05/18/2008 CHAMBER.qxd (Page 1)

CHAMBER MATTERS
Vol. 3 No. 5
McAlester Area Chamber of Commerce
May 2008
Business Spotlight of the Month
Bundo Rentals
Bundo Rentals owners Brent and Pam Bundy recieve the Business Spotlight plaque from Business
Services Committee Chairperson Ann Owens.
68th Annual Prison Rodeo
Committee Is Cowboying Up!
The
Rodeo
Committee
is
hard at
work
planning
this year’s 68th Annual
McAlester Prison Rodeo.The
next meeting will be May
27th, at 3:30 pm in the Gold
Buckle Cafe, 119 E. Choctaw.
This year’s 68th Annual
McAlester Outlaw Rodeo
will be August 15th and 16th.
Gates open at 6 pm and the
rodeo begins at 8 pm.
Tickets will go on sale the latter part of June! Ticket prices
are: Box Seats $17, Reserved
Seats $12, and General
Admission $8 Tickets can be
purchased at the Chamber
office - 345 E Adams, by calling at 800-879-2550 or by
ordering them online at
www.mcalester.org.
So dust off your boots and
hat and bring the whole
family to this year’s rodeo!
“Friendliest community in
Oklahoma” says Pam Bundy.
“The people in McAlester
pitch in to help one another
like during the ice storm.
McAlester is a great place to
live.”
born. They rent anything from
sewer routers to bulldozers
and large cranes to party and
wedding rentals. Brent said
they work with lots of different customers, from contractors to homeowners.
Brent and Pam Bundy, the
owners of Bundo Rentals, are
the recipients of the Business
Spotlight of the Month for
May. They have lived in
McAlester for the past fifteen
years, after moving from Oklahoma City.
From large rental items to
small items, Brent and Pam try
to keep equipment in stock
that people need. Two of their
biggest items in inventory are
the crane trucks – 17 ton and
25 ton – used to set trusses
on roofs or work in the oilfield. Tree service companies
have rented these trucks to lift
large trees out of yards.
When asked why they moved
to McAlester Brent explained
he had a friend who was in the
heat and air business and
wanted him to come to
McAlester to work with him.
Pam was not as excited and
told him to try it out for a
year and if he liked it they
would move to McAlester.
After a year, things were going
well and McAlester became
their home. Pam says it took
her a little while to adjust but
she says the people are caring
and compassionate and, consequently McAlester is a great
place to live.
In 1997, they became the
owners of Efficiency Heat and
Air. They had been involved in
some contracting work and
after doing some research
they realized a need for another rental business in the area.
So, in 2002 Bundo Rentals was
Their philosophy has always
been to provide services for
the public and provide the
best customer service possible. If they don’t have an item
to rent they can usually get
whatever the customer wants.
They keep a log of frequently
requested items. If an item is
requested a number of times,
they may purchase it in order
to have it on hand for future
rentals.
Bundo Rentals’ motto is “We
Make Hard Work Easy”. Brent
and Pam gave us several reasons why the citizens of the
McAlester area should choose
Bundo Rentals for their rental
needs.
They strive to provide the
best personal service. The
SEE SPOTLIGHT
I
PAGE 2
2E | SUNDAY MAY 18, 2008
www.mcalesternews.com
The Chamber and YOU
2008 Chamber
Leadership
Executive Committee
Ross Eaton - President
State Farm Insurance
Kevin Priddle - Vice
President
The Bank N.A.
Mike Kern - Treasurer
Kern Shores & Co.
Dr. Steve Smith Immediate Past President
Eastern Oklahoma State
College
Board of Directors
Mary Shannon McAlester Public Schools
Kenny Edwards AmericInn Lodge & Suites
Dawn Green - BancFirst
Gayla Major - Arvest Bank
Melinda Nix - Nix Auto
Center
David Lerblance – Edward
Jones
Derek Lewellen –
AEP/PSO
Lance Woodliff – First
National Bank & Trust Co.
Karl Scifres – Kiamichi
Technology Center
Brian Lott - MCAAP
Staff
Helen Wheeler
Executive Director
Annette Harwell
Information Specialist
The year continues to march
on as we finish off the month
of May. Speaking of marching,
we had a wonderful turnout
at the 59th consecutive
Armed Forces Day Banquet
and the Parade. It is so
important to recognize the
SPOTLIGHT
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
customer deals directly with
the owners and they guarantee their work. Their rates are
competitive and their equipment is good, clean, and wellmaintained.
