contents

Welcome

Board of Directors & Chamber Team

New Members

Renewing Members

Platinum & Emerald Members

Diplomats – Thank You

Special Events

Fun After Five/Morning Mingle

Ribbon Cuttings

Leadership Montgomery County

Next Generation Leadership

Grand Central Park

Hyatt Regency Conroe

Montgomery County Food Bank

C/LCCC Young Professionals Network

C/LCCC Partners with Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber to Provide Dual

Memberships

Members Listings

This is a Town Square Publications,

formerly MetroMedia (since 1997),

publication created and produced for the

Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber

505 W Davis St., Conroe, TX 77301

PO Box 2347, Conroe, TX 77305

936.756.6644 | www.conroe.org

Copyright © 2023 Town Square Publications

P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006

(847) 427-4905 | marketing@tspubs.com

www.TownSquarePublications.com

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of

the information in this publication. The Chamber and

Town Square assume no responsibility for misinformation.

Please contact the Chamber with any additions or

corrections. Reproduction in whole or in part without

permission of the Chamber and Town Square is prohibited.

Chairman, CEO and Publisher | Douglas K. Ray

President and Chief Operating Officer | Scott Stone

Vice President / Director | Scott Ray

Managing Director | David Small

Director of Production | Ryan Moore

Sales Rep | Dede Harmell

Editor |Mia Katz

Designer | Angie Davis

WELCOME

With our six-week Tastefest coming to an end, I hope you were able to utilize your TastePasses and visit the participating restaurants. One of the goals of this event, in addition to enjoying the tastiest eats and drinks in town, is to show our local businesses that we support and appreciate them. Special thanks to Crown Brand-Building Packaging for serving as Tastefest’s presenting sponsor.

If you’re hearing a loud buzz in Montgomery County, it’s not a swarm of bees. It’s EB – as in Erin Brockovich, our keynote speaker for the upcoming ATHENA Leadership Luncheon. It will be a sold-out ballroom on Friday, July 21, at Margaritaville Lake Resort on Lake Conroe, as we present the 6th annual ATHENA Leadership Award. It is the Chamber’s privilege to provide the only women-focused event in Montgomery County that celebrates women leaders from all industries, ages, and backgrounds. We appreciate Better Bookkeepers (presenting sponsor) and Worthington Manor (keynote sponsor) for contributing to the success of this event.

As we know the growth in our area has been fast and furious and will continue for some time. With that growth comes many opportunities and challenges. Education must remain a priority. I was honored to be appointed to the Conroe ISD Bond Planning Committee. I urge you to go to the CISD website and view the 2023 Bond information or simply click here: 2023 Bond Planning Committee – Conroe ISD to review and educate yourself with this information. It is very important that everyone understands what’s at stake. Our community and, more important, the students can’t afford us not taking action. Thank you in advance for your support as we will need this to pass in the November election.

As we move into summer, 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

2023 Conroe/Lake Conroe
Board of Directors

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

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

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 BBQ

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)

Brandon Polk, +40 Fitness

Carl White, Cam Light Video Production

Darwin Canales, Crown Brand Building Packaging

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 March 31, 2023

PLATINUM INVESTOR

Constructable

Prosperity Enterprise Funding

EMERALD

Latin Grill

Legacy Emergency Training, LLC

Webb’s Uniforms

Sapphire

Luxury Air, LLC

Ranger Guard of Conroe, LLC

Tujay Homes

DUAL ENHANCED

(CITE) Center for Innovation, Technology

& Entrepreneurship Department

of Business Administration and

Entrepreneurship SHSU

Rios Funeral Directors

The Shout House

Ruby

Allumine Health - Home Health

and Hospice

Juggernaut Payment Processing

LightPoint Engineering

MJR Services, Inc.

