This year, Camp Bowie District Inc. launched the Hometown Hero Salute. We are taking the month of July to celebrate our freedoms and independence by saluting those that served our country fighting to preserve those rights. In our inaugural year we are honoring 30 Fort Worth veterans who were nominated by their peers, friends and neighbors.
Camp Bowie Boulevard was once sacred ground itself as a World War I camp. Each of the following veterans' service is honored with banners donned with their image along the historic boulevard.
Years of Service: 1966 - 2000
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John Avila, Jr. is the Owner, Chairman of Fort Worth based Thos. S. Byrne, Ltd., the largest commercial construction services company in Tarrant County and the largest minority owned commercial construction company in the State of Texas.
A highly decorated Viet Nam veteran and retired reserve Brigadier General, Avila served on active duty for five years and in the active reserve for twenty-seven years. Originally appointed by Texas Governor George W. Bush, Avila served as a commissioner of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Avila also served on the George W. Bush for President Exploratory Committee and on the Texas Citizens Committee for Property Tax Relief. An active Tarrant County community leader, Avila served three two year terms as Chairman of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber, is a member of the Board of Directors of Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, Honorary Chair 2001 and 2002, Habitat for Humanity, Chairman of the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk for 2002, 2003 and 2004 and Past President of the Tarrant County Mental Health Association. He also serves as a Member of the Board of Trustees, Texas Wesleyan University; Board Member, Wells Fargo; Past Chairman, The Multicultural Alliance Board; Board Member, Lena Pope Home; Advisory Council Member, University of Texas at Austin – School of Architecture; Board Member, Fort Worth Chamber Foundation; Board Member, Fort Worth Boys and Girls Club; C5 Texas Chairman, among many other civic and community leadership positions.
Years of Service: 2004 - 2009
Mike served six years active duty in the U.S. Navy. He achieved the rank Master-at-Arms 2nd Class. His duty stations were at the USS Stephen W. Groves FFG29 (counter drug operations), Yokosuka, Japan (anti-terrorism/force protection specialist), and Manama, Bahrain (Navy Security Forces).
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Mike and his wife currently own Buttermilk Sky Pie, a bakery in Fort Worth, where they donate to non-profit organizations and partner with members in the community for fundraising.
Years of Service: 15 Years
Freddie Burleson served in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1969 with the 25th infantry Division 1/8th Artillery C Battery. After finishing active duty he served in the Army National Guard.
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Freddie became a police officer after his active duty service in Vietnam. He worked for UT Southwestern Police Department, Euless Police Department, and then later on served in a role as a probation officer for the Tarrant County Adult Probation Department until his retirement.
Years of Service: 1976 - 1988
Roosevelt Burrell Jr. became the patriarch of his family of six brothers and one sister after being reared in Palestine, TX. In 1948, he and his wife Pearlie Beatrice Burrell moved to Fort Worth’s “Northside” then shortly thereafter grounded there family in the Lake Como Community. With his passion for family, church and community, this self-made business man became an entrepreneur in 1963. He started Roosevelt Burrell, Jr. and Son Construction Company Inc. He was a WWII Navy Veteran, a strong community leader and a Deacon and Finance Manager at his church Stranger’s Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Como on Horne Street for over 50 years. He was respected and adored by all who knew him. Mr. Burrell was laid to rest at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Recognized on 2024 by the Fort Worth Historic and Cultural Landmark Commission as the builder of Chamberlain Plaza and the building of HUD residential and commercial buildings throughout Fort Worth in addition he operated statewide highway construction projects and Metroplex wide mechanized power washing contracts to clean the downtown city sidewalks through Cowtown Traffic Control & Barricades, Inc. Roosevelt helped contribute to the growth and development of the state of Texas and the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex for many years.
