2018 Jan/Feb Connections

CONNECTIONS

JAN/FEB 2018

2018 Economic Outlook Conference Challenges & Opportunities of Growth See Page 7

Committed to our Community.

Our bankers are members of the community, just like you. We are also proud members and volunteers of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce because, together, we support the businesses that serve our community.

Your continued patronage makes that possible. If you are already our customer, THANK YOU. If you are not, we invite you to become one today.

Call (979) 260-2100 or visit us online at www.banktbt.com.

Local bank. Local bankers.

Corporate

1716 Briarcrest dr, Ste 400 Bryan, Texas 77802 (979) 260-2100

Hwy 21

3400 Hwy 21 East Bryan, Texas 77808 (979) 260-2100

tx ave @ viLLa maria 2900 S. Texas Avenue Bryan, Texas 77802 (979) 260-2100

www.banktbt.com 2

CoLLege Station

2305 Texas Avenue South college Station, Texas 77840 (979) 260-2100

tower point

4450 State Hwy 6 South college Station, Texas 77845 (979) 260-2100

Member fdic

ChamberDirectory/Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved. 8/17

At The Bank & Trust, we believe an exceptional community deserves an exceptional bank! As a locally owned community bank in the Brazos Valley, we will take the time to get to know you and your financial needs while offering superior customer care.

presidential PERSPECTIVES BOARD OF DIRECTORS Crystal Dupre Chairman Vicki Reim Chair-Elect David O’Neil Immediate Past Chairman Jason Cornelius Vice Chair of Leadership Tom Wallis Vice Chair of Finance & Physical Resources Melanie Motley Vice Chair of Business Development Mary Mike Hatcher Vice Chair of Communications Phil Shackelford Vice Chair of Community Enhancement Grant Graham Vice Chair of Membership Enhancement Brad Beard David Doss Gabriel Garcia Susan Gipson Bobby Gutierrez Tracy Kyle James Larkin Tai Lee Sylvia McMullen Shane Phelps Jay Primavera Kori Rich Travis Rollins Claudia Smith Greg Zweiacker

STAFF President/CEO Glen Brewer Community Liaison Royce Hickman Manager of Membership Carrie Archer Manager of Finance Tom Tilton Acting Manager of Business Programs Jordan Prihoda Membership Investment Representative Brian Miller Communications Coordinator Kate Chapman Communications & Business Programs Assistant Katy Jo Richards Executive Assistant Bonnie Loehr Receptionist Linda Espiriqueta

Chamber Connections is a publication of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce and a public service to Chamber members.

Editorial and advertising inquiries should be addressed to Kate Chapman by email at kate@bcschamber.org.

Howdy!

It looks like another great year for business here in Bryan/ College Station. It seems appropriate, because your Chamber is celebrating its 100th birthday this year! We will be talking more about our birthday celebration in the coming months. (Hint: Circle July 12th on your calendar.)

As we celebrate our 100th year, we want to remind this wonderful community who your Chamber actually is. As I have said at several events recently, the Chamber is not the offices you visit at 4001 East 29th Street. The Chamber also is not the terrific staff we have assembled, or myself as President and CEO. The Chamber is approximately 1,500 businesses and professional organizations that have chosen to join together to promote business and commerce in this community. We believe in building a strong and healthy community through building strong and healthy businesses and job creation. We know that commerce is the engine of our community, and when our businesses thrive our schools will also thrive, our non-profits are successful and our cities benefit from increased revenue.

Your Chamber works to achieve our mission of “enhancing the economic wellbeing of the businesses in the communities we serve” in many different ways. We work to provide networking opportunities through our successful Business After Hours events and Chamber luncheons. We make networking an important part of all of our Chamber events.

Your Chamber works to provide educational opportunities for our businesses through free or low-cost accounting, tax, and general business classes through our partnership with the Research Valley Small Business Development Center. The Chamber’s Economic Outlook Conference is one of our largest events and helps to provide local businesses with historical and forecasted numbers on our economy on a national, state and most importantly, a local level. Chamber luncheons are also utilized to provide access to important information on timely topics that affect our local businesses.

Your Chamber works to ensure our community is producing current and future leaders through our Leadership Brazos program and our Jr. Leadership Brazos program. Graduates of Leadership Brazos continue to give back to B/CS through the Leadership Brazos Alumni Association.

One of the most important ways your Chamber works for business is legislatively.

