contents

Board of Directors and Chamber Team

New Members

Renewing Members

Platinum and Emerald Members

Diplomats

Special Events

Fun After Five

Ribbon Cuttings

Leadership Montgomery County

Next Generation Leadership

Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber, Montgomery Area Chamber Merge

The Chamber Gives Back

Sustainable Energy Sources, New Technologies Are Keys to Meeting Environmental Concerns

Follow us on
Social Media and
stay connected!

Vol. 4 | Issue 1 | Spring 2024

505 W. Davis St., Conroe, TX 77301

936-756-6644 | www.conroe.org

WELCOME

It has been an event-filled spring for the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber! After “passing the gavel” from 2023 Chair Nick Davis to 2024 Chair Jennifer Millington at the Chairman’s Ball, we began conversations with the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce about merging their operations into our own. This came to fruition in March, as we announced the merger and welcomed more than 200 additional members to our Chamber family.

We also announced that former ABC Good Morning America co-host Joan Lunden would serve as our ATHENA Leadership Award Luncheon keynote speaker. This luncheon is quickly becoming one of our most popular special events and another sell-out is virtually assured. Get your tickets early! Once again, we appreciate Better Bookkeepers (presenting sponsor) and Worthington Manor (keynote sponsor) and all other sponsors for contributing to the success of this event.

I hope you’ve utilized your TastePasses and are visiting the participating Tastefest restaurants through May 31. One of the goals of this event, in addition to enjoying the tastiest eats and drinks in town, is to show our local restaurants and food-oriented establishments that we support and appreciate them. Special thanks to Crown Brand-Building Packaging for serving as Tastefest’s presenting sponsor.

As summer approaches, I encourage you to take time to relax with family and friends and, as always, shop your local Chamber members!

All the Best,

Scott Harper, IOM

President

Board of

DIRECTORS

& Chamber Team

2024 Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber Board of Directors

á Officers

Jennifer Millington, Primrose School of Conroe
Chairman of the Board

Clint Nichols, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital
Chair Elect

Jennifer Wright, Wright Business Technologies
Vice Chair, Membership

Colin McKenzie, McKenzie’s Barbecue & Burgers
Vice Chair, Business Development

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

Guy Barker, First Financial Bank
Treasurer

De’Andre Guin, City of Conroe
Vice Chair, Community Relations

Nick Davis, Guaranty Bank & Trust
Immediate Past Chair

á directorS

Terms Expiring January 2025

Randy Barcus, Consolidated Communications

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.

De’Andre Guin, City of Conroe

Tiffany Iadarola, Gullo Dealerships

Linda Nelson, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center

Clint Nichols, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital

Terms Expiring January 2027

Sonya Brazeal, Amazing Window Cleaners

Melanie Bush, Better Bookkeepers, Inc.

Darwin Canales, Crown Brand-Building Packaging

Rebecca McDonald, Woodforest National Bank

Warner Phelps, Dean & Draper Insurance Agency

Natalie Stringer, HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe

Mario Valadez, Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company

Carl White, Cam Light Video Production

Appointed Directors
(One-year term through January 2025)

Eric Hagebusch, Pensionmark Retirement Group

Barry Millenson, Buckalew Chevrolet

Monette Smith, Pink Poodle PR, Powered by PR Marketing

Chamber Staff Members

Scott Harper, President

Pauline Veazey, Vice President - Operations & Finance

Courtney Budra, Director - Special Events

Brittany Castellon, Director - Membership Experience

Gigi Peacock, Director - Membership Sales

Shannan Reid, Director - Community Relations

Steve Scheffler, Director - Marketing & Communications

Riley Borchgardt, Manager - Marketing & Communications

NEW

MEMBERS

Platinum

Sylvan Learning Center North Conroe

Tall Pines Storage

Emerald

Lansdowne-Moody Company

The Lakes at Woodhaven Village

The Vale

Sapphire

Eldridge Roofing & Solar, Inc.

One Source Residential Service

Project Beacon

The Flats at Hooper Hill - Promark Partners

Dual Enhanced (with Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber)

Lauren Alexander Optical

Payed Processing

Ruby

Beazer Homes

ClearWater Express Wash - Montgomery

EMC Sheet Metal

Iconiq Homes

Inked Real Estate

Premiere Events

Ranger A/C & Refrigeration

Spuds Potato Bar

Texas Regional Bank

The Learning Experience

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Turrango’s Dry Fire Range

Unicorn Service Solutions

Gold

Ariza Westview

Chennault Airfield

Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen

Magnolia Patio and Pool

PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans

Shana Arthur

Simmons Bank - Conroe

Simmons Bank - Montgomery

Business

1911 Remodeling

Adobe

ANI Insurance Services, LLC

Authentic Brain Solutions

Autumnwood Apartments

Beautiful Minds Blinds & More

Best Option Restoration - North Houston

Blair Johnson Wellness

Camillo’s Fine Jewelry

Cannon CPR Training & Services, LLC.

