January Chambergram - Pasadena Chamber of Commerce

News from the Pasadena, Texas Chamber of Commerce
www.pasadenachamber.org
CHAIRMAN LETTER
January, 2013
Vol. 24 No. 1
Mission Statement
“Promote Economic
Development and
Community Growth
to ensure the
prosperity of
Pasadena’s
businesses
and citizens.”
In this issue
of the
Pasadena
Chamber of
Commerce
Newsletter...
• Chairman Letter, pg. 1
• Plug into PISD, pg. 1
• Hispanic Business Council, pg. 2
• New Members, pg. 2
• Ambassadors, pg. 3
• Port Area Networking, pg. 3
• Police Firearms Training Facility
Dedication, pg. 4
• Cultural Arts, pg. 4
• 2013 Business Expo, pg. 8
• Ribbon Cuttings &
Grand Openings, pg. 9
• Renewing Members, pg. 10
• Chamber Open House, pg. 11
• Calendar of Events, pg. 11
Dear Friends,
It’s my sincere honor and
privilege to serve as the 2013
Chairman of the Board for
the Pasadena Chamber of
Commerce. I’m fortunate to have
such a fantastic board of directors this year. Our board is made
Gary Nickelson
up of folks that truly represent
Chairman of the Board
the makeup of what makes
Pasadena so great. These areas include small businesses,
the petrochemical industries, two major hospitals, PISD,
San Jacinto College, the City of Pasadena, the Harris
County Commissioner’s office, a non-profit organization,
several financial companies and banks, an IT company,
the Port of Houston and others. The mission statement of
the Chamber is to “Promote economic development and
community growth to ensure the prosperity of Pasadena’s
businesses and citizens”. I look forward to working with
the Board and the “Chamber Chicks” to make this a
positive year.
Plug Into PISD
John Bryan, who coached Dobie High’s boys cross country
and track teams to state championships three decades ago,
and Gawain Guy, the running machine behind those
Longhorn titles, have been selected for induction in the
Pasadena ISD Athletics Hall of Fame along with six other
former athletes from football, basketball and baseball.
The high-school careers of the eight inductees blanket a halfcentury – from Pasadena High football star Mickey Spencer,
a 1947 graduate, to Amanda Buffalo, a Pasadena High cross
country and track standout who graduated in 1985.
Three other football greats were selected: Randall Kerbow,
quarterback of the Pasadena High team that reached the
1958 state championship game; Bob Allen, an all-state halfback for South Houston High in 1964; and Jimmy Johnson, a
1976 Sam Rayburn High graduate who went on to play in
the same backfield with Earl Campbell at the University of
Texas.
Fritz Connally, who played baseball with Johnson on the
1973 Pasadena All-Star team that won the Colt World Series
title, was also picked for induction. A 1976 Pasadena High
graduate, Connally excelled in both baseball and basketball
in high school. He went on to shatter several hitting records
at Baylor before ascending to the major leagues with the
Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles.
Half of the eight inductees earned football letters with four
different Southwest Conference teams. In addition to Kerbow
at Rice and Johnson at Texas, Spencer earned two letters as a
lineman for Texas A&M. Allen played college ball at Texas
Tech, where he led the Red Raiders in receiving his senior
year.
281.487.7871
Fax: 281.487.5530
The second event is the 21st annual Pasadena Chamber
Business Expo held at the Pasadena Convention Center.
It’s on February 21st and runs from 11am to 5pm. Over
100 local businesses will showcase their products or services. Plenty of free giveaways and plenty of food is available throughout the event. Don’t miss this opportunity to
meet other business owners at this great networking
event.
Until next month….
Gary Nickelson
Track coach Bryan, seven
sports greats names to second
Pasadena ISD Hall of Fame class
Connally is one of two new inductees to play professional
sports. Kerbow, after quarterbacking the Rice Owls in two
bowl games, went on to play for the Houston Oilers and
then the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football
League.
Pasadena Chamber
of Commerce
Several events you don’t want to miss are soon approaching. First, the Annual State of the City Luncheon is at
11:30 on January 24th at the Pasadena Convention
Center. We look forward to hearing Mayor Johnny Isbell
speak at this event. Also Bass & Meineke will be honored
as the 2013 Business of the Year. Way to go Cary and
Fran! For reservations, call Kimberly at 281-487-7871.
Spencer, who died in 2010, is expected to be represented at
the banquet by his wife Milly. The other seven inductees
have indicated they plan to attend.
Bryan coached Dobie to the state cross country title in 1980
and to a state track championship in 1981. Guy, who went
on to a standout career at Rice, won three state titles under
Bryan’s tutelage, one in cross country and two in track.
The eight inductees will be honored at a gala banquet
April 13 at Memorial High School.