When our local businesses come together, our voices can be focused through the Chamber and be heard directly in Washington D.C., Austin, and locally at our county and city level. Your Chamber is voicing the concerns of business at every level! See page 8 for more information on our current legislative activitieszz.

We are so lucky to live in the best community in the best state in the best country on Earth. Your Chamber of Commerce is proud that for 100 years we have played our part. Businesses joining together to promote business. The Chamber of Commerce is all of YOU. Glen Brewer President/CEO

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chamber CALENDAR

January 2018 01/18/2018 Business After Hours

The Phillips Event Center

01/24/2018 Economic Outlook Conference

Hilton College Station 01/29/2018 New Member Orientation

Chamber of Commerce

February 2018

02/06/2018 Glen Shepard Seminar

Hilton College Station 02/15/2018 Business After Hours

Watercrest at Bryan 02/20/2018 Taste of Aggieland

Brazos County Expo 02/26/2018 Lunch & Learn

Sponsored by Rentsys

March 2018

03/08/2018 Business After Hours

Bridal Association of the Brazos Valley 03/16/2018 Crawfish Boil

Brazos County Expo

03/29/2018 Chamber Day 2018

03/29/2018 Business After Hours

Allen Honda

Cover image provided courtesy of TEEX and Insite Magazine.

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CONTENTS 2 presidential

PERSPECTIVES

4 new

MEMBERS

5 business AFTER HOURS

6 volunteer FOCUS

7 economic OUTLOOK CONFERENCE

8 legislative AFFAIRS

9 chamber PROGRAMS

11 chamber PHOTOS

13 ribbon CUTTINGS

new MEMBERS

New Inner Circle Members Axis Pipe and Tube, Inc.

Tanaka Ramen

1451 Louis E. Mikulin Rd. Bryan, TX 77807 (281) 628-5797 www.axispipeandtube.com 1617 Texas Avenue South College Station, TX 77840 (979) 704-5060 www.tanakaramen.com

Morningstar Storage of Bryan/College Station

Image Solutions

6631 Raymond Stotzer Pkwy.

College Station, TX 77845 (979) 779-4613 www.imagesolutions.us

Honolulu Poke House

1619 Texas Avenue South College Station, TX 77840 (979) 704-5054

2704 Boonville Rd. Bryan, TX 77808 (979) 985-5450 www.morningstarstorage.com

New Members Beltrand Pavement Markings, LLC Orangetheory Fitness CS RE/MAX BryanCollege Station ProActive Chiropractic Cornerstone Sports Medicine RE/MAX Select Cherry Blow Dry Bar Blake’s Steaks

www.bcschamber.org

3810 Harvey Road College Station, TX 77845 (979) 776-7785

Stephen Gustitis, Criminal Defense Attorney

3030 University Drive E College Station, TX 77845 (979) 764-6000

The Vintage

1025 University Dr., Suite 103 College Station, TX 77840 (979) 213-5696

900 Harvey Road, Suite 9B College Station, TX 77840 (979) 704-3064

3201 University Drive, Suite 320 Bryan, TX 77802 (979) 704-5029

750 William D. Fitch, Suite 210 College Station, TX 77845 (979) 846-4500 3975 Highway 6 South College Station, TX 77845 (409) 790-2399

700 University Drive East College Station, TX 77840 (979) 676-7885

Metroflex BCS

CityView Southwest, LLC Sunshine Fun Pools

BVAmerican Heart Association Walker Partners Perry Properties

102 E 26th Street Bryan, TX 77803 (979) 823-9111

1517 South Texas Avenue Bryan, TX 77802 (979) 704-6911

1101 Southwest Parkway College Station, TX 77840 (979) 693-0804

12633 State Highway 30 College Station, TX 77845 (979) 776-9105

4200 State Highway 6 South College Station, TX 77845 (979) 690-3343

801 Dellwood, PMB 111 College Station, TX 77845 (979) 268-0068

2700 Earl Rudder Fwy, Suite 1600 College Station, TX 77845 (979) 599-9870

3009 Hummingbird Circle Bryan, TX 77807 (979) 775-4448

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business after HOURS

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volunteer FOCUS Are you interested in representing your business as an

Ambassador?

Visit www.bcschamber.org for program details and an Ambassador application or contact carrie@bcschamber.org.

Ambassador of the Month It’s an honor being named ambassador of the month for October and November.

