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COMPLIMENTARY<br />
M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y<br />
VOL I ISSUE III<br />
local ironman<br />
raises money for<br />
smile train<br />
bustin clays<br />
for our<br />
heroes<br />
the woodlands<br />
development<br />
corporation<br />
supports habitat<br />
for humanity<br />
<strong>sundays</strong><br />
the farmhouse<br />
a matter of trust<br />
don hutson's<br />
"the cowboy solution"<br />
celebrating 80 years<br />
greater conroe/lake conroe<br />
area chamber of commerce<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 1<br />
1/28/2014 1:22:43 PM
11154-H<br />
Make a<br />
Lasting<br />
First<br />
Impression!<br />
“In Business your Image<br />
is important,<br />
Love That Smile...”<br />
Actual Patient of Dr. Lewis<br />
Professionals just like you come to Houston from around the globe to experience Dr.<br />
Guy M. Lewis’ world class quality, service and expertise in smile design. He has also<br />
been the only dentist to receive the Pinnacle Award for 2012 from the BBB, which is<br />
the highest award given by the Better Business Bureau.<br />
Guy M. Lewis, DDS is an accredited and founding member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry<br />
and has been practicing for over 29 years. Dr. Lewis has developed G. Lewis veneers, a non-prep ultra-thin<br />
veneer that employs cutting-edge technology with minimal or no preparation of the teeth. Dr. Lewis has been<br />
selected for inclusion in Texas Monthly’s annual “Super Dentist” list since 2004.<br />
For a complete list of services, visit our website at LoveThatSmile.com.<br />
HOUSTON’S<br />
TOP DENTISTS<br />
2013<br />
Guy M. Lewis, DDS General Dentist<br />
AAACD - Accredited American<br />
Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry<br />
Follow us on<br />
Dr. Lewis is the Official Cosmetic<br />
Dentist of the Miss Texas Pageant. He<br />
is a founder and the official dentist of<br />
mydreamteamdocs.com.<br />
*The term “super dentist” is not a representation that services are<br />
superior to the quality of other dentists, but was an award given<br />
to Dr. Lewis by his peers.<br />
281-36-SMILE [HOUSTON]<br />
(281-367-6453)<br />
877-90-SMILE [TOLL FREE]<br />
(877-907-6453)<br />
4800 W. Panther Creek, Suite 200<br />
The Woodlands, Texas<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 2<br />
1/28/2014 1:22:44 PM
11154-H&G SpringWoodlands'14_OnTheTown_FullpgAd_Layout 1 1/16/14 10:05 AM Page 1<br />
12th Annual<br />
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demos all day<br />
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Relax in our<br />
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Take a spin and<br />
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County favorite –<br />
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OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 3<br />
1/28/2014 1:22:45 PM
Facebook “f” Logo RGB / .eps Facebook “f” Logo RGB / .eps<br />
PUBLISHER'S LETTER<br />
It's hard to fathom that 2013 has ended and that 2014 is already here...Before<br />
we get into all of the exciting things ahead for onthetown, I'd like to personally<br />
thank our talented production team, gifted contributors and honored advertisers<br />
for a successful 2013. It truly does take a community effort; and to what a great<br />
community we belong. We are grateful.<br />
Bringing each issue to life is a labor of love and it has been our pleasure to<br />
become a small part of a thriving community that operates with such intensity,<br />
heart, compassion and charity. We are honored to have the privilege of sharing<br />
a few great local stories that your business friends, colleagues and peers have<br />
shared with us.<br />
Montgomery county is an inspiring place to live and work and as we meet<br />
more of the community we are reminded of how spiritually rich the area is. You<br />
don't have to go far up here to see great things, meet great people and witness<br />
great acts of kindness and generosity.<br />
In 2014 we will be bringing you exciting news about Montgomery county's<br />
business development, key players and game changers. We will also introduce<br />
you to movers and shakers of all kinds. Do you have a story to share, special<br />
event, do you know someone who deserves recognition? Are you celebrating<br />
business growth, successes, anniversaries? Call us, email us or text us, onthetown<br />
wants to know.<br />
Kindest Regards,<br />
Cathy<br />
13921 Highway 105, #279<br />
Conroe, Texas 77304<br />
Volume i Issue iII<br />
Published by:<br />
Global Network Publishers LLC<br />
Publisher: Kimberly Gray<br />
associate publisher: Cathy Mogler<br />
Editor: Jake Buckler<br />
Director: Michelle Blaisdell<br />
Office Manager: Laura Ulman<br />
Sales Associate: Amanda Hensley<br />
Contributing Writers:<br />
Tina Clarke<br />
Dr. Mark Denison<br />
Amanda Hensley<br />
Traci M. Huhn<br />
Bob Keplinger<br />
Mariann Seigert<br />
Adam Simmons<br />
Designed by: Allymac Concepts<br />
Photography:<br />
Allymac Concept<br />
Nathan Lindstrom/Wonderful Machine<br />
Mission Statement<br />
"onthetown" Magazine captures the positive<br />
way our community lives and breathes.<br />
Dynamic in scope and editorially eclectic,<br />
it reflects the people, community and<br />
lifestyle of Montgomery County and its'<br />
surrounding areas on a grand scale. All<br />
right(s) reserved. No part of this publication<br />
may be reproduced without expressed<br />
written consent of the publisher.<br />
ALLYMAConcepts<br />
For advertising<br />
information call<br />
Cathy Mogler<br />
936.207.9998<br />
onthetowntexas@gmail.com<br />
web design | content development | photography | and more!<br />
Call (936) 239-5067 or email info@allymacconcepts.com<br />
4 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 4<br />
1/28/2014 1:22:50 PM
06<br />
10 18<br />
Feature Stories<br />
06<br />
10<br />
18<br />
19<br />
20<br />
24<br />
19 20 24<br />
don hutson's "cowboy solution"<br />
greater conroe/lake conroe area chamber of<br />
commerce celebrates 80 years<br />
something to smile about: ironman<br />
competition supports smile train<br />
coat of many colors ministry making a<br />
difference in montgomery county<br />
kidville of the woodlands<br />
project safe id<br />
around town<br />
09<br />
14<br />
16<br />
17<br />
21<br />
31<br />
40<br />
41<br />
42<br />
48<br />
united way receives gold marcom award<br />
bustin' clays for our heros<br />
the friendship center meals on wheels<br />
cosbar to donate sales to md anderson<br />
twdc supports habitat for humanity<br />
astros raise a flag in conroe<br />
the woodlands home & garden show<br />
hospital helps parents capture baby's 1st days<br />
black tie & boots chairman's ball<br />
the woodlands crawphish festival<br />
business articles<br />
dave ramsey says...<br />
exxonmobil to give keynote at economic<br />
outlook conference<br />
qualified mortgages start in 2014<br />
2014 housing trends<br />
how do you view your marketing budget<br />
2014 Career workout and resume makeover<br />
weathering the test of time: fairweather group<br />
your success coach: action coach of n. houston<br />
crystal clear mortgage<br />
skelton business equipment<br />
DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A STORY FOR onthetown? Do you know a local hero that deserves some recognition? Maybe<br />
a heavy hitter or visionary game changer that has impacted the business community with its products and services?<br />
Would you like some help spreading the word about a charity event or business networking event? Share it with us for<br />
future editorial consideration. Send to: Cathy Mogler cathy@onthetowntexas.com<br />
All materials become the property of onthetown Magazine and cannot be returned. Submissions may also be edited for<br />
length or clarity and may be used without compensation and acknowledgement. Please include a daytime telephone<br />
number for verification and contact purposes.<br />
08<br />
12<br />
22<br />
25<br />
26<br />
29<br />
30<br />
32<br />
34<br />
36<br />
in every issue<br />
28<br />
33<br />
35<br />
37<br />
38<br />
39<br />
46<br />
on the grid: customer driven online marketing<br />
gadgets for geeks<br />
hello my name is<br />
book review: ingrediEnts of outliers<br />
pay it forward event calendar<br />
<strong>sundays</strong>: fARMHOUSE<br />
ladders<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
onthetown 5<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 5<br />
1/28/2014 1:22:58 PM
A team at the end of the day<br />
A MATTER OF TRUST<br />
DON HUTSON'S "THE COWBOY SOLUTION"<br />
BY JAKE BUCKLER<br />
By allowing area executives to interact with his gentle<br />
yet majestic horses, Don Hutson has been helping<br />
these business people become trusted leaders among their<br />
colleagues. This is the essence of The Cowboy Solution, Don’s<br />
Montgomery-based corporate team-building experience that<br />
continues to transform hearts and minds. While he has much<br />
to be proud of, Don is often quick to credit his horses, not<br />
himself, for the life-changing experiences that they’re able to<br />
transcend. This down-home humility and love for his animals<br />
cannot hide the contribution he provides in helping others<br />
find their inner leader.<br />
Texas native, orchestra conductor and horse trainer Don<br />
Hutson has found the solution to help anyone become an<br />
effective leader, and he calls it “The Cowboy Solution.”<br />
Though his Stetson hat, denim clothes and soft,<br />
Texas drawl practically scream “cowboy,” Don Hutson is a<br />
renaissance man of sorts. He holds a doctorate in music and<br />
has taught the subject at the collegiate and high school<br />
levels, and he’s also been a successful corporate mogul.<br />
These days, Don continues to do his best life’s work with<br />
his latest venture, The Cowboy Solution. It’s an experiential<br />
leadership development training company that uses horses<br />
to teach ways to build powerful partnerships based upon<br />
trust. It’s already touched and transformed the lives of many,<br />
and the program’s emotional depth is the result of Don’s own<br />
search for himself … a search that began on a small ranch<br />
home in Eastern Texas and has taken him the better part of<br />
a lifetime to master.<br />
A Solid Foundation<br />
Born December 5, 1949, Don was the oldest of Robert<br />
and Lois Hutson’s four children. Like most people in Lufkin<br />
at that time, his family had some horses and Don grew up<br />
riding and handling the animals and learning about life<br />
through his parents’ guidance. Little did he know it then, but<br />
the foundation for The Cowboy Solution was already being<br />
formed. “Whenever I had a problem,” said Don, “I would go to<br />
my father and he would say, ‘What’s it supposed to look like?’<br />
By forcing me to imagine what things were supposed to be<br />
and placing that mental picture over my problem I was able<br />
to see what was wrong and fix it.” He describes both of his<br />
parents as caring, loving and willing to do anything to help<br />
their children succeed.<br />
From his upbringing, Don took many things forward into<br />
life including his love for music. It started when he was a<br />
young man attending church services and eventually inspired<br />
him to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music<br />
education in 1971 from Stephen F. Austin State University.<br />
“Once I discovered great classical works,” he said, “I wanted<br />
to become a conductor so I could recreate them and share<br />
it with people. I always loved it when people would hear<br />
great music and it made a difference in their lives if only for<br />
a brief moment. To me it was all about the experience.” After<br />
graduating from college, he returned to Lufkin and taught<br />
music for three years. This passion inspired him to earn a<br />
Doctorate in music from the University of Oklahoma in 1979,<br />
before going on to conduct orchestras and teach music at<br />
Phillips University and the University of Southwest Louisiana.<br />
6 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 6<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:02 PM
Life’s Changes<br />
After many years of teaching music, Don realized that<br />
he needed to do something different with his life. That<br />
“something” ended up being one of the owners of a large<br />
textile corporation that specialized in the production of<br />
baseball and golf hats. For all intents and purposes, it<br />
was a successful venture that kept Don very busy, but the<br />
proverbial tower that he had constructed for himself would<br />
one day come crashing down upon him. “I lost my son Cody<br />
Ryan Hutson to an asthma attack when he was just 12 years<br />
old,” Don said. “We had always known he had asthma but we<br />
weren’t aware of the severity of it until one day he had an<br />
attack and he died in my arms on the way to the hospital.<br />
The reality of losing my son knocked me into the dirt, and<br />
I just walked away from everything that I had with nothing<br />
more than my pickup truck and a few pieces of furniture.”<br />
Starting his life over from scratch at age of 52 seemed<br />
daunting, but Don eventually found himself once again by<br />
returning to his roots. “I went back to training horses,” he said,<br />
“mostly because it was what I knew how to do. Even so, I was<br />
never comfortable with the way in which the animals were<br />
trained or ‘broken’ because that’s exactly what was being<br />
done to them. I started to wonder if there wasn’t a better way<br />
to do things.” If there was one thing Don understood, it was<br />
the fact that horses won’t do something for a human unless<br />
the animal wants to do it. Knowing this, he developed a way<br />
in which a trainer could earn the horse’s trust more gently,<br />
thus creating a more genuine bond between himself and the<br />
animal without the need of breaking its spirit. “In other words,<br />
I learned to become a leader instead of just a boss,” he added.<br />
A New Beginning!<br />
Don realized the concept of<br />
leadership through trust-building<br />
could be applied to human relationships.<br />
Around this time, he met a woman named<br />
Debra Ford through mutual friends, and the<br />
two began dating and were eventually married on October<br />
15, 2011. He credits her with transforming both his ranch and<br />
his life into what it is today – The Cowboy Solution. Now, the<br />
couple and their trainers transform the lives of others using<br />
their six-hour courses. “I absolutely love when I see people<br />
make a change,” Don commented, “and they suddenly realize<br />
that success is easy to achieve. It’s that ‘aha moment,’ and we<br />
have a lot of those here at the ranch. There’s not a day goes<br />
by when someone doesn’t say, ‘You’ve changed my life.’”<br />
The Cowboy Solution hosts seminars utilizing horses<br />
as powerful training tools. The animals act as a mirror that<br />
reflects people’s ability to communicate, and participants<br />
learn how to partner with the horses to achieve their goals.<br />
This, in turn, helps them build trust and how that can be<br />
applied in their business organizations.<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
On this life-changing program, call (281) 732-4963,<br />
or visit www.cowboysolution.com<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
onthetown 7<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 7<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:08 PM
Dave Ramsey Says...<br />
q<br />
I own a small business,<br />
and I’m having trouble<br />
scaling up while keeping<br />
expenses down. Do you<br />
have any advice for me?<br />
AThere are two types of expenses: fixed and<br />
variable. Variable expenses rise as the volume and<br />
size of your business grows. A good example of<br />
this would be shipping. The more stuff you move,<br />
the higher your shipping bill. Fixed expenses are<br />
there regardless of your income. Rent is a fixed expense.<br />
The amount doesn’t change, and you have to pay it whether<br />
you’re making money or not.<br />
The best advice I can give you in a scenario like this is<br />
to take a deep breath, and accept the fact that you need to<br />
slow down and grow slowly and steadily. If you let expenses<br />
get out of hand you’ll be chasing them and playing catch up<br />
for the life of your business. Overhead kills businesses, Josh.<br />
It’s the death knell.<br />
qI’m thinking about starting<br />
an auto detailing business.<br />
Do you have any advice on<br />
how to start something like<br />
this, and what to consider<br />
first?<br />
AWhen you’re running your own business, you’ll find<br />
out quickly that your boss is a jerk who works you<br />
like an animal. Working for yourself is one of the<br />
toughest things you can do for a career, and you<br />
better make sure you’re doing something you love,<br />
because it’ll take years of blood, sweat and tears<br />
to be successful. If you don’t absolutely love auto detailing,<br />
and if you’re thinking about it simply because it’s plausible or<br />
you think you can make money doing it, I’d advise giving up<br />
on the idea. If that’s your stance, it’s really more of a side job<br />
than a business.<br />
Think about something you’d want to be doing every<br />
day five years from now, and have anywhere from 20 to 200<br />
people doing it with you. You’ll always do a better job and<br />
have more fun when you’re involved with something you<br />
love. And when it comes to running the business, pay cash,<br />
have a written game plan and don’t be afraid to grow slowly.<br />
Lay out a smart business plan ahead of time, and know<br />
everything from your marketing strategies and cost of startup<br />
equipment and supplies to what your projected revenues<br />
are and the per unit charges for all your little widgets. Lay<br />
this all out like you had to prepare a report for a college<br />
class, and that’s what a business plan looks like.<br />
I’m excited for you, Justin, because you have lots of<br />
entrepreneurial spirit. You might not make $100,000 your first<br />
year, but who does? Just take your time. Be patient, be smart,<br />
and give people a quality product and professional service. If<br />
you’ll do those things, chances are you’ll be a success!<br />
ABOUT DAVE:<br />
Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He’s authored four New York Times best-selling books:<br />
Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover and EntreLeadership. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard<br />
by more than 6 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and<br />
