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Business Journal beaumont

inside DR. EVANS LU’s new top man on campus

Serving Jefferson, Orange

Volume 4 Issue 6 • August 2013

& Hardin Counties, Texas

Jefferson Energy Companies ascend

PAGE 6

GOLDEN NUGGET

Fertitta buys Lake Charles casino

Port of Beaumont Petroleum Transload Railport only the beginning by james shannon business journal

PAGE 4

OIL & GAS WRAP

Stricken Timbalier 220 platform

PAGE 10

PORT OF BEAUMONT New Ward 1 commissioner sought, port collects award

PAGE 24

index VICTORY HOSPITAL 8 THE LAMARS 12 ECONOMIST

18

THE ARTS 26 FOR THE RECORD

38

Don’t look now, but a major new facility is quietly taking shape on the Orange County side of the Port of Beaumont. Phase One of the Port of Beaumont Petroleum Transload Terminal is nearing completion with the first shipment of crude destined for a nearby refinery arriving for transshipment in August. “The situation with the recent surge in domestic energy production creates business opportunities for companies in the oil and gas sector,” said Al Salazar, CEO of Jefferson Energy Companies, which is developing the transload terminal on land owned by the Port of Beaumont. Much of the crude oil passing through the terminal will come from shale plays including the Eagle Ford and Permian Basin fields as well as the Baaken play in the Dakotas and the bitumen-heavy fields in Western Canada that have greatly boosted crude production in North America. Jefferson Energy Companies has a 30year lease with a 30-year option on the port land where it’s building the terminal, one of four ambitious projects the company plans for Southeast Texas and the first to come online. Jefferson Energy’s construction partner is STI Group, a local company that has experienced steady growth since their founding in 1978. STI coordinates the efforts of an accomplished group of local subcontractors. Salazar said the business climate here is conducive to new initiatives — and Jefferson Energy’s current group of projects is no exception. “Texas is a great place to do business,

and Jefferson and Orange counties are two of the most business-friendly in the state,” said Salazar. Before becoming an entrepreneurial businessman, Salazar spent years on the other side of the table in a distinguished career in municipal finance, and before that worked as the deputy city manager of Littleton, Colo., where he learned the value of public-private partnerships. Salazar formed Jefferson Energy in 2007 with a group of investors who responded to developing opportunities in the aforementioned North American crude oil shale plays. Over the next two years, the company conducted research and mapped out an infrastructure plan that not only allowed for the acquisition, transport and processing of their own product, but opened up an opportunity for other major refiners to benefit from their crude oil transport infrastructure – and all indications pointed to Jefferson County as the place to set up shop. “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the county – they’ve been very responsive,” he said. For his part, Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick enthusiastically supports the terminal. “I’m just excited about the opportunity that facility presents for our area to contribute to national security by participating in the effort to make us less dependent on foreign oil,” Branick said. He is not just a cheerleader for the project, however. Significant funding for the terminal has come through the Jefferson

County Economic Development Corporation. Judge Branick and the members of the Commissioners Court also form the board of directors of the Economic Development Corporation, and they approved Jefferson Energy Companies to sell more than $46 million in tax-free industrial bonds to help finance the project. These kind of industrial bonds are a much-misunderstood financial instrument. “Industrial revenue bonds like these don’t create any liability for taxpayers,” said Branick. “The economic development corporation is really just a conduit for the bondholders. Payment for the bonds is between Jefferson Energy and the bondholders, with no taxpayer involvement. What the board is looking for in promoting these types of investment is economic growth in the county, either by adding on to existing facilities or helping bring new initiatives into being, creating jobs and opportunity. This project does both.” Issuance of the bonds required an inter-jurisdictional agreement with Orange County Judge Carl Thibodeaux and the Orange County Commissioners Court, which was soon obtained. Now in his 16th year in office, Thibodeaux also has a well-deserved reputation for being business friendly – and business development on that side of the port will add to his county’s tax base. In addition, many of the construction and full-time jobs will doubtless go to Orange and Jefferson County residents. SEE RAILPORT, PAGE 2

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Petroleum Transload Terminal

