Leadership North Houston
(LNH) is a nine-month program featuring both leadership skills training as well as monthly topical sessions including education, cultural arts, economic development, health and human services and more. Participants emerge from the program having increased their knowledge about the workings of the north Houston community and insight about how to make the most of their individual leadership style.
The program, formed in 1995, held its 23rd annual graduation in May 2018 in which sixteen Tomball participants graduated. The class selection process allows for 30 participants to be chosen, and all applicants must be nominated by a program alumni, LNH board member or alumni association board member.
LNH is part of the Association of Texas Leadership Programs and the Association of Leadership Professionals. For further information, contact the program’s Executive Director, Kay Fitzsimons, at (832) 813-6623.
Miss Tomball 2019 – Presley Babb
Presley Babb was crowned as the 53rd Miss Tomball on November 17, 2018.
Presley competed with 26 other outstanding young women for the 2019 Miss Tomball title. She is a senior at Tomball High School, where she is ranked in the top ten percent of her graduating class. She is on the varsity cheer squad and is a District Champion 100 Meter Hurdler and plans to attend the University of Texas to pursue a nursing degree. In addition to her academic achievements, Presley is proud to teach Vacation Bible School.
Each year the Miss Tomball Pageant is presented on the evening of the Tomball Holiday Parade, the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving. The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce presents both events.
Volunteer of the Year – Craig Bogner
GTACC named Craig Bogner, of Tomball Sister City Organization as its 2018 Volunteer of the Year. The Chamber staff selects the Volunteer of the Year for outstanding service to GTACC throughout the previous year.
Craig is a remarkable volunteer supporting Chamber events in various capacities. He is a lead volunteer at all GTACC signature events such as Tomball Night, the annual Tomball Holiday Parade, the Miss Tomball Pageant, and the annual Golf Classic. He is one of the first to arrive and last to leave, making sure a helping hand is ever present. Craig also attends most ribbon cuttings, ensuring our newest members are properly welcomed to the GTACC, as well as the GTACC Business After Hours.
Ambassador of the Year – Mason Laidley
Mason Laidley was selected as the 2017 Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce (GTACC) Ambassador of the Year. Mr. Laidley was presented the award by last year’s recipient, Marcia Soderberg, at the GTACC First Friday Luncheon in January 2018. Each year the recipient of this award is chosen by peers from the team that make up the GTACC Ambassadors. Mr. Laidley is an extremely dedicated volunteer who is known for his warm and professional demeanor, attending many chamber events and activities, including accepting the role of Ambassador Chairman in 2018.
Citizen of the Year – Steven Vaughan
Steven Vaughan was chosen as the 2017 Citizen of the Year by a selection committee comprised of former Citizens of the Year and GTACC board members.
Mr. Vaughan has over 30 years of experience in the banking industry and is currently Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending at Spirit of Texas Bank. He is an Army veteran, received the 2014 Mayor’s Citizen of the Year, and has been active in a multitude of community organizations in the Tomball community for over 25 years including the North Harris County College District, North Harris County Small Business Development Center, as well as served on the board for the Tomball Independent School District and the GTACC. He is also a past president of both the Tomball and Angleton Rotary Clubs, and is still involved heavily with the Tomball Rotary Fish Fry.
He passionately advocated for the creation of the Tomball Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) and has supported the TEDC since its inception, attracting many businesses to the area and helping create countless jobs for Tomball area citizens. He currently serves on the TEDC Board of Directors.
Mr. Vaughan and his wife, Patsy, reside in Tomball and have three grown children, Mathew, Kelly, and Rebecca, as well as many grandchildren and the GTACC was delighted to honor Steven Vaughan as the 2017 Citizen of the Year.