LUBBOCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER LUBBOCK BUSINESS NETWORK LUBBOCK BUSINESS NETWORK Vol. 26 No. 4 April 2017 Chamber University: Strategic Planning for Your Business pg. 6 ® Lubbock Uncorked pg. 8 Business Expo pg. 9 April 28 Lubbock Uncorked Reserve Your Sponsorships Today! May 11 Business Expo May 4 Community Prayer Luncheon October 11 Hispanic Heritage Luncheon July 24 Golf Classic September 21 Hub City BBQ August 30 Football Kickoff Breakfast October 24 State of the TTU System Luncheon October 24 State Legislative Forum AND MUCH, MUCH, MORE! Contact us today! November 30 Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon
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Vol. 26 No. 4 April 2017Chamber University: Strategic Planning for Your Business
April Calendar of Events .......................................................................... .4Community Prayer Luncheon ................................................................ 6Meet the April Business of the Month ............................................... .7Get to Know Board Member, Gabe Vitela .............................................7Lubbock Uncorked .................................................................................... 8Key State Legislation ...............................................................................12
Since 1913, the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce’s mission of strengthening, promoting and serving its member businesses has positively benefited the entire region and local quality of life.
As the largest business federation on the South Plains, the Chamber represents over 2,000 members who employ ove.r 79,000 workers, and account for over $2 billion in annual household earnings in Lubbock and West Texas, all without tax dollars.
Each day, the Chamber strengthens, promotes and serves its member businesses through numerous programs and events. The Chamber advocates on local, state and federal levels and offers diverse programs for both large and small as well as minority-owned businesses.
Share Your News!To submit an article about your business or to purchase Lubbock Business Network sponsorships, contact the Chamber at (806) 761-7000.
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Click here to visit our new website, log into the members only portal, submit events/job openings and much more!
2017 Board of DirectorsExecutive CommitteeChairwoman Diannah Tatum, Sanford & Tatum Insurance AgencyChairman Elect Cory Powell, TTU Mentor Tech - Institutional Diversity, Equity and Community EngagementImmediate Past Chairwoman Beth Bridges, South Plains Mall Treasurer Abel Castro, FirstBank & Trust Co. Secretary Eddie McBride, Lubbock Chamber of CommerceVice Chairman - Business Advocacy Scott Fagin, First United BankVice Chairman - Chamber Services and Member Engagement Chuck Walker, FirstCare Health PlansVice Chairwoman - Communications and Public Relations Sharon Hyde Bass, Volunteer Center of LubbockVice Chairman - Community Development Gabe Vitela, Twisted Root Burger Co.Vice Chairwoman - Programs, Services and Events Kathy Oaks, American Cancer Society
Board of DirectorsByrnie Bass, R. Byrn Bass, Jr., Attorney at LawSteve Beck, Covenant HealthAlona Beesinger, SuddenlinkRon Betenbough, Betenbough HomesKevin Bryan, Digital Base ProductionsKeith Bryant, Lubbock-Cooper Independent School DistrictFernando Bustos, Bustos Law Firm, PCChristi Chadwell, Texas Tech University/Young Professionals of LubbockRenee Gonzales Davis, 4ORE! GolfCasey Doyle, Casey Carpet OneLinda Gaither, WestMark Realtors-Gaither/RatcliffJeff Horn, Benchmark Business SolutionsChris James, United SupermarketsBrent King, UMC Health SystemChris Lonngren, Schlotzsky’sDana Madison, Calvert Home Health CareDave Marcinkowski, Madera CompaniesBecky Palmer, Atmos EnergyBill Patton, Robinson, Johnston & Patton, CPAsTony Pena, FirstCapital BankL. Timothy Perrin, Lubbock Christian UniversityCathy Pope, StarCare Specialty Health SystemVanessa Reasoner, Grace Health SystemsDr. Berhl Robertson, Lubbock Independent School DistrictShannon Spencer, Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, Inc.Marcie Truby, Director’s Choice
6 Ag Committee – 8 a.m. – LCOC Ribbon Cutting: Texas Cotton Ginners Associations – 9 a.m. 1501 Mac Davis Ln. Business After Hours: Las Brisas Southwest Steakhouse 5:30 p.m. – 4701 112th St.
