Tag Archives: Volunteerism

February 2014 Word from the Chairman

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Annie Turner, Wells Fargo
2014 Chairman of the Board

Well the North San Antonio Chamber’s 40th Anniversary year is off to a wonderful start, and I want to thank all of our members, supporters and friends who joined us to mark the milestone at the 40th Annual Gala: Bailando España on February 1 at the JW Marriott. It was indeed a night of recognition, camaraderie and entertainment as I laid out the North Chamber’s goals to include a focus on veterans, workforce development, small business advancement, the millennial workforce and community collaboration. View the Chairman’s Vision for 2014

First, I’d like to thank our outgoing Chairman of the Board, Brad Rollins, President of Dahill, for his incredible leadership and years of support and stewardship of the North SA Chamber. Brad worked throughout 2013 to: encourage members to do business with one another; advance our leadership academy, Leadership Lab; promote social and digital marketing to elevate member visibility; and to advocate on behalf of our member businesses. View the Chairman’s Reflection on 2013

Moreover, programs like the Gala don’t just happen without our wonderful staff, volunteers and corporate support. I offer my thanks to North Chamber staff liaisons Chris Bugg and Wendy Thomas, and the entire Creative and Sales Teams for their attention to every detail. I know you’ll join me in thanking our top sponsors at Corporate Travel Planners, Dahill, eESI, Frost, Kaufman & Killen, Inc., Network Alliance, Security Service Federal Credit Union and Wells Fargo for their legacy of support.

Additionally, the Gala program included the presentation of the San Antonian Award to Security Service Chief Executive Officer, David Reynolds. Reynolds accepted the 2014 San Antonian Award, which is reserved for individuals whose business achievements, charitable and civic contributions transcend his or her industry, career and immediate community. The San Antonian honoree is the preeminent example of personal contribution of time, talent and treasure to one’s community.

Reynolds was recognized for his transformational leadership of the credit union and accomplishments including: a continued commitment to military service members; credit union expansion to include a diverse membership throughout the southwestern United States; record capital growth; and fostering a spirit of service across credit union employees in Texas, Colorado and Utah. Additionally, through Reynolds’ service on a number of industry and community boards, he has worked to improve the industry, quality of life in San Antonio and to advance higher education. I wish him well upon his retirement from the credit union in March, 2014. View the San Antonian Award Honoree video

Focus Issues & Volunteer Leadership
Furthermore, we inducted the 50-member 2014 North Chamber Executive Committee and Board of Directors, and the 24-member 2014 Lead SA Board of Directors. Directors offer financial oversight, programming strategy and monitor policy affecting your businesses, as well as financial leadership for our various events and programs. I want to recognize and thank the 2015 Chair-elect, Rob Killen of Kaufman & Killen, and all of the directors for assuming the responsibility of governance. I look forward to working with each of them.

Also, the North Chamber is proud to have the service of more than 20 event chairs and hundreds of volunteers who work on a number of event planning committees. You can learn more about each of our Focus Issue and Volunteers Leaders on the North SA Chamber website and how you can get involved on a committee that meets your interest area. Participation Opportunities

Be a part of it.
Over the last 40 years, the North SA Chamber has endeavored to keep San Antonio and Bexar County strong by advocating for business and education, recognizing deserving leaders, providing professional development and delivering opportunities to make results-oriented business-to-business connections.

I invite each of you to be a part of our 40-year legacy and join us in our efforts. We need your involvement more than ever. Thank you to our board, volunteers and members for all you do, and I look forward to working with you. View the 40th Annual Gala photo gallery

Methodist Hospital celebrates 50th anniversary

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Methodist50thLOGOMethodist Hospital celebrated its 50th anniversary with ceremonies honoring its employees, physicians and volunteers while community leaders recognized the pioneering role the hospital has played in the development of the South Texas Medical Center.

Methodist Hospital was chartered in 1955 as an independent hospital. The hospital began with 175 beds and 272 employees and has grown to 882 beds and more than 3,500 employees.

In 1995, it became the flagship facility of the Methodist Healthcare System. Today Methodist Healthcare is the largest provider of health care in South and Central Texas with 26 facilities including nine hospitals serving 90,000 inpatients and 390,000 outpatients annually.

During the ceremony, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff recalled the origins of the hospital in 1954 when business strategists led by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the Bexar County Medical Society learned the city was lacking in hospital beds and would not be able to handle a mass casualty situation or epidemic.  The Southwest Conference of the Methodist Church was approached to administer the hospital with ties to the church and an agreement was reached in 1955.

Within five years, land was donated and enough money was secured through donations and government grants to build a hospital using civil defense guidelines.  The hospital received national attention as the world’s first nuclear disaster-proof hospital with two floors underground to be used as a fallout shelter.

