Chamber Mission To serve our members and enhance economic and community developmentChamber VisionTo be recognized as a vital resource, providing relevant, innovative and impactful programming that produces a health business climate and an enhanced quality of life.InsideMember Profile .........................................................................................................................................................................................2Chamber Chat...........................................................................................................................................................................................3Business of the Month ...........................................................................................................................................................................4Membership Banquet photos ..........................................................................................................................................................6-7Leadership Mainland .............................................................................................................................................................................9Ribbon Cuttings ...............................................................................................................................................................................10-11New Members ........................................................................................................................................................................................11Vol. 24 | Issue 2 February 2019See who graduated in the 2018 Leadership Mainland class >> Page 9The board of directors and staff of the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce were celebrating in style at the 50th Annual Membership Banquet & Reception on Jan. 31 at the Doyle Convention Center. “Stronger Together since 1969,” the chamber celebrated 50 years of serv-ing the businesses and communities of Texas City and La Marque. 2018 Chairman Pete Dunn Jr., of Dunn Heat Exchangers, passed the gavel to 2019 Chairman Sergio Matute, of Eastman Chemical. We had the in-stallation of the 2019 chamber officers and directors, 2018 Leadership Main-land graduates received their plaques, as well as naming the Citizen of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Jimmy Hayley Community Service Award, Rising Star Award and Northern Star Award. Outstanding Citizen of the Year –Phil Roberts The Outstanding Citizen Award recognizes and honors individuals who strive toward the highest level of professional accomplishments and community volunteerism. Anyone who excels in his chosen profession, has devoted significant time and energy to improve the community’s quality of life, and has provided leadership to assist others in becoming involved in the community. Phil Roberts is the epit-ome of what this award stands for. Our Citizen of the Year is a constant presence in our community. Aside from being recognized as one of the best in his profession, this gentleman is the definition of a servant leader. Some of his community involvement includes serving as mayor pro tem for the city of Texas City, United Way Galveston County Mainland Board of Directors, Bay Area Council – Boy Scouts of America Executive Board, Texas City- La Marque Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Salvation Army Galveston County Mainland Advisory Board, member of the Rotary Club of Texas City and president of the Texas City Rotary Foundation.Jimmy Hayley Community Service Award – Georgia Meyer Our 2019 Jimmy Hayley Commu-nity Service Award winner defines the term “service.” Not only service, but service with a smile, service with energy, service with a positive atti-tude. Georgia Meyer also possesses the ability to get other people involved without your even knowing that you have agreed to do so. Whether chairing an event or running a board meet-ing, Georgia has the same committed level of involvement. When called 50th anniversary banquet award winnersJim Richard PhotographyPHIL ROBERTSOutstanding Citizen of the YearSEE BANQUET ON PAGE 52 | Chamber Express | February 2019Tell us a little about your background.El Cubano Cigars is one of only three cigar factories in Texas and one of only 50 cigar factories left in the United States. Started by myself and my father, Manolo Lopez, in 2006. Rolling cigars and growing tobacco is a family tradition of ours that dates back to 1904 in our original homeland of Cuba.How would you summarize what you do?El Cubano cigars imports natural organic air cured tobacco leaf from Central and South America as well as the Caribbean and even Connecticut in the United States. We take that tobacco and blend the different types of tobacco into 19 completely different flavor profile cigars. Within those 19 profiles, we make about 100 different cigars. After a series of several different steps and minimum of six months of aging the finished cigar, we sell those cigars to the public. Along with walk-in customers, we also provide a comfortable state-of-the-art smoking