contents

Welcome

Board of Directors & Chamber Team

New Members

Renewing Members

Platinum & Emerald Members

Special Events

Fun After Five/Morning Mingle

Diplomats/Chamber Champions

Ribbon Cuttings

Sergio Landscaping

Mom and Pop Store Sells Happiness Through Balloons

Dual Memberships

Leadership Montegomery County

C/LCCC Young Professionals Network

Members Listings

Vol. 2 | Issue 2 | Summer/Fall 2023

505 W. Davis St., Conroe, TX 77301

936-756-6644 | www.conroe.org

WELCOME

As September is upon us, the Chamber looks forward to its biggest event of the year – Lobsterfest. Just over a month away, this year marks the 37th edition of this Conroe tradition. I hope you have your table reserved for the steak/lobster dinner on Thursday, Oct. 5. Likewise, you better have your golf team filled out for the tournament at Panorama Golf Club on Friday, Oct. 6. Both events are nearing a sell out.

We are also anticipating the upcoming Conroe ISD bond referendum, which is on the Nov. 7 ballot. The Chamber fully endorses each of the referendum’s four propositions. They are well thought out, yet they are conservative. Most important, they are focused on giving our students the best possible education outcomes. If passed, the bond will demonstrate our community’s commitment to the future of Montgomery County.

In July, the Chamber put on its biggest ATHENA Leadership Luncheon ever, with more than 500 attendees filling the ballroom at Margaritaville. Congratulations to our ATHENA Leadership Award recipient, Judge Kathleen Hamilton of the 359th District Court. Your dedication to empowering young women is matched by your overall leadership in the Conroe/Lake Conroe and surrounding community. Thanks, too, to keynote speaker Erin Brockovich, for her powerful and inspirational message of female strength and leadership. We appreciate Better Bookkeepers (presenting sponsor) and Worthington Manor (keynote sponsor), as well as our other sponsors, for contributing to the success of this event.

Finally, you will notice that this issue of Connections is focused on the ever-growing Hispanic contribution to our economic success. In January, we forged a strong alliance with the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber. We’ve seen many businesses take advantage of our new dual membership options with MCHC. Likewise, our overall membership is represented by more and more businesses that have a strong Hispanic/Latino presence and wish to reach the growing Latino audience. September 15-October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, and this year’s themes are prosperity, power and progress. The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber would not be where it is today without the inclusion of our Hispanic businesses and business leaders.

All the Best,

Scott Harper, IOM

President

Board of

DIRECTORS

& Chamber Team

2023 Conroe/Lake Conroe
Board of Directors

á Officers

Nick Davis, Guaranty Bank & Trust
Chairman of the Board

Jennifer Millington, Primrose School of Conroe
Chair-Elect

Jennifer Wright, Wright Business Technologies
Vice Chair, Membership

Mario Valedez, Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company
Vice Chair, Business Development

Steve Pilgrim, Entergy (retired)
Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs/Community Development

Clint Nichols, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital
Treasurer

DeAndre Guin, City of Conroe
Vice Chair, Special Events

Cody Spence, All Star Catering

Immediate Past Chair

á directorS

Terms Expiring January 2024

Cody Bartlett, Bartlett Financial

Patricia Brown, Woodforest National Bank

Nick Davis, Guaranty Bank & Trust

Arnette Easley, Easley Enterprises of Texas

Meredith Jurica, Makeup Junkie Bags

Warner Phelps, Soules Insurance Agency

Dr. Rebecca Riley, Lone Star College-Montgomery

Mario Valadez, Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company

Terms Expiring January 2025

Randy Barcus, Consolidated Communications

Cody Spence, All Star Catering Company

Bryan Fowler, The Fowler Law Firm

Steve Pilgrim, Entergy Texas, Inc. (retired)

Keath Krueger, Branding Iron Custom Goods

Colin McKenzie, McKenzie’s Barbecue & Burgers

Jennifer Millington, Primrose School of Conroe

Jennifer Wright, Wright Business Technologies

Terms Expiring January 2026

Guy Barker, First Financial Bank

Brittany Chandler, Entergy Texas, Inc.

San Cheng, Dragon Bowl C

Kelly Dietrich, The Howard Hughes Corp.