Years of Service: 1976 - 1988
Judge Brent Carr was stationed in Okinawa, Japan; Albany, Georgia; and Houston, Texas. Notable decoration was the Navy Achievement Medal for life saving. Upon leaving active duty in 1980, Judge Carr returned to Houston and entered South Texas College of Law from which he graduated in 1983. He was hired by the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office in 1983 and held several positions within the office ranging from trial attorney, court chief prosecutor and Chief of the Tarrant County Narcotics Task Force. He was elected to the office of Presiding Judge, Tarrant County Criminal Court 9 and assumed office in 1991. During his 31 years on the bench Judge Carr's court disposed of over 75,000 cases and held over 1200 jury trials. He was selected by my peers to serve as Local Administrative Presiding Judge for all of the county courts in Tarrant County for over 20 years and twice as the Presiding Administrative Judge for all of the Tarrant County Criminal Courts.
Judge Carr spearheaded the creation of several specialty court programs: Mental Health Court (2003), Veterans Treatment Court (2010), RISE Program for sex trafficked women with criminal charges, Enhanced Mental Health Services for homeless mentally ill (2015). With the help of his team, these programs have been highly successful and served as a model for programs across the state. The Veterans Treatment Court has assisted hundreds of veterans in dealing with issues sustained in connection with military service and successfully restored them to healthy productive lives.
Over the years his service to the community has included: Campfire, Boy Scouts, Little League, Santa Fe Youth Services, Tarrant County Challenge, Mental Health Association, Mental Health Connection, Tarleton State and Tarrant County College Criminal Justice Advisory Councils, Veterans Coalition, Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, among others. Current projects include: Fort Worth Police Department Community Advisory Committee, 5 Stones Anti Sex Trafficking Foundation, Shaken Baby Alliance, planning committees for the Veterans Day Parade at Arlington and the recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Viet Nam War.
Years of Service: 1976 - 1994
Craig Chandonnet is a third generation, submarine service member, in his family. He graduated high school and then went to boot camp. Through his service he went near and far throughout the nation and world. Gathering crazy stories as a cook and first responder during his time of service. When he retired, he and his family moved to Fort Worth, TX where he currently resides.
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Craig Chandonnet has mentored in many different places, he used to be the co-director of the children's program at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church and his pride and joy was preparing the children for first communion and reconciliation. He had a gift with the children and the parents. Before he retired from work for good he was a kitchen manager at Chick-fil-a where he helped mentor those who worked there as well. When his daughter was in school growing up he was an involved parent and served on the PTA board at school and on the district for several years, and being a formal Eagle Scout would help with her Girl Scout Troop as well.
Years of Service: 1942 - 1946
"In boot camp, Sergeant Phelps drove us in the ground. I thank him for everything he taught me; he made men out of us. After boot camp I was sent to New Zealand and then back to the States to form the 5th Division. We had a lot of combat guys in there. John Basilone (the legendary Medal of Honor awardee from Guadalcanal) was there. He got killed to my right, about 100 feet away.
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No one knew about Iwo Jima. We knew we wanted that island because we could provide air support for our bombers. One day before we got there, they brought a clay model out. Here is Iwo Jima, this is where you are going to go. You’re going over the top, turn left, take Suribachi and then you will join the rest of your division going north. That’s what we did. They made me a flame thrower at Pendleton. I’m the only flame thrower in the Second Battalion that came off. We had 335 Marines going in; 18 came off.
I landed in the third wave on February 19th at 8:00 in the morning. On the beach, we knew this wasn’t going to be easy; we couldn’t move, we couldn’t get up. Guys were getting killed. Every time they’d go over the top, they’d drop. I was on the beach at least two hours. It took us three days to go 540 feet to Suribachi—inch by inch, foot by foot, shell hole by shell hole. You couldn’t dig a fox hole. Those shells from bombers left a beautiful hole. On the morning of the third day, we finally made it to the foot of Suribachi and had a grenade fight going up. I burned out a few pill boxes. I saw one Jap going into a pill box and yelled at him. All of a sudden, he came out. He had a beautiful uniform on and a beautiful sword. I thought, this guy is going out in style. He looked at me, had something in his hand, then boom! He was gone; there was nothing left of him. It took us all day to climb Suribachi. The first flag went up around 10:05. The second flag raising was later that afternoon. I was just out of view of the group photo."