Last year’s inaugural banquet, held at Phillips Field House,
honored the Hall of Fame’s first 12 inductees. The banquet
will be relocated this year to Memorial High to accommodate
construction at Phillips.
Included in those construction plans is a 3,600 square-foot
Hall of Fame facility to be built on the north side of the basketball arena. Organizers hope to move the banquet back to
field house in 2014 as part of a permanent, on-site ceremony.
All 360 tickets for last year’s induction banquet were sold
within 48 hours. A ticket sales plan for this year’s banquet is
expected to be announced later this month.
Organizers also announced that the Hall of Fame will continue to accept founding donor contributions through the end
of August. Contribution levels remain at $2,500, $1,000,
$500 and $250. New founding donors will receive an allotment of tickets for this year’s banquet and the option to buy
tickets for future banquets.
The four donation levels are good for ten, six, four and two
tickets, respectively.
Moreover, all founding donors will receive an inscription on
a glass wall to be placed on permanent display when the
completed exhibit opens in 2014.
For additional information on founding donor memberships,
please contact Herman Williams, treasurer for the Hall of
Fame organizing committee, at 713-907-1190.
Last year’s funding drive drew 42 founding donors. The
inaugural banquet was televised on a delay basis by the City
of Pasadena’s cable channel.
cont’d on pg. 6
Chamber of Commerce Pasadena
Hispanic Business Council
Pasadena
Chamber of Commerce
2013 Executive Board
Gary Nickelson
Chairman of the Board
Cartridge World Pasadena
Rick Guerrero
Chairman Elect
ARG Real Estate, LLC
Bill Simmons
Vice Chairman – Finance
St. Luke’s Patients Medical Center
Cary Bass
Vice Chairman
Bass & Meineke
Happy New Year! I am extremely excited to be the
Chairman for the Pasadena Hispanic Business Council.
The PHBC has set three goals for 2013. Our first goal is
to create awareness of the
Hispanic culture through
an educational program
that will be presented to
current chamber members. Our second goal is to strengthen our financial
status through fundraisers. The continued financial
CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP
NEW MEMBERS
Denise Jennings
Vice Chairman
LyondellBasell
Ken Unfried
Vice Chairman
Capital Bank
We would like to welcome these new members as we continue to grow and work
toward developing a diverse economic market in our community.
Danny Hickey
Past Chairman of the Board
ADS Designs
Greg Albert
Chevron Phillips
Jeanna Barnard
Bayshore Medical Center
Vijay Barreto
Shell Deer Park
Greg Clary
R&K Aquatic Commercial Services
Paul Davis
City of Pasadena
Bruce O. Dockall
Zachry Holdings
Shelly Fuller
Project Joy & Hope
Pedro Garcia
Port of Houston Authority
George Gonzalez
San Jacinto College
Debbie Ibargo
Kroger
Robert Merino
Chairman
PHBC is committed to assist, support and empower Hispanic businesses and community through entrepreneurial development and leadership.
Sherry Bufkin
Vice Chairman
Post Oak Bank
2013 Board of Directors
support of our community will help us to fund our
students’ educational endeavors at our local community
college. Our last, and third goal, is to discover more
methods of increasing our membership. We are extremely honored to have the support of our current chamber
president which, we feel, will help us to meet this goal.
Blasingame Whitley, Attorneys at Law
12621 Featherwood Dr. Suite 2825
Houston, TX 77034
281-741-5225
Robert Whitley
Constable Christopher Diaz, Pct. 2
10826 Munn
Jacinto City, TX 77029
281-701-3363
Christopher Diaz
Brico Services LLC
2214 Luella Ave.
Deer Park, TX 77536
832-878-8146
Cindy Wagner
Hyduke Energy Services US, Inc.
9602 New Decade Drive
Pasadena, TX 77507
713-422-2324
Alfred Moore
GCT Inspections, Inc.
3208 Federal Road
Pasadena, TX 77504
713-943-1760
Terry Torgerson
King of Cars
3401 Spencer Hwy.
1313 Shaver St.
Pasadena, TX 77504
713-472-5464
Eric Malak
Surgery Specialty Hospitals
of America
4301 Vista Rd.
Pasadena, TX 77504
713-378-3000
Michelle Hildreth
The UPS Store # 6284
11200 Fuqua Suite 100
Houston, TX 77089
281-464-3036
Joseph Norman Jr.
Kirk Lewis
Pasadena Independent School District
Robert Merino
Pasadena Hispanic Business Council
John Mrozek
Texas Chiropractic College
Monica Perry
Immediate Medical Care
Jack Rodriguez
Harris County Commissioner
Jack Morman’s office
Nathan Rorick
AXA Advisors
Ryan Sitton
Pinnacle ASI, LLC
Jackie Spigener
Silver Sycamore
Vance Townsend
Rarity Solutions, LLC
2013 Staff
Sherry Trainer, IOM
President/CEO
Janette Morgan
Financial/Administrator Manager
Aimee Crawford
Event Coordinator/Marketing Liaison
Kimberly Tolleson
Administrative Assistant
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
'RQ·W'URS´7KH%DOOµ
If Your Electricity Contract
Expires in 2013,
Lock In
5-6 cent/kWh rates
NOW!!!
