September Chambergram

Chambergram SEPTEMBER

2018

On Thursday, August 30 we hosted our State of Education James Guthrie
Membership Luncheon.
Chairman 2018
Read all about this story on page 12

Message From the Chairman

Dear Chamber Members,

After such great success with our summer
events, we look forward to the excitement that
come with our fall lineup.

The Business Expo was by far our largest and
most successful yet, with over 1,100 attendees
visiting our 100 vendors. We will be awarding a
$500 grant to the school with the highest
percentage of participation. The numbers are
close. Stay tuned for the big announcement.

To be continued...Pg.2

1 Pasadena Chamber of Commerce

As we approach the anniversary of 9/11, let us pause and
give thanks for the brave men and women who always step
up in times of tragedy and crisis, our first responders.
The Pasadena Little Theatre presents “110 Stories” by
Sarah Taft on the evening of September 11, 7:30pm. Based
on interviews and firsthand accounts by those who were
there, this docu-play tells the story of first responders and
everyday people who went above and beyond for their
neighbors. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Pasadena
Volunteer Firemen’s Association and the Pasadena Citizen
Police Academy Alumni.

There are serveral events approaching including our
Membership 101 class on September 13, 8:30am at the
Chamber. This monthly class is to provide
valuable insight into what the Chamber can do for your business.

For those planning a business trip or vacation out of the country, the Chamber will be hosting a
Passport Fair in conjunction with the Harris County District Clerks Office on
September 18, starting at 10:00am. So skip the lines & get your new passport or renewal at our
office.

The Pasadena Hispanic Business Council will present a forum on “Identity Theft: What is NOT in
the Headlines”, on October 10 at 8:15am at the Serrano Agency office.

The Chamber is gearing up for our two most
popular events as well, the 29th Annual
Greatest Taste of the Town, November 1,
5:00pm, Pasadena Convention Center and
the Annual Gala December 13, 6:00pm at
the beautiful new Hilton Garden Inn
Houston Hobby.

In the past year we’ve faced a natural
disaster of historical proportions and dealt
with its aftermath in true Pasadena fashion,
making Pasadena stronger than ever before.
We have so much to be thankful for living in
such a resilient city as ours.

Best,

James Guthrie

James Guthrie, Thrivent Financial
2018 Chairman of the Board

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In this issue...

A message from the Chairman - Pg. 1-2
Ribbon Cuttings - Pg. 4
Welcome New Members - Pg. 5
Platinum Partners - Pg. 6
Platinum Partner of the Month - Pg. 7
Ambassador Spotlight - Pg. 8
Texas Invitational Volunteer Needs - Pg. 9
Upcoming Events - Pg. 10
Business Expo Recap - Pg. 11
State of Education Recap - Pg. 12
Citizen of the Year - Call for Nominations - Pg. 13
Business Honor Roll - Pg. 13
Contact YOUR Chamber - Pg. 14

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Welcome to all who have recently joined the Pasadena Chamber of
Commerce! Welcome to our family!
Pasadena
Chamber of Commerce

4334 Fairmont Pkwy.
Pasadena, TX 77504

Executive Board My Edgy Veggy Sudie’s Catfish House
281.731.9266 281.487.0920
James Guthrie – Chairman, Thrivent Financial LocalHarvestCo.com Sudies.com

Kevin Jeter – Past Chair, Miles A/C Service Clearhope Counseling &
Ken Phelps - Chairman Elect, Phelps Insurance Wellness Center
Salvador Serrano - Vice Chair of Finance, 281.769.2238

The Serrano Agency ClearhopeWellness.com

Melinda Torrison - Secretary, A Helping Hand Home
Care Service
Meador Staffing Services 281.827.2675

Deborah Moseley, The Bridge Over Troubled Waters AHelpingHandHCS.com
Dr. John Mrozek, D.C., Ed.D., Texas Chiropractic

College (Ex-Officio)

Stephen Trncak, San Jacinto College (Ex-Officio)
Michael D. West, West & West, LLP

Board of Directors Wise Tutoring Center
713.955.8831

Mustansir “Mus” Abbas, PostNet WiseTutoringCenter.com
Jeanna Bamburg, Bayshore Medical Center

