2024 Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Banquet Tab

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: Stilwell Award Stuart Salter

: New Chamber CEO Joe Tant

: Outgoing Chamber chair Randy Sonnier

: Incoming Chamber chairman Art Thomas

2024

2 / PORT ARTHUR CHAMBER

The News / Wednesday, January 24, 2024

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Wednesday, January 24, 2024 / The News

ARTHUR E. STILWELL AWARD RECIPIENT Stuart Salter known as true visionary dedicated to community The newest recipient of the Arthur E. Stilwell Award, Stuart Salter, grew up influenced by go-getters.

From seeing his father serve as campaign treasurer for Leonard Giblin Jr. in his bid for political office to seeing Rita Davis knock on doors for the YMCA, Salter watched people give of their time and invest in the community.

Salter admits going through “that thing” that some youth go through where he had to get away from his hometown.

“I joined the Navy, got to see the world and came back to fully appreciate the value of Port Arthur News file photo

Stuart Salter addresses the crowd at the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce banquet in 2023.

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The News / Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Salter Continued from 3

Port Arthur,” Salter said with a laugh.

The Arthur E. Stilwell Award is presented by the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce to someone who exhibits the vision and dedication of Arthur E. Stilwell, the founder of Port Arthur.

Growing up, Salter saw his father and grandfather serving in the Chamber and other volunteer organizations.

“As far back as the Chamber records show, Julian Salter Insurance Company has been a member of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce.

The company’s membership may very well date back to the year the Chamber was chartered in 1899,” recently retired Chamber

President/CEO Pat Avery said.

Salter said he thought he would make his career in California but once there he didn’t like it. He ended up buying the company car from that business and came home unemployed.

This was but a stepping-stone as he gained career tools, saying, “It was a fortuitous plan of God.” He came home, worked in the banking industry, making his way up the career ladder, then opted to work for his father in the family insurance business.

After his father’s passing he took over ownership and only recently went into retirement after selling the business.

Avery said Salter’s commitment to the Chamber is evident, having served twice as chairman of the board, decades apart in each tenure.

“Stuart’s hand has touched almost every successful venture in Port Arthur. Whether it has

been working to attract new businesses to the area, helping them succeed by being a mentor, helping gain support that led to the passage of the ½ cent sales tax that funds the Economic Development Corporation, leading the political issues and legislative committees, bridging gaps through the inclusion of diverse individuals and groups working together, or helping people understand the importance of being properly insured and managing risks in their businesses. Salter has done that and much more,” Avery said.

Salter, she said, is a visionary who stepped up to the plate, teaming up with others to invest in the community and using his time, wisdom and resources to make a difference.

Joe Tant, who is the new Chamber President/CEO, speaks highly of the award recipient he has known for years.

“Through past 12 years Mr. Stuart Salter has been both a mentor and a friend. Not only has he guided me through insurance questions, but life questions, as well,” Tant said. “I highly value Stuart as both a leader and a friend. Remember Stuart, ‘mitigate the risk.’”

Salter said he was delighted and surprised to even be under consideration for the award.

“I’m honored to be associated with any of the prior recipients,” Salter said.

Some past recipients include Judith Smith, Tom Neal, Verna Rutherford, Dr. Mark Porterie, Rita Davis, Sam Monroe, Hargie Faye Savoy and Floyd Marceaux.

Salter has words of wisdom for up and coming business people.

“I wish I could convince young people to get involved in the Chamber,” Salter said as he explained he had no automatic shoe-in to an award with the

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PORT ARTHUR CHAMBER/ 5

Chamber.

“I showed up, suited up and that’s pretty much it. That’s what is asked of you.

And have a can-do attitude. That’s how I ended up with a nice award like this after the end of a career in a town among friends.”

Salter will be honored as the 2024 recipient of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce’s highest honor, the Arthur E. Stilwell Award during the Chamber’s banquet at 6:30 p.m. today (Jan. 24) at Bob Bowers Civic Center.

Port Arthur News file photo

Stuart Salter spent many years leading his family’s business, Julian Salter Insurance Company, which has long been a supporter of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce.

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Joe Tant is the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce’s new president.

Mary Meaux/The News

The News / Wednesday, January 24, 2024

PORT ARTHUR CHAMBER/ 7

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 / The News

TALKING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce president takes reins Joe Tant uses a simple word when describing the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce’s vision for 2024 — engagement.

