Wilco Business Review • 2022 Issue 4

WILLIAMSON COUNTY’S MOST EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT

Some of the finest views and topography in Georgetown are now also the finest estate lot development not just locally but in all of Central Texas.

Jimmy Jacobs, Owner Grand Endeavor Homes

BUSINESS

Jodee O’Brien

FROM THE PUBLISHERS

This issue profiles companies and individuals that illustrate the exceptional business climate in Williamson County and surrounding areas. Closely related, our cover story explores the happy consequence that our expanding business community means the need for executive residences. We put a spotlight on that need and how Grand Endeavor Homes addresses it via the most exclusive development ever built in Wilco, The Canyons at HCH Ranch. Developed and built by acclaimed developer Jimmy Jacobs, this exclusive enclave is located just west of Georgetown on FM 3405. A stunning model, approximately 5,400 square feet showcases the project, built for executives who want a gated com munity with breathtaking views of Central Texas.

Just when it seems Williamson County business growth has reached it’s apex, Samsung announced they are planning to build as many as ten fabrication plants, a ten-fold increase from their original announcement in November 2021, bringing tens of thousands of jobs and almost $7 billion in tax revenue to Taylor ISD over the next 25 years. Read our exclusive interview with prom inent Congressman Michael McCaul for his perspective on the impact of this project.

State Representative Terry Wilson, who served on the 2021 legislative ses sion House Appropriations Committee and helped draft the 2022-2023 state education budget, shares the state’s plan to ensure the need for employees resulting from the exponential growth of business can be filled with comprehensive Career Technology Education programs.

Since Williamson County doesn’t operate in isolation and is not unaffected by the governmental policies of our neighbors, we are pleased to share our conversation with Rupal Chaudhari, candidate for Travis County Judge. Learn how her personal experiences and exceptional CV have given her purpose and means to deliver accountability and transparency where there has previously been very little.

Continuing our growth theme, Exfluor, one of the world’s leading innovators of products and technology used in everything from satellites to televisions, is expanding to Florence, Texas with a new facility.

highlights additional interesting and unique business stories and

Finally, this

to inspire those in or considering doing business in Williamson County. It’s a great time to be located in one of the most prosperous business

in the world.

Payne

Catherine

by Janet Civitelli

FEATURED BUSINESS

Georgetown Insurance Agency Helps Clients Manage Risks

Insurance is a topic many business owners don’t think about until something goes wrong, but George town-based Program Insurance Group wants to change that. Their mission is to help clients proactively analyze risks so they can choose the coverage that is best for their situation.

Originally operating as Dady Insurance Agency, Program Insurance Group has been a proud part of the Georgetown community for more than 30 years, and has a second location in Bryan, Texas. In July 2022, the Georgetown office moved to a new location at 4701 Williams Dr., Building 4, near Simmer Down Café and Juan & Lupe’s Kitchen.

FAMILY TIES

Doug Groves bought the agency in 2010 and was later joined by his children, Dwight and Heath Groves and Andrea Denton, CPA. Ms. Denton says working with family is fun, pro vides a unique perspective, and offers a lot of flexibility. Her father is a helpful mentor and she credits her mother, Patty, for being a strong source of support for the family.

Clients who inquire about services learn that Program Insurance Group is an independent agency that works with a variety of insurance carriers to provide business, home, auto, umbrella, life, and health products.

Program Insurance Group is based locally but agents are licensed to sell insurance for all 50 U.S. states, which is helpful for business or franchisers who need coverage in multiple locations.

Doug Groves says the agency has a diverse client base, including local businesses, restaurants, home and general contractors, and national franchisers with locations from New York to California.

As well, Program Insurance Group has and continues to successfully navigate the many changes in the industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including an emergent boom in cli ents seeking cyber insurance to protect businesses from tech risks, as well as the increased interest in Directors and Officers coverage and Employment Practices Liability.

Program Insurance Group currently has 25 employees, three of whom recently reached their 20th anniversary with the agency.

The sibling-owners agree they love being part of the Georgetown community. Dwight says his favorite part of the city is Georgetown Square, while Andrea enjoys visiting Garey Park with her children.

TO INSURE, AND BEYOND!

You may have seen Program Insurance Group’s well-known blue “space age” car around town at local events. The car, previously bright yellow and parked along MoPac, has been part of the Groves family history and the Central Texas insurance industry since the 80s. It made the news when a UT Austin fraternity stole it as a prank and later as a Texas Monthly Magazine cover. Now the car stays closer to home serving its purpose as advertisement for the company.

For all your insurance needs, scan the code to visit Program Insurance Group on the web.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY’S MOST EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT

The Canyons at HCH Ranch

In step with homes frequently only seen in luxury maga zines, The Canyons at HCH Ranch in Georgetown is setting a new standard above anything else in Williamson County. Named for the original landowner, Homer Clinton Hawes (1898-1960), homeowners at The Canyons will be afforded stunning views of actual canyons and miles of beautiful Hill Country scenery. At 1,000 feet elevation, the views from Georgetown all the way to Ronald Reagan Blvd. are unlike any in Central Texas.

The force behind this monumental project is developer and owner of Grand Endeavor Homes, Jimmy Jacobs, in partner ship with Cody Hawes, Homer’s grandson. After develop ing the land purchase for more than a year, construction is underway and Jacobs is planning a grand opening event in December.

The holiday themed event will be open to the public and spotlight the premier model home and fully completed landscaping and sales center. Jacobs anticipates the tour will also include 10 to 15 homes in various stages of construction. Serendipitously, the completion of this development will be a boon for executives and employees attached to corporate megasites currently underway and in negotiations. Jacobs says, “Timing is sometimes everything and with the strength of the current market, this is the executive housing opportu nity Williamson County has been looking for. Samsung, the

nation’s biggest corporate development deal is already a historical fact and, in its wake, many other big companies will certainly follow. ”

Georgetown City Councilmember Shawn Hood has been pushing for Georgetown to build its first truly gated commu nity and considers The Canyons a step in the right direction. “I don’t believe a city can openly talk about low-income housing without talking about executive housing in the same conver sation. Executives bring business to our city, employ workers, and they too need a place to live. Fortunately, $2.5 million homes are becoming more commonplace in the Georgetown market, which is what The Canyons will yield. It is the perfect fit for the needs of those moving to Williamson County for business.”

EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE IN GEORGETOWN

Known for a hand-crafted and custom construction process that simplifies and enriches the home-building experience, Jacobs provided oversight to the project, literally, from the ground up. In a previous interview, walking on the property minimally cleared to retain old-growth trees and greenery to maintain the natural beauty of the property Jacobs said, “No matter who they are, or where they’ve lived, everyone who comes to see this property just says, ‘Wow!’ There are stun ning views here you won’t find anywhere else in Austin; there’s nothing else like The Canyons. The only limitation on what this

PHOTO BY RUDY XIMENEZ

by Ann Marie Kennon

place can be is the imagination of those who choose to build here.”

Jay Warren, Realtor and manag ing partner of Berkshire-Hathaway in Georgetown says, “If you want a quali ty-built home, Jimmy Jacobs and Grand Endeavor Homes is who you call. There is no better homebuilder in the area, and this project is very exciting and truly needed in Georgetown at this time. Starting with the fantastic topography, it is another great example of his exem plary products and projects.”

The 364-acre property has been transformed into a private community of 186 homes on gated executive lots of one to five acres. The neighborhood looks and feels very secure; with 7-foot walls and towers at the entrance. The infrastructure and landscaping lend an exclusive feel as well.

Early indicators and buzz about the project generated a long list of interest ed buyers and Jacobs reports pre-sales have gone very well. At press time there are 18 homes under construction or close to commencement. “Several hundred people have already inquired about the lots, many of them based simply on the history of the property and description of the topography,” Jacobs adds. “We have many custom plans to choose from or we can assist you with designing a customized plan.

Homes sold are ranging from $1.3 to $2.5 million and buyers can expect to move in between eight months to a year from project start.”

He adds, with respect to other luxury developments in the region, “The Canyons has an entirely different feel because we are starting with an exceptional plateau overlooking vistas rich with natural areas and wildlife. So, imagine the quality and culture of simi lar communities, but on a mountaintop; this is truly a one-of-a-kind property for Williamson County.”

Grand Endeavor has planned lot lines to conform, where possible, to the hillsides, so the area will retain its natural beauty and privacy for homeowners to enjoy. Owners will be able to customize their lots and homes to enhance the natural beauty of the community.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Hood adds that Grand Endeavor moved forward at exactly the right time.

“There is a shortage of lots, especially high-end units with a view in George town, so this is a great solution. At the same time, the county continues to experience an industrial boom; more space is coming online with every new business we acquire.”

DEVELOPMENT

Where Georgetown used to be pop ular for retirement housing, it has since evolved to include destination housing. As restaurants, shopping, and leisure caught up with population growth, there is no longer a need to go anywhere else for the weekend or entertainment. Hood adds, “Many self-employed individuals and small businesses have realized they don’t want or have to live in Austin. Add to that the West Coast and Northeastern buyers who can live and work anywhere. They are choosing Texas, then William son County, and finally realizing the quality of life in Georgetown is right in line with what they are looking for. Those are the executives who are crav ing the community that exists here. They want to be a part of that small-town feel, they will want to give back here, and when they do, they can rest assured they will have a substantial impact.”

photos and renderings courtesy Grand Endeavor Homes

“With the number of companies that are moving to our area, and those we want to recruit, not only can we promise great sites to relocate a business, we have the perfect place to relocate their executives as well.”

~Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder

DEVELOPMENT

LAND AND LEGACY

Cody Hawes, Homer’s grandson and a business devel opment expert, is pleased with Jacobs’ intentional design, which will retain the natural look of the place he grew up and worked on every day. “When my grandfather came here from Mundy he bought so much land it might take an hour to get from one place to another on the ranch, even as we came down the middle of the lake to get there. I was always doing something on the land. As soon as I got out of school I was back at home working and ranching and I’m still taking care of it every day. I wouldn’t know how to live if I wasn’t outside.”

Hawes says it will be nice to know something in George town will largely remain the way it always was and has never shied from the duty to ensure it personally. He personally helped clear the property in the initial stages of Jacobs’ de velopment and last July, he and his family provided personal equipment and resources to assist first responders during the San Gabriel wildfire.

Hawes and his cousins also took it upon themselves to pro tect their land and that of their neighbors through perspicacity gained over a lifetime on the land. “Growing up, Georgetown was small and definitely a country life where neighbors look out for each other. There was no traffic and nothing to see on Williams Drive except maybe to wave at two or three people. We used to get to the lake on Bootys Road and as time went on the lake opened we helped clear the land for the city to create different routes people now use to enjoy the water. My family and I will continue to live on part of the ranch by the lake and enjoy the view of Homer’s original homestead.”

Hawes and Jacobs have been friends for many years and Hawes says he knew, if the time came, Jacobs’ great work would bring confidence and comfort to his decision to sell and develop part of the land. “I still miss it a little, but the main thing is that Jimmy will preserve the natural beauty of the ranch as he builds homes.”

It was a big decision to develop the 364 acres and it was hard to do but I’m pleased that I’ll be able to drive by with my grandchildren and they will be able to picture the hillside and topography the way it always was.

~Cody Hawes

Hawes adds, as just one of the owners of the family land, there have been a few housing deals over the years but every one always agreed that it was meant for Jacobs’ vision and experience.

Scan the code to visit Grand Endeavor Homes for open house updates or contact a sales expert about available lots.

Homer’s original mailbox • photo by Cody Hawes

PHOTO BY RUDY XIMENEZ

SOLUTIONS

CMIT Solutions of Round Rock

Because Your Business Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

generation, supply chains, and more. “I don’t just deal with ones and zeros. I can see the big picture how a com pany works, end to end and make the most appropriate recommendations for its business goals.”

PROACTIVE SOLUTIONS

RESPONSIVE SOLUTIONS

Companies continue to adapt to employees working remotely. Global hack ers steal information from a network ev ery eight seconds. Upgrades sometimes cause disruptions in workflow. Your IT manager just retired.

Jeff Floyd, president of CMIT Round Rock, has been in IT for more than 20 years and has personally led projects across a spectrum of enterprise needs, sizes, and value. “Our clients’ businesses thrive primarily because their CEOs are experts in the products and services they provide. Our expertise lies in inte grating reliable and secure IT solutions for them, which mitigates the frustration of self-managed technology. What we do is more than a service it is peace of mind that comes when everyone is empowered to play to their strengths. Our clients sleep well knowing when they arrive at the office, things will be working well and on time so they can focus on business.”

With master’s degrees in business and computer science, Floyd doesn’t simply recommend product stacks, he makes appropriate inquiries to develop a solid understanding of clients’ lead

CMIT provides anything in the IT space, including 24/7 monitoring of servers and software to secure offsite data storage, help desk support, telecommunications and voice services, and Cloud computing. With 240 offices across North America, CMIT specializes in serving not only local businesses but geographically distributed teams.

“We are local to Williamson County and have access to hundreds of technicians nationwide,” Floyd says.

Corporate growth typically requires routine relocations plus hardware, soft ware, and network upgrades.

CMIT assesses current resources against need and customizes solutions that pose the least amount of disruption and risk to the client. Floyd explains, “We are a perfect partner for companies with five to 150 employees in all industries and sectors. With that in mind, one adapta tion I’m quite proud of is my ability to turn down my ‘geek’ and speak to each client in language each can understand. Computers make very fast, very accurate mistakes and explaining how or why to a health care executive requires a different conversation than one with the principal of a charter school.“

CMIT removes the frustration that comes with these and more performance or security concerns.

Any or all of the above situations may apply to your business at some point and it may be tempting to roll up your sleeves and work the problem. Floyd says, “Wouldn’t it be more productive for a CEO to deliver services to the cli ent rather than worrying about the bug in Microsoft’s latest patch?” Or another common remark, “I have nothing a hack er wants,’ to which he responds, “You have a bank account, don’t you?”

CMIT Round Rock skills are scalable and they can bring those features to a client without the large expense. Floyd explains, “Having even one security engineer on staff is a $160,000 hire but CMIT splits the cost of managed IT across multiple clients and products. Every client has access to experts 24/7 at a very affordable price point. “

The name says it all — completely managed IT.

“I am firm believer that small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy. Our mission is to partner with those small and medium sized businesses to help them be successful so we can all be successful.”

Ready for the real thing?

by Ann Marie Kennon

INDUSTRY

The Biggest is Getting Bigger

The transformation Samsung is bringing about in Williamson and surrounding counties continued as the tech giant revealed plans to build not just one but 10 fabrication plants in the Taylor area over the next 10 years. The new agreement will add 258 acres to the original footprint and bring their investment in the area to just over $184 billion. “It was never about one semiconductor facility,” Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said. “We initially thought there might be two or three but [Samsung] recently completed ten Chapter 3131 applications one for each plant. They didn’t have a press conference, they didn’t even really talk about it. I just waited for the 313s to come out and the news agencies to do the math on their own.”

He reported construction on the first fab has been underway for some time and is proceeding 24 hours a day. On a recent site visit, he counted more than 250 construc tion trailers and 158 pieces of equipment already on the property. “I don’t mean pickup trucks and cars, these are 100-ton loaders and other earth-moving giants. They have already completed construction on their own concrete and asphalt plants onsite to accommodate the need and keep material transport on local roads to a minimum, and they have a whole division that is making the modular buildings for temporary use.” The Judge added that Williamson County and the City of Taylor, meanwhile, are both fulfilling their commitment to improve surrounding roads.

He said businesses and suppliers should note what Samsung is doing at the first fab and multiply that nine more times. “They won’t be building phones or refrigera tors. This simply means ten times the volume of semicon ductors being produced for national security.”

1 A taxpayer agrees to build or install property and create jobs in exchange for a 10-year limitation on the taxable property value for school district maintenance and operations tax (M&O) purposes.

MORE FOR TAYLOR

Samsung wasted no time following through on its promise to hire 24 interns; Taylor ISD students were hard at work all summer in temporary buildings and the company continues to add to their number. Judge Gravell said, “They continue to live up to their word regarding the benefits to residents and their investment is significant. While I stand by the notion that having a huge portion of the nation’s chips manufactured here in Williamson County protects not just you and me but our nation, I am truly overjoyed for what all of this means for the school district financially.”

Samsung and Taylor also agreed to create a point-ofsale office, which will process everything brought on Sam sung property from concrete to paperclips and allow the city to collect sales tax on those products. As well, as the workforce begins to grow significantly, corporate staff have plans to advertise for local restaurants and service providers, and work with each to adapt their schedules to accommodate second and third shift workers.

MORE FOR THE COUNTY

“My premise has always been that I would not raise tax es on our residents,” Judge Gravell said. “If I cannot raise taxes but need to provide additional services, I must bring in large commercial investments and this project could ex ceed all other total appraised value in Williamson County. The tax revenue from the first fab will be more than the ten currently biggest county businesses combined, which, if

IT WAS NEVER IN MY MIND THAT WE WERE PLAYING FOR ONE FACILITY. SAMSUNG DOES NOT ASK FOR MORE IF THEY ARE NOT PLANNING TO DO MORE. ~JUDGE BILL GRAVELL, JR.

INDUSTRY

SAMSUNG

memory serves, is approximately $141 billion. This is obvi ously more but we’re able to do it with a single site footprint of about 1,400 acres. As it was, I was always playing the long game to bring a corporation with a small footprint for employees, but a huge footprint for tax revenue. So, while everyone was celebrating Fab 1, I was already looking at 3, 4, and 5. Even I never dreamed of ten.”

The Judge added that his tax strategy has so far been suc cessful. On August 2, Commissioners approved a proposed total maximum tax rate for tax year 2022 at $0.375608, which is a reduction of more than 6 cents from the current tax rate and represents the largest tax cut in Williamson County. This change followed the vote in May to increase homestead exemptions for disabled and over-65 residents and distrib ute ARPA funds on water projects around the county. “We are looking globally at our challenges and taking huge steps to make things better,” the judge said. “The goal is to put pressure on our industrial tax base to relieve the pressure on the residential base.”

He added that Samsung’s agreement with the county specifies that their property tax will apply to whatever they build on their property in the next 20 years and the same applies to the City of Taylor for 30 years.

