MEET THE AMBASSADORS
This team is a huge help in the success of the Chamber. Being an Ambassador of the Chamber is the key to networking and being in the community. As an Ambassador, they serve as a goodwill representative of the organization that works for business and community interests in Palestine. The role of an Ambassador is very important and rewarding. They meet new people, make new friends and make our community a better place - all at the same time. We are looking for great people to join this team.
Sara Hewitt
President
Senior Ambassador
I was born in Havana, Cuba 4 months after Fidel Castro took power. In 1961, our family fled Cuba and moved from the East Coast to the West Coast to the South in pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. In Birmingham, Alabama in 1980, I received my B.S. in Business, Magna Cum Laude (double major in Accounting and Spanish) and my Juris Doctor Cum Laude at Cumberland School of Law in 1983. Post-law school, I began my legal career in Dallas where I met and married my husband, Christopher M. Hewitt. We raised and educated two sons and now have our first grandchild. I spent the greater portion of my career in Poverty Law as Of Counsel for the Dallas Tenants’ Association and Managing Attorney for the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. I retired and we moved to Palestine in 2021 and I joined the Palestine Chamber as an Ambassador in 2022. In 2023, I became a Senior Ambassador under the sponsorship of ETexRadio Group. Currently, I am President-elect of the Ambassadors and look forward to assuming that role in 2025. Aside from my responsibilities with the Chamber, I enjoy participating in arts and crafts, attending cultural events, book club, bowling, bridge, Bunko, dancing, golf, hiking, holiday decorating, mah jongg, mixology, pickle ball, reading, downhill skiing, rock collecting, thrifting, Toastmasters, and volunteering. Once my husband fully retires we hope to travel in the States and overseas.
Fred Mahaffey
President - Elect
Owner/CEO of Mahaffey Insurance Agency
Going on 2 years with the Palestine Chamber, I am no stranger to Palestine. With 35+ years in senior management and 25+ years in Healthcare I decided that I wanted to take my passion for helping people to the next level by helping them find affordable but effective healthcare. Having been involved with the Palestine Chamber in the past I joined the Chamber and became an Ambassador so that I could help the businesses in town realize the importance of an active chamber for small businesses. I am a licensed agent and Healthcare Specialist Helping Individuals, Families and Small Businesses find affordable health insurance.
Sennen Anyanwu
I have been a Customer Service Coordinator at Rise Local since 2022 and am proud to call Palestine my current home. I love to travel outside of the United States and enjoy soccer, basketball, and football as my hobbies.
Annette Bussey
Senior Ambassador
I was raised in Palestine and graduated from Westwood High School in 1976. I worked at Memorial Hospital as a LVN after achieving my RN license went to University of Texas Medical Branch where I worked from 20 years until retirement.
Celia Polster
I work as a Health & Wellness Trainer with ‘Positively Helping Consultants’ on Facebook in order to support my passion for art and for Palestine. Supporting local businesses and putting out the call to “shop local” is extremely important to me. Being a member of the Palestine area Chamber of Commerce allows me the opportunity to meet and support new businesses to our beautiful town. Supporting all these businesses is my business. I am the Executive Director of the Dogwood Arts Council, a Palestine non-profit organization. Our focus is on collaboration between nonprofits and other organizations, which bring the arts in other forms to Palestine. We invite these representatives of the arts to be representatives on our arts council. As an arts council, we are passionate about the goal of seeing Palestine become an epicenter for arts in East Texas. With that goal in mind, we focus our art events in the Downtown Palestine area to support our Main Street businesses. I always offer a smile to everyone I see and look for the good which is always around me. A sense of humor is an essential part of my life, and I strive to use my ability to promote, fundraise, organize people, and see the big picture for art events for DAC. I love calling Palestine home. My work with the Chamber and the DAC is a gift of love from my heart to my hometown.
Cynthia Castleberry
I am a realtor and have earned the highly respected Accredited Land Consultant designation. I have worked with CENTURY 21 Gold Award Realty since 2017. I live in Anderson County and love Palestine. My favorite place to go clothes shopping in Palestine is CO-ED Shop, and I buy my shoes across the street at L&L Shoe Store.
Amelia Davis
I am the Sales Director for Dogwood Trails Assisted Living and Memory Care here in Palestine, I have been with the company for a little under a year now. I am married to my amazing husband of nine years now and we have three fur babies. I have a passion for helping my community through helping meals on wheel, being an Altrusa member, and being a part of Elmwood Volunteer Fire Department. My goal is to help Dogwood Trails Assisted living and Memory Care grow to its fullest potential through new relationships and community outreach. I look forward to being a Chamber Ambassador for the first time.
Cindy Hancock
Senior Ambassador
I was born and raised in Palestine and graduated from Westwood High School in 1976. I worked at Westwood Jr High school as a baker, then at Westwood Primary as a teacher's aide. I went to work at Palestine Regional Medical Center in Physical therapy, and then to work with John Rolander at Trinity Physical Therapy. I married and moved to Henderson where I lived for 21 years, then we moved back to Palestine. I have 2 grown children, Mark Howell and Angela Howell-Fields, 2 grandsons Brandon Howell and Rooke Fields, and 3 great grandchildren, Landon, Karsyn, and Kyndall. I enjoy life and keeping my grandkids.
Rhonda Hardin
I was raised in Palestine and am married with 2 grown sons, 2 grown daughters, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and 7 grandchildren. As the owner of Refresh and Renew, located in the Redlands Hotel in Palestine, I am excited to not only apply my 24 years of RN experience, but also my certification as a Master Certified Aesthetic and Wellness Nurse Injector. Helping others is my passion and serving in church as well as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce alongside my mother, Anneita Piediscalzi, are wonderful opportunities to serve the community. I am proud to now be a part of Palestine’s business community as well.
