Leadership Gillespie County Class of 2025 gathered for its final session on Wednesday, May 7, capping off a year-long journey of learning and leadership development. The focus of this final day was community infrastructure.

The day kicked off at Central Texas Electric Cooperative, where CEO Tachi Hinojosa welcomed the group with a presentation, a behind-the-scenes tour and a live demonstration. CTEC also provided its community room as the day’s venue and treated the class to a taco breakfast.

The morning featured talks from local experts, including surveyor Josh Leamons and civil engineer Mark Cornett, who offered a closer look at the foundational elements of infrastructure. County commissioners Don Weinheimer and Charles Olfers also shared their time, speaking with the group and fielding questions about the county’s needs and intitiatives.

During a lunch sponsored by Arrowhead Bank, the class sat through a talk led by Gillespie County Attorney Sara Neel. This was followed by presentations by Paul Babb from the Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District and Polly Rickert, vice chair of the City of Fredericksburg Planning and Zoning Commission. These speakers brought perspectives on the challenges and strategies related to sustainable development and growth in Gillespie County.

In the afternoon, City of Fredericksburg Director of Public Works Kris Kneese led the group through an informative tour of the Fredericksburg Wastewater Treatment Plant, offering a firsthand look at the crucial piece of city infrastructure.

To celebrate the completion of their year-long course, the group wrapped the day with a gathering at Hilda’s Tortillas.

The graduation ceremony was held on Friday, May 16, and was sponsored by Fischer & Wieser, who donated the space and treated graduates and guests to dinner and wine.