lubbock business network - january 2012
DESCRIPTION
The monthly newsletter of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.TRANSCRIPT
Vol. 20 No. 1 January 2012
Meghan Gandy, M.S., R.D., L.D.director of wellness
Bill Hartsfieldpresident/ceo
iaWellness is a comprehensive corporate wellness solution that targets behavior and lifestyle changes
in an effort to control healthcare costs.
start your own health reform today!!call meghan at 765-7265 or visit iawellness.com
4902 lakeridge drive | lubbock, tx 79424 | (p) 806.765.7265 | iawellness.com
A Division of Insurance Asssociates Employee Benefit Company
(See 2012 Board of Directors, Page 2)
(See Total Resource Campaign, Page 2)
Collins to Lead Chamber in 2012The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce
chairman for 2012 will be long time volunteer and member, Tim Collins. Collins follows Chairwoman Irasema Velasquez of Velasquez Insurance & Worksite Benefits, which she started more than a decade ago.
“Irasema’s leadership in 2011 brought exciting changes for the Chamber such as merging with the Young Professionals of Greater Lubbock and leading a community-wide visioning effort,” said Eddie McBride, president and CEO. “We appreciate her tre-mendous support and service to the Chamber, and look forward to working with Tim Collins as we carry through with these efforts and look for new opportunities to serve our members.”
Collins is the owner of Collins Tile & Stone which he and his wife started more than 25 years ago. Collins is a long-time Chamber member, volunteer and active board member and has also served the community through a variety of committees.
“This organization adds value to its mem-bers through a variety of programs, and I know that there are several new programs in
development that will assist businesses of all sizes. I look forward to serving as the chair-man,” stated Tim Collins of his upcoming leadership role.
2012 Board of Directors Include:Mr. Martin Aguirre Workforce Solutions South Plains Board AdministrationMrs. Cathy Allen The Gibraltar GroupMr. Larry Allen People’s BankMr. Steve Beasley Lubbock Avalanche- JournalMs. Alona Beesinger Suddenlink CommunicationsMr. Ron Betenbough Betenbough HomesMrs. Beth Bridges South Plains Mall OfficeMr. John D. Brock NorthStar Surgical CenterMr. Tim Collins Collins Tile, LLPMr. Jeff Dane UMC Health SystemMs. Renee Davis Alderson/Mercedes- BenzMs. Linda Gaither WestMark REALTORS - Gaither/RatcliffDr. Karen Garza LISD - Administrative OfficesMrs. Yolanda Gonzaga TTUHSC
Tim Collins
Alona Beesinger of Suddenlink Com-munications was named chairwoman of the Chamber’s second annual Total Resource Campaign (TRC) for 2012. Joining her and
Beesinger to Lead 2012 Total Resource Campaignserving as co-chair is Todd Reno of the Reese Technology Center.
Also leading the campaign this year are five vice-chairs: Renee Davis, Alderson/Mercedes-
Benz; Jennifer Frager, Suddenlink West Texas; Marinda P. Heinrich, Atmos Energy; Greg Jones, American State Bank; Keith Patrick,
January 2012 • Page 2 • Lubbock Business Network
ARE YOU IN THE LUBBOCK CLICK?More than 4,000 Chamber Members are just a click away when your business is advertised in the Monthly Chamber Newsletter
A�ordable(Ads Start @ $55)
Always AvailableCurrent & Past Issues
Environmentally Friendly& Cost E�ective
for your Chamber Investment
Call Julie Terrell • [email protected]
• Exclusive to Chamber Members• FREE Ad Production • FREE Color Deadline - 20th of month preceeding issue
Mr. Gary Gregory Atmos EnergyMs. Grace Hernandez TTU Office of the PresidentMr. Sidney Hopper United Supermarkets, LLCMr. Peter Hur RFS Financial ServicesMr. Clayton Bruce Isom Tao Development GroupMr. Dan Jackson KCBD TV- NewsChannel 11Mr. Jay Jacobus Scarborough Specialties, Inc.Mr. Robert Lacy PYCO Industries, Inc.Mr. Gabe Martinez Ramar Communica- tions, Inc. - Telemundo KXTQ-TV 46Ms. Stephanie Massengale Advanced GraphixMr. Eddie McBride Lubbock Chamber of CommerceMr. Carlos Morales Caprock Home Health Services, Inc. Corporate OfficeMr. Brandon Mulkey Chick-fil-A at South Plains Crossing
Mr. Richard Parks Covenant Health SystemMr. Keith Patrick American Cancer SocietyMr. Bill Patton Robison, Johnston & Patton, CPAsMr. Joe Phea African American Chamber of Commerce-LubbockMr. Norval Pollard City BankMr. Rudy Rosales Montelongo’s Mexican RestaurantMs. Shirley Schleuse Lamar Outdoor AdvertisingMr. David Seim PlainsCapital BankMr. Frank Silvas AFLAC - Silvas, FrankMs. Polly Vann V-tech Environmental ServicesMs. Irasema Velasquez Velasquez Insurance & Worksite BenefitsMr. Gabriel Vitela National Teachers Associates Life Insurance CompanyMr. Mitch Watson First Bank & Trust Co.Mr. Gary Zheng Lubbock Power and Light
2012 Board of Directors
(From Page 1)
(From Page 1)
American Cancer Society.The TRC is an eight week campaign led by
more than 100 Chamber volunteers. During this time, members are offered opportuni-ties to promote their business via Chamber events and programs that take place from July
2012 – June 2013. Volunteers are able to as-sist companies with choosing from a variety of sponsorship options to meet individual marketing needs.
