2018 Oct Connections

Welcoming you home, is what

MELANIE N. MOTLEY VICE PRESIDENT NMLS#510014

Buying a home is the single most important investment we ever make. Although the process can seem intimidating, we are dedicated to providing a rewarding and positive experience for you. We offer construction, one-time close, secondary market financing and competitive inhouse home loans. No one works harder to find a way to say YES! We welcome the opportunity to earn your business! For more information, email us at mortgage@banktbt.com or call 979260-2100.

MELISSA J. KEELING ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT NMLS#1671843

OCTOBER 2018

10/09/2018 Supporting & Engaging

Our Non-Profits

Hilton College Station

10/09/2018 Inner Circle Event

Texas A&M University Hotel & Conference Center

10/17/2018 Youth to Career Fair

Brazos County Expo Center

10/18/2018 Business After Hours

Chrome: A Salon Experience

10/22/2018 Local Candidates Forum

George Bush Library

10/29/2018 New Member Orientation

B/CS Chamber of Commerce

NOVEMBER 2018

11/05/2018 Annual Banquet

Hilton College Station

11/08/2018 Business After Hours

CHI St. Joseph Health

11/14/2018 Fall Job Fair The Brazos Center

11/20/2018 Ag Breakfast

Brazos County Expo

11/29/2018 Business After Hours

George Bush Library & Museum

DECEMBER 2018

12/13/2018 Business After Hours The Stella Hotel

2 board REFLECTIONS

3 new MEMBERS

4 business AFTER HOURS

5 volunteer FOCUS

6 lobsterfest & GOLF CLASSIC

9 chamber PROGRAMS

13 chamber PHOTOS

14 why I’m a CHAMBER MEMBER

16 ribbon CUTTINGS

board REFLECTIONS

Even the best things must come to an end. After 12 months of serving as the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce Chairman, my term is done. It has been an amazing year, one that I will treasure for many years to come.

Having served on the board of directors for a few years and actively participating in the many events sponsored by the Chamber, I only thought I had a good handle on my duties as Chair. I can assure everyone that there is a lot more going on inside and out of the Chamber offices than most everyone realizes. The B/CS Chamber staff are hard-working, dedicated people, and they are constantly looking for ways to enhance the well-being of businesses in our community.

The mission of the Chamber reads as follows: The Bryan/ College Station Chamber of Commerce exists to enhance the economic well-being of the businesses in the communities it serves. This includes regular events such as ribbon cuttings, ground breaking ceremonies, Economic Outlook Conferences, legislative meetings, and so much more. This is what people see from the outside. From my year on the inside, I have watched the chamber staff take personal interest in the well-being and success of area business owners. They work together when challenges arise and strive to make a connection with the 1,500 businesses that are members of our Chamber.

As I finish my last month as chairman, I have had people tell me things such as, “Your time is almost done” or “Thank Goodness…you made it! I bet you are happy.” Actually, I’m really going to miss being your chairman and having the opportunity to represent the chamber in this community. Sure, it has taken quite a bit of time and effort over the past year, but the results make it all worthwhile.

The good news is the incoming chairman, Vicki Reim, is going to be an awesome Chairman for the Chamber. Vicki comes to us from Bryan Texas Utilities and has served on the executive committee for past two years. I joke that Vicki’s nomination was the easiest committee meeting we ever had at the Chamber, as she was such an obvious choice. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure to serve on a committee with Vicki knows that she is a go-getter who strives to succeed. Vicki will make sure every job is well done.

As I close out my term, I want to thank the Chamber staff for the amazing job they do day in and day out. It has truly been both an honor and a pleasure to work with each and every one of you. I look forward to working with you in any way I can in the upcoming years.

Cheers to bigger and better things to come!