MORE FOR NON-PROFITS

While Samsung development will mean monumental changes for Taylor ISD, schools and students will not likely see any real benefits until 2025. Aware of some of their current challenges, Judge Gravell asked the company to consider making a one-time donation. “I got a call at 1am their chief of staff had run it up the chain but it would take a few days to do things lawfully. They did commit to the gift

but they couldn’t get through customs in time to surprise the students at graduation. Still, the Bible says, Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. We’ve negotiated hard for what is best for our residents and we are grateful Samsung is so willing to invest in Taylor and Williamson County. As well, I asked for help after the tornado and they immediately made a dona tion to distribute to folks who needed it.”

On August 19, the company presented four checks to taling $1 million to Taylor ISD and three local non-profits that separately provide food, youth programs, and commu nity services in Taylor and across Williamson County. The ceremony was also a celebration of the one year anniversary of the city and county approving incentives to bring the first fab to the area, and an indisputable demonstration of their commitment to being a good neighbor.

Congressman Michael McCaul, who wrote the CHIPS for America Act, was present and said, “Samsung has been an amazing partner for Texas. Not only are they investing in our community and creating thousands of good paying jobs that will help boost the local economy, they are also giving back to the community. I applaud Samsung for their generous donations. I am grateful for their partnership and continued leadership.”

While the $250,000 checks were a one-time gift, they were also merely a kickstart to the tech giant’s corporate largesse. In their original agreement with the city of Taylor, Samsung agreed to provide a $300,000 charitable investment annually for the next 30 years. Those gifts will also be directed to tax-exempt organizations that have a civic and community development impact in Taylor.

by Ann Marie Kennon

“People Have No Idea What’s Coming”

~Congressman Michael McCaul

WE CANNOT UNDERESTIMATE THE RIPPLE EFFECT THAT SAMSUNG WILL HAVE JUST WITH THEIR INITIAL INVESTMENT OF $20 BILLION.

When it comes to protecting America in a global power competition, Williamson and Travis County leaders are joining forces on a project that aims to increase national security via a corporate investment. One of these partners, Congressman Michael McCaul, led the charge for Samsung’s investment in Central Texas as the author and sponsor of the CHIPS for America Act, which is designed to strengthen semiconductor manufacturing and reinforce America’s chips supply chains. Rep. McCaul represents Texas’ 10th Congressional District, which in cludes portions of Travis County on the southern border of Williamson County.

While working at a macro level in D.C., he was equally judicious with the single individual who was also working to make the deal a reality, County Judge Bill Gravell. “[Rep. McCaul] was the one who inspired me when I was exhausted and ready to give up on this project,” the judge said. “He was the one who lit into me; ‘Hey judge, this is about national security. It’s about protecting our nation and our future and is vital to our interests. It must happen.’ ” Representative McCaul is the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and chairman emeritus of the House Committee on Homeland Security. He is also founder and co-chair of the Congressional High Tech and the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, among others.

Judge Gravell said, “Having someone of his magnitude in our region is a blessing. We now have four congressmen representing Central Texas and it is extraordinary to have members who influence the shape of the world in this way here in Central Texas.“

In recent interviews with Wilco Business Review, the judge and the congressman shared their observations about the transformations we can expect from Samsung development.

WBR: WHAT ARE SOME ANCILLARY BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY SECTORS IN CENTRAL TEXAS YOU EXPECT WILL SEE GROWTH AS A RESULT OF THE CHIPS ACT?

MM: We have been keeping it under the radar but I expect future investment and economic growth to be upwards of $250 billion. All of Samsung’s suppliers and service provid ers will need suppliers and service providers of their own and those spinoffs will simply be multipliers.

We are already seeing concrete and steel production and there will be tremendous growth in those supply chains. We will see growth in everything from education to small busi nesses and restaurants. The population influx will benefit homebuilders and everything associated with the needs of Samsung and its employees. They are raising the standard of living for everyone.

As well, when I wrote the CHIPS Act, I met with the previous administration’s national security team and we discussed incentives to bring offshore companies back. I believe businesses of all types will be eager to move or es tablish themselves here because Samsung has made us ripe for investment. The greater economic stimulus you’re going to see is the companies already lined up behind Samsung. You will probably see another major announcement a new $250 billion investment in the next month.

BG: A specific example is Linde Gas, which supplies the gas products that are part of the chip manufacturing process. They have already announced a $300 million expansion as an adjacent manufacturer.

We will also see job growth and expanded services from Oncor electric, which is investing tens of millions in switches and substations, and Williamson County will be able to tax that. As well, EPCOR is providing water and wastewater and the last figure for tax revenue on their growth was north of half a billion. Many more companies have purchased land 

INDUSTRY

but not made announcements yet but they range from $100 million to $2.8 billion.

SAMSUNG

I want to point out that, despite the imposing numbers, there is no need to worry about small and legacy businesses in Williamson County. Just this month (August) Taylor had a sales tax increase of $312,000. That rep resents new and an uptick in existing businesses and every business owner is preparing for it. I have no concerns about businesses being pushed out

WBR: DOES THE CHIPS ACT ADDRESS MANAGEABLE GROWTH IN INFRA STRUCTURE AND EDUCATION IN SMALL TOWNS THAT ARE BECOMING TECH HUBS?

MM: There will be work force grants as well as transportation grants on the radar for which Congressman Carter can earmark funds the need will justify the spending. We are already seeing Samsung putting back into the community, building roads for instance, because it is in their best interest to see

WBR: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE METRICS TO AFFIRM THAT OUR GOALS ARE BEING MET?

MM: I wrote the bill because China was stealing our intellectual property and I wanted to protect it. CHIPS will ensure our semiconductors will be made in America and not in Taiwan, which cur rently manufactures 90 percent of the global supply but is too vulnerable.

We saw evidence of theft by the CCP and we know China has invested

but, rather, exploding in growth. Taylor already has a brand new Korean restau rant and I look forward to having dinner there.

I have often quoted John Kennedy in that a rising tide lifts all boats. Taylor and Hutto are clearly the epicenter of this growth and I believe in the fore seeable future, the area will be close in value to half a trillion dollars. I didn’t re alize that until I started doing the math. There will be residential growth in Lee, Milam, and Burnet counties as well. It will not surprise me to see another epi center of significant residential growth as far as the middle of Rockdale.

that each community has what it needs to keep up with growth.

As well, the most important part of the bill to me was the tax breaks. If you provide incentives, you have certainty built into the marketplace. The semi conductor companies told me all they needed was the investment tax credit. That was a big green light to invest in grants programs and those incentives are permanent so the grants for educa tion and training will be ongoing.

The grants for community colleges will provide the workforce, and the National Semiconductor Technology Center, which represents a $2 billion investment for research and develop ment, will include grant applications and collaborations between UT, Texas A&M, and Army Futures Command.

trillions in the digital economy and chip making so it is really all about global power competition. They are also catch ing up with hypersonic weapons, which were built on the backbone of Ameri can technology so Congress is going to take a hard look at the technology we are exporting and what will be prohibit ed in the future. The last thing we want is to provide the CCP with the technol ogy that can build a war machine that can be turned against us.

The answer, then, is in looking at how we will be competing with China. We may not be able to precisely measure our success, but we do know if we can not compete with them, we lose.

L-R: Taylor Mayor Brandt Rydell, Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell, Rep. John Carter, Rep. Michael McCaul, Williamson County Commissioner Russ Boles

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TEXAS

by Thomas Graham

THOMAS GRAHAM is the founder of Crosswind Media & Public Relations. Thomas has been privileged to develop strategies for some of the world’s most familiar brands, to direct communications during highest-profile crises and reorganization, and to prepare high-profile senior executives at Fortune 500 companies for media interviews, investor and analyst round table discussions, and presentations before major external and internal meetings.

TEXAS

You may be like most local business owners who have not heard about this program, but it is likely worth 30 minutes of your time to find out if the IRS owes you. If your company has at least one W-2 employee and you meet certain requirements, the Employee Reten tion Credit (ERC) is a refundable payroll tax credit available through the CARES Act and payable to businesses like yours that were impacted by COVID-19

The ERC was established in the 1990s to support afford able housing programs but was expanded for use within the CARES Act in 2020. As such, all industries and tax-exempt agencies are eligible to receive this refund regardless of PPP status or payments. Most businesses are not even aware of this program and those that do may have misconceptions about eligibility.

Our local ERC funding team has heard a lot of pain from business owners in the past three years, but since 2020 has been working and filing ERC paperwork on their behalf. The result is a simple process while funds are available to help business owners cut through the red tape and get up to $26,000 per employee as quickly and easily as possible.

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You will receive an electronic package 5 to 10 days later, including an exact refund amount signed off by a tax attorney and compliant within IRS guidelines. Refunds typically arrive within three to five months.

by Ann Marie Kennon

Q: CAN’T I APPLY FOR REFUNDS MYSELF?

A: Yes, but for the same reason you use QuickBooks or Tur boTax to manage your revenues and taxes, calling an expert saves you time and trouble and can maximize your refund.

Additionally, when most people hear ‘I.R.S.’ they think of paperwork but our process is just one click of a link and within minutes, our team gets to work for you. There’s nothing else you have to do.

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The ERC funding team will be happy to take your call just to answer questions. Plus, there are no up-front fees or risks, just a contingency payment when the refund arrives.

Q: WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO APPLY?

A: The government is currently considering legislation to add more quarters (Q2-4 2021 and Q1-3 2022) for eligibility but the funding is expected to last through 2025. Specialists will reach out to as many companies as possible through 2024 or until the funding is exhausted. In the meantime, Congress will continue to assess business need and studying emergent impacts.

