SUMMER 2020
L3HARRIS FLYING HIGH IN WACO FREEFLIGHT SYSTEMS: LEADER IN FLIGHT SAFETY BLUE SKIES FOR BLACKHAWK
A GREATER WACO CHAMBER PUBLICATION
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
VICE CHAIR
Capstone Mechanical
Lalani Lodging, Inc.
CHAIR-ELECT
PAST CHAIR
Pattillo Brown & Hill, LLP
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
VICE CHAIR
PRESIDENT & CEO
Insurors of Texas
Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce
Rick Tullis
Jennifer Manning
George Chase
CHAMBER STAFF
Kary Lalani
Loren Schwartz
Matt Meadors
Rachel Alston Jessica Attas Jennifer Branch Kris Collins Gabriella Colurciello Leigh Davis Nancy Gupton Keith Kusler
Rachel Martinez Debbie McCutchen Matt Meadors Seth Morris Jason Powers Lexy Reil Michelle Williams
EDITOR
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Leigh Davis
Gabriella Colurciello
ART DIRECTOR Keith Kusler
For advertising, contact Gabriella Colurciello (254) 757-5618 • gcolurciello@wacochamber.com
As I write this letter, the Greater Waco community is entering its sixth month of navigating through a global pandemic. There is no question that COVID-19 has taken a toll on our economy and community. Businesses are hurting. People are hurting. But let me be clear – there is also no question that the Greater Waco economy and community is going to come roaring back, ultimately surpassing the pre-COVID-19 energy, excitement, innovation, and economic performance we were enjoying. Why? Because of our leaders. Because of our highly-diverse economy. Because of our great physical location on Interstate 35 in the middle of the Texas Triangle. Because of our world-class institutions. Because of our people. Because our community is beautiful, affordable, endearing, welcoming, and a cool place to be. Still unsure? In August, 2007, our economy was 10.4 percent larger than it was in 2000. Then the Great Recession hit and our economy started contracting, shrinking by approximately 10 percent before bottoming out and ultimately taking off like a rocket – and yes, given the Aerospace focus of this edition of Greater Waco Business magazine, pun intended. From the beginning of 2012 until February of 2020 the Greater Waco economy expanded by approximately 35 percent. This growth did not happen organically. It was intentional, thoughtful, and strategic. It happened as a result of our community leaders reinventing how economic development was undertaken in Greater Waco and embracing a culture of collaboration and inclusion. It happened because the State of Texas embraces pro-business policies, as do our community leaders. It happened because of so much foundational work undertaken through the years by visionaries; by people looking to the future for the sake of future generations.
ON THE COVER One of the focus industries for the Greater Waco Chamber is aviation and aerospace. With more than 40 local businesses, this sector is dynamic and innovative. In this issue, we learn about some of the leaders in this industry and how they are adapting to the ever-changing economic climate. Photo provided by Brenda Hawkins, L3Harris Greater Waco Business 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. © 2020 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 | SUMMER 2020platforms, at its sole discretion. 4
This way of thinking and acting….these values…our culture, will carry us through these difficult times. As we make our way through this crisis, please remember how important it is to our community to continue to support our local businesses and their employees, and your friends, family, and neighbors. We are all in this together, we will all make our way through this together, and we will all move forward and prosper together. Thank you for your continued support of your Chamber of Commerce. With appreciation,
Matthew T. Meadors President & CEO
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CONTENTS
SUMMER 2020
AEROSPACE EDITION
10
POST-MERGER, L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES STILL FLYING HIGH IN WACO
28
FREEFLIGHT SYSTEMS DESIGNS AND MANUFACTURES HIGH-PERFORMANCE AVIONICS FOR FLIGHT SAFETY
34 BLUE SKIES FOR BLACKHAWK 6 | SUMMER 2020
20
GREATER WACO AVIATION ALLIANCE SCHOLARSHIPS
24
THREE AIRPORTS MAKING AN ECONOMIC IMPACT
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BUSINESS AVIATION’S FUTURE IN MCLENNAN COUNTY DURING COVID-19
40
LEGAL MINUTE
44
WOMEN IN AVIATION CENTRAL TEXAS
46
EXPLORING COMMERCIAL SPACE
48
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON THE MARKET MARKET REPORT ECONOMY IN FOCUS
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CHAMBER & MEMBER NEWS UPDATES FROM THE CHAMBER AND OUR MEMBERS
64
RIBBON CUTTINGS A SNAPSHOT OF MEMBER BUSINESSES
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NEW MEMBERS ARE POPPING UP ALL OVER THE GREATER WACO AREA!
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The aerospace and defense (A&D) industry is a driving force within the U.S. and global economy. In the U.S. alone, it accounts for 2.55 million jobs and $929 billion in annual sales, representing 1.8 percent of our national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) . As an industry, aerospace is an area developing true innovation and next generation technology advancement. Globally, the U.S. is leading the charge and demand for American products and services in A&D continues to grow. Within the U.S. economy, Texas is a leading state for A&D, employing nine percent of the national workforce and generating eight percent of the national economic output. The diversity of A&D offerings across the state has allowed industry growth not only of businesses and workforce, but also the development of the additional infrastructure needed to support an ongoing pipeline of future expansion. A microcosm of the national and state A&D industry is flourishing in greater Waco. With more than 40 aerospace
and aerospace-related companies in the community, nearly the entire industry spectrum is covered from general aviation to maintenance repair operations to commercial space development. A&D became ingrained into Waco more than a century ago with the establishment of Rich Field, a U.S. Army Air Service pilot training camp during WWI. That single event planted a seed for the future. Today, Waco’s A&D industry is an economic engine, directly employing five percent of the Texas aerospace workforce, generating thousands of additional indirect jobs and pumping millions of dollars into the local economy each year. The community has built an ecosystem around this industry, unique for a community of 260,000. Looking at Greater Waco’s aerospace portfolio, which includes three airports, OEMs, an extensive supply chain network, talented workforce and training resources to support industry changes and growth, and uncongested airspace, it is easy to understand why this business sector locally continues to expand and thrive. n Photo by George Johnson, Aviation Section, US Army Signal Corps , Public Domain
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L3Harris Technologies Still Flying High in Waco by Christina Flores, Public Relations Representative, L3Harris
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This year, L3Harris Technologies celebrates the one-year anniversary of its newly-merged company, serving domestic and international customers with the combined strengths of the legacy L3 Technologies and Harris Corporation. L3Harris provides advanced defense and commercial technologies across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains. It is headquartered in Melbourne, Fla., and has approximately $18 billion in annual revenue with 48,000 employees and customers in more than 100 countries. L3Harris’ local aircraft modification center has undergone many name changes throughout the years, serving as divisions of Electrospace Systems, Inc.; Chrysler Technologies Airborne Systems; Raytheon; L-3 Communications; and L3 Technologies. Despite the name changes, it remains a steady business anchor on the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) airport, where employees have modified and delivered more than 95 types of aircraft variants for military, commercial and international customers in its 35 years of operations in Waco, Texas. L3Harris in Waco went through a realignment in September 2018. Jon Piatt, Vice President and General Manager, Integrated Aerospace Systems, was a foundational member of the current leadership team in Waco. “My introduction to the Waco community began when I transitioned into the site lead role for our local operation,” said Piatt. “I moved here in 2019 and immediately began developing relationships throughout the community.” “When I would introduce myself, I would find a welcome reception, typically followed by many questions about our facility,” Piatt said.
The questions led Piatt to a realization that the company needed increased focus on being an active part of community and building awareness about the incredible work performed by its employees. Piatt aims to increase that awareness both with potential customers, as well as through impactful community service in the Greater Waco community. For many customers, the combination of high-quality engineering and flight science capabilities, coupled with a highly-skilled artisan team, makes the L3Harris facility in Waco the preferred provider of aircraft solutions for operators seeking a cost-effective option to upgrade their mission capabilities without having to purchase brand new aircraft. Occasionally, L3Harris is approached by a customer with impossibly big dreams seeking a partner to help them bring those dreams into reality. The company continues to excel in these challenges, such as the intensive modification of widebody aircraft into flying test beds for new aircraft engines, or the creation of a flying observatory for NASA that has a garage-sized door on the aircraft fuselage that opens in-flight – revealing an infrared telescope designed to peer into space. More recently, the company delivered a wide body aircraft to a customer modified for use as an airborne launch pad for its small
satellite launch service. L3Harris performed extensive flight science and aerospace engineering, as well as physical modifications, on the 747 aircraft to accommodate a rocket that launches from an altitude of approximately 35,000 feet. The division’s agility and diversity has enabled it to adapt to the ever-evolving aerospace industry. L3Harris has modified hundreds of aircraft in Waco over the years, and the facility’s more than one million square feet of buildings and hangar space allows it to support aircraft ranging from the widebody 747-8, the oversized C-5, and the UH-60 helicopter. The facility includes direct flight line ramp access, an onsite
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“I moved here in 2019 and immediately began developing relationships throughout the community.” Jon Piatt, Vice President and General Manager, Integrated Aerospace Systems
Photos provided by L3Harris
fabrication capability, an aircraft interior cabinet shop, and a worldclass paint facility capable of painting almost any sized aircraft. The team of more than 750 employees includes approximately 250 engineers and 375 production personnel with average tenure of 16 years. The diversity of workforce and experience allows the team to respond to complex engineering requirements, as well as costeffective maintenance solutions. It is a one-stop shop, providing “M3” (Missionization, Modernization, and Maintenance, repair and overhaul) capability for aircraft of all types, sizes and missions, with industry-leading capability to provide complex aircraft conversions; maritime, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR),
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command and control, and airborne systems missionization; depot fleet maintenance and modification; and highly customized design, integration and certification of mission subsystems and interiors. L3Harris supported a wide portfolio of customers and aircraft in 2019, and is positioned for growth in 2020. “Our team delivered more than a dozen aircraft either on time or early in 2019 and inducted 11 more last year, and is on track to add another 15 aircraft in the second half of 2020,” Piatt said. “This surge of aircraft is the result of years of ground work laid by our business pursuit and program teams to fill our hangars with steady and meaningful work.” The up tempo is led by last year’s win of the marquee U.S. Air Force
C-130 in work C-130H Avionics Modernization Program Increment 2 (AMP INC 2). The $499 million, 10-year contract calls for L3Harris to design, produce and certify a state-of-the art modernization solution for a fleet of 176 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve C-130H aircraft. The upgrade provides a lowcost solution for improving aircraft availability, addressing obsolescence issues, and providing cross domain interoperability for the C-130H. The company is prepared to welcome the first AMP INC 2 aircraft in July, and is laying the foundation for receiving the fleet of aircraft over the next nine years. The program leverages the experience from previous avionics upgrade programs, including a Foreign Military Sales modification
for an international customer. The capture of AMP INC 2 provides an opportunity for additional Air Force C-130 work, and will serve as a proving ground for the pursuit of similar avionics upgrade programs for
international C-130 fleets. “We are striving to secure our position as a global C-130 center of excellence,� Piatt said.