7 Ribbon Cutting: Stong College Students Moving – 10 a.m. 301 Paris Ave. Transportation Committee – 10:30 a.m. – LCOC
10 Ribbon Cutting: Prestige Cleaners – 2 p.m. – 6530 Frankford Ave. Hub City BBQ Full Committee – 4 p.m. – Wells Fargo Center 1500 Broadway – Second Floor – San Jacinto Room
13 Ribbon Cutting: The Home Zone – 10 a.m. – 3225 50th St., Ste. B5 Ribbon Cutting: Upbring’s Prelude to “Spring Fling” – 3 p.m. 1212 13th St. TRC Victory Party – 5 p.m. – The Range – 3201 116th St.
14 Government Relations Committee – 10:30 a.m. – LCOC Chamber University Committee – 12 p.m. – LCOC
Business Expo Committee – 4 p.m. – Wells Fargo Center 1500 Broadway – Second Floor – San Jacinto Room
20 Ribbon Cutting: Wingate By Wyndam – 11:30 a.m. – 5214 2nd Dr. Community Prayer Luncheon Committee – 4 p.m. – LCOC
21 Leadership Lubbock Class Day – All Day Ribbon Cutting: Twisted Spigot – 4 p.m. – 411 University Ave., Ste. 100
22 Ribbon Cutting: Voice of Hope 10th Annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” Walk – 9 a.m. – 6002 Slide Rd. (South Plains Mall Back Entrance by Sears) Ribbon Cutting: Lubbock Monterey Ambucs Wine Walk 10:45 a.m. – Llano Estacado Winery – 3426 East FM 1585
25 Chamber University: Strategic Planning for Your Business – 8 a.m. Workforce Solutions South Plains – 1301 Broadway, Ste. 201 Ribbon Cutting: Texas Farm Bureau – 11:30 a.m. 10615 Quaker Ave. YEA! Lesson 25 – 4:30 p.m. – Texas Tech Innovation Hub 3911 4th St.
26 Community Partnership Forum Breakfast – 7:30 a.m. – Overton Hotel & Conference Center – 2322 Mac Davis Lane Ribbon Cutting: The Coffee Shop – 10:30 a.m. 1204 Broadway, Ste. 105 Young Professionals of Lubbock Committee – 4 p.m. – LCOC
27 Board of Directors – 10 a.m. – TBD A Taste of Lubbock – 5:30 p.m. – Texas Tech McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center – 17th St. and University Ave.
28 Ribbon Cutting: Goodwill Industries of Northwest Texas - Arbor Day Document Shred Event – 9 a.m. – 4811 50th St. Lubbock Uncorked – 4 p.m. – American Wind Power Center 1701 Canyon Lake Dr.
Upcoming EventsApril 4Young Professionals of Lubbock: First Tuesday Networking sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings
April 5YEA! Investor Panel
April 6Business After Hours sponsored by Las Brias Southwest Steakhouse
April 12Ambassador Monthly Luncheon sponsored by FirstBank & Trust
April 25Chamber University: Strategic Planning for Your Business
April 28Lubbock Uncorked
For a complete list of Chamber and member events, visit our calendar online at lubbockchamber.com/events.
Buckner Children and Family Services has been committed to providing quality services to children from birth to young adulthood. The FYi (Foster Youth Independence) program assist current and former foster youth with transitioning out of care. Youth aged 16 to 25 are given the tools and skills they need to become more independent and self- sufficient. Services provided include job skills training, employment assistance as well as education assistance. ** Buckner Children and Family Services is currently in need of better employment and apprenticeship opportunities for their youth. If your business is looking to fill any hourly positions, full or part-time, please feel free to contact Racquel Boswell (Case Manger) at (806) 252-5593 or Meagan Daniels (Program Supervisor) at (806) 368-1818. Some youth may qualify for wage subsidies.
The 2017 Total Resource Campaign (TRC) will hold its victory party on Thursday, April 13, at The Range. The victory party will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. Make plans to attend and help us celebrate another successful TRC!
