Board of Directors
Trevor Barnes, '06
Board President
District 2 | Lubbock, Abilene and surrounding areas
Trevor Barnes graduated from West Texas A&M University in 2006 with a degree in Criminal Justice - Policing. Trevor excelled while at WT in Residence Hall Association where he served as the President. He is an advocate for WT on a daily basis. "WT has lasting positive memories left with everyone that I come across that is an Alum. I believe WT Alumni Association is heading in the right direction with a positive progression, I'm excited to help in whatever way I can."
He became a police officer in 2006 and since 2013 has been serving as the Chief of Police for the City of Slaton where he was named “Man of the Year 2018.” Trevor enjoys building metal buildings, hunting, and fishing when off-duty.
Kerry Thomas ’82
President-Elect
At Large Member | Denver, Colorado
Kerry Thomas graduated from West Texas A&M in 1982. She is originally from Lubbock and chose WT because she wanted to get her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has practiced at Scott & White in Temple, Omaha, NE, and now Denver, all in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Kerry is very active in quality work and serves as the liaison between staff and families who have graduated from NICU and continually give back to the unit. She is currently involved with a NICU Wall of Hope project to inspire families who are experiencing the challenges of their NICU journey.
Kerry enjoys being active in the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Colorado Mountain Club, and anywhere her camera lens takes her. The Panhandle of Texas will always hold a special place in her heart, and she loved her years at WT.
“I truly love young people and look forward to representing and encouraging those from Colorado to consider a collegiate education in Canyon, Texas!”
Caryn Crutchfield ’94
District 3 | Midland, Odessa, west to El Paso, Texas
California native, Caryn , first learned of West Texas A&M University as a high school student while studying with Robert Krause, the Professor of Oboe at WTAMU, at the Interlochen Fine Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan. Caryn first visited WTAMU in January of 1990, and she immediately knew that WT was the place for her. While at WTAMU she obtained a Bachelor of Music (1994) and a Master of Music (1996) in Oboe Performance.
Upon graduation, Caryn auditioned for the Midland-Odessa Symphony and became the principal oboist. She has remained in Midland since graduating from WT, and is in her twenty-fifth season with the Midland-Odessa Symphony. Caryn was privileged to be the guest soloist with the MOSC in 2012, and she will be the guest artist again in January, 2021.
She has performed with numerous orchestras throughout Texas as a freelance musician, and has had the privilege to perform at the Texas Bandmasters’ Association with the WTAMU Director’s Band and the WTAMU Alumni Band. She performs regularly as a member of the West Texas Winds woodwind quintet and teaches at Bowie Fine Arts Elementary School, The University of Texas, Permian Basin, and the West Texas A&M Band Camp.
She is married to Kevin, a physical therapist and violinist, and has three children.
Debbie Farnum '71, '94
Past President
District 6 | San Antonio, Austin, Waco and south Texas
Debbie worked in the meetings industry for over fourteen years following many years in the education field. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and her Masters of Education in Education from West Texas A&M University. As an educator, she taught in River Road ISD, Dumas ISD, Canyon ISD, and the Martin County School District (Stuart, FL) before moving to Austin in 2001. A chance encounter with a fellow graduate of WTAMU led to her being hired as the Meeting Planner for the Texas Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors in 2001. In 2006 she moved to the Texas Association of School Boards, Inc., as Senior Meeting Planner and retired from TASB in April 2015.
Debbie is a member of Meeting Professionals International – Texas Hill Country Chapter (MPI THCC) and the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE). For MPI THCC she has served as VP of Finance and two terms as president (2008-2009 and 2016-2017) and on many chapter committees.
She earned the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2006. Debbie was the recipient of the MPI – Texas Hill Country Chapter Planner of the Year Award in 2007 and 2011. She also served on the MPI Global Professional Development Task Force in 2018-19.
She was an active 4-H leader in both Moore and Potter counties and served as president of the 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association of Texas in 1998-1999 after having been active in that association for many years. Debbie received the Texas 4-H Salute to Excellence Award in 1990.
Debbie and her husband, Bill, were married 49 years before his passing, and have two children and nine grandchildren. Debbie lives in South Austin and spends much of her time with her precious grandchildren, serving at her parish, traveling, and cooking.
Tim Bynum ‘05
At Large Member | Amarillo, Texas
Tim graduated from WT in 2005 with a BS degree in Agricultural Business & Economics. As of member of Phi Delta Theta and numerous other student organizations, he developed invaluable leadership skills through campus activities and was recognized as the Outstanding Student Organization President, WT Homecoming King and was a finalist for WT Man of the Year.
Passionate about education, Tim has spent his career helping others access the same kind of wonderful opportunities that he experienced at WT. After serving WT as both Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the WT Foundation, Bynum formed the non-profit advancement and management consulting firm, Bynum Philanthropic Consulting, LLC in 2018. Additionally, he serves as the Executive Director of Opportunity Plan, Inc., a non-profit educational scholarship and loan organization that awards in excess of $1M in college scholarships to area students annually.
His passion for education is evident in his volunteer leadership as well, being both a past president of the Amarillo Education Foundation and a founding board member of the Bushland Education Foundation.
Tim’s wife, Charlotte, is also a proud alumnus of WT. They and their 3 children, Cale, Cortlyn and Brittan reside in Bushland. They are members of Central Church of Christ in downtown Amarillo, where Tim serves as a Deacon.
Reverend Dr. Dewey D. “Buddy” Wheat, Jr., DMin.
