Community National Bank and Trust of Texas
Community National Bank and Trust of Texas presented two donations from charitable trusts, and a donation from the bank to the Corsicana Salvation Army for its work caring for evacuees from Hurricane Ike. Donations of $2,000 each came from the Pearl Thornell and Eleanor Thornell Charitable Foundations. Community National added a donation of $500 from the bank employee’s ‘Casual for Charity’ program, saluting the community spirit of Salvation Army for caring for those in need. Shown from left, Misty Louthan, Tony Dromgoole, Maj. Chuck Anderson of Salvation Army, Stephanie Elkins and Brenda Stubbs.
Citizens National Bank
Brad Tidwell, president and CEO of Citizens National Bank has announced the promotions of Kenneth Black to executive vice president of administration and technology, Nelwyn Richardson to executive vice president of loan operations and mortgage lending and Terry Tyson to executive vice president and chief credit officer.
Black began his banking career 38 years ago, spending the past 14 at Citizens National Bank overseeing daily operations and bank acquisitions. As the bank continues to expand its operations, Black’s responsibilities have also escalated. “Kenneth brings excellent business management solutions from strategy to execution,” Tidwell said.
Tyson has 32 years of banking experience, the past 18 spent with Citizens National Bank. He has served in many positions during his tenure with the bank including, chairman of the director’s loan committee, director of the Community Development Corporation, supervisor of the Western Division and most recently served as a senior lending officer. With the promotion to executive vice president, Tyson was appointed to chief credit officer. “Over the past 78 years Citizens National Bank has seen continued growth. In order to keep the momentum building, we need a strong leader who can focus solely on the quality and administration of our loan portfolio. Tyson has demonstrated the ability to make sound judgment, while constantly seeking opportunities to improve the bank,” said Tidwell.
Richardson has been employed at Citizens National Bank for 34 years. Her insight and expertise has played a pivotal role in the growth of the bank’s lending operations. She took on the position as loan officer three years after beginning her career at Citizens National Bank. She currently oversees the bank’s mortgage lending and loan operations. “Richardson’s extensive knowledge and deep understanding of the bank’s core philosophy benefits our customers and our organization,” said Tidwell.
Tidwell expressed his confidence in the ability of these individuals to accelerate growth on behalf of Citizens National Bank. “Each of these individuals has a track record of excellence and dedication to Citizens National Bank. With these promotions I am optimistic about our ability to see continued success throughout our organization,” Tidwell said.
Citizens National Bank is a $750 million independent community bank with 19 locations across East and Central Texas. Citizens provides a full array of commercial, consumer, investment, insurance and mortgage products using the latest technology to meet and exceed the individual needs of our customers. Citizens has been serving its neighbors for over 78 years and would appreciate the opportunity to serve you.
Jordan Art Gallery
In a bold move that counters well-established trends across the visual arts community, Corsicana’s new Jordan Art Gallery, which opens Oct. 1, will be introducing new and emerging artists to the world.
Under the leadership of Connie Jordan, a successful artist known for her work in the abstract, the new gallery opens the door of opportunity to deserving artists from Texas, the United States and several foreign countries.
“I’ve been truly blessed in my own career,” Jordan said in a recent interview. “Now it’s time I give back ... to do something for artists who struggle for recognition ... for talented individuals who are producing exciting new work that needs visibility and recognition.”
Jordan, a native Texan, will open Corsicana’s first and only gallery at 112 N. Beaton St., a main thoroughfare populated with antique shops and other local businesses.
The artist, whose own works will be exhibited in Paris as the new gallery opens, began her mission to helping unknown artists soon after her book, “Repaint Your Life: Create a Life in Art,” co-written by author Kathryn E. Eriksen, was published. “Every time I would speak about my book, artists from every genre would come up to me afterwards and ask same questions: ‘How do I get into galleries?’ and ‘Am I good enough?’”
After scores of speaking engagements and hearing the same questions, Jordan’s vision of a gallery for talented new artists began to take shape, along with her desire to give the encouragement and inspiration much like she had received when she began her own career.
