Red River Leadership Participants An exclusive group of community and business leaders gathered in Linden on August 27-28 for the Red River Leadership Institute’s two-day leadership development program at Music City Texas.
Cass County Connect
Cass County Judge
Travis Ransom
Red River Leadership Institute Completes Workshop in Linden
The program, designed to strengthen leadership skills across the region, focused on essential competencies such as building community in the workplace, leading through change, fostering high-performance cultures, and developing team-building strategies.
Participants had the opportunity to learn from Dr. George Manning, Professor of Psychology and Business at Northern Kentucky University. Manning is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and author of eleven books, with a client list that includes AT&T, IBM, GE, the U.S. Navy, and the National Institutes of Health. Known for his engaging style, Manning blends humor, insight, and practical application to connect with audiences and leave a lasting impact.
The Red River Leadership Institute’s mission is to cultivate leadership skills, inspire inclusive communities, and encourage excellence. With leaders from across the region participating, this year’s session left attendees motivated to return to their communities with fresh ideas and renewed commitment.
Be the One: Standing with Veterans in the Fight Against Suicide
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to confront one of the hardest truths we face: too many of our veterans and service members are dying by suicide. As both your County Judge and a Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army Reserve, I know this is not just a statistic — it’s personal. Each loss represents a son or daughter, a spouse, a parent, or a battle buddy.
That’s why I’m proud of the work the American Legion is leading through its “Be the One” mission. The focus is simple yet powerful: Be the one who checks in, listens, and connects a veteran to help before it’s too late. Across the country, Legion posts are hosting awareness walks, sharing resources, and offering free suicide prevention training so that more of us are equipped to step in when someone is struggling.
Here in Cass County, our Commissioners Court has previously issued a proclamation recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. But proclamations alone are not enough — it takes action. Each of us has a role in building a community where it’s okay to talk about mental health and where no veteran ever feels alone.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, press 1. Help is always available.
Together, let’s “Be the One” to save a life. — Judge Travis Ransom Cass County Judge | Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Reserve
Suicide hotline: 1-800-273-8255 Three Digit Suicide Hotline: 988