Chamber Mission To serve our members and enhance economic and community development Chamber Vision To be recognized as a vital resource, providing relevant, innovative and impactful programming that produces a healthy business climate and an enhanced quality of life. Inside Message from the President ................................................................................................................................................................2 Member profile ........................................................................................................................................................................................3 Business of the month ...........................................................................................................................................................................4 Thank you administrative professionals .........................................................................................................................................5 Women in business .................................................................................................................................................................................9 Chamber U ...............................................................................................................................................................................................10 New members ........................................................................................................................................................................................11 Vol. 25 | Issue 4 April 2020 Thank you administrative professionals >> Page 52 | The Daily News | Chamber Express | April 2020 Chamber Express Newsletter The 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 Commerce 409-935-1408 Advertising: The Galveston County Daily News 409-683-5224 advertising@galvnews.com Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce 9702 E.F. Lowry Expressway Texas City, Texas 77590 409-935-1408 www.tclmchamber.com Ron Assad Gallant Builders Ramiro Barba Port of Texas City Kevin Bogard Marathon Petroleum Sally Briggs Gulf Greyhound Park Kirk Broiles Scribbles Embroidery Jay Carnes Carnes Funeral Home Joshua Chapman Chapman Front End & Brakes Craig Colelli Faust Distributing Kedge Cook Cook Ford Shane Day Kodiak Metals Recycling Richard Devries Standard Steel Supply Shannon Doyle South Land Title Gail Figueroa Amoco Federal Credit Union Nick Finan City of Texas City Felix Herrera Awesome Auto Acces- sories Brook Hrach The Dow Chemical Company Alan Hutchins A&A Machine & Fabrication Charles “Tink” Jackson City of La Marque April Jones Queens Attic Bou- tique Caitlin Kim Domac, Inc. Manny Lopez El Cubano Cigar Factory Jim Macpherson Valero Refining Sergio Matute Eastman Chemical – Texas City Inc. Genevieve McGarvey Mcleod, Alexander, Powel & Apffel Georgia Meyer Barzilay Karat Creations Jewelry Mike Meyer Ashland Jaimin Modi HCA Healthcare Mainland Sam Navarro Apache Industrial Services Ray Nunez Taylor & Hill Philip Orange Team Mancuso Power Sports Rusty Plackemeier Lyons & Plackemeier Jenny Senter TCLM Chamber of Commerce Sonny Tholcken Trey Industries Candice Towles Texas First Bank Terrance Trevino BP Texas City Chemicals Becky Trout Unbehagen UTMB Diana Vasquez TNMP Cathie Woitina Associated Credit Union of Texas Board of Directors MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ‘Lightning Rob’ Balderas - Roofing Specialist 409-945-6920 SERVICING YOU IS A PLEASURE 409-948-4589 My clients say I am their “Favorite Realtor”. Over forty-three (43) years servicing Galveston County Wanda Ables Realtor ® /Broker Associate wmables@aol.com 822 6th Street North Texas City, TX 77590 409-771-4775 Cell 409-948-4589 Direct 409-948-2321 Fax Dear Members, Our lives are forever changed with the COVID-19 outbreak. What we do with those changes will determine if we learn and grow from the experience or hold tight to the way we have always lived our lives and conducted business in the past. Our businesses, our pocketbooks, our church activities, our family time and our social life will all be affected. We still have to LEAD our way through this time. Our Chamber is postponing and moving events and meetings. We are utilizing webinars and remote meeting opportunities as an alternative. Leading doesn’t always feel like forward move- ment, but actually, leading is being capable of successfully charting a new course when necessary. We are all taking on a new leader- ship role. Certainly not one that we would have chosen, but one that is necessary — leading the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. Being a leader is making the tough choic- es, often unpopular, for the good of the whole. In essence, we will all be rewarded for taking that care and slow- ing this disease. Is this an experience that we would ever have chosen? Of course not, but as the saying goes — the secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on build- ing the new. Today is the beginning of “new.” Let’s build a better and brighter future with the knowledge that we are gaining. We will get through this — stronger, tougher and wiser. Stay safe and healthy! Jenny SenterApril 2020 | Chamber Express | The Daily News | 3 MEMBER PROFILE Tell us a little about your company’s background. Blazer Inspection, Inc. is entering its 26th year in business and has estab- lished a strong reputation for safety, quality, dependability and efficiency at a fair price. The company focuses on safe, high-quality inspections and is proud to have a dedicated team