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i3 Breather Team Innovating Through a Pandemic As with other businesses, L3Harris is adapting to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. L3Harris’ products and services support national security, and the company was deemed an essential business by the Department of Defense. This means that as operations continue through the pandemic, it remains laser-focused on keeping its employees safe and supporting community efforts to combat virus spread as it helps its customers sustain their critical services. The corporation has implemented rigorous safety procedures across all of its locations, including workfrom-home initiatives; instituting stringent hygiene protocols; redesigning workspaces to ensure social distancing; staggering work shifts where critical work is underway; and adding temperature and health screenings. L3Harris has also activated a relief fund for employees who may have experienced an unexpected financial burden and expanded its back-up childcare service, employee assistance program, paid time off policy, and other services. The pandemic has also inspired innovation that is making an impact beyond the local facility. L3Harris
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Engineer Walt Ford working on i3 Breather project.
Innovative Inspiratory Ideas (i3) Breather
had multiple local volunteer projects planned for 2020 that were either delayed or canceled due to COVID-19. However, the employees’ desire for outreach is unwavering, and they searched for alternate ways to give back.
The “impossible challenge” requirements included a variety of respiratory, volume, pressure and humidity targets, and the solution needed the ability to be assembled and operated by personnel using easily producible and widely available commercial off-the-shelf parts.
A team led by L3Harris engineers designed a low-cost, ventilation support system in April to help patients combatting COVID-19. The team delivered the Innovative Inspiratory Ideas (i3) Breather prototype in three weeks in response to the Department of Defense’s Hack-A-Vent Innovation Challenge to rapidly develop solutions for ventilator availability and critical care requirements around the world.
The team developed the i3 Breather design after a five-day agile sprint design process modified for social distancing and remote participation. It was one of five designs initially selected for next phase testing out of 172 submissions received from across the nation. Following the selection, the team worked around-the-clock to deliver the prototype.
Photos provided by L3Harris
The i3 Breather is now under review for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The EUA review process allows the FDA to help strengthen public health protections against wide-ranging national threats by facilitating the availability and use during public health emergencies. “This project brought together support from across the nation, and is a testament to those who step up and try to solve hard problems regardless of the impossibility of the challenge,” Piatt said. “We had design support from a student and faculty from Baylor University, testing and calibration support from McLennan Community College, 3D printing and design support from members of Maker’s Edge Makerspace, and six physicians from Texas and California to help us understand respiratory and medical values.” “Additionally, we received letters of support from numerous city, state, economic and industrial organizations extending offers of support to help solve this urgent problem.” Employees also activated to construct cloth masks in early April when the Centers for Disease Control recommended the use of simple cloth face coverings as a voluntary public health measure to slow the spread of COVID-19.
L3Harris manufacturing team members set up a mask-building operation in its upholstery shop and trained to build a simple mask design. The production line began creating masks for its local teammates, but demand quickly grew across the corporation as mask shipments were delayed and other L3Harris facilities learned about the operation.
employees are extremely proud of the positive impact they are making as we navigate through the daily challenges to serve our colleagues and customers,” Piatt said.
The Waco team began receiving surplus legacy L3 and Harris T-shirts to recycle into masks, and was soon constructing up to 1,000 masks a day. The project successfully delivered approximately 51,000 masks for L3Harris employees and customers at more than 50 facilities around the world. “I am so moved and inspired by what our team has done to lean into our One Shared Mission and help make a difference in this fight against COVID-19. Our
Cloth masks made from recycling surplus L3 and Harris T-shirts.
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Conducting SociallyDistant Business At the start of the pandemic, L3Harris enabled approximately 50 percent of its employees across the corporation who were able to work from home to do so, which includes approximately one third of Wacobased employees. The company upgraded its network systems to support the increased work-fromhome demand and added new tools for virtual collaboration. The increased information technology support has allowed employees to remain productive while in a work-from-home status. “We have learned a lot about the resilience of our people during the pandemic,” Piatt said. “We haven’t seen a noticeable drop in productivity levels associated with our remote workers, which is allowing us to remain effective while reducing the number of employees onsite to support distancing.” With domestic and international trade shows cancelled and visits restricted, the aerospace and defense industry is also embracing technology to drive its business and share its message to potential customers. L3Harris employees are developing a virtual tour experience to support what would traditionally be a customer visit and tour of the facility, and increasing participation in virtual experiences and meetings. While COVID-19 has many negative impacts, it has also pushed the Waco facility to develop alternate ways to reach its customers. This new virtual environment offers both benefits and challenges. The technology and capability allows customers to experience a collaborative engagement while sitting hundreds of miles from facility, mitigating scheduling challenges since a virtual experience is a shorter time commitment than several days of traveling for an in-person visit.
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However, a virtual experience does not replicate the full value of the face-toface interaction provided in a personal meeting with key customers, vendors and colleagues.
Helping Aviation Take Flight in Greater Waco L3Harris has also increased its participation in the Waco Chamber through the Chamber’s Greater Waco Aviation Alliance. The company is dedicated to supporting the elevation of the local aviation industry through awareness, and through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to position McLennan County as an aviation center of excellence. It is also a recurring participant in the alliance’s shared booth at national trade shows. The booth brings together the area’s aviation-related businesses to present a unified industry presence while allowing smaller companies to participate in these larger shows. Three L3Harris Waco employees were foundational in forming a local chapter of Women in Aviation International (WAI), a non-profit organization working in conjunction with the Chamber to promote women in aviation and aerospace, build a base of professional aviation in the community, and offer educational programs to local schools and colleges. “Our WAI Central Texas Chapter is organized by a group of volunteers elected to represent a cross section of the aviation industry, including general, corporate, commercial and military aviation segments in our community,” said RoseMary Rafuse, president of WAI’s Central Texas chapter. “The chapter is open to women and men and will help advance women in these segments of aviation and aerospace, and to provide educational resources and opportunities in our community.”
L3Harris also supports the Aviation Alliance’s annual Freedom Ball, which honors current and former military personnel while funding scholarships to outstanding local college students pursuing a degree in an aviation, aerospace or related engineering program. The alliance has awarded between $18,000 and $20,000 in scholarships annually for more than 10 years. This year, L3Harris Waco announced a $2,500 continuing education scholarship at the event, presented in memory of Coast Guard Petty Officer Danny Kreder II. Danny, the son of a local L3Harris employee, and his crew were lost in service in 2009 in an aircraft mishap while performing a search and rescue mission. The Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Karl Schultz, wrote a personal letter to the Waco Aviation Alliance recognizing the sacrifice of Danny and his family.
Renewed Focus on the Community The company is also renewing its focus on educational and community volunteer activities to support the Greater Waco community. L3Harris and Baylor continue to maintain strong collaboration on aviation-related research and development. Current projects include research and development of an In-Flight Wireless Multimedia Delivery System, and development of a composite Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) process. The NDT technology allows for inspection of aircraft composite structures using a noninterference method. The project has continued over many years and has multiple near-term opportunities, including commercial applications. The local team’s holiday gift drive has endured for more than 20 years. The program allows employees to provide gifts and needed items for clients across multiple local non-
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profit organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Waco Center for Youth, and the Heart of Texas Mental Health Mental Retardation Center. L3Harris launched a worldwide program called L3Harris Investing For Tomorrow, or LIFT for short. LIFT encourages employees to make a difference in their community through voluntary service with a focus on STEM education, meeting the needs of military members and first responders, and being active citizens in their communities.
L3Harris hosted a Heroes and Harleys benefit event in November 2019 with Harley Davidson of Waco to provide critical support and resources to the veteran community through the Veterans One Stop.
In 2019, employees hosted volunteer events with Caritas and Habitat for Humanity, and coordinated a Heroes and Harleys benefit event with Harley Davidson of Waco to provide critical support and resources to the veteran community through the Veterans One Stop. Piatt also recently lent his voice and time for a discussion on innovation and the i3 Breather on the Spark 101 podcast, an effort to drive conversations around STEM learning for teachers, students and anyone interested in STEM careers. “Although some LIFT activities have been paused during the COVID pandemic, our team is energized and seeking creative ways to
give back to our community through partnerships and fundraising,� Piatt said.
Prepared for the Future L3Harris in Waco has a long history of supporting key U.S. Air Force and Navy customers, with focus on supporting specialized fleets that perform critical ISR and communication missions. It expects to continue its providing modification and maintenance of those assets in the coming years. The company continues to perform on current contracts, such as the U.S. Coast Guard program to install a mission management system on a C-130J, and the recently-awarded U.S. Navy task order to provide planned maintenance services and in-service repairs on U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J/T aircraft. Services for the program include de-paint and paint, inspection, repairs, operational checks and Functional Check Flights for improved aircraft readiness.
