100 100 Years CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
of Business and Commerce in Bryan-College Station
Contents Letter from Crystal Dupré ������������������������������������������������������ 2 Letter from Glen Brewer �������������������������������������������������������� 5 Letter from Royce Hickman �������������������������������������������������� 7 History: 1910s–1920s �������������������������������������������������������� 9–11 History: 1930s–1940s ������������������������������������������������������ 12–14 History: 1950s–1960s ������������������������������������������������������ 15–16 History: 1970s–1980s ������������������������������������������������������ 17–18 History: 1990s–2000s ������������������������������������������������������ 19–21 History: 2010s–Present ���������������������������������������������������������� 22 Chamber of Commerce still looking out for B-CS ������������ 25
1729 Briarcrest Dr • Bryan, Texas • theeagle.com Publisher
Display Advertising Manager
Crystal Dupré
Linda R. Brinkman
Advertising Director
content administrator & designer
Sean Lewis
Kelli Weber
A note from the Chairman
T
his is a special year for your Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate 100 years of service. What a huge milestone to accomplish. Seeing the information that has been culled together for the centennial celebration has been an eye opener as to the how much the Chamber has been involved with the creation of longstanding, strong organizations and businesses that still operate and thrive today. For example, in 1945 the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) was established to encourage more young businessmen to take an active role in their community. The group was organized as a supplement to the main Chamber. As our community continues to expand rapidly, your Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce is keeping pace with that growth. Over the last year, the Chamber hosted 166 separate events, 86 of which were ribbon cuttings and groundbreaking ceremonies.
B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary 2 | July 8, 2018
In 1924 Bryan’s Chamber of Commerce was recognized as “Best in the State” in a survey of 35 other chambers throughout Texas. I argue that is still true today. Your Chamber has been built upon a solid foundation of hard work and is staffed with smart, loyal people who serve over 1,500 business members. The Board Members, Inner Circle, and Chamber Ambassadors are some of the most dedicated people I know. You don’t get that many people to volunteer their time unless they are excited and believe in what they are doing. We have accomplished a lot together during the past 100 years. What matters most now is what comes next and I have no doubt that the next 100 years will bring bigger and better outcomes to our business community. Crystal Dupré Chamber Chairman Publisher, The Eagle
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B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
July 8, 2018 | 3
Caring for our Community
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Congratulations to the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce on their 100 years! 1918 —2018 From our beginning we have dedicated ourselves to advancing the health and well-being of our community, making leading-edge technology, procedures and specialists available right here at home.
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A note from the President H
appy birthday to the Chamber! One hundred years young and strong as ever, your Chamber of Commerce is celebrating their 100 year anniversary this year. We trace our beginnings back to 1918 as the Bryan and Brazos County Chamber of Commerce. Every year since that time this group of businesses, business professionals, and others have been working to ensure that the BryanCollege Station market has the best possible climate for commerce. The Chamber’s Founders Night on July 12th seems like the ideal place to celebrate our past 100 years while we continue to look toward the future. In the heart of historic downtown Bryan in the beautifully restored Ice House, we will have past leaders from Bryan, College Station, Brazos County and of course the business community, mingling with present and future
leaders of the Brazos Valley. It is a great setting to reflect on where our Chamber and our community has been and to get together and create connections that will help us to achieve our goals for the future. I would like to thank The Eagle for putting together this section on the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce’s 100 years of service to this community. I especially want to thank our 2017-2018 Board Chair Crystal Dupré for her many long hours of service and her leadership this year. Crystal, along with our immediate past chair David O’Neil of Wells Fargo Bank and our chair-elect Vicki Reim of Bryan Texas Utilities, has led a talented Board of Directors that has guided our Chamber to new heights. In 2018, your Chamber is in great financial condition. We are continually
setting new records in membership and attendance at Chamber events. Our committees are strong and are working in many different areas to make our community a world class place to live and do business. One hundred years down and many, many more to come. Your Chamber of Commerce is here for the B/CS business community every day! This year we glance back to our roots but we are always looking forward to a bright and exciting future for all of our businesses. We look forward to another 100 years of enhancing the economic well-being of the businesses in the Bryan/College Station market!
