Chamber Focus | June 2023

FOCUS ON BUSINESS

Leading with Excellence: 2023 LT Distinguished Alumni & LT Class of 2023 Commemorated

JUNE 2023

BUSINESS LINK LUNCH

Thursday, June 8, 2023

12:00 - 1:00 pm

Sponsored by: Cedar Crest Hospital & Residential Treatment Center

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Thursday, June 15 2023

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Sponsored by: Smile Doctors Braces

Temple Chamber Staff SMALL

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

7:00 - 8:30 am

Hilton Garden Inn

The Leadership Temple Alumni & Graduation Banquet held on May 23, at the Hilton Garden Inn-Temple was filled with celebration and recognition. Business and community leaders gathered to honor the achievements of both the Leadership Temple Class of 2023 and the recipient of the 2023 Leadership Temple Distinguished Alumni award, Gary Schmidt.

The fifteen professionals comprising the Leadership Temple Class of 2023 were commended for their unwavering commitment and dedication throughout the intensive nine-month program. Their remarkable journey of community leadership, professional development, and personal growth was a testament to their passion and drive. Led by the capable leadership of Camryn Bintz, Class President, and David Shine, Curriculum Chair, these graduates have emerged as future leaders poised to make a lasting impact in the community. The graduates of the Class of 2023 are:

Amanda Alvarado | First Community Title

Brooke Barron | Brockway, Gersbach, Franklin & Niemeier

Jodi Brazeal | Magnolia Realty Temple-Belton

Amanda Carlson | Temple Economic Development Corp.

Jeffrey Clark | City of Temple – Police Department

Kevin Craven | Baylor Scott & White Health

Jentry Davis | Temple Area Builders Association

Annette Farmer | Boys & Girls Club of Central Texas

Tanner Johnson | Central National Bank

Christine Leal | City of Temple – Performance Excellence

Ben Lopez | Workforce Solutions of Central Texas

Megan Mondrik | Garcia Architects

Cassidy Revis | Wildflower Country Club

Caleb Smith | First United Bank & Trust

Bryson Soden | Walmart Distribution Center #6083

The banquet provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to network and engage with the Class of 2023. Guests were also presented with a report on the Class's Action Team project, highlighting the practical application of their newfound knowledge in addressing real-world challenges.

Amidst the festivities, the event reached a pinnacle as Gary Schmidt, an exceptional alumnus of the Leadership Temple program, was honored as the 2023 Leadership Temple Distinguished Alumni. This esteemed recognition celebrates Schmidt's outstanding professional accomplishments, remarkable service to the community, extraordinary leadership qualities, and enduring impact on Temple.

Leadership Temple Class of 2023

Leading with Excellence Cont.

Schmidt's distinguished career began in 1978 as a Banker in Temple, and he has since risen to the position of President at Central National Bank, where he has demonstrated exemplary leadership since 2000.

Beyond his professional achievements, Schmidt has been actively engaged in numerous community organizations and boards, leaving an indelible mark on the growth and development of Temple.

His contributions to the Temple Economic Development Corporation, Temple Tax Reinvestment Zone #1, Temple Chamber of Commerce, Temple College Foundation, United Way of Central Texas, the Central Texas Housing Con-

sortium, Temple Business League, and the Texas A&M Central Texas President's Advisory Council have been instrumental in shaping the city's success.

To honor Schmidt's accomplishments and his commitment to making a positive difference, a donation will be made to Altrusa International of Temple's Summer Fan Drive, benefiting the United Way of Central Texas. This contribution reflects Schmidt's dedication to serving the community and ensuring the wellbeing of its residents.

As the Leadership Temple Alumni and the Class of 2023 were commemorated, it was evident that they represent a vibrant force of leaders poised to create a lasting impact on Temple and beyond. Their graduation not only marks the end of an intensive program but also signifies the beginning of a lifelong journey to lead with excellence, inspire others, and continue making a positive difference in the greater Temple community.