Pinpoint Movers

Rise Local

Spear Point Engineering

Woodforest Earth Works, LLC

Gold

Bauer Equipment America

Cold Stone Creamery 23857 Conroe, TX

Freebirds World Burrito

Hyatt Regency Conroe

MoCo Plumbing Services

Schoenmann Produce Company

Second Chance Families

The Law Office Of Robert M. Meredith

Total Air Service

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

DUAL BASIC

AmeriCasa Communities

JP Morgan Chase

VEL Institute

Business

209 Photo Booth Company

A. L. Party Creations LLP

BB Custom Upholstery

Beach Walk Coworking & Office Space

Brandi Burke Real Estate, LLC

Chicago Title

CleanCap Technologies, LLC

Cline Card

Cocomar Multiservice LLC

Compassion United, Inc.

Cork This Tap That

Edward Jones- Derrick McCarley

Elsa Hudanish-First Millenium Realty

Farmers Insurance - The Bolton Agency

First Watch

Garcia Real Estate Group

GFI Southwest LLC

Grasten Power Technologies, LLC

Happy Day Getaways by Dream

Vacations

Jays Advanced Mobile Detailing

Lone Star Executive Limousine LLC

Lonestar Security & Investigations, LLC

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management-

Mike Reese

Mod Boutique

Mortgage Munchies

Nelson Chiropractic Center LLC

Pour Boyz Bartending

Pure Barre Conroe

RapidCare Emergency Room

Ready Payday Loans

RMA Design

Strong Real Estate Co.

Taste The Asian Inc

TDECU

Texas First Insurance

The Lodge | Uptown Conroe

The Perfect Round

The Woodlands Paint Doctor LLC

Thomas Arnold-Relink Realty Group/

Worth Clark Realty

Ultima Real Estate

Voyages Behavioral Health of Conroe

Willow Wood Solutions

219 Social House

Bar Lago

Beauty by Owan Gray

F.G.O. Custom Homes & Remodeling

Hopkins Auction

Martin Driskill

New York Life Insurance Company

Voodoo Grille

MEMBERS

RENEWING

Platinum Investor

Consolidated Communications, Inc.

Corporate Incentives, Inc.

Guaranty Bank & Trust

Primrose School of Conroe

The Howard Hughes Corporation

Woodforest National Bank - Conroe

Wright Business Technologies

Emerald

Better Bookkeepers, Inc.

Conroe Professional Firefighters Assoc.

Grand Central Park

Gullo Ford, Toyota, Mazda

LEO at West Fork

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Richmond Realty Group

Rodgers Stein Chiropractic Center

Sapphire

Ball Corporation

CenterPoint Energy

Terracon

Ruby

Allumine Health - Home Health

and Hospice

Baker’s Bouquet

Easley Enterprises of Texas, Inc.

The Golden Hammer

True Texas Solar

Gold

April Sound Country Club

Buff City Soap

Wellpath

Whataburger, LP

Silver

84 Lumber

AdviCoach

Black Walnut Cafe

Clayton Lee Plumbing

David Weekley Homes

Dragon Bowl C

Fabritex LLC

Guaranteed Rate Affinity

Harbor Shores - A Waterfront

Community

John Hafley, County Court at Law #1

Montgomery Self Storage

Professional Service Industries, Inc

Rick Schissler-Silver Fox Advisor

San Jacinto River Authority

Steve Scott - The Houston Business

Coach

Texas Patriot Realty, LLC

The Loop Apartments

Thornton Financial Services

Vulcan Materials Company

Business

Able Glass Company

Batteries Plus Bulbs #949

Ben Lichnovsky - Cole & Taylor Insurance

Big Johnson Plumbing, Inc.

Black Diamond Oilfield Rentals, LLC

Bradbury Brothers Cooling

Heating Plumbing

Branding Iron Custom Goods

Brenek Marine Agencies, Inc.

Builders FirstSource

Capital Farm Credit, FLCA

Christine Gordon - HomeSmart

Clarity Hearing

Conroe Dental Health and

Cosmetic Centre

Conroe Door & Hardware, Inc.

Conroe Life Changes

Conroe Truck & Trailer

Countryside Manor Assisted Living

Curves

DJ Fire Sound & Lighting

Dock Line Magazine, Inc.

Donna’s Home Furnishings

Drez Unlimited, LLC

Edward Jones - Steve Eggert

Excalibur Pest Control

Express Employment Professionals

F.D. Freeman & Assoc., Inc.

Fowler Law Firm

Fullerton Orthodontics - Dr. Leslie Fulle

Garrett Insurance Agency, Inc.