RAILPORT | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The commitment to hiring local starts at the top, with Salazar giving marching orders to his contractor and subcontractors. “Mr. Salazar made it clear – hire local,” said Mark • STI Group, general Viator, director of communications and human recontractor sources for Jefferson Energy Companies. “Typically • Neches Engineering, this commitment is made by companies seeking tax engineering service abatements. Mr. Salazar made this commitment to • Lanier & Associates, Jefferson County when we sought the industrial revconsulting engineers enue bonds. The way to do that was to turn to qualified local contractors to do the project – and we know they • Mason Construction, civil contractor hire local workers.” Thus far, 100 percent of the contractors and sub• BO-MAC, dock concontractors are Jefferson and Orange County busistruction nesses. • The Newtron Group, As the general contractor, STI Group has assembled electrical and instru- talented Southeast Texas sub-contractors, all with vast experience serving the oil and gas industry includmentation ing Neches Engineering, engineering services; Mason • Trans Global SoConstruction, civil contractor; Lanier & Associates, lutions, railroad consulting engineers; BOMAC, dock construction; the logistics Newtron Group, electrical and instrumentation con• Echo Maintenance, tractor; Trans Global Solutions, railroad logistics; and dock construction Echo Maintenance, which was also involved in dock construction. The proof is in the pudding, as they say, and a drive through the parking lot at the site reveals an overwhelming percentage of Texas license plates on worker’s cars as compared to the large numbers of Louisiana, Mississippi and

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Arkansas plates seen at other construction sites, As previously noted, the Port of Beaumont has made a 30-year commitment to the project with an additional 30-year option, but it runs deeper than that. “We have added $35 million in infrastructure improvements on the Orange County side of the port where the terminal is located,” said Chris Fisher, port director and CEO. “We are very excited about our partnership with Jefferson Energy and the major diversification and growth opportunities for the port they bring to the table.” William F. “Bill” Scott, CEO of Trans-Global Solutions, is a long-time observer and participant in port operations and salutes the decisions that have made this development possible. “The present and past Port of Beaumont Commission and the staff led by Chris Fisher, its executive director, demonstrated real vision and leadership when they began the acquisition and development of the Orange County Dock project 25 years ago,” said Scott. “Today it is obvious to the marine, refining and petrochemical industry that the Port of Beaumont Orange County development has facilitated the development of the Jefferson crude-by-rail project.” All this investment is obvious as Phase One of terminal construction nears completion. The rail facility consists of a teardrop-shaped oval that can accommodate a unit train of up to 120 rail cars carrying a total of 75,000 barrels of crude oil, which can range from light, sweet crude to heavy crude that must often be diluted before it’s loaded into tank cars. Once downloaded, the crude travels down a 12inch pipeline where it will be loaded onto barges for a transport to refineries. By year’s end, a pipeline connection at the terminal will allow transmission to those refineries connected to the pipeline, but barge transport will still be utilized for other customers. In addition, construction of 200,000 barrels of storage is underway. Unloading the crude involves a process that uses two connection hoses – one attaches to the bottom of the rail car allowing the crude to flow into an underground crude gathering system while another smaller hose attaches to the top to capture emissions and provide vapor balancing. Sidings for staging and positioning out-of-service cars will facilitate track placement. Ramps with direct access from Interstate 10 into the terminal with truck loading/unloading stations can accommodate up to six tanker trucks per hour. Randy Adair is the terminal manager for Jefferson Energy who has to make it all work. “It is basically like having a symphony orchestra,” said Adair. “You have a customer base that has a need to move product down to the refineries. We have another part of our orchestra – TGS – which does all of our labor and all of the physical movement of the product within our sites. Basically I am the conductor, and it’s my job to bring the different entities together, to coordinate a scheduling time so that when the demand for the product comes down, the labor is there to address it. They become our hands and feet on the ground. From that, we orchestrate the movement of those products onto barges or ships, and from there it’s transferred over to the final destination.” For Adair, it’s not just a job. “We’re not here just for commerce but for the growth of our country – a large part of our nation’s energy supply,” he said. “We are responsible for the product moving, and that it is done efficiently and correctly.” He is not alone in this effort. Far from it. In his remarks, he referenced Trans Global Solutions, the railroad logistics company for the entire port, which is

