Brown/Provided
We asked and our readers answered — Hobert “Gunny” Brown, Jr. is our 2020 Amarillo Pioneer of the Year.
After a record number of nominations were submitted, we asked our readers to vote to select our 2020 Amarillo Pioneer of the Year. The Pioneer of the Year award is our annual person of the year award recognizing the person who has had the biggest impact on Amarillo over the past year.
From 15 nominees, our readers made their choice clear with the selection of Hobert “Gunny” Brown to be this year’s award recipient.
A 20-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Brown is known for his work at both the local V.A. hospital and with veterans across our community. This year, Brown also had a foray into politics, serving as the treasurer for Save Amarillo PAC. As treasurer of Save Amarillo, Brown was one of the most prominent voices in the campaign to defeat Propositions A and B on November 3, preventing passage of a 39% tax increase and an extension of the City Council’s terms.
After working to prevent yet another increase in local property taxes and an effort by Mayor Ginger Nelson and the City Council to extend their terms, Brown has launched a bid to replace City Councilwoman Elaine Hays in May 2021. While voters will ultimately decide the success of Brown’s campaign, one thing has been clear from his political work this year — while others have sat on the sidelines, Brown has been leading the fight to keep taxes low and government accountable in Amarillo.
With his work, both within the community and at the ballot box, it is no mystery why our readers selected Brown as our Pioneer of the Year for 2020.
As this year’s recipient, Brown joins the growing list of past honorees selected by our readers — Randy Burkett (2016), Renea Dauntes (2017), Kip Billups (2018), and Dacia Anderson (2019).
Additionally, our readers have selected Potter County Constable Idella Thomas-Jackson and local Republican activist Vance Snider as our runner-ups for this year’s award.
We congratulate our 2020 honoree, Hobert “Gunny” Brown, and all of this year’s nominees. We also thank all of our nominees for their continued service to Amarillo communities and our readers for voting in this year’s contest.
2020 Amarillo Pioneer of the Year: Hobert “Gunny” Brown, Jr.
Runner-Ups: Idella Thomas-Jackson and Vance Snider
Other Nominees: Alex Fairly, Chris Ekstrom, Georgia Estrada, Jerry Hodge, Josh Tillerson, Leman Wall, Mildred Darton, Noah Clay Dawson, Ronny Jackson, Scott Milton, Walter Wendler, William Kearns
2020 Amarillo Pioneer of the Year Business and Organization Awards
Food or Drink Business of the Year: The Handle Bar and Grill
Service Business of the Year: Tripp’s Harley Davidson Sales
Retail Business of the Year: Erwin Pawn
Organization/Non-Profit of the Year: TIE — Gracie’s Project and The Dog Food Guy
Please note: All 2020 winners will be contacted to receive their certificates of recognition.