Hank Gremminger Brilliant Builder Award - Richard Green
As a second-generation builder, owner Richard Green grew up working in the construction industry, before founding his own company Castlemont Homes, in Weatherford.
Although he’s young, those who have worked with Richard describe him as a guy
who knows the home building business inside and out.
With a focus on craftsmanship, combined with modern technologies, Richard designs
and builds homes that are more energy-efficient and less expensive to manage so that
clients can benefit with real savings in the form of lower energy consumption and healthier indoor air quality.
He has earned the trust and respect of colleagues, contractors and homeowners, by
being a man of his word. He believes that honesty is always the best policy, and he will
not sacrifice integrity for profit. While seeing the big picture, his strengths and talents lie
in his ability to focus on the little details that make the biggest difference. He leads by example, and is a passionate and
driven individual with an uncompromising work ethic.
Mac Curtis Musician Innovator Award - Kyle Williams
Performer and musician Kyle Williams is a Parker County native who started singing as a 5-year old, moving on to classical training when he was 9.
“When I was about 15, I discovered Michael Bublé,” Williams said. “And I
started doing that kind of music and I’ve been doing R&B music since then.”
He was very honored when he heard he was nominated for the award. “It’s
definitely a privilege,” he said. “It’s great for any musician to get acknowledged
and recognized. It’s what we strive for.”
His greatest accomplishment so far was when the season 12 American Idol,
Candice Glover, found him on YouTube. “She invited me to come perform with
her in South Carolina,” he said. “Opening for her was one of the greatest things
I’ve done.” When giving advice to other young musicians, Kyle said, “Do what
you love and be yourself. Don’t try to imitate anyone else.” Kyle hopes to one
day perform at Carnegie Hall.
Tim Buchanan Inspirational Coaching Award - Heather Oakes
In her first year in Parker County, Heather Oakes is the head softball coach at Aledo High
School and teaches integrated physics and chemistry as well as earth/space science. She
was surprised when told she had been nominated for this award. “I thought it was a joke
at first,” she said. “But I’m honored. I’ve been very blessed in every aspect of my job since
getting hired in Aledo. This nomination is just an added compliment to everything else.”
Oakes has played softball since she was 8 and has loved the game since the beginning. She credits most of her knowledge of the game and of sports in general to her dad
who has always had a passion for sports. “He passed that passion on to me,” Oakes said.
So far, in her coaching Oakes said that her biggest accomplishment has been convincing the players how important mental preparation is. Her biggest piece of advice for anyone following in her footsteps is to “keep a positive attitude even when everything seems
to be coming apart and have a plan.”
In the future, she plans on getting her master’s degree in education and one day becoming a girl’s athletic director/coordinator.
Abby Hamessley
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
Abby Hamessley and her husband Nathan live in a charming brick craftsman bungalow
in the heart of Weatherford’s historic district with their young son. She appreciates being
nominated for the Mary Kemp Historic Preservation award because, “At times volunteer
work can be thankless and one starts to wonder if anyone cares. It is nice to be recognized,” Hamessley said. She is the second-time chair of the Heritage Society’s Candlelight
Tour of Homes as well as the vice president of the group. Last year’s event was a smashing
success, raising more money than the event has raised in the last five years.
With a toddler at home, her aspirations are like many mothers of young children —
make it to nap time each day. However, she has grander goals for the long term.
MAY 2016
The Mary Kemp Historic Preservationist Award -
31