There is never a cost, or obligation, to get a savings
comparison to your current commercial electricity rate
&DOOWKHFKDPEHU¶V
EXCLUSIVE electricity broker
-DVRQ2·.UHQW
(888) 822-9090 x104
D.C. Trainer
Membership Sales Representative
The Pasadena Chambergram Newsletter
is a monthly publication.
Graphic Design Creative Edge Communications
Pasadena Chambergram
2
A
M B A S S A D O R S
C
O R N E R
Tom Sewell, Samantha Mosley Lee,
Givvie Searcy, Cris Santiago, Leon
Searcy and Nashiam Friant,
Chamber Ambassadors at our
Holiday Open House.
The object of our group is to create a network of businesses that can comfortably, and
with peace of mind, refer its members based on testimonials and personal experiences.
P.A.N. E VENTS
Please join us every Wednesday for the Port Area
Networking Meeting at the Pasadena Chamber of
Commerce offices at Noon! Do not miss the opportunity to meet with other business leaders in your community and surrounding cities. PAN is dedicated to
providing individuals an opportunity to talk about their
business and listen to others talk about theirs in order to
join forces and refer goods and services among the group.
We hope to see you there!! If you have any questions,
please contact the Pasadena Chamber at 281-487-7871.
Givvie Searcy, Leon Searcy and Samantha Mosley Lee
at the Chamber Open House
Happy Valentine’s
Day
Banking But Better
www.shellfcu.org
ĚĚShell
Shell Federal
Federal Credit Union
ŵĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉƚŽLJŽƵƌĞŶĞĮƚƐ
Package at “No Cos
Cost”
t”ƚŽLJŽƵ͘
&ŽƌŵŽƌĞŝŶĨŽ͕ĐĂůůϳϭϯͲϴϰϰͲϭϭϭϳĂŶĚƐƉĞĂŬǁŝƚŚ
ZŝĐŚĂƌĚƌŽĐŚŽ͕ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚDĂŶĂŐĞƌ͘
ŶLJŽŶĞǁŚŽůŝǀĞƐ͕ǁŽƌŬƐ͕ǁŽƌƐŚŝƉƐŽƌĂƩĞŶĚƐ
ƐĐŚŽŽůŝŶ,ĂƌƌŝƐŽƵŶƚLJĐĂŶĚŽďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĂƚ^&h͘
3
Federally insured by NCUA
Firearms training facility dedicated in
memory of fallen heros
The Pasadena Police Department
recently held a sign dedication
ceremony at the Les Early
Firearms Training Facility. Like
the facility itself, the sign honors
the memory of one of Pasadena’s
fallen heroes, Les Early, who was
the department’s firearms training
officer when he was killed in the
line of duty in November of
1993.
During the dedication, Mayor
Johnny Isbell told the large crowd
of Les’ family members, fellow
officers and friends who had
gathered, “Years later, Les is still
remembered as an officer who
was both competent and kind,
who had integrity and was
dependable. His memory lives on,
not just in our police department,
but in the city and in our community as a whole. The proof of
that is here, even in this sign,
which is the result of the collaboration and work of many.”
No City funds were used in the
construction of the sign; instead,
the sign was entirely funded by donations and through fundraisers hosted by a
number of groups, including the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and the
Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. Many of police officers, as well
as businesses, employees and individuals in the community, donated to the
project.
“This sign will be seen by officers from more than 40 different agencies who
come to this facility each year to train,” the mayor said. “It is one of our
busiest facilities, home to some of the most crucial training for our officers. It
is a facility worthy of a hero’s name, and that is why it is fitting that the name
on it is Les Early.”
C ULTURAL A RTS C OMMITTEE
The Pasadena Chamber Cultural Arts Committee would like to send a very special
thank you to Mrs. Jackie Welch. Jackie served for 15 years as the Christmas Tree
Circle Chairman. She has gone above and beyond and done an outstanding job!
We appreciate you more than you know Ms. Jackie for all that you have done and
continue to do for us…the Chamber Chicks love you!!!
TECHNOLOGY, CARING & EXPERTISE COME TOGETHER
TREATMENT OF SLEEP DISORDERS
Aparajitha Verma, M.D.
board-certified physician
in sleep medicine.
7KH6OHHS&HQWHUDW6DQ-DFLQWR0HWKRGLVW+RVSLWDORͿHUV
diagnostic and clinical services to treat many sleep disorders.
The most common disorder is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
In addition narcolepsy, insomnia and limb movement disorders
round out the spectrum of sleep problems.
