From the Publisher | May 2017
Dear Readers,
Women’s roles in business continue to change as women take on more responsibility in their own businesses, in corporations and foundations.
Much has changed since I first entered the workforce, when jobs available to women were somewhat limited. At the time, most of the opportunities were in traditional careers such as teaching, nursing, accounting and office administration. The women who moved into these fields often excelled, taking on increasing responsibilities as they advanced in their professions. Their valuable contributions were crucial to the success of their workplace.
As the editor and publisher of the Temple Daily Telegram and Killeen Daily Herald since 1987, and publisher of Tex Appeal Magazine since 2012, I have seen more doors opened to women who are increasingly rising to the top ranks in their companies and now serve as CEOs, presidents and executive directors.
The proverbial “glass ceiling” of advancement and promotion continues to break in workplaces across the country. According to the Department of Labor, women make up 57 percent of the workforce as of 2015; 70 percent of women with children under the age of 18 participate in the labor workforce, but there still remains a considerable gap between men’s and women’s earnings. However, women continue to excel in all areas of business, from leadership roles in corporations to entrepreneurs starting their own businesses.
Once again Tex Appeal celebrates Women in Business by highlighting some of the businesswomen in Central Texas and the contributions they are making to the community.
Pam Shepperd and Holley Gosh are making a difference in the community with their new mall, The Hub, in downtown Temple. The Hub, located in the former Casey’s Furniture Store building, offers a unique shopping experience to patrons, page 45.
Meet the Visionaries of McLane Children’s Hospital, and the women of Baylor Scott & White – Central Texas Foundation. They have been donating time, effort and fundraising to help the children of Central Texas since 2008, page 20.
Dale Koebnick retired from her role as director of IT at Metroplex Hospital after 22 years to begin her own business. Read about her career-altering trip to Israel and the coin that inspired her to start the Bead Bistro in Killeen, page 37.
Jennifer Graham’s passion for education has taken her from Central Texas to the far corners of the world, where she taught classes in developing countries. The executive director of the Temple College Foundation since 2010, Graham manages the Foundation’s $7 million budget. Recently, she and a team of four students returned from a six-week journey to the Philippines, where she taught island residents about sanitation, nutrition and economic development, page 27.
When Jan Chase and her husband, Mick, returned to Killeen to care for her ailing parents in 2009, they knew they had to find a way to make a living. In 2011 they opened the StoneGate Furniture Consignment Gallery. Opening the gallery was a natural choice for Chase, who enjoyed visiting garage and estate sales and resale shops with her sister Robin. Together they have a talent for taking the old and making it new again, page 11.
Meet Lisa Kelly, owner of Live and Let Liv Yoga in Killeen. What started out as a simple idea for a business has become a lifestyle for Kelly, page 62.
You don’t have to travel far to find interesting sites, galleries, museums, restaurants, cafes and a swimming hole. Travel west on U.S. Highway 190 and discover all that Lampasas has to offer, page 67.
The working women of Central Texas, regardless of position, are valuable assets to our community. Whether they are teachers, shop owners, CEOs or foundation directors, we are proud to acknowledge and recognize some of their noteworthy accomplishments. I sincerely hope you enjoy Tex Appeal’s Women in Business issue for 2017.
Sue Mayborn
Tex Appeal Publisher
