Click here to view this as a webpage. If you missed our email on Tuesday, September 28th, you can view it here.

We had a great event last week at the Tri-State Fairgrounds for the 25th Annual Good Times Celebration Barbecue Cook-Off. We have lots of photos coming soon, but in the meantime, you can check out our Timelapse Video on Facebook that condensed the cook-off down from 3 hours to about 30-seconds.

Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you, EVERYONE, for supporting this fun networking event! See the full list of winners below or click here to view it as a pdf.

We are networking this Thursday at Casey Carpet One Amarillo from 5pm-7pm. Business After Hours is an excellent way to meet fellow business leaders, make valuable connections, and learn more about the Amarillo business community. Check out the video chat we had with Angela Castillo as we talked about Casey Carpet One and the After Hours we have coming up this Thursday, October 14th. Please join us, and be sure to bring plenty of business cards to hand out to your new contacts!

Get more information on our website or invite your friends on Facebook.

Russell Tam

5305 W Interstate 40

Amarillo, TX 79106

(512) 695-5860

DOMA is a technology company focused on creating a vastly more simple, efficient and affordable closing experience for lenders, real estate professionals and homebuyers.

Joseph Huseman

2300 N Western St Suite 115 C

Amarillo, TX 79124

(806) 231-4943

We are a Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineering Company that offers 3D Virtual Scanning and consulting services.

Zak Flynn

20001 Wind River Dr

Bushland, TX 79124

(806) 352-4032

Gaskets On the Fly is a leader in commercial refrigeration gasket installation, hardware supplies, and custom cutting boards for restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, medical buildings and pharmacies, and all other establishments where commercial refrigeration units are present.

Robin Raney

5807 SW 45th Ste 205

Amarillo, TX 79109

(806) 744-8419

Goodwill Industries of Northwest Texas is a not for profit organization dedicated to creating job opportunities for people with barriers to employment.

John Bowman

3505 West I40 Suite 250

Amarillo, TX 79109

(806) 350-7430

You deserve to live a healthy, energetic, pain-free, useful and purposeful life. We all do. We can help with affordable routine adjustments that fit your schedule.

Katie High

8723 Plum Creek Dr.

Amarillo, TX 79124

(806) 395-3133

Amarillo dog and cat boarding and daycare. We provide a selection of spa services and more!

Sheila Sims

2810 Duniven Circle Ste 100

Amarillo, TX 79109

(806) 358-7069

Sims + Architects is a full service commercial architecture firm. We are a registered HUB and DBE.

Josey Patterson

8723 Plum Creek Drive

Amarillo, TX 79124

(806) 355-9444

We go above and beyond for your pet.

Swann Animal Clinic is a full-service hospital here to serve the needs of our clients and patients. Our veterinarians and staff are ready to provide the best possible care for your pet from the first puppy or kitten visit to senior health management.

If you know of a business that is not a member of the Chamber, we always appreciate referrals. For more information on joining the Chamber and the costs and benefits, click here, or give our Membership Director Ashley a call at 373-7800.

​Ribbon Cutting: Barrio Neighborhood Planning Commission (BNPC) Monument Unveiling

11:00am

1012 SE 10th Ave. (Event will be in the employee parking lot across the street from Fiesta Foods.)

More Information: Teresa, 457-6592

Chamber Event: Business After Hours at Casey Carpet One

5:00pm - 7:00pm

3500 W Interstate 40

Bring your business cards and be ready to meet some new people at this free networking event. There will be food, drinks, fun and lots of networking.

More Information: Ashley, 342-2015

Ribbon Cutting: Goodwill Industries of Northwest Texas

10:00am

5807 SW 45th, Suite 205

More Information: Robin, 331-6890

Ribbon Cutting: Choice Health Palliative Care

4:00pm

1600 S. Coulter, Ste. 100

More Information: Misty, 731-4000

Ribbon Cutting: Hotworx Wolflin Square

1:00pm

2439 I-40 West

More Information: Christa, 300-0155

See more upcoming ribbon cutting & ground breaking events on our Week's Sneak Peek page. If you would like more information on scheduling an event like this for your business, complete the online Ribbon Cutting Request Form.

The Chamber, together with Jody Holland and our Supporting Small Business Initiative Partners, will host a Business Leaders Panel Discussion and Educational In-Person Seminar on Thursday, October 28th from 830am-1030am at the Sharpened Iron Studios downtown at 1314 S Polk (in the former Amarillo College downtown campus).

We will have panelists from the following industries:

Stay tuned for more details to follow soon, but you can RSVP with the number of attendees from your organization by emailing Denise. This event will conclude with an education program from Jody Holland and includes a light breakfast/snacks and will be presented free of charge thanks to our SSBI Partners.

The Pantex Plant, located northeast of Amarillo, Texas, is the nation’s primary facility for the final assembly, dismantlement and maintenance of nuclear weapons. Pantex is one of six production facilities in the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Nuclear Security Enterprise. Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) manages and operates the facility along with the Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee under a single contract from the U.S. Department of Energy/NNSA.

