BOARD OF DIRECTORS O F FICER S P atri c ia B rown , Woodfor est N at i o n a l Ba n k C hair m a n o f th e B oard D r. R ebe c c a R iley, Lone S tar C o l l e g e - M o n t g o m e r y C hair - E l e ct Jo h n S ta c y, A dviC oach Vice Ch a ir, M embers hi p Jen n if e r M illin gton, P r im r ose S c h o o l o f Co n r o e Vice Ch a ir, Bu s i nes s D ev el opmen t E ri c Look ofs ky, N ewpar k D r illin g F l u i d s Vice Ch a ir, Gov ernmental A ffai rs / Co m m u n it y De v e lo p m e n t C o d y S pe nc e , A ll S tar C ater ing Vice Ch a ir, Sp ec i al E v ents C o d y B a rt le tt , B ar tlett Financia l Treas u r e r B ren t Wunde rlich, McK esson I mme d i a te P a s t C hai r
D I RECTOR S
T ER MS E X PIRING DEC. 2 020 R andy Ba rcu s, C ons ol i dated C om m u n ic a t io n s , I n c . ( 1 ) C ody B a r tle tt, B artl ett Fi nanc i al ( 1 ) R ick S ch i ssl e r, S i l v er Fox A dv i s e r ( 1 ) P at ricia B ro w n, Woodfores t N ati o n a l B a n k ( 1 ) G ail Ca i n , Ke l l er W i l l i ams R eal ty ( 1 )
notes
F R OM T HE PR ESI D EN T 'S DE S K
SHOPPING LOCAL IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THIS YEAR Here we are, November 2020, and we’re staring the holiday season right in the face. Fresh off of Halloween, the Thanksgiving holidays are right around the corner which means the holiday buying season is upon us. For the most part, large retailers have been holding ‘black Friday’ sales since July…no big surprise there. And, they have been working overtime to get you to buy online and pick it up in store or have it delivered. But this year, with the pandemic still in our midst, we’re bullish on buying local. Small businesses here in Conroe, now more than ever, need our support. Chamber members need our support. Unlike large retail operations, small, mom and pop stores have been the members that help make our organization grow. Unlike large online operations, small businesses are investors in Conroe, the Chamber, the school district and so much more.
D r. Re b e cca Ri l ey, Lone S tar C olle g e - M o n t g o m e r y ( 1 ) Mark Ste ve n s, Gul l o D eal ers hi ps ( 2 ) B rent Wu n d e rli c h, Mc K es s on (2)
T ER MS E X PIRING IN DEC . 2021 Mat t D a vi s, Conroe R egi onal Med ic a l Ce n t e r ( 2 ) E ric L o o ko fsky, N ew park D ri l l i ng F lu id s ( 1 ) R andie M o rto n , B etter B ook k eepe r s , L L C ( 2 ) H eat h M e lto n , H ow ard H ughes C o r p o r a t io n ( 1 ) Jennife r M il l i n g ton, P ri mros e S c h o o l o f Co n r o e ( 1 ) R yan M o rto n , C onroe Wel di ng S u p p ly ( 1 ) D r. Cu r tis N u ll , C onroe IS D (1) S t eve P i l g r i m , E ntergy Tex as , Inc. ( 1 )
T ER MS E X PIRING DEC. 2 022 A ndrew Ca n tu , S pi ri t of Tex as B a n k ( 1 ) Jeff De we se , The S i gnorel l i C om p a n y ( 1 ) C ody S p e n ce , A l l S tar C ateri ng (2 ) S ergio M a r tin e z , S ergi o’s Lands c a p in g ( 2 ) John Sta cy, Ad v i C oac h (1) K im L e Je u n e , Ti ny Gi ant Web S olu t io n s ( 1 ) C lint Ni ch o ls, Hous ton Methodi s t T h e Wo o d la n d s Ho s p it a l ( 1 ) Laure n Wie sn e r, W i es ner A utomo t iv e G r o u p ( 1 )
A P POIN TE D DI RE CTO R S
O N E Y E A R TERM THROUGH 2019 N ick D a vi s, Guaranty B ank & Tru s t B obby Fi n le y, F i nw ay E l ec tri c Mered ith Ju r i ca , Mak eup J unk i e Ba g s
It’s interesting that a large retailer based in Arkansas used to be referred to as the ‘killer of Main Street’ because of the potential impact that lower prices would have had on small businesses offering similar products with higher margins. Smart small businesses back then adapted to the new order and not only survived but grew. Today, we’re looking at a retail heavyweight that sells and delivers everything from groceries to car parts and everything in between…it’s so easy and convenient to point, click and buy…and then watch it get delivered the next day without leaving your home! I’ve commented before that this business won’t be sponsoring your school, your little league, your band concert, your scout troop, your church and certainly not your Chamber. As the holiday season gets into full swing…NOW is the time to spend your holiday dollars right here in the Conroe/Lake Conroe area. Buying local creates a massive trickle-down effect that impacts local jobs, wages, and helps keep sales tax revenue local. Yes, you may pay a little more, but the reinvestment of those dollars makes a huge difference the next time your organization (or ours) needs some help. SHOP LOCAL and help keep us #ConroeStrong! The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce…striving to become the premier business organization in our area. Strong leadership, fiscal responsibility, and responsive programming… three great reasons to be a member.
