CHAMBERget connected FYI stay connected JANUARY 2017 VOL. I ISSUE I

Conroe Regional Medical Center Matt Davis, CEO and Chairman of the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber Board

IN THIS ISSUE 02 Chamber January Calendar of Events 04 Member Highlight: Conroe Regional Medical Center 06 Leadership Montgomery 2017 Class Session 07 November 2016 New Members and Renewals get connected on social board of directors 03 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chamber Chat Matt Davis, Conroe Regional Medical Center, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD 11 AM George Waggoner, First National Bank , CHAIRMAN ELECT calendar Elizabeth Hosea, Elizabeth A. Hosea, CPA, TREASURER Listen online at Dione Booker, Gold’s Gym, VICE CHAIR MEMBERSHIP DEV. www.irlonestar.com Brent Wunderlich, McKesson, VICE CHAIR GOVT. AFFAIRS/COMMUNITY DEV. or tune into FM Guy Barker, First Financial Bank, VICE CHAIR SPECIAL EVENTS Mark Stevens, Gullo Ford, VICE CHAIR BUSINESS DEV. 104.5/106.1 Hector Forestier, City of Willis, IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN of Brian Bondy, President, CONROE/LAKE CONROE CHAMBER Voice of Business 4 PM THREE YEAR TERM (2017-19) The Chamber Denny Buckalew, Buckalew Chevrolet All members welcome! George Waggoner, First National Bank Texas events Cody Spence, All Star Catering Roger Goertz, Mr. Rooter Plumbing Denise Godkin, Amegy Bank january Rick Schissler, Silver Fox Advisor Sergio Martinez, Sergio’s Landscaping Virgil Yoakum, Johnson Development

TWO YEAR TERM (2017-18) 05 11 12 Adrienne Batchelor, Methodist The Woodlands Hospital Mobility Committee Workforce Morning Mingle Dione Booker, Gold’s Gym Development Gina Brown, That Guy Enterprises 11:30 AM 7:30 AM Matt Davis, Conroe Regional Medical Center Conroe Regional 7:30 AM To be announced. Elizabeth Hosea, Elizabeth A. Hosea CPA Medical Center The Chamber Register Online Sinem Mehterian, Wells Fargo Bank RSVP with Brian Bondy All members welcome! Ron Roberson, Caldwell Companies Randie St. Angelo, Better Bookkeepers, Inc to attend.

ONE YEAR TERM (2017) Elected Officials Education Committee AdviCoach Lunch Hector Forestier, City of Willis Appreciation 4 PM & Learn John Hamati, La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa Reception The Chamber 11:30 AM Gail Cain, Keller Williams Realty 5 PM All members welcome! The Chamber Patricia Brown, Woodforest National Bank Mark Stevens, Gullo Dealerships The Chamber Register Online Vic Tarasik Register Online Kelly Wortham, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital Brent Wunderlich, McKesson

ONE YEAR APPOINTED TERM (2017) Guy Barker, First Financial Bank 21 Meredith Brown, Community Impact News 19 20 Natalie O’Leary, Corporate Incentives, Inc. Sheila Taylor, Consolidated Communications, Inc. Axix's Marketing Chairman's Ball Business After Hours Workshop John Stacy, AdviCoach 5 PM 5 PM 11:30 AM La Torretta Lake EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS Rodgers Stein The Chamber Resort & Spa Monica Bomkamp-Enia, Education for Tomorrow Alliance Chiropractic Center Register Online Don Carpenter, Jr., The Lone Star Convention & Expo Center RSVP Online Purchase Tickets & Honorable Craig Doyal, Montgomery County Judge Tables Online Becky Duncan-Ramirez, Lone Star College - University Center Hector Forestier, City of Willis Tim Harkrider, Willis Independent School District Frank R. Holmes, Sam Houston State University Jace Houston, San Jacinto River Authority need more info Randy Johnson, Montgomery County Hospital District 26 31 ? Kathy Turner Jones, Lone Star Ground Water Conservation District For more information Jerry MacDonald, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion Honorable Webb Melder, City of Conroe Membership 5th Annual Job Fair and to register for Honorable Leonard Reed, City of Willis Luncheon 1 - 6 PM events go to Dr. Beau Rees, Montgomery Independent School District 11:30 AM Lone Star Convention Sarah Rhea, Leadership Montgomery County To be announced & Expo Center WWW.CONROE.ORG Lynn Scott, City of Panorama Village Greg Smith, City of Shenandoah Register Online Open to all job seekers and view the Scott Smith, Lone Star Executive Airport Dr. Don Stockton, Conroe Independent School District chamber calendar. Paul Virgadamo, City of Conroe Fred Welch, Greater Conroe Economic Development Council

