Continued on back page

“Come grow with us.”

October 2011

President’s Column Page 2Chamber News Page 6

PeopleRecent Events. Page 4

CalendarEvents in September. Page 7

Active Development Therapies named SBDC Small Business of the Year Finalist

Active Development Therapies of Porter was recently named as one of three finalists from the Lone Star College – Kingwood service area for the Small Business Develop-

ment Center’s annual Small Business of the Year Award. Kim and Cheston Loving and the team at ADT are most deserving of this honor. ADT pro-vides pediatric physical, occupational, and speech therapy services to chil-dren from birth to 21 years of age. They believe that children are unique indi-viduals, and they develop a treatment plan unique to each child’s needs. They provide a team-approach to therapy in which they strive to actively involve their client’s family to en-hance their child’s development at home, school, and in their community. Congratulations to Kim, Cheston and all the team at Active Development Therapies. For more information on Active Development Therapies please visit their website at www.activedevelopmenttherapies.com . The SBDC awards dinner is scheduled for November 17th at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

Leadership East Montgomery County off to great start!On Thursday, September 1st twenty-one participants in the 2011-2012 class of Leadership East Montgomery County gathered at

the Wal-Mart Distribution Center #7010 to kick off their first session of LEMC. Hosted by Jeff Leonard, General Manager of the DC, the class was treated to a wonderful Mexican food meal and deserts. Following the meal and a brief time to visit and get acquainted the participants were asked to introduce themselves and tell their fellow class members a little about themselves. This is always an interesting and informative part of the first session as each participant also had to come up with an adjective that rhymed with the first name or started with the same letter as their name. Following the introductions Gary Southard of RisingStar P.E.O.P.L.E. Concepts went over the results of the DISC profiles that all the participants had completed prior to the session. This is a very diverse group and we expect great things from them this year. After an overview of the program, the class project, and what to expect during the upcoming seven monthly sessions the participants were given a tour of the Distribution Center by three members of the class who work there. Those that braved the 10 degree below zero freezer came back with red noses and shivering. They are all glad to have the jobs they do so they don’t have to work in those freezers every day. Nearly nine hundred work at the DC, many of them in and out of the freezers during their shift. Thanks again to Jeff Leonard and the team at the DC for hosting this opening session.

Participants in the program this year include:Angela Allen Allied Power Mart/Allied StorageBarbara Baggerly JWB Communications, LLCRhonda Behnken Community Chamber of Commerce of EMCBobbi Bodenhamer First Bank & Trust East Texas – PorterWendy Bowman Wal-Mart Distribution Center #7010Jacob Castleberry Student – New Caney High SchoolJohnny DiBlasi Lone Star College – Kingwood

New MembersClassi Ladi17926 Country Pl Dr Conroe, TX 77302(214) 924-7119Business LevelJeweler

Los Cucos Mexican Cafe XX123730 Highway 59N Kingwood, TX 77339(281) 358-2600 · Fax: (281) 358-2601Business LevelRestaurants

Texas Fast Track UDSP O Box 962 Porter, TX 77339(832) 654-2879 · Fax: (281) 446-4269Business LevelDrug Testing & Screening

Crystal Clear Mortgage745 Stone Mountain Dr Conroe, TX 77302(281) 728-8710 · Fax: (866) 920-5812Business LevelMortgages

2 | October 2011

This morning several of us were setting around discussing how mentally tired we were. There is so much going on with our daily jobs, so much that we try to cram in and say all in a day’s work, then we go home and work several more hours. Sometimes it may not be physical labor but mentally working, always thinking of the work we just left (did we finish our task we were to do that day or do we need to do more on that project and how to make it go just right). Always making sure everyone is being

taken care of except ourselves. There is so much emphasis on keeping our bodies fit & healthy by working out and trying to eat the right things, but what about our minds? We have got to get to the point in our lives to stop trying to do everything all the time. When we leave work we need to leave it there, it will surely be there for you in the morning. We need to get somewhere and stop, do nothing and clear our minds for just a little while so we can embrace what is a head for us to do. (Boy do I need to take my own advice).

Delilah LewisDirector of Membership/Special Events

Delilah’sNotes

President’sMessageNew Members cont.

Capitalize on your strengths!