of proficient and experienced technicians able to complete any task required of them. It is the only non-destructive testing (NDT) company headquartered in Texas City, which some consider the heart of the nation’s petro-chemical and refining industry. From pipeline construction and maintenance, to re- finery turnarounds, tank construction and custom fabrication, clients across a number of industries call Blazer Inspection to tackle a broad range of projects across the state of Texas. How would you summarize what you do? Blazer has the capability to perform multiple NDT methods, including but not limited to ultrasonic testing, radiographic testing, magnetic particle testing and liquid penetrant testing along with API visual inspections, CWI visual inspections, refractory inspec- tion, positive material identification and a full-service welder testing facility located in Texas City. All of these in- spection methods assist in determining the integrity of piping, storage tanks and vessels. These owner/operator assets are constantly subjected to multiple corrosion factors from the products running through them as well as the gulf coast environment in general. Stressors, such as temperature excursions, humidity, chemical corro- sion, wind loading, and even natural events like harsh weather conditions or seismic occurrences, can all lead to the deterioration of important compo- nents within facilities and construction materials. There are a number of NDT testing (NDT) methods that can be per- formed to identify integrity issues. NDT methods are designed to ex- amine the condition and strength of a structure in a manner that does not affect its usefulness or performance. In other words, no physical samples are removed, and no damage is done to the structure in any way. NDT methods are used to establish baseline mea- surements and subsequent periodic readings of structural characteristics, such as the material’s surface hardness, density, thickness and temperature. These details can support sound choic- es for future repair and/or replacement expenditures. How has your business evolved over time? Blazer opened for business in 1992, and its predominant service line has been industrial radiography for almost 25 years. The company went through an ownership and management change in January 2017. Now, the company is transitioning to a one- stop NDT service provider. The company has added ser- vice lines since the management change and are now able to provide UT Shear Wave, UT Phased Array testing, Positive Material Identification, on-site welder testing, API, CWI and refractory inspec- tions as well as other testing methods. What are some of your proudest accomplishments? Blazer would to highlight its team members and their dedication here. When the owners acquired Blazer, some of the technicians were 20-year employees. One of the issues that was glaring for the new owners was that there was no 401(k) plan, dental or vision insurance in place. The owners couldn’t imagine providing 20 years of service to an employer and finishing a career with nothing to fall back on. This is probably the result of incred- ible price-competitive pressures on a small business, but the new owners immediately began working to provide each of those benefits to the team. The company is proud to say that it provides a full benefits package today, and says thank you to team members for standing by as the business put things in place. What are you working on now? Though Blazer is locally owned and headquartered, one of our largest strug- gles during the past 14 months is pen- etrating the Texas City market in which we’re able to provide service. As of today 80% of our revenues are generated by working in Pasadena, Deer Park, and La Porte facilities. One of the investments we recently made to try to add value to po- tential customers and gain traction here, is the opening of our welders’ testing fa- cility at our office location. The facility is a full-service testing facility and is managed by a senior certified welding inspector (SCWI). Texas City customers can now send welders to us for testing, and save the time and cost of sending welders to Houston or Deer Park. Blazer Inspection, Inc. 409-948-1012 office 832-799-1001 cell 2602 Texas Ave. Texas City, TX 77590 Representative: John A. Spruiell, owner Blazer opened for business in 1992, and its predominant service line has been industrial radiography for almost 25 years.4 | The Daily News | Chamber Express | April 2020 T exas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) was incorpo- rated under its original name, Community Public Service Co., in December 1934. It took ownership of all properties and assets of Texas-Louisiana Power Co., and began op- erations on Jan. 1, 1935. TNMP participates in and sponsors numerous local events and takes great pride in those embraced by employees. The most overwhelming response included when TNMP adopted 20 fami- lies/72 individuals from the Resource and Crisis Center in 2019. TNMP also has partnered with Smart Family Literacy to obtain books for children in need. TNMP has part- nered with the Texas City ISD Foundation, Dick- inson ISD Foundation, College of the Mainland and many United Way agencies in the area, including Independence Village, Galveston County Food Bank, M.I. Lewis Social Service Center and NAMI Gulf Coast, to name a few. TNMP has provided grants to assist in the growth of some of these worthwhile entities. TNMP employees have educated children and families about electrical safety in all of the areas TNMP serves, including Texas City and La Marque. TNMP has raised food, hygiene