lounge, which is used by many to enjoy their cigars on premises. One additional aspect of our business is off-site cigar rolling for a variety of different events ranging from weddings to corporate gatherings and everything in between.How has your business evolved over time?El Cubano Cigars started in a 750-square-foot rented shopping center space in 2006. Currently, we have grown into two locations totaling almost 6,000 square feet that we not only operate from but we also own both buildings. We employee a staff of seven as well as my father and myself. What are some of your proudest accomplishments?Our speedy growth, owning our building and being recognized as a national award-winning cigar brand are just a few of the many things we have accomplished in the cigar industry. Seeing people enjoy something that I have developed and made by hand under my direct supervision brings a pride and satisfaction that is second to none.What are you working on now?I am constantly working on keeping the quality of our cigars at a top-notch level as well as new ideas for making the experience of smoking one of my hand-rolled cigars into something special that forms a lasting memory. Unfortunately, much of my time these days is used in the battle against the FDA and its proposed regulations against our industry. The proposed laws would be the end of an industry that has provided for my family as well as many others for hundreds of years. Rolling cigars is art. Cigars are a form of relaxation as well as celebration. A cigar is something that can be enjoyed equally by all, regardless of their social or economic level. When two or more people gather to smoke cigars, they are equal. They are a group that enjoys the pleasure and comradery that the cigar and the cigar smoking experience offer. MEMBER PROFILETexas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce members have amazing talents and stories to tell. With this series we want to introduce you to some of our members and spotlight their businesses. If you would like to be spotlighted in our Member Profile, contact Lorrie Koster at lorrie@texascitychamber.com.El Cubano Cigars520 Sixth St. N., Texas City409-655-5920Representative: Manny Lopez, ownerChamber Express NewsletterThe publication of the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce is published monthly (second Sunday of the month). Some content and photos provided as a courtesy by The Galveston County Daily News.Editorials & Photos:Lorrie Koster, Texas City- La Marque Chamber of Commerce409-935-1408Advertising:The Galveston County Daily News409-683-5224advertising@galvnews.comTexas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce9702 E.F. Lowry ExpresswayTexas City, Texas 77590409-935-1408www.tclmchamber.comRon AssadGallant BuildersKevin BogardMarathon Petroleum Sally BriggsGulf Greyhound ParkKirk BroilesScribbles Embroidery Aaron CameronAshlandDr. Rodney CavnessTexas City Independent School DistrictJoshua ChapmanChapman Front End & BrakesCraig ColelliFaust DistributingKedge CookCook FordChris DevriesStandard Steel SupplyJames DickinsonKodiak Metals RecyclingShannon DoyleSouth Land Title Pete Dunn Jr.Dunn Heat Exchangers Gail FigueroaAmoco Federal Credit UnionJames HartshornCity of Texas CityJason Hayley Port of Texas CityFelix HerreraAwesome Auto AccessoriesManny LopezEl Cubano Cigar FactoryJim MacphersonValero RefiningSergio MatuteEastman Chemical – Texas City Inc.Genevieve Mcgarvey Mcleod, Alexander, Powel & ApffelColleen MerrittLa Marque Economic Development Corp.Georgia MeyerKarat Creations JewelryTripp MontalboMainland Medical CenterSam NavarroApache Industrial ServicesDr. Warren NicholsCollege of the MainlandRay NunezTaylor & HillPerry O’BrienDomac Inc.Philip OrangeTeam Mancuso Power SportsRusty PlackemeierLyons & PlackemeierKitty PotterTexas First BankTerry TrevinoBP Texas City ChemicalsBecky TroutUTMBDiana VasquezTNMPBoard of DirectorsFebruary 2019 | Chamber Express | 3CHAMBER CHATPlanet FitnessPlanet Fitness has officially opened its 20,000-square-foot facility, which features more than 105 pieces of cardio and strength equipment and such amenities as Hydro-Massage lounge chairs. Founded in 1992, Planet Fitness has more than 12.2 million mem-bers and 1,646 gyms.— The Daily NewsConn’s HomePlusFurniture, mattress, electronics and appliance store Conn’s Home-Plus is planning to occupy another section of the building next to Planet Fitness.— The Daily NewsFetching Lab BreweryThis new brewery/tap room has opened at 221 Sixth St. N. in Texas City serving craft beer and wine. Owners are Brett Bray and Theresa Hutchings. The tap room is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and from noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.Dickey’s Barbecue PitFranchise owners Dave and Lesa Covert recently had a grand opening of the 2,165-square-foot eatery in the La Marque Crossing shopping center at the corner of Interstate 45 and FM 1764 near Panda Express.— The Daily News Industrial Commissioning Consultants InternationalICCI recently acquired 714 state Highway 3 in La Marque, moved its headquarters to town and hit the ground running with a flurry of property improvements, includ-ing signage, fencing, landscaping and interior build-out. ICCI has 16 employees and is rapidly growing.