JANUARY 2021 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Letter from the chairman/New members �����3 Business of the Month/ Member Spotlight ���������4 Member Profile ��������������������������������������������������5 Jenny Senter’s final board meeting �����������6 Golden Division event ������������������������������������7 Annual Membership Gala������������������������������8 Thank you members ���������������������������������������9 Ribbon Cutting ������������������������������������������������10 2021 Board Members ������������������������������������11 The official publication of the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: SHRINERS HOSPITAL MEMBER PROFILE: GULF COAST WATER AUTHORITY BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: GAY FAMILY AUTO GROUP The Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce has a new president this month. Page Michel (pronounced mi-shell) took over the helm Jan. 1, following the retire- ment of Jenny Senter on Dec. 31. After observing the past several months of impact from pandemic restrictions and closures, Michel is focusing on how to help chamber members recover and prosper in the new year. “I’m excited to be officially taking over the reins,” Michel said. “Jenny steered this chamber through all the unknowns and hardships of 2020. We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and we’re eager to help members with special promotions to boost their business.” Pandemic recovery assistance and government affairs: Top priorities of new President Page Michel At the last Chamber Board of Directors meeting in mid-Decem- ber, Michel laid out plans for a calendar full of special events and projects. In addition to the annu- al banquet, business luncheons, industrial trade show and golf tournament, there will be a couple of new events. Plans include a Health & Life- style Expo in May and a Women in Leadership Awards luncheon in September. There are a couple of multi-media projects planned (print and online) to promote “Shop Local” awareness and an Industrial Directory to showcase vendors to the major petrochemical plants. Layered on top of all these plans, Michel is busy with the Galveston County Legislative Task Force and is primed to promote local prior- ities at the state level during the 87th legislative session in Austin. Leadership development is another top goal. The chamber’s Leadership Mainland program will “reboot” in 2021 with more than 20 participants. The program had to take a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic. It’s a vital program for area businesses that want to help key staff develop leadership skills and abilities. “It may be a bumpy ride get- ting started in 2021, with the COVID-19 pandemic and a legisla- tive session in Austin,” Michel said. “But I’m confident as the year unfolds, with strong leadership from our Board of Directors and our talented staff, we will reach our goals for the year.” “We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and we’re eager to help members with special promotions to boost their business.” PAGE MICHEL , chamber president2 | Chamber Express | January 2021 409-945-6920 When you’re buying or selling real estate, whether it be residential or commercial, experience matters and you certainly want experienced professionals on your side when you head to the closing table. South Land Title Company has been serving Texas City-La Marque for over 25 years. We are here to assist lenders, realtors, builders, investors and residents with every type of Real Estate transaction. When you close on your next property, go with the experts at South Land Title Company. Protecting the property rights of Texas City-La Marque! Experience Matters! www.SouthLandTitle.net 409.986.5801 - 10806 32nd Ave N, Texas City, TX 77591January 2021 | Chamber Express | 3 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Ameriprise Financia l 2525 Bay Area Blvd., Ste 640 Houston, TX 77058 281-212-2730 www.ameripriseadvisors.com jay.e.campbell@ampf.com Jay Campbell, Vice President/Financial Advisor Finance & Insurance Gartner Coatings 2433 Reid Blvd., Pearland, TX 77581 281-997-3500 www.gartnercoatings.com snavarro@gartnercoatings.com Sam Navarro, Executive Vice President Industrial Coating, Linings & Fireproofing Applicators J. Tullos Services 233 Dale Ridge Ln. Dickinson, TX 77539 832-279-7839 www.jtullosservices.com Johnathan Tullos, Owner Air Condintiong & Heating Sales & Service Mainland Preparatory Classical Academy 319 Newman Rd. La Marque, TX 77568 409-934-9100 mainland-classical.responsiveed.com Tonya Bethly, Director Educational Programs & Consultation Pier 6 Seafood & Oysters 113 6th St. San Leon, TX 77539 281-339-1515 www.pier6seafood.com info@pier6seafood.com Raz Halili, Owner/Manager Restaurant PTFE Industries, Inc. 9426 Katy Fwy., Bldg. 7 Houston, TX 77055 713-900-3500 www.ptfeinds.com