01/19/2009
Fifteen
Years and Still Going…Chamber Herd Rides Again
Beginning its Fifteenth year of support for Cy-Fair ISD FFA students, the Chamber Herd is once again forming to collect funds to purchase livestock at the January 31 Auction at the district’s Exhibit Center on Telge Road.
Led by "Trail Boss" John Fox of Fox & Bubela Inc., the Herd is a group of Cy-Fair Houston Chamber businesses and individuals who donate funds to purchase "freezer sale" animals - those that are not purchased during the live auction. According to Fox, the biggest draw for donors is the good will they experience helping students. But he admits the Herd members also like that there are no committee meetings. Those donors and fund-raisers who want to attend the Auction do gather together at the Exhibit Center but attendance is not required and it is the only meeting, according to Fox.
"FFA students work on their projects for months. Raising an animal requires many hours of intensive labor. I want those hard-working students to know the community cares and supports their efforts," Fox said. "I am always amazed by the enthusiasm, poise and confidence of FFA students. They learn much more than just how to raise an animal with their experience. They really learn how to run a small business,” he added.
The Herd provides a double benefit for the community by paying for the processing of the animals purchased and donating the meat to the food pantries of Northwest, Cypress and Bear Creek Assistance Ministries.
The following generous "Trail Riders" have already reserved their spots in the Herd! Adventures In Advertising/Angelini & Associates, AJ Warren Service Co., Balfour-All American, Caldwell Companies, CenterPoint Energy, Circle D Transmission, Criterion Development - Steeplechase, Cy-Fair Rotary Club, Darcy & Bob Mingoia, Donnie & Linda Humphries, Fox & Bubela, Inc., Fox Landscaping, George R. Hobson, Harold & Sandra Rowe, Independence Bank, N.A., Kyle & Debbie Gibson, Lakey Electric Co., Lee Martin Automotive, Lone Star College-CyFair, Lone Star Quickprint, Maid Brigade of NW Houston, McCall, Gibson & Company PLLC, Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, Mission Burrito, Pam & Jim Wells, Paul & Debbie Blackshear, ProLine Supply Co., Prosperity Bank - Copperfield, Reach Unlimited, Inc., Renee and Harry Leach, Rick Berry & Associates, Ritchey Leadership Services, Sam's Club - West Road, Severn Trent Environmental Services, Skeeter's Auto Service LLP, Weatherton-Cole Insurance Agency, Inc. and White-Tucker Company .
Businesses or individuals who want to be "Trail Riders" in the Herd should contact the Cy-Fair Chamber. For more information, call Sherri Padalino at 281-373-1390 or e-mail sherri@cyfairchamber.com.
01/13/2009
Chamber Leaders Respond to Challending Times with Optimistic Outlook
Cy-Fair
Houston Chamber leaders say they are working diligently to tighten the
organization’s budgetary belt during this challenging economic period,
but also want to bring members top value for their membership commitment
during 2009.
2009 Chamber Chairman Reginald Lillie, who entered his second year in that leadership role in January, said, that it has been prophesized that hard economic times will continue, but the Chamber will help members over the bumps in the road that lie ahead.
“The Chamber is an unsung hero in addressing the needs of the community and we are happy to serve in that role,” Lillie said.
Lillie was sworn in to his second term as Chairman, alongside several new and existing Chamber board members at the Cy-Fair Celebration installation banquet Jan. 13 at Northwest Forest Conference Center.
“I have been trying to figure out why we are inducting Reginald two years in a row,” joked Dr. David Anthony, the event’s master of ceremonies and Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District ’s Superintendent. “Reginald is doing a great job, and if he is willing to serve a second term, then we are thrilled to have him do it!”
Lillie joined the chamber 11 years ago, and has chaired the Membership and Governmental Affairs Committees, helped launch the Lead Exchange Committee - currently R.A.D., and has served on the Economic Development, Education and Transportation Committees. He has served on the Board of Directors and as the Chamber's ANHOC Representative since January 2004. Before assuming the Chairman’s role in 2008, he was the board’s Vice Chair Community Development for two years. Lillie was a graduate of Leadership North Houston’s 2007 Class #12.
Jersey Village Baptist Church Senior Pastor Ed Hogan said there are four primary spheres of influence in the community – education, commerce, community service and faith-based organizations – and Lillie is involved in all of them.
“He is truly a public servant,” Hogan said. “He is man of faith, integrity, dignity and strength.”
Chamber leaders also praised President Erin Al-Salman for the direction she has led the Chamber during her first year in that role.
“When Erin became president she had big shoes to fill – (former President) Darcy Mingoia left quite a legacy,” Anthony said. “But she has done a magnificent job and has filled her own new shoes.”
Al-Salman said looking back on 2008, the Chamber went through a major geographical change – the opening of a new Chamber office at 11734 Barker Cypress Road – and introduced the first annual Mobility Forum, which brought together leaders from state and regional transportation agencies to share information and hear concerns.
“We have more planned for 2009, including our first annual Economic
Forum,” Al-Salman said. “I want to thank our members, board and staff
for your time and commitment. Without you, we could not do this.” 
Lillie presented “Chairman’s Awards” to local businesses that have made a significant contribution to the Chamber and community in the past year. Honorees included Caldwell Companies, Bridgeland and Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union. An individual “Chairman’s Award” was presented to Ron Roberson, Caldwell Companies’ Vice President of Development.
Darlene Benz, Premier GMAC, was honored with the Chamber’s “Ambassador of the Year Award.” She was selected from one of four “Ambassadors of the Quarter” recognized for their service to the Chamber in 2008. Yvonne Sharp, Casa Ole; Anna-Marie Linkhart, Cypress Creek Personnel Services, Inc.; and Nick Wilhite, Wilhite Environmental were also recipients of the quarterly award in 2008.
01/05/2009
Rustlin' Up Herd Members for the Fifteenth Year
It is that time again and Trail Boss John Fox of Fox and Bubela, Inc. is rustlin' up Herd Members to collect funds to purchase livestock at the Cy-Fair ISD FFA Auction on Saturday, January 31, at the district's Exhibit Center on Telge Road .
The Herd is a group of Cy-Fair Houston Chamber businesses and individuals who donate funds to purchase "freezer sale" animals - those that are not purchased during the live auction. The meat is then processed and donated to Bear Creek, Cypress and Northwest Assistance Ministries.
The following generous "Trail Riders" have already reserved their spots in the Herd! CenterPoint Energy, Criterion Development, Cy-Fair Rotary Club, Fox & Bubela Inc., Donnie & Linda Humphries, Lakey Electric Co., Lee Martin Automotive Inc., Harry and Renee Leach, Lee Martin Automotive, Lone Star College-CyFair, Lone Star Quickprint , McCall, Gibson & Company PLLC, ProLine Supply Co., Prosperity Bank, Reach Unlimited Inc., Rick Berry and Associates, Skeeter’s Auto Service LLP, Weatherton-Cole Insurance Agency Inc., White-Tucker Company and Jim and Pam Wells .
Businesses or individuals who want to be "Trail Riders" in the Herd should contact the Cy-Fair Chamber. For more information, call Sherri Padalino at 281-373-1390 or e-mail sherri@cyfairchamber.com.
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