Our People
Leadership
Liz Cantrell, Publisher
Carolina Cantrell, Editor
Amarillo native and mom to four boys, Carolina Cantrell leads Accent West Magazine, guiding editorial, partnerships, and distribution for one of the Panhandle’s longest-running regional titles. She holds a B.S. in Bible and English Literature from Dallas Christian College, where she also completed a translation internship in Tanzania (Swahili to Kikami). Early in her career she served as an inner-city missionary with World Impact in Dallas and later worked at St. Mark’s School of Texas as Assistant Director of Individual Giving during the silent phase of the school’s $112 million Centennial Challenge.
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Carolina returned home in 2009 to join her family’s business at Accent West as a contributing writer and account executive. From 2012–2020 she lived her childhood dream of raising cattle and in the Texas Panhandle and continues to invest in ranch horse prospects.
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She serves on the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Amarillo Advisory Board and the Tri-State Fair & Exposition Board of Directors, and has chaired initiatives through the years for the Amarillo Symphony Guild, Amarillo Museum of Art Alliance, and Downtown Women's Center.
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In 2016 she co-published Cowboy and Roping Stories with Tommy Blasingame. An Amarillo Chamber “Top 20 Under 40” honoree (2018), Carolina also serves as Director of Development for St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish & School. Carolina is third-generation member of DAR and PEO, Chapter Z.
An endurance-sports enthusiast and frequent traveler, she remains deeply committed to telling the Panhandle’s stories - on the page and across the community.
Liz Cantrell met her husband, Don Cantrell, when they were both working for a brand-new Amarillo radio station, KQIZ-AM. Later, its sister, FM Z-93 went on the air.
A Dalhart native, Don, graduated from WTAMU and worked with an advertising company before joining the radio station. He was a fan of Accent West from its
beginning (1972) at Trafton Printers in downtown Amarillo. He was personally acquainted with those that worked on the magazine and saw its potential.
In 1978 Don seized the opportunity to buy Accent West, with partners Keith Adams and Jim Shelton, whom he had worked with at the radio station. Later he became the sole owner and loved planning each issue, developing staff and writers who contributed so
much to the magazine he saw as “for and about the people of the panhandle.”
In 2019 Don died of melanoma.
Since then, Liz has been the magazine’s publisher, with her daughter, Carolina Cantrell, stepping into the role of Editor. Through the years the magazine has continued Don’s vision, covering stories of people and events that reflect the grit and passion of the people who live here.
Though born in California, Liz graduated from Amarillo High School, and studied Art History at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She then worked for the BBC in London for a year before returning to Texas to earn an MFA (Theatre) at the University of Texas.
Along the way, there were enjoyable opportunities to pursue acting and directing in several theatres.
Liz and Don married in 1977 and happily became parents of both Tom Cantrell and Carolina Cantrell. Liz volunteers time at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, and is a member of DAR and PEO, Chapter Z.
Contributing Staff
Callie Holton
Callie Holton writes for Accent West as a series of love letters to her hometown.
Her professional journey—from oil and gas to local broadcast media, and now nonprofit work as Director of Communications at Turn Center—along with years of volunteer leadership with organizations like the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health and the Amarillo Museum of Art, has given her a front-row view of the dedication, creativity, and heart that define our community.
She is drawn to stories that highlight the people, organizations, and moments that inspire connection and celebrate what makes the Texas Panhandle truly special.
Tommy Blasingame
I was born and raised on the JA ranch in 1935 to Tom and Eleanor Blasingame. Dad had the Cherokee Camp there on the south side of the ranch. Then, we had no electricity, running water or indoor toilets. The water on all the river country was gyp and unfit to drink. We had a cistern that caught rainwater, and it was good to drink. I liked it better than this ol’ town water.
I was six years old when a bronc Dad had pawed me and broke my leg. They hauled me 45 miles on a mattress in the back of a pickup to Clarendon and then on to Groom to get a cast put on it.
I worked ever’ summer at wagon ‘til I graduated, then married Joyce Crutchfield, and then we worked on eight different ranches. We moved a lot and kept the U-Haul Company in business. The last ranch I was at, I worked there for 17 years ‘til it sold, and we then moved to Hereford where we retired. Joyce retired from the Gas Company after 17 years, and I retired from the City of Hereford after 18 years. In all, I worked on 15 different ranches.
Carolina at Accent West convinced me to write down all my stories. We published a book of 'em. It's on Amazon, if you're interested.
Becky McKinley
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Becky McKinley of Amarillo is a cookbook author, owner of Dining by Design Catering Co. and food journalist for Accent West Magazine as well as a contributor to many online food websites and newspapers.
McKinley also server on the Governors Commission for Women. She is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, International Caterers Association and James Beard Foundation, and a board member of the Samaritan Counseling Center, Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health Advisory Board, and the Women’s Philanthropy Fund. She is also a past board member of the Baptist Saint Anthony Hospital Foundation, Polk Street United Methodist Church, KACV Public Television, Junior League of Amarillo, Amarillo Symphony Guild, Harrington Cancer Center, and City of Amarillo Traffic Commission. McKinley received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University.
Mike Haynes
Mike Haynes writes travel and other stories for Accent West. He also has written a column in the Faith
section of the Amarillo Globe-News since 1997. He taught journalism and mass media at Amarillo College for 25 years and was an adviser of student media at Texas Tech University for seven years.
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He, sister Sheri and brother David published Panhandle-Plains Basketball Magazine from 2011 to 2023. Mike grew up on a ranch near McLean. He and his wife, Kathy, live in Amarillo.
Travis Muniz
Travis Muniz is Accent West’s Graphic Designer (since January 2023) and a key partner to our sales and marketing team. Born and raised in Amarillo, he studied at Amarillo College and jumped straight into the region’s commercial printing industry, building 16+ years of hands-on experience in graphic design, prepress, typography, color management, and press-ready production.
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At Accent West, Travis designs covers, feature layouts, and advertising, and he collaborates with clients on ad concepts and mockups that align with their goals. He cares about getting every detail right—from file prep to final print—so the stories of the High Plains look their best on the page.
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Amarillo is also home for his family: Travis met his wife here, and they’re raising their son here (and trying to keep up with Roscoe, the family dog). A lifelong movie fan, he’s happiest at the theater or playing video games with his boy. Travis swears the Panhandle wind is responsible for his receding hairline -proof he brings humor along with craft to everything he does.
Zivorad Filipovic
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Tyann Phillips
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Tyann Phillips is a senior at West Texas A&M University, pursuing a degree in Agriculture Media and Communication. She grew up in the small town of Lockney, Texas, where she developed a strong appreciation for rural life and storytelling. Tyann is eager to help clients maximize their exposure through promotions and partnerships with Accent West.