Years of Service: 1956 - 1991
John entered the Air Force at Lackland AFB 1956 and graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1961 and served with the rank of Major until 1976. At that time he transferred to the Navy where he served from 1976 to 1991. He rose to the rank of Commander flying the F-4 Phantom from Navy Aircraft Carriers.
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John Greener was a resident of the City of Fort Worth from 1985 until his death in 2011. He served the citizens of our great city as a Captain for American Airlines from 1968 to 1995. He was a member of Shady Oaks Country Club where he befriended Ben Hogan as they enjoyed exchanging many golf and flying stories. As well as golf he also enjoyed hunting in Central Texas.
Years of Service: 1970 - 1972
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After his military service, Ramon Guajardo
spent a career in public service. He served the City of Fort Worth in a number of capacities and retired as the City’s first Hispanic Assistant City Manager.
Today, he is Chairman of the Board for RAMEL. The organization specializes in affordable housing development and construction management. Mr. Guajardo has served with a number of non-profit organizations and served on board and commission for the City.
Years of Service: 2001 - 2024
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After earning his Naval Aviator wings at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in 2003, he joined the “Fighting Tigers” of VP-8 at NAS Brunswick, ME from 2003-2007, where he served as P-3 Mission Commander and Instructor Pilot and led Combat Aircrew One on multiple deployments and detachments around the globe. Following that tour, Hufstetler was selected for Instructor Pilot duty with the “Wise Owls” of VT-31 based at NAS Corpus Christi, TX. While there, he qualified in all 13 phases of instruction for the diverse multi-service, multinational student cadre while performing duties as Pilot Training and Standardization Officer. In December 2009, he joined the “Lonestar Express” of VR-59 at NAS JRB Fort Worth, TX where he flew the C-40A executing intra-theater airlift support for naval units around the world.
His staff assignments included tours as the C-40A Fleet NATOPS Evaluator Pilot with the Fleet Logistics Support Wing from 2013-2014, Operations Program Manager with Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve from 2015-2018, and most recently the PERS-46 Senior Aviation Detailer with Navy Personnel Command in Millington, TN from 2021-2023.
Captain Hufstetler served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of the “Globemasters” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 56 at NAS Oceana, VA from 2018-2021. He assumed duties as Commanding Officer of NAS Fort Worth JRB, TX in November 2023.
Captain Hufstetler has accumulated more than 4,000 flight hours in numerous aircraft. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and various unit and campaign awards.
Years of Service: 1962 - 1984
Officer Navy Candidate School in 1962. Served on the aircraft carrier USS Midway during the Vietnam era in the Special Weapons Division. After four years active duty, he served in the Navy Reserve retiring as a Captain in 1984.
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Neil Hunt has been a resident of the City of Fort Worth for the past 58 years. His business career was with Merrill Lynch in Fort Worth where he retired as Vice-President. He served as President of the Fort Worth Securities Dealers. He has been a member of the Fort Worth Optimist Club since 1971 serving as President of the club twice and of the Fort Worth Optimist Junior Baseball club as well as a coach. He has been a member of the TCU Frog Club since 2000.
Years of Service: 2009 - 2017
SCPO JENNINGS started as a Marine in Vietnam and then switched over to Navy where is was in the Person Gulf War and Desert Storm. He the. Settled in Fort Worth and worked for GM in Arlington. He passed Memorial Day 2022 from long term service connected injuries.
Years of Service: 2009 - 2017
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Julian attended Michigan Technological University on a full-ride scholarship, graduated in 2007 with a degree in Humanities, and was a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, Young Democrats, Social Dance Club, played Broomball for the Lemmings team, and was named Student Employee of the Year.
He helped countless students in his role as a resident assistant. Julian loved God and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Washingtonville, NY with his wife, Sherry. They volunteered regularly for the Red Cross at the United States Military Academy at West Point and together received an army volunteer’s commendation for their service.
Sgt. Kevianne was part of the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 (VMGR-452, MAG 49, 4th MAW) based out of Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, NY. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps on December 1, 2009, at age 23 and most recently served as a Fixed Wing Aircraft Crew Master KC-130. He was deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom 12.2 from November 2012-March 2013. Sgt. Kevianne received the following awards and decorations: Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (2); Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Letter of Appreciation (6); Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award).
