Meet Our Founders
The People Behind the Vision of MBA Foundation
A Vision Rooted in Community
For Darrell and Tamra Gardner, MBA Foundation began with a simple dream-to create a place where families could gather, friendships could grow, and the community could experience meaningful moments together.
After spending more than three decades visiting Lake Whitney, they eventually purchased what would become The Place, turning a long-held vision into reality.
What had lived in their hearts for years became more than a beautiful property. It became a welcoming space where families could celebrate, volunteers could serve, and neighbors could build lasting relationships.
Today, that vision continues through MBA Foundation and the countless community events hosted throughout the year.
Tamra Gardner
Executive Director
Tamra Gardner has spent more than 25 years building businesses, serving others, and investing in people.
A graduate of Howard Payne University with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Tamra began her career with the Zig Ziglar Corporation, where she spent more than a decade helping motivate and equip business leaders.
Throughout her life, service has remained at the center of everything she does.
She has volunteered on construction projects, participated in mission trips, supported youth camps, led community service initiatives, and spent more than eleven years overseeing the daily operations of COH. Her passion has always been helping people who need it most.
As Executive Director of MBA Foundation, Tamra brings together her experience in leadership, marketing, nonprofit service, and community outreach to create opportunities that strengthen families and enrich the lives of others.
Outside of her work, Tamra is a proud mother of three adult children, grandmother to five grandchildren, and has shared more than three decades of marriage with her husband, Darrell.
Darrell Gardner
Co-Founder
Darrell Gardner has spent nearly three decades building successful businesses while remaining deeply committed to serving his community.
As the owner of DLG Services, a respected commercial tenant finish-out contracting company, Darrell has built his career on integrity, craftsmanship, and long-term relationships.
Alongside Tamra, he shared a vision of creating a place where families could gather, celebrate, and experience genuine community.
That dream became The Place at Lake Whitney and ultimately inspired the creation of MBA Foundation.
Darrell continues to support the Foundation by helping provide the resources, leadership, and encouragement needed to ensure every family feels welcome.
More Than Founders
For Darrell and Tamra, MBA Foundation has never simply been about organizing events.
It’s about creating opportunities for families to spend meaningful time together.
It’s about building traditions that children will remember for years to come.
It’s about welcoming every guest with warmth, kindness, and genuine hospitality.
Above all, it’s about serving others with grateful hearts and creating a community where everyone feels they belong.
This simple phrase reflects everything Darrell and Tamra hoped to create. A place where strangers become friends. Where families become neighbors. Where community becomes home.
Every event, every volunteer, every partnership, and every gathering continues to bring that vision to life.
“Our Place Is Your Place.”
Leading by Example
❤️ Service
Serving others with compassion, generosity, and humility.
🤝 Relationships
Building genuine connections that strengthen communities.
👨👩👧 Family
Creating opportunities for families to make lifelong memories together.
🌱 Vision
Investing today in traditions that future generations will continue.
We’d Love to Welcome You
Whether you’re attending your first community event, volunteering with our team, becoming a Community Partner, or simply stopping by to experience The Place, Darrell and Tamra invite you to become part of the MBA Foundation family.
Their vision has always been simple:
Create a place where everyone feels welcome.
A place where memories are made.
A place that truly belongs to the community.
Because at MBA Foundation…
Our Place Is Your Place.
Meet the Founders of MBA Foundation
Darrell and Tamra Gardner founded MBA Foundation with a shared vision of strengthening families and building a more connected community throughout Hill County, Texas.
Drawing on decades of experience in business, leadership, marketing, and community service, they transformed a lifelong dream into The Place at Lake Whitney-a welcoming gathering place where families can celebrate, volunteers can serve, and neighbors can create lasting memories. Through the MBA Foundation, their commitment to hospitality, generosity, and community continues to impact thousands of residents each year.