CHAMBER STAFF Brian Bondy, President Rodney Anderson, Director of Membership Development Courtney Galle, Director of Special Events April Jackson, Director of Marketing Kellie Mazzilli, Director of Finance and Operations Melissa Cuarezma, Member & Guest Services

The Chamber FYI is a publication of the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce located at 505 W Davis, PO Box 2347, Conroe, TX 77305. Published monthly it is intended as a public service to Chamber members. No part may be reprinted without permission of the Chamber. LONE STAR Ads in the Chamber FYI are not endorsed by the Chamber. The Chamber reserves the right to refuse advertisements. The Chamber FYI is viewable online at www.conroe.org. For more Community Radio information on advertising in the Chamber FYI please call (936) 756-6644. irlonestar.com/Conroe’s FM 104.5 & 106.1

2 Get Connected. Stay Connected. a letter from the president

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017! We hope your 2017 is filled with much success both personal and professional! While the holidays have quickly come and gone, the Chamber has been running at full tilt!

Following on the heels of our membership event last month, I’d like to welcome all of the businesses and organizations recruited and brought into this amazing organization. We know you have choices in your memberships and community involvement and we’re excited to have you in the Conroe/ Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the volunteers who participated in the event. From our Event Chairs to Team Captains to Team Members, these are the folks gave us their time and boy did it pay huge dividends for the Chamber! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

You also will notice we have redesigned our Chamber FYI publication. Thanks to April Jackson, director of community relations, we have a new look and new format. We are ready to keep you up to date on what’s going on in your organization this year. I want to thank our advertisers who are stepping up to the plate to help us launch this publication. We couldn’t make this happen without their support! (Want to advertise to the membership? Here’s the perfect vehicle!)

Early last month, we added Rodney Anderson to the Chamber staff as our director of membership development. Rodney has experience in growing his own business as well as growing other’s businesses. He’s a great fit for the Chamber team and we are happy to have him on board. He’ll be making the rounds over the next 90-120 days to visit as many members as possible. Also, recruit some new members as well! Welcome Rodney.

Our Elected Officials Appreciation Reception is Thursday, January 5 from 5–7 pm here at the Chamber. ALL members are asked to attend. There is no charge for attending. We have invited over 85 elected officials from local entities up to the state level. It’s never easy running for public office and even though we may not always agree on the issues it’s still a huge responsibility for our elected officials. We hope you come out and thank them for their service to our communities. The Annual Job Fair is coming up on January 31 and booth space is still available by contacting the Chamber.

Finally, please join the Chamber at our Annual Chairman’s Ball, Saturday, January 21, 2017, at La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa. We will be recognizing, saluting and roasting our outgoing Chairman of the Board Hector Forestier. Last year was a year of transition for the Chamber and thanks, in large part, to Hector’s leadership, we come out better, faster, stronger. I hope to see you there.