Years of Service: 2020 - 2023
In 2020, First Lieutenant (1LT) Amanda Lauersdorf
was Direct Commissioned into the U.S. Army National Guard as a 66H (Medical Surgical Nurse) and was subsequently assigned to a Medical Detachment in Austin, where she was responsible for reviewing and validating the initial portion of the PHA (Periodic Health Assessment) for soldiers. In 2023, 1LT Lauersdorf transferred branches and joined the U.S. Army Reserve, also as a 66H, where she would be attached to the 3rd MCP-OD (Main Command Post-Operational Detachment). In her role there, she is responsible for monitoring and improving the medical and dental readiness of the unit while providing additional augmentation to both the 3 Armored Corps and 63d Readiness Division Surgeon Cells. 1LT Lauersdorf was recently selected for Captain and should be promoted soon.
Years of Service: 2001 - 2023
First Sergeant Lauersdorf enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 2001. Upon completion of recruit training at San Diego, California, he attended Marine Combat Training in Camp Pendleton, California. In January of 2002, he attended the Intelligence Specialist Course at Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center (NMITC) in Dam Neck Virginia and was awarded the MOS of Intelligence Specialist (0231)
In 2012, Lauersdorf joined the Marine Corps Reserve and would be assigned to Pacific Command Joint Detachment in Fort Worth, Texas where he’d serve as the Senior Enlisted Advisor and Senior Intelligence Analyst. Following his time there, in 2018 he received orders to Marine Corps Forces South in Miami, Florida, where he’d serve as the Training SNCO for the G-2 section.In 2020, he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and received orders to serve as Intelligence Chief for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112) out of Fort Worth, Texas. In 2021, he would deploy to Iwakuni, Japan with VMFA-112 as part of the Unit Deployment Program. In 2022, Lauersdorf returned home and received orders to serve as Intelligence Chief with 4th Reconnaissance Battalion out of San Antonio, Texas. In May of 2023, he was promoted to his current rank of First Sergeant and was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 23d Marines out of Bossier City, Louisiana.
In the civilian sector, First Sergeant Lauersdorf owns his own real estate media firm and serves as an elected representative on the Fort Worth City Council, where he represents nearly 1,000,000 citizens in the 13th largest city in America. He has his Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies and his Executive Master of Business Administration from Texas Christian University.
His personal decorations include the Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medasl, Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Years of Service: 2011 - 2020
Ben Marr grew up in Fort Worth, where he enlisted in the Marine Corps. After he returned to Fort Worth from active duty, Ben enlisted into the reserves with the 14th Marines stationed at the JRB.
Ben works as an assistant project manager for RAMEL where he helps manage the construction of low income housing in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas.
Years of Service: 1996 - 2019
Kenneth Maust was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA on September 27, 1972. He served the US Navy for 23 years from 1996-2019 and retired as a Chief Petty Officer. Ken had a very decorated and accomplished military career. He achieved his goal of becoming an Aviation Rescue Swimmer and was deployed as a door gunner for two tours in Iraq with the joint special operations command. In 2005, he became a Crew Chief Evaluator for Gulfstream aircraft, flying executive military peers all over the globe. Additionally, Ken became a certified Master Mechanic for Gulfstream aircraft. Ken enjoyed living in San Diego, O’ahu, and Sicily during his time in the Navy. Fort Worth (NAS JB) was his final naval station and is now happy to call Fort Worth home. Ken met his wife, Ashley, in his hometown in 2017. She moved to Ft. Worth in 2018, and they opened Pelican’s Snoballs on Camp Bowie Blvd. on July 21, 2018, as part of their retirement plan (and he couldn’t get enough of that fine shaved ice and the way it made people feel!). They went on to purchase the first Pelican’s in Texas, located in Roanoke. Ken was recently certified as an Executive Security Agent by Pacific West Academy in Los Angeles. Ken has a passion for fitness, playing ice hockey, and traveling to the beach in his spare time. He hopes to serve the community of Fort Worth the world’s best snoball for many years to come.