Glen Brewer President/CEO
At The Bank & Trust, we believe an exceptional community deserves an exceptional bank! Our bankers are members of the community, just like you. We’re particularly proud to support the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce and its dedication to supporting local businesses. Together, we are strengthening our community! Call (979) 260-2100 or visit us online at www.banktbt.com. CAL McNEILL
JERRY E. FOX
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT VICE CHAIRMAN SENIOR RETAIL OFFICER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PAST CHAMBER CHAIRMAN 2002 PAST CHAMBER CHAIRMAN 2005
MIKE A. HOLMGREEN
VICE CHAIRMAN CHIEF DEPOSIT OFFICER PAST CHAMBER CHAIRMAN 1996
ROBERT S. DAVIS, JR.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER PAST CHAMBER CHAIRMAN 2001
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B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
Local bank. Local bankers.
Eagle_Chamber100th/Copyright © 2018. All Rights Reserved.6/18
Strengthening our community, by doing our part.
Member FDIC
July 8, 2018 | 5
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Celebrating the Chamber’s 100th anniversary
I
t is impossible for me to express to you what an honor it has been for me to have been a part of the BryanCollege Station Chamber of Commerce for 20 of the 100 years it has been in existence. It has certainly been 20 of the most rewarding years of my career. When I joined the Chamber in January of 1998, the Chamber was struggling financially and was in the middle of a long range planning process to improve the organization’s success. The Board of Directors was evaluating every Chamber program and measuring how those programs helped accomplish the Chamber’s mission statement – “To enhance the economic well-being of the businesses in the communities we serve.” Programs that helped accomplish the mission were enhanced and many new programs were initiated during that process. In 1999, the Chamber initiated several new programs, including our Job Fair, the Youth-to-Career Fair, the Local Candidates Forums, the Crawfish
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Boil and the award winning Economic Outlook Conference. In 2000, we made our first trip to Washington, D.C., which has allowed the Chamber to make great strides in promoting business-positive legislation. In September of 2005, we began Lobsterfest, which has turned out to be one of our most popular events and also our major fundraiser. During these last eight years, we started several programs, including Chamber Day and Founders Night, but our main focus has been on improving the quality and effectiveness of our existing programs such as our Legislative Trips and our Ambassador Program, which is the best in the State of Texas. The Chamber has always emphasized the importance of shopping locally, and we also remind everyone that the jobs are with our local businesses! As a group, we have been very committed to encouraging everyone, particularly our members, to do business with fellow Chamber members. Those who have joined the Chamber
have demonstrated a commitment to our community that should be rewarded. As I look back on the last 20 years, I have such great admiration for that 1997-1998 Board of Directors for their almost nine months of effort to develop an effective Long Range Plan that I used to guide most of the decisions I made during my nineteen years as your President/CEO. It continues to be a privilege for me to have the opportunity to serve the outstanding businesses in our community on a part time basis. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to those who have served on our board of directors, our incredible Ambassadors and the numerous other volunteers for the many hours they have devoted to our community through the Chamber of Commerce. I also want to lift up those dedicated and talented individuals who have served on the Chamber staff; their commitment and support has been second to none. I am very excited to see the continued growth of this incredible organization!
B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
Royce Hickman Community Liaison and Former Chamber President
July 8, 2018 | 7
Congrats to the B/Cs ChamBer of CommerCe for 100 years of great Business
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B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary 8 | July 8, 2018
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A look back at the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and community through the years
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1910s High Co�on
Bryan’s continued growth prompts citizens to form a new organization – the Bryan Commercial Club.
Agriculture, particularly cotton, was Bryan’s biggest industry from the late 1800’s into the early 1900’s. In 1910, the Bryan Cotton Oil Mill & Fertilizer Company was the city’s biggest source of commerce. John Lawrence, a local grocer, urged farmers to “Bring us your cotton. We receive the market every hour and know what it is worth.” The city continued to flourish as an industrial hub, largely thanks to its position along two major railroads.
1910
FAST FACTS: 1910 47 years – average life expectancy
Improve engineering and access to sewer, water and electricity throughout the city Continue to grow Bryan’s primary industry, cotton, by facilitating trade between neighboring counties 1 0 | July 8, 2018
1918
$450 – average annual salary 92.2 million – U.S. population 95% – births that occurred at home 32¢ – cost for 1 gallon of milk 46 – number of states in the U.S.
The talk radio station WtAW is established. It becomes one of the first radio stations to air a live football game in real time, and it is now home to the longest running radio show in Brazos County.
1922
1
$
Monthly Chamber membership dues
Increase Bryan’s population by advertising the area as a prosperous, rapidly growing community
Bring new industries to the area such as a cannery, creamery or other industrial factories
1920s The Commercial Club officially changes its name to Bryan & Brazos Chamber of Commerce.