P-3 in work
18 | SUMMER 2020 Photos provided by L3Harris
Recently, numerous agencies have made large investments in replacing older aircraft platforms to address ever growing obsolescence problems associated with aged aircraft. Examples include the P-8 aircraft replacing the P-3 aircraft, and the C-130J aircraft replacing the C-130H. Additionally, some specialized fleets are replacing aircraft with smaller platforms. Aircraft replacements require missionization of the new, “green” aircraft to host the mission capability to the newer platform, a process known as cross-decking. L3Harris anticipates supporting multiple cross-decking initiatives in the future. L3Harris is also focused on delivering mission systems for space. The airborne launcher project was one of many programs the company expects to support as demand grows for space-related launch services. Overall, the company expects to see increased demand for complex solutions that connect mission systems across all domains – space, air, ground and maritime – to combat evolving technological threats. The local facility is wellprepared to play its part to help deliver end-to-end solutions to meet its customers’ mission-critical needs. “We’ve managed to navigate pandemic-related challenges while maintaining aircraft production schedules with the high level of performance and quality our customers have come to expect,” Piatt said. “Our workforce embraces challenges and is inspired to deliver quality products supporting our national defense and commercial customers. I am personally excited for the future of our team built on the perseverance, initiative and culture of commitment at Waco.” n
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The Greater Waco Aviation Alliance promotes business, facilitates collaboration, and works to increase the competitive advantage of Greater Waco aviation and aerospace companies. The Alliance was formed in 2005 and meets on a quarterly basis. The Alliance has clearly defined short and long-term goals that it aims to achieve, including the desire to increase the national profile of the existing local aviation and aerospace companies. Annually, the Alliance participates in national and international tradeshows as co-presenters with local organizations. These successful tradeshows are a great example of the commitment and strong collaborative nature that exists in McLennan County. However, to continue to attain a competitive advantage, a community must focus on the number one industry issue— access to qualified, trained talent. To address this issue and build a talent pipeline, the Greater Waco Aviation Alliance has awarded nearly 200k in scholarships to local high school and college students that are studying aviation, aerospace, or engineering with special consideration given to those with a family military association. The funds awarded are raised annually at the Greater Waco Chamber’s Freedom Ball.
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THE 2020 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ARE:
Rachel Van Lear Danny R. Kreder II Memorial Scholarship
—
Isabella Capuano Madison Turner Evan Jones Annika Moser Chance Palmer Cameron Madrid Stephen Gibel
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Greater Waco is a special place. A community where words like “collaboration,” “working together,” and “helping each other” are far more than words. They define who we are and how we act. We are so proud of our community. There are heroes among us. Ordinary people working through extraordinary and challenging times for the betterment of all. As we move to reopen our economy, let’s continue to show the world the Waco way. Take care of each other and support our local businesses and their employees. WACOCHAMBER.COM
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Three Airports
Making an Economic Impact by Kristina Collins, Senior Vice President Economic Development, Greater Waco Chamber
Airports serve as drivers for connectivity. Whether its passengers or cargo, these facilities open the doors to global access and are significant economic generators within communities, states and nations. In Texas alone, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) most recent industry forecast, commercial and general aviation are poised for continued growth through 2039.
Few metropolitan areas can tout having three airports, however, McLennan County can and does at every opportunity. Each facility has its own niche within the region providing valuable services and access needed for economic growth. In fact, together, Greater Waco’s three airports annually generate $688.9 million in economic impact for the region. While aviation serves as a targeted industry sector for Greater Waco’s economic development efforts, airports play a critical role in the infrastructure build out of the community. As with most things, activity drives activity. The continued growth of Waco has spurred increases in population, increased business activity, and magnified tourism, all of which have resulted in higher levels of aviation activity within the community. Having a variety of strong, established airport assets has helped garner additional interest and investment to accommodate growing usage. 24 | SUMMER 2020
Photo by City of Waco / Mark Randolph
Photos by City of Waco / Mark Randolph
Just as Wacoans relish the low traffic congestion of our community, our open airspace makes the area an attractive location for both commercial and general aviation businesses.
Waco Regional Airport (ACT), supporting commercial and general aviation business Waco Regional is currently working on several projects at the airport including Air Traffic Control Tower CAB glass replacement to provide a safe visual perspective for air traffic controllers and Taxiway Charlie reconstruction to improve efficiency of aircraft moving from one runway to another. Having achieved nearly 63,000 enplanements in 2019, up 9.7 percent over 2018, Waco Regional, like all commercial service airports, has seen a significant drop off in passenger travel and a reduction in flight frequency as a result of COVID-19. “We anticipate a slow but steady recovery once business and leisure travel return to normal levels,” said Joel Martinez, director of aviation for Waco Regional Airport. Martinez notes that funding made available to airports impacted by COVID-19 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will help improve current conditions and will be utilized for several projects, including additional hangar development sites. The funding will also help with the airport’s operating costs for the current fiscal year and the next three years.
Texas State Technical College Industrial Airport (CNW), supporting industrial aircraft operations and general aviation business Over the past 18 months, TSTC Airport has spent more than $2 million in upgrades to support airport tenants. Upgrades have included electrical infrastructure improvements, the addition of a new shade and canopy hangars, and upgrades to existing hangar facilities. These improvements will allow tenants to increase their capacity for growth, which benefits the airport. COVID-19 has had several impacts to the airport activity, reducing the number of flights in and out of the airport, thereby reducing demand for other services, such as fueling and air traffic control. However, the TSTC Airport is unique. Not only is it a vital asset for industrial aviation business operations, it’s a training ground for the aerospace industry. “It [COVID-19] also impacted our main business, which is educating our students at TSTC. It grounded programs like Photo provided by TSTC
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TSTC Waco has the second highest economic impact of any other general aviation airport in Texas, above Fort Worth Alliance, more than $552M per year our pilot training, aircraft maintenance and others,” said Kevin Semien, Executive Vice President Facility and Maintenance and Interim Airport Operations Tenant Management. Fortunately, TSTC was able to make quick adjustments that allowed the college to bring students back on campus in May in order to resume lab activities and complete training and courses for the spring semester. Training has continued during the summer sessions, and TSTC is currently preparing for the fall semester. Through its TSTC Sponsored Programs team, college leadership continues to identify potential avenues for funding infrastructure upgrades and improvements aimed at benefitting the facility and meeting its future goals for expanded airport operations. “We believe that we have the resources and tools that these companies are looking for, but we know that our current footprint and infrastructure will need to continue to improve and grow in order to provide a long-term, viable partnership for future technology,” said Semien.
McGregor Executive Airport (PWG), supporting general aviation business Recently hired McGregor Executive Airport Manager, Barry Lightfoot, notes that airfield maintenance is crucial to all aspects of airport activity. As a result, McGregor Executive has undertaken several large projects in the last 18 months with new projects beginning. The airport recently completed an apron overlay and beacon lighting upgrades. Runway rehabilitation and marking and additional apron and taxiway improvements are amongst the projects in the works. Like Greater Waco’s other airports, McGregor Executive has seen an impact from COVID-19, with an initial slowdown of air traffic, however, Lightfoot indicates activity began increasing in May and he is hopeful the trend will continue. McGregor Executive has also received CARES funding, which is expected to assist in providing additional funds to the City of McGregor for current and future projects. Amongst the projects planned for the facility is an update to the airport’s master plan. 26 | SUMMER 2020
Next Generation Aircraft Looking ahead, our airports have their sights set on the horizon; investing in infrastructure, adapting to the impacts of COVID-19 and ensuring their facilities can accommodate the next generation air travel. The world of aircraft continues to evolve and anticipating the infrastructure needed to accommodate new vehicles will be essential to future aerospace growth in Greater Waco. Our local airport managers indicate that aircraft designs will be lighter and more efficient. As a result, the existing infrastructure of all three Greater Waco airports are poised to support future fleet mixes and that bodes well for the region. n
Economic Impact of
Economic Impact of
Economic Impact of
WACO REGIONAL AIRPORT (ACT)
TSTC WACO AIRPORT (CNW)
MCGREGOR EXECUTIVE AIRPORT (PWG)
Direct Impacts Capital Improvement Impacts
Multiplier Impacts
CULA
T I O N O F I MP
$12 MILLION OUTPUT
$292.8 MILLION OUTPUT
Multiplier Impacts
AC
T
Visitor Impacts
83 JOBS
1,134 JOBS
CU LA
T I O N O F I MP
75 JOBS
32 JOBS
$4.4 MILLION OUTPUT
$9.3 MILLION OUTPUT
Multiplier Impacts
AC
T
Visitor Impacts
12 JOBS $2.8 MILLION OUTPUT
IR EC
CU LA
T I O N O F I MP
8 JOBS $457,000 OUTPUT
AC
MULTIPLIER IMPACTS
MULTIPLIER IMPACTS
MULTIPLIER IMPACTS
557 JOBS
2,066 JOBS
70 JOBS
$53.2 MILLION OUTPUT
$242.8 MILLION OUTPUT
$10.2 MILLION OUTPUT
Total Impacts
Total Impacts Total Impacts
1,179 JOBS $40.9 MILLION PAYROLL $114 MILLION OUTPUT
T S
IR EC
Capital Improvement Impacts
On-Airport Impacts
S
IR EC
321 JOBS $17.8 MILLION OUTPUT
S
R
Visitor Impacts
48 JOBS $7.2 MILLION OUTPUT
253 JOBS $35.8 MILLION OUTPUT
Capital Improvement Impacts
On-Airport Impacts
R
On-Airport Impacts
Direct Impacts
R
Direct Impacts
Total Impacts Total Impacts
Total Impacts
3,358 JOBS $1.69.2 MILLION PAYROLL $552.1 MILLION OUTPUT
122 JOBS $6.3 MILLION PAYROLL $22.8 MILLION OUTPUT
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FREEFLIGHT SYSTEMS
DESIGNS AND MANUFACTURES HIGH-PERFORMANCE AVIONICS FOR FLIGHT SAFETY by Kayla Spence, Director of Operations, FreeFlight Systems
F
reeFlight Systems (FFS) designs and manufactures high-performance avionics for flight safety. These solutions deliver substantial safety, cost, environmental and other benefits from the NextGen airspace transformation. FFS pioneered the first certified aviation Wide Area Augmentation System/Global Positioning System (WAAS/GPS) receiver and the first rule-compliant Universal Access Transceiver Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (UAT ADS-B) system. We serve many markets within the industry — general aviation, business aviation, airlines, military and airport safety infrastructure. To say it’s an exciting time at FFS would be an understatement.
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Innovative Activities in Progress FFS was acquired by ACR Artex Group in February of 2020. ACR is a leading provider of safety and survival solutions, including emergency rescue beacons and safety and signaling lighting to aviation, marine, military and outdoor customers, so our values and missions are very much aligned. ACR was able to see the value in our dependable, cost-effective product lines, our research and design proficiencies and our manufacturing capabilities located in Robinson. They also appreciated our innovative talent, sophisticated processes defined in our quality management system, our operational-excellence focus and our strong relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Starting in the third quarter of this year, we will be manufacturing flight data recorders for one of our ACR sister companies. The regulation requirements for flight data recorders will increase in 2021. The current standard is two hours of flight voice recording, but that increases to 25 hours next year. Our goal is to exceed their expectations for builds this year and help bring a robust and reliable product to the aerospace industry as we have done historically with legacy FreeFlight products. FFS currently has three major products in development for roll out in 2020 and 2021. All are significant upgrades to our current product lines. FFS is a technology-based business, so we are always evolving and looking outward to potential opportunities within our markets and to meet our customer needs. First, FFS will soon release an ADS-B datalink, which adds a second channel to our system making it more applicable for military and international customers. Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (or ADS-B) is the latest technological leap in airspace surveillance. More aircraft can operate safely in the same airspace, so congestion is reduced. ADS-B technology is the cornerstone of the global airspace management systems for the coming decades which not only increase the capacity of the system but also provide aircraft with more efficient and greener operations.
