NEW HEADQUARTERSCORPORATE TEXELL CREDIT UNION is building

Next year Texell Credit Union will celebrate its 75th anniversary. Founded to serve federal and government employees living in Central Texas, Texell is now a membership-based organization open to anyone in Texas. They have nine branches from Waco to Cedar Park, and the credit union offers all services virtually.

PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS CAN OPEN AN ACCOUNT WITHOUT VISITING A TEXELL CREDIT UNION LOCATION, AND MEMBERS CAN COMPLETE ALL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS ONLINE.

Anew Texell Credit Union corporate headquarters is coming to Temple, Texas. The state-of-the-art, 46,000-square-foot building located near Texell’s West Adams location will provide office space for Texell’s 2022 headcount of 185 employees and include room to accommodate planned future hires.

The building project is a collaboration between American Constructors commercial builders and Haddon + Cowan architects. The facility will include 176 offices and workstations, six conference rooms, two training rooms, a staff dining area, and a fitness center. Construction broke ground last September and is expected to be completed in March 2024.

Banking Goodwill

Texell, a not-for-profit credit union, serves more than 48,000 members personal and business customers and offers a complete line of products and services including mortgages, auto loans, SBA loans, checking accounts, savings accounts, and insurance. Vice President of Marketing Mary Ann Nickolai said, “An advantage of a notfor-profit credit union is that members own it. Texell doesn’t issue stock or have shareholders, so we can make business decisions that benefit the entire membership base.”

Those benefits are evident and have been recognized by various agencies and publications. Among them are a five-star rating, the highest possible, from BauerFinancial, which provides independent evaluations of the stability of financial institutions. The Credit Union Journal also named Texell one of the best credit unions to work for, and CUNA Mutual Group honored Texell with a consumer lending award for fulfilling its mission of extending affordable loans to its members. Nickolai said anyone in Texas needing a loan should check Texell’s loan rates because they are often the most affordable option.

In addition to financial industry awards, community members also rate Texell an excellent place to do business. The readers of the Temple Daily Telegram chose Texell as the best bank/ credit union and the readers of the Killeen Daily Herald and Belton Journal also voted Texell the best credit union.

Corporate Citizenship

Texell offers in-person and virtual seminars for employers, civic organizations, and business groups. Nickolai said, “We believe it is part of our mission as a credit union to improve the financial lives of our members and help them thrive. Financial education is part of that.” Topics include personal budgeting, building a strong credit history, paying off debt, avoiding scams, getting the best deals and loans for autos and homes, and preventing identity theft. Readers can also find financial tips on Texell’s social media.

Nickolai said Texell is especially interested in partnering with employers whose workers may be experiencing financial stress. She said financial stress can be a significant drain on productivity and well-being, so helping employees to gain financial peace of mind is beneficial for employers and employees. The Texas Credit Union League recognized Texell’s commitment to financial education with the Desjardins Adult Financial Literacy Award.

In addition to benefiting its members, Texell gives back to the local community through service initiatives. Nickolai said, “One of the benefits of working at Texell is helping the community where our members live, work, and bank.” Through their Texell Serves program, employees volunteer at blood drives, food pantries, and other service-based programs. Texell sets an annual goal of 85 percent employee participation, and Nickolai said they are proud to have achieved this goal in 2022.

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Whittlesey Landscape Supplies

Making the Community More Beautiful and Sustainable

Clayton Whittlesey founded Whittlesey Landscape Supplies with his two brothers, Pat and Ralph. Initially, they sold railroad ties but in just their first 10 years, they expanded into materials supply, created a manufacturing line, and opened retail and bulk sales yards. In 1985, sole ownership passed to Clayton and, under his leadership, the company grew to its present size and reputation as a landscape powerhouse, with seven locations throughout Round Rock, Austin, Liberty Hill, and Granite Shoals.

WHITTLESEY IS NOW ALSO VERTICALLY INTEGRATED TO MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTE ITS OWN PRODUCTS.

~DAKOTA SMITH, VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

Vice President of Operations Blake Whittlesey says the company focus is on having all landscape essentials under one roof, which gives them a competitive edge over big box stores that must cater to myriad other home needs. He referenced their locations throughout Central Texas; “You can go to one of our yards and get everything you need specific to your project.” Whittlesey also provides house accounts so clients can purchase at any location then pick up materials at one of their yards or arrange delivery.

Consumer Base

Whittlesey services clients across the greater Austin and San Antonio metro areas and as far as Dallas and Houston. Their standard products include mulch, soil, gravel, compost, aggregate, and stone, all of which are sold in bags or bulk and marketed to a full continuum of customers homeowners, professional landscapers, and general contractors.

While not recession proof, landscapers and other businesses tailored to homeownership thrived during the pandemic. Whittlesey’s retail business experienced a growth spike in 2020 as gardening became a coping mechanism, while lockdowns inspired many to give their homes a facelift. As for the future, VP of Sales Dakota Smith says, “Our goal is to do the best we can for our customers and provide one-stop shopping for landscaping needs.”

Delivery sizes range in size and weight, including single bags perfect for homeowners to super sacks weighing one ton for professional landscapers and general contractors. In addition to supplying for distinctive home and business landscapes, they also manufacture and supply largescale products for athletic facilities.

Sports-focused products include dirt, conditioners, chalks, and Nolan Ryan-branded mound clay. Whittlesey contracts with Q2 Stadium, Waterloo Park, Moody Center, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Driftwood Ranch and Golf Club, St. David’s Performance Center, and several corporate campuses.