TCOG Announces Citizens of the Year

2013 Audit Report
September 25, 2013
3rd Quarter 2013
October 1, 2013
2013 Audit Report
September 25, 2013
3rd Quarter 2013
October 1, 2013

TCOG Announces Citizens of the Year

Mr. John Beck, Texoma Region Citizen of the Year Award Recipient for 2013

Mr. John Beck receives the Texoma Region Citizen of the Year Award at TCOG's 2013 Annual Event. Pictured in photo (from left to right): Council Member David Spindle (City of Denison), Judge John Roane (Cooke County), Mr. John Beck, and Judge Spanky Carter (Fannin County).

News Release
For Immediate Release

SHERMAN, September 27, 2013 – Susan B. Thomas, PhD, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), announced today the Cooke, Fannin and Grayson County Citizens of the Year and the Texoma Regional Citizen of the Year, all of whom were recognized and presented with awards during TCOG’s 2013 Annual Event.

“We are blessed as a region to have citizens who go the extra mile and make a lasting and positive impact on the world around them,” stated Dr. Thomas. “Regional success is not accomplished nor is progress achieved without the sweat, sacrifice, and leadership of individuals such as these.”

The recipients of the awards are as follows: James Hughes, Cooke County; Judge Creta L. “Spanky” Carter, II, Fannin County; Dr. Pamela Egner, Grayson County; and John Beck, Texoma Regional Citizen of the Year. Each recipient was selected for his or her dedication to making a positive impact in the community by a panel consisting of TCOG Governing Body members from each respective county.

Regional success is not accomplished nor is progress achieved without the sweat, sacrifice, and leadership of individuals such as these.

Susan B. Thomas, PhD, Executive Director

Mr. James Hughes

Mr. James Hughes, Cooke County Citizen of the Year

Mr. James Hughes was born and raised in Sherman, TX and spent 8 years in the US Navy, traveling worldwide during service onboard the USS Midway. After an honorable discharge, he joined the Texas Youth Commission in Gainesville as a Juvenile Correctional Officer where he served for 28 years. After retirement from the commission in 2007, Mr. Hughes became a Teacher’s Aide in the Life Skills Program at Sanger High School where he is currently employed.

Mr. Hughes revived the Gainesville Juneteenth Celebration after several years of dormancy and is a key member of the Gainesville Martin Luther King Junior Celebration Committee, working with local businesses to help procure sponsorships for MLK events while personally providing sound systems and DJ services for the events. He founded Gainesville’s Community Action Support Team (CAST) five years ago to “help different community groups in Gainesville to work together for the betterment of the community.” Mr. Hughes is an avid supporter of Special Olympics and coaches and volunteers for Sanger ISD Special Olympics.

Judge Creta L. "Spanky" Carter, II

Judge Carter was the recipient of the Fannin County Citizen of the Year Award at TCOG’s 2013 Annual Event. Pictured in Photo are: Reverend Cecil Jones, Judge Spanky Carter, and Mayor Roy Floyd (from left to right)

Judge Spanky Carter is a graduate of Sherman High School. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Angelo State University followed by a law degree from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and is licensed to practice law in both Texas and Oklahoma. Judge Carter is the owner of KFYN radio stations in Bonham and Paris.

In 2010, Judge Carter was elected as Fannin County Judge. He serves on numerous boards and committees including: Meals on Wheels of Texoma, Texoma Area Paratransit System (TAPS), Texoma Workforce Development, the Fannin County Health Coalition, the Resident/Family Self-Sufficiency Advisory Board, Fannin County Appraisal District Board, Fannin Community Foundation, the Drug Endangered Children Board, Creative Arts Center Board, the Fannin County Juvenile Board, the Long Range Planning Committee for Fannin County, the Criminal Justice Board, the Public Facility Corporation, and currently serves as President of the TCOG Governing Board.

Dr. Pamela Egner

Dr. Pamela Egner, Grayson County Citizen of the Year

Dr. Pamela Egner has worked with TCOG’s Area Agency on Aging Care Coordination Program since 2007. During this time, she has improved the quality of life for numerous clients by donating countless hours of her professional labor as well as the cost of dental appliances to help the senior citizens of Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson counties. During the last six years, she has served approximately 128 patients, and the estimated value of her in-kind contributions tops $400,000. Without her willingness to work with these clients, our region would not be able to meet the dental and associated health needs of so many seniors.

Mr. John Beck is a long time member of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of First Baptist Church of Gainesville. He is also a member of the Gainesville Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow. Since 2000, Mr. Beck has regularly purchased lots in depressed neighborhoods throughout the City of Gainesville and, in an effort to help revitalize those neighborhoods, has built affordable brick homes in their place. In 2006 he became involved with the Gainesville Area Revitalization Program at the request of the City of Gainesville to build affordable homes on lots deeded to him in depressed neighborhoods through the City to be sold at or below cost. He has volunteered for numerous community efforts including the GRAND Project and Day of Caring, and has assisted with building the new playground at Leonard Park with the help of other Cooke County citizens. Mr. Beck is a current member of the Allocations Committee for Cooke County United Way and is a committee member for the Ghosts, Goblins and Gears Motorcycle Rally which benefits Cooke County United Way. He donated one of his houses to the Court Appointed Special Advocates of North Texas to provide offices for staff and training space for volunteers who are advocates for abused and/or neglected children in the foster care system.

Mr. John Beck

Mr. John Beck, Texoma Region Citizen of the Year

In August of 2011, Mr. Beck was the first recipient of the Star of North Texas; an award created to recognize outstanding efforts of citizens on behalf of the community and has served as general contractor for Abigail’s Arms Family Crisis Center since March 2009, and donates the majority of his fees back to the agency.

In addition to the recognition of these individuals, TCOG also released its 2013 annual report, Broadening Horizons: Meeting the Challenges of Tomorrow, which details the achievements of TCOG’s departments & programs during the 2012-2013 fiscal year. This report can be viewed or downloaded by visiting www.tcog.com/annualreport.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.