DeAndre Guin, City of Conroe

Tiffany Iadarola, Gullo Dealerships

Linda Nelson, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center

Clint Nichols, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital

Appointed Directors
(One-year term through January 2024)

Darwin Canales, Crown Brand Building Packaging

Brandon Polk, +40 Fitness

Carl White, Cam Light Video Production

Chamber Staff Members

President, Scott Harper

Director of Membership Sales, Gigi Peacock

Director of Finance and Operations, Pauline Veazey

Director of Special Events, Courtney Budra

DIrector of Marketing & Communications, Steve Scheffler

NEW MEMBERS

as of June 30, 2023

Sapphire

Argo Pointe Apartments - J.H.W Enterprises Prop. Mgmt. Inc.

Workforce Advantage

Dual Enhanced

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company

SureStay Studio by Best Western

Texas Charm Senior Care LLC

Ruby

MOCO Food Hall

Reliable Air & Heat

The Cuterie

Wham & Rogers, PLLC

Dual Basic

Farmers Insurance - Paul Ozturk

Groovy Hues Painting and Powerwashing

Landings of Conroe - CAF Management

Merge Film & Photography Productions

Opidal Foods DBA Nautical Bowls

U Scene It! Event Props & Rentals

Business

All Saints Conroe

ASGi Homes

Bayes Achievement Center

Benihana

Best Version Media

Burger Fresh And More

Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery

Cherokee Outlaw Ranch

Cut and Shoot Bulldogs

Dragon’s Breath

Fearless Boxing Gym

Golfers Against Cancer

iFOAM of Conroe

Jason Gilcrease

Knapheide Truck Equipment Center

Kofe Num Pang

Lakeside Realty Group

Lynn’s Ranch LLC

Mallard Services and Design

Odyssey Technology Solutions LLC

Oleon Americas, Inc.

Pathfinder Roofing LLC

Prose in the Pines

Red Door Counseling & Psychotherapy

Smart People Have SmartK9s LLC

Solar Dimmers Tinting Solutions

Tap Truck Outlaws

The Cottage Green Apartments

TimeGo

TWFG - Amber Pillsbury Insurance

Wells Fargo Advisors - Aurich / Hicks Team

Zero Latency Houston

RENEWING

MEMBERS

as of June 30, 2023

Platinum

Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center

Quadvest

Worthington Manor

Emerald

America’s Home Place

First National Bank Texas - Conroe

Staffing Texas

Sapphire

Sapphire Gas Solutions

The Geo Group, Inc

Ruby

Fidelis Grand Central

Mobility City of Montgomery County, TX

Overhead Door Company of Conroe

Sam’s Club # 6421

The Abbey at Conroe

The Abbey at Montgomery Park

Gold

ECS Southwest LLP

LJA Engineering

Midsouth Electric Co-op & Fiber Internet

Walden Yacht Club

Silver

5Point Credit Union

A&H Electric Co. LLC

Adams Transfer & Storage

Bristol Park at Conroe

Burditt Consultants

Chick-fil-A Conroe

Conroe Golf Cars, Inc.

Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company

Denton Claims Consulting

Finway Electric

Fun Town RV Conroe

Heritage Oaks Assisted Living & Memory Care

Holiday Inn Club Vacations Piney Shores Resort

Home Instead Magnolia

Hope & Causey, PC

Hunger Crush Cafe, LLC

KHolder Development Inc.

L Squared Engineering, LLC

Metcalf Funeral Directors

Plains State Bank

Randy Roan Construction, Inc.

River Wood Apartments

Silver Rock Productions

Sunbelt Business Brokers

Texas Professional Surveying, LLC

The Beauty Lounge

TownePlace Suites by Marriott

Business

Air Tech of Conroe

Always In Bloom

Amazing Window Cleaners

Ani Mate

Bartletts Distillery, LLC

Bentwater Yacht & Country Club

Bobcat of Houston

Calfee Specialties Promotional Products

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving

Comforts of Home, LLC

Commissioner Robert Walker

Community Impact

Connect Staffing TX

Conroe City Lifestyle

Conroe Machine

Conroe Mill Supply, Inc.

Cruisin Tikis Lake Conroe

Crust Pizza Company -Lake Conroe

Cycle Shack North

Data-Link

Eickenhorst Funeral Services

Events Plus +

Fajita Jack’s Mexican Grill & Cantina

Fireplace & Patio

First Insurance Services

Foshee & Associates PLLC

Fully Promoted

Hello Beautiful Boutique by Silks ‘N Twig

HFG Wealth Management

Huffco Services, Inc.

Infinity Texas Development

Investment Management Company

Jacobs Properties

JD Precision Plumbing Services, Inc.

