AZLE — Jack Bradshaw and Angie Akmakjian of the North Tarrant Chamber of Commerce visited Azle Tuesday, March 4 to speak about new opportunities for local business owners and public sector administrators. The duo promoted the newly combined Leadership North Tarrant program as the designated speakers at the monthly Azle Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Bradshaw has been president and chief executive of the North Tarrant Chamber for 12 years while Akmakjian has been vice president for five. The two have an extensive history of leading successful businesses and nonprofits across a wide variety of industries.
Leadership North Tarrant, which was previously Leadership Northwest Tarrant and Leadership Northeast Tarrant, provides a course and venues for aspiring local leaders to achieve their greatest potential and refine critical communication and decision-making skills. The program started in 1989 and has graduated more than 500 individuals to date. Over the course of nine monthly sessions, participants will engage with their class of 40 in a wide variety of cities and settings while learning the ins-and-out of economic development, government and leadership, transportation and more.
“Leadership isn’t just about authority, it’s about vision, communication, integrity and the ability to bring out the best in people,” Bradshaw said. “Leadership is a lot like (an) iceberg. We see some of it at surface level, but so much of leadership is not really readily visible. It’s behind the scenes, perhaps hidden beneath a humble servant’s heart.”
Bradshaw added that the classes are helpful in instilling the importance of trust, adaptability and ethics in anyone hoping to lead others. Following Bradshaw, Akmakjian shared her experiences visiting and learning about TEXRAIL, local landfills, educational facilities and taking tours through partner cities, which now includes Azle, during the classes. She attended the classes herself after first moving to the area 10 years ago and said she has built friendships that still last today.
The program costs $695 for applicants. The program’s website,
will soon begin taking applications for the 2025-2026 sessions.