“Engagement with our members, engagement with the community, engagement with small business, industry, contractors and our community and our city,” said Tant, the recently hired president of the Chamber.

“Being engaged, being involved, understanding that the Chamber is not industry only or small business. It’s all of that together.”

Chamber membership grew by 106 new members last year and is now at 700 members for the year, Tant said.

The engagement also means strengthening relationships with surrounding Chambers and not just during Golden Triangle Days in Austin — a biannual event at the state capitol that brings the chambers together armed

with a set of priorities important to their communities.

Then there will be reengaging with entities such as Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Texas Chamber of Commerce and American

“Being engaged, being involved, understanding that the Chamber is not industry only or small business.

It’s all of that together.”

— JOE TANT Chamber of Commerce.

Tant is also looking forward to reengaging with the Chamber’s Young Emerging Leaders group.

“That is a going to be the future of Port Ar-

thur,” he said. “We want to make sure those folks in that 18- to 39-year age range get involved in the right way, taking them from being a volunteer organization to learning and having mentors. Get with each of those individuals and help them move forward.”

In addition, the 124-year-old Chamber has already reengaged with the historical committee, as there is information leaders do not want lost.

Tant’s transition into his new role as president of the organization will likely be smooth. He has been with the Chamber for 12 years, serving as vice president of finance and, as of late December, chosen as the president of the organization with the retirement of Pat Avery.

Randy Sonnier, outgoing chairman of the See ENGAGEMENT, Page 8

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The News / Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Engagement Continued from 7

Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, said Tant’s experience is a benefit, adding the executive board is helping outline the path forward to where local leaders see the Chamber going.

Tant is executive director of the Chamber’s education foundation, which is not very active at this time as it is the beginning of a new school semester.

He said there are several individuals with the Chamber who can step in and assist without missing a beat.

“I don’t feel like there will be anything lost in translation,” he said of the natural transition from vice presidency to presidency. “We have a very strong, engaged board.”

Sonnier also noted Tant works well with the Education Foundation, Lamar State College Port Arthur and the college’s president, Dr. Betty Reynard.

“We have high hopes and high expectations, and I think he’s up to it,” Sonnier said.

The Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce is holding its 124th Annual Banquet today (Jan. 24) at Bob Bowers Civic Center.

— By Mary Meaux

Mary Meaux/The News

Joe Tant said he is excited and ready to help lead the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce moving forward.

PORT ARTHUR CHAMBER/ 9

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 / The News

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The News / Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Pat Avery says goodbye to Port Arthur Chamber

F

or Pat Avery, who has led the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce since 2019, retirement was bittersweet come the end of 2023.

“It will be bittersweet because I love Port Arthur,” Avery said.

“Our Chamber is fantastic. My board is amazing. We have a great staff. It’s very bittersweet.

I’m sad and happy all at the same time.”

This will mark the third time Avery has retired. She previously worked at Mobil as an employee relations representative in Houston and worked her way up the corporate ladder to become the first woman and first minority manager of employee relations at Mobil’s Chemical Specialty Division in Beaumont, and later

manager of human resources at Mobil’s Polyethylene Plant in Beaumont, according to biPAT AVERY ographical information.

She moved on to Total Petrochemicals & Refining, holding several positions before serving in community and government affairs.

Thus came her first retirement.

But by 2013 she reentered the job market and joined Griffith

Moseley Johnson & Associates as vice president, global business development and represented a number of industry clients.

And she retired a second time.

By March 2019 she was the president/CEO of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce.

Randy Sonnier, outgoing chairman of the Chamber, said Avery’s knowledge of the oil and gas industry made her a strong leader.

Sonnier commended Avery on her work as a leader and during Golden Triangle Days in Austin, where she was an advocate for the city and area.

Golden Triangle Days in Austin is a collaboration of Port Arthur, Beaumont and Orange, where leaders visit the state capital

during a legislative session, hold informational sessions on topics important to the area and visit Texas House of Representatives and Senate.

Topics typically range from economic development and education and workforce to health care, environmental quality and stewardship and transportation and infrastructure.

Sonnier said Avery went to different hearings and presented facts.

The chamber president/CEO and Chamber chairman have known each other for a number of years, back to when Avery was his manager and now it’s the other way around, he said with a laugh.