Joseph R. Anderson DDS

Justice Jay Wright, Ninth Court of Appeal

Keller Williams Advantage Realty

Laura Watson Attorney at Law

Liberty Office Products

Makeup Junkie Bags

McCaffety Electric Co., Inc.

Network In Action

Nunn & Morrell Dental

Orangetheory Fitness Conroe

Packard International, Inc.

Paint Authority, LLC

Pensionmark - The Woodlands

PRD Land Development Services

Quality Home Products of Texas

Quality of Life Medical Center

Ranger Oilfield Products, LLC

Red Wing Shoe Store

Riverwalk Apartments

Russo’s New York Pizzeria Conroe

Safe Self Storage

Schwartz, Page & Harding LLP

Senior Care Authority of Southeast Texas

Servpro of Lake Conroe/Cleveland

Sheriff Rand Henderson

SHSU Small Business Development Center

Signarama Conroe

Signs, Etc Inc.

Smart Financial Credit Union /
Smart Insurance Group

Stellar Bank

Superior Homes Custom, Inc.

Supra America Machined Parts, LLC

Supreme Pools & Spas

Taylorized PR

Tejas Bingo

Terry Bryant Accident and Injury Law

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The Law Firm of E. Tay Bond

The Pierson Firm, PLLC

The Revolution Rail Group, Inc.

The Signorelli Company

The Strong Firm P.C.

The Weitzman Group

Thomas Printing & Publishing

Treescapes, Inc., Landscaping & Irrigation

Turbo Drill Industries, Inc

Twin Liquors

Wagers Health Insurance Services

WineShop At Home

Wings ‘N More Express

Non Profit

Carriage Inn - Conroe

Children’s Books on Wheels

Children’s Safe Harbor

City of Montgomery

City of Willis

Conroe Art League

Conroe Service League

Conroe Symphony Orchestra

Family Promise of Montgomery County

Grace Lutheran Church and School

Greater Conroe Arts Alliance

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center-Conroe

Kiwanis Club of Conroe

Lone Star Cowboy Church

Love Heals Youth

Meals on Wheels Montgomery County

Montgomery County Assoc of Business Women

Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity

Montgomery County Women’s Center

Montgomery Independent School District

Sandy Wagner, MCHD Director, Pct. 1

SCORE

The Woodlands Children’s Museum

Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare

VFW Post 4709

Volunteers Of America

Wayne L. Mack, Judge, Justice Court One

West Conroe Baptist Church

Willis Independent School District

Individual

Strategic Business Counsel

2nd Store

Chick-Fil-A Willis

Non Profit

The Vineyard Church of Conroe

Homegrown Landscaping Company
Handles Lawns

By Dave Hoffman

If you’ve driven through Conroe and seen nicely manicured lawns, you’ve probably seen the handiwork of Sergio Martinez of Sergio’s Landscaping. What started as a side business 20 years ago has grown into one of the largest landscaping companies in Montgomery County.

“I started the company in 2003, on my own, just to make a buck or two,” said Martinez. “About six months after I started doing it myself, I hired one employee to help me on the weekends. As we grew, I hired a second employee to help with the demand. I started with a single axle trailer, (and) went to John Deere and bought a stand-behind mower, weed eater, and blower. They offered me $3,500 credit, and I said, ‘Well, now I have to mow lawns so I can pay for this.’ After six years, I quit my regular job and became a full-time landscaper.”

Sergio’s Landscaping now has 35 employees. Martinez holds a license in horticulture, irrigation and design, and he is able to serve properties all around town, including corporate accounts like Buckalew Chevrolet, National Oil Varco, as well as residentials, non-profits, hotels and local banks.

Having witnessed the growth and development of the community firsthand, he has had the privilege of sending his multiple children through the Conroe school system, paving their way to success at Texas A&M University. He is a member of the Conroe Noon Lions Club and Sacred Heart Church. He has been able to get really close to the workings of the city’s business community through the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce.

“Conroe is the best place to start a business. Montgomery County is one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S. I was nominated to be part of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce a few years ago,” he said. “It was an amazing experience. I learned how to conduct business and met with a ton of business owners. I learned a lot about how to maintain growth during tough times, especially during the pandemic.”

Sergio’s Landscaping has garnered numerous accolades, notably including the Lone Star College Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year award. Furthermore, the esteemed distinction of Small Business of the Year was bestowed upon Sergio’s Landscaping at the Chamber’s annual Chairman’s Ball in 2019.