Carbon Salon, LLC.

Central Texas Sinus & Allergy and Hearing Solutions

Chapman Associates Houston, Mergers and Acquisitions

Chateaux Serenity Assisted Living & Memory Care Facility

Cigars International

Clear Choice Acupuncture

Clearview Real Estate

Conroe Business Furniture

Conroe Concerned Citizens

Core Sportsplex, LLC.

Dackler Construction, LLC.

Daintee Hurst-Dietz

Diabase Bookkeeping Services

Driftwood Rentals

Dulcino’s Italian Steakhouse

F45 Training Grand Central Park

First Baptist Church - Conroe

GAAP Bookkeeping

Heritage Waste Solutions, Inc.

Hired Guns Home Services

Inspired Realty & Co.

J. Patrick Homes

Jennifer White - Realtor

Jersey Mike’s Subs-Sizzling Platter

Key Benefit Solutions

Kent Chambers Campaign

Kroger-142

La Taqueria Mexican Grill

LaConte Consulting

Lebox Moving & Storage

Lone Star Post Pack & Parcel

Love’s Pro Moving Company, LLC.

Luke Volz Real Estate Group

Maxliving Miracle City

Mister Sparky of Conroe

Modern Pest Control

Montgomery Park Dental

Mosquito Hunters of North Conroe-Montgomery-Magnolia

Mosquito & Pest Authority

Northside Heights Apartments

Owens Law Group, PLLC

Patriot Exterior Cleaning

Pecan Hill Florist & Gifts

Plumb Krazy Plumbing

Positive Recovery - Conroe

PNC Bank-Montgomery

Prevail Behavioral Health & Wellness Center

Republic Grand Ranch

Revive Aesthetics & Regenerative Medicine

Rubberatkins Texas Manufacturing Inc

School of LIVE Music

Serenity Salt Spa

Social Concept

Stellaris Care, LLC.

Sunflower Senior Living Consultants

Tara Flannery Photography

TCB Realty Group

TDH IT

TemperaturePro (DBA T&D AC Inc.)

The Ferm Meadery

The Patio Cafe & Bar

The Little Reading House Dyslexia Therapy Center

The Terrace at Pine Lake Cove

The UPS Store #6888

Tint World Store 131

Titan Global USA LLC

Trapp Law Firm

Trulove Webworks

Tx Trash It, LLC.

Unbridled Hope, LLC., a subsidiary of the Nexus Hope Foundation

Venetian Pines by Bold Fox Development

Vicki Chapman, Realtor

Wellmed at West Davis

Weiss Air Conditioning and Heating

Wood Waterworks

Woodwright Cabinet Company

Yollick Law Firm, P.C.

ZenBusiness

Zynphony Technology, LLC.

Dual Basic (with Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber)

Alamo Manufactured Homes, LLC.

Castillo CPA, PLLC.

Century Fire Protection Houston, Inc.

Combat Marine Outdoors

GOCAM Oil Field Services, LLC.

Hiland Dairy

Kreative Media

Springwoods Market Dental Care

Sunflower Bank NA

Whispering Oaks Apartments

Business – Non-Profit

All Ears Center!

Friends of the Conroe Symphony Orchestra

Mighty Oaks Foundation

Montgomery Community Band, Inc.

Still Creek Ranch

VFW Post 12223

Individual

Lyn Hawthorne-Howard

from October 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024

RENEWING

MEMBERS

Platinum

Better Bookkeepers, Inc.

Constructable

Entergy Texas, Inc.

Guaranty Bank & Trust

Gullo Ford, Toyota, Mazda

Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital

Quadvest

The Howard Hughes Corporation

Woodforest National Bank - Conroe

Emerald

Buckalew Chevrolet, L.P.

Chambers Creek by Caldwell Communities

Conroe Professional Firefighters Assoc.

Crown Brand-Building Packaging

Grand Central Park

KDW LTD

Legacy Emergency Training, LLC.

LEO at West Fork

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Rodgers Stein Chiropractic Center

Staffing Texas

Stainless Structurals America

Webb’s Uniforms

Sapphire

Apex Executive Suites

Ball Corporation

Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery

Heightened Leaders

Hyatt Regency Conroe

Ranger Guard of Conroe, LLC

Terracon

Tujay Homes

Wham & Rogers, PLLC

Dual Enhanced

Rios Funeral Directors

Ruby

Advanced Freight Dynamics

Baker’s Bouquet

Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing

ClearWater Express Wash

Conroe Welding Supply, Inc.

Dean & Draper - Montgomery County

Juggernaut Payment Processing

LightPoint Engineering

Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands

MJR Services, Inc.