Brian J. Bondy President

WWW. CONROE.ORG 3 to take their injured loved ones to a trauma center that is close to home, as we can now provide the most conroe regional advanced care from quality surgeons in Montgomery County within the most important first hour after the medical center injury.” Matt Davis, CEO and Chairman of the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber Board In addition to CRMC’s exceptional Matt Davis, FACHE, the chief Center, CRMC has been working to trauma capabilities, the hospital has a executive officer (CEO) of Conroe become a Level II Trauma designated nationally recognized Cardiovascular Regional Medical Center (CRMC), facility since 2014. A $6 million Services department, through an HCA affiliated hospital, has been investment in emergency services which the cardiovascular team has appointed the Chairman of the allows its specially trained staff to care saved more than 6,000 hearts. The Board for the Conroe/Lake Conroe for the most advanced trauma cases. Cardiovascular Center at Conroe Chamber of Commerce for the 2017 CRMC earned the 2016 Trauma Regional Medical Center offers term. Davis has been a resident of System of Care cardiovascular & Conroe since he began his role as Award from the thoracic surgery, a CEO of CRMC in September 2013. As South East Texas catheterization lab, soon as Davis moved to Conroe, he Regional Advisory a chest pain care became an active member of the Council and is and evaluation community by immersing himself in honored to be center, critical the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber able to deliver this care services, and of Commerce, where each year, level of care to the a vascular lab his participation increased, and by community. CRMC with interventional joining the 2015 class of Leadership will be the 16th radiology. Montgomery County. Level II Trauma Center in the State CRMC is proud Tucked away in beautiful pine of Texas. to have a role in and oak trees that the Northern every part of a Houston area is known for, CRMC is In order to expand person’s life, and a comprehensive, regional tertiary to a Level II Trama is pleased to offer referral center that has been serving Center, CRMC the nationally Montgomery County for more than had to recruit acclaimed services 75 years. The hospital has 328 beds, additional surgical of The Woman’s more than 1,200 employees, and 365 specialists, focusing Hospital of Texas at physicians on staff, all of whom are on plastics, Conroe Regional dedicated to living out the hospital’s oralmaxillofacial Medical Center. mission statement: “Above all else, surgery, and orthopedic The Labor & Delivery and Postpartum we are committed to the care and traumatologists, 24/7/365 in-house areas of the hospital, which are improvement general trauma staffed by dedicated, compassionate of human life.” surgeons, nurses, have the latest, most-effective Since he began dedicated labor techniques, including the working at neurosurgeon Monica Healthcare wireless fetal CRMC, Davis has coverage monitoring technology, and private worked diligently 24/7/365, suites for labor, delivery and recovery. to update the and surgical To help women in their motherhood hospital so that critical care. journey, the Women’s Services the aesthetics Additionally, they Department offers seven different match its had to purchase classes for childbirth and beyond that advanced specialized are open to the community. clinical orthopedic capabilities. equipment for the Other services at CRMC include da operating room, Vinci robotic surgery, emergency CRMC has actively been a Level III lab equipment, fully equipped trauma services, neurosciences, pediatric Designated Trauma Center for many rooms, and much more. care, ICU/CCU, both inpatient years, but it is now Montgomery and outpatient physical therapy, County’s only Level II Trauma capable “When a trauma occurs, every sleep center, general, plastic and facility, meaning Montgomery second is critical, and we’re honored reconstructive surgery, weight County residents can have the most to be the first to be able to offer the loss services, women’s services, advanced critical care close to community with a higher level of wound care, and neurosciences. home. With Davis at the helms of the acute care at CRMC,” said Davis. CRMC exceeds the top American quest to becoming a Level II Trauma “Family members will now be able Heart Association/American Stroke

4 Get Connected. Stay Connected. (FACHE), received his bachelor’s degree from DePauw University, and platinum investors his master’s degree from University. Although he has adapted to the Texas lifestyle in many ways, as an Indiana native he is a die-hard Colts fan and has not yet transitioned to cheering for the Texans.

When he’s not at CRMC or at Conroe/ Lake Conroe Chamber Association recommended times for event, Davis can usually be found emerald investors door to crucial IV t-PA treatment and cheering one of his five children on is a Joint Commission Certified Primary in various sporting events. Davis and Stroke Center. his wife Joy are the proud parents of four sons (Ethan, Wyatt, Canon and Davis, a Fellow of the American Easton) and one daughter (Madalyn). College of Healthcare Executives

Primrose School of Conroe The Leader in Educational Child Care®

WWW. CONROE.ORG 5 leadership montgomery county The topic was government on Dec. 1 as the Leadership Montgomery County (LMC) Class of 2017 attended their 3rd of eight sessions to learn more about our county.

The day of learning about national, state and local government was directed by Steve Williams, assistant city administrator and chief financial officer for Conroe.

The session kicked off at the City of Conroe City Hall with a welcome by Conroe Mayor Toby Powell followed by an address from 8th District Congressman Kevin Brady via video from Washington, DC. Next, the LMC Government Session sponsors John Nguyen - class stepped over to the Judge Alan B. Sadler Annex - Commissioners Class of 2009 of Houston Methodist The Woodlands Court to hear about county government from Judge Craig Doyal and Hospital and Cody Spence – Class of 2017 of All Commissioner Mike Meador, Precinct 1. Star Catering, with LMC Executive Director Sarah Rhea – Class of 2007. Giving a look into government at the state level were Rep. Will Metcalf – District 16, Rep. Cecil Bell – District 3, Rep. Mark Keough – District 15, and Senator Brandon Creighton – District 4.

