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NB BUSINESS UNIVERSITY
On June 28 the Chamber’s Business Advisory Committee presented NB Business University with the topic “The Essentials for Providing Premier Customer Service” presented by Kevin Karschnik of iSpeak, Inc. Over sixty individuals attended the morning and afternoon seminar. More NB Business University Seminars are being planned for 2011.
BUSINESS TRADE SHOW WILL BE ROCKIN’ – BUY TICKETS NOW
The 23rd annual Business Trade Show is scheduled for September 13-14 at the New Braunfels Civic Convention Center. The theme for the Show is “New Braunfels Business is Rockin’ Around the Clock” To purchase tickets electronically log on to www.nbtradeshow.com. Tickets are also available at the Chamber office or from committee members. SNEAK PREVIEW tickets must be purchased by SEPTEMBER 2. DAY SHOW tickets are discounted in advance, but may be purchased at the door. Show updates and information are available on Twitter at NewBraunfelsBTS, Facebook and you can opt in by texting NBCC BTS to 46786. Log on to www.nbtradeshow.com for Show updates and tickets.
The Business Trade Show Committee met on August 4 in Honors Hall to hear a show update from Show Chair Melissa Etheredge of First State Bank and other sub-committee chairs. Tickets and advertising posters are available at the Chamber office.
BTS Show Chair Melissa Etheredge addresses over one hundred exhibitors and committee members at the Exhibitor Orientation held at the Civic/Convention Center on August 9. Ninety exhibitors will fill the one-hundred two spaces in the Exhibit Hall and Ballroom for the Show.
NB BUSINESS UNIVERSITY
On August 17 at Honors Hall the Chamber’s Business Advisory Committee presented “Raising Funds Without Raising Issues: A Guide to Texas State Laws that Affect Nonprofit Fundraising”. Katherine David, as Associate with Oppenheimer Blend Harrison & Tate, Inc. addressed more than forty-five nonprofit agency directors, board members and interested individuals. Sponsor for the seminar was Oppenheimer Blend Harrison & Tate, Inc. Details on more NB Business University seminars in 2011 will be available soon.
Attorney Katherine David addresses NB Business University attendees on August 17.
SUSAN GANDY, RAFB CHIEF CIVIC OUTREACH HONORED
The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee Honored RAFB Chief Civic Outreach, Susan Gandy as she retires, in Honors Hall on September 1. Gandy has served as the liaison for Randolph AFB partnership with the Chamber’s Airman of the Quarter program over the last 16 years.
Pictured (L to R) are:
Lt. Col Chip Johnson, Randolph Air Force Base Deputy Commander 902nd Mission Support Group; Corey Hall, Chamber Chair of the Board; Susan V. Gandy, Randolph Air Force Base Chief Civic Outreach Public Affairs; Fritz Welsch, Military Affairs Committee Vice Chair; and Michael Meek, Chamber President.
YLNB 2012 COMMENCES
Youth Leadership New Braunfels has started it's fifteenth year. Class members are in the 10th and 11th grades from New Braunfels High School, Canyon High School and New Braunfels Christian Academy. Pictured are the thirty-one members of the Youth LNB Class of 2012 who were introduced at an Orientation at Landmark on September 6. An all day retreat was held on Saturday, September 10 at T Bar M. Monthly class sessions are set from October through April and the year will end with a graduation ceremony on April 12 at Seekatz Opera House. For a class roster and more information log on to www.nbcham.org/ylnb.
BUSINESS TRADE SHOW WRAPS UP
A feature of the BTS Sneak Preview is the selection of the Best Decorated Booths. Winners of the 2011 Large Business were (First Place) Randolph Brooks FCU, (Second Place) Hope Hospice, (Third Place) New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Winners of the 2011 Small Business were (First Place) Sprint/The Communication Source, (Second Place) Flowers by Jeni, (Third Place) BDI.