— City of La MarqueLa Marque Crossing UPS & GNCThe UPS Store has opened for business in La Marque Crossing. The store offers mailboxes, print-ing, notary services, shredding and package services. There is also a GNC that offers vitamins, supple-ments, protein and personal care solutions.Lago Mar LagoonMore details are emerging about the 70-acre mixed-use entertain-ment destination planned for Lago Mar. It’s apparent the development will significantly increase the num-ber of restaurants in Texas City. They will have two entries at Exit 16/Holland Road and at Lago Mar Boulevard. A large part of the lagoon is designed for residents and framed by private white-sand beaches and a clubhouse, officials with Land Tejas. The other part of the lagoon is being designed for public access and will have several beaches, a floating obstacle course, a swim-up area, a 10,000-square-foot beach club with cabana pool and a Treasure Island complex with a two-story building that can ac-commodate corporate and other events. Tortuga Beach, on the public side, will be the largest beach on the lagoon and will accommodate about 2,000 people a day, officials said. The Breezeway Boardwalk, also on the public side, could have as many as 30 restaurants and entertainment destinations.— The Daily NewsBuc-eesLess than five years after open-ing its mega-convenience store in Texas City, work has begun to add a new canopy and 30 more fuel dispensers, which would bring to total of 86.— The Daily NewsPhotos by STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily NewsPlanet Fitness in Texas City, above, and Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in La Marque, below, both are now open.4 | Chamber Express | February 2019u need any type of refractory material on or repair, call us. You will get superior roducts and services, when and where them. urnaroundsr Unit Turnaroundses & Heatersnings & CoatingsBoilerse RestorationDiamond Refractory Services An EMCOR Industrial Services Company ofing8412 Mosley, Houston, TX 77075 713.378.9200 diamondrefractory.com CAL PROJECT EXECUTION FOR THE REFINERY AND PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES When you need any type of refractory material installation or repair, call us. 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TRIR 0.00 for 3+ years running8412 Mosley Road Houston, Texas 77075Phone: 713-378-9200 Fax: 713-378-9103 www.diamondrefractory.com Absolute Commitment: Absolute Results!• FCCU Turnarounds• Sulphur Unit Turnarounds• Furnaces & Heaters• Acid Linings & Coatings• Power Boilers• Concrete Restoration• FireproofingRENT • SALES • REPAIR2830 TEXAS AVE., TEXAS CITY • 409-948-4497MAINLANDTOOLMAINLAND TOOLStore Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am-6pm, 24 Hour Call Out Service AvailableMAINLANDTOOL.COMWHILE SUPPLIES LAST!Porter-Cable20 Volt Cordless Drill$7995BUSINESS OF THE MONTHAlex’s Air Conditioning706 Bayou Road, La Marque409-935-2496 | talexander@alexsair.comRepresentative: Troy AlexanderAlex’s Air Conditioning was founded in 1969 by T.B. “Alex” Alexander. He had been a part of the Iron Union and was able to work on various projects that familiar-ized him with central air units. He saw that air condi-tioning was here to stay and decided it was a good business opportunity. He rented a desk at an existing company on Cedar Drive in La Marque and went to work. The business took off as the units grew in popu-larity causing a move to a larger office in 1980, where it resides today. During this period of growth, Alex also was teaching his son Troy the ropes of the business. Troy and his wife, Kathy, took over the business in 2005 and have continued to grow by adhering to the princi-ples of hard work, superior products and great service. The third general of the Alexander family, Troy and Kathy’s son Chase, has joined the business over the last several years and is poised to take the wheel, continu-ing the tradition of excellence that Alex’s Air Condition-ing Inc. has been offering for nearly 50 years.upon, she rolls up her sleeves and becomes the No. 1 sup-porter, organizer and idea per-son for whatever worthy cause she takes on. So many have benefited from her keen lead-ership style — Independence Village, of course the cham-ber, UTMB School of Nursing, Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, Southeast Texas Housing Authority — and the list goes on and on. Her competitive nature pushes everyone around her to compete with a fun and winning attitude. We are all blessed to have Georgia Meyer to call on. And best of all her answer is always “Yes! When do we start?” Large Business of the Year – AMOCO Federal Credit UnionThe chamber is proud to announce our first-ever Large Business of the Year, and it’s only fitting that this business is one of our founding mem-bers. This member-owned cooperative organization has seen some amazing growth since it was chartered more than 80 years ago. Once considered one of our small businesses, AMOCO Fed-eral Credit Union has grown from $28,000 in assets