Panhandle Plains Chapter Board of Directors
The Boards of Directors with their combined diverse experiences are critical to assisting with strategic planning and fundraising to support the Chapters' humanitarian mission and services.
Brittnie Aguirre is a dedicated financial leader and community advocate. She has been the Mortgage Director at Education Credit Union since 2022. With a deep passion for financial empowerment, she guides individuals and families through the home-buying process, ensuring they have the resources they need to achieve homeownership.
Born in Amarillo, Texas, Brittnie moved to Oklahoma, where she grew up. She later returned to the Texas Panhandle to continue her education at Amarillo College. Throughout her career, she has held various roles in financial institutions, gaining experience in everything from teller to customer service to mortgage leadership.
Brittnie’s personal mission is: “To inspire growth and kindness in every interaction while fostering positive change through passion and purpose. She aims to empower others with a hope to unleash potential, one person at a time.”
In addition to her professional work, Brittnie is a director for the Hispanic Advisory Committee and was nominated for Hispanic Woman of the Year in 2024. She is deeply committed to the Hispanic community, a passion that stems from her love for soccer and witnessing her husband’s journey as an immigrant from Mexico who built his career from the ground up. Brittnie, too, faced struggles growing up, which fueled her determination to help others achieve success.
Together with her husband, Cesar, Brittnie co-founded CA Homes and CA Carpentry, businesses dedicated to building more than just homes—they strive to create opportunities for families and inspire others to pursue their dreams. As a dynamic power couple, they work to uplift their community by providing quality housing solutions while also serving as role models for resilience, hard work, and ambition.
Beyond her career, Brittnie is actively involved in nonprofits, always seeking ways to serve her community. She believes that “no problem is too small, and no obstacle is too big to overcome.” Grounded in her faith, she is grateful for the blessings in her life and strives to be a source of light and support for others, especially those in need.
In her spare time, Brittnie loves to travel with her husband and family, embracing new experiences and cultures while creating lasting memories.
Dr. Shirley M. Matteson has been temporarily serving as the Interim Vice Provost for Outreach & Engagement for Texas Tech University. In spring 2024, she will resume her role as the Associate Dean for Research and Staff/Faculty Development and an Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for the College of Education at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
A former public-school teacher, Dr. Matteson, knows the importance of community and school partnerships and embraces a servant leadership style. Dr. Matteson's research interests include mathematical representations, the preparation and professional development of mathematics teachers, and the impact of thinking structures for the teaching of thinking skills. Dr. Matteson has taught undergraduate mathematics and science education methods courses, numerous graduate-level courses, including introductory and intermediate qualitative research methods, and supervised advanced practicums on community-engaged scholarships.
Monique Garrett, a proud native of Sweetwater, Texas, relocated to Lubbock in 2003 to pursue higher education. Though she initially planned to move away after college, she quickly fell in love with the Lubbock community and chose to plant roots, making it a permanent home.
An alumna of South Plains College and Wayland Baptist University, Monique holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration. With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, she currently serves as Executive Director at AccentCare, where she feels deeply aligned with her calling and purpose—serving those in need with compassion and integrity.
Monique’s servant leadership began early in life and was deeply shaped by mission work, including an immersion pilgrimage to El Salvador, where she shared the love of Christ. Her heart for service extends to her local community, where she mentors youth and passionately advocates for underserved and underrepresented populations.
She proudly serves on the Board of Directors for several impactful organizations, including the YWCA, March of Dimes, American Red Cross, Guadalupe Parkway Neighborhood Center, and Women of the 100. Additionally, she sits on the Advisory Council for the South Plains Food Bank and chairs the Maternal Infant Health Committee. Her additional committee involvement includes the East Lubbock Community Alliance, Lubbock Juneteenth Committee, Lubbock Children’s Health Clinic Gala Committee, Ballet Lubbock Gala Committee, and the Girl Scouts’ Desserts First Committee. Monique also serves as Administrative Assistant at Greater Works Church of God in Christ and as Assistant Administrative Assistant for the Slaton Memorial District.
Above all, Monique’s greatest pride is being a mother to her son, Braxton, a Mechanical Engineering student at Texas Tech University. She is also a loving dog mom to her two goldendoodles, Coco Chanel and Saint Laurent.
Driven by purpose and passion, Monique remains committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable community where every voice is heard and everyone has a seat at the table, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background.
Chris L. Chambers, is native west Texan. He moved to Lubbock in 1993 to attend Texas Tech and has been here since. Chris started working in the construction industry as a consulting engineer in 1994. He transitioned to an Owner of Chambers Engineering, LLC in 2002. Chris is the father of twin college freshmen (Kaden and Kyrie) that are currently attending South Plains College. He is member at New Dimensions Tabernacle where Cory Powell is the pastor. He currently is a member of the 100 Black Men of West Texas and serving on the board of directors for the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce and the South Plains Workforce Solutions.
Qualimetra Chapman is a seasoned educator with over twenty years of experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Media and Communications with a minor in English and a Master's Degree in Counseling, both from Texas Tech University. Since 2003, Qualimetra has dedicated her career to proactively approaching mental health with elementary students, passionately working to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students and families.