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WILCO’S LOCAL ERC FUNDING TEAM IS THE LARGEST IN THE NATION. THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE MONEY YOU DIDN’T KNOW WAS YOURS TO HAVE. THERE IS NO RISK TO YOU AND NO MONEY OUT OF POCKET.

IF YOU DON’T GET PAID, WE DON’T GET PAID.

“I have 5 businesses in Austin and surrounding areas. I did my 30 minute call and 4½ months later received an IRS refund for hundreds of thousands of dollars. I had no idea the process was so simple and could not have done it without them. I am so thankful for their help and assistance.” ~ Jason Schilling, Precision Tune Auto Care

Q: WHY ISN’T EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT THIS?

A: Most business owners are not aware of the program and some may be concerned that there are or will be strings attached. We have top CPAs and top tax attorneys with knowledge and exper tise in every IRS guideline associated with this program. Plus, aside from the backbone afforded by our team size and considerable connections, every client is protected by the ERC funding team’s five year audit support and protection. You have every reason to feel confident and comfortable making that 30 minute call, then just sit back and wait for the refund. You worked hard to keep your employees, and the ERC funding team will work just as hard to help you obtain the refund you deserve.

Regina Wharton, Senior Vice-President-Eagle Bank Eagle Bank, A Branch of Round Top State Bank - Round Rock

RWharton@eagle-bank.com

Robert Randig, Senior Vice-President-Eagle Bank Eagle Bank, A Branch of Round Top State Bank - Taylor 512-309-6070 or RRandig@eagle-bank.com

Tommy Sladecek, Senior Vice-President-Eagle Bank Eagle Bank, A Branch of Round Top State Bank - Jarrell 512-746-2531 or TSladecek@eagle-bank.com

A.W. Grimes Blvd.

Rock

218-3903

Blvd.

309-6070

Jarrell

by Ann Marie Kennon

Transparency for Travis County

Travis County business owner and immigration attorney Rupal Chaudhari never considered running for public office until her business was threatened by public safety issues. She began studying the causes and impacts and real ized local elected leaders were not going to give her the an swers she needed. As the 2022 Republican nominee for Travis County Judge, Chaudhari is on a quest to bring accountability and transparency to residents and keep Travis County open and safe for business.

“Overcoming the volume of party votes is just one of the challenges in my campaign but there are many drivers in elections and things are changing,” Chaudhari said. “Growth will continue to come to Travis County and people are frustrated. As an immigrant, I have so much love for the city and county and I know people are simply looking for common sense solutions.”

CLARIFYING ISSUES

Chaudhari’s concerns mirror Williamson County’s, as last year the City of Austin voted to spend $9.5 million to purchase and use Candlewood Suites as a homeless shelter. Despite being owners of the adjacent property, the Chaudharis had to learn about the plan in the newspaper. Among other grievances, they worry that the shelter will house only 50 residents and is located near schools and businesses but far away from relevant social services. She said, “The solution is not simply giving people a place to live. We must also provide services to support the mental health and addiction recovery needs that are proven to be the source of much persistent homelessness. I studied the problem and spent three and a half months just get ting a meeting with officials. I made a 45-minute presentation and, 18 months later, I still have no answers.”

Her concerns for the business community are many. “We have a customer-facing business and we sometimes find needles on our property. Homeless individuals come for the hotel’s free breakfast and become hostile when they are asked to leave. We can call the police but the calls might go to voice mail, then none will come which is another problem in need of a solution and I cannot be there 24/7 to protect my employees. I know it is the same with people panhandling and shoplifting at gas stations and convenience stores. Travis County will not prosecute theft under $1,000 but that is unsustainable for a small business.” She added that while stores have insurance for such things, making claims on a regular basis drives up premiums and there are still deductibles to be paid every year, which along with daily shrinkage can drive a small company out of business.

“It is not that the money isn’t there for services and solutions. It’s that the spending is out of control,” she said. “As a business owner, I understand it is my responsibility to question my employees regarding the best use of our revenue. If a service or a program is not creating value, why are we still using it? Any good business owner will not continue to say she doesn’t know where the money went and, instead, just continue to horse trade to get from one thing to the next. Buying a hotel in another county does not make the prob lem disappear.”

EMPLOYER ISSUES

According to Chaudhari, there are plenty of jobs to be had but Travis County needs to assess how workers will be trained, where they will live, and how they will get to work. She said, “We are working against a high cost of living,

RUPAL

photos courtesy Rupal Chaudhari

POLITICS

but also changes in generational workers. As well, many people left the workforce during COVID and are not coming back. This is particularly concerning in industries with specialized skill sets, first responders in particular, in which you can not hire someone without training.” She explained that many companies pay what the market de mands but there remain many factors beyond the control of the county so the solution is to look at how to bring in more people.

While growth is inevitable and continuing, she believes current leadership is looking the other way. “We could see the growth coming in 2012 and planning should have been done then, particularly in support of small businesses. I encourage large corporate development but it is locally-owned businesses that make every mu nicipality unique, and the small business owners do not need to be driven crazy with lengthy permit processing and taxes. My hotel should have taken 18 months to build but it took three years. Those extra months or inter est payments and taxes could easily have driven us into bankruptcy. For every business that survives, there is still the need to raise consumer prices to manage debt.”

Chaudhari believes everyone has a pinch point. “Busi ness owners have the jobs but how do they incentivize people who can’t live near their job, or can’t or won’t drive from Lakeway to Austin? Or how do we assure them that first responders will show up because they are not understaffed and overworked? The county may have no control over the cost of food and gas, but our local officials need to stop blaming state and national politics for local problems and command solutions where the

rubber meets the road in the housing we can make available in our county and rebuilding the morale of our police, fire, and EMS. The problem is not that we aren’t taxing enough to pay for those services, it is knowing that Austin city council gave themselves a 40 percent raise and everyone else in the city got 4 percent.”

CAMPAIGN ISSUES

Acknowledging the judge is the CEO of the county, Chaudhari believes experience as a business owner and skills as an attorney and accountant lend credibility to her ability to get answers to taxpayer questions. “The job requires accounting and compliance. Right now, everyone is looking at the problem but people are not acknowledging that when we hedge on our problems they will overflow to other places, including William son County. The current homelessness crisis began in downtown Austin and has already moved to Pflugerville and as far as northern Williamson County and will eventually become a problem for everyone else. When a problem gets too big, it will overflow.”

Scan the code for more about Chaudhari’s campaign.

“Vision with inaction is just a dream. Action without a vision is a nightmare.”

The Chaudharis (center), with Dawn Buckingham (candidate for Texas Land Commissioner), Congressman Michael McCaul, and Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell (right).

Making Vocational Education Happen Texas Representative Terry Wilson

into real physical products to be manufactured for the defense department. I was responsible for awarding contracts and then, on behalf of the government, with my engineers, scien tists, and production specialists, managing the companies that were actually producing the products.

Public and higher education has been the focus of Colonel Terry M. Wilson’s three terms as state representative for District 20 in the Texas House since he was elected in 2017. We sat down with COL Wilson to discuss his work in the Legis lature and his priorities for education funding.

WBR: In the 2021 Legislative Session you served on the House Appropriations Committee as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Article III. What did that entail?

CW: The Appropriations Committee writes the House's first draft of the state Budget, which is divided into articles that cover a different section of state government. Article III covers public education and higher education. Our subcommittee drafted the education budget for the state for 2022 and 2023, which represents more than one third of the state budget.

WBR: Was there one specific area of interest for you?

CW: Yes, vocational education. So much about public educa tion evolved into getting kids ready for college, but college is not the only path to a bright future. The Texas Constitution makes it clear that it is the responsibility of the state govern ment to provide an education sufficient for every Texan to con tinue to higher education or enter the workforce directly, and we haven’t done a great job fulfilling the workforce promise.

College is a great path, but it should not be the only one open for Texas students. Quality education requires feeding a child’s passion for learning some have a passion for trade skills and love for hands-on work. We should be encouraging those students, giving them a launchpad to build the future of our nation.

WBR: What sparked your interest in vocational education?

CW: As an Army acquisition executive, I was chartered by Con gress to turn completed research and development efforts

We sent requests for proposals that stated we want this package of products built. Companies like Northrop Grum man, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, etc. made bids and went through source selection. I never found a company who could build anything by itself each always had to have foreign partners.

Why? Because there wasn’t enough domestic production capacity, and we didn’t have the required skilled workers to manufacture these products at scale. That’s why they brought foreign partners to the table, which is how we lose our intel lectual property and compromise national security. You can’t keep major innovations in military technology if you send them overseas to be built, where they can be copied, repro duced, and sold. Vocational education is the key to building up the skilled workforce our country so desperately needs. WBR: What do you think has held vocational education back in Texas?

CW: Funding, faculty, and flexibility. First, putting together a vocational training program is expensive. If a school wants to put in a plumbing or automotive shop option, the tools, space, and necessary safety equipment require a substantial invest ment. A smaller rural school is not going to be able to put that together easily.

Second, finding quality instructors is not easy, especially in areas where the skill set is in high demand. When experts can make twice as much money in the job market over teaching their skill set in a public school, it can be hard to find people able and willing to teach the necessary courses. State teaching certification standards are also a barrier that must be ad dressed.