Sonnier said he will miss the back and forth banter he and

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Wednesday, January 24, 2024 / The News

Avery have.

Avery is also vocal on things that needed to be corrected and provide suggestions on how to make things better.

“It makes it pretty easy on the executive board to take care of business,” Sonnier said. “I will miss our conversations.

The Chamber has been successful and held well-attended events, some of which include the Industry Show, Legislative Luncheon, Leadership Breakfast, various luncheons and more.

Avery has a number of things planned upon retirement.

“Several people have asked me of my availability to do some consulting work. I’m willing to do that. I want to travel. I’ve been to 48 of the 50 states. I want to see the last two, Vermont and Arkansas,” Avery said.

“That’s the first trips I want to make. I want to see the rest of my country and see the rest of

the world after that.”

She doesn’t plan to sit at home and watch TV. She wants to get in the best physical shape of her life. Do a lot of hiking and learn some new things like yoga. And she wants to learn to cook, she added.

There’s a lot that she will miss.

The warmth of the people of Port Arthur and the teamwork that makes the area successful.

She’ll miss the generosity of the industrial community, which has helped Port Arthur and the entire Golden Triangle.

“I’ll miss fighting in Austin for things that are important to Port Arthur and Southeast Texas,” she said. “I’ll miss the heart of the staff we have and our wonderful board of directors. They really are doing things for their Chamber and community.”

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The News / Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Mary Meaux/The News

Randy Sonnier served as the 2023 chairman of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce.

LEADERSHIP, SUCCESSFUL YEAR Outgoing Chairman Randy Sonnier shares thoughts on 2023

By Mary Meaux Mary.meaux@panews.com

2023 was a good year for the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce.

Outgoing chamber chairman Randy Sonnier had a front seat to a successful year that included rising membership and the hosting of summits and shows that allowed networking between businesses and the general public.

One of those successful events was the

annual Industry Show, which brought 114 businesses to Bob Bowers Civic Center. The show allowed suppliers to visit with big industry and offered a chance to learn about new vendors.

This is good when realizing the area is experiencing a rebirth in industry with approximately $45 billion in projects within a 30-mile radius of Port Arthur as of 2023.

The industry show has grown stronger through the years, growing even after

the pandemic.

“It shows the chamber is working for their membership,” Sonnier said during the Industry Show last year.

Membership to the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce continues to grow.

“We supported over 38 new business openings,” Sonnier said.

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regularly and share information on ongoing, he knows it,” Tant said of the knowledge he’s new and upcoming ventures — another sucreceived from Sonnier. cessful part of 2023, he said.

“He’s done a phenomenal job with the The Chamber also offered a Carbon CapChamber. The Chamber is on very strong ture Summit where leaders in that industry brought information to educate its members.

This type of technology — carbon capture and sequestration, is new to our area.

Sonnier noted the chamber was heavily involved in the biennial Golden Triangle Days in Austin, which had more than 350 delegates from Port Arthur and area chambers.

The event allows the delegates a chance to bring prioritized issues of importance to lawmakers.

The Chamber was also involved in the city’s year long Quasquicentennial Celebration, he added.

Newly appointed Chamber President Joe Tant has known Sonnier for many years and knows of Sonnier’s value to the organization.

Sonnier has been a valuable asset to the Mary Meaux/The News Chamber and to Tant.

“He’s been a mentor The Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce’s outgoing chairman, Randy Sonnier, saw lots of growth and success during his tenure. and I don’t even think

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P O R T A R T H U R C H A M B E R / 13

financial footing. It’s amazing the amount of members we have that are active and engaged. He’s done a fantastic job for them and ensured that small businesses are not lost with industry.”

Sonnier is handing over the title to incoming chairman Art Thomas during the Chamber’s 124’s Annual Banquet.

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The News / Wednesday, January 24, 2024

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Wednesday, January 24, 2024 / The News

The City of Port Arthur Salutes The Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce for “doing business since 1899!”

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The News / Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Monique Batson/The News

Kevin Pearson, left, CEO of the YMCA of Southeast Texas, stands with Art Thomas, president of the Rotary Club of Port Arthur, during a 2022 Rotary meeting.

Man of many talents Art Thomas tackles Chamber

By Mary Meaux Mary.meaux@panews.com

ART THOMAS

Incoming chairman of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Art Thomas is described as a man of many talents.

