FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On December 2, Rolling Plains Management Corporation celebrated its 60th anniversary. The event was held in the Rolling Plains office complex in Crowell.
Debra Thomas, Executive Director, welcomed a number of guests including local officials, community members and former employees. Among the honored guests were Don Ross Malone and Felix Taylor, previous Executive Directors. Thomas presented a slide show showing the history of Rolling Plains, and was assisted with historical memories by Malone and Taylor.
The Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation was incorporated on September 30, 1965, as part of 1964 War on Poverty initiative by President Lyndon Johnson. The first Executive Director was Don Ross Malone, who began service as a volunteer. He served until 1969, when he was succeeded by Felix Taylor. Taylor served until 2012 and Thomas has been Executive Director since that time. In 1986, the organization was renamed to Rolling Plains Management Corporation by the board of directors.
The board was made up of public officials and community members. Thomas said the programs were a result of a number of community partners, including school districts and other community agencies.
The first programs for the organization included Head Start and literacy. The offices were based in the old community center in Crowell. The next programs included an LVN Nursing program, which graduated a number of Crowell and area residents. The LVN program was eventually transferred to Vernon College. State Representative Bill Heatly of Paducah was instrumental in securing funding for new initiatives.
In the 1970’s, services were added, including S.H.A.R.P. lines (“State Highway and Rolling Plains”) rural public transportation and weatherization programs, as well as a number of grant-based programs.
In 1982, Baylor county was added to the service area and, in the 1990’s, Wichita, Archer, Clay, Jack, Montague, and Young counties were added. Later, Wise county participated in weatherization programs and the Abilene area counties of Taylor, Shackelford, and were included. The central office has always remained in Crowell, expanding from the old community center to the former Foard County Hospital and adding two new complexes across from the hospital in 2024 and 2025. Funding for these expansions was primarily provided by the Texas Department of Transportation.
The staff grew from Malone as a single volunteer to some eight persons and now employs nearly 200 people, many of whom work in Crowell and contribute to the local economy. “None of this would have ever happened without the vision of Don Malone, Felix Taylor and our Board,” said Thomas. Malone commented, “You have made quite an enterprise.” Taylor and his family attended the celebration and Taylor was instrumental in helping to define the history of the organization.
Thomas sees a bright future for Rolling Plains Management and, she, along with the staff enjoy the work which she said makes a real difference in the lives of the persons in the area. “The people we work for really need us,” she concluded.
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Current and former Executive Directors of the Rolling Plains Management Corporation meet in Crowell for a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the organization. From left are current Executive Director Debra Thomas, first Executive Director Don Ross Malone and previous Director Felix Taylor.
Area officials and former and current board members of Rolling Plains Management Corporation meet in Crowell for the 60th anniversary celebration of the organization. From left are former board member and Wilbarger County Judge Greg Tyra, board member Toby Hines, former Executive Director Felix Taylor, former board member Juan Hinojosa, former board chair and Foard County Judge Mark Christopher, former board member Josh Wilder, former board member and Hardeman County Judge Ronnie Ingram, former board chair Gayle Simpson and current board chair and Mayor of Crowell Ronnie Allen.