Finally, their goal is to get the
customer in and out quickly.
There is no waiting in line and
they will make sure the rental
equipment is working properly
so the customer doesn’t have
any problems.
Recently, Bundo Rentals added
the party and wedding rental
to their business. Pam said
they are the only company in
men and women who protect
the freedoms we all enjoy.
Thanks to base commander
Col. Arnold P. Montgomery
for hosting the event and also
thank you to the volunteers
who make up the Armed
Forces Day committee, especially Col. Gerald B. Kleager
(ret’d), Kevin Priddle, Dr.Tom
Murray, and to the McAAP
Morale,Welfare and Recreation (MWR) for all the hard
work they did to make sure
our military partners feel
appreciated.
In recognizing the base, we
also recognize the economic
benefit brought to our community from the McAlester
southeastern Oklahoma who
offers this service. Again they
saw a need and decided to
offer it. Bundo Rentals has
four employees in addition to
Brent and Pam.
Brent and Pam are active in
the community. Brent and
Pam also believe that the more
they give to others, the more
they receive in return. Brent
serves on the Board of the
March of Dimes and is
involved in the Old Town Association. Pam has served on the
McAlester Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and
other committees of the
Chamber. They belong to the
Main & Oklahoma Church of
Christ. They have 3 grown
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1400 E. Carl Albert • 423-9048
Army Ammunition Plant and
Defense Ammunition Center
(McAAP/DAC). The base payroll alone infuses over $100
million into our local economy. The Base not only plays a
critical role in the defense of
our nation, it also plays a key
role in our community’s
defense against economic
challenges.
A very informative event is
coming up at the end of May
that all members should be
aware of and many may wish
to attend – I know I plan on
it. Eastern Oklahoma State
College (EOSC) will host an
event entitled “Producing Success”. The agenda will focus
children and 1 grandchild.
Congratulations to Bundo
Rentals for being chosen as
the Business Spotlight of the
Month by McAlester Chamber
of Commerce and the Business Services Committee.
If you would like to nominate a
business in town who
deserves this award you can
do so by contacting the Chamber of Commerce. There are
on economic development in
our community and includes:
Sector Strategies – Oklahoma
Department of Commerce;
Winning the Hunt for Top Talent;Teacher Externships with
Businesses and Industries;
Manufacturing and Business
Prospects through Partnership with McAAP; and What
You Really Should Know
About Your Community.
Attendance is limited to 75
people, so don’t wait. For
information, go to the Chamber Website and click on the
Chamber Events link, or call
Barbara Gilbertson with
EOSC at (918) 302-3642.
Ross Eaton, President
several criteria for consideration of this award. The company must be a member in good
standing of the McAlester Area
Chamber of Commerce. They
must show a dedication to
making our community a better place, they must support
economic growth in our community and they must have a
reputation of honesty and
integrity in their business practices.
“McAlester Pride” - Business
Spotlight of the Month
Criteria
1. Must be a current member in good standing of
the McAlester Area Chamber of Commerce.
2. Must show a dedication to making our
community a better place by giving back to
our community in some manner.
3. Factors of consideration would includethe
business’s reputation of honesty and
integrity in their practices.
4. Growth in support of economicdevelopment of
the McAlester community.
5. Must be a business that outwardly demonstrates
pride in our community.
www.mcalesternews.com
SUNDAY MAY 18, 2008 | 3E
HA
C
E
TH
!
R
E
B
M
Saying Farewell to Connie
Matthews, Membership
Services Coordinator
S E Partners for Animal
O
O
H
I C Welfare Society (P.A.W.S.) joined
the Chamber to increase our exposure to
the public. As a volunteer community service organization, it is essential that the community be aware of our mission and the
services we provide, namely education on
responsible spaying and neutering of companion animals, as well as financial assistance, if needed. P.A.W.S. also
provides help in finding homes for homeless animals and when necessary, provides financial support for animal emergency medical care. As
a member of the Chamber we are involved with, and show support for
both the community and the businesses in the McAlester area.
McAlester is moving forward and P.A.W.S. is a part of that movement.
Misti Stewart, President
John Turnauckas,Treasurer
Partners for Animal Welfare Society
Think GREEN!
help KEEP
McAlester
CLEAN
How To Get The Word Out!