Haarmeyer Electric

Houston Chronicle Media -

The Conroe Courier

ITVibes, Inc.

J Properties

Journey Home

La Quinta Inn & Suites

Lakeside Gastroenterology

Larry Ludwig, CPA

Leland Dushkin, CPA

Long Air Conditioning

Lucas Cedar, Inc.

M.R. Gibbs Group, Inc.

McNutt Funeral Home, Cemetery

& Crematory

Minuteman Press

Optimum Business

OTT Mechanical LLC

Panorama Golf Club

Pool Custom Iron Works, INC.

QC TV Corp

Rep. Cecil Bell, Jr.

Ron’s Laser Service Inc.

Rowmec Equipment Company

Senior Helpers

Service King Collision Repair Centers

Simmons and Fletcher, P.C.,

Injury & Accident Lawyers

Ski Dock Houston/Lake Conroe

Southern Cross Communications

Spartan Global Logistics LLC

Special Strong North Houston

Sundance Builders

Tammy McRae - Montgomery County

Tax Assessor

TES International, Inc.

Texas First Bank

The Fredricks Group

The Koerner Team Realty

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

The Sproba Team at Synergy Real Estate

Tina Fox Real Estate

Tiny Giant Web Solutions

Twinkle Toez Dance

Waffle House

Wags 2 Whiskers Veterinary Hospital

Wiggins Furniture

WMPID - Westwood Magnolia

Parkway Improvement

Woodlands Wealth Builders

Workforce Solutions

Non-Profit Member - Renewal

Apricity Foundation

Child Advocates of Montgomery

County, Inc

Conroe ISD Education Foundation, Inc.

KC Event Center, Incorporated

Montgomery County ESD #2/

Montgomery Fire

Montgomery County Food Bank

Sam Houston State University

The American Legion Post 618

The Woodlands Arts Council

The Woodlands Hills Residential

Community

VFW Post 4709

Voces En Accion or Voices In Action (VEA)

Voter Awareness Council Inc

Woodmark Homeowners Association

2nd Store Member - Renewal

Montgomery Self Storage

as of March 31, 2023

Aaron Stoddard

Farmers Insurance

Angie Mayrant

Woodforest Wealth Strategies

Brittany Castellon

Express Employment Professionals

Caroline Mason

Whitestone Printing

Cherelle Simon

Spherion Staffing & Recruiting

Cortni Peters

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Debby Dykes

Network in Action

Emily Young

Mobiloil Credit Union

Eric Hagebusch

Pensionmark Financial Group

Jada England

N2 Publishing/STROLL

Jamie Meche

Your Comforts of Home, LLC

Jane’t LaGardeur

Dri-tex Restoration

Jennifer Abbrat

Altom Consulting and Marketing, Inc.

Kathy Kirby

Kathy’s Wine Cellar

Kelly Lawson

Walzel Properties LLC

LouAnn Tiger

Daniel Office Products

Nila Ciesiel

Conroe Service League

Summer Hvasta

San Jacinto River Authority

Tanner Dick

FASTSIGNS

Terri Strozier

Lone Star Convention & Expo Center

Leadership Montgomery County

LMC Class of 2023 Learns About Infrastructure, Public Safety

The LMC Class of 2023 recently explored infrastructure and public safety in Montgomery County. The infrastructure session, sponsored by Entergy Texas, included an overview of infrastructure from Session Director Erich Peterson, LMC ’12, followed by multiple speakers from the San Jacinto River Authority, including Summer Hvasta, Bret Raley ‘13, and Heather Ramsey ‘22. The class toured the Lake Conroe Dam, a local wastewater treatment plant, and the SJRA Surface Water Treatment Plant, before traveling to the Montgomery County Power Station for a tour and presentations from Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley and speakers from Entergy Texas, including Stuart Barrett, Brian Garcia ‘19, and Brittany Chandler ‘22.

The Public Safety session, sponsored by the City of Conroe, included presentations from Session Directors Lt. Scott Spencer ‘19 (Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office) and Assistant Chief Doug Adams ’18 (The Woodlands Fire Department). The class learned about fire, EMS, and law enforcement – and how all these leaders collaborate for the greater good of our community.

