Chamber Express - January 2024 Edition by tclmchamber

JANUARY 2024

A message from the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tim Culp

appy New Year! WOW! How time flies when you’re having fun. I can hardly believe it has been one full year since I began my journey as the President/CEO of the Texas City–La Marque Chamber of Commerce. I consider myself extremely blessed to have this opportunity to serve our wonderful members within these two communities. As I look back at 2023, it is evident it was the year of “TRANSITION.” Our Chamber staff (team) continued to transition into their new roles and responsibilities while at the same time transitioning and learning the new leadership style of their new President /CEO. Tenured and new board members transitioned from ideas of the past to forecasting and adapting to new ideas for the future. However, the one constant during all this transition was the unwavering sup-

“I have learned over my past 30 years of involvement in the Chamber industry the best way to add value programming is to listen to the needs of your members.” TIM CULP, president/CEO port of our members. It is our desire to serve our members in order to foster economic and community development, but in order to succeed as an organization we must have the support of our members. This support was evident from the 111 new members that

joined us this past year. So, now on to 2024, a year of “VALUE!” It is our goal at the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce to provide our members with the most current events and programs available in order to provide the most value pos-

sible to help your business succeed. An important note, while we strive to predict the needs of our members. We are not involved in your day-to-day business activities. Therefore, it is vitally important for you to communicate to us your needs. Give us a call, send an email or better yet stop by for a visit. I have learned over my past 30 years of involvement in the Chamber industry the best way to add VALUE programming is to listen to the needs of your members. Consider us your most valuable yet least-paid employee. We are here to serve you and meet your business needs by working daily to accomplish together what no one person can do alone. Happy New Year, TIM CULP President/CEO

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Annual Gala save the date ��2 New members/Women in Business/Shop Local winner ��3

Leadership Mainland ��4 Thank you for the gifts ��5 La Marque Christmas parade ��6

Texas City Christmas parade ��7 Ribbon cuttings ��8 Business of the Month ��9

Membership renewals �� 10 Board of Directors �� 11

The official publication of the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce

2 | Chamber Express | January 2024

FROM THE BEACH TO THE BAY TO THE BAYOU

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP GALA – MARCH 1

he Chamber’s annual Membership Gala always is a popular event to celebrate the business community and achievements of dedicated volunteers. This year the theme is “Escape to Margaritaville.” The evening will be filled with excitement, delicious treats, an exquisite dinner and captivating music that will transport the guest to a picturesque tropical oasis. Date Change! The banquet will be held Friday, March 1 at the Doyle Convention Center in Texas City. The gala is a popular event with an average attendance of 400 or more guests. The attire is business formal/cocktail. This year’s festivities will mark 55 years of honoring and awarding local businesses in the community. NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS Join in this festive evening as the following awards are presented: • 2023 Citizen of the Year • Jimmy Hayley Community Service Award • Small Business of the Year • Large Business of the Year

Nominations for these distinguished awards currently are being accepted now through January 15. For information about nominating someone for an award, contact Stefanie Aldrich at stefanie@TCLM chamber.com. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES The Chamber Gala is a favorite event of the year, and seating is expected to sell out. Tickets and sponsorship opportu-

nities will be available soon to purchase. Keep an eye out online for when you can purchase these items. Once tickets are available, you can purchase online or in person at the TCLM Chamber of Commerce. For more information about this event, contact Angela Bernard, Chamber Director of Events & Operations, at 409-9351408 or angela@TCLM chamber.com.

January 2024 | Chamber Express | 3

SHOP LOCAL WINNER Ready. Set. Shop Local Winner

ongratulations to Edwin Lastrick for winning our “Ready. Set. Shop Local” campaign! Edwin won this campaign by turning in his receipts after shopping at local chamber member businesses this holiday season. Thank you for supporting our local community!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Courtyard by Marriott Houston Hobby Airport 9190 Gulf Freeway, Frontage Road, Houston, TX 77017 713-910-1700 Representative: Samuel Hoyt www.marriott.com/HOUHB Hotels/Motels Friendswood Party Girls 3107 Red Maple Dr, Friendswood, TX 77546 832-221-3720 Representative: Clarissa Ortiz www.friendswood partygirls.com friendswoodpartygirls@ gmail.com Party Rentals Industry Media Works 3616 7 Mile Rd., Galveston, TX 77554 409-770-3425 Representative: David Fitzgerald www.industrymediaworks. com Video Production Legal Brew LLC 2505 23rd St. N, Texas City, TX 77590 409-310-0482 Representative: Dana Dunkel www.legalbrew-tc.com legalbrewllc@icloud.com Restaurants, Coffee Shop Partners Specialties, Inc. 12405 Fuqua St., Houston, TX 77034 281-922-9102 Representative: Walt Warren www.psi-psi.com Petrochemical Industry

