Chamber Focus | February 2023

FOCUS ON BUSINESS

Salute to Business 2023: Rescheduled for February 7

The Temple Chamber of Commerce has rescheduled Salute to Business 2023 for the evening of Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at the Mayborn Convention Center in Temple, TX. A social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and a keynote speaker.

FEBRUARY 2023

BUSINESS LINK LUNCH

Thursday, February 9, 2023

12:00 - 1:00 pm

Sponsored by: McLane Intelligent Solutions and West, Webb, Allbritton & Gentry, PC

Register at templechamber.com/events

“We are happy to announce that Salute to Business 2023 will take place next Tuesday, February 7,” said Rod Henry, Temple Chamber of Commerce President, and CEO. “The many moving parts aligned for us to bring an unchanged program to the business community next week.”

Salute to Business is the annual banquet for the greater Temple business community and community leadership. It serves as the opportunity to celebrate community excellence and partnerships, growth and development, and the transformation of the greater Temple community.

The keynote speaker is Shannon A. Brown, recently retired Senior Vice President of Eastern Division U.S. Operations and Chief HR/Diversity Officer, FedEx Express.

SALUTE TO BUSINESS

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

5:30 pm | Taste of Temple Reception

6:30 pm | Dinner & Program

*Rescheduled date

Mayborn Convention Center

3303 N. Third St. Temple, TX 76501

“We are fortunate to have Shannon Brown share his experience and wisdom at our annual Salute to Business,” noted Robert Jones, President of the Greater Temple Area Market for Cadence Bank, and 2023 Chair of the Temple Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “His move through FedEx from a package handler to the Senior Vice President of Eastern U.S. Operations gives him a great insight into workplace culture, trends, and best practices.”

Currently residing in Memphis, TN, Shannon Brown began his career at FedEx in 1978 as a package handler. He retired in November 2022 as the Senior Vice President of Eastern Division U.S. Operations and Chief HR/ Diversity Officer at FedEx Express. Brown embodied the shared company commitment to make every FedEx experience outstanding and, through his leadership, established a workforce dedicated to delivering the best customer service.

“While his experience and work history are impressive, you will find that Shannon is a humble, gracious, and sincere leader,” continued Jones.

On January 30, out of concern surrounding the winter storm that came through central Texas, the Temple Chamber of Commerce postponed Salute to Business 2023, slated for the evening of Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

“Shannon Brown will bring a unique perspective to the Salute to Business … why Temple is the happening place,” expressed Henry. “He brings first-hand knowledge of the attraction of FedEx to our community, and we are pleased he is able to join us for our rescheduled event.”

Temple Chamber of Commerce Staff

Shannon A. Brown, recently retired Senior Vice President of Eastern Division U.S. Operations & Chief HR/Diversity Officer, FedEx Express is the Keynote Speaker at Salute to Business 2023.

January Renewing Chamber Members

1st Franklin Financial Organization

American Legion Post 133

Astound Broadband powered by Grande Bell County Commissioner Precinct 3

Beronio Wealth Planning

Bob Mills Furniture Co., LLC

Bryan Properties

Bryan Properties/Marion Grayson

Bryan Properties/Ralph Sheffield

Central National Bank

Central Realty Partners

Central Texas Housing Consortium

CentraLand Title Company

Centrifugal Castings, Inc.

Century 21 Randall Morris & Associates

Chess Vets

Chick-fil-A

Cornerstone Automotive

Cross Church on Birdcreek

DB Commercial Real Estate/ Lane Hutka, CCIM

Dietz-McLean Optical Co., Inc.

Don Ringler Chevrolet-Toyota

Extraco Banks

Farm Bureau Insurance/Don Murphy

First Community Title Company

Focus Behavioral Associates

Folkerson Communications, Ltd.

Green's Sausage House LLC

Harrell, Stoebner & Russell, PC

Hawkeye Shooting Academy/ Czerka Armaments Research

Hooked On Health Wellness

Begins at Home

Imperium Real Estate

Integ

iZone Imaging

Jim & Dorothy Granfor

Jimmy's Egg

Johnnie's Cleaning & Tailoring

Jolly Trolley Sno-Cones

Kachemak Bay Flying Service

Keeping It Realty

La Luncheonette

Land Exchange Abstract & Title

Laser Service USA

Laura White Interior Design

Legends Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Linzy & Thigpen, Attorneys at Law

Lion Business Brokers, LTD

Lucky In Love Tattoo

McLane Company, Inc.