Community Prayer Luncheon to Feature Stars from Movie: I’ll Push You Mark your calendars for this year’s Community Prayer Luncheon that will be held on Thurs., May 4, at 11:30 a.m., at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. We are excited to bring you two phenomenal speakers in Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck, best friends who completed the 500-mile pilgrimage called Camino de Santiago. This was not your ordinary pilgrimage as Skeesuck lives life in a wheelchair due to a progressive neuromuscular disease. Over the past 20-plus years, the disease has slowly taken away Skeesuck’s ability to use his arms and legs. In the spring of 2012, Skeesuck learned about the Camino de Santiago and asked his lifelong friend, Gray, what he thought about tackling the ancient pilgrimage. Gray’s response was “I’ll push you.” Two years later, they started their 34-day journey. Both Gray and Skeesuck are married and each have three children. They founded Push, Inc. where they help organizations and individuals realize they can achieve more, together. The two have a film being made about their friendship and journey, which is scheduled to be released in early fall of 2017. Musical entertainment will be provided by Kenzie Walker and the High Point Village Handbell Choir. Tickets will go on sale during the month of April. Be sure to check LubbockChamber.com for more information and to register for this luncheon.
Thanks to our CPL sponsors!Presenting:
Diamond: First United Bank, Happy State BankPlatinum: Deerwood Construction, Inc., PrimeWest Mortgage Corp., Thrivent Financial, Wayland Baptist University - Lubbock
Strategic Planning for Your Business Highlights New Chamber University Strategic Planning for Your Business will be the topic of the next Chamber University seminar hosted by the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce on Tues., April 25, from 8-11:30 a.m. at Workforce Solutions South Plains. Have you ever wished you knew what the future holds for you and your business? Perhaps you have been tempted to look at the successful and fulfilled people in your community, wanting to judge them as “just lucky”. But success and fulfillment is not a thing of luck. If you look beneath the surface of their success, you will find in their skill set is a set of well refined and nurtured planning skills. This seminar will address three important topics that will lead you to that kind of pacesetting future: converting vision into action, strategic planning for your business and taking your next step with Dalton Jantzen of Salted Oats as the featured speaker. Chamber University is designed to address critical business topics and offer tools to navigate and thrive in the ever-changing demands of the 21st century workplace. The cost of the seminar is $50. Chamber members get a discounted price of $35. Breakfast and check-in will be from 8-8:30 a.m.
Thanks to our sponsors:American National Bank
United SupermarketsWorkforce Solutions South Plains
Registration is open and reservations can be made by visiting LubbockChamber.com or by calling (806) 761-7000. Changes to reservations may be made until noon on Mon., April 24. For more information on Chamber University, please contact Allison Cottrell at (806) 761-7000 or [email protected].
Introducing our April Business of the Month, StarCare Specialty Health SystemHow has being a member of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce helped to increase your business, relationships in the business community and/or community involvement? The exposure that StarCare has received as a member of the Chamber of Commerce has allowed us to make the community aware of our new name and the diverse services that we provide. StarCare’s increased involvement in community events, due to our Chamber membership, has given us the opportunity to educate the community on different mental illnesses, how to identify a mental illness and resources that can be accessed. Our Chamber membership has also expanded the number of people we can reach to attempt to decrease the stigma associated with mental illness and intellectual and developmental disabilities. When did StarCare join the Chamber? We joined the Chamber in 1995. What is your favorite part of being a member of the Chamber? Our favorite part of being a member of the Chamber is our ability to sponsor and attend several of the events each year. In what ways is StarCare involved with the Chamber? StarCare CEO, Cathy Pope, has been on the Chamber Board of Directors for several years. Our booth at the Business Expo has allowed us to share our new name, crisis contact information and expanded
services we provide to the people in the community. Does StarCare have a favorite Chamber event? If so, what? StarCare favors the privilege of being involved in Leadership Lubbock. We
are able to provide leaders in our organization the ability to expand their leadership skills and network with other leaders in the community. They are also given the opportunity to gain knowledge about businesses, local industries and services that are available in the community. StarCare Specialty Health SystemThe mission of StarCare Specialty Health System is to create opportunities for community living and provide hope for individuals diagnosed with mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, HIV, or substance abuse through the five guiding principles of individual worth, respect, kindness, collaboration, and accountability. Please visit www.starcarelubbock.org or www.facebook.com/StarCare-Specialty-Health-System-73028688276/ for more information about StarCare services.