As the cornerstone of the nation’s Nuclear Security Enterprise, Pantex applies unique capabilities to ensure the effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear stockpile in support of the Nation’s nuclear deterrent. We accomplish this through executing nuclear explosive assembly and disassembly, special nuclear material testing and evaluations, and manufacturing and assessing high explosives at our historic site.

Pantex is the nation’s primary site for the assembly and disassembly of nuclear weapons. Our production technicians have the training and skills to support requirements for inspection, retrofit, and surveillance of our stockpile.

Pantex builds and delivers nuclear weapons for the nation’s stockpile, replacing parts and components to extend the lives of these weapons. Since the country no longer tests nuclear weapons, Pantex plays an important role in confirming the effectiveness of the weapons in the stockpile, through Joint Test Assembly (JTA) builds and Quality Evaluation/Surveillance work. JTAs test the weapon’s delivery system and mechanics, while Quality Evaluation and Surveillance test components to determine the effects of aging, environmental conditions, and material incompatibilities. These vital programs enable the U.S. national weapons laboratories to annually validate the effectiveness of the nuclear stockpile to the President of the United States.

Pantex also completely dismantles retired weapons and dispositions the various components and materials. This work reduces the number of nuclear weapons in the world and ensures the nuclear material is in safe and secure storage.

Supporting the stockpile at the High Explosives Center of Excellence

NNSA selected Pantex as the High Explosive Center of Excellence for manufacturing high explosives. Pantex develops, tests, and fabricates high explosives components.

The Pantex mission has grown over the decades as other facilities closed and responsibilities for life-extension, surveillance, assembly and high explosives operations were moved to the site.

Since 1975, Pantex has been the nation’s primary assembly, disassembly, retrofit, and life-extension center for nuclear weapons. The last new nuclear weapon was completed in 1991.

Since then, Pantex has safely dismantled thousands of weapons retired from the stockpile by the military and placed the resulting plutonium pits in interim storage.

All work at Pantex is carried out under three overarching priorities: the safety and health of workers and the public, the security of weapons and information, and the protection of the environment.

Operations at Pantex are primarily conducted on 2,000 acres of the 18,000-acre site. Pantex has approximately 650 buildings, including specialized facilities in which maintenance, modification, disassembly, and assembly operations are conducted. The Pantex Plant maintains its own water-treatment, sewage, and steam-generating plants. Five wind turbines, each over 400 feet tall, generate enough power to support more than 60 percent of the Pantex Plant’s annual

energy.

The strength of Pantex lies in the dedication and patriotic commitment of its more than 3,500 full-time personnel.

In 1942, the U.S. Army constructed the original Pantex Ordnance Plant on 18,000 acres. The mission of the Plant was to load and pack conventional artillery shells and bombs in support of the World War II effort. The Plant produced nearly 4 million conventional bombs and artillery shells during three whirlwind years of heavy production.

The end of the war brought the end of production at Pantex, with the plant closing the day after the war ended. The land acquired to build Pantex was leased to Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University) for $1. The federal government reacquired the land and facilities that made up the Pantex Plant in 1951 and undertook a building campaign to create a key element of the nuclear weapons complex. The development of nuclear weapons that led to the end of World War II also ushered in a new type of war – the Cold War. It was characterized by an arms race with nuclear weapons at the heart of the competition.

The Pantex Plant played a key role in the Cold War, assembling thousands of nuclear warheads that helped maintain the détente between the Soviets and the West.

To learn more about Pantex’s history, go to pantex.energy.gov/about/history to watch a video or view historical photographs in our onsite history display.

An influential business executive who rose through the ranks to become one of the top leaders of AT&T will be the inaugural speaker in a new series from the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business at West Texas A&M University.

Ralph de la Vega, who emigrated from Cuba to the United States as a child before becoming one of the most powerful leaders in American telecommunications, will open the new Stan Sigman Leadership and Innovation Series on Oct. 13.

Click here for more information or RSVP here.

Learn how the Amarillo PACE Program facilitated the rebirth of the historic Barfield Building into a stunning signature hotel.

Join us for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the redevelopment of a vacant 12-story 1926 office building repurposed into a dazzling downtown Amarillo showpiece. You will not only learn from subject matter experts about how PACE financing filled out the project’s capital stack and lowered the property’s operating costs, but you will also be treated to a tour of the Barfield Hotel by developer Todd Harmon, who will point out the Hotel’s energy and water saving features.

This forum is a unique opportunity to learn how you can take advantage of the PACE program to lower energy and water usage or demand for your business and your community and see for yourself the stunning results in the historic Barfield Hotel.

Click here to learn more and register for the event.

This week's newsletter contains information on:

Click here to read the entire newsletter.

This week's newsletter includes information on:

Click here to read the entire update.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth, and expand human welfare. During one week each November, GEW inspires people everywhere through local, national, and global activities designed to help them take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey. These activities, from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors, and even investors — introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities.

Stay tuned for an exciting announcement about GEW in Amarillo, coming in November!

