June 2012

Photo Gallery Page 3

Member Spotlight Page 8

CalendarUpcoming Events. Page 5

by Andy Dill

The Chamber offered a taste of Texas at ‘Wine, Hawgs & Chocolate’ Event

Do you enjoy sampling new wines, beers and foods? The Com-munity Chamber of Commerce of East Montgomery County gave locals a chance to sample Texas wines, Texas beer & Texas food Friday June 8th at the Harley Davidson of Kingwood dealership. Guests sipped and shopped in the fun atmosphere while sampling the offerings from Cork This! Winery, Messi-na Hof Winery, Retreat Hill Cellars, Southern Star Brewery , Spotezl Brewing Co. and Saint Arnold Brewing Company.

Food tastings were offered by My Fit Foods, Texas Road-house, Sam’s Club and Top Hat Catering.

Attendees received with their admission; five tasting tickets, com-plimentary wine glass, voting ballot, and wrist band. Guests voted on their favourite winery during the event. Messina Hof winery took top honours this year as “Best Winery” - Congratulations!

A special thank you to the following chamber members who generously sponsored this event:

EMCID

Harley-Davidson of Kingwood

Anderson Ford

Raymark Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc.

Embody Fitness Center

Flags Real Estate, LLC

Segrest Homeland Realty

Constable Rowdy Hayden

LogoStuff, Inc.

Wendell Hefton, CPA

New Members

Bronze

• Healing Therapeutic Massage

Business

• Salon Rae Ann’s

• Apple Moving Company

• Aspire Behavioural Hospital

• Jones & Carter, Inc.

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Wel

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2 | June 2012

President’sMessageby Andy Dill

Kindness WorksI recently read an article by General

Colin Powell where he recounted a story when he was the senior layperson of a small suburban Episcopal church in northern Virginia. The bishop of the area assigned an elderly priest to the congregation and obviously this individual was in some type of stress and in need of a par-ish. General Powell stated he never knew the nature of the problem and they just welcomed him to the church, treated him like one of them, and ministered to one another. After being with them a year the senior priest was leaving and on his last Sunday delivered a message that included these last words, “Always show more kindness than seems necessary, because the person receiving it needs it more than you will ever know.” General Powell stated that those words stayed with him for four decades reminding him that the lesson was clear. He went on to state that “Kindness is not just about being nice, it’s about recognizing another human being who deserves care and respect.”

Kindness certainly applies when we are thinking about our customers too. Kindness shown to a long established customer is just as important to kindness and a warm welcome to a fist time customer, and probably more importantly to a difficult customer. One of the great ways to build a business is to show

kindness to everyone who walks through your door. Don’t think for a minute that they don’t see it because they do. For about six years, beginning in 1980 my wife and her college roommate owned a small specialty children’s clothing store in East Texas. The store wasn’t big but it carried a very nice array of specialty children’s clothing that wasn’t available in the larger retail stores. They built their customer base by providing a quality product, at an affordable price, but prided themselves on providing the highest possible customer care in the area. Their goal was to treat their customers like family, knowing that family took care of family. Just as we treat our family with kindness, even when they make us mad, they treated their customer with that same kindness and the dividends were returned many times over. Even in the worst of times we find a way to take care of our family, regardless of what the situation is.

Over the year’s customer service and showing kindness to those customers has unfortunately taken a back seat to simply selling the product or service and making a good return. Kind-ness is not a thing of the past and should be taught in every employee orientation session you hold. Kindness must be shown to every customer if you are going to be successful. Kindness is really just doing what the Golden Rule states “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

General Powell’s words on kindness and other stories can be found in his new book “It Worked for Me” (Harper Collins). •

Community Chamber of Commerce21575 Hwy 59 N. #100New Caney, TX 77357

Chamber Connections is a publication of the

Community Chamber of Commerce of East

Montgomery County. Published monthly, it

is intended as a public service to Chamber

members. No part may be reprinted without

permission of the Chamber. Advertisements

do not reflect endorsements by the Chamber of any product or service.

3 | June 2012

Photo Gallery

May Beautification Award - Coonican’s Cajun & Mexican Restaurant in Splendora, TX

Cork This! Winery pours a sample for Isidor Ybarra.

The ladies enjoying the wine! The crew from Anderson Ford trying out the beer. Thanks again for the sponsorship!

Bonnie from Top Hat Catering seems to be having fun!

Committee members Teri Kropik and Jo Neil Snider with guests enjoying the wine and food.

4 | June 2012

People & PlacesRecent chamber events.

June Luncheon The June Luncheon program was pure networking. Attendees made new connections “Speed Connecting” . Every two minutes they moved to a new location and met and talked with a new potential contact.

New Members Welcomed

We welcomed new members this month....

• Healing Therapeutic Massage

• Apple Moving Company

• Jones & Carter, Inc.

