Young Professionals of Odessa

🌟 Introducing our First Keynote Speaker for YPOdessa’s Permian Basin Leadership Symposium! 🌟 Meet Sean Douglas, a U.S. Air Force Veteran, TEDx Speaker, Master Resilience Implementer, Suicide Awareness Trainer, and Business Positioning Strategist. Sean is also the founder of The Success Corps, helping entrepreneurs, speakers, and business owners elevate their market positioning. Join us to hear his inspiring journey and gain invaluable insights!

Join the Young Professionals of Odessa as we present our 2nd Annual Permian Basin Leadership Symposium (PBLS). To reserve sponsorships, or for more information, please contact PBLS@ypodessa.org.

Join us this Saturday, June 29th!

✨✨2024 ODESSA UNDER 40 HONOREE SPOTLIGHT✨✨ Trevor Howell Tankersley serves as the Public Relations Director for Medical Center Health System (MCHS), where he collaborates closely with the marketing department to manage all internal and external communications, including media inquiries, press releases, social media, and public information requests. During his tenure, Trevor played a pivotal role in navigating communication efforts during significant crises, including the August 2019 mass shooting and the Covid-19 pandemic. A graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism, Trevor furthered his education by earning a certificate in Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity in Healthcare from the University of Texas Permian Basin in 2023. Trevor's introduction to West Texas began as the Sports Director for Newswest 9 from 2009-2013, where he later transitioned to the news desk as an Evening Anchor until 2019. Active in the community, Trevor served as a former member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board in Midland and volunteered as a Leadership Coach with AVID at Bowie Middle School in Odessa. He is also a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Professional. Married to Melissa for nearly fifteen years, Trevor treasures his role as a father to their two sons, Tristan and Maverick. Family remains his top priority, driving his dedication to building a better community for future generations.

✨✨2024 ODESSA UNDER 40 HONOREE SPOTLIGHT✨✨ Tim embarked on his plumbing journey as an apprentice in 2008, steadily advancing to achieve his master plumber license in 2017. Despite humble beginnings and limited external support, he founded Doo-Right Plumbing through sheer determination and a bold leap of faith. Hailing from West Odessa and raised in a low-income household, Tim's resilience and self-reliance have been instrumental in shaping his trajectory to success. In addition to his plumbing expertise, Tim holds a certified med-gas license, specializing in medical gas installations for healthcare facilities. Despite the demands of his business, he generously volunteers as a youth football coach, nurturing young athletes in his community. His dedication to football and youth development underscores his commitment to giving back. Doo-Right Plumbing has earned a reputation for reliability and excellence, serving numerous homes and businesses across the Permian Basin and beyond. Tim's core values of treating customers like family and extending assistance to those in need reflect his integrity and compassion. Married to Sara Couch since 2007 and blessed with three children, Tim finds solace in fishing, football, and camping amidst his busy schedule. His adeptness at diagnosing plumbing issues remotely highlights his expertise and problem-solving skills, earning respect from both colleagues and clients alike. Tim's journey epitomizes perseverance and determination, exemplifying the adage, "if you want something done, do it yourself." Through hard work and unwavering dedication, he has not only established a thriving business but also emerged as a source of support and inspiration within his community.

✨✨2024 ODESSA UNDER 40 HONOREE SPOTLIGHT✨✨ Nidia Soriano is a dedicated leader and community advocate in Midland-Odessa, currently serving as the Community Engagement and Fundraising Director at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Permian Basin. In this role, Nidia spearheads fundraising efforts and cultivates community partnerships to ensure the sustainability of all five Permian Basin Clubs, providing a safe and nurturing environment for children to thrive. Nidia holds an associate degree in general studies from Odessa College and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication with a minor in Marketing from the University of Texas Permian Basin. Born and raised in Odessa as a first-generation Mexican-American, Nidia is the first in her family to attend college. Outside of her professional commitments, she owns Rory & Elle, a laser engraving business named after her children, Michael and Scarlett. Actively engaged in various community organizations, Nidia is a member of the Junior League of Odessa, Young Professionals of Odessa, and the St. Elizabeth’s ACTS community. She is also a graduate of the 2024 Odessa Leadership class with the Chamber of Commerce. Nidia's commitment to community service extends to initiatives like the Odessa Firefighter Project, where she coordinated the Christmas meal for all Odessa firefighters and made additional donations to Odessa Fire Rescue. She also plays a key role in organizing West Odessa’s literacy event, focusing on the Spanish-speaking community. Nidia firmly believes in leveraging God-given talents to contribute to the betterment of the community, striving to build a brighter future for Odessa's generations to come.