1900-1920 CHAMBER GOALS
Improve transportation and commerce by prioritizing the paving of roads, sidewalks and highways to connect Bryan to major cities
t�
1910
An interurban line is constructed connecting College station to Bryan, greatly increasing the interaction between the two communities.
ALSO KNOWN AS... Bryan Business League Bryan & Brazos Commercial Association Civic League Industrial League
1913
The Queen theatre opens in Downtown Bryan. Entry fee: 7¢.
B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
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1910s
t�
1920s
The Chamber sponsors the city’s first santa Claus parade, featuring over 100 floats and exhibits and a crow of over 12,000 people.
Bryan’s Chamber of Commerce is recognized as “Best in the state” in a survey of 35 other chambers throughout Texas.
1924
1926
northgate circa 1920
10,000
$
Chamber budget for 1927
1928
The La salle hotel opens in Downtown Bryan on April 26. Standing seven stories tall, it was the tallest building in Bryan for many years.
1926
mrs. Lee J. rountree is elected president of the Chamber, making her the first woman in the U.S. to become a Chamber of Commerce president.
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The Great Depre�ion The stock market crash of October 1929 sparked the beginning of the worst economic depression in history. Bryan and Brazos County continued to thrive despite national economic tragedy, and the Chamber helped to facilitate community and industry growth throughout the 1930’s.
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A look back at the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and community through the years
Congratulations Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce on
100 years!
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B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
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1930s
t�
1940s
1930'S CHAMBER GOALS Work to increase enrollment at Texas A&M and Allen Academy Construct a ‘sanitary’ Farmer’s Market Emphasize fire safety and fire prevention Initiate campaign to secure bonds for the construction of concrete highways and continued improvement of county roads
state highway 6 was built, running directly through College Station and Bryan, greatly increasing travel and trade in the area.
1936
Establish a Chamber health committee focused on providing community access to vaccinations (diphtheria, typhoid fever)
Bryan farmer's market
Bryan, TX
1935
A group of Catholic Sisters assume ownership of Bryan Hospital and change the name to st. Joseph’s hospital. Under their management the hospital was able to drastically increase in size.
7,814 Population in 1930
1941
The U.S. enters WWII following the attacks at Pearl Harbor. Bryan and College Station are designated as military training centers.
WORLD WAR II
The United States economy suffered dire consequences as a result of U.S. involvement in WWII. Government projects and funding were frozen, war needs took priority, and the workforce lost a large percentage of its employees when men were drafted. Texas A&M produced over 20,000 combat troops, greatly impacting the community and economy of Brazos County. The Chamber created the Special War Projects Committee in 1942.
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B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
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1930s the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) is established to encourage more young businessmen to take an active role in their community. The group was organized as a supplement to the main Chamber.
1945
1943
The Chamber establishes a committee for post War planning, “to make practical plans to absorb our many Service Men back into civil life when they are discharged.”
1 4 | July 8, 2018
Texas A&M Cadets
20,000 Served in WWII
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1940s
The city of College Station is incorporated into the Chamber, and the name is changed to Bryan & College station Chamber of Commerce. The cities later decided to form separate chambers in 1948.
1946
1949
The new sevenstory Varisco Building opens in Downtown Bryan, and it becomes home to several local businesses, including the Chamber.
B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
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A look back at the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and community through the years
Serving the
BrazoS Valley for over 30 years!
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Proud Inner CIrCle MeMbers, CoMMItted to servIng the ChaMber eRIC WYlIe - WeAltH MAnAgeR 1997 – Graduate, Leadership Brazos 2004 – Volunteer of the Year 2007 – Leadership Brazos Outstanding Alumni Award 2008-2011 – Board member/Executive Committee member 2004-2005 – Chairman, Leadership Brazos Alumni Association 1997-1998 – Chairman, Ambassador Program
JARROD HIX WeAltH MAnAgeR Rodney Hurt ‘77 • Bradley Hurt ‘00 • Nick Lutz • Ryan Carr • Gary Griffin Donna Beeler • Kathy Savell ’04
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2005 – Graduate, Leadership Brazos 2007 – Volunteer of the Year 2009 – Leadership Brazos Outstanding Alumni Award 2009-2014 – Board member/Executive Committee member 2007-2008 – Chairman, Leadership Brazos Alumni Association 2008-2009 – Chairman, Ambassador Program
B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
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1950s On May 22 at 5:30 p.m., the newly established KBtX news station airs its first program. The station originally intended to air starting May 1, but heavy rains delayed construction of the satellite tower.