AnnualBanquet

Crystal Dupre

B/CS Chamber of Commerce

Immediate Past Board Chair Publisher of The Eagle

November 5

Six o’clock in the evening

The Hilton College Station

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Vicki Reim

Chairman

Phil Shackelford Chair-Elect

Crystal Dupre

Immediate Past Chairman

Jason Cornelius

Vice Chair of Leadership

James Larkin

Vice Chair of Finance & Physical Resources

Susan Gipson Vice Chair of Business Development

Mary Mike Hatcher Vice Chair of Communications

Ricardo Diaz

Vice Chair of Community Enhancement

Tai Lee

Vice Chair of Membership Enhancement

Brad Beard

John Bush

Austin Bryan

Spencer Clements

John C. “Jack” Culpepper

David Doss

Zach Etheridge

Jill Gallagher

Gabriel Garcia

Tracy Kyle

Barbie Patterson

Shane Phelps Kori Rich

Travis Rollis

Pat Shields

Greg Zweiacker

STAFF

President/CEO

Glen Brewer

Community Liaison

Royce Hickman

Manager of Membership

Carrie Archer

Manager of Finance

Tom Tilton

Manager of Business Programs

Jordan Prihoda

Membership Investment

Representative

Brian Miller

Communications Coordinator

Kaley Crump

Special Projects Coordinator

Allison Batte

Executive Assistant

Haley Galloway

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 Kaley Crump by email at kaley@bcschamber.org.

New Inner Circle Members

Brazos De Dios Harley Owners Group Foundation

Caliber Collision

Chef Fitzgerald, Inc.

4101 Highway 6 South College Station, TX 77845 (979) 690-1669 www.bddtoyrun.com

4480 Highway 6 College Station, TX 77845 (979) 985-2831 www.calibercollision.com

3515 B Longmire Drive, Suit 299 College Station, TX 77845 (214) 226-8888 www.cheffitzgerald.com

New Members

Arthritis & Osteoporosis Clinic of Brazos Valley

Cedar Frame

Choate Monument Company

1721 Birmingham Drive, Suite 204 College Station, TX 77845 (979) 696-8000

511 University Drive East, Suite 206 College Station, TX 77840 (979) 922-5544

Delta Disaster Services Greater Brazos Valley

Dinosaur Egg Float & Massage Studio

1108 North Texas Avenue Bryan, TX 77807 (979) 7757907

5400 Elmo Weddon Road College Station, TX 77845 (979) 731-1424

1645 Greens Prairie Road West, Suite 502 Bryan, TX 77845 (979) 704-3203

Dunkin & Associates

Fusion Peru

H2B, Inc.

Hemline

511 University Drive, Suite 208 College Station, TX 77840 (979) 922-5662

2501 Texas Avenue, Suite C 111 College Station, TX 77840 (979) 676-2603

3001 Earl Rudder Freeway, Suite 400 College Station, TX 77845 (979) 324-5323

166 Century Court, Suite 108 College Station, TX 77840 (979) 703-1498

St. Nick’s Pub

Tru by Hilton BryanCollege Station

19191 Highway 6 South, Suite A College Station, TX 77845 (832) 465-7867 www.stnicksgreen.com

1933 Austins Colony Parkway Bryan, TX 77802 (979) 704-6015 www.trubryancollegestation.trubyhilton.com

Wonderland Winery

18898 Highway 6 College Station, TX 77845 (979) 690-7212

HomeSpark Caregivers, LLC

Justin’s Dreamz

Keller Williams Realty- Jeff Rudy/ The Shellenberger Team

4235 Boonville Road Bryan, TX 77803 (979) 260-0320

Nam Cafe PO Box 986 Navasota, TX 77868 (979) 650-5156

Office of Senator Charles Schwertner

Sunspace Texas

2801 Earl Rudder Freeway South College Station, TX 77845 (979) 777-4990

110 Nagle Street College Station, TX 77840 (832) 766-3060

3000 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 202 Bryan, TX 77802 (979) 776-0222

