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TEXAS Chamber PaGe 2 — Chamber V.O.I.C.E., deCeMbeR 20, 2010 Thoughts from CaROL’S CORNeR MeRRy CHRISTMaS FROM yOUR CHaMbeR OFCOMMeRCe: 2010 has been a challenging, yet amazing year at the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce. Our membership has continued to increase, our events have been awesome, and our networking contacts reached to almost 50,000 with visits, calls, contact, etc. As we move into this holiday season, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who Carol Smith. have made this progress possible. With that said, it is most appropriate to pause a moment and express our heart felt gratitude for so many committed friends and members, all rolled together, make up the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce. This wonderful community that we all know as “home” has so many great qualities, and it’s at times like these that we slow down a bit and “reflect” just how very fortunate we are to reside here. No matter what brought you to this historical area, most would agree it is a great place to live, do business and raise families. Truly, our committed membership is the heart and soul of our chamber of commerce. Without your support and involvement, the services we provide and events we execute would simply not be possible. You are the reason we exist. Your continued dedication to the community and economic well-being of Huntsville and Walker County is unsurpassed and truly makes our area an amazing place to call home. We are reminded that the year-end brings no greater pleasure than the opportunity to express to our membership season’s greetings and good wishes. We have celebrated our 76th anniversary this year, and our Chamber continues to be blessed with dedicated, committed sponsors. As member businesses that continually step up and offer financial support or in-kind services, you are truly to be commended. The pride and personal commitment you take in this community is reflected in your selflessness and willingness to help. You are the profile of an ultimate team player and we are sincerely appreciative of your generosity, and look forward to working with you on future events. ECONOMIC INDICATORS SPOTLIGHT Continued from page 1 As we reflect back over this past year, we are sincerely grateful for all our blessings. The Trade Expo, Shot-in-the- Dark Golf Tournament, Huntsville Leadership Institute, Fair on the Square and certainly the Gala continue to be outstanding events for our members and friends alike. And this year we added an awesome event to market our business members in a unique venue…DIVA NIGHT! These would not be possible without the committed volunteers…you are a key element to our program of work as we strive to offer only the best to everyone. You are depended upon during many events, and it is your assistance that often helps put the finishing touches on special events and activities. We are appreciative of your commitment to this community and your desire to be part of making it the great place we know. For your commitment, kindness, generosity and loyalty we are truly thankful. The Chamber Board will hold a planning retreat on January 12, led by incoming Board Chair Paul Davidhizar. Many exciting details will be shared beginning with 2011. With this new year about to dawn, we are also grateful to George Miles and his leadership, along with the entire Chamber board this past year. They are all committed to helping direct the organization in the most positive and effective way possible. Thanks to all of you! And last, but certainly not least, the committed staff at the Chamber is the best to be found anywhere!! They are constantly working for the continued betterment of this organization. So, to Shannon, Chris and Laura…you all are the best and the Chamber is so fortunate to have each of you…GO TEAM!! In closing, we say thank you and extend our warmest wishes for the holiday season. May your holidays and the coming year be filled with happiness and prosperity. Working together make the holidays even brighter!! And, we can’t say thank you enough to the membership for joining us and sharing from their hearts their appreciation over this past year… and support for the Chamber’s 76 years of serving Huntsville and Walker County...the Chamber is truly the “heartbeat” of Huntsville and Walker County! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! Hugs to All, Carol Smith quately manage their assets. At Global Financial Partners we take the mystery out of investing, managing risk, preparing for retirement and other financial goals, and preserving your wealth. By establishing true and trusted relationships you will acquire the information you need to pursue your financial objectives. No mystery, it`s that simple!” Retirement planning is often a focus for their clients, but Brian mentioned other needs that surface as well. “Estate taxation and wealth transfer has become even more prevalent recently, with the “Bush Tax Cuts” scheduled to “sunset” January 1, 2011. However, income needs, seem to be more and more important these days with CD and other savings vehicle interest rates so low. There are many options to Chamber ambassadors Meet in the Community To better support and market local businesses, Ambassador meetings are now held in community locations. On Tuesday, November 30, the Ambassadors meeting was held at The Potato Shack. The primary purpose of Ambassador meetings is to continue planning for member contacts, ribbon cuttings, and “Suprize Patrol” events. Mark your calendar and plan to attend the January 25 meeting at Carbonero’s Restaurant. Several “prize patrol” visits will be made that day as well. We would love to have you join us as we support our local business members. YOU are needed to help with tourism and economic development efforts as we continue with these “member focused” visits. Working with Quick books Pro 2009 -$50.00 for each session • Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 6-9 p.m. – Part I Presenter: Sherry Donaleski, QuickBooks Pro Advisor (Working with knowledge of Windows XP required) • Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 6-9 p.m. Part II Presenter: Sherry Donaleski, QuickBooks Pro Advisor (Working with knowledge of Windows XP required) • Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 6-9 p.m. Part III Presenter: Sherry Donaleski, QuickBooks Pro Advisor (Working with knowledge of Windows XP required) All seminars are open to the public and held at the SHSU SBDC Computer Learning Center at 2424 Sam Houston Avenue, Huntsville, TX unless otherwise noted. Please visit our website at http://sbdc.shsu.edu/ combat these low rates, often still FDIC protected, and many times with tax free earnings.” Brian is an alumnus of SHSU, earning a BBA in Business in 1979. After graduation, he was employed by a fortune 500 energy services company both domestically and internationally for seven years, before deciding to build his own practice and raise children in Walker County. He’s been active in his church, and many other community activities over the years including the HISD Board of Trustees, WCFA, and Huntsville Walker Co. Chamber of Commerce. He and Linda have been married for 27+ years, son Riley is a member of SHSU’s football team, and son Murphy is a freshman at A&M. Brian & Linda both reflect that “…Walker County has been a good place to build a life.” SMALL BUSINESS Breakfast Thanks to avalon Place Trinity for hosting the Chamber Small Business Breakfast in December. Avalon Place, located at 808 South Robb in Trinity Texas, offers 24 hour skilled nursing-rehabilitation and respite or vacation programs. The trained professional staff is committed to providing each individual with quality care to meet their challenging health care needs. This team of professionals includes a medical director, consultant pharmacist and consultant dietician and is led by a licensed administrator. For more information, please contact the admissions director at 936-594-7521. You may also visit them on the web at www.swltc.com. Pictured is Admission Director Stacey Wesney and Administrator Susan Kottenbrook. agriLand Farm Credit On Tuesday, November 16th the Chamber Ambassadors and staff visited the new AgriLand Farm Credit location to host a red ribbon cutting. Shown here is Roger Brist, CEO, Michael Biesiada, Regional President, and Reba Van Dorn, Loan Officer. The new office is located at 125 SH 150 W. Ste. B in New Waverly TX 77358. They can be contacted by calling 936-344-9400/Fax 888-746-7734 or visiting their website at www.agriland.com. 9 12 6 3 BUSINESS After Hours V.O.I.C.E., deCeMbeR 20, 2010 — PaGe 7 TEXAS Thanks to First Victoria National bank for sponsoring the December Chamber Business After Hours. Today, First Victoria has in excess of $1.7 billion in total assets. Proud of its heritage as the oldest independent bank in Texas, First Victoria is a full-service commercial bank currently serving over 70,000 customers in the Texas Gulf Coast, the I-45 corridor north of Houston, the Brazos Valley and Fort Bend County with 28 Banking Centers and 35 ATMs. The location in Huntsville offers customers many banking services including mortgage and real estate loans, commercial loans, checking and savings accounts, trusts and investment accounts, CDs, IRAs and much more. They are located at 2033 11th Street and may be reached at 936-291-3232 or on the web at