MEET THE AMBASSADORS
This team is a huge help in the success of the Chamber. Being an Ambassador of the Chamber is the key to networking and being in the community. As an Ambassador, they serve as a goodwill representative of the organization that works for business and community interests in Palestine. The role of an Ambassador is very important and rewarding. They meet new people, make new friends and make our community a better place - all at the same time. We are looking for great people to join this team.
Sarah Lee
President
Born and raised in Palestine, Texas during the 70's lol. 3 children, a daughter, 2 bonus children, set of boy girl twins, 2 son in laws and one daughter in law. Four grandchildren with number 5 debuting January 2024! Married to high school sweetheart Chad Lee. Long term ambassador for the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce and current Ambassador President. Current Vice President of Public Relations for the Palestine Toastmasters Club. Have served on the board of the local Rotary Club, past member of the Palestine Junior Service League, Grapeland Lions Club and served as Chairman of the Pastine Health Advisory Association for 8 years. Currently work for a group of radio stations throughout Texas into Oklahoma including our very own hometown favorite KYYK 98.3 in Palestine!
Sara Hewitt
President-Elect
Senior Ambassador
I was born in Havana, Cuba 4 months after Fidel Castro took power. In 1961, our family fled Cuba and moved from the East Coast to the West Coast to the South in pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. In Birmingham, Alabama in 1980, I received my B.S. in Business, Magna Cum Laude (double major in Accounting and Spanish) and my Juris Doctor Cum Laude at Cumberland School of Law in 1983. Post-law school, I began my legal career in Dallas where I met and married my husband, Christopher M. Hewitt. We raised and educated two sons and now have our first grandchild. I spent the greater portion of my career in Poverty Law as Of Counsel for the Dallas Tenants’ Association and Managing Attorney for the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. I retired and we moved to Palestine in 2021 and I joined the Palestine Chamber as an Ambassador in 2022. In 2023, I became a Senior Ambassador under the sponsorship of ETexRadio Group. Currently, I am President-elect of the Ambassadors and look forward to assuming that role in 2025. Aside from my responsibilities with the Chamber, I enjoy participating in arts and crafts, attending cultural events, book club, bowling, bridge, Bunko, dancing, golf, hiking, holiday decorating, mah jongg, mixology, pickle ball, reading, downhill skiing, rock collecting, thrifting, Toastmasters, and volunteering. Once my husband fully retires we hope to travel in the States and overseas.
Bekah Harris
Secretary
I was raised in the Texarkana, TX area where I worked in customer service mainly in the Retail world. I transplanted to Palestine/Elkhart area three years ago because I was always traveling up here to go to the different community events and festivals. So I decided to make this community my home and finish raising my 3 children here. I am the office manager at J&B Security where I get to work with amazing people providing all your security needs.
Carol Metteauer
I was born and raised in Victoria, Texas. I have lived in Freer, Kingsville, and moved to Palestine in 1979. I have two children, both married and living in the San Antonio and Fort Worth areas. They have given me five grandsons, two of which are now marries, so now I have four granddaughters, and a great grandson. We moved to Palestine in August of 1979. I went to work for Don Bell Insurance in April 1980. I worked for him until his death in 2007. I was given the opportunity to continue the business and I accepted the challenge. I have expanded the business to now include Medicare products as well as life insurance. I love Palestine and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Being an Ambassador for the Palestine Chamber has been so rewarding. I love being able to support our local small businesses.
Ally Hauck
My name is Ally Hauck, and I am the Admissions and Marketing Director for Legacy at Town Creek. My husband (Josh) and I are blessed to have 4 amazing sons, 2 who have flown the nest, and 2 who are still eating all of our food. We spend our free time restoring classic cars (mostly him), and buying "way too many" plants (not him). If you see me around town, feel free to say hello!
Martha Tyer
I have been a Chamber Ambassador for 8 years and enjoy doing what I can for the community, as well as meeting new people. I am the Branch Manager for Commercial bank of Texas in Elkhart and have been in banking for 30 years. My husband owns and operates a business in Palestine as well. I have 4 children and 2 grandchildren that I love spending time with. In my free time I love being outdoors and traveling with my husband and girlfriends.
Fred Mahaffey
Owner/CEO of Mahaffey Insurance Agency
Going on 2 years with the Palestine Chamber, I am no stranger to Palestine. With 35+ years in senior management and 25+ years in Healthcare I decided that I wanted to take my passion for helping people to the next level by helping them find affordable but effective healthcare. Having been involved with the Palestine Chamber in the past I joined the Chamber and became an Ambassador so that I could help the businesses in town realize the importance of an active chamber for small businesses. I am a licensed agent and Healthcare Specialist Helping Individuals, Families and Small Businesses find affordable health insurance.
Mireya Ferretiz
I was born and raised in Palestine, TX. I have worked at J and K Electrical Services for almost a year. Working for J and K Electrical Services has given me the opportunity to be part of the Palestine Chamber Ambassador Program. I have been a Chamber Ambassador for almost one year, and I have greatly enjoyed giving back to the community. Being part of the Chamber of Commerce has blessed me with meeting new people and businesses. I enjoy spending time with all my family and friends.