1957
Annual Salary in 1954
7,200
$
Chamber Manager
After a brief period of separation, the citizens of Bryan and College Station vote to merge and form the Bryan-College station Chamber of Commerce.
t�
1960s
Bryan holds its Centennial Celebration to commemorate 100 years since the town’s founding, with a centennial parade on June 23.
1962
1960
24
$
1962 Annual Dues for Businesses
1958
Mr. J.C. Culpepper, local businessman and Chamber member, announces plans for the construction of townshire, the area’s first major shopping center. 1 6 | July 8, 2018
1963
Under the leadership of James Earl Rudder, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas is officially renamed texas A&m University. This is also the first year the university begins admitting women. The following year A&M welcomes its first African-American student. B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
1969
Construction begins on Brazos County industrial park, making a huge step towards an industrial future for the Bryan-College Station area. T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E
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A look back at the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and community through the years
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B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
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1970s
t�
1980s
The Bryan Blazers are introduced to serve as a membership committee and handle public relations duties for the Chamber.
1970
Following the completion of the West Loop (FM 2818) and extensive lobbying by Pat Mann and the Chamber, Texas Governor Briscoe designates B-CS as an economic growth area. This qualifies the cities to receive federal highway funding, a huge step for expanding the area’s economy.
The Organization Committee develops a “Business After hours” program for Chamber members on a quarterly basis.
1975
1972
J.C. Culpepper opens his latest real estate venture, manor east, the area’s first enclosed shopping mall. The project attracts large businesses such as Kroger, and continues to pull business away from Downtown Bryan.
1 8 | July 8, 2018
1974
Construction begins for the AnCo Building on Texas Avenue.
B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
1987
1983
The Chamber introduces Leadership Brazos, a program to identify and provide developmental opportunities for outstanding men and women in Bryan-College Station.
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A look back at the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and community through the years
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Congratulations, On 100 Amazing Years Baylor Scott & White would like to thank the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce for their 100 years of service. Together, we can help ensure the health and wellness of our community.
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B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
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1990s
t�
2000s
The Chamber of Commerce moves its offices to their current location on east 29th street. Fred A. Patterson, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design and in 1981 with a Master’s degree in Architecture. Mr. Patterson spent several years practicing architectural services in the Brazos Valley before founding patterson Architects in 1991.
1993
The Chamber hosts an Executive Briefing (inside B-Cs) designed to offer community leaders and management level executives an exclusive look inside Bryan-College Station.
1995
1991
1992
The incredible success of the Chamber’s Leadership Brazos program prompts the creation of Junior Leadership Brazos, a program for outstanding high school students.
1994
The Chamber Ambassador program is introduced to “build a better Chamber through volunteer leadership, to strengthen the Chamber by recruiting new members, to increase retention of membership by opening the lines of communication between the Chamber and its members.”
AMBASSADOR CHAIRS 1994-1995: Ron Steedly 1995-1996: David Hill 1996-1997: Mark Lanier 1997-1998: Eric Wylie 1998-1999: Drew Johnson 1999-2000: Jack Adams 2000-2001: Richard Kasper 2001-2002: Glen Brewer 2002-2003: Scott Lingren 2 0 | July 8, 2018
2003-2004: Whitney Wolf 2004: Michael Neely 2005: Mike Connor 2005-2006: Jennifer Pratt 2006-2007: Travis Rollins 2007-2008: John Seigler 2008-2009: Jarrod Hix 2009-2010: Shannon Martin 2010-2011: Mathew Chalmers
B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
2011-2012: Amy Supak 2012-1013: Teresa Benden 2013-2014: Jason Cornelius 2014-2015: Hans Hammond 2015-2016: Barbie Springer 2016-2017: Scott Rolfsmeyer 2017-2018: Mike Connor
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1990s
tďż˝
2000s
The Chamber publishes its first monthly magazine, Connections.
1998
Together with the Brazos Valley Association, the Chamber coordinates the first taste of Aggieland – epicurean extravaganza.
Local government leaders and business executives join the Chamber on the first annual legislative trip to Washington D.C.
2000
1996
1997
The first annual softball Classic is held at Nutrabolt Stadium to benefit the 100 Club.
2009
2005
Texas A&M receives national attention with the official opening of the George h.W. Bush presidential Library.
1999
In conjunction with the Golf Classic, the Chamber hosts its first annual Lobsterfest, featuring a steak and lobster dinner, silent and live auctions and live music.
The first annual Crawfish Boil is held in February to benefit the Brazos County Youth Livestock Show.
