GREENSPOINT Over a hundred persons attended the beginning of a new year, with new directors and officers being installed for the North Houston Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce.
The ceremony was a luncheon at the Greenspoint Marriott Hotel, held last Thursday, Jan. 11.
The meeting was presided over by the new president, Reggie Gray, and included presentations by outgoing Chairman Jerry Lowry, and incoming Chairman Bill Ginder.
Enthusiasm and new beginnings were the key to the luncheon, as demonstrated by the large turnout, a number of awards and new investment programs announced by Gray.
The investing program, open to any chamber member, calls for capital investment in the chamber in a program called Funding Our Future. Large contributions are placed in bank earnings accounts, with the money to be used for future chamber growth. The first participants in this program included Comerica Bank, with a $5000 donation, Reliant Energy $5000, AT&T $5000, and Houston Chronicle $25,000.
The program started with remarks by President Reggie Gray and Chairman Jerry Lowry. A magnificent rendition of the National Anthem was sung by Darrell Luckett of Gallery Furniture.
Presentation of Awards was made by president Gray. They were as follows:
Company of the Year, Boullion Graphics, represented by Jill and Pat Boullion for their support of the chamber and their contribution to the businesss community;
Citizen of the Year, Dr. David Sam, president of North Houston College for his volunteer work for the betterment of the community;
Chamber Volunteers of the Year, Linda Kohler and Rodney Anderson for their leadership of chamber activities;
Humanitarian Award, Bill Townsend and John Zizelmann for their contribution of time and services to civic or charitable organizations;
Pinnacle Award, to Jerry Lowry, Pat Boullion, and Marilyn Sanders for their sustained high level of support of the chamber;
Shining Star Award, to the Aldine Greenspoint YMCA, Mission Greenspoint, and Macedonia Outreach for their efforts to serve the people of our communities.
Sponsors of the luncheon included the Aldine Improvement District, Anadarko, At&T, Caldwell Watson Real Estate, Comerica Bank, Hines, Houston Chronicle, North Harris College, Partners Bank of Texas, and Reliant Energy.
The new board of directors was sworn in by John Pickelman, Chencellor of the North Harris Montgomery Coummity College District.
President Gray also recognized retiring directors Clark Austin, Ray Shotwell, and Ben Wilson with a special award.
Gray also congratulated Rosemary Buske of Contact Promotions for receiving the Small Business Award of the Year.
Retiring Chairman of the Board, Jerry Lowry, of the Greater Greenspoint District, presented an overview of the accomplishments and highlights of his year. He mentioned that one of these was overseeing the search for a new president, and the subsequent selection of Reggie Gray. Other changes included a new office location, and a New Vision, New Look and New Vitality. His motto for the year was to stay Connected for Growth by working the chamber so it will work for you, he said.
The incoming chairman, Bill Ginder of Caldwell Watson Real Estate, gave a keynote talk about what to expect for the next year in the chamber.
In a humorous metaphor, he likened himself to an alligator, not an ostrich or monkey as others might be, because he has a goal and plan, he will see the chamber moving forward, and like an alligator he is prepared to bite something to make it happen.
Ginder has set up 4 teams for the year:
1. Economic Development, with Linda Kohler as chair. They have planned one event so far, and will hold another later in the year.
2. Membership Development, under Bill Townsend. The goal is to double the members, from 325 to 650 in the year, and to increase retention.
3. Marketing Team, led by Rosemary Buske, to hold fundraising events.
4. Workforce Education/Service Team, led by Ralph Wheeler of the YMCA.
Ginder stated that each team will have smart goals, that are measurable and timely. He noted that the chamber works in 4 distinctly different areas of the community: Greenspoint, Airport, US59 Eastex, and Below Beltway 8 in North Houston. He saw this as an opportunity to grow and serve, if addressed properly.