May 2012

Chamber News Page 3

Member Spotlight Page 9

CalendarUpcoming Events. Page 6

Update on membershipby Andy Dill

While the national and regional economy has shown signs of improvement over the last couple of years your Chamber is struggling to maintain its membership at pre-2009 levels. Over the last three plus years we have experienced a net gain of twenty-eight members. This represents net gains of twenty in 2009, fifteen in 2010, one in 2011 and so far in 2012 we are down eight. Do you know a business (owner/manager) that you could invite to a Chamber luncheon, Connections Breakfast, or other Chamber event? Many of you probably do, maybe just haven’t ask them yet. Often times when we ask someone why they are not a member of the Chamber, their reply is “No one has asked me”. Joining the Chamber is very simple and

can be done directly from the Chamber’s website www.com-munitychamberemc.com . We take cash, checks or credit cards.

The Chamber’s new Business Development Committee under the leadership of Katie Paris (Embody Fitness Center) is work-ing on several new programs that will also facilitate growth opportunities for existing members and interest for new mem-bers. A seminar series is being developed as well as other new initiatives. Watch for more information on these programs as they are developed. The committee was just formed in March and has already had two very productive meetings. The fifteen members on the committee are very excited about these op-portunities and we know you will be as well.

There are already several opportunities for you to be involved and we would certainly like for you to take advantage of them. Our regular monthly program includes the luncheon on the first Wednesday, Observer luncheon on the second Wednesday, and Connections Breakfast on the last Friday. In addition there are committees that may be of interest to you including; Beautifica-tion Committee (meets on the fourth Thursday at 9 am) and Education Committee (meets on the second Monday at 12 pm). The Governmental Affairs Committee meets periodically to work on current issues facing our businesses/members.

For more detailed information please contact any member of the Chamber staff at 281-354-0051 or send any of us an email. We are here to serve you!

New Members

Business

Aphrodite Skin Care & Alternative Health 1110 Kingwood Dr. # 250 Kingwood, TX 77339(832) 401-9017

Coonican’s Cajun & Mexican Restaurant 14502 Old Hwy 59 N Splendora, TX 77372281-689-999

Memorial Hermann Surgical Hospital Kingwood 300 Kingwood Medical Drive Kingwood, TX 77339281-312-4115

Just Footprints, LLC 19439 Desna Dr Porter, TX 77365(281) 354-3832

Non-Profit

Sports Ministries Of Kingwood, Inc.Cynthia NixP O Box 801 Porter, TX 77365(281) 354-7434 W

elco

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2 | May 2012

President’sMessageby Andy Dill

Connections

The Chamber is transitioning from networking to making con-nections. The term networking has been around for a long time and while it is still a very valid term perhaps it doesn’t

meet today’s requirements. In today’s economic environment we must connect with others in order to be successful. We must connect with our customers and with potential customers in order to establish and build a relationship with them. Today’s economy requires that we establish relationships in order to achieve success. We do that by creating connections. If we were to do an inventory of who we do business with at our home, chances are those individuals or companies have some type of relationship with us. Perhaps it was a referral from a friend, family member or co-worker that caused us to use them the first time but it was the relationship that was established that caused us to call them back the second time. We made a connection! When we have made a connection we are then the one passing that businesses name on to our family and friends.

The Chamber has renamed our monthly breakfast to Connec-tions Breakfast and through this initial effort we hope to begin the process of establishing connections between our members and guests at this breakfast. Yes we still “network” but our hope is that lasting connections or relationships are established. •

Today’s economy requires that we establish relationships in order to achieve success. ...... We do that by creating connections.

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 | May 2012

Chamber NewsAmbassadors Night Out

Several of the Ambassadors got together with me and had a wonderful night out at Los Cucos Mexi-can Restaurant in Kingwood Tuesday night. We had a great time just relaxing, being together and listening to some great music from the band that is there on Tuesday and Thursday evening.

Pictured from left to right is Kendra Dempsey with Re/Max Rewards, Sandy Seelye with EMCID, Sheila Hebert with Hebert Photography, Delilah Lewis with the Chamber, Isidor Ybarra on the EMCID Board, Katie Paris with Embody Fitness, Kim Province with Kingwood Signs, & Carole Newton with Parkway Family Insurance Agency

Delilah, out and about

On a Saturday in March I stopped by one of our Chamber members, Flagship Car Wash on Loop 494 in Kingwood, to get my car washed. Well, since it was a beautiful day the place was very busy needless to say but the owner Arcelio was out there directing traffic but had a few minutes to talk to me while my car was being taken care of. Arcelio told me that on a day like this they had about 45 employees and grateful for days like this. Each one knows what to do and does it very well, as I watched them work on each car I saw how they detailed with such care but also very fast. I was very pleased how my car looked and smelled. Thank you Arcelio, and to all the guys and gals that work for you.

Riverside Waste Services25238 FM 2090 W. Splendora, TX 77372281-689-5020

I was out and about one day last week and visited with some of the staff of Riverside Waste Services. Tracey Smith and Carrie Scott was filling me in on what all is going on. The business is going on strong, doing the best they can with providing the garbage pick-up services. They have 26 Employees to do the daily duties of this type of service we all need and 5 office staff employees along with Judy & Billy Walton owners of Riverside Waste Services, making sure all the other things get done to run the business as it should. Go by and check them out.

In the picture is Carrie Scott, C J Johnson, Billy Walton, & Tracey Smith on the phone with a customer.

4 | May 2012

People & PlacesRecent chamber events.

May Luncheon The 2012 Leadership EMC class graduated during the May Luncheon.

Angela AllenRhonda Behnken*Wendy BowmanJacob CastleberryJohnny DiBlasiTrenton Dickey*Adam GilliamJacque GonzalezAmanda HillJames LovingMorgan O’NealTroy ReynoldsMichael SandersGary Southard*Clisty VadenHannah von Gonten

* not shown in picture

New Members Welcomed

We welcomed new members this month....

Just Footprints, LLC

Memorial Hermann Surgical Hospital Kingwood

5 | May 2012

Sample Texas Wines, Beer & Food.

Wine, Hawgs & Chocolate

www.communitychamberemc.com(281) 354-0051

Presented by the:

Friday June 8, 20126 PM to 9 PM

Harley-Davidson of Kingwood$25 Admission

Food tastings by:My Fit FoodsTexas RoadhouseSam’s ClubTop Hat Catering

Beer samples by:Saint Arnold Brewing CompanySouthern Star Brewery Company

Sponsored by:EMCID

Harley-Davidson of KingwoodAnderson Ford

Raymark Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc.Embody Fitness Center

Segrest Homeland Realty

Constable Rowdy HaydenLogoStu�, Inc.

L. Wendell Hefton, CPA

(Includes 5 Tasting Tickets & Complimentary Wine Glass)

Wine tastings by:Cork This WineryMessina Hof Winery & ResortRetreat Hill Cellars

ChocolateFountain

Bottles available for purchase $20

For Admission Wrist strap & Tasting Tickets You MUST be 21 years of age or older

6 | May 2012

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

CommunityCalendar• May 14 - May 18 Early Voting for May 29th Primary Election

• May 15 Rotary Club of EMC

• May 17 EMCID Board Meeting @ 6:30 pm

• May 17 EMC Fair Assoc. Meeting

• May 21 Splendora ISD Trustee Meeting

• May 22 Rotary Club of EMC

• May 22 Govt. Affairs Committee Forum RE: Commercial Property Tax Appraisals @ 3PM

