​The Temple Chamber of Commerce proudly presents Salute to Business 2024, our 117th Annual Dinner Meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at the Mayborn Convention Center in Temple, TX. Join us for an evening of networking, insight, and celebration.
 
The festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour featuring a Taste of Temple Reception, showcasing the culinary talents of local restaurants. Following this, dinner and a keynote presentation.
 
We are honored to welcome Patricia J. Sulak, M.D., co-founder of Living WELL Aware, a renowned wellness educational program. Dr. Sulak is a practicing physician, medical school professor, accomplished women’s health researcher, and national speaker. Her keynote presentation, titled "ILLNESS is Expensive. What Does It COST To Be HEALTHY?", delves into the critical intersection of health and its impact on individuals and organizations.
 
In a captivating and entertaining manner, Dr. Sulak will explore the financial implications of illness, emphasizing the costs associated with health and wellness. The business community faces significant challenges related to absenteeism, healthcare expenses, and the overall impact on team dynamics. Dr. Sulak's insights promise to unravel this complex web and provide a fresh perspective.
 
Wellness is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and Dr. Sulak will share her personal journey toward optimal well-being, addressing the effectiveness of investments in increasing our lifespan and healthspan. This life-changing presentation is not to be missed.
 
Beyond the enlightening keynote, the Salute to Business is a time to celebrate community excellence, partnerships, growth, and development in the greater Temple community. Join us in this festive gathering of business and community leaders.
 
To secure your spot at this impactful event, register now at templechamber.com or call the Temple Chamber of Commerce at (254) 773-2105.
 
For businesses seeking to elevate their visibility, sponsorship opportunities are still available for Temple Chamber Members. Contact Bobbie Jo Young at (254) 773-2105 to position your brand in front of an engaged audience of Temple business and community leaders at Salute to Business 2024. Don't miss this chance to showcase your support for community excellence and growth.

What better way to wind down the Fall 2023 semester than to put some elbow grease into improving the quality of life for one local East Temple resident. For their Fall project, the Leadership Temple Class of 23-24 recently teamed up with the City of Temple’s Department of Housing and Community Development to assist in completing the first of four home improvement projects funded by the city’s HARP Grant Program.
 
The HARP (Homeowner Assistance & Reconstruction Program) Grant was put in place to reconstruct homes for low-income clients whose dwellings are beyond repair. The other three grant recipients’ homes are on track to be completed later this year.

Nancy Glover, Director of the City of Temple Housing and Development Department, invited the Leadership Temple class to help with the final touches for the first home in East Temple completed on December 6, 2023. The students arrived in jeans and boots, ready and excited to help in any way possible.

After a brief tour and description of the program by Nancy, the group got to work. While some stayed indoors to dust, hang pictures, and set up a Christmas tree, others worked outside – weed eating, planting shrubs, cleaning windows, laying sod, and hanging Christmas lights. Yet another group made trips over to Temple Christian Outreach (St. Vincent de Paul) to load up furniture and bring it back to unload, furnishing the newly reconstructed home.

Other city employees also worked alongside the LT class, including Kirby Fiebig, Neighborhood Revitalization Manager, and Brittany Chopane, Grant Manager. The project took several hours, and when the group got back on the bus, they were a little tired, a little dirty…and a lot fulfilled.
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Leadership Temple is a 9-month program designed to provide current and future leaders of our community with education and insight into the way Temple and Central Texas work. Students receive an in-depth guide into what goes on behind-the-scenes in our City, County, and State departments, as well as learning about industries such as healthcare, social services, education, public safety, and economic development. The 23-24 Class will complete another group service project in Spring 2024. 

​Lisle Meeker has faithfully served as an Ambassador of the Temple Chamber of Commerce for over 15 years. His welcoming manner is felt instantly, from the first moment in his presence. Lisle has a knack for making others feel comfortable at Chamber events and he is always among the first to volunteer. Lisle is a 20-year Army veteran. He and his wife, Sandy, have been married for 24 years; they have six children, 22 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
 
Lisle is an independent consultant for Hooked on Health, Wellness Begins at Home, helping clients discover active wellness. He also serves on the board of Feed my Sheep and is Logistics Director on the board of Operation Feeding Temple.
 
For over 14 years, Lisle has served as a member of the Temple Breakfast Lions Club.  He has been a member of the Board of Directors - as Third, Second, and First Vice President, and has served as President for two terms. Every single year as a Lion, Lisle has received Perfect Attendance awards. He has also served as either Chairman or committee member on every service and/or fundraising project that his Club has been involved in.
 
During his tenure as Zone C-2 Chair, attendance at Zone meetings increased by an average of 20 attendees – for 3 consecutive years. Lisle was also the 2013-2014 and 2016-2017 Club Lion of the Year Award Recipient.  He was District Governor for 2018-2019 and is currently the District Trustee for the Texas Lions Foundation.  Lisle and his wife, Sandy (also a Lion), are members of the Texas Lions Camp Century Club.
 
As an Ambassador for the Temple Chamber, Lisle is always reliable and generous. He is knowledgeable and passionate when it comes to Temple and is a fierce advocate for supporting local business.
 
Lisle is also known for giving the “scissors tutorial” to our members before they cut the ribbon at business celebrations – making sure they know the scissors are very heavy and very sharp. As a friend, Lisle is one that can always be counted on, sharing his caring soul with all those around him.
 
As a businessman, Lisle’s keen insight and extensive connections make him a valuable resource to the local business community. As an Ambassador, he is a key element in representing what the Chamber is all about. The Temple Chamber staff and Board of Directors could not be more grateful to have Lisle on our team.