and carried us forward during a uniquely challenging time.
Looking to the future, our corner of the world shines brightly because Clay left us his light. Though transitions are seldom easy, we step forward with confidence and clarity, committed to honoring and expanding Clay’s powerful legacy.
Thank you for your unwavering support and friendship. Together, we will continue to brighten every corner of our beloved Panhandle community.
Warm regards,
Keralee
Interim President and CEO
Amarillo Area Foundation
2024 Staff Members
KERALEE CLAY
Interim President & CEO
LARA ESCOBAR
Vice President of Community Investment
DAVID HURTT
Vice President of Finance
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, CFRE
Vice President of Development
KIMBERLY ANDERSON
Strategy & Impact Officer
Michelle grew up in Boise Idaho, but has called Amarillo and the Panhandle home since she was 11. She is currently attending Western Governors University seeking a BA in Business Administration Management. She and her husband have three amazing sons and are avid scuba divers. During her free time, she enjoys being in nature, whether in the mountains camping and fishing, or on a beach and under the ocean. She has a passion for community improvement and engagement through educational opportunities and strongly believes in equality and reducing barriers faced by those seeking access to resources.
MICHELLE ARMBRUSTER
Grant Administrator
ROXANN BALL
Nonprofit Service Center Program Officer
Her greatest joy is her husband, Sean and three children Samantha, Joe, and Lexie. And of course, her dog, Murphy. She strives to be the best she can be in any role and is looking forward to bringing her work ethic, determination, and skills to the Foundation. As a former recipient of scholarships through the Foundation, she is grateful to be part of the team and plays an important role in the organization.
CARLOTA BEACH
Staff Accountant
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 Officer
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
Sr. Director of Operations & Communications
Angela’s strong faith in God has helped her navigate through many rough waters, keeping her grounded and determined to demonstrate the love of God to others.
She brings experience from several executive and corporate backgrounds which allows her to lead and serve simultaneously. Her training spans from medical, administrative and her most recent endeavor as a family life coach. All of which she considers satisfying her “people person” strength.
As the Donor Services Administrator she will put into practice her passion of connecting and building relationship with the community by operating in the core values of the Foundation, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, and Innovation. Angela states “The core values of the Foundation resonate with me deeply. And I believe in my role as the Donor Services Administrator I will be able to help fulfill the mission of the Foundation, while bringing new insight and direction to my role in the community”.
ANGELA FOSTER
Donor Services Administrator
Kevin is excited to be a part of the Foundation’s efforts to improve the lives of Texas Panhandle residents. His personal vision is to foster innovation by connecting resource holders with the hard-working organizations across the Texas Panhandle region.
A native of Umbarger, TX, Kevin attended West Texas A&M University where he earned a degree in Theatre Performance. After college, Kevin spent 5 years in the DFW area before returning to the Texas Panhandle in 2013. He and his wife, Heather, live in Canyon, TX with their two sons, Carson and Finn.
KEVIN FRIEMEL
Development Officer
STEPHANIE GOINS
Annual Giving Officer
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
Director of Grants & Community Investment
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.
BETH GUNN
Grants Program Officer
Angela’s strong faith in God has helped her navigate through many rough waters, keeping her grounded and determined to demonstrate the love of God to others.
She brings experience from several executive and corporate backgrounds which allows her to lead and serve simultaneously. Her training spans from medical, administrative and her most recent endeavor as a family life coach. All of which she considers satisfying her “people person” strength.
As the Donor Services Administrator she will put into practice her passion of connecting and building relationship with the community by operating in the core values of the Foundation, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, and Innovation. Angela states “The core values of the Foundation resonate with me deeply. And I believe in my role as the Donor Services Administrator I will be able to help fulfill the mission of the Foundation, while bringing new insight and direction to my role in the community”.
AYSHA HARRIS
Scholarship Program Assistant
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
She is a proud alumnus of Tascosa High School, where she not only excelled academically but also played basketball her entire high school years, earning a basketball scholarship to Frank Phillips College. There, she obtained her associate degree in Business. Aubry loves to make others happy, smile and laugh. Also, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, working out and traveling around the world. She is more than grateful and honored to be apart of the Amarillo Area Foundation team and is devoted to building new relationships with amazing individuals as well as doing everything she can to help improve the quality of life for Texas Panhandle residents.
AUBRY JOHNSON
Operations Manager & Marketing Assistant
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
Executive Services Manager
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
Director of Accounting
JODI MOORE
Accounting Clerk
RAUL RODARTE-SUTO
Grant Program Officer
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
- Keralee Clay | Interim President and CEO
- David Hurtt | Assistant Secretary
- David Prescott | Chair
- Sharon White | Vice Chair
- Mike Hughes | Treasurer | Finance Chair
- Kristen Moudy | Secretary
- Tervor Caviness | Member at Large
- Pedro Limas | Member at Large
- Michael Cruz | Member at Large
- Sonja Clark | Grants Chair
- William Ware | Development Chair
- Helen Burton | Strategic Initiatives Chair
Board Directory
Lewis Britt | Amarillo
Helen Burton | Amarillo
Trevor Caviness | Amarillo
Sonja Clark | Amarillo
Nicki Crump | Amarillo
Michael Cruz | Amarillo
Lee Davila | Friona
Mary Emeny | Amarillo
Margaret Frederick | Amarillo
Cheri De Jong | Hartley
Andrew Hall | Amarillo
Mike Hughes | Amarillo
Jackie Kingston | Amarillo
Grace Kuo | Amarillo
Bowden Jones | Amarillo
Pedro Limas | Amarillo
Charles Mestas | Amarillo
Kristen Moudy | Wheeler
David Salas | Amarillo
Trent Sisemore | Amarillo
William Ware | Amarillo
Sharon White | Amarillo
Cassi Warren | Canadian
Harrington Foundation Board of directors
The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation Board of Directors
- Clay Stribling | President and CEO
- Keralee Clay | Interim President and CEO
- David Hurtt | Assistant Secretary
- Mark Bivins| Chair
- David Prescott| Vice Chair
- Mike Hughes | Secretary/Treasurer
- Kristen Moudy
- Terry Caviness
- Richard Ware II
- Sharon White
HRMC Board of directors
The Harrington Regional Medical Campus Board of Directors
- Clay Stribling | President and CEO
- Keralee Clay | Interim President and CEO
- Judy Day | Chair
- Rod Schroder | Vice Chair
- Marvin Franz | Secretary/Treasurer
- Jay Barrett
- Lori Henke
- Steve Urban
- Julie Mitchell
- Bill Harris
- Alphonso Zambrano
