The Hill Country Podcast

Welcome to award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique areas of Texas. This week Tom visits with Alan Peterson a staunch supporter of the MS Society who is riding in his 13th MS 150 to support finding a cure for MS.

Alan Peterson discovered his fervor for the cause when his mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the 1990s. Over the years, Peterson has distinguished himself by participating in the MS 150 ride in Texas an impressive 13 times, demonstrating his relentless commitment to the cause through fundraising and raising awareness. His perspective on the 2024 MS 150 ride routes has been shaped by his experiences riding through challenging terrains and routes, including the hilly and trafficked MS 150 ride in Colorado. Peterson believes in the importance of adaptability, with his views on route selection influenced by weather conditions and optimal performance. He appreciates the flexibility offered by the MS 150 ride, with its varying starting points, destinations, and distances ranging from 100 to 200 miles, catering to riders' preferences. Inspired by his personal connection to the cause, Peterson emphasizes the importance of family involvement in the ride, though he will be riding solo in 2024, he will carry their spirit with him. For all donors, Alan is pleased to announce a 1 for 1 match to any donation by an anonymous donor. 

Key Highlights

·       2024 MS 150 Ride: Tailoring Your Route

·       Top 300 Fundraisers Impacting MS 150 Success

·       Endurance-Focused Cycling Training for MS Fundraiser

·       Exclusive Benefits and Rewarding Activities at MS 150 Event

Resources

Donate to Alan Peterson. For all donors, Alan is pleased to announce a 1 for 1 match to any donation by an anonymous donor. 

MS 150

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Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week, Tom visits with Debbie Zabica, Executive Director of the American Red Cross, Hill Country chapter.

Debbie Zabica is the accomplished Executive Director of the Hill Country chapter of the American Red Cross, possessing an extensive background in nonprofit work and disaster preparedness initiatives. Zabica’s perspective on American Red Cross disaster preparedness is strongly influenced by her dedication to educating and preparing communities, especially within the Hill Country region, for potential disasters such as home fires.

Her emphasis lies in ensuring individuals are equipped with essential supplies and knowledge to handle emergencies, be it during winter storms or extreme heat in the summer. She underscores the Red Cross’s critical role in providing immediate assistance and support to communities post-disaster, which includes setting up shelters and offering health services. Drawing from her experiences leading a team of volunteers across 19 counties, Zabica’s perspective highlights the importance of being proactive in disaster readiness and the Red Cross’s commitment to aid and support individuals in times of crisis.

Debbie also discusses the chapter fundraiser, Corks for Compassion, which will be held on Thursday, March 21st, at 6:00 p.m. at Richter Tavern, 153 South Main Street, Boerne, TX 78006, on March 21st.

Key Highlights:

 Resources:

Red Cross in the Hill Country

Corks for Compassion fundraiser

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Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week, Tom visits Roy Thompson, President and CEO of the Texas Hill Country Bank.

Roy Thompson is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in the local banking sector, where he specializes in facilitating the relocation of larger companies to new locales. With his rich background in commercial lending and rural banking communities, Thompson maintains a bright outlook on banking career transition, especially in rural regions like Kerrville. He perceives growth and stability as vital aspects of the banking sector, as seen in Kerrville’s consistent 4-6% growth compared to larger urban areas.

Thompson is a staunch advocate for the influx of younger, tech-savvy bankers to meet the evolving needs of industries like ranching, and actively supports banking certification programs to attract college graduates. He is a firm believer in the expanding opportunities for college graduates in banking, even in rural areas, particularly as post-pandemic lifestyle preferences shift away from monetary gains. His commitment to fostering collaboration between the local banking community, educational institutions, and city governments showcases his dedication to supporting economic growth and development in rural areas.

Key Highlights:

Resources:

Roy Thompson on LinkedIn

Texas Hill Country Bank

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Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week, Tom visits with Charlie McIlvain about the candidate for Kerr County Commissioner, Precinct 3.

Charlie McIlvain is a seasoned leader whose journey began in high school and college, where he was recognized as one of the top leaders in the Interact program and served as the ROTC battalion commander. His perspective on leadership is that it is a significant part of life, shaped by his early experiences in various leadership roles. These experiences laid the groundwork for his continued involvement in leadership positions throughout his career, emphasizing the importance of service and community engagement. His active participation in organizations like Rotary, where he has served as club president in two communities, and his tenure on various travel industry boards underscore his commitment to leadership and service. Charlie believes in the value of diverse experiences and learning from different environments, a belief that is reflected in his global perspective and attendance at international Rotary conventions.

Key Highlights:

Resources:

Charlie McIlvain for Kerr County Commissioner

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Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week, Tom visits with Hank Ortega about the Hill Country Amateur Radio Club.

