A letter from the 2024 chair:It is my great honor to announce that Whitney Theriot, IOM, has been named the next President of the Temple Chamber of Commerce. Last Thursday, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to offer Whitney the position, and we are thrilled that she has accepted.
For the last few months, the Board has been holding virtual and in-person interviews for the position. We interviewed numerous candidates from all over the country. Ultimately, Whitney rose to the top due to her passion and love for Temple and the mission of the Chamber of Commerce. Whitney is a graduate of Texas A&M University where she studied Communication and Spanish. She started working at the Temple Chamber in February 2015. Since that time, she has held several positions including Director of Communications & Marketing and Vice President & COO. Because of this experience, Whitney has extensive knowledge of the business and membership of the Temple Chamber. She also holds a certificate from the United States Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organization Management. At the Chamber’s Salute to Business in January, I spoke about the Chamber’s resilience – its strength in the face of adversity which revealed the Chamber and the community’s capacity to adapt, grow, and thrive. Throughout the last few years and especially in recent months, Whitney has exhibited this type of resilience and strength. During this time of transition, Whitney and the rest of the Chamber staff have adapted and grown. We are incredibly grateful for their hard work and commitment. It is also necessary to recognize that Whitney is the first female Chamber of Commerce President in the Temple Chamber’s 117-year history. Over the last several years, we have seen a significant increase in woman-owned and woman-run businesses in our community and across the country. It is time for the Temple Chamber, the organization that assists all local businesses, to move forward with its first woman leader. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank our membership for your support of the Chamber, Whitney, and all the Chamber staff. We are working on your behalf, and we are excited to continue to do so under Whitney’s leadership. Whitney, thank you for being brave, bold, and resilient. You are going to do great things. Sincerely, Kayla Landeros 2024 Chair of the Board
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Temple Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Council Presents the State of Temple College Luncheon3/1/2024 In a dedicated effort to foster community engagement and promote educational awareness, the Temple Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the upcoming State of Temple College Public Policy Council luncheon in collaboration with Temple College. The event is Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Temple.
Join us for an enlightening luncheon where we will delve into the present state, transformative projects currently underway on the campus, and the future vision of Temple College. Our speaker is the President of Temple College, Dr. Christy Ponce, a dynamic leader in secondary education. Since its establishment in 1926, Temple College has stood as a cornerstone of educational excellence in our community. Committed to fostering academic achievement, community enrichment, and workforce development, Temple College plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our city and beyond. In alignment with its dedication to educational excellence, Temple College is undergoing transformative projects resulting from the 2021 Bond Election. These projects, collectively endorsed by voters, signify a monumental leap forward for the institution. The projects include: 1. Temple College Main Building:
Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the educational initiatives, achievements, and future of Temple College. Secure your spot by registering through the Chamber website. This event is open to all members and non-members of the Temple Chamber of Commerce interested in the educational landscape of Temple College. The Temple Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Council invites your participation in this event as we explore the State of Temple College with Dr. Christy Ponce. Together, let's celebrate the vital role that education plays in shaping the future of our community. Salute to Business, an annual event hosted by the Temple Chamber of Commerce, brought together around 400 business and community members on January 30, 2024, to acknowledge and celebrate community excellence, partnerships, growth, and development in the Temple community. The event began with Taste of Temple, a showcase of local eateries. Guests sampled featured dishes from 7 Mares Tacos Y Mariscos, Clem Mikeska’s Bar-B-Q, Holiday Inn Temple-Belton, Jimmy John’s, Mas Fajitas, Nami Japanese Steakhouse, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Whataburger. They also enjoyed music by Ray Palousek, a local pop, jazz, and R&B singer/songwriter and pianist who entertained during the reception. The evening continued with Whitney Theriot, Interim President of the Temple Chamber, welcoming guests and sharing a message of 2023 highlights for the organization. Followed by a keynote presentation by Patricia J. Sulak, M.D. Dr. Sulak is co-founder of Living WELL Aware, a renowned wellness educational program. She 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?", provided a fresh perspective to guests on a journey of well-being designed with the end in mind. “The data is clear and startling, health in the U.S. is declining despite extraordinary expenditure in prevention and treatment,” said Sulak. “Employers are spending major bucks on healthcare premiums and programs to elevate well-being with suboptimal return on investment.” Sulak explained that the critical first step, design with the end in mind, is not included. She used an analogy of building a house and hiring contractors without first having the final plans. “Our health is the most important construction project we will ever undertake. Our brain functions like a GPS system and needs a clear destination and an efficient route to get us there – that’s what Living Well Aware is all about,” said Sulak. Kayla Landeros, Partner at West, Webb, Allbritton & Gentry, PC, who serves as Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors, took the stage to share the vision of the Temple Chamber through 2024. She then presented Robert Jones of Cadence Bank with a soaring eagle statue and a print of the Santa Fe Depot –tokens of appreciation for his leadership and service as Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors in 2023. The Chamber also recognized major sponsors for Salute to Business including Platinum Sponsors City of Temple, Central National Bank, McLane Group, Wilsonart, Ludwick, Montgomery & Stapp. P.C., and Meta. As well as Diamond Sponsors Emerson Construction, Extraco Banks, Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors, and Temple Generating Station. Events such as Salute to Business are made possible with the help of The Ambassadors of the Temple Chamber, a volunteer council of Chamber members who assisted with set-up, guest check-in, and clean-up among other duties. “Chamber Ambassadors are such an essential part of everything the Chamber does,” said Bobbie Jo Young, Director of Membership Development for the Temple Chamber of Commerce. “We appreciate the time, dedication, and energy they bring to Chamber events big and small.” Salute to Business is held on the fourth Tuesday of each January. For details on how to participate in Salute to Business 2025, please contact the Temple Chamber of Commerce at 254-773-2105 or www.templechamber.com. |
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