Mobility City of Montgomery County, TX

Overhead Door Company of Conroe

Spear Point Engineering

Texas First Bank

The Abbey at Montgomery Park

Total Point Emergency Center

Gold

A&H Electric Co. LLC

AdviCoach

April Sound Country Club

Bauer Equipment America

Black Walnut Cafe

Bleyl Engineering

Cashner Funeral Home & Cemetery

Clayton Lee Plumbing

Color Interiors

CWS Propane

Envirotech Mechanical Systems

First Choice Collision

Hauser Land Services

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

Home Instead Magnolia

Jade Consolidated Mgmt., Inc.

L Squared Engineering, LLC

LJA Engineering

Metcalf Funeral Directors

Midsouth Electric Co-op & Fiber Internet

MoCo Plumbing Services

Montgomery Self Storage

Owen Properties

Plains State Bank

Professional Service Industries, Inc

Quest Engineering

Randy Roan Construction, Inc.

RapidCare Emergency Room

Rick Schissler-Silver Fox Advisor

River Wood Apartments

San Jacinto River Authority

Schoenmann Produce Company

SCI Alarms

Second Chance Families

Sunbelt Business Brokers

Texas Regional Bank

The Blair Law Firm, PC

The Loop Apartments

Third Coast Bank

Thornton Financial Services

Time to Spare Bowling

Total Air Service

US Aviation Group

Walden Yacht Club

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

Wellpath

Whataburger, LP

Silver

84 Lumber

Colortech Direct

Cowboy Kia of Conroe

Dragon Bowl C

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

Hailey-Sadler Properties

HBI Office Soultions, Inc.

Hyatt House The Woodlands/Shenandoah

LINE-X of Conroe

Lone Star Family Health Center

Manta Swim Academy

Milstead PC Investments LLC

R&R Salvage, Inc.

Service Master by CGI Restoration Service

Shari Edwards State Farm Insurance

Valuation, Fraud & Forensics, LLC

Vogt Engineering, L.P.

Wilkens Linen & Dust Control

Woodhaven Village

Non Profit Silver

Her Chance

Zen Gab Foundation

Dual Basic

Paul Ozturk - Farmers Insurance

Business

3 Phase Rentals

Advanced Aquatic Services LLC

Air Tech of Conroe

AirLuxe Studios

Amazing Window Cleaners

America’s Auto Auction-North Houston

AmeriTex Pipe & Products LLC

Ashley General Insurance Agency

Auric Engineers

Austin Windstorm

B & C Constructors LP

B.D. Griffin County Attorney

Backyard Paradise Luxury Pools

Bartletts Distillery, LLC

Batteries Plus Bulbs #949

Bayway Cadillac of The Woodlands

Beauty by Owan Gray

Berkeley Outside Services, INC

Black Diamond Oilfield Rentals, LLC

Blanton Advisors, LLC

Bradbury Brothers Cooling Heating Plumbing

Brenek Marine Agencies, Inc.

Buff City Soap

Builders FirstSource

C.M. Joslin Company, Inc.

Calfee Specialties Promotional Products

Campbell-Randall Machinery Co.

Camperland Trailer Sales

Capital Farm Credit, FLCA

Capri Villas

Carl’s Quality Cooling & Heating

Chase Pest Control Inc.

Cintas

City of Conroe

Clarity Hearing

Cline Card

Cocomar Multiservice LLC

Comcast Business

Comfort Inn

Community Impact

Conroe Dental Health and Cosmetic Centre

Conroe Door & Hardware, Inc.

Conroe Lakeside RV & Boat Storage

Conroe Machine

Conroe Truck & Trailer

Conroe Veterinary Clinic

Core Sports Recovery

Countryside Manor Assisted Living

Crossroads Senior Living

Cruise Planners - Clare

Curt Maddux - Conroe City Council Pos 2

Curves

Data-Link

Diversified Well Logging LLC

Dock Line Magazine, Inc.

Edward Jones- Derrick McCarley

Elsa Hudanish-First Millenium Realty

Excalibur Pest Control

Express Employment Professionals

Fireplace & Patio

First Group

First Watch-Conroe

Foshee & Associates PLLC

Fowler Law Firm

Freese, Peralez & Associates, LLC

Fullerton Orthodontics - Dr. Leslie Fuller

Garcia Real Estate Group

Garrett Insurance Agency, Inc.

GFI Southwest LLC

Glass World, Inc.

Grasten Power Technologies, LLC

Gumps Victor Alpha Compensation Services

Haarmeyer Electric

Haynie & Company CPAs

Holliday Door & Gate LLC

Hopkins Auction

Houston Chronicle Media - The Conroe Cour

Hunger Crush Cafe, LLC

Hutson Realty Partners, LLC

Infinity Texas Development

ITVibes, Inc.

J Properties

Jacobs Properties

James A. Lutonksy DDS

James Wiggins, PC, CPA

Jays Advanced Mobile Detailing

JD Precision Plumbing Services, Inc.