Ultimately what drives Martinez is a recognition of what he offers by helping people manicure their lawns.

“I like to create things. I like to give the people their own space where they can rest,” he said. “They work every day, they want to come home and relax, so I make sure the yard is done, make sure it looks good, make sure it makes them happy.”

Sergio Landscaping is located at 2401 East Davis Street in Conroe.

Selling Happiness Through Balloons

By Dave Hoffman

One of the first lessons many of us learn as children is that there is no situation, bad or good, that can’t be made better by adding balloons. For A.L. Party Balloons owners Luis Bernardo and Angelica Espinoza, this lesson has become a livelihood.

“We create balloon art, different structures, garlands, balloon bouquets and strings of balloons that can be used to decorate anywhere,” said Angelica. “For us, balloons are life, balloons are fun. When someone comes in, they leave happy.”

The couple opened the store in November 2020. Angelica had taken up balloon decorations as a hobby a few years prior. When her husband (Luis Bernardo), a geochemist by trade, lost his job due to the Covid shutdowns, Luis floated the idea that he should join her hobby, and by the end of the year they opened their store front.

The couple learned their skills through a combination of practice, YouTube, and in-person balloon courses. For a fun activity, the ballooning world takes their craft seriously. Certifications and accredited classes and courses in Balloon Art are offered, with different balloon brands worldwide.

“To get certified, balloon artists have to learn the language of balloons, and take a final test which includes a written exam and practicum,” said Espinoza. “Some of the certified artists are sponsored by balloon companies and go around the world making balloons. Balloon artists are in high demand and it’s an exclusive commodity to have a high-end balloon structure at your event.”

The store has managed to spread joy as it’s grown. Customers enjoy the owners’ attention to detail and customer experience. To make sure customers are happy, they are shown the color of the inflated balloon before they buy it to inflate later. They also teach customers balloon design techniques and hold and host classes almost every month.

“The store itself is very organized,” said Espinoza. “We have the balloons by brand, and by sizes. We also have a balloon station where customers can blow up the balloon to see the true color before taking it home. We have a balloon bar where you can get single balloons and get them inflated. We have candy jars filled with balloons, and you can take a bouquet of balloons home with you.”

Their customers include the obvious people planning weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and baby showers, but they also cater to an expanding circle of corporate and non-profit events. In July they provided helium balloon bouquet centerpieces and a balloon garland for a Chamber of Commerce sponsored fireworks viewing party. They also built an arch for the grand opening of a local barbershop.

But ultimately, it’s the simple things that give them the passion for what they do.

“We don’t mind staying up late nights at the store,” she said. “Every kid who comes here leaves with a smile on their face and a balloon.”

AL Party Balloons is located at 1108 N Loop 336 W in Conroe TX 77301.

Dual Memberships Provide Extra Connection

Partnership with Montgomery County Hispanic
Chamber Expands Business Reach

By Dave Hoffman

The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce offers a dual membership with the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber so members can better reach both demographics. Companies that have a wide demographic and/or geographic appeal often choose to leverage multiple chambers of commerce to reach their customers.

The dual membership options include an entry-level membership for $800, which is a $200 discount off of joining each chamber separately, as well as an enhanced $2,000 membership, for a savings of $1000.

It’s common to use the word networking to describe chamber of commerce events, but in the case of dual membership, it’s perhaps more accurate to use the word camaraderie or community.

Bobby Rios and his wife Yuliana of Rios Funeral Directors run their funeral homes, located in New Caney and Conroe, with an even more personal focus, creating a feeling of home. Recognizing the stress of losing a loved one, Rios works to provide as comfortable a setting as possible. He avoids using commercial products to decorate the home in order to create a feeling of warmth, and finds his calling in taking the weight off of the shoulders of the bereaved clients. Over the course of their 23 years of serving families, they realized that this is their ministry not their industry.

“I love the reward of a family coming into our funeral home as total strangers, giving us the confidence and trust to take care of their loved one, and before they’re done, they’re hugging and thanking us,” said Rios. “Three to four days ago we were strangers.”

With a presence in either chamber’s coverage area, Rios takes advantage of the social and educational events covered by both organizations. The enhanced membership allows him to extend his funeral home’s message of hospitality by sending his team to breakfast events, after hours events, and speakers hosted by the Chamber, such as the mayor or Conroe ISD superintendent.