Next
GENERATION
Leadership

Congratulations to the Next Generation Leadership Class of 2023!

Students from 10 area high schools are completing the year-long Next Generation Leadership (NGL) program. NGL is a partnership between the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber and Educations for Tomorrow Alliance that connects 12th graders to community and industry leaders that shape their quality of life through education, government, healthcare, and more in Montgomery County. Students also work with leadership development professionals and Leadership Montgomery County mentors to cultivate their own skills. Congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2023!

Payton Alberts

Keller Bendele

Rebekah Bush

Kailey Cline

Ariana Cormier

Diana Darvishi

Temilolu Fabuyi

Isabella Fiaschetti

Sydney Grajek

Dylan Harper

Aniyah Holiday

Hope Howard

Timmy Huang

Dieter Kingwergs

Morgan Ligon

Breniyah Maxey

Abby Meador

Arnav Nair

Ivy Nguyen

Kevin Pan

Adolfo Paredon

Tessa Peterson

Cline Piotrowski

Corbin Poehl

Brittany Ramierz

Gavin Seelbach

Kyler Smith

Steven Szladewski

Jaime Tato

David Trevino

Juan Vaquera

Ada Wang

Charley Wernli

Kamryn Willey

Thanks to all the program sponsors that have made the year possible including Woodforest National Bank, Better Bookkeepers, Inc., Tracey Casey-Arnold, LLC, Chick-fil-A Conroe-Lake Conroe Parkway, Conroe Economic Development Council, DLR Group, Leadership Montgomery County, HCA Houston-Conroe, Lone Star College-Montgomery, and Gigi Woodruff, LLC.

Education for Tomorrow Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating education and community partnerships that advance student success. With innovative programs focused on career, leadership and STEM participation, EfTA is the portal through which business leaders can access and strengthen local education. To learn more, visit www.efta-us.org.

Award Winning Community

Unites With Outdoors

at Grand Central Park

By Kaylea M. Hutson-Miller

What began as a Boy Scout camp is now an award-winning master-planned community in Conroe.

In 2013, the Johnson Development Corp. purchased the 2,046-acre Camp Strake from the Sam Houston Area Boy Scout Council. Planning for the community began immediately with home sales starting in 2016.

“Growth in North Houston has been ongoing for many years,” said Bob Douglas, senior vice president and general manager of Grand Central Park. “The Woodlands has become an employment corridor, allowing people to make their home in the surrounding area. Plus, roadway improvements — including the 2016 opening of new segments of the Grand Parkway — add to the accessibility of this region.”

Since the purchase, land which spent more than 70 years as a flagship Boy Scout camp is now home to a community which includes an 88-acre Grand Lake and 12-acre Deer Lake, as well as more than 10 miles of nature trails and paths which circle the lakes and meander through the woods.

“We went in with the promise that we would respect the land as the Scouts did, and that’s what we’ve done,” Douglas said, adding more than 1,200 acres of the property will remain in its natural state, as officials strive to create a community where nature and development are in balance.

“A master-planned community is much more than a neighborhood,” Douglas said. “It offers a mix of residential and commercial, as well as designated spaces that could — but doesn’t necessarily — include onsite schools, churches, medical offices and more.

“Significant planned amenities — such as The Lake House in Grand Central Park — are often included in the master plan, as are open areas. All of these features are planned from the very beginning, creating a cohesive, well-planned development.”

In 2022, Grand Central Park earned the Community of the Year award from the Texas Association of Builders Star Awards.

“Every aspect of community development is considered when awarding this honor, and Texas has a very competitive residential market, so to be named the best is meaningful,” Douglas said. “For industry experts to recognize our quality is significant.”

Douglas said some of the things which set Grand Central Park apart from other communities is the property’s mature, wooded landscape and its natural beauty.

“From the beginning, we worked to preserve the splendid natural landscape of this land and positioned neighborhoods and amenities in areas that would complement the land,” Douglas said. “When we started development of Grand Central Park, many were concerned that the forest would be lost — anyone can see that this has not happened.”