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B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
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A look back at the BryanCollege Station Chamber of Commerce and community through the years
s 0 1 20 t�
t n e s Pre
2015
The Chamber hosts its first founders night to celebrate the establishment and development of our twin cities, as well as the leaders who continually work to make B/CS the best place to live.
2018
The Chamber celebrates 100 years of service to the Bryan-College Station community. Since its humble beginnings as a small group of downtown Bryan merchants, the Chamber has been instrumental in facilitating the economic growth and community development of our twin cities.
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B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
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Happy 100tH to the
Bryan/College Station Chamber!
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B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
July 8, 2018 | 23
Congratulations to the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce on your 100 year milestone!
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HOME FRONT Chamber of Commerce still looking out for B-CS after 100 years “In a way, we still have a goal of protection – protection we get from fighting for laws that are good for When the first chambers of businesses and against laws bad for commerce were created in the United business that might cause job loss,” States, the small groups were not only said Royce Hickman, who served as concerned about the promotion of the president of the B/CS Chamber of goods and services, they also wanted Commerce for 19 years before retiring protection – physical protection from at the end of 2016. He still serves parttime as the community liaison. ruffians. Adding an active Legislative Affair Fast forward to today – the B/CS Chamber of Commerce’s focus Committee is one change of many the is still advocating for local businesses, chamber has made since its inception but instead of worrying about rowdy in 1918. Over the past 100 years, it cowboys or mobs, they seek another has become one of the most active chambers in the state with more kind of protection. By Jenny Twitchell jenny.twitchell@theeagle.com
than 1,400 members in an area that is experiencing exponential growth. The committees, the events, the leadership programs, the 27-board members and nine hired staff – they all have one purpose: to promote business. Because business is the engine that keeps a community running, said current B/CS Chamber of Commerce President Glen Brewer. “The chamber is here for local businesses and will always be here for them,” Brewer said. “The chamber is the 1,500 businesses joined together to promote businesses in Bryan, College Station. It’s nothing more than that, so
Eagle staff photo Glen Brewer speaks at a Business After Hours event. T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E
B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
what we can do is to help them succeed and help the community thrive.” Because the well-being of the businesses is connected to the wellbeing of the community and vice versa, Hickman said. “I often say we believe in building a stronger, healthier community by building stronger, healthier businesses and business growth,” Hickman said. That is why the legislative trips have become such an integral part of the chamber. Members of the chamber’s Legislative Affairs Committee meet with health care, education, transportation and other community workers to learn about which bills they should support and oppose and which bills will encourage job growth. “The legislative work is what we’ve done in the past, present and will continue to do into the future,” Brewer said. “That is very important because we are the only entity or group that actually works locally on the state level and national level for business.” The chamber has become the voice for not only large but also small businesses in the area, Brewer said. “When you’re a small business, you can’t hire a lobbyist, but you can join a group of 1,500 plus and have a voice, have a power,” Brewer said. “We are the place you can unite. … We also work locally to educate our local officials on what is good and what is important for the business community.” Transportation has become a hotbutton topic in the area because of the growth, so it’s been on the forefront of the legislative trips. The chamber’s monthly transportation committee meetings have also become the place to be for everyone in the transportation community, including representatives
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home front from page 25
from TxDOT, Texas A&M University, College Station, Bryan, the airport or local businesses. Those discussions include planning infrastructure to deal with the growth, the high-speed rail and ideas for getting Interstate 14 built through the community. The designation for I-14 is there, but the funds aren’t there yet. Getting the designation for I-14 is one of the biggest success stories to come out of the chamber’s legislative trips and transportation meetings, Brewer said. He acknowledges the designation isn’t just due to the chamber’s efforts, but said it took a lot of work. “You can’t imagine how many communities and places in the U.S. are trying to work for an interstate,” Brewer said. When businesses are looking for a place to start their business, they have a checklist, and an interstate is at the top of that list for most businesses. Bryan-College Station gets looked over
And it finally did this year. “So, the good news is we are on an interstate route; the bad news is it isn’t actually built, but it is far, far harder to get a designation than to get it built,” Brewer said. With a highway will come even more growth, another focus for the chamber’s future. Some people love growth, some people don’t, but one thing is for sure – it’s good for business, Hickman said. “The thing I’ve always preached, and I personally believe, is you’re either growing or you’re dying because if you’re staying the same, someone is passing you up,” Hickman said. “You Eagle staff photo don’t have to go far from our area to Glen Brewer, right, speaks before the ribbon cutting outside the historic Queen Theatre in Downtown Bryan see cities that want growth, so growth is good.” during the grand opening celebration this past May. With growth comes better health because there’s no interstate, Brewer higher than specific demographics care, employment, education and would suggest, we are knocked off the funding, said Hickman, who was born in said. “We are one of the biggest list because we don’t have an interstate. Bryan and remembers his grandmother communities in the state of Texas that That’s why businesses have really needing to go to Dallas when she fell is not on the interstate; we are just off wanted an interstate, so we’ve been seriously ill. of Highway 6,” Brewer said. “So, the going to Washington for at least five See home front fact we are not on an interstate, despite years or more trying to get designation page 27 a huge university, and operate much to go through.”
