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Chamber Award
The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce’s new $4.3 million headquarters has earned a LEED certification at the gold level, and the designation is generating national attention for the economic and community development organization and for Waco.
The chamber’s building is the first in Greater Waco to be designed and constructed to meet the stringent guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council. It also is the first chamber building in America to be LEED-certified.
LEED, for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a designation conferred by the U.S. Green Building Council that assigns points for sustainability measures in buildings. For example, the Waco chamber building boasts a 1,400-square-foot living roof, reduces water use by up to 30 percent and consumers 22 percent less energy than a standard building.
The chamber will celebrate its LEED certification with a ceremony at 4 p.m. Oct. 28 at the chamber building, 101 S. Third St. A reception will follow until 6 p.m.
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Baylor Helps
As part of its commitment to students’ career development, Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business announced that it now provides personal career coaching services to MBA candidates in its Executive MBA programs, which are located in Dallas and Austin.
“The bottom line is that Baylor cares deeply about every student’s career development and success,” said Kenneth Buckley, Cox-Hawkins Director of Career Management at Baylor. “This is just one more asset we provide that enables our students to be positioned to lead and succeed.”
Baylor has chosen two nationally recognized executive coaching firms as partners in delivering this additional service to its Executive MBA students: World Class Coaches (www.worldclasscoaches.com) and DBM (www.dbm.com). Students are given the option to choose either firm for personal, customized coaching services and career development tools.
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Tax Notes
The state of Texas sold $5.5 billion in Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes for a record-low interest rate of 0.48 percent, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs announced.
That means Texas will have to pay only 0.48 percent interest on the short-term notes to distribute state funding to public schools early in the upcoming fiscal year and manage its cash flow between the start of the fiscal year and the arrival of tax revenues later in the year.
“We had an impressive sale and an excellent interest rate — the best Texas has ever had,” Combs said. “Buyers bid more than $28 billion to obtain a portion of the $5.5 billion in notes Texas offered for sale Tuesday. That is more than five times the amount available for purchase. The high demand for Texas’ high-quality notes drove the interest rate down to its historic low.”
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Employers Update
The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce is updating its list of major employers. It invites McLennan County companies with more than 45 employees to complete a brief survey by Sept. 10.
To ask questions, call Alexis Weaver, the chamber’s research manager, at 757-5628.
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Shifting Paradigms
A seminar for business peopled titled “Shifting Paradigms: New Realities, New Rules, New Resources” is scheduled Thursday through Saturday in the Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington Ave. in downtown Waco.
Business contacts, franchisors, exhibitors and presenters will be featured at the event. It is sponsored by the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, the Dwyer Group, McLennan Community College’s Small Business Development Center, Platinum Career Coaching Group, Texas State Technical College and Baylor University.
Registration is $99. Those wanting to ask questions should call the Platinum Career Coaching Group at 399-6861.
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Marketing Manager
Trish Clement has been named the new medical marketing manager for Waco-based Spenco Medical Corp., the company announces.
In her new position, she will oversee all marketing and branding efforts related to Spenco’s medical segment. She also will work with trainers and physical therapists at schools, universities and professional sports teams.
Clement was most recently marketing manager at Texas Hobby Auto Auction, based in Houston. Prior to that she was marketing director for Cumulus Radio in Houston.
Spenco was founded in 1967 by Dr. Wayman Spence, a foot care specialist. The company is involved in the outdooor, sports, foot-care and medical markets.
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Stevens Promoted
Carolyn Stevens has been promoted to assistant vice president and accounting department manager for American Bank in Waco.
She began working with new accounts at American Bank in 2000 and transferred to the bank’s accounting department in 2002. She became bank officer and accounting department manager in 2007.
Carolyn and her husband, Kent, reside in West, along with her two sons. They are members of St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tours.
American Bank has been serving local communities since 1952 and has two locations: 200 West Highway 6 in American Plaza and 1601 N. Interstate 35 in Bellmead.
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Allstate Award
Allstate Insurance has recognized Waco agency owner Doug Buchanan with the Regional Champions award for high standards in customer satisfaction, custome retention and profitable business growth.
The Doug Buchanan Insurance Agency is now one of the top Allstate agencies in the nation in auto, property and commercial insurance and in financial services.
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Psychiatrist Moves
The psychiatry office of Dr. William Lebeau has relocated to 6611 Sanger Ave., Suite 1.
It previously was located at 305 Londonderry Drive, Suite 5.
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Incommons Chief
J.D. King has been named city president of the new Incommons Bank at Legends Crossing, the development taking shape next to the new Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center at West Loop 340 and State Highway 6.
As president, King will lead the executive team and be responsible for overall management of the Waco location. King is a Baylor University graduate who has spent time at Compass Bank in the Houston market and has worked in investment and private banking. He received his CPA designation after studying at the University of Houston.
Mexia-based Incommons Banks has locations in Waco, Mexia, Fairfield and Coolidge.
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Sulak’s Cafe
Sulak’s Cafe in West will reopen to the public on Friday under the new ownership of Jeff and Ashley Redding of Robinson.
The couple will serve dishes that became mainstays at Sulak’s, and will add a few specialties of their own.
The restaurant will be open daily except Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Waters in Waco
Charlie Waters, a mainstay for the Dallas Cowboys’ “Doomsday Defense” from 1970 to 1982, will speak at the First Community Bank Kick Off Luncheon.