Joe’s Italian Restaurant

John Hafley, County Court at Law #1

Joseph R. Anderson DDS

Keller Williams Advantage Realty

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic

KHVL & KSAM Radio (HEH Communications LLC

Knapheide Truck Equipment Center

La Quinta Inn & Suites

Lakeside Gastroenterology

Lawn Doctor

Lone Star Executive Limousine LLC

Lone Star Greeting Service

Lonestar Security & Investigations, LLC

Long Air Conditioning

Lucas Cedar, Inc.

M&S Engineering

M.R. Gibbs Group, Inc.

Makeup Junkie Bags

McCaffety Electric Co., Inc.

McCoy’s Building Supply

McNutt Funeral Home, Cemetery & Cremator

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management-Mike Rees

MHW Commercial Real Estate

Mike Meagher Realty Group with LPT Realty

Minuteman Press

Mod Boutique

New Nostalgia Digital Studio, LLC

Nunn & Morrell Dental

Omni Construction Services

Optimum Business - Conroe

Packard International, Inc.

Petbar Boutique

Pool Custom Iron Works, INC.

Precision Printing the Alphagraphics of Conroe

Promptings

Prosperity Enterprise Funding

Pure Barre Conroe

Quality of Life Medical Center

Ranger Oilfield Products, LLC

Renewal by Andersen

Rep. Cecil Bell, Jr.

Richie’s Specialty Pharmacy

Riverwalk Apartments

RMA Design

Rowmec Equipment Company

Russo’s New York Pizzeria Conroe

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home - Willis

Schwartz, Page & Harding LLP

Senior Helpers

Si-Energy

Signarama Conroe

Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accidents

Smart Financial Credit Union / Smart Insurance

Southern Cross Communications

Spartan Global Logistics LLC

Staff Force

Stellar Bank

Steve Scott - The Houston Business Coach

Stone Ridge Veterinary Medical Center

Sundance Builders

Supreme Pools & Spas

SVN | Riverstone Commercial Real Estate

Tammy McRae-Montgomery County Tax Assessor

TDECU

TES International, Inc.

Texas Custom Knife Show

Texas Renaissance Festival

Texas Stump and Land Services, LLC

The Central Park Condominiums

The Custom Sign & Graphics Haus

The Fredricks Group

The Law Firm of Blanche D. Smith, P.C.

The Law Firm of E. Tay Bond

The Lodge | Uptown Conroe

The Pierson Firm, PLLC

The Revolution Rail Group, Inc.

The Sproba Team at Synergy Real Estate

The Strong Firm P.C.

The Weitzman Group

Thomas Printing & Publishing

Tina Fox Real Estate

Tiny Giant Marketing Agency

Top Guns Realty

Toyomasters LLC

Trade Rite Auto Sales, Inc.

Treescapes, Inc., Landscaping & Irrigation

TWFG - Amber Pillsbury Insurance

Ultima Real Estate

Vernon’s Kuntry Katfish

Voyages Behavioral Health of Conroe

Waffle House

Wags 2 Whiskers Veterinary Hospital

Whitley Vineyards, LLC

Wiggins Furniture

Winkler Public Relations

WMPID - Westwood Magnolia Parkway Improve

Non Profit Business

American Heart Association

Angel Reach

Apricity Foundation

Assistance League of Montgomery County

Bridgewood Farms

Carriage Inn - Conroe

CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County

Cherokee Outlaw Ranch

City of Montgomery

City of Panorama Village

City of Willis

Commemorative Air Force-Gulf Coast

Compassion United, Inc.

Conroe Art League

Conroe Independent School District

Conroe ISD Education Foundation, Inc.

Family Promise of Montgomery County

Fearless Boxing Gym

Friends Of Conroe

Greater Conroe Arts Alliance

Journey Home

Lake Conroe Association

Lone Star Cowboy Church

Meals on Wheels Montgomery County

Montgomery County ESD #2/Montgomery Fire

Montgomery County Food Bank

Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity

Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission

Montgomery County Women’s Center

Mosaics of Mercy

New Danville

Sam Houston State University

Stage Right

Texas State Representative Will Metcalf

The John Cooper School

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Salvation Army Corp Community Center

The Vineyard Church of Conroe

The Woodlands Hills Residential Community

Trels Home for Children

Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare

Voces En Accion or Voices In Action (VEA)

Woodmark Homeowners Association

Woodmen Life

from October 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024

DIPLOMATS
EARN CHAMBER MVP STATUS

No group plays a more valuable role in the day-to-day operations of the Chamber than the Diplomats. This hard-working team provides the “glue” that integrates new members into the life of the Chamber. They greet. They welcome. They visit. They inform. They create the connections that make Chamber membership so valuable.

Since the inception of the Diplomat program in the mid 1960s, the Chamber has relied on this program (formerly known as the “Embassy Club”) to serve as its member relations arm, reaching out to make sure the members stay informed and are aware of the opportunities to network and grow their business. They help at ribbon cuttings, special events and more.

