Category Archives: Chairman’s Council Spotlight

Security Service FCU breaks ground on new location at Rolling Oaks

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Security Services Federal Credit UnionSecurity Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) has broken ground on a new branch, moving its Rolling Oaks Mall location to a freestanding SSFCU pad site in close proximity to the mall. The new branch, located at 6907 North Loop 1604 E, is expected to open in 1Q 2015 and features 4,800 square feet of interior space with seven private offices, safety deposit boxes, four drive thru lanes and a drive up ATM.

SSFCU exteriorJohn M. Neugebauer is the architect on the project. Jordan Foster Construction is general contractor.

“Developing this new branch allows us to provide greater visibility and easier access, as well as bring to members the added convenience of drive thru lanes and a drive up ATM,” said John Worthington, SSFCU’s executive vice president. “A continuation of our commitment to our members and community, this expanded location has been designed with their needs and expectations in mind and will offer the broad range of products and services they expect from Security Service.”

SSFCU has 70 branches in Texas, Utah and Colorado; 24 are in San Antonio.

About Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with $8 billion in assets and 70 locations in Texas, Colorado and Utah. The credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-800-52-SSFCU.

A word from Stewart Title’s Thomas Newburn

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Commercial real estate in San Antonio is bustling. Demand has steadily increased, inventory has tightened, and the prospects for the future are bright. And, as builders speed ahead to provide San Antonio with the additional commercial space it needs, our Stewart Title® Commercial Services experts and underwriters are in place to ensure a smooth ride.

Title services are typically provided behind the scenes, but are an extremely critical component of commercial transactions. Title insurance protects real estate owners and lenders against any property loss or damage they might experience because of liens, encumbrances or defects in the title to the property. We find that over half of all real estate transactions have a problem somewhere in the chain of title, and assist in taking corrective action to enable the transactions to go through and allow our customers to have peace of mind. Imagine the financial repercussions of constructing a state-of-the-art warehouse that encroaches on property owned by another party. Having meticulous research and agents experienced in industry practices and potential pitfalls can truly make or break a deal.

Professionals at Stewart Title Commercial Services have been serving the commercial market for decades. Our team is designed to provide personalized service and simplicity. We offer a single point of contact for all transaction issues from concept to closing. So although there is one person responsible for the entire transaction for each Stewart client, they have access to support from Stewart’s vast global network to navigate the most complex issues as they work to provide title information, settlement solutions and underwriting for multistate, multisite and multinational transactions.

Having spent most of my career in the commercial real estate industry here in San Antonio, I’m extremely proud to see the growth here and to be a part of it. And, on behalf of Stewart Title Commercial Services, we are here to help support your next commercial transaction and ensure you’re building on a solid foundation.

Thomas Newburn
Business Development Officer
Stewart Title Commercial Services

For more information, visit http://www.stewart.com/commercial
or email Tom Newburn at thomas.newburn@stewart.com
call / text him at 713.410.1099 Cell
713.625.8000 Main

1980 Post Oak Blvd. Suite 610
Houston, Texas 77056

Generations Federal Credit Union opens two additional branches in area H-E-B stores

By North SA Chamber Editor
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generations fcu logoDue to the success of its current five partnership locations, Generations Federal Credit Union has announced it has opened two additional branches in area H-E-B Grocery stores located at 9900 Wurzbach (IH-10 at Wurzbach) and 10660 West FM 471 (1604 and Culebra).  The 74-year-old credit union will celebrate the Grand Opening of the Wurzbach branch on Thursday, July 24 and the Culebra Branch Grand Opening on Thursday, July 31.  Mix 96.1’s Russell Rush will be on hand at both events to keep the festivities going.

“For today’s consumer, banking is all about convenience and access. To remain relevant in today’s competitive environment, financial institutions must meet and exceed those needs,” said Christine Voigt, Chief Operations Officer at Generations Federal Credit Union.  “Partnering with H-E-B on our current locations has surpassed our expectations and projections. Not only are the branches turn-key in comparison to stand-alone branches, but they also allow us to directly connect with our members where they live and work.”

At the grand opening events, Generations will be giving away a total of eight (8) HEB gift cards worth $1,800 each.  To be eligible to win, participants must visit one of these two new branches, open a consumer or business checking account, or mail an entry.  The promotion will run until Thursday, July 31 and additional information and official sweepstakes rules are available here.

All Generations H-E-B retail locations are full-service branches where members and potential members can open accounts, request debit cards and apply for loans, among other services.