• May 23 Creating Resumes @ RB Tullis Library

• May 24 Wine Hawgs & Choc Committee Meeting

• May 25 Breakfast Connections @ KWMC 8-9AM

• May 28 - Memorial Day Holiday , Chamber Closed

• May 29 ELECTION DAY - Primary Elections

• May 29 Rotary Club of EMC

• May 30 Genealogy Basics @ RB Tullis Library

• School’s Out !! Enjoy the Summer

• Jun 4 Concerned Citizens Meeting @ 7:30 PM

• Jun 5 Rotary Club of EMC

• Jun 6 Chamber Luncheon

• Jun 8 Wine, Hawgs & Chocolate 6-9 PM

• Jun 9 2nd Annual Tomato & Vegetable Contest - Kingwood Garden Center

• Jun 11 Education Committee Meeting

• Jun 12 Rotary Club of EMC

• Jun 13 Observer Networking Lunch

• Jun 14 Twin City Lions Club

• Jun 14 EMCID Board Meeting

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.com

Rosewood Funeral Home

Bronze Level MembersAllied Power Mart Inc.Amegy Bank of TexasAmerican Fixtures Cabinet Co., Inc.ATC Home Health, LLCBuster Brown Propane CenturyLink Champion Rentals, Inc.Commercial State Bank of El CampoCostello, Inc.EGA PrintingFirst Bank & Trust East Texas - SplendoraFlagship Car Wash & Lube CenterFred Haas Toyota WorldFWM Tubular & Equipment CorporationHarley Davidson - KingwoodHydra TanJoiner Partnership, Inc.Joslin TexasLiving EarthLJA Engineering, Inc

Lone Star College-KingwoodMarks Richardson PC, Attorneys at LawMike Harris, CLTC,CSAMy Fit Foods-KingwoodObserver 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

7 | May 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

8 | May 2012

RenewingMembersGold

Memorial Hermann Northeast

Bronze First Bank & Trust East Texas - Splendora FWM Tubular & Equipment Corporation Joslin TexasBusiness A-1 Smith’s Septic Service Alan Derby P.C. Archie’s Food Basket Beasley Tire Kingwood Clark Chiropractic Clinic D. R. HORTON INC America’s Builder Valley DT Construction, LP Growth Force LLC Hendricks Interests LLC Insperity Italiano’s Restaurant K Austin & Associates K.W. Receivables Kennedy Fabricating K-N-D Construction KVST K-Star Country 99.7 FM Lake Houston Area Events Let’s Heating & Air Conditioning Lone Star AC MacFarlane and Associates, P.C. Minuteman Press of Humble Montgomery Pines Apts Nelson Pools Porter Executive Inn & Suites

Ray DeSpain’s, Inc. Rising Star People Concepts Rosewood Funeral Home Sam’s Club # 6367 Service King Collision Repair Southwestern Consolidated Directory Co. Sullivans Advanced Automotive Superior Trophies Ward Financial Services White Oak Apts.Associates Level Dreambuilder Homes Joslin Construction Joslin Dean Property Management Lone Star Square Site Tech LayoutIndividual Barbara Adamick, District Clerk of Montgo Barbara J. Egan James Collins Justice of the Peace James MettsNon-Profit College Park Church of Christ Grand Parkway Church Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas Meningitis Angels Heaven & Earth Bound Metro Go Texan Committee Montgomery County Food Bank Montgomery County Hospital District Senator Tommy Williams Splendora V.F.D. SYFL Splendora Youth Football YMCA EMC

This month the Ambassadors are taking a step further, along with going to Ribbon Cuttings, Ground Breaking Ceremonies, Business After Hours, and other events. Each one has a list of members of our Chamber and will be calling you to see how you are doing, how can we better serve you and let you know what events is going on with the Chamber. We want to make those CONNECTIONS with each and every one of our members because you are very important to us and we need you to be a part of your Chamber and community. By doing this you will see your business grow as you want it to.

“It’s not how fast you run or who you are running faster than, but it is how you get to where you are going” Are you determined to meet your goals? Are you motivated to meet those goals? Let the Ambassadors and Chamber help as much as possible to be that helping hand.