“Our Diplomats are always deserving of a hearty ‘thanks’ on behalf of our board of directors and staff,” said Scott Harper, President of the Chamber. “We couldn’t be the kind of relational Chamber we are known for without the participation of the Diplomats.”

2024
Chamber Diplomats

Abby Albright

Amanda Anders

Angie Mayrant

Benjamin Lichnovksy

Caroline Mason

Cherelle Simon

Cortni Peters

Debby Dykes

Eric Hagebusch

Jada England

Jared Burns

Jodie Johnson

Josh Davies

Jules Cadet

Kathy Kirby

Lou Ann Tiger

Nila Ciesiel

Owan Wade

Summer Hvasta

Tanner Dick

Terri Strozier

Velvet Kopach

SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR

Joan Lunden selected as ATHENA Leadership Award Luncheon keynote speaker

Award-winning journalist, best-selling author, television host and motivational speaker Joan Lunden will deliver the keynote address at the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Leadership Award Luncheon. The luncheon is scheduled for Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe | Houston. The ATHENA Leadership Award Luncheon is presented by Better Bookkeepers and Lunden’s keynote address is sponsored by Worthington Manor.

For the seventh year, the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce will partner with ATHENA International, an organization that develops, supports, and honors girls and women from the classroom to the boardroom, building a global pipeline of women leaders. To recognize the wonderful women in Montgomery County, the Chamber collects nominations for the ATHENA Leadership Award and sends them to ATHENA International, where a committee selects three finalists and an award recipient based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrates a high level of professional excellence

• Contributes time and energy to improve the quality of life for others

• Actively assists women and girls in achieving their full potential

The luncheon on July 19 will recognize nominees, honor finalists, and celebrate the recipient who is announced at the event. This is the only women-focused event in Montgomery County that celebrates women leaders from all industries, ages, and backgrounds. Over 500 guests are anticipated to attend the luncheon.

Lunden will speak on women’s empowerment and overcoming the odds.

For nearly two decades, Lunden greeted viewers each morning on ABC’s Good Morning America making her the longest running female host ever on early morning television. She continues to be one of America’s most recognized and trusted journalists which has made her a sought-after speaker for events across the country.

Former ATHENA Leadership Award recipients have included:

• 2023: Judge Kathleen Hamilton

• 2022: Natalie Saikowski Goertz

• 2021: Carol Gooch

• 2020: Dr. Dana Hoyt

• 2019: Dr. Marlen Tejeda

• 2018: Danielle Scheiner

To purchase tickets to the event, visit https://bit.ly/45wEw36.

Saturday, June 29, 2024

5-9 p.m. | Heritage Park

Come join the fun in Downtown Conroe at
the Conroe Stars & Stripes Celebration.

Food trucks, vendors, kids activities, inflatables,
live music & fireworks!

Visit the Chamber calendar at Conroe.org for more information.

Saturday, July 6, 2024

9 a.m-3 p.m. | Montgomery Historic District

Celebrate the 4th in Historic Montgomery with a parade, music, food, vendors and more!

Visit the Chamber calendar at Conroe.org for more information.

Leadership Montgomery County

Leadership Montgomery County (LMC) recently hosted their Infrastructure Session for the LMC Class of 2024. The session, sponsored by Entergy Texas, was planned by Session Directors Erich Peterson of The Woodlands Water Agency and Brian Garcia of Entergy Texas.

Class members spent the day learning about various aspects of the county’s infrastructure. The class began the day at the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) with presentations discussing infrastructure, development, and water. The class toured the Lake Conroe Dam before leaving for a tour of a local wastewater treatment plant.

The class toured the SJRA Surface Water Plant before traveling to Entergy’s Montgomery County Power Station for a presentation by Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley and a presentation on power in Montgomery County by Entergy’s Stuart Barrett. The class ended the day with a tour of the Montgomery County Power Station.

Next

Generation

Leadership

EXPLORES World of Healthcare

Earlier this spring, Next Generation Leadership’s Class of 2024 met at HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe Hospital. The meeting began with a warm welcome from HCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Matt Davis as he introduced himself and his career journey in an interactive and lighthearted manner. In his leadership discussion, Davis emphasized the importance of passion in one’s career, encouraging the class to prioritize passion throughout their career journey. Additionally, he highlighted the inevitability of change and strength in those who learn to embrace change. Most important, he encouraged the students to embrace a balance between work, social, and family life. His discussion offered valuable insight and reassurance for all students who find the ambiguity of life after high school unnerving, instilling universal values for success in each of us.

