The Honorable Curtistene S. McCowan Distinguished Leadership Award

This award is given to a Leadership Southwest Alumni who is a proven and accomplished leader that inspires and motivates people. Someone who plays a part in growing people and organizations, one who unifies others to achieve shared vision and establishes direction. Known for community/civic involvement who contributes consistently and voluntarily to Southwest Dallas County. This highly regarded leader promotes sustainable community   development and demonstrates a spirit of involvement and inclusiveness.

 This alumni has earned genuine, indisputable respect for consistent, superb leadership and inspires many as an obvious role model, worthy of emulation. This person embodies integrity, professionalism, the spirit of teamwork, cooperation and excellence.

NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY

Nominations will be accepted through August 30, 2024.

Nominees will be announced September 5-6, 2024

Recipient will be announced at Comedy Show on September 26, 2024

Honoree will be recognized and honored at Graduation / DLA Luncheon on November 20, 2024

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This honor is named in memory of the Honorable Curtistene S. McCowan.

A salute to the legacy of …… a history maker as the first African American to be elected to a Desoto public office as a member of the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees in 1990. Mrs. McCowan’s significant contributions to the advancement of education at the local, state, and national levels, earned her the naming of a DeSoto middle school, Curtistene S. McCowan Middle School. 

She was a LSW graduate of the “Best Class of 2015 and recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Leadership Alumni Award. She was the first African American female to be elected as Mayor of the City of Desoto in 2016; and was re-elected in 2019. Prior to winning a seat on the City Council, she served five years on the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation Board with four years as President.  Over 30 years as a public servant Mayor McCowan’s positions held included the Executive Board of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, Best Southwest Partnership and the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition.  In addition, she served as Chair-Elect of the Advisory Board for Methodist Charlton Medical Center and a member of the Planning Committee for Methodist Health System, and the Board of Directors for the African American Education Archives and History Program. She was a founder of Concerned DeSoto Citizens. 

She was a woman of God, a devoted wife and mother. She was a trailblazer who embodied change and her love for the Desoto community was felt and appreciated by anyone who knew her.

 

Distinguished Leadership Alumni Honorees

 

2023 Honoree

Dr. Joseph Seabrooks, Dallas College Cedar Valley

Class of 2022

Professionally he serves as the president of Cedar Valley College where he started his duties on Sept 1, 2016. He has a sincere passion for seeing people prosper.

Recently under Dr. Seabrooks’ leadership, Dallas College reimagined two workforce development centers in South Dallas to address the need to connect companies with the underutilized talent in our community. In addition, Dr. Seabrooks spearheaded the launch of the Lab on the Go! A 53’ trailer that accommodates workforce training almost anywhere. This asset will serve a critical component as we prepare our workforce
for the economic development growth in Dallas County.

During Dr. Seabrooks’ tenure he has also overseen rapid enrollment growth at Cedar Valley, which now has over 10,000 credit students. Under his leadership, the college has sharpened its focus on aligning Cedar Valley’s program offerings to meet regional workforce needs, which includes increasing the number of industry certifications offered to students in various technical fields (including automotive technology and HVAC) with partners such as Snap-On Tools, Kubota and Fiat-Chrysler. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Seabrooks was the first in his family to graduate college. Most importantly, he is the loving husband of Leslie and the father of two sons, who he affectionately refers to as his “Greatest Accomplishment” - Joe Tre and Jackson.

When it comes to giving of his personal time, he is a busy man as well……And these are just a few of the organizations he serves. He is a member and Former Chair, Best Southwest Partnership Member, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Workforce Education Curriculum Manual Member, Dallas Regional Chamber Education and Workforce Council Chair of the Inland Port Area Chamber Member, SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Executive Board Member, C-STEM Board, Non-Profit engages minority and economically disadvantaged students to improve economic and social mobility. Member, Inland Port Transportation Management Association.

2022 Honoree

Amanda Hinton-Skinner, Best Southwest Partnership / Leadership Southwest

Class of 2001

Amanda Skinner, president and executive director of the Best Southwest Partnership, has been selected as the recipient of The 2022 Honorable Curtistene S. McCowan Distinguished Leadership Award for her leadership, vision, courage and service.