5 | June 2012

Distinguished Investors Chamber members who go the extra mile in their support of the chamber.

CommunityCalendar• Jul 3 Rotary Club of EMC

• Jul 4 Independence Day - Chamber closed No Luncheon in July

• Jul 9 Commissioner’s Court9:30 am

• Jul 9 Education Committee Meeting12 pm

• Jul 10 Rotary Club of EMC

• Jul 11 Observer Networking Lunch@ Hofbrau in Porter 11:30am

• Jul 12 Business Development Committee Meeting 9 am

• Jul 12 Twin City Lions Club

• Jul 16 Splendora ISD Trustee Meeting

• Jul 17 Chamber Board Meeting 8am

• Jul 17 Rotary Club of EMC

• Jul 18 Golf Committee Meeting @ 9:15 am

• Jul 19 EMC Fair Assoc. Meeting

• Jul 24 Rotary Club of EMC

• Jul 27 Breakfast Connections

• Jul 31 Rotary Club of EMC

• August 1 Chamber Luncheon 11:30 am - 1 pm, $15Speaker - Joe Turner / Lake Houston Wilderness Park

New Teacher Orientation Chamber Goodie BagsStart thinking about what promotional items you want to include in the new teacher welcome bags the chamber distributes in mid August. More information to come soon.

SAVE THE DATES

• Teacher of the Year Luncheon on September 5th.

• Chamber Golf Tournament October 18th

• Principal of the Day Program on November 15th.

Platinum Level MembersEast Montgomery County Improvement DistrictYellow Rose Reception Hall

Diamond Level MembersHallett MaterialsTDG General Contractors, Inc.Walmart - Supercenter

Gold Level MembersBackyard Paradise PoolsCommissioner Ed RinehartEntergy Texas Inc Kingwood Medical CenterMemorial Hermann NortheastThe Signorelli Company

Silver Level MembersAlamo Hydraulics of Houston, Inc.Conroe/Nacogdoches Coca Cola Sales CenterFriendswood Development Co.Hearst Media Services Kingwood.comRosewood Funeral Home

Bronze Level MembersAllied Power Mart Inc.Amegy Bank of TexasAmerican Fixtures Cabinet Co., Inc.Buster Brown Propane CenturyLink Champion Rentals, Inc.Commercial State Bank of El CampoConstable Kenneth ‘’Rowdy’’ HaydenEGA PrintingFirst Bank & Trust East Texas - SplendoraFlagship Car Wash & Lube CenterFred Haas Toyota WorldFWM Tubular & Equipment CorporationHarley Davidson - KingwoodHealing Therapeutic MassageHydra TanJoiner Partnership, Inc.Joslin TexasLiving EarthLJA Engineering, IncLone Star College-KingwoodMarks Richardson PC, Attorneys at LawMike Harris, CLTC,CSAMy Fit Foods-Kingwood

Observer NewspapersPace Stancil Funeral HomePlains State BankPorter Kwik KarRepublic WasteRiverside Waste ServiceSalons At The LoftShank Wealth ManagementSpirit Exposition Service, LLCStarplex CinemasTIGER Texas Industrial Gas & Equipment Rental, Inc.Wells Fargo Bank of Texas

6 | June 2012

ChamberBoard

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEAngela Allen, Allied Power Mart…..............Chairman of the BoardScott Brady, Joiner Partnership……..…........................Chair-ElectRob Burgess, Community Print & Copy….........…..........SecretaryGary Southard, RISING STAR People Concepts…..........TreasurerGary Gardner, FBTET-Splendora.………........Immediate Past-Chair

TERM Expires 2014Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden......Pct 4 ConstableKatie Paris...............................Embody FitnessJuanita Popowitz......................Yellow Rose Reception HallDr.Rebecca Riley......................Lone Star College - Kingwood

TERM Expires 2013Scott Brady..............................Joiner Partnership Rob Burgess………………….Community Print & CopyMegan Marietta……………...Kingwood Medical CenterLeonard Rogers………………Let’s Mechanical

TERM Expires 2012Angela Allen…………………Allied Power MartGary Gardner………………..First Bank & Trust East Texas-Splendora Mike Harris………………….Long Term Care PartnersGary Southard…………........ RISING STAR People Concepts

One Year Appointees 2012Judy Hayes…………........ RE/MAX RewardsKevin Kennedy...................Kennedy FabricatingGuy Hancock.....................Guy’s A/C & Heating

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORSFrank McCrady…………………..EMCIDEd Rinehart………………………Montgomery County Pct 4Kenn Franklin……………………New Caney ISDDr. Thomas Price…………….......Splendora ISDVikki Munoz……………………..City of Patton VillageFloyd Jackson, Jr………………....City of Roman ForestDorothy Welch…………………..City of SplendoraChuck Cardoza………………......City of Woodbranch VillageBrandon Creighton………………State Representative District 16John Otto………………………..State Representative District 18Tommy Williams…………………State Senator District 4Kevin Brady……………………...U S Congress District 8

STAFFAndy Dill……………………PresidentDelilah Lewis……………......Director of Membership/Special EventsRhonda Behnken……………Administrative Assistant & WebmasterTonie Jones.............................Clerical Assistant

MISSION STATEMENTTo promote the economic well being and quality of life of East Montgomery County.