Hank Ortega is a committed member of the Hill Country Amateur Radio Club, with a profound interest in amateur radio and emergency communications. His perspective on the subject is shaped by his deep-rooted connection to his community and his extensive experience in operating radios under various conditions. Hank views amateur radio as a vital tool for providing communication during emergencies and disasters, particularly in rural areas where cell phone communication may be unreliable. His fascination with ham radios and their global connectivity capabilities has led him to believe in the critical role of the Community Hill Country Amateur Radio Club in providing training, education, and support for new radio operators. Hank’s experiences have also highlighted the importance of the club’s collaboration with organizations like the Red Cross and the local sheriff’s department in providing emergency communications when needed.

Key Highlights:

 Resources:

Hill Country Amateur Radio Club

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Welcome to award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique areas of Texas. This week the Hill Country Podcast cross posts the first episode of the Hill Country Arts Foundation podcast, with co-hosts Mia Church and Sarah Derousseau. The discuss the Hill Country Arts Foundation and what is going on there this season and into 2024. 

Resources

Hill Country Arts Foundation

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week Tom visits with Skye Alexander, President of the Friends of the Kerrville Public Library.

Skye Alexander is a passionate individual who has dedicated the past eight years to the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library in Kerrville, serving as the president of the Friends of the Library. Skye’s perspective on “Friends of the Library: supporting libraries through fundraising and services” is rooted in her belief that the Friends of the Library is a crucial organization that raises funds to support various library needs, from programs and infrastructure to security systems and book purchases. Her involvement with the library began with an invitation from a fellow writer, and since then, she has been instrumental in raising funds through memberships, book sales, and donations. Skye also manages a bookstore with a diverse collection of 30,000 books, and she is currently working on expanding the Friends of the Library’s online presence and implementing innovative initiatives such as book bundles. Join Tom Fox and Skye Alexander on this episode of the Hill Country Podcast to learn more about her experiences and the Kerrville public library.

 Resources:

Skye Alexander

Butt-Holdsworth Library

Friends of the Library

Tom Fox

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Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week Tom visits Mary Campana, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity in Kerr County.

Mary Campana is the executive director of Habitat for Humanity for Kerr County, with a rich background in nonprofit work and a deep involvement in the organization's affordable housing and financial education programs. Mary is passionate about providing affordable housing for individuals and families with low incomes, and she explains that Habitat for Humanity builds homes for those who make 60% or less of the median family income. She also mentions their plans to add workforce housing in Kerr County to address the need for affordable housing for workers. Mary emphasizes the sense of community that Habitat for Humanity creates, where homeowners feel a part of something larger than themselves and contribute to the community. Join Tom Fox and Mary Campana on this episode of the Hill Country Podcast to learn more about her work and perspective.

 Key Highlights:

 Resources:

Mary Campana on LinkedIn

Habitat for Humanity for Kerr County

Tom Fox

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LinkedIn

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. This week Tom is joined by his colleagues Andrew Gay and Gilbert Paiz to visit with Kristy Vandenberg on the ultimate gift of life—organ donation.

Kristy Vandenberg is a seasoned advocate and educator in the field of organ donation and transplantation, with a 37-year career in the nonprofit sector. Her passion for this cause was ignited when she was asked to lead a small nonprofit in the Hill Country, focusing on organ donation advocacy. Vandenberg's perspective on advocacy and education for organ donation and transplantation is shaped by her experiences and the insights she gains from her board, which includes a transplant recipient, a transplant donor, and a donor mom. She believes in the importance of debunking myths surrounding organ donation, educating the public, particularly young people, and increasing organ donor registration to expand the donor pool and improve the chances of matching organs with those on the waiting list. Join Tom Fox, Andrew Gay, Gilbert Paiz, and Kristy Vandenberg on this episode of the Hill Country Podcast to learn more about her inspiring work and dedication to this life-saving cause.

 Key Highlights

 Resources

The Ultimate Gift of Life

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Tom Fox

Instagram

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Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. Join Tom as he explores the people, places, and activities of the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, am joined by Darryl Lyons, co-founder of Pax Financial Group as my guest.

Darryl Lyons, a native of Boerne, Texas, has a compelling journey from experiencing family financial struggles during the savings and loan crisis in the 1980s to becoming the CEO and co-founder of PAX Financial Group, a successful investment advisory company in San Antonio. Lyons' perspective on his journey is one of personal growth and a commitment to integrating his faith into his work. Initially, he kept his faith separate from his business, focusing on providing excellent service. However, influenced by an organization called C Twelve and a pivotal event, Lyons felt a calling to integrate his faith into his work and stand firm in his beliefs, despite potential pushback. He acknowledges the need to cater to a secular marketplace but also wants to honor and respect Judeo-Christian values, offering an alternative to financial institutions that may not share those values. Join Tom Fox and Darryl Lyons on this episode of the Hill Country Podcast to learn more about Lyons' inspiring journey and his unique approach to business.

Key Highlights

 Resources

Darryl Lyons on LinkedIn

Pax Financial Group

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Tom Fox

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn