12/01/2025
Members of the Texarkana IT Professionals Association,
In 2016, I found myself in a season where professional networking became critical for my IT students. They were unsure about their next steps in their budding IT careers and weren’t yet familiar with Texarkana’s professional IT community. At that time, our group—previously known as the Texarkana Area IT Users Group—had dissolved in 2011 due to a lack of interest. However, the need for such a community had never gone away. With the help of like-minded members of the local IT community, we revived the group and renewed its focus on being a resource for our members, business stakeholders, and the Texarkana region at large. The response has been strong, and although participation has naturally ebbed and flowed, our members have continued to connect, learn, and contribute to the overall well-being of our greater community.
As a result of these shared efforts, many members—and many of my students—have gone on to found new businesses, advance existing ones, and become influential leaders throughout our region. Our membership has greatly benefited from the networking and learning opportunities this community has provided. Many of us have discovered our next career steps through this group, and we have gained insight into the unique challenges within the industries we support. I am grateful for the privilege of serving as Steering Committee Coordinator and as a member throughout these years of growth and collaboration.
At this time, I have entered a season where I must focus on health and family, and I can no longer serve effectively as Steering Committee Coordinator. Moving forward, the Steering Committee will select a new coordinator and begin planning for the year ahead. Please be watching for announcements regarding the December 6th Christmas Party and upcoming meetings in 2026.
Thank you for the trust and support you have shown me in this role, and for your ongoing commitment to networking, education, and strengthening Texarkana’s IT community.
In gratitude,
Joshua Dunkeson