RBFCU
Hope Hospice
New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung
Sprint/The Communication Source
BDI
Flowers by Jeni
AIRMAN OF THE YEAR HONORED WITH RECEPTION
The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee honored the 2010 Airman of the Year in Honors Hall on September 28. Pictured (l-r) are Military Affairs Committee Chair Ray Martinez , Deputy Commander 902nd Mission Support Group RAFB Lt. Col. Danny Johnson, honoree’s wife Helena Lilly, 2010 Airman of the Year SrA Marvin Lilly, District 5 City Councilman Bryan Miranda and Chamber Chair of the Board Corey Hall. The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee has been in an active partnership with Randolph Air Force Base, honoring an airman each quarter and annually, for forty-three years.
The Leadership New Braunfels Class of 2012 was introduced at a Community Leaders’ Reception on Thursday, October 6 at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center. An overnight weekend retreat was held October 8-9 at T Bar M. All day class sessions are held in October through May and a graduation luncheon will end the class year in May. Leaders’ reception and retreat photos are below. Log onto www.nbcham.org/lnb for a class roster.
The LNB Alumni Association will present an Issues Forum for the November election on Thursday, October 20 at 11:45 a.m. at Landa Haus. The forum is open to LNB Alumni. Sponsor for the forum is Thor Thornhill (LNB Class of 08) and Stephen Hanz (LNB Class of ’99) of HMT Engineering and Surveying.
The thirty-one members of Youth Leadership New Braunfels class of 2012 attended their first class day on Tuesday, October 4 with the topic “Leadership Skills”. LNB Alumni facilitators included Marty and Jeff Lindley and Gretchen Reuwer. The morning session included presentations by LNB Alum Wes Studdard - the Game of Life and Clint Rutledge - Leadership Principles and Decisions for Success. Studdard also facilitated - Leadership “Don’t Drop the Ball” to end the class day. An etiquette luncheon introduction was made by Marty Lindley with Alane Cameron of River City Catering presenting the etiquette lesson and serving the luncheon. Sponsors for the class day were: The Lindley Company, First Commercial Bank, First Protestant Church, Downtown Rotary, LNB Alums Randy and Cari Gray. The next class day is “History & Tourism” on Nov. 15.
LNB Alumni Association Chair, Brannon Brooke congratulates the YLNB team for the best table setting at the etiquette luncheon at the YLNB class day on October 4.
YLNB 2012 dressed for the special etiquette luncheon on October 4.
LEADERSHIP UPDATES
The twenty-seven members of the Leadership New Braunfels class of 2012 attended their first class session “Local Government I” on Tuesday, October 11. Tours and presenters throughout the day included Public Library Director Gretchen Pruett (LNB Alum), Police Captain Mike Rutherford (LNB Alum), Fire Chief John Robinson (LNB 2012) and Janice Roth Student Success Leader of the Central Texas Technology Center. Lunch was served at New Braunfels Regional Airport with invited guests Mayor and City Council members, City Manager and Airport Manager. Douglas Miller II of Miller & Miller Insurance was the LNB alumni facilitator. The City of New Braunfels (represented by Assistant City Manager & LNB Alum Robert Camareno) was the sponsor for the day and sponsor for the breaks. LNB Alum Brandon Dietert of New Braunfels Smokehouse provided lunch. The next class session “Local Government II” is set for November 8.
Mayor Gail Pospisil talks with LNB 2012 class members at the City Government lunch during LNB class day Oct. 11
New Braunfels Public Library Director Gretchen Pruett (LNB Alum) tours the LNB Class through the library on Oct. 11.
LEADERSHIP ALUMNI HOSTS ISSUES FORUM
The Leadership New Braunfels Alumni Association met on Thursday, October 20 at Landa Haus at 11:45 a.m. for an issues forum for city and state issues on the November 8 ballot. The sponsors for the forum were LNB Alums Thor Thornhill and Stephen Hanz of HMT Engineering and Surveying.
Pictured are (l-r) LNB Alumni Assoc. Chair Brannon Brooke, Representative “for” the city issue Valin Miller, Sponsors Thor Thornhill and Stephen Hanz, Representative “against” the city issue Stoney Williams and Chamber Vice Chair of Government Affairs Ted Cook.
