Greater Waco Business - Spring 2018

SPRING 2018

A GREATER WACO CHAMBER PUBLICATION HIGH FLIER

LEGACY AWARD WINNER TOM SALOME

2017 ANNUAL REPORT

TSTC’S IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY AND FUTURE WORK FORCE

CREATING A LASTING LEGACY IN THE OUR COMMUNITY

A YEAR IN REVIEW AT THE GREATER WACO CHAMBER

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

2018 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

VICE CHAIR

Englander DzignPak, LLC

Capstone Mechanical

CHAIR-ELECT

PAST CHAIR

Texas Document Solutions

Extraco Banks

VICE CHAIR

PRESIDENT & CEO

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce

Hal Whitaker

Alfred Solano

Loren Schwartz

CHAMBER STAFF

Rick Tullis

Mark Reynolds

Matthew T. Meadors

Rachel Alston Jessica Attas Samantha Baker Lexy Bishop Linda Beasley Jennifer Branch Kris Collins Amber Greenwood Christie Harper Amanda Haygood

Keith Kusler Rachel Martinez Debbie McCutchen Matt Meadors Seth Morris Autumn Outlaw Debbie Sherman Felicia Taylor Ariel Tesch Michelle Williams

EDITOR

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Autumn Outlaw

Samantha Baker

ART DIRECTOR Keith Kusler

For advertising, contact Autumn Outlaw (254) 757-5603 • aoutlaw@wacochamber.com

ON THE COVER

The Greater Waco Chamber continues to play a part in the growth of the aerospace sector in greater Waco.

This issues presents the evolution of aerospace in our community from secondary to postsecondary education, rockets to spaceports and beyond.

Photo by Joseph Abrego The Waco Chamber & Business Quarterly is published and distributed to Chamber members and economic development prospects. Digital copies are available online at WacoChamber.com.

This publication is printed on FSC-certified paper. © 2018 Greater Waco Chamber 101 S. Third St. Waco TX 76701 • (254) 757-5600 The Greater Waco Chamber reserves the right to reject editorial or advertising content in the Greater Waco Business publication, and via the organization’s full range of communications | SPRING 2018 platforms, at its sole discretion.

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If you were unable to join us for our recent annual celebration, you missed a wonderful evening. Outgoing Chairman Mark Reynolds looked back at the Chamber’s work and impact over the past year, while incoming Chairman Hal Whitaker provided attendees with a look ahead at his priorities for the coming year.

The highlight of the evening was presenting your Chamber’s first annual Legacy Award to Tom Salome. The new Legacy Award is designed to recognize an individual for his or her longstanding and demonstrable commitment to strengthening and growing our community and improving lives. Tom certainly meets and exceeds this standard - he has spent his entire life bringing people together, supporting important causes, and leading projects and initiatives to build a greater Waco. Tom’s wife, Martha, and members of his family were in attendance to see him receive this special recognition and celebrate with him. Congratulations, Tom! We admire you and thank you for your vision and compassion.

This edition of Greater Waco Business explores the aerospace sector of our economy.

We hope you enjoy learning more about this important component of our business community. The magazine also includes an annual report on your Chamber’s programs, projects and initiatives from the past year. These efforts were led by your Chamber’s immediate past Chairman, Mark Reynolds. I would be remiss if I did not extend the Chamber’s professional team’s warmest thanks to Mark for his leadership.

It is also important to note that we rely on hundreds of stakeholders from our membership ranks to undertake the work of your Chamber. We are grateful to all of you.

You make your Chamber and our economy stronger. And you make greater Waco the best place to call home.

Like his predecessors, Chairman Hal Whitaker has high expectations for your Chamber as we move through 2018. Hal has asked your Chamber’s professional team to expand opportunities for you, our stakeholders and investors, to become more involved in leadership opportunities within your Chamber. It is wise, and we are responding accordingly. The job ahead of us is big, but sure to be exciting and very rewarding.

We hope you are inspired by people like Tom Salome. We hope you will join us as we continue to build a greater Waco.

As always, thank you for your support of your chamber of commerce.

Respectfully,

Matthew T. Meadors President & CEO

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CONTENTS

SPRING 2018 AEROSPACE BETTING ON ROCKETS: A TECH SCHOOL IN 18 18WACO DREAMS OF BECOMING A SPACEPORT

BY JOE PAPPALARDO, DALLAS OBSERVER

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PREPARING OUR STUDENTS TO TAKE ON THE UNIVERSE: IT IS ROCKET SCIENCE

BY JESSICA ATTAS, VICE PRESIDENT PUBLIC POLICY

U.S. NAVY BLUE ANGELS HEADLINE 28 28HEART OF TEXAS AIRSHOW IN WACO ANNIVERSARIES 32 MILESTONE OF OUR MEMBERS CELEBRATING 50+ YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

BY THE MARKETING TEAM

BIZ SPOTLIGHT 40 40SMALL SMALL BUSINESS Q&A WITH ERHET, PICKUP OUTFITTERS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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HIGH FLIER: TSTC’S IMPACT ON THE WACO ECONOMY

BY DANIEL PERRY, TSTC COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST

ABOUT RECENT ECONOMIC 48 LEARN DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY WITH ON THE MARKET MARKET REPORT ECONOMY IN FOCUS

MEMBERS NEWS CREATING A LASTING LEGACY. 60 CHAMBER

BY LINDA BEASLEY, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

NEWS GIVES AN UPDATE ON 62 MEMBER RECENT MILESTONES, AWARDS, AND NEW LEADERSHIP.

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INDEPENDENT PILOT

BY DENTON FINLEY 6 | SPRING 2018

MEMBERS ARE POPPING UP ALL OVER 64 NEW THE GREATER WACO AREA. MAKE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT.

CUTTINGS PROVIDE A SNAPSHOT OF 66 RIBBON MEMBER BUSINESSES. CHAMBER CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS 68 THE EVENTS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

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by Jessica Attas, Vice President Public Policy

Fascination with space and the universe has long been a part of our national culture and leadership in research and exploration a part of our national identity.

As science evolves, knowing what we used to consider “the great unknown” has never been closer. The commercial space sector is a unique, diverse and critically important domain for our country’s vital interests. Texas is, in many ways, already a leader in this sphere. Yet as we consider how we can position the U.S. to be a leader in the world in aerospace, and Texas a leader in the U.S., one of the most important ways we can do so is by ensuring we have the skilled workforce required. From engineering talent to skilled technicians to computer programmers to welders and machinists, existing and potential businesses will need access to diverse skill sets to launch their businesses forward.

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Following the state’s challenge upon

communities to align education offerings with industry workforce needs, our local education partners have all risen to the call. Each are doing exciting things to incite area students with an interest in aerospace, and preparing them for future study and work in the field. This IS rocket science, and Waco is doing great things to ensure we are producing, attracting and retaining the best talent in Texas to support our commercial aerospace industry.

We’ve asked leaders from several of our education institutions to share with us how they are helping to produce the talent Waco will need to support continued growth in our aerospace sector. Read on to learn about the impact each is having in their own unique way!

Do you aspire to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering in order to land your dream job in the aerospace industry? Did you have any idea that McLennan Community College is the perfect school for that dream to come true? MCC’s engineering students not only master the basics, but also learn to apply them to real-world problems. MCC incorporates research and design in nearly all engineering courses and partners with local industry to ensure students are mastering the skills needed to succeed in college and beyond.

MCC offers degrees in several fields of engineering that are equivalent to courses students take in the first two years of a four-year engineering program. Although all classes require a certain level of mathematics and other background course work, MCC students can declare an Associate of Science in Engineering immediately and begin working toward their goals.

The engineering program is unique from other two-year programs. McLennan Community College is proud to offer: • Student-driven research projects that have resulted in student-published works, admission credentials to four-year research universities, and great résumé material.

• Travel courses like Mars 101, where a crew of students and faculty members live in a simulated Mars habitat in Utah conducting research and working as a team on the “red planet.”

• Individualized instruction with small class sizes, so your professors know you by name.

• Opportunities to participate in co-ops, internships and mentoring with engineers working in McLennan County at companies like SpaceX and L3 Technologies.

• A semester-long independent research program to delve into subjects not normally covered in a typical community college classroom.

• An affordable higher education with excellent, experienced engineering professors.

• Transfer partnerships with Texas Tech University, Tarleton State University, and the University of Texas at Arlington to ensure classes transfer and apply toward a four-year degree.

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Most MCC engineering students continue their education well beyond their associate degree. For example, Dr. James Grisham earned a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering in 2017 and recently landed his dream job at Blue Origin in Seattle.

Colin Mocek earned a degree in aerospace engineering in 2016 and is working for Textron Aviation in Wichita. For more information about all of McLennan Community College’s engineering degrees and scholarship opportunities, contact engr@mclennan.edu or call Dr. April Andreas at 254-299-8130. n

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCLENNAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE PHOTOS COURTESY OF TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Texas State Technical College was established more than fifty years ago, with the vision of fulfilling thengovernor John Connally’s prediction that it would become “the most sophisticated technical-vocational institute in the country.” The challenges of the 21st century global economy are many, but TSTC is proud to partner with business and industry – as well as government agencies and other educational institutions – to help meet the high-tech demands facing our great state.

As Chancellor Mike Reeser writes, “TSTC graduates are highly valued by business and industry for their work ethic, knowledge and workplace skills. Whether students are considering upgrading their skills, or just starting out on a new career path, one of the many TSTC campuses is a great place to prepare for a great paying job in the vibrant Texas economy.”

In 2012, TSTC opened the Colonel James T. Connally Aerospace Center. The 82,000 square foot building houses state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, simulators, as well as a public airport terminal. In fact, with over 100,000 takeoffs and landings in 2017, the TSTC Waco Airport is the largest airport in the U.S. owned and operated by an education institution. Further, that airport is the second highest in terms of economic impact for general aviation in Texas.

The Connally Aerospace Center houses a diverse offering of the aviation and aerospace programs, providing a robust aviation and aerospace focus, with five aviation programs and multiple tracks within those.