www.firstvictoria.com Pictured are front row: Teller Gail Felts and Teller Service Manager Debbie Byrd. Back row: Teller Nicole Garrett, Teller Jorge Gonzalez, PrimeVest Investment Executive Brad Muchow, Assistant Vice President & Banking Center Manager Viola Hollis, Senior Vice President & Retail Area Manager Donna Patterson and Executive Vice President & Regional Manager Joe C. Boaz. Not pictured are Assistant Vice President & Lending Officer Rodney Cooksey, Personal Banker Nancy Costilow and Administrative Lending Assistant Pam Jalowy. Ribbon Cuttings Modello Footwear & accessories Friday, December 10 was a special day for Modello Footwear & Accessories as they cut the ribbon at their new location at 1201 University Ave. Members of the Chamber board, ambassadors and staff, joined Owners Javier & Sonia Zamudio, and Store Manager Eric Ramos in celebrating this special day. Stop by their spacious new store or call 936-291-0448 or email modelloinc_huntsville@yahoo.com for all your shoe and accessory needs. AWARD Continued from page 1 Bank. In addition to being a committed Rotarian, Mance was a rancher, a realtor and a tremendous family man. This award is presented only to RARE and WONDERFUL people in our community, whose lifetime of achievements would be the kind to make the late Mance Park proud. Jane Monday, like Mance Park is committed to this community and is the 14th recipient to receive this award. For most of her life, Jane Clements Monday has nutured a positive, driving vision for our community, and has committed herself to that vision even today. A graduate of Huntsville High School and then University of Texas, Jane has accomplished extraordinary things for this community and has given more than generously of her time and energies to the citizens of Huntsville. She served on the City Planning Commission, on City Council, the Rotary Club, the Walker County Fair just to name a few. She served on the Texas State University System Board of Regents, as our City Mayor and other projects such as the city library and local park beautification. Jane served on the Chamber Board and worked tirelessly on the Convention/Visitors Bureau. Jane Monday was selected as an “Outstanding Senior Woman” at the University of Texas, is married to the love of her life Dr. Charles Monday and together they have 3 grown daughters and 8 grandchildren. Jane and Charles attend First United Methodist Church. We sincerely thank Jane for her years of dedicated service to Huntsville and Walker County as well as the great state of Texas and for her unselfish attitude and to “keep on keeping on” to accomplish so many great things for this community. Congratulations!!
TEXAS Chamber PaGe 6 — Chamber V.O.I.C.E., deCeMbeR 20, 2010 2010 Christmas Open House The staff and Board of Directors hosted a Christmas Open House on Thursday, December 9th in the chamber board room. To celebrate the season members and guests were treated to food, beverages and door prizes. A special thank you to Aramark Classic Fare Catering from the campus of SHSU for providing the refreshments for our holiday event. Several door prizes were given during the event as well, our lucky winners were Sherri Ballard, Dale Wright, Buddy Aber, Lonnie Smith and Ce Cowart-Schlicher. Reception for DR. DANA GIBSON, President Sam Houston State University The Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce hosted a community wide reception to welcome the new incoming president of Sam Houston State University on Tuesday, November 30 at Magnolia Lake. The event was underwritten by Scotsman Storage, The Carpet Store, Reliable Auto Parts, Edward Jones/Tommy Stewart, Mike & Rosanne Keathley, Kim Stewart and Ben Bius. Kudos! Madilene Loosier, owner of Madilene’s Piano Tuning & Repair has been recognized by The National Association of Professional Women as Woman of the Year 2010/2011. She received this award for demonstrating excellence and dedication within her profession. Madilene is a Certified Piano Technician and began her business in 2004 and provides professional piano services for all makes and models wherever the piano is located. She can be contacted at 936-581-0094 or on the web at www.MadilenesPianoService.com. Mark Your Calendars! TRADE EXPO AND TASTE OF HUNTSVILLE 2011 THURSDAY, MARCH 3 4-8 P.M. WALKER COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS Showcase your business and sample Huntsville’s finest cuisine at the premier business event of the year, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Information and reservations will be available in January. Contact Shannon Higbie at 295-8113 or shigbie@chamber.huntsville.tx.us for information. Farewell Letter from George Miles Dear Fellow Chamber Members and Community