The campaign kick-off is set for March 1, 2012, and concludes with a victory celebration on April 30. Members are invited to partici-
pate in a number of ways. Be a part of the 2012 TRC and promote your company by acting as a volunteer, recruiting team members, securing sponsorships, providing assistance with reward sessions and providing giveaways.
For more information about opportuni-ties to volunteer, earn cash prizes or promote your company, please contact the Chamber at (806) 761-7000.
Total Resource Campaign Leaders Announced
Alona Beesinger
Do you have something interesting to share with us about your business or one of your employees? Send it to us and we will do our best to include it in our monthly newsletter! E-mail [email protected] or call (806) 761-7000.
Share Your News!
January 2012 • Page 3 • Lubbock Business Network
Doing Business with people you know and trustLife & Health Division 806.745.8358
Property & Casualty Division 806.771.43686102 82nd St. #6 • Lubbock, Texas 79424 • www.ashmoreassociates.com
Business Property • Casualty • Bonds • Home • Auto Employee Benefits • Life • Health • Long Term Care
Will & Beth Ashmore
The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce and Imagine Lubbock Together committee hosted a luncheon, “Who will we be tomorrow?” - A Look into the Demographic Crystal Ball with State Demographer, Dr. Lloyd Potter.
The luncheon shared insight into who will be Lubbock’s students, customers, patients, consumers, viewers, constituents, clients, listeners and neighbors.
Dr. Potter was appointed as the Texas State Demographer in June of 2010 by Governor Rick Perry. He is Professor of Demography at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) where he serves as Director of the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research and the Texas State Data Center.
United Supermarkets Citibus Lubbock Association of RealtorsLubbock National BankPlainsCapital BankSouth Plains College
Thank you to our sponsors! Molly Harris, owner
and operator of Advantage Medical Staffing (Advan-tage) for almost 9 years, is the Chamber Ambassador of the Month. Advantage is a staffing agency for the nursing field placing RNs, LVNs and CNAs in hospitals and nursing homes in Lubbock and the surrounding areas.
Harris became in-volved with the Cham-ber when Advantage first joined in 2003. After attending a few functions she became involved with the Ambassador program and is still an extremely active member.
“Being an Ambassador opens many oppor-tunities to meet businesses that are new to our community, or that have a special reason to celebrate, so we attend their ribbon cuttings. The networking opportunities are endless, and the friendships priceless,” says Harris. She has and continues to serve on the Hub City BBQ and Business Expo committees.
Ambassador of the Month – Molly Harris
In her free time she loves to play at the lake. When she’s not outside or at the lake, she can generally be found hanging out with her 2 “Scotties”, Lilly and Roxie.
Sponsored by
January 2012 • Page 4 • Lubbock Business Network
(See January, Page 6)
West Texas’s most trusted source for meeting your record management needs. We offer professional storage, digital imaging, data center services, and secure destruction of any type of records; we can image and copy (printing) documents up to 24 x 48”; we offfer professional record archive services, Class 350 4-hour Vault storage and consulting for all of your professional RIM needs, including disaster recovery and business continuity services. Call or come visit us to learn more and tell us how we might help you.
Secure Vault - Imaging - Destruction & Storage Services
815 S. Gilbert Drive Reese Science & Technology Center Lubbock, TX 79416
CALL (806) 885-2906 or visit our web http://www.westexdocument.com
Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA-1) Certified
Lubbock ChamberMember
Since 1997
Our Business, Is Keeping Your Business - Your Business!
WesTex Document, Inc.