Branch hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Bexar County, as well as family of current members, are eligible for membership.

“Generations takes a very tailored approach to banking; we have never subscribed to the one-size fits all theory when it comes to financial services. Whether it’s personalized service or customized products, we believe that making a difference daily in the lives of our members means going above and beyond, every time, every day,” concluded Voigt.

About Generations FCU
For nearly 75 years, Generations Federal Credit Union has been an advocate of financial growth and development within the community, offering award-winning financial education classes, as well as products and services that truly make a difference.  Generations strives to be a trusted advisor, offering personal attention that provides members with the financial skills they need to be successful.  Their tailored approach to banking enables them to deliver personalized service for both businesses and consumers.

New options to save energy and money this summer from CPS Energy

By North SA Chamber Editor
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cps energy logoWe all know it’s going to be a hot summer, but an El Nino weather pattern could potentially bring even warmer than normal temperatures to the area. Combine that with natural with gas prices that remain high following the harsh winter, and you’re looking at higher than average summer energy bills.

Luckily, CPS Energy has expanded its demand response programs, including new ones that work with window units as well as central air conditioning systems. They help customers lower their bills and help the utility use less power when it’s most expensive (and that keeps costs down for all of us).

The average residential customer is expected to use 1,572 kilowatt hours of electricity per month from June through September, resulting in a bill of $174.37. That’s up about $21 from average bills from the previous summer.

That potential increase means there’s a strong need for energy conservation, said Executive Vice President Jelynne LeBlanc Burley, “so we’re doing everything possible to help our customers lower the amount of energy they’re buying. It gives them a smaller bill and reduces demand on the state grid.

“We have everything from an average of $5,000 of free weatherization improvements for qualifying customers to a kit that allows customers to program their window AC units. We’ve also added rebates for the popular Nest Learning Thermostat™,” she added.

Customers can decrease the amount of energy they use and buy through a number of energy efficient options, including:

  • Casa Verde weatherization program (free) – average of $5,000 in improvements decreases average bill by $27
  • Friedrich’s Kühl Window AC unit – programmable unit to manage temperature settings
  • Nest Learning Thermostat™ – learns temperature preferences and programs itself allowing customer to manage temperature with a smart phone or computer
  • Home Manager (free) – saves an average of 10 percent by allowing customer to manage central AC, electric water heater and pool pump with a computer, smart phone or tablet
  • Smart Thermostat (free) – Honeywell programmable thermostat allows customer to manage temperature using computer or laptop
  • Cool Energy Program smartAC kit (free) – wireless smart plug for existing window AC allows customer to manage temperature with a smart phone or computer.

Most of those are part of CPS Energy’s Demand Response programs, which allows CPS Energy to briefly bump up your thermostat a couple degrees on the hottest summer afternoons, when demand peaks. Customers receive a credit on their bill at the end of the season, which goes through September, for participating.

Customers also can take advantage of rebates for air duct systems, refrigerators, AC units, solar systems and more by visiting cpsenergysavers.com. Energy efficiency tips such as setting a thermostat between 78 – 80 degrees and raising the temperature several degrees when leaving a home for several hours are more ways to save.

Families experiencing financial hardships and military veterans burned during service can get bill assistance through a variety of programs. CPS Energy commits a minimum of $1 million annually to the Residential Energy Assistance Program (REAP). Last year, customers partnering with their energy provider contributed more than $200,000 to assist local neighbors in need.

 

Get sweaty! Gold’s Gym Summer SweatFest continues

By North SA Chamber Editor
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180x150-GoldsGymGold’s Gym continues their summer SweatFest even as temperatures rise. Come meet fellow San Antonians at this summer’s hottest, FREE workout series! Like your favorite Gold’s Gym on Facebook to hear the latest #SWEATFEST scoop. Workouts take place every Saturday from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Remaining locations are below.

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Life of a volunteer puppy raiser

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Lori Wadsworth and ElectraMy name is Lori Wadsworth, and I’m a Puppy Raiser for Guide Dogs of Texas. My puppy’s name is Electra, and she turned a year old on April 9, 2014. She was 8.5 weeks old when I brought her home. The “E” litter is super smart and caught on quickly from the very start. My goal in raising Electra is to do the very best that I can in obedience training, play sessions, free run sessions, and training walks in order for her to move up into Advanced Training.  Even though it will be really hard to give her up, I am excited about her future career.

