This is the third consecutive year Jennifer Harris has served on the Greater Longview United Way (GLUW) Campaign Committee and her first year serving as chair for the GLUW Pacesetter Campaign. Pacesetters are groups of local businesses and organizations that conduct workplace campaigns before the annual United Way Campaign kick-off in September. Through their hard work, 17 pacesetter companies will lead the way for a successful campaign in our community.

     Mrs. Harris has also served the GLUW with their Loaned Executive Program and devotes volunteer time to the Buckner Sporting Clay Challenge, Junior Achievement, and the Boy Scouts of America funding drive.  She is a Junior League of Longview Sustainer, a past Longview Partnership Ambassador, and a graduate of Leadership Longview, where she has served as a committee member, treasurer, and public relations chair.  Mrs. Harris is also a member of the Development Council at the University of Texas at Tyler, Longview University Center.

     “My mom was very active in school, church, and community activities when I was growing up. So I learned the value of helping others from her example,” Mrs. Harris said.  “And fortunately, I work for a company where community service is highly valued.  This makes my belief of using the talents God has given me achievable in both my personal and professional life.  To think that I might make a small difference for some people in our community is fulfilling.”

     Mrs. Harris is a Longview native and graduated from Longview High School.  She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from The University of Texas at Austin, and serves as an East Texas Alumni Board Member for the school.  She and her husband, Scott, have three children, Will (10), Sydney (8), and John (1).  The family attends First United Methodist Church, where Mrs. Harris teaches Sunday school with her husband, and serves on the Staff Parish Relations Committee.

     “I love Longview!  My parents raised me here and I feel blessed that my husband and I can raise our family here, too.  So volunteering to make it a better place for them to live just makes sense to me,” Mrs. Harris said.