Karen Walter is the Area Director of Marketing & Business Development for Allen Premium Outlets. With over 25 years of experience in retail and brand marketing, Karen is passionate about connecting businesses to the community through events, partnerships, and initiatives. Previously, she held leadership roles with The Container Store, lululemon, and Neiman Marcus.
Karen has served in a variety of leadership and advisory roles, including President of the PTSA at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas. She earned special recognition for excellence in PTA leadership for the 2022-2023 school year, by the Texas PTA.
Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion Merchandising from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After living in Dallas for 20 years, she now resides in McKinney and enjoys pickleball, Pilates, and travel. Karen’s daughter is a junior at University of Texas-Austin, double majoring in dance and English.
Rodricka Taylor serves as the Coordinator for Superintendent and Board Services at Lovejoy Independent School District, where she supports executive leadership, board governance, policy, elections, public information, district-wide events, and community engagement. With over a decade of public-sector and legal experience, she is known for her strategic leadership, strong relationships with elected officials, and commitment to transparency and service.
A graduate of the Allen Chamber Leadership Class 35, Ms. Taylor helps facilitate the Chamber Leadership Alumni Committee and actively serves on the City of Allen Library Board. She holds degrees in Education and Political Science from Collin College and Texas Tech University and proudly calls Allen home.
Traci Markel is the Marketing Director for Watters Creek Village in Allen. With over 20 years of experience in retail marketing and community leadership, she connects local businesses with their community through events, promotions, and partnerships. Previously, she was the Marketing Director for Silver Sands Factory Stores, Citadel Outlets, Town & Country Village, and The Pruneyard Shopping Center.
Ms. Markel has served in numerous leadership, advisory, and volunteer opportunities with Chambers of Commerce in Florida and California, young professionals, fine arts organizations, mentorship programs, and countless hours volunteering for events and fundraisers. She performed, competed, and taught High School Colorguard for 21 years in Oklahoma and Florida.
Traci holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Oklahoma and is a graduate of Leadership Walton and Leadership Allen. She, her husband Matt, and their pets have been part of the Allen community for three years, enjoying local activities, travel, and wine tasting.
Scott Bolton is the Community Engagement Officer for Credit Union of Texas. In his role, he fosters relationships with the City, ISD, businesses and community organizations and identifies opportunities to collaborate and partner to make a difference in our community.
Scott’s career path has included business development work in the sports industry with teams and venues, including the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars and Texas Motor Speedway, and has found his calling in our community.
Lynn Whitcher is General Counsel of MD7, a digital infrastructure consultancy helping operators build a more connected world through mobile and satellite telecoms, and electric vehicle charging. She has been with the company since 2013 and helped spearhead the company’s U.S. headquarters relocation to Allen, Texas in 2021.
Prior to MD7, she practiced as both a complex commercial litigator and real estate transactional attorney at the international law firm, McGuireWoods, LLP.
Amanda Thrash, FACHE, has served as president of Texas Health Allen since July 3, 2022 and has primary oversight of daily operations and responsibility for the 88-bed hospital’s annual operating plan.
Thrash previously served as vice president, professional and support services, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. Her tenure with Texas Health extends much further, though. She started at Texas Health Dallas as an administrative resident in 2009, moving to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano in 2010. She became administrator of Texas Health Neighborhood Care & Wellness Prosper in 2016, serving in that role for two years.
Over the span of Amanda’s career, she has focused heavily on market strategy, physician relationships and streamlining hospital operations. Most recently, Amanda has been successful in growing EMS traffic, improving perioperative efficiencies and growing the cardiovascular and robotic service lines.
In her spare time, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband of seven years, Bucky, and their 3-year-old son, Beau. They love cheering on the TCU Horned Frogs during football season and entertaining friends in their home.
Traci Markel is the Marketing Director for Watters Creek Village in Allen. With over 20 years of experience in retail marketing and community leadership, she connects local businesses with their community through events, promotions, and partnerships. Previously, she was the Marketing Director for Silver Sands Factory Stores, Citadel Outlets, Town & Country Village, and The Pruneyard Shopping Center.
Ms. Markel has served in numerous leadership, advisory, and volunteer opportunities with Chambers of Commerce in Florida and California, young professionals, fine arts organizations, mentorship programs, and countless hours volunteering for events and fundraisers. She performed, competed, and taught High School Colorguard for 21 years in Oklahoma and Florida.
Traci holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Oklahoma and is a graduate of Leadership Walton and Leadership Allen Fairview. She, her husband Matt, and their pets have been part of the Allen
community for three years, enjoying local activities, travel, and wine tasting.
A proud Texan and longtime Allen resident, Catherine moved to the city in 1988 and has watched it grow from a small town to a vibrant community over the past 37 years. She earned her undergraduate degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and her MBA from Texas Woman’s University, blending her passion for learning with a deep love for her home state.
Married for 30 years and the mom of twin sons born on Christmas, Catherine brings the same dedication to her family as she does to her work.
As the CEO of RoofHero, Catherine brings a unique blend of expertise to the table. With 12+ years in construction and a 20-year career in IT Senior Leadership, she has revolutionized the residential roofing industry by merging technology with craftsmanship.
From software to shingles, Catherine is passionate about innovation and service. She takes pride in helping her Allen neighbors protect their homes with cutting-edge solutions, delivering quality and care with every project.
