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    Education & Training

    The Texas Association of Counties (TAC) provides a wide variety of coordinated, professionally planned training events to address the daily challenges of county officials and staff.

    Education & Training

    Leadership 254 Testimonials and Alumni

    "I have learned that what I once perceived as a "weakness" is actually my biggest strength. I also learned how to utilize my strengths in order to build and maintain relationships so that I may have future collaborations with my fellow county officials."

    —Ochiltree County Treasurer Tambra Kile, Class of 2023-24

    "I have attended hundreds of hours of leadership training and I have a master in Criminal Justice Leadership. In Leadership 254, I  learned every perspective on leadership has value and learning never stops."

    —Brazos County Sheriff Wayne Dickey, Class of 2023-24

    "I learned that I have leadership qualities, but that are areas that I need to work on, and the program gave me some specific and particular tips for that. Not often you get real applications for situation. The coaching of your leadership skills was super important."

    —Kaufman County District Attorney Erleigh N. Wiley, Class of 2023-24

    "I would Absolutely recommend this program to other county officials, don't let any insecurities limit your possibilities! Leadership 254 will absolutely allow you to push your limits, allow you to grow, and become comfortable in your own skin."

    —Lee County Constable Steven Pohorelsky, Class of 2023-24

    "I highly recommend Leadership 254 to all county officials. This program not only enhances your leadership skills but also offers valuable insights into the operations of various offices and counties statewide."

    —Bell County Tax Assessor-Collector Shay Luedeke, Class of 2023-24

    "One of the greatest benefits I received by attending Leadership 254 is the friendships, knowledge that was gained from a variety of people who have walked different walks of life that made them the leader they are today."

    —Eastland County Clerk Cathy Jentho, class of 2019-2020

    "I ended up feeling that county government is truly a 'team' effort and that by us all working together and trusting one another, we can and do make a difference."

    —Llano County Commissioner Linda Raschke, class of 2019-2020

    "Leadership 254 is powerful AND fun. Enjoying other county leaders from across Texas was interesting and inspiring. There are some really great people out there seeking to do the right thing because they care about people, and they care about Texas."

    —Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis, class of 2019-2020

    "There are not enough words to express how much this experience has meant to me. It has brought me back alive."

    —Nacogdoches County District Clerk Loretta Cammack, class of 2017-2018

    "Leadership 254 was the best experience of my professional life."

    —Carson County and District Clerk Celeste Bichsel, class of 2017-2018

    "I highly recommend Leadership 254 to all county officials. This program not only enhances your leadership skills but also offers valuable insights into the operations of various offices and counties statewide."

    —Bell County Tax Assessor-Collector Shay Luedeke, class of 2023-24

    "I definitely recommend Leadership 254 to other county officials. I developed friendships and working relationships across many offices, across Texas."

    —Schleicher County Treasurer Jennifer Henderson, class of 2017-2018


    Leadership 254 Alumni

    Leadership 254: 2023-2024 ClassBack Row (L to R): Comal County Commissioner, Jen Crownover, Potter County Clerk, Julie Smith, Waller County Justice of the Peace, J.R. Woolley, Bell County Tax Assessor-Collector, Shay Luedeke, Kerr County Constable, Paul Gonzales, McLennan County Tax Assessor-Collector, Randy Riggs

    Middle Row (L to R): Wichita County Commissioner, Mark Beauchamp, Chambers County District Clerk, Patti Henry, Lamb County Auditor, Jerry Yarbrough, Sherman County District & County Clerk, Laura Rogers, Kaufman County District Attorney, Erleigh Wiley, Cooke County Auditor, Shelly Atteberry, Harris County Justice of the Peace, Holly Williamson, Randall County Sheriff, Christopher Forbis, Lee County Constable, Steven Pohorelsky, Brazos County Sheriff, Wayne Dicky, Llano County Judge, Ronald Cunningham, Gregg County Sheriff, Maxey Cerliano

    Front Row (L to R): 106th District Attorney, Philip Mack Furlow, Ochiltree County Treasurer, Tambra Kile, Wilson County Auditor, Brenda Trevino, Hockley County Judge, Sharla Baldridge