on the web at daveramsey.com<br />
8 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 8<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:12 PM
united way<br />
receives gold marcom award<br />
Montgomery County United Way’s 2013 campaign video<br />
has received a Gold MarCom award for excellence in the<br />
video/film/nonprofit category. “Be Part of the Solution” was<br />
submitted for competition by Morris Ink Advertising Agency,<br />
LLC, on behalf of United Way and SilverRock Productions.<br />
The Gold Award is presented to those judged to exceed<br />
the high standards of the industry norm. There were over<br />
6,500 entries from multiple countries.<br />
MarCom Awards is an international creative competition<br />
that recognizes outstanding achievement by marketing and<br />
communication professionals. Entries come from corporate<br />
marketing and communication departments, advertising<br />
agencies, PR firms, design shops, production companies,<br />
and freelancers. The competition has grown to perhaps<br />
the largest of its kind in the world. Winners range in size<br />
from individual communicators to media conglomerates and<br />
Fortune 500 companies.<br />
“We are honored, of course,” said Julie Martineau,<br />
President of Montgomery County United Way. “But more<br />
importantly, we appreciate knowing that the group effort<br />
delivered a powerful and compelling message about those<br />
we are privileged to serve.”<br />
Preparation for the DVD begins early in the year,<br />
when advertising and production professionals meet with<br />
United Way staff to prioritize messages and develop the<br />
concept. Jennifer Adams-Burkett, Marketing Manager for<br />
Montgomery County United Way, said that “the collaborative<br />
process is intense because much is riding on the campaign’s<br />
effectiveness in educating potential donors while also<br />
entertaining and expressing gratitude.”<br />
One of the aspects of the MarCom award that<br />
is especially meaningful for United Way is that the<br />
sponsoring organization, the Association of Marketing and<br />
Communication Professionals, provides grants for marketing<br />
materials for homeless shelters, orphanages, day camps,<br />
community theaters, and for programs for seniors and<br />
children.<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
About the Montgomery County United Way and to<br />
view the award winning video visit www.MCUW.org<br />
Big or small,<br />
we can help<br />
you...<br />
Make us a part of your business strategy and see how easy it can be!<br />
Commercial Loans Commercial Lines of Credit<br />
Credit Card Services FREE & Interest Bearing Checking<br />
Remote Deposit Capture Merchant Processing<br />
281.856.5391(Ask for Chris) | FCCU.org<br />
The Woodlands Branch (Inside HEB)<br />
3601 FM 1488 The Woodlands, TX 77384<br />
FCCU invites businesses of Harris, Fort Bend or Montgomery County to grow with us.<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
onthetown 9<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 9<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:13 PM
Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area<br />
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors<br />
CELEBRATING 80 YEARS<br />
IN BUSINESS FOR BUSINESS SINCE 1934<br />
BY AMANDA HENSLEY<br />
This year’s Chairman’s Ball, hosted by the Greater<br />
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce (GCLCCOC),<br />
served not only in the usual manner to honor outgoing<br />
Chairman Tamara Trow and welcome incoming Chairman<br />
Danielle Schneider, but also marked the celebration of 80<br />
years of service to the business community of Montgomery<br />
County.<br />
The GCLCCOC first started in 1934 as the Montgomery<br />
County Chamber of Commerce with only three charter<br />
members known today as Consolidated Communications,<br />
Entergy Texas, Inc. and HCN, The Courier. Today with over<br />
1,000 members, they continue to make a huge impact on the<br />
economic quality of life in Montgomery County.<br />
Chamber Past Chair Larry Foerster (1991), can attest to<br />
the instrumental role that the GCLCCOC has played in the<br />
small business community. “In my experience, the Chamber<br />
serves as both a vocal advocate and an important resource<br />
for small businesses in the greater Conroe area. It partners<br />
with city and county governments in their ongoing efforts to<br />
stimulate the local economy and improve the quality of life<br />
for everyone in the area.<br />
Chamber member and diplomat Ron Saikowski, with<br />
Quest Engineering, also describes the Chamber as an<br />
organization that works for the improvement of the local<br />
business economy and helps link members with each other<br />
in their business endeavors. He draws value from their<br />
networking opportunities, free business seminars, marketing<br />
opportunities, interesting business luncheons, communal<br />
legislative activities, free use of Chamber facilities, and<br />
community recognition. “My Chamber membership works<br />
for me,” he says, “since I invest my time and attention into<br />
the Chamber and the numerous opportunities to help my<br />
business and enhance my community.”<br />
Ross and Diana Silva of Minuteman Press Conroe have<br />
been members for three years and equate their experience<br />
with starting a family. “When you join the Chamber, it’s like<br />
you’re joining a family,” Diana said. “There’s somewhere there<br />
for you, whether you have business or personal needs.” They<br />
made joining a top priority when buying the store and can<br />
attest that their involvement with the Chamber has helped<br />
their business grow.<br />
The Chamber’s contribution to the community over<br />
the past eighty years is evident throughout the county. In<br />
the 1950’s, The Montgomery County Fair, an annual event<br />
anticipated by all, was started by a small agricultural<br />
committee of the Chamber of Commerce. In the 1980’s<br />
10 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 10<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:20 PM
The Information Depot (a hub of the Convention & Visitors<br />
Bureau) was formed to help provide visitors to the area more<br />
information on what to see and do while in town. Also during<br />
this decade, the prestigious Leadership Montgomery County<br />
program was formed, with the goal of enhancing business<br />
leaders to help them emerge in this area.<br />
The Greater Conroe / Lake Conroe Area Chamber of<br />
Commerce pays tribute to the men and women who have<br />
served to make this Chamber as successful as it is today.<br />
Reflecting on this history with respect, current Chamber<br />
President Scott Harper embraces the future with inspired<br />
vision to lead the Chamber to even bigger heights, focusing<br />
on three key areas: membership, governance of operations<br />
and workforce issues.<br />
“Our focus for 2014 and beyond is the same as what we<br />
began 2013 with; developing a strategic plan for membership<br />
retention and sales and<br />
up with the pace of<br />
AT<br />
A<br />
ROE<br />
RO<br />
ER CONRO<br />
Chamber of Commerce<br />
LAKE<br />
/<br />
CONROE<br />
CONROE AREA<br />
GREATER<br />
GREAT<br />
THE<br />
/<br />
keeping<br />
LAKE CONRO<br />
RO<br />
R<br />
“We are looking to bridge the gap of communication,”<br />
Harper says, “so we can assist people with landing nice,<br />
solid jobs with benefits and options for reimbursement for<br />
education right here in their own community.”<br />
Scott recognizes that over the last 80 years, and<br />
specifically the last ten years, the Chamber could have done<br />
a better job and that some members have chosen not to<br />
renew as a result. Nevertheless, he hopes that people will<br />
respect the unique history of the past but join him in looking<br />
forward and embracing the future. The Chamber wants local<br />
businesses to succeed and would like a chance to be a part<br />
of their success by serving them with their needs.<br />
When asked what legacy he would like to leave for the<br />
Chamber to look back on another 80 years, Harper stated<br />
that the legacy of the President should play a minimal role,<br />
but that of the organization should be celebrated.<br />
When people look back 160 years from now, he would<br />
like them to remember a Chamber that set the standards on<br />
how to operate during a time of transition and growth. “I was<br />
E AREA<br />
who is<br />
coming into<br />
the area. We<br />
are lucky to be<br />
where we are, so<br />
close to Houston and<br />
1934 2014<br />
with Exxon-Mobile going in just a<br />
few miles down the road.”<br />
Harper and his staff, along with the Chamber Board of<br />
Directors, have spent some time analyzing the shift in the<br />
way the community draws value from the organization. With<br />
local area information readily available on the internet, the<br />
Chamber of Commerce is seen less as a local information<br />
center and is now used more for small business networking,<br />
continuing education and a portal for communication within<br />
the community. Not only can local businessmen and women<br />
benefit from a variety of seminars in a one-on-one classroom<br />
and the Chambers various networking events, but they can<br />
also use the Chamber as a springboard for their career with<br />
services geared toward job readiness. One particular area<br />
Harper hopes to impact is the communication between<br />
school districts, the Lone Star College system and business<br />
in the new Deison Technology Park.<br />
Entergy 1947 Line Crew<br />
chosen to be President during one of the most explosive times<br />
of the area since the oil boom,” he said. “We are strategically<br />
located between Houston and Dallas and in easy proximity<br />
to the capitol. Investors are coming and we want to be ready<br />
to respond and help stimulate the economic growth.”<br />
The role of the Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber<br />
of Commerce extends beyond their mission to strengthen<br />
the economic environment and quality of life in Montgomery<br />
County. The organization truly embraces their vision to be<br />
known as a dynamic organization that generates awareness,<br />
creates partnerships, and provides leadership for progressive<br />
development and growth while enhancing the quality of life<br />
in Montgomery County.<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
About the Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area<br />
Chamber of Commerce and how to become<br />
involved call (936) 756+6644.<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
onthetown 11<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 11<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:33 PM
ExxonMobil to give keynote at 28th<br />
annual Economic Outlook Conference<br />
ExxonMobil is the hottest topic north of<br />
Beltway 8, with cranes, construction and<br />
home values all going up in anticipation of<br />
the opening of the company’s north Houston<br />
campus just south of The Woodlands in 2014.<br />
ExxonMobil Senior Advisor Bob Davis will give the<br />
lunch keynote speech at The Woodlands Area Chamber of<br />
Commerce's 28th annual Economic Outlook Conference on<br />
February 14, 2014 to an audience that is eager to learn details<br />
of its new, top-tier corporate partner.<br />
"I have been up to the campus several times, and it’s<br />
fantastic," Davis says. "This represents the very first time<br />
that ExxonMobil is bringing together individuals from all of<br />
our different U.S.-based companies. The move will promote<br />
collaboration and help us operate more efficiently. You will<br />
be able to walk to a particular building, just like on a college<br />
campus, to have a meeting to discuss projects or issues.<br />
That's the really exciting aspect."<br />
ExxonMobil currently has more than 10 separate entities<br />
scattered around the Houston area in locations such as<br />
Greenspoint, Katy, on Buffalo Speedway off Highway 59 and<br />
in downtown Houston. These groups, and its operations from<br />
Fairfax, Virginia, will be united at the new campus, eliminating<br />
the frequent driving and flying that was part of ExxonMobil's<br />
daily routine to bring employees together from the different<br />
business units.<br />
What a campus it will be. ExxonMobil's facilities will feature<br />
its showcase "Energy Center," with movies and interactive<br />
displays, as well as restaurants, shops, an auditorium and<br />
executive offices. More than 20 buildings are being built,<br />
including a day care center and a 100,000 square-foot<br />
wellness center. Davis will provide attendees with a historical<br />
perspective on what this innovation means to a company<br />
that was founded over 130 years ago from the Pennsylvania<br />
oil fields, growing and changing with the major milestones<br />
of the 20th century into an international corporate and<br />
technological leader today. Leslie Hushka, Communications<br />
Manager for the ExxonMobil Houston Campus Project, will<br />
also speak at the conference about further details on the<br />
buildings and amenities in the ExxonMobil campus.<br />
"We are so pleased to have Mr. Davis' prospective on the<br />
oil industry and energy giant ExxonMobil's rise to be the most<br />
influential oil company in the world," says Karen Hoylman,<br />
President and CEO of The Woodlands Area Chamber of<br />
Commerce. "It is so important that our community understand<br />
this industry, which is an ever-growing part of our business<br />
community."<br />
More than 500 business and local leaders are expected<br />
to attend the Economic Outlook Conference at The<br />
Woodlands Waterway Marriott to address the local, national<br />
and global economic trends that effect businesses in The<br />
Woodlands and beyond. In addition to Davis and Hushka,<br />
speakers include Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Tex); Ramón Hernán,<br />
Executive Vice President, North America & Brazil at Repsol;<br />
Gary Schlossberg, Vice President & Senior Economist at<br />
Wells Capital Management; Ron Corn, Senior Vice President<br />
of Specialties, Aromatics and Styrenics at Chevron Phillips<br />
Chemical Co.; Woody Pace, Vice President of exploration<br />
at Talisman Energy; Frank J. LaRosa, Senior Vice President<br />
and Chief Administrative Officer at Layne Christensen; Alex<br />
Sutton, Co-President at The Woodlands Development Co.;<br />
Bruce Tough, Chairman for The Woodlands Township; and Gil<br />
Staley, CEO at The Woodlands Area Economic Development<br />
Partnership.<br />
ExxonMobil's Davis is no stranger to The Woodlands,<br />
having lived there since 1991, commuting to downtown<br />
Houston. "We have seen The Woodlands grow from George<br />
Mitchell's great vision, to create a hometown where people<br />
could live and work," Davis says. "That vision has been fulfilled.<br />
What has happened in The Woodlands in the last few years<br />
is nothing short of extraordinary.”<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
On The Woodlands Area Economic Development<br />
Partnership, visit www.edpartnership.net or call<br />
281-363-8130.<br />
12 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 12<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:34 PM
U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady<br />
8th District of Texas<br />
ENERGY to GROW<br />
FEBRUARY 14, 2014<br />
THE WOODLANDS WATERWAY MARRIOTT<br />
HOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTER<br />
LUNCHEON KEYNOTE<br />
Bob Davis<br />
Senior Advisor<br />
Exxon Mobil<br />
Corporation<br />
Alex G. Sutton, P.E.<br />
Co-President<br />
The Woodlands Development<br />
Company, A Division of The<br />
Howard Hughes Corporation<br />
PRESENTING SPONSOR<br />
Bruce Tough<br />
Chairman<br />
The Woodlands Township<br />
CONFERENCE AGENDA<br />
7:30 a.m. Registration Begins<br />
8:00 a.m. Welcome: Steve Pate – Chief Executive Officer<br />
Strike, LLC - Presenting Sponsor<br />
Overview/Emcees:<br />
Linda Head, Lone Star College – Conference Chair<br />
Nelda Luce Blair, Blair Law Firm<br />
8:10 a.m. U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, 8th District of Texas<br />
8:40 a.m. Community Update<br />
Alex G. Sutton, P.E. – Co-President<br />
The Woodlands Development Company<br />
A Division of The Howard Hughes Corporation<br />
Bruce Tough – Chairman, The Woodlands Township<br />
Gil Staley – Chief Executive Officer, The Woodlands Area<br />
Economic Development Partnership<br />
Leslie Hushka – Communications Manager<br />
Houston Campus Project, Exxon Mobil Corporation<br />
9:40 a.m. Gary Schlossberg – Vice President & Senior Economist<br />
Wells Capital Management<br />
10:25 a.m. Business Connections & Booth Visitations<br />
10:40 a.m. Ron Corn – Senior V ice President of Specialties,<br />
Aromatics & Styrenics, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP<br />
11:25 a.m. Group Panel<br />
Woody Pace – Vice President of Exploration Technical<br />
Excellence & President, Talisman Energy Services Inc.<br />
Ramón Hernán – Executive Vice President<br />
North America & Brazil, Repsol<br />
Frank J. LaRosa – Senior Vice President<br />
Chief Administrative Officer, Layne Christensen<br />
12:10 p.m. Conference Concludes<br />
Business Connections & Booth Visitations<br />
12:40 p.m. Luncheon Keynote Speaker<br />
Bob Davis – Senior Advisor, Exxon Mobil Corporation<br />
Local energy industry companies providing<br />
the fuel to grow the ecomomy.<br />
Leslie Hushka<br />
Communications<br />
Manager–<br />
Houston Campus Project<br />
Exxon Mobil Corporation<br />
Ron Corn<br />
Senior Vice President of<br />
Specialties, Aromatics<br />
and Styrenics<br />
Chevron Phillips<br />
Chemical Company LP<br />
Ramón Hernán<br />
Executive Vice<br />
President<br />
North America & Brazil<br />
Repsol<br />
Gil Staley<br />
Chief Executive Officer<br />
The Woodlands Area<br />
The<br />
Economic<br />
Woodlands<br />
Development<br />
Area Economic<br />
Partnership<br />
Gary Schlossberg<br />
Vice<br />
Vice<br />
President<br />
President<br />
&<br />
&<br />
Senior Economist<br />
Wells<br />
Wells<br />
Capital<br />
Capital<br />
Management<br />
Management<br />
Woody Pace<br />
Vice President of of Exploration<br />
Technical Excellence & &<br />
President<br />
Talisman Energy Services Inc. Inc.<br />
Frank J. LaRosa<br />
Senior Vice President Chief<br />
Administrative Officer<br />
Layne Christensen<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
onthetown 13<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 13<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:36 PM
Josh Urban, Linda Freede, Mike Karlins and David Sharpe<br />