Increase word-of-mouth buzz with this tip from
WOM expert Andy Sernovitz: Post signs throughout your company that say, “Would anybody tell a
From May 5th to
friend about this?” It’s a magic question that raises
May 25th the “Pride the bar across the organization.
in McAlester”
Whenever you see the sign, you’ll look at your
committee is asking product and say “It’s fine. It’s good. But what can we
for your help to do do to make customers tell their friends ‘you’ve
away with the
gotta try this.’” Each department should come up
negative and bring in with their own way to answer this question.
the positive as a
city-wide clean up is
encouraged. Call
426-5361 for
information about
volunteering and
locations to deposit
your debris during
this 3 week period.
The Chamber says goodbye
to its Membership Services
Coordinator,
Connie
Matthews.
Connie and her husband,
Tim, moved to Norman,
Oklahoma where Tim is
pursuing other opportunities. Connie joined the Chamber in February
2007. From the day she began she continually
worked to better the lives of the people she came
in contact with. Connie concentrated on getting
to know her Chamber members and finding out
what they needed in order to prosper.
Connie assisted the office in most projects but
her main focus was business recruitment and
retention as well as the McAlester Ambassador
program.
Connie was a big asset to this community and that
was seen in her last weeks here as some came by
the Chamber to bid her farewell and at the Armed
Forces Day Luncheon when she received a medal
for her work from the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant.
Connie will be greatly missed!
Source: www.rimmkaufman.com
BISHOP FUNERAL SERVICE; 2c; 2"; Black Only; 04593020;
CHAMBER
McAlester
110 S. 3rd
426-4244
Hartshorne
801 Penn
297-2346
ROSS EATON; 2c; 2"; Black Only; 04593018; CHAMBER
4E | SUNDAY MAY 18, 2008
www.mcalesternews.com
Ribbon Cuttings
McAlester Regional Health
Center Foundaton
#1 Clark Bass Blvd
421-6767
McAlester Regional Health Center Foundation is a
charitable, non-profit organization whose mission is
to promote and provide financial support to
McAlester Regional Health Center to improve the
health and lives of Southeast Oklahoma. Their
vision is to support McAlester Regional Health
Center by providing financial resources needed to
continue and expand their tradition of caring.
Celebrating Downtown
McAlester
The celebration of the installation of the Centennial
Clock took place in downtown McAlester. This clock
was given to the City of McAlester through a gift
from the Centennial Commission and the Oklahoma
State Legislature. This gift was possible due to the
efforts of the Downtown Merchants Association.
This group has continuously worked hard to better
the downtown area. Recently the Downtown
Merchants Association was granted the ability to
become a Main Street Program. Plans are currently
underway for this program.
Wilson Supply
4601 W 270 Access Rd
423-9100
In 2005 Wilson Supply opened a "One Stop Shop" for
the oil and gas businesses in McAlester and Southeast
Oklahoma. Wilson takes pride in being able to offer
supplies from miles and miles of pipeline to a six pack
of soda pop. This philosophy gives them the ability to
service their customers to the fullest. Recently Wilson
Supply moved to a newly constructed building at 4601
West Hwy 270 across the highway from the Expo
Center.
www.mcalesternews.com
SUNDAY MAY 18, 2008 | 5E
2008 Armed Forces Day Luncheon
The Armed Forces Day Luncheon Guest Speaker, Colonel Arnold P.
Montgomery, also known as the Commander of the McAlester Army
Ammunition Plant.
AFD Parade Downtown
McAlester
Thank You
2008 Armed Forces Day
Sponsors!
Luncheon Corporate Table Sponsorships
American Red Cross
ARVEST Bank
BancFirst
Federal Manager’s
Assoc. #34 / MCAAP
First National Bank
& Trust, Co.
Humana
McAlester Lions Club
McAlester
News-Capital
McAlester Radio
McAlester Regional
Health Center
Nix Auto Center
Spirit Aero Systems
The Bank N. A.
Defense Ammunition
Center
Celebration In The Park Donors
Foster’s Flowers
Sonic of McAlester
Staples
Wal-Mart
Wonder Bread
W. E. (Bill) Allford
Propane
6E | SUNDAY MAY 18, 2008
www.mcalesternews.com
New Members
American Graphics &
Designs
611 E Carl Albert Pkwy
302-0489
Rashonda Hutchings
Gold Buckle Cafe
119 E Choctaw
420-5750
Connie Guidry
Cornerstone Community
Church of Arpelar
South Arpelar Road
429-3944
Pastor C. Paulette
Crawford
TaBacco Hut
1326 E Carl Albert Pkwy
426-4464
Sondra Cuzalina
W ilson Supply
4601 W 270 Access Rd
423-9100
Haven WIlkinson
Riddel’s Skin Care Center
1000 E Wyandotte
423-3325
Did your business move or
change its phone number?