ABOUT THE CHAMBER FYI MAGAZINE The Chamber FYI is a publication of the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber located at 505 W Davis, PO Box 2347, Conroe, TX 77305. Published monthly it is intended as a public service to Chamber members. No part may be reprinted without permission of the Chamber. Ads in the Chamber FYI are not endorsed by the Chamber. The Chamber reserves the right to refuse advertisements. All chamber members have the opportunity to advertise in the Chamber FYI. For pricing and deadline information contact Ashleigh Alwood, Director of Marketing, at 936.538.7116 or visit www.conroe.org and view our media kits in our Media Center under Media Center > Advertising Opportunities. P U B L I S H E R Brian Bondy, President E D I T O R Ashleigh Alwood, Director of Marketing S A L E S Ashleigh Alwood, Director of Marketing D E S I G N & L AY O U T Ashleigh Alwood, Director of Marketing P R I N T I N G S E R V I C E S Wright's Printing & Marketing M A I L I N G S E R V I C E S Wright's Printing & Marketing
CONNECT WITH CHAMBER STAFF Membership questions? Contact Beth Shelton, Director of Membership Development, 936.538.7114. Questions about special events? Courtney Galle, Director of Special Events, 936.538.7111. Advertising and publication information? Ashleigh Alwood, Director of Marketing, 936.538.7116. Questions for the President? Contact Brian Bondy, President, at 936.538.7101.
november
PLATINUM INVESTORS
C AL ENDAR HI GHL I GHT S
With the constant changes in the wake of the Coronavius pandemic, please reference our calendar at Conroe.org for the latest and most accurate calendar of events. You can also contact us at 936-756-6644 or email us at info@conroe.org for any needed clarification. EMERALD INVESTORS
Sound NDT Solutions
Huntsville Orthopedic & Sports Medicine
R
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chamber SIGHTS
WHAT'S H A PPEN IN G IN CH A M B ER L I F E
October saw the Conroe Chamber return to a little bit more normalcy as we hosted Morning Mingle at Conroe's Incredible Pizza Company (thank you Mario and Kim), hosted a socially-distant board planning session to align our goals for 2021 and conducted a ribbon cutting for the brand new University of St. Thomas MAX Center in downtown Conroe. We are so glad to see our city bustling and opening up once again.
Attendees at October's Morning Mingle at Conroe's Incredible Pizza Company enjoy breakfast and seeing each other in person for the first time in a long while! It was so great to see everyone's faces and learn about their businesses! (Left)
Cody Bartlett, Conroe Chamber treasurer and Lobsterfest cook handles this spiny guy before he jumped in the hot tub. (Right) Our Lobsterfest To Go lines served right at 600 meals! See more pics on the following pages!
It was wonderful to meet up with orr 2020 board members and meet our new 2021 board members at October's board meeting and planning session. We have great things in store for Conroe and the Lake Conroe area! (Above) Meet our new board members in a few pages and stay tuned to hear about the fresh ideas and programming coming down the pike! 4 G ET CON N E C T E D. S T AY C ONNE CTE D.
University of St. Thomas MAX Center opened in downtown Conroe in October and we were humbled to do their ribbon cutting and meet their staff!
leadership MONTGOMERY COUNTY RETREAT AND LEADERSHIP DEVEOPMENT WITH LMC The Leadership Montgomery County Class of 2021 kicked off their year with a virtual 2-day Retreat sponsored by Entergy Texas and Consolidated Communications. The class to go know each other and also selected their class project - where they will be working with CASA. The LMC Class of 2021 held their Leadership Development Session on October 8, sponsored by Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center. The class completed the Hartman Value Profile and learned about their strengths and opportunities for growth. On October 20, LMC and Education for Tomorrow Alliance held a screening of the film PURPLE. PURPLE tells the story of everyday Americans with opposing viewpoints addressing their differences head-on and discovering the concerns and humanity that lie behind each other’s positions. Designed to build greater empathy and recognition in the face of deepening U.S. divides, PURPLE models a rare conversation that uplifts and inspires even while going toward the heat of passionate political differences.