Sleep Center
4401 Garth Road, Baytown, TX 77521
To make an appointment with Dr. Verma, please call 713-441-3961.
www.sanjacintomethodist.com
4
Plug Into PISD, cont’d from pg. 1
Pasadena ISD Hall of Fame inductees
JOHN BRYAN
Coach / Dobie High School
Track / Cross Country
History teachers aren’t necessarily supposed to make history. Such isn’t the case
with John Bryan, whose coaching achievements qualify him as one of the great
track and field generals in Texas over the past two generations.
An acclaimed American history teacher for much of his 38-year career in
education, Bryan helped put Dobie on the Texas athletic map by guiding the
Longhorns to the state championship in cross country in 1980 and to the state
track championship the following spring.
A member of Dobie’s first coaching staff in 1968, Bryan left the Pasadena ISD
after the 1980-81 school year for La Porte and then Clear Lake, where he continued to produce cross country and track standouts over the next 16 years.
A Pasadena native, Bryan played football and ran track for Pasadena High,
graduating in 1959. He contributed to the Eagles’ march to the state championship game in football in 1958, the longest post-season run by any Pasadena
ISD football squad.
After coaching stints at Queens Intermediate and Pasadena High, he joined Sam
Sailor’s Dobie staff and methodically groomed outstanding track and cross country programs. In 1980, he produced two state track champions: John Robinson,
who set a state record in the 1600 meters; and Gawain Guy, who won the 800
meters. That fall Guy won the state cross country title, carrying his Longhorn
team to top honors.
In 1981, buoyed by Guy’s dash to glory and by two national pace-setting relay
teams, Bryan’s Longhorns won the coveted state track championship. Guy captured the state title in the 1600 meters. The Dobie senior posted the nation’s top
time in the 1600 meters that year – as did Bryan’s 3200 meter relay team and his
distance medley squad.
Bryan went on to produce state champions in the 1600 and the high jump at
Clear Lake. For his career, he coached 141 regional meet qualifiers and 24 state
meet qualifiers in addition to his five state champions.
He collected 12 district and four regional titles in cross country in addition to
his state championship with the Longhorns. He produced 15 regional meet and
eight state meet qualifiers in cross country.
In 1988, he was selected as recipient of the Texas High School Coaches
Association’s Outstanding Achievement Award. In 1997, he was named Boys
Cross Country Coach of the Year for Section 6 of the National Federation
Interscholastic Coaches Association. He was inducted into the Gulf Coast Track
Coaches Hall of Honor in 2001.
MICKEY SPENCER
Pasadena High School / Class of 1947
Football / Basketball
As the nation transitioned from global conflict to an uneasy peace in the postWorld War II years, no Pasadena athlete represented the new rough-and-tumble
age of high-school football better than two-way lineman Mickey Spencer. With
leather helmets a thing of the past – but with the luxury of facemasks still in the
future – Spencer helped usher in an era of large suburban schools populated by
the sons and daughters of gritty refinery workers and rugged war veterans.
Spencer’s arrival at Pasadena High in 1944 coincided with a generation of
football glory for the Eagles. Over his three varsity seasons, Pasadena compiled
a 25-5-4 record, winning district championships all three seasons.
As a senior in the fall 1946, Spencer took part in the Eagles’ jump to the bigschool 2A ranks and went through district play twice tied but unbeaten in six
games. Spencer earned all-state honors for his outstanding play in 1946, the first
athlete in Pasadena ISD history to be chosen. The City of Pasadena recognized
the accomplishment with a day named in his honor.
The president of his class and a true leader on campus, Spencer was awarded a
football scholarship by legendary Texas A&M Coach Homer Norton. He lettered
for the Aggies from 1948 to 1950 under Harry Stitler. After two lean seasons,
the Aggies finished 7-4 in 1950 with Spencer contributing one interception on
defense. The 344 points scored by the Aggies in 1950 remained a school record
for any A&M team, as a Southwest Conference member, until 1976.
The Aggies that season beat Georgia 40-20 in the Presidential Cup, played in
College Park, Md. The bowl game was the final contest of Spencer’s football
career.
After his graduation in 1951, Spencer entered the Army as a first lieutenant and
served 18 months overseas during the Korean War. In 1983, he married Milly
Wilburn, a 1947 Pasadena High classmate. The two had reunited at a 35th class
reunion the year before.
Mickey and Milly were married 27 years before Mickey’s death in October
of 2010.