Being a part of such a wonderful group of individuals dedicated to the betterment of Bryan/College Station is truly a blessing. Bryan-College Station is unique in so many aspects, and our Douglas ambassadors are a part of that. I am “Wade” very thankful to be acknowledged and a VanDerBoom part of our BCS Ambassadors.

As a financial professional, I understand that my ability to help you reach your goals rests on the trust you place in me—a trust that has to be earned.

Because I’m with New York Life, you can rest assured that I conduct my business Agent, New York Life in a way that reflects the values and Insurance Company. beliefs that have guided our company Registered Representative securities products for more than 170 years. We believe that offering and services through an affiliate, NYLIFE Securities being good at what we do defines our LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, Licensed Insurance character. That’s why I’m proud to say, AAgency,1716 Briarcrest Dr., Suite 350, Bryan, TX 77802 “I’m an agent with New York Life.”

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economic OUTLOOK 2018 EOC Sponsors

2018 Economic Outlook Conference Sponsored by Wells Fargo January 24th • Hilton College Station

Presented by the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce and Wells Fargo Bank, the 2018 Economic Outlook Conference will be held on Wednesday, January 24th at the Hilton College Station beginning at 8:00 am.

This year’s theme, Challenges & Opportunities, will provide valuable insights into the business climate of our community through speakers and panel discussions. Individual tickets and reserved tables are still available. For more information, or to RSVP, call (979) 260-5200 or email jordan@bcschamber.org COFFEE WITH THE LEADERS

7:00 a.m.

Sponsored by Hilton College Station

Brazos County Judge Duane Peters City of Bryan Mayor Andrew Nelson City of College Station Mayor Karl Mooney Bryan ISD Superintendent Dr. Christie Whitbeck College Station ISD Superintendent Dr. Clark Ealy

REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST

7:30 a.m.

WELCOME

8:00 a.m.

Glen Brewer

LEADERSHIP MOMENTS

8:15 a.m.

Chad E. Wootton

®

®

Sponsored by Texas Commercial Waste

Sponsored by Wells Fargo

President/CEO, B/CS Chamber of Commerce

Associate Vice President-External Affairs, TAMU Office of the Provost

Brig. Gen. Joe Ramirez, Ret.

Commandant, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets

SESSION I

Harnessing the Momentum Marketplace & Employment Outlook

8:45 a.m.

Sponsored by Texas A&M University

Matt Prochaska President/CEO, Research Valley Partnership

Russell Dempsey

CEO, Express Employment Professionals

BREAK

9:15 a.m.

SESSION II

9:30 a.m.

Sponsored by CHI St. Joseph Health

A Look Ahead: 2018

Sponsored by BTU

Natalie Ruiz

Director of Economic Development, City of College Station

Kevin Russell

Director of Economic Development, City of Bryan

Judge Duane Peters Brazos County

Kindra Fry

President, Experience Bryan College Station

BREAK

10:45 a.m.

SESSION III

11:00 a.m.

LUNCH

12:15 p.m.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

12:35 p.m.

Sponsored by Aggieland Carpet One

Managing Growth & Expectations

Sponsored by the Law Office of Shane Phelps, P.C.

Dr. Jim Gaines

Chief Economist, Texas Real Estate Research Center, Texas A&M University

Sponsored by Guaranty Bank & Trust

Case Studies of Successes

Dr. James Nelson

Director of Special Academic Initiatives, RELLIS Campus

Spencer Clements

Principal, ATLAS and Traditions Development

Tim Crowley

Project Director, Tower Point

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Speakers & schedule subject to change. For the latest updates, please visit www.bcschamber.org/econmic-outlook-conference.

legislative AFFAIRS 2018 Federal Legislative Action Plan The Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs committee is currently seeking input on local economic issues that concern you and your business, as we develop our 2018 Federal Legislative Action Plan (FLAP). In the past, this action plan has taken topics such as, tax code reform, medicare and social security reform, and higher education research funding, to government leaders in Congress. To participate in this survey, and as your business’ voice to our Washington D.C. delegation, visit www.bcschamber.org/legislativeaffairs.