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“We don’t have to go somewhere else now – growth has provided improved health care and educational opportunities, so growth is good,” he said. “What’s not good is growth when it’s not responsible. We need responsible growth. So, let’s not attack growth, let’s attack things we aren’t keeping up with as we grow.” The future of the chamber also includes technology – some, anyway. Brewer said he expects the chamber to increase its online presence, but some things will always stay the same. “With networking, some things just don’t go away,” he said. “There’s something to be said about going to events and meeting people face to face, shaking someone’s hand and talking to them.” Using the internet to meet people can only go so far, Brewer said. “When you shake someone’s hand and sit and talk back and forth, that’s a connection you can make,” Brewer
said. “And you’d be surprised when a few months later and your sprinkler system goes out, you remember you just met a guy that just started a business – you have a connection. And guess what, he’s there the next day because he remembers you.” A big part of the networking is so that chamber members are happy in the area and want to stay here, said Crystal Dupré, publisher at The Eagle and the B/CS Chamber of Commerce board chairwoman. “We make sure that you get connected, get discovered, and I think this chamber does an amazing job with its many functions that cater to what you’re interested in,” Dupré said. “On a personal note, I’ve been here for only six years, and I feel like being involved in the chamber and being at chamber events has opened doors to me to meet leaders in the community and be a part of things in the community that I wouldn’t have been a part of. It’s been amazing for The Eagle because it’s seen as a community partner.” The events raise money for the
Taste of Aggieland, held at the Brazos Expo Complex in Bryan, is just one of many community events hosted by the chamber.
Eagle staff photo chamber, which is funded half from membership fees and half from the events. Events include the annual Taste of Aggieland, LobsterFest and Golf Classic, Crawfish Boil, Founder’s Night, ribbon cuttings, Ag Breakfast, membership luncheons, Business After Hours and more. This year’s Founders’ Night is the chamber’s centennial celebration and
begins at 6 p.m. on July 12 at the Ice House on Main. Guests will experience 100 years of the chambers’ history. Tickets are $50. “I encourage people to come out and attend the event,” Dupré said. “It’s the capping point of the 100th anniversary events.” For more information, visit bcschamber.org.
Happy 100th Anniversary to the Bryan–College Station Chamber of Commerce!
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2017-18 Board of Directors Crystal Dupré
Jason Cornelius
Chair The Eagle
Vice Chair Leadership Division BB&T
Vicki Reim
Melanie Motley
Chair Elect BTU
David O’Neil
Immediate Past Chair Wells Fargo
Vice Chair Business Enhancement The Bank & Trust of Bryan/ College Station
Brad Beard
James Larkin
Thompson, Derrig & Craig, P.C.
Tai Lee
Sylvia McMullen
Research Valley Partnership
Jay Primavera
The Hilton College Station
Vice Chair Finance & Physical Resources Ingram, Wallis & Co., P.C.
Ricardo Diaz
Shane Phelps
Mary Mike Hatcher
Brazos Valley Women’s Center
Vice Chair Communications Bryan Broadcasting
Grant Graham
Vice Chair Membership Enhancement ANCO Insurance
Phil Shackelford
Vice Chair Community Enhancement Blinn College Foundation, Inc.
CHI St. Joseph
David Doss
Gabriel Garcia
Tradition Oil & Lube
Susan Gipson
The Ranch Harley Davidson
Bobby Gutierrez House of Tires
Tracy Kyle
The Law Office of Shane Phelps, P.C.
Kori Rich
The Physicians Centre Hospital
Travis Rollins
Downtown Event Services, LLC
Claudia Smith
Aggieland Carpet One
Greg Zweiacker
Zweiacker + Associates
Kyle Office Products
Chamber Team Glen Brewer President/CEO
Royce Hickman Community Liaison
Carrie Archer
Manager of Membership
Call 979.846.4988 • www.sylvanlearning.com
Veritas Wine & Bistro
Enercon, LLC
Tom Wallis
Education is everything!