in 1937 to nearly $1 billion today, 176 members to nearly 85,000, and 1 branch to 10 branches. In 2018, AMOCO was voted Best Credit Union and Best Mort-gage Lender by The Galveston County Daily News readers, and Best Loan Store by the readers of The Alvin Sun & Advertiser.President and CEO Shawn Bailey believes strongly in giving back to the community that has helped in the com-pany’s growth, and you will always find one of his amazing employees following his lead and serving all over our coun-ty and beyond.Small Business of the Year – Chapman’s Front End & BrakesThis year’s award winner has kept it in the family. Celebrat-ing their 60th anniversary this year, Josh Chapman of Chap-man’s Front End and Brakes is the third generation owner of this amazing small business. Josh recently has complet-ed some amazing building renovations and added new heavy-duty lifts and advanced technology, all while continu-ously producing quality work and stellar customer service. 2018 was Chapman’s highest grossing year; surpassing pre-vious years by $80,000. While Josh takes great pride in his work, he takes the most pride in his commitment to our community. His philan-thropy is shared between February 2019 | Chamber Express | 5Robert Balderas – Roofing Specialist409-945-6920BANQUETContinued from page 1Photos by Jim Richard PhotographySEE BANQUET ON PAGE 8GEORGIA MEYERJimmy Hayley Community Service AwardAMOCO FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONLarge Business of the Year6 | Chamber Express | February 2019February 2019 | Chamber Express | 78 | Chamber Express | February 2019SERVICING YOU IS A PLEASURE409-948-4589My clients say I am their“Favorite Realtor”.Over forty-three (43) yearsservicing Galveston CountyWanda AblesRealtor®/Broker Associatewmables@aol.com822 6th Street NorthTexas City, TX 77590409-771-4775 Cell409-948-4589 Direct409-948-2321 Faxmany TCISD organizations, our cham-ber of commerce, the Lone Star Deluxe Car Show on Sixth Street, the Josh Butler Strong When Weak crusade, Interfaith Caring Ministries, the Rota-ry Club of Texas City and, his favorite event, the Chapman’s Community Car Care Campaign in which Chapman’s donated free automotive work to seven needy families during the holidays.Rising Star Award – Colleen Merritt, city of La Marque EDCThe Rising Star Award recognizes an emerging leader whose record reflects ongoing and exceptional growth in our community and increased lev-els of leadership. The Texas City-La Marque Chamber proudly presents this year’s award to Colleen Merritt, public relations specialist with the city of La Marque.Colleen goes the extra mile every day to promote her community and all of the outstanding opportunities that are available in the growing and ex-panding areas of the city of La Marque. In addition, Colleen serves her commu-nity through Kiwanis and as a board of director to our chamber.Northern Star Award – Kevin Yackly, Grand Prize BarbequeThe Northern Star Leadership Award acknowledges someone who take the lead and sets an example for other to follow. It is presented to someone tonight who has shown his love for his community for many years through his BANQUETContinued from page 1service to so many. From serving our senior citizens through Senior Share, school supply drives, loyal commitment to Texas City Independent School District, long-time support of the Texas City police and fire departments and basically any worthwhile undertaking that this community is involved, Kevin Yackly is there — and most of the time in the background working diligently to make a success of whatever he is a part of. Photos by Jim Richard PhotographyCHAPMAN’S FRONT END & BRAKESSmall Business of the YearCOLLEEN MERRITTRising Star AwardKEVIN YACKLYNorthern Star AwardFebruary 2019 | Chamber Express | 9Mainland409-935-2496Metro281-337-5634Island409-765-58831969-2019AIR CONDITIONINGHEATINGREFRIGERATIONwww.alexsair.com TACLA 15714C2500 SOUTH SHORE BLVD. SSHR.COM | 281.334.1000SUNDAY CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH WITH MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENTLive piano music and bottomless Mimosas in our Paradise Reef Restaurant every Sunday11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sundays $24 Adults, $15 ChildrenLEADERSHIP MAINLANDCongratulations to the 2018 Leadership Mainland graduates: Amy Payton, Ashland; Afoluwakemi Jegede, Eastman Chemical; Brent Farmer, Farmer’s Copper; Bryan Suver, The Port of Texas City; Carla Boone, College of the Mainland; Eleanor Kwik, Valero; Gary Burleson, Dunn Heat Exchangers; Jessica Haas, Marathon Petroleum; Mary Dickson, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Matt Kurtenbach, Ash-land; Mike McGee, College of the Mainland; Mysty Nauck, City of La Marque; Nicholas McIntyre, Guaranteed Roofing and Remodeling; Nidhi Malhorta, DOW Chemical; Paul Urane, Eastman Chemical; Rafael Mendez, DOW Chemical; Rebecca Trout Unbehagen, UTMB; Shannon Doyle, South Land Title; Terrell Nelson, Sherwin Williams; Terri Walker, City of La Marque; and Tommy Minder, Nustar Energy. The 2018 leaders were Sam Navarro, Apache Industrial; and Heather Bernard, Mainland Medical Center.Next >