Lee Betancourt
Alix Fox, Qualified Properties
Stacy Gillaspey, Communities In Schools
Denise Jennings, LyondellBasell
Sam Jimenez, McDonald’s
Margie Pena, Pasadena Hispanic Business Council
Gary Piana, Chevron Phillips
Jeffrey Reich-Hale, Hilton Garden Inn HOU Hobby
Ryan Taylor, T & T Construction
Barbara Van Rheen, Zaetric
Robert Wills, Silver Eagle Distributors
Linda Wischnewsky, Bayway Auto Group

Ex-Officio Directors

Pedro Garcia, Port of Houston Authority
Tammie Nielsen, Commisioner Jack Morman Harris

County Pct. 2

Dr. DeeAnn Powell, Pasadena ISD
Carlos Guzman, City of Pasadena

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Welcome Platinum
New
• D’Gala Event Center
Members! Irene Jaurege
713.920.1111

[email protected]

Bronze NOT A MEMBER YET?

•Gendi Pediatrics Become a chamber member today! As
Peter Gendi a member you’ll have access to our
713.477.0400 marketing benefits, exciting events
and more!
[email protected]
Join the Pasadena Chamber
•Occupational Medical Care
Nicole Quijano
713.231.7361
ccmedcare.net

• NeighborFavor dba Favor Delivery
Aryan Douglas
512.569.5371

FavorDelivery.com

• Candlewood Suites - Clear Lake
Maria Quiroga
281.461.3060

• Family Heritage - Dynasty Financial Group
Whitney Mather
281.224.9434
DFGRP.com

• Pasadena Neighborhood Donor Center/ GCRVC
Glenna Manison
281.487.1055
GiveBlood.org

• Maggiano’s Little Italy
Megan Labouve
281.282.9729
Maggianos.com

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Platinum Partners

A special thank you to our platinum members for investing at the highest level
of membership annually!
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Platinum Partner of the Month - Candlewood Suites Pasadena

Welcome to a more casual kind of longer stay, where you’ll always
feel at home, at your best and more productive while on the road.
We often say that our guests feel relaxed from the start, and we like
to prove it even more. For business or leisure.
From thoughtful homelike touches and free guest laundry,
to outdoor gazebo grills, we give guests everything they need to live,
work, and relax while they’re away from home.
Candlewood Suites Pasadena would love to serve local and surrounding businesses by accommodating
your employees or corporate staff while they are working, making them feel at home in our brand-new
location!
We are currently working hard to open this winter. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO THE GRAND OPENING!!!!!!!
New Lion II LLC owns Candlewood Suites Pasadena and recently became members of The Latino Hotel
Association, the AAHOA and of course the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Our goal is to bring the best of
Candlewood Suites to our community here in Pasadena and our surrounding areas.
Contact Ruben Duran, Owner or Wendy Solis, Co-Founder/CEO for more info at
[email protected]

The Independent, Locally Owned Alternative
For Owner Managed Businesses

TexasCitizensBank.com
713.948.5700

© Copyright 2018 Texas Citizens Bank, N.A. All rights reserved.

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Ambassador Jeffrey Reich-Hale
Spotlight
I am the Director of
WHATEVER YOUR Sales and Marketing
FINANCIAL GOALS ... at the brand-new
Hilton Garden Inn
We’ll help you reach them. Houston Hobby
Airport Hotel which
Thrivent Financial offers a full range of products, services and tools to help features 136 guest
you achieve financial security, including: rooms and 4300
square feet of
• Life insurance • Estate and legacy strategies state-of-the-art
• Retirement options • Education funding options meeting space,
• Annuities • Managed accounts including a Grand
• Health insurance • Retail brokerage Ballroom that is
• Mutual funds 3950 square feet. Our brand-new hotel which opens
on Sept. 25, 2018 is the newest generation of Hilton
We’ll create a financial strategy that reflects your goals and values. Garden Inns with modern touches all while creating a
sense of comfort and a home away from home feeling.
Jerry Roth James A Guthrie This is the 6th new hotel opening in my career and I
MBA, CFP®, FIC FIC have been in the Hospitality Business for 23 years.
Wealth Advisor Financial Associate My focus is on building strong relationships and
partnerships all while providing top-notch service. I
281-461-6200 • 17450 El Camino Real • Houston, TX 77058 have high expectations of my associates as I truly live
and breathe hospitality and my goal is to have m
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® associates strive to exceed our customers’ expectations
and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S. every day.

