LP 40 for 40 – LaShon Ross
The Plano Chamber of Commerce’s signature program, Leadership Plano, celebrates its 40th anniversary! For the past 40 years, Leadership Plano has been dedicated to educating, developing, and empowering current and future leaders for the community and motivating them to serve civic, charitable, and business organizations.
We are celebrating the impact of the past 40 years by spotlighting 40 Leadership Plano graduates who have paved the way for future generations, created meaningful change for the community, and continue to serve in leadership roles. This celebratory series, Leadership Plano 40 for 40, is Presented by UBS – The Kravitz Group.
Introducing our next spotlight, Leadership Plano Class 19 Graduate, LaShon Ross, Deputy City Manager for the City of Plano. Over her 36-year career, LaShon has worked as HR Director, Deputy City Manager, and HR Consultant. After retiring from Municipal Government in 2016 and working independently as a Professional Development Facilitator and serving in interim roles with 3 municipalities, she returned to the City of Plano as Director of HR/Risk Management in 2022 and moved back into the Deputy City Manager role in 2023. She is committed to supporting personal and professional growth which is reinforced through various speaking engagements and teaching multiple classes.
LaShon was recently awarded the 2023 Distinguished Leadership Award by the Plano Chamber of Commerce. The Distinguished Leadership Award (DLA) is a recognition that provides an opportunity for local programs like Leadership Plano to recognize exceptional graduates who have made significant and notable contributions to the betterment of their community. LaShon maintains community engagement through board appointments, mentorships, and other volunteer opportunities, and she particularly enjoys her roles as mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.
1. What first made you interested in participating in Leadership Plano?
I moved to Plano in February 2001, and began working for the City of Plano as HR Director in March of that year. Moving from a much smaller city (Texarkana) to a city and employer with a very different look and feel came with its challenges. I was experiencing a deep transition in so many areas of life; so, I was not seeking to become involved in a program with significant time commitments. Fortunately for me, Tom Muehlenbeck (City Manager) told me that applying to Leadership Plano was exactly what I needed to do to immerse myself into learning all about Plano and meeting people who would help me to become acclimated within my new community. It turns out that Mr. Muehlenbeck was absolutely right, and I am extremely grateful for relationships that were built; for all that I learned about this wonderful city; and for the benefit of being part of an organization that serves a lifelong purpose.
2. What is the most memorable part of your experience (or what is something that was happening in Plano that you remember about that year)?
The most memorable and beneficial part of my experience in Leadership Plano was witnessing the camaraderie and growth that comes from commitment to doing things well. There was something emotionally significant about seeing how Andre Davidson (Program Director) so effortlessly and genuinely shared knowledge about Plano and drew in people and companies that had important stories to tell about the foundations upon which this city was built. For me, it was and remains the balance of such vast knowledge, relationships and humility that Ms. Davidson shared throughout the course of the program. It was how she kindly and respectfully let our class know that our participation and engagement were valued and that we simultaneously had rules that must be followed if we were to graduate. This level of respectful accountability was so evident and admirable, and it impacted me in ways that remind me of my responsibility to do the same in my professional and personal life.
3. Why do you think LP is so impactful for our community?
I think LP is impactful for our community because it tells the whole story about this community. It is as if leaders and supporters of LP know that part of the beauty of Plano is that its entire story of settling, planning, growing, maturing and adapting is so intentional and well-managed that there is no need to remove segments of its journey. Leadership Plano offers to its participants the opportunity to know the ins-and-outs of this community from all perspectives. The program brings in speakers from all segments of the community so that graduates become much more knowledgeable about businesses, medical providers, neighborhoods, government, volunteerism and what it means to promote a sense of community. Perhaps, equally as important, is the fact that characteristics of the program do not cease being shared at graduation. By the time graduation occurs, the participant roster is secured and filed for a lifetime of contact. It is this lifelong engagement that creates significant community impact. In fact, the LP mantra for creating servant leaders reinforces a sense of community that keeps us focused on the things that continue to make Plano the thriving community that it is and will be.
4. What is one thing you can attribute to LP that is a success in your life or career?
Because I do not tend to make myself visible throughout the community beyond my basic involvement, I attribute LP to connecting me with people that I may never have met or known. Even though I work for the City of Plano and understand many things about our community from service and government perspectives, there are many nuances that are important to know that are shared through continuing LP relationships. For me, relationships and communication are everything and LP facilitates both very well. This continues to benefit me as a Plano citizen and public servant.
5. Why was your class the “Best Class Ever”?
While I value my experience with Class XIX (and have the custom sweatshirt from my classmate Craig Perry to prove it), I don’t tend to think in terms of bests, firsts, or most whatever. I can say that our class stepped up to the plate and took all aspects of the program seriously. We worked hard, played hard, debated respectfully, laughed together, and did our best to set the stage for future classes to know that Leadership Plano can be the experience of a lifetime if we do our part. Regardless of whether Class XIX was the Best Class Ever, it was certainly one of the best experiences of my life. For me, Leadership Plano is the gift that keeps on giving.