VISION STATEMENTThe purpose of the Community Chamber of Commerce of East Montgomery County is to provide leadership that encourages

community involvement, economic growth and promotes local business development and an enhanced quality of life.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

7 | June 2012

RenewingMembersPlatinum

East Montgomery County Improvement District

Bronze Buster Brown PropaneMy Fit Foods-KingwoodWells Fargo Bank

Business Denny’s #8625EMC TowingExtension Nineteen Answering ServiceFlags Real Estate, LLCFred Wetz Insurance AgencyGerland’s Food Fair #92Houston Community BankKingwood Air Conditioning & Heating, IncKingwood Garden CenterMcDonald’s of PorterMills Branch Salon & SpaMontgomery & BarnesOakhurst Golf ClubRaymark Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc.RE/MAX Associates Northeast

Silverado Senior LivingTelephone Technical Services, IncTravis Barber ShopTri County ServicesTurnco Sheetmetal DesignWild Country Recreation Park

Associates Level RE/MAX Rewards-Kendra DempseyRE/MAX Rewards-Shawn Kneale

Individual John DaltonLowell J. Little

Non-Profit City of Roman ForestCity of SplendoraDispute Resolution Center of Montgomery CPorter Fire DepartmentPorter SUDSplendora Assembly of God ChurchVillage Learning & Achievement CenterWright-Way Community Development

Chamber of Commerce AmbassadorsKatie Paris- Embody Fitness, Judy Hayes- Re/Max Rewards, Juanita Popowitz- Yellow Rose Reception Hall, Jackie

Barnard-Barnard Architects, Sandy Seelye-EMCID, Mike Harris-Mike Harris CLTC,CSA, Kim Province-Kingwood Signs, Carole Newton-Parkway Family Insurance, Mary Evans-Amegy Bank-Porter, Sheila Hebert-Hebert Photography,

Vern Reichert-Texas Fast Track, Gary Southard-Rising Star People Concepts, Barbara Egan, Isidor Ybarra

Thank you!

Sheila Hebert 32 PointsHebert Photography

Kim Province 32 PointsKingwood Signs

Mike Harris 20 PointsMike Harris, CLTC, CSA

Ambassador of the Month (April) Ambassador of the Month (May)

Member SpotlightBuster Brown Propane20126 Loop 494New Caney, TX 77357http://www.busterbrownpropane.com

I really enjoyed visiting with Jan and Matt Peterson. They have won numerous industry awards and have served on sev-eral industry boards. They keep current with new technolo-gies and industry standards.

Q. What does your company produce or what service do you offer to customers?

Residential and Commercial LP delivery 60 miles any direction, tanks, fork lift cylinders and more. We also offer a pre-buy program where a customer can purchase 1,000 gallons or more at a substantial discount and that price is locked in until the 1,000 gallons is used.

Q. How do you differentiate your business from the competition in your market? In other words – what is your unique selling proposition?We have a full time service department for our customers. We are long-time owners and insist on adhering to laws, ensuring tank safety for both our customers and drivers.

Q. What do you enjoy most about running your business?The relationships that we have developed with our customers and in the community over the years.

Q. Tell me about your companies past successes or projects.We are planning a future expansion into Liberty and Chambers counties with another office to service that area.

7. What one tool or resource do you rely on the most

in the marketing and operation of your business? Networking within the business community and our website at www.busterbrownpropane.com

Q.. What does the potential new economic development in EMC mean for your company?We hope that new residential developments allow propane. There is also potential for new commercial customers with the planned commercial projects.

Q. What kind of challenges are you facing?With our growth over the years we are outgrowing our office space and traffic has become very heavy on this corner at Loop 494 and FM 1485 making it difficult to turn into and out of the office.

Q. What other issues are important to you?Ongoing issues that we keep tabs on are regulatory issues, deed restrictions and legislation affecting the industry.

I see you have been a chamber member since 1995. Thanks for your continued support.

Q. How would you describe your involvement with the Chamber?We had become so busy with the business that we were not actively participating in networking events. Now our son has become very involved in the business and we are planning on getting out more. What really got us interested in being active again was when one day Delilah stopped by just to visit and check on us.

Q. What can we do for you?Continue giving relocation prospects and builders information about our services. We like that the chamber is community oriented and seems to care about the community.