This Is The Panhandle

We tried something new when we sat down with Jason Herrick for a live episode at Six Car Pub and Brewery to discuss the innovative model of #ThePanhandleGives 

This week we sit down with Dr. Dan Posey who is working on a new initiative at West Texas A&M University in conjunction with Texas A&M. Veterinary Education, Research & Outreach is a new program that allows students interested in veterinary medicine to begin their education at the WTAMU campus and then finish the last 2 years at A&M in College Station.  Dr. Posey is from the Panhandle and after years of private practice then went on staff in College Station.  He rose through those ranks and is excited to be the one who is tapped with bringing this new approach at WTAMU.  To learn more about VERO: CLICK HERE To submit your Questions From The Boot CLICK HERE

Lo van Pham came to the US as a refugee from Laos.  He assimilated very quickly and found a love of sports through Amarillo ISD’s schools.  After college, Lo started at Western Builders as a project manager.  His love of sports led him to an interesting “side hustle” as a Division 1 on-field official for the NCAA.  In 2019’s Fall season, Lo was on the field at Camping World Kickoff Florida Gators v Miami Hurricanes as well as the Red River Shootout between Oklahoma University and the University of Texas. He recently sat down to talk with us about his life and how grateful he is to live in Amarillo.    To submit your Your Questions From The Boot: CLICK HERE

Julian Kitten is the Director of Community Development for the City of Amarillo. She sat down with us to talk about homelessness in Amarillo and the City’s new pilot program called Coming Home, a housing first model. Kitten’s passion for the homeless and her commitment to ensuring that the city receives all the funding possible gives the listener a sense that Amarillo’s homelessness issues can be eradicated.   More about Housing First: Housing First is not Housing Only, it is a treatment program that has a housing component. Our rate of Chronic Homelessness is 34% (264 people) and that is a crisis - but solvable. NWTHS reported $8.3 million spent on visits to the emergency room by homeless individuals. We can dramatically reduce this by providing housing and supportive services that reduce the need for crisis services We have many great homeless services providers who are doing and have done great things for years - this is another tool for the homeless population who have failed in other services. Contacting

This is the season finale of “This is the Panhandle” and we have two guests this week.  Earlier this year, there was news about the development of a hospital laundry service being built in the North Heights neighborhood on the former Inn of Amarillo lot, just off Amarillo Boulevard.  We speak with two people working with this local, grassroots group to ensure this project comes to fruition.  Puff Niegos is a community volunteer, serving on several boards in the community and works in the family business.  Puff’s vision is to see economic growth in all parts of Amarillo.  She works tirelessly for the good of our community and region. Bowden Jones is an Executive Vice President at FirstBank Southwest and is a product of the North Heights neighborhood.  His passion to see this project to completion is personal as he has many family members who live and work in this historic neighborhood.  The second season is planned for late October.  Subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode. 

Nestled in the square, just off highway 287 in Claude, is a little coffee shop called The Burrow.  This week we sit down with co-owner Leslie Burton and talk to her about why she and her business partner, Tessa Morrow, decided to make this space special while adding to the quality of life in Claude. Leslie explains their philosophy and motto: Be Kind, why they are investing in their community, and the strategy behind this bold move.  Listen and subscribe today!  More about The Burrow: Instagram: @the Burrow116 Facebook: CLICK HERE

This week we sit down with Pampa Superintendent and Region 16 Superintendent of the Year, Tanya Larkin.  She has been a lifelong resident of the Panhandle and has been in education for more than two decades. Tanya talks about Pampa ISD’s innovative approach to teacher recruitment to create a competitive advantage, which is important in a time when there is a shortage of teachers. Her dedication to education is palatable.  Listen and subscribe. More on Pampa ISD: Web: CLICK HERE Twitter: @Pampaisd Twitter: @PampaSchools Facebook: CLICK HERE All social Networks: #PampaProud

This week we sit down with Sridevi “Shree” Veeramachaneni, the Executive Director of Panhandle Behavioral Health Alliance.  PBHA is working to enhance access to mental healthcare, as well as to mitigate the stigmas associated with mental health.   Shree moved to this country as an immigrant and has lived in the Amarillo area with her husband for more than 20 years, where they have raised their two daughters.  Learn more about PBHA and the work they are doing in the Texas Panhandle.   Contacting PBHA and Shree: Email: CLICK HERE Web: CLICK HERE

Dr. Tedd Mitchell, Chancellor of the Texas Tech System and President of the Health Sciences Center, talks with us about the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and the newly approved Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo.    TTUHSC has been serving the needs of Panhandle for over two decades.  The future TTU Veterinary School is slated to be built and open classes in 2021. More about TTUHSC: CLICK HERE More about the TTU Vet School: CLICK HERE