bustin' clays for our heros<br />
new shooting tournament aims to meet needs<br />
All branches of the United States military work together<br />
to protect the place we call home from all enemies - foreign<br />
and domestic. Many individual service men and women do<br />
so while enduring great personal sacrifice because of the<br />
devotion they have to our country.<br />
Local professional Ricky Castillo served in the Marine<br />
Corps for four years, participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom<br />
a total of three times. Castillo is currently employed as a tax<br />
senior at Karlins, Ramey & Tompkins, LLC. After Mike Karlins<br />
had several conversations with Castillo about his time<br />
selflessly serving our nation, he decided he wanted to help<br />
heroes like his employees.<br />
We have all heard news reports about the lack of<br />
government support and funding cuts for veterans, stories<br />
about the high costs of prosthetics and many reports of the<br />
plague of post-traumatic stress disorder. Karlins’ daughter<br />
actually studies mechanical engineering at the University of<br />
Texas at Austin and has a prosthetics interest, which gave him<br />
an understanding of how expensive functioning prosthetics<br />
can be. There are many needs to be filled for our veterans;<br />
so many that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs cannot<br />
always keep up with the demand.<br />
With this knowledge, Karlins began to search for an<br />
avenue to assist the local heroes who have served tirelessly.<br />
He got in touch with TIRR Memorial Hermann and worked to<br />
set up an event to fund the needs of area veterans.<br />
The first annual event, Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes, will<br />
be held on Thursday, April 17, 2014. “We are proud to host this<br />
event and partner with TIRR to raise funds for rehabilitation<br />
for our military veterans,” said Karlins. Proceeds raised from<br />
the event will support expenses associated with returning to<br />
civilian life, such as prosthetics, counseling, rehab, etc.<br />
The event is open to sportsmen, gun enthusiasts and novices<br />
alike. Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes will be held at the Conroe<br />
Shooting Center on FM 2854.<br />
“We have had a tremendous response to this event<br />
already and are so grateful to our veterans that this is a small<br />
way we can give back and have some fun in the process,” said<br />
Karlins.<br />
“In rehabilitation medicine, it is so important that we<br />
support our injured veterans who have sacrificed so much for<br />
us all. Through their rehab comes an advance in technology,<br />
such as prostheses and improvements in functional<br />
outcomes, which ultimately translates to improved patient<br />
care for all including our civilian patients. We all benefit from<br />
events like Bustin’ Clays which raise awareness by supporting<br />
our disabled veterans. I am so glad to be lend my support<br />
to this worthy cause,” said Danielle H. Melton, MD of TIRR<br />
Memorial Hermann.<br />
Teams of four participants will participate in a shotgun<br />
start tournament followed by dinner. Registration is $850 per<br />
team or $250 for individual. Sponsorships are still available.<br />
TIRR Memorial Hermann specializes in physical therapy,<br />
occupational therapy and speech therapy for inpatients<br />
and outpatients affected by spinal cord injury, traumatic<br />
brain injury, stroke, amputation, multiple trauma and<br />
neuromuscular disorders.<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
On Bustin' Clays contact Veronica at (281) 364-0245<br />
or Cathleen at (713) 242-4450. For more information<br />
on TIRR please visit www.tirrmemorialhermann.org<br />
14 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 14<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:38 PM
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Learn more at www.cowboysolution.com<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
onthetown 15<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 15<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:39 PM
the friendship center<br />
meals on wheels<br />
BY AMANDA HENSLEY<br />
Ms. Ethel & Kris Dimlich<br />
Senior citizens, although one of the most-loved and<br />
well-respected groups in society, are often forgotten<br />
or unintentionally neglected in the hustle and bustle of life’s<br />
daily grind. Many find themselves homebound, unable to do<br />
things they did before and often alone because their spouse<br />
has passed away.<br />
For homebound seniors in Montgomery County, there is<br />
hope. The Friendship Center, founded in 1973, is a non-profit<br />
organization dedicated to enriching the lives of the senior<br />
citizen community in Montgomery County by meeting social,<br />
physical and emotional needs of anyone over the age of 60<br />
in need of help. One of the most impactful programs offered<br />
by the organization is the Meals on Wheels program, through<br />
which volunteers bring warm meals to seniors in their homes<br />
each week.<br />
Kris Dimlich has played an active role in the Meals on<br />
Wheels program for over six years now, delivering meals to<br />
recipients who have come to think of her as family. Knowing<br />
of the large waiting list for the Meals on Wheels service,<br />
Kris took it upon herself to lead a new campaign to raise<br />
funds for resources specifically to expand the impact of<br />
the program in Montgomery County. The annual campaign<br />
began three years ago and has achieved incredible results,<br />
including a 65% increase in funds raised for this year alone.<br />
Kris is excited about the awareness the campaign brings to<br />
the program and looks forward to the 2014 campaign which<br />
will run from the first of March through the end of June<br />
The one-on-one time spent with Meals on Wheels<br />
recipients has given Kris insight to the needs of homebound<br />
seniors and the state of the Meals on Wheels program. This<br />
has proven invaluable as she also serves on The Friendship<br />
Center’s Board of Directors, striving daily to change the<br />
statistics for many homebound seniors. “My experience with<br />
my own grandparents and great-grandparents who lived<br />
into their 90’s is what first made me aware of the care that<br />
seniors require,” says Dimlich. “Age does not discriminate and<br />
if we all live long enough, we’ll be seniors one day too. Some<br />
people shy away from helping the elderly because it’s not<br />
cancer, or a disability, but rather a phase of life, but this is a<br />
societal issue that will never go away.”<br />
When community members call and ask for an<br />
opportunity to experience a Meals on Wheels route, Kris is<br />
never hesitant to host someone in her passenger seat to<br />
help them understand the need for the program. There are<br />
currently 500 clients on service, with 105 on a waiting list<br />
through The Friendship Center. That’s typically 10,000 meals<br />
served each month, which equates to over 120,000 meals<br />
served each year. Dimlich comments, “It’s always been my<br />
pleasure to give true insight into what we do and how great<br />
the need is here.”<br />
For the seniors served, simple tasks such as running to<br />
the store for milk or going outside to cover your pipes is not<br />
an option. Furthermore, the visits they get from volunteers<br />
are often the only social interactions they have all week. “It’s<br />
hard to see this need, but it’s a rewarding experience,” says<br />
Dimlich. “The elderly can’t just decide one day to put on a<br />
smile and make that day the day to change their lives. It’s<br />
just not that simple for them. That’s where we can provide<br />
assistance; where we can give them hope.”<br />
Directing an organization such as this takes time, talent,<br />
skilled direction and plenty of volunteers. There are daily<br />
opportunities to be the hands and feet of The Friendship<br />
Center, as well as an ongoing need for funding and donations.<br />
The Friendship Center has been “Enriching the Lives of Senior<br />
Adults” for 40 years now, and will continue to do so for years<br />
to come thanks to those who give and are committed to their<br />
cause, but not without community involvement.<br />
The Friendship Center has a perpetual waiting list<br />
for seniors who need care, but many are not able to be<br />
supported by the center due to limited funds. With the Baby<br />
Boomer generation approaching their 60’s and 70’s, the<br />
current challenge will grow rapidly with an expected 65,000<br />
adults over the age of 65 right here in Montgomery County<br />
by the year 2015. The Friendship Center, however, is ready<br />
and willing to take it on with your help.<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
On The Friendship Center, how to volunteer or to<br />
locate a community center, visit<br />
www.tfcseniorservices.org<br />
16 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 16<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:43 PM
cos bar AT MARKET STREET WILL DONATE 5% OF SALES TO MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER<br />
In support of MD Anderson Cancer Center and to<br />
celebrate its fifth anniversary in The Woodlands, Cos<br />
Bar at Market Street will donate five percent of sales during<br />
the months of January and February to the Center.<br />
Cos Bar offers the most exclusive line of designer<br />
cosmetics, luxury skin care, and elegant fragrances, many of<br />
which are only available in Houston’s Galleria area. The store<br />
is located at 9595 Six Pines Drive, between Uni Sushi and<br />
SOHO, near Cinemark Theaters.<br />
The funds are given to the MD Anderson Regional Care<br />
Center - The Woodlands located on the St. Luke’s The<br />
Woodlands Hospital campus to help offset the expenses<br />
of patients undergoing cancer treatment. Dr. Pamela<br />
Schlembach, Associate Professor at the University of Texas<br />
MD Anderson and member of the department of Radiation<br />
Oncologist with MD Anderson Care Center - The Woodlands,<br />
will work directly with the social service department to help<br />
identify which patients that would benefit from these funds<br />
to offset the expenses they incur such as gas, hotel costs,<br />
caregiver and childcare services, and prescriptions.<br />
“Cos Bar’s founder, Lily Garfield, serves on the Board<br />
of Visitors for MD Anderson Cancer Center, which is an<br />
appointive board of volunteers dedicated to advancing the<br />
Center’s initiatives, so this organization is very near and<br />
dear to our hearts,” said Colleen Clooney, Manager of Cos<br />
Bar at Market Street - The Woodlands. “We encourage the<br />
community to shop with us throughout January and February<br />
to discover the new colors and products for 2014 while at the<br />
same time help us support a great cause.”<br />
Cos Bar at Market Street - The Woodlands is open Monday<br />
through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from<br />
noon to 6 p.m. The assistant store manager, Emma Brooks, is<br />
fluent in both Spanish and English. Make-up lessons, private<br />
parties, facial services, special event makeovers, and speaking<br />
engagements are also available.<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
About Cos Bar at Market Street - The Woodlands,<br />
please call (281) 419-2269 or visit www.CosBar.com<br />
edible<br />
arr. ad<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
onthetown 17<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 17<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:47 PM
Ricardo Trevino crossing<br />
the finish line<br />
something to smile about<br />
local athlete rasies money for smile train<br />
BY AMANDA HENSLEY<br />
A 2.4-mile swim followed by a 112-mile bike ride and a<br />
26.2-mile run would be hard on anyone, but even more so<br />
for someone with a torn meniscus. Despite recovering from<br />
surgery to repair this injury, Ricardo Trevino recently competed<br />
in a Half Ironman endurance competition to benefit a worthy<br />
cause.<br />
Trevino and other members of “Team Empower” competed<br />
in the Tempe Ironman to raise a minimum of $5,000 for Smile<br />
Train. Founded in 1999, the charitable organization provides<br />
surgical correction for cleft lips and palates in the United<br />
States and underdeveloped countries. With a staff of just 63<br />
people, the organization has trained doctors in more than 80<br />
countries and has completed nearly one million successful<br />
surgeries. Having been exposed to Smile Train when training<br />
for the Ironman began, Trevino researched the organization<br />
and was impressed with its global presence and nearly one<br />
million successful operations completed during the past 14<br />
years.<br />
“The cost for one surgery is $250,” said Trevino. “When<br />
I would share that with people, it was easy for them to<br />
understand. For the cost of what many of us spend in<br />
one shopping trip, the life of someone can be changed so<br />
dramatically for the better. Trevino ended up raising almost<br />
$16,000 on his own, and as Team Empower raised more<br />
$415,000. “That’s a lot of surgeries!” he added.<br />
An IT Director at Medco, a family owned medical supply<br />
company based in Houston, Trevino trained an average of 15-<br />
20 hours per week to prepare for the competition. His goal:<br />
simply to finish. In the end, he exceeded those expectations<br />
and finished the entire competition with a time of 13:57.<br />
“That’s exceptional in my mind,” he commented. “This was my<br />
first Ironman so I really didn’t want to set a specific time goal,<br />
especially just having surgery a few months ago. I’ll definitely<br />
be doing another in two years.”<br />
With a slight tear to his meniscus, Trevino still competed<br />
in a May 2013 Half Ironman competition in Galveston. Before<br />
he could take his efforts to the next level, however, he knew<br />
this would have to be repaired before taking his efforts to the<br />
next level as the injury become worse. After undergoing knee<br />
surgery on July 17, 2013, he was determined to continue life<br />
as normal and adapted his training and prepared to compete<br />
in his first full Ironman competition in Tempe. To train for<br />
the grueling competition, he took full advantage of the many<br />
activities available in The Woodlands for outdoor training<br />
and exercise.<br />
“Dana Lyons has a team that he trains,” Trevino said,<br />
“and he allowed me to go out and swim with them once<br />
a week for practice. Bike Lane in The Woodlands were a<br />
great support too in providing me with sound advice when<br />
I started that phase of training.” Trevino’s wife, children and<br />
five grandchildren supported him at every leg of the journey.<br />
An Ironman competition in and of itself is not for the<br />
faint of heart and Trevino recommends talking to those<br />
who’ve competed. “The execution of training and diet is key<br />
to succeeding,” he said. “This isn’t a marathon or 5k, it’s an<br />
endurance race and that takes a plan. Whatever your reason,<br />
just keep that in mind with every step you take, mile you bike<br />
or stroke you swim.”<br />
The adrenaline rush, sense of accomplishment of<br />
completing something one never thought they could are all<br />
reasons why athletes train and compete each day. Trevino<br />
and the rest of Team Empower had more on the line than just<br />
bragging rights – they competed with 74 other team members<br />
to benefit Smile Train. And that gives you something to smile<br />
about.<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
On this humanitarian organization visit<br />
www.smiletrain.org<br />
18 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 18<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:49 PM
changing lives IN<br />
montgomery county<br />
coat of many colors ministries<br />
By Amanda Hensley<br />
While serving as a pastor in the small community<br />
of Dobbin, TX in 1995, Dr. Michael Hayes realized<br />
a burning desire to broaden his impact on the community.<br />
As he visited with volunteers and program participants at<br />
the church’s food pantry, he encountered an overwhelming<br />
common sentiment to also provide education and<br />
employment assistance. In 2001, with much hard work and<br />
thorough planning, Coat of Many Colors Ministries was<br />
founded.<br />
For the next nine years, Coat of Many Colors Ministries<br />
operated out of the church. As the ministry grew, so did<br />
Dr. Hayes’ desire to help more people. Making the difficult<br />
decision to step down from his position as pastor, he began<br />
to focus solely on Coat of Many Colors Ministries and in 2011,<br />
they were blessed with an opportunity to move into their<br />
current location in the Lonestar Community Building.<br />
Today, the Coat of Many Colors Ministries supports the<br />
community in numerous areas. On the second and fourth<br />
Wednesday of each month, January through October, their<br />
food bank is open from 10am-5pm to serve those in need. In<br />
November and December, they operate only on the second<br />
Wednesday of the month. They have steadily seen an increase<br />
in response and served 73 families this past November, which<br />
equates to over 410 people who were helped.<br />
“I’m a firm believer that you have a passion in life, and my<br />
passion is helping people. When I can see the impact I’ve been<br />
able to make in people’s lives through services we provide, it’s<br />
the motivation that keeps me going.”<br />
-Dr. Micheal Hayes<br />
Working with the Montgomery County Homeless<br />
Coalition, Coat of Many Color Ministries works to reduce<br />
homelessness in our community. “One of the most<br />
memorable clients I’ve worked with was a gentleman two<br />
years ago who came to us homeless,” says Hayes. “After<br />
going through our program, we were able to help him gain<br />
employment through the City of Conroe Parks Department,<br />
and he is no longer homeless.”<br />
The Coat of Many Colors Ministries strives to help people<br />
gain independence by reducing or eliminating their need for<br />
government assistance while empowering them to become<br />
productive citizens in the community once again. “We try to<br />
route people in a direction where they have a passion and<br />
interest,”<br />
commented<br />
Hayes. “For<br />
example, the<br />
gentleman I<br />
mentioned<br />
before had<br />
experience in<br />
the trucking industry, but he expressed that he wanted to do<br />
something where he could be outside, so we started training<br />
in that direction.”<br />
Along with assistance in searching for employment, the<br />