toni@ptfeinds.com Toni Forbert, Account Manager Industrial Skipper Insurance Advisors, Inc. 908 6th St., Ste. B Texas City, TX 77590 409-945-6604 www.skipperinsuranceadvisors.com braxton@ skipperinsuranceadvisors.com Braxton Skipper Finance & Insurance Texas City Live Bar & Grill 622 6th St. N. Texas City, TX 77590 469-323-2525 www.TexasCityLive.com Jason@TexasCityLive.com Jason Allcorn, Owner Sara Ferguson, Marketing Representative Restaurants, Food & Beverages Dear Chamber members and friends in the community, Happy New Year! It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the first issue of the Chamber Express news- letter in 2021. I am honored to be the Chamber Board Chair this year and, as many of you know, this is my second time serving as Chair! It was 24 years ago when I first held this leadership position on the Board, and I am excited about having a sec- ond opportunity to lead and serve. Over the next few months, the Cham- ber will be highly focused on providing pandemic recovery assistance to all members. We will accomplish this by providing meaningful ways for you to promote your products/services in the marketplace. Included with your annual membership dues will be valuable pro- motion options, and there is a long list of additional cost-effective activities and sponsorships. Please take a few minutes each week to read the Chamber emails that are sent out on Tuesdays and Thurs- days. That is where you will always find the most up-to-date information. We look forward to seeing everyone in person in the coming months at luncheons, networking events and, of course, the Annual Chamber Banquet on March 25. Thank you for your ongoing sup- port of the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce and for allow- ing us to be your partner in progress. Sincerely, 2021 Chairman of the Chamber Board Karat Creations Jewelry, Urban Gypsies and Urban Works LETTER FROM THE 2021 CHAIRMAN4 | Chamber Express | January 2021 BUSINESS OF THE MONTH Gay Buick GMC and KIA has been in business since 1948. Carl and Marie Gay started out on HWY 3 as a Pontiac dealership. In 1966 they moved to the newly built Gulf Freeway. In 1970 they added GMC and in 2010 KIA. The business is now owned by the 3rd generation, Shane Gay and his wife Kate. The dealership employs just under 100 people throughout the two dealerships which include sales, Service departments, Parts and Body Shop. General Manager Kevin Lardie has been there for 25 years and stresses the importance of the employees being involved in the community and taking care of their customers. They believe the customer is king and customer satisfaction is the main goal. Stop by and see why it really is “The Best Place to Buy!” We have two locations that sit side by side on i45 South; our Buick and GMC building and the newly added KIA building. If you are looking for a new vehicle in Houston, Galveston County, Brazoria County or Harris County Gay Family Auto Group is ready to serve you. The Staff will treat you professionally, with respect, and honesty while giving you the best price possible on a new or pre- owned vehicle. Gay Family Auto 3033 Gulf Freeway Dickinson, TX 77539 (281) 337-2521 www.gayfamilyauto.com sgay@gayfamilyauto.com Shane Gay, Owner Kevin Lardie, Manager For more information about the Video Power Package , contact Jessica Spangle at 409-935-1408 or jessica@texascitychamber.com. JANUARY VIDEO POWER PACKAGE View videos at: www.TCLMchamber.com Click on “Resources” and then “Video Library.” Confirm your spot on the 2021 schedule! Shriners Children’s Texas 815 Market St. Galveston, TX 77550 409-770-6600 | 888-215-3109January 2021 | Chamber Express | 5 2425 SH 146 North • Texas City 409-945-4461 • Fax 409-945-8479 • Email: tctrr.com No. 4 In Texas No. 10 in U.S. Gulf Coast No. 15 in U.S. Nationwide PORT OF TEXAS CITY Texas City Terminal Railway Company Port Authority 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 MEMBER PROFILE MEMBER PROFILE Texas 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 The Gulf Coast Water Authority (GCWA) has dedicated its new $19 mil- lion Industrial Pump Station in honor of its first general manager, Joseph A. (Joe) Willhelm. “Mr. Willhelm spearheaded GCWA’s considerable expansion to become the wholesale water utility it is today, providing a reliable supply of water to industries, communities and agriculture across Brazoria, Fort Bend and Galves- ton counties,” GCWA Board President Russell C. Jones said at the Dec. 9 dedi- cation ceremony. The new Joseph A. Willhelm Industri- al Pump Station provides water to major refining and petrochemical industries in Texas City. The single largest capital investment by the water authority in de- cades, this new pump station expands pumping capacity by almost 25 percent, ensuring long-term reliability and the capacity to accommodate future indus- trial