“It was important to these visionaries to find land for not just a single hospital, but for an entire medical complex,” said Judge Wolff.  “Our community will forever be indebted to the vision and bravery demonstrated by these individuals who stepped out in faith to build a thriving and successful medical complex.”  Today the biomedical field is the city’s leading employer and economic driver.  One of every five San Antonio employees works in the bioscience and health care industry.

“I’m in awe of the legacy of those leaders who came before me, those who had a vision for a Methodist hospital surrounded by enough land for development of a thriving medical center,” said Jaime Wesolowski, president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare System.

“We saw the visionary spirit again 20 years ago when leaders of the hospital decided that in the rapidly changing health care landscape, a single hospital might not fare very well,” continued Wesolowski.  “As a result, when Methodist Hospital became part of the Methodist Healthcare system, a family of hospitals was born, co-owned by HCA and a newly founded non-profit, Methodist Healthcare Ministries.  The Ministries shares our mission of Serving Humanity to Honor God. Receiving half the profits of MHS, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has become the largest non-profit source for community health care in San Antonio and South Texas directed to low income, under served clients ineligible for any medical assistance program.”  The Ministries contributed $72 million to providing 800,000 client encounters in 2012.

During the ceremonies, the longest tenured employees were introduced along with pioneering physicians and long-time members of the Blue Bird volunteer auxiliary.  These employees were Ian Shawcross, 46 years of service; Nancy Burrell, R.N., 43 years, Norbert Cantu, 43 years, Janie Ochoa, 42 years, and Oralia Martinez, 42 years. Also recognized were James Pridgen, M.D., who performed the first surgery at the hospital.  Charter members of the Blue Bird auxiliary receiving recognition were Karen Paterson, Connie Benson, Maxine Haas and Barbara Ringen. All have been serving since 1963 and remain active today.

Hospital officials also opened a time capsule buried in 1988, the hospital’s 25th anniversary.  After the ceremony, the hospital honored physicians, staff and volunteers at a luncheon that featured memorabilia from the time capsule, hospital archives, and a cake designed as a replica of the original hospital building.

Archived footage of the ceremony can be viewed on http://www.livestream.com/nowcastsa and on the Methodist Healthcare YouTube channel: SAHealth210.

Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson to perform at the 2014 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo

By North SA Chamber Editor
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RodeoLogo_TMThe San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is pleased to announce the first two artists in their 2014 Rodeo lineup which is set to feature over two weeks of live entertainment from a variety of talented performers. The 2014 Stock Show & Rodeo will be held February 6-23rd at the AT&T Center/Freeman Coliseum Grounds. Saturday, February 8th, ground-breaking entertainer Tim McGraw will perform on the AT&T Center stage following both the 1:00 pm and 7:30 pm PRCA Rodeo performances. Regarded as one of the most successful and respected singer-songwriters in music, Alan Jackson will perform on Monday, February 10th following the 7:00 pm PRCA Rodeo.

In his record-shattering career, McGraw has sold over 40 million albums, and dominated the charts with 32 Number One singles. Since the release of his debut album in 1993, he has won three Grammys, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 12 Country Music Association Awards, and 10 American Music Awards, while simultaneously maintaining a parallel career as a successful actor in such films as The Blind Side, Country Strong, and Friday Night Lights—as well as hosting Saturday Night Live, a rare honor for a singer in any genre. McGraw has never been afraid of breaking new ground; over the years, he has collaborated with musicians from Nelly to Tony Bennett to Def Leppard and Ne-Yo.

Alan Jackson is in the elite company of Paul McCartney and John Lennon among songwriters who’ve written more than 20 songs that they’ve recorded and taken to the top of the charts.  Jackson is one of the 10 best-selling artists since the inception of SoundScan, ranking alongside the likes of Eminem and Metallica. Jackson has sold nearly 60 million albums worldwide, topped the country singles charts 35 times, and scored more than 50 Top-10 hits.  He has written or co-written 24 of his 35 #1 hit singles.  Jackson is an 18-time ACM Award winner, a 16-time CMA Award recipient, and a two-time Grammy-winning artist whose songwriting has earned him the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award and an induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame as a Songwriter/Artist inductee. Jackson’s most-recent release, The Bluegrass Album, is his 18th Top 5 country chart success.

Rodeo_barebackriderIndividual tickets for the PRCA Rodeo and concerts may be purchased online at sarodeo.com and ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-877-63-RODEO, at all Ticketmaster locations and at the AT&T Center Southwest box office beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 25, 2013.

Season tickets and Pro Rodeo ticket packages are available now! For details, visit www.sarodeo.com. To purchase, contact the Rodeo Ticket Office at 210-225-5851.

This year the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo committed $11.3 million to education. This amount represents scholarships, grants, endowments, junior livestock and western art auctions, a Calf Scramble program, and show premiums paid to youth in the state of Texas.  This brings the total amount that the Organization has committed since inception to over $134 million.