RANDALL KERBOW
Pasadena HS / Class of 1959
Football / Basketball / Baseball
The quarterback of the only Pasadena ISD football team to play in a state c
hampionship game, Randall Kerbow went on to star for the last of Jess Neely’s
Rice University bowl teams. As a professional, he played wide receiver for the
Houston Oilers of the old American Football League and quarterback for the
Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League.
cont’d on pg. 6
5
PISD Sports Hall of Fame inductees,
cont’d from pg. 5
As a senior at Pasadena High, he was considered the best quarterback in the
Houston area. An elusive runner and productive passer, he was a unanimous
all-district selection and the most valuable player in District 12-4A. He earned
all-state honors and was named a high-school All-America by Teen Magazine.
Moreover, he led the Eagles to their first district championship in 12 years and
spearheaded his team’s drive to the 1958 state championship game, where the
Eagles fell to Wichita Falls.
Kerbow signed to play football for Neely’s Owls, a Southwest Conference juggernaut in the 1950s. Kerbow helped extend that streak of success by helping guide
the Owls to a 7-3 regular-season record as a sophomore in 1960 and a Sugar
Bowl berth against Ole Miss. As a junior in 1961, he led Rice to another 7-3 regular-season mark and a Bluebonnet Bowl berth against Kansas. Although Kansas
won the game, Kerbow threw a touchdown pass to give the Owls an early lead.
Rice failed to qualify for a bowl game Kerbow’s senior season and didn’t land a
bowl spot for the next 45 years. Still, in 1962, Kerbow threw seven TD passes
and was named All-Southwest Conference by the Dallas Morning News. He
completed his college career with 1,343 yards passing, 11 TD passes and five
more TDs on the ground while also serving in punting and place-kicking
capacities.
Nicknamed “Rambling Randy” by legendary radio announcer Kern Tips,
Kerbow was picked to play in the NorthSouth Shriner All-Star game in Miami
after his senior season and contributed
to a South victory with a TD pass
to future All-Pro receiver Willie
Richardson. Kerbow left Rice as a
three-year varsity letterman in football
and baseball.
position (No. 21) and waved the occupant into the game. Bobby Allen ran onto
the field – and straight into the lexicon of state football fans.
He rushed for 1,084 yards on only 170 carries that season – finishing only 55
yards behind Spring Branch rushing star Chris Gilbert, who went on to earn
All-American fame with the Texas Longhorns.
Allen’s best game came in a 72-31 South Houston rout of Aldine. He rushed for
174 yards on only nine carries and scored four touchdowns, three on crosscountry runs. The Trojans later lost to Spring Branch in a showdown for the
district title. Still, head-to-head, Allen outgained Gilbert 84 yards to 47.
Allen led the district in kickoff returns with 291 yards on only eight runbacks, a
stunning average of 36.4 yards per return. Nearly unstoppable behind the line of
scrimmage, Allen totaled only 12 yards in losses for the entire season.
Recruited by nearly four dozen schools, he signed to play for J.T. King at Texas
Tech. Moved to wide receiver, he led the Red Raiders in receiving in 1968 with
35 catches for 546 yards and four TDs.
Represented by football legend Bobby Layne, Allen signed as a free agent with
the Philadelphia Eagles but was slowed by injuries. He finished up his playing
career in the Intercontinental Football with the West Texas Roughnecks,
coached by Lou Rymkus, the first
head coach of the Houston Oilers.
Now a highly successful businessman,
Allen has provided thousands of dollars in financial support in recent
years to the South Houston High football program. The main practice field
at the school is named in his honor.
FRITZ CONNALLY
Pasadena High School / Class of 1976
Baseball / Basketball
Known as “Fritzie” to everyone except
the kids who kept his baseball cards in
their back pocket, Fritz Connally produced one of the most memorable
careers in Baylor baseball history, tore
up the minor leagues with his booming bat and logged 58 major-league games before hanging up his spikes.
A free agent in 1963, Kerbow made the
Oilers roster as a receiver and caught five
passes for 61 yards. He found greater
professional success in the CFL as a
quarterback and punter. In 1966, he led
Edmonton to its first playoff berth in
nine years. He also topped the CFL in
punting in each of his five seasons in the
league. He retired from the pro ranks in 1969.
BOB ALLEN
South Houston High School / Class of 1965
Football
Rarely does the world of sports produce a sidelines-to-headlines story as compelling as that of South Houston’s Bobby Allen. A forgotten reserve player at the
start of his senior season, Allen would transform himself, in four short years,
into an all-state high-school talent and then into one of the most respected
receivers in the Southwest Conference.
Undersized and thoroughly unknown as a Trojan underclassman, Allen played
sub-varsity football until his senior year. That fall he reported with a bit more
weight on his frame and slamming desire inside to prove himself.
Then, in a game early in the 1964 season, the Trojans’ starting halfback, Tommy
McIlhany, went out with an injury. Harry Morgan, South Houston’s coach,
scanned the bench in search of a replacement, spotted a jersey that matched the
Just a year into his high-school career, he helped bring recognition to his hometown by contributing to the Pasadena Colt All-Stars’ dash to the 1973 Colt
World Series title in Lafayette, Ind. Jimmy Johnson, another 2013 Pasadena ISD
Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, also played on the team.
