April 9, 2001
First female camp director named
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___BROWNWOOD--Rhonda O'Banion made history just by reporting for work April 2 at Heart of Texas Encampment. She became the first female manager of a Texas Baptist camp.
___"While there are a number of private camps directed by women, this is a first for us," said Red Colquitt, camp consultant with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. "It's a new era in Texas Baptist life."
___The Heart of Texas Encampment board of directors voted March 29 to employ O'Banion as administrator. Ten associations of churches in Central Texas support the camp and are represented on its governing board.
___"I appreciate the overwhelming support I have received from the board of trustees," O'Banion said. "They know me, and I believe they felt comfortable with me."
___O'Banion, 36, has been associated with the camp for more than 10 years. She first served as a summer worker, retreat hostess and coordinator while she was a student at Howard Payne University.
___After graduating in 1991 with a business degree, she worked two years in the recruiting department at Howard Payne University before coming on staff at Heart of Texas.
___She served as program director and administrative assistant at the camp from 1993 until last September. In that role, she did everything from planning the camp's 50th anniversary celebration to serving as temporary food service director.
___"Those who have worked with her have a lot of respect for her leadership," Colquitt said, noting she tends to work behind the scenes. "She is quiet and easy-going. But her reputation is that if you give her a job to do, it's done."
___O'Banion maintains she is eager to be an active ambassador for the camp.
___"I'm willing to represent the camp in any pulpit, as far as making a report on the work here," she said. "But I'm not a preacher, and I have no aspirations of becoming one."
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