She serves as a school counselor for Frenship ISD, a role she has grown in since 2012. In this capacity, she provides vital support to students, helping them navigate academic, social, and emotional challenges. Before her tenure at Frenship ISD, Qualimetra spent several years teaching at Rise Academy, a charter school in East Lubbock.
Qualimetra is known for her communication skills, creative problem-solving, and collaboration ability. Her approach is characterized by thinking outside the box, always striving to create environments where all people and peers feel included and valued. Additionally, she is adept at content creation, graphic design, and producing engaging newsletters that keep organizations informed and connected.
Beyond her professional life, Qualimetra is involved in the Lubbock community. She is the first Vice President of the Lubbock Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she leads initiatives in program planning and development, journalism and publication. She also serves as a board member for One Voice Home, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sex trafficking on their healing journey, and as the Vice President of the Southwest Aqua Sports booster board, where she advocates for youth sports and wellness.
A lover of game shows, Qualimetra’s quick wit and dynamic personality have led to notable appearances on television, including a family appearance on Family Feud. Her talents also earned her a spot in the final casting stages for a $100,000 Pyramid and an invitation to shoot a pilot for a virtual game show. She especially enjoys playing along with game shows from the comfort of her couch as a home contestant.
On a personal level, Qualimetra has been happily married to Duane Chapman since 2004. Together, they take great joy in raising their children and embracing the joys of grandparenthood. Whether at home with her family, engaging with her community, or working with students, Qualimetra's mission remains to affirm, inspire, and empower those around her.
Skylar Gallop is a communications strategist, political advocate, community organizer, and host of Hey Amarillo, a podcast that amplifies the voices, stories, and issues shaping her community and beyond. Her diverse professional background blends experience as a television news anchor and reporter, governmental relations specialist, and organizational leader—giving her a unique ability to tell meaningful stories, mobilize stakeholders, and spark community conversations.
In her career, Skylar has led communications strategies for statewide political campaigns, directed advocacy efforts for Texas public schools, and managed multi-channel messaging for major organizations. She is recognized for translating complex policy and social issues into clear, actionable communication that resonates with diverse audiences.
Skylar has served on numerous boards and commissions as a community leader, built cross-sector partnerships, and created programs to elevate emerging leaders. She approaches each project with a pragmatic mindset, collaborative spirit, and deep commitment to improving the communities she serves.
Skylar continues this mission through her podcast, which connects listeners to the people and ideas driving change, from local initiatives to global perspectives.
Skylar works as a Senior Regional Advocacy Director for Raise Your Hand Texas and supports area nonprofits in her role as a fundraising and marketing consultant. Skylar’s board service experience includes Elevate Amarillo, American Red Cross North Texas Region, and the City of Amarillo’s Parks and Recreation Department. She has been honored as Brick & Elm’s Advocate of the Year, Amarillo Globe-News’ Amarillo Citizen on the Move, and Amarillo Chamber of Commerce’s Top 20 Under 40.
Outside of her professional and civic work, Skylar is a proud mother of two young boys. She enjoys reading, gardening, camping, cooking, traveling, and hiking—always seeking new ways to connect with people and the world around her.
Elizabeth L. Lara is a native West Texan who grew up in El Paso and relocated to the Permian Basin in 2011. She lived there until 2021, spent a year in South Texas and then relocated to Lubbock to accept a position at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
She is currently the Director of Human Resources and Civil Service for the City of Lubbock and enjoys working with and serving those who keep the city running. Elizabeth is working toward her Public Management Certification through Texas Tech University. She holds two Master's Degrees: an MBA (University of Phoenix) and an MEd (New Mexico State University).
Elizabeth is the mother of three young adults, Desiree, Arianna and Jimmie, who settled in West Texas. She also has a fur baby named Patron and four fur grandbabies. Elizabeth is a Church on the Rock member and serves as a greeter in their Connect Ministry.
She also enjoys being physically active by attending local martial arts training and being an avid runner. Elizabeth looks forward to continuing to serve the community that she has grown to love by being an active member of an organization that assists families in their time of need.
Steven Maddux is the Senior Vice President of Finance for the UMC Health System. Steven was born and raised in Lubbock and earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Science of Accounting from Texas Tech University. He has been a CPA licensed in the state of Texas since July of 2022.
Prior to joining UMC 13 years ago, he worked for Tyler Technologies for over 9 years and Ernst & Young for around 2 years.
He is married to Jill, and together, they have a daughter, Addie, who attends Lubbock Christian School. He enjoys attending Addie’s various volleyball activities, traveling, hiking, and dove hunting, and he is an avid Texas Tech sports fan. His family is active at Live Oak Community Church.
Graduate of Texas A&M with a degree in elementary education/phycology. Born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. Currently support several boards in Amarillo and Canyon. Love to volunteer with various non profit agencies. Huge fan of the arts. Voted one of the five Outstanding Women in Women of Excellence in Lubbock, Texas and Outstanding Women in Beta Sigma Phi. Graduate of Leadership Amarillo and Canyon. My favourite Bible verse is John 3:16.