Years of Service: 1942 - 1945
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Bill Mclntyre enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was stationed in Algiers and Naples.
Mr. McIntyre is active in his community. He has traveled to Normandy in the last 4 years. At 103 years old, he still lives semi-independently and loves to visit and tell stories.
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Special Awards: Bronze Star
Years of Service: 2006 - 2014
Sergeant Willie Rankin, a former 2141 amphibious assault vehicle mechanic in the United States Marine Corps, received a combat meritorious promotion during his service in Iraq in 2009. After departing the Marine Corps as an E-5 sergeant in 2014, he pursued higher education, obtaining an Executive MBA from the University of Texas in Arlington. Willie is the proud father of an eight-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter.
Willie Rankin is the Director of the Institute to Advance Child Care at Child Care Associates in Fort Worth. In this capacity, he leads a committed team dedicated to improving outcomes for children and educators by fostering innovative solutions that ensure equitable access to quality child care. His current initiatives include constructing new early education facilities, providing business advisory services, and facilitating foundational contracts to bolster child care centers.
Willie has established a strong presence in Fort Worth through collaborative efforts with public and private entities, focusing on initiatives that uplift vulnerable communities. In addition to his role at Child Care Associates, Willie serves as Chairman of the City of Fort Worth Zoning Commission, is a member of the Leadership Team for Early Learning Alliance, and sits on the Boards of Directors for both the Fort Worth Chamber and CDFI Friendly Fort Worth. Furthermore, he has played a pivotal role in community revitalization endeavors with LVTRise in West Fort Worth and has contributed to transportation programs and community partnerships at Catholic Charities of Fort Worth.
Willie Rankin's dedication and achievements in Fort Worth have been recognized with notable awards, including the 2023 Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40 Award and the 2022 Dr. Marion J. Brooks Legend in the Making Award.
Years of Service: 1986 - 1993
After studying at Trimble Tech High School and graduating from Western Hills High School, Leon Reed, Jr. immediately joined the United States Marine Corps where he served with distinction for seven years and was an embassy guard at various locations around the world. After his service in the Marine Corps, Leon enrolled as a full-time student at Texas Christian University. While at TCU, Leon was involved in numerous student organizations and employed his leadership skills while presiding over many of them.
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Leon was conferred his law degree in 2003 from Texas Tech University School of Law and opened the Law Office of Leon Reed, Jr. in the spring of 2004. He has served as the president of the L. Clifford Davis Legal Association and has been a Fort Worth Top Attorney numerous times in Fort Worth Magazine.
Leon has also been serving as a defense attorney for the Tarrant County Veterans Treatment Court since its inception in 2010, using his experiences as a service member and attorney to serve the needs of the participants in the program. His Marine Corps mindset, spirituality, and life experiences motivate him to serve.
Leon ran for judge in 2014 in Tarrant County and his zeal for serving people may one day lead him back to the political arena. Since then, Leon helped to co-found Walk For Reform, a group of attorneys dedicated to bettering police and community relations, and in August of 2020, Leon walked the 200 miles from the Fort Worth City Hall to the Texas Capitol in Austin to call attention to the need and support for the passing of a Texas George Floyd Act.
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Leon is currently a member of several boards including the Tarrant County Bar Foundation Board, the African American Lawyers Section of the Texas State Bar, and the L. Clifford Davis Legal Association, formerly known as the Tarrant County Black Bar Association.
Years of Service: 1947 - 1968
Glenn enlisted immediately out of high school and served 21 years. He was stationed around the globe but knew when he retired he would return to FW where he had been stationed earlier in his military career. Glenn and his wife Verna have three children Renae Woodworth, Teri DeMars and Brian Rickard. All three kids live in Fort Worth.
Glenn was in field maintenance, worked on power units in the Air Force. After retiring to FW he worked for General Dynamics and worked on the F-111 until retiring after 23 years Assembled radar instruments in the fuselage on the F-111.