served by the BNSF, Union Pacific and Kansas City Southern railways. Lance Dominy is operations manager for TGS. “We work hand in hand with Jefferson Energy as these trains come in as far as anything that goes with operating the equipment out here to unloading the unit trains, and the maintenance side of it,” explained Dominy. “We are under contract as first responders out here for emergencies.” Indeed, there is a fire truck parked directly adjacent to the terminal site, a reminder – as if any were needed – that the transport and handling of petrochemicals can be dangerous business, and strict adherence to basic safety principles is paramount. This philosophy also starts at the top, and CEO Salazar is adamant about running a safe operation. “We’ve had over 300 workers out here 24 hours a day, seven days a week without a single incident,” he says matter-of-factly but makes it clear he expects nothing less as they move into the operational phase. This philosophy is shared by STI Group, who carries the safety message to all involved. The company has a distinguished track record for safety, quality and being sensitive to a client’s budgetary issues. Ronnie Yawn, president of STI Group’s field services and mechanical services division, is leading the company’s efforts in the railway terminal project. “The Jefferson Energy projects are a good representation of where we are moving into – the EPC: engineering, procurement and construction. We can come into a job and essentially manage it from cradle to grave,” said Yawn, who emphasized the STI Group’s evolution as a company. “We’ve brought services into the company and ‘flanged’ it up from exchanger business to boiler business so we’ve got relationships with engineering companies. We come in and don’t just provide labor – we provide a service. We understand what we’re doing and try to make it seamless to the client. If they need an exchanger or a boiler, we build it,” he said. It’s not just maintenance. STI Group has built refineries, cogeneration units, tank farms and pipelines. It is a full-service capital construction company that also performs maintenance. STI Group also contracts to do turnaround projects, which can be a sizeable proposition. One such effort at a local refinery used up to 800 employees over a period of six weeks to rebuild an ethylene oxide unit. Yawn said this experience has helped STI Group grow as a company, and he clearly relishes the challenge that stands before him. “This is a different sort of project because with Al Salazar, we are not so much working for him as partnering with him. He’s a very easy guy to work with, so we try to work together to come to the solution, so it’s almost a design-and-engineer-as-you-go type deal. We try to use our areas of expertise to expedite the project and do it a efficiently as we can,” Yawn said That relationship will continue. Construction of Phase Two of the Jefferson transload railport is scheduled to begin as Phase One nears completion. Phase Two will include bitumen unloading stations that can accommodate jacketed railcars, so-named because they are built to have steam injected to heat the railcar and permit the crude inside to flow. A second dock will also be constructed as well as additional storage capacity. Jefferson Gas Processing Plant, a gas liquids processing plant in Hamshire, will separate heavy gas liq-

uids from the Eagle Ford and other shale formations. The company has also purchased the land adjacent to the gas processing plant in Hamshire that formerly housed the Independent Refinery facility that closed in 1983. Plans call for construction of Jefferson Refinery, a 40,000-barrel-per-day light crude refinery known as a “hydroskimmer,” on that site 20 miles east of the Beaumont/Port Arthur petrochemical complex. The facility will produce transportation fuels including diesel, jet fuel and naphtha. It is located at the crossroads of multiple pipelines that can deliver products throughout the U.S. and has more than 500 acres upon which it can expand in the future. In addition, the company will construct the Jefferson High Island Terminal, a 135,000-barrel barge dock and blending facility on the Intracoastal Waterway, along with an 18-mile pipeline connection to

the refinery at High Island, Texas. Jefferson will blend various grades of crude oil into high-quality refinery feedstock for its own use and for sale to other refineries on the Gulf Coast. The tanks will be available for leasing, as well. The pipeline will facilitate movement of crude and finished products to and from the gas processing plant and refinery. To bring this ambitious construction agenda to completion, Jefferson Energy Companies will spend nearly $450 million on these projects in Jefferson, Orange and Chambers counties. That money will be spent with local contractors with local employees, ensuring those dollars will flow into our economy both as construction funds and downstream as those employees spend their money. This ripple effect of downstream spending is another reason why business leaders and elected officials have been supportive of Jefferson Energy Companies’ plans. n

