Erica has spent many years serving the people of Guymon in a variety of roles, but no matter what position she has held, her commitment to this community has remained the same. She has always been willing to step forward, volunteer her time, and help wherever she is needed.
Erica began her service in education, first as a teacher for almost two decades and later as the principal for four years at Northridge Christian School in Guymon. Through education, she had the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people and their families. She continued her service to the community as a District Executive for Scouting America for 5 years, where she worked with Scouts, volunteers, and families throughout the area. She then became the Executive Director of the Guymon Chamber of Commerce and has served in that role since 2023, where she continues to play an
important role in supporting local businesses, organizations, and community activities.
Outside of her professional positions, Erica has consistently given her time to the organizations and people of Guymon. She remains involved with local Scouting America units 163, 4163, and 3163, serves as a board member of Main Street Guymon, and has been an active member of the Rotary Club. She currently serves as Rotary's Membership Chair and previously served as Club President. Her involvement with these organizations is just one example of the many ways she continues to give back.
Anyone who knows Erica knows that she has always had a love for reading. Her taste in books may be a little more adventurous than most, with Stephen King novels being among her favorites, but that love of reading has always been something she has been happy to share with others. One story that perfectly captures her love of reading and dedication to her students happened in February of 2012. As part of a teacher challenge going on at the time, Erica committed to spending an entire day outside on the school's front porch reading to the kids. It was February in Guymon, which meant it was cold, really cold, but that did not stop her. She spent the entire day bundled up on that porch, reading to students it may have been cold outside, but Erica was willing to endure it simply because she believed in making reading fun and creating memories for her students.
Through her time in scouting, she mentored hundreds of young kids, first as a volunteer then as a professional. Shaping them into some of the best leaders for our current generation. Whether she was leading a summer camp as the director or working in the back of the room to make sure everyone had what they needed for a successful meeting. She was always a presence that could be counted on.
One of the things that stands out most about Erica is how often she can be found helping with community events. Whether she is working behind the scenes at the rodeo, helping organize an event like home for the holidays, volunteering her time at July 4th in the park, or simply stepping in wherever there is a need like at Rotary BBQ and Bingo Nights, she has become someone the community can count on. Her service is not limited to one organization or one cause. She consistently looks for ways to make Guymon a better place for the people who live here.
Erica's contributions to Guymon go far beyond the titles she has held. Her willingness to serve, her dedication to bringing people together, and the time she gives to the community have made a lasting impact. She represents the kind of community spirit that makes a city stronger.
Beyond her service to the community, Erica's greatest accomplishment has always been her family. She and her husband, Britch Maddox, have been married for more than 30 years, building a life together centered around family, faith, service, and their community. Together, they have raised three children: their oldest daughter, Paxton, their middle daughter, Kaitlynn, and their youngest son, Payton — the favorite, of course. Erica has always been a devoted wife and mother, and the same care and dedication she gives to her community can be seen in the way she supports and loves her family.
Erica is also the proud grandmother of three grandchildren, Olivia (Ollie), Ames, and Sloane, who know her affectionately as "Gram." Being a grandmother has given Erica another opportunity to pour her time, love, and experience into the next generation. Her family reflects the values she has demonstrated throughout her life: caring for others, being involved, giving back, and always being willing to lend a helping hand. While many people in Guymon know Erica for everything, she does for the community, her family knows the person behind all that service — the wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who has spent her life making a difference in the lives of others.
Erica's impact on Guymon cannot be measured simply by the positions she has held or the organizations she has been involved with. It can be seen in the people she has taught, the Scouts and volunteers she has worked alongside, the businesses and community organizations she has supported, the events she has helped make possible.
For almost three decades, Erica has continued to give her time, energy, and heart to her family and her community. She is the kind of person who often works behind the scenes without expecting recognition, and that may be one of the reasons her contributions mean so much to the people around her.
Please join me in congratulating Erica Maddox the 2026 Guymon Citizen of the Year.