Next was a leadership panel of the hospital’s most valued leaders: Sheranca Fesler, VP of Quality; Lacey Raines, Assistant Chief Nursing Officer; Diana Howell, Human Resources VP; Dennis Tidwell, Admin Director of Surgical Services; Melissa Halbaedier, Director of Emergency Services; and Jason Velazquez, Director of Rehab Services. Collectively, the panel exemplified teamwork in crises and trust in one another’s departments. Students delved into questions ranging from introduction to the medical field to work-life balance as a care provider. The panel offered valuable insight into introductory care jobs. Among the suggested were phlebotomy assistant and patient care tech. Throughout the panel, one thing was clear, the leaders were all extremely passionate about caring for their patients.

Following the leadership panel, the trauma team led the students outside to see an Airlife helicopter. Students were able to board the helicopter to see inside and ask the team questions regarding daily life as part of the Airlife team. At the conclusion of the meeting, Davis treated each of the students with a Starbucks drink, the perfect way to end an enlightening meeting.

Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber

Montgomery Area Chamber merge

The boards of directors of the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce and the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC) each unanimously voted earlier this year to pursue a merger of the two organizations. The votes followed several weeks of discussions between the two chambers about combining forces.

“Ultimately, this move provides members of both chambers with an expanded network to grow their businesses,” said Scott Harper, President of the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber. “Our Chamber is celebrating 90 years of serving the Montgomery County business community and we have welcomed the MACC members into our growing Chamber family.”

“While both chambers share many members, this merger brings businesses in and around the city of Montgomery into a combined network that furthers the business growth in the region,” said Jennifer Millington, Chairman of the Chamber. “With over 1,000 members, the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber is excited to broaden its footprint and provide networking, marketing, professional development, and advocacy resources to help businesses grow.”

As part of the merger, the governing board of MACC was dissolved and the name of the merged chambers is Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber. The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber board will leverage the former MACC board for support throughout the transition.

The former MACC members are now Chamber members. After a full year of honoring their existing membership rate, the former MACC members will transition to the Chamber’s membership rate in 2025. There are approximately 240 current MACC members, with about 30 percent who are already members of both chambers.The current MACC staff has been retained as part of the Chamber’s existing staff and will continue supporting the Montgomery community along with new roles associated with the combined chambers.

Harper said that work is already under way to partner with the City of Montgomery and Montgomery County to provide a highly-visible welcome/visitor’s center in the heart of downtown Montgomery.

“While we will become more efficient by combining the operations side of the Chamber, we are committed to maintaining our Montgomery presence through our signature events and new exciting opportunities that will showcase Montgomery businesses,” said former MACC President Shannan Reid. “The members of both chambers will see the advantages of belonging to a bigger network of businesses.”

Montgomery Members Join

Chamber Family

Sapphire

Austin Bank

Brookshire Brothers

Burger King 24329

Cornerstone Home Lending,
a Division of Cornerstone Capital Bank

Gracepoint Homes

Heightened Leaders

Hyatt Regency Conroe

Lake Conroe ACE Hardware

Rodgers Stein Chiropractic Center

Suzanne Cloud Agency, LLC.

Wham & Rogers, PLLC.

Gold

Atlas Welding & Fabrication

Beacon Restoration Corp

Brenham National Bank

Crystal Clear Mortgage

Daniela Mead, State Farm Insurance

Dominion Pool Group, Inc.

Hauser Land Services

Keller Williams Advantage Realty - Lorrie Parker

Lakeside Conroe

Magnolia Patio and Pool

Montgomery Autism Center

Montgomery Comprehensive Dental Center

Montgomery Summit Business Park/Summit Universal

Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Partners in Building

Pj’s Coffee of New Orleans

Poolwerx

Rapidcare Emergency Room

Royal Design Build, LLC - AR Homes

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home - Montgomery

State Farm Agent, Shanon Salsbury

Stewart Creek Dental Care

Texas Engineered Roofing and Construction

The Last Stand

The Nelson Company

Worldwide Vacation Planners

Business

“Your Veteran Realtor”, Tracey Kerr

1911 Remodeling

A Second Round Glass, LLC.

A/C Max

Adventure Kids Playcare

AirLuxe Studios

Akiens Law Firm, PLLC.

Allegiance Insurance Agency, LLC.

Alternative Payroll Services, Inc.

Amazing Window Cleaners

American Financial Network, Inc.

ANI Insurance Services, LLC.

Arrow Child & Family Ministries

Authentic Brain Solutions

Bar & Vines

Beautiful Minds Blinds & More

Beyond Barriers Therapy Solutions

CareFUL BENEFITS, LLC.

Central Texas Sinus & Allergy and Hearing Solutions

Century 21 Realty Partners

Chandler’s Event Venue

Chick-Fil-A at 105 and Lone Star Parkway

Christian Brothers Automotive - Montgomery

Clara Vista Eyecare

Clear Choice Acupuncture

Clearview Real Estate

CMG Home Loans

Cookie Co.