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Golden Nugget Lake Charles to open in 2014 Tilman J. Fertitta, owner of Golden retail shopping, a number of Landry’s Nugget Casinos, will expand the Gold- signature restaurants including Vic en Nugget brand into the Louisiana and & Anthony’s Steakhouse and Grotto South Texas market with the acquisition Italian Ristorante, an 18,000-squareof the Casino Resort and Hotel cur- foot ballroom, an entertainment showrently under construction next door to room, meeting spaces, a one-of-a-kind the highly successful L’Auberge du Lac pool and beach front and marina, and Lake Charles Casino Resort in Lake will include more than 3,000 parking Charles, La., he announced spaces. The Golden NugJuly 25. The Golden Nugget Casino and Resort, get Hotel and Casino, with which is expected to open the last gaming license isin 2014, will also include sued by the state of Louia casino with more than siana, is touted as one of 60 table games, a poker the most luxurious gaming room, and 1,600 of the resorts outside of the Las newest slot machines in Vegas strip. the world. “I could not pass up Fertitta, through varithe opportunity to build ous wholly owned affiliand operate a casino next ates, operates four Golden door to my hometown,” Tilman J. Fertitta Nugget Hotels and Casisaid the Galveston native. nos located in Las Vegas “This casino will be where Louisiana and Laughlin, Nev., Atlantic City, N.J., locals and Texans will want to play, stay and Biloxi, Miss. and enjoy themselves. We are investWinner of the AAA Four Diamond ing nearly $600 million in the project Award consecutively since 1977, the and plan to draw from our large south Golden Nugget Las Vegas is the most Texas and Louisiana customer base to luxurious resort on the Fremont Street drive business to our new resort.” Experience, and consistently receives The property, only two hours from critical acclaim for exceeding customer Houston, will contain nearly 800 expectations. luxury hotel rooms and suites, an 18Located on the Gulf of Mexico in hole championship golf course, spa, Biloxi is a premier resort destination

Artist rendering

offering guests more than 710 rooms and suites. The entire property is undergoing a $100 million soon to be completed. Landry’s is a national, diversified restaurant, hospitality, gaming and entertainment company principally engaged in the ownership and operation of over 500 high end and casual dining restaurants, primarily under the names of Landry’s Seafood House, Rainforest Cafe, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, The Chart House, Bubba Gump Shrimp

Co., Claim Jumper, and Oceanaire and Saltgrass Steak House, with a location in Beaumont. The Landy’s brand also includes fine dining restaurants such as Morton’s Steakhouse. The company is engaged in the ownership and operation of hospitality and entertainment businesses including the Kemah Boardwalk, the San Luis Resort Complex, the Galveston Historic Pleasure Pier and the Downtown Aquariums in Denver and Houston. Landry’s and its affiliated businesses will generate more than $2.7 billion in revenues in 2013. n

The Clairmont celebrates 25 years The Clairmont Beaumont celebrated its 25th anniversary Thursday, Aug. 1, at 1020 S. 23rd St. Clairmont was built by American Health Services Inc. on a fouracre tract the company had owned for more than 10 years. The $2.7 million, 36,000 square foot building for the elderly in Beaumont would employ as many as 100 workers when completed in October 1987. The Clairmont would have a capacity of 128 beds with


private baths in patient’s rooms and would offer semi-private, private rooms and some suites. In 1997, the Clairmont added 20 more beds to the facility for short-term stays. In 2003, Skilled Healthcare became the administrative and operational support group for the facility. Clairmont renovated 36 beds into a special unit offering short-term care services for patients who need skilled nursing and rehabilitation. In

2008, the Department of Aging and Disability Services awarded the Clairmont a deficiency free survey, a rare and prestigious award. In 2010, the Clairmont opened The Traditions Unit, a safe-haven secured unit for the memory impaired women with dementia or Alzheimer’s disorders. In October 2010, the facility was awarded the Bronze Award from the American Health Care Association. n


An educator and a marketer Dr. Kenneth Evans brings unique skill set to Lamar presidency

gineering program, