MEET OUR CHAIRS

Kasey Stokes 

Born and raised right here in Midland Texas, Kasey went to St. Ann’s and Midland Christian Schools. After high school she attended University of Phoenix with a degree in Elementary Education, while traveling and seeing the country. During college, she began working in the family owned and operated business in Dallas Texas until everyone relocated back to West Texas in 2011.

Since then she has met the love the love of her life, Zach Stokes whom she married in 2014 and they share 2 boys together. Maverick is in the 2nd grade at Compass Academy and Mason is 4 years old in Pre K at Discovery School.

Since attending her first Cattle Baron’s Ball in 2021, she knew she found her place. “When I walked into that room that evening, I had found my purpose. Cancer runs deep in my family and I had finally found somewhere where I could turn my feeling of powerlessness, into power. I made it a point to locate a committee member who I had known a very long time who was ready and praying to give up her seat on the committee, and the rest is history. Fast forward to today, I am so proud to serve as this years 40th annual Cattle Baron’s Co- Chair with none other than one of my closest friends. See y’all at the Ball!”

Sydney Burleson 

A native of Midland, Sydney was born and raised right here in Midland, Texas. Graduating from Lee High School in 2008, she was off to Texas Tech University (WRECK ‘EM!) where she graduating with her Degree in Mass Communications with a focus in Public Relations. Promising she would never move back to Midland, back to Midland is where she came to work for Rock the Desert.

While moving back to Midland was not the ideal situation, she knew if she wanted to marry her high school sweetheart, that was going to have to happen! Sydney and Eric Burleson married in 2012, and now have a 9-year-old daughter, Ellie, and a 7-year-old son, Drake. Ellie and Drake both attend Midland Christian School and are in 4th and 2nd grade!

In 2006, Sydney lost her “Nanoo” (grandma) to cancer, and that rocked her world. “My Nanoo was the coolest, most fun grandma any girl could have. From playing games, to dressing up like Vanna White- my Nanoo was the whole package!”

“But then the unthinkable happened,” said Sydney. “Right after Eric and I got married, my parents sat us down and told us my dad had stage 4 neck and throat cancer.” Absolutely not. That can’t happen. Cancer took my Nanoo and it’s not going to take my dad too. “After watching my dad go through, weeks upon weeks of hospital stays, feeding tubes, more rounds of chemo and radiation than any human should EVER have to go through, and being sicker than anyone I have ever known, I KNEW I wanted to do something. Watching my dad still battle swallowing problems today and deal with other health problems because of this horrible disease I knew this was a cause I would do anything for to help find cures, love on families, and provide whatever needed to any family going through the unthinkable!”

I am grateful and honored to serve as the Co-Chair for this years 40th Annual Cattle Baron Ball to help fight such a nasty disease! My Nanoo and Paw Paw, but more than anything my dad, and the best Poc to his four grandchildren are why I am here to fight against cancer. Everyone has a story- what’s yours?

ACS STAFF PARTNERS

Tara Graves, Senior Development Director

Brandi Alexander, Associate Director