growth. It replaces the original pump station built in 1949. Willhelm was general manager when the water authority was established by the Texas Legislature in 1965. He led ac- quisition of Industrial Division assets in 1971 and of the Thomas Mackey Water Treatment Plant in 1981. “Today, GCWA enjoys perpetual se- nior water rights from the Brazos River because Mr. Willhelm led the purchase of Brazos River Authority water rights and Canal Division assets in 1988,” said Brandon Wade, current general man- ager and chief executive officer. “This al- lowed GCWA to further expand its ser- vices to customers in all three counties Courtesy/Gulf Coast Water Authority Gulf Coast Water Authority (GCWA) employees at the dedication of the new industrial pump station in Texas City. Pictured, from left, are Brandon Wade, current general manager; GCWA’s first general manager, Joseph A. Willhelm; Ivan Langford, former GCWA general manager. Gulf Coast Water Authority 3630 FM 1765 Texas City, TX 77590 409-935-2438 www.gulfcoastwaterauthoritytx.gov. Representative: Brandon Wade, general manager and to acquire a second office in Alvin, now home to our Canal Division.” In his remarks, Willhelm, who re- tired in 1995, spoke of the dedication of GCWA employees to ensure reliable water delivery to customers and of how much he enjoyed his years at the water authority. GCWA maintains an extensive system of canals, pump stations, pipelines, reservoirs and a water treatment plant to deliver up to 200 million gallons of water a day from the Brazos River Basin to its customers. — Gulf Cost Water Authority6 | Chamber Express | January 2021January 2021 | Chamber Express | 78 | Chamber Express | January 2021 ‘ADVENTURE AWAITS’ AT ANNUAL CHAMBER GALA Platinum Sponsor - $3,000 Includes recognition in print and online promotions and tickets for 24 guests with preferred seating and VIP perks. Gold Sponsor - $2,500 Includes recognition in print and online promotions and tickets for 16 guests with preferred seating and VIP perks. Silver Sponsor - $1,500 Includes sponsor recognition and tickets for 8 guests with preferred seating and VIP perks. SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES Be sure to save the date and get your ticket for a fun adventure in the new year! The Chamber’s annual Member- ship Gala will be held on Thursday, March 5 at the Doyle Convention Center. The theme is “Adventure Awaits,” and, amidst iconic images of faraway lands and traveling machines, you will feel transported and inspired. The Board of Directors and staff of the Texas City–La Marque Chamber invite you to celebrate this adven- ture-filled night with colleagues and friends, de- licious food and drinks, festive entertainment and prestigious awards. The banquet also will feature a special celebration with outgo- ing Chamber President Jenny Senter that you won’t want to miss! We look forward to sharing an exciting evening of appreciation with you! A private VIP reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. for sponsors, and the ban- quet will begin at 7 p.m. At this event, the outgoing Chair of the Board, Rusty Plackemeier with Lyons & Plackemeier, will pass the gavel to the 2021 Chair, Georgia Meyer Barzilay of Karat Creations Jewelry. The banquet program will include the installation of 2021 Chamber offi- cers and directors, as well as naming the Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Large Busi- ness of the Year and the Jimmy Hayley Community Service Award winners. Your input is needed to nominate citizens and businesses for these presti- gious awards. Deliver nominations to the Chamber office by Jan. 4 in person or by mail, email or fax 409-316-0901. Outstanding Citizen Award - based on accomplishments and community involvement for the year 2020. Jimmy Hayley Community Service Award - a citizen who has continually demonstrat- ed an unselfish commitment to our community over the past several years. Small Business of the Year - A locally owned busi- ness with less than 100 em- ployees that has experienced outstanding growth, demon- strated community involvement and service, and had accomplishments or awards during 2020. Large Business of the Year- A lo- cally owned business with more than 100 employees that has experienced outstanding growth, demonstrated community involvement and service, and had accomplishments or awards during 2020. View banquet details online at TCLMchamber.com/annual-banquet. To reserve your seat or table at the gala, call the Chamber at 409-935-1408 or email us at reservations@texascitychamber.com.January 2021 | Chamber Express | 9 Thanks to these members for delivering Christmas lunch and goodies to the chamber staff. TASTEFULLY YOURS EVENTS & CATERING COASTAL COMMUNITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION H-E-B AMOCO FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONNext >