Salt & Pepper Luncheon 2021

Featured speaker Introduction

Jason Riddlespurger

Jason Riddlespurger is the Director of Community Development for the City of Amarillo. Jason was promoted to this position after serving 24 years at the Amarillo Police Department. As a decorated Police Sergeant, Jason brings a unique perspective gained from his experience working as a patrolman, school resource officer, detective, patrol supervisor and coordinator of the crisis intervention team and homeless outreach.

Jason learned the value of perseverance and dedication at an early age growing up in an impoverished neighborhood of Amarillo as the first of four children in a paycheck-to-paycheck family. Jason’s hard work and determination to avoid a life of poverty inspired him to an accomplished policing career where he was a model of service to the community recognized with awards including meritorious service, lifesaving and the state of Texas Mental Health Peace Officer of the year.

Being in a unique supervisory position at the Amarillo Police Department, Jason inspired to create the APD Homeless Outreach team. Jason has a heart of service and wants to help others in their journey to happy, productive lives. In the summer of 2020, Jason retired his police commission and answered the call to lead the Community Development Department where he can make an even larger impact on his goal to make Amarillo a better place for all people.