Each of us has particular strengths, or speci-alities, that we can capi-talize on but how many of us really do? Looking back over my career of nearly forty years it is in-teresting to review where I have been and how it led me to where I am today. Since I wasn’t to

be the best student in the world I had a tough time making good grades and my transcript was to say the least not very impressive. In fact it was embarrassing! Fortunately for me my first two employers didn’t spend a lot of time looking at the transcript, just talking to me and finding out about me and how I could meet their particular job needs. Those first two jobs over my first five years of work-ing eventually led me to a company where I would spend the next twenty-five years in a wide range of job duties. Before I go too far with this, let me go back to my college studies and what I wanted to do and how it eventually led me to where I am today. I wanted to be a coach and physical education teacher but minored in business and accounting while in college. My first twelve years in the working world were in accounting, not coaching, and in fact I have never been a public school coach or physical education teacher. Those years in accounting and building relationships with my coworkers led me to the area of customer service and then operations in a telephone

company where I would spend seventeen of my twenty-five years interacting with fellow employees and our customers. In addition those duties allowed me to interact with vari-ous area business leaders which eventually led me into the Chamber of Commerce field. If you remember one of my earlier articles on “Establishing Relationships – Why is it important?” it all fits together. Through the establishment of relationships I was able to eventually capitalize on my strength of being able to work with people and then build even stronger sales and results for the company and now the Chamber. My background in accounting allows me to be comfortable with budgeting and managing a business while still capitalizing on the people and relationship aspect of the Chamber. We all have particular strengths that make us who and what we are. We just have to capitalize on them and bring them into the jobs we do. Some may be the very best at soothing over a difference with a customer while others would rather be in the backroom creating a work of art or making sure that the office runs smoothly. Others may thrive on sales while others couldn’t sell anything if they had to. Some may be a great leader, innovator or boss while others would rather be directed and led. It takes all of skill sets and traits for a business to be successful Each of us is unique and hopefully you can capitalize on your strengths and be very suc-cessful individually and collectively in your business. •

Kingwood Promotions25609 Dartmaker Court Porter, Tx 77365(832) 233-5937Business LevelAdvertising: Specialties, Promo Products

Platinum Copier Solutions1920 Rankin Road Suite 170 Houston, TX 77073(281) 645-4039 · Fax: (281) 645-4275Business LevelOffice Technology

Southeast Texas Children’s Dentistry20857 FM 1485 New Caney, TX 77357(281) 689-5266 · Fax: (281) 689-5627Business LevelDentist

Konica Minolta Business Solutions15120 NW Freeway Houston, TX 77040(832) 467-5150Business LevelOffice Technology

LaCaze Air Conditioning and Heating23963 Majestic Forest New Caney, Tx 77357832-492-5071Business LevelAir Conditioning/Heating

3 | October 2011

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A STRONG BOOST TO THE U. S. ECONOMY THROUGH THE PERMITTING OF THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE

WHEREAS, the Keystone XL Pipeline project, commonly referred to as the TransCanada Pipeline will connect Hardisty, Alberta, Canada with facilities in the United States with approximately 2,000 miles of new pipeline; and

WHEREAS, the TransCanada Pipeline project will create 13,000 American construction and manufac-turing jobs, and $20 billion in construction costs for a lagging economy and reduce our dependence upon foreign oil sources; and

WHEREAS, the TransCanada Pipeline project is expected to create more than 118,000 “spin-off” jobs during the two years of construction, and its construction will generate $600 million in new state and local tax revenues with an additional $5.2 billion in property taxes; and

WHEREAS, the TransCanada Pipeline will provide efficiency gains by linking oil producers to allow gains between $35.5 million and $146 million annually and lower transport costs for savings to Gulf Coast refiners of $473 million annually in allowing the shipping of 400,000 barrels per day; and

WHEREAS, our local businesses have been dependent on refiners who import from Mexico and Venezuela which have decreased output in recent years, and the TransCanada Pipeline will help provide a more reliable source of supply from a U.S. ally and thereby protect our national security; and

WHEREAS, the first environmental impact study by the U. S. State Department, who must approve the project, found that the TransCanada Pipeline would meet industry standards and not significantly affect the environment; and

WHEREAS, without the TransCanada Pipeline the U.S. would not be able to benefit from the cost-efficient Western Canadian oil and would remain dependent upon unstable foreign oil supplies; and

WHEREAS, pipelines remain the statistically safest way to transport oil and pipeline accident rates have fallen sharply and technology has improved reaction time to leaks and the ability to contain them.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Community Chamber of Commerce of East Montgomery County urges the United States State Department to approve the Keystone XL (TransCanada) Pipeline Project.