Connally lettered four years in both baseball and basketball at Pasadena High
and earned all-district honors in both sports as a junior. He repeated his dual
all-district honors as a senior and was also named second-team all-state in both
sports that year. As a sophomore, he helped the Eagles reach the state semifinals
in baseball. His basketball skills earned him AAU all-star status the summer after
his graduation.
Connally lettered four years at Baylor and helped turn the Bears’ baseball record
book inside out. He set new school career home run marks with 38 homers and
156 RBIs – and was named first-team All-Southwest Conference in each of his
four seasons.
cont’d on pg. 7
2011
WHERE TECHNOLOGY,
CARING, AND EXPERTISE
COME TOGETHER
For more information please call 832-556-6543 or
visit www.sanjacintomethodist.com
Pasadena Chambergram
6
PISD Sports Hall of Fame inductees,
cont’d from pg. 6
Baylor’s third baseman and cleanup hitter, he hit over .300 every season and
produced a slugging percentage of .697, still good for the No. 4 spot on Baylor’s
all-time list. Moreover, he helped lead Baylor to the College World Series in 1977
and 1978, the first two trips to Omaha in school history.
En route to the CWS in 1978, Connally was named the most valuable player of
the NCAA South Central Regional. In 1979, he was named the Bears’ most valuable player.
Drafted in the seventh round by the Chicago Cubs in 1980, Connally embarked
on an impressive minor-league career. In five seasons in the minors, he never batted lower than .288. Over those five seasons, he belted 92 homers and knocked
in 375 runs. Over his last three seasons, he hit 92 homers and drove in 375 runs.
He played in eight games with the Cubs in 1983 and 50 with the Orioles in 1985.
Although he collected only three big-league homers, his first two were especially
memorable. Both were grand slams.
Connally was elected to the Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996.
JIMMY JOHNSON
Sam Rayburn HS / Class of 1976
Football / Baseball / Track
Probably the most well-rounded athlete in Sam Rayburn High history, Jimmy
Johnson displayed skills on the baseball diamond and on the football field that
caught the attention of both the Houston Astros and Texas Longhorns. Johnson
chose to take his talents to UT, where
he played on the final Longhorn team
coached by Darrell Royal and then helped
Earl Campbell win the Heisman Trophy
in 1977.
Coached by fellow Hall of Fame inductee John Bryan, Guy won the state 1600
meters and followed that with championships at two of the nation’s most prestigious meets: the Golden West High School Invitational in Sacramento, Calif.,
and the International Prep Invitational in Naperville, Ill.
He clocked the fastest mile in the nation in 1981 – a 4:07.25 – and was ranked as
the No. 1 miler in the land by Track and Field News. He anchored Dobie’s 4x800
relay team, which produced the best time in the nation in 1981. And he ran on a
Dobie distance medley relay squad that also posted the nation’s top time.
Guy’s career at Rice was equally rewarding in both indoor and outdoor competition.
He earned All-America honors indoors by winning the NCAA title in the 1000
meters. After taking a year off to compete in the Olympics, he repeated his 1000
meters championship in 1986. Outdoors, he won the Southwest Conference 880
title in 1985.
Guy set Rice records in four different races, including the mile. His best effort in
the mile came at the nation’s premier meet – the Penn Relays. There, as a sophomore in 1983, he posted a 3:58.2.
One of Guy’s greatest thrills came in 1984 when he became a U.S. citizen. In
1998, he was inducted into the Rice Athletics Hall of Honor.
AMANDA BUFFALO
Pasadena HS / Class of 1985
Track / Cross Country
The goal for every track athlete is to
be the first to break the tape. Amanda
Buffalo was first to break a barrier.
Johnson first gained local notoriety in the
summer of 1973 when he helped lead
Pasadena’s Colt All-Star team to the Colt
World Series title in Lafayette, Ind. Fritz
Connally, another 2013 Pasadena ISD
Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, was also a
member of the team.
As a sophomore the following fall, Johnson
began a career that earned him three varsity letters in both football and baseball, as
well as two letters in track. He was named to the All-Greater Houston team in
baseball both his junior and senior years. The Astros drafted him as an outfielder
in the 16th round immediately following his senior season.
Johnson’s senior exploits in football enabled him to realize his dream of playing
for UT. After earning second-team all-district honors his junior year, he blossomed on the gridiron as a senior, winning a berth on the All-Greater Houston
squad and laurels as the outstanding running back in District 23-4A.
A backup to Campbell as a UT freshman, Johnson rushed for 272 yards, logged a
5.7 average and scored three touchdowns, all against Texas Tech, one a 60-yard
romp to open the second half. He became the first Longhorn freshman to score
three TDs in one contest. Campbell’s injury problems his junior year helped land
Johnson starting assignments in five games.