4280 Bentwood Drive College Station, TX 77845 (979) 324-8596

The Golf Club at Texas A&M

This Little Piggy Sanctuary

TouchDown Productions

1 Bizzel Road College Station, TX 77843 (979) 845-1723

12626 Sisco Lane Bryan, TX 77808 (936) 422-9670

6405 FM 1179 Bryan, TX 77808 (530) 263-2482

Ambassador of the Month

I am extremely honored to be named Ambassador of the Month for July and August, even though I have been in the program for 3 months. I can easily say that being an ambassador has given me the opportunity to grow in a professional and personal level, and it has allowed me to build relationships with key members of the business community. I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve the community with an amazing group of people who care about the growth of this wonderful place.

Being the Digital Marketing Specialist at The Eagle has given me the opportunity to help various businesses and business owners to navigate the digital marketing space. I love what I do and enjoy helping business find solutions that fit their needs, maximize ROI, and achieve their goals. I welcome the possibility to sit down and talk about your marketing needs to find the best way to help grow your business.

I look forward to meeting you at future chamber events and spreading the word about your business.

Daniela Hardin

Thank you to our sponsors!

TITLE SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSOR GOLD SPONSORS

Lobster Cracker Sponsor

SILVER SPONSORS

& Breakfast Sponsor

Sponsors

CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS

Awards & More, Chicken Express, Copy Corner, Farm Patch, Half Pints Liquor, Hilton College Station, Insite Printing, Outback, Pepsi, RDM Pros, Swico Auctions, Texas Commercial Waste, TNT Security Solutions, Wells Fargo, WRI Outdoors

MEDIA SPONSORS

HOLE SPONSORS

Stafford Barrett, Oliver Brothers Transmissions Specialties Photography, CubbyHole Texas, Berkshire Hathaway, Service Insurance Group

Bucket Sponsor

Beverage Cup Sponsor

BEVERAGE CART SPONSORS

Admail, Bryan Broadcasting, Brazos Valley Communications, iHeart Radio, KAGS,KBTX, KTEX 106.1, Lamar Advertising, Suddenlink, The Eagle

The Bank & Trust of Bryan/College Station, First State Bank of Bedias, Aggieland Title Company, Tradition Oil & Lube

Bar

Hole In One

chamber PROGRAMS

2018 YOUTH TO CAREER FAIR

Wednesday, October 17 t 9:00 am - 2:30 pm BRAZOS COUNTY EXPO

SPONSORED BY:

What is the Youth to Career Fair?

It is an educational fair put on by the B/CS Chamber of Commerce and our title sponsor Sylvan Learning Center to expose 8th grade students to future career paths.

Who is it for?

Any 8th grade student from Brazos Valley area schools (public, private, or other).

TO REGISTER YOUR SCHOOL OR SIGN UP FOR A BOOTH, CONTACT JORDAN PRIHODA AT JORDAN@BCSCHAMBER.ORG OR (979) 260-5200.

EMBRACING BUSINESS:

Bar Sponsor:

An Inner Circle Exclusive Event

For Inner Circle Members & Their Staff *Limit of 4 attendees per company

October 9, 2018 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center Complimentary valet parking

Featuring Mark Brock Director of Business Affairs Texas A&M University System

Tickets are $50 each To register, email Carrie Archer at carrie@bcschamber.org. The Successes & Challenges of Public/Private Partnerships

chamber PROGRAMS

chamber CONNECTIONS

RIGHT: Leadership Brazos Class of 2019 gathers for the first time at orientation before beginning their journey together. B/CS Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Glen Brewer and Board Chair Elect Vicki Reim welcome the class by sharing their experience in LB.

RIGHT: B/CS Chamber of Commerce past and present board chairs meet for lunch at Outback Steakhouse. (Front row from left to right: President & CEO Glen Brewer, Tap Bentz, Immediate Past Chair Crystal Dupre, Rich White, Celia Goode-Haddock, Marty Cangelose, David O’Neil) (Back row from left to right: Community Liaison Royce Hickman, Mike Holmgreen, David Shellenberger, Steve Arden, Bookman Peters, Vicki Reim, Jerry Fox, Tedi Ellison, Ben Downs, Louis Newman, Don Fazzino.)