SIGNED this 20th day of September, 2011

Original Resolution signed by Gary Gardner and Andy Dill______________________________ ______________________________Gary Gardner, Chairman of the Board Andy Dill, President

Chamber Board of Directors endorses TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline Project

At the Chamber’s September Board of Directors meeting the Board approved a resolution of support for the TransCanada Key-stone XL Pipeline Project. The pipeline project will create an estimated 13,000 American construction and manufacturing jobs and $20 billion in construction costs. The pipeline is slated to connect the Canadian oil fields to facilities throughout the U.S. including Port Arthur and Houston. In our area the pipeline will be constructed in far eastern Liberty County near the Hardin County line as well as a connector pipeline into the Houston refinery area. A copy of the resolution is shown below.

4 | October 2011

People & PlacesRecent chamber events.

2010-2011 Teacher’s of the Year

Beautification Award - RB Tullis Library

Annual Events

• Golf Tournament Thursday Oct 20th

• Christmas ParadeMonday Dec 12th

• Annual BanquetSaturday Jan 14th

• Spelling BeeThursday Feb 23rd

• Taste of EMC & ExpoWednesday March 21st

• Texas Sawmill FestivalSaturday April 28th

Monthly Events

• Chamber Luncheon1st Wednesday of each month

• Observer Networking Lunch2nd Wednesday of each month

• Networking BreakfastLast Friday of each month

5 | October 2011

New Members Welcomed at September Luncheon

Los Cucos Mexican Cafe XX1, RE/MAX Rewards-Shawn Kneale, Three Gems Gifts, Crystal Clear Mortgage, Southeast Texas Children’s Dentistry, Starplex Cinemas (upgrade), Riverside Waste Service, Universal Wellness and Health

Ribbon Cutting - Iconix Marketing

Ribbon Cutting - Guerrero Kai Zen Karate

6 | October 2011

Chamber establishes collection site for Cell Phones for Soldiers initiative

Do you have an old cell phone (or more than one) just lying around your house or office? If you do, then bring it to the Chamber and donate it for the Cell Phones for Soldiers initia-tive. Founded in April, 2004 by 13 year old Brittany Bergquist and her younger brother Robbie, Cell Phones for Soldiers has thus far collected over 7.5 million cell phones and provided more than 90 million minutes of pre-paid calling cards to military personnel. It was a rainy morning and little did Brittany know what the impact of that morning’s newscast would have on her and her brother or the thousands of military personnel they have touched over the last seven plus years. She stated that it was the beginning of “positivity” in her life. That morning a news broadcast spoke to a need that military families experience year round. The ability to call home while serving our country is a costly challenge that an approximate 65 percent of families either do not have access to or simply cannot afford.

Currently there are more than 6,000 Cell Phones for Soldiers collection sites across the country. The program is not only able to help our military men and women but also keep toxic wastes out of landfills.

To donate your old cell phones just bring them by the Chamber and drop them in the Cell Phones for Soldiers collection box. We will get them to the Cell Phones for Soldiers regional collection site for processing. The Chamber is pleased to be able to participate in this great program and encourages all our members and citizens to bring those old cell phones by and help a soldier.

Chamber Membership through the years

In looking back over the twenty-one year history of the Cham-ber it is interesting to note the number of members still active from each year and especially the early years. Being a member driven organization the retention of members is vitally important to the Chamber’s continued success. Of the thirty-two members in 1990 twelve are still members today. They include; Amegy Bank, Brookshire Bros., Entergy, Gene Gregory, Guy’s A/C & Heating, Louis Rhoden State Farm Insurance, Northland Com-munications, Observer Newspapers, Rinehart Trucking, Travis Barber Shop, Trout Tire Center and Wells Fargo Bank. Over the years some of them have changed names but the evolving entity is still involved today.