Finally, flexibility. In the last few years, the Texas Education Agency, Texas Workforce Commission, and Texas Higher Edu

PHOTO CREDITS: OFFICE OF REP. WILSON

EDUCATION

cation Coordinating Board have come together as a tri-agen cy commission to identify where the greatest needs are in the Texas workforce, what skills are in the highest demand and in shortest supply.

These can shift quickly, so if a school wants vocational training relevant to the demands of the job market, it needs to be able to put new programs together quickly, which isn’t always easy, given the financial and faculty challenges.

WBR: What steps did you take in the 87th Legislature to help schools overcome these hurdles?

CW: To help fund startup costs, we put $180 million into the Pathways in Technology Early College High School, also known as P-TECH, a program in which schools work with community colleges, technical colleges, and industry to share resources and develop long-term paths for students to grad uate with an associate degree or a trade certification.

We adjusted per-student funding formulas to reward schools focusing on vocational skills that provide graduates with in-demand jobs. The more demand there is for a par ticular skill set in the Texas workforce, the higher the tier or funding the school receives for that student.

We also adjusted formulas so schools receive more money for student longevity in a particular track. For example, a student who began a 7th grade survey class of trade skills, found a track that sparked his interest, and continued that track until graduating with a certification would earn far more program funding than a student who started in 10th grade. Incentivizing schools to get kids started well before high school increases their chances of graduating with a job.

WBR: What results have we seen from those investments so far?

CW: Before this last session, hundreds of schools applied for the P-TECH program each year, but we only had funding for 81. As of the 2022-23 school year, 235 schools have been approved and gone through the process of adding new and relevant vocational education options, with many, many more still to come.

We want every cent put toward vocational education to lead to a well-paying job so the opportunities for students are based on what our economy needs and not limited to what their school could afford to offer on their own.

Finally, we are not going to waste taxpayer dollars on Career and Techni cal Education (CTE) programs that don’t put kids on a pathway to a well-paying job right out of school, filling the gaps in our technical workforce that Texas so desperately needs.

by Jodee O’Brien

STRATEGIC THOUGHT

DON’T FAIL TO PLAN

Why some businesses thrive while others implode during economic downswings remains a puzzle to many business-owning entrepreneurs. What really separates successful enterprises from those that collapse during down cycles is that they are organized around a uniquely dynamic and healthier approach to the business cycle. They plan for the future and keep contingencies in place to confront what ever challenges might arise.

Steps to create a company that will weather an economic downturn successfully:

 Set, measure, and monitor inventory targets, sales goals, and revenues.

 Weed out unprofitable accounts and lackluster ventures, services, and products.

 Keep in close touch with customers and track their demo graphic patterns and consumer preferences.

 Develop strategies to attract new customers, retain existing customers, and sell more products or services to each and every customer.

 Advertise and market aggressively while constantly refining campaigns to strengthen the business which gives it greater power, meaning, and recognition.

 Plan: When economic conditions become adverse, those who have a plan can adjust and use it as a touch point in time of downward market cycles.

While no business leader has a crystal ball, those who employ simple, easy to read tools for testing and evaluating performance will be in stronger and more informed positions. They can identify trends sooner, adjust more quickly, and

JODEE O’BRIEN

adapt to changes, which gives them a tactical and strategic advantage over their less self-aware competitors.

EMOTIONAL I.Q.

Coaches often talk about the need to remain calm and aware under duress, so instead of simply reacting in a haphaz ard fashion, they are able to respond with more levelheaded and effective behaviors. The difference between response and reaction boils down to deliberate preparation, prior planning, and intentional action. This stands in stark contrast to simply doing something from a place of fear or panic. Emergency response organizations typically view a disaster as another day at the office because they have planned in advance to react in an intelligent, effective, and professional manner. They have the resources on hand, they understand how to deliver them in the best way, and they confront the situation from a position of strength rather than in a weakened state of distress.

BE PREPARED

Planning and knowing your numbers are key to riding out and being successful in uncertain economic times. When was the last time your business created or followed a 90-day plan? A yearly plan? These are vital to the health of any business. If you would like more information on how to build processes to measure your outcomes, review your financials, and plan your 2023, contact Action Coach for a free business strategy session with one of our certified coaches.

JODENE O’BRIEN, SR. PARTNER, ACTIONCOACH CENTRAL TEXAS Prior to joining ActionCOACH, Jodee was CEO of United Way of Williamson County. Her executive level leadership and turnaround expertise in business bring another level of knowledge to her client’s businesses. Her passion to help families thrive ties into ActionCOACH’s mission of guiding businesses to conquer the challenges in this changing environment.

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

By the time Christian Acevedo found his way to Celebration Church, he was already dreaming of building a barbershop where folks could gather to unwind from the 9-to-5 grind. On a Sunday morning in 2020, that vision be came a divine commission. “The pastor said, ‘Some of you men need to build community together outside the four walls of this church.’ I knew it was what I was supposed to do.”

IT’S A MAN CAVE

A year later, The Sporting Life was born. The barbershop resides in an unassuming home in an industrial building at 2100 Double Creek Drive, Unit 220. One experiences the minimal ist vibe upon stepping inside the room with a coffee bar, lounge area, slow jazz, candles, vintage sports shirts from Fadeaway, and modern birch walls. “It’s a blank canvas, if you may. Our shop is void of all clutter, so the people become the center point of attention,” he says.

IT’S A MINISTRY

A New York native, Acevedo’s haircut experiences felt like in-andout errands on his to-do list, until he visited a barbershop that planted the seed for his own community-oriented haircutting venture. “I started going to

STARTUPS

a barbershop that offered whiskey with your haircut. For half an hour, it felt like my world changed.”

After a production job at Celebration Church led him to Tex as in 2017, he started longing for a similar barbershop that was more than just a place to get a haircut. “North Austin doesn’t have that oasis kind of barbershop,” he says.

Then he met Ben Laws, a friend of a friend who had recently moved from Stockholm, Sweden. Ben is a barber shop veteran, owning and operating six barbershops in one of Europe’s most modern cities. Their friendship turned into a business partnership when they decided to team up on this venture that would “bring in a few bucks and bring the community together.”

Christian’s and Ben’s friendship turned into a business partnership when they decided to team up on an enter prise that would “bring in a few bucks and bring the community together.” A first-time business owner, Christian searched for an affordable spot with a small, main tainable footprint in the North Austin/ Georgetown area that would allow for a convenient commute from his home in Manor. It was no easy task, as “finding something like this place at this price is like searching for a uni corn,” but he and

Ben finally found the right home for The Sporting Life, which opened its doors in July 2022.

PUT A LITTLE ‘MAYBERRY’ IN IT

Its owners have stayed true to their vision of creating not just a barbershop, but a community gathering place. “We want to provide coffee with your haircut, a place to hang out with your haircut, a place to get some work done with your haircut,” Acevedo says. “You can hang out in the lounge all day and we won’t charge you a penny. It’s not about chas ing a dollar. It’s not just your appoint ment time. It’s not, ‘Next.’ ” Whether it’s getting work done or watching a football game with other folks “we genuinely want people to unwind and vibe out.”

Three barbers, with a fourth com ing soon, complete The Sporting Life experience by bringing meticulous skills to the table, including hot towel shaves, skin fades, and beard trims. Christian says the diversity embodies the bar bershop’s goal of “community coming together, no matter your color, shape, or size.”

Local Chemical Business Expanding to Florence

Because of the growth in demand for the many products they create, local Round Rock compa ny Exfluor is adding a second location. The new 30,000 square foot facility is being constructed on a 36-acre campus in Florence. Florence is located 13 miles west of Georgetown and 40 miles north of Austin in northwest ern Williamson County. According to the 2020 census, there are 816 residents in the city limits and Exfluor will become one of Florence’s largest employers.

Exfluor’s niche is the conversion of hydrocarbons to fluorocarbons and Vice President Dr. Tom Bierschenk explained this process is valuable because few compa nies are able to do it. Many household and commercial products depend on fluorocarbons for manufacture, including waterproofing agents, lubricants, sealants, and leather conditioners.

Exfluor advertises that their products and technolo gy are used in everything from satellites to televisions. Specifically, they have patents for chemical products used in the manufacture of extended wear contact lens,

computer hard drives, cooling methods for reconnais sance drones, drug delivery systems for inhalers, and anti-wrinkle skincare creams.

Bierschenk explained that a fluorocarbon bond is one of the strongest and most stable bonds known and Exfluor is able to manufacture unique structures in gram to multi-ton quantities, developing new kinds of products that are specially formulated to meet customer requirements. Exfluor also offers unique and innovative compounds at scale, which means they can accept and deliver on business requests from large and small com panies alike.

ABOUT EXFLUOR

Exfluor was founded in the 1980s by UT Austin chemistry professor, Dr. Richard Lagow. One of his first discoveries was a graphite fluoride, which is used in lith ium batteries. Dr. Lagow recruited some of his doctoral students to work for Exfluor, and Dr. Bierschenk was among them. Dr. Bierschenk has since been promoted to Vice President and is also a co-owner.

by Janet Civitelli rendering courtesy Exfluor

The company’s early efforts focused on research for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Air Force. At that time, the company emphasis was on specialty space lubricants, nonflammable hydraulic fluids, and specialty coatings. Exfluor grew after developing a rubber for O rings that would stay sufficiently cool to prevent disasters such as the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion.