Congratulations to StarCare Specialty Health System on being recognized as the Chamber’s Business of the Month!
Get to Know Board Member, Gabe VitelaWhere do you work and what does your job entail? Twisted Root Burger Co. I try to make people happy, by serving delicious food! How did you get involved with the Chamber and what keeps you involved? I worked for a guy named Sam Law and he taught me the value of networking and more specifically networking within the Chamber. I love meeting new people. I’ve made great life long friends through the Chamber. What is your favorite event or program of the Chamber? Business After Hours What are some of your other community leadership roles? I served on the Guadalupe-Parkway Somerville Centers Board of Directors. I also serve on the Caprock Foundation Board of Directors. Finish this sentence: Never again will I… mix Tang with milk!
It’s almost time for Lubbock Uncorked. Don’t have your tickets yet? Here’s the scoop: •Friday, April 28 • 4-9 p.m. •American Wind Power Center, 1701 Canyon Lake Drive •Tickets are $30 in advance and can be purchased at the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., 1500 Broadway, Suite 101 or online at www.selectaseatlubbock.com. Tickets at the door will be $40. •Limited number of parking passes are available for $20 at the Chamber. Sponsored by Casey Carpet One and Market Street, attendees will taste wine from all over the state of Texas, with an added feature this year of wines from the state of Washington and Germany. If you aren’t a wine lover yet, regional beer from all over the United States will be available. If you’re hungry, you’ll have plenty of restaurants and food trucks to choose from! Whatever satisfies your taste buds, you can probably find at Lubbock Uncorked. Come for the music too! Luke Wade, Sean McConnell and Grady Spencer will all be performing, with local favorite Junior Vasquez kicking it off. It’s quite a line up and one you won’t want to miss.
Diamond: KCBD News Channel 11, Lamar Outdoor AdvertisingPlatinum: Arctic Glacier USA, Inc., KING FM 105.7, Parkhill Smith & Cooper, Red Dirt Rebel 105.3 FM, Suddenlink CommunicationsBand: Carpet Tech, V-tech Environmental Services, Marsh & McLennan Agency - SW RegionGold: Choice Media, Kinetico Quality Water SystemSilver: Abuelo’s Mexican Food RestaurantStemware: Sanford & Tatum Insurance AgencyPrinting: Craftsman PrintersWine Tasting Tent/Room: Western BankWine Bag: Western BankGolf Cart/ATV: Family Power Sports
There are a variety of events surrounding the 2nd Annual Lubbock Uncorked Wine Festival! Mark your calendars for these additional events!Thursday, April 27: A Taste of Texas Wine & Food Pairing Event, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Texas Tech University McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center Sponsored by Bayer CropScience, this event features local wineries offering wine that pairs with various foods throughout the venue. Attendees will taste 12 different wines, all paired with food selected by the chefs at Top Tier Catering to bring out the flavor of each wine. Learn about each wine, the wineries and the food while enjoying the evening. A special award will be given at A Taste of Lubbock, honoring a local wine-maker or grape-grower that has made big strides in the industry and helped put Lubbock on the map as an important grape-growing and wine-making destination. Help us honor this emerging industry and the individuals that are working hard to make good wine in Texas by attending this unique event. Tickets available at the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $30. Chamber members get a discounted price of $25. Tickets at the door on the day of the reception are $30. Friday, April 28th: “The Chef’s Table: Wine & Dine Texas Style” A cooking class will be offered to attendees of Lubbock Uncorked! Two class times are available at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Seating is limited, so get your tickets now! Ticket cost is $20 and includes food and wine during the class. Featured Chef is
Thanks to our sponsors!Presenting Sponsor:
Tickets for Taste of Lubbck on April 27 can be purchased at the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $30. Chamber members get a discounted price of $25. Tickets at the door on the day of the event are $30. TIckets are available by calling Allison Cottrell at 761-7000 or email at [email protected].
To purchase tickets to “The Chef’s Table: Wine & Dine Texas Style” class on April 28, call Christye Weld at 761-7000 or email at [email protected]. Tickets are $20 and seating is limited.
