At a time when all businesses are looking for ways to recruit and retain employees, the Texas City-La Marque Chamber hosts an awards program that gives members a way to reward valued female workers. Nominations were gathered over the past month, and now the Texas City-La Marque Chamber is proud to announce the Finalists for the 2022 Women in Leadership Awards (W.I.L.A.).
The finalists being announced today are being lauded for their integrity, passion, humility and empathy, and for fostering collaborations, being a servant leader, uplifting others, and adding value to others.
“We received a large quantity of nominations for women leaders in this community. These wonderful nominations have been so inspiring! We are looking forward to sharing the stories of the 18 finalists over the next few weeks,” said Women in Business Chair and Chamber Board Member Mandie McMillan Crowder of RE/MAX Coastal.
In a special section of the Galveston County Daily News in mid-September, the inspirational leadership stories of all of the award finalists will be shared. There will also be social media posts and Chamber newsletter articles on the women.
The Texas City-La Marque Chamber is proud to announce these 18 finalists in the six W.I.L.A. categories:
Large Business
Anita Jones, Linde Inc. – Plant Manager
Monica Davis, Valero Texas City Refinery – Sr. Manager Supply Chain Execution
Jay Marmo, Tanger Outlets – General Manager
Small Business
Dr. Kimberly Grimsley, Exodus Consulting and Psychological Services – Clinical Psychologist
Judy Slocumb, Independence Village – Executive Director
Gerselda Bourgeois, Zel’s Massage and Fitness Zone – Owner
Woman-Owned Business
Georgia Meyer Barzilay, Karat Creations Jewelry – Owner
Mandie McMillan Crowder, RE/MAX Coastal – Broker/Owner
Lori Carnes, Carnes Funeral Home – Owner
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2022 W.I.L.A. FINALISTS ANNOUNCED/Page 2
Non-Profit/Volunteer
Amy Reid, SBDC Galveston County – Director
Stephanie Hughes, St. John’s United Methodist Church – Senior Pastor
Tonia Griffin, Khambrel Foundation – Founder/CEO
Education Sector
Lisa Watson, Ph.D, College of the Mainland – Executive Director of COM Foundation
Melissa Duarte, Ed.D., Texas City ISD – Superintendent of Schools
Sarah Piel, The Grand – Director of Education & Resource Development
Young Professional
Krystal McKinney, Galveston Central Appraisal District – Deputy Chief Appraiser
Bianca Cervantes, Valero Texas City Refinery – Human Resources Specialist
Tracy Pryor, ACOO, HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland – Assistant Chief Operating Officer
Chamber President Page Michel explained, “the judges selection process was extremely difficult with so many deserving women being nominated again this year.” The awards are judged by a panel consisting of founding members of the Chamber’s Women in Business networking group and officials from La Marque City Council and Texas City Commissioners Court.
One winner in each category will ultimately be announced and celebrated at the Women in Leadership Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, September 14, at the Doyle Convention Center in Texas City.
Tickets for the W.I.L.A. luncheon are $25 per person or $250 for a reserved table for up to eight guests. Additional event details are on the Chamber’s website under “Events” at www.TCLMchamber.com. Reservations can be made online, by sending an email to reservations@texascitychamber.com, or by calling the Chamber office at 409-935-1408.