The award is given annually to a leader who plays an active role in community and civic activities that unify and inspire others to better Southwest Dallas County. Skinner embodies these attributes and is known for directing others in promoting and developing a sustainable community that reflects a sense of fairness and inclusion.

Skinner has been at the forefront of projects that uplift and expand opportunities for residents of Dallas County’s southwest sector. Skinner is noted for her role as a liaison linking resources and opportunities to non-profits.

A native of Kansas, Skinner is President / Executive Director of the Best Southwest Partnership. She is also the Executive Director of Leadership Southwest. She has also served as interim director of the Lancaster and DeSoto chambers of commerce. She also served as Executive Director/CEO of the Cedar Hill Chamber of Commerce from Jan 2009 to June 2016.

“It is indeed a great honor to be recognized for work I do every day – growing people and organizations,” said Skinner. “I share this honor with the people of southwest Dallas County and re-dedicate myself to our shared goals of fairness, integrity, professionalism and teamwork. My goal is consistent: to be a resource and an asset to organizations that are committed to the goal of improving the lives of others.”

She holds a certificate in business management from Dallas College Brookhaven Campus. She also received educational recognition from the University of Wisconsin for completing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation management course.

2021 Honoree

Doug Hunt, Access Self Storage

Class of 2011

There is a lot more to the “Storage Man”
•    He is a Councilman for the City of Ovilla, where he serves as the Chair for Ovilla Heritage Day
•    He was the 2017 recipient of the Community Builder Award from the Red Oak Masonic Lodge
•    He has chaired both the DeSoto and Lancaster Chamber Boards
•    He was the 2016 Man of the Year for the DeSoto Chamber
•    The recipient of the 2016 Golden Gaither Award for the Lancaster Chamber
Doug graduated from Baylor University in 1976 with BBA degree.  
Not one to let grass grow under his feet he was an entrepreneur from the beginning. Doug’s first business venture was a donut shop in Euless, Texas, Donuts by Doug.  Over the next three years he expanded and had 3 locations under the name Amazing Glaze.   Leaving the donut world 1979 Doug went into real estate development with his father which left to the self-storage industry that he owns today.  Five of the Access Storage facilities are located in the Best Southwest area, DeSoto, Lancaster, Red Oak, Midlothian, and Oak Cliff. Most of you know Doug and know he has a passion for serving the communities where his businesses are located.  
 

2020 Honoree

Kenneth Govan, Oncor Electric Delivery

Class of 2005

Mr. Govan serves as the Area Manager for Customer Operation for Oncor.  His region includes the Cities of Cedar Hill, Cockrell Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Glenn Heights, Hutchins, Lancaster, Oak Leaf, Ovilla, Pecan Hill, Red Oak and Wilmer. In this position Kenneth works closely with elected officials as well as community, civic, business and professional organizations to build and maintain effective relationships for effective communications of industry and company initiatives which support safe, efficient and reliable electric delivery service.

In his 28 year Oncor career, Govan has spent the lion’s share in customer operations as well as public affairs/community relations functions and has served in his current role in the area since May 2003.  Kenneth is a 2005 Graduate of Leadership Southwest as well as a 2012 graduate of Leadership Dallas.  He has served on a variety of boards and commissions in the Best Southwest. Kenneth served as the 2011 Chairman of the Best Southwest Partnership, a cooperative effort for Southwest Dallas and Northern Ellis Counties to promote economic, legislative and educational initiatives for the region.  Kenneth currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the Corner Stone Credit Union in Lancaster, Texas as well as the 2008 and current 2020 Chairman of the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce.  He also serves as President of the Lancaster ISD Education Foundation, a member of the Board of Directors for the Duncanville Economic Development Corporation, the Executive Committee/Stakeholder Committee Chairman for the Board of Managers for YMCA Texas Youth & Government Program, the Methodist Charlton Medical Center Advisory Board, the Advisory Board for the Catholic Charities/ Neighborhood of Hope (Former the Lancaster Outreach) in Lancaster and the Executive Committee for Leadership Southwest.  He served as the 2006 Board Chairman of the Glenn Heights Chamber of Commerce and the 2014 Board Chairman of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the Board(s) for the Cedar Hill Economic Development Corporation, the Cedar Hill Chamber of Commerce and the ISD Education Foundation Board(s) for Cedar Hill, DeSoto and Red Oak.