May New Chamber Members

Cedarwood Financial Partners

(254) 935-3383

10156 Windy Pointe Drive

Temple, TX 76502

www.cedarwoodfp.com

Financial Planning

DF Metalworks, LLC

David Flores | (254) 314-1886

13420 TX 53 Temple, TX 76501

www.dfmetalworks.com

Metal Products

ERC Specialists Texas powered by ERC Specialists

Brenden Redfern | (512) 569-9400

2901 Barton Skyway, Unit 2207

Austin, TX 78746

ercspecialists.com

Business and Mgmt. Consultants

Kelly Realtors

Leah Cox | (254) 741-1500

1229 N. Valley Mills Drive

Waco, TX 76710

www.kellyrealtors.com

Real Estate

Kolache Kitchen

Carol White | (254) 778-5202

23108 SE HK Dodgen Loop Temple, TX 76502

www.kolachekitchentemple.com

Restaurants - Bakery

Lagniappe Bridal Boutique

111 North Main Street, CS-02 Temple, TX 76501

www.lagniappebridal.com

Bridal Boutique

Nova Medical Centers

(254) 342-3836

3150 S. 31st St., Ste. 3150 Temple, TX 76502

n-o-v-a.com/locations/temple

Occupational Health Services

Photo Social Photo Booth

Jody Poff | (254) 252-5096

Belton, TX 76513

https://photosocialtx.com

Party & Event Rentals

Ramtech Roofing

Lee Martin | (682) 378-9304

4400 E Us Highway 190 Temple, TX 76501

www.ramtechroofing.com

Roofing Contractor

Rescue Magazine

Ronald Ducharme | (254) 231-3690

111 N. Wall Street, #1111 Belton, TX 76513

www.rescuemagazine.org

Animal Rescue

Surviving and Thriving

Cancer Retreat

Kathleen Brown | (254) 760-5623

63 Runway Lane

Temple, TX 76504

Nonprofit Foundations

Texas Document Solutions

Travis Fagg | (254) 881-7500

6807 Woodway Drive

Waco, TX 76712

www.texdocsol.com

Office Supplies & Equipment

Your Voice Designs and Consulting

Glennis Lamm | (254) 677 6412

Temple, TX

www.yourvoicedesigns.com

Marketing

Gary Schmidt 2023 Leadership Temple Distinguished Alumni Award

Alton D. Thiele, P.C.

Amedisys Hospice

America's Best Value Inn

Beard, Kultgen, Brophy, Bostwick & Dickson, PLLC

Bell County Comic Con

Charter Real Estate

Dapper & Dashin' Salon and Shop

F8 Tech, LLC

Feed My Sheep Garcia Architects, Inc.

Gentiva Hospice

Glass Doctor

GoGo's Treatery

Integrity Rehab - Temple

Just in Time Plumbing

Kairos Recovery, LLC

Keller Williams Realty - Ryan Smith Home Selling Team

Mars Petcare US Inc.

MW Builders

R.T. Schneider Construction Co., Ltd

Residence Inn by Marriott Temple

Rotary Club of Temple-South

SpawGlass Construction Corp.

Temple & Central Texas Railway

Temple Children's Museum

The David Nix Agency

The UPS Store #5884

Topstone

Walker Honey Farm, LLC

Wellington Place Living & Rehab Center

Leadership Temple Class of 2024: Accepting Applications through June 16

The Temple Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will accept applications for Leadership Temple Class of 2024 through Friday, June 16, 2023.

Leadership Temple stands as a premier professional development and education initiative, designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies and workings of Temple and Central Texas. The program caters to both established and emerging leaders, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the complexities of the community and to foster its long-term success through effective leadership.

Spanning a duration of nine months, the program offers a series of monthly class sessions, serving as an immersive learning experience. Participants will delve into a diverse range of topics that hold great significance in the region, including City, County, and State Government, Fort Cavazos, and Economic Development. Through these in-depth sessions, individuals will gain a profound understanding of the inner workings of various sectors that contribute to the growth and development of Temple and Central Texas.

