Join Committees
Our Members are the BEST!
Get Involved and Find Out WHY!
We invite you to be part of our exceptional membership! Complete the application in this publication, attend the events, and get to know our members! The benefits to you and your business will amaze you!
The East End Chamber has 13 very active committees that carry out the Program of Work as set forth by the Board of Directors. All members are invited to participate on one or more committees – participation builds relationships and your business!
o Ambassadors Committee – Chair- Joseph Gonzalez, Tradition Energy - This is the Public Relations Division of the Chamber with committee members attending ribbon cuttings, chamber breakfasts, luncheons, after hours and special events. Members also visit members on a regular basis to insure membership retention.
o Awards Dinner Committee – Chair- Art Flanagan, HUB International Rigg--Committee will plan the 15th Awards Gala to be held fall 2010.
o Crime Awareness Committee—Chair Larry Lipton, The Lipton Agency/Allstate Insurance – Committee partners with law enforcement agencies to share information to deter crime and to enhance response to crime that may occur. Committee hosts an “Officer of the Month Program” to recognize law enforcement agents.
o Committee will host Salute to Law Enforcement - spring 2010 at Gulfgate Center to recognize law enforcement and enhance relationships between officers and residents.
o Economic Development -Committees will assist the Chamber in its pursuit of new business and also work with existing business to develop financial incentive programs to assist with expansion in cooperation with the State of Texas, City, County and other key partners. Participation is limited and based on industry specific criteria. Subcommittees:
o Business Retention & Expansion – Chair, Bill Banta, CenterPoint Energy - identify and visit East End major companies eligible for Enterprise Zone designation and the potential to expand and create jobs. By Appointment only.
o East End Banking & Real Estate Consortium – Co-Chairs – Mark McCullough – Whitney Bank and Aron Grenader, First Houston Properties - Committee made up of members banks and real estate developers to identify “shared financing” programs to spur development in the East End.
o Economic Incentives Committee – Co-Chairs, Patti Joiner, Knudson Services & Ernie Cockrell, Cockrell Interests - Identify catalytic sites for commercial and residential development, develop partnerships to produce land use, drill down and other studies.
o Special District Committee - Lobby for planned land use improvements along the Harrisburg/Buffalo Bayou Corridor and surrounding areas and identify potential tax incentives to attract developers to the area.
o Education—Committee assists in the ongoing development of the Engineering Academy at Chavez High School and the Maritime Academy at Austin High School, in addition to partnering with Houston Community College and the University of Houston on workforce training programs.
o National Academy of Engineering Advisory Council—Chair—Simone Arends, LyondellBasell - Committee actively participates in the Project Lead the Way Engineering Curriculum at Chavez High School, hosting parent/student dinners, rewards, scholarship and intern programs. Membership is limited to 25 with priority given to businesses supporting internships and scholarship funding.
o Golf Tournament Committee— Chair, John Ryan, Alexander/Ryan Marine & Safety Co. - Committee will host the 2010 Annual Golf Tournament.
o Government & Public Affairs Committee-Chair Roy Zermeno, AT&T - Committee plans and facilitates East End Day with the State, County and City. The committee will also assist with communication and understanding of legislative issues.
o Infrastructure – Chair – Rachel de Cordova, Royston, Rayzor and Bryan Gay, ESE Partners – Committee partners with public agencies and elected officials to identify infrastructure improvements in the East End.
o Rail Subcommittee – Chair - Rachel de Cordova, Royston, Razor - Sub-committee will assist with the progress and development of METRO’s East End Rail line, freight rail issues and other transportation improvement projects in the East End.
o International Trade – Chair – Steve Stewart, Gulf Winds International
o Logistics & Warehouse Incentive Committee - Committee made up of Port-related businesses to identify tax
incentives that promote logistics and warehousing distribution to increase trade development.
o International Breakfast Series – Host breakfast forum (as needed) on global trade development opportunities.
o Membership Committee—Co-Chairs--Joseph Gonzalez, Tradition Energy; Jim McNutt, Comerica Bank - This premier committee works to recruit new regular, corporate members and assists new members in becoming active. Special incentives will be rewarded to top performers. Limited opportunities – sign up early!
o Scholarship Committee—Co-Chairs - Lori Rumfield, Cossaboom Family YMCA; Art Flanagan, HUB International Rigg Committee distributes scholarship applications to area high schools and selects recipients from submitted applications providing scholarships to East End students.