Production is underway for the 2011-2012 Chamber Membership Directory.  Lawton Publications will be producing our directory again this year.  We distribute this important publication all over the United State in response to inquiries from prospective businesses and residents considering  a move to our area. In addition, it is given to all current and prospective Chamber members and is used by other businesses when they are looking for established and reputable companies with whom to do business.

If you are interested in advertising in the Chamber Membership Directory, please contact the Chamber at 838-6581 and ask for Steve Anderson.

Jim Rich, Jessica Hill, and Cheryl Kizer attended the annual conference of the National Association of Development Companies in Phoenix, May 18-21. NADCO is the trade association for groups working with the SBA to market and deliver the 504 loan program to small businesses. Jim Rich participated in a panel, "Manage Your Portfolio, CDC External & Controls CDC Options" at the conference. We were delighted to be recognized for best practices and actions especially after Hurricanes Rita and Ike.

Jim Rich attended the U.S. Chamber Small Business Council meeting in Washington on Monday. A meeting with Megan Barnett Bloomgren, Vice President for Strategy with the Institute for 21^st Century Energy was conducted on Monday afternoon to brief her on the My Town campaign and to ask for U.S. Chamber support and collaboration. The meeting went well with further discussions scheduled for the week of May 31.

Jim Rich joined Randy Reese and Rick Lewis from the Sabine Neches Navigation District for a full day and half of visits with the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works); staff from the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; Congressmen Poe, Flores, Brady, and Boustany; and Senator Cornyn. Further visits included key staff for Senators Hutchison, Landrieu, Boxer, and Congressman Culberson.  The group discussed completion of the U.S, Army Corp of Engineers feasibility study and next steps to get Congressional authorization.

Jim Rich (R) speaking candidly with Senator John Cornyn (Center)

From L to R: Renny DeVille, Milam Mabry, Randy Reese, Senator John Cornyn, Jim Rich, Patsy Thomasson and Rick Lewis

The first participants in the Leadership Development Mentorship Program were recognized Friday, May 27  for completing their year as mentees and mentors.  Chairman of the Board Nathan Cross, President Jim Rich, and Leadership Development Division Chairman Daniel Risso presented certificates of completion to the mentees and mentors.  Recognized for their participation in the program were Reverent Robert Besser, minister at Wesley United Methodist Church and mentor former Mayor Evelyn Lord;  Robert Jacobs, regional information management executive Southeast Texas Region at CHRISTUS and mentor Larry Beaulieu, station manager, KFDM-TV; Karen McRight, regional director, marketing, physician relations and business development at CHRISTUS and mentor Tom Burger with ExxonMobil; Judy Meade with Dillard's Department Stores, Inc. and mentor Tim Sudela, plant manager at American Valve & Hydrant Company; Edward T. Scott, mechanical department head with ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery and mentor Guy Goodson, partner, Germer Gertz; and, Johnny Trahan, customer service manager, Entergy-Texas, and mentor Commissioner Eddie Arnold.

The Leadership Development chairman and division members welcomed the new group of mentees and mentors and reviewed several aspects of the program including the development plan, expectations, frequency of feedback, guidelines and requirements and field trips schedule.  Serving as mentors will be The Honorable Nancy Beaulieu, Jefferson Country Justice of the Peace with mentee Dr. Judy Sebasta, department chair of theatre and dance at Lamar University; Jeff Dyson, professor at Lamar University with mentee Aimee Slott, vice president, JP Morgan Chase Bank; Kathleen Jackson, public & government affairs manager at ExxonMobil-Beaumont Refinery with mentee Amy Denison in human resources at American Valve & Hydrant; Vernon Pierce, director of customer service with Entergy-Texas and mentee Karl Huch, accountant III, A/P Supervisor at Spindletop Center and Sally (Walden) Broussard, director of network services at Spindletop Center with mentee Robin Williams, marketing director with American Personnel & Temps.

Larry Beaulieu, Daniel Risso, Robert Jacobs and Nathan Cross

Karl Huch, Daniel Risso, Nancy Beaulieu, Robin Williams, Sally Walden-Broussard, Amy Denison, Aimee Slott and Jeff Dyson

SETX YPO is an organization of young professionals between the ages of 21 and 35, living in Hardin, Jefferson and Orange Counties, interested in making a difference in their community and networking with other young professionals with similar interests.

For information about Southeast Texas Young Professional Organization, check us out on facebook or at bmtcoc.org.

We congratulate

Rev. Robert Besser

as the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce's May Chamber Member Employee of the Month!

Rev. Robert Besser with Nathan Cross, Chairman of the Board of the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce

He was surprised by our staff and camera crew from KBTV Fox4 with flowers donated by Petal's Florist, a $50 gift card donated by Gulf Credit Union, a gift basket donated by American Personnel and Temps and lunch for 4 at Carino's Italian Grill.

Membership Division

We are always looking for motivated individuals to participate on the Membership committee. Please contact Rene' at 838-6581 if you are interested.

Mix & Mingle  

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12191 Highway 62 N, Orange, TX  77632

409-745-2900 FAX: 409-745-2909

orange@acmetruck.com 

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