Chamber Starlight Awards recognize local businesses New Board takes office

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR in the East Aldine District was awarded to EL PEON Restaurant. Jose Del Santiago

By GILBERT HOFFMAN

Northeast News

GREENSPOINT – The Houston Intercontinental Chamber held their annual Business Awards banquet last Thursday night, and the format included the Chamber’s awards categories, and this year seven businesses that were chosen by the four participating management districts.

The evening started with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee swearing in the new Board Chairman, Linda Mercier, and Appreciation Certificates for the Chamber and the board.

This was followed by a sometimes humorous presentation of the accomplishments of the Chamber over the last year by president Reggie Gray, covering new business relationships both local and international, monthly meetings and special programs and forums, and a long list of government and business leaders that have met with the Chamber for mutual benefit.

Gray also outlined future events for the Chamber in 2012 and 2013. These include a Health Care Summit in November, and an Economic Forum in January, as well as monthly cultural events with Authors, Artists, and Museums. He also forsees providing Tours and Travel planning for chamber members and joint trips.

To the entertainment of the large crowd, Gray presented some of this and later awards in various foreign accents.

Noble Energy was the major title sponsor of the banquet, along with 24 other companies and chamber members.

Also making presentations were Don Ball of Lone Star College Small Business Development Center, Rita Leader of SCORE, and HCC on Goldman Sachs small business program.

Management Districts that presented Awards to businesses in their area included Rebecca Reyna of Greater Northside Management District, Business of the year to Jose Jimenez of State Farm Insurance; Teri Koerth of Airline District to Custom Vans and UPS, with remarks by Mark Cross and Roger Brown; Richard Cantu and Gerald Overturff of East Aldine District, to Jose and Gloria Del Santiago for El Peon Restaurant, and Enrique Morales for Kroger Supermarket; and Jocklynn Keville of Greenspoint District to Darin Spears of Fibertown and Larry Bundy, Corey Briggs and Kelly Harvey of Hyatt Houston Hotel.

In addition to these awards, president Reggie Gray announced Pinnacle Awards to Ms. Jess Bailey, John Ferrell, East Aldine District with Gerald Overturff and Flor Rios, Sidney Evans, and Elejandro Del Valle.

The Ambassador Award went to Autumn Knight of Sysco, the Committee Award to Michelle Oshinsky of Primeway FCU, Small Business Award to Bob Beasley, Company Award to John Higgans of Neutex Energy, Corporation Award to CEVA Logistics, Business Partner Award to Sysco, John Zizelmann Humanitarian Award to Pastor Andrew Watkins, Volunteer Award to Bill Pilkington, and Citizen Award to Mariana Sanchez.

In addition Gray gave Lifetime Achievement Awards to Dr. Wanda Bamberg, Dr. Jim Cain, and Dr. Ralph Draper, all school superintendents in the Chamber’s service area.