In 2017, TSTC had 520 aviation and aerospace students 10 | SPRING 2018

amongst its diverse programs. Want to be a pilot? In 2017, TSTC had over 150 students enrolled in its Aircraft Pilot Training programs, ranging from fixed-wing (single or multi engine) airplane pilots to rotary-wing (helicopter) pilots; flight instructors; agricultural spray pilots; corporate pilots; or airline pilots. TSTC pilots placed first in the nation amongst two-year colleges and seventeenth overall competing against four-year universities at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association competition.

Interested in mechanics for the future? TSTC offers both Powerplant Technology (engine and engine components) and Airframe Technology in its Aircraft Maintenance Technology program. Like order and want to make sure the rights planes are at the right gate at the right time? TSTC’s Aircraft Dispatch Technology program trains students in coordinating logistics of aircraft fleets.

Air Traffic Control? Be a part of the FAA’s Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative! TSTC offers one of only 30 active programs in the U.S. and the only in Texas. Need an Avionics Expert (or want to be one)? TSTC offers a program in Avionics Technology, equipping students to maintain, repair and service aviation communication and navigation systems.

In addition to the skills for aviation and aerospace businesses, TSTC is also home to the Challenger Center for Space Science Education. Here students have an opportunity to engage in meaningful science, technology, engineering and math activities to ignite student’s passion for space. Whether through inspiring today’s youth through the Challenger Center, or preparing tomorrow’s workforce through its programs, TSTC is a valuable and vital partner in the efforts to ensure Texas has the aerospace workforce we need for the future! n

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

In the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Baylor University, faculty and students work daily in the aerospace field researching and making discoveries that will positively impact the industry in the future.

Several professors in the Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments have research projects to positively impact safety, performance efficiencies, cost effectiveness and more. These projects range from icing on wings and turbines and composite materials for jets to radar to gas turbines, quiet propellers, and highdefinition wireless in-flight communications systems Dr. Stephen McClain, associate professor of mechanical engineering, hopes that the outcomes of his research will impact the aviation industry. “My ultimate aviation goals for the research are the same as for any engineering project: make the products safer, more energy efficient, and more cost effective,” he said. “Three of my projects that are directly aviation industry-related are safety issues. Airframe icing, cold-soaked fuel frost on wings and engine icing are all serious safety concerns for the aviation industry. As the physics of each situation are better understood, the objective is to

enable designs that are safe while meeting the weight and fuel consumption requirements of future-generation aircraft.”

While McClain is working to make safer elements for the aviation industry, undergraduate students involved in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Aero student organization have the opportunity to design and build a radio-controlled (RC) aircraft from scratch each year and compete in an international competition.

From learning the basics of aviation to making improvements in the aerospace industry, “…our engineering programs are tremendous,” says Dr. Kenneth Van Treuren, interim department chair, associate dean of research and faculty development, and professor of mechanical engineering. “Of course, you can go to any of 40-plus universities in Texas for an engineering degree, so why come to Baylor? Because of our Christian mission and heritage. We offer outstanding engineering programs in the context of Christian principles.

That’s who we are. We help make students’ education meaningful and prepare them to face the world.” n

Space, the final frontier. No matter how old or young, all agree that space is fascinating. Just the idea of space travel and exploration sparks excitement and curiosity in nearly everyone. Fascination with space and rockets is alive and well with local WISD students, and WISD is tapping into that excitement and curiosity to help nurture future rocket scientists.

Fueled by SpaceX’s presence in our backyard, students at both University High School and the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy (GWAMA) are lining up to enroll in advanced science courses centered around rocketry. Students may simply be interested in rockets, or they may have an eye towards pursuing an engineering career.

WACOCHAMBER.COM PHOTO BY KEITH KUSLER

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PHOTOS BY KEITH KUSLER

When GWAMA was established, the business advisory board wanted to ensure that students were engaged in problem solving, teamwork and design, and especially learning that those lessons were relevant to local industry needs. Being exposed to these experiences is vital to the training of our manufacturing and engineering workforce. Students in all GWAMA academies take rocketry as their senior science, working on mixed academy teams to design and build rockets, with each academy bringing different elements to the team for a full cross-course learning experience.

Also in WISD, University High School has a longstanding engineering program. To bring more focus and interest to engineering, two courses in rocketry science were recently added. As a part of the NASAsponsored program Systems Go, students travel each spring to Fredericksburg to participate in a statewide rocket launch. Students in the first rocketry course launch a rocket that is designed to travel one mile high

with a one-pound payload. Then, in the second course, they work to launch a rocket that is designed to break the sound barrier. This exciting event is the highlight of the year for UHS science students.

The foundation of the curriculum for rocketry is based on engineering principles and the constructivist approach to learning. Students are not given kits, but rather are challenged to design, create and test rockets.

For their first rocket, students are given very basic and limited information about rocket design. From successes and failures, additional rockets are created. Using this “trial, error and learn” model, the goal of the final project is reached. While not all rockets are a success, students gain valuable knowledge and experience. WISD is proud to help develop the early engineering foundation, as well as, critical thinking and tenacity in local students that will help them be a part of the aerospace workforce of the future. n

PHOTOS BY ROD AYDELOTTE / WACO TRIBUNE HERALD

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Harmony School of Innovation – Waco, a public charter school, boasts a strong focus on engineering and robotics competitions at its school, with eight competition teams competing in FIRST Lego League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competitions.

The competitions allow students to build high-level, real-world skills that will benefit them and their pursuit of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) college majors and careers in the future. The students who participate learn skills to problem-solve, design, build, program, manage projects, work effectively in teams, present their work professionally, and much more. Many of the students aspire to work in the aerospace industry, whether it be designing plans to build a rocket, creating and building components benefitting the aerospace industry, or programming launch and landings of rockets to earth. The skills students are building today will prepare them for the high

demand of jobs of our STEM workforce. The students are gaining and understanding the importance of their efforts by interacting with mentors from STEM careers who come to speak with them and help with their competitions and extracurricular work.

The competitions they compete in are sponsored by SpaceX, NASA, and others in the aerospace industry because there is an understanding that the students competing are building highneed skills and will become skilled enough to work for them in the future.

Tiffani Cortez, the school’s engineering teacher, has set up a partnership between several of her female students, SpaceX, the Mayborn Museum, Baylor, Texas A&M, TSTC, Cameron Park Zoo, the Girl Scouts, and a few other entities to host an event at the Mayborn Museum called “Girl Day!” in February to celebrate what was formerly called “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” that will allow girls and boys to gain knowledge of the engineering industry and mingle with female engineers to understand what they do and the path they took to get where they are today. n

PHOTOS BY ROD AYDELOTTE / WACO TRIBUNE HERALD

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAPOPORT ACADEMY

Rapoport Academy Public School, celebrating a decade of STEM in 2017, has remained true to STEM education and entrepreneurship – the core of its mission to prepare all students for college, career and life. Rapoport’s STEM program expands the public charter’s mission into dedicated classes and teachers spanning pre-kindergarten through twelfth grades.

STEM is far more than the words themselves; it involves art, soft skills for the modern learner, career and trade skills that guide confident problem solvers, project management, and the authentic connection between the classroom and the real world.

Not only was Rapoport’s Meyer High School the first school in Texas to receive the T-STEM and Early College High School designations, but its students also formed the first team in Central Texas to compete in the national competition FIRST Robotics. Today, Waco has seen an explosion of competitive robotics teams and even hosted a regional event attracting competitors from across the country. Rapoport’s Raven Robotics team has been sponsored by the Society of Women

Engineers (SWE) since 2015 in an effort by the team to combat the traditional stereotypes of culture and gender in STEM careers and to promote and advocate diversity.

Intentional planning and innovative practices help students develop skills needed as they prepare to enter the future STEM workforce. Rapoport specializes in letting industry input and student interest drive the projects to hone those skills (don’t be surprised if you see drones flying high).

All in all, there is much being done across the board with our local educational partners. Although the U.S. space workforce remains one of the largest in the world, the U.S. civilian space workforce has declined by more than 17 percent since 2006.

As this burgeoning industry continues to thrive, Waco is committed to staying ahead of the game and applauds our partners in education for ensuring we have a workforce ready to step up and fill the emerging aerospace sector and our economy. n

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TSTC’s Impact on the Waco Community

by Daniel Perry, TSTC Communication Specialist

“Dallas-Fort Worth Airport is congested and becoming more so, as is the entire Metroplex,” wrote Bob Sadler, associate editor of the Waco Tribune-Herald, on July 14, 1984. “Waco’s central location and uncrowded skies put it in a superb position to attract air-oriented business and industry.”

The TSTC airport has a main runway that is 8,600 feet long and 150 feet wide and a secondary runway that is 6,292 feet long and 75 feet wide. The airport is capable of supporting Air Force One, which landed former President George W. Bush and his family frequently on their way to their ranch in Crawford, along with military and freight airplanes, and served as an alternative landing site for the space shuttle.

The airport has a dusk-to-dawn lighting system, and night operations can be performed with at least 24 hours notice, according to information from the Texas Department of Transportation.

“TSTC is a great partner with our community and a factor for economic growth,” said McLennan County Judge Scott M. Felton. Felton is a member of the Waco-McLennan County Economic Development Corp., which is made up of the county judge, the Waco city manager and a representative of the Waco Industrial Foundation. Its purpose is to allocate funds to companies coming into and expanding within the county.

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businesses,” Felton said.

Felton said TSTC has an advantage over other colleges when it comes to adapting curricula to meet the needs of area industries.

At the Col. James T. Connally Aerospace Center, located on the west side of the airport, TSTC offers associate degree and certificate programs in Air Traffic Controller, Aircraft Airframe Technician, Aircraft Dispatch Technology, Aircraft Pilot Training Technology (fixed-wing and helicopter concentrations), Aircraft Power Plant Technology and Avionics Technology. TSTC leases helicopters from Universal Helicopters.

“We think the potential in McLennan County is huge due to the infrastructure, aviation training, hangars and property being conducive,” Felton said. “There are counties our size that don’t have diversification with handling commercial and private flights and freight shipments. I think it’s a huge benefit to have those assets in our community.”