Dr. Walter Wendler, President of West Texas A&M University, sits down with us this week to talk about what the WT is doing to make students and our region successful.  WTAMU was founded in 1910 and continues to be a phenomenal institution based in Canyon Texas.  Learn what's next for WTAMU, and how the university faculty and staff are innovating programs to impact our region. More about WTAMU: Web: CLICK HERE  Phone: 806-651-0000  

This week we sit down with Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, President of Amarillo College.  Dr. Lowery-Hart explains how AC has changed the way it meets the needs of its students. AC's innovative approach has garnered national attention for the college.  Dr. Lowery-Hart shares how the plan came to be, and how students have responded. For more information about Amarillo College: Web: CLICK HERE Phone: 806.371.5000

This episode we sit down with Dr. Robert Riza, President of  Clarendon College.  Clarendon College in Clarendon TX has been meeting the needs of students in the eastern part of the Texas Panhandle since 1927.  Creating diverse and innovative programs and highly competitive sports programs in Clarendon, Pampa, Childress, and Amarillo are the hallmarks of this institution. Dr. Riza shares details of new initiatives the college has been working on and will be delivering this Fall. More on Clarendon College: Website: CLICK HERE Phone: (806) 874-3571 (Clarendon)

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The State of Higher Education: In this week’s special episode we sit down with Leeann Kossey Overstreet, the Program Officer for No Limits No Excuses (NLNE) - a program of the Amarillo Area Foundation. Leeann explains what NLNE is doing to ensure students in the Panhandle have what they need to be successful in higher education. She also describes how NLNE is using innovation to help students with their “Go: Plan.” To learn more about NLNE: Goplan.life

In this special episode, you'll hear from Anna Lisa Ramos the owner or FreshBox of Amarillo.  This is a food catering business in Amarillo.  In episode 3, Brady Clark mentioned the work of the PATH Fund and how the program is geared to help entrepreneurs be successful.  Many have reached out to get more information about FreshBox.  If you haven't listened to episode 3, the link is below. FreshBox on the Web: CLICK HERE Episode 3: CLICK HERE  

We sit down with Crystal Moroney this week, the owner of Milk House Market in Friona, Texas.  Crystal and her husband also are the owners of the Del Rio Dairy in Friona.  They moved to Friona from the Phoenix area. Crystal, who has a degree in fashion design and merchandising, talks about how the store, Milk House Market, came to be and how the community and region has responded since its opening in 2014.  She also talks about life in Friona with her 3 kids. More about Milk House Market: Facebook Page: CLICK HERE  

This week we sit down with Carol Lovelady.  Many know her due to her tireless work for the betterment of the Amarillo community.  Her civil service has deep roots and so does her history in Amarillo. Now the Executive Director of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Carol is tasked with maintaining the rich history of our area.  Learn why PPHM is the largest historical museum in Texas and how the museum came to be. Carol also gives a rundown of all the important events at PPHM this summer. More about PPHM: Museum website: CLICK HERE PPHM Event Calendar: CLICK HERE

This week we sit down with Alejandro Magallanes of Easy Math and Learning Lounge, an education technology company based in Amarillo, TX.  Alejandro immigrated to the Panhandle when he was in junior high.  He credits a high school “arch nemesis” for motivating his love of math.    Alejandro developed the app and resources to help high school teachers with math concepts.  You’ll hear how that has exploded and how Alejandro is expanding his development efforts to accommodate college students as well.    More about Easy Math/Learning Lounge:  EasyMath App: Click Here Math is fly Album: Click Here Teachers are Rockstars Podcast: Click Here

This week we sit down with Barbara Brannon, Executive Director of the Texas Plains Trail.  Barbara explains the history of the 52-county region and her role in helping visitors to our area stay a little longer.    The Texas Panhandle is immersed with incredible history, and the Texas Plains Trail’s goal is to make sure that that history is preserved and shared with those who visit and live in our area.    Learn more about Texas Plains Trail here:  Click here to open in a new window https://texasplainstrail.com/ Email Barbara: info@texasplainstrail.com   

In this week’s episode we speak with Keith Brown, Executive Director of Opportunity Plan Inc (OPI). He explains the history and the significance OPI brings to our area and region.  The goal is to help students achieve a higher education credential or degree.  Keith is no stranger to high education as he is the former director of the Alumni Association at West Texas A&M University.  He is from Happy, Texas and “moved up to the big city” of Canyon for college, where he has spent his working life since graduation.    Keith is passionate about student success and works daily to meet the needs of students through innovative approaches, including a new program OPI has launch called Pathway Scholars.    For more information about Opportunity Plan: www.opportunityplan.com  To reach Keith: KBrown@opportunityplan.com