Tuesday’s Amarillo City Council meeting, which included a vote to appoint five members to the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation’s (AEDC) Board of Directors, unfolded amid ongoing public controversy, questions of transparency, and pointed accusations.
The council approved the following appointments to the AEDC board:
Dipak Patel, a current board member, will continue serving until 2026.
Alex Fairly, current AEDC Board Chairman, was reappointed in a 4–1 vote for a term ending in 2027.
Elliot McKinney was also confirmed 4–1 for a term ending in 2027.
Dean Crump was approved in a 3–1 vote for a three-year term.
Randy Burkett, a former Amarillo city councilman, was approved 4–1 for a one-year term.
“This hasn’t been smooth waters we’re sailing on; we have rocked and rolled with the punches along the way. Bottom line, today, what it comes down to is performance over politics. It’s not about an election and we’re not waiting for some outcome at the ballot box to put together the best team that we possibly can,” Amarillo Mayor Cole Stanley said.
All but one council member gave recommendations fir the AEDC board. Councilman Les Simpson decided not to give any recommendations and voted no to every appointment.
The new board members will be sworn in on May 13 where they will then continue the process of searching for a new president and CEO of the AEDC.
While these appointments mark a step forward in shaping the city's economic vision, they were overshadowed by continued tensions surrounding Chairman Alex Fairly, whose leadership has drawn scrutiny from community members and former AEDC officials.
During the public comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting, Laura Street, Vice President of The RANGE and a vocal critic of Fairly, addressed the council. She reiterated concerns first aired during a Monday press conference, where she accused Fairly of spreading “misleading claims” connected to a controversial $750,000 wire transfer from the AEDC to The RANGE — a local nonprofit business incubator.
Joining Street in criticism were Lloyd Brown, a former AEDC board member, and Kevin Nelson, a local business owner and attorney. Both called for Fairly’s removal, alleging potential violations of AEDC bylaws and a lack of transparency.
At the heart of the dispute is the handling of public funds and oversight of The RANGE, which has received significant investment from the AEDC. Fairly has publicly questioned the nonprofit’s transparency and governance, especially concerning the $750,000 transfer. In his response following Monday's press conference, Fairly remained defiant, framing the criticism as politically motivated.
“Today was yet another attempt to distract us from the uncomfortable facts surrounding the RANGE’s receipt of $750,000 from the AEDC,” Fairly said. “My opinion remains the same: Jason Herrick and David Prescott should return the $650,000.”
Fairly also responded to the personal attacks and public dissent during the council meeting with a statement shared with MyHighPlains.com:
“Every day I ask myself whether this is a worthy fight? Today answered that question. Democracy is sometimes ugly, but it’s worth it. In this country, my detractors have the right to criticize me and it’s amazing. It’s freedom. I have no ill-will; no bad feelings. We will soon elect a City Council and then we will hopefully sit together, bury our grudges and work together.”
He further revealed that his concerns about The RANGE extended to the state level, noting that he shared those concerns with the Texas Agriculture Commissioner after The RANGE sought state funding.
“Instead of firing bullets at me, their time would be better spent getting their house in order and becoming transparent with the taxpayers who funded them,” Fairly added.
As the new AEDC board members settle into their roles, many in the community will be watching closely. With over $100 million in assets, the AEDC plays a critical role in Amarillo’s economic future. The clash over its leadership underscores the broader debate about accountability, influence, and the direction of public investment in the city.