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Second, FFS will be releasing third-generation digital radar altimeter. Radar altimeters are a downward pointing radar system that measures the distance between the bottom of an aircraft and the ground. FreeFlight Systems is already a major player in the light helicopter radar altimeter market and this new product gives us access to larger and smaller (including unmanned) aircraft. The last product currently in research and design phase is a new Flight Management System. This system stores and executes flight plans automatically, directly controlling the autopilot. This significantly reduces pilot workload and allows the aircraft to take advantage of the advanced flight plans and profiles available in the airspace system of tomorrow.
Local Talent and Workforce Pipeline FFS has a strong relationship with the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce. Kris Collins introduced us to the facility we currently occupy. Not only does the facility work well for our current needs, but it has resulted in greater manufacturing efficiencies and extra space in the event we need to add more manufacturing or warehousing space. It is also located strategically on Interstate 35 in between our supply chain partners in the DFW and San Antonio/Austin areas. Because of this location, we can also recruit talent from these two areas in Texas. We are members of the Greater Waco Aviation Alliance and we are a charter member of the Women in Aviation Central Texas Chapter. We are currently participating in Leadership Waco program through the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce. FreeFlight also has memberships to industry associations including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) and Helicopter Association International (HAI). We were fortunate recipients of the Skills for Small Business Training Grant with the Texas Workforce Commission and the MCC Corporate Training Program in 2019/2020. This allows us to invest and develop in our current staff depending on the needs of the department and our organization. We have already completed or have scheduled classes such as Management Training, Advanced Excel Training, Authentic Professionalism Training and more. Additionally, we have relationships with the Aviation
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Department at Texas State Technical College for recruiting needs. While we do not have large turnover, which we attribute to our positive company culture, we know who to call when there is a need.
Business Effect of the Pandemic As a critical supplier of systems and support to both civil and military airspace, FreeFlight has been deemed “essential� and continued operations throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. Our civil aviation business has slowed considerably but we have won enough military business to keep us busy as our civil business recovers. We did, unfortunately, furlough some team members early in the crisis, but all those team members have been recalled. At this point we do not foresee the need for any more of those actions.
Forecasting the Future Like everybody, we are uncertain about the shape of recovery of the civil airspace business, but our current military business and military applications of our new products will carry us through, and those same products and their planned derivatives will ensure our growth for the coming decades once the market has recovered. We also expect that market conditions will favor us as both civil and military customers extend the service life of their aircraft as a result of the current economic constraints. Our business is focused on the retrofit of older aircraft to make them safe and efficient in modern airspace; this focus opens more opportunities for not only FFS, but the entire ACR organization. n WACOCHAMBER.COM
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Business Aviation’s Future in McLennan County During COVID-19 by Steve Hadley, Senior Director of Regional Programs, National Business Aviation Association
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ith the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), in partnership with the Greater Waco Aviation Alliance, is helping the business aviation industry get back to work. Currently, commercial airlines are experiencing between 40 and 45 percent reduction in operations nationally. In contrast, business aviation is leading the recovery with only around 20 or 25 percent reduction in operations and the reductions continue to decrease. There are more than 40 aviation businesses in the Waco area, and many of those are members of NBAA. Each company plays a critical role in the support of an industry made up of business aviation stakeholders, corporate flight departments, maintenance, fueling, customer service, fixed base operators and manufacturers. These companies support the local economy with stable, high paying, high tech careers providing a critical economic impact to the community in direct transportation of business to their markets, emergency services, infrastructure and business support. The continued success and growth of this industry demands a highly skilled and highly educated aviation workforce to support it. In McLennan County, we are fortunate to have five institutions of higher learning, 19 school districts and more than a dozen private, parochial and charter schools. These schools provide the basis of
our workforce support and opportunities for our business aviation industry locally. I have represented NBAA while living in Waco, Texas since 1997. I have had the honor and opportunity to sit on the scholarship committee of the Greater Waco Aviation Alliance for several years, and I have watched as the quality and capabilities of the applicants have steadily increased as a result of the investment of time and efforts by our local educators. The Greater Waco Chamber supports the workforce locally by advocating for a pipeline between the schools and industry career opportunities. These efforts have included the launch of an online talent portal and facilitating networking opportunities for the students and companies. This pairs perfectly with mentorships and internships offered by many local companies. These efforts are supported locally and nationally by the NBAA in its BizAV Back to Work program in an expanded, targeted effort to help the overall business aviation industry reopen and get back in the air after the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am proud to say that NBAA looks forward to the continued development and success of business aviation in McLennan County working in partnership with the Greater Waco Aviation Alliance. n
Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 11,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.
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Photos provided by National Business Aviation Association
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by Leigh Davis, Director of Marketing and Communications, Greater Waco Chamber
In March, we paused production of this edition of Greater Waco Business Magazine to focus on COVID-19 communications to our members and the broader business community. Focus pivoted back to production of this publication in tandem with the first phases of reopening in the state and the local community. For this revised version of the small business spotlight, I interviewed the president and CEO of Blackhawk Aerospace via the socially distant method of the telephone, while he drove to Austin to sell airplanes. The resulting article is a reminder that business is built on an idea and a solid belief that it will succeed.
Blackhawk Aerospace Blackhawk Aerospace is the recognized leader in performance improvements for turboprop aircraft. Founded in 1999 in Waco, Texas, the company serves customers worldwide in the commercial and government markets. Today, Blackhawk Aerospace comprises Blackhawk Aerospace Upgrades, Blackhawk Aerospace Aircraft Sales, Blackhawk Aerospace Solutions, and Blackhawk Aerospace Composites. Blackhawk Aerospace Upgrades supports the largest installed fleet of STC twin- and single-engine turboprop upgrades, making Blackhawk the largest non-OEM buyer of new Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines in the world. To date, almost 900 XP Engine+ Upgrades have been 34 | SUMMER 2020
delivered for Caravan, Cheyenne, Conquest, and King Air aircraft, all featuring factory-new Pratt & Whitney Canada engines. Blackhawk upgrades have the strongest resale value of any engine upgrade on the market. A worldwide network of approved dealers and service support centers complement Blackhawk’s U.S. facilities.
The idea and the genesis of the business When the idea of building a turboprop modification business occurred to Jim Allmon, he met with resistance. He proposed the idea to his then employer, who responded, “Jim, if I want your idea, I will give it to you.” Following that exchange, Allmon aligned with two business
Because I believe it will work! I can feel it in my soul.
partners and built an aircraft sales business instead, without losing sight of the novel idea he envisioned. Determined to find a means to enter the turboprop modification world, a friend offered an original Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for a Cessna Conquest to Allmon. An STC provides Federal Aviation Administration approval to modify the existing type of aircraft. He subsequently reached out to his partners/investors in the aircraft sales company he led at the McGregor Executive Airport to rally interest and support for the new business endeavor. The concept received swift criticism over the lack of successful comparable companies, the cost to invest in an unproven product, and the possible risk factors. The partners questioned why Allmon would want to do it, since no market existed to support this type of business. He responded, “Because I believe it will work! I can feel it in my soul. I am telling you that it will be successful, but it will be a lot of hard work.” Allmon continued, “I am going to buy this STC personally. I will resign my position with Aurora Aviation to go do this other thing. I wish you guys luck and will see you later.” Two days later, the partners reached out to him and
committed their support to the new business venture. “That was the very beginning- the birth of Blackhawk,” according to Allmon.
Why Blackhawk As part of the company’s branding, the Blackhawk symbol appears on the tail of its modified aircrafts signaling their high-performance engines. When asked about the source for the name Blackhawk, Allmon responded that he wanted “something cool, something fast.” When he traveled to Wichita, Kansas to talk about his new business venture with twin-engine turboprop manufacturer Beechcraft Aircraft, upon his arrival he noticed a blackhawk bird sitting on top of the taxiway sign leading to the service center. On seeing the blackhawk perched on the sign Allmon stated, “I said, that’s the company name right there. It gave me the idea to call it that, so that is what we did.”
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Pursuit of the idea To launch the turboprop modification business, Blackhawk sought to contract with Pratt & Whitney for the high-performance turboprop engines it manufactures. After endless unanswered and unreturned calls over a six-month period, Allmon reached out for assistance from other aircraft modifiers that worked with the engine manufacturer. “They wouldn’t take my call because I was nobody, and this is a very, very large company. So, I called other modifiers and asked them how to get into contact with someone. I wanted someone to listen to me,” stated Allmon. A colleague supplied a name and assured Allmon that he would be heard. During the first call, the Pratt & Whitney contact advised Allmon that they receive 10 calls a week from people that think they have a great idea but are missing the wherewithal to make it happen. To which Allmon responded, “Well, I have the wherewithal, I have the backing, I have the knowledge, and I have the drive.” The Blackhawk team formally pitched the idea to Pratt & Whitney three weeks following initial contact and, although the manufacturer agreed that no other company existed in the marketplace, they questioned whether it would be a successful endeavor. Pratt & Whitney ultimately rejected Blackhawk’s proposal and thanked the team for their time. Allmon refused to give up, and after a short pause to contemplate the next step, the Blackhawk team 36 | SUMMER 2020
revamped their business plan and began calling Pratt & Whitney again. They were invited back to Pratt & Whitney six months later for another meeting that included lawyers, engineers, and managers, as well as the requested personal financial statements of Allmon and his two partners. “I thought it was strange,” said Allmon about the request from Pratt & Whitney for their financial statements. With a personal guarantee from him to sell a specific number of engines within 5 years, Pratt & Whitney offered Blackhawk a contract. Consequently, Blackhawk upgraded the engines on its Cessna Conquest and Allmon flew around the country demonstrating the enhanced performance of the upgraded engines. Blackhawk sold the contracted number of engines in approximately 2.5 years and embarked on the journey that led the company to success in the aircraft modification industry. On the pursuit of the idea, Allmon noted, “I could see it. I could see it in my mind’s eye. It was just so clear to me, but it was hard to articulate to banks and to the partners.”
