1. June 9, 2014
San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce
202 N. CM Allen Pkwy
San Marcos, TX 78666
RE: 2014 Shining Stars Under 40
Selection Committee,
I am nominating Jenny Leidecker for 2014 Shining Stars Under 40. There are many reasons I feel Jenny is a perfect
candidate for this recognition. I met Jenny over a year ago when we both entered the Ambassador program with the
Chamber. Since then, we have become very close friends. I have watched Jenny cheer up random strangers, handle
difficult situations with grace, stand up for someone wronged, and reach out her hand in love to those in need. Jenny is a
matter-of-fact personality, and her decisions are governed by goodness and understanding. Jenny is already involved as
a Chamber Ambassador; serves on the Education Advisory Board, Business Development Board, and Government
Affairs Board; is a Girl Scout Leader (I wasn’t in Girl Scouts so I don’t know what they’re called.); is the only non-founding
(invited) member of the Foodstock Board; Sunday School Teacher; and much, much more.
The question I hear Jenny ask over and over is, “What more can I do?” She doesn’t ask it in the way that most of us do –
as a way to justify throwing our hands up and walking away, but instead as I feel I have more to give and am being called
to do so – looking for new areas to be involved. Not once have I seen Jenny get involved in something for her benefit.
She joined the Chamber boards to help those the boards serve. She became more involved in the community to help the
San Marcos Daily Record grow and continue its success. She joined Foodstock to feed the hungry. Jenny works with an
amazing spirit of love and giving of herself. As the sole provider for her family and the mother of an Asperger’s child,
Jenny never asks, “Why me?” She is truly grateful for the gifts she has been given and works incredibly hard to achieve
the goals she sets before her.
Jenny also has a great understanding of her own accountability. She doesn’t make excuses for her failures; instead she
accepts her part in them and works to correct them. I witnessed this when she forgot to state that an ad for ONB could
not be changed. The ad ran incorrectly, and caused the bank some issues. Jenny worked until 11 PM to get a game plan
for the next day. She met with Don and me and owned her part in the problem. Sure, it’s easy to say that Jenny did this
because we are friends, but I have witnessed it with her family, church, work, etc., but those are not my stories to share. I
can tell you she doesn’t pick and choose who she will be honest with; she’s honest with everyone.
In addition to the above, Jenny has organized an adult mission trip for people in Central Texas who are in need. She has
visited the Children’s Home in Buda, met with countless county officials to find where the needs are the greatest, and
organized a Facebook event to encourage participation; all of this done on her time at the request of no one. I challenge
you to talk with Jenny about any one of the activities she involved in and walk away without the same excitement and
passion she has for it. I doubt very much that anyone can. Her passion for giving to others is infectious, and the biggest
reason, I feel, as to why Jenny deserves this recognition. She doesn’t have to give; she isn’t giving into guilt to do it.
Jenny has been through things in her life that would turn most people’s stomachs, but she has held on to the capacity to
love. Jenny gives because she loves. She is an inspiration – a Shining Star – to those who know her and those who do
not.
Respectfully,
Deanna Lalich
Chief Business Development Officer
Ozona National Bank