2 Chamber Offices Closed for New Year’s Holiday
4 New Century Leadership Committee Meeting 11 a.m. – LCOC
5 Agriculture Committee Meeting 7:30 a.m. – LCOC Ribbon Cutting for 360 Boston Wellness 4:30 p.m. - 2709 26th St.
6 Visioning Steering Committee Meeting 8 a.m. - LCOC
10 Mercado Committee Meeting 4 p.m. – American State Bank
11 New Century Leadership Media Day All Day Ambassador Monthly Luncheon Noon – Ruby Tequilla’s, 8601 Univ. Business Expo Committee Meeting 4 p.m. – LCOC
12 Leadership Lubbock Committee Meeting 11 a.m. – LCOC Focus Lubbock Committee Meeting 3 p.m. – LCOC Business After Hours hosted by Carpet Tech 5:30 p.m. – 18th & Milwaukee
13 Visioning Steering Committee Meeting 8 a.m. - LCOC Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting 10:30 a.m. – LCOC
16 Ribbon Cutting for the Lubbock Transition Center 10 a.m. – 125 Chicago Ave.
17 State of the City Address 11:30 a.m. – Civic Center Hispanic Business Development Committee Meeting 4 p.m. – First Bank & Trust
Chamber University is an innovative busi-ness seminar series designed to address critical business topics and to offer tools to navigate and thrive in the ever-changing demands of the 21st century workplace, expanding cur-rent “essential knowledge” in the arenas of Technology (February 9th); Customer Service (March 6th); Marketing & PR (April 12th); Leadership & Management (May 4th); Ac-counting & Taxes (September) and Human Resources (October). Facilitators include subject matter experts, many from our local business community.
This series of six seminars will take place February – November 2012. Platinum spon-sors for Chamber University include Aim Bank, Double T Cable Services, Inc. and Lubbock Regional MHMR, with individual seminars sponsored by Suddenlink West Texas, Suddenlink Business Services, and Reese Technology Center.
Envisioned by the Chambers’ Business Development Committee, Chamber Univer-
Chamber University Launches February 2012sity was developed as the 2010/2011 Class Project of Leader-ship Lubbock. Un-der of the leadership of Dr. Kathy Crock-ett from Lubbock Christian Univer-sity, steering committee members include 2010-2011 Leadership Lubbock alumni John Osborne, Samantha McKay, Michelle McCallick and Lori Truitt as well as Geralyn Monticello, the Business Development Com-mittee Co-Chair.
Registration for the series is now open. Businesses and individuals may register for the entire series or select individual seminars. Discounts are available for companies register-ing for the entire series as well as for multiple attendees per company.
For questions regarding Chamber Uni-versity, please contact Robin Raney at (806) 761-7009 or [email protected].
“Succession Planning” is the topic of the January 18th Business Development Com-mittee Meeting. Open to all members of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, reservations are required and can be made online. The $10 cost for Chamber members and $12 for prospective members includes a hot lunch. This meeting is sponsored by Double T Cable Services.
CEV Multimedia, Ltd. began on Gordon Davis’s kitchen table in 1984 and is a great example of American entrepreneurship. Their product is in approximately 25,000 class-rooms, and they are the number one Career and Technical Education publisher for second-ary education. 2011 brought a new division of the company called iCEV, which will bring
Business Development – Succession Planning
the same innovative approach to learning to the postsecondary and continuing education markets. Also in 2011, Owner Gordon Davis unveiled a succession plan to ensure success for CEV in perpetuity. Dr. Gordon Davis was recently honored with the 2011 Lubbock Chamber of Commerce Business Person Hall of Fame Award.
Chaired by Michael Shaffer of Suddenlink Business Services and Co-Chaired by Gera-lyn Monticello of South Plain Community Action Association, this committee meets on the third Wednesday of the month for lunch. For additional information, contact Robin Raney at [email protected] or (806) 761-7009.