Creating a Market The challenge of selling a product without a proven market required a unique approach that both created and satisfied a need and/or want. “People would say ‘my airplane is fast enough’ and I would ask ‘don’t you want to go any faster’ and they would respond ‘no.’ To that, I
would ask ‘are you sure’ and they would respond ‘yes.’ I would offer to give them a ride, just to be sure,” according to Jim Allmon, who flew across the country demonstrating the performance of the upgraded engines and intending to establish a market. He told the story of one skeptic that agreed to go on one of these rides in Colorado, “I took him up and flew him around and we flew out over the Rockies and we were going through 12,000 feet and I said, ‘if you lost an engine here, what would you do on a snowy, cloudy, or rainy day,’ and the guy answered, ‘well I would be in a world of hurt.’ I said ‘well, let’s just see what happens.’ I reached over and shut the engine off on one side and we kept climbing out like no problem and we leveled off at 20,000 feet...and his mouth was hanging open, and he says, ‘I guess I just bought a set of engines.’”
Why Waco Allmon considered moving Blackhawk to Tulsa during its early years, when he could not find a hangar at Waco Regional Airport to house the business and it faced challenges as a new entity in the area. Tulsa’s Economic Development Group offered Blackhawk a hangar with offices and covered moving costs if the company would bring 17 jobs to the community. Discussing the offer, Allmon said, “I can do that. I hung up the phone and told
my wife, ‘I guess we are moving the company to Tulsa.’ She was excited since she is from there and we went home and sat around the kitchen table to discuss it with our daughter and son, Lindsay and Eric. Lindsay was 10 or 12 years old, at the time, and she started crying. I asked her what was wrong, and she said ‘I don’t want to move. I have my friends in Texas and I don’t want to move. And you don’t like Oklahoma.’” Allmon told his daughter that he had to do what was best for the company. “And she said, ‘dad something will come along. I am not moving.’ A little girl kept Blackhawk in Waco. True story.” For more than 2 years, Blackhawk conducted business from a downtown Waco office, while trying to build a hangar in the city. “Kudos to the Waco Chamber. I couldn’t get my hangar built and someone suggested that I get the Economic Development arm of the Chamber on my side and let them help me. We were doing pretty well, but we didn’t have any hangars,” said Allmon. He met with the Economic Development team and they listened, and at the end of the meeting the Senior Vice President at that time, Pat Nowotny, “shook my hand and said we will make it happen.” A month later, Blackhawk entered into monthslong negotiations over a lease agreement with the City of Waco for a hangar at Waco Regional Airport. “Finally, we got it all done and it was absolutely due to the efforts of the Waco Chamber.” WACOCHAMBER.COM
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Accessing Aviation Talent Allmon supports building a local talent pipeline in the aviation industry. When he chaired the Greater Waco Aviation Alliance in 2008, he and his wife, Lynnette, conceptualized and partnered with the Greater Waco Chamber to create the Freedom Ball. The annual event benefits the Greater Waco Aviation Alliance Scholarship Fund, providing scholarships to McLennan County high school and college students pursuing aviation, aerospace and engineering careers and support target industry marketing of Greater Waco’s aerospace industry. “Waco has a strong aviation footprint with companies, such as L3Harris, RAM, Air Impressions, and JAG. TSTC is an excellent resource for entry level kids coming out of there and pilots. It is a challenge to bring good talent to Waco because people get settled where they are, and they don’t want to move. All of my guys are very seasoned. They’ve been with me for years. We see very little turnover. Hire the best people you can, train them the best way that you can and then you get out of their way.” Allmon noted that due to the pandemic and layoffs in aviation, industry professionals appear more apt to relocate for opportunities 38 | SUMMER 2020
and he shared that several out of town applicants have expressed interest in Blackhawk’s current opening for Director of Engineering. Allmon indicated that the company is between projects because of the pandemic and that he is committed to keeping the team intact. “I committed to them that I wasn’t going to lay them off or furlough them. So, if I have to pay them to stay home and read books, I will do it. Fortunately, we were able to find some upgrade training online on advanced systems. We are doing well. We are selling fine. Business is good. I am still working to figure out our next project.”
Realizing the Goal and Forecasting the Future With a composites division in Kentucky, a military division in Alabama, and continued focus on aircraft upgrades and sales, Allmon credits the longevity of Blackhawk to the support of his long-time business partners and the team. “I put together an amazing team. Those that came before have all been a part of that success and helped push us on down the road. It has truly been a team effort. Our
I put together an amazing team. Those that came before have all been a part of that success and helped push us on down the road. It has truly been a team effort. Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, Edwin Black, is a genius in selling during rough times and our Senior VP of Engineering, Bob Kromer, has created more products in a short time than ever before. My daughter, Lindsay, has taken our marketing to a whole new level and I am so proud of her. Lynnette and I worked 75-hour weeks for years to build the business. It is the American Dream to come from nothing and build something. I am just watching from the back of the room saying wow these guys are amazing.” With innovation in mind, Blackhawk created a “thinktank,” which comprises various members of the team and meets each month to discuss ideas and the direction for the company. Allmon elaborated on the company’s future plans, “We are looking at single-engine turboprops and acquiring more companies and we are absolutely drifting more into the government and military world, since it is much more profitable, and we are already in that world. They are operating at extreme ends of the envelope on aircrafts and they want us to expand that envelope even more. We are building parts for electric cars, auto-drive cars and flying cars and we see some future synergies there.” Allmon added that Blackhawk also helped redesign fabricated car parts to increase efficiencies. “This flying car thing is turning us on our ear and you better adapt or get out of the way. Now is a great time to be in the aviation industry!” As we wrapped up the interview, I asked if they noticed a recent uptick in airplane sales, since he was driving to Austin for a deal. He attributes the increased interest to the pandemic and noted that people, “do not want to ride the airlines and put themselves in that position.” He spoke of a customer that he has worked with for the past 20 years who told him two years ago that he was “out of the flying business, not going to fly, just going to ride the airlines.” Allmon subsequently sold the customer’s airplane for him. “He is 75 years old and called me yesterday and said ‘I am back in the flying business. I am going to fly myself.’ I am selling him an airplane.”n
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LEGAL MINUTE
by Teresa Schiller, Beard Kultgen Brophy Bostwick & Dickson, PLLC
S
uppose your company’s leadership changes unexpectedly. The person who runs day-to-day operations dies, becomes incapacitated, or is relieved of duty. Who would take the lead? How easy, or difficult, would it be to open for business the next day? How long would it take to resume business as usual? Would the company continue to operate indefinitely, or be sold?
Here are some basic guidelines for addressing these questions now with a business succession plan. 1. Gather Important Documents First, gather important documents. These documents will help new leaders to (1) exercise rights and carry out responsibilities, (2) identify stakeholders, and (3) substantiate the company’s existence. Documents relating to company rights and responsibilities may include the following: a list of employees and their salaries, account information and passwords, contracts, licenses and permits, a strategic plan, financial and tax records, insurance policies, and information about claims and potential liability. Documents identifying stakeholders may include contact lists of owners, officers, managers, employees, customers, and vendors. Documents substantiating the company’s existence may include the following: a certificate of formation, company agreement, membership interest transfer ledger, and corporate meeting minutes.
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2. Involve Decision-Makers and Outside Advisors in the Planning Second, involve decision-makers and outside advisors in the planning. Decision-makers may include company owners, officers, and managers. If the company is family-owned, then multiple generations of family members may be involved, too. If a spouse will inherit an ownership interest in a company upon the death of the other spouse, he or she should be included and informed. The decision-makers should reach a consensus about the company’s mission and goals, and plan for orderly leadership transition. Decision-makers with personal ownership interests should prepare for transfers of ownership through wills, trusts, and other estate planning tools. Outside advisors such as lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, bankers, and insurance agents may be helpful during this planning process.
3. Decide Whether the Company will Continue to Operate or be Sold Third, decide whether the company will continue to operate or be sold.
If the company will continue to operate, will it expand or stay the same size? If expansion is possible, how would leaders accomplish this? Decisionmakers should consider additional issues if the company is family-owned, such as control, restrictions on the transfer of ownership interests, possible competing ventures, the employment and compensation of family members, and the roles of non-family members. If the company will instead be sold, decision-makers should identify potential buyers or a broker that could help to identify them. What needs to be done now to enhance marketability? Who will conduct a business valuation, and what information will be needed? Decision-makers also should identify key employees who would need to continue working until the company is sold. At the appropriate time, these employees could be offered a “stay bonus” for continuing to work until the sale.
4. Write Down the Plan Fourth, write down the plan. The plan could be a signed agreement, or less formal. Some larger companies (and companies with substantial income) prepare notebooks of succession plan documents. At minimum, the plan should include emergency operating instructions. It should identify who will have immediate management responsibilities and describe where important documents and information are located. Some plans include scripted communications to employees, customers, vendors, and the press as well.
5. Train Successors Fifth, train successors. Potential successors should be trained about the company’s mission and goals. They should become familiar with the corporate structure and key stakeholders. Successors likewise should learn about financial and legal responsibilities, and obtain industry and leadership experience. In conclusion, these guidelines may help you to plan for the potentially unexpected – but ultimately inevitable – change in your company’s leadership. n
Teresa Schiller is a business and employment lawyer at Beard Kultgen in Waco and Dallas. Teresa can be reached at schiller@thetexasfirm.com. WACOCHAMBER.COM
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Leadership Waco Class XXXVII
Sune Agbuke
Blanchard & Thomas, LLP
Mark Firmin
Beard Kultgen Brophy Bostwick & Dickson, PLLC
Katie King JRBT
Kevin Stevenson
Ascension Providence
Salvador Antonio
Jessica Attas
Sam Fisher
Arthur John Handscomb
Christina Helmick Kristina Holcomb Extraco Banks
Bobby Horner
Joel Hudson
Priscilla James
Justus Lindsey
Nancy McEachern
Janise Ochoa
Nicole Reynolds
Clayton Rogers
Community Bank & Trust
TFNB, Your Bank for Life
Becky Kramm L3Harris
Amberly Walker ESC Region 12
TrĂŠ Baldwin
Greater Waco Chamber Victorious Life Church
University Mazda Kia
Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee, PLLC
Dr. Rachelle Warren Waco ISD
Lute Barber
Haley & Olson, P.C.
