After 43 years of faithfully serving her community, Sharon Weber is retiring from her recent position as the Executive Director of the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum (CTHM).
Sharon was born in San Angelo, Texas and raised as a “city girl' in San Antonio. After graduating from Alamo Heights High School, she attended Texas Tech University where she met, fell in love with, and married Cliff Weber, a boy from small town Cuero with deep family roots and a family business (Weber Motor Company) in the community. After marrying, the couple moved to Cuero so Cliff could join his father in the business. With a minor in marketing, it didn't take Sharon long to find a full time position as Director of Marketing for the Cuero Community Hospital. She later became the Director of the DeWitt Medical Foundation where she helped accomplish an impressive array of improvements to the hospital during her thirty-two years there. Under her direction, the hospital created the Belle Terry Elder Women's Center, the Wellness Center, the Childbirth Center, and her proudest accomplishment, the Hamilton- Wallis Chapel. While working full-time at the hospital, Sharon and Cliff welcomed their two sons, Michael and Campbell. In her 'spare time' she managed to head up the PTO, work with the youth group at First Baptist Church, and follow her sons' athletic competitions.
After dedicating so many years to the hospital, Sharon accepted a new challenge and became the Executive Director at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum in 2017. Sharon has overseen significant growth in the museum's community presence throughout her time as Executive Director. During her tenure, the Museum has celebrated the opening of the English- German School, Peebles Park, and Steen Roundabout. The museum has been the recipient of five large bronze statues placed throughout the campus, and Sharon enjoyed working with the generous families that donated these beautiful works of art. CTHM has hosted many major exhibitions while under Sharon's leadership, partnering with the Smithsonian Institution and the Witte Museum in San Antonio. Plans are currently underway for a major Museum expansion that will enlarge the exhibit and public space by 14,000 square feet. Sharon has been instrumental in acquiring donors for the naming opportunities available for the new facility.
Sharon Weber has been successful in all she has endeavored to accomplish because of her strength of character, personal values, and ability to forge strong and lasting relationships. She possesses a genuine positivity, sincerity of heart, and honest interest in the people she meets and works with, no matter what walk of life they come from. There is no job too large or too small for her to undertake. Her work ethic has won the admiration of all who have had the privilege of working with her throughout the years, and their words, along with those of her family, paint a true picture of the overwhelming impact that she has made in this community.
These are just a few of the quotes we received when asked to describe Sharon. Her son Michael said, 'She's the definition of overachiever. She doesn't know how to do anything halfway!'
Her co-worker at the hospital, Nikki Lantz, described her this way, 'Sharon and I have always been partners in crime! To know her is to love her! She brings a special magic to any room she walks into and knows just how to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. I'm so blessed to be able to call her my family, my friend, and my mentor.'
Her son Campbell summed it up this way, 'I've been told by so many people over the course of my life that my mom is the sweetest and most loving woman they've ever met; it's really cool to see the impact she has had on so many people. She puts her whole heart into everything and everyone, and her heart is as big as Texas.'
Robert Oliver, Chairman of CTHM, stated, 'Working with Sharon for almost 10 years has been such a rewarding experience. The Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum has benefited from her commitment to excellence, talent, and enthusiasm - all attributes that have contributed to the Museum's success during her service as Executive Director.' Oliver added, 'Sharon is truly one-of-a-kind, and it is the hope of the executive committee and board that she will continue to share her talents for years to come.' High praise indeed, but so well-deserved.
For the next chapter in her life, Sharon is looking forward to spending as much time as she can with her five beautiful grandchildren. She describes them as her pride and joy and now her main priority. No doubt she will impart her wisdom and love to this next generation and teach them the valuable life lessons she so eloquently displays.
