Bandera County residents and chamber members are being asked to weigh in on both community leadership and local recognition as the Bandera County Chamber of Commerce opens voting for its 2026 Board of Directors while also collecting ballots for its annual “Best of the Best” awards ahead of the Chamber Awards Ceremony later this month.
The Chamber has three open director positions on its board, with ballots due by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, according to materials released by the organization. Community members are asked to review the nominees and vote for three candidates.
Nominees for the Board of Directors include Linda Wilder, Amanda Zaiontz, Donna Hall and Ruben Perales. Each candidate submitted a written summary outlining their background and reasons for seeking the position.
Wilder cited her experience as a local musician, former Chamber treasurer and secretary, and past financial operations manager with The Coca-Cola Co.
Zaiontz highlighted her ties to Bandera as a Bandera High School alumna and her role as assistant vice president and operations officer at TXN Bank’s Bandera branch.
Hall described her background in business strategy and community development, while Perales outlined his career in construction, land development and civic involvement, according to the materials.
Ballots for the director election may be returned by email, mail or in person at the Chamber office.
In addition to the board vote, the Chamber is accepting votes for its annual awards recognizing individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations for their service and contributions to the community.
Award categories include Cowboy Capital Award, Citizen( s) of the Year, Business Community Service Award and Non-Profit of the Year.
Nominees for Non-Profit of the Year include Helping Hand of Bandera County, Bandera Sports Complex and Arthur Nagel Community Clinic.
Chamber materials describe Helping Hand as providing emergency assistance and crisis intervention services, the Bandera Sports Complex as offering youth and family programming, and the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic as delivering cost-free healthcare services to qualifying Bandera County residents.
Business Community Service Award nominees include Buddy’s Water Well & Septic Service, Lowe’s Grocery and Hyo Silver.
According to Chamber materials, the businesses were nominated for their financial support, sponsorships, disaster assistance and ongoing involvement in community initiatives.
Citizen of the Year nominees include Amy Ouellette, Barbara Engel, Tim and Vanessa Churchman, and Jason Lopez.
Chamber materials state the nominees were selected for volunteer service, nonprofit leadership and long-term community involvement.
Cowboy Capital Award nominees include Carita Jundt, Western Trail Gunfighters and Wagon Rides of Bandera.
According to the Chamber, the nominees were recognized for promoting Bandera’s image as the Cowboy Capital of the World through tourism, historic interpretation and cultural programming.
Votes for both the Board of Directors and the annual awards may be submitted by email to the Chamber.
Winners will be announced during the Chamber Awards Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21, at The Longhorn at Wayback Texas in Bandera.
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