“It’s important for any business owner to know upcoming demographic changes, it tells you that the town is changing, that more people are coming,” said Rios. “As a business owner, that’s what you want to hear.”

The growing population has opened markets for new establishments such as The Shout House, Conroe’s first restaurant serving Indian food, as well as more traditional American dishes. The restaurant is located on 7 ½ acres, and features a stage for live music and a large pond. They employ a renowned R&D chef from India, Kundan Kumar Kashyap, who has a level of expertise that allows him to create his own meals.

“He goes to the public, asks their level of spicy, gives them something to taste, and then cooks something to their own taste,” owner Shriram Singh said. “Because everyone’s palate is different, he is able to come up with ways to adjust the level of spiciness without losing the flavor.”

The Shout House hosts many groups, including Hispanic groups celebrating quinceañeras, weddings, and birthday parties.

“There is a big Hispanic community,” Singh said. “I don’t want to miss any ethnicity or ethnic group. That’s why I joined both chambers,”

Singh takes advantage of all the benefits of the enhanced dual membership, and in true community spirit, the chamber sometimes hosts events at The Shout House itself.

“When they have meetings, we get invited,” he said. “I get my logo on the publications and banners. Our name keeps getting out there.”

The growing and overlapping populations of both chambers have a lot to offer each other for increasingly diverse lifestyle needs and interests. The dual membership helps businesses enhance the lives of more customers across the board.

Dual memberships are initiated through the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce at https://www.conroe.org.

LMC

CLASS OF 2023

Chelsie Baker

Tachus Fiber Internet

Matt Barrett

San Jacinto River Authority

Elizabeth Brady

Avion Wealth

Juanna Brandon

Texas Children’s Hospital

Summer Carter

WC Construction

Christin Cherry

EntreProcess

Andrew Copeland

Consolidated Communications

Julie Davis

Hope’s Bridge

Cherie Diehl

Kroger Company

Ashley Fenner

Visit The Woodlands

Sarah Fleming

Houston Methodist The Woodlands

Jamie Freels-Runey

Mosaics of Mercy

Elliott Gabriel

Preferred Technologies, LLC

Jack Gilmore

AlignHR Texas, LLC

Rachel Goodlad

Junior League of The Woodlands

Jodie Hart

The Ark Church

Cindy Heiser

TFL Commercial Security

Brandon Hinman

The Howard Hughes Corporation

Cheri Huber

Greater EMC Chamber

Jenny Ibarra-Rosales

Voces En Accion/Voices In Action

Susan Johnson

J Properties

Shelby Keltner

Western Midstream

Adam Koch

The Koch Insurance Group

Bethany Kovacs

The Strong Firm P.C.

Tiffany Marascio

Hello Woodlands

Bethany Medford

Conroe ISD

Blair Moon

YES Prep Public Schools

Marlys Mulkey

Richmond Realty Group

Tiffany Ortiz

Montgomery ISD Education Foundation

Mike Painter

Montgomery County Food Bank

Paul Pettie

Madera Estates

Colleen Rice

County Court at Law Two, Montgomery County

Kristen Rinewalt

First America Homes, Ltd.

Matthew Salazar

Caldwell Companies

Megan Siercks

BGE, Inc.

Sharla Smith

Conroe Economic Development Council

Robin Sproba

Synergy Real Estate Professionals

Detrick Taylor

Entergy Texas, Inc.

Pauline Veazey

Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce

Arleni Villafuerte

Trustmark National Bank

Katherine Vu

WGA Consulting Engineers

Sydney Walker

Spinal Care Chiropractic Center

Mitch Watkins

Elevation Land Solutions

Michael White

Woodforest National Bank

Kate Willis

Memorial Hermann

Young Professionals Network Spreads its Wings

The Chamber’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) has spent the first half of the year solidifying its membership and scheduling a quarterly rotation of networking, professional development and volunteering activities.

Launched in January 2023, YPN has quickly established itself as the go-to resource for young (under 40) professionals looking to grow and become future leaders – not only in their careers, but also within the community.

In the second quarter of 2023, YPN conducted a panel discussion on becoming managers – especially when you are tasked with leading those who used to be co-workers. In May, they networked and socialized at Southern Star Brewery. For their give-back activity in June, they constructed beds for children with other volunteers at Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Montgomery. Later in June, they participated in a speed dating event that helped match them with a mentor.

Those interested in learning morning about YPN, should contact Courtney Budra, director of special events, at courtneyb@conroe.org.