McLane Group

Mikie Cummings

January New Chamber Members

Alliance Bank of Central Texas

Shane Brooks | (254) 741 8000

197 Clinite Grove Blvd., Ste. 110 Temple, TX 76502

www.alliancebanktexas.com

Banks

Bustos Family Law, PLLC

Jenny Campbell | (512) 766 2768

1705 S. Capitol of Texas Hwy, Ste. 200 Austin, TX 78746

www.bustosfamilylaw.com

Legal Services

Centex Security Services, LLC

Ryan Adair | (512) 430 7904

6901 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 106

Austin, TX 78752

www.centexsecurityservices.com

Security Services

Claude Allen Specialized House Leveling Foundation Repair & Concrete, LLC

Ashley Pickett | (254) 228 0435

1130 FM 2271

Belton, TX 76513

www.claudeallenhouseleveling.com

Foundation Repair

Morada Senior Living

Morris & Pursley Financial Plan

MRB Group

Panel Specialists, Inc.

Pizza PieRos

Powerhouse All Star Cheer & Fitness

Progressive Technology Security

REAL Star Property Management

Salon Karen

Signs of the Times

SPJST Supreme Lodge

Texas A&M University - Central Texas

The 411 House

The Nitsche Group

Thrifty Texan Two Steppin' Tours

Together for Haiti

U-Haul Moving & Storage of South General Bruce Drive

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Temple

Valet Cleaners

Validus Fitness & Training Gym, LLC

Walmart Distribution Center #6083

Wells Fargo Advisors

West Temple Orthodontics

Wild Birds Unlimited

CSL Plasma

Bobbie Lockhart | (254) 800 8164

2603 Thornton Ln., Ste. 120 Temple, TX 76502

www.cslplasma.com

Blood Services

Dead Fish Grill

Harold Manning | (254) 939 5771

2207 Lake Road

Belton, TX 76513

www.deadfishgrill.com

Restaurants, Caterers

Game Time, Anytime! LLC

Alyssa Smith | (254) 709 9018 Temple, TX 76502

www.gametimeanytimellc.com

Entertainment

Hair by Hannah

Hannah Hernandez | (254) 727 1673

3317 Pecan Valley Dr. Temple, TX 76502

https://hair by hannah 106425.square.site/ Beauty Salons

Lone Star Storage Trailers

Jason Prochilo | (254) 698 1010

1095 E. Phillip Nolan Expressway

Nolanville, TX 76559

www.lonestarstoragetrailers.com

General Warehousing and Storage

R Bank Mr. Taylor Garoutte | (512) 671 5970

110 Main Street

Schwertner, TX 76573

www.r.bank

Banks

Susan Marie's of Salado

Darla Reeder | (254) 947 5239

171 S. Main St. Salado, TX 76571

Boutiques

Texas Restaurant Association

Madison Gessner | (512) 457 4167 512 E. Riverside Dr., Ste. 250 Austin, TX 78704

txrestaurant.org

Organizations & Associations

Thomas Cooper CPA PLLC

Thomas Cooper, CPA | (254) 218 3378

1 East Central, Ste. 201 Temple, TX 76502

www.tcoopercpa.com

Accounting Services

Wilson Valley Mercantile

John Evans | (254) 982 4265

2421 Wilson Valley Loop

Little River Academy, TX 76554

www.wilsonvalley.com

Distillery

RIBBON CUTTING

Claude Allen Specialized House Leveling Foundation Repair & Concrete New Location

Claude Allen Specialized House Leveling Foundation

Repair and Concrete has provided structural support solutions for residential homes and commercial properties in Central Texas, since 1963. They specialize in foundation repair and foundation leveling. In addition to foundation repair, they offer concrete, flat work and dirt work to include roads, sidewalks, patios and foundations. Let Claude Allen's team of professionals assist you with flat work, dirt work or foundation repair in Temple, TX and surrounding Bell County communities.

Ashley Pickett

1130 FM 2271

Belton, TX 76513

(254) 228-0435

www.claudeallenhouseleveling.com

CSL Plasma Temple 2nd Anniversary

CSL Plasma operates one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated plasma collection networks, with more than 300 plasma collection centers in the U.S., Europe and China. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, CSL Plasma is a subsidiary of CSL Behring, a global biotherapeutics company and a member of the CSL Group of companies. Plasma collected at CSL Plasma facilities is used by CSL Behring for the sole purpose of manufacturing lifesaving plasma-derived therapies for people in more than 100 countries. The parent company, CSL Limited, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, employs more than 30,000 people. For more information about CSL Plasma visit, www.cslplasma.com.