Homesites for the third village, South Village, were just released, with Westin Homes, Brightland Homes, Drees Custom Homes, Highland Homes and David Weekley Homes offering floor plans designed for 55-, 60- and 65-foot homesites.

Douglas said limited opportunities for larger homesites along the community’s Deer Lake will soon be available and homes are still selling in Central Village.

336 Marketplace along Loop 336 South continues to add restaurants and retail, with three new restaurants now open and three more opening this year. Douglas said other additions include a Petco slated to open in mid-2024.

A new nationally recognized furniture store has begun construction within the growing City Central commercial district. Douglas said the much-anticipated Hyatt Regency Conroe Hotel and Convention Center opens this summer.

A Focus on Community

One of the amenities offered at Grand Central Park is a lifestyle director, who hosts events that allow residents to meet each other, make friendships and create a sense of community.

Some activities are geared toward children, allowing parents to meet, while others are adult-only, which help active adults connect. Planned hikes bring nature lovers together.

“All of this strengthens ties throughout the community, creating a hometown for those who live here,” Douglas said.

Another piece of the community involves The Pavilion at The Lake House amenity complex, originally built by the Boy Scout Area Council in 1950. It has been refurbished for residential use.

“We have great respect for Mother Nature’s bounty in Grand Central Park,” Douglas said. “We want to preserve it and create more ways for people to experience nature and develop their own love and respect for it.”

DID YOU KNOW

Part of Grand Central Park is The Lake House, a 13-acre amenity complex for residential use. It includes a pool, playground, fitness center, large covered pavilion and event center.

The indoor space includes a Grand Room, which opens to a patio, and The Overlook, which has walls of windows along three sides giving panoramic views of Paddle Lake and Grand Lake.

A LOOK AT

GRAND CENTRAL PARK

BY THE NUMBERS

• More than 1,000 homes

• 2,200 residents

• 1,600 homes at buildout

• More than 10 miles of nature trails, pathways

• 50+ businesses, restaurants and retailers in

336 Marketplace

• 13-acre amenity complex which includes a

resort-style pool, fitness center, event rooms,

pavilion, event lawn, playground and dog park

• 8 planned/current parks - three coming soon

• 4 lakes, including 88-acre Grand Lake

• 2 dog parks

• A City Central district that includes Marcel

Boulevard, Sam Houston State University and

the Hyatt Regency Conroe Hotel & Convention

Center, with more to come in the future.

Hyatt Regency Conroe

Opens its Doors

in Grand Central Park

By Dave Hoffman and Mia Katz

What started as an exciting and ambitious project in 2015 is expected to be realized in Conroe this summer … the opening of the Hyatt Regency Conroe and Convention Center in Grand Central Park, located on I-45 just south of Loop 336.

Referred to as “another jewel in the crown of America’s Miracle City” by Mayor Jody Czajkoski, the hotel and meeting venue will cater to corporate groups, business travelers, and leisure travelers visiting Conroe.

Grand Central Park is a master-planned community with shopping, dining and over 1,100 homes. Situated on the south side of Conroe, this location is a few minutes south of downtown Conroe and is easily accessible for local and regional travel.

Those familiar with life in Conroe may find little surprise in Hyatt’s interest in the new location.

“Conroe is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and has a strong base of leisure and business travel, making it an ideal destination for Hyatt Regency,” says Ildebrando Salazar, director of sales, marketing and events for the Hyatt Regency Conroe. Salazar adds that the Hyatt Regency Conroe is conveniently located for travelers coming from Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.

Making the venue especially unique is what Salazar explains is its status as the first non-resort, full-service hotel in Conroe. “It also boasts 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space with the largest hotel ballroom in the city,” he says.

The hotel includes include amenities such as a full-service restaurant, full bar, pool deck, fitness facility, and a market. The convention center also features a 14,000-square-foot regency ballroom, 6,000-square-foot junior ballroom, and 7,000 square feet of breakout and boardroom space. The venue can host multiple conferences, weddings, and other events simultaneously, along with dining and entertainment for city residents.

