Investing in Community
Core Values
The Amarillo Area Foundation is the only nonprofit community foundation serving the more than 400,000 people in the Texas Panhandle. As a leader in philanthropic, nonprofit, and community issues, the Foundation is a catalyzing force that addresses the community’s most critical challenges by providing significant, shared and lasting results.

Integrity
We work to provide efficient service in an honest, accountable and transparent manner.

Respect
We strive for equity, inclusiveness and opportunity in all we do, and we work to be responsive and compassionate.

Collaboration
We believe in teamwork and open communication.

Innovation
We look for creative ways to meet community needs, and we do so with urgency and a spirit of entrepreneurship.
Our Mission
To improve quality of life for Texas Panhandle residents.

FROM THE CEO
The parable of the tortoise and the hare has always been a favorite of mine! Even as a youngster I could relate to the tortoise working consistently and methodically towards a goal.

NATIONAL STANDARDS SEAL
The Foundation has met the most rigorous national standards in philanthropy for operational quality, donor service and accountability in the community foundation sector.

HISTORY
The Foundation’s history began in 1957 with a dream to address the healthcare needs facing the Texas Panhandle. As a result, the Amarillo medical center was established.
Our History
The Amarillo Area Foundation’s history began in 1957 with a dream and a challenge to address the healthcare needs facing the Texas Panhandle.
Staff Members

As President & CEO of the Amarillo Area Foundation, Clay directs the organization in fulfilling the Foundation’s mission to improve quality of life for Texas Panhandle residents. Clay is originally from the Texas Panhandle and after just short of a decade in Dallas, found himself called to return. He moved back to the area in 2002 with his wife, Katherine, and son, Spencer.
CLAY STRIBLING
President & CEO
clay@aaf-hf.org

KERALEE CLAY
Senior Vice President
keralee@aaf-hf.org

DAVID HURTT
Vice President of Finance
david@aaf-hf.org

Melanie grew up in the Texas Panhandle and graduated from West Texas A&M University with her Bachelor of Music and Master of Business Administration degrees. It's been a joy for her to return to her roots and serve the people of the Texas Panhandle.
MELANIE SMOOT
Vice President of Development
melanie@aaf-hf.org

KIMBERLY ANDERSON
Panhandle Community Partnership
Program Officer
kimberly@aaf-hf.org

Michelle grew up in Boise Idaho, but has called Amarillo and the Panhandle home since she was 11. She is currently attending Western Governors University seeking a BA in Business Administration Management. She and her husband have three amazing sons and are avid scuba divers. During her free time, she enjoys being in nature, whether in the mountains camping and fishing, or on a beach and under the ocean. She has a passion for community improvement and engagement through educational opportunities and strongly believes in equality and reducing barriers faced by those seeking access to resources.
MICHELLE ARMBRUSTER
Learning & Events Coordinator
michelle@aaf-hf.org

ROXANN BALL
NSC Program Officer
roxann@aaf-hf.org

Beth rejoined the Foundation in January of 2018 as the Scholarship Program Assistant and became the Scholarship Program Officer in 2020. She enjoys being a small part of removing financial barriers which could hinder deserving students from pursuing higher education. Beth has lived in Amarillo her entire life and comes to work every day excited to be part of the mission of the Amarillo Area Foundation. In addition to her work at the Foundation, Beth is pursuing a degree in Education from West Texas A&M University.
BETH CAMERON
Scholarship Program Officer
beth@aaf-hf.org

She grew up in Clinton, Oklahoma, moving to Amarillo in the 6th grade. She attended Palo Duro High School but eventually moved and graduated in Oklahoma from Clinton High School. She moved back to Amarillo and married her high school sweetheart, and they have one son. While working on her associates degree, she had the opportunity to work for Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in the Donor Services Department where she was able to gain experience with children and how organizations regulate. She is proud to be a part of Amarillo Area Foundation’s mission and success in the community and looks forward to helping students prosper.
JADA CARR SIMS
Scholarship Program Assistant
jada@aaf-hf.org

Broc grew up in Canyon and has a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from West Texas A&M University. Prior to joining the staff at AAF, Broc was the Director of Marketing, Communications, and Advocacy at the High Plains Food Bank and United Way of Amarillo and Canyon. Broc believes that a community cannot thrive until all parts of the community have the access and ability to thrive! He has two amazing daughters that keep him on his toes!
BROC CARTER
Director of Marketing &
The Panhandle Gives Campaign
broc@aaf-hf.org

KATHIE GRANT
Grant Administrator
kathie@aaf-hf.org

Sarah joined the Amarillo Area Foundation in September 2016. Prior to joining AAF, Sarah was busy full-time raising three wonderful children, serving within her church, the Junior League of Amarillo (JLA), and within various other civic and educational volunteer roles. Sarah has worked as a Communications Coordinator at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, as an accounting assistant for grants in the Controller’s Office at Rice University and assisted seven Computer Engineering Professors with grant submissions in the Electrical Engineering Department of Princeton University. Sarah also has grant writing experience through her JLA placement.
Sarah was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and attended the University of Texas at Austin where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Learning and Development for Elementary and Special Education. Sarah and her family moved to Amarillo in 2010 and has thoroughly enjoyed living and serving in the Texas Panhandle.
SARAH GRIFFIN
Grants Program Officer
sarah@aaf-hf.org

Prior to joining the Foundation in 2016, Angie was the Executive Assistant to the CFO of Hastings Entertainment, Inc. until its untimely closure that same year. Angie also previously held positions in the Mortgage and Home Equity Lending Departments of Amarillo National Bank prior to becoming the assistant to the Executive Vice President of Operations at AIG Annuity.
After growing up on the East Coast, Angie moved to the Texas Panhandle in the late 1980s. She completed her secondary education at Tascosa High School prior to attending Amarillo College.
ANGIE KNIGHT
Executive Services Manager
angie@aaf-hf.org

Evans graduated from West Texas A&M University in 2017 with a Bachelors in Finance & Accounting, and a Masters in Professional Accounting in 2020.
Evans lived in Amarillo for four year, and one year in Dallas before returning to Amarillo in 2018. He and his wife have been blessed with one son.
EVANS LANGAT
Staff Accountant
evans@aaf-hf.org

Janet has lived in the Texas Panhandle all her life. Amarillo is her home town although she has deep family roots in Armstrong County where her family has farmed for 4 generations.
Janet graduated from Amarillo High School and received an associate degree from Amarillo College. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for 25 years.
JANET LUMAN
Office Coordinator
janet@aaf-hf.org

Matt grew up in Amarillo, TX but left for 4 years to earn a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. Prior to joining the AAF team, Matt was the Director of Personnel for a bank equipment and security company. Since Matt began his career in non-profit work, he is excited to be back in that community.
MATT MORGAN
Grants Program Officer
matt@aaf-hf.org

Suzy is native to the Texas Panhandle, being reared in Dalhart. She attended Texas Christian University and Texas Tech University, graduating cum laude from Texas Tech in 1982. She taught accounting for several years at Dalhart High School, and after moving to west Texas, she found her niche in tax preparation and fund accounting. Suzy and her husband returned to the Panhandle in 2013 and have made Amarillo their permanent home.
SUZY MURRAY
Director of Accounting
suzy@aaf-hf.org

Charlotte Rhodes hired Karen as her assistant in 2013 as Donors Services Administrative Assistant. Karen’s responsibilities include processing and acknowledging all contributions and providing administrative support for the development department. She especially enjoys the creative writing opportunities that her position often requires.
KAREN PHILLIPS
Director of Donor Services
kphillips@aaf-hf.org
Board of Directors
The Amarillo Area Foundation is the only community foundation serving Texas’ northernmost 26 counties. Since its inception in 1957 and into the future, the Foundation provides grants and services to strengthen nonprofit organizations and the services they deliver. The Foundation is enriching the Panhandle communities we call home as a result of partnerships between area philanthropists and social entrepreneurs. The Foundation is governed by a Board of private citizens dedicated to their leadership role on philanthropic, nonprofit, and community issues.
AAf Board of Directors
Amarillo Area Foundation Board of Directors
- Clay Stribling | President and CEO
- David Hurtt | Assistant Secretary
- Vanessa Buzzard | Chair
- David Prescott | 1st Vice Chair
- Cheri De Jong | 2nd Vice Chair
- Sharon White | Secretary
- Bill Britain | Treasurer
- Lewis Britt | Member at Large
- Trent Sisemore | Member at Large
- William Ware | Member at Large
- Suzanne Willis | Member at Large
- Paul Clark | Immediate Past Chair
Board Directory
Christy Bertolino | Canyon
Scott Biddy | Amarillo
Bill Britain | Amarillo
Lewis Britt | Amarillo
Helen Burton | Amarillo
Vanessa Buzzard | Pampa
Trevor Caviness | Amarillo
Paul Clark | Amarillo
Sonja Clark | Amarillo
Nicki Crump | Amarillo
Michael Cruz | Amarillo
Cheri De Jong | Hartley
Lori Henke | Amarillo
Mike Hughes | Amarillo
Bowden Jones | Amarillo
Mark Keys | Childress
Pedro Limas | Amarillo
Charles Mestas | Amarillo
Kristen Moudy | Wheeler
David Prescott | Amarillo
Stella Sauls | Borger
Trent Sisemore | Amarillo
William Ware | Amarillo
Sharon White | Amarillo
Suzanne Willis | Perryton
Harrington Foundation Board of directors
The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation Board of Directors
- Clay Stribling | President and CEO
- Paul Clark | Chair
- Vanessa Buzzard | Vice Chair
- David Prescott | Secretary/Treasurer
- Lori Henke
- Mark Bivins
- Dyke Rogers
- Richard Ware II
HRMC Board of directors
The Harrington Regional Medical Campus Board of Directors
- Clay Stribling | President and CEO
- Dr. Steve Urban | Chair
- J.B. Lane | Vice Chair
- Julie Mitchell | Secretary/Treasurer
- Mary Bearden
- Judy Day
- Bill Harris
- Rod Schroder
- Carolyn Witherspoon
- Alfonso Zambrano