Tom Tilton
Jordan Prihoda
Manager of Finance
Manager of Member Services
Brian Miller
Linda Espiriqueta
Membership Investment Representative
Kaley Crump
Communications Coordinator
Receptionist
Haley Galloway Executive Assistant
Allison Batte
Special Projects Coordinator
Congratulations BCS Chamber of Commerce on 100 Years of Service!
Congratulations on 100 Years!
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Past Board Presidents and Chairs 1910-1915
1924-1926
1936-1938
Louis Lowry McInnis
John M. Lawrence
Chairman of Faculty at A&M and namesake of McInnis Hall dormitory (demolished)
Mayor of Bryan, President of Lawrence Grocery Co., Vice President and Director of City National Bank
1915-1916
A.W. Wilkerson Banker at City National Bank and owner of the Wilkerson House 1916-1918
A.M. Waldrop Owner of A.M. Waldrop & Co. 1918
M.E. Wallace Manager of The Eagle
1926-1927
Mrs. Lee J. Rountree First woman to represent Brazos County in the Texas Legislature, first female head of the Texas Editorial Association, Vice President of National Editorial Association, President of Carnegie Library board (established the Children’s Education Foundation), write and managing editor of the Bryan Daily Eagle
1919-1920
J.S. Doane Alderman for Bryan City Council 1920-1921
1927-1930
J. Webb Howell Manager of the Bryan Oil Mill, farmer, chairman of Chamber agricultural committee
E.J. Jenkins
1930-1932
Bryan mayor and city councilman, drug store owner and owner of the E.J. Jenkins House
George Chance
1948
R.C. Fussell
Banker, farmer and owner of Owner of R.C. Fussell Food Store George Chance plantation, 1949 member of Texas Agricultural Association, chairman of Chamber Brazos A. Varisco agricultural committee Owner of cotton compress and gin, lumber company and developer of 1938-1939 the Varisco Building
Ivan Langford Mayor of Bryan 1939-1940
1950
R.I. Bernath
Owner of Bernath Motor Co.
W.R. McCullough
Owner of W.R. McCullough Funeral Home 1940-1941
1950-1951
Bernard F. Swindler
Manager of F.W. Woolworth Co. and A.M. Waldrop Co.
E.E. Yeager
Owner of E.E. Yeager Hardware Co., Mayor of Bryan 1941-1942
1951-1952
L.E. Ellwood
Manager of Knowles and Locke Seed Dealer
D.W. Williams
Professor, head of animal husbandry department at Texas A&M
1952-1953
E.R. Bryant
Direct Commissioner for Boy Scouting Brazos Valley
1942-1943
1953-1954
Vice President of First State Bank & Trust
Agent at Southwestern Life Insurance Co.
Owner of Brazos County Motor Co.
1932-1934
1943-45 & 1947-48
Mike Barron
W.S. Higgs
W.C. Mitchell
W.L. Whitley
1921-1922
Tyler Haswell
J.E. Stanford
Alderman for Bryan City Council
Texas editor of Southern Agriculturalist
Manager of Southwestern States Telephone Co.
1934-1935
1945-1946
1922-1923
W.H. Cole Director of First State Bank, president of Bryan Building & Loan Association
Fred Hale
J.F. Casey Owner of Casey’s Confectionary, president of Bryan Rotary Club
1923-1924
1935-1936
Jack M. Gordon
C.C. Todd
Co-owner of McCulloch-Gordon Furniture Company
Commandant of Texas A&M, president of Bryan Rotary Club
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M.C. Atkins
Chief of swine division at Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
1954-1955
Owner of Mike Barron Insurance Co.
J.D. “Jack” Conlee
Owner of Conlee Brothers Moving & Storage, president of Lion’s Club 1959-1960
John Naylor Mayor of Bryan 1960-1961
Travis B. Bryan, Jr.
President of First National Bank 1961-1962
C. Russell Hillier
Owner of Hillier Funeral Home 1962-1963
Gene Sutphen
Owner of College Station Studio 1963-1964
Ford D. Albritton Owner of Albritton Engineering Corp. 1964-1965
M.L. “Red” Cashion
Chairman of the board at ANCO Insurance, partner in BurgessCashion-Haddox Realty, NFL football official 1965-1966
Freddy Wolters
1955-1956
Vice President of City National Bank
U.S. Marshal, Little League Commissioner
1966-1967
Clifton Carter
1956-1957
I.N. Kelley
1946-1947
Manager of Howell Lumber Co.