Salazar explains demand for the new hotel has come about because Conroe’s population continues to grow and the city is focused on attracting new corporate business. “There is a need for upscale hotel rooms and large meeting space to support this growth,” he says. Beyond this, he shares the new venue exemplifies the Hyatt Regency brand, which he says is rooted in fostering connections and providing a stress-free environment that is designed for productivity and peace of mind.

“Hyatt Regency Conroe stays true to the brand’s ethos and offers guests a retreat from the city with memorable views of Conroe’s picturesque pines,” he says.

Hyatt Regency Conroe – By the Numbers

250 Guest Rooms,

including 13 suites

30,000 square-foot Conroe convention center

14,000 square-foot regency ballroom with supporting pre-function space

conroux Three-meal restaurant with a private dining room and outdoor patio

avenue a Picturesque Lobby Bar with adjacent social patio

the market Coffee, specialty drinks, and grab-and-go items

Overnight guests will enjoy a 24-hour fitness center and spacious pool deck.

Montgomery County Food Bank Combats

Food Insecurity and Waste

By Kaylea M. Hutson-Miller

What began in the mid-1980s as an outreach to a neighbor has multiplied exponentially to become a nonprofit reaching across Montgomery County and beyond.

Since 1985, the Montgomery County Food Bank, established by the vision of Betty Hardy, has grown from the trunk of her car into a 60,000 square-foot warehouse located at 1 Food For Life Way in Conroe.

“Our founder, Betty Hardy, had a giving heart and wanted to help her neighbor whose house burned down in Montgomery, Texas,” explained Kristine Marlow, president and CEO of the food bank. “What started as providing assistance to her neighbor grew as she saw the many people who needed food assistance,” she continues. “Determined to help, she loaded up food in the trunk of her car and delivered groceries to others. Her passion for helping those in need continued to grow and ultimately so did the Food Bank.”

More About The Food Bank

As a nonprofit hunger relief organization, the Montgomery County Food Bank provides nutritious food to children, seniors and families through an 80+ partner agency network.

Food bank officials receive, process, package and distribute donated and surplus food throughout Montgomery County. Food is donated by grocery store retailers, local neighbors hosting food drives, and wholesalers. Additional food comes through government commodities received through a partnership with Houston Food Bank.

Combating Food Insecurity

Marlow said the USDA defines food insecurity as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.”

In Montgomery county, at least 12.5 percent, or 73,000+ residents are considered food insecure. This includes 24,000+ food insecure children.

“Hunger doesn’t discriminate and food insecurity can affect anyone at any time,” Marlow said. “We serve children, seniors, families, working adults, veterans, single parents, homeless individuals and more.”

Reducing Food Waste

One way the food bank fights hunger is to help reduce food waste through retail rescue, recycling and composting and the innovative Produce Rescue Center.

Since 2017, Marlow said the rescue center has saved more than 19 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables from landfills, and instead redirected the produce to tables of those in need. Partner businesses include, but are not limited to, the Walmart Distribution Center, Kroger, H-E-B and Sam’s Club.

“Partnerships between Montgomery County Food Bank and area grocers allow for the safe donation of meat, dairy, deli, produce, baked goods and frozen products that the retail stores have onsite or at their distribution center but will not be stocked for sale,” Marlow said. “Our Produce Rescue Center helps the environment by directing outdated produce that would be lost in landfills into compost to help grow more plants, trees, and maybe even more produce for the community.”

Prior to the pandemic, food bank officials served an average of 35,000 individuals each month. In 2022, the average jumped to 65,000 individuals each month. Marlow said with the rising cost of living, she anticipates the number will continue to rise in 2023.

The food bank also partners with local school districts to provide food through the backpack food bag and school pantry programs. This means at least 1,400 students each week are provided weekend meals.

Marlow said the causes of food insecurity are complex, but include poverty, unemployment, or low income, rising cost of living and chronic health conditions.

“Countless people are one emergency away from facing food insecurity, such as unexpected medical treatment, car repair, or sudden lay-off from work,” Marlow said. “Additionally, Montgomery County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state and with such quick growth also comes an increase in need.”

Raising support

Marlow said thanks to monetary and food donations, as well as volunteers and community members who share their mission, as well as a strong buying and sourcing power, the food bank can stretch a donated dollar to provide up to four meals for neighbors facing hunger. All monies raised stay local, benefiting those living within Montgomery county.