Tony Pina of the Hilton Garden Inn. Sponsored by the Go Texan Program, Republic National Distributing Company and the Hilton Garden Inn.
Business Expo: Superheroes! Take Part in the Action! The 2017 Business Expo presented by American National Bank will be held May 11, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. A private networking event for exhibitors only will be held from 9-10 a.m. and a ribbon cutting will be held at 9:45 a.m. to officially kickoff the event and open the doors to the public. This year’s theme is Superheroes developed by RD Thomas, the official advertising agency for the 2017 Business Expo. This year’s event will focus on connecting businesses to local community heroes. Hosted each year by the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, the Business Expo showcases over 200 exhibitors and will welcome approximately 7,000 attendees throughout the day. Back by popular demand, a variety of business seminars will be held throughout the day and are free to attendees of Business Expo. These seminars are designed to help businesses hone their social media skills, make sure their business websites are designed to increase revenue and learn how to solve common business issues and problems. This year’s seminars are: 10:30 a.m. – “You Might Be Wasting Your Advertising Budget //The Digital Age” – Jerrod Shelton, Owner/Digital Media Director of Contract Cre8ive; 2:30 p.m. – “The Heart of It’s My Pleasure,” presented by Chick-fil-A, Brandon Mulkey, Owner/Operator, Abie Rampy, Executive Director of Brand Excellence & Public Relations and Corie Williams, Director of Communications. You won’t want to miss this year’s Business Expo! If you haven’t participated in the past, now is the year to consider having a booth at this very popular event. There is still space available, so call Allison Cottrell at (806) 761-7000 or email her at [email protected] to reserve a booth!
Diamond: Chick-fil-A, Fox 34, RD Thomas, Suddenlink Communications
Platinum: Benchmark Business Solutions, Bodyworks Family Sports Centers, FirstCare Health Plans, Workforce Solutions South Plains
Signs: Advanced Graphix
Gold: European Wax Center
Silver: Sam’s Club
Banner: Caprock Home Health Services, Choice Media, Courtyard by Marriott Lubbock Downtown
Hospitality: Coca-Cola Refreshments
Interested in the Chamber’s Advocacy Efforts?Visit our Advocacy page: www.LubbockBusinessVotes.com
Here you’ll find all the tools you’ll need to contact your members of Congress and keep them informed on issues relating to Lubbock business as well as to help you keep up-to-date with the political process, issues and candidates in order to make informed decisions.
Questions or Concerns? Contact Norma Ritz Johnson, Executive Vice President
Growing Community LeadersMeet Leadership Lubbock Class Member, Mike Lambert
yplYOUNG PROFESSION
ALS OF LUBBOCK
Click here to meet some of the Young Professional of Lubbock
members in our community!
JOIN YPL TODAY!contact Korryn McMinn at
(806) 761-7000 to learn more!
Why did you apply for the 2017 Leadership Lubbock Class? I was primarily looking for an opportunity to learn more about our city, how it works from within, and ways that it has grown and will continue to grow in the future, in hopes of finding a way to be further involved in helping our community. How long have you been associated with Leadership Lubbock? I started with this year’s Leadership Lubbock Class in January 2017. What do you hope to gain from being in the Leadership Lubbock Class? I hope to gain a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes in running our city, what our elected officials are responsible for in their normal work rhythms, and what the future has in store for our city. What do you feel is the most rewarding part of being part the Leadership Lubbock Class? So far the insight provided by our trip to the State Capitol, the phenomenal speakers we have had, and the interaction and relationships that are being established amongst our class have been very rewarding. Why is the Leadership Lubbock program important to you? I think that it is important as citizens to find ways to help make our city a better place to live for our citizens, businesses and families, so being a part of Leadership Lubbock provides an opportunity to have unique insight so that we can identify ways to help those things happen.
What do you hope to do to leave your stamp on the Leadership Lubbock Class? I really hope to use the information and lessons learned from this year to help improve our community, specifically ways to help kids in our community get and stay active, provide safe and preferred entertainment choices for our young citizens, and more specifically ways to help improve East Lubbock. What is your favorite memory so far this year? The trip to our State Capitol and all that we got to do was phenomenal. Who do you work for? Feed and Thangs Farm Store in Idalou.