Prospective applicants can find comprehensive details about the program, as well as the application itself, on the Temple Chamber website www.templechamber.com/leadershiptemple. Interested individuals are encouraged to carefully review the application requirements and submit their applications no later than Friday, June 16, 2023.

Participating in the Leadership Temple program offers a unique opportunity for leaders to enhance their professional skills, expand their networks, and deepen their understanding of the community they serve. By joining this prestigious program, individuals will be equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to make a positive impact and contribute to the long-term success of Temple and Central Texas.

For any further inquiries or clarifications, please reach out to the Temple Chamber of Commerce directly. We look forward to welcoming the exceptional individuals who will comprise the Class of 2024 and witnessing their journey of growth and leadership development within the community.

Best-Way Carpets

RIBBON CUTTING

Cadence Bank W. Adams Grand Re-Opening

Cadence Bank is a leading regional banking franchise with more than $50 billion in assets and over 350 branch locations across the South and Texas. Cadence provides consumers, businesses and corporations with a full range of innovative banking and financial solutions. Cadence is committed to a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion in both its workplace and communities. Cadence Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

Robert Jones

7285 W. Adams Ave. Temple, TX 76502 (254) 771-5550

www.cadencebank.com

Floor & Decor

Grand Opening

Floor & Decor is a leading specialty retailer of hard surface flooring, offering the broadest in-stock selection of tile, wood, stone, related tools and flooring accessories at everyday low prices. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Atlanta, Floor & Decor is one of Fortune’s 100 fastest-growing companies. At Floor & Decor, homeowners and professional contractors have access to superstore selection at warehouse prices with showroom quality. Our extensive selection of in-stock product allows our customers to get what they need when they need it. And because we source directly from manufacturers or quarries worldwide, our top quality products are priced below those of our competitors.

Chris Ellington

3111 S. 31st Street Temple, TX 76502 (254) 800-7053

www.flooranddecor.com

RIBBON CUTTING

Level 3 Coworking & Event Center Grand Opening

Level 3 is a coworking space and social community that offers flexible and affordable workspace options for small businesses, start-ups, and freelancers. We offer access to our facilities ranging from "floating" memberships with no reserved seating to furnished, private office rentals. Membership includes available hi-speed Wi-Fi, comfortable seating areas both indoor and outdoor, workstations, pro-level copy/ scan/fax, office supplies, inclusion in our internal "slack" social network, refreshments, guest privileges, passes to our events, and the use of our 3rd floor conference room and classroom/venue.

Michael Linnemann

202 E Central Ave. Belton, TX 76513

(254) 535-6186

www.level3belton.com

Summer Moon CoffeeTemple Grand Opening

Summer Moon is renowned for its oak roasted coffee and Moon Milk, served in cozy coffee shops by friendly baristas. The family's Texas pioneer spirit sparked the creation of Summer Moon, roasting coffee over wood fires. From a winning bid on coffee equipment, they opened their first shop in 2002, perfected their craft, and expanded across Texas. With over 50 locations, Summer Moon continues to roast beans in Austin using a time-honored, handroasting process over seasoned oak. Their labor of love spans two generations.

Mckenzie Fleming

7075 W. Adams Temple, TX 76502

(254) 913-3670 www.summermoon.com

RIBBON CUTTING

Temple Children's Museum Courtyard Play Area Grand Opening

The Temple Children’s Museum ignites young minds through interactive play and hands-on learning. Their mission is to foster curiosity and creativity in a vibrant community. The new outdoor courtyard play area and exhibit opened on May 23. Learn more or reserve your spot to play and explore at templechildrensmuseum.org.

Emily Smith

11 N. Fourth St. Temple, TX 76501 (254) 500-7617

www.templechildrensmuseum.org

First Friday is Tonight - June 2, 2023

City of Temple

Visit Downtown Temple for First Friday tonight June 2, 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/firstfriday.

Making Connections, Plus Ranch Dressing, at May Business After Hours

Temple Chamber of Commerce Staff

The promise of Wings Pizza ‘N Things, mainly the coveted Ranch Dressing, drew a remarkable turnout from the members of the business community for Business After Hours sponsored by Ludwick, Montgomery & Stapp, P.C. and Wings Pizza ‘N Things on May 25.