In each year shown below, the number shown represents the number of members joining that year that are still members today.

1990 – 12 1991 – 0 1992 – 1 1993 – 2 1994 – 10 1995 – 41996 – 3 1997 – 4 1998 – 3 1999 – 0 2000 – 2

2001 – 22002 – 16 2003 – 26 2004 – 34 2005 – 24 2006 – 20 2007 – 472008 – 35 2009 – 62 2010 – 83 2011 – 53

Please note that some of the early records have disappeared so we used the best information available to us to make these determinations. We are very appreciative of the longevity of our members and their continued support, year after year.

Chamber News

Auto • Home • Flood • Life • Commercial

Full Service Independent Insurance Agency

Right Coverage at the Right PriceWe shop multiple companies to fit

your specific insurance needs.

10 Quotes -- 10 Minutes!Ph. (281) 360-3252 • Toll Free 1-866-982-3252 • www.dormerins.com

7 | October 2011

Distinguished Investors Chamber members who go the extra mile in their support of the chamber.

CommunityCalendar• Thursday Oct 6

Leadership EMCPFD, 6-9 pm

Ribbon Cutting 3 Tesla MRI unit at Memorial Hermann NE5:30 pm

EMCID Board MeetingBoard Room, EMCID5:30 pm

• Monday Oct 10

Education Committee MeetingEMICD, 12 pm

Columbus DayStudent Holiday in SISD

• Tuesday Oct 11

Rotary Club of EMC Hofrau, Porter TXNoon

After Hours Networking RE/MAX Rewards5:30-7 pm

Ribbon Cutting RE/MAX Rewards- Kendra

Dempsey 6 pm

Ribbon Cutting RE/MAX Rewards-Shawn Kneale, 6 pm

• Wednesday Oct 12

Observer Networking LunchOne-on-one networking, bring cards and brochures. Door prizes.Hofbrau Restaurant - Porter. 11:30am-1pm, $10 at door.

• Thursday Oct 13

Twin City Lions ClubHofrau, Porter TX Noon

Wags to Whiskers Ribbon Cutting & Fundraiser Partyat Los Cucos Mexican Cafe6-9 pm

• Saturday Oct 15

Sporting Clays Tournament

• Tuesday Oct 18

Rotary Club of EMC Hofrau, Porter TX

Chamber Board MeetingMonthly Meeting.EMCID SE Room, 8:00 am

• Thursday Oct 20

Chamber Golf TournamentOakhurst Golf Club8 am Registration, 9 am Shotgun Start

• Saturday Oct 22

3rd Annual FIRE & SAFETY Festival @ PFD9 am - 2 pm

Fall Festival @ Splendora Assembly of God Church 5-8 pm

• Tuesday Oct 25

Rotary Club of EMC Hofrau, Porter TX

• Thursday Oct 27

Beautification Mtg EMCID, 9 am

Fall ExtravaganzaFree Festival and fun for children.EMCID, 5-8 pm

EMC Fair Association

Meeting Sallas Park, 7:30 pm

• Friday Oct 28

Networking Breakfast FREE Early-bird networking sponsored by Kingwood Medical Center. Full hot breakfast.KW Medical Ctr, use back entrance near cafeteria, 8 -9 am

• Saturday Oct 29

Annual Halloween New Caney Fire Dept Open House5-8 pm

• Monday Oct 31

Halloween

SPARTAN FRIGHT FESTat Porter High School 3 - 7 pm

Platinum Level MembersEast Montgomery County Improvement DistrictYellow Rose Reception Hall

Diamond Level MembersHallett MaterialsHearst Media ServicesWalmart - Supercenter

Gold Level MembersBackyard Paradise PoolsCommissioner Ed RinehartKingwood Medical CenterMemorial Hermann NortheastThe Signorelli Company

Silver Level MembersAlamo Hydraulics of Houston, Inc.Conroe/Nacogdoches Coca Cola Sales CenterEntergy Texas Inc

Friendswood Development Co.Rosewood Funeral Home

Bronze Level MembersAllied Power Mart Inc.Amegy Bank of TexasAmerican Fixtures Cabinet Co., Inc.ATC Home Health, LLCBuster Brown Propane CenturyLink Costello, Inc.EGA PrintingFlagship Car Wash & Lube CenterFred Haas Toyota WorldFWM Tubular & Equipment CorporationHarley Davidson - KingwoodHydra TanJoiner Partnership, Inc.Joslin TexasKwik Kar Lube & TuneLiving Earth