    Leadership 254: 2021-2022 ClassBack Row (L to R): Johnson County Constable Matt Wylie, Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes, Hemphill County Judge Lisa Johnson, Hale County Judge David Mull,Montgomery County Constable Philip Cash, Eastland County Auditor Loretta Key, Gregg County Justice of the Peace Tim Bryan

    Middle Row (L to R): Kerr County Attorney Heather Stebbins, San Patricio County District Clerk Heather Marks, Denton County Treasurer Cindy Yeatts Brown, Comal County Treasurer Renee Couch, Rockwall County District Attorney Kenda Culpepper, Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector Tammy McRae, Travis County District Clerk Velva Price, Jim Wells County Clerk J.C. Perez, Liberty County Sheriff Robert “Bobby” Rader, Cochran County Judge Pat Henry

    Front Row (L to R): Tyler County Treasurer Leann Monk, Matagorda County Auditor Kristen Kubecka, Freestone County Sheriff Jeremy Shipley, Brazos County Justice of the Peace Celina Vasquez, Comal County District Attorney Jennifer Tharp

    Additional members not photographed: Bell County Commissioner Bobby Whitson

    Leadership 254: 2019-2020 ClassBack Row (L to R): Collin County Constable Shane Williams, Floyd County Judge Marty Lucke, Menard County Constable Lee Callan, Kerr County Treasurer Tracy Soldan, Hockley County Sheriff Ray Scifres, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis, Carson County Judge Dan Looten, Eastland County Clerk Cathy Jentho, Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector Larry Gaddes

    Front Row (L to R): Collin County Clerk Stacey Kemp, McCulloch County Justice of the Peace Maggie Sawyer, Matagorda County Attorney Denise Fortenberry, Llano County Commissioner Linda Raschke, Jefferson County District Clerk Jamie Smith, Wilson County Justice of the Peace Sara Canady

    Additional members not photographed: Atascosa County Auditor Tracey Barrera, Guadalupe County Treasurer Linda Douglass, Cass County Treasurer Donna Early, Hidalgo County District Clerk Laura Hinojosa, Medina County Auditor Eduardo Lopez

    Leadership 254: 2017-2018 ClassFourth Row (L to R): Cooke County Commissioner Leon Klement, Waller County Judge Trey Duhon, Williamson County Justice of the Peace Bill Gravell, Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne, San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers, Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, Dallas County Clerk John Warren, Jefferson County Constable Christopher Bates

    Third Row (L to R): Collin County Commissioner Susan Fletcher, Brazoria County Clerk Joyce Hudman, Randall County Auditor Karon Kantor, 452nd District Attorney Tonya Ahlschwede

    Second Row (L to R) : Lynn County Tax Assessor-Collector Donna Willis, Bandera County District Clerk Tammy Kneuper, Ellis County Treasurer Cheryl Chambers, Houston County Attorney Daphne Session, Nacogdoches County District Clerk Lorretta Cammack, Anderson County Tax Assessor-Collector Teri Hanks, Carson County and District Clerk Celeste Bichsel

    First Row (L to R): Madison County Auditor Toni Joyner, Lubbock County Justice of the Peace Ann-Marie Carruth, Travis County Constable Carlos B. Lopez, Schleicher County Treasurer Jennifer Henderson, Panola County Judge LeeAnn Jones

    Leadership 254 Details

    Education & Training

    Continuing Education Credit

     Education and Training  TAC submits applications for CE credit to each governing body. Upon approval, the number of hours will be posted.

    Education & Training

    Agenda, Dates and Locations

     Education and Training  TAC will send a detailed agenda to participants prior to the start date of all modules. Lodging is included, and TAC will manage the hotel reservations for each module.

    Education & Training

    Testimonials and Alumni

     Education and Training  Read testimonials from Leadership 254 alumni and learn what they got out of the program.

    Education & Training

    Assignments and Expectations

     Education and Training  Leadership 254 challenges, stretches and, most importantly, transforms participants into leaders who can positively affect their counties and Texas.

    Publications

    2025-2026 Class Roster

     Education and Training  
    The 2025-2026 Leadership 254 class participants will be announced January 2025.

    Haley Click Director of Education & Member Services
    Marisol Ybarra Education & Events Project Manager
    (800) 456-5974

    Return to Leadership 254 Overview