Electra goes everywhere with me:  the grocery store, library, nail salon, hair salon, doctor’s office, Starbucks, church, and the list goes on and on.  We Guide Dogs of Texas logotry to schedule play dates as well at Guide Dogs of Texas with her brother, Eddie, who has the same energy level as my little Electra.  When she isn’t working or walking (which are her two very favorite things to do), she is allowed to be just a regular, well-behaved dog. We are not without our challenges, but she is maturing rapidly and thus our challenges are much fewer now.

There are many things I love about being a Puppy Raiser, but the things I love most are watching her get so excited when I ask her if she’s ready to walk or go to work and the fact that we go everywhere together. Puppy Raising requires a lot of time and patience (with the dog and yourself), but it is so rewarding. Electra is my first pup, but she will definitely not be my last. Puppy Raisers have an excellent support system as help is only a text, email, or phone call away. I would highly encourage anyone with a love for animals and the willingness to make a huge, but overwhelmingly satisfying, commitment to be a Puppy Raiser.

Here at Guide Dogs of Texas, every puppy holds the promise of being someone’s eyes.   The dedication of our volunteer Puppy Raisers and the many hours they put into the puppies builds a strong foundation for the puppies’ future.   Would you like to be involved in Puppy Raising?

If you would like to help by donating or volunteering your time to this great local organization please contact our office at 210.366.4081 or visit our website at www.GuideDogsofTexas.org.  No joy can equal the joy serving others and we at Guide Dogs of Texas know that “Volunteering is a work of Heart”!

Another way to help is recently we added “Donate a Car for a cause” to our website.  Go to this link to learn more: http://www.donatecarusa.com/charities/guide-dogs-of-texas/landing

 

 

 

Seaworld’s 50th celebration continues with a brand new Fourth of July fireworks display

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SeaWorld logoSeaWorld San Antonio continues its 50th Celebration this Independence Day weekend by treating guests to a colorful new fireworks display at the park’s Ski Lake on July 4 and 5 at 9:45 p.m. This stunning mix of pyrotechnics is set to an all-new musical score featuring ten times more fireworks compared to last year’s display.

SeaWorld has rolled out several compelling offers for guests to see the new fireworks show, including an online discount of up to a $25 savings on a single-day admission. Guests can add Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark, to their ticket to complete their star-spangled weekend.  For specific dates and times, guests can call (800) 700-7786 or visit seaworld.com.

Seaworld_fireworksIn keeping with the spirit of Independence Day, SeaWorld® San Antonio will offer guests the 4th of July Fireworks Picnic at Penguin Plaza on July 4 and 5. This includes an exclusive all-you-care-to-eat buffet. The picnic begins at 7:15 p.m. for $44.99 plus tax for adults and $39.99 plus tax for children ages 3-9; children under 3 eat free. The Fireworks Picnic includes reserved seating on a private lakefront area and a complimentary towel with each adult purchase. Adults and children of all ages require a reservation, which can be done online at seaworld.com or by calling (800) 700-7786. SeaWorld® Annual Pass Members and their dependents receive a 20% discount off the price. Park admission is required, but not included.

SeaWorld will offer a Family Picnicat Ports of Call on July 4 and 5. Guests can pick a spot at any picnic table under the covered pavilions and help themselves to the park’s chef-prepared buffet of roasted chicken, sausage, pulled pork and a variety of sides. The picnic begins at 11:30 a.m. for $12.99 plus tax for adults and $7.99 plus tax for children ages 3-9; children under 3 eat free. Reservations can be made at seaworld.com or by calling (800) 700-7786.

SeaWorld will also offer reserved seating with the 4th of July VIP Seating. Guests interested in reserved seating at Ski Stadium on July 4 can visit seaworld.com or call (800) 700-7786. Package cost is $24.99 plus tax for ages 3 and up, and guests will receive a souvenir sports bottle, one (1) complimentary drink refill and a glow sword. Park admission is required, but not included.

SeaWorld® San Antonio will open at 9 a.m. on July 4 and 5 and will close at 10 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at approximately 9:45 p.m. at the park’s Ski Lake.

The holiday weekend is also a perfect time for active-duty military members to enjoy SeaWorld San Antonio free of charge under the Waves of Honor™ program. Waves of Honor provides the service member one complimentary admission per year to any one of the SeaWorld® or Busch Gardens® Parks, Sesame Place®, Adventure Island® ,Water Country USA® or Aquatica® San Diego (weekdays only).  This special offer also extends to as many as three of his or her direct dependents. For more information and eligibility requirements, visit wavesofhonor.com.

About SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment inspires millions, through the power of entertainment, to celebrate, connect with and care for the natural world. The Company has been creating innovative entertainment experiences that blend imagination with nature for more than 50 years and is best known for its 11 U.S. theme parks, attractions that include the beloved SeaWorld®, Busch Gardens® and Sesame Place® brands. The parks offer guests a variety of up-close experiences, from animal encounters that invite exploration and appreciation of the natural world, to thrilling rides and spectacular shows. In 2011 SeaWorldParks & Entertainment began expanding its popular brands into media and entertainment platforms to connect people to nature and animals through movies, television, and digital media; plus began developing new lines of licensed consumer products.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The Company maintains one of the largest animal collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of species in zoological facilities and in the conservation of wild populations. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment also operates one of the world’s most respected programs to rescue, rehabilitate and return to the ocean marine animals that are ill, injured and orphaned. The SeaWorld® rescue team has helped more than 22,000 animals in need over the last four decades.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment employs more than 21,000 people nationwide.

SWBC Real Estate purchases land in Flower Mound for multi-family development

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180x150-SWBCSWBC Real Estate, LLC, announced that it recently purchased nearly 11 acres of land located within The River Walk at Central Park – a master-planned, mixed-use community in Flower Mound, Texas. The company plans to break ground on a 357-Unit Class A multi-family property in July of 2014.

Riverwalk Village will be comprised of 357 rental units, in 12 streetscape-style apartment buildings, constructed of stucco and brick veneer exteriors. The average unit size will be 857 square feet with one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units.  Stylish interior features include nine-foot ceilings, walk-in closets and storage, crown molding in formal living areas, stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops. Tenants will enjoy a first-class clubhouse with a resort-style pool and spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, direct access or detached garages, a private entrance gate system, and waterfall and river walk views.

“Only one multi-family property has been built in the past 12 years in Flower Mound,” said Stuart Smith, SVP, SWBC Real Estate. “With its location in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and easy access to major thoroughfares, Riverwalk Village will attract tenants looking for first-class amenities in close proximity to numerous retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues that are being built in The River Walk at Central Park community.”

SWBC Builders, LLC, an entity of SWBC Real Estate, will be the general contractor for the project. The proposed total construction time for Riverwalk Village from start to finish is 20 months. In addition to this project, SWBC Real Estate is currently developing two other multi-family projects – Overlook Ranch in Fort Worth and Twin Creeks at Alamo Ranch in San Antonio.

About SWBC Real Estate
SWBC Real Estate, LLC (www.swbcrealestate.com) is owned by SWBC Enterprises, Ltd. SWBC Real Estate is managed by an experienced team of real estate professionals located in Dallas, Texas, with a primary focus in multi-family development. SWBC Enterprises, Ltd. is owned by Charlie Amato and Gary Dudley, co-founders of SWBC. SWBC is a diversified financial services company providing a wide range of insurance, mortgage, and investment services to financial institutions, businesses, and individuals. With offices across the country, SWBC is committed to providing quality products, outstanding service, and customized solutions in all 50 states. SWBC was named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work for in Texas” in 2012, 2013, and 2014. For more information, visit www.swbc.com

Global data center solutions provider CyrusOne launches new CyrusOne solutions product for large-scale customers

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Cyrus One logoGlobal data center solutions provider CyrusOne announced the launch of the CyrusOne Solutions product line, created in response to the growing customer demand for large-scale and innovative build-to-suit deployments. CyrusOne Solutions offers customers the flexibility to engineer larger-scale data center solutions at a range of power densities and resiliency levels with robust connectivity options to meet their specific business requirements.

“CyrusOne Solutions meets demand for custom deployments ranging from 30,000 square feet of raised floor space up to an entire greenfield data center build,” said Kevin Timmons, chief technology officer at CyrusOne. “A growing number of customers have come to associate the CyrusOne brand with a high-level technological prowess at this scale. For example, we created our geophysical computing center of excellence in Houston with an ultra-high-density infrastructure that supports up to 900 watts per square foot, and we recently deployed a large data center environment in our Phoenix facility for a customer that uses liquid submersion technology. There are many other ways CyrusOne Solutions can help customers who need creative solutions to meet their data center needs for large-scale deployments of mission-critical gear. We’re just getting started.

CyrusOne Solutions is a custom option for companies needing expert help with facilities that can house their mission-critical IT assets. Customers can use their own custom design or work with CyrusOne’s experienced design team to build a solution that’s tailor-made to a company’s specific current and future requirements. CyrusOne Solutions includes quality planning and design to optimize space, power, cooling, and connectivity for current and future needs. Customers can choose from various cooling system options, a range of power-density choices, and robust connectivity options.