Cooper Health Insurance

Cruise Planners - Clare

Daintee Hurst Dietz

Dana Colborn, Realtor with Pam Westlake Realty Group

Decker Plaza, LLC ( DBA. Mariel’s Meat Market )

Domaine des Hospitalieres H-Wines

Edward Jones - Crystal Coley

Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers

Final Touch Remodeling/Final Touch Granite

Freedom Insurance

Frios Gourmet Pops

Inspired Realty & Co

Jaime Tate Mortgage Team - Powered by My Community Mortgage

Karen Gordy, Realtor - The Cain Team, Keller Williams Advantage

Kent Chambers Campaign

Kim’s Organizing Solutions

Lake Conroe Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

Lakeside Dental Practice

LARD Lighting and Landscaping

Little Love Midwifery, LLC.

Live Oak Senior Care on Lake Conroe

Lone Star Equine Sports Medicine / Woodforest Animal Hospital

Lush Bodyworx, LLC.

Magic Carpet Cleaning

Magnolia Woods Office Suites and Meeting Space

Montgomery Original Snoballs

Montgomery United Methodist Church

Mosquito & Pest Authority

NewQuest Properties

Ninke Tax & Financial Solutions, LLC

NYC Organic Waxing and Lash Studio Montgomery

Photography by Niki

PNC Bank-Montgomery

ProLift Garage Doors of College Station

Promptings

PuroClean of Conroe

Radiant Mark

RE/MAX Distinction

Recruiting 4 Excellence

Redefine

Revive Aesthetics & Regenerative Medicine

Revive Biohacking

Rigid Roofing, LLC.

Riverstone Companies - College Station

SMS Bookkeeping

Tachus

TDH IT

Texan Title

Texas Title

The Highland Pine Company

The Patio Cafe & Bar

Tiny Giant Marketing Agency

Titan Global USA, LLC.

Top Guns Realty

Trulove Webworks

Watershed Counseling Center, LLC.

Weiss Air Conditioning and Heating

Welcome To The Oscar’s Bistro & Catering Co.

Wood Waterworks

Woodforest Insurance Partners

Woodwright Cabinet Company

Business Non Profit

AEP Outdoors

All Ears Center!

Coat of Many Colors Ministries, Inc. (CMCM)

Community Assistance Center (CAC)

Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County, Inc.

Hope’s Bridge Resale

Living Savior Lutheran Church

Montgomery Community Band, Inc.

Montgomery Historical Society

Montgomery ISD

Montgomery Lions Club

Montgomery Memorial Library System

Rotary Club of Lake Conroe

Sunny Creek Ranch Horses for Heroes

VFW Post 12223

YES to YOUTH - Montgomery County Youth Services

The Chamber
Gives Back

Being an active community volunteer is nothing new for the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber. Giving back is something that the Chamber staff and membership do regularly, helping to strengthen the community which they serve.

“It’s our responsibility to lend a hand, pay it forward, and show our support for a variety of causes,” said Scott Harper, President of the Chamber. “This Chamber has been doing it for 90 years and will continue to do so.”

Each year, the Chamber organizes multiple blood drives, helping to save countless lives in the process. These blood drives, in partnership with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center – Conroe, are typically held in the Chamber’s Board Room, which offers a large space for multiple donations at one time.

In August, the Chamber conducts a “Fill the Bus” backpack drive for area school districts, including Conroe and Willis ISDs. The event is advertised among the membership and businesses bring backpacks filled with school supplies to a central location – often in the parking lot of Conroe’s Guaranty Bank & Trust, a valued partner in the drive. The Chamber also partners with Montgomery ISD to do a “Get Back to Work” event that supports the MISD teachers before they start school in the fall.

Given the rising number of county residents experiencing hunger and food shortages, the Chamber has partnered with the Montgomery County Food Bank (MCFB) to host food drives, especially in advance of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Members eagerly participate in these drives.

The formation of the Chamber’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) has created an additional outlet for giving back. Each quarter, YPN members volunteer their time and resources at different nonprofits. Examples include re-painting and refurbishing a parking lot at the YES to YOUTH facility, saving the organization more than $13,000 through the labor that was donated. Other YPN give-back events have included building beds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Montgomery, distributing food at a mobile food bank for MCFB, wrapping Christmas gifts for the Community Assistance Center, and serving as judges for the local Sci://Tech exposition sponsored by Education for Tomorrow Alliance.

“The Chamber has been blessed with a strong membership and the resources to support growing our business community, so it’s only right for us to give back and make our community stronger,” said Harper.

Sustainable Energy Sources, New Technologies Are Keys to Meeting Environmental Concerns

By Glenn Stephens

Environmental concerns are a top priority of many businesses in the Conroe area as they plan for a future featuring an expanding use of sustainable sources of energy.

Several members of the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce are researching ways to help consumers manage their sources and consumption of energy as new technologies emerge, according to interviews with executives of Entergy Texas, True Texas Solar and Constructable.

Serving a half million customers in the eastern part of the state, Entergy Texas is making steady progress toward achieving its goals of using more sustainable sources of energy and reducing emissions.