The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 25 at the Baylor University Ferrell Center.
Waters never experienced a losing season, played in five Super Bowls and won two world championships while playing for America’s Team. He has been nominated twice for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was voted twice by fans as their “favorite Cowboy.”
Also at the luncheon, Baylor head football coach Art Briles will preview the upcoming college footbal seasons. Local high school state champions also will be recognized.
Tickets may be purchased for $25 in advance or $30 at the door. For questions regarding tickets, contact Blake Harris at 757-5605 or bharris@wacochamber.com.
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Hassell Changes Banks
Dana Hassell, a 25-year banking veteran in Waco, has joined American Bank as executive vice president and chief credit officer.
Hassell, who most recently worked at Synergy Bank, will be responsible for managing the bank’s lending and credit functions.
Hassell graduated from Baylor University with a degree in accounting and worked for Peat Marwick and Mitchell in Dallas before returning to Waco in 1983 to serve as director of internal audit and management analysis at Baylor University. He launched his banking career at Texas National Bank of Waco.
Hassell also graduated from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.
American Bank has been serving local communities since 1952 and has two locations: 200 West Highway 6 and 1601 N. Interstate 35.
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TCBY closed
For those of you who have inquired, the TCBY yogurt shop at 801 N. Valley Mills Drive has closed.
A jewelry store is moving into that location.
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Sidewalk Sale
The Shops of RiverSquare Center at Second Street and Franklin Avenue downtown will host a sidewalk sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Advertising for the event says, “Garage Sale Prices.”
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Curves Top Franchisor
Waco-based Curves International has been named “Franchisor of the Year” for 2009 by the American Association of Franchisees & Dealers.
Curves International is the franchisor of Curves fitness centers, a network with nearly 10,000 franchisee-owned fitness clubs serving 4 million women worldwide.
AAFD officials praised Curves founders Gary and Diane Heavin for defining Curves as a franchise system built upon a culture of collaboration with and respect for its franchisee network, as well as setting a high standard for customer satisfaction and commitment.
“We have always made every effort to work hand in hand with our franchisees as partners and as friends,” said Gary Heavin.
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Investor Brunch
LaDainian Tomlinson, All-Pro running back for the San Diego Chargers and a Waco native, will be a special guest at an event scheduled July 2 and sponsored by the Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce.
Called “A Time For Change Investors Brunch,” it will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City of Waco Multipurpose Building on Elm Street.
Keynote speaker will be Devoyd Jennings, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce.
Investors, developers and entrepreneurs are especially invited to talk about development opportunities in East Waco.
Tickets to the event are $30. To ask questions, call 235-3204.
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TXU Disconnects
With temperatures soaring, TXU Energy has decided to immediately put in place its moratorium on disconnects.
TXU Energy is urging the elderly, those with low incomes and the ill or disabled to call the company at 1-800-242-9113 to get the help they need paying their bills so their service will not be disconnected.
TXU says customers should not cut off their air-conditioning systems, but should wear loose clothing, drink lots of water, use ceiling fans and close shades and windows during the day.
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Bestyett
Vicky Parker, owner of Waco’s Bestyett Catering, has started a new business called Bestyett on the Go.
It is located in Ridgewood Village at Cobbs and Valley Mills drives.
There, Parker prepares homemade dishes like chicken and dumplings and beef tips and rice to pick up and go. A drive-through window is available.
Parker’s hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Collin Street
The new Collin Street Bakery on Interstate 35 in Bellmead will host a grand opening from 5:30 to 7:30 this evening.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held, and dignitaries will name the street in front of the bakery Collin Street Bakery Way.
Those attending the ceremony will include Bob McNutt, who is the president and CEO of Corsicana-based Collin Street Bakery.
Waco’s store is only the third opened by the company since 1896, the first outside of Corsicana. It serves a wide variety of cookies, cakes, pies, breads and other baked goods in addition to freshly made sandwiches, soups and salads.
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Talking Fish
Mike DelVisco, a full-time professional angler on the Bassmaster Tour and Grand Slam Tour, will be visiting Texas Roadhouse restaurants in Central Texas to share tips, answer questions and sign autographs.
He will be at the Texas Roadhouse at 2815 LaSalle Ave. in Waco from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 24, a Wednesday.
DelVisco conducts seminars around the country at many popular sports shows and is a former Bassmaster University instructor.
Latest comments
It IS true, Roger. But from what I know of the situation, they’re getting rid of a lot of dead weight. Not that I don’t feel for some who are having their salaries reduced, but apparently a lot of employees have been getting away with doing
... read the full comment by Snickers | Comment on Chuy's Read Chuy's
One commenter called Chuy’s “franchised” but that’s not really the case in my opinion. Or if it is, it’s a very small franchise, worlds smaller than Chilli’s or Cheddar’s. I think this is a welcome addition to Waco.
... read the full comment by Jeff | Comment on Chuy's Read Chuy's
He should be an immediate success treating all the nutty quacky shrinks Waco is home to.
... read the full comment by Shrink | Comment on Psychiatrist Moves Read Psychiatrist Moves
the collin street bakery has done so good in corsicana and bellmead they are building a third retail store in lindale texas in east texas the other side of tyler texas.
... read the full comment by randyh | Comment on Collin Street Read Collin Street