Years of Service: 2016 - 2023
Miguel Ruiz, a proud native of Fort Worth, Texas, graduated from R.L. Paschal High School and UT Arlington. Upon completing undergrad studies he enlisted into the U.S. Army National Guard, specializing in public affairs mass communication. Throughout his service, Miguel provided essential support during disaster declarations across Texas and deployments overseas, practicing military journalism and public affairs. As a Guardsman, Miguel maintained a dedication to Fort Worth in between deployments. He served as a brand manager at Williams Trew Real Estate and currently leads strategic communication efforts for clients at the full-service marketing firm, J.O. Agency. Miguel's work includes enhancing outreach for organizations such as the Tarrant Area Food Bank, Worthington Bank, and the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors. Beyond his professional endeavors, Miguel actively engages in community service, supporting various Fort Worth causes, including the Arlington Heights High School Band Booster through marketing and communications initiatives. He resides in West Fort Worth with his wife Nancy and one year old daughter, Georgie.
Years of Service: 1970 - 2002
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Dennis Shingleton enlisted in US Navy in 1970 Officer Candidate School Commissioned in August 1971.....Served as a Line Officer Transferred to Active Duty Army in March 1981,,, Active duty Army until November 1987.. Active US Army Reserve until retirement in November 2002.
Dennis served as member of the Fort Worth Plan Commission for 9 years, chairman for 5 years.... Elected to Fort worth city Council 2011, Served as Mayor Pro Tem for 4 years ....and Councilman for 10 years. Member of Numerous boards and Initiatives.... Chairman of Marshals and Pride of the Plaid of Colonial Golf Tournament for nearly 28 years.
Years of Service: 1970 - 1998
Ronald Eugene Shultz served from 1970 – 2012. with a couple of breaks in service. He served nine years in the USAF, two in the USN and ten plus in the US Army. He jokes that he got too old for the Marines and retired. He served in Thailand with TDYs to Germany and Greece and in five states. His favorite assignment was the TDY in Greece because Thessaloniki is in Scripture and the Greeks were wonderful to him, then again, so were the Thais! He was an Inventory Management Supervisor in the Air Force, a Storekeeper 2nd Class in the Navy and had six Military Occupational Skills in the Army with the H identifier. Some of his favorite times were as an instructor. He believes he received a medal like an Emmy in that capacity. His highest awards are the USAF Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Award. He read almost nothing but military comics as a kid and build many military models. He got his middle name from a maternal uncle who served in the Pacific in WWII. His love of airplanes is what drew him to the Air Force. Life got him into the other branches. He is convinced that he could still perform his duties and picked up many other skills that would be useful in the Air Force or the Army. He tried to go back in after retirement when he heard recruitment was down, but his offer was declined. During and post-military, he has served as a pastor and chaplain in several organizations. He offers his IT skills free of charge for single moms, widows and of course, his military family though he never turned down anyone who asked for help. He has authored two books and has hundreds of sermons and poems online. He is a trained Military Veteran Peer Support Specialist and Community Chaplain. He has recently become a board certified Master Mental Health Coach and working on setting up for that service as he makes the community aware of this free service. He is currently a board member of the Cleburne Public Library having served on several other boards. He is also an American Legion member as well as Mission Roll Call and the Patriot Guard. His hope is the he can continue to serve God, community and country until his last breath. He said he retired to full time service. He could do none of these things without the love and support of his wife, Karen, whom he married in 1970.
Years of Service: 1980 - 2011
TD’s final role in uniform was serving as Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, from which he retired at the rank of Captain after a 31-year Navy career. He then served as CEO of the North Texas Region of the American Red Cross, then President & CEO at United Way of Tarrant County. He now helps the area’s top leaders as an executive coach.
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He is a graduate of Leadership North Texas and Leadership Fort Worth’s LeaderPrime. He has served on the boards of numerous civic organizations and led civilian support of USS Fort Worth and her Sailors as Chair of the Commissioning Committee. The Secretary of the Navy awarded TD the Legion of Merit for his innovative leadership of NAS Fort Worth, and The Fort Worth Business Press recognized him as the City’s Top Non-Profit CEO in 2019.