Bobbie Lockhart

2603 Thornton Lane

Temple, TX 76502

(254) 800-8164

www.cslplasma.com

RIBBON CUTTING

Family Promise of Bell County, Promise House Grand Opening

Family Promise of Bell County works to empower families experiencing homelessness to achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response. In 2021, they acquired two acres of land from the City of Temple and set out to build the Promise House. In January 2023, they celebrated the grand opening of the Promise House which includes a new 7,000 square foot building that will increase the number of guest families served as well as the quality of services provided to the families.

Rucker Preston

1411 E. Avenue N Temple, TX 76501

(254) 773-9980

www.familypromisebellcounty.org

Legends Brazilian Jiu Jitsu New Location Grand Opening

Legends Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was founded with one goal in mind: to help others discover and expand their knowledge and love for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Their IBJJF certified academy has had the opportunity to help countless students acquire foundational skills, develop new techniques, and confidently move forward in their martial arts journey. The Legends Brazilian Jiu Jitsu curriculum was created to provide a wide range of instruction to support students from all backgrounds and levels.

7514 Prairie View Rd.

Temple, TX 76502

(254) 371-6483

www.legendsbjj.com

Travis Moore

Leadership Temple Public Safety Day: Keeping the Community Safe

Leadership Temple Class of 2023 Participants: Kevin Craven, Tanner Johnson & Megan Mondrik

firefighting training exercises. They learned about extricating victims from vehicles by removing car doors and safely breaking windows, climbed the fire ladder, rappelled down the side of a building, and extinguished a vehicle fire. After climbing up a 95 ft ladder and rappelling down the side of building, it was safe to say everyone had worked up an appetite. The Leadership Temple class was thankful to enjoy delicious burgers and brats grilled by the amazing fireman and staff at Station 8.

“We can rest assured that our highly trained firefighters are on the job keeping us safe and protected,” noted Kevin Craven, Leadership Temple Class of 2023. “On a side note, the rumor that firefighters are great cooks has been confirmed. The home-cooked lunch was voted the best lunch of the year!”

The afternoon was spent with the Temple Police Department where the class was greeted by Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds. The Temple Police Department employs 163 dedicated professionals, 114 of whom are sworn officers and 39.5 non-sworn employees. The motto of the department is “Integrity, Honor, and Dedication", as these terms best describe the character of the men and women who are the Temple Police Department.

Through Leadership Temple, it becomes evident how many elements come together to create a remarkable quality of life in the city. The Public Safety Class Day, the most recent class day held in January, provided a glimpse into the essential services that keep us safe.

The day began at Temple Fire Station 8/Fire Training Center with a presentation from Temple Fire & Rescue Chief Mitchell Randles. Chief Randles is responsible for the planning, operation, and administration of Temple Fire & Rescue including fire suppression, fire prevention, standards, emergency management, and emergency medical activities in the city.

The Temple Fire Department has 121 sworn personnel operating out of eight fire stations. In 2022 they received more than 14,600 calls, or about 40 calls per day. Of those calls, remarkably only 479 were fire related. The majority of the calls, amounting to about 60%, are EMS/Rescue related.

Once the presentation concluded, the Leadership Temple class participated in

Chief Reynolds provided an insightful presentation regarding the police department that included the structure, services, mission, goals, and objectives showcasing how Temple Police Department is equipped to keep us safe.

To top off Public Safety Day, Leadership Temple had the opportunity to visit the Temple PD Range and training facility. The class saw a K-9 officer demonstrate an apprehension and was shown tools that SWAT uses including a flash bang and door-breaching demonstration. Among many of the highlights of the day, the SWAT armored vehicle and Mobile Operations unit were made available.

“We were briefed on the many departments and personnel involved in the safety of our community, it’s outstanding to see all that goes into the safety of our community as well as the safety of our police force," said Megan Mondrik, Leadership Temple Class of 2023. "Leadership Temple allows you to see an insider view to the community in all different ways. Public Safety Day specifically left me feeling very confident in the men and women who protect us each and every day.”

LT Class of 2023 Participants listen to Sgt. Miceli of the Temple Police Department

LT Class of 2023 Participants prepare to unroll fire hoses during a training exercise

LT Class of 2023 Participants extinguish a vehicle fire during a training exercise

Temple Feed & Supply Announce Plans to Build New Farm and Ranch Store

Temple Feed & Supply

After serving customers more than 40 years in its downtown location, Temple Feed & Supply, Inc., plans to build a larger, more accessible retail store in southeast Temple.

