The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) welcomed new board members at its first meeting of the season Tuesday morning, held at the First Bank Southwest building. Newcomers Dean Crump, Randy Burkett, and Elliot McKinney joined the board for a productive session marked by optimism, collaboration, and a commitment to fiscal responsibility.
The meeting kicked off with a nod to tradition, as the board reviewed officer positions, despite there being no immediate changes needed.
“We put this item on the agenda, although we don’t really need to,” said Chair Alex Fairly. “But since you three guys haven’t been here, we thought it would be good to just bring it up and be sure everyone’s comfortable.”
Fairly confirmed he will continue as Chair and Dipak Patel as Vice Chair, a decision met with agreement from the board and the new members. The atmosphere was relaxed but forward-focused, as the newcomers signaled readiness to jump into the work ahead.
“It was great to have these new folks,” Fairly said, noting that the new members had already invested significant time touring AEDC-owned properties and meeting with staff prior to the meeting. “They came really super prepared, and I thought today was great… I think today was the best meeting I’ve been at.”
A Fresh Outlook on Familiar Challenges
Dean Crump expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to serve, emphasizing a commitment to making sound decisions for the benefit of Amarillo’s residents and long-term economic health.
“I’m just going to have a positive attitude about that and just make good decisions as they get presented,” Crump said. “The question I’ll always ask myself is, ‘Is this in the best interest of Amarillo and the citizens of Amarillo?’”
Randy Burkett echoed the sentiment, highlighting a shift toward more strategic financial stewardship, particularly in how the AEDC negotiates with businesses seeking local incentives.
“I kind of like the new direction,” Burkett said. “We’re moving toward negotiating a little bit more, rather than just handing companies money when they’re not asking for it. I think we can save a lot of money in tax abatements if we take that approach.”
He also pointed to discussions around managing AEDC’s investment portfolio as a bright spot in the meeting.
“I liked the idea of getting longer-term investments for better interest rates. It was a good topic,” Burkett said. “Let’s not give away the farm. Let’s negotiate going in, and reevaluate a few years down the road to see how much money we’ve actually saved taxpayers.”
A Positive Start
While Tuesday’s session was largely procedural, it marked a turning point for the AEDC board with fresh voices at the table and a sharpened focus on accountability and economic strategy. The blend of experience and new perspective was evident, with productive discussions taking place both in open session and behind closed doors during executive session.
Though new to their roles, the board members appeared unified in their shared goal: helping Amarillo grow — responsibly.
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