“Our graduates literally fly all over the state in commercial aviation jobs, but also all over the world,” said V. Carson Pearce, statewide Transportation Division director for TSTC. “It is well-known that our flight graduates often choose to fly with a major airline based outside of Texas, but they keep their families and their paychecks here in Waco. Airlines, corporate flight departments, military and police, pipeline and U.S. Border Patrol flight operations have benefited immensely with TSTC graduates in their employ.”

Aerospace is designated as one of the key industries that city and county leaders have focused on for economic development. Felton said he could envision future county development with companies similar to L3 Technologies, Inc., which occupies a large portion of TSTC airport. L3 specializes in aircraft modernization and modification, manufacturing, aircraft paint services and rapid prototyping.

includes views of the Trane Apron Facility, touching the north side of the airport, as well as L3 and Night Flight Concepts Inc.

The Waco Industrial Foundation (WIF), a non-profit real estate developer and economic development partner, markets the TSTC Airport/Waco International Aviation Park as one of three large industrial areas in the county. The aviation park tops out at 1,064 acres, with 200 acres designated for a potential U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone status, according to the Chamber.

Night Flight Concepts Inc. was founded in Florida in 2006 and relocated to Fort Worth in 2011 before moving to Waco in 2016. The company has satellite locations in Provo, Utah and Prescott, Arizona. The company provides consulting, training, inspecting and maintaining night vision goggle systems for the military and agencies specializing in airborne law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical services.

A drive down Airline Drive on the eastern edge of campus

“By having large companies such as L3 on the airfield, the airport’s economic engine continues to employ hundreds of aerospace-related professions,” Pearce said. “The great-paying jobs produced with these relationships bring in needed tax revenue to the city and county.”

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

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The company is a Federal Aviation Administration Certified 14 CFR Part 145 inspection station that has seven full-time employees with more than 39,100 collectively logged flight hours. The company has 300 worldwide customers, according to company information. The company manages more than 3,000 night vision goggle systems, annually.

The TSTC airport’s history dates back to the early 1940s, when the Waco Army Air Field opened. The airport was later repurposed to become the James Connally Air Force Base, until 1965 when it was closed. This was done the same year the

James Connally Technical Institute (now TSTC) opened in north Waco.

The airport opened to general aviation traffic on Sept. 1, 1969, according to the technical college’s Tech Times. The opening coincided with the start of the Career Pilot Training Technology program. Jimmy Taylor was the first instructor and Marc-Aire Inc. was the contractor for flight training.

The FAA-certified air control tower began operations on Nov. 3, 1969, according to the Tech Times. The tower was under the direction of Col. Robert A. Dowdy, the airport manager and

FROM THE COVER:

V. Carson Pearce

Statewide Transportation Division Director

Christian Luna

Aircraft Pilot Training student - 1st year

Angel D. Newhart

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Photo by Joseph Abrego

Statewide Aerospace Department Chair

director of buildings and grounds.

Vernon Goodwin and Sidney Berry were the first two tower operators.

“Plans for Connally Airport include studies for establishing many and varied phases of the aviation industry, including that of a regional air-freight depot,” according to the June 19, 1970 edition of the Tech Times. “These and other studies provide excellent potential for the future of Connally Airport and control tower.”

General Dynamics, Braniff International Airways and Aviation Technical Support, a subsidiary of American Airlines, utilized hangar space and the runways in the 1960s and 1980s, according to archives at the Waco Tribune-Herald.

TSTC’s Career Services and Talent Management have worked in the past with L3 and Trane to make connections with graduates. L3 has looked to TSTC’s Aviation Maintenance program, and Trane has hired from the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning program in the past.

Visit TSTC.edu for more information about Texas State Technical College. n

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by Joe Pappalardo

Previously published in the Dallas Observer

A funny thing happened to spaceflight in the late 20th century: Engineers began to design new launch vehicles that could reach space but operate like airplanes. Instead of a rocket standing upright on a launchpad, blasting into space under tens of thousands of pounds of mixed fuel and oxidizer, aerospace companies began to design aircraft that could use runways to enable payloads to reach space.

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These come in basic varieties: Airplanes that can launch space rockets from altitude, aircraft with rocket engines that can shoot into space and land on their own, and spaceplanes that would launch on the tips of rockets, operate in space and need a place to land. These launch concepts have attracted the attention of airports across the country.

at the firm Kimley-Horn. Gulliver is a professional engineer with experience designing launchpad equipment for NASA and Air Force spaceports. These days he’s one of a handful of consultants with any experience who can help transform airports into spaceports, as designated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

This increase in interest has been lucrative for Brian Gulliver, who leads the aerospace and spaceport practice

His latest client: Texas State Technical College (TSTC), which hired the consultant to analyze the possibility of creating a spaceport at the school’s airport. In late December 2016, a draft of the study found the airport’s infrastructure could handle the operation of airplanes that launch space rockets or some spaceplanes that can use their own onboard engines to blast into space. The runway could also handle spaceplanes that launched elsewhere and need a place to land.

The designation of TSTC as a spaceport would be the latest in a string of high-profile efforts to make Texas the epicenter of the commercial space industry. Texas already leads the nation in places designated by the FAA for commercial space launches: SpaceX’s underconstruction launchpad near Brownsville; MidlandOdessa’s airport, designated in 2015; and Houston’s recently announced conversion of Ellington Field to a spaceport. Other space launch work — FAA exclusive use permits for commercial space launches — is done in west Texas, where Jeff Bezos’ company Blue Origin is developing and flight-testing reusable rockets; and SpaceX’s engine test facility in McGregor, outside of Waco, where the company tests its Dragonfly vehicle to practice rocketpowered landings.

The private space boom has been driven by ambitious billionaires, an attitude change within NASA and demand from satellite launchers looking for affordable alternatives. But at the turn of the century, the commercial space world remained fixated on the familiar style of launches. Until aerospace firms started creating new spaceplanes, everything Gulliver designed for new spaceports supported rockets rising from launch pads. “The idea was a bunch of smaller, vertical lift pads, like mini Kennedy Space Centers,” Gulliver says. But that soon changed as more companies joined Virgin Galactic in commercializing spaceplanes and a new generation of air-launched rockets.

THE GREATER WACO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND TSTC ARE HOPING THIS ATC TOWER WILL ONE DAY COORDINATE THE TAKEOFF AND LANDING OF SPACEPLANES.

Just like in the early ‘60s, Texas is vying with Florida to be the center of spaceflight,

PHOTO BY JOE GRIFFIN

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MILITARY AIRCRAFT AT TSTC.

PHOTO BY JOE GRIFFIN

but this time with the hope that commercial entities will operate the spacecraft and paying customers will replace government astronauts. It’s an ambitious dream, and Waco is now part of that effort, reaching for orbit and using every trick in the economic development book to get there.

TSTC has something no other college can match: the largest airport owned by an educational institution in the United States. TSTC airport dominates the eastern fringe of the campus, complete with two runways and an air traffic control tower. It’s a general use airport, and anybody flying by can radio the tower and land there.

There are industrial tenants at TSTC and mammoth hangars, some with doors towering more than 65 feet high, indicate the size of the airplanes that come here for maintenance work. The airfield sees an impressive annual 101,000 takeoffs and landings and hosts a major airshow every year -- not bad for an airport that doesn’t even have its own radar.

A space launch at TSTC airport would look like a typical airplane takeoff from a runway. Whether it’s a spaceplane hefted by a “mothership” carrier aircraft, an airplane carrying a rocket or a spaceplane with engines that can reach space, the first step is familiar to any air traffic control tower.

The aircraft that carry rockets fly somewhere vacant and drop them at high altitudes. Spaceplanes with their own rocket engines would ignite them and fly to space.

In both scenarios, the aircraft coming back are landing like airplanes.

The takeoff and landings may be standard, but

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hosting rockets requires some unique infrastructure and planning. The sweet spot for spaceplane runways is about 10,000 feet or longer, about 2,000 feet longer than Love Field. Airplanes that can launch rockets are as big as airliners, necessitating large hangars. The acoustics of spaceflight need to be considered, especially if the spacecraft will ever break the sound barrier. Most of the extra work is needed to handle propellants — the fuel and oxidizers that power rockets demand specialized storage tanks and security.

Even if the spaceplane takes off The designation of TSTC from somewhere as a spaceport would else, a spaceport can only gain by be the latest in a string hosting one coming of high-profile efforts to back. The company that operates the make Texas the epicenter craft will need to of the commercial space rent hangar space.

If the spaceplane is industry. carrying academic or government experiments, well-equipped labs will be needed to collect and process the cargo. Spinoff companies could form, bringing more tenants to the industrial park and jobs to the county. And any time something novel flies, aviation geek gawkers will come to observe, giving a boost to tourism.

The long-term dream is called “point-to-point” space travel — airplanes that take off, reach suborbital altitudes (you could see the curve of the earth from a window

seat), and then land across the globe in a matter of hours.

Any spaceport that can accommodate spaceplanes could become a destination for these high-end, globe-trotting flights. The military likes the idea for quick logistics; commercial shipping firms like UPS are intrigued by the potential efficiencies; and rich people eye it as a way to get across the planet in a few hours, cost be damned.

Exploration Technologies, Elon Musk’s vaunted SpaceX, which operates a facility outside Waco.

The pieces to pursue advanced aviation work seem to be in place: a local aviation business community with a

Spaceflight is changing, although no one knows how much or how fast. For all the spaceplane developers out there, none is ready for actual paying flights. And it’s unclear when the business might evolve into something stable.

Part of the process of building a spaceport is creating a business plan for why it should exist.

So why would a place in Waco want one?

The idea came out of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce and its courtship of the aerospace industry.

“The Chamber folks used to hit the trade shows and try to land big fish,” says Terry Stevens, a local businessman in Waco and chairman of the McLennan County Spaceport Development Corp. “But we realized we can’t be everything for everybody. So we focused on specific industries and didn’t chase companies that didn’t fit.”