Misty Williamson
I am a dedicated Chamber Ambassador, while I work for All Star Ford. I have been married to my High School sweetheart for 38 years and balancing the roles of a loving mother to two and a proud grandmother of four. I have a passion for community engagement and fostering connections for businesses and residents alike. I moved to Palestine in May of 2018, served as a Woman of Hope for the Silent in 2023 which enables my family values and commitment to shine through in my efforts to build a thriving and close-knit community!
Sennen Anyanwu
I have been a Customer Service Coordinator at Rise Local since 2022 and am proud to call Palestine my current home. I love to travel outside of the United States and enjoy soccer, basketball, and football as my hobbies.
Dollinda Toole
I was born and raised in Palestine. I have one daughter and two grandsons. I have worked for Commercial Bank of Texas for a little over a year now. I love and enjoy working in the community, volunteering and being a Chamber Ambassador. I strive to meet new people and tell them what Palestine has to offer. Being an Ambassador has opened up new relationships with not only businesses, but new friends as well. I take my role very serious and enjoy every minute of it.
Feras Qafaf
Feras Qafaf, a dynamic entrepreneur, restaurateur, and accomplished business professional. With a proven track record in the culinary and business realms, I have seamlessly blended my entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for creating exceptional dining experiences. Known for my strategic acumen, I've successfully navigated the challenges of the business world, leaving an indelible mark on both the culinary and entrepreneurial landscapes. My name is synonymous with innovation, excellence, and a commitment to shaping the future of the industries I touch.
As a visionary entrepreneur and restaurateur, I've carved a niche in the culinary world, blending my passion for business with a love for creating delightful dining experiences. With a keen eye for market trends and a taste for innovation, I've successfully launched and managed diverse dining establishments, earning a reputation for culinary excellence and strategic business acumen. My journey is defined by a commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and a relentless pursuit of elevating the gastronomic landscape.
Anneita Piediscalzi
I am a member of Lone Pine Baptist Church. I was born in Brownsboro, Texas. My parents moved to Houston with me when I was 9 months old, and that I where I was raised. After marriage, I loved in the Houston area before relocating to Palestine in 1973. My children were raised in Palestine. I am a proud mother of 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. I am also the Broker/Owner of Global Realty Service.
Amelia Davis
I am the Sales Director for Dogwood Trails Assisted Living and Memory Care here in Palestine, I have been with the company for a little under a year now. I am married to my amazing husband of nine years now and we have three fur babies. I have a passion for helping my community through helping meals on wheel, being an Altrusa member, and being a part of Elmwood Volunteer Fire Department. My goal is to help Dogwood Trails Assisted living and Memory Care grow to its fullest potential through new relationships and community outreach. I look forward to being a Chamber Ambassador for the first time.
Celia Polster
I work as a Health & Wellness Trainer with ‘Positively Helping Consultants’ on Facebook in order to support my passion for art and for Palestine. Supporting local businesses and putting out the call to “shop local” is extremely important to me. Being a member of the Palestine area Chamber of Commerce allows me the opportunity to meet and support new businesses to our beautiful town. Supporting all these businesses is my business. I am the Executive Director of the Dogwood Arts Council, a Palestine non-profit organization. Our focus is on collaboration between nonprofits and other organizations, which bring the arts in other forms to Palestine. We invite these representatives of the arts to be representatives on our arts council. As an arts council, we are passionate about the goal of seeing Palestine become an epicenter for arts in East Texas. With that goal in mind, we focus our art events in the Downtown Palestine area to support our Main Street businesses. I always offer a smile to everyone I see and look for the good which is always around me. A sense of humor is an essential part of my life, and I strive to use my ability to promote, fundraise, organize people, and see the big picture for art events for DAC. I love calling Palestine home. My work with the Chamber and the DAC is a gift of love from my heart to my hometown.
Ginger Pierce
My name is Ginger Pierce. I was born and raised in Tyler, TX. I’ve been through many up and downs in life and one thing about me, I’m a survivor. I moved to Palestine 22 years ago to give my daughter a better life. Since then, I also had a son, who graduated high school this past year. I have never regretted coming to this wonderful, small town, full of some of the best people I have ever known. Best decision of my life. And I am happy to serve this community.
Cindy Hancock
Senior Ambassador
I was born and raised in Palestine and graduated from Westwood High School in 1976. I worked at Westwood Jr High school as a baker, then at Westwood Primary as a teacher's aide. I went to work at Palestine Regional Medical Center in Physical therapy, and then to work with John Rolander at Trinity Physical Therapy. I married and moved to Henderson where I lived for 21 years, then we moved back to Palestine. I have 2 grown children, Mark Howell and Angela Howell-Fields, 2 grandsons Brandon Howell and Rooke Fields, and 3 great grandchildren, Landon, Karsyn, and Kyndall. I enjoy life and keeping my grandkids.
Annette Bussey
Senior Ambassador
I was raised in Palestine and graduated from Westwood High School in 1976. I worked at Memorial Hospital as a LVN after achieving my RN license went to University of Texas Medical Branch where I worked from 20 years until retirement.
Cynthia Castleberry
I am a realtor and have earned the highly respected Accredited Land Consultant designation. I have worked with CENTURY 21 Gold Award Realty since 2017. I live in Anderson County and love Palestine. My favorite place to go clothes shopping in Palestine is CO-ED Shop, and I buy my shoes across the street at L&L Shoe Store.