January 2012 • Page 5 • Lubbock Business Network
2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAMBER STAFF
CHAIRMAN Tim Collins Collins Tile, LLPIMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRWOMAN Irasema Velasquez Velasquez Insurance & Worksite Benefits TREASURER Alona Beesinger Suddenlink West TexasSECRETARY Eddie McBride Lubbock Chamber of Commerce VICE CHAIRMAN, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIVISION Carlos Morales Caprock Home Health Services, Inc.VICE CHAIRMAN, COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION Dan Jackson KCBD TV-NewsChannel 11 VICE CHAIRMAN, GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DIVISION Jay Jacobus Scarborough Specialties, Inc.VICE CHAIRMAN, HISPANIC BUSINESS DIVISION Rudy Rosales Montelongo’s Mexican RestaurantVICE CHAIRMAN, LEADERSHIP DIVISION Peter Hur RFS Financial Services VICE CHAIRWOMAN, MEMBERSHIP DIVISION Beth Bridges South Plains MallHISPANIC BUSINESS DIVISION REPRESENTATIVE Yolanda Gonzaga TTUHSC
BOARD ADMINISTRATIONMartin Aguirre Workforce Solutions South Plains Cathy Allen The Gibraltar GroupLarry Allen People’s BankStephen Beasley Lubbock Avalanche-JournalRon Betenbough Betenbough HomesJohn D. Brock NorthStar Surgical Center Jeff Dane UMC Health SystemRenee Davis Alderson/Mercedes-BenzLinda Gaither WestMark REALTORS Karen Garza Lubbock Independent School DistrictGary Gregory Atmos EnergyGrace Hernandez Texas Tech UniversitySidney Hopper United SupermarketsClayton Isom TAO Development GroupRobert Lacy PYCO IndustriesGabe Martinez Telemundo KXTQ-TV 46, Ramar Comm.Stephanie Massengale Advanced GraphixBrandon Mulkey Chick-fil-A at South Plains CrossingRichard Parks Covenant Health SystemKeith Patrick American Cancer SocietyBill Patton Robison, Johnston & Patton, CPAsJoe Phea African American Chamber of Commerce - LubbockNorval Pollard City BankShirley Schleuse Lamar Outdoor AdvertisingDavid SeimFrank Silvas AFLAC-Laquita Carthel Regional SalesPolly Vann V-tech Environmental ServicesGabe Vitela National Teachers Life Insurance CompanyMitch Watson First Bank & Trust Co.Gary Zheng Lubbock Power & Light
Eddie McBride, IOM, President/CEOSheri Nugent, IOM, Vice President-AdministrationRobin Raney, Vice President-Business DevelopmentJorge Quirino, Vice President-Hispanic Business DivisionPhyllis Jones, Vice President-LeadershipNorma Ritz Johnson, CCE, IOM, Vice President-Legislative AffairsConstance Barbian, Vice President-CommunicationsColleen Evans, IOM, Vice President-Membership ServicesAmy Marquez, Retention SpecialistNorma Gomez Bulls, Customer Service RepresentativeAudrey DeLeon, Administrative AssistantKacy Steele, Intern
1500 Broadway, Suite 101 Wells Fargo Center Lubbock, TX 79401 P 806.761.7000
F 806.761.7013
With its spectacular rolling hills and fascinating history, the Tuscan region of Italy is a must for any traveler. This leisurely journey allows you to unpack once and visit Florence, Siena, and San Gimingnano among others. Enjoy time at leisure to visit museums and cafes or take opportunities to visit the breath-taking Italian Riviera,
Travel to Tuscany with the Chamber
View our complete guide to Tuscany including your detailed tour itinerary and pricing.View our guide of optional tours.
ItineraryDay 1: Depart USA
Day 2: Arrive Italy
Day 3: Experience Florence
Day 4: Day at Leisure, Optional Tours
Day 5: Siena, San Gimingnano
Day 6: Day at Leisure, Optional Tours
Day 7: Day at Leisure, Options Tours
Day 8: day at Leisure
Day 9: Depart Italy, Return to USA Optional Rome ExtensionDay 9: Rome Day 10: Rome Day 11: Depart Rome, Return to USA
Highlights: 7 Nights in One HotelFlorence City Tour Statue of David Basilica of St. FrancisSan GimingnanoSienaChianti Region (optional)Lucca & Pisa (optional)Portofino & Italian Riviera (optional)
Inclusions:Round trip AirfareAirline Fuel Surcharges/FeesInternational Business Exchange7 Nights First Class Hotel9 Meals (7-B, 2-D)Sightseeing per ItineraryAdmissions per ItineraryProfessional Tour HostBaggage HandlingHotel & Airport Transfers Transportation by deluxe air-condi-
tioned motorcoach
Lucca, Pisa, and the famed Chianti Region.Tuscany is more affordable & inclusive
than you’ve ever dreamed! This trip will fill to capacity quickly, so book today. Travel is November 8 - 16, 2012. Contact the Cham-ber at 806-761-7000 for more information or to RSVP.
January 2012 • Page 6 • Lubbock Business Network
January(From Page 4)
OF LUBBOCK, L.L.C.
510 13th St. • Lubbock, Texas 79401
RICK SOSEBEE
• Engineered Systems • Fire Suppression Systems• Alarm Systems • Fire Extinguishers
806-744-0612
KOETTER FIRE PROTECTIONKOETTER FIRE PROTECTIONKOETTER FIRE PROTECTIONI’ve always wondered . . .
. . . just did!
Does advertising work?