The 18th Annual Federal Delegation will travel to Washington D.C. on May 7th until May 10th to meet with federal legislators on behalf of local business, education and government. The delegation, through the assistance of Congressman Bill Flores and his staff, meet with all 36 House of Representatives members from Texas and our two state senators where they present the 2018 Chamber of Commerce Federal Legislative Action Plan. Congressman Flores’ office also arranges meetings with senior leadership members of the House of Representatives, including the Speaker of the House, House Majority Leader and several committee chairs. If you are interested in joining the Chamber delegation this year, contact Bonnie Loehr at bonnie@bcschamber.org.

Legislative Affairs Committee Chairs Mary Lynne Stratta—City of Bryan Ron Schmidt—Texas Commercial Waste

Federal Legislative Action Plan Chair Mike Connor—Bryan Texas Utilities

www.bcschamber.org

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chamber PROGRAMS Glenn Shephard Leadership Seminar

Tuesday, February 6th • Hilton College Station We are excited to announce that Glenn Shepard Seminars, a Chamber of Commerce Member, will be conducting a special seminar offered to all Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce members. Glenn Shepard Seminars is a wellknown and respected company throughout the nation, and we are excited that they have chosen our community to host this special seminar. This year’s seminar will focus on how to “be the manager other managers envy and bosses can’t wait to reward”.

after the program to answer any specific questions you may have.

Tuition for this seminar is $197 for Chamber Members and $247 for non-members. When three or more attendees register, the fourth attends for free. To register, please contact Carrie Archer at (979) 260-5200 or carrie@bcschamber.org.

Held at the Hilton College Station, this leadership seminar will begin at 9:30 am and last until 3:30 pm. The program will include real world strategies needed to improve workplace skills and teach tips and tricks needed to build a happier, more productive workplace environment. Additionally, this seminar will cover three principles critical to the success of a star manager: starting with the best people, managing Generation Y, and delegating your way to success.

This is the 5th time the Chamber of Commerce will host Glenn Shephard. Attendees always leave excellent reviews and leave the seminar inspired. At the seminar, Mr. Shepard will be giving away free management tools and he will be available

Lunch & Learn with Rentsys

Community Impact Awards

Monday, February 26th • Chamber Boardroom

Tuesday, February 27th • Phillips Event Center

Join the Bryan College Station Chamber of Commerce and Rentsys for a Lunch and Learn with the FBI on Monday, February 26th from 11:45 am until 1:00 pm.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 16th Annual Community Impact Awards. The Community Impact Award program was started in 2003 to recognize Hispanic, AfricanAmerican, Asian, American-Indian, women, and/or service disabled veteran business owners who have demonstrated a significant impact in our community.

Intellectual property theft and insider theft are just fancy words regarding the process when someone steals information from your company, which can compromise your company and possibly the security of our nation. Many experts suggest every employer assume their business is already compromised, but many just don’t understand. This lunch and learn will explain three things: 1. What are the ways you are being compromised?

2. Who can you talk to if you have questions or reason to suspect a problem?

3. How can you mitigate the problem and protect your company?

This event is free to attend, however seating is limited. To RSVP, please email Carrie Archer at carrie@bcschamber.org.

This event is brown-bag style (lunch will not be provided).

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To be eligible for this awards, businesses MUST:

1. Be a member of the B/CS Chamber of Commerce 2. Meet HUB Certification requirements of at least 51% minority ownership 3. Have been in business for a minimum of five years

To download a nomination form and to see previous winners, please visit www.bcschamber.org/CommunityImpactAwards.

Award winners will be honored at a luncheon on Tuesday, February 27th at the Phillips Event Center. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Carrie Archer at (979) 260-5200 or carrie@bcschamber.org.

This event is sponsored

by Texas A&M Procurement Services.

chamber PROGRAMS Taste of Aggieland

Tuesday, February 20th • Brazos County Expo

Attendees will be able to sample entrées, desserts, and drinks from restaurants, caterers, hotels, and beverage companies from all over the Brazos Valley.

Tickets, available for $30, include all you can eat samples from participating restaurants and can be purchased at the Chamber offices, KESCO Restaurant Supply, and online, if you are a Chamber member, at www.bcschamber.org. Tickets will also be available the night of the event.

For more information, please contact Jordan Prihoda by phone at (979) 260-5200 or by email at jordan@bcschamber. org.

2018 Taste of

The Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce and title sponsor The Taste of BCS, in partnership with the Brazos Valley Restaurant Association, will host the 23rd Annual Taste of Aggieland on February 20, 2018 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at the Brazos County Expo.

Is your restaurant interested in participating? Visit www. bcschamber.org/a-taste-of-aggieland to download the restaurant registration form.

