The Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce is once again kicking off a new year with the Leadership Gillespie County - Class of 2027. This cohort is comprised of 21 members of the community that are seeking to grow their leadership skills and community involvement in Gillespie County by diving into the organizations, government, and community functions that keep the community running. The LGC Alumni Mixer in August was the first gathering for this new cohort, with a leadership retreat taking place before the first session. 

The first session held on September 2nd, saw a variety of speakers focusing on local government and infrastructure. Kicking off the day and sponsoring breakfast was Central Texas Electric Cooperative. During this time, the group heard from Atanacio Hinojosa, CTEC CEO, who discussed the changing landscape of the electric industry and how those changes trickle down from the generation at a power plant to the moment a light switch is flipped at a home. 

From there, the group hopped over to the City Hall East Campus, where Sean Doerre, Public Information Officer,  discussed public communications and took the time to lead a tour of the campus, showcasing the freshly renovated building.  

Following communications was the Director of Parks & Rec, Andrea Schmidt, who highlighted the current projects that are taking place at the parks but also discussed current challenges that are being faced, such as vandalism and damage to city parks and facilities. During this time, the need for increasing trails throughout Fredericksburg was a key point of discussion for Schmidt and members of the LGC class. 

Transitioning from Parks to Public Works, the group heard from Director of Public Works, Kris Kneese. This conversation focused heavily on the city infrastructure from the electric department to the landfill, where the group heard about the efforts made to utilize different services for community members when it comes to picking up leaves and recycling.

Cliff Cross, Director of Development Services, came in next with an engaging presentation on the planning, development, and building process. This included highlighting the timeline and methods that major developments must go through before ever breaking ground.

The last speaker before lunch to wrap up the City of Fredericksburg was City Manager, Clinton Bailey. During his presentation key issues were discussed including the move to City Hall East Campus, the management of tourism, and the outlook for water usage. 

While enjoying lunch, sponsored and provided by Eaker Barbecue, the group had the opportunity to engage in conversation with the City Council about different concerns of the group. This conversation heavily focused on the need for trails around the community, as well as discussing tourism within the community and its impact.

After lunch, the class journeyed back into town to visit County Judge Daniel Jones at the courthouse to discuss his role in the county and how it operates. During this time, County Clerk Lindsey Brown took the group on a tour of the courthouse showcasing the historical aspects of the County Clerk position. From digitizing various documents to filing marriage certificates, the position assists members of the community through various needs.

The group then had the pleasure of hearing from County Attorney Sara Neel and Commissioner Don Weinheimer. Among the information presented by the County Attorney Sara Neel, was an in-depth look at how efforts have been made to address juvenile cases within the county. 

From Commissioner Don Weinheimer, the group learned about the county demographics in terms of population and size. Commissioner Weinheimer also discussed the needs of the county from a road and bridges standpoint. 

The group wrapped up the day with a word from LGC Mentors, Heather McCarver and Ryan Benitez, before heading over to Hondo’s for social hour!

Thank you to all who took the time to present to the LGC 2027 class during this first session. Next up, the group will learn about local non-profits.

If you are interested in following along on the journey of Leadership, be sure to visit the Leadership Gillespie County Facebook page and Instagram account for photos, videos and more!