Leslie graduated with a BBA in Marketing from McMurry University in 1999. As a student, she made the Dean’s list, was active in the Servant Leadership program, was voted Sweetheart of Ko Sari Fraternity, & was head cheerleader of the McMurry University cheer squad.
Leslie now brings an extensive 22-year background in business & economic development, sales, non-profit marketing, public relations, and fundraising from organizations such as Fort Worth Star-telegram, Goodwill West-Texas, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, American Heart Association, Weatherford Christian School, the Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce and most recently the Jacksboro Economic Development Corporation, where she serves as the organization’s Executive Director.
Over her career, Leslie has raised over $8 million dollars for these different organizations through marketing, donor relations, and business development. She is also the owner and consultant of a special event planning & fundraising company, Divine Order Events & Consulting, which educates non-profits on how to execute highly successful events & fundraising campaigns.
Leslie is passionate about giving back and working alongside organizations to make her community and line of work all it was created to be. She currently serves in the following roles:
- Faith Community Hospital Board of Directors – Place 5
- Faith Community Health Foundation Board – Board President
- The Vision Group of Jacksboro
- Advisory Board for Grace House Ministries
- Nortex Economic Development District Advisory Board
- North Texas Agricultural Alliance Group
- Texas Workforce Commission Board
- Business Retention & Expansion International Education Committee
- Texas Economic Development Council Communication Committee
- Jacksboro Ag Youth Supporters Board
- Jacksboro Athletic Booster Club – Treasure
- Jacksboro Ex-Students Association
- Jacksboro Lions Club
She is a member of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, the International Economic Development Corporation, the Southern Economic Development Council, the Texas Downtown Association, Business Retention & Expansion International, and the Texas Midwest Communities Network. She is also in the process of earning her Certified Economic Developers certification.
Leslie was named one of Parker Counties’ Top 40 under 40 and received the Jean Bryant Marketing Award in 2014. She most recently was nominated, accepted, and graduated from the Leadership Texas Class of 2019, an elite program dedicated to ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life. She was one of only 84 women across the state of Texas selected for the educational and leadership experience that year.
She has had articles featured in FDI Alliance Magazine on economic growth & advancement, was most recently interviewed by the University of Texas for their IC2 Institute Community Leaders Speak Blog, and is asked on a regular basis by non-profits, schools, and other community leaders to speak on various topics relevant to their immediate issues. Leslie can also be heard sharing her love and knowledge of the game courtside, as a featured sports broadcaster for Jacksboro Tiger Basketball during the season on KWKQ 94.7FM.
Leslie and her family have given of their volunteer time and efforts through the years to numerous organizations such as the Parker County Livestock Improvement Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Goodwill West-Texas, Concerned Citizens of Jack County, Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce, and The Food Pantry of Jack County. During her time at Weatherford Christian School, not only did she serve as the school’s Director of Development & Marketing, but she also gave of her time as a head coach for the Lady Lion’s basketball team. During her time as head coach, the Lady Lions won 5 district championships and went on to become state runner-up in 2015 and state champions in 2016. Leslie was named Coach of Year in 2016 and was asked to coach the TCAF All-Star game.
Leslie and her husband Stewart returned to Jacksboro in 2017 after meeting there years earlier in high school. They reside there with their two children Rylan, age 17 who will soon be off to college and Rachael, age 15 who will be entering her Junior year in high school. When they aren’t working, helping in the community or following kids sports, they enjoy traveling, cooking, being poolside or hiking in Ruidoso. Leslie attributes all her life’s blessings & experiences to God above, and is humbled that she has been used as a vessel to bring honor & glory to His name.