Providence Outreach Ministries 1115 Gemini Street, Suite 103, Houston, TX 77058 281-817-0307 Representative: Saceia Armstrong www.provom.org provom2014@gmail.com Non-Profit Organization Safety Source Inc 3203 Lilac Street, Suite C, Pasadena, TX 77505 409-789-1794 Representative: Amanda Miranda www.safetysourcetx.com Safety Equipment Sales, Service, Rental Total Industrial Services Specialties, Inc. 12711 Fuqua St., Suite 103, Houston, TX 77034 Representative: Walt Warren www.tissinc.com Petrochemical Contractors Zehl & Associates PC 2700 Post Oak Blvd, #1000, Houston, TX 77056 713-491-6064 Representative: Ryan Zehl www.zehllaw.com marketing@zehllaw.com Law Professional

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LEADERSHIP MAINLAND Leadership Mainland hosts career and technical education expo for students

he Leadership Mainland class had its first-ever service project Nov. 28. The group had the opportunity to host a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Leadership Expo with Texas City ISD CTE and Higher Up Texas. At this expo, members were able to perform mock interviews with the students and hosted an Industry Panel with several Leadership Mainland leaders. The Leadership Mainland class spoke to the students one-on-one about what they aspire to do after they graduate, helped them prepare for interview questions that frequently are asked and provided advice to the students on how to present themselves in professional interviews. During the Industry Panel, everyone had the chance to hear from the Leadership Mainland class about the importance of building a network, the success of professionalism and key traits or behaviors for working in specific industries. The leaders also had the chance to speak about how they built their careers and shared personal experiences and challenges they have faced in their careers. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success and helped make an impact on these students! Leadership Mainland Class of 2024 is now open for registration! If you are interested in participating in this year’s class and having opportunities like this, contact Stefanie Aldrich at stefanie@TCLMchamber.com or 409-935-1408, or visit the website at www.tclmchamber.com/leadership.

January 2024 | Chamber Express | 5

THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS Thank you to several generous Chamber members for delivering gifts for Chamber volunteers and staff in December!

Thank you for the Christmas Cards we have received from Texas City ISD, WellNow Health, Hunter Buildings, AMOCO Federal Credit Union, Communities in Schools – Bay Area, Doodle Me Up, Hospitality Health ER, The Reid Family, RHP Wealth Management, Moody Bank, Chief David Zacherl and the Texas City Fire Department.

Gift Basket from Hospitality Health ER.

Banana bread from Moody Gardens.

Bundt Cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes – League City.

Cookies from Brenda Mooney from Springhill Suites by Marriott Texas City.

Mini pecan Pies from Doreen Hughes, JPAR The Sears Group.

Beautiful poinsettias from Lyons & Plackemeier PLLC

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LA MARQUE CHRISTMAS PARADE

January 2024 | Chamber Express | 7

TEXAS CITY CHRISTMAS PARADE

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RIBBON CUTTINGS

The Anna Linzie Show 2000 25th Ave., Texas City, TX 77539 573-355-6576 Representative: Anna Linzie www.theannalinzieshow.com info@alspeaks.com Radio Stations. Multi-Media Production

Lia’s Jewelry LLC 3401 Palmer Hwy., Suite 104, Texas City, TX 77590 714-854-4945 Representative: Khanh Le www.liasfinejewelry.com www.liasjewelry.com Jewelers

Whisky Limits 820 34th St. N., Texas City, TX 77590 281-435-4331 Representative: Rachael Ketner www.facebook.com/WhiskeyLimitsTxCity Restaurant, Bar