What is your position? Owner/Managing Partner Share some info about your family: I am married to my best friend, Brandi Lambert, and we have four children ages 23, 19, 7 and 4. Our youngest two are adopted. Our seven-year-old has cerebral palsy and our four-year-old is adopted from China. I enjoy hanging out with my family, coaching youth sports and volunteering in our community.
YEA! Spotlight: Meet Young Entrepreneur Mia Gonzales
Click here to APPLY for the 2017-2018 class!Contact Amy Marquez at (806) 761-7002 to learn more!
Mia Gonzales is a 17 year old senior at Frenship High School. She was interested in learning more about becoming an entrepreneur. She enjoys all aspects of creating a business, from brainstorming an idea to the process of manufacturing and marketing a product. Gonzales came into the YEA! program with an idea that she would create a mobile app to be used by teenagers who are facing mental illnesses. As of today, Gonzales is in the process of creating “Project You and Improved” a website that does exactly what she envisioned for her first business. “There are many situations where kids can’t go to their parents for help, or their parents don’t have the money or resources to get help. Project You and Improved is being created to guide those teenagers who need that extra boost to know that they aren’t the only ones going through different aspects of mental illness,” said Gonzales. Gonzales has been inspired by the story of Walt Disney. She admires the way he never gave up on his dream and overcame obstacles and trials and in the end his vision of Disney World came true. She believes that she has the same characteristics to become a successful entrepreneur. She is looking forward
JOIN US!2017- 2018 Young Entrepreneurs Academy
Information SessionPremiere Cinema
4:30 - 5:30 PM6002 Slide Rd., Ste. 68447
April 3, 2017South Plains Mall
Yea! Investor Panel Presentation
April 5, 2017 6:00-8:30PMHelen Devitt Jones Auditorium & Sculpture Court
601 Indiana Ave.
to running her own business although she knows there will be some hardships, she can’t wait to call the shots.
Chamber Launches New Advocacy Website To better serve its 2,000 business members, the Lubbock Chamber officially launched its new and improved advocacy website, www.LubbockBusinessVotes.com. With a refreshed design, improved content and navigation for all users, it is easier than ever to follow the Chamber’s advocacy efforts at the local, state and federal levels. “The new website showcases the Chamber’s public policy initiatives and provides relevant information to local job creators about legislative and regulatory issues that are impacting them right now,” said Norma Ritz Johnson, Executive Vice President of the Lubbock Chamber.
Tracking legislation from the federal to local level, the Chamber aims to keep member businesses up to date on laws that could impact them. Below are a few proposed state bills the Chamber is currently monitoring. You can also view legislative correspondence on these and other issues by visiting the Advocacy at Work section of www.LubbockBusinessVotes.com. SUPPORT: SB 1034: A bill that would commission a Texas Department of Transportation of the feasibility study of certain improvements to Interstate Highway 27. HB 869 would lead to a Texas Department of Transportation feasibility study for costs associated with the expansion of Interstate 27 along the Ports-to-Plains corridor to be presented to the Governor by the end of 2018.Companion Bill: HB 869Author: Senator Charles Perry (R-Lubbock)
Key State Legislation SUPPORT: SB 797: Bracketed legislation that would allow the City of Lubbock to pledge certain tax revenue for the payment of obligations related to hotel projects, i.e. the Civic Center Hotel.Author: Senator Charles Perry (R-Lubbock)Companion Bill: HB 1680Author: Representative John Frullo (R-Lubbock)
MONITORING: SB 302: Relating to the establishment of a restructuring commission to evaluate each state supported living center.Author: President Pro Tempore Chuy Hinojosa (D-McAllen), Senator Brian Birdwell (R-Granberry),Senator Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), Senator Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE BILLS
The newly organized data, resources and Chamber program information, as well as simplified design enable site visitors to access information quickly. To learn more, visit www.LubbockBusinesVotes.com or follow the links below:• Bill Tracking• Policy Priorities• Full Court Press Keep up with the Chamber’s advocacy efforts by registering for alerts, here!