For them, aerospace fits nicely. The region hosts a littlerecognized cluster of aviation companies, and more than a decade ago these companies formed the Greater Waco Aviation Alliance. Today there are more than 30 aerospace companies counted as members, including flying schools, helicopter charters, defense contractors and Space

THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER, WHERE STAFF HANDLE 101,000 TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS A YEAR.

PHOTO BY JOE GRIFFIN

history of banding together, even if they are competitors; a tech school that can stock companies with trained employees; a university-run tech park at Baylor able to

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THE TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE AIRPORT, WHOSE SPACEPORT ASPIRATIONS ARE THE LATEST SIGN OF THE LONE STAR STATE’S FAITH IN THE COMMERCIAL SPACE INDUSTRY.

PHOTO BY JOE GRIFFIN

handle cutting-edge development projects; an airport with a long runway and tolerant neighbors; a state government with a history of supporting aerospace with grants and low-interest loans; and a Chamber of Commerce that, despite the fact it isn’t funded by sales taxes as in other cities, was TSTC has something no ready to jump in and take a other college can match: risk.

the largest airport owned by an educational institution in the United States.

What the plan lacked is someone that actually wants to fly spacecraft. “Usually interest from a tenant is enough for an airport to be interested in becoming a spaceport,” Gulliver says. In Waco’s case, there is no such immediate demand, but they are going for it anyway.

The bet at TSTC airport is that tenants will be enticed by a combination of made-to-order workers, a spaceport designation and good geography, smack in the middle of what some call Texas’ manufacturing and technology corridor. There are more than 1,000 aviation companies within a 500-mile radius.

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Waco already draws aerospace companies with its tech students and university researchers. Nothing is more important to the aviation industry in the United States right now than meeting the demand for students focusing on science, technology, engineering and math.

“You can offer all the money [to a prospective company] but if you can’t find employees, it’s pointless,” Stevens says Stevens says the very existence of TSTC is a testament to ambitious, far-seeing planning. “When they shut down Connally Air Base in the ‘60s, it could have been a disaster,” he says. “But turning it over to become a TSTC school, that was brilliant. ... It’s hard to plan 10 or 20 years out, but that’s what leadership is.”

The path ahead looks like meetings, studies, negotiations, conference calls, check-ins with state politicians, loan applications, zoning plans of a proposed 200-acre industrial park and checks to consultants.

The back end of the barnstorming and bravery of experimental flight is bureaucracy and business. For all of the Waco spaceport dreamers, it all just looks like the future. n

The Greater Waco Chamber hosts three Sports Luncheons each year, where a scholarship committee awards $1,000 scholarships to two outstanding students in McLennan County.

Kick Off Luncheon scholarship applications are due April 7, 2018.

Visit WacoChamber.com for more info.

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I have been interested in aviation ever since my childhood.

When I was five years old, my parents took my sister and me on vacation to California. We went to Disneyland, Universal Studios, the beach, and lots of other places; however, I hardly remember anything about that trip. What I do remember was the airplane ride there. I was amazed by how high up in the air we were, how fast we were going, and how small everything appeared to be underneath me.

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Today, the aviation industry has never been more alive Fast forward about nine years, my fourteenth birthday.

My parents surprised me with a one-hour discovery flight in a Cessna 172 out of the McGregor Executive airport. The flight instructor flew me over Waco, over my house — I even got to hand-fly the plane for a while.

From that moment on, I knew I would be a pilot when I grew up.

After high school, I enrolled in Texas State Technical College’s Aircraft Pilot Training program in the fall of 2001, right before the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. My wife, Lee Ann, and I had some serious discussions as to whether or not I should continue pursuing the profession, but after prayerful consideration we decided to press on. It took a lot of time, financial planning and hard work to get through college while balancing a young family and a full-time job.

After graduating from TSTC with my associate degree in 2005, I began working as a flight instructor at TSTC while continuing to pursue my bachelor’s degree in aviation via distance learning at Utah Valley State College (UVSC). At the time, UVSC was one of the few colleges that offered an aviation degree through distance learning. By the end of 2007, I had completed my bachelor’s degree and earned enough experience to move forward in my career just as the “Great Recession” of 2007 began to rear its ugly head. The recession hit the aviation industry hard. I had been pursuing opportunities with regional airline carriers and had been offered several jobs, but due to the drastic economic decline I never received a new hire class date. Major

airline carriers ceased hiring and attrition came to a standstill. One of the carriers that offered me a pilot position even furloughed a class of new hires right out of training.

Despite the industry gridlock, I pressed on and continued working as an instructor at TSTC and eventually worked my way up to chief flight instructor.

Despite the state of the industry, I still found flight instructing a rewarding job — I really enjoyed seeing student pilots fly solo for the first time and eventually fulfill their dreams of earning their pilot certifications. After seven years of teaching, I was offered a job flying a King Air (a small twin turboprop) for Waco-based Texas Farm Bureau. I flew Texas Farm Bureau’s executives and board members all across the state to attend various business meetings and events, all of which were in support of Texas’ great agricultural economy. Last year, a friend of mine invited me to apply for my current job at XOJet — a California-based jet charter company that flies individuals all across North America.

I began working for XOJet and currently pilot their fleet of Cessna Citation X’s, one of the world’s fastest civilian aircraft. XOJet flies everybody from private individuals to Fortune 500 executives — I even get the opportunity to fly a celebrity every once in a while! I work eight straight days on the job and am home for six days.

During a typical eight-day rotation, I quite literally crisscross the country and then some, with stops in Burbank, New Orleans, Telluride, Toronto, Louisville, Teterboro, and Miami just to name a few. During those eight days, I could end WACOCHAMBER.COM

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up just about anywhere on the North American continent depending on the schedule demands of the company and who is being flown. During my six days off, I spend quality time at home with my family, volunteer at church, and give occasional flight lessons while my kids are at school. One of the many things I love about this job is that it allows me and my family the flexibility to live anywhere in the country while continuing to build a career in the industry that I love. Given this opportunity, Lee Ann and I are still proud to choose to call Waco “home.”

I consider myself an outdoor recreation enthusiast and I love the Cameron Park area. I spend quite a bit of my time at home running trails and training for my next race along with the Waco Striders running club.

Today, the aviation industry has never been more alive.

Airline pilots have a mandatory airline retirement age of 65, and the industry is on the leading edge of a record amount of retirements over the next several years. According to Boeing, the industry will need over 637,000 new commercial pilots, 648,000 new maintenance technicians and 839,000 new cabin crew members between now and 2036; however, the industry is anticipating a shortage of new aviators to fulfill those needs. This means jobs. Not just as an airline pilot, but across all career opportunities in general aviation: corporate aviation departments, charter companies, flight schools, and even the military are going to need pilots and aviation technicians for the foreseeable future.

One of the many things I love about this job is that it allows me and my family the flexibility to live anywhere in the country while continuing to build a career in the industry that I love.

Waco is a great place to live, work and raise a family. There are some awesome school districts in the area for both my kids and my wife Lee Ann, who is proud to be an eighth-grade science teacher at China Spring Middle School. Not only are the school districts great, but there are churches literally on almost every street corner. My family and I are very involved at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, where I serve as a deacon, Lee Ann works with middle and high school youth and our kids are heavily involved in youth programs. Waco also has a youth league for just about any sport the kids are into; my three boys have been involved in Little League baseball, basketball, soccer and taekwondo.

My boys also love their board games, comics and sports memorabilia, and one of our favorite spots in town is King’s Landing and Bankston’s Comics.

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One of the most valuable things I have learned in aviation is that people come from all different backgrounds and experiences. The best advice I have for any aspiring aviator is to work hard, study, meet people in the industry, learn from other’s experiences and, above all else, do not be afraid to ask for help along the way. The path to becoming a pilot is full of obstacles and there are plenty of reasons why many people decide not to become a pilot — training cost, demanding schedules, initial pay and experience requirements — and it takes a lot of discipline and passion to overcome those obstacles. It is definitely worth it in the long run. The quality of life I am able to provide my family, the places I get to travel to, the interesting people I get to meet along the way and, quite frankly, the fact that I get to sit in a chair nine miles up above Earth while traveling at transonic speeds is pretty darn cool. n

“Forever grateful, never forgotten”

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U.S. NAVY

BLUE ANGELS HEADLINE HEART OF TEXAS AIRSHOW IN WACO

F

or the first time in more than 30 years, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will fly into Waco for a performance at the 2018 Heart of Texas Airshow on April 7 and 8 at the Texas State Technical College airport.

The U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration team will fly their distinct blue and gold F/A-18 Hornet jets as the headline performance of an action-packed weekend with a wide variety of shows from some of the top civilian performers and military teams in the world.

In its sixth year, the Heart Of Texas Airshow is one of the top in the state and the largest in Central Texas. Last year, organizers estimated the event brought in 40,000 spectators, many from outside the Waco area. Airshow President Debby Stadefer expects that number to grow even higher with the added draw of the Blue Angels performance, their only demonstration planned in Central and North Texas this year.

“We are thrilled to headline the Blue Angels this year,” Standefer said. “Only a few air shows in the nation receive this honor, so we are privileged to share this patriotic opportunity with the people of Central Texas.

This furthers our goal to honor our military services and inspire our youth to be involved in aviation.”

The Blue Angels’ mission is to inspire a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach. They demonstrate precision flights showcasing the thrill and excitement of high speed flight and highlighting the pride, professionalism, excellence and teamwork found in Navy and Marine Corps units.

Their F/A-18 Hornets are twin-engine supersonic combat jets that can reach just under Mach 2 — twice

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the speed of sound — and climb a maximum of 30,000 feet per minute. During the show performance they will fly just under Mach 1 and perform maneuvers where they fly as close as 18 inches apart. Fat Albert, a famous C-130 plane, will also feature in a Blue Angels performance.

In addition to the premier naval aviation crew, the high-flying lineup of performers at the airshow includes: the U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team, U.S. Army Special Operations Black Daggers Parachute team, the Trojan Phlyers T-28 Demonstration Team and many others.