Please call and let the
Chamber know.
423-2550
OKLAHOMA HEALTHCARE; 2c; 7"; Black Only; 04593071;
CHAMBER
OKLAHOMA HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS
1-800-285-8091 • 315 E. WYANDOTTE • McALESTER
Competent, loving
care giving
The reputation of
Oklahoma Healthcare
Solutions within the
medical community is a
reflection of the quality of
care provided to each
client. Attending physicians
and clinical staff
confidently assign clients
under their care into the
competent hands of
Oklahoma Healthcare
Solutions.
Physicians orders and
expectations are carefully
administered to the client
in the comfort of their own
home. Physicians and
clinical staff are regularly
given patient status
reports by the Oklahoma
Healthcare Solutions
licensed personnel.
They have
moved!
On behalf of the Chamber we wish to recognize our
Ambassadors who demonstrated support and
encouragement to the businesses featured at Ribbon
Cuttings and Good Will Visits this past month.
Thank you!
Ambassadors
Back row left to right: Barbara Davis, HR Clerk; Starla
Williams, Medicare Biller; Ann Benge, CHHA; and Sandy
Dingman, RN. Front Row: Terry Dingman, RN; Cheyanne Clifft,
RN; Pauletta James, LPN/QA; Cathy Compton, LPN/QA; and
Angela Watkins, Office Manager. Not pictured: Libby Caldwell,
CHHA; Raisheal Snell, CHHA; and Hoeta Smith, CHHA.
Home care … the
loving alternative
Staff:Registered Nurses, Licensed
Practical Nurses,
Certified Home Health Aides,
Physical Therapists, Occupational
Therapists, Speech Therapists
Home Services
• IV therapy, enteral feedings
• Phlebotomy
• Foley catheter care/change
• Nutrition/hydration assessment
• Blood pressure/pulse
assessment
• Respiration assessment
• Diabetic assessment/teaching
• Wound care/dressing changes
• Colostomy care/dressing
changes
• Assess/teach medications
regime
• Disease management
• Strengthening and therapeutic
exercises
• Personal care/hygiene
• Mental health services
• Psychiatric assessment (one-toone)
• Crisis intervention
• Pediatric care*
• High risk pregnancy*
• Referrals to community
services to ensure total client
care
* Services available in limited areas
Central
Client Intake
1-877-469-1000
Lee Anderson - McAlester Radio
Bill McMahan - McMahan Appraisal
Service
David Lerblance - Edward Jones
Ross Eaton - State Farm
Teresa Durant - ARVEST Bank
Jeannie Weeks - ARVEST Bank
Kevin Priddle - The Bank N. A.
Flo Barlow - MCAAP MWR
Ruth Harkins - Chaney-Harkins Funeral
Home
Joe & Sherri Breeden-BizTel
Tom Lucas - First National Bank & Trust
RaShonda Hutchings - American
Graphics & Designs
Good To The Last Drop!
A catchy slogan can send a
powerful message to
prospects wondering why
they should choose you
over your competition. But
writing an effective tagline
can be challenging. Here are
some tools for developing a
memorable slogan: Start
brainstorming by asking
team members to complete
the worksheet at www.reliablegrowth.com/public/taglin
e_worksheet. pdf.
Next, visit Marcia Yudkin’s
tagline generator at
www.yudkin.com/generate.ht
m with the goal of creating
several taglines. If you need
inspiration, the University of
Texas at Austin’s Advertising
Department has an online
ad slogan archive that
includes well-known slogans
like Maxwell House’s “Good
to the Last Drop.”
Source: blog.fastcompany.com
RED HORSE TIRE; 2c; 2"; Black Only; 04593014; CHAMBER
RED HORSE
TIRE
426-0526
110 S. 6TH • McAlester
TOLL FREE 1-888-567-TIRE (8473)
www.mcalesternews.com
SUNDAY MAY 18, 2008 | 7E
Employees That Play Together Stay Together
Employees who socialize
together also tend to work
better together. Fat paychecks, pensions and health
insurance are not enough to
recruit and keep employees
these days.
Companies are finding that
adding a bit of social context
to work is crucial to keeping
employees happy and productive. Some companies are
even creating employee
clubs. Many are small and
informal like a softball or
basketball league or require
little from the company
other than the use of a
meeting place, server space
and office supplies. Workplace specialists say clubs are
Thank you to the businesses who have
reinvested in the McAlester Chamber this month!