Johnson played football and baseball as a freshman at UT, but Royal’s retirement
led to the hiring of Fred Akers, who asked Johnson to focus on football. The
1977 season turned into a dream season for Akers and the Longhorns. Campbell
won the Heisman and UT went unbeaten through the regular season.
Johnson started three games as Campbell’s fullback, rushed for 158 yards and
scored two TDs. He wrapped up his college football career with an appearance
in the Cotton Bowl, where Joe Montana and Notre Dame ended UT’s national
title hopes.
Johnson finished his Longhorn career with 430 yards rushing, a stout 5.1 average
and five TDs.
GAWAIN GUY
Dobie HS / Class of 1981
Track / Cross Country
In the two decades that followed Bert Coan’s domination of the state meet in
1957, Pasadena ISD track teams remained as strong as any in the region. But no
individual over that period came close to rivaling Coan’s record for seemingly
superhuman track achievements at Pasadena High.
Until Dobie’s Gawain Guy dashed onto the scene in the late 1970s.
A native of Jamaica, Guy won two state track championships -- in separate years
and in separate events – and as a senior captured the state cross country title. He
went on to break records and earn All-America honors at Rice University. And he
realized his dream of competing in the Olympics when he ran for Jamaica in the
1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Guy first appeared on the radar of area runners when he finished third at the
state cross country meet in the fall of his sophomore year. He finished fifth as a
junior before leading the pack his senior year.
As a junior, he won the 800 meters at the state track meet. As a senior, he doubled the distance, established himself as one of the premier milers in the nation
and led Dobie to the 1981 state track title.
In 1985, just a few weeks before her
graduation from Pasadena High,
Buffalo won the 800 meters at the
state track meet in Austin. In doing so,
she became the first female athlete in
Pasadena ISD history to win a state
championship in any sport.
In that same meet Buffalo finished
third in the 1600 meters after claiming
titles in that event at the district and
regional levels. In cross country, she earned regional berths in each of her four
high-school seasons. She advanced to the state meet as a junior and again as a
senior, when she took the regional crown and finished fourth at state.
As a senior, she was named to the National High School Track All-America team.
While at Pasadena High, she followed a running regimen that included 25 miles
per week. She also found time to participate in Pasadena High’s Marine Corps
JROTC program.
After graduation, she competed in the prestigious International Sports Exchange
track meet in Seoul, South Korea, winning the 800 meters and contributing to a
victory in the 1600 meter relay. She also took seventh in the 1600 and qualified
as a long jumper.
Following her senior year, she was named the outstanding track athlete in the
Greater Houston Area by the Houston Athletic Club.
Buffalo continued her track career at Stephen F. Austin State University, where
she set several school records and pocketed four Gulf Star Conference titles. She
claimed conference crowns in the 10,000 meters, the 1500 meters, the triple
jump and another in cross country. She finished 11th at the NCAA meet.
She was named the outstanding track athlete in the Gulf Star Conference in
1986.
PAST INDUCTEES
COACHES
E.W. “Ned” Thompson, Pasadena HS, basketball
Robert “Bob” Barfield, Pasadena HS, football
ATHLETES
Pasadena High
Bill Henry (Class of 1946), basketball and track
Bert Coan (1958), football and track
Carl Choate (1959), football and track
George Cheshire (1964), football and track
Mickey McCarty (1964), football, basketball and baseball
Mike Kirkland (1972), football, basketball and baseball
South Houston High
Dan McIlhany (1961), football, basketball and baseball
Sam Rayburn High
David Freisleben (1971), baseball and football
Dobie High
Trevor Cobb (1989), football and track
Christa Williams (1996), softball
7
Pasadena Chambergram
8
RIBBON CUTTINGS & GRAND OPENINGS!
Spay-Neuter & Animal Wellness Clinic 913
Shaw
Pasadena TX 77506
713-862-3863
OR Grand Opening
Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital
Get more for your
business from a bank
that works for .
&RPPHUFLDO/HQGLQJÝ)DVW/RFDO'HFLVLRQV
)OH[LEOH%XVLQHVV6ROXWLRQVÝ7UHDVXU\0DQDJHPHQW
(6DP+RXVWRQ3NZ\6Ý3DVDGHQDÝ
communitybankoftx.com
NMLS #423137
9
CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP
RENEWING MEMBERS
PHILIBERT INSURANCE AGENCY
The following companies have supported the chamber for the last 50 years and we
would like to say a big “Thank You” for all the years of support and your belief in what
the chamber stands for.