The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber - get connected...stay connected.
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new members
THANK Y OU AND WELC OME! WE ARE SO GLAD Y O U A R E H E R E .
SEPTEMBER 2020 BU SIN ES S
Alpha Testing Fun Abounds Payroll Vault
renewals
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO C ONTI NUE OUR RELATI ONSH IP W ITH YO U!
SEPTEMBER 2020 EMERA L D
B US I NESS
NONP ROFI T
First Financial Bank - At White Oak Terrace
Valiant Truck And Trailer, Inc. Stone Ridge Veterinary Medical Center National Charter Bus Houston McKenzie's Barbeque-Frazier Merrill Lynch - Conroe AAA Texas - Coby Hood Royal Equipment, Inc. Bentwater POA/First Service Residential Lamberti USA Self Service Storage Commissioner Charlie Riley Campaign Xerox Business Solutions Southwest Elizabeth A. Hosea, CPA, PLLC Sandstone Chiropractic Conroe Conroe Comprehensive Dental Center Darden, Fowler & Creighton, LLP Park Village Apartments Perkins Carpet Company
Conroe Veterinary Clinic Montgomery County Emergency Communication District 911 Sacred Heart Catholic Church Conroe Independent School District Crighton Theatre Foundation First Presbyterian Church Henry's Home Horse and Human Sanctuary Montgomery County Hospital District YMCA of Greater Houston
SA PP HIR E
Naskila Gaming G O LD
Family First Urgent Care SILVE R
Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC Cantel Hailey-Sadler Properties U.S. Rubber Corp. S E CO N D S TO R E
Interfaith Community Clinic
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NEXT GENERATION
leadership
THE POWER OF VOTING AND VISION by Kennedy Culbreath, Senior at Oak Ridge High School On Wednesday, October 21, the students of Next Generation Leadership learned about how to become an informed voter and the importance of vision as a leader. The first part of the session was led by Steve Leakey, President of Voter Awareness Council (VAC), where he discussed the need for voting representation throughout society and how young citizens can contribute to political and national change through this task. Steve Leakey stressed the main idea that all elections are crucial- local and national, as well as the significance of personal votes. Leakey presented a principle called “Voting 101” that provided steps to adequately equip students with the instructions to vote. For example, resources to register and reminders of the importance of creating personal political opinions. Leakey challenged NGL students to use their voice in order to establish change within the world. The people of the world can make more of a difference than those in office. Laekey allowed for the conversation of voting to initiate the promotion of engagement within politics as a young leader, leaving every student with valuable information and encouragement through (to enhance) the process of voting. The second part of the session students were motivated by the power of vision. Tracey Casey Arnold (TA), a mentor to NGL students through the program, encouraged the topic of vision and how as leaders it is important to have dreams and goals- ones that confront comfort and promote passions. TA advised students to approach things that might disagree with their comfort zone, but rather allow dreams to defy boundaries. TA also emphasized that every goal needs a vision and vision without action will simply not create impactful change within society. As a leader, vision must be seen as an opportunity for growth. Through this conversation, students were given the task to create personal vision boards that represented their goals within the next ten years. Students were then separated into groups and presented their boards, learning about all member’s aspirations and further inspiring their own goals. This session informed students of the value that voting and vision hold. Voting creates influence and vision presents opportunity, both are essential as a leader.
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Gumps Victor Alpha Compensation Services received 1st Place in the 34th Annual Lobsterfest Golf Tournament. The winning team included Chris Mann, Romain Sato, Charles Pistone and Allen Gumpenberger. The 20th place team at the tournament was Drilling Specialties and included the team of Cathy Cooney, Clifton Shelby and Mike King. Pictured with the winning team is Drilling Specialist other golf team including Sarah Earl, Kevin Walker and Marko Babar. The last team or 31st place was Montgomery County Communications District 911 and included Luke Kennedy, Corbin VanSteenberg, Connor VanSteenberg, and Chip VanSteenberg. All the teams received prizes donated by The Howard Hughes Corporation.
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The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce extends another humble thank you to all of our volunteers, sponsors, golfers, cooks, staff, patrons, committee members, hosts and supporters for turning on a dime and making the 34th annual Lobsterfest one for the books!