LJA Engineering, IncLone Star College-KingwoodMarks Richardson PC, Attorneys at LawMike Harris, CLTC,CSAMiller Homes and LandMy Fit Foods-KingwoodObserver NewspapersPace Stancil Funeral HomePlains State BankRepublic WasteRICOH Americas CorporationRiverside Waste ServiceShank Wealth ManagementSpirit Exposition Service, LLCStarplex CinemasState Farm Agent Tim ONeillSterling BankWells Fargo Bank of Texas

8 | October 2011

ChamberBoard

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEGary Gardner, FBTET-Splendora…...........Chairman of the BoardAngela Allen, Allied Power Mart………........................Chair-ElectLiz Segrest, Segrest HomeLand Realty….........……..........SecretaryGary Southard, RISING STAR People Concepts…..........TreasurerJody Binnion, Porter Fire Dept.………........Immediate Past-Chair

THREE YEAR TERM (Expires 2013)Scott Brady..............................Joiner Partnership Rob Burgess………………….Community Print & CopyMegan Marietta……………...Kingwood Medical CenterLeonard Rogers………………Let’s Mechanical

TWO YEAR TERM (Expires 2012)Angela Allen…………………Allied Power MartGary Gardner………………..First Bank & Trust East Texas-Splendora Mike Harris………………….Long Term Care PartnersGary Southard…………........ RISING STAR People Concepts

ONE YEAR TERM (Terms Expire 2011)Barbara Egan………………...Individual MemberSusanne Kite………………...Mary Kay CosmeticsTeri Kropik ……....................Rhino Financial MortgageLiz Segrest…………………...Segrest HomeLand Realty

ONE YEAR APPOINTED TERM (2011)Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden......Pct 4 ConstableGary Hayes..............................HLH LandscapingJuanita Popowitz......................Yellow Rose Reception Hall

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORSFrank McCrady…………………..EMCIDEd Rinehart………………………Montgomery County Pct 4Kenn Franklin……………………New Caney ISDDr. Thomas Price…………….......Splendora ISDVikki Munoz……………………..City of Patton VillageFloyd Jackson, Jr………………....City of Roman ForestDorothy Welch…………………..City of SplendoraChuck Cardoza………………......City of Woodbranch VillageBrandon Creighton………………State Representative District 16John Otto………………………..State Representative District 18Tommy Williams…………………State Senator District 4Kevin Brady……………………...U S Congress District 8

STAFFAndy Dill……………………PresidentDelilah Lewis……………......Director of Membership/Special EventsRhonda Behnken……………Administrative Assistant & WebmasterTonie Jones.............................Clerical Assistant

MISSION STATEMENTTo promote the economic well being and quality of life of East Montgomery County.

VISION STATEMENTThe purpose of the Community Chamber of Commerce of East Montgomery County is to provide leadership that encourages

community involvement, economic growth and promotes local business development and an enhanced quality of life.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

9 | October 2011

RenewingMembersBronze EGA PrintingMike Harris, CLTC,CSAPlains State BankRepublic WasteShank Wealth ManagementStarplex CinemasWells Fargo Bank

Business Anderson Ford MercuryAnne Vickery - NE Houston Comm’l Real EstAT&TCypress Woods Retirement Community

Embody Fitness CenterFarmers Insurance - Mike Smith AgencyGuy’s A/C & HeatingHere’s Yer Sign Shop, LLCJWB Communications LLCKingwood Funeral HomeNew Caney ISDPorterwood ApartmentsPotterosa Cycle & ATVRhoden Real EstateRinehart Trucking Co., IncSilverado Senior LivingSpring Chicken TravelTop Hat CateringUnited Healthcare - TX

Wright’s Fire & Safety

Individual Cara WoodDavid ParkerNadine F. Jenkins

Non-Profit City of Woodbranch VillageGrand Parkway ChurchNew Beginnings Youth Ranch

The old proverbial expression, “Opposites Attract” is a frequently heard reflection on the way things are. In Dr. Robert A. Rohm’s book: Positive Personality Profiles, he states the following:

“The ancient Greeks had a powerful idea, presented in the form of a myth. They said that in order to render humankind less powerful, the gods split him in two and made male and female. As a result, our lives have become one long search for our missing ‘other half.’ But when we do find our ‘other half,’ most of us set about the ironic and frustrating task of remaking that mate into an image of ourselves. As experience proves, the effort is futile! Without a blending of personalities, through efforts to communi-cate and understand each other, one mate’s personality will find expression at the expense of the other’s. Then the more probable question becomes: which of us will our marriage most likely come to resemble?”