2017 Taste of Aggieland Winners

Best Overall Shipwreck Grill

Best Appetizer Napa Flats

Best Dessert Cake Junkie

Best Entrée Outback Steakhouse

www.bcschamber.org

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chamber PHOTOS

Lobsterfest volunteers Jared and Amber Salvato and Rachel Crane.

Volunteers Theresa Clark, Brenda Ponzio and Sheree Boegner take a break from serving over 400 lobster and steak dinners.

(LEFT) John Anderson, with Merrill Lynch, ready to enjoy his Lobsterfest dinner.

KBTX’s Courtney Burris takes a pretty swing at the 2017 Golf Classic.

(LEFT) Golf Classic Committee Members Jared Salvato, Kathy Savell, Renee Wiens and Ben Caldwell worked hard and played hard at the Chamber’s annual tournament.

The Brenham National Bank Team (Tee Dippel, Nathan Van Noord, Windol Cook and John Haskarl) pose beside a 2018 Ford Mustang, courtesy of College Station Ford, the Hole-in-One Sponsor.

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The BB&T Golf Team (Glen Davis, David Helms, Michael King and Mark Bearden) had a great day on the course and placed third overall.

(RIGHT Golf Classic Committee Co-Chairs Scott Rolfsmeyer and Theresa Clark planned all year to host one of the Chamber’s most successful tournaments to date. Thirty-eight teams competed at a sold out Pebble Creek Country Club.

(LEFT) Rich White with HEB Villa Maria concentrates on his short game during the 2017 Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic.

chamber PHOTOS

The 2017 Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet honored (from LEFT to RIGHT) Ambassador of the Year Debbie Holladay, Citizen of the Year Judge Al Jones, and Volunteer of the Year Hans Hammond.

Banquet Keynote Speaker General Mark Welsh poses with Chamber Board Chairman Crystal Dupre, Immediate Past Board Chairman David O’Neil and Chamber President/CEO Glen Brewer.

(LEFT) Drayton McLane, Jr., founder of the McLane Group and former owner of the Houston Astros, greets Inner Circle chamber members at the 2017 Annual Banquet on behalf of Texas Central Rail, who sponsored the Annual Banquet Inner Circle Reception.

Chamber President Glen Brewer and Board Chairman Crystal Dupre congratulate the winning 2017 Chamber Fitness Challenge Team, Debbie Smith, Teresa Van Hyfte, Cindy Frenzel and Cindy Buban, and Coach Henry Hall with D1 Sports Training. The winners were announced at the Fall Health & Wellness Luncheon sponsored by CHI St. Joseph Health and Elms Orthodontics.

Representatives with TDI-Brooks International meet with students at the 2017 Youth-to-Career Fair. Over 3,000 eight graders traveled to the Expo Center to learn about local businesses and help choose their future career paths.

www.bcschamber.org

Over 475 attendees were present at the 19th Annual Ag Breakfast to celebrate the farmers and ranchers that contribute to our local Ag Economy, and to honor Agricultural Impact Award recipients Judge Duane and Bettie Peters (pictured ABOVE). Also honored was the Agricultural Business Award recipient, The Eagle Land & Livestock Post.

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ribbon CUTTINGS

Deluxe Ribbon Cuttings Rheumatology of B.V. 3201 University Dr. E., Ste 205 Bryan, Texas 77802 (979) 774-7896 rheumatologyofbrazosvalley.com

Scasta Family Eyecare & Dentistry 1550 Copperfield Parkway, Suite 2 College Station, Texas 77845 (979) 260-2626 scastadds.com • scastaeyes.com

The Ranch at Riverside Park 7273 Riverside Parkway, Suite 1100 Bryan, Texas 77807 (979) 731-8574 aggielandleasing.com 13 Connections JAN/FEB 2018

ribbon CUTTINGS

Deluxe Ribbon Cuttings Hidden Creek RV Resort 5780 East Highway 21 Bryan, Texas 77808 (979) 450-8088 hiddencreekrv.com

Accel Transition Care & Rehab 1500 Medical Avenue College Station, Texas 77845 (979) 450-8088 accelcollegestation.com

The Bear Mountain 717 Texas South, Suite B College Station, Texas 77840 (979) 703-6058 thebearmountain.com

www.bcschamber.org

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CONNECTIONS Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 3579 Bryan, TX 77805-3579

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