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is “a volunteer organization that emphasizes agriculture and education to develop the youth of Texas.” For complete information on the 2014 Stock Show & Rodeo, visit www.sarodeo.com.  Follow the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram!

LET’S RODEO SAN ANTONIO!

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Volunteer Spotlight: Lisa Lewis, CPS Energy – Social U Chair

By North SA Chamber Editor
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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERASOCIAL U CHAIR
Lisa Lewis
CPS Energy

About the Company: Lisa Lewis is Vice President of Corporate Communications & Media Relations for CPS Energy, the nation’s largest municipally owned energy utility providing both natural gas and electric service in and around the seventh-largest city in the nation. Lewis joined CPS Energy’s Marketing team in 2001, and manages internal and external communications, corporate responsibility, branding and social media. Before joining CPS Energy, Lisa worked in the advertising industry with service-industry clients from healthcare to transit.

About the Program: The Social Media Committee is working to deliver quality instruction in social and digital media marketing for non-profit and corporate marketing/PR tacticians, and small- to mid-sized business owners, executives and managers who utilize social media or are interested in trends and tactics and how they affect profitability. Social U is a social media university for savvy marketers and features instruction, discussion and networking among local thought, strategy and implementation leaders in social and digital media as well as an interactive social media experience on event day.

Personally Speaking: Lisa, who sits on the North SA Chamber board of directors, says, “Social U has created great interaction among communications professionals across our city.” Lisa says she enjoys the discussion at events and committee meetings, “I have the pleasure of working with great communicators: lifelong pros, bright young hotshots, brand experts – among the volunteers and the Chamber staff.” Lisa explains that most marketers are still learning when it comes to digital and social media, and she says, “Social U is a great forum for this type of professional education.”

TMI appoints new board members

By North SA Chamber Editor
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TMI 120 logo COLORTwo new members have joined the Board of Governors at TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas.

TMI_Patrick_GarciaPatrick R. Garcia, a member of the school’s class of 1972, is president of Division Laundry and Cleaners. A previous president of the TMI Alumni Council (now Association), he is a member of the board of the St. Mary’s University Alumni Association; serves on the steering committee of the Citizens’ Bond Committee of Northside Independent School District; and as an alternate member representing industries on the Region L, South Texas Regional Water Planning Group. Garcia is also a member and former chairman of the Water Resources Committee of the San Antonio Manufacturers Association. A longtime advisory director of Frost National Bank, he previously has served on the boards of Santa Rosa Long-term Care Hospital and the Incarnate Word Retirement community and held numerous committee positions with San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS). Garcia earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from St. Mary’s University.

TMI_Daryl_LansdalDaryl L. Lansdale Jr., the parent of two TMI students, is partner-in-charge of the San Antonio office of Norton Rose Fulbright and head of its Corporate and Securities practice. He is experienced in mergers and acquisition, securities offerings, conducting internal investigations and advising directors on corporate governance and fiduciary duty issues.  He is a member of KLRN-TV’s Alamo Public Telecommunications Council Board of Directors and on the board of The First Tee of Greater San Antonio, an organization that provides educational programs to promote healthy choices through the game of golf. He also is a past president of St. Mary’s University’s Forum on Entrepreneurship. Lansdale earned a B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a J.D. from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law.

Other TMI Board of Governors members are: Michael R. Amini, Tom C. Frost, Patrick R. Garcia, Robert Jalnos, Lisa Cooper McCutcheon, Jeffrey W. Miller, Marc A. Notzon, J. David Oppenheimer and Richard W. Smith Jr. The Rt. Rev. Gary R. Lillibridge, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, serves as chairman of the board, and Stephen E. Walker is executive chairman. Retired Maj. Gen. James M. Lyle, president of the school’s board of trustees, and John W. Cooper, Ph.D., headmaster, serve as ex-officio members.

Members of TMI’s Board of Governors preserve the mission and purpose of the school. They determine, monitor and strengthen the school’s programs and services; and provide financial oversight, effective organizational planning and adequate resources to fulfill the mission.

Throughout the 2013-2014 school year, TMI is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its founding in 1893. The flagship school of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, TMI is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory school for grades 6-12, with optional Junior ROTC and boarding programs. For information, visit www.tmi-sa.org or call 698-7171.

Volunteer Spotlight: Enterprising Women’s Conference (EWC) Chair – Lisa Kopecky, eESI

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Kopecky_LisaAbout the Company: San Antonio-based eESI is an accredited PEO (Professional Employer Organization) providing human resources, payroll, benefits and risk management services to its clients throughout the nation. Lisa is responsible for eESI’s service operations and driving client satisfaction by leading their diverse team of industry professionals in identifying client needs and developing solutions for their ever-changing business environment.