Friends: The year 2010 has been a year filled with many challenges, but one that nevertheless presented opportunities for extensive accomplishments by our Chamber. Blessed with the hard work of an outstanding Chamber staff and dedicated volunteers, you, the members, joined with us to make 2010 the absolute best year yet in ways we only imagined at the beginning of the year. George Miles. First and foremost, I want to thank each and every one of you for your support in so many ways. I had the opportunity to get out in the community and personally visit with many of you throughout the year, and that was a personal highlight for me. Getting to know our members and understanding your concerns and hearing your ideas for a better Chamber was a rewarding personal adventure for which I remain deeply grateful. The Huntsville/Walker County Chamber of Commerce and its members can definitely look back with pride on what was accomplished this year: (1) Every fundraising and “friend-raising” event (Fair on the Square, Trade Expo, Diva Night, Shot in the Dark Golf Tournament, and the Annual Gala) turned out to be the biggest and best, in terms of participant response, visitor response, and money raised; (2) membership rose to 531, an increase of 68 new members over the previous year; and, (3) the Chamber Ambassador program was reinvigorated and reached out to members with several “Surprise Patrol” visits to various members each month, bearing cookies, balloons, and good will. Additionally, the Chamber’s Huntsville Leadership Institute classes continue to attract the community’s brightest and best, and are a vital link in connecting Huntsville to its people and its businesses in positive and informative ways. Building leaders for the community is and should always be a top priority within any Chamber of Commerce. I don’t have adequate words to properly thank all of you who have made my year as Chairman of the Chamber Board such a rewarding one. However, I want you to know I will always treasure the friendships that have grown in sometimes trying and difficult circumstances, and also want to say how much I truly appreciate all of you – staff, members, volunteers, and everyone who contributed your time and hard work to make the Chamber a success in 2010. You succeeded in every way – congratulations! I know you will support 2011 Chairman Paul Davidhizar in the same outstanding manner. I wish Paul the greatest year ever, and look forward to serving with him my final year on the board and to working with all of you. Thank you again. Sincerely, George D. Miles, Jr. Chamber Bri Amedisys Home Health Care John Amick A Space Place CASA of Walker County Education Service Center Region VI Entergy V.O.I.C.E., deCeMbeR 20, 2010 — PaGe 3 TEXAS NeW CHaMbeR MeMbeRS as of dec. 10, 2010 The following businesses recently joined the Chamber and we extend A WARM CHAMBER WELCOME. The information printed was gained from membership applications. For any additions and/or corrections, contact the Chamber as complete membership information is vital to your records with us. Our most recent new members we welcome: Bang It Services, Inc. is a company that specializes in roofing, siding, fencing, painting and remodeling. Mike Villacis is the president and can be reached Monday-Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. by calling 936-291- 2264/Fax 832-747-1777 or email bangitservices@yahoo.com. He joined the chamber to expose his business to other businesses and hopes to gain new business relationships. Visit the website at www.bangitservices.net for more information. RECENT MEMBER RENEWALS Hat’s off to the following members who recently renewed their Chamber membership. Marketing, advertising and networking are just a few of the benefits of Chamber membership. We encourage everyone to shop with Chamber members. Express Employment Professionals Joe G. Davis School of Vocational Nursing Dr. Nabeel A. Khan, M.D. McGee, Miller & Co. Schlotzsky’s Prize Patrol Makes Stops in Huntsville 1 2 3 The Chamber Ambassador “Prize Patrol” continues to be very busy celebrating with many business members. The Ambassadors make “suprize” visits, complete with balloons and cookies to show appreciation to Chamber business members. Shown here are November 30 visits made to (1) The Carpet Store (2) Potato Shack (3) Mom 4 5 & Tot Shop (4) Farmers Insurance-Ashley Doughtie-Butler (5) BearKat Books. Don’t be alarmed if you notice a group of excited individuals entering your business soon with balloons and goodies to share. This is another way the Chamber is helping to highlight and market our members.
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The Chamber

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