Join us June 19 to celebrate Kerr County’s women of distinction

The Kerr County Lead’s inaugural Women of Distinction event is set for June 19 at Tucker Hall, 320 St. Peter St., Kerrville, from 6 to 8 p.m. — and we’d love for you to be there.

The evening will feature food, beverages, and the recognition of 25 extraordinary women and three groups who have made Kerr County a better place to live, work, and raise a family. They were selected from 70 nominated women represented by more than 90 submissions.

Tickets are $42.50 (includes a $2.50 processing fee). You can purchase tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thekerrcountylead/2226977

Here’s a look at this year’s honorees:

Mary Campana — The executive director of Habitat for Humanity Kerr County led a compassionate and effective flood recovery response, expanding Habitat’s mission to meet urgent community needs in the wake of the July 4 disaster.

Amy Dozier — The assistant general manager of KPUB has spent more than two decades in public service finance, driving a major power generation project that will benefit KPUB customers for decades. She is the 2025 Texas Public Power Association Distinguished Service Award recipient.

Lt. Mary Krebs — A 20-year veteran of the Kerrville Police Department, Lt. Krebs served as Logistics Chief in the Emergency Operations Center during the July 4 flood response, working 12- to 16-hour days to ensure first responders had what they needed. She also serves on the Harper ISD School Board and organizes the Jacob Krebs Memorial Youth Hunt.

Tara Bushnoe — The UGRA general manager has spent nearly 20 years serving Kerr County and is leading the charge to improve the Guadalupe River warning system following the July 4 flood.

Theresa Metcalf — The Kerr Economic Development Corp. and Kerr Together leader cut short a family trip to return to Kerrville after the flood, spending days alongside community members working to find recovery resources.

Jayne Zirkel — The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s chief marketing officer has strengthened nonprofits across ten counties since 2011 and took on an even larger role coordinating recovery communications after the flood.

Julie Davis — The Kerrville CVB director has championed Kerrville tourism for more than 20 years and led a community-wide campaign to support local businesses and restore visitor confidence after the flood.

Diane Green — The president of Kerr Abstract and Title has served the local real estate community for more than 50 years, building a culture of service and community involvement that extends well beyond her office.

Kathleen Hudson — The retired Schreiner University English professor founded the Texas Heritage Music Foundation and the Texas Heritage Living History Festival, leaving a lasting academic and cultural legacy in Kerr County.

Judy Eychner — The former mayor of Kerrville has spent 37 years leaving her fingerprints on nearly every worthwhile initiative in the community, from Habitat for Humanity to Rotary to Schreiner University to Kerr Together Long Term Recovery.

Lucy Pearson — The Kerrville municipal judge and Fredericksburg municipal prosecutor also volunteers as a drug court defense attorney and helps run teen court — all while still receiving hugs from former sixth-grade students she taught nearly two decades ago.

Brenda Thompson — The Dietert Center executive director led a rapid flood recovery effort that had the Friendship Café reopened within four months and the full senior center operational by January 1.

Brenda Hughes — The former Kerrville City Council member and mayor pro tem founded Kerrville Pets Alive, helped pass the bond for a new animal shelter, and has spent 15 years as a force on the Hill Country CASA board.

Becky Etzler — The Riverside Nature Center executive director launched a volunteer cleanup within hours of the flood, raised more than $177,000 in flood relief donations and a $300,000 Community Foundation grant, and had the nature center reopened by September 2.

Bridget Symm — The executive director of the West Kerr Public School Foundation and Hunt ISD School Board vice president helped mobilize students and volunteers across West Kerr County during the flood recovery.

Luci Harmon — The retiring Hunt ISD superintendent cut short a family trip to return home after the flood, converting the school into a disaster center that housed first responders — all while guiding the district through the loss of two students and maintaining its A rating.

Charvy Tork — A nearly 20-year City of Kerrville employee, Tork is the engine that keeps things running behind the scenes, known for her positivity and willingness to tackle any project.

Kim Meismer — The City of Kerrville assistant city manager brings more than 28 years of public sector experience and a master’s degree in public administration to a role that touches nearly every aspect of city operations.

Mindy Wendele — A lifelong Kerrville resident and Tivy graduate, Wendele has devoted herself to Main Street, the Chamber of Commerce, and countless other efforts that make this community what it is.

Tammy Prout — The publisher of the Hill Country Community Journal — the only woman-owned local news organization in the area — poured herself into flood coverage and community service that goes far beyond the printed page.

Kayte Graham — The Central Provisions co-owner has been tirelessly working to rebuild flood-damaged parks in Center Point, embodying the spirit of community recovery in West Kerr.

Lora Walters — Known as one of the friendliest faces in Kerr County, Walters is a community advocate and longtime champion for Williams Syndrome families.

The women of Peterson Hospice — Recognized in obituary after obituary for their compassionate care, the women of this Peterson Health department are a quiet and constant source of comfort for Kerrville families.

The women of the Community Foundation’s disaster case managers — Working on the ground every day, these women are helping flood survivors find their way back home — connecting families to housing, shelter, and recovery resources.

The women of the Hunt Preservation Society Community Allocation Committee — This group of dedicated women has been at the center of Hunt’s rebuilding effort, coordinating resources and support for a community still recovering from July 4.