The Chamber

Chamber Programs: Leadership Lufkin

Silver Spike Award

JACK O. (BUTCH) MCMULLEN SILVER SPIKE AWARD

Since 1991, a graduate of the Leadership Lufkin program has been honored with the Jack O. (Butch) McMullen Silver Spike Award each year. Named in honor of Butch McMullen, of the Angelina and Neches River Railroad, the award is presented to an outstanding member of the alumni who has excelled in their role as a leader.

The nominees should demonstrate leadership in their profession, church, and/or community, and be an inspiration to others to be involved in the community and plan for the future of Angelina County.

For more information, contact Susie Cardwell at (936) 634-6644 or scardwell@lufkintexas.org.

To view a list of Leadership Lufkin Alumni eligible for the honor, view the Alumni List.

2008 Jack O. (Butch) McMullen Silver Spike Award

The Leadership Lufkin alumni presented the prestigious Jack O. (Butch) McMullen Silver Spike award for 2008 to Judge Paul Parker at the June First Friday Luncheon at Crown Colony Country Club.

Paul White - Silver Spike Award Winner - 2008

Paul White has been District Judge of the 159th Judicial District in Angelina County since March 2001. Prior to taking the bench, he was an attorney and partner at Zeleskey Cornelius Hallmark Roper Hicks L.L.P. from 1978 to 2001. He has served this community in many ways since moving here with his wife, Janet. They have three children, Meredith, Michael, and Marshall.

Judge White was almost solely instrumental in developing and implementing the Drug Court in Angelina County. The Drug Court has been immensely successful in changing peoples’ lives to avoid the vicious cycle of repeat drug offenses in the criminal justice system. All of this is done in addition to the existing workload of a state District Judge.

White is currently an Elder at Central Church of Christ, where he has also served as Deacon of Education, and has been the teacher of many adult and high school Bible classes over the years. He has served our community as a coach for Lufkin Youth Baseball, as well as Angelina Youth Soccer Association. Judge White was also a graduate of the 1984-1985 Leadership Lufkin class. He has taught cooking classes at the Mosaic Center, a little known skill that he has mastered over the years. Most recently, he has served as President of the Lufkin Sideliners, committee member of the Angelina County Health District Board, and committee member of the Angelina County Vision 2020 program.

The Silver Spike award is named in honor of Butch McMullen, who was a graduate of one of the first Leadership Lufkin classes. During his short lifetime of 38 years, he lived an exemplary life, being a leader in his work, his church, and community. He was a role model to all who knew him, encouraging them to contribute to the community and plan for its future. The Silver Spike award is designed to honor annually one Leadership Lufkin alumni for work over time that demonstrates these outstanding leadership qualities in all areas of their life.

Previous Silver Spike Winners

1991	Trey Henderson	1992	Sheila Telford
1993	Dr. Patricia McKenzie	1994	Ronnie Robinson
1995	Kevin Smithhart	1996	Bettie Williams
1997	Connie Kennedy	1998	David Perkins
1999	Patricia Jones	2000	Dr. Sidney Roberts
2001	Bonnie Denmon	2002	Debbie Newson
2003	Randy George	2004	Todd Kassaw
2005	Andra Self	2006	Emily Watts
2007	Anita Caraway	2008	Paul White