Municipal government was headed by Paul Virgadamo, Jr., City of Conroe; Don T. Norrell, The Woodlands Township; Hector Forestier, City of Willis; and Vicky Rudy, City of Oak Ridge North.

The session concluded with judicial speakers J.D. Lambright; Montgomery County Attorney; Claudia Laird, Judge, County Court at Law 2; Trey Spikes, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2; and Elaine Roberts, Dispute Resolution Center.

LMC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated cultivating the future leaders of Montgomery County. The mission is to prepare emerging and existing leaders to understand local issues, grow their leadership skills and connect with others to better serve our county. www.LMCTX.org.

5TH ANNUAL JOB FAIR A new year. A new you. A new career!

EVENT UNDERWRITER Protect Controls, Inc.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 BOOTH PRICE: Chamber member: FROM 1-6 PM $200 /$225 with electrcity Non-Chamber member: $250/$275 with electrcity LONE STAR CONVENTION CENTER 9055 AIRPORT RD. | CONROE 77303

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR SPONSORSHIP INTEREST CONTACT COURTNEY GALLE. 936.538.7111 OR [email protected]

6 Get Connected. Stay Connected. November 2016 New Members

Gold Business Blackwood Gun Club Heartland Payment Systems www.blackwoodgunclub.com Woodland Manor www.daybreakventure.com

Silver Nonprofit Industrial Components of Texas, LLC Living Grace Anglican Church www.ourlivinggrace.org

November 2016 Renewals

Emerald Business Correct Care Recovery Solutions AngelHaven Personal Care Home Member since 2012 Member since 2011 Entergy Texas, Inc. Big Little Fudge Member since 1934 Member since 2009 Grand Central Park Bullock Center for Aesthetics, PLLC Member since 2015 Member since 2015 Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Carlton Staffing business Member since 2013 Member since 2014 Gulf Coast Bookkeeping after Member since 1996 Gold JWB Communications, LLC Conroe Convention and Visitors Bureau Member since 2008 hours Member since 2012 Madera Estates Weddings & Events Member since 2011 Silver Park Village Apartments Hailey-Sadler Properties Member since 1995 Member since 1987 Perkins Carpet Company Thank you to The Courier HBI Office Solutions, Inc. Member since 2007 Member since 2009 Tejas Bingo for hosting December's Member since 2015 R & R Salvage, Inc. Business After Hours! Member since 1994 WEB Media Group LLC-Houston Newcomer Guides St. Luke's The Woodlands Hospital Member since 2011 Member since 2001 Vogt Engineering, L.P. join us this month Member since 1996 Nonprofit First United Methodist Church - Conroe Thursday, January 19 5-7 PM Individual Member since 2004 Rodgers Stein Greater Conroe Arts Alliance Bobby Cantrell Member since 2014 Chiropractic Center Member since 1975 Montgomery County Performing 3303 W Davis St. Arts Society Conroe, TX 77304 Member since 1992 Montgomery County Republican Party Member since 1991 WWW. CONROE.ORG 7 Get SCIENCE IS AMPED Get Up! SCIENCE IS AMPED Get Up! SCIENCE IS AMPED Get Up! SCIENCE IS AMPED

