Unlock Effective Community Engagement: A Deep Dive into Amarillo’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Plan 

Shari is the Community Engagement Manager for the City of Amarillo’s Planning Department, where she plays a vital role in bridging the gap between the city and its residents and businesses. She is dedicated to fostering open communication, building trust, and ensuring a collaborative relationship with the community. Prior to her work in Amarillo, Shari served as a Library Director in Oklahoma. With a strong passion for connecting with others, continuous learning, and serving the public, Shari is committed to making a positive impact in her community.

Joy is the Senior Communications Officer for the City of Amarillo’s Office of Engagement and Innovation, where she has led strategic planning and engagement for city initiatives for three years. An award-winning communications professional, Joy brings 18 years of experience in municipal government across Illinois and Texas. She is deeply passionate about community communications and is currently collaborating with Amarillo’s new Innovation Team to drive impactful change.

Jon is the Grants and Special Projects Manager for the City of Amarillo’s Planning Department. In this role, he plays a key part in advancing funding initiatives that promote community growth and development. A United States Air Force veteran, Jon applies his strategic thinking and strong leadership skills to municipal planning. With an MBA and a strong dedication to public service, he is committed to securing the resources that will shape Amarillo’s future.

Yige “Eagle” Tang, AICP, EIT, is a Senior Associate at TGC. She is responsible for safety-focused project development and design and managing and coordinating safety grants. With a background in engineering and planning and seven years of experience, Eagle assesses the feasibility of proposed planning projects, ensures compliance with local and state standards, and evaluates projects through cost-benefit analyses. She is passionate about developing projects that reduce crashes and save lives, while also securing funding for safety-focused initiatives. Eagle holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Texas A&M University and a Master of Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia.

Melissa leads implementation and adoption at Social Pinpoint, specializing in designing and optimizing digital engagement strategies for transportation, urban planning, and infrastructure projects. With five years of experience in community engagement, she empowers organizations to leverage digital tools for meaningful public participation effectively. Passionate about streamlining processes and enhancing user experiences, Melissa works closely with partner organizations to deliver impactful and lasting engagement outcomes.

Chris is a Strategic Account Manager at Social Pinpoint, where he focuses on building strong, long-term relationships with clients and providing solutions that drive business growth and community engagement. Before this, he was the Sales Director at MetroQuest, specializing in public engagement software for urban planning. With over 20 years of experience in software and information services, Chris is dedicated to delivering impactful solutions for businesses and communities.