In the 1990s, Exfluor’s main focus was research. In the millennium, the company shifted its focus to manufac turing and now has more than 25 U.S. patents covering their fluorination process and many fluorinated prod ucts. Exfluor also has a medical subsidiary, FluoroMed, that focuses on medical chemicals. Two applications of the medical subsidiary are a fluid that can be used to inflate the lungs of premature babies and a con trast agent used in ultrasound imaging. Dr. Bierschenk said the Florence location will house primarily Exfluor businesses and the majority of the products produced will be non-hazardous. Because of FluoroMed’s medical applications, all products manufactured by FluoroMed are subject to stringent FDA regulations.

CORPORATE STRENGTH

Exfluor stayed open during the pandemic lockdown having been classified as an essential business. As a sci ence and engineering-based company, Exfluor currently employs six Ph.D. level scientists, three chemical engi neers, and four mechanical engineers. The expansion to Florence means the company will have room to grow as demand continues to increase for their products.

Exfluor’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Tyson Railey, said Florence’s current growth makes their planned expansion a smart move. As the Austin metro area expands, and corporate megasites continue to develop in other parts of Williamson County, the city is well-sit uated to become one of the next cities to experience a population boom. Railey said Exfluor chose Williamson County as the location for their second facility because of the area’s business-friendly and environmentally responsible policies. As a good community partner, Exfluor has already been active in fundraising events for Florence ISD and Chamber of Commerce. Railey said Exfluor leadership is excited to continue to contribute to the Florence community and looks forward to hosting Science Days and other events for schools and scouting troops.

The Florence facility is in the final permitting stage and is expected to break ground within the next few months.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

HIGH TECH JOB SCAMS

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

When I was in high school the process of applying for a job was straightforward. I can remember people going around to all the busi nesses in town and nervously asking for a job application. If you were lucky you got a call back from the establishment where several of your friends already worked. Nowadays, the initial applica tion process and sometimes the whole interview process is done remotely. This has made it much easier to cast your résumé far and wide, but it has also opened up opportunities for ne’er-dowells to scam the unsuspecting. Fol lowing, we will explore different pitfalls to watch out for if you or someone you know is job hunting online.

The most common job scam is one that claims you can make thousands of dollars a month (or even a week!) by working just a few hours a day from home. Online banner ads, unsolicited spam emails, or even actual signs nailed to a telephone pole in your neighbor hood will proclaim the riches you can earn by sitting at your computer.

Most of us shake our heads when we see these ads, incredulous that anyone would fall for such an obvious trick. But to those on a tight budget or desperate for some quick cash, the allure can be tempting. Who knows, maybe it will result in some money in your pocket?

Work-from-home scams generally fall into two categories: (1) the scammer just wants to steal your money, or (2) you may earn money but are unknowingly participating in a criminal enterprise. In the first scenario, you might receive a check from your new employer with in structions to purchase something, send it to your boss, and keep the remainder for yourself. Or you’re asked to pay for something upfront like a certification or a hiring fee and are promised a check to reimburse you. Then, the check bounces and you’re stuck holding the bill.

In the second scenario, you might be asked to receive packages or buy gift cards and re-ship them overseas. You become a money mule helping crimi nals launder their ill-gotten gains and get yourself into legal trouble as well. A variation on the money mule scam involves online dating websites. You find the person of your dreams and they ultimately ask for your help in cashing checks, buying gift cards, or performing other financial transactions.

Everyone loves to be wanted, and it can be flattering to have a headhunter reach out to you with an offer for a big step up the corporate ladder. But if there is any request to pay money then stop communicating right away. No legitimate job placement firm should re quire the applicant to pay for anything.

Lastly, a new type of job scam has been making the rounds and this one doesn’t attempt to steal money from you, at least initially. In this scam you

BEN LAKE

by Ben Lake

respond to a promising job offer on a legitimate job website, get an interview by phone or video chat, and are joy of joys! formally offered the job.

You fill out all the usual new hire paperwork, which asks for plenty of personal information: address, date of birth, social security number, even bank account details for direct deposit of pay checks. Yep. You just gave a criminal ev erything they need to steal your identity and siphon out your checking account. This type of scam can be harder to avoid because almost everything seems normal. (I guess criminals have figured out we are too smart for the “if it’s too good to be true, it is” scam.) Often the only indication that something is off is the email address of the supposed inter viewer. Because they can’t use the exact email domain of the real company, they will try to simulate it. For example, the email address may be @micr0soft.com (notice the zero?) or @microsoft-jobs. com (not a real site).

BE SUSPICIOUS

Don’t let the allure of easy money blind you to the red flags. When in doubt, ask a trusted friend or search the Internet for the supposed company name plus the word “scam.” The Fed eral Trade Commission can be a good resource for learning more about job-re lated scams. Scan the code to learn more.

Ben is the owner of Open Road Network Services, a Georgetown-based business providing honest, reliable, and affordable technology support to individuals and small businesses. He is particularly passionate about educating and empowering his clients to become more comfortable with technology. • 512-942-7623 • OpenRoad.network

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ENTREPRENEURS

A PERFECT MATCH FOR SUCCESS

by Ann Marie Kennon

Vince Lombardi once said, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” The legendary football coach’s words exemplify the busi ness philosophy of Ty and Crystal Gipson, owners of two superlative Georgetown businesses Minuteman Press and Waterboy Graphics.

Minuteman Press is an international print and sign franchise. The Gipsons’ Georgetown location is one of the largest branches in Texas and among those with the highest grossing volume in the nation. With one successful enter prise under their belts, and after creating some large-format graphics for Coach Rhonda Farney, Coach Phil Blue, and Athletic Director Jason Dean at Georgetown High School, Ty turned his love of sports into a business. Now a national company, Waterboy Sports has had partnerships with Under Armour, an apparel manufacturer, Lifetouch Photography, America’s largest school photography company, and BSN Sports, the largest sports distributor in the United States with 1,100 national sales reps. Waterboy’s large-format graphics, which can be applied to everything from sandwich boards to 30-foot stadium walls, have allowed the company to establish a presence in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

BEING MARRIED TO YOUR BUSINESS PARTNER

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are about 5 million family-owned businesses in the United States. A 2019 survey reported 22 percent were jointly owned and operated by spouses. Rather uniquely, going into business with a spouse requires balancing two partnerships the marriage and the business. Working and living together can be exciting and depleting, and there’s the added anxiety that the family’s financial stakes are completely connected to the business’ success.

Like many small business owners, the Gipsons realized tak ing the leap together to open Minuteman Press in 2006 was as personal as it was strategic. Ty says, “In our case, we both wanted to run our own business so we left the corporate world together and embarked on a year long, cross-country search for the right opportunity.” Crystal adds, “Even in the research phase we thought everything through together because taking that leap together meant neither of us would have a stable income. But we recognized that his strengths were a good complement to my weaknesses and vice versa so we decided there was no point wasting time with him do ing things on his own until there was a ‘right’ time for me to join him. From a business standpoint, it made the most sense to do it together.”

Ty recalled their visits to various franchise operations and too often saw the single owner buried in the back trying to produce or manage a team and not up front promoting the products or services. “There is a great need for trust when delegating,” he says. “But there is a sense of certainty when you have a spouse who is naturally vested in the company’s success.” On top of that, Crystal says, “It’s never constructive when the working spouse comes home from a job at 5pm and wonders why the business owner spouse can’t just turn off the lights and come home before midnight. It’s a chal lenge to understand each other unless you’re both in it.”

BURNING THEIR SHIPS

Top priorities when giving up the corporate salaries were to have a solid financial plan and stay vigilant about reading the market. Crystal explains, “As a couple we learned to communicate early and nurture the necessary level of trust. Generally, both spouses should understand what’s at stake financially and how each defines success. We planned and were able to be nimble as executives, and pivot as necessary. We are a community driven sign shop but when the opportunity for a national branding company presented itself, we were able to work out a separation of the two and grow both. It was the same with COVID. We shifted our focus, put in the time, and made it work.”

Ty says, “Building a business as a couple comes with a dynamic that enables you to look at things from different perspectives and have honest discussions. For instance, if I choose a new piece of equipment, Crystal can discern what effect that will have on 35 other people. The trust we have in each other translates to the assurance between ourselves and our team. Having that kind of flow means we don’t have to be the ones to ‘stay late and make sure’ with regard to work or projects every night.” Crystal adds, “Being married gives us a unique opportunity to evaluate decisions as equals and manage a team that believes in us because we’ve fought long and hard to keep them.”

Ty says, “I’ve also learned to just say ‘Yes ma’am.’ “

Even as they made big decisions as partners, Ty says they had a simple agreement that when they drove through the entrance to their neighborhood, there was no more work talk. “It was 2am in some cases, and there were nights that we didn’t make it as far as the driveway before we were talking work again. Still, some of your best discov eries and ideas come in the middle of the night and you

would never call up your co-workers and wake them up to discuss it. It’s a blessing and a curse, really, but you get used to the rhythm over time.” Crystal agrees, “We learned to communicate early and not let things fester in our rela tionship. It is the same with the business. If something is going on, you have to talk about it, particularly when you’re together 24/7 and really sharing the workload at home and at the office.”

Crystal says they both make every effort to maintain a life balance for their daughter Reese. “Parents just need to plan and be aware of who will go to the soccer game and who will close up the shop. And our business is a family affair we don’t hesitate to invite parents and siblings to engage with the business or the family or both.”