FEDERAL RESERVE VP IN NB
Over 90 area business leaders attended the Chamber’s Business Advisory Committee NB Business University seminar on November 1 at T Bar M Resort & Conference Center. Federal Reserve Bank of San Antonio Vice President Blake Hastings presented “An Uncertain Economy: Navigating Through Unchartered Territory”. Sponsors for the seminar were Hill Country Payroll, Frost Bank, Rougeux & Associates, PLLC, Bradfield Properties Comal, Sol Schwartz & Associates and BDI. More NB Business University seminars are being planned for 2012 keeping the business community informed.
Federal Reserve Bank Vice President addresses business leaders at the November 1 seminar.
YLNB NOVEMBER CLASS
The topic for the November 15 class day for Youth Leadership was “History & Tourism”. The day included tours of the Sophienburg Archives & Museum of History, Heritage Village - Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture, Conservation Plaza and Landa Park (Stacey Laird Dickey - LNB Alum) with a ride on the Landa Park Railroad. The Sponsor for the Day was Bonnie Tetrault (Honorary LNB Alum), with break sponsors Summit Oak Homes and lunch sponsor Brandon Dietert (LNB Alum) of the New Braunfels Smokehouse. Leadership Principles and Decisions for Success will continue with Clint Rutledge (LNB Alum). The next class session “City Government & Education is set for December 6.
YLNB hears a history presentation at the Sophienburg Archives & Museum of History.
YLNB toured Conservation Plaza and lunched at Forke Store.
YLNB rides the Landa Park Miniature Railroad at the November class day.
LEADERSHIP NOVEMBER CLASS UPDATES
The topic for the November 8 Leadership class was “Government II & Education” facilitated by Cheryl Casteel of Casteel & Casteel, PLLC (LNB Alum). The day included tours of the Comal County Sheriffs’s Office & Jail and the NBU Surface Water Treatment Plant (welcomed by Roger Biggers, Executive Director of Water Services - LNB Alum) as well as presentations by County Judge Sherman Krause, District Attorney Jennifer Tharp (LNB Alum), Comal County Court at Law #2 Judge Charles Stephens, CISD Superintendent Dr. Marc Walker and NBISD Superintendent Randy Moczygemba (LNB Alum). The Wurstfest Association invited the class to attend the monthly Chamber Business Mixer and hosted them in the Opa Room at the conclusion of the day. Welcoming the class and presenting a history of Wurstfest were President Steve Taylor, General Chairman Martin Allen (LNB Alum) and Grosse Opa Tim Salge. The Sponsor for the Day was Comal County Court at Law #1 Judge Randy Gray, with break sponsors Susie Russell, Huisache Grill and Natalie Rougeux, Rougeux & Associates, PLLC and lunch sponsor was CISD. The next class session “Generating Dollars for your Community” is set for December 13.
Joe Moreno, NBU Surface Water Treatment Plant Operator explains a laboratory test to the class on Nov. 8.
Wurstfest Executives welcome the LNB Class to Wurstfest on Nov. 8.
20th ANNIVERSARY LNB CELEBRATION
The Leadership New Braunfels Alumni 20th anniversary planning committee has set the annual fundraising event. All will celebrate at Gruene Hall (thanks goes to LNB alum Mary Jane Nalley for providing the venue) on March 29 from 6-9 p.m. with refreshments, entertainment, networking and a raffle, with all twenty classes participating. LNB alumni, the LNB Class of 2012 and the original LNB Steering Committee along with spouses and guests are invited. The event registration will be sent the first week of February.
LNB MEETS FOR DECEMBER CLASS DAY
The topic for the December 13 Leadership New Braunfels class was “Generating Dollars for your Community” facilitated by Sunni Christon (LNB alum) and John Archer (LNB alum). The day began with an Economic Development panel that included Chamber President Michael Meek, 4B President Tim Zipp (LNB alum), EDF Chairman Dr. Carlos Campos (LNB alum) and Mayor Gale Pospisil. Business tours throughout the day included Leisure Pools, TXI Hunter Cement and Great American Products. The day concluded with a Downtown walking tour of business renovations and developments by Ron Snider of Seekatz Opera House, Lois Newton representing the Historic Outdoor Art Museum, Jason Irle representing the Brauntex Performing Arts Theater and Don & Lynn Forres of Huisache Grill. Sponsor for the Day was LNB Alumni of EdenHill Communities. The next class session “Building & Selling the Image” is set for January 10 hosted by LNB Chair Tiffany Soechting of Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch.
