2022 Headliner: Tony Freeman 'paints a broad image of service' for career, helping others
The Amarillo Globe News proudly announces Tony Freeman as the 2022 Headliner. Freeman is described by many who know him as a kind, friendly man who wears many hats and is dedicated to every one of his passions.
For more than 50 years, before his retirement in 2020, Freeman was the Sales/General Manager for ColorArt, formerly known as Cenveo and originally known as Trafton Printing, where his career in printing, bindery, die cutting and embossing was centered.
In 2000, Freeman was awarded the Silver Medal by the Amarillo Advertising Federation. The Silver Medal Award is the highest honor given to an individual by the Amarillo Advertising Federation and recognizes years of contributions to the advertising industry by an individual who has positively impacted industry standards, creative excellence and proven responsibility in areas of social concern.
"I've known Tony in one way or another for what feels like my whole life, ... but I really got to know him as a salesman, in his role at Cenveo and then got to work with him closely at the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, and he is someone I have tried to follow in terms of service. ... Tony paints a broad image of service in our community; from diligently working to support baseball, to his tremendous work at ALT and his involvement with his church, anything that he does, he gives 100 percent," former PPHM director Carol Lovelady said.
Freeman currently serves on several community organization boards, including Amarillo Little Theatre where he also served as a past president, Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, Another Chance House, Amarillo Executive Club, and Colonies Church of Christ, where he also serves as a trustee and founding member.
"I've known Tony for 40 plus years; he has been a friend, mentor and fellow board member to me. I think he is one of the finest men ever built," ALT associate director Allen Shankles said. "At ALT, he was a board member, then our president and back again as a member. He is someone that once he's in, he is all in, and he has never met a stranger. Tony Freeman will talk to anyone and make them a friend."
According to Shankles, Freeman was on the forefront in raising funds for the ALT endowment that will soon benefit the demolition and reinvention of the ALT space. Shankles said that during his quest to acquire funds, Freeman would often jokingly say "we need to feed the pig" in reference to gaining money for the "piggy bank" or endowment.
In the past, Freeman also served as a former board member for the Convention & Visitor’s Council and has been involved with Cal Farley's Boys Ranch and the American Quarter Horse Association. He is also known to be a passionate advocate for baseball organizations, including serving as an umpire for youth baseball in Amarillo.
“Tony is involved in so many community projects, and he’s one of the biggest supporters of baseball in Amarillo, especially for young people. And he is a leader in his church just as much as he is in everything he touches,” said Mike Haynes, journalist and former instructor/adviser for Amarillo College.
“In my 25 years as advisor of the Amarillo College magazine, Tony met every semester with our student editors to talk about his company printing it for us. He always treated them as equals and sincerely questioned them about their plans for the future. He was great with the students, and I’ve seen him being equally friendly and helpful to anyone he’s around," Haynes added.
At West Texas A&M University, Freeman served as associate professor, where he also received his Masters in Business. Freeman enjoyed teaching all types of business classes at AC and WT, and it was through this enjoyment that led to his partnership with AC's Matney Mass Media programs. While there, Freeman advised students and became the publisher for the community college's student-run magazine The Current, formerly known as the AC Current, since its inception in 1971.
It was this ongoing commitment that led to Freeman's induction into the AC Mass Media Wall of Fame in May of 2018, for his contribution to the college and its students.
"I first met Tony when I was a junior in high school as a member of the yearbook's staff, and our instructor took us down to Cenveo, what is now ColorArt, and gave us a tour," said Maddisun Fowler, Student Media Coordinator/Mass Media Instructor at AC. "We went again when I was a senior, and Tony remembered me. Later, when I enrolled in Amarillo College and applied to be one of the assistant editors of The Current, we met with Tony. He gave us a tour, and he remembered me again. That made me happy to be remembered and recognized."
"Now as an instructor at AC, I am lucky enough to have worked with Tony too, and going to Cenveo, hearing his experiences and stories and seeing his genuine interest that he has for each of the students or anyone he comes in contact with, that is my favorite thing about Tony, his commitment and willingness to speak with everyone he meets," Fowler added.
Fowler said that over the years in working with Freeman on the magazine, he was titled "The Patron Saint" of printing for his continuous dedication. From his first job as a newspaper delivery boy at the Globe-News to his retirement, volunteer work and beyond, Freeman is recognized for his contributions to making Amarillo a better place.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo Globe-News announces Tony Freeman as the 2022 Headliner