Premier ER & Urgent Care
Insurors of Texas
Shyneka Montgomery
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Hillcrest
Christy Bowling Midway ISD
City of Waco
Capstone Mechanical
Krista Brinser Baylor University
Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Hillcrest
Benjamin Doskocil
Central National Bank
Baylor University
Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P.
Carlton Willis
Mission Waco, Mission World Inc.
The Leadership Waco Program of the Greater Waco Chamber is sponsored by Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P. The program is designed to identify and develop emerging area leaders and encourage them to become involved in the community. 42 | SUMMER 2020
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Women in Aviation Central Texas The Aviation and Aerospace industry continues to expand in Central Texas and recently the formation of a chapter of Women in Aviation International was announced at a quarterly Greater Waco Aviation Alliance meeting via Zoom. Women in Aviation International (WAI) is a nonprofit organization, with over 100 international chapters, dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests. Membership includes astronauts, corporate and airline pilots, maintenance technicians, engineers, air traffic controllers, business owners, educators, journalists, flight attendants, high school and university students, air show performers, airport managers, and many others.
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The Central Texas Chapter of WAI was established by an initial grouping of ten WAI members from the local aviation and aerospace industry with a vision and a focus on embracing, educating, supporting and mentoring. The goal is to inspire the career path of Central Texas women and students to consider careers in aviation and aerospace in an ongoing effort to retain talent and support the local growing industry. There are many scholarship opportunities available through the international nonprofit and the hope is to bring some of that into Central Texas. RoseMary Rafuse is the President of this local chapter and Terry Stevens, who initiated the formation is also on the board along with several women leaders
in the industry— Becky Kramm (L3Harris), Lana Gary (TSTC), Kayla Spence (FreeFlight), Marquita Basye (L3Harris) and Lynnette Allmon (Blackhawk). Women in Aviation Central Texas is excited to recruit members! As the only official chapter between Dallas and San Antonio, WAI Central Texas anticipates a large membership base that offers many networking opportunities, mentoring possibilities and friendships. n
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PUBLIC POLICY
EXPLORING
COMMERCIAL SPACE by Jessica Attas, Vice President of Public Policy, Greater Waco Chamber
W
ho among us has watched the moon landing (whether when it happened or the famous footage years later), or a space shuttle launch, and not felt filled with awe and wonder, at the depth and breadth of human ingenuity and the potential inherent in space exploration? In Waco, the rumble from the nearby SpaceX testing facility shakes our windows and stirs our imagination with regularity. While knowledge for knowledge’s sake is a worthy pursuit, the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of space and the technologies that affords and enables also have real-world impacts. These impacts will include industries from defense to telecommunications to weather forecasting to agriculture to financial transactions and beyond. Aerospace and aviation is a target industry sector for Greater Waco, for its great direct and indirect economic impacts. Let’s explore briefly the commercial space sector, and then look at policy considerations to support this dynamic industry. The commercial space sector is relatively new, as historically U.S. space policy was focused on supporting vehicles owned and operated by the government. Those vehicles could move objects, such as satellites or cargo vehicles, scientific payloads, or passengers, to and from space. After the Cold War, the value and efficiency offered by private companies was recognized, leading to the development of the commercial space transportation industry. The aerospace industry, and all the subsectors it encompasses, such as satellite services and launch activities, is among the world’s largest manufacturing industries today, in terms of economic activity, earnings, and employment. In 2019, the global space economy is estimated to have brought in $366 billion in revenues. According to the Satellite Industry Association, $271 billion of that is from the global satellite industry alone: $130 billion in ground equipment (consumer equipment such as satellite TV dishes; GPS equipment, and 46 | SUMMER 2020
network equipment); $123 billion in satellite services (television; radio; broadband; fixed and mobile; and remote sensing); $12.5 billion in satellite manufacturing (military, civil, and commercial communications; military surveillance; scientific and R&D); and $5 billion for the launch industry (with 78 of 102 orbital launches commercially procured). The depth and breadth of the aerospace industry is impressive, to be sure. The development of the commercial space transportation industry has led to the development of commercial launch facilities and spaceports. With over 40 aerospace and aviation companies in Greater Waco, as well as multiple other companies providing corollary goods and services, this is clearly an industry sector worth our attention locally. For this reason, the McLennan County Spaceport Development Corporation was formed, and your Chamber serves as the staff for that entity, whose mission is to increase infrastructure and access to items needed to pursue space flight activities, including training, research and development, testing and manufacturing for the launch of spacecraft. Our Spaceport Development Corporation is an active part of the Global Spaceport Alliance (GSA), a coalition of spaceport development corporations and commercial spaceports around the world. Commercial spaceports have been established for many reasons, especially, as noted by a recent GSA report, to take advantage of the burgeoning space economy, minimize the federal regulatory burden, and provide additional launch opportunities. Congress recognizes the importance of a robust space transportation infrastructure, and in their most recent FAA Reauthorization Act, observed that such infrastructure and commercial spaceports are instrumental to the continued “growth of the domestic space industry and America’s competitiveness and access to space.” In order to be able to further develop the American commercial space industry, Congress should pursue the
recommendations of the Global Spaceport Alliance in our National Spaceport Network Development Plan, which was submitted to the Office of Spaceports at the Office of Commercial Space Transportation at the FAA. This includes federal funding for space infrastructure development and a commercial spaceport network; investing in programmatic initiatives, such as spaceflight training and a training education program; updating FAA regulations, streamlining environmental review processes, and expediting spaceport license applications; supporting space-related education and research programs; and integrating commercial space systems into the national airspace, to name a few. The full report is available online, for a deeper dive into the space transportation sector. Your Chamber will continue to advocate for sound policies, a robust supply chain, and a trained workforce to support the commercial space sector in Greater Waco. As Texas’ own President George W. Bush said, “mankind is drawn to the heavens for the same reason we were once drawn into unknown lands and across the open sea. We choose to explore space because doing so improves our lives and lifts our national spirit. So let us continue the journey.” n
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ON THE MARKET
WestLake Town Center
WestLake Town Center Retail / Office / Residential Development
Specifications: • 86+ acre s prime for development, fully utility-served • Divisible, located between Waco and McGregor at the McGregor Executive Airport • 3,500’ of Highway 84 frontage and 600’ of Bosque Lane frontage • High visibility in a quickly-growing commercial and residential corridor • 21,000+ vehicles per day • Asking price: $4,950,000 • Listed by: RE/MAX Centex, REALTORS, (254) 776-8100
Population (20-Minute Drive Time) # of Households Median Age Average Household Income
144,141 55,576 32.9 years $70,584
Labor Force (20-Minute Drive Time) 70,362 Employed (Feb ‘20) 68,365 Unemployment Rate (Feb ‘20) 2.70% Top 5 Industries (5 Mile Radius) Establishments % Finance, Management, Prof. Services 242 28% Admin, Education, Health Care 240 27% Other Services & Unclassified 139 16% Hotels, Entertainment, Retail 138 16% Construction, Manufacturing, Transport 118 13% Education (20-Minute Drive) Graduate Degree Bachelor Degree Associate Degree Some College (No Degree) High School/Equivalency Degree No Degree
Employed 1,419 3,961 513 2,315 2,868
Count Attainment 9,223 10.4% 24,570 27.7% 32,516 36.7% 51,236 57.8% 73,851 83.3% 14,767 16.7%
Source: Info USA, Applied Geographic Solutions 2020
For more information on available properties, including demographic reports and surrounding businesses in Greater Waco, visit WacoProspector.com or call (254) 757-5627
48 | SUMMER 2020
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MARKET REPORT
HOLT CAT
Industry: Professional Services (Industrial) Market: National The largest Caterpillar equipment dealer in the United States acquired the former Caterpillar Work Tools, a 200,000 +/- square foot industrial campus on Texas Central Parkway. The company is investing over $32 million and create 128 new jobs, with services including heavy equipment maintenance, engine rebuilds, equipment assembly and other products and services that will compliment other HOLT operations in the State.
ZINKPOWER
Industry: Professional Services Market: Regional Leading European galvanizer, ZINKPOWER, has selected Waco for their first greenfield US operation. This will be the only galvanizing operation between DFW and San Antonio. Not only that, but it will be the company’s longest galvanizing dip bed in the world. This new operation will be a $32 million investment with 161,000 of new square feet added to the market. Once operational, ZINKPOWER will bring 100 new jobs.
SUMMER2018 2020 50 | WINTER
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ECONOMY IN FOCUS
Ec n i In
MAY 2020 Q2 2019
Q2 2020
Retail Spending
$915,531,495
$863,238,838
-5.7% change
Auto Spending Building Permits Issued
$157,879,750 78,076,978
$160,490,584 70,799,368
1.7% change -9.3% change
1,510
1,516
-0.4% change
Existing Home Sales (YTD)
E l n In
JUNE 2020
LABOR FORCE
EMPLOYMENT
UNEMPLOYMENT
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (AVG):
124,773
115,958
8,815
7.1%
Seven County Region Texas
320,583 13,844,386
296,367 12,612,804
24,216 1,231,582
7.3% 8.9%
United States
160,883,000
142,811,000
18,072,000
11.2%
Waco MSA
Ec n i Ou lo U.S. Average Composite: 100 WACO COST OF LIVING First Quarter 2020
Source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER)
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Waco Composite: 91.3
PURCHASING POWER
COMPARISON CITIES
Housing:
81.3
Chattanooga, TN:
93.5
Groceries:
78.6
Ashville, NC:
103.8
Utilities:
102.4
Greenville, SC:
93.5
Transportation:
91.9
Richmond, VA:
94.9
Health Care:
96.6
Colorado Springs, CO:
102.9
Misc. Goods & Services:
100.3
Kansas City, KS:
95.4
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The Greater Waco Chamber is committed to helping the Greater Waco community thrive, even in times of crisis. With this in mind, we’ve created new programming and initiatives to support Wacoans! Learn more about our COVID-19 initiatives and upcoming virtual events at WacoChamber.com.