Word Publications • 1310 Avenue Q • Lubbock, TX 79401 • 806-744-2220
18 Business Development Committee Meeting 11:30 a.m. – LCOC
19 Agriculture Committee Meeting 7:30 a.m. – LCOC Chamber University Steering Committee Meeting 8:30 a.m. – LCOC Ribbon Cutting for Fuzzy’s Taco Shop 11:15 a.m. - 10101 Slide Rd. Executive Committee Meeting Noon - LCOC Community Prayer Breakfast Committee Meeting 4 p.m. – LCOC Ribbon Cutting for
20 Visioning Steering Committee Meeting 8 a.m. – LCOC Ribbon Cutting for Stripes Noon – 3220 Milwaukee Ave.
23 and 24 Focus Lubbock & Leadership Lubbock in Austin All Day
26 Board of Directors Meeting 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. - TBD
27 Visioning Steering Committee Meeting 8 a.m. – LCOC
31 Young Professionals Committee Meeting Noon - LCOC
Da Vinci The Genius, the most complete and comprehensive traveling exhibition ever created on Leonardo da Vinci, will be on display at the Science Spectrum Museum beginning January 21st, 2012.
Da Vinci The Genius demonstrates the
The Largest and Most Comprehensive Exhibition Ever Compiled on Leonardo da Vinci to Tour the World Coming to Lubbock
DaVinci The Genius - on display at the Science Spectrum Museum January 21 to April 15, 2012.
15th, Da Vinci The Genius will be open daily Monday through Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm, Saturday, 10:00am to 6:00pm, and Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00pm.
General Admission Ticket prices are as follows:
$12.00 for Adults / $9.50 for Children (ages 3-12) & Seniors (60+)
Group Rate Ticket prices are (groups of 10 or more):
$10.00 for Adults / $8.00 for Children (ages 3-12) & Seniors (60+)
* Tickets are available for purchase at the box office each day of the exhibition.
Group reservations are accepted in ad-vance by calling 806-745-2525 x234.
For additional exhibition information visit www.davincithegenius.com. General public may also call 806-745-2525 or visit www.sciencespectrum.org.
The Science Spectrum Museum and OMNI Theater is a local non-profit organiza-tion dedicated to science education.
full scope of Leon-ardo da Vinci’s re-markable genius as an inventor, artist, anatomist, sculptor, engineer, musician and architect. It has taken over 10 years to create the exhi-bition, which fea-tures a vast array of full-scale machine inventions crafted from da Vinci’s per-sonal codices (note-books), as well as reproductions of his most famous Renais-sance art, including the Mona Lisa, Virgin of the Rocks, and The Annunciation, amazing anatomical sketches, the preparatory drawings of the Anghiari Battle, and three-dimensional interactive presentations of the Last Supper, the Vitruvian Man, and the Sforza Horse sculpture that offer never before seen perspec-tives on these famous works.
The many components on display in the Science Spectrum’s Exhibit Hall are intended to delight patrons of all ages. The inven-tions on display will focus on the following themes: Physics & Mechanical Principles, Civil Machines, Flight Studies Machines, Military Machines, Hydraulic Machines and Musical Instruments. Among the many inven-tions found in da Vinci’s codices, on display will be his visions for the glider, parachute, the precursor to the modern helicopter, the bicycle, forerunner to the modern military tank, automobile, submarine, ball bearing and gear systems, among many other amazing inventions that were far ahead of their time.
Beginning January 21st through April
January 2012 • Page 7 • Lubbock Business Network
Tickets: $25 (Chamber Discount Price: $ 15 )
Reservations Required: Please contact the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce at 806.761.7000
Wyman Meinzer was raised on League Ranch, a 27,000-acre ranch in the rolling plains of Texas. Since then, he has traveled across the state many times to capture the first and last rays of sunlight as they kiss the Texas landscapes.
ABOUT WYMAN MEINZER
He started his career as a professional predator hunter. He transitioned into a research associate for the university and now teaches a senior-level course in Special Problems Photography at Texas Tech University in addition to his ongoing book projects and freelance magazine assignments. Meinzer has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management and was voted Outstanding Alumnus in 1987 by the department of Range and Wildlife Management at Texas Tech University. He also received the Distinguished Alumnus award in 1995 from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. In 2009 he received the Distinguished Alumnus award from Texas Tech University in recognition of outstanding achievement and dedicated service. For more information about Meinzer: wymanmeinzer.com
2012 Farm ShowBreakfast
Presented By:
Celebrate the Grandeur and Beauty of
Rural Texas with Texas State
Photographer
Wyman MeinzerFebruary 7, 2012
7:30 a.m.Lubbock Memorial Civic
Center
Thanks to Diamond Sponsor:
Lubbock County
Platinum Sponsors include:
AgTexas Farm Credit
Capital Farm Credit
Texas Agricultural Coop Trust
Hosted in cooperation with
February 7, 8, 9 Lubbock Memorial Civic
Center
January 2012 • Page 8 • Lubbock Business Network
The December 6th, 2011 Annual Banquet highlighted and celebrated the year’s achieve-ments, while honoring those who made it possible. The 2011 Honorees were:
● Ambassador of the Year presented by Alan Henry Insurance Agency, Inc. – Traci Cheek, Children’s Home of Lubbock
● Volunteer of the Year – Mary Whistler, Office of U.S. Representative Randy Neuge-bauer
● Business Person of the Year – Angela Hightower, Angela Hightower Income Tax Services
● Business of the Year – Betenbough Homes
● Business Person Hall of Fame – Dr. Gordon Davis, CEV Multimedia
● Business Hall of Fame – Caprock Home Health Services, Inc.