Small businesses are critical to the US economy. But data on small businesses is limited—especially data on how and why small businesses seek financing.

By taking the survey, small-business owners contribute to data that directly informs the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, and others—ultimately benefitting their business and other businesses like theirs.

The survey takes 10 minutes to complete and is open to for-profit businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Responses are confidential, and small-business owners do not need to provide any personal information. Take the survey today—it closes on Friday, November 19. CLICK HERE to take the short survey.

Click here to email the Federal Reserve for questions.

Is your company hiring? Did you know you can put job openings in our online Job Bank for FREE?

Check out our website and click the buttons for "Job Seeker" or "Employer" and you can either view job openings or post your own with an online form.

Have questions, contact Denise at (806) 373-7800.

Are you holding a fundraising event, open house, or other special events you want to share with the public? You can add events to our Online Community Calendar for FREE. Click here to complete the online form and submit it to the Chamber. Your event will not be visible until our staff approves the event, typically within 1-2 business days.

If you have questions about using the calendar, or what kinds of events are allowed, contact Denise at 373-7800.

The Chamber is thrilled to announce and recognize our new sponsors that are stepping up to be part of the Supporting Small Business Initiative for 2021-2022. This new program is designed to support the Chamber's efforts to serve our small business community better by offering programs, seminars, virtual events, and more for little to no cost to our members throughout the year.

Please join us in thanking these generous underwriting partners that are serving the Chamber, our members, and the entire business community with their support.

If you would like to know more about this program and the benefits of partnership, contact Jason Harrison at (806) 373-7800 or jason@amarillo-chamber.org.

Watch the online calendar for more details and updates coming soon.

10/14 - Business After Hours at Casey Carpet One

10/28 - Business Leader Panel Discussion In-Person Seminar

11/4 - Business After Hours at The Nesting Place - Bushland

11/18 - Fall Mega Market

11/18 - Business After Hours at Fairfield/Four Points Downtown Amarillo

12/1 - Ag Appreciation Luncheon at the Amarillo Civic Center

12/2 - Business After Hours at Street Toyota

12/9 - Annual Banquet & Business Excellence Awards

12/16 - Business After Hours at Rt. 66 Auto Haus

The City of Amarillo Public Health Department is currently administering COVID-19 vaccines. Be sure to check the clinic hours, vaccine availability, or the Mobile Clinic location ONLINE before going.

The Chamber has had a partnership with Cramer Marketing (formerly Data Flow) for more than 15 years. Cramer is great at helping us promote our Members in our Printed Directory and our community through our Relocation Guides and City Maps. We are proud to offer these high-quality publications to our members and people looking to call Amarillo home at no cost thanks to our generous supporters and advertisers. Sold, produced, and printed locally! If you would like to showcase your business in these great publications, give us or the Cramer Marketing team a call at (806) 371-7310.

CGI Communications has been a partner of the Amarillo Chamber for a number of years. CGI handles several advertising products offered to our members including website banner ads, community videos, ReviewTube reviews, and now has a new Magellan tool for voice activated website searching for text and videos.

Our representative, Al Forys, and his team will be reaching out to some of our members to offer more information about these tools that may be beneficial for your business.

Should you want more information on any of their products, reach out to Al Forys at the contact information below.

We try to alert you anytime a third party may contact you so that you know they are a trusted and legitimate partner of the Amarillo Chamber. You may see our complete list of advertising options and partners on the Advertising Opportunities page of our website. We encourage you to always check this site or contact Penni Bentley at (806) 373-7800 to verify our official program partners before giving out personal or financial information.

See our Staff Directory with photos, direct phone numbers and more on our Contact Us page of the website.

Tyler Andrews, Andrews & Associates / cat.man.du

Blaine Baker, Crown House Insurance

Scott Bentley, Amarillo EDC

David Bishop, Amarillo ISD

Kevin Carter, Amarillo EDC

Sonja Clark, Bell

Richard Constancio, Shiver-Megert & Associates

Michael Gonzales, Atmos Energy

Joe Graham, Graham Brothers Jewelers

Mark Hodges, FirstCapital Bank of Texas

Matt Irwin, Insurica DFB

Karen Isern, Amarillo National Bank

Wade King, Underwood Law Firm

Charles Leard, M&R Liquor

Sabrina Meck-Perez, Elevate Amarillo President

Jared Miller, Amarillo City Representative

Trent Morris, Workforce Solutions Panhandle

Lindsey Murphy, Education Credit Union

Darrin Murphy, Cal Farley's Boys Ranch

Joseph Peterson, Edward Jones

Brady Ragland, Tri-State Expo

Chris Rhynehart, Rhynehart Roofing

Brandy Sanchez, KAMR/KCIT/KCPN - TV

Doug Street, Affiliated Foods

Wendi Swope, Double U Marketing 

Ronnie Walker, Xcel Energy

Mikel Williamson, Happy State Bank

Sean Wright, GVH Distribution

on our website. 

                                                   –  Author Unknown