MADE FOR EACH OTHER

Another strikingly unique thing about the Gipsons is that they are a literal perfect match. In 2018, Ty found himself in need of an organ transplant for the second time in his life. Having received a kidney and pancreas as a younger man, his health began failing when the kidney stopped function ing. His sister Gia agreed to donate but at the last minute doctors determined hers would not work for him. The Gip sons soon found out about paired sharing, which allows a patient’s friend or relative to be a donor to the program, and Ty would be granted another kidney immediately upon availability. Crystal agreed to be a donor and doctors were astounded when they found she was a match for Ty.

There were additional steps to determine total viability and while unlikely, Crystal was a perfect match. Ty’s doctors said it was a result rarely seen, if ever. Ty says, “Talk about a partner and a match, not just in business but getting a kidney from her was a miracle.”

The Gipsons don’t plan to slow down anytime soon and are always on the lookout for the next opportunity the mark of good entrepreneurs. “We are never standing around, and we will always be looking for the next great idea,” Ty says.

Both Gipsons invite other business owner-couples to call or stop by the shop to talk about similar challenges and share solutions for the good of everyone’s businesses and the communities they support.

Ty, Crystal, and Reese Gipson

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

PROFILES

Janet Hage Giving Back as a Career Choice

Helping Jarrell become the best community it can be is what drives Janet Hage from encouraging business growth to “bringing unity in our town.”

A former city assistant and current president of the Jarrell Community Library, a member of the JISD planning committee, development partner, and community liaison for My Jarrell Monthly magazine, Hage has spent the last 30 years giving back to the community she says has given so much to her. “I don’t look at my community as just a community, It’s more like an extension of my family,” she says. “If I can encourage the people who live here, continue nurturing those relationships and positive growth, my cup is filled and I’m motivated.”

IT’S WHO YOU KNOW

Hage’s city job allowed her to build relationships that opened doors to opportunities like a partnership with local developers Mark Allen and Ron Heine, whom she had worked with on the Calumet subdivision in Jarrell. They invited her to become a development partner and she has been part of their team for two years; offering local, county, and state level knowledge and access as well as sales and marketing experi ence. She was also able to negotiate with a Jarrell family who was initially hesitant to sell their land for development, and together, they created Cardinal Farms. That negotiation, she says, was made possible through years of building trust and being involved in the community.

Cardinal Farms, a residential subdivision with 360+ homes and the potential for another 100 in phase two, is currently awaiting a development agreement with the City of Jarrell. Hage’s involvement also includes the vision she shares with

the landowners to create a subdivision with larger lots and farm charm. “Those are things we haven’t seen on the west side of Jarrell. We think it will sell well the new Bud Stock ton Loop will go through this subdivision, the new Double Creek Elementary school is just down the road, and the high school is just up the road. Plus, it has easy access to IH-35 in three directions,” she says.

Cardinal Farms will feature three ponds, greenspace, and possibly a walking trail and park on the west side of IH 35. Williamson County engineers expect the Bud Stockton Loop expansion will be complete in August 2023, and Hage hopes the Cardinal Farms project will commence at the same time.

She also has plans for her own land, dreaming of turning her home into a coffee shop, winehouse, and outdoor venue, which she hopes will be part of the downtown’s inevitable transformation. “Eventually as towns grow, typically Old Town becomes a mix of residential and businesses, and I’d like to be one of the first ones to make that happen,” she says.

Hage envisions her business offering community, comfort, and conversation, while inspiring others to continue that vision of business growth and a united Jarrell. “I really do want to bring unity in our little town and pull it all together. I want to es chew the divergence of Jarrell and Sonterra and encourage all of 76537 as a single community, and that includes the heartbeat of our town, Jarrell ISD. I want to see that vision take off everywhere in our community.”

At left, with Judge Scott Matthew and retiring Jarrell Police Chief Roger Thompson (2018).

TEN QUESTIONS STALLION CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CEO VINCE BALAGIA

1THE BEST LEADERS SUPPORT THEIR TEAMS

BY taking the time to become self-aware of their own tendencies and really get to know their team members. That way, they are able to support the team’s needs. Get to know the needs of your employees and can coach me. That way, you’re really able to coach your team members to be the best version of themselves.

I DEFINE A GREAT ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AS ONE THAT

looks for the best in other people one where people challenge each other and pull the very best out of each person on the team. Be ing able to communicate openly and honestly creates a culture where everyone can perform well and enjoy themselves at the same time.

I HANDLE NEGATIVITY BY keeping things in the proper perspective. Nothing is really as bad as it seems, even when it feels overwhelming. Keeping in mind that I’ve been through difficult times before and it’s in God’s hands is a great way to keep things in perspective.

ONE THING I TRY TO DO

EVERY DAY is tell the people I have relationships with that I love and appreci ate them. It’s important to me to encour age and build up the people around me, and everyone likes to know they are cared for.

I FEEL MOST ALIVE

WHEN I’m pushing the lim it. When there’s a great chance of success and the reality of failure. That is probably why I enjoy business and racing so much there is great upside and enjoyment, but you can also hit a wall.

ONE THING THAT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME, BUT

I ENJOY IS telling people how I really feel. It can be hard for me to be vulnerable in a situation or relationship. When I do that, though, the relationship gets stronger and becomes more fulfilling.

MY BEST ADVICE FOR HANDLING CHANGE

is to accept that change is a consistent part of life. To be at our best, we must develop the habit of adaptation. We have to be intentional about change, knowing when it is coming, and preparing for it. Instead of being afraid of it, we need to embrace the new opportunities that come with it.

TO AVOID DISTRACTIONS I ...

TRY TO MAKE SURE I’M AWARE OF MY PRIORITIES THAT I UPDATE DAILY. I TRY TO TACKLE THE MOST THE DEMANDS FOR THE DAY.

9IN TEN YEARS, I HOPE TO see the people I’ve spent a lot of time with in business become really successful and achieve their dreams. I hope the time they spent with me was fruitful and pushed them further along their journey.

I DEFINE SUCCESS AS ...wow.

Knowing you played the game, pushed as hard as you could, you took the risk when it made sense, and felt fully alive while doing it. At the end of the day, if you’ve done those things and been true to yourself, the final outcome isn’t as important.

Balagia uses principles from The Five Love Languages to understand how individual employees feel most appreciated, whether through words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, quality time or touch.

“If you can understand what’s important to other people, that gives you a reference point. You can really be a blessing to some one and not just a work relationship.”

INFLUENCERS

10VINCENT BALAGIA BEGAN HIS CAREER WORKING WITH BANKS AND INVESTMENT BROKERAGE FIRMS AND MADE HIS WAY INTO NON-TRADITIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT. IN 2005, HE JOINED THE ORIGINATION DEPARTMENT OF A PRIVATE LENDING FIRM WHERE HE CONCEIVED THE IDEA FOR A NEW TYPE OF PRIVATE LENDING FUND. STALLION GROWTH FUND ALLOWS CLIENTS TO DERIVE ALL THE BENEFITS OF DIRECT OWNERSHIP WITHOUT THE HASSLE OF RUNNING AND MANAGING PROPERTIES.

IMPORTANT

photos by Todd White

by Tyler Wolf

School District Shopping and Real Estate in Williamson County

Williamson County has long been a desirable desti nation for families, particularly those with school aged children, given the communities found in the county being focused on safety, recreation, and fellowship among neighbors. Above all else though is Williamson County’s focus on education through a student’s pri mary, secondary, and if they so choose technical or higher education. With the 2022-2023 school year underway Wil liamson County is facing a shortage of teachers in many of their school districts due to teacher resignations, retirements, and the ever expanding population into the rural areas, of which Williamson County has many of the fastest growing communities in the nation. Real estate demand in these areas is expected to rise as we see an influx of not only new educators but also families with school aged children hoping to move into these rural communities and away from city centers as we have seen during and post-pandemic.

According to recent polls upwards of 60 percent of homebuyers reported that access to a good school district heavily influences their decision when making a choice on where to live and about 50% would go over budget in order to

live in the school district of their choice. The ideal school district will be among the first things on a parent’s mind when purchasing a new home especially with the summer ending and children return ing to or beginning their schooling. In addition to quality of education many parents post-pandemic are finding smaller, more rural school districts more preferable due to their smaller class sizes. The smaller communities surrounding Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, and Cedar Park will continue to be advantageous destinations for families looking not only to distance themselves from city centers but also to take advantage of a smaller student population.

Realtors in Williamson County can provide for these homebuyer’s pref erences by marketing their available properties in such a way that highlights these factors that many parents place a high premium on. When marketing to a community with a less desirable school district emphasis can be placed on the option for parents to move to a better school district adjacent to their current community. Getting involved in school activities such as the PTA, fundraisers, or sponsorship of sports teams is also a way for a Realtor to expand their client base and get within the sphere of

influence as an asset that understands the importance of schooling as a factor when deciding to purchase a new home or property. With the trend continuing of a migration away from city centers in Texas and an influx of out of state buyers, many potential purchasers will be unfamiliar with the communities they are relocating to and if they have children will have many questions about education options. Williamson Coun ty Realtors should be aware of these concerns and be able to make recom mendations and answer any questions they may have about the school system their potential new residence is located in. Given the significant attention that buyers with school aged children place on this variable when making a decision on purchasing it should also be at the forefront of both Williamson County sellers and Realtors alike.