The company will renovate the former Wall’s Farm Equipment Services building at 21820 SE H.K. Dodgen Loop and build a new retail showroom facing Hwy 95. The new store will have a 10,500 sq. ft. warehouse and 6,000 sq. ft. retail showroom.

It will feature a larger outside display area for agriculture products, garden plants, landscaping, and supplies. Enhanced services will include a convenient drive-through and streamlined feed loading.

Archway Design Build of Temple began excavation and site preparation last week.

Temple Feed co-owner, Lindsey Lucksinger Strait, said moving the family business will help meet the expanding needs of its retail farm, home and ranch customers.

“Thanks to our many loyal customers and hard-working, knowledgeable staff, our business in Bell County continues to grow,” said Strait. “We look forward

First Friday is Tonight -

Visit Downtown Temple for First Friday tonight February 3, 2023. You won’t want to miss an evening of late-night shopping, fantastic food, cold drinks, and live music. Keep it local in Downtown Temple!

For a full list of downtown specials visit downtowntemple.com/first-friday.

to offering a fresh, innovative shopping experience when we open our new location later this year.”

Temple Feed & Supply first opened for business in 1982 in the old livestock auction building at 305 S. 2nd St. Over the years the company added a showroom, expanded the warehouse and completely remodeled in 2014.

The company founder, Ron Lucksinger, said the business grew because of its core values and emphasis on customer relationships.

“We are proud to be Central Texas’s hometown, homegrown feed stores,” Lucksinger said. “The community has supported our progress because they know us as fellow citizens and friends.”

Ron and Christi Lucksinger purchased Belton Feed & Produce in 1979 and expanded three years later with the downtown Temple store. Their son, Adam Lucksinger, joined the business in 1999 after earning a master’s degree at Tarleton State University. Their daughter, Lindsey Strait, graduated from Texas A&M and started working at Temple Feed in 2004. The Lucksingers are leaders in the Bell County Youth Fair and have received national dealership awards from Purina Feed. They were honored by the Belton Chamber of Commerce with the first Business Spotlight Award in 2017.

Temple Chamber Welcomes New Team Member

Temple Chamber Staff

The Temple Chamber is excited to welcome Katrina Esco to their team as the Director of Signature Initiatives. She is responsible for leading, coordinating, and enhancing event strategy and execution for all Chamber events. She will also focus on developing and implementing initiatives with the leadership of the Chamber to fulfill the organization's mission to advocate for the community by preserving, protecting, and promoting a business-friendly environment.

“I am thrilled that Katrina has come on board with the Temple Chamber as our new Director of Signature Initiatives,” noted Rod Henry, Temple Chamber President, and CEO. “Katrina brings to the Temple Chamber

Temple Selected to Host Governor's Small Business Summit

Temple Chamber Staff

On Tuesday, January 24, the Governor officially announced the Small Business Summit locations for 2023. The Small Business Summits are an opportunity for small business owners and entrepreneurs to listen and learn from subject-matter experts and gain actionable advice regarding starting, growing, and sustaining a business.

The Temple Chamber of Commerce is excited to share that Temple was chosen as a location for one of the fifteen events. Additionally, Temple has the honor of kicking off the 2023 Summit Series during Small Business Week in May 2023.

The Temple Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Office of Small Business Assistance to coordinate and host the event in Temple and look forward to sharing more information about the Summit as it develops.

More information about the 2023 Governor’s Small Business Summits, as well as additional events and webinars can be found at https://gov.texas. gov/business/events.

team a high level of energy and creativity that will blend in well with the Chamber’s 2023 Vision. She comes to us with an impeccable background, one that grabbed our attention from the moment she walked into the office.”

Katrina joins us from Houston, Texas where she worked as Vice President of Marketing for Energy Capital Credit Union. But she’s no stranger to Central Texas.

Katrina is a graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor where she wrote for The Bells, represented the UMHB Speech Team, and placed second runnerup in the Miss Mary Hardin-Baylor Pageant (2007). After graduation she pursued her career in public relations and marketing in New York, Houston, and in Mexico.

She said, “I am delighted to join this team of talented and committed people. I appreciate the role of chambers of commerce in communities and I value being part of an organization that is a reliable resource for local business owners who are the life-source of our city.”

Leadership Temple Class of 2023, Leadership Through Service

On January 16, 2023, the Leadership Temple Class of 2023 joined fellow community members at the City of Temple's James Wilson Park clean-up.

The event occured on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

The Class helped clean litter around the park in order to beautify our community, making it a little better and brighter for all to enjoy.