Select accomplishments of Govan have been previously recognized as the 2007 “Volunteer of the Year” by the DeSoto Independent School District, the 2012 Corporate Citizen Award by the Veterans of Foreign Wars - Post 1406 and Texas State Representative Yvonne Davis’ selection for the Texas Legislative Black Caucus 2013 Outstanding Texan Award during the 83rd Texas Legislative Session.  In addition, during his tenure with Oncor Govan worked in Northeast Tarrant County where he was featured as a “Who’s Who of NE Tarrant County” by the Dallas Morning News.

Originally from Dallas, Texas, Govan is married to Tamasha and they have four children, Andre, Kennedy, Jonathan and Alonzo. He is a member of the Jarvis Christian College Class of 91’ with a BBA degree in Accounting and a member of the Dallas Baptist University Class of 95’ with an MBA Degree in Finance. He is a member of Friendship West Baptist Church.  

Kenneth’s motto for being active in the community:  “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care”

2019 Honoree

Curt Krohn, Faith Bible Church

Class of 2010

Curt Krohn and his family have been a part of the DeSoto community since 1994 and he is in his 21st year of serving as a pastor at Faith Bible Church on the border of DeSoto and Cedar Hill. Prior to moving to Texas, he was a Pastor of Student Ministry in two churches in Indiana where he also served as Associate Staff with Sonlife Ministries, a national leadership training ministry.

In addition to leading the ministry of Faith Bible Church, he has been involved in a variety of ways in serving the city of DeSoto. He has been a DeSoto ISD PTA member and president, an elected official for nine years on the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees, served the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce Board as a Director and a member of the Executive Committee, led the DeSoto Ministerial Alliance and currently participates with DPAC (DeSoto Police & Clergy), serves on the DeSoto Domestic Violence Advisory Committee, and is a past member of the DeSoto Rotary Club.

He currently serves as Vice President of the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation and is the President of the Concerned DeSoto Citizens group that provides scholarship to DeSoto HS students and advocates for community support. He is also involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters (he had a little for most of his school career!) and serves on the North Central Texas Council of Governments Criminal Justice Policy Development Committee.

Curt has a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University and a Master of Divinity degree from Grace Theological Seminary. Curt and his wife, Lana, a DeSoto ISD teacher, have two sons that are both graduates of DeSoto ISD and who went on to receive degrees from Baylor University and Texas A&M.

“We have a wonderful city with passionate, qualified leadership. My one desire is to be able to give back to this City of DeSoto and the surrounding communities that has given so much to my family,” said Krohn.

“Pastor Krohn is a compassionate, servant leader who works behind the scenes to make our community better. He is a leader among every organization; well respected and dedicated to improving the lives of those he comes into contact with every day!”

Shelia Hood has served the Cedar Hill business, philanthropic and faith based community for over 20 years and is an integral part of the fabric of our community’s distinctive character.  She has served as a member of the Cedar Hill Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for over six years, as Chairman of the Board for 2 years in 2007 and 2009  and was honored Cedar Hill Woman of the Year 2004.   Shelia has served on the Cedar Hill Food Pantry Advisory Board, and currently serves on the Transformation Vision Board of Directors, Inspire School Program, Love Your City Theater Team, Strategic Business Alliance Task Force, Executive Board of Hope Mansion, and served on the 2017 Cedar Hill Bond Committee. In 2004, Shelia was honored as Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year and is a Graduate of the 2004 Class of Leadership Southwest. She leaves a legacy of women leaders, as she is the matriarch of three generations to go through Leadership Southwest.