About the Program: The Enterprising Women’s Conference (EWC) is a full-day leadership and professional development conference that provides a powerful learning environment with informational keynote speakers and breakout sessions and strategic networking opportunities. In partnership with the national ATHENA Foundation, the North Chamber is the exclusive local host organization for the presentation of the ATHENA Leadership Awards® Program that credits rising stars, seasoned professionals and model organizations for achievement, community service and leadership cultivation with the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, ATHENA Leadership Award and ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award.

Personally Speaking: Lisa has been involved with the North Chamber for two years – attending Networking Breakfasts and recently graduating from Leadership Lab. She says, “The North Chamber has been instrumental in helping the business community gain access to resources and information necessary for their growth and development. The North Chamber is eESI’s chamber of choice because of their events, civic involvement and demonstrated leadership and commitment to San Antonio enterprise.”

Infrastructure Committee Chair: Jim Koenig #Jacobs

By North SA Chamber Editor
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180x150-JacobsOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAbout the Company: Jacobs is a multidiscipline architecture/engineering firm with more than 60,000 employees worldwide. The firm’s 65-person San Antonio office provides professional services including Global Building (vertical building), Water Infrastructure Programs (public works projects, environmental services), Transportation Programs (highways, airports, railways), Site Civil (commercial, mixed-use, residential), Urban Design & Planning (master planning, landscape, urban planning), Construction Management and Inspection and Survey.

About the Program: This committee reviews transportation and infrastructure planning, construction and maintenance issues, as well as the political and financial issues relating to these improvements. A guest speaker presents on a related topic followed by a report by each public agency present.

Personally Speaking: Jim has been an active North SA Chamber volunteer for over nine years and has served on the board for six years. Jim says, “The North Chamber is a great venue for business networking and establishing meaningful and long lasting personal business relationship

Leadership Lab Alumni Association Chair: Karen Guz #SAWS

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Guz_KarenAbout the Company: The mission of San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is to provide secure affordable water services for their customers. Since the formation of SAWS, San Antonio has been recognized nationally for its novel conservation efforts and proactive water management planning, making San Antonio water’s most resourceful city. As the Conservation Director for SAWS Karen leads a team that assures efficient use of our water resources through programs that engage people in their homes and businesses.

About the Program: The Leadership Lab Alumni Association is an unincorporated affiliate of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and serves the alumni of the North SA Chamber Leadership Lab program by supporting and fostering the relationships developed by participation in Lab; providing alumni ongoing opportunities for leadership development and the establishment of new business and personal relationships; providing support and resources to Lab participants and to association members; enhancing the image and visibility of Lab and alumni in the community; and marketing association members to other business members of the Chamber.

Personally Speaking: Karen says, “The North Chamber has the capacity to bring together an enormous variety of business and community leaders who share a vision of a thriving and vibrant community. North Chamber working groups and events provide opportunities for individual professional growth, but also enhance community economic opportunities.”

Facts about #Alzheimers disease and how you can help create a world without it

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Alz Assn LOGOAlzheimer’s disease is the nation‘s largest underfunded public health threat.

Currently, there are no survivors of Alzheimer‘s disease.

Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.

Alzheimer’s disease kills more Americans than diabetes, and more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

Alzheimer’s disease is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression.

While age is the greatest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease is not normal aging.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research.

Alzheimer’s research offers genuine, tangible hope.

The Alzheimer’s Association invites you to participate in our effort to improve the lives of people with dementia and create a world without Alzheimer’s disease:

  • Become an advocate.
  • Make a donation.
  • Volunteer your time.

Alzheimer’s Educational Symposium
Thursday, November 7, 2013
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Oblate School of Theology

Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Saturday, September 21, 2013
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
AT&T Center

For more information, call 1-800-272-3900 or 210-822-6449

Membership Committee Chair: Scott Kopecky, Akin, Doherty, Klein & Feuge, P.C.

By North SA Chamber Editor
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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAABOUT THE COMPANY: Akin, Doherty, Klein & Feuge, P.C. was founded in 1991 with four professionals and a dedication to personal service to their clients. Today, the firm employs more than 40 professionals, and they believe that tremendous growth is largely the result of each partner being directly engaged with their clients. The partners and staff of Akin, Doherty, Klein & Feuge, P.C. are committed to maintaining current knowledge of their clients’ business and personal needs by being available throughout the year to discuss and review matters. Scott joined the firm in 1997 with specialties in estate, gift and closely held businesses, as well as experience in individual and estate taxation and planning.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM: Membership Committee volunteers address the issues of new member engagement and involvement, as well as retention by welcoming and orienting new members by phone/email and greeting/hosting new members at monthly Networking Breakfasts.

PERSONALLY SPEAKING: Scott says, “The North Chamber has been a great resource for us to network with other business professionals in the San Antonio area. The Chamber is also invaluable in the information it provides its members on current events and issues facing business owners in the San Antonio area.”