Tag: Danny DanBar Barrera

United Way of Odessa Meeting and Awards Ceremony 2023

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The United Way of Odessa recently hld their annual meeting and awards ceremony and luncheon. Organizations, local institutions and individuals who participated in fundraising through payroll deductions and fundraising

events raised several millions of dollars benefitting 16 non-profit agencies that will impact over 70 thousand lives.

(Christina Escobar, Executive Director, United Way of Odessa/Odessa, Texas)

Odessa College, Ector County ISD, Salsbury, HEB and Sivalls received the Dick and Amelia Salisbury Award for Sustained Excellence.

(Christina Escobar, Executive Director, United Way of Odessa/Odessa, Texas)

Toby and Sandra Eoff were honored for their continued support to the City of Odessa and Ector County, through donations to the United Way of Odessa.

(Christina Escobar, Executive Director, United Way of Odessa/Odessa, Texas)

Visit the United Way of Odessa online at: www.unitedwayodessa.org/donate-now to find out more about donation opportunities.

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.

 

Odessa City Council and T2 Professional Consulting Held 1st Benchmark Meeting for New City Manage

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Odessa, Texas/March 16, 2023-On Tuesday, March 14th, the Odessa City Council held their first Benchmark meeting with Mica Lunt representing T2 Professional Consulting LLC, brainstorming and formatting the requirements, qualifications and responsibilities of the office of the Odessa City Manager. 

(Javier Joven, Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas) 

The council came up with a list of concepts they want to see in a city manager. Some of those ideas are integrity, communication, Leadership, knowing how to develop budgets and understanding finance. 

(Javier Joven, Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas) 

City Councilman, District 2 Steve Thompson emphasized the importance that the city manager follows the City Charter. Other discussions included what type of degree should the City Manager have, either a Master’s Degree in Public Administration or a Bachelor’s Degree or just experience working within the city organization. 

(Javier Joven, Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas) 

The City Council wants to be somewhat broad in the qualifications of the City Manager position in attracting applicants. Currently, the City Council plans to focus on applicants statewide only. The final Benchmark meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21st at 3pm at the Council chambers. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

Grammy Award Winner Larry Gatlin Guest Educator at UTPB Inspires Students in Music, Art & Poetry

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Odessa, Texas/March 24, 2023-UT Permian Basin recently hosted Grammy Award winner Larry Gatlin and his students. Students participated in a 5-week, three-hour class sessions with instruction by Larry Gatlin creating music, art and poetry. The finale of the 5-week classes featured a recital at the Student Activity Center. 

(Larry Gatlin, Grammy Award Winner-The Gatlin Brothers, Singer Songwriter/Guest Educator-UT Permian Basin) 

There is a possibility that Larry Gatlin will return to UT Permian Basin to teach another session, with concepts inspired by writers like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitsgerald and other classic authors. 

(Larry Gatlin, Grammy Award Winner-The Gatlin Brothers, Singer Songwriter/Guest Educator-UT Permian Basin) 

 For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.v 

 

 

 

Odessa City Council Held Special Meeting along with T2 Professional Consultants

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Odessa, Texas/March 10, 2023-On Tuesday, March 7th the Odessa City Council held a special meeting presenting an update on a study done by T2 Professional Consulting. During the power point presentation several terms were introduced to the council: Silos- situations where employees, teams, or departments don’t share information, resources, or ideas with others in the organization. 

Definition of other terms used during the T2 Professional Consulting presentation: Grey Rhinos-is highly probable and has high impact, yet it’s neglected as a threat. and Black Swans-is an event that comes as a surprise, has a major effect, and is often inappropriately rationalized after the fact with the benefit of hindsight. 

(Javier Joven, Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas) 

During the special meeting it was revealed that the City of Odessa Policy, Procedures and Practices manual had not been updated since 2008. The failure from other city council administrations to update the policy, could potentially trigger lawsuits from employees and/or staff regarding sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and racial and other types of discrimination. 

(Javier Joven, Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas) 

T2 Professional Consulting suggested to the Odessa City Council to form a Benchmark committee comprised of two members of the council, business leaders and two citizens of Odessa to find a new City Manager. Odessa City Council, by unanimous vote will be the Benchmark Committee, eliminating community engagement. 

(Javier Joven, Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas) 

The City of Odessa Mayor, Javier Joven, is hopeful that the City Council will wrap up all business with T2 Professional Consulting sometime in July.  

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.  

 

2nd Annual SheCan The Odessa Chamber Women’s Conference Honoring Lynn Van Amburgh

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Odessa, Texas/March 9, 2023-On Wednesday, March 9th, the Odessa Chamber of Commerce hosted the SheCan Women’s Conference honoring Lynn Van Amburgh, who recently retired from The Odessa Chamber of Commerce after 24 years of service and as part of the leadership in the Economic Development section of the chamber.  Over 300 women from all professions attended the women’s conference that coincides with International Women’s Day. empowerment conference. 

(Renee Earls, CEO/President-Odessa Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas) 

The event schedule featured two panel discussions: Serving with Heart and Sharing Your Passion. Speakers included Texas Tech University Health Science Center’s Dr. Elisa Brown Pruett, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Cheryl Torres, franchise owner of 9Round Fitness. 

(Savanah Morales, CEO-Odessa Hispanic Chamber-Odessa, Texas) 

SheCan The Odessa Chamber Women’s Conference inspires and empowers women through the various stories of achieving spirituality and giving back to the community through volunteerism. 

 (Sandra Jordan, Odessa Resident-Attendee-SheCan-The Odessa Chamber Women’s Conference) 

The finale of the SheCan Women’s Conference featured Keynote Speaker Cara Brookins; she is best known as the mom who built her own house using YouTube tutorials. Cara Brookins is the author of eight books including “Rise & Resilience: A True Story” and “How a House Built a Family”. 

(Cara Brookins, Author and Motivational Speaker-” Rise & Resilience: A True Story”) 

Follow the Odessa Chamber of Commerce on social media for upcoming events. 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera. 

 

Odessa Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership Odessa Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony

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Odessa, Texas/March 7, 2023-The Odessa Chamber of Commerce recently held the Junior Leadership Odessa Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony. Twenty High School Juniors were recognized and received awards for completing the leadership program. 

(Grayson Hankins, 2022-2023 Chairman-Odessa Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas) 

Junior class students that were interested in the Junior Leadership program were selected from their respective schools. Funding for the program was provided by local and regional sponsors and was free to the selected students. 

(Grayson Hankins, 2022-2023 Chairman-Odessa Chamber of Commerce/Odessa, Texas) 

Sapna Yadalla, a graduate of the Junior Leadership Program did not really have an interest in how city government and other city organizations function daily. She toured the Odessa Police Department and Odessa Fire Rescue, then understood the importance of the leadership program. 

(Sapna Yadalla, Graduate-Odessa Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership Odessa) 

For DRB Media Communications Digital News, Danny Barrera.