Thrivent was named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere Institute for As a board member and Ambassador Chairperson for
our leadership in promoting ethical business standards and introducing innovative ideas to the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, I have built
benefit the public. “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and “Ethisphere” names and marks are amazing business and personal relationships in the
registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC. For details, visit Ethisphere.com. Pasadena and surrounding community.

Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial, the marketing name The Pasadena Chamber’s leadership team has gone
for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all above and beyond in supporting both my current and
states. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment past hotels and I have never seen such strong and con-
Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, a FINRA and SIPC member sistent leadership that strives to shine a
and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered well-deserved light and positive energy about the City
representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. They are also licensed insurance of Pasadena and all that it has to offer. The Chamber is
agents/producers of Thrivent. Investment advisory services, including fee-based financial very proactive in finding ways for its members to
planning services, are available through qualified investment advisor representatives only. connect and grow their organizations and businesses.
For additional important information, visit Thrivent.com/disclosures. It’s a great organization to take advantage of if you’re
looking for ways to market and grow your business
Thrivent.com • 800-847-4836 20328 R4-18 throughout the Pasadena community. I am very
grateful for the assistance and guidance the Chamber of
Commerce has provided y hotel and I.

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WE NEED YOU!

The McDonald’s Texas Invitational High School Basketball Tournament is one of the largest and most
well-known in the state. Often, the road to the state championship begins here as some of the top
teams and players in the state kick off their seasons. The tournament tips off November 15-17, 2018,
and as the host city, we need your help!

Volunteers are needed to serve in 3-5 hour shifts at all 9 venues:

Beverly Hills Intermediate Pasadena High Sam Rayburn
Dobie Main Campus Pasadena Memorial South Houston High
Dobie9 Campus Phillips Field House Watkins Gym (Deer Park South)

Volunteering at one of the locations includes selling game tickets, t-shirts, handing out programs and
answering general questions from attendees.

Sign up online at:

WWW.TEXASINVITATIONAL.COM

Training will be held at Memorial High School on November 5th and 7th at 4 pm (Only attend one session).
Volunteers will receive a volunteer t-shirt, badge and access to all hospitality rooms.

www.texasinvitational.com

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Upcoming Events

Join us for Membership 101 on September 13th to learn
how to maximize your membership investment, RSVP at:
PasadenaChamber.org/Membership101

It doesn’t get any easier to get a passport than this! The Harris
County District Clerk’s Office will be on site at the Pasadena of
Commerce for your one-stop passport shop! Join us and skip

the lines for both new and renewals!
September 18

Open to the public!
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Closed for Lunch

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Click HERE to download flyer

Join us at our Pasadena Hispanic Business Council’s next
Breakfast Workshop taking place on October 10th. The event
will cover all you need to know about how to protect yourself

against identity theft.

PasadenaChamber.org/PHBC

Registration is now open for our 29th Greatest Taste of the
Town! This year we have also added and modified our

sponsorship levels and ticket packages in order to better fit
your needs! Some sponsorship items are limited, so be one of

the first to save your spot for this record breaking event!
LEARN MORE

Save the date for our Annual Gala taking place on Thursday,
December 13th at the Hilton Garden Inn Hobby Airport. At this
event we will be recognizing our 2018 Citizen of the Year and

honoring our Board of Directors. More information coming
soon, please visit PasadenaChamber.org for updates.

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Business Expo - Recap

4th Annual Business Expo

On August 16, we rolled out the red carpet for the true
stars of Pasadena, our businesses and hosted our 4th
Annual Business Expo in partnership with the Pasadena
Independent School District.

The Pasadena Convention center was filled with over 100
vendors and over 1,100 attendees. Attendees had the
opportunity to network and learn more about the
different services and businesses in Pasadena, while
enjoying food and drinks from 4 area restaurants.

Throughout the event, raffle items brought by all
of the vendors were awarded to attendees and notified
via text messages, such as gift cards, massages,
restaurant certificates, gift baskets and more.

This year we also partnered with PISD and the City of
Pasadena on the “Fill the Bus” initiative that was a great
success and thanks to the generosity of our businesses
and citizens, the campaign was able to fill 3 school buses
with school supplies to help economically disavantaged
students be prepared for the 2018-2019 school year.

Overall, the event was a success and was very well
received by the PISD faculty and staff. The
Pasadena Chamber is proud to host events such as
this one that allow for our school district to work
together with our business community, we look
forward to hosting this event again next year.