Bekah Harris
I was raised in the Texarkana, TX area where I worked in customer service mainly in the Retail world. I transplanted to Palestine/Elkhart area three years ago because I was always traveling up here to go to the different community events and festivals. So I decided to make this community my home and finish raising my 3 children here. I am the office manager at J&B Security where I get to work with amazing people providing all your security needs.
Lisa Harroff
I am a navy brat and have now lived in Palestine longer than anywhere else. I am a member of Court Drive Church and work for Traditions Hospice helping people, which I love to do. I am married with four wonderful children and one grand baby. I love being outdoors enjoying time with family, camping, hiking & just being together.
Tyler Hebert
I was born in Dallas and moved to Palestine six years ago to put down roots in my husband’s hometown. I teach Computer Science and Business at TVCC- Palestine. Tyler work & volunteer at The Curious Museum, serve on the library advisory board, and give my time to PYSO. I have been seen on stage at the PCT. Palestine has become my home, and I am grateful to be part of such a wonderful, connected community.
Sara Henson
I was raised here in Palestine, Texas and work at Shelby Savings Bank as a teller and in New Accounts. My fiancé Riley and I, have been blessed with our amazing son River. Together we enjoy being outdoors, and spending quality time with ourfamilies.
Donna Hughes
Picture and Bio coming soon.
Rhonette MacDonald
I was born in the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York & moved to Texas in 2016. I live in Frankston, have worked for Southside Bank for 3 years and began in Palestine in June, 2024. I have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. As a tradition, we celebrate birthdays by randomly sending gifts throughout that month. I love to be involved in the community and am looking forward to all of this year’s opportunities to do so.
Carol Metteauer
I was born and raised in Victoria, Texas. I have lived in Freer, Kingsville, and moved to Palestine in 1979. I have two children, both married and living in the San Antonio and Fort Worth areas. They have given me five grandsons, two of which are now marries, so now I have four granddaughters, and a great grandson. We moved to Palestine in August of 1979. I went to work for Don Bell Insurance in April 1980. I worked for him until his death in 2007. I was given the opportunity to continue the business and I accepted the challenge. I have expanded the business to now include Medicare products as well as life insurance. I love Palestine and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Being an Ambassador for the Palestine Chamber has been so rewarding. I love being able to support our local small businesses.
Anneita Piediscalzi
I am a member of Lone Pine Baptist Church. I was born in Brownsboro, Texas. My parents moved to Houston with me when I was 9 months old, and that I where I was raised. After marriage, I loved in the Houston area before relocating to Palestine in 1973. My children were raised in Palestine. I am a proud mother of 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. I am also the Broker/Owner of Global Realty Service.
Ginger Pierce
My name is Ginger Pierce. I was born and raised in Tyler, TX. I’ve been through many up and downs in life and one thing about me, I’m a survivor. I moved to Palestine 22 years ago to give my daughter a better life. Since then, I also had a son, who graduated high school this past year. I have never regretted coming to this wonderful, small town, full of some of the best people I have ever known. Best decision of my life. And I am happy to serve this community.
Feras Qafaf
Feras Qafaf, a dynamic entrepreneur, restaurateur, and accomplished business professional. With a proven track record in the culinary and business realms, I have seamlessly blended my entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for creating exceptional dining experiences. Known for my strategic acumen, I've successfully navigated the challenges of the business world, leaving an indelible mark on both the culinary and entrepreneurial landscapes. My name is synonymous with innovation, excellence, and a commitment to shaping the future of the industries I touch.
As a visionary entrepreneur and restaurateur, I've carved a niche in the culinary world, blending my passion for business with a love for creating delightful dining experiences. With a keen eye for market trends and a taste for innovation, I've successfully launched and managed diverse dining establishments, earning a reputation for culinary excellence and strategic business acumen. My journey is defined by a commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and a relentless pursuit of elevating the gastronomic landscape.
Dollinda Toole
I was born and raised in Palestine. I have one daughter and two grandsons. I have worked for Commercial Bank of Texas for a little over a year now. I love and enjoy working in the community, volunteering and being a Chamber Ambassador. I strive to meet new people and tell them what Palestine has to offer. Being an Ambassador has opened up new relationships with not only businesses, but new friends as well. I take my role very serious and enjoy every minute of it.
Martha Tyer
I have been a Chamber Ambassador for 8 years and enjoy doing what I can for the community, as well as meeting new people. I am the Branch Manager for Commercial bank of Texas in Elkhart and have been in banking for 30 years. My husband owns and operates a business in Palestine as well. I have 4 children and 2 grandchildren that I love spending time with. In my free time I love being outdoors and traveling with my husband and girlfriends.
Misty Williamson
I am a dedicated Chamber Ambassador, while I work for All Star Ford. I have been married to my High School sweetheart for 38 years and balancing the roles of a loving mother to two and a proud grandmother of four. I have a passion for community engagement and fostering connections for businesses and residents alike. I moved to Palestine in May of 2018, served as a Woman of Hope for the Silent in 2023 which enables my family values and commitment to shine through in my efforts to build a thriving and close-knit community!
Emeritus Ambassadors
An Emeritus Ambassador is someone who has been an active Chamber Ambassador for 25 years! It is a rare occasion for this to happen and at the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce we are excited to announce that we not only have one, but five on our team!