AUTO
HOME
LIFE
ANNUITIES
CD’S
CLASSIC CARS
MEXICO INSURANCE
COMMERCIAL AUTO
COMMERCIAL LIABILITY
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
CenterPoint Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 years
Chevron Phillips-Pasadena Plastics Complex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clyde D. Thomas & Company, P.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GBS Insurance Agency, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LyondellBasell- Houston Refining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pasadena Citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pasadena Sporting Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shell Deer Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thomason’s Fine Jewelry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
57
56
54
57
57
56
years
years
years
years
years
years
years
55 years
We applaud these individuals, organizations, and firms that have renewed their financial commitment to the growth of our community through their continued investment
in the chamber. We appreciate each and every one of you.
Acadian Ambulance Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brotherton Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Candlewood Suites Deer Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Celanese Chemical- Clear Lake Plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cullen’s Upscale American Grille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dan-D-Construction, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drury Inns, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Durrett Motor Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Du-West Foundation Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Enchanted Florist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GCT Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Surgeons of Pasadena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Harlan C. Wolter Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hibachi Grill & Buffet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Homesmart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Integra Services Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
iT’Z Family Food and Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jason’s Deli- Pasadena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kelley’s Country Cookin’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Legacy Sport Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LJA Engineering, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Neighborhood Centers, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
No Name Bar-B-Que . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pasadena Habitat for Humanity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pinnacle AIS, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rentech Nitrogen Pasadena, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety RX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sam’s Club #8281 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Southern Komfort Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Springhill Suites by Marriott Houston Hobby Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
St. Luke’s Patients Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stewart’s Tire & Auto Center- Crenshaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stewarts’s Tire & Auto Center- Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Studio 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bassem Tawadrous, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Electrical Doctor, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Veritrans- Merchant Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Councilwoman Jackie Welch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 year
36 years
26 years
3 years
36 years
4 years
12 years
16 years
26 years
26 years
15 years
1 year
4 years
22 years
2 years
2 years
2 years
17 years
2 years
3 years
14 years
2 years
3 years
11 years
3 years
38 years
21 years
5 years
2 years
15 years
3 years
6 years
2 years
16 years
7 years
11 years
5 years
16 years
4 years
1 year
6 years
19 years
OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED
PASADENA LOCATION
3130-A Strawberry
Pasadena, TX 77504
713-941-5700
713-941-5774 fax
DEER PARK LOCATION
214 Center St.
Deer Park, TX 77536
281-930-9567
281-930-8284 fax
Notary Public
www.danaphilibert.com
Our family understands
how important funeral
and burial needs are to
families who have lost
a loved one.
We are dedicated to
serving families as if
they were a member of
our own.
-Jess Fields
3939 Pasadena Blvd.
713-920-2171
www.rosewood.cc
The difference at Rosewood is the Fields Family.
WHAT YOUR
BUSINESS NEEDS.
WHATEVER SIZE
YOUR BUSINESS.
Internet. Voice. TV. Ethernet
For more information, contact your
local Business Account Representative
Ashley Turner
832-683-7802
[email protected]
Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Call for details. Comcast © 2011. All rights reserved. NPA79426-0001
10
2012 Pasadena Chamber Open House
The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce held an
Holiday Open House last month, we would like to
thank all of you that came by and shared a little
of your holiday season with us…we wish you all
the best 2013 possible!
C a l e n d a r
o f
E v e n t s
February
January
Wednesday, January 2
PAN Meeting
Chamber Office
12 noon
Monday, January 21
Board Meeting
Chamber Office
4:00 p.m.
Friday, February 1
GCCE Leadership Conference
Nassau Bay Hilton
8:00 a.m.
Monday, February 18
Executive Board Meeting
Chamber Office
3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 9
Classic Club Meeting
Chamber Office
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, January 23
PAN Meeting
Chamber Office
12 noon
Wednesday, February 6
PAN Meeting
Chamber Office
12 noon
Monday, February 18
Board Meeting
Chamber Office
4:00 p.m
Wednesday, January 9
PAN Meeting
Chamber Office
12 noon
Thursday, January 24
Mayor’s State of the
City Address
Pasadena Convention Center
11:30 a.m.
Thursday, February 7
Cultural Arts Meeting
Chamber Office
8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, February 20
PAN Meeting
Chamber Office
12 noon
Thursday, February 7
After Hours Mixer
Armand Bayou Nature Center
Thursday, February 21
Business Expo
Pasadena Convention Center
11:00 a.m
Thursday, January 10
Cultural Arts Meeting
Chamber Office
8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, January 16
PAN Meeting
Chamber Office
12 noon
Monday, January 21
Executive Board Meeting
Chamber Office
3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 31
Ambassador Breakfast
Chamber Office
8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, February 13
Classic Club Meeting
Chamber Office
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, February 13
PAN Meeting
Chamber Office
12 noon
Thursday, February 14
Young Guns Breakfast
Chamber Office
9 a.m.
Wednesday, February 27
PAN Meeting
Chamber Office
12 noon
Thursday, February 28
Ambassador Breakfast
Chamber Office
8:00 a.m.