Adjournment sine die: May 29, 2017Post-session 20-day deadline for Governor to sign or veto: June 18, 2017Effective date (91st day after adjournment): August 28, 2017
UMC Milwaukee Family Medicine Wins Water-Smart Award The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce has announced that UMC Milwaukee Family Medicine has been awarded the Water-Smart Award for Winter Quarter 2016. Each quarter, the Chamber recognizes members who have implemented water-saving measures. The criteria to win can be anything from landscaping to rainfall capture systems to installing low-flow toilets and active promotion of water conservation. UMC Milwaukee Family Medicine has been honored because of its water conservation techniques for UMC Physicians’ facility at 73rd Street and Milwaukee Avenue. When determining the landscaping at this new facility, UMC Physicians wanted to address socially conscious needs to preserve water in the semi-arid area. Some of the water-saving methods that UMC Milwaukee Family Medicine uses is water-saving fixtures and landscaping, which includes low-water, native plants and zeroscaping. These water-saving methods have lowered the facility’s water bills, resulting in lower overhead. UMC Physicians has been a Chamber member since 2003.
The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Salute to Ag Luncheon on March 21 to celebrate National Ag Day. This year, we were joined by former U.S. Representative and House Ag Committee Chairman Larry Combest and former House Ag Committee deputy chief of staff Tom Sell of Combest, Sell & Associates, and Steve Verett of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. The three participated in an engaging and insightful conversation regarding the importance of agriculture not just to the West Texas region but for the entire United States. They also provided a glimpse of how agriculture policy in Washington, D.C. has shifted in the last couple decades, and gave an outlook for what we might see with ag policy going forward. U.S. Senator John Cornyn and his office provided a video played at the luncheon noting how Senator Cornyn will fight in Washington for agriculture policies that are helpful to those involved in agribusiness in the state of Texas. Thank you to our presenting sponsor First United Bank!
Chamber Celebrates National Day of Ag at Luncheon
Former U.S. Representative and House Ag Committee Chairman Larry Combest and former House Ag Committee deputy chief of staff Tom Sell of Combest, Sell & Associates participated in a conversation with Steve Verett of Plains Cotton Growers.
community leaders and businesses.” As an Ambassador there are several events to attend throughout the year such as ribbon cuttings for new members and businesses. Adams said, I like to see new businesses open and the progress of Lubbock so ribbon cuttings are my favorite events to attend as an Ambassador. Outside of the Chamber, Adams enjoys spending time with his family. He actively attends the First Church of the Nazarene and has been on many work and witness projects to multiple foreign countries with church groups. Adams also served on the Chamber of Commerce Executive board in Roswell and was active in Rotary. Again, congratulations to Lee Adams for earning his first Ambassador of the Month award! We appreciate the time and commitment he has dedicated to the Chamber and our Ambassador Program.
Meet Lee Adams, February Ambassador of the Month!
Lee Adams receives his Ambassador of the Month Award.
Chamber Ambassador Program
Join the Ambassador Program!Sponsor the Ambassador or Team of the Month award!
Sponsor and/or Host one of the monthly luncheons!Contact Cathy Potter, Member Relations Director, for more information.
Congratulations to Lee Adams for being named the February Ambassador of the Month. Adams joined the Chamber Ambassador program in November 2016. Adams has never been awarded the Ambassador of the Month award and said he feels honored. Adams is employed by Prestige Cleaners and he and his son are responsible for All American Cleaners in Southeast New Mexico. He is the president of Adam’s Cleaners, Inc, which owns 10 stores in the Lubbock area and 10 stores in the Southeast New Mexico area. Adams oversees the New Mexico and Texas operations for Adam’s cleaners. He has been with Adam’s Cleaners for nine years and has enjoyed watching the company grow. “I have a great management team in place so they make my duties lesser. One hundred fifteen employees keep all of us hopping,” Adams said. Adams said he chose to become an Ambassador because he was fairly new to the Lubbock business community, and he felt it was a way to know what is going on in town and get to know people. “The most rewarding part of being an Ambassador is getting know other Ambassadors and new business owners in the community,” said Adams. “ It’s important to be an ambassador because I like to be involved with the Chamber and other
Congratulations to Team Cheek!February Team of the Month