ministry offers vocational training, business, employment and<br />
computer basics workshops, resume and interviewing skills<br />
and even personalized business counseling to help some of<br />
their clients start businesses of their own. They have helped<br />
50-60 people in each class to date. Chase bank has even<br />
begun providing financial training and assistance for those<br />
who have developed poor financial habits in the past; a way<br />
to help get people reestablished with a bank account and<br />
begin building credit once again.<br />
Hayes commented, “I’m a firm believer that you have<br />
a passion in life, and my passion is helping people. When<br />
I can see the impact I’ve been able to make in people’s lives<br />
through services we provide, it’s the motivation that keeps<br />
me going.”<br />
While the Coat of Many Colors Ministries is growing,<br />
with growth comes needs. Hayes mentioned that their needs<br />
are mostly with funding and non-perishable food donations<br />
for their pantry. There are even volunteer opportunities<br />
for anyone willing to donate their time or services to help<br />
their neighbors in Montgomery County. April Sound Church<br />
and Lonestar Cowboy Church have been key proponents in<br />
donating funds, food items and sending volunteers, but there<br />
are always new needs to be met. “We hope to have land<br />
and a free standing building of our own one day, and would<br />
love to be able to compensate some of our full-time service<br />
people for their time and talents,” says Hayes. “These are all<br />
the visions we see for the future so we can do more for those<br />
in need.”<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
On the Coat of Many Colors Ministries and how to<br />
donate and volunteer visit www.cmcmi.org<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
onthetown 19<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 19<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:50 PM
kidville<br />
offers genius in training program<br />
Kidville The Woodlands offers 'Genius in Training'<br />
program, working with kids outside the box<br />
The play-centric learning center for young children is<br />
embracing imagination and make-believe in its new Creative<br />
Drama classes for 3 to 6 year olds. Debuting in the upcoming<br />
semester that begins January 13, the class will run Tuesday<br />
mid-morning, as well as Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday in<br />
the afternoon.<br />
Participating students will spend 45 minutes letting<br />
their imaginations soar as they explore familiar stories<br />
through pantomime, games, creative movement, imagery<br />
and improvisation. Taught by Kidville owner and theaterarts<br />
educated Karen Roberts, the class will encourage<br />
independent thought, cooperation between students, and<br />
problem solving.<br />
"The movers and shakers of this world are the creative<br />
thinkers," Roberts says. "They're the problem solvers, the<br />
ones who come up with the new ideas. This is why I refer to<br />
this class as our 'Genius in Training' program because children<br />
are learning at a very young age to think outside the box."<br />
While the rigors of elementary education and increased<br />
testing in education have forced children to exhibit proficiency<br />
at reading and writing at younger ages, imagination and<br />
creativity serve vital roles in child development and<br />
intellectual advancement.<br />
"Experiences in problem solving help children develop<br />
curiosity and patience, along with thinking skills such as<br />
flexibility, and understanding of cause and effect. They learn<br />
to work toward achieving a goal, and gain confidence in their<br />
ability to reach a solution," according to research from the<br />
National Association for the Education of Young Children.<br />
"Parents who have tired of the current trend of helicoptering<br />
over their children will be relieved to let them use their<br />
imaginations and learn valuable lessons that will serve them<br />
well into adulthood."<br />
The Creative Drama class is all about guided discovery.<br />
Roberts will take a familiar poem like Little Miss Muffet<br />
and ask the children to play the role of spiders and share<br />
their opinions on the taste of her porridge or the comfort<br />
of her tuffet. The Three Little Pigs will afford children the<br />
opportunity to demonstrate their own version of a wolf in<br />
a safe, nurturing environment where they can explore with<br />
gentle guidance.<br />
"Three plus three equals six, but how your pig talks is up<br />
to you. We look at problems and find different ways to solve<br />
them," Roberts explains. "We are not looking for an answer,<br />
we are looking at the possibilities."<br />
Kidville The Woodlands is located at<br />
4747 Research Forest Drive and can be reached by calling<br />
281.651.5403 or by going to www.kidville.com/thewoodlands.<br />
20 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 20<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:51 PM
twdc supports<br />
habitat for<br />
humanity<br />
The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC), a<br />
wholly-owned subsidiary of The Howard Hughes<br />
Corporation recently presented a $12,200 donation to<br />
Habitat for Humanity-Montgomery County, one of the<br />
beneficiaries of the Company’s 2012 Holiday Countdown<br />
promotion. The promotion involved new home buyers who<br />
signed contracts between November 1 and December 31, 2012.<br />
A total of 122 new home sales closed during 2013 as a result<br />
of the promotion. TWDC donated $100 for each sale in The<br />
Woodlands to Habitat for Humanity-Montgomery County.<br />
Bridgeland, another top-selling master planned<br />
community developed by The Howard Hughes Corporation,<br />
also participated in the promotion and donated $5,600 to<br />
Habitat for Humanity – Northwest Harris County, bringing the<br />
total donation by TWDC to $17,800.<br />
Pictured Left to Right: Jeanne Toth, Eric Hird, Patricia Brown,<br />
Kimberly Lacayo, Larry Abston, Ron Brandt, Tim Welbes,<br />
Barbara Smith, Russ Palmore, Calleen McFerren,<br />
Susan Vreeland-Wendt, & Lorrie Parise.<br />
“Habitat for Humanity is one of the most respected nonprofit<br />
organizations in the country, and we are happy to help<br />
hard-working families in need make their dream of home<br />
ownership a reality,” said Tim Welbes, Co-President of TWDC.<br />
Habitat’s mission is to eliminate poverty housing by<br />
building decent, affordable homes in partnership with hardworking<br />
local families in need. Since its inception in 1989,<br />
Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County has built more<br />
than 90 homes, including more than 30 homes in the 37-acre<br />
Cedar Creek neighborhood. Habitat for Humanity Northwest<br />
Harris County has built more than 160 homes, providing<br />
housing for more than 700 people.<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
Contact Susan Vreeland-Wendt at the TWDC by<br />
calling (281) 719-6174.<br />
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Be seen. Be heard.<br />
onthetown 21<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 21<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:54 PM
qualified mortgages start in 2014!<br />
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer<br />
Protection Act was signed in to law on July 21, 2010. Part<br />
of the Dodd-Frank Act is called the Ability-to-Repay (ATR)<br />
requirements for Qualified Mortgage (QM) loans. These<br />
requirements go in to effect on January 10, 2014. Lenders<br />
will now have to make sure the loans they lend adhere to the<br />
QM rules as well as the ATP requirements of the Dodd-Frank<br />
Act. Lenders are motivated to lend “qualified mortgages” to<br />
consumers to gain safe harbor from potential future lawsuits<br />
when a borrower’s ability to repay their loan may change<br />
So, what does this mean for real estate professionals<br />
and current/future homeowners? The bottom-line is that<br />
underwriting standards and loan structures will get a little<br />
more restrictive.<br />
Lenders must make a reasonable, good-faith<br />
determination before a consumer closes on a new mortgage<br />
that the consumer has a reasonable ability to repay the<br />
loan. In total, there are 8 underwriting factors that must be<br />
considered when determining a consumer’s ability to repay<br />
their loan. A few examples of these underwriting factors are<br />
the following: 1) Current or reasonably expected income<br />
or assets that the consumer will have to repay the loan 2)<br />
Current employment status 3) Fully amortized mortgage<br />
payment for the consumer’s potential mortgage including<br />
taxes, insurance, HOA dues, etc. 4) Credit history and 5) All<br />
other monthly debts, alimony, child-support, etc. (It is my<br />
opinion that our industry has been analyzing these factors<br />
for years so it doesn’t change the “normal” underwriting<br />
process in most cases).<br />
An example of a situation that might limit a consumer’s<br />
ability to get qualified is when the consumer wants to take<br />
advantage of an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). The new<br />
ATR rule will require that the lender qualify the consumer<br />
on the highest possible rate within the first 5 years of the<br />
mortgage. In some cases this could potentially be 4-6%<br />
higher than the initial start rate and the consumer would not<br />
qualify for their desired loan amount.<br />
One of the most concerning requirements of QM loans<br />
to most is a total debt-ratio limit of 43% for the consumer.<br />
This includes all of their debts, including the new housing<br />
obligation. It is important to note that this is for private QM<br />
loans. If the loan the consumer is getting qualified for is an<br />
agency loan (Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac), VA, FHA or USDA<br />
22 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
that debt ratio limit can be exceeded with an automated<br />
approval from the agency’s automated underwriting system.<br />
This leaves MANY of the “normal” loan solutions open to the<br />
same pool of consumers that were available before this rule<br />
went in to affect.<br />
For a loan to be a qualified mortgage, it cannot typically<br />
contain any features that are considered risky in nature. This<br />
means that loans with interest-only payments or negative<br />
amortization will not be readily available after this rule goes<br />
in to affect. If a lender were to extend one of these types<br />
of loans to a consumer, they would have no safe harbor<br />
protection. QM loans may also not be considered “high<br />
priced” to have safe harbor and comply with the ATP rule.<br />
For example, for a first-lien mortgage, the consumer’s annual<br />
percentage rate (APR) cannot be more than 1.5% over the<br />
Average Prime Offer Rate (APOR) on the day their loan was<br />
locked.<br />
One final aspect of the Ability-To-Repay rule and<br />
qualified mortgages are the lender fee caps that have<br />
been put in place. These fee caps were designed to limit<br />
the amount of fees that a consumer can pay for their new<br />
mortgage. For loan amounts above $100,000, the total loan<br />
fees are capped at 3% of the loan amount. For loan amounts<br />
below $100,000 the fee caps are on a sliding scale relative<br />
to the loan amount.<br />
In 2014 it will continue to be important for realtors<br />
and consumers to work with a residential mortgage loan<br />
originator they can trust. It will also be interesting to see<br />
what loan products evolve later in the year for the “non-<br />
QM” mortgages. Many in the industry feel this may prompt a<br />
new beginning for private, alternative lending solutions. We<br />
at Crystal Clear Mortgage are personally going to remain<br />
optimistic and adjust to the ever-changing regulations in<br />
our industry as everyone has had to do over the last decade.<br />
We will continue to offer the best mortgage solutions and<br />
customer service to our customers within the new regulations!<br />
Brian Ward<br />
Crystal Clear Mortgage<br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />
Bryan has been in the mortgage industry since<br />
2002. He co-founded Crystal Clear Mortgage, LLC<br />
with Adam Simmons in 2008. Crystal Clear Mortgage<br />
is a mortgage brokerage company offering<br />
Conventional / FHA / VA / USDA loan solutions<br />
throughout the State of Texas. Bryan currently lives<br />
in Montgomery, TX with his wife of 9 years and his<br />
two children.<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 22<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:57 PM
“We are here to help.”<br />
MAKING YOUR OPTIONS<br />
in HOME FINANCING CRYSTAL CLEAR<br />
Our goal at Crystal Clear Mortgage<br />
is to make the loan process as simple and worry-free as possible.<br />
We pride ourselves in offering the highest level of customer service, and appreciate the opportunity<br />
to earn your business. Whether you want to purchase a new home or refinance an existing mortgage,<br />
Crystal Clear Mortgage is here to help every step of the way. Whether you live in The Woodlands,<br />
Lake Conroe, or anywhere in Texas, by putting you first, we assure you a pleasurable transaction.<br />
“Why choose Crystal Clear Mortgage?”<br />
1 We have and always will be PURCHASE<br />
LOAN specialists. 80% of our business over<br />
the last 5 years has been dedicated towards<br />
financing home buyers. This is extremely<br />
important as rising rates are pushing refinance<br />
specialists into the purchase loan arena. Not<br />
doing business with a proven purchase loan<br />
specialist could result in delayed closings.<br />
2 You get to do business with the owners.<br />
That means we truly have a vested interest in<br />
seeing your loan close on time and the terms<br />
exactly as promised.<br />
We specialize in:<br />
Conventional loans (did you know you can<br />
do a conventional loan with a 3% down<br />
payment?)<br />
100% USDA loans<br />
100% VA loans<br />
FHA/Home Path/Foreclosures & Short Sales<br />
3 AMAZING RATES! Doing business directly with<br />
the owners means you get the best rates available.<br />
Unlike most companies, we do not have commissions<br />
for loan officers, branch managers, or processors<br />
built into our rates to drive them higher. The rate you<br />
get is the rate you get!<br />
4 We are both broker and a banker. This means<br />
we have twice the number of loan products and<br />
solutions as other lenders.<br />
If you are already working with a lender you were<br />
referred to, let us keep them honest. We don’t<br />
even need to see their Good Faith Estimate.<br />
We will just send you ours. You will be impressed!<br />
15320 Hwy 105 West, Suite 206 • Montgomery, TX 77356<br />
Office: 936.447.5626 • Fax: 936.588.5002<br />
Toll Free: 888-634-6911<br />
www.CrystalClearMortgage.com<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
onthetown 23<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 23<br />
1/28/2014 1:23:58 PM
project: safe id<br />
Reuniting lost children & Protecting our nation's elderly<br />
BY AMANDA HENSLEY<br />
When Brad Schlerf, CEO and creator of Verify ID,<br />
decided to retire from law enforcement after<br />
more than twenty years of service, he wanted to continue<br />
to benefit the community in some way. He spent his time as<br />
an officer on the forefront of computer forensics, evidence<br />
pertaining to technology and gang intelligence, and even<br />
helped to develop the program we now know as D.A.R.E.<br />
(Drug Abuse Resistance Education).<br />
After gaining much experience and expertise in computers,<br />
he created Verify ID, a product that’s now widely used by<br />
small businesses for customer service. The concept takes<br />
the age old idea of a medical bracelet and upgrades it for the<br />
future, which is now. For small business use in any industry<br />
that requires technicians, servicemen or employees to visit a<br />
client’s home or place of business, these revolutionary ID’s<br />
can be used to establish a client-business relationship and<br />
factor of trust from the very first scheduled appointment.<br />
Say an air conditioning company had Verify IDs<br />
made for every technician employed. When a client<br />
calls to schedule an appointment, they receive an<br />
email containing their technician’s name, photo and<br />
information that the company has disclosed on<br />
their profile ahead of time (certifications,<br />
hobbies, etc.)<br />
The client can then verify the<br />
technician’s ID when they arrive at their<br />
home with the badge, which contains<br />
the technician’s photo, name and a QR<br />
code that can be scanned. In an office<br />
environment, VerifyID bracelets, another tag<br />
option, can be used for employee identification<br />
by connecting pertinent emergency contact<br />
or medical information supplied with their<br />
personalized QR code. Some companies have<br />
chosen to list biographies, licenses, social media and<br />
website links, contact information and even videos or images,<br />
all at your fingertips by simply scanning their ID. The beauty<br />
of this product is that it’s all completely customizable. “You<br />
tell us what you want included and I’ll tell you, ‘Sure!’ says<br />
Schlerf.<br />
While Schlerf was excited about the Verify ID project,<br />
there was still something more he felt like he could be doing.<br />
Giving back to the community he served for so long, even if<br />
he wasn’t in law enforcement any longer, has always been<br />
his main focus. Schlerf said, “There are over 800,000 children<br />
reported missing every year, and of those over 85% are just<br />
kids who are lost, non-criminal in nature. Those are the ones<br />
we’re focusing on.”<br />
In January, he and his company decided to take the ID<br />
concept to the next level and launched Project Safe ID, a<br />
revolutionary concept that merges the Verify ID product with<br />
the situation that every parent dreads; your child missing. For<br />
a mere $20 a year, you can enroll your child in this program<br />
and receive three tags, choosing from five different styles,<br />
with your child’s picture, first name only and a personalized<br />
QR code.<br />
When their code is scanned, there’s an option to direct<br />
dial Mom and/or Dad, other emergency contacts, emergency<br />
medical information, such as food allergies, and more. Just<br />
like the Verify ID’s, these are 100% customizable for your child,<br />
and are ideal for situations where your special-needs child is<br />
lost, an emergency occurs and they’re unresponsive, or<br />