Photo courtesy of Mark Randolph / City of Waco
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CHAMBER NEWS
12TH ANNUAL FREEDOM BALL RAISES MONEY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS The Greater Waco Chamber and the Greater Waco Aviation Alliance hosted the annual Freedom Ball earlier this year at the Waco Convention Center. Freedom Ball was established more than 10 years ago and is a patriotic celebration honoring active-duty service men and women and veterans, with a focus on saluting those who have sacrificed so much for our nation. The tagline Forever Grateful, Never Forgotten, says it all. We are forever grateful to those who serve, and we will never forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our country. It is the only event of its kind, outside of Veterans Day and Memorial Day, in the Heart of Texas area that recognizes our military community. This is an opportunity for the public to say thank you to those who put their lives on the line to protect our nation at home and abroad. “We honor not only the military, the active-duty and retired, former military, but we also honor the families,” stated Harold Rafuse, Freedom Ball Committee member. This year, Maria Reed of the web-based home improvement and lifestyle series Moving with the Military surprised one deserving Gold Star Family with the opportunity for a home makeover. Reed is a renowned military spouse who seeks to empower military families and share their stories during each episode, while designing and decorating a living space to thank them for their service and sacrifice. Proceeds of the event benefit the Greater Waco Aviation
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Alliance Scholarship Fund, providing scholarships to McLennan County high school and college students pursuing aviation, aerospace and engineering careers and support target industry marketing of Greater Waco’s aerospace industry. More than $14,250 has been awarded in scholarships for the 2020
school year, and $174,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 83 high school and college students since this program began. Read more about a new scholarship that was announced at this year’s event in the L3Harris feature article on page 10. n
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CHAMBER NEWS
LEAD PROGRAM AWARDS $66,500 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO 20 LOCAL STUDENTS This year, high school students in the Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) program were presented scholarships at home! The Greater Waco Chamber team as well as members of the LEAD committee caravanned to the houses of eight students who earned the top LEAD scholarships this year. Additionally, the other 12 students were celebrated virtually with their families and the LEAD committee in attendance. “While we couldn’t have the banquet due to the current health situation, I believe that it’s still vital to celebrate these students,” said Rachel Martinez, program director. The annual $20,000 Bradley Ray Hulse Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Kimberly Hernandez, a Waco High School graduate who will be attending the University of Houston to study business and architecture. This year we are also proud to announce a new scholarship presented by Drs. Jake and Soo Battle: The Battle Family No Boundaries Scholarship. As a new mentor this year, Dr. Soo Battle fell in love with the program. “I was so glad to join the LEAD Program this year as a mentor,” she said. “As soon as I heard about the program, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I also immediately went home and asked my husband if he wanted to sponsor a college scholarship from our family. As physicians, we know the importance of having a college degree, and we were both excited to help someone further their academic goals in college. We’re so proud of Isabella Dominguez and congratulate her on her success at Midway. She’s going to do great things in the future, and we’re glad to play a small part in helping to make that happen!” The $2,500 Battle Family No Boundaries Scholarship was awarded to Isabella Marie Dominguez, Midway High School graduate who will attend Texas Women’s University to study dentistry. 58 | SUMMER 2020
SEE THE
VIDEO
WacoChamber.com/LEAD
The remaining $44,000 was awarded to 18 other scholarship recipients. • Waco High School graduate Aaliyah Dilworth received the $10,000 LEAD Distinction Scholarship. Dilworth will attend the University of North Texas to study political science. • University High School graduate Cassady Copas received a $5,000 LEAD Ambassador Scholarship. Copas will attend the Massachusetts College of Pharmacology and Health Science to study to become a doctor. • University High School graduate Hannah Ruby received a $5,000 LEAD Ambassador Scholarship. Ruby will attend Texas A&M University to study psychology. • University High School graduate Alannah Thornton-Sabido received a $2,500 No Boundaries Scholarship. Thornton-Sabido will attend the Texas A&M University to study human resources. • Waco High School graduate Ashtien Willis received a $2,500 No Boundaries Scholarship. Willis will attend Texas State Technical College to study welding to become a lineman. • Harmony Science Academy graduate Andrew Logan Rosas received the $2,000 Alton Davis Memorial Scholarship. Rosas will attend Texas A&M University to study architecture. • Midway High School graduate Glenda Gutierrez received a $2,000 LEAD Persistence Scholarship. Gutierrez will attend the University of North Texas to study emergency management and planning. • Waco High School graduate Ashley Wilburn received a $2,000 LEAD Persistence Scholarship. Wilburn will attend the University of North Texas to study interior design. • La Vega High School graduate Jeffrey Nickerson received a $2,000 LEAD Persistence Scholarship. Nickerson will attend Lees-McRae College in North Carolina to study psychology. • Waco High School graduate Dai’Shawn Fisher received a $2,000 LEAD Persistence Scholarship. Fisher will attend Howard Payne University to study architecture and engineering. • Midway High School graduate Castiderra (CJ) Calhoun received a $2,000 LEAD Persistence Scholarship. Calhoun will attend the University of Oklahoma to study kinesiology. • La Vega High School graduate Braxton Zilem received a $1,000 LEAD Merit Scholarship. Zilem will attend the Tarleton State University to study theater education. • University High School graduate Jolyssa Lewis received a $1,000 LEAD Merit Scholarship. Lewis will attend the University of Texas at Arlington to study nursing. • Midway High School graduate Alexis Aguilar received a $1,000 LEAD Merit Scholarship. Aguilar will attend Tarleton State University to study business management. • Waco High School graduate Daja Davis received a $1,000 LEAD Merit Scholarship. Davis will attend McLennan Community College to study business management. • Waco High School graduate Keith Guillory received a $1,000 LEAD Merit Scholarship. Guillory will attend Howard Payne University to study mechanical engineering. • Midway High School graduate Reaghan Ridge received a $1,000 LEAD Merit Scholarship. Ridge will attend Temple College to study dentistry. • Waco High School graduate Destiny Bouye received the $1,000 Reaching Back As We Climb Scholarship. Bouye will attend Texas A&M University at Prairie View to study nursing. “This year we reached a new record for scholarship money that we’ve been able to award,” said Martinez. “Each year, LEAD changes the life trajectory of our students and the scholarships we’re able to award are a big part of that.” n
The LEAD program is a business and education partnership that pairs high school students from Waco, University, Robinson, Rapoport Academy, Harmony School of Innovation, La Vega, Connally, Lorena, Midway and the Methodist Home with business leaders to foster mentoring relationships that educate and expose students to various business fields. By improving the students’ knowledge of higher education and potential career paths, they expand their goals for their future. Through this program, the Greater Waco Chamber hopes to motivate these students to graduate high school and pursue higher education, which in turn ensures greater employability and quality of life. Since 2010, scholarships totaling $398,000 have been awarded to students. The LEAD program launched in 2005 with one mentor and five students. This year, the program included 99 mentors and 209 students. The Bradley Ray Hulse Memorial Scholarship is sponsored by Central National Bank and First National Bank of Central Texas. Other scholarship sponsors include the Brazos Masonry, BKD CPAs & Advisors, Battle Family, Davis Family, Englander dzignpak/PCA, Magnolia Foundation, McLennan Community College, Tymco and Travis and Lindsey Skinner. n
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CHAMBER NEWS
GREATER WACO CHAMBER PARTICIPATES IN THE 2020 JUNETEENTH PARADE
The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce’s leadership and professional team joined with its community partners to walk in the 2020 Juneteenth Parade held on June 20, 2020. “We were pleased to receive an invitation from the Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce to participate in this year’s parade. Our entire team enjoyed connecting with fellow Wacoans and sharing in this important event,” said Matt Meadors, President and CEO. n
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2020 HONOREES Dr. Kelsey Baas
Compleo Physical Therapy & Wellness
Dr. Brooke Blevins Baylor University
Josh Caballero
Grassroots Community Development
Kyle DeBeer Waco ISD
Anna Futral
CASA of McLennan County
Karisa Garner
Heart of Texas MHMR - PATH Program
Clinton Glaesmann Midway ISD
Becky Kramm L3Harris
Amine Qourzal City of Woodway
Brian Remson
Credent Wealth Management / CX Institutional
Caitlyn Remson Central National Bank
Joseph Scaramucci
McLennan County Sheriff’s Department
Shelly Spinks
Pattillo, Brown & Hill
Dominic Villa City of Waco
PRESENTING SPONSOR
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MEMBER NEWS
FIRST COHORT OF TESLA START PROGRAM STUDENTS GRADUATE AT TSTC
The Tesla START training program at Texas State Technical College held a graduation ceremony in June for its first cohort of graduates. The TSTC students began the 12-week training program in March to learn the skills necessary to become electric vehicle technicians at Tesla. As a Tesla paid hourly internship, the students developed technical expertise and earned certifications through a blended approach of in-class theory, hands-on labs and self-paced learning. All students who successfully completed the nationwide program go on to work at a Tesla Service Center in North America. “We are excited about this group graduating,” said Adam Barber, TSTC’s interim executive director of Workforce Training in Waco. Graduates from the program’s first cohort include: Jason Hobbs of Waco, Jeremy Holmes of Sorento, Illinois, Chris McCain of El Paso, Jesus Rojas of Dallas, Aaron Rox of Frisco and Ruben Sanchez of Abilene. The program’s second cohort is scheduled to begin in August, with more cohorts to follow in 2021. n
METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOME WELCOMES THE COVE TO MCH FAMILY OUTREACH CENTER
In June, The Cove – Heart of Texas, Inc., moved its operations to the first floor of the Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) Family Outreach Center at 524 W. Waco Drive.
MCH acquired the building and moved its Waco MCH Family Outreach team to the second floor of the facility in January 2019 while considering options for the more than 5,000-square-foot first level. With a common focus to equip and empower youth, sharing a building with The Cove, “whose commitment aligns so closely with that of MCH was a natural decision,” said Trey Oakley, MCH president/CEO. “This collaboration of two strong and focused organizations will strengthen both of our nonprofits and the Waco community at large.” For The Cove, a teen-nurturing center in its fourth year of operation, leasing this space means growing in a variety of ways. With nearly double the square footage of The Cove’s facility on Washington Avenue, the new location will give the organization the capacity to serve more youth experiencing homelessness, prepare meals in a commercial kitchen, and further develop community partnerships, according to The Cove’s executive director Kelly Atkinson. “We are thrilled to share space with such a leader in our community’s work to serve vulnerable youth. Methodist Children’s Home has been an anchor in our community for 130 years, and without their generosity and leadership, this new chapter for The Cove would not be possible.”n 62 | SUMMER 2020
Photo provided by TSTC
The Tesla START training program at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus held a graduation ceremony for its first cohort of graduates.