The new Jordan Gallery will ultimately house 54 artists and will feature four headliners, Brian Davis, Erik Berthelsen and Aditi Samarth as well as some of Jordan’s own works.
Other artists featured include Selma Durukanoglu, Istanbul, Turkey; Lynn Soehner, Hawaii; Denise Buisman-Pilger, The Netherlands; Annie Allen, Lincoln Mont.; Tanja Dugas, Dallas; Kim Fonder, Tulsa, Okla.; Samiran Sarkar, India; Patricia Clowdus, Dallas; Elise Wilson, Longview; and Barbara Jones and Stephen Farris, Corsicana.
“I’m trying to break the mold,” Jordan said. “If you have talent, I’ll walk you through the process, step by step.”
A special reception for artists and media is planned at the gallery from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 17. A grand opening for the public will follow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 18.
“For me, helping other artists realize their lifelong goals is seeing a dream come true,” Jordan said. “My vision is a gallery where the excitement of discovery — for the artists and collectors, alike — will be business as usual.”
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Kristina Carlson, certified fund-raising executive (CFRE) and president of Ketchum, the country’s largest fund-raising consulting firm, will be the speaker at the Sept. 24 meeting of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) East Texas Chapter at Hollytree Country Club in Tyler. The meeting will start with networking at 11:30 a.m. and lunch and program at noon.
The subject of Carlson’s presentation will be “The Ask.” While being asked by someone they trust reinforces to donors the importance of personal solicitation, conducting this most effective form of fund-raising remains a challenge for most organizations. Carlson will explore what skills are needed to be an effective “asker”; how do you train others to “ask” and what are 10 simple steps to an effective “ask” among other steps in the “asking” process.
Understanding the philanthropic culture that values the process of asking and common myths about “the ask” will increase the success of fund-raising efforts.
As president of Ketchum, Carlson is responsible for leading the firm’s client development and marketing teams and providing senior-level development, management and campaign counsel to a broad cross-section of gifts-supported organizations throughout the United States.
AFP East Texas Chapter was founded in January 2008 with a current membership of more than 60 fund-raising professionals from throughout the East Texas area. The AFP East Texas Chapter is designed to foster the professional development of fund-raising professionals and promotes ethical standards. AFP East Texas Chapter is part of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) representing nearly 30,000 members in more than 196 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs. For more information, visit the international organization’s Web site at www.afpnet.org.
The AFP East Texas Chapter meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month in Tyler for lunch ($20), networking, and an educational program. Guests are welcome, but reservations are required. For more information about the East Texas Chapter, contact Kim Carter, membership chairman, at (903) 533-5452 or kcarter@carterbloodcenter.org or for luncheon reservations, Jo McMahan, chapter administrator, at (903) 581-6376, Ext. 201 or jmcmahan@uwtyler.org.
Texas Oncology
Edie Pritchett, RN, of Corsicana passed the OCN Examination administered in August 2008. She is an employee of Texas Oncology at the Palestine Cancer Center.
Pritchett has been a nurse since 1991. She has worked in various areas of nursing such as obstetrics, home health, hospice, and oncology. She has been employed with Texas Oncology since December 1999.
In August, 528 nurses (75 percent of candidates) passed the OCN Examination. There are now 22,378 oncology certified nurses (OCN). These registered nurses consist of staff nurses, clinicians, educators, and managers.
The OCN Examination tests the knowledge necessary for the nurse to practice competently at the basic level, within the specialty of oncology nursing.
Pritchett joins fellow employees Earlene Anderson, Jessica Mays, and Natalie Nettles as registered nurses with OCN certification. Texas Oncology Palestine now has 100 percent OCN certified nurses.
Chili’s helping St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Chili’s in Corsicana is giving you a chance to get creative for a cause. It’s National Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and when you stop by your local Chili’s Grill & Bar, you can receive a Create-A-Pepper coloring sheet when you make a much-needed donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the world’s premier center for the research and treatment of childhood cancer.
And on Sept. 29, all of Chili’s profits will go directly to St. Jude. So stop by Chili’s — especially on Sept. 29‚ and Create-A-Pepper for kids from communities across the country and around the world. Chili’s in Corsicana is at 2201 South Interstate Highway 45.