At Large Member | Gatesville, Texas
Buddy was born in the Rio Grande Valley, raised in Texas, and calls Pampa, Texas his hometown. While attending WT State University, he was a four-year member of the Buff Band, Kappa Kappa, Psi, and Scabbard & Blade. Graduating as a Distinguished Military Student in 1973 he was commissioned into the Field Artillery of the Regular Army and served until retirement in 2003 with the rank of Colonel. He is a decorated veteran of three combat tours (South Lebanon, 1984; Desert Storm, 1991; Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, 2002). He also shares the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize with other peacekeepers for his service as an unarmed observer in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (Palestine) while serving on the Golan Heights, Israel and Tyre, South Lebanon.
After retirement, Buddy accepted God’s call to the ministry and attended Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania as a Presbyterian. Graduating with honors, he was ordained and installed to two rural churches in Juniata County, Pennsylvania. In 2010, he returned to Texas after 37 years and is currently the pastor of The Presbyterian Church, Gatesville, Texas. He received his Doctorate of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston, Massachusetts, May 2015.
In May 1999, Buddy was designated a “Distinguished Alumnus” of WT. He was nominated by Evelyn and Weldon “Bird Dog” Trice (his high school vice principal and Dean of Men at WT) and introduced by Dr. Gary Garner. In October 2002, he was inducted into the Pampa High School “Hall of Fame”. In 2019, he was made an honorary member of the Texas A&M Chancellor’s Century Council.
Buddy has always supported WT since his graduation and has sponsored several students attending WT. He and his wife of 49 years, Gayle Miller Wheat (BMEd, WT ’73) have been members of the Alumni Association for many years (White Buffalo and Phoenix Club). He also has lifetime memberships in the U.S. Army War College Association, Military Officers Association of America, 82d Airborne Division Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, A.A.&F.M. (Gatesville Lodge No.197), Scottish Rite (Waco Consistory), and the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (SMOTJ).
In 2015, the Wheats relocated just north of Gatesville to their small ranch, “Morning Star”, with their horses, therapy dogs, and “Beauford” (his buffalo yard sculpture). Presently, he has no plans of retiring from the ministry. Buddy is honored to be a member of the Board and is looking forward to assisting in getting the word out about WT. GO BUFFS!!!
J'Lynn Newman Wheeler '80
At Large Member | Georgetown, Texas
J'Lynn Wheeler has worked with several non-profits in Midland including Court Appointed Special Advocates, Midland Rape Crisis and Children's Advocacy Center, Community Partners of Midland, and Midland Need to Read while raising two daughters, Laura and Melissa with her husband of 32 years, Mark. In fact, J'Lynn and Mark met at WTSU and married three months after graduating.
J'Lynn previously earned her Masters in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University New Orleans. She retired from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee in May 2023.
J'Lynn and Mark enjoy traveling and stay on the road as much as possible - especially if the destination involves fly-fishing.
“The next best thing to being a student at WT is becoming involved as an alumnus.”
Milton J. Guerrero '16
At Large Member | Amarillo, Texas
Milton has spent most of his life in the Amarillo area. A 2011 graduate of Caprock High School, he began his academic journey at West Texas A&M University (WT) that same year.
During his time at WT, Milton was actively involved in campus life, participating in organizations such as the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and various engineering clubs. He served as a Resident Assistant at Buff Hall for three years and later as an Assistant Area Coordinator at Jones Hall for one year. Additionally, he worked for two years as a tutor with Educational Services, helping students navigate challenges in math and engineering. In August 2016, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Professionally, Milton has worked at Pantex and currently holds a role at Xcel Energy, where he specializes in engineering and quality assurance. Beyond his career, he is deeply committed to community service, volunteering with organizations such as the Texas Ramp Building Project, Wesley Community Center, and High Plains Food Bank. His dedication to both his profession and community was recognized in 2019 when he was named Hispanic Man of the Year.
Outside of work and volunteer efforts, Milton enjoys spending time with his son, AJ, and his goddaughter, Bella.
J Rhett Parker, BFA ‘94
At Large Member | Post, Texas
J Rhett Parker is a proud second-generation graduate of West Texas A&M University, where he began his studies in 1990 and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1994. During his time at WT, Rhett was deeply involved in campus life, serving in Student Senate, the Student Activities Council, Greek Council, and as President of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He fondly remembers his three years as Homecoming Float Chairman, leading teams that earned multiple first-place finishes. His pride in WTAMU continues today through his collection of Buffaloes and university memorabilia.
Following graduation, Rhett built a career in graphic design and marketing in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, working with companies such as SEI Incentives and Pier 1 Imports. After marrying his college sweetheart, Stacy Parker (WTAMU Class of 1996), the couple returned to West Texas to serve as house parents at the Children’s Home of Lubbock.
Rhett later transitioned into public administration, earning his Certified Public Manager (CPM) designation from Texas Tech University and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Texas at Arlington. He served as City Administrator for the City of Ralls, Texas, for 11 years before moving to Central Texas to serve as City Manager of Cameron, Texas, for eight years. Driven by his deep roots and love for West Texas, Rhett returned to the region to serve as City Manager of Post, Texas, where he and his family are proud to call home.
Rhett and Stacy have two daughters who attend Post High School and are hopeful future Buffs. Together, they are committed to community service and maintaining strong ties to West Texas and WTAMU.
Richard Wygle ’87
At Large Member | Flower Mound, Texas
Richard Wygle graduated from West Texas State University in 1987. Following graduation, he spent several years in the Los Angeles area before relocating to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, where he currently resides with his wife. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1997 and is also a Certified Management Accountant.
Mr. Wygle serves as Chief Financial Officer of Megatel Homes and Megatel Capital Investments, a privately held homebuilder and private equity fund. Throughout his career, he has focused extensively on the real estate industry, with experience in homebuilding, student housing, and multifamily development.
He is a member of the Alumni Board for West Texas A&M University and remains actively engaged in supporting the university’s mission and growth. Mr. Wygle and his wife, Lizsette, have two grown children.