just too scared to articulate answers to questions<br />
being asked of them.<br />
With the age of smart-phones and other<br />
mobile devices, almost anyone within walking<br />
distance of your child can be of assistance<br />
in the event that they’re separated from<br />
you, emergency respondents included.<br />
There’s even a way for parents to access<br />
their account and flag their child as a<br />
documented missing child, ensuring that if<br />
their ID is scanned, it will pop up with an<br />
extra alert.<br />
It’s important to note that a child’s<br />
information will never be listed in their<br />
database until a personalized ID number<br />
has been created.<br />
Even more, there’s a line of Project<br />
Safe ID for seniors and pets. “We’ve spent<br />
thousands [of dollars] working on this project, but<br />
that’s not the point. Every child, senior citizen and pet that’s<br />
returned home safely, or gets medical attention they need<br />
quickly is what makes it all worth it,” says Schlerf. “That’s why<br />
this is a completely not-for-profit project.” These are perfect<br />
for medical institutions, veterinary offices, or even entire<br />
school districts to use as their campus ID’s. It’s just about<br />
getting the word out there now.<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
Contact Project Safe ID by visiting<br />
www.verify-id.com<br />
24 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 24<br />
1/28/2014 1:24:00 PM
2014 housing trends<br />
corporate<br />
housing<br />
Good News! According to the<br />
Urban Land Institute, Houston has been<br />
ranked #2 as the real estate market<br />
to watch in 2014. So what is driving<br />
this and what can we expect for real<br />
estate trends in 2014 in Houston and<br />
surrounding areas?<br />
One of the biggest markets that<br />
real estate investors watch is where<br />
the Millennial Generation is moving.<br />
They are expected to continue heading<br />
to second-tier cities such as Austin,<br />
Portland & Dallas over traditional cities<br />
like New York City and San Francisco.<br />
These second-tier cities tend to have<br />
more housing deals making prospects<br />
for real estate investors more attracted<br />
to cities such as San Jose, Miami and<br />
Houston. The real estate recovery<br />
always hinges on job growth. Texas<br />
continues to have consistent growth<br />
while other states face continuing<br />
challenges.<br />
During the recent recession<br />
there were noticeable demands<br />
for apartments, this was due to<br />
homeowners who turned renters.<br />
This created a surge in multi-family<br />
developments, perhaps maybe even<br />
some over building occurred, which<br />
would lead to a slow-down of new<br />
multi-family construction.<br />
Another area of housing that is<br />
expected to be slower than normal is<br />
condo development. With the recovery<br />
of the condominium market and the<br />
over development of apartments,<br />
we may see some rental apartment<br />
properties switching to condos in the<br />
next 12-16 months. These properties<br />
also accommodate the continued<br />
demand for urban development.<br />
The increased interest in urban over<br />
suburban developments are expected<br />
to continue in most cities where<br />
amenities and public transportation are<br />
available.<br />
It is predicted that 2014 will be the<br />
last year that low inventory will aid<br />
sellers and allow for increased pricing to<br />
slow down. Within some hot real estate<br />
markets like Houston, the distressed<br />
property inventory has been drying<br />
up allowing sellers to squeeze eager<br />
investors and buyers for better profits.<br />
In 2013 there was a sense of urgency<br />
from buyers and investors trying to<br />
take advantage of low mortgage rates<br />
and affordable housing. With the<br />
limited housing availability, many areas<br />
experienced double-digit increases in<br />
home prices, however this is expected<br />
to correct itself in 2014 with most<br />
markets only rising 3-6 percent in 2014.<br />
service solutions<br />
relocation<br />
services<br />
housing<br />
solutions<br />
temporary<br />
furnished<br />
lodging<br />
Tina Clarke<br />
CHSRS<br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />
Tina Clarke is the Global Mobility Director with<br />
CHSRS corporate housing solutions. With over<br />
20 years of sales leadership, customer service<br />
and marketing experience she is focused<br />
on strengthening hte CHSRS brand both domestically<br />
and globally by insuring the success<br />
and satisfaction of her clients. She can be<br />
reached at (713) 204-2300 or tina@chsrs.com<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
713-204-2300<br />
www.CHSRS.com<br />
onthetown 25<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 25<br />
1/28/2014 1:24:02 PM
HOW DO<br />
YOU VIEW<br />
YOUR<br />
MARKETING<br />
BUDGET...<br />
As an Expen$e<br />
or an Investment?<br />
Your answer to this question could very<br />
well be the key to your business growth or<br />
the reason for your revenue decline.<br />
In my previous 2 articles I have discussed the importance<br />
of possessing the correct mindset and being intentional with<br />
our decisions. The development of these characteristics is<br />
the foundation to creating systems in your business that<br />
make your marketing dollars work for you.<br />
If you view marketing for your business as an expense,<br />
think about your expectation of the results. You are telling<br />
yourself that you are spending money, not investing it. On<br />
the other hand, if you truly believe that every $1 you invest<br />
in a marketing vehicle will return more than that original<br />
$1 invested then you understand what marketing truly is. A<br />
business investment!<br />
So how do you create a marketing plan that turns the<br />
dollars you spend into an investment?<br />
Set a marketing budget!<br />
How much would you be willing to invest if you knew<br />
that every $1 spent on marketing would provide $5 back to<br />
your business? Most of you would invest every available<br />
dollar! You do not have to have $5,000 to invest in marketing.<br />
26 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 26<br />
1/28/2014 1:24:03 PM
I know of several marketing vehicles that are less than $100<br />
per month that have high returns. What I also know is that<br />
when I ask business owners to show me how much they<br />
have planned to invest in marketing this month, the answer<br />
is ZERO! If you invest Zero then you should expect to get<br />
that back. Decide how much you can invest and then create<br />
your plan.<br />
Identify your target market!<br />
Who are your best clients? Write down what qualities<br />
they have and why they are your best clients. What service or<br />
product appeals the most to them? What demographics or<br />
industries are they in? Get specific. Once you figure out who<br />
(customer) you specifically want, it is much easier to create<br />
marketing pieces, letters, emails or any type of advertising<br />
that speaks directly to your target market.<br />
Create a powerful offer<br />
Why should someone buy your product or services? Any<br />
business that lives on price will end up dying on price. Create<br />
marketing that communicates what makes your business<br />
unique. At ActionCOACH we call it a U.S.P. (unique selling<br />
proposition). Add a valuable guarantee and now you have an<br />
offer that will get your TARGET MARKET’S attention.<br />
Test and Measure your marketing<br />
If you were asked to invest dollars on a company’s stock<br />
but would not be provided with any information on how the<br />
investment was performing, would you do it? Obviously not!<br />
You are investing marketing dollars so you must train your<br />
team to ask about each new inquiry/sale and record that<br />
information. Track this data weekly so you can calculate<br />
the ROI (return on investment). This applies to your website<br />
traffic as well!<br />
As a business owner coach I take the mystery out of<br />
business processes that include how to grow your business<br />
through marketing. I am an educational resource and<br />
accountability partner that stretches you and your team to<br />
achieve results you have not been able to by doing it on your<br />
own. Reach out to us if you would like for us to critique your<br />
current marketing plan.<br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />
Bob Keplinger<br />
Action Coach<br />
Bob Keplinger is a people, sales and operations specialist.<br />
He is consistently asked to lead businesses<br />
that are in need of a positive change. He has a fantastic<br />
record of creating an energized, engaged<br />
environment in which his divisions produced record<br />
revenues while simultaneously improving bottom<br />
line profits to the organization.<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
onthetown 27<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 27<br />
1/28/2014 1:24:05 PM
on the grid<br />
CUSTOMER-DRIVEN<br />
ONLINE MARKETING<br />
6 HOT TIPS FOR 2014<br />
Content marketing, a buzz word heard in seminar after seminar, seen across internet sources and<br />
saturating the news and social media channels, was a big deal in 2013. In 2014, it is no surprise that<br />
it will be even bigger.<br />
“Content marketing is a marketing technique of creating<br />
and distributing relevant and valuable content to attract, acquire,<br />
and engage a clearly defined and understood target<br />
audience – with the objective of driving profitable customer<br />
action” (contentmarketinginstitute.com.)<br />
To put it in terms we understand well as consumers ourselves:<br />
We WILL ignore advertisement that is not relevant.<br />
We WILL fast forward through commercials on previously<br />
recorded tv shows. We WILL NOT click on links unless accompanied<br />
by information that attracts and engages our attention.<br />
Sounds scary for advertisers, right? Maybe not and<br />
here’s why. If you are in business, you have a product or service<br />
that is relevant, interesting and desirable to consumers<br />
and clients. Your goal IS to drive profitable customer action<br />
– getting your customers to find value in your product or<br />
services and to make an investment profitable for you both.<br />
Content marketing brings customer interaction online, potentially<br />
reaching more of your target audience in less time.<br />
Now, THAT can become very profitable!<br />
6 HOT TIPS for online marketing in 2014:<br />
1. Effective content marketing will be more consumer-focused.<br />
Find out who your niche audience is and cater your<br />
content to that specific group.<br />
2. Social Media will become less about popularity and more<br />
about attracting the right people and providing them with the<br />
experience they are seeking. You do have to join every social<br />
network, not even all of the major ones. Find out where your<br />
audience “hangs out” and invest your time there.<br />
3. HYPE is OUT. Instead, use simple and genuine messages.<br />
Search engines are making a huge effort to produce relevant<br />
results, weeding out anything that sounds like SPAM. Why?<br />
Because that is what the CONSUMER wants. If they find what<br />
they are looking for on your site, they are more likely to con<br />
vert, which in the long run is what will make you profitable.<br />
SPAM is a waste of time, money and reputation.<br />
4. Mobile devices are on the rise. Effective content marketing<br />
will be mobile-device friendly, yet still preserve the full-site<br />
user experience. If users cannot access your content from<br />
their mobile device, they will quickly move on to something<br />
more accessible.<br />
5. Be visually stimulating. Images, info graphics and videos<br />
are not just for YouTube and Pinterest and go a long way in<br />
attracting attention quickly. Use these things to pique interest<br />
and then drive the traffic to a source of more information<br />
such as a website or blog.<br />
6. Speaking of blogs, they can be one of your very best tools<br />
for conversion. When you write a blog entry that is relevant<br />
and interesting, include an image and post it to your social<br />
media page, the intrigued user clicks on the link to view the<br />
entry – leading them to your website instead of just being a<br />
page that someone liked because “they might find it valuable<br />
one day.” No matter how big your fan club grows, if they are<br />
not paying attention and engaging with you, they do nothing<br />
for your business. A blog is also a great way to keep your<br />
content fresh and new, which plays a part in boosting your<br />
website’s ranking in search engines.<br />
You already know that your business must be driven by<br />
customer’s needs. Extend your customer service strategy to<br />
include an online marketing plan that is consumer-focused<br />
and begin to attract a loyal and relevant fan club. that continue<br />
to come back and refer others, giving the term “word of<br />
mouth” a powerful new meaning.<br />
Whether you are just starting with a website or social<br />
media or have been wandering through platforms trying to<br />
make sense of them for some time, we can help. Consider<br />
one of our free consultations, where we will assess your<br />
needs and make recommendations tailored toward your specific<br />
customer base.<br />
Traci M. Huhn<br />
Allymac Concepts<br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />
Traci Huhn is the owner and Creative Director of<br />
Allymac Concepts, a local copywriting and design<br />
company. With over 7 years of experience in web<br />
design, marketing and graphic design, Traci and the<br />
Allymac Concepts team is available to answer questions<br />
pertaining to your business needs. Call<br />
(936) 756-3201 or email info@allymacconcepts.com<br />
28 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 28<br />
1/28/2014 1:24:07 PM
2014<br />
CAREER WORKOUT<br />
AND RÉSUMÉ MAKEOVER<br />
Happy 2014! Now that Auld Lang Syne has once more<br />
been sung and an estimated 1 billion have watched the<br />
Waterford Chrystal ball drop in New York’s Times Square,<br />
many reflect nostalgically on the past and make personal<br />
resolutions for the future. Most merely focus their New Year<br />
resolutions towards physical improvement such as nutrition,<br />
diet and exercise. Because of this, you can get a leg up by<br />
concentrating on your career by giving your résumé a little<br />
“lift and tuck” or perhaps a total body makeover by capturing<br />
your success stories and accomplishments of the last 12<br />
months while they are still fresh in your mind. Let's get your<br />
résumé in shape with a few exercises.<br />
BEGINNING YOUR WORKOUT<br />
• Begin by updating your personal information:<br />
• Delete physical addresses as they are no longer used<br />
as a way of communication while job searching and may<br />
lead to identity theft from jobs posted on the internet.<br />
• Remove any work or fax numbers. Check your cell<br />
number to be sure it is current and accurate.<br />
• Use a professional email address (i.e. annemariepark@<br />
gmail.com not hottyhotstuff@hotpeople.com).<br />
STRETCHING YOUR MEMORY<br />
Ask yourself these questions:<br />
• Have you attended any classes, workshops, or<br />
professional training courses? Won any awards or<br />
received certifications?<br />
• During the last year, how did you save or make the<br />
company money? Improve efficiency?<br />
• What new software applications or programs did you<br />
use?<br />
• Have you worked on any new projects?<br />
• Did you receive a promotion or other commendation?<br />
Now add these things to your résumé.<br />
GAINING MUSCLE USING PAR STATEMENTS<br />
PAR stands for Problem-Action-Result. PAR statements<br />
take advantage of using numbers, dollar figures and<br />
percentages to tell a business story – in this case YOUR story.<br />
It’s a known fact that using PAR statements to illustrate the<br />
impact you have made in your career will yield a greater<br />
impression by proving what you have accomplished in the<br />
past therefore signifying what you can bring to the table in<br />
the future.<br />
Here’s how it works:<br />
Problem: What problem have you solved this year?<br />
Action: What action did you take to resolve the problem?<br />
Result: What was the result of your action?<br />
Now create a sentence that quantifies your statements<br />
with percentages, money saved or time saved. Example PAR<br />
statement used by a Website Designer:<br />
“Designed new Flash web site based on competitive<br />
market evaluations and client needs, resulting in a 70%<br />
increase in web site traffic and 55% profit margin for the<br />
client.”<br />
Anyone can take advantage of PAR statements… from a<br />
position in the mailroom to the CEO of the company!<br />
BODY BUILDING – CREATING A QUALIFICATION<br />
SUMMARY<br />
Revamp your résumé by replacing the outdated Objective<br />
Statement at the top of your résumé with a Qualifications<br />
Summary. A well-written Qualifications Summary should<br />
showcase and highlight your top accomplishments and<br />
achievements. To do this, ask yourself what have you done<br />
career-wise that you are most proud of. Add the top 4 – 6 of<br />
these things to your Qualifications Summary in bullet form<br />
directly under your name and contact information using PAR<br />
statements.<br />
WORKING OUT USING 2014 TECHNOLOGY<br />
1. Create a hyperlink in your electronic résumé to your<br />
email address in your contact information.<br />
2. Create live links to your professional websites, online<br />
resumes and career profiles such as LinkedIn.<br />
3. Speaking of which, don’t forget to update all other<br />
career tools such as LinkedIn and any online resumes or<br />
professional websites you’ve created with your new résumé<br />
updates.<br />
Even if you own your own business or are not presently<br />
looking for employment, keeping this information up-to-date<br />
will make sure you are at your professional best at all times.<br />
Mariann Seigert Levin<br />
Omega Enterprises<br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />
Mariann Siegert Levin is President of Omega Enterprises<br />
specializing in helping non-profits and businesses<br />
succeed through educational seminars, consulting<br />
and marketing services. She is a Local Area<br />
Expert for Constant Contact in Social Media Marketing<br />
and Email Marketing. She is also the author<br />
of Hired! eWorkshop (available through Amazon).<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
onthetown 29<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 29<br />
1/28/2014 1:24:08 PM
Russell Miller<br />