● Parental Partner Award presented by Parkhill, Smith & Cooper– Veronica Velez, Nat Williams Elementary, Lubbock ISD
Thank you to our generous sponsors:Presenting Sponsor: Suddenlink West
Texas; Diamond Sponsors: George McMahan Development, LLC; Teinert Commercial Building Services; Centerpiece Sponsor: Col-
lege Flowers; Platinum Sponsors: Coca-Cola Refreshments, Lakeridge Estates, Lubbock National Bank; Parental Partner Award: Parkhill, Smith & Cooper; Annual Report Sponsor: McDougal Companies; Gold Sponsors: Atmos Energy; Caprock Home Health Services; Citizens Bank; Freese and Nichols, Inc.; New Mexico Texas Coaches LLC; Glasheen, Valles & Inderman, LLP; Skyview Helicopters; South Plains Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Southwest Bank, UMC Health System; TTU College of Human Sciences; Silver Sponsors: Abuelo’s, American State Bank, Bates-Wells, Inc., BBVA Com-pass Bank, Benchmark Business Solutions, Betenbough Homes, Caraway, McMahon & Co., LLP; City of Lubbock, First United Bank, Lubbock Christian University, Lubbock Economic Development Alliance, Overton Hotel & Conference Center, Platinum Bank, Reese Technology Center, South Plains Col-lege, Southwest Bank, Sysco West Texas, Inc., The Price Group, TTU Office of the President, Wells Fargo, Workforce Solutions South Plains Board Administration, X8En-vironmental, Inc., Z S Brady & Co..; Table Sponsors: Angela Hightower Income Tax Services, Covenant Health System, Ramar Communications, Inc.
2011 Annual Membership Meeting & Awards Gala
presented by
Traci Cheek Ambassador of the Year
Mary WhistlerVolunteer of the Year
Angela HightowerBusiness Person of the Year
Betenbough HomesBusiness of the Year
Dr. Gordon DavisBusiness Person Hall of Fame
Caprock Home Health Services, Inc.Business Hall of Fame
Veronica VelezParental Partner Award
January 2012 • Page 9 • Lubbock Business Network
Farm Show Breakfast – February 7Chamber University, Technology
– February 9Chamber University, Customer Service
– March 6Chamber University, Marketing and
Public Relations – April 12Focus Lubbock Graduation – April 26New Century Leadership Graduation
– May 1Community Prayer Breakfast – May 3Cinco de Mayo Luncheon – May 3Chamber University, Leadership and
Management – May 4LeaderCast – May 4Business Expo – May 10Leadership Lubbock Graduation
– May 24Golf Classic – July 23Fiestas Patrias Luncheon – September 14Chamber University, Accounting and
Taxes - SeptemberHub City BBQ – September Business Mercado – October 11Chamber University, Human Resources
- OctoberTuscany Trip – November 8 - 16Annual Meeting – November/December
From the Lubbock Avalanche-JournalFew may guess what Linda Alvarado, one
of the nation’s most influential Hispanic busi-ness leaders, does for a living.
During her keynote speech at the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards ban-quet Tuesday night, she said some years ago someone told her one of the two problems with her construction business was: “When you walk into a room, you look like a woman.”
Battling stereotypes has been a constant for Alvarado, who started a construction firm in Denver with three employees in 1976 doing curb and gutter projects to an organization that builds stadiums, high rises and similar big jobs.
She’s also a founding co-owner in the Colo-rado Rockies baseball team, the first Hispanic to own a share of an Major League Baseball team, and the first woman to be part of a suc-cessful bid to found a franchise.
“People have thought I was a banker, a secretary, a Realtor, an attorney, and when I’m in the office on a Saturday with my Rockies sweatshirt and a baseball cap, the cleaning woman,” Alvarado said.
Alvarado’s talk, before more than 500 people, covered many topics, ranging from lessons she learned as a woman business owner in a male-dominated industry to the need to think quickly in a rapidly changing global economy.
“I don’t look Hispanic; I’ve got blue eyes. And I don’t look like a contractor,” she said, noting the diversity in the audience of Hub City business owners.
And understanding diversity, she said, is part of what’s made her company successful.