After watching the action-packed demonstrations and aerobatic flying, attendees can explore military static aircraft and talk to their crews. Flights are available for purchase on historic planes including the B-25, Corsair and P-51 Mustang. The event also features exhibits and activities for children of all ages and concessions.

“We are excited to return to Texas State Technical College and their incredible airport for another tremendous event,” Standefer said. “With the focus on aviation in Waco and the Aviation Business Alliance, the Heart Of Texas Airshow provides an invaluable vehicle to promote aviation to the public throughout Texas.”

Follow the Heart Of Texas Airshow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and visit the website, www. heartoftexasairshow.com, for information and tickets.

As a member of the Waco Chamber of Commerce, the airshow offers Chamber member organizations discounts, packages and entertainment options. n

NAVY WEEK IN WACO! America’s Navy is coming home to Waco in 2018, one of only 14 cities selected to host a Navy Week this year.

Waco Navy Week is scheduled for April 2 through 8, 2018, coinciding with the Heart of Texas Air Show, and is designed to give area residents an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people and its importance to national security and prosperity.

THE NAVY PLANS TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS IN THE WEEK-LONG CELEBRATION: • U.S. Navy Blue Angels • U.S. Navy Parachute Team, the Leap Frogs • Sailors assigned to the state’s namesake submarine, USS Texas • Navy Divers and Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams • Navy Band performances • Navy Oceanography/Meteorology scientists and displays • Sailors from USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat • Navy Medicine personnel • Navy History and Heritage Command historians and displays • The Navy’s new virtual reality simulator For more information contact Lieutenant David Carter, (901) 874-5590, david.carter@navy.mil WACOCHAMBER.COM

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The Greater Waco Aviation Alliance promotes Greater Waco as the center of aviation excellence. With three airports, three colleges and 30+ aviation companies, Waco is ideal location for aviation businesses needing facilities and a highly skilled workforce. Local member companies include: L-3 Technologies, Blackhawk Modifications, Texas MachineTool, RAM Aircraft, FreeFlight Systems, MarathonNorco Aerospace and more. The Greater Waco Chamber’s economic development team and Greater Waco Aviation Alliance are your source for aviation in central Texas. We have profiled a few of the local commercial aerospace companies on the pages that follow.

Visit www.WacoAviation.com for more information.

PHOTO BY MARK RANDOLPH / CITY OF WACO

32 | SPRING 2018

RAM Aircraft, L.P. RAM Aircraft, L.P. was founded in 1976 and has been located at the Waco Regional airport since 1977. RAM is General Aviation (GA) Support Center and Repair Station that specializes in the overhaul of big bore Continental engines.

RAM has long focused on engineering improvements in GA aircraft with a focus on the Twin Cessna fleet. Through the years, RAM has attained FAA approvals to boost the horsepower and improve the aerodynamics of a variety of GA aircraft. Today, thousands of RAM overhauled engines and RAM designed parts are flying on the GA fleet. In the 1990s, RAM started a full service Parts Department, selling aircraft parts and propellers worldwide. RAM employs about 100 people and is growing! The company experienced doubledigit growth in 2017 and is hiring mechanics in both entry level and experienced positions. More information about RAM Aircraft is available at www.ramaircraft.com. n

Blackhawk Modifications, Inc. Blackhawk Modifications, Inc., founded in 1999 in Waco, Texas, is a recognized leader in providing engine performance solutions to the turboprop aircraft fleet. The company has the largest installed fleet of STC twin- and single-engine turboprop upgrades, making Blackhawk the largest non-OEM buyer of new Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) turboprop engines in the world. A global network of 84 approved dealers and service centers supports Blackhawk’s U.S. facilities with installation and maintenance for XP Engine+ Upgrades.

To date, over 700 Engine+ Upgrades have been delivered for Caravan, Cheyenne, Conquest, and King Air aircraft.

These new engines deliver more power for faster climb and cruise speeds, decreased fuel to climb, increased single engine service ceilings, reduced operating and maintenance costs, and increased resale value. In fact, Blackhawk Engine+ Upgrades have the strongest resale value of any engine upgrade on the market.

Blackhawk’s most recent program, the XP67A Engine+ Upgrade, turns the King Air 350 into the fastest King Air in the world. Shortly after setting this record, Blackhawk has already set their sights on breaking it. The company will develop a similar certification for the 350’s smaller brother, the King Air 300. The shorter fuselage and lighter weight of the King Air 300 should allow for even faster cruise speeds than the record-breaking King Air 350.

“We’re very busy,” said Blackhawk President & CEO, Jim Allmon. “We have several new programs launching in 2018. I believe we’re entering the golden age of Blackhawk, and I couldn’t be more excited for the future of our company.”

For more information about Blackhawk XP Engine+ Upgrades, visit www.blackhawk.aero or call today at (254) 755 6711. n

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L3 Technologies L-3 Communications is now L3 Technologies, Inc. Headquartered in New York City, L3 Technologies is a leading provider of a broad range of communication, electronic and sensor systems used on military, homeland security and commercial platforms. L3 is also a prime contractor in aerospace systems, security and detection systems and pilot training. Customers include the U.S. Department of Defense and its prime contractors, U.S. government intelligence agencies, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, foreign governments, and domestic and international commercial customers.

Locally, L3’s Aerospace Systems business unit delivers integrated solutions for the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance market and provides modernization, upgrade, sustainment, maintenance and logistics support for a wide variety of aircraft and ground systems. The 34 | SPRING 2018

business is also one of the world’s preferred sources for highly customized design, integration and certification of mission subsystems and interiors for military, government and commercial aircraft. The company operates more than half a million square feet of hangars on the Texas State Technical College airport and can accommodate numerous wide bodies and more than a dozen aircraft simultaneously.

The L3 Aerospace Systems Waco facility has been in operation for more than 30 years. To learn more about L3, please visit the company’s website at www.L3T.com. n

SpaceX SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to travel and live on Mars.

SpaceX currently employs more than 500 people at its state-of-theart rocket testing and development facility in McGregor, Texas, making the site home to the second highest number of SpaceX employees outside of its headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Following the site’s establishment in 2003, every single Merlin rocket engine and Draco thruster that power SpaceX’s Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Dragon spacecraft have been tested at the site.

SpaceX’s McGregor rocket testing and development facility is centrally involved in the future of the company and American spaceflight, as well as the day-to-day operations and testing of SpaceX’s rocket engines and structures, including their design, qualification and preflight testing. As SpaceX continues to develop next generation, reusable launch vehicles to carry crew and cargo beyond Earth orbit, its McGregor facility will continue to play an integral role. n

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This quarterly luncheon event at the Greater Waco Chamber is designed specifically for local business professionals and provides an update on “our economy in one hour�.

Recent economic development news and data is also presented that attendees can use in their business.

Visit web.WacoChamber.com/events to view details of the next Hour Economy luncheon.

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SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT Small Business Q&A:

Jay Erhet,

Pickup Outfitters Small businesses are the engine of our economy in the Greater Waco community – more than 70 percent of our membership is considered “small business.” We’ve decided to introduce a “Small Business Spotlight” to our quarterly magazine to showcase some of our local small business owners and discuss what it’s like owning a small business in Waco and how the Chamber has helped their business.

Our first Small Business Spotlight focuses on Jay Erhet, owner of Pickup Outfitters, located at 220 Lake Air Dr. Pickup Outfitters sells and installs high-quality truck accessories at affordable prices, providing outstanding customer service every step of the way. Erhet and his wife Carol purchased Pickup Outfitters from The Perry Company in 2016.

1. What led you to start your own business in Waco?

Waco is a great place to live. I can’t see us ever moving away, and Carol and I wanted a business that would be easily accessible.

2. How have you been engaged in the Chamber?

I think I first became involved with the Chamber around 2000 as an ambassador while working for Clear Channel Communications.

Since then, I’ve been on various committees including the small business awards and economic development subcommittee. When I started my first business in 2001, I immediately joined the chamber and have been a member since, with the exception of the two years I went to work for the Dwyer Group. During my time at Dwyer, I helped represent them in the Chamber.

3. What keeps you in Waco, as a business owner?

Waco is a great place to do business. Our customers are great! The people here are genuine and appreciate locally-owned businesses.

Small, locally-owned businesses are the character, flavor and heart of a community. Central Texans understand that and support our small businesses.

4. As a chamber member, over the last year, what has been the one thing you are most proud of?

The way the city is embracing the “Magnolia Effect” and using it as a springboard for community development. Chip and Joanna showed America all the great things about Central Texas. Our cities, chambers of commerce, and local business leaders have leveraged that publicity for smart growth projects and businesses to improve our culture and lifestyle. There are several cool businesses in the pipeline.

5. With an influx of people wanting to move to Central Texas, what would you say to someone who is considering moving their family and business to Waco?

Welcome! Our communities in the Heart of Texas have an open 40 | SPRING 2018

door to anyone who appreciates our family and faith-based culture and has a strong work ethic. You will find so many people who are constantly working hard to improve our community and way of life. Waco is a great place to live and own a business.

6. What advice can you give to new small business owners?

Get connected to other business owners. Passion alone does not make a profitable business. Seek out entrepreneurs who know how to run a profitable business. Watch them, ask for their advice, and learn from them.

7. On the weekends or in you free time, what is your favorite thing to do in Waco?

Take my bike to Cameron Park and go trail riding.

Learn more about the Small Business Support at WacoChamber.com or contact Christie Harper at charper@wacochamber.com or 254-757-5617.

INTERESTED IN AN ADVERTISING INSERT? Please contact Autumn Outlaw (254) 757-5603 • aoutlaw@wacochamber.com

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For information about becoming a member of the Greater Waco Chamber contact Christie Harper at (254) 757-5617 or charper@wacochamber.com WACOCHAMBER.COM

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LOOKING FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES?

WE CAN HELP! Printed advertising space is available in the Greater Waco Chamber quarterly magazine and in the annual Waco Community and Referral Guide. Plus, ads in the Waco Chamber Weekly eNewsletter and digital ads on the WacoChamber.com website are great ways to get noticed.