We’d like to say a very special thank you to all of our
major sponsors for this event: Beck and Masten Buick
GMC South, City of Pasadena, Inkspot Printing, Pasadena
ISD, Phelps Insurance and Port Houston.

The school with the most attendance at the business
expo will receive a $500 grant donated by
Phelps Insurance. Stay tuned for the name of the
winning school.

Click HERE for a full gallery of photos

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State of Education

The Chamber’s State of Education Membership
Luncheon was held on Thursday, August 30th at the
Texas Chiropractic College we heard an update from
our four major education institutions,
Dr. DeeAnn Powell, Superintendent, Pasadena
Independent School District, Dr. Brenda Hellyer,
Chancellor, San Jacinto College, Dr. Stephen Foster,
President, Texas Chiropractic College and Dr. Ira K
Blake, President, University of Houston - Clear Lake.
The four panelists gave an overview on the many
accomplishments each of their education institutions
have achieved in 2018, discussed obstacles they face
on a daily basis and shared their needs with the
business community. Pasadena is proud of the great
education they provide from kinder to career and
everything in between.

The event also honored Mickey Gilley as Pasadena
Chamber Artist of the Year for his gifts of art to the
community through his music and community
involvement. Although Mickey was not able to attend
the luncheon, his son and nephew were present to
accept the award and hear a special poem dedicated
to Mickey by Smokey Culver, 2018 Pasadena Poet
Laureate.

Mike Cade, chairman for the Pasadena Chamber’s
Cultural Arts Committee then presented scholarships
from the committee’s Annual Theater Night event in
July to Hunter Christian Garcia with San
Jacinto College and Chad Long with Texas Chiropractic
College. The students were both very grateful for their
awards to help continue their educations in Pasadena.

A special thank you to Texas Chiropractic College for
hosting us. For a full gallery of photos click here.

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS!

The Citizen of the Year is named annually to someone who has exhibited a level of dedication and
contributions to Pasadena above and beyond the call of duty. This is the highest honor named to

an individual within the Pasadena community. The distinguished list of previous honorees and
nominations and can be made by clicking HERE and returning the nomination form to the

chamber. Nominations will be accepted until September 15, 2018 from the previous Citizen of the
Year recipients to make their selection. The 2018 honoree will be awarded at the Annual Gala on

December 13, 2018.

If you have any questions about the process or nominations please don’t
hesitate reaching out.

Business Honor Roll
We applaud these individuals, organizations, and firms that have renewed their financial commitment to the

growth of our community through their continued investment in the chamber. We appreciate each and every

one of you. Congratulations on celebrating your anniversary this month!

5+ Years 20+ Years

Art Park Players Ichi-Ban Trophy & Engraving

Channel Personnel Services, Inc Larry’s Arts & Crafts

Community Pregnancy Center

Curb Planet Inc. 25+ Years

Immediate Medical Care BASF

Page Beyond Beaute’ Day Spa

Savannah Cafe & Bakery Cernosek Wrecker

FedEx Office

10+ Years Golden Corral Restaurant

AFLAC - Herman Weber Haldor Topsoe, Inc.

Baity & Assoc. Tax & Financial Services

Doctors United Surgery Center 30+ Years

Innovative Alternatives Kaneka North America LLC

Mi Tierra Auto Sales

40+ Years

15+ Years Twin Arts Dance Studio

A. C. Cut Rate Wholesale

Brooks Concrete 55+ Years

Complete Environmental Products Ethyl Corporation

60+ Years
CenterPoint Energy

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Did you know our new and updated website
PasadenaChamber.org features the opportunity to share upcoming
events, news, jobs and more?

If you still have not visited our new website click HERE to learn more
or contact our Director of Marketing & Special Events, Suzette
McDowell for more info.

Contact YOUR Chamber Staff

Cristina Womack Jamie Huffar Suzette McDowell Julianne Echavarria Elizabeth Cox
Director of Marketing Member Services
President/ CEO Financial Coordinator Administrative
Administrator Assistant
& Special Events

Follow The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce 4334 Fairmont Parkway
on Social Media! Pasadena, TX 77504

Follow us on FB, Twitter, IG. (Main) 281.487.7871
Like, share, comment, repost! Our Facebook, Twitter (Fax) 281.487.5530
and Instagram pages help us spread the word about
PasadenaChamber.org
all things happening in your community! [email protected]
Are YOU following?
Monday - Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
#PasadenaChamber
#ConnectingYourCommunity

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