The back half of the restaurant came alive with the spirit of networking as attendees chatted, exchanged information, connected, and built relationships in the lively and engaging atmosphere. Attendees also indulged in an assortment of buffalo wings and pizzas, showcasing the culinary delights of Wings Pizza ‘N Things.

Thank you to Ludwick, Montgomery & Stapp, P.C. and Wings Pizza 'N Things for their support in making this event a resounding success. This May Business After Hours is just one example of the Temple Chamber's commitment to pro-

viding valuable opportunities for connection and growth throughout the year. Stay tuned for more exciting events that will empower you to connect with likeminded individuals, support local businesses, and contribute to the continued prosperity of our community.

A current Chamber Events Calendar can be found at https://bit.ly/TempleChamberEvents.

If you couldn’t attend, fret not! We've captured the essence of the evening in a collection of vibrant photos, allowing you to relive the spirit, fun, and fellowship that filled the air.

Small Business Connect Seminar: Marketing & E-Commerce Tools

Temple Chamber of Commerce Staff

Join us for the second Small Business Connect Seminar on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the Hilton Garden Inn. This quarterly seminar brings together local small business owners and entrepreneurs who are eager to enhance their businesses through valuable resources and opportunities.

The upcoming seminar on June 27 focuses on "Marketing & E-Commerce Tools for Small Business." Local business leaders will share their experiences, tools, and strategies for business growth in a panel discussion.

Small Business Connect is made possible with the support of Meta, Extraco Banks, Ludwick Montgomery & Stapp, McLane Intelligent Solutions, and the Hilton Garden Inn.

Don't miss out on this chance to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, gain practical knowledge, and network with influential business leaders. Save the date, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, and join us at the Hilton Garden Inn for the Small Business Connect Seminar.

Register now on the Temple Chamber website, www.templechamber.com, to secure your spot and take your business to new heights.

Temple Chamber joins Texas Coalition of Defense Communities

Temple Chamber of Commerce Staff

At the beginning of May 2023, the Temple Chamber of Commerce joined the Texas Coalition of Defense Communities (TCDC), created by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. This coalition was created to take a collective approach to advocating for policies, legislation, and initiatives that impact military missions – active, guard, and reserve. Texas’ military installations, infrastructure and personnel generate more than 136.6 billion to the state’s economy and make invaluable contributions to national security.

“Texas is the proud home to 15 military installations and the U.S. Army Futures Command, as our support for our nation’s military remains unwavering,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “This coalition and its partners will play an important role in helping attract more military missions to Texas, ensure our brave men and women in uniform can benefit from the best economic opportunities, and bring together community and business leaders in military communities at the state and federal level. I look forward to working with the TCDC as we continue to support our nation's military and service members across Texas.”

TCDC partners include civic and business leadership of Texas’ military-connected communities and organizations that best represent the most active and engaged members from a business, industry, and economic development perspective. Current partners include:

• Abilene Chamber of Commerce

• Austin Chamber of Commerce

• Belton Area Chamber of Commerce

• City of Texarkana

• City of Del Rio

• Dallas Regional Chamber

• Del Rio Chamber Foundation

• El Paso Chamber of Commerce

• Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

• Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce

• Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center

• Houston Military Affairs Committee (HMAC)

• Kingsville Chamber of Commerce

• Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center

• San Angelo Chamber of Commerce

• San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

• Sheppard Military Affairs Committee (SMAC)

• Temple Chamber of Commerce

• United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce

• Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce

The TCDC partners will work to avoid reductions in infrastructure, personnel and funding and seek to attract new missions and increase defense-related employment.

“Texas Coalition of Defense Communities brings together local Chambers and organizations from all over Texas who have a direct connection to one or more of the 15 military installations. We are here to add strength to the message radiating out from the group to maintain a strong commitment and support for the military and our local economies,” said Rod Henry, Temple Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.

TCDC will speak with one voice to our state and federal representatives, spearheading important advocacy on items that impact the state of Texas’ military missions.