weathering the test of time<br />
fairweather group<br />
BY AMANDA HENSLEY<br />
Experience, quality and honesty empower the Fairweather<br />
Group to excel at building what its clients desire.<br />
Beginning as a company that conducted only repairs on<br />
service stations, Fairweather Group grew into an all-inclusive<br />
construction firm specializing in building and repairing service<br />
stations. In an effort to streamline the company, owner<br />
Russell Miller sold the service repair side of the business in<br />
1985 and to focus solely upon construction. After completing<br />
the Dobbin Community Center, the company found greater<br />
exposure resulting in more opportunities and contracts. It<br />
was during this time Fairweather Group began doing work<br />
for Montgomery County and expanding to other projects and<br />
organizations seeking quality construction services.<br />
" I enjoy driving by a project 10 to 15 years later and see it's<br />
still there and still looks good."<br />
-Russell Miller<br />
Fairweather Group prides itself upon providing quality<br />
work within a client’s budget, and delivering it within a<br />
reasonable time-frame. “The market in Montgomery County<br />
has diminished in terms of profitability,” commented Russell<br />
Miller. “A client’s choice is no longer always based on<br />
craftsmanship or character anymore, but rather who has the<br />
lowest number. That’s a reality in today’s market, but not what<br />
we stand for.” The group’s almost 30 years of experience<br />
allows it to take on a diverse selection of project types with<br />
confidence and skill.<br />
Transforming an old mechanic’s shop into a first class<br />
facility for the Montgomery County Forensics Center and<br />
morgue is one of the Fairweather Group’s latest projects.<br />
“It was a challenge for us to be out of our comfort zone,”<br />
Miller said, “but we gladly learned as much as we could about<br />
the forensics industry so that anyone could walk into that<br />
building after we were done and feel like it was built just for<br />
them. Since 1996, the company has played an integral role<br />
in revitalizing the dilapidated buildings of Historic Downtown<br />
Conroe. “I enjoy driving by a project 10 to 15 years later and<br />
see it’s still there and still looks good,” Miller added.<br />
Watching his father run a successful business, Miller<br />
says, is what laid the foundation for him to be effective in<br />
establishing Fairweather Group and maintaining its success.<br />
“Some of the greatest modern day businesses are those that<br />
embrace a family tradition and continue it for generations<br />
to come,” Miller said. “My wife, family, great employees and<br />
great customers are what make my job enjoyable every day<br />
and I’m very thankful.”<br />
For a project that will stand the test of time, the<br />
Fairweather Group can help.<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
Or a project bid visit www.fairweathergrp.com<br />
or call 936-756-6446.<br />
30 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 30<br />
1/28/2014 1:24:13 PM
Mayor Pro Tem Guy Martin, Pitcher Mike Foltynewicz , Outfielder Robby Grossman,<br />
Outfielder L.J. Hoes, Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Elias & Radio Broadcaster<br />
Robert Ford.<br />
astros raise a<br />
flag in conroe<br />
It was a chilly morning, but not cold enough to keep<br />
Montgomery County Astros fans away from seeing a few of<br />
the 2014 players up close and personal.<br />
On January 22, 2014, the Astros Caravan made a stop at<br />
the Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce<br />
for a special flag raising ceremony. Mike Elias, the Director<br />
of Amateur Scouting for the Astros Organization, spoke to<br />
the crowd of what the organziation is doing to improve their<br />
line up. "It's always very encouraging to hear fans that are<br />
following what we're doing as an organization," commented<br />
Elias. Both Robert Ford, Radio Broadcaster for the Astros,<br />
and Elias spoke of the direction the team is headed for 2014.<br />
"We're excited to see the Astros grow and improve with the<br />
new talent that's coming up through the local farm teams<br />
now. We've got great prospects for this next season and<br />
going forward," stated Elias. "That's the whole purpose of our<br />
tour, is to get people excited again about Houston Baseball."<br />
Mayor Pro Tem Guy Martin welcomed the crowd with<br />
excitement as a long Time Colt 45/Astros fan, and with<br />
anticipation for this next season.<br />
The Astros flag was raised by Martin and Chamber<br />
President, Scott Harper. Martin closed with "We're Conroe.<br />
We're 40 miles North [of Houston]. The Astros is our team."<br />
Fairweather Group is an elite general contracting firm that well suits<br />
the needs of your project. Our commitment to the community and its<br />
development is the driving force behind our organization.<br />
The firm is fully bonded and insured, making your project more<br />
worry-free. Our reputation for service is impeccable, and our list of<br />
service capabilities includes:<br />
•Design Build<br />
•Construction Management<br />
•Office/Warehouse Construction<br />
•Historic Preservation<br />
•Municipal Buildings<br />
•Metal Buildings<br />
For over a decade, Fairweather Group has been producing high quality<br />
construction projects throughout Southeast Texas. One reason why our<br />
buildings stand the test of time is because of the Fairweather people<br />
who build them.<br />
www.fairweathergrp.com<br />
936.756.6446<br />
Premium Quality Construction Services<br />
Quality Service, Quality Results<br />
333 N Rivershire Dr., Suite 200<br />
Conroe, TX 77304<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
onthetown 31<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 31<br />
1/28/2014 1:24:18 PM
Bob Keplinger<br />
yOUR sUCCESS COACH!<br />
The Right Way/ActionCOACH<br />
BY JAKE BUCKLER<br />
Looking to take your business to the next level and beyond? It’s all a matter of<br />
having the right coach, and Bob Keplinger of The Right Way Group knows he is the<br />
man for the job.<br />
A franchise of the world-renowned Australian<br />
entrepreneur Bradley J. Sugars, The Right Way Group LLC<br />
dba/ActionCOACH of N. Houston considers themselves<br />
“business accelerators. Its members educate entrepreneurs<br />
and owners on the fundamentals of operating a business<br />
with the group’s a proprietary “Five Ways” methodology. This<br />
unique approach serves as a platform that allows owners to<br />
transcend their investment from a “job” they’ve created for<br />
themselves into a thriving, successful business that is able<br />
to operate with them, if need be. In the thriving business<br />
community that The Woodlands has become, The Right Way<br />
Group’s services have definitely found a home!<br />
The origins of ActionCOACH are rather humble indeed<br />
– the business started in the back bedroom of a suburban<br />
home owned by Bradley J. Sugars back in 1993. “He started<br />
his business by teaching other business owners how to grow<br />
their sales and marketing results,” explained Bob Keplinger.<br />
“The success of ActionCOACH is attributed to the fact that<br />
Brad applies the strategies each coach uses with business<br />
owners.” Since then, Keplinger says Sugars’ company has<br />
coaches across the globe, and is ranked as one of the Top 25<br />
Fastest Growing Franchises on the planet as well as the No.<br />
1 Business Consulting Franchise.<br />
An ActionCOACH franchise, The Right Way Group<br />
coaches business owners to effectively take control of<br />
their enterprises and turn them into successful, profitable<br />
businesses. This, Keplinger says, can be a tough job at times.<br />
“A coach is also an unreasonable friend,” he added. “Most<br />
business owners do not have a mentor that has their best<br />
interests in mind but who will also be brutally honest. We all<br />
32 onthetown onthetowntexas.com<br />
need accountability and motivation in our lives, which is why<br />
our coaches push their clients to achieve the best possible<br />
results they can deliver. Our coaches have accountability<br />
through the fact that we guarantee our results.”<br />
The Right Way Group teaches business owners how to<br />
set realistic goals and urges them to stay present and achieve<br />
their dreams one day at a time. “Every day I meet people who<br />
are so focused on the future that they cannot see all the<br />
opportunity today brings,” Keplinger said. “We all have the<br />
capability, and responsibility, to provide for our families and<br />
community; but the only way to accomplish that is to take<br />
advantage of the time we have been granted each day. When<br />
we take advantage of each small opportunity, we create a<br />
foundation of learning and team building that is rock solid<br />
and incredibly powerful. As a result of this focus, Most of our<br />
clients experience measureable improvements in the first 30<br />
days after hiring us!”<br />
Like the many businesspeople and organizations its<br />
members coach, The Right Way Group’s long-term vision is<br />
also based upon growth. “Our firm will grow into 15 coaches,”<br />
Keplinger said, “and include service offerings for any size<br />
business. Over the next few years, we believe we can create<br />
more jobs in this area than the largest employer through our<br />
education and motivation of business owners.”<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
About Action Coach of North Houston call at<br />
(281) 602-8030 or visit<br />
www.actioncoachleverage.com<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 32<br />
1/28/2014 1:24:23 PM
4<br />
GADGETS geeks<br />
Pop Quiz Clock<br />
Show off your love for all things<br />
mathematical. Hang this clock on<br />
your wall and test your ability to<br />
solve for x while confusing all your<br />
friends. $29.95 /// gadgetsandgear.com<br />
USB Thermoelectric Warmer<br />
and Cooler<br />
A retro-stylin’ way to keep your<br />
canned beverages chilled (or warm)<br />
deskside. $29.99 /// thinkgeek.com<br />
Cubelets - Modular Robotics<br />
Construction Kit<br />
Cublets robotic cubes snap together<br />
to build a robot and its behavior!<br />
$159.95 /// scientificsonline.com<br />
The Dipr Cookie Spoon<br />
Enjoy dunking your cookies in milk<br />
at your desk without worrying about<br />
the mess! The dipr spoon holds the<br />
cookie by the cream and prevents<br />
crumbling when dunked.<br />
$5.95 /// thedipr.com<br />
Dr. Who Disappearing Tardis Mug<br />
Travel through time and watch the<br />
magic unfold as the TARDIS appear<br />
and disapper when you pour and<br />
drink your morning coffee!<br />
$14.99/// gadgetsandgear.com<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
Star Wars Character Cases<br />
For iPhone 5<br />
Turn your iPhone 5 or 5S into your<br />
favorite Star Wars character!<br />
$24.99 /// thinkgeek.com<br />
onthetown 33<br />
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 33<br />
1/28/2014 1:24:26 PM
Brian Ward & Adam Simmons<br />
crystal clear mortgage<br />
BY JAKE BUCKLER<br />
Experience, communication and customer service,<br />
these qualities and the trust they build is what<br />
Crystal Clear Mortgage continues to offer area residents.<br />
Based in Montgomery, Crystal Clear Mortgage specializes<br />
in residential mortgage services such as home purchase<br />
loans and home refinance loans for primary and secondary<br />
homes as well as investment properties. While everyone on<br />
“Team CCM” are experts at these services, the company prides<br />
itself on the manner in which those services are delivered.<br />
As its name implies, the company’s members strive to be an<br />
open book during the loan process by offering open lines of<br />
communication to all parties involved to keep the process<br />
on track.<br />
“There are no middlemen or multiple layers of management.<br />
Our clients get to do business directly with the owners. This<br />
allows us to provide our clients with the lowest possible<br />
interest rates and fee structures for which they qualify.”<br />
- Adam Simmons<br />
Crystal Clear Mortgage was founded in 2008 when<br />
experienced residential mortgage loan originators Adam<br />
Simmons and Bryan Ward saw a better way to offer their<br />
services. “We both were working for another residential<br />
mortgage company,” said Simmons, “managing different<br />
divisions. Those two divisions merged and Bryan and I<br />
started working together. After a year, we decided we could<br />
do it better from an internal standpoint and give clients a<br />
much better customer service experience.” The two stepped<br />
out on their own with Crystal Clear, which they based in<br />
Montgomery, where the company’s owners have lived for<br />
more than 10 years.<br />
With Simmons and Ward at the helm of Crystal Clear,<br />
clients get the benefit of their combined 22 years’ experience<br />
in home loan origination. As a company, Simmons says<br />
“old school customer service” is what makes Crystal Clear<br />
Mortgage unique. “It’s embarrassing to say, but a lot of<br />
mortgage lenders don’t know how to take care of the people<br />
that take care of them,” he commented. “Our name, Crystal<br />
Clear Mortgage, says it all. Every aspect of the loan process<br />
is communicated so our customers and realtor partners don’t<br />
have to call us for updates.” Simmons says CCM’s greatest<br />
strength, however, is its dedicated staff, which includes<br />
Sandra James and Lorrayne Middleton. “Both of these ladies<br />
have proven themselves invaluable assets to the business,”<br />
he added, “and they do a lot to increase our good reputation<br />
in the community.” Between the two of them, Sandra and<br />
Lorrayne have more than 20 combined years of mortgage<br />
industry experience.<br />
The experience and openness offered at Crystal<br />
Clear benefits local residents in two ways. “There are no<br />
middlemen or multiple layers of management,” Simmons<br />
said, “our clients get to do business directly with the owners.<br />
This allows us to provide our clients with the lowest possible<br />
interest rates and fee structures for which they qualify.”<br />
Because of Crystal Clear’s customer service, local realtors<br />
who refer clients to the company often earn future referrals<br />
from CCM’s customers. “As a realtor, referring a client to us is<br />
an awesome responsibility,” Simmons added, “and we take it<br />
very seriously.”<br />
Looking forward, Crystal Clear Mortgage has a definite<br />
vision for its future. “We are working with investors to deliver<br />
a one-time close construction loan back to the market,”<br />
Simmons explained. “We’re also looking to hire new loan<br />
officers this year so we can expand our brick-and-mortar<br />
presence into different communities.”<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
Call (936) 447-5626 or visit<br />
www.crystalclearmortgage.com<br />
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Hello<br />
my name is<br />
2nd Annual Energy<br />
Network Expo<br />
April 3, 2014<br />
The Woodlands<br />
Waterway Marriott<br />
Hotel & Convention Center<br />
www.energynetworkexpo.com<br />
Greater Conroe Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce<br />
Business Connect Seminar<br />
February 6, 2014<br />
12:00pm-2:00pm<br />
The Chamber of Commerce<br />
505 W. Davis St. Conroe, TX 77301<br />
For more information contact:<br />
Cassandra Roschen 936.756.6644<br />
cassandrar@conroe.org<br />
Greater Conroe Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce<br />
Lunch & Learn Workshop Seminar - Bruce May of Bizperity<br />
March 20, 2014<br />
11:30am-1:00pm<br />
The Chamber of Commerce<br />
505 W. Davis St. Conroe, TX 77301<br />
For more information contact:<br />
Cassandra Roschen 936.756.6644<br />
cassandrar@conroe.org<br />
MC Pros Montgomery County Professionals<br />
Networking Luncheon every Tuesday<br />
11:30m – 1:00pm<br />
Wild Ginger<br />
3061 I-45 Frontage Rd #100, Conroe, TX 77304<br />
For more information contact:<br />
Richard Martin Integrated Financial Resources: 281.799.1887 or<br />
r-martin@consolidated.net<br />
The Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce<br />
Networking Breakfast<br />
March 11, 2014<br />
7:30am - 9:00am<br />
Eden Cafe<br />
33418 Egypt Ln, Magnolia, TX, 77354<br />
For more information contact: Ashley Thompson 832.934.2300<br />
The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce<br />
Young Professional Networking Breakfast<br />
February 19, 2014<br />
7:00am-8:00am<br />
Brio<br />
1201 Lake Woodlands Dr, Ste 303 The Woodlands, TX 77380<br />
For more information contact: Cyndi Alvarado 281.363.8109 or<br />
Email cyndi.alvarado@woodlandschamber.org<br />
Woodlands Christian Business Network<br />
Networking Breakfast every Wednesday<br />
7:30am<br />
IHOP<br />
25619 I-45, Spring, TX 77380<br />
Free & Open to the public.<br />
WOAMTEC Magnolia<br />
Meeting every 1st & 3rd Thursday<br />
11:30am-1:00pm<br />
Unami Grill<br />
6960 FM 1488 Rd #100 Magnolia, TX 77354<br />
For more information contact: Tanya Lavoie 713.614.7187<br />
WOAMTEC The Woodlands<br />
Meeting every 1st & 3rd Wednesday<br />
11:30am-1:00pm<br />
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar<br />
1201 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380<br />
For more information contact: Kiki Koymarianos 727.244.2680<br />
WOAMTEC Conroe<br />
Meeting every 1st and 3rd Tuesday<br />
11:30 am-1:00pm<br />
Chocolate Passion<br />
1520 N. Frazier St., Conroe, TX 77301<br />
For more information contact: Sonja Barnes 281.364.6696<br />
Women & Wine on Wednesday<br />
Meeting every 3rd Wednesday @ various locations throughout<br />
Montgomery County<br />
11:30 am-1:00pm<br />
March - Crescent moon Wine Bar & Restaurant<br />
440 Rayford Rd, #115A, Spring, TX 77386<br />
The Woodlands Chamber Golf Classic<br />
March 24, 2014<br />
10:00am Scramble Shotgun Start<br />
The Woodlands Country Club Palmer Course<br />
For more information contact: Ashley Byers, Director of Special<br />
Events at 281.363.8110 or<br />
ashley.byers@woodlandschamber.org<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
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skeltoN BUSINESS EQUIPMENT<br />
serving customers from galveston to conroe since 1978<br />
BY JAKE BUCKLER<br />
Exceeding the expectations of its customers by<br />
treating them the way everybody expects to be<br />
treated – this is the motto of Skelton Business Equipment.<br />
The company was founded in 1978 by Randy Skelton,<br />
who started the business purely out of necessity. A small<br />
business with a focus on serving customers in the greater<br />