January 2024 | Chamber Express | 9

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH Carnes Funeral Home 3100 Gulf Freeway, Texas City, TX 77591 409-986-9900

arnes Funeral Home Inc. became licensed to open the doors and serve the public by the Texas Funeral Service Commission on Jan. 13, 2004. Jay and Lori Carnes are the owners and operators of the organization. It has been an honor to serve families and business partners in Galveston County, as well as surrounding counties for the last 20 years. Carnes Funeral Home is a full-service funeral home that offers traditional services with burial, cremation with or without service options and wholebody donation to medical universities and private research facilities. These various and customized service options have allowed Carnes to build a strong community and family base and have led to the honor of serving numerous families

repeatedly in their time of need. Carnes Funeral Home offers these services at a great value with the respect, professionalism, dignity and customized details that families and business partners deserve. Carnes has been blessed to grow over the years and currently employees 100 licensed and unlicensed team members. Carnes has a funeral home in Texas City, a funeral home and crematory in South Houston, as well as an affiliate funeral home on the edge of Texas City going into La Marque. Carnes’ crematory, Cremate Texas, has been the No. 1 volume crematory in the state of Texas for the last 12 years. Cremate Texas is very proud of its growth and diversity at Carnes. The crematory employees all ethnicities and serve all races. This has allowed

Carnes Funeral Home to serve more families than any other funeral home in Galveston County. The funeral home’s team consists of 19 highly trained, expertly skilled, professional, licensed funeral directors and embalmers. Carnes has a group of 10 highly skilled and professional team members that run the administrative functions and operations for the business partners. Unlike most funeral homes, Carnes has a removal team that consists of 21 members who strictly are dedicated to the removal and transport of decedents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Carnes also is unique in the fact that the

staff also consists of in-house accountants, an IT executive and a maintenance team. One thing all the team members have in common is that they are community-minded and understand the importance of giving back and being involved in the communities that they serve. They have team members in local chamber of commerces, Rotary clubs, Kiwanis, Lions clubs. Also, they participate in numerous community events, cook-offs and community parades with the Carnes Krewe. Carnes always has approached the business and funeral industry with out-ofthe-box thinking and strategy. Carnes offers great value with options for services, disposition and cremated remains that others do not. Carnes has seven parade vehicles/floats that are used to participate in 70 community parades a year. This unique approach to advertising allows opportunities

Be the next member in the spotlight! Send your submission to news@tclmchamber.com for inclusion in an upcoming issue. (Maximum 200 words)

for the team to give back to, interact with and participate in the communities that they serve, while uniquely driving and building the Carnes brand. Carnes also uses unique, thought-provoking-yet-tasteful advertising slogans like, “Stay Fit, We Can Wait” for its running team’s T-shirts or “Don’t Text and Drive, We Can Wait” on billboards. Carnes always strives to be an agent of positive change in the industry. One thing that will never change is Carne’s commitment to providing world-class service and options for the families and business partners that are second to none. The business’ greatest achievement and honor always have been, and always will be, serving others. Carnes Funeral Home is a long-time dedicated supporter of the TCLM Chamber of Commerce. Kudos to this Business of the Month! Learn more online at www. carnesfuneralhome.com.

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MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS A big THANK YOU to these businesses for their long-standing support of the chamber and this community. Renewals from Dec. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023. Company

Years Since Join Date

Joseph Hoover AIA & Associates.......67 Crescent Electric and Industrial I&E......63 Cook Ford..................................................62 Ashland......................................................56 Emken-Linton Funeral Home.............55 Standard Steel Supply L.P....................49 Piling, Inc...................................................46 Mainland Tool & Supply, Inc...............44 Faust Distributing Company..............43 Sunrise Realty..........................................42 Gus’ Restaurant, Inc................................37 ROBCO Services......................................37 Affolter Contracting Co., Inc...............36 Hospice Care Team, Inc.........................36 Sterling-Lighthouse Printing..............36

Company

Years Since Join Date

Alex’s Air Conditioning.........................35 D. Michael Bartholomew, P.C..............35 Chemical Process & Production........28 South Land Title, LLC.............................26 Carnes Funeral Home............................20 Edward Jones Investments - Hank Harrity.................17 R.B. Mosher Co. Inc.................................17 Terraza Mexican Bar & Grill..................16 Gulf Coast Water Authority.................13 Gulfside Cleaning Services..................10 Community Strategies LLC................... 8 Martin Designs 76 aka Md76................ 7 SMART Family Literacy........................... 7 Gallant Industrial...................................... 6

