MEET THE STAFF
Butch Burney, Chamber President/CEO
A native of Hopkins County, Butch Burney is the President/CEO of the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. Butch is a graduate of Sulphur Springs High School and Sul Ross State University.
He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Sul Ross State University, where he was also a track letterman. He worked in print media for many years, including many years writing and editing sports and news for the Sulphur Springs News-Telegram.
Butch is currently on the Wildcat Hall of Honor Committee and the Hopkins County Civic Center Board of Directors. He has served as Chairman on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and served in many capacities in youth sports and civic organizations.
He is married to Karen, a graduate of Como-Pickton High School and Paris Junior College’s School of Nursing, where she received her RN degree. They have four children: Brandi Boles, Aaron Dodd, Alyssa Wimberley and Bradyn Hart; and five grandchildren.
“Working for the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is a dream job,” Butch said. “We get the opportunity to promote this county and city, a place and a way of life that I love. I’ve always been a cheerleader for our community and believe that our best days are still to come.”
Kelli Lee, Office Administrator
Kelli is our Office Administrator and bookkeeper. She looks forward to using her knowledge and skills to serve the community through the Chamber of Commerce. As someone who has been a small business owner herself, Kelli knows firsthand the importance of supporting local businesses, and helping them gain exposure through advertising.
Kelli became a resident of Hopkins County in 2008, after marrying her husband, Cody Lee, and they now have 4 children. Their kids attend a few of the local schools, such as Sulphur Springs High School, Sulphur Springs Middle School, and Central Christian Academy. She is very family-oriented, spending most of her free time taking the kids to practices or watching sporting events. They enjoy taking trips, hiking, and spending as much time as they can outdoors.
As our community continues to grow, Kelli is excited to make connections with businesses and help to be a part in seeing the success of each one.
Emily Nance, Marketing and Events Coordinator
Emily Nance serves as our Marketing and Events Coordinator, enhancing our community presence and executing projects that add value to our members’ experience. Emily’s professional background spans across several cities in both media and business management, so she knows firsthand how integral the Chamber of Commerce is for business owners to create local connection and excellence. She’s a social butterfly and loves any opportunity to connect with our members and community.
After graduating from Sulphur Springs High School, Emily went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Learning and Technology with an emphasis on communication from Texas A&M University Commerce. Since then, she has applied her skills in a broad spectrum of service ranging from global humanitarian aid to the local Adult Leadership Class.
In her free time, she enjoys photography, tennis, journaling, traveling, trying new foods, and spending quality time with friends. If you see her in town, say hi!