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THANK YOU... TO ALL THE DINNER AND GOLF SPONSORS FOR ANOTHER MEMORABLE LOBSTERFEST!
Wood Insurance
Shari Edwards
J Properties 11 GE T CON N E C T E D. S T AY C ONNE CTE D.
Rep. Will Metcalf
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber Monday, November 16th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Conference Room at 505 West Davis Conroe, TX 77301 Contact Brian Bondy (936) 756-6644 sponsor code: C345 Receive a FREE Covid-19 Antibody Test with your donation!
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Welcome to our New Board Members 2021
Arnette Easley
Steve Hall
Easley Enterprises of Texas, Inc.
Crown Beverage Holdings
Mario Valadez
Warner Phelps
Shari Edwards
Conroe's Incredible Pizza Company
Soules Insurance, LP
State Farm Insurance
Arnette Easley, Easley Enterprises of Texas Arnette Easley is the owner of Easley Enterprises of TX Inc, a commercial janitorial service. Arnette is a proud member of Fellowship of Montgomery and has always had it in his heart to unite the churches and the people of Montgomery. During the year, Arnette can be found delivering fans in the summer, blankets and heaters in the winter and food year round. In 2009, Arnette founded Montgomery County United, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The organization serves as a beacon of hope for families during that Christmas season and throughout the year. Keeping in line with being involved with the community, Arnette is a member of the King David Masonic Lodge #2500, the Better Business Bureau, the Montgomery Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Montgomery County Black Business Council, a lifetime member of the Montgomery County Fair Association, and a former member of the City of Montgomery Planning and Zoning Commission to name a few. He has also been awarded the Dr. MLK Drum Major award in 2014, the Jewish Community Center North awarded him for his generous contribution during the renovation of their youth center, Dr. MLK Jr. Celebration's Business of the Year in 2016, and awarded by the Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 99 for charitable contributions. Lastly, Arnette is a doting husband to Sherry Easley, a proud father, loving grandfather, caring brother, uncle, friend and a faithful and unwavering Christian man. Easley was elected to a three-year term on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Steve Hall, Crown Beverage Packaging Steve Hall, Crown Beverage Packaging began his manufacturing career at Stanley Black & Decker over 25 years ago, leaving to join Crown Cork in 2013. Crown Cork and Seal is a metal beverage and food can and container company, which makes one out of every five beverage cans used in the world as well as one out of every three food cans made in North America and Europe. Steve brought his tremendous manufacturing expertise to the Conroe area in 2017 where he serves as Plant Manager at the Conroe facility located on North Frazier Street, Conroe. Steve has served as Plant Manager for Crown Cork at manufacturing facilities in Illinois and Massachusetts before relocating to Texas. Steve received his Associates Degree in Business Administration from Penn State University. Steve and his team at Crown Beverage Packaging were recognized at this year's Chairman's Awards Gala as the Large Employer of the Year. Hall has been appointed to a one-year term on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Mario Valadez, Conroe's Incredible Pizza Company Mario Valadez, owner of Conroe's Incredible Pizza Company, started his family entertainment career at Celebration Station in Austin, Texas, He has worked in Management Operations with FEC’s for 30 years. Mario's experience with business operations, management, grass roots marketing and community involvement has given me many opportunities and ultimately here in Conroe, as owner of Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company. By being an active member in the community, he brought Conroe’s IPC to partner with the local YMCA for their Leap of Faith Equine Therapy program, and served two terms on the YMCA board. He is an active member of the Chamber, includingworking on the Tastefest Committee, and other events within the community. Valadez was elected to a three-year term on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Warner Phelps, Soules Insurance Agency Warner Phelps is an account executive with Soules Insurance Agency, where he has worked since 2011. Continuing the agency’s 73 year legacy of serving the Greater Conroe community, he is responsible for overseeing commercial accounts and managing vendor relationships. He is a 2020 graduate of Leadership Montgomery County and will be President of Conroe Noon Lions Club in 2022. He received his MBA from Sam Houston State and completed undergraduate at Abilene Christian University, where he met his wife. They reside in Conroe with their son. Phelps was elected to a three-year term on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Shari Edwards, State Farm Shari Edwards is second generation State Farm agent who has been serving customers and her community since 1998. She attended Conroe High School before obtaining her Bachelors Degree from Abilene Christian University. Shari is a dedicated wife and proud mother to three teenage daughters and a ten-year-old son. WW W .CO N R O E .O R G
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