“My job is to assemble a group of people who are good at what they do, passionate about what they do, and represent the ethical and professional standards of the company,” she said.
And, she said with a joke about her own childhood, it starts with what Alvarado said her parents called “the leadership shadow.”
“I was afraid of that shadow, because I thought it was a monster,” she said, adding it was an attitude from her parents about “what you do, how you do it, and how you say things.
“It’s the ability to help others rise to ac-
Persistence, diversity leads to business success, Lubbock Chamber of Commerce’s speaker says
Linda Alvarado, one of the nation’s most influential Hispanic business leaders, delivers the keynote speech at the banquet.
complish and do great things,” she explained.She said persistence, a lesson she learned
from her mother as a child in Albuquerque, helped her get a college job working in land-scaping — a move that might have nudged her toward a career in construction.
While a student at Pomona College in California, she said, she needed a job and applied for a landscaping job.
The manager turned her down, explaining boys did landscaping while girls worked in food service.
“Two weeks later, I came back and said, ‘I really need a job,’” she said, adding the manager tried to dissuade her by explaining it would be sweaty work with a lot of lifting, and she wouldn’t be able to wear women’s clothes and shoes.
“I said, ‘I don’t have to go to the gym, I could wear Levi’s to work every day, and I can work with some good-looking guys, and you pay me?’” she said.
The following summer, she wound up working on a construction site, and explained because the manager liked to play golf, he piled a lot of work on her desk.
“He became something of a mentor to me, because he was lazy and wanted to play golf,” she said, adding the experience prompted her to take courses in estimating and other construction-related talents.
Then, she said, she started to submit bids on projects and was thinking “maybe I could build a convenience store or a townhouse. So I wrote a business plan to see what I could do.”
After starting a business and bidding un-
successfully on a few jobs, “I learned quickly not to sign my first name, but to use my ini-tials, L.G. If I signed Linda, I wouldn’t make the first cut.”
She gradually began to get jobs, and over time, those jobs have grown to such projects as convention centers and the stadium where the Denver Broncos play.
A portion of her talk dealt with decisions about taking risks — such as her decision in 1992 to join the partnership group that would land the Colorado Rockies baseball franchise.
When she discussed the opportunity with her husband, they talked about the risk and she came to the realization that “not taking the risk would be an opportunity lost.”
Photo by Robert Suddarth
Linda Alvarado
Save these dates for BIG events in 2012!
January 2012 • Page 10 • Lubbock Business Network
Business of the Month
Abuelo’s, a Lubbock Cham-ber of Commerce member since 2005, has received nu-merous national accolades as the top-ranked Mexican food restaurant, one of America’s top chains, and for offering great meals for less than $20.
Escape to the courtyard under our beautiful sky, enjoy our inspired surroundings and savor the exceptional food and drink that is Abuelo’s signature.
Being involved in our lo-cal communities is an integral
part of the Abuelo’s culture. Over the years, our restau-rants and our employees have contributed countless meals, funding and volunteer hours in our communities across the United States.
Working together with our community partners, we take pride in our efforts to enrich and support our neighbor-hoods while carrying out the Abuelo’s tradition of providing the rich, delicious flavors of Mexico.
Help give someone the rec-ognition they deserve but never seek by submitting a nomination for the Association for Women in Communications (AWC) 2012 Celebrity Luncheon.
The annual luncheon cel-ebrates the positive contributions and achievements of those people who make Lubbock and West Texas a great place to live.
AWC’s annual recognition of Headliners, Gold Medalists, the Louise Allen Award and the George Mahon Award will be decided through a committee selection process as well as input
Lubbock Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications (AWC) Accepting Nominations for its Annual Celebrity Luncheon Awards
from members of the community.Gold Medals are awarded to
people who, over an extended period of time, have worked to improve the quality of life for a broad spectrum of those living in the Lubbock area.
Headliners are presented to people whose achievements and contributions have received widespread positive recognition through the media.
The Louise Allen Award is presented to an entity that has exhibited outstanding corporate community service.
The George Mahon Award for Extraordinary Public Service is only presented when AWC believes a person has dedicated his or her adult life to a broad array of public service efforts. It is awarded to an individual who “can’t say no” when asked
to engage in public service and whose service consistently results in accomplishments.
In an effort to increase our submissions and provide a sim-pler, more efficient way for indi-viduals to submit their informa-tion, we are happy to announce that an online form is now avail-able on our AWC Lubbock website.
This form can be found at http://awclubbock.org/AWC_Lubbock/CL_Nomination_Form.html. Nominations are due by Monday, Jan. 16.