A-1 Ministorage Co.
Allford, Ivester & Green
At Home In Oklahoma, Inc.
AT&T
Atlantic-Meeco
Business Staffing, Inc.
Chaney-Harkins Funeral
Home
Country Mart
Defrange Autocrafts
Diamond Trophy & Engraving
Dolese Bros. Company
Dr. Jon M. McCauley, MD
Dutton Welding
& Construction
Farmer’s Insurance
Cashmere Agency
Farmers Insurance Group
First National Bank & Trust
First Realty, Inc.
G & M Contractors, LLC
Goodwill Store
Green Country Electric
& Pool
Hackler & Hackler Law
Office
Holiday Lodge
Home Xpressions Unlimited
J.D.Thomas Construction
Jackie Brannon Correctional
Center
John Wayne’s Auto Clinic
John’s Flowers & Gifts
K-Bar General Construction
Kern Shores & Co., P.C.
Kidzchoice
Kimberly Adams, Attorney
Lakewood Christian School
Lindley’s Paint and Body
Loan Plus
Lowe’s Home Centers
Marilynn’s Boutique
Marking Products
McAlester Auto Parts
McAlester Hospitality
McAlester MotorSports
McAlester Regional Health
Center
McAlester Veterinary Clinic
Miller Office Equipment, Inc.
O’Daniel Jewelry
O’Reilly Auto Parts
Pat Layden Law Office
Pepsi Cola Bottling Company
Perry Surveying, LLC
Rene & Roy’s Western
Apparel & Rustic
Furnishings
Sears
Southeastern Oklahoma
Realty
Star Wireless, LLC
State Farm Insurance –
Clem Santine
Sue Bee’s State Beauty
Supply
Susan Snow Insurance
Agency
T. S. Phillips Investments Inc.
Taco Bell
Taylor Development Corp.
Terry’s Lube & Oil
The Bargain Journal
The Harrison Law Firm
The King’s House
Timothy A.Whipps, CPA
Trim Rite Moldings
Tumble In
Washita Valley Enterprises
Webcoat, Inc.
Wilson Transfer
Workforce Oklahoma
Workmed Benefit Services
Yates Pest Control, Inc.
a way to build camaraderie
and help people get to know
fellow employees away from
work. Companies benefit,
too. Clubs help create loyal
employees, reduce turnover
and improve morale while
costing very little.
A Towers Perrin survey
released
last
October
reported that operating
margins rose nearly 4% over
three years among companies where employees felt
supported and involved. At
workplaces where that was
not the case, profits fell 2%.
Twenty years ago, most companies tied high morale to
accomplishments on the job.
Today, managers realize they
need to think more broadly
about what makes workers
happy.
Source: New York Times,
February 16, 2008
KIAMICHI
VO-TEC; 2c;
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CHAMBER
When You’re
Serious
Your Career…
Kiamichi Technology Center Means Business.
Instructors with business and industry
experience teach the knowledge,
skills and attitudes necessary for
successful careers. Students enter
the workforce ready to compete for
high skill wage jobs. If you are ready
for your first career, or a career
change
–
contact
Kiamichi
Technology Center.
Kiamichi Technology Center:
• Serving High School and Adult Students •
All-Day, Half-Day, or Evening Classes
• Fourteen Day-Time Programs • Financial
Aide Available
• On-Site Child Development Center •
Business & Industry Training and
Assistance
CONNIE
J DAVIS
INSURANCE;
2c; 2";with
Blackthe
Only;
04593016;
We can find
the BEST
companies…
BEST
rates…
CHAMBER
™
Call us for your BEST quote!
Protect Your Home… Your Business… Yourself and Your Family
Commercial • Trucking • Farm • Ranch • Home • Auto • Life • Health
Motorcycles • Mobile Homes • Boats • Recreational Vehicles
Connie J. Davis
Insurance
500 East Wyandotte • McAlester
Connie J. Davis-Counts
& Cheri Ellis
Open Mon.-Fri
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(Corner of 5th & Wyandotte – Parking on 5th Street)
918-423-3200
Locally Owned & Operated • Independent Agency
“Give Us a Call … We Insure It All…”
301 Kiamichi Drive • McAlester, OK 74501
918 426-0940 • 888 567-6630 (toll free)
www.kiamichi-mcalester.tec.ok.us/