Mainland

409-935-2496

Company

Years Since Join Date

RE/MAX Coastal......................................... 6 Thelma Bowie............................................ 6 Gary Scoggin.............................................. 5 Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers......................... 4 Sea Star Base Galveston......................... 4 BNO Construction, LLC........................... 3 Grease Monkey.......................................... 3 Higginbotham........................................... 3 Retreat at Texas City................................ 3 SMI Insurance Agency............................ 3 Vettrus Supply........................................... 3 Adobe........................................................... 2 PNC Bank .................................................... 2 Refined Industrial Services.................... 2

Company

Years Since Join Date

Stallion Infrastructure Services............ 2 Courtyard by Marriott Houston Hobby Airport......................... 1 Firetrol Protection Systems................... 1 Friendswood Party Girls......................... 1 Handyman Home Services Texas City................................... 1 Industry Media Works............................. 1 Legal Brew LLC.......................................... 1 Partners Specialties, Inc......................... 1 Providence Outreach Ministries.......... 1 Safety Source Inc...................................... 1 Schlitzberger & Daughters.................... 1 Total Industrial Services Specialties, Inc... 1 Zehl & Associates PC............................... 1

Celebrating 65 Years of Service

Metro

281-337-5634 Island

409-765-5883 Traditional Funeral Services • Cremation Specialists • Pre-Need Arrangements • Monuments • Headstones

www.alexsair.com

www.crowderfuneralhome.com

TACLA 15714C

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Robert Cheek

Owner/Manager

SERVING ALL OF THE MAINLAND

12302 Hwy. 6, Santa Fe • 409-925-1021 We are the Real Estate Professionals for all Your Real Estate Needs

January 2024 | Chamber Express | 11

2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ramiro Barba CHAIRMAN Port of Texas City

Anita Jones TREASURER Linde Inc.

Lori Carnes Carnes Funeral Home

Brad Jones Mainland Tool

Lisa CashbaughSanchez Dow Chemical

Philip H. Roberts SECRETARY Roberts, Johnson & Cain

Stacey Malbrough VICE CHAIR AMOCO Federal Credit Union

Patrick Tarpey Hugh Patrick Construction

Desoto Clark ROBCO Services Chris DeVries Standard Steel Supply Ryan Doyle Texas First Bank Lavelle Edmondson Marathon Petroleum Bill Etheridge Etheridge Realty Alex Getty La Marque EDC Robert Grimsley Exodus Consulting David Grissom DBG Services George Hill Tolunay-Wong Engineers

MAINLAND T O O L

Mandie McMillan Crowder VICE CHAIR RE/MAX Coastal Frank Mistretta Houston Hurricane & Security Products Cory Moss CHAIR-ELECT Valero Dr. Warren Nichols PAST CHAIRMAN College of the Mainland

Stacy Putman INEOS Styrolution

Becky TroutUnbehagen UTMB Health Carla Voelkel Dickinson ISD Andrew Warren Ashland Adam Wheeless Gallant Industrial

Chamber Staff Tim Culp, President/CEO Stefanie Aldrich, Vice President Marielle Mascorro, Director of Communications Bianca Jenson, Director of Member Services Angela Bernard, Director of Events & Operations

Peter Wuenschel Communities in School

Aric Owens Frost Bank

Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce 9702 E.F. Lowry Expressway Texas City, TX 77590 409-935-1408 www.TCLMchamber.com

Jason Pollard Grand Prize Barbeque

MAINLAND TOOL RENT • SALES • REPAIR

2830 TEXAS AVENUE TEXAS CITY 409-948-4497 Store Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am-6pm 24 Hour Call Out Service Available

MAINLANDTOOL.COM

Chamber Mission

To serve members and foster economic and community development.

Chamber Vision

To be recognized as a vital resource, providing relevant, innovative and impactful programming that produces a healthy business climate and an enhanced quality of life.

Chamber Express Newsletter The publication of the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce is published monthly (second Sunday of the month). Some content and photos provided as a courtesy by The Galveston County Daily News.

12 | Chamber Express | January 2024

NEW YEAR, NEW BANK

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