Arbor Inn and Suites today announced its partnership with Stash Hotel Rewards®, the larg-est loyalty program for indepen-dent hotels in the United States. Stash members can now earn and redeem points for free nights at one of Lubbock’s upscale hotels that guarantee the luxury, com-fort and service that customers say consistently exceed expectations.
“We are humbled to be a part-ner hotel of Stash Hotel Rewards. We feel this helps to level the playing field with the franchised hotels. It is also an added way to say thank you to all of our guests who stay with us frequently,” said Rob Meyer, owner/operator of Arbor Inn and Suites.
Arbor Inn and Suites boast
Arbor Inn and Suites Partners with Stash Hotel RewardsNow Part of the Largest Point-Based Loyalty Program for Independent Hotels in the U.S.
some of the largest hotel rooms in Lubbock and is the only one that has balcony rooms overlooking a resort style pool.
“Our philosophy is simple: We work hard to please you,” Meyer said.
Guests of Arbor Inn and Suites can join Stash for free at www.stashrewards.com. Stash mem-bers earn 5 points for each dollar spent on eligible room rates and can redeem them at independent hotels across North America, including the Caribbean and Hawaii. Stash points never expire, and redemption is simple, with-out blackout dates or category restrictions found in many chain programs. Stash partner hotels also provide members with exclu-
sive travel deals. Arbor Inn and
Suites offers travelers an at-home experi-ence with the larg-est, most comfortable rooms in Lubbock. It’s a family-owned hotel that guaran-tees a rich experience unlike the cookie-cutter franchises. Established in 2005, Owner Rob Meyer
provides guests with personalized accommodations and welcome receptions that make them feel like they are in his home and not his place of business. Arbor Inn and Suites offers spacious hotel
rooms with an average of more than 450 square-feet equipped with full kitchens. The hotel is perfect for those in town to visit the Red Raiders or just to enjoy the Panhandle.
January 2012 • Page 11 • Lubbock Business Network
Ground Breakings & Ribbon Cuttings
Sponsored By
Bacon Heights Baptist Church5110 54th St
Blue Monkey Grill2407 9th St.
Bolton Oil Company – Service Center6310 19th St
Caprock AMBUCS Christian Brothers Automotive – Southwest6207 82nd St.
Dr. Eric Minns – Plastic Surgery3519 22nd Place, Suite B
Freebirds World Burrito Golden Chick804 Ave. X
Lubbock KIDS Dental1504 Buddy Holly Ave.
Managed Care1715 26th St.
McDonald’s – North University102 N. University
Mother May I2610 Salem Ave, Suite 4
The Eating Disorder Clinic at The Ranch at Dove Tree
Trinity Christian Elementary School
January 2012 • Page 12 • Lubbock Business Network
Welcome to the New Chamber MembersPlease place this addition in your Chamber Business Directory and Resource Guide!
Please note – current membership information can be found on the Chamber’s online Business Directory. Members can be searched by category or keyword. Membership information can be verified online through the Members Only section. 11/16/2011 –12/15/2011
2020 Employee Benefit Solutions, Inc
Lubbock, TX
(806) 782-5549
Insurance
360 Boston Wellness
2709 26th St.
Lubbock, TX
(806) 687-8200
Day Spa
Blue Monkey Grill
2407 9th St, Ste 100
Lubbock, TX
(806) 747-6444
Restaurants & Bars
Caprock Gold Exchange
6012 82nd Street, Suite C
Lubbock, TX
(806) 698-6980
Gold Exchange
Complete Auto Repair
3704 Slide Road
Lubbock, TX
(806) 792-1999
Automobile Repair & Service
Complete Auto Repair
3606 50th Street
Lubbock, TX
(806) 792-9795
Automobile Repair & Service
Exit Realty of Lubbock - Lori Watts-
Daniel
5102 60th Street, Suite #G
Lubbock, TX
(806) 241-9081
Real Estate
Lone Star Oyster Bar
5116 C 58th Street
Lubbock, TX
(806) 797-3773
Restaurants & Bars
Lone Star Oyster Bar
10007 Slide Road
Lubbock, TX
(806) 798-0101
Restaurants & Bars
Lubbock KIDS Dental
1504 Buddy Holly Ave.
Lubbock, TX
(806) 749-5437
Dentists
Lubbock Transition Center
125 Chicago Avenue
Lubbock, TX
(806) 792-0526
Non Profit Organizations
Mesquites Bar & Grill
2419 Broadway
Lubbock, TX
(806) 744-9277
Restaurants
Seven Sanders Companies, Inc.
2010 A ECR 7110
Lubbock, TX
(806) 687-3232
Waste Management
Texas Wrecker Service
1709 E. 40th Street
Lubbock, TX
(806) 747-4033
Wrecker Service
TWI Agency, Inc.
2138 19th Street
Lubbock, TX
(806) 763-3300
Insurance