January 27, 2017 February 10, 2017  Entergy Private School Science Fair,  Junior High Science Bowl Up! Anadarko Senior High Science Bowl Lone Star College – Montgomery Lone Star College – Montgomery  Technical Writing Competition entry deadline February 11, 2017  Lone Star College - Montgomery February 3, 2017 Biotechnology Competition,  CB&I Junior High Science Fair & Senior High Engineering Design Competition Chevron Phillips Senior High Science Fair Lone Star College – Montgomery Lone Star Convention Center February 18, 2017 January 27, 2017 FebruaryFebruary 4, 10, 2017 2017  Consolidated Communications Junior High  Entergy Private School Science Fair,  SCI://TECH Junior High Exposition: Science ForensicBowl Science Engineering Design Competition Anadarko Senior High Science Bowl Demonstration, Lone Star College Huntsman – Montgomery Elementary Science Moorhead Junior High School Lone Star College – Montgomery Festival, Math Bowl, Robotics Demonstration,  Technical Writing Competition entry deadline February PBK Sci.Math.e.Lon, 11, and Sci.Story2017 Get  LoneLone Star Convention College - MontgomeryCenter 08M122016H February 3, 2017 Biotechnology Competition,  CB&I Junior High Science Fair & Senior High Engineering Design Competition Chevron Phillips Senior High Science Fair Lone Star College – Montgomery SCIENCE IS Lone Star Convention Center AMPED February 18, 2017 February 4, 2017  Consolidated Communications Junior High January 27, 2017  FebruarySCI://TECH Exposition: 10, Forensic 2017 Science Engineering Design Competition   Entergy Private School Science Fair, Demonstration,Junior High Science Huntsman Bowl Elementary Science Moorhead Junior High School Anadarko Senior High Science Bowl Festival, Lone Math Star College Bowl, Robotics – Montgomery Demonstration, Up! Lone Star College – Montgomery PBK Sci.Math.e.Lon, and Sci.Story  Technical Writing Competition entry deadline February Lone Star Convention 11, Center 2017  Lone Star College - Montgomery 08M122016H February 3, 2017 Biotechnology Competition,  CB&I Junior High Science Fair & Senior High Engineering Design Competition Chevron Phillips Senior High Science Fair Lone Star College – Montgomery Lone Star Convention Center February 18, 2017 February 4, 2017  Consolidated Communications Junior High January 27, 2017 February SCI://TECH Exposition: 10, Forensic 2017 Science Engineering Design Competition  Entergy Private School Science Fair,  Demonstration,Junior High Science Huntsman Bowl Elementary Science Moorhead Junior High School Anadarko Senior High Science Bowl Festival, Lone StarMath College Bowl, – Robotics Montgomery Demonstration, Lone Star College – Montgomery PBK Sci.Math.e.Lon, and Sci.Story  Technical Writing Competition entry deadline February Lone Star Convention 11, Center 2017

08M122016H  Lone Star College - Montgomery February 3, 2017 Biotechnology Competition,  CB&I Junior High Science Fair & Senior High Engineering Design Competition Chevron Phillips Senior High Science Fair Lone Star College – Montgomery Lone Star Convention Center February 18, 2017 February 4, 2017  Consolidated Communications Junior High  SCI://TECH Exposition: Forensic Science Engineering Design Competition Demonstration, Huntsman Elementary Science Moorhead Junior High School Festival, Math Bowl, Robotics Demonstration, PBK Sci.Math.e.Lon, and Sci.Story Lone Star Convention Center

08M122016H January 27, 2017 February 10, 2017  Entergy Private School Science Fair,  Junior High Science Bowl Anadarko Senior High Science Bowl Lone Star College – Montgomery Lone Star College – Montgomery  Technical Writing Competition entry deadline February 11, 2017  Lone Star College - Montgomery February 3, 2017 Biotechnology Competition,  CB&I Junior High Science Fair & Senior High Engineering Design Competition Chevron Phillips Senior High Science Fair Lone Star College – Montgomery Lone Star Convention Center February 18, 2017 February 4, 2017  Consolidated Communications Junior High  SCI://TECH Exposition: Forensic Science Engineering Design Competition Demonstration, Huntsman Elementary Science Moorhead Junior High School Festival, Math Bowl, Robotics Demonstration, PBK Sci.Math.e.Lon, and Sci.Story Lone Star Convention Center 08M122016H Congratulations to Juan Pimienta, winner of the 2017 SCI://TECH Poster Competition! Education for Tomorrow Alliance is proud to partner for the 27th year with Conroe Independent School District and area private schools to present the SCI://TECH Exposition. SCI://TECH offers 14 science, technology, engineering, and math competitions and events, including the largest science fair in Texas, to encourage students to explore real-world questions through rigorous research, experimentation, summarizing of conclusions and practice of presentation skills. EfTA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting the business and education communities in Montgomery County. With innovative programs focused on science, technology and career preparation, EfTA has become the portal through which business leaders can access and strengthen local education.

Thanks to the following 2017 SCI://TECH sponsors: Entergy Solutions, Conroe Independent School District, The John Cooper School, Amegy Bank, The Courier, Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, Houston Community Newspapers, The Lone Star Convention Center, Wright’s Printing, Brio Tuscan Grille, Brothers Pizza Express - Sterling Ridge, Chick-fil-A The Woodlands at College Park, Chuy's, Corner Bakery, Costco, The Egg & I, Jason’s Deli, McAllister’s Deli, Russo’s New York Pizzeria, Shipley Do-Nuts, Sonic Drive-In, and Starbucks. Volunteers are needed! Register at: http://www.efta-us.org/volunteer.