Thomas White
Executive Director of the Lewisville Education Foundation
Thomas White grew up in the Lewisville ISD school system. He attended Timber Creek Elementary, Lamar Middle and Marcus High schools. He returned to his beloved school system in 2019 to lead the Education Foundation, which supports the educational goals of LISD’s students and teachers.
“I really enjoy what I do to help students and teachers fulfill their potential and simply have the best possible educational experience within LISD,” he says. “I wear many hats to accomplish that – from raising money for scholarships and grants to introducing community and business partners to the outstanding work happening in the district.”
Since 1990, LEF has awarded almost $6 million in scholarships, grants and special programs, Thomas says. “While that is our primary mission – to provide resources for LISD students and staff – I also like to think we create positive advocacy for everyone involved in public education.”
Thomas lives in Flower Mound with his wife Tara and children, Abigail and Reid.
James Childers
Flower Mound Town Manager
James W. Childers began his professional career in Flower Mound and now is back after being named Town Manager this past year.
“The best way I can describe my role to the uninitiated is to think of the Town Manager like a CEO of a private company and the Town Council as the board of directors. They set policy, and I work with a great staff of 680-plus employees to execute that policy direction.”
James says the most rewarding aspect of his position is serving the public. “I love that I work with a great team to positively impact the lives of our residents on a daily basis. Public Safety, infrastructure, quality of life … there’s so much that we do,” he says. “I also like working with the Council and community to help realize strategic goals and visioning for the future.”
James is no stranger to Town Management. In fact, it tends to run in the family.
“I’m a second-generation City Manager,” he explains. “My father, Rickey was a long-time City Manager, as was my late uncle, Terry.”
James and his wife Mishawn are in the process of moving to Flower Mound. The couple has four children, Alexis, Jalyn, Justus and London.
Gary Lewis
Area President for Denton County at Bank of the West
Gary Lewis has garnered much success in the banking industry. He serves as Area President for Denton County at Bank of the West and helped open and organize United Community Bank in Highland Village. But it is his work in the community that has earned him the distinguished honor of 2021 Citizen of the Year.
“This was a surprise and an honor,” he says. “The Flower Mound, Highland Village and Lewisville area has given so much to myself and family. The least we can do is give back every way we can.
“I have never tried to be active in the community just to win business. It simply makes your community stronger and business better when you have active community volunteers.”
Locally, Gary has served on the local boards of PediPlace, Medical City Lewisville, the Lewisville Noon Rotary and the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce. He also was Chairman of the Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce.
In addition, Gary serves on the boards of the international organizations Serving Him and Life Romania. “Both Serving Him and Life Romania are Christian organizations and have focused all services this year on Ukraine,” he says.
Gary lives in Lantana with his wife Kay. The couple have two children, Courtney, who is married to Ryan; and Chase; and two grandchildren, Tanner and Ella.
Arturo Ortega
Music Director of the Voices of Flower Mound
Arturo Ortega was drawn to music at a young age. “I was that odd kid that listened rapturously to classical music recordings and would even compare renditions of certain pieces,” he says. “It’s been a life-long love affair with music.”
That love of music eventually led Arturo to musical ventures around the world, including becoming the Music Director of the Voices of Flower Mound.
“I’ve made it my primary goal to grow the organization and its visibility to make it amongst the most prominent musical organizations in the metroplex,” he says.
Arturo says community support for the organization has grown tremendously since he became director.
“Our audiences have grown by leaps and bounds – to the point that it doesn’t surprise us to have sold-out concerts,” he says. “By and large, new audiences are invited by others who have attended a concert, and they often exclaim, ‘Wow! I had no idea! I’ll never miss a concert again!’ Then they almost always bring more people to the next one. It has spread like wildfire. That is certainly rewarding to see.”
In addition to his work with the Voices of Flower Mound, Arturo is the Music Director of the Robson Ranch Choir and orchestra director at Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church. He recently received the Lewisville Masonic Lodge’s Community Builder Award in recognition of his work in the community.