Years of Service:1990 - 2001
Robert Sturns is the Economic Development Director for the City of Fort Worth. In this capacity, he oversees the strategic direction and implementation of the city's economic development initiatives, encompassing business attraction and retention, community revitalization, and support for small businesses and entrepreneurship. Mr. Sturns has also served on numerous boards and commissions across the community including Cancer Care Services, Cristo Rey Fort Worth, Fort Worth Country Day, The Multicultural Alliance and the Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth.
Years of Service: 2009 - 2013
Andrew Supiano is a West Point graduate who proudly served his country for 7 years. He was an Artillery Officer in the 125th Infantry Unit in Iraq from 2010-2011. He was then an Army Ranger in the 3rd Ranger Battalion and led his Artillery Company in 2 Afghanistan deployments between 2011-2013. Officer Supiano is a loving husband and father.
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Andrew Supiano serves the Fort Worth community alongside his wife, Jessica Supiano. He is extremely involved in improving Fort Worth ISD and volunteers countless hours to Overton Park Elementary. He also works closely with several youth sport organizations coaching soccer, basketball, and softball. Andrew Supiano is generous with both his time and his finances working to better the Fort Worth community and the people in it.
Years of Service: 1992 - 2020
Dr. Sylvia Trent-Adams is the President of The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. Prior to serving as President, Dr. Trent-Adams was HSC's Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer.
A lifetime public servant, Dr. Trent-Adams began her public health career in 1992 by joining the Commissioned Corps before ultimately retiring in 2020 from the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps with the rank of Rear Admiral Upper Half. During this time, she served in roles including the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Deputy Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and Deputy Associate Administrator for the HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration.
Dr. Trent-Adams is the recipient of numerous awards including the International Red Cross Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest international honor bestowed upon a nurse. She also was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for her leadership during the Commissioned Corps response to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa and the Surgeon General’s Medallion for service as acting Surgeon General from April to September 2017.
Dr. Trent-Adams received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hampton University, a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Dr. Trent-Adams was a nurse officer in the U.S. Army and a research nurse at the University of Maryland.
Years of Service: 1972 - 1976
Estrus Tucker is President/CEO, and Co-founder of DEI Consultants LLC, a national consulting firm serving corporations, nonprofits and local governments in designing and implementing strategies that advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in ways that enhance organizational culture, mutual respect and humane productivity. Estrus is also a thought leader, writer and keynote speaker on embracing dignity, empathy and integrity as core values and invaluable human- centric practices. Estrus has more than 35 years experience in executive leadership in local, state and national nonprofit operations & governance. Estrus has been recognized as one of the 400 Most Influential People in Fort Worth, Texas in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 & 2020 by Fort Worth Inc. Magazine, a recipient of the 2019 Dr. Marion J. Brooks Living Legends Award, and also the recipient of the 2012 International Assoc. of Human Rights Agencies (IAOHRA) Individual Achievement Award.
Estrus' current Board service includes the Tarrant County Workforce Development Board, Historic Como Preservation Council (Pres), Como Leaders Council, Development Corporation of Tarrant County, the Brite Divinity School Board of Visitors (Chair), City of Fort Worth Historic & Cultural Landmark Commission & the Arts Council of Fort Worth. Past Commissioner & Chair of the FW Public Art Commission and the Human Relations Commission.
Years of Service: 1966 - 1972
Manuel T. Valdez is a retired United States Marine Corps Veteran and a Vietnam War Veteran. He attended Trimble Tech High School and went on to earn his Civil Engineering degree from the University of Texas Arlington. Judge Valdez has had a diverse professional career, including working as a City of Fort Worth Center Coordinator and as Tarrant County’s first elected Latino Justice of the Peace for precinct 5. His historic election and 30 year term was a testament to his dedication to public service and his commitment to representing all members of the community. His professional serving as a Justice of the Peace helped him gain a reputation for his fair and impartial rulings. Judge Valdez is proud of his service to his country and our community. In his free time, Judge Valdez enjoys pursuing his many interests, including golf, watching baseball, camping, fishing, and spending time at the ranch with his family: His wife, Dolores, his three daughters, and nine grandchildren.
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