RIGHT: Texas Economist, Karr Ingham, of Ingham Econ, LLC, delivers his presentation at the 2018 Economic Outlook Briefing Luncheon. Ingham’s presentation can be viewed at www.bcschamber.org.

LEFT: The 2018 Economic Outlook Briefing Luncheon at the Hilton College Station had a packed ballroom!

Thank you to our title sponsor, Mission Ranch, for helping the Chamber make this event possible.

Additional thanks to Commerce National Bank for sponsoring our keynote speaker, Karr Ingham.

LEFT: The ambassadors gather for their annual pool party. Thanks to Zach & Andrea Etheridge for hosting at the Indian Lakes community pool!

why

I’m a CHAMBER MEMBER

When Businesses Come Together:

Producing ‘Why I’m A Chamber Member’

If you were to ask the question, “Why are you a Chamber member” to the more than 1,500 members of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce, chances are you would receive 1,500 different responses! During the Centennial Celebration of the B/CS Chamber, the Communications Committee made it their charge to ask a cross-section of the membership, “WHY” they chose to become a B/CS Chamber member.

So we posed the question to John Anderson with Merrill Lynch, Claudia Smith of Aggieland Carpet One, Zach Etheridge with HBi Office Solutions, Wade and Mary Beckman, owners of Shipwreck Grill, Amico Nave, and Admiral Catering, and Kyle Doliver with Ryan’s Challenge. Their responses were as varied as their professions. They told us they were looking for networking opportunities and a chance to meet new business partners. Some were looking for a chance to participate in legislative issues. Others wanted to make contacts for businesses and for non-profit organizations.

A special salute goes to Gregg Phelps, owner of Frame by Frame and Essential Media, for the professional look and feel of our campaign.

Another shout out goes to our media partners: The Eagle, KBTX TV3, Bryan Broadcasting, Suddenlink, KAGS-TV, Brazos Valley Communications, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, and iHeart Media.

Why

are you

a Chamber of Commerce Member?

By participating in chamber events, I have been able to network, exchange ideas, and form long lasting relationships with other businesses and community leaders. It has been a great way to show everyone what Aggieland Carpet One has to o er, as well as a way to volunteer and give back to this great community.

- Claudia Smith, Aggieland Carpet One

For more information on becoming a member of the Chamber of Commerce visit BCSChamber.org or call 979.260.5200

The Chamber’s Communications Committee helped frame these testimonials to the values of Chamber membership. Thanks to committee members, Travis Rollins, Roby Somerford, Sean Lewis, Stacy Colvin, Zack Morgan, and Laura Atkinson Wagner your creative think-tank sessions and commitment to this project are greatly appreciated!

And a final “THANKS” to you, members of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce, for your help in celebrating 100 years of making Bryan/College Station a great place to live, work and play. For more information, log on to bcschamber.org.

Article by:

Mary Mike Hatcher Vice-Chairman/Communications Division

Bryan Broadcasting

AN INSIDE LOOK why

I’m a CHAMBER

Why I’m a Chamber Member:

The B/CS Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Chamber members, will be airing the “Why I’m a Chamber Member” Campaign beginning this month! Look for some familiar faces sharing their Chamber story!

BELOW: (From left to right) We would like to thank Claudia Smith from Aggieland Carpet One, Zach Etheridge from HBi Office Solutions, Kyle Dolliver from Ryan’s Challenge, John Anderson from Merrill Lynch, and Wade & Mary Beckman from Shipwreck Grill & Amico Nave Restaurants and Admiral Catering for their participation in the making of this campaign.

Special Thanks To:

Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 3579

Bryan, TX 77805-3579