Tomball/Magnolia area, Skelton Business Equipment built a<br />
loyal customer base and enjoyed a solid reputation in the<br />
community. On January 1, 1999, the business was purchased<br />
by Jim Beyer who, with the help of his wife Barbie, has grown<br />
Skelton Business Equipment into the full-service copier,<br />
printer and scanner sales and leasing company it is today.<br />
“Skelton Business Equipment offered the foundation I was<br />
looking for,” said Jim, “and I knew we could grow it into a<br />
multi-million dollar operation. Now, we service customers all<br />
over the greater Houston area, from Galveston to Conroe.”<br />
“We plan on providing the same great service to the greater<br />
Houston area that we have been for the past 35 years...”<br />
-Jim Beyer<br />
Jim says he’s been asked many times why he decided to<br />
keep the name Skelton Business Equipment and he always<br />
gives the same answer. “The company name had a great<br />
reputation,” he said, “so why make a change? Everyone knows<br />
the name and how well we service our clients, including our<br />
competitors. Even today, it’s hard to find someone who’s<br />
unhappy with our services.” Jim added that the past 15 years<br />
have been a rewarding experience for him, his wife and<br />
everyone at Skelton Business Equipment. He’s especially<br />
proud of his staff, most of who have been with the company<br />
for more than ten years. “It’s more of us to keep up with the<br />
continued growth!” Jim added.<br />
While the folks at Skelton Business Equipment sell and<br />
service copiers, printers, scanners and fax machines, they truly<br />
pride themselves on the service they offer. They provide free<br />
same-day or next-day delivery as well as free set-up. They<br />
also offer remote network support for setting up printing/<br />
scanning on new computers and fix connectivity issues. “Most<br />
of us, including sales, service, and administrative employees,<br />
have been here more than 10 years,” said Collin Grimes, IT<br />
Manager/Sales. “You'll get the same name, voice and face<br />
that you’ve always had. The benefits of having a long-term<br />
business relationship speak for themselves.” Grimes added<br />
that most of the company’s customers have been with<br />
Skelton Business Equipment for 10 years or more.<br />
Looking ahead isn’t hard to do for the folks at Skelton<br />
Business Equipment because<br />
the roadmap to their success<br />
has been laid out long ago.<br />
“We plan on providing the<br />
same great service to the<br />
greater Houston area that<br />
we have been for the past 35<br />
years,” Jim said. “We also plan<br />
on expanding our horizons<br />
with our website and online<br />
availability. Our new business<br />
comes mostly from wordof-mouth,<br />
so we’re looking<br />
forward to utilizing the latest<br />
means to reach more clients.”<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
About Skelton Business Equipment call<br />
(281) 351-5128 or visit www.equipmybiz.com<br />
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Ingredients of Outliers<br />
by John Shufeldt<br />
Dr. John Shufeldt is an unusual and productive<br />
professional by any standard. He is a doctor and a lawyer<br />
who has created several remarkably successful health care<br />
companies and he continues to practice medicine, teach law,<br />
and serve as an advisor to numerous organizations. He has<br />
also conducted extensive research and analyzed what he<br />
calls “the outliers” – and defined what makes extraordinary<br />
people achieve their best performance.<br />
His book, Ingredients of Outliers zeroes in what it<br />
takes to make real difference. He has shared what he has<br />
learned about that magical, mysterious, extra something that<br />
unleashes the maximum potential in all of us. And the things<br />
WWAF half pg:Layout 1 1/24/14 12:47 PM Page 1<br />
that you see in the habits of those who produce the most<br />
remarkable and noteworthy achievements may surprise you.<br />
“What separates outliers from others,” he says, “is more<br />
about humility, perseverance and attitude than intellect and<br />
what the world obliges you. Everyone has the capacity for<br />
greatness. You have the capacity to become an outlier by<br />
pursuing your passion thereby achieving your dreams.”<br />
John’s philosophy is captured and exemplified in the<br />
words he uses in his email signature: Gear Up!<br />
“People look at high-achievers and think that it must<br />
have been easy for them,” he says. “What they don’t see are<br />
the numbers of failures, the hours of practice, and the level<br />
of humility it takes to eventually become an outlier.”<br />
Ingredients of Outliers shows that we all have potential<br />
the ingredients to become an outlier, if we emulate some of<br />
those traits which have worked so well for others. The book<br />
offers inspirational stories and techniques that can help an<br />
individual go from average to extraordinary. Each and every<br />
tactic offered is designed to motivate people to step outside<br />
their comfort zone to join the ranks of the outliers. The book<br />
contains sharp, practical ideas to help people find their edge<br />
and break through to new levels of performance success.<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
List $19.95 Trade Paperback $9.99 Kindle<br />
edition 200 pages, Published by Outlier<br />
Publishing June 26, 2013<br />
200 Juried<br />
Fine Artists & Craftsmen<br />
APRIL12-13<br />
Saturday10 am -7 pm<br />
Sunday10 am -5pm<br />
Admission $12 / Weekend Pass $15<br />
Children under12 admitted FREE<br />
Ranked #1 arts show<br />
in Texas and<br />
#3 in the nation<br />
~Art Fair SourceBook<br />
Featured<br />
Glass Artists<br />
Paul Willsea &<br />
Carol O’Brien<br />
Proceeds from the festival benefit area non-profit art organizations in Montgomery County.<br />
www.WoodlandsArtsFestival.com<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
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pay it forward calendar<br />
"we make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give."<br />
-winston churchill-<br />
March 1, 2014<br />
Fidelity Investments The Woodlands Marathon<br />
St. Luke's The Woodlands Half Marathon<br />
Fleet Feet Sports 5K, Marathon Relay<br />
Start Times:<br />
Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay @ 7AM<br />
5K @ 7:10AM<br />
For more information visit<br />
TheWoodlandsMarathon.com<br />
february 27-28, 2014<br />
The Woodlands Marathon Health & Fitness Expo<br />
3-7PM Thursday, & 10AM-8PM Friday<br />
@ The Woodlands Waterway Marriott-North Exhibit Hall<br />
1601 Lake Robbins Drive<br />
The Woodlands, TX 77380<br />
For more information visit<br />
TheWoodlandsMarathon.com<br />
FEBRUARY 28, 2014<br />
Pathfinder Pediatric 2K Fun Run/Walk<br />
Start Time 6:30PM @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion<br />
2005 Lake Robbins Drive<br />
The Woodlands, TX 77380<br />
For more information visit<br />
TheWoodlandsMarathon.com<br />
april 4-5, 2014<br />
Relay For Life<br />
7PM April 4 - 7AM April 5 @ College Park High School Track<br />
All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. Come<br />
for food, music, dancing, silent auction, testimonials of cancer<br />
survivors and to support those relay teams walking to raise<br />
awareness.<br />
For more information or to donate visit www.cancer.org<br />
april 7, 2014<br />
5th Annual Texas Mariner Classic Golf Tournament<br />
@ The Woodlands Country Club - Palmer Course<br />
For tournament information or sponsorship inquiries, please<br />
contact: Phone (207) 326-2372<br />
Fax (207) 326-2513<br />
Email: cdagan@mma.edu<br />
april 12-13, 2014<br />
9th Annual Woodlands Waterway Festival<br />
Aprill 11, 10AM-7PM & April 12 10AM-5PM @ The Woodlands<br />
Town Center - Including Town Green Park, along The Waterway<br />
from the Marriott to Grogan's Mill Road.<br />
2099 Lake Robbins Drive<br />
The Woodlands, TX 77380<br />
For more information visit<br />
WoodlandsArtFestival.com<br />
April 12, 2014<br />
"Betting on Courage-Casino Night"<br />
Dinner & Fundraiser<br />
Live Music by "The Beagles"<br />
Silent Auction<br />
6:30PM @ The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center<br />
2301 N. Millbend Drive<br />
The Woodlands, TX 77380<br />
To purchase tickets or to inquire about sponsor contribution<br />
levels, please visit www.ChildrensSafeHarbor.org and click on<br />
the “Fundraising” tab, or call (936) 756-4644 ext. 235.<br />
may 17, 2014<br />
Memorial Hermann's IRONMAN Texas<br />
The race will start with a 2.4 mile swim in Lake Woodlands,<br />
followed by the 112 mile bike course and ends with a 26.2<br />
mile run. Stop by Waterway Avenue to see the IRONMAN<br />
participants run through the finish line!<br />
For more information visit : http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/<br />
events/americas/ironman/texas.aspx#axzz2mcOqTyoq<br />
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Sundays: The Farmhouse<br />
There was a preacher who saved up enough money to<br />
buy a few inexpensive acres. A run down farmhouse<br />
sat on the property. The land was overrun with old tree<br />
stumps, rusted pieces of machinery, and a fence in disrepair.<br />
The whole scene was a mess. During his spare time the<br />
preacher rolled up his sleeves and went to work. He hauled<br />
off the junk, repaired the fence, pulled away the stumps, and<br />
replanted new trees.<br />
Then he refurbished the old house into a quaint cottage.<br />
It took years to finish, but was certainly worth the effort. One<br />
day, when he was trimming the hedges, a neighbor walked<br />
over and said, “Well, preacher, I have to hand it to you. It looks<br />
like you and the Lord have done a pretty good job with this<br />
place.” The preacher wiped the sweat from his brow and said,<br />
“Yeah, I suppose we have. But you should have seen it when<br />
the Lord had it all to himself.”<br />
John Wesley said, “Pray as though it all depends on God,<br />
then work as though it all depends on you.” The Apostle Paul<br />
was a church planter and missionary. But he was also a tent<br />
maker. He understood work. He said, “We are God’s fellow<br />
workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Whatever your work, make God<br />
your partner. You will be amazed at all you can do . . . together.<br />
Dr. Mark Denison<br />
First Baptist Church of Conroe<br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />
Dr. Denison serves as pastor of First Baptist Conroe.<br />
He also serves as a chaplain for the Houston Rockets<br />
and as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Houston<br />
Baptist University. He writes a daily newspaper<br />
column, online devotional, and records a daily radio<br />
devotion. His new book, “The Daily Walk,” has just<br />
been released. Mark and his wife Beth have one<br />
son, David. You may contact him by email:<br />
Mark@fbcconroe.org<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
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The Woodlands<br />
Ready to add some updates to your living space?<br />
Need some inspiration for your home? Discover new<br />
home products and resources that will increase the value<br />
and livability of both your indoor and outdoor environments<br />
at the 12th Annual Spring Home & Garden Show in The<br />
Woodlands.<br />
If you’ve attended the Spring Home & Garden Shows<br />
previously, you’ll be excited to know what’s new at the 2014<br />
event, set for Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9 at The<br />
Woodlands Waterway Marriott at 1601 Lake Robbins Drive in<br />
The Woodlands.<br />
Exciting new vendors in 2014 include, Wimberley<br />
Glassworks has been creating hand-blown glass lighting and<br />
art pieces in San Marcos, Texas, for over 20 years. They will<br />
be a featured exhibitor showcasing many of the hand-blown<br />
interior and exterior lighting, which will help homeowners “to<br />
see things in a different light.” Owner Tim deJong relocated<br />
to the Hill Country from Canada in 1991 and has grown<br />
Wimberley Glassworks into the premier art glass and custom<br />
light studio in the Southwest. WGW.com.<br />
Outdoor living spaces offer many options for entertaining<br />
family and friends, or growing business relations. Stewart<br />
Land Designs offers a turnkey service from initial consultation<br />
and design to implementation and development with the<br />
help of a professional staff of degreed horticulturists and<br />
landscape designers. This team of talented professionals<br />
can create unique and functional designs using your natural<br />
environment to create aesthetic appeal. At the show, you<br />
will see examples of their creations of serene and tranquil<br />
outdoor living environments through fountains, pools and<br />
waterfalls. StewartLandDesigns.com.<br />
Buddy Lee is a nationally known plant breeder and<br />
horticulturist who crossbred traditional spring-blooming<br />
azaleas with summer-blooming azaleas to invent the Encore<br />
Azaleas, the only patented brand of azaleas to bloom<br />
through spring, summer and fall. Come to the show to learn<br />
more about this amazing plant. EncoreAzalea.com.<br />
Also new to the Spring Home & Garden Show this year<br />
is Cyclers Brewing Craft Beer. Clay Wicker has created craft<br />
beers distributed through Houston’s Silver Eagle Distributors<br />
and brewed just north of Montgomery. Although the brewery<br />
is not open to the public, Spring Home & Garden Show<br />
attendees can enjoy samples of some local favorites from<br />
noon to 4 p.m. on both days.<br />
Patio1, a name known throughout the greater Houston<br />
area for their full-service patio selections designed and<br />
finished to client specifications, will make their Spring Home<br />
& Garden Show debut this year. Its furniture, accessories<br />
and cushions are “made for life” and can be customized by<br />
choice of fabric color for cushions or material -- teak, cast<br />
aluminum, wicker, or wrought iron. Whether your taste leans<br />
toward traditional, contemporary, casual, or rustic -- there is<br />
something for you at Patio1. Patio1.com.<br />
Back by popular demand from spring 2012 is the<br />
Grogan’s Mill Farmers Market. They will be set up at the<br />
show on Sunday. All vendors are local and offer sustainably<br />
and organically grown grass-fed beef, farm-fresh eggs,<br />
locally roasted coffee, local honey, breads and pastries,<br />
prepared tamales, Indian cuisine and Mediterranean food,<br />
bath products, orchids, olives, jellies, sauces and sweets. With<br />
plenty of variety, there will be something for everyone!<br />
Not to be missed at the show, is the ever-popular The<br />
Dining Diva Molly Fowler! Live on the Whirlpool Cooking<br />
Stage, The Dining Diva will demonstrate fun and unique<br />
recipes using the latest products and designs by Whirlpool<br />
Corp. Families will be wowed with easy and entertaining<br />
recipes such as West Texas Chili, Mediterranean Rice Salad<br />
Go Texan and Blue Magnolia Bread Pudding Mix. To preview<br />
The Dining Diva, visit thediningdiva.com.<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
About the show, a downloadable showadmission<br />
discount coupon and special<br />
exhibitor offers visit WoodlandsShows.com<br />
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women's<br />
memorial<br />
hermann<br />
memorial<br />
city medical<br />
center<br />
helps parents capture<br />
baby's first days of life<br />
Women’s Memorial Hermann<br />
Memorial City Medical<br />
Center is the first and only hospital<br />
in Houston to offer new parents the<br />
personal, private opportunity to capture<br />
and preserve their baby’s first moments<br />
of life on video.<br />
With this free electronic service,<br />
courtesy of Memorial Hermann’s<br />
partner, Biovideo®, each family<br />
receives a fully customized video<br />
capturing the highlights of a newborn’s<br />
arrival. A professional team of digital<br />
photographers unobtrusively captures<br />
precious moments and emotions<br />
documenting the mother’s first<br />
minutes with the baby and the baby’s<br />
introduction to the rest of the family.<br />
“We believe this new service is a<br />
great way for parents to relax and focus<br />
on their new baby, and not on their<br />
cameras,” said Keith Alexander, chief<br />
executive officer of Memorial Hermann<br />
Memorial City Medical Center. “Parents<br />
have already told us they are excited<br />
to have such an expert product to<br />
show friends and family; they wish they<br />
had something like this for their older<br />
children.”<br />
As soon as a mom knows she is<br />
pregnant, she can register online with<br />
Biovideo® and start uploading prenatal<br />
photographs such as sonograms to a<br />
personal, password-protected profile.<br />
When the new parents are ready to<br />
leave the hospital, they can preview<br />
the electronic video documenting all<br />
the memories captured in the hospital.<br />
Both the video and still photos can be<br />
accessed by mom or dad on a secure<br />
webpage and shared via email or<br />
social media. If parents are interested<br />
in purchasing a hard copy of the video<br />
or downloading it, they can do so for a<br />
nominal fee.<br />
“We believe this new service is a<br />
great way for parents to relax and<br />
focus on their new baby, and not on<br />
their cameras...”<br />
-Keith Alexander<br />
Becker's Hospital Review recently<br />
included Memorial Hermann Memorial<br />
City Medical Center on its list of<br />
“100 Hospitals with Great Women's<br />
Health Programs,” which recognizes<br />
hospitals with exceptional programs<br />
dedicated to the health and wellbeing<br />
of women. The hospitals on<br />
this list have programs that include a<br />
wide range of health care options for<br />
women including gynecologic care,<br />
reproductive medicine, breast health,<br />
as well as emotional support and<br />
behavioral health care options.<br />
All Memorial Hermann facilities<br />
will offer this free, electronic video<br />
service to new parents by May 1, 2014.<br />
To view one of the first videos filmed at<br />
Women’s Memorial Hermann Memorial<br />
City Medical Center, visit http://vimeo.<br />
com/83699029.<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
1.<br />
LISTEN TO<br />
YOUR HEART<br />
Dr Laura Fernandes M.D., F.A.C.C.<br />
Symptoms of a heart attack in<br />
women are different than men.<br />
70% of women experience extreme<br />
fatigue in the days or even weeks<br />
before a heart attack.<br />
2. Debilitating flu like exhaustion.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5.<br />
6.<br />
7.<br />