When she is not volunteering her time, Shelia serves on the Executive team at Trinity Church and has since 1995 where she is responsible for directing the vast business operations of both the church and the school. She believes all of her years of business training and experience was merely preparation to fulfil God’s plan for her to serve as a faithful servant of God’s people for this community, the City of Cedar Hill and Trinity Church.  Shelia and her husband, Jim Hood, have been married for over 29 years; they have four children with an ever changing menagerie of animals.  Her love for animals and the Tri-City Animal Shelter is proven by her advocacy of the Tri-City Animal Shelter, in which she has facilitated over 10 adoptions and has personally made continuous monetary donations to help save lives of animals. 

Shelia has a gift of adding value to each person she speaks to by giving them her full, undivided attention as she listens and responds to them. She is well known for her “Collaboration” meetings in which she pulls people of like-minded servitude together in an effort to amplify the impact of those involved.  Because of Shelia, many area wide women’s social service non-profit groups regularly get together to share information and collaborate on ways they can advocate for women’s rights and work against travesties in society today such as battered households, sex trafficking and homelessness.  Her heart for service and the community exemplifies the distinctive character many strive to emulate.

Shelia - Thank you for your service to our community, our businesses, and our four legged friends.  The impact of your works is felt in every aspect of community life, and your dedicated service to helping others see God’s work and Vision in their lives is awe inspiring.  We are grateful to you for your commitment to making our Community better, and your unwavering love for Cedar Hill.  Congratulations.

2016 Honoree

Curtistene S. McCowan, City of DeSoto

Class of 2015

See her bio above

2015 Honoree

Maranda Auzenne, Trademark Properties

Class of 2011

Maranda Auzenne is the Senior Asset Director for Trademark Property Company. In her role, Maranda manages Hillside Village Shopping Center in Cedar Hill, TX and Victory Park in Dallas, TX. Maranda leads the transition/onboarding of new shopping centers into Trademark􀍛s growing portfolio of shopping centers around the country, including Galleria Dallas, Victory Park, Zona Rosa in Kansas City and Annapolis Town Centre in Maryland. As the current the General Manager at Hillside Village, Maranda is responsible for all areas of the 75 acre upscale Shopping Center including finance, marketing, guest services, leasing, operations and additional developments. As the Transitions Team leader, Maranda is responsible for ensuring that new properties are properly staffed, managed, and branded. Maranda is known as a strategic leader who is resourceful in getting things done through creative partnerships.
Prior to joining Hillside Village, Maranda was the National Director of Operations for Ryan Company, an international tax consulting firm. At Ryan, Maranda was responsible for the construction, office services, facilities and security for 26 office locations across the country and in Canada.
Having a special passion for young women and women in crises situations, Maranda is committed to creating environments where people and families are given the opportunity to flourish. Maranda serves on the Board of Directors for Transformation Vision, Hope Mansion, Bridges Safe House and Lullaby House and other non-profits. Maranda has committed many years to serving her community, especially in areas of strategy and organizational leadership. She insists on and inspires the pursuit of excellence in all with whom she comes in contact. At her core, though, she is a servant leader within her community.
Previous service includes Cedar Hill Chamber of Commerce (Chair), Cedar Valley College Management and Marketing Advisory Committee, Cedar Hill Tourism Advisory Board, WISE Academy,  Transit Oriented District Advisory Committee, the Best Southwest Partnership Executive Board (Chair). Highlights of her community service include being named receiving the Debra Award from Concord Church for church and community partnerships, being honored with the Minority Business Leader Award and receiving Connect Medias Top Women in Real Estate Award in 2017.
She is a member of several professional organizations including the International Council of Shopping Centers, from which she received her CSM designation, identifying her as being among the best in her field. Maranda holds a BS in Human Relations & Business from Amberton University. She is a proud member of Concord Church, has one adult son, Trey and is married to Jay Auzenne.

2014 Honoree

Monte Anderson, Options Real Estate

Class of 1988

2013 Honoree

Grady Smithey,

Class of 1999

2012 Honoree

Marcus E. Knight, City of Lancaster

Class of 2007

2011 Honoree

Dr. Kevin Fegan, Northwood University

Class of 2004

 

2010 Honoree

Dr. John E. Price, University of North Texas at Dallas

Class of 2002

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003