JRBT’S RAGAN NAMES SHAREHOLDER
JRBT recently announced Angela Ragan, CPA, has been named a shareholder with the firm.
“We’re very proud of what Angela has been able to accomplish with RAGAN us at JRBT,” said Mike Reitmeier, president of JRBT. “For more than 15 years she’s served this firm and her clients at an elite level and she is very deserving of this achievement. JRBT, the accounting profession and our community are all better because of her hard work and dedication. We are proud she is on our team.” Ragan joined JRBT in 2005 shortly after earning her BBA in Accounting from Baylor. She’s a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Central Texas Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs and the Texas Society of CPAs of which she is on the Board of Directors. Ragan is involved in the community, serving as a board member for Compassion Ministries, where she held the positions of president, vice president and treasurer. She is also a recent graduate of the Greater Waco Chamber Leadership Waco program, a 2018 Greater Waco Chamber ATHENA Leadership Award® top three finalist and serves on the board of directors as vice president for Caritas. n
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES SPRING GRADUATES
The Texas Tech University Higher Education Teaching site in Waco has been in Waco for 10 years and celebrated another successful spring with 25 graduates receiving their bachelor’s degree in May. From Biology to Digital Media, local students were able to choose from nineteen different majors offered in Waco. Most of these students complete the first two years at McLennan Community College before transferring to Texas Tech University to complete their bachelor’s degree. While attending TTU at Waco, these students may conduct undergraduate research in Biology, complete internships in Sociology, participate in Independent study courses in Political Science, or help with social media marketing in a Communication studies course. Many of these graduates plan to attend graduate school or law school upon completion of their degree. Other graduates will apply for jobs in education, marketing, non-profits, or business in hopes of joining the local workforce. Additionally, some graduates are looking for an opportunity for upper mobility in their current position. Congratulations to the spring graduates:
Jess Anderson Christina Andrade Robert Barnard Josue Bizarro Jacob Butler Aaron Dimas Joanie Friesen Brenda Gomez Rachel Hill Ta’kayla Jefferson Cheyenne Lipoufski Guadalupe Martinez Jordan Mason
Andrea Montalvo Kailey Moore Diana Olveda Hannah Pechacek Mark Polimine Toby Puls Carly Pustejovsky Ryan Richards Jacob Rogers Jackie Saunders Bailey Tuerck Angela Ulibarri
SPENCO FOOTWEAR NOW SOLD UNDER TEXAS-BASED WACO SHOE COMPANY
For over half a century, the name Spenco has been synonymous with advanced insoles, first aid products and premium orthotic footwear. Maintaining that legacy, two former Spenco executives purchased the footwear assets to offer the full line of Spenco Footwear through the new entity, Waco Shoe Company. “While working for Spenco Medical Corporation, I helped launch the first sandal in 2010 and watched the brand grow into a full line of sandals, shoes and slippers,” said Jeff Antonioli, co-owner of Waco Shoe Company. “I knew that when the company was being sold, I had to keep the popular footwear line alive and growing.”
Antonioli and Brad Granger, the former vice president of global manufacturing and business development for Spenco Medical Corporation, established the Waco Shoe Company under which the Spenco Footwear brand is now sold. Each pair of Spenco shoes has the patented Spenco insole with its full-contact support, deep-heel cupping, orthotic arch support, metatarsal dome and cushioned forefoot. In less than three years, Waco Shoe Company has doubled its sales of Spenco Footwear. Waco Shoe Company, which got its name from its headquarters and hometown where Spenco Medical Corporation thrived for decades, continues the company’s rich history and legacy as a pioneer in orthotic insoles. “Spenco Footwear is an integral part of our company, which focuses on foot health, comfort, fit and style,” said Granger. “Waco Shoe Company has also added the Revitalign, Ironsport and Ironman brands to round out our portfolio.” n
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RIBBON CUTTINGS
BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE SPORTS & ORTHOPEDIC CENTER
Member since Oct. 1, 1943
DR PEPPER MUSEUM & FREE ENTERPRISE: POP POP FIZZLE FIZZLE EXHIBIT
Member since Jun. 27, 1991
140 Hillcrest Medical Blvd. • Waco, TX 76712 (254) 741-1400 • BSWHealth.com/WacoSportsOrthoCenter
300 S. 5th St. • Waco, TX 76701 (254) 757-1024 • drpeppermuseum.com
Cameron Kaufhold, Assistant Director of Clinic Operations
Chris Dyer, President & CEO
February 27 marked the opening of the Baylor Scott & White Sports and Orthopedic Center. With special thanks to naming donors Ted & Sue Getterman, the new facility is home to not only the BSW Southwest Sports and Orthopedics specialty practice, but also, to an orthopedic surgery center, sports therapy, an outdoor sports performance area and advanced imaging. The Center is here to help athletes and non-athletes alike move better whether returning to competitive sports or weekend recreation.
BLACKACRE TITLE COMPANY
Member since Dec. 6, 2019
The Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute is dedicated to telling the story of free enterprise with the soft drink industry as our prime example. Our newest exhibit, Pop Pop Fizzle Fizzle, tells the story of various soft drinks that failed in one way or another throughout their lifetime. This exhibit helps us teach guests that everyone fails, so you should always get back up and keep trying!
GRAY REED & MCGRAW LLP
Member since Nov. 26, 2012
605 S. University Parks Dr., Ste. B • Waco, TX 76706 (254) 308-6750 • blackacretitle.net
900 Washington Ave., Ste. 800 • Waco, TX 76701 (214) 954-4135 • grayreed.com
Cy Long, President
David Henry, Partner
Blackacre Title Company recently opened their third location in Central Texas on University Parks Drive in Waco. Blackacre Title’s mission is to bring “Accommodation” to the real estate closing experience. We facilitate property transactions from Residential to Farm & Ranch to Commercial. We invite you into our new Waco location for coffee and conversation anytime.
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With existing offices in Dallas and Houston, Gray Reed opened its third office in Waco. A full-service law firm with 150 attorneys, Gray Reed provides legal services to companies ranging from start-up to Fortune 500 as well as high net worth individuals. Gray Reed attorneys assist clients with a myriad of legal issues including commercial litigation, corporate transactions, intellectual property, tax law, real estate, construction, healthcare, trusts and estates, employment law, and bankruptcy.
SPONSORED BY
OCEANS BEHAVIORAL HOSPITAL WACO
Member since Jan. 24, 2020
WINDOW WORLD
Member since Oct. 10, 2006
5931 Crosslake Pkwy. • Waco, TX 76712 (254) 870-4874 • oceanswaco.com
6906 Woodway Dr. • Woodway, TX 76712 (254) 751-0008 • windowworldwaco.com
Ray Crawford, Administrator
Jack Civa, Owner
At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Waco, healing is our focus. We provide inpatient and outpatient mental health services designed to meet the specific needs of adults. Oceans Waco is passionate about helping individuals manage the challenges associated with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Using proven, innovative and progressive therapies, our qualified professionals strive to promote long-term wellness through a range of psychiatric counseling and treatment options.
Window World of Waco celebrates 15 years in business under new ownership with Jack Civa. Jack grew up in Waco and has always kept ties in the area hoping to return and fulfill his dream of owning his own business. Previous owner Jack Terry was looking to retire and return to his hometown area in South Carolina. Jack Civa brings experience in the corporate world and his passion for residential real estate home to Waco.
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NEW MEMBERS
At Home Healthcare 131 S Frontage Lorena TX 76655 (254) 751-1600 Athomehealth.org Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate- Edwards & Assoc. 510 Austin Ave. Waco TX 76701 (254) 235-2229 betterwaco.com Bloomin’ I Do 4126 Evergreen Cir. Waco TX 76710 (512) 770-3548 bloominido.com Brooks Wealth Advisors 100 N Ave G Clifton TX 76634 (254) 723-5800 Central Texas Poison Center 2401 S. 31st St. Temple TX 76508 (800) 222-1222 poisoncontrol.org Cotton Patch Cafe 5501 Bosque Blvd. Waco TX 76710 (254) 772-4200 cottonpatch.com DiCampli’s Italian Ristorante 6500 Woodway Dr. Waco TX 76712 (254) 300-5978 dicamplis.com/ Drywall Inc. 2301 Kendall Ln. Waco TX 7670 (254) 752-2320 Ferguson Enterprises 1708 N. Valley Mills Dr. Waco TX 76710 (254) 662-6850 ferguson.com Glide Xpress Car Wash 626 N. Valley Mills Dr. Waco TX 76710 (254) 300-4444
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PRESENTED BY
Grandma’s Potato Salad 4 Independence Trl. Waco TX 76708 (254) 338-7678 I Heart Hair Salon & Day Spa 3301 Bosque Blvd. Waco TX 76707 (254) 235-5959 ihearthairsalondayspa.com Jason Brown Wealth Management Waco TX 76706 (301) 542-9094 brookswaco.com JD’s Catering Co. 1105 Wooded Acres Dr. Waco TX 76710 (254) 349-4029 jdscateringco.com KenKo Events 254-709-1789 kenkoevents.com KSR 1701 Austin Ave. Waco TX 76701 (254) 723-3269 ksradvantage.com La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe 2816 Marketplace Dr., Ste. 101 Waco TX 76711 (254) 262-3170 lamadeleine.com Modern Texas Living Magazine 429 N. Cedar Ridge Cir. Robinson TX 76706 (254) 749-1670 ModernTexasLiving.com
Research Tax Consultants 1105 Wooded Acres Waco TX 76710 (254) 399-0333 researchtaxconsultants.com Rooster’s BBQ Texas 2515 LaSalle Ave. Waco TX 76706 (254) 722-1879 roostersbbqtexas.com Sign This Custom Sign & Design 3717 Franklin Ave. Waco TX 76710 (254) 709-0001 signthiswaco.com The Grounds Guys of Waco P.O. Box 24043 Waco TX 76702 (254) 313-3400 groundsguys.com/waco The Odyssey Project Inc. 100 Reasearch Parkway Waco TX 76704 (262) 689-5053 odysseyprojectinc.com Waco Axe Company 1526 Washington Ave. Waco TX 76701 (254) 300-6697 Waco Ophthalmology 602 W State Hwy 6 Waco TX 76712 (254) 870-4522 eyewaco.com Waco Shuttle U Waco TX 76710 (254) 237-3302 wacoshuttleu.com
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 30 Waco, Texas P.O. Box 1220 Waco TX 76703-1220