Isn’t this strange, because at first we are attracted to others who are different than us as we like the change of a different and new personality type.

What are the opposites types? The opposite of a “D” is an “S” type person. The opposite of a “C” is an “I” type person. The opposite of a “S” type person is a “D” and the opposite of a “I” type person is a “C.” It is these opposites that are the hardest to communicate effectively with on the job, in a relationship, in a marriage, or even in a family. So the question becomes, how can I effectively communicate in a positive way?

Opposites Are Not Always AttractiveSeries by Gary Southard at Rising Star PEOPLE Concepts

Community Chamber of Commerce21575 Hwy 59 N. #100New Caney, TX 77357

Trenton Dickey Student – Porter High SchoolLeland Fleming College Park Church of ChristLourdes Garcia Student – Caney Creek High SchoolAdam Gilliam Wal-Mart Distribution Center #7010Jake Gollihar Student – Splendora High SchoolJacque Gonzalez Student – Splendora High SchoolAmanda Hill Montgomery County District Attorney’s OfficeJames Loving Student – New Caney High SchoolMorgan O’Neal Student – Caney Creek High SchoolTroy Reynolds Peach Creek Elementary Principal, Splendora ISDMichael Sanders Wal-Mart Distribution Center #7010Gary Southard RisingStar P.E.O.P.L.E. ConceptsAnna Vidaurri The Friendship CenterClisty Vaden New Caney ISDHannah von Gonten Student – Porter High School

Sessions will continue monthly through April with graduation

at the May Chamber luncheon. Sessions will include Infra-structure, Education, Public Safety & Criminal Justice, Health & Human Services, Economic Development, Local/State & National Government, and an overview of the Chamber. For information about the program and how you can register for the 2012-2013 class contact the Chamber.

Leadership EMC ...continued

Chamber Connections is a publication of the

Community Chamber of Commerce of East

Montgomery County. Published monthly, it

is intended as a public service to Chamber

members. No part may be reprinted without

permission of the Chamber. Advertisements

do not reflect endorsements by the Chamber of any product or service.

Since I am a “D/C” type person what can I choose to emphasize that will get their attention? What can I listen for so I know what they are thinking about? If I can just behave in this way, it will be easier for us to communicate. It is a matter of choice!

When a “D” talks to an “S” emphasizing the support system is practical. A “D” can choose to wait for the “S” to talk and not interrupt, showing the “S” sincere inter-est. A “D” can help the “S” relax by being more personable.

When a “I” talks to a “C”, the “I” can emphasize common interests, which will make the “C” more comfortable talking.

“C”s have very high expectations, so the “I” needs to listen for these. “I”s find many things interesting, so if the “I” shows inter-est in the area of expertise of the “C”, they will find something to start talking about!

When an “S talks to a “D”, the “S” can emphasize what they could do together, because the “D” loves to do things! If the “S” listens for their drive, the “S” will get a sense of where the “D” is going. If the “S” will be sure to show the “D” results, the “D” will be more willing to slow down and notice the “S” so they can really talk!

When a “C” talks to an “I”, the “C” can tell the “I” that they like them. While the “C” finds this unnecessary, following

this rule sets the “I” at ease. The “C” can listen for a line of reasoning as the “I” tells a story, and then the “C” can choose to be more willing to listen a bit longer. The “I” will tell you amazing things when you least expect it!

At RISING STAR we offer business workshops, church seminars and couples’ enrichments that teach you how to en-hance your work force, your relationships, your marriages and parenting skills. When applied these communication skills can make your workplace and your home life much easier. Let us help you by calling RISING STAR at 832-231-6506 or visit our website at www.people-concepts.net.

Rising Star continued