For more information and pricing, contact Autumn Outlaw at aoutlaw@wacochamber.com or 254-757-5603.

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SMALL BUSINESSES

ARE THE ENGINE OF OUR ECONOMY IN THE GREATER WACO COMMUNITY. More than 70 percent of our membership is considered “small business.” The Chamber is the leading source for access to all the tools and resources needed to grow your business and impact the prosperity of our region. We are excited to announce a section of our website dedicated to providing information for opportunities to support this segment of our membership. For more information, please visit

Wacochamber.com/ community/sbs or contact Christie Harper at charper@wacochamber.com or 254-757-5617.

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ON THE MARKET

1324 LaSalle Avenue 9.942 Acres of Commercial Development Land

Specifications: • Land: 9.942 Acres (433,073 SqFt) • Zoning: O-2 (Office-Residence District) • LaSalle Avenue Frontage: 360’ +/• South 12th Street Frontage: 360’ +/• Near multiple proposed office/retail developments • Close Proximity to Baylor University Student Housing • Less than one mile from Interstate 35 • One mile from Magnolia Table Restaurant (formerly the Waco landmark Elite Café) • Asking Price: $1,900,000 For more information visit www.WacoProspector.com.

1324 LaSalle Ave Value Population (10 Mi Radius; Total; 2017)

192,596

# of Households PA I D A D V E R T I S E M E N T

73,135

Median Age

32.5 years

Average Household Income

$58,781

Labor Force (10 Mi Radius)

89,761

Employed

85,971

Unemployment Rate

4.17%

Educational Attainment (10 Mi Radius)

%

#

Graduate Degree

7.71%

8,886

Bachelor Degree

22.03%

25,389

Associate Degree

31.55%

36,361

Some College (No Degree)

53.94%

62,159

High School/Equivalency Degree

81.80%

94,258

No Degree

18.21%

20,977

Top 5 Industries (10 Mile Radius)

Count

%

Empl.

Hotels, Entertainment, Retail, Rentals

3,099

45%

34,125

Admin, Education, Health Care, Utilities

1,420

21%

39,708

Finance, Management, Info, Prof. Services

1,158

17%

13,569

Ag, Construction, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas

771

11%

13,148

Transportation, Wholesale

394

6%

9,057

Source: Info USA, May 2017

For more information on available properties, including demographic reports and surrounding businesses in Greater Waco, visit WacoProspector.com or call (254) 757-5627

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MARKET REPORT

Client: MarsWrigley

Confectionary U.S. Industry: Manufacturing Market: International MarsWrigley Confectionary has announced it will invest $30 million into its Waco facility, including the construction of a 65,000 square foot expansion to accommodate product distribution. Ten new jobs will be created, adding to the current workforce of over 600.

Client: fairlife, LLC Industry: Manufacturing Market: National fairlife, a joint venture between The Coca-Cola Company and Select Milk Producers, announced plans to establish a production line within Coca-Cola’s existing Waco operation. fairlife will invest $15 million into a new production line at the Waco facility, representing the company’s first branded beverage production outside of its home state of Michigan.

Client: Coca-Cola Refreshments Industry: Manufacturing Market: International Coca-Cola is expanding operations of its Waco facility, including the installation of a new “flexible brew” system. The new product line has historically not been manufactured outside of Japan; however, growing demand prompted this addition to the Waco plant. The project includes a capital investment of $10.5 million, an 18,000 square foot facility expansion, and the addition of 10 new positions to an existing 340-person workforce.

Client: The Exchange (AAFES) Industry: Distribution Market: National The Exchange has announced its expansion of 280,000 square feet in the Texas Central Park. Seventy-five new positions will be added to an existing workforce of nearly 400 individuals. The expansion was driven its recently expanded e-Commerce service, granting tax free and military discounts to not only active duty Army and Air Force service menbers but also more than 21 million military veterans located across the United States.

46 | SPRING 2018

New Downtown Businesses Opened

With more than $600 million invested in Greater Downtown Waco in recent years, it’s easy to see why businesses choose to open their doors. Through strategic goals, Waco is advancing a vision that is attracting great companies, talented people and new destinations to our distinctive community.

Restaurants/Eateries 1102 Bubble 800 S. 7th St. 1102BubbleTeaandBites.com

Guess Family Barbecue 324 S. 6th St. GuessFamilyBBQ.com

With a bright and cheerful atmosphere, 1102 Bubble is providing the Waco community with a unique sipping and snacking experience. Bubble Tea, milktea, smoothies and more are available.

Pitmaster Reid Guess is serving up some of Waco’s best barbecue out of their trailer located in front of Apex Coffee Roasters. Old school, classic barbecue— “the kind Jesus ate,” they boast.

Tesla’s Café and Coffee Pub 1316 Washington Ave. Located in the historic Sturgis home on Washington Ave., Tesla’s Café and Coffee pub offers homemade southwestern-style eats and an extensive assortment of locally roasted coffee from a roaster in Crawford. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream 215 S. University Parks Dr., #105 SubZeroIceCream.com A new way to enjoy ice cream, Sub Zero uses liquid nitrogen to instantly freeze ingredients and allows for optimal customization of this sweet treat! Choose a flavor and a mix in, and they will freeze your ice cream creation for you to enjoy.

Honky Tonk Kid BBQ 301 S. 2nd St. This food truck offers Texas style barbeque with a global twist-- they cook to sell out!

Open for lunch three days a week from their location out of Downtown 301 Events Center.

Bare Arms Brewing 2515 La Salle Ave. BareArmsBrewing.com Passionate about engineering and beer, the folks at Bare Arms Brewing are excited to combine their passions and share their craft from their brewpub.

Amo La Pizza 300 S. 6th St. WacoPizzaTruck.com Italian for “I Love Pizza,” this new food truck is the newest addition to the food truck culture of Waco. Traveling between Mary Avenue Marketplace, Bare Arms Brewery and Valley Mills Vineyard, Amo La Pizza is serving up made to order pizza, flat breads and ciabatta melts.

Downtown Living/Shopping ADORN Boutique 804 Austin Ave. AdornAustin.com

Virage Goldsmith 608B Austin Ave. VirageGoldsmiths.com

Waco Pedal Tours 711 Washington Ave. WacoPedalTours.com

A new Austin-based boutique has joined the downtown area. Their style is ahead of the latest fashion trends with a classic twist and affordable prices.

A new jeweler on Austin Avenue bringing quality, simplicity and transparency. They specialize in made-to-order bridal, fine jewelry and repair.

There’s a new way to see the sights of Waco — via a 14-passenger pedal bike!

Waco Pedal Tours provides daily tours around town as well as downtown bar crawl tours, with the ability to customize through private rental bookings.

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ECONOMY IN FOCUS

DEC.

2016 Retail Spending YTD

DEC.

2017 0.5% change

$51,429,081

Single Family Residence Permits YTD

409

514

Existing Home Sales YTD

2,749

2,778

6.8% change

Source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER)

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DEC.

2017

Payroll Employment 117,597 117,218 Unemployment Rate 3.8 3.4

25.7% change 1.1% change

Economic Outlook U.S. Average Composite: 100 WACO COST OF LIVING Third Quarter 2017

2016

$3,458,038,724 $3,476,163,911 $48,170,145

Hotel Motel Spending YTD

DEC.

Waco Composite: 90.9

PURCHASING POWER

COMPARISON CITIES

Housing:

81.5

Chattanooga, TN:

97.0

Groceries:

83.0

Albuquerque, NM:

94.9

Utilities:

106.5

Greenville, SC:

94.7

Transportation:

96.8

Richmond, VA

96.1

Health Care:

93.0

Colorado Springs, CO:

95.7

Misc. Goods & Services:

95.4

Tulsa, OK :

92.0

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CHAMBER NEWS

CREATING A LASTING LEGACY

The Greater Waco Chamber created the Legacy Award to recognize a leader in our community for a lifetime of service - not only to the Chamber, but to the entire Waco community.

Because of his lifelong history of service to the Chamber and the Waco community, Tom G. Salome, Jr. was tapped as the inaugural recipient of the prestigious Legacy Award. Salome was presented the Legacy Award for his outstanding vision, dedication and commitment to the Greater Waco area at the Chamber’s 2018 Annual Member Celebration on February 13, 2018 at the Waco Convention Center.

Tom Salome’s service to the community is very impressive, but one of his biggest accomplishments can be seen at 101 South Third Street, where the Greater Waco Chamber’s headquarters, the “Salome Commerce Center,” stands.

Born in Dallas and raised in Waco, Mr. Salome was the son of a Waco grocer. He worked in that store beginning at age eight, and his years spent in the butcher shop helped shape his strong work ethic.

Mr. Salome graduated from Waco High School in 1949. He was the first male in his family to attend college, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business from Baylor University in 1953, where he decided to continue his education studying accounting and economics.

In 1954, Mr. Salome entered the U.S. Air Force. After a year of Navigation School, he was transferred to New Castle Air Force Base in Washington, Delaware where he retrained World War II navigators. He served the country until 1957 and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant.

Upon returning to Waco in 1957, Mr. Salome joined Melvin Lipsitz, Sr. and began his lifelong career in the scrap recycling business. Over the course of his years with M. Lipsitz & Co., Mr. Salome expanded the business from one to nine plants with 320 employees (135 in Waco) throughout Texas and Oklahoma, and developed a commercial waste company.

Over the past 60 years, Mr. Salome has shown a deep commitment as a leader and advocate for economic development and community affairs, from serving on the boards of local, state and national organizations and associations to grass roots fundraising efforts. At age 30, he became President of the Waco Jaycees, inspiring a lifetime of volunteer leadership. Throughout his career, he has served as President or Chair of the following organizations: • Waco Jaycees • Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce • Greater Waco Chamber Challenge Capital Campaign • Waco Business League • Waco Industrial Foundation • Waco Foundation • Heart of Texas Goodwill Industries • Heart of Texas Fair & Rodeo • YMCA Capital Campaign • Urban Renewal Agency • St. Louis Catholic Church Men’s Association • Gulf Coast Chapter – Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries 50 | SPRING 2018

PHOTO BY ERIC GUEL

by Linda Beasley, Executive Vice President Organizational Development

Mr. Salome’s leadership is one that mobilizes others, which is apparent through his tremendous record of fundraising. Through his leadership, more than $4.4 million was raised to redevelop a vacated campus that became home to Paul Quinn College. Funds were used to build a new YMCA and a community center, prompting further development in the area.