8.<br />
Mild pain in the chest, sometimes it’s<br />
not just in the region of the heart.<br />
Pressure or achiness can occur in<br />
the breastbone, upper back, neck<br />
shoulders or jaw.<br />
Nausea, dizziness, indigestion or<br />
even vomiting can often occur prior<br />
to a heart attack.<br />
58% of women report breathlessness<br />
panting or inability to carry on a<br />
conversation.<br />
Sleeplessness, trouble falling asleep<br />
or wake up during the night in the<br />
weeks prior to a heart attack.<br />
Anxiety or a sense of impending<br />
doom or fear before a heart attack.<br />
For the heart<br />
from the heart!<br />
DR Laura Fernandes<br />
Interventional Cardiologist<br />
936.559.7997<br />
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS<br />
THE WOODLANDS, CONROE & HUNTSVILLE<br />
600 River Pointe Dr. Ste 101<br />
Conroe, TX 77304<br />
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Black Tie & Boots Chairman's Ball<br />
Christian & Chad<br />
Cheshire<br />
Jim & Helen Thornton<br />
Jennifer & Scott Harper<br />
Chris James &<br />
Cassandra Rochen<br />
Becky & Juan Ramirez<br />
Susan Gramling & Steve<br />
Scott<br />
Tim & Jennifer Steen<br />
Steve & Jodi Wright<br />
Denice Cox & Gary Karm<br />
Bobby Richard &<br />
Jessica Feliz<br />
Beverly & Walter Davis<br />
Ruby & Roy Morton<br />
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Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce Members celebrated the chamber's 80th Anniversary on<br />
Saturday, January 18, 2014 at La Torretta Lakeside Resort. The night celebrated Tamara Trow's service for 2013 and<br />
welcomed the new incoming chair, Danielle Schneider.<br />
John & Donna Gilbert<br />
Eric & Cheryl Shaffer<br />
Gina Brown &<br />
Tom Walden<br />
Chuck & Darlene Vantine<br />
Rosalia Burke,<br />
Hilton & Alison Yee<br />
Duke & Tamarah Coon<br />
Arnette & Sherry Easley<br />
Lauren Dunnaway, John<br />
Hamati & Jeanene Butler<br />
Chris & Ericka Easley<br />
Tom & Tami Michel<br />
Sarah Phillips &<br />
Dan Taylor<br />
Ross & Diana Silva<br />
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questions<br />
to ask your doctor<br />
5Heart disease – also called cardiovascular disease — is<br />
the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting<br />
75 million Americans. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)<br />
estimate that 800,000 Americans die every year from heart<br />
disease. The risks to men are more widely known, which<br />
explains why the public often views heart disease as a greater<br />
threat to men. But heart disease claims women and men in<br />
nearly equal numbers.<br />
• A woman suffers a heart attack every 90 seconds, and heart<br />
attack signs are often different in women.<br />
• Heart disease is the number one cause of death among<br />
women in the U.S., claiming the lives of one in three women.<br />
• Heart disease and stroke claim twice as many women’s lives<br />
as all types of cancer combined.<br />
• Almost half of African American women over age 20 (48.9<br />
percent) have some form of heart disease.<br />
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Latinas:<br />
nearly 30 percent of Latinas die of heart disease. ,<br />
While it’s startling that 90 percent of women have one<br />
or more risk factors for developing heart disease, the positive<br />
news is that the vast majority of heart disease is preventable<br />
— as much as 80 percent can be prevented through lifestyle<br />
changes.<br />
Risk factors include smoking, poor diet, high cholesterol,<br />
high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity, family<br />
history, and lack of access to preventive health care. The<br />
key is early detection through heart disease screenings and<br />
implementing lifestyle changes to significantly reduce one’s<br />
risk.<br />
All women should be screened for heart disease as part<br />
of their annual doctor’s visit to ensure they know their risk<br />
factors and what they can do to prevent it. Every woman<br />
should ask her primary health care provider the following five<br />
questions; the answers will help assess her risk and guide her<br />
prevention efforts:<br />
1. Based on my family history, what is my risk of heart<br />
disease? Heart disease tends to run in families and is thought<br />
to have some genetic component.<br />
2. What is my Body Mass Index? The risk of heart disease<br />
increases along with one’s BMI; a person with a BMI over 25 is<br />
considered to be “overweight” and at heightened risk.<br />
3. Which cardiovascular screening tests do I need?<br />
Depending on one’s age and overall health, the typical<br />
tests include: blood pressure, HDL (“good” cholesterol), LDL<br />
(“bad” cholesterol), triglycerides, fasting glucose, and waist<br />
circumference.<br />
4. Should I take a daily aspirin? Only your doctor can advise<br />
if you are a good candidate for aspirin therapy to reduce the<br />
clumping action of platelets — possibly lowering your risk of<br />
heart attack or stroke.<br />
5. What can I do to lower my risk? As noted, most heart<br />
disease can be prevented through lifestyle changes. So, if you<br />
smoke, ask your doctor to recommend a smoking cessation<br />
program. Talk honestly about your activity level and ideas for<br />
easy exercises you can do for 30 minutes a day. Discuss your<br />
diet and whether you eat enough fruits and vegetables, and<br />
if your salt consumption can contribute to elevated blood<br />
pressure. If you’re overweight, can your doctor recommend<br />
a successful weight loss program or nutritionist? Would<br />
you benefit from medications to lower cholesterol or high<br />
blood pressure? Finally, ask if you need to begin to see a<br />
cardiologist or other specialist.<br />
No woman should leave her doctor’s office until she<br />
has these answers, knows her risks, and is provided with<br />
a personalized prevention strategy. While physicians are<br />
responsible for ensuring that women receive the proper<br />
medical care, prevention of heart disease is in every woman’s<br />
hands. We must inform and empower ourselves to obtain the<br />
answers about our cardiovascular health and to act upon our<br />
doctors’ recommendations to make the necessary changes<br />
to lower our risk.<br />
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LADDERS<br />
ED ZIEGLER JOINS THE WOODLANDS YOUNG LEARNERS ACADEMY<br />
The Woodlands Young Learners Academy recently welcomes Ed Ziegler to their team as the Assistant<br />
Director. “Ed brings a tremendous skill set to The Woodlands Young Learners Academy,” said Dan Altom,<br />
Director of Operations. “His experience is a welcomed addition.” Ed graduated with a Bachelor of Science<br />
in Agricultural Business from Texas A&M University. Prior to joining the team Ed worked with Trinity<br />
Episcopal Church, University of Houston and Human Resource Connection. Ed is an MS150 Fundraiser<br />
Cycling Tour Team Captain, Dragon Boat Team Captain and Camp Allen Summer Camp Session Director.<br />
Mr. Ziegler resides in The Woodlands with his wife Katy and two children.<br />
For more information about The Woodlands Young Learners Academy, please visit<br />
www.twyounglearners.com or call (832) 257-3563.<br />
ELLIE PFAHL JOINS THE WOODLANDS AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT<br />
PARTNERSHIP TEAM<br />
The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership (EDP) recently hired a new team member.<br />
Ellie Pfahl is new to the EDP and will serve as its administrative and marketing coordinator. In this<br />
capacity she will be responsible for handling the daily administrative needs for the organization and<br />
coordinating its marketing efforts. Ellie will be assisting with the preparation of board meetings and<br />
special events, assisting with various marketing projects, maintaining marketing materials, as well as<br />
assisting clients with requests for information and demographics.<br />
The EDP is a public/private partnership with 62 funding partners active in the organization. For further<br />
information on the EDP, log on to: www.edpartnership.net or call 281 363-8130.<br />
ERIC YOUNT NAMED MANAGER AT HODGES COLLISION CENTER<br />
Steve Guinn, owner of all Hodges Collision Centers, is pleased to announce that Eric Yount is named as<br />
manager at Hodges’ Lane Lane location. Overseeing estimating and production as the facility’s on-site<br />
manager, Eric has more than 20 years of automotive service industry experience, including managing<br />
large collision facilities. “Eric is a great choice to lead our Lane Lane location,” said Steve Guinn, owner<br />
of Hodges Collision Centers. “He brings tremendous industry experience and we look forward to Eric’s’<br />
leadership ensuring Hodges is performing successfully in all key areas. We are happy to have him on<br />
our team.”<br />
For more information visit www.hodgescollisioncenter.com.<br />
MATT ODOM PROMOTED TO SENIOR MANAGER AT KARLINS RAMEY & TOMPKINS<br />
Mike Karlins, CPA of Karlins Ramey & Tompkins, LLC, is pleased to announce that Matt Odom CPA was<br />
recently promoted to Senior Manager in the Audit Department.<br />
Matt has been with Karlins Ramey & Tompkins, LLC for fours years. His expertise includes audits for<br />
clients in the manufacturing, construction and oilfield service industries as well as employee benefit<br />
plans. Matt received his Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Southwestern University<br />
and his master’s degree in professional accounting from University of Texas at Austin. He is a Certified<br />
Public Accountant and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Texas<br />
Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Houston Chapter American Institute of Certified Public<br />
Accountants and Leadership Montgomery County Class of 2013.<br />
For more information, please call Karlins Ramey & Tompkins. LLC at (281) 364-0245 or visit<br />
www.krtcpas.com.<br />
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BRIAN ALBERT NAMED ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY AT THE STRONG FIRM<br />
Brian Albert has been named as an associate attorney of The Strong Firm P.C., focusing in corporate, real<br />
estate, oil and gas, and business law. He joined The Strong Firm in 2012 as a law clerk with experience as<br />
a compliance law clerk with Baker Hughes, Inc., and he also served as a law clerk with Hewlett-Packard<br />
in Houston, TX. Having previously worked for multiple Fortune 200 companies in various fields, he<br />
applies this experience in his work with the firm's business clients. An active member of the community,<br />
Albert is a member of The Woodlands Young Lawyers Association and is a member of the Houston Bar<br />
Association and The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Network.<br />
The Strong Firm P.C. is located in The Woodlands Waterway Plaza One building at 10003 Woodloch<br />
Forest Dr. in Suite 210, overlooking The Woodlands Waterway. For more information, call (281) 367-1222<br />
or visit the firm’s web site at www.thestrongfirm.com.<br />
DR. EADS DOUBLE BOARD CERTIFIED OB/GYN AND UROGYNECOLOGY<br />
Gregory L. Eads, MD, FACOG, of The Women’s Centre for Well Being has recently become board certified<br />
Urogynecology, making him double board certified in both Obstetrics/Gynecology and Urogynecology.<br />
Urogynecology, also called Female Pelvic Medicine and Reproductive Surgery (FPMRS), is the subspecialty<br />
of combined gynecology and urology for pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence. Dr.<br />
Eads underwent a committee review of his surgical cases and completed an intensive test for board<br />
certification. He is the only Board Certified Urogynecologist from the area spanning from Houston’s<br />
Texas Medical Center to Dallas.<br />
For more information contact: Dr. Gregory L. Eads, MD, FACOG The Women’s Centre for Well Being<br />
1120 Medical Plaza Drive, Suite 200 The Woodlands, TX 77380<br />
WISE POOL COMPANY HONORED ONCE AGAIN WITH THE SILVER AWARD<br />
Wise Pool Company was honored once again at the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals<br />
convention in San Antonio receiving the Silver Award for “Residential Concrete Pools $50,000 and Over<br />
with a Vanishing Edge of 601 Square Feet or Greater”. Wise Pool Company has won more than 100 pool<br />
and spa design awards including the International Best of Show award and the Chairman 's Award. Wise<br />
Pool Company is a local swimming pool and spa design, construction and retail firm serving the entire<br />
Greater Houston area and is located in Conroe. The company has been in business for 43 years and<br />
can be reached by going to www.wisepool.com or calling (936) 321-4242. Shown is Jonathan Carroll,<br />
President of Wise Pool Company.<br />
DR. TALAC VOTED TOP LEADING PHYSICIANS OF THE WORLD<br />
Robert Talac, MD, PhD, of the Advanced Spine Institute, was recently voted Top Leading Physicians of<br />
the World for Top Orthopedic Spine Surgeon in Tennessee and Texas by The International Association<br />
of Orthopedic Surgeons. Dr. Robert Talac grew up in Czechoslovakia, came to the U.S. to study at the<br />
Mayo Clinic, continued at the University of San Diego and the Center for Spine Heath, Cleveland Clinic,<br />
and has focused his considerable intellectual talents and gifted hands on spine related problems. Using<br />
a 7-millimeter-wide endoscope with a camera on its tip, Dr. Talac is able to enter the back through that<br />
tiny 7-millimeter space while a patient is conscious under local anesthesia without cutting muscles or<br />
moving the spinal cord for quick recovery and one-day spine surgery. For more information, call<br />
(832) 742-4303.<br />
Be seen. Be heard.<br />
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Texas Singer, Kyle Park Turns Up the Volume for<br />
The Woodlands CrawPHish Festival<br />
Bringing community, crawfish, and country music<br />
together, the Woodlands CrawPHish Festival will be<br />
Saturday, March 29 from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., at Town Green<br />
Park. Sponsored by many local businesses, this year’s festival<br />
turns up the volume with Texas singer and songwriter, Kyle<br />
Park as the headliner entertainment beginning at 5:00 p.m.<br />
Earlier that Saturday, the performance list includes Jean-<br />
Pierre and the Zydeco Angels, The Woodlands Idol winners,<br />
and a special performance by PH patient, Chloe Temtchine,<br />
singing her new song, “Be Brave”.<br />
This year marks the fifth anniversary for the festival,<br />
however, over the last 15 years; local fundraising for the<br />
Pulmonary Hypertension Association has been growing<br />
strong. Every year, the event has grown in size and attendees,<br />
and that is why the planning team wanted to bring in a known<br />
music artist to give a new tune to the 2014 festival.<br />
All ages are welcome to attend this highly anticipated<br />
event and enjoy crawfish, Raising Cane’s, BBQ, kids’ activities<br />
provided by The Woodlands Young Learners Academy and<br />
Painting with a Twist, live bands, and plenty of family fun and<br />
entertainment.<br />
“YPN chooses to support this great cause by leading<br />
the planning committee and coordinating the hundreds of<br />
volunteers it takes to support an event anticipated to see<br />
5,000 guests,” said Jay Thompkins, co-team leader.<br />
Painting with a Twist has hosted the Festival’s t-shirt<br />
art contests for children ages five through 12. The final<br />
competition was held this month. The winner’s artwork will<br />
appear on the festival’s t-shirt.<br />
The ticketed event is open to the public for sponsorships<br />
and individual admissions. Proceeds benefit the Pulmonary<br />
Hypertension Association – (501©3 - Tax ID 65-0880021).<br />
Adult tickets (ages 13 and up) include one plate of food<br />
and two beverage tickets (alcoholic beverages available for<br />
those 21 and over). Kid tickets (ages 8-12) include one plate<br />
of food and one beverage ticket. Kids ages 7 and under are<br />
free (does not include food or beverage tickets).<br />
Tickets may be purchased in advance for $25 for each<br />
adult and $15 for each kid at The Chamber’s Office (1400<br />
Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 300), Guest Services at The<br />
Woodlands Mall, Concierge’s at Market Street, select area<br />
Woodforest National Banks and Amegy Banks (lobby only),<br />
Stibbs & Co., P.C., or online at www.woodlandscrawfish.com.<br />
There will be a limited number of tickets available day of for<br />
$35 for each adult and $20 for each kid.<br />
Sponsorships ranging from $250 to $10,000 are<br />
available for this very worthwhile cause. For sponsorship<br />
information, contact Matacha Saul at 281-367-2222 or<br />
sponsor woodlandscrawfish.com.<br />
i<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
Email info@woodlandscrawfish.com<br />
call (281) 367-2222, or visit<br />
www.woodlandscrawfish.com<br />
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Saturday, March 29, 2014<br />
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.<br />
Town Green Park along The Woodlands Waterway<br />
adjacent to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion<br />
Bring your family and friends to join us for this<br />
charitable event to raise awareness and to help find<br />
a cure for Pulmonary Hypertension.<br />
TICKETS<br />
Festival Entry Fee is available for purchase the day of the event to access<br />
the park only. The Festival Entry Fee is $20 for Adults and $10 for Kids 10<br />
and under. The Festival Entry Fee only allows you access to the park during<br />
festival hours and does not include any food or beverage tickets.<br />
PRE-PURCHASED<br />
$25 each for ages 13 and up<br />
$15 each for ages 8 to 12<br />
Ages 7 and younger are free<br />
(does not include food or beverage)<br />
LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE DAY OF EVENT AT<br />
$35 each for ages 13 and up<br />
$20 each for ages 8 to 12<br />
Adult tickets to include entry to the park, one plate of food and two beverages.<br />
Kids tickets to include entry to the park, participation in kids activities, one plate<br />
of food and one beverage.<br />
Come out to enjoy live music, crawfish & fixins’, BBQ,<br />
Raising Cane’s, kids activities and good times.<br />
To purchase tickets<br />
for more information:<br />
281.367.2222<br />
Corporate tents and other sponsorships available!<br />
A Community Partnership with Cure PH<br />
and the Chamber’s Young<br />
Professionals Network<br />
Printed by:<br />
wrightsprinting.com<br />
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12/20/13 10:52 AM<br />
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