Ashley Gill, Leisure Pools CEO toured the LNB class through the manufacturing & sales facility.
LNB ends the Dec. 13 class day at Huisache Grill, compliments of Don & Lynn Forres.
LNB toured the recently renovated Brauntex Performing Arts Theater.
YLNB DECEMBER CLASS
The topic for the December 6 class day for Youth Leadership New Braunfels was “City Government and Education”. The day included tours of NB Central Fire Station, Police Department, (Assistant Chief Joe Vargas, LNB alum) and Municipal Court (Judge Sara Hartin, LNB alum) and NBU Service Center (Gretchen Reuwer and Janet Baumbach LNB alums). The Mayor and several City Council members were on hand at City Hall for an overview of city government and NBISD Superintendent Randy Moczygemba (LNB alum) and CISD Assistant Superintendent Kari Hutchison discussed public school issues in New Braunfels and Comal County. The Sponsor for the Day was the LNB Alumni of New Braunfels Utilities. Leadership Principals and Decisions for Success continued with Clint Rutledge (LNB alum). The next class session “The Justice System” is set for January 3.
New Braunfels Mayor, City Council and City Manager met with YLNB in Council Chambers.
YLNB toured the Central Fire Station.
YLNB toured NBPD.
YLNB MEETS FOR JANUARY
The topic for the January 3 Youth Leadership New Braunfels class day was The Justice System. The day included presentations from County Court at Law #2 Judge Charles Stephens, Comal County Criminal District Attorney Jennifer Tharp (LNB Alum) and Comal County Sheriff’s office Crime Prevention/Community Resource Team Member Deputy Adam J. Pastrano, an overview and tour of the Comal County jail by Maj. John Bell along with lunch was also included in the day’s activities. LNB alumni facilitators were Ellen Salyers, Carolyn Pittman and Rick Kiesling. Sponsors during the day included Barron Casteel of Casteel & Casteel, PLLC and Rick Kiesling of Kiesling, Porter, Kiesling and Free, P.C. The next YLNB class day is set for February 7 with the topic Business & Economic Development.
LNB MEETS FOR JANUARY
The topic for the January 10 Leadership class was “Building & Selling the Image” facilitated and hosted by Tiffany Soechting (LNB Alum and LNB 2012 Steering Committee Chair) of Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. George Siegal of J.E.L. Communications facilitated the Media Conference and presented a view from the media along with Melissa Welch of Loud & Clear Communications (LNB Alum). The class toured the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung printing facility with Editor Doug Toney (LNB Alum) and radio station KGNB-KNBT. Sponsors for the Day were LNB Alums Myra Zunker and Lisa Whitehouse of The Communication Source. The next class day “Healthcare in New Braunfels and Comal County” is set for February 14.
(L to R) LNB Chair and host for the day Tiffany Soechting, George Siegal of J.E.L. Communications, Melissa Welch of Loud & Clear Communications and LNB Class member Greg Swoboda during his “interview”
LNB tours the Herald-Zeitung Production facility with Editor/Publisher Doug Toney.
LNB tours Radio New Braunfels KGNB-KNBT studios with KGNB News Director, David Ferguson.
3RD QUARTER, 2011 AIRMAN OF THE QUARTER HONORED WITH RECEPTION
The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee honored the 3rd Quarter, 2011 Airman of the Quarter in Honors Hall on January 17. Pictured (l-r) are Chamber Chair of the Board Tobin Hoffmann, Airman of the Quarter SrA Oliver Rhudy, Mayor Gale Pospisil, Steven Jones Command Chief 12th Flying Training Wing Randolph AFB and Military Affairs Committee Chair Chuck Teeter.
Comal County Courthouse
YLNB met with Judge Charles Stephens