In moving toward those goals, the company must ensure its service is reliable and affordable to customers, says Stuart Barrett, vice president of customer service.

“We work hard to do what’s right for our customers on the environmental sustainability front while managing costs,” Barrett says. “We prioritize the environment and sustainability by offering a range of green products to meet the needs of our customers and contribute to the well-being of our community.”

Entergy Texas added the first solar generation resource to its portfolio in 2023 and is evaluating new evolving technologies such as the use of hydrogen as a fuel type, according to Barrett.

Entergy is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and has made significant progress toward its 2030 milestone of reducing emission rates by 50 percent.

“We take it seriously that we are monitoring technology developments and implementing cost-effective solutions to reduce emissions for the benefit of generations to come,” Barrett says.

A family-owned company, True Texas Solar focuses on solar energy and storage of energy for residential and commercial customers.

“We are a full-service engineering, procurement and construction company,” says CFO Dale Claudel. “That primarily involves solar systems and solar systems combined with backup generation or energy storage.”

True Texas Solar has completed projects with a total capacity of more than 3 megawatts, enough to power about 300 homes. It also has installed about 5 megawatt hours of battery storage.

CEO Josh Juarez grew up the son of an entrepreneur and worked for several companies, as well as running a few of his own, before starting True Texas Solar. He emphasizes the fact that it is a family-owned, faith-based business that focuses on serving and giving back to the community.

The company’s offerings include systems utilizing solar panels to take energy from the sun and store it for use when the power grid is down, or to lower electric bills.

“Our focus is to grow the impact that we’re having on the environment, on our communities and our customers, and to help them achieve their financial and resiliency goals,” Claudel says.

CEO Jared Hellums says Constructable takes detailed information about what a client wants and designs a structure to meet those needs.

“We are seeing a huge trend toward renewable energy, whether it’s biodiesel, green diesel, green fuels, wind, solar or hydrogen capture. With the ramp-up that we see in energy consumption in the United States, it’s becoming ever more important that we’re mindful of sustainability.”

The company, which generates about $100 million a year in revenue and employs a growing workforce of almost 40, stresses safety as well as sustainability in projects under way in Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Colorado.

Constructable designs energy-efficient buildings that house and maintain large-scale equipment used by its clients.

“We are designing with sustainability in mind,” he says. “Everything we do is energy efficient. That includes the lights, the electrical packages; HVAC systems are moving in that direction. The large consumers of water and natural resources are becoming much more efficient and much more economical.”

Kasmiersky and Copley Used Diplomat Roles to Boost Chamber and Businesses

Glenn Stephens

The growth of the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce’s role as a cornerstone of the area’s economic development has been sustained in large measure through the role of its Diplomat program.

Much of the credit for the success of the Diplomat program goes to dedicated members such as Marilyn Kasmiersky, a two-time Diplomat of the Year in the early 2000s, and Sally Copley, who was the first-ever woman to be named Diplomat (and Diplomat of the Year) in the mid 1970s. Diplomats are a group of volunteers committed to promoting the Chamber and its benefits to the area, as well as to recruiting and onboarding members.

Both of these area business and community leaders look with pride at their years of service, and they view the Diplomat program as an asset to the Chamber as well as a part of their own professional and personal development.

“Being a Diplomat basically offers a connection with the Chamber and the opportunity to recruit new members, describing for them the benefits the Chamber could provide for them and their businesses,” says Kasmiersky, who currently serves as executive director of Family Promise of Montgomery County. She was named Diplomat of the Year twice in a row, in 2002 and 2003.

“I’m a connector of people,” she says. “I love putting people and projects together for the common good. The Chamber is a great tool for that because you develop relationships within the Chamber. That helps the Chamber to grow, which helps the community to grow, and that helps our economic development of the community as well.”

She stresses the importance of the Chamber’s role in helping businesses grow and building new relationships among its members.

Copley now lives in Galveston but takes pride in her continuing relationship with the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber. She was awarded two lifetime memberships to the organization because of her dedication and hard work.

She retired in 2019 as executive director of the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County, capping a career in the banking, airline and real estate sectors. Serving as a Diplomat came natural to her.

“I’m an overachiever – I like people, and I like to learn about people and businesses,” Copley says. “The Chamber and the Diplomat program provide crucial networking opportunities for Chamber members and that helps the community grow.”

The two lifetime memberships are Copley’s most cherished honors, but she was recognized in other ways over the years. She was cited in 1977 for ranking fifth in the nation in sales of chamber memberships, and on several occasions she was awarded the use of a new car for a month by selling the most memberships in a 30-day period.

Kasmiersky, who was a Diplomat from 2001 to 2009, describes the role of the Chamber as crucial to the local economy.

“If you have a new business coming into town and they don’t know anyone locally, then the Chamber is an immediate connection with the community,” she says. “That’s what it’s all about.”