In addition to raising private sector support, Mr. Salome is an advocate of civic causes. At a time when Waco was at a competitive disadvantage with its peer communities for economic development opportunities, Mr. Salome and a group of local businessmen campaigned to the city and county for the need to develop an incentive fund that could help Waco compete with cities that fund incentive through grants made available through the economic development sales tax. The result of their efforts was a creative solution that built an incentive pool jointly funded through city and county general funds. The innovative program has supported more than 66 projects, awarding $45 million in incenticve dollars and leveraging more than $1 billion in new private investments since its inception in 1997.

On behalf of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, Salome co-chaired the Challenge Greater Waco capital campaign to transform economic development support in Greater Waco. The campaign raised $7.4 million to create a public-private economic development partnership with more than 100 individuals, businesses and non-profits investing in Waco’s economic future.

The Challenge Campaign also secured the capital for the construction of the Greater Waco Chamber headquarters, recognized as the first LEED-certified Chamber building in America and the first new LEED construction project in Waco. The Salome Commerce Center serves as a catalyst to engage the business community and a front door for prospective companies.

Tom G. Salome, Jr. has been deeply committed to this community for many, many years. He is a mobilizing force in Waco, and the community is better for having Tom Salome among its leaders. n

INTRODUCING THE NEW BUSINESS POWER HOUR SERIES Small businesses are the engine of our economy in the Greater Waco community. More than 70 percent of our membership is considered “small business.”

The Chamber strives to be the leading source for access to necessary tools and resources to help small businesses grow, and ultimately impact the prosperity of our region.

The Greater Waco Chamber launched the new Business Power Hour series, a monthly “lunch and learn” event that will feature diverse speakers with a variety of expertise. The goal of this lunch series is to provide valuable business development

resources and programs to maximize the professional growth of both Chamber investors and the business community to ensure they succeed and thrive at work.

The Chamber is expanding its Small Business Support to continually connect small businesses with professional development opportunities and resources, including resources from McLennan Community College, Texas State Technical College and Baylor University. Learn more about Small Business Support services at WacoChamber.com. n

MEETING ROOM TECHNOLOGY Your Greater Waco Chamber’s Salome Commerce Center is ten years old this year. The Chamber’s headquarter building opened June 6, 2008 with all the grandeur of being the first Green Chamber building in America and it housed the latest and greatest technology.

With all business and buildings things change over ten years and the Chamber building is no different. During the fourth quarter of 2017, the building endured a maintenance overhaul which included new carpet in the major conference rooms, paint in the common areas and an upgrade

The Tenth Annual TriWaco Triathlon will be on Sunday, July 15, 2018. The race starts with a 1500-meter open water swim in the Brazos River followed by a mostly flat and fast 25-mile bike ride on country roads north and west of Waco. The race finishes out with a hilly 10-kilometer run along the Brazos River that leads to the oldest suspension bridge in Texas. The Sprint distance event includes a 400-meter swim in the Brazos River, a 12-mile bike ride along the same country roads and a 3.5-mile run finishing on the suspension bridge. We look forward to seeing you in 2018!

to the technology in all the conference rooms.

As a Chamber member, your Chamber’s conference rooms are available for your use and now with the latest and greatest in audio video technology. n

For 20 years, Waco has been home to the Starburst Junior Golf Classic. Held annually by the Greater Waco Chamber, this premier junior golf tournament has is trusted by hundreds of golfers from throughout the U.S., all of which compete for divisional championships ages 7-18. We look forward to continuing this Waco tradition, June 11-13, 2018.

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MEMBER NEWS

WACO RADIO VETS MARK 25TH YEAR When Zack Owen, Jim Cody and John Elliot first graced the Central Texas radio waves, CDs were starting to replace vinyl records and cassette tapes, and in-home video games were just starting to gain popularity over arcade games. After 26 years and dramatic changes in technology, the trio still dominates the local country music radio scene with one of the highest audience followings of all the stations in Central Texas. They have a strong influence in the community, raising thousands of dollars annually for local charities through their Anniversary Blowout country concert, and make a point to try and connect with each of their listeners and provide the kind of music and on-air entertainment that they know their listeners want. n PHOTO BY JERRY LARSON / WACO TRIBUNE HERALD

HEALTH CARE EXECUTIVE PHILIP A. PATTERSON TO TAKE PROVIDENCE REINS Following an extensive nationwide search, accomplished health care executive Philip A. Patterson, FACHE, has been selected to join the Ascension Texas team as President of Providence Healthcare Network, effective February 26.

“Philip is an exceptional choice to lead Providence and his passion for community enrichment will make him an integral part of the Waco community,” said Craig Cordola, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascension Texas. “With a PATTERSON commitment to quality and service, he will be instrumental in continuing our Mission of providing compassionate, personalized care to those we are called to serve.”

Patterson has been in executive health care leadership for more

52 | SPRING 2018

than 20 years. He comes to Providence from Trinity Health in Minot, North Dakota, where he led operations to strengthen the organization’s quality, service, finance and growth goals as Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Strategy Officer.

Previously, Patterson served at and led health care organizations across the country, including President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Owensboro Health System in Kentucky; CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System in New York; CEO for HealthSouth Hospitals in Fort Worth, Arlington and Houston; and various executive roles at Allina Health in Minnesota, and Ochsner Clinic in Louisiana.

“I am excited to call Texas home again and to become part of the growth and development occurring in Waco,” said Patterson.

“I’m looking forward to working alongside the committed and compassionate team of providers, associates and volunteers at Providence. As we grow with Waco, we will continue to build upon our rich history of service to the community.” n

TFNB YOUR BANK FOR LIFE NAMES NEW CHARITY CHAMPIONS LEADER Dale Smith has been hired

by TFNB Your Bank for Life to take its popular nonprofit program, Charity SMITH Champions, to the next level. As Senior Vice President, Charity Champions/Community Outreach, Smith comes to TFNB after 19 years at Campus Crusade for Christ where he worked on several leadership teams including the Jesus Film Project. He also practiced law for 15 years in Louisiana and served as a Louisiana State Representative.

His wife, Beth, is a Waco native.

Smith believes nonprofit groups are the first responders in meeting the needs of the marginalized people in our communities.

He says Charity Champions is committed to helping nonprofits succeed in serving those they are called to serve, and his team will boost the work of the program by sparking creative engagement between the nonprofits, donors, volunteers and marginalized.

“Dale is perfectly suited to take Charity Champions to the next level,” said David Littlewood, TFNB president and CEO. “His experience in the nonprofit world combined with the knowledge and skills of the 360 Solutions team, we are eager to realize the future of Charity Champions.”

Since Charity Champions launched in 2014, TFNB has received hundreds of nominations for nonprofits to be considered a Charity Champion. Today, 24 Central Texas nonprofit organizations have been selected Charity Champions by the bank staff. Each organization receives ongoing marketing support including on-field presentations at a Baylor football and basketball home games, TV and social media marketing. Winners also receive ongoing leadership development training by 360 Solutions. Six more nonprofits will be selected this year from all the nominations made on the Charity Champions website since the program was launched. n

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL SELECTS LOCAL CEO AS RECIPIENT FOR PRESTIGIOUS LIFETIME AWARD Goodwill Industries International has selected Dan Nisley, president and CEO of the Heart of Texas Goodwill Industries, for a 2018 J.D. Robins Jr. Distinguished Career Award. Mr. Nisley was recognized recently at the 2018 Recognition Banquet in Orlando, FL, which honored CEOs for their service to the Goodwill network.

Each year, the award recognizes a Goodwill® CEO for his/her outstanding career contributions and exemplary service to the advancement of Goodwill over a span of at least 25 years. The lifetime award recognizes the dedication of Goodwill leaders that increase efficiency in donation and retail centers to create employment placement, job training and career NISLEY progression opportunities for people with disabilities and disadvantages.

Daniel Nisley has served as a president and CEO for 44 of his 46 years within the Goodwill network. Nisley also served as Chair of the Texas Association of Goodwills, during which time that group provided input on legislation regarding Medicaid buy-in, computer recycling, television recycling, pay day lending and donation box advertising. n

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NEW MEMBERS Alzheimer’s Association 710 N. 64th St. • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 753-7722 • Alz.org/NorthCentralTexas Backyard Silversmiths 391 IH-35 S. • Abbott, TX 76621 (254) 221-0405 • BackyardSilversmiths.com BAM Builders Waco, TX 76712 (254) 716-9987 • BuiltbyBAM.com Bath Expo & Window Expo 2548 Shell Rd. • Georgetown, TX 78628 (254) 640-9749 • BathExpoTX.com Black Oak Art 7005 Woodway Dr., Ste. 114 Woodway, TX 76712 (254) 732-1533 • BlackOakArt.com

PRESENTED BY Small Business - Silver First Woodway Baptist Church 101 Ritchie Rd. • Woodway, TX 76712 (254) 772-9696 • FirstWoodway.org Full Moon Float Co, LLC 1201 Hewitt Dr. • Waco, TX 76712 (254) 652-8525 • FullMoonFloatCo.com Gather 719 Washington Ave. • Waco, TX 76701 (254) 301-7270 • GatherWaco.com Hobby Max One, Inc DBA HobbyTown 4316-B W. Waco Dr. • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 201-6971 • HobbyTown.com Hope Resale Shop 3400 Bosque Blvd. • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 301-9829

Brident Dental & Orthodontics 4215 Franklin Ave., Ste. 300 • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 230-4039 • Brident.com

