Thank You, Mayor Deaver
by Jeremy Vickers, Associate Vice President, External Affairs
Thank you, Mayor Deaver!
The passing of a torch is a seminal moment in many people’s lives that we often take for granted. This month, November, many changes are occurring in our lives, in our communities and in our country. When we look back upon a season, I hope that we may reflect upon those things, those moments that were good, that challenged us, and that ultimately created positive change because isn’t positive change the purpose of leadership? Leaders play many important functions in our society, but in our community, leaders are positioned to facilitate impactful change for the common good. Mayor Kyle Deaver, today I would like to say THANK YOU for your leadership and THANK YOU for the positive, impactful change you have made in Waco!
The definition of a leader is a bit of a moving target. Some may say they possess a certain set of physical qualities (well spoken, bright smiles, charisma and energy), while others say leadership is not something that can be defined. Personally, I think leadership is somewhat in the eye of the beholder and that success depends all too often on the frame in which the follower is looking. From where I am standing, however, Mayor Deaver fits the part.
It is true that Mayor Deaver led Waco in a prosperous time in which Magnolia has contributed significantly to the economic progress of our region. It may also be said that Mayor Deaver sat on a City Council with amazing leaders, cohesive in their culture and fiercely committed to the progress of Waco for all. Others yet might point to strong city management and staff with the City of Waco. All true, I would agree. It may also be said that a good leader has tendency to enhance the work of those around them, empower followers and colleagues towards action, inspire change, and humbly stand behind others to ensure credit is shared. These are the characteristics of Mayor Deaver. A civil servant, community leader, loyal husband and father, strategic business leader, and passionate friend of Baylor University.
As you sit down and reflect upon the year past, the difficult times behind and ahead with the pandemic, the impending financial crisis, the polarizing political climate, and the uncertainty within our economy, please remember the quiet and strong leadership of Kyle Deaver. Recall how he stood firm in his values and convictions to protect our community and pull together health, education, nonprofit, civic, business, and other leaders to limit the impact of this pandemic on our community. Remember still the difficult decisions he made and the sleepless nights as new cases slowly climbed. Know he shed tears of sorrow with his community at each and every life that was lost in this battle for public health and safety. Please do not forget his sacrifice of time to serve in an unpaid position, to lead a community through one of its most difficult crises in a generation or more, and how he stayed strong in the months after he was supposed to retire as mayor. Thank you for your leadership, Mayor Deaver!
Let us each spend time this season and think about those leaders who’ve made an impact in our lives, let us thank them for their service, and remember their sacrifices.