products, school supplies, coats and blan- kets and monetary dona- tions for those in need in local communities. Even though many of the employees have responsi- bilities far and wide, they go to work in Texas City every day which is the home to TNMP’s largest single office. TNMP may only have 176 employees in the Gulf, but together, they move mountains! TNMP has received numerous Emergency Assistance Rewards for helping to restore power after hurricanes, torna- does and other natural disasters nationally. Also, the company continu- ously receive emails and praise from customers concerning the profes- sionalism, dedication and kindness of the team. From helping change a tire when they see some- one in trouble, assisting commercial customers with their growth needs, to restoring power in the rain, actions speak loud- er than words. TNMP has enjoyed being part of the community and values all of its customers. TNMP 702 36th St. N. Texas City, TX 77590 281-996-0453 ext. 7105 Representatives: Pauline Moore, Director, T&D Diana Vazquez, Community Liaison BUSINESS OF THE MONTHApril 2020 | Chamber Express | The Daily News | 56 | The Daily News | Chamber Express | April 2020April 2020 | Chamber Express | The Daily News | 78 | The Daily News | Chamber Express | April 2020April 2020 | Chamber Express | The Daily News | 9 Serving ALL of the Mainland Bacliff | Bayou Vista | Clear Lake Shores | Dickinson | Friendswood | Hitchcock | Kemah | La Marque | League City | San Leon | Santa Fe | Texas City | Tiki Island www.uwgcm.org | (409) 948-4211 | 922 14th St. N. | PO Box 3098 | Texas City, TX 77592 LIVE UNITED UNITED WAY FIGHTS FOR THE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL STABILITY OF EVERY PERSON IN EVERY COMMUNITY www.uwgcm.org | (409) 948-4211 | 2800 Texas Avenue | PO Box 3098 | Texas City, TX 77592 www.crowderfuneralhome.com Traditional Funeral Services • Cremation Specialists • Pre-Need Arrangements • Monuments • Headstones Celebrating 60 Years of Service O wned and operated by a fam- ily of nurses and staffed with compassionate, experienced ER board-certified physicians, Hospi- tality Health ER Galveston eliminates the frustration that typically accom- panies a trip to the emergency room. Hospitality Health ER Galveston is committed to providing you with the highest-quality medical care services for minor and emergency services around the clock without any wait time or the hefty bill. Safety is our No.1 priority for all of our patients and staff. We have been putting together plans and precautions for the past three weeks in prepara- tion for this time to keep our patients, staff and community safe. Anyone at risk for COVID-19 is screened upon entering the building. Our special protocols in place allow us to imme- diately segregate any patient with coronavirus-like symptoms. Patients showing any COVID-19 symptoms are being treated at a separate entrance and are not in the building. While it’s not our normal policy, it’s the safest and most effective way to take care of our general sick population as well as possible patients with COVID-19. All other patients with any other emergencies can feel safe to come into our emergency room to be treated. By Caytlyn Stanley, Marketing Director Hospitality Health ER WOMEN IN BUSINESS The precautions we have been imple- menting are for you! Other emergen- cies will continue to happen, and we have the ability to care for you effec- tively and safely in our always excep- tional hospitality way. At Hospitality ER, our community is always on the forefront of our minds. As you may have heard, face masks are in CRITICAL supply at many medical facilities around the country. Our team of professionals knows that masks must not only be comfortable but also functional, so we have creat- ed our own pattern that includes an interior lining with a pocket where a filter can be inserted for protection. Thankfully, our community has come together, and we now have many people helping us make thousands of these masks. We are encouraging our communi- ty to join us in making masks for all medical professionals. You can find the mask tutorial video on our You- Tube, along with the written step-by- step instructions in the description under the video. Also, there is a link to the pattern in a PDF file, so you may print it. In addition to sharing the instruc- tions for mask, we will continue to share any tips and solutions we find with the community. Our focus is on our patients and staff, keeping them as safe and healthy as possible. We are finding ways to strengthen immune systems and make necessary disin- fectant supplies from non-traditional resources. Anything we learn and im- plement with our staff we are sharing with the community. Additionally, as a female-owned and operated company, we recognize the additional stressors women are facing. COVID-19 has taken a toll on us all and, as women, we had to add extra to our already full plates. There is a lack of resources, funds and time. Kids are out of school and bored while we are still trying to keep them safe. We are having to work from home, if that’s an option. There are decreased hours at work and increased costs in preparation for COVID-19. At Hos- pitality ER, we are doing giveaways regularly on our social media to help ease these struggles. We are giving away gifts to the community such as e-gift cards, activities to keep kids occupied and needed cleaning sup- plies. Helping our community with the new barriers presented daily has been a challenge, but it is a welcomed chal- lenge that pushes us to find alterna- tive ways to give back. We encourage everyone to do the same. Next >