Music & Arts 2808 W. Loop 340, Ste. H14 • Waco, TX 76711 (301) 620-4040 • stores.MusicArts.com/Waco

Small Business - Silver Craftmasters 1215 S. Loop Dr. • Waco, TX 76704 (254) 412-1052 Facebook.com/PowerCoatingWaco

Neon Cloud Production, LLC 3404 Main St. • Dallas, TX 75226 (469) 919-5115 • NeonCloudProductions.com

Eric Guel Photography Waco, TX 76701 (254) 717-1225 • EricGuel.com eSquared Asphalt Maintenance 3343 Bode Rd. • West, TX 76691 (254) 716-8685 • eSquaredAsphalt.com Feliciano Financial Services 510 N. Valley Mills Dr., Ste. 304 • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 262-8033 • FelicianoFinancial.com

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Postal Annex 180 N. New Road • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 732-5002 • PostalAnnex.com/17018 Scotty’s Brewhouse Waco LLC 4671 Jack Kultgen Expwy. • Waco, TX 76705 (254) 294-5000 • ScottysBrewhouse.com Shearer Supply Inc. 1000 Schroeder Dr. • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 265-6565 • ShearerSupply.com Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream 215 S. University Parks Dr., Ste. 105 Waco, TX 76701 (254) 717-0351 • SubZeroIceCream.com

Texas Media Properties 401 W. Seventh Ave. • Corsicana, TX 75110 (903) 229-8302 • TexasMediaProperties.net Texas Star Properties 2509 Washington Ave., Ste. 1 • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 754-5574 • TexasStarProperties.net Titan LED Lighting Solutions Bruceville, TX 76630 (254) 421-8785 • TitanLEDUSA.net Towny 3700 W. Parmer • Austin, TX 78727 (512) 826-8161 • Towny.com Trinity Auto Haus 3841 Franklin Ave. • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 300-4557 • TrinityAutoHaus.com Unlimited Self Storage, LLC 1620 La Salle Ave. • Waco, TX 76706 (254) 224-6751 • UnlimitedSelfStorage.com Waitr, Inc. 3001 S. New Road • Waco, TX 76706 (979) 587-1486 • WaitrApp.com Leadership Investor Bronze Walk On’s 5601 Crosslake Pkwy. • Waco, TX 76712 (254) 315-9560 • Walk-Ons.com

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RIBBON CUTTINGS

BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE PHARMACY #254

Member since June 22, 2017 • Ribbon Cutting Oct. 18, 2017

GOLD FINANCIAL SERVICES

Member since Aug. 16, 2017 • Ribbon Cutting Oct. 10, 2017

50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd., Ste. 200-1 • Waco, TX 76712 (254) 202-3760 • BSWHealth.com/Pharmacy

408 Sapphire Blvd. • Hewitt, TX 76643 (254) 733-1852 • goldfinancial.com

Andy Tong, PharmD Pharmacy Manager

Chalamaine Armstrong, Branch Manager

Baylor Scott & White Pharmacy off of Hillcrest Medical Boulevard is the third Hillcrest pharmacy in the Waco area and the 26th Hillcrest pharmacy opened. The pharmacies are open to the general public, accept most major prescription insurance plans, administer immunizations, offer the BSW Prescription Club and offer an app and website for patients to manage their prescriptions. Baylor Scott & White Pharmacy is expanding its locations and services to meet the needs of patients and the entire community.

INTERIOR GLOW

Member since Aug. 24, 2016 • Ribbon Cutting Aug. 30, 2017

Gold Financial Services continues to set the gold standard for mortgage banking excellence. From prequalification through and after closing, our experienced team of professionals is dedicated to providing you with a smooth and successful home purchase transaction. An equal housing lender, Gold Financial Services is able to proudly serve our diverse community with an equally diverse range of residential mortgage products including VA, FHA, Conventional for primary, Cash-Out and VA IRRRL “Out of the Box” portfolio products.

METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOME

Member since Jan. 1, 1986 • Grand Opening Feb. 2, 2017

601 Franklin Ave. • Waco, TX 76701 (254) 315-7686 • interiorglow.com

1111 Herring Ave. • Waco, TX 76708 (254) 750-1201 • mch.org

Bo & Alejandra Evans, Owners

Tim Brown, President/CEO

Interior Glow brings a new, upscale style to downtown Waco. The home decor, furniture and gift store combines contemporary classic pieces with natural woods to provide a one-of-a-kind store that is Inspired by Nature. What makes Interior Glow so unique? Product selection. Interior Glow has limited edition and one-of-a-kind pieces that have been sourced globally and locally, as part of the company’s primary objective to support artisans all over the world.

56 | SPRING 2018

Methodist Children’s Home recently completed the construction of two brand new student residences at the Waco campus at 1111 Herring Ave. and celebrated with a ribbon cutting. The new, state-ofthe-art residences mirror how the organization has evolved over its nearly 130-year history to keep up with the changing times and needs of its students. They are currently raising funds to build two more new residences on the campus -- contact MCH if you are interested in donating.

SPONSORED BY

MOVEMENT MORTGAGE

Member since Febr. 1, 2017 • Ribbon Cutting Sept. 14, 2017

TEXAS STAR PROPERTIES

Member since Dec. 12, 2017 • Ribbon Cutting Dec.14, 2017

1025 N. Valley Mills Dr., Ste. B • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 733-9552 • movement.com

2509 Washington Ave., Ste. 1 • Waco, TX 76701 (254) 754-5574 • texasstarproperties.net

Stephanie Cathey, Branch Manager

Regina Johnson, Property Manager

Movement Mortgage was created in 2008 amidst one of the biggest financial meltdowns in American history. They are committed to being a Movement of Change in the mortgage industry, in corporate cultures and in communities. Through a unique process, they create a referable experience for both homebuyers and real estate agents, with the goal of having a long-term impact on the individual lives of those underserved in the communities. Their mission to love and value people drives everything they do.

WACO HOME ORGANIZERS

Member since July 10, 2017 • Ribbon Cutting Aug. 3, 2017

Texas Star Properties is happy to introduce “The Spanish Colonnades,” a 13-office commercial building for rent in Waco’s new Uptown area at 2509 Washington Ave., Ste. 1. What used to be the Freeman Center has been completely remodeled and is now a beautiful office that we hope to lease to licensed Christian counselors. The space is 5000 square feet and comes with a receptionist, paid utilities, a fully furnished waiting room, conference room, training room, kitchen and bathrooms! Visit Facebook.com/TexasStarProperties4u for more details.

WACO RUNNING COMPANY

Member since May 22, 2017 • Ribbon Cutting Oct. 12, 2017

8283 Bosque Blvd., Ste. 1 • Waco, TX 76712 (254) 300-8456 • wacohomeorganizers.com

700 Franklin Ave., Ste. C • Waco, TX 76701 (254) 732-5288 • wacorunningcompany.com

Holly Sutherland, Owner

Todd Millerd, Store Director

Waco Home Organizers, established in 2017, extends from the professional organizing services of Holly Southerland, who is a licensed Organize365 Professional Organizer and Certified Sunday Basket Organizer. Waco Home Organizers offers a few key services and welcomes the unique and unexpected projects, as well as relocation services on the front and back ends of a move, paper organization workshops and functional design with an eye for aesthetics.

Waco Running Company is Downtown Waco’s newest landmark retail destination. State-of-the-art lighting and store design energize customers as they shop from over thirty brands, nearly two hundred shoe styles and the latest fashion trends. The store team utilizes twenty years combined experience to provide free gait analysis and custom product fittings. Waco Running Company is committed to increasing customer fitness and community engagement. Everyone’s invited to #ComeRunWithUs. WACOCHAMBER.COM

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CHAMBER CALENDAR Want to know what’s coming up at the Chamber?

Then visit web.WacoChamber.com/events to view and register for upcoming events.

Here are just a few signature events you don’t want to miss: The Texas Food Truck Showdown SATURDAY, MARCH 17 | 10 A.M. – 8 P.M.

The Texas Food Truck Showdown will hold its fourth annual competition at Downtown Heritage Square and this event brings 40 food trucks and thousands of foodies together in downtown Waco. Each year, this event features a beer and wine garden, pet-friendly atmosphere, live entertainment and much more.

10th Annual Freedom Ball SATURDAY, MARCH 24 | 6 – 11 P.M.

The Greater Waco Chamber and Greater Waco Aviation Alliance are excited to present the 10th Annual Freedom Ball! This event provides Central Texas with the opportunity to honor military personnel, both past and present.

Proceeds from Freedom Ball are used to market the aviation assets of Greater Waco and provide scholarships to high school and college students pursuing careers in aviation.

Business After Hours at Marineland BoatingCenter THURSDAY, MARCH 29 | 5 – 7 P.M.

Greater Waco Chamber members are invited to join us for our popular Business After Hours. This is a free, comeand-go networking event, so bring plenty of business cards!

This BAH will be hosted by Marineland Boating Center at 5098 S. Loop 340.

58 | SPRING 2018

Allen Samuels Chamber Classic FRIDAY, MAY 4 | 7:30 A.M. - 7:30 P.M.

Join us for the number one networking golf tournament in Waco! This annual golf tournament follows a fourperson Florida Scramble format and will be divided into morning and afternoon rounds with shotgun starts for both rounds.

2018 Washington D.C. Fly-In MAY 7-10, WASHINGTON D.C.

Our annual D.C. fly-in provides our partners and member businesses the opportunity to meet with federal elected and agency leadership to discuss legislative policies and advocate for our policy priorities. Registrants are responsible for their own hotel and travel arrangements.

Further information is provided upon registration.

20th Annual Starburst Jr. Golf Classic JUNE 11 - 13 | 7 A.M. - 7 P.M.

For 20 years, Waco has been home to the Starburst Junior Golf Classic, a premier junior golf tournament held annually.

This is a family-oriented, three-day competitive tournament designed for both the novice and expert junior golfer in mind. Starburst Junior Golf Classic is a part of the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Performance Based Entry process.

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 30 Waco, Texas P.O. Box 1220 Waco TX 76703-1220

60 | SPRING 2018