✨✨2024 ODESSA UNDER 40 HONOREE SPOTLIGHT✨✨ Sammy Medina is the Owner and Director of Operations for Scout Aviation, responsible for overseeing the helicopter flight school and commercial operations spanning various sectors. His company, Scout Aviation, actively contributes to the community through participation in events such as the special needs prom Love Without Limits Gala, offering free helicopter rides. Additionally, Scout Aviation serves as an airport drop-off location for the Toys for Tots Foundation, and provides complimentary youth discovery intro flights at the Midland Airpark and Odessa Schlemeyer Field. Sammy's dedication to serving others has earned him recognition, including a nomination for Veteran Business Owner of the Year by the Small Business Development Center, and a recognition award from the SBDC in October 2023. Sammy's journey from humble beginnings to fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a pilot involved serving 8 years in sniper and recon roles in the Marine Corps before settling in West Texas to establish Scout Aviation. Inspired by his own experiences, Sammy is committed to providing opportunities for the youth of Odessa. His vision is to grow the aviation industry in West Texas and expand community outreach initiatives, making aviation accessible to all residents of Odessa. These initiatives include Christmas light flights, gender reveals, sunset tours, and assisting ranchers with predator control. Sammy aims to collaborate with local colleges to establish aviation degree programs, fostering opportunities for aspiring pilots

✨✨2024 ODESSA UNDER 40 HONOREE SPOTLIGHT✨✨ Rachel Irene Johnson serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at The University of Texas Permian Basin instructing nursing students within the BSN program. A dedicated leader and community member, Rachel actively participates in various religious and community organizations, notably serving her local church and acting as a campus organization sponsor. She is a proud graduate of Odessa High School, Odessa College, and UTPB. In her role as a Nursing Professor, Rachel brings a wealth of expertise, including conducting assessments of student learning outcomes, implementing patient safety strategies, developing medical-surgical nursing curriculum, and fostering strong relationships with students to support their professional development. Rachel is also deeply involved in volunteer work, annually providing first aid at the airshow alongside her students, volunteering at various university events, and contributing to the Life Challenge Youth Committee. She has previously been involved with Big Brother Big Sister. Rachel’s dedication has garnered recognition, including the UTPB Nursing Caring Award in 2015 and multiple Daisy Nominations from 2020 to 2022. Educationally, Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Permian Basin and a master’s in public health from Grand Canyon University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing Practice at Chamberlain University.

✨✨2024 ODESSA UNDER 40 HONOREE SPOTLIGHT✨✨ Matthew Alvarez serves as the Morning News Anchor/Executive Producer at CBS7 where he not only delivers the daily news but also oversees the production of the morning show and the noon newscast. In his role as Executive Producer, Matthew provides guidance, mentorship, and support to other journalists in the newsroom, ranging from Producers to Reporters. A native of Odessa, Matthew is a proud graduate of Odessa High School and continues his education at Odessa College. His journey into journalism began during his time at Odessa High School, where he participated in essay and short story contests, eventually leading to a position on the school newspaper. By enrolling in extracurricular classes, he laid the foundation for his career in journalism. After high school, Matthew secured an internship at CBS7 while pursuing a degree in Mass Communication. Through dedication and perseverance, he transitioned into a full-time role as a Digital Content Producer within a few months. Progressing steadily in his career, he was promoted to the position of Producer for the 6pm broadcast. Through hard work and commitment, Matthew has attained the role he currently holds. Beyond his professional duties, Matthew actively contributes to his community by emceeing various non-profit fundraisers. He believes that dedication, hard work, and determination are the driving forces behind a thriving community. Matthew sees his role as a news anchor as a public service, a responsibility he approaches with the utmost integrity and professionalism. He is dedicated to upholding the highest standards while serving the West Texans with accurate and reliable news coverage.