Events such as the Outrun Hunger run/walk and the Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope Gala not only raise needed funds, but also help increase awareness of the food bank’s mission and the need for food assistance in Montgomery county.

Marlow said many are shocked to learn that one in eight, or 12.5 percent of people face hunger in Montgomery county.

“The ultimate goal of every food bank is to not have to exist,” Marlow said. “But as long as food insecurity exists in Montgomery county, we will continue our mission of uniting the community to fight hunger in support of our vision of a community where everyone has access to sufficient, nutritious food.”

DID YOU KNOW

The Montgomery County Food Bank was established in 1985 by Betty Hardy who distributed food from the trunk of her car.

In 2007, the nonprofit purchased its first 9,000-square-foot warehouse thanks to a community development grant. In July 2014, the organization moved into a 60,000 square foot operation at 1 Food For Life Way, Conroe, Texas.

HOW TO VOLUNTEER

Volunteers are at the heart of the Montgomery County Food Bank. Anyone, from individuals to families; as well as groups representing congregations, organizations or corporations can volunteer at the food bank. “We look for passionate individuals looking to make a difference and impact in their communities,” explained Kristine Marlow, president and CEO of Montgomery County Food Bank.

Volunteer opportunities may be found on the volunteer calendar at mcfoodbank.org.

Chamber launches

Young Professionals Network

Young professionals in Conroe and the surrounding area have a new go-to resource, thanks to the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce and its new Young Professionals Network (YPN).

“We’ve heard from our members, many of whom are new or early in their careers, who are looking for several specific things – networking with their peers, professional development, mentoring and the opportunity to give back to the community,” said Scott Harper, President of the Chamber. “We’ve structured YPN to meet all of their needs.”

Launched in January, more than 40 members and non-members attended YPN’s first monthly meeting, which included a networking presentation by Will Warren, cop-president of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. YPN alternates between networking, professional development and community service opportunities. Mentoring is integrated into the group’s activities.

While the group is geared for Chamber members who are under 40, if non-Chamber members are interested in learning morning about YPN, please contact Courtney Budra, director of special events, at courtneyb@conroe.org.

The current chair of YPN is Summer Hvasta, who is the Utility Enterprise Customer Service Manager with the San Jacinto River Authority.

Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber partners with Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber to offer dual membership

The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber and the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber (MCHC) now offer a dual membership option for new and renewing chamber members. Both chambers recently agreed on a pair of membership options to offer to new or renewing members.

“Partnering with the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber was a no-brainer when it relaunched,” said Scott Harper, President of the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce. “Miguel (Lopez, MCHC President) and I already had talked about a dual or reciprocating membership between both of our chambers. This collaboration affords our members an opportunity to be part of a growing regional chamber family. Collaborations are driving success; both of our chambers strive for success and this is another step to achieving it.”                  

There are two options for the dual membership. One is an $800 entry-level membership, which would be $1,000 if a business joined the two chambers separately. The other option is an enhanced $2,000 membership, which would be $3,000 separately. Dual memberships are initiated through the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce at https://www.conroe.org.

Julio Resendez, chairman of the board for MCHC, said “Since 1934, the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce has promoted business and industrial development through community-based organization. With the recent explosion in population, we have seen a greater need for a chamber to cater to the Hispanic business community, which is why this partnership with the Conroe/ Lake Conroe Chamber makes us so proud.”

Local business owners have already taken advantage of this membership offering and are excited about the impact this collaboration will have on both the business community and their respective businesses.

“To be able to join both chambers with one membership is a two-way beneficial street,” said Bobby Rios, owner and President of RIOS Funeral Directors. “The shared knowledge between both chambers not only increases the networking opportunities for Rios Funeral Directors but for all existing and new members. We greatly appreciate both the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce and the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber.” 

To learn more about the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber, visit https://mchchamber.org, or send an email to Julio Resendez at chair@mchchamber.org. To learn more about the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, visit https://www.conroe.org, or send an email to Gigi Peacock (Director of Membership Sales) at gigi@conroe.org.