AMBASSADORSMike Harris – Long Term Care Partners Judy Hayes – Re/Max RewardsKatie Paris – Embody Fitness Kendra Dempsey – Re/Max RewardsCarole Newton – Parkway Family Insurance Agency Sandy Seelye – EMCIDMary Evans – Amegy Bank (Porter) Sheila Hebert – Hebert PhotographyJackie Barnard – Barnard Architects Kim Province – Kingwood SignsJuanita Popowitz – Yellow Rose Reception Hall Gary Southard – Rising Star People ConceptsBarbara Egan Isidor Ybarra

Thank you!

Ambassadors

Member SpotlightRobin Szabo, O.D. and Angela Huizenga, O.D. Family Vision Center of Porter 23128 FM 1314 Suite A Porter, TX 77365 www.thefamilyvisioncenter.com (281) 354-0900

Q. What does your company produce or what service do you offer to customers?A. Family Vision Center of Porter is a private, two-doctor optometry office offering complete eye exams and contact lens fittings along with a full optical complete with designer frame choices. We provide patients with personalized explanations of diagnosis and treatment. We provide educational information on products, services and ocular conditions in our office and online. We manage ocular surgeries such as Cataracts, Lid lifts, LASIK, and retinal repair and we provide comprehensive retinal exams for diabetic patients.

Q. How do you differentiate your business from the competition in your market? In other words – what is your unique selling proposition?A. We provide thorough medical eye exams and offer high quality glasses at an affordable price. We treat our patients like family and pride ourselves on customer service and our highly trained staff.

Q. What do you enjoy most about running your business?A. I like controlling my schedule and having a hand in my own destiny. This business can only be as good as the effort I am willing to put into it. When you own your own business, you know that if you put the work into it, you will get the satisfaction out of it. I like creating things and being able to step back from the finished product and say, I made that and I’m proud of it.

Q. Tell me about your companies past successes or projects.A. We have completely renovated the interior of the office. If you had been a patron of Riverwalk Optical, you’ll be amazed at the transformation. We have expanded the business from just provid-ing eyewear and providing occasional doctor appointment days, to a complete family eye care center. We provide really thorough exams to children and adults. We treat diseases, fit contact lenses, advise patients on overall health effects in the eye and try to really get the patients involved in their eye care. We had a hugely successful grand opening celebration where we got to meet several members of the community. We recently performed vision screenings at the New Caney High school and hope to start helping out the other schools in the ISD this fall.

Q. What one tool or resource do you rely on the most in the mar-keting and operation of your business? A. We do quite a bit of direct mail coupon distribution.

Q. What does the potential new economic development in EMC mean for your company?A. The new economic development in the area will hopefully equate to more residents and local employees that we can help by providing eye care.

Q. What kind of challenges are you facing?A. With the economy the way it is, it is difficult to get people to look beyond the commercialized discounts advertised by conglomerates and realize that they are sacrificing so much more than they are get-ting out of that investment. Our job is to treat our patients like we would treat our family and to offer the best quality that you can get for the price. We have 2 for $99 glasses too and the products that we offer at that price are far superior to our competitions offerings, but is the product that they can get at that price going to address all of their needs? You wouldn’t buy a pair of shoes that was 2 sizes too small in order to save money, why would you buy a pair of glasses that you have to wear every day that makes you uncomfortable? We refuse to sacrifice quality but are committed to keeping our offerings affordable for patients. This philosophy erodes our profit, but it allows us to operate with a clear conscience knowing that every day we did the best thing we could do for our patients.

Q. What other issues are important to you?A. Providing services to the community is important to me: annual screenings at local schools, providing Lion’s Club exams and glasses, coordinating with local primary care physicians to give patient’s well rounded care (especially when they have diabetes or cardiovascular disease).

Q. You are a fairly new member, you joined in 2011....How would you describe your involvement with the Chamber?A. We participated in the Taste of East Montgomery Expo, attended the Boots and Bling banquet, they came for our ribbon cutting ceremony. We attempt to get to know our local chamber members so that we can keep abreast of new business developments and keep connected to our community. We also try to patronize Chamber members as much as possible.

Q. What can we do for you?A. The chamber can assist us in spreading awareness that East Mont-gomery County residents now can get affordable, quality medical eye care right here in their own back yard.