He’s employed with Texas Gas Service, having started out as a meter reader and is now field operations manager.

He’s a U.S. Navy Veteran who spent years with the All Navy Basketball team.

He’s served as president of the Rotary Club of Port Arthur, as well as serving on the YMCA board of directors and Port Arthur Education Foundation.

But there’s more.

He’s served as executive chef of the Holiday Inn Beaumont Plaza and has a catering business.

Chamber of Commerce President Joe Tant commended

Thomas on his many talents, noting Thomas and board member Ron Fletcher were the ones who started Young Emerging Leaders, an organization aimed at individuals ages 18 to 39 that fosters their professional growth.

Thomas attended a recent YEL meeting and gave the group a pep talk, passing along knowledge to the up-and-coming leaders, Tant said.

“It’s very encouraging that Art can switch hit quickly,” Tant said. “He’s not in the YEL age group but still has a mentoring role. We are very blessed to have him in that role.”

Thomas is also a small business owner, which gives him insight as chamber president.

“He’s also a small business owner. I am very encouraged because he will make sure he continues that legacy that Randy (Sonnier, outgoing chairman)

started,” Tant said.

“Ensuring that small business has a place, and we’re taking care of them.”

Thomas is a Port Arthur native who attended Carver Elementary and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1987.

After graduation he married Angela Thomas and they had five children. He spent 10 years in the Navy and afterward attended Olympic College in Washington State and earned an associate’s degree in culinary arts.

He later moved back home, and the rest is history.

Randy Sonnier, outgoing chamber chairman, believes Thomas is going to do great job in the role, he said.

Sonnier will hand over the title to incoming chairman Art Thomas during the Chamber’s 124’s Annual Banquet today (Jan. 24).

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 / The News

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The News / Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Industry show packs in crowd for Port Arthur

By Mary Meaux Mary.meax@panews.com

Mary Meaux/The News

More than 800 people had walked through the doors at the Bob Bowers Civic Center by 3:30 p.m. on the day of the industry show in Port Arthur.

Mary Meaux/The News

Joe Tant, left, and Travis Woods speak with Mason Construction Vice President Le Short during the 2023 Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Industry Show at the Bob Bowers Civic Center.

Mason Construction is a part of many large industrial projects in the area, from the Valero Diamond Green Diesel Project, as well as efforts at Motiva and ExxonMobil.

In August, Mason Construction Vice President Le Short was one of 114 businesses represented at the 2023 Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Industry Show at the Bob Bowers Civic Center.

Short said the event offers involvement with contractors and employees coming from all over the area.

He said by taking part in the event the company is showing support to the community in the industry.

“We’ve been here for 84 years in this area, fourth generation, this is who we’re here to support,” Short said. “And you’ve got a lot of ownership involvement that we partner with on a day-to-day basis, as well as all of the contractors — anything we can do to support each other and to build this industry.”

Michael Pena and Johnny Saavedra of AMF Engineering Custom Fabrication stopped to talk with Darren Zeringue, operations manager with APP, to see what services APP offers.

Zeringue later explained the company builds pipes, supports and any kind of small structures, as well as Tico products, and different types of pipe shoes.

Taking part in the industry show allows APP a

chance to get a better feel for business opportunities.

Companies taking part in the industry show had visuals at their booths to showcase their work and products.

Coastal Welding Supply Specialty Gas was no exception.

Welding hoods, various DeWalt brand tools and more were on their table.

Brent Brandin explained the benefits of being in the show.

“To connect with the community and all the industry coming in, the new businesses and the old businesses,” Brandin said.

Coastal Welding works in all of the local refineries as well as fab shows and even sodas and beverages.

Not all companies represented at the show were the typical industrial contractors. Ronnie Smith with Bill Clark Pest Control was on hand to provide information on their services, saying they do work in industrial sites and like taking part in the event.

The Industrial Safety Training Council, or ISTC, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that supports the petrochemical and refining industry, Kimberly Tyson said. ISTC provides training that is required for contractors to get into facilities.

“We have a robust distance learning platform that we rolled out in 2019, I believe, and with that anybody can take training anywhere in the world with an internet connection so they don’t have to come to the facility,” Tyson said.

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 / The News

P O R T A R T H U R C H A M B E R / 19

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