KEY TAKEAWAY

The location and school district of a potential home sale will be at the fore front of many purchaser’s minds with school aged children in the coming new school year and a successful Realtor should be mindful of their customer’s desires and concerns when assisting them along their property search and sale.

TYLER WOLF

Tyler Wolf is the owner/founder of Wolf Real Estate. He is a third-generation Georgetown Real Estate businessman and Texas A&M graduate (Class of 2008). He is a devoted husband to Genny and proud parent of Addie and Olivia Wolf.

by Will Boughton

Choosing a Financial Advisor Part 2: Alphabet Soup

If you’ve ever been handed a business card by a financial advisor, you may have been baffled by the slew of letters following their name and had no idea what those letters mean. There is an array of industry certifications including CFP, AAMS, AWMA, ChFc, CFA, CTFA amongst numerous others. In short, this alphabet soup represents the various industry designations the advisor has earned, and which indicate the courses of education they have attained. At face value this is a good thing. Each designation covers core competencies and has its own areas of focus and may help the advisor deliver value to their clients. Below, we will take a look at three com monly seen designations and briefly outline each.

CFP: The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation may be the most recognizable. The CFP is offered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. CFP’s must complete a rigorous educational curriculum (unless waived due to experience, certification, or other educational attain ment), possess at least three years professional experience in financial planning, complete a final certification examination and adhere to the CFP Board’s standards of conduct. CFP education covers many areas of financial planning disciplines including investment, retirement, taxes, estate planning and insurance. Attainment of a CFP is an indication that the ad visor has completed a comprehensive course of study in the financial planning profession and demonstrates the ability to put those principles into practice.

CFA: The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter is considered the “gold standard” certification for investment experts, analysts, and portfolio managers. It is offered by the CFA Institute and is comprised of a series of three exams that must be mastered to attain the charter. Rather than following a prescribed course of study, passing the exams is considered

WILL BOUGHTON

an adequate demonstration that the candidate possesses the necessary knowledge to perform as a professional in the field. The exams are extremely difficult and passing all three is quite the accomplishment. CFA charter holders add value for in vestment clients in the area of professional asset management due to their in-depth knowledge of the investment landscape.

CTFA: The Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) designation is offered through the American Bankers Associa tion Institute of Certified Bankers. The CTFA is commonly held by fiduciary advisors of banks and large asset management firms. As the name indicates, CTFA holders are fiduciaries, and are held to a fiduciary standard in the execution of their roles. Similar to the CFP, candidates must fulfill an experience requirement, a rigorous education program, and a compre hensive exam to be certified. While the CFP tends to be more general in nature, the CTFA contains an additional focus on estate planning issues, particularly those dealing with admin istration of trusts. This makes CTFA holders more qualified to serve high-net-worth clients dealing with multi-generational wealth transfer issues.

It would be impossible to cover all the designations avail able to wealth management consumers in such a short article, or any one of them in detail, but this may serve as a good starting point. While education is important, it is not the only thing to consider when choosing an advisor. Take your time, ask questions, and trust your instinct.

Securities provided by VeraBank Wealth Management are not deposits of VeraBank, are not FDIC insured, have no finan cial institution guarantee, and may lose value.

William joined VeraBank in 2019, bringing with him more than 15 years of experience as a trusted advisor to domestic and international clients and in vestment entities. He received his Master of Science in Finance and Economics from West Texas A&M University. He also earned his Graduate Certificate in Wealth Management and Estate Planning from the Cannon Financial Institute. William has also attained the Certified Trust & Financial Advisor designation.

William Boughton Trust and Wealth Advisor

VeraBank, N.A. 512-869-8181 Ext. 7306

wboughton@verabank.com www.verabank.com

“A successful relationship with a financial advisor should be long term and based on trust. It makes sense to take your time and make a choice that is aligned with your best interest.”

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

For consideration, please email information to info@wilcobr.com

BUSINESS BRIEFS

SABEY DATA CENTERS

A new data center is coming to Round Rock as Sabey Data Centers broke ground on their newest facility July 20. The 430,000-square-foot campus, located at 1300 Louis Henna Boulevard, is estimated to be completed in Q2 2023 and will provide up to 72 megawatts of power capacity across two buildings on 40 acres. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Sabey Data Centers has other locations in East Wenatchee and Quincy, Washington, and one in New York City.

SKYBOX DATACENTERS

Dallas-based Skybox Datacenters and San Francisco-based Prologis Inc. are partnering to bring a data center campus to Hutto. They plan to build the facility on more than 220 acres at Hutto Megasite, a development tract for large businesses, on the south side of US Highway 79 in eastern Hutto.

THE SPORTING LIFE

Described as an oasis, refuge from the grind, and place to relax, The Sporting Life is a unique barbershop that opened in July at 2100 Double Creek Drive, Unit 220 in Round Rock. With a coffee bar, clothing shop, and lounge area, owner Christian Acevedo hopes the barbershop will not just be a place to get a haircut, but a community gathering place.

GAF ENERGY

THE DISTRICT

A 65-acre mixeduse development is planned for Round Rock off State Highway 45 just east of I-35. Mark IV Capital is constructing The District and will provide approximately three million square feet of office space, 1,600 luxury apartments, and 250,000 square feet of lifestyle, hospitality, and retail space. The project is expected to create 5,000 jobs by full build out in 2039.

MUNCH MUNCH WAFFLES & MORE

Munch Munch Waffles & More opened its brick-and-mortar restaurant September 2, offering sweet and savory waffles and other comfort foods at 9073 West State Highway 29 in Liberty Hill. Crystal and Bakaffa Casey’s restaurant journey began in 2015 when Bakaffa was stationed in Italy with the U.S. Army, which included many visits to Brussels where they fell in love with unique, authentic Belgian waffles. Upon their return to the U.S. and birth of their daughter Kennedy, nicknamed Munch Munch, the couple opened Munch Munch Waffles & More not only as an outpouring of their love of waffles, but a desire to create a legacy for their daughter.

GAF Energy broke ground on its second solar roof manufacturing facility in Georgetown August 26. The 450,000-squarefoot manufacturing facility will be located on the southeast corner of I-35 and Southeast Inner Loop. Construction is expected to be completed in June 2023. GAF Energy, which is headquartered in San Jose, California, plans to hire 265 employees in high-tech jobs over the next 10 years at the facility with an estimated $100 million total capital investment expected over the next decade.

Direct mailed to top business, government, and community leaders in Williamson, northern Travis, and southern Bell Counties.

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

PEOPLE ON THE

MOVE

JONATHAN BEVER

Jonathan Bever is Liberty Hill ISD’s new director of student success. He will develop and over see an educational program for students in danger of not graduating in a traditional high school setting. He is also responsible for college and career/military readiness as well as dropout prevention for LHISD. Jonathan joined the school district as an assistant principal in 2015 with 15 years of administrative experience and more than 28 years in education.

MICHAEL COLE

Michael Cole was named president and CEO of AirBorn, a Georgetown-based aerospace and military electronics manufactur er. He joined AirBorn in 2016 and previously served as chief operating officer. Prior to his AirBorn roles, Michael was president of Meritec Inc. and senior vice president/general manager of data communications for TE Connectivity.

JAMES EARP

James Earp is Hutto’s new city manager, bringing more than 16 years of experience with the City of Kyle where he served as assistant city manager. During his tenure with Kyle, he built and worked in various city departments, over seeing growth from 17,000 residents to the current population of about 60,000.

BRYAN ELLISON

Bryon Ellison was named principal of Liberty Hill High School. He has worked in education for the past 20 years, serving as a teacher, coach, and administrator for the Austin, Round Rock, and Leander school districts. Before joining Liberty Hill ISD, Bryon worked as an associate principal at Vista Ridge High School in Leander ISD for eight years.

JULIA KELLCY

The Wesleyan, a senior living and health care provider in Georgetown, named Julia Kellcy as its new hospice and palliative care medical director.

Dr. Kellcy has been practicing medicine for more than 30 years, having owned a private practice in New Braunfels as well as serving as a physician at Christus Santa Rosa in New Braunfels.

KEN RALPH

Ken Ralph will come on board as South western University’s new athletic director on September 15. He previously served as director of athletics at the University of Maine, Colorado College, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

RAMSEY SAAD

Ramsey Saad was named Round Rock’s new chief information officer. He began his 14-year career with the

group before branching out to other IT services in the roles of system administrator and application/web developer. In 2015, Saad was promoted to assistant director of information technology and led the IT department’s operations and strategic initia tives as the city has continued to evolve.

WAYNE SNEED

Wayne Sneed has been named Austin ISD’s new police chief, having previously served as a lieutenant leading the department’s mental health and community engagement unit. Prior to his decade with the school district’s police department, Wayne worked as a police officer in Austin and San Marcos, a special agent with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, and director of internal affairs for the inspector general’s office with Texas Health and Human Services.

DENNIS WEINER

Dennis Weiner has assumed command as Round Rock ISD’s new police chief. A Navy veteran with almost 30 years in law enforcement, Dennis has served as police chief in Florida and New York, executive director for the Palm Beach County Law Enforcement Exchange, and most recently as assistant chief for Palm Beach County School District in Florida. Dennis will oversee campus safety and emergency responses, work to create con sistency in how student situations and disci plinary procedures are handled, and ensure district police officers receive training in school-based law enforcement, implicit bias, and behavioral health practices.

For consideration, please email information to info@wilcobr.com