Delivering Best-in-Class Enterprise Facilities, Connectivity, and Open-IX Certification
CyrusOne specializes in highly reliable enterprise data center services and colocation solutions, and it engineers its facilities to include the power-density infrastructure required to deliver excellent availability, including an available highest possible power redundancy (2N) architecture.

Customers have access to the CyrusOne National IX, which marries low-cost robust connectivity with the massively scaled data centers that the company is known for by creating the first-ever data center platform that virtually links a dozen of CyrusOne’s enterprise facilities in multiple metropolitan markets.

The CyrusOne National IX, coupled with the company’s multiple dispersed locations and available 100 percent uptime, enables Fortune 1000 enterprises to implement cost-effective, multi-location data center platforms that can help meet their internal disaster recovery requirements and applicable regulatory or industry-specific requirements such as Sarbanes Oxley, HIPAA, and PCI.

CyrusOne was also recently the first to receive multi-site data center certification from the Open-IX (OIX) Association. The OIX Association has a mandate to promote resilient interconnection in hub cities to facilitate a more resilient Internet.

With 25 carrier-neutral data center facilities across the United States, Europe, and Asia, CyrusOne provides customers with the flexibility and scale to match their specific growth needs. The company is renowned for exceptional service and for building enduring customer relationships and high customer satisfaction levels. CyrusOne’s more than 630 customers include nine of the Fortune 20 companies and more than 135 of the Fortune 1000.

For more information about CyrusOne, call 1-855-908-3662 or visit www.cyrusone.com. Connect with us on Google Plus, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

About CyrusOne
CyrusOne (NASDAQ: CONE) specializes in highly reliable enterprise-class, carrier-neutral data center properties. The company provides mission-critical data center facilities that protect and ensure the continued operation of IT infrastructure for more than 630 customers, including nine of the Fortune 20 and more than 135 of the Fortune 1000 or equivalent-sized companies.

CyrusOne’s data center offerings provide the flexibility, reliability, and security that enterprise customers require and are delivered through a tailored, customer service-focused platform designed to foster long-

term relationships. CyrusOne’s National IX platform provides robust connectivity options to drive revenue, reduce expenses, and improve service quality for enterprises, content, and telecommunications companies. CyrusOne is committed to full transparency in communication, management, and service delivery throughout its 25 data centers worldwide.

School’s out for summer: Omni La Mansión del Rio debuts exclusive all access San Antonio package for families

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Omni HotelsSummer vacation is right around the corner, and to celebrate, San Antonio’s Omni La Mansión del Rio is rolling out the red carpet for both the young and the young at heart. The new All Access San Antonio Family Package offers families an exclusive opportunity to experience some of the top attractions in San Antonio while enjoying Omni La Mansión del Rio’s luxurious accommodations and signature service.

La Mansion ExteriorOmni La Mansión is the only hotel in San Antonio offering a package of this caliber, with guests receiving tickets to the city’s most renowned attractions – including the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum, the Texas Ranger Museum, Guinness World Records Museum, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure and Tomb Rider 3D – as part of the hotel’s unprecedented partnership with Phillips Entertainment Inc. Families will also enjoy one complimentary ticket per guest, per stay, to the Rio San Antonio River Cruise, a 35-minute narrated history of the famed San Antonio River Walk on which Omni La Mansión del Rio resides.

Kitchen Kids BackpackYounger guests will also celebrate the end of the school year in style with an Omni Sensational Kids backpack, their own activity agenda and a special sweet treat turndown consisting of cookies or brownies and milk. Meanwhile, parents (and their wallets) will appreciate the daily breakfast included for each registered guest along with valet parking for one vehicle daily.

The package is available now through the end of 2014. Rates for the All Access San Antonio Family Package start at $369 per night for a family of four, based on availability. For more information or to book your stay at Omni La Mansión del Rio, please call (210) 518-1000 or visit www.omnilamansion.com.

About Omni La del Rio
Situated on the tranquil River Walk in downtown San Antonio, the historic Omni La Mansión del Rio marries Spanish Colonial architecture and old-world charm with modern comforts.  Hallmarks of this authentic experience include 338 comfortably appointed guest rooms and suites, the award-winning Las Canarias restaurant, flexible meeting and event space and unparalleled service standards. For more information, call (800) 843-6664 or visit www.omnilamansion.com.