Owner of Ford Munnerlyn Insurance Agency, developer of Munnerlyn Village subdivision
Green Buchanan
Ford Munnerlyn
1958-1959
1957-1958
Manager of Dr. Pepper Bottling Co.
B-CS Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary
James D. Ingram
Partner in Durst, Wood & Ingram CPA firm, Vice President of Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
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Past Board Presidents and Chairs presidents from page 29
1967-1968
J.B. “Dick” Hervey
Banker with University National Bank 1968-1969
Bookman Peters
President of City National Bank 1969-1970
E. Ridley Briggs
1976-1977
Mervin D. Peters Vice President of City National Bank 1977-1978
Armand D. Frank Manager of Sears Roebuck & Co.
1989-1990
David Shellenberger
Owner of Shellenberger’s, The Suit Club and real estate agent, investor and broker assistant at Keller Williams 1990-1991
Chris Kling
1978-1979
Attorney and owner of Law Office of Chris J. Kling
Vice President of student affairs at Texas A&M
1991-1992
Dr. John J. Koldus III
Art King
Senior Vice President at First Bank & Trust
Judith Rychlik
Owner of The Figure Salon
Realtor and broker at Re/ Max Select, owner of Art King Auctioneers
1970-1971
1980-1981
1992-1993
Lynn Stuart
Partner in Vance & Thurmond Construction Co.
1979-1980
W.S. “Dub” Pearson
Publisher, president of The Eagle 1981-1982
1999-2000
Celia Goode-Haddock Founder of University Title Company
2009-2010
Tedi Ellison
Office manager of The Ellison Firm 2010-2011
2000-2001
Jan Lee
Mike Gentry
Business manager of Dealer’s Lighting Center
2001-2002
Tap Bentz
Attorney and partner at West, Webb, Allbritton & Gentry, P.C.
2011-2012
Robert Davis
Proprietor at Outback Steakhouse
Chief credit officer at The Bank & Trust
2012-2014
Ben Downs
2002-2003
General manager of Bryan Broadcasting
J.C. “Cal” McNeill Senior Vice President at The Bank & Trust
John Willingham
2014-2015
Glen Brewer
2003-2004
1993-1994
Senior relationship manager at American Momentum Bank, president and CEO of B-CS Chamber of Commerce
Ron Gay
1971-1972
Owner of Central Texas Hardware
Switzer L. Deason
Robert Walker
Registered representative for Ron Gay Financial Services
President of University National Bank
1982-1983
1994-1995
2004-2005
2015-2016
Assistant director of development at Texas A&M Foundation
Unit director at H-E-B
2005-2006
Robert “Bobby” Bisor
Joe R. Sawyer
1972-1973
Ronald E. Hale
Senior Vice President at City National Bank 1973-1974
James T. Wright
Senior Vice President at BB&L 1974-1975
J.E. “Jocko” Roberts
Brazos County chairman for the Citizens for Open Government committee 1975-1976
B.A. Erwin
Manager of General Telephone & Electric Co.
J. Stephen Arden
Owner of Central Texas Hardware
William Thornton
Lawyer and co-owner of Lawrence Title & Abstract
Don J. Fazzino, Jr.
1983-1984
James E. Scarmardo 1984-1985
Louis M. Newman III Owner of Newman Printing 1985-1986
Lee Cargill 1986-1987
John T. Williams
1995-1996
Harold Dean 1996-1997
Mike Holmgreen
Vice chairman and chief deposit officer at The Bank & Trust 1997-1998
Tom Aughinbaugh
1987-1988
President of City Bank Texas – College Station
1988-1989
Andrea Derrig
H. Ray Smith W.R. “Bill” Vance Court of Appeals judge
2016-2017
Jerry Fox
Vice chairman and CFO at The Bank & Trust
Director for community and economic development for the Office of the Provost at Texas A&M
2006-2007
2016-2017
Owner and supervisory appraiser at M.G. Cangelose & Associates
Region bank president at Wells Fargo Bank
2007-2008
2017-2018
Community bank president at Wells Fargo Bank
Publisher at The Eagle
2008-2009
Vicki Reim
Marty Cangelose
Carol Gravis
1998-1999
CPA and partner at Thompson, Derrig & Craig, P.C.
Rich White
David O’Neil
Crystal Dupré 2018-2019
Manuel Gonzalez
President of Sterling Auto Group
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Division manager of customer operations at BTU
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Founders night The Chamber’s Centennial Celebration Experience 100 Years of Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce History
July 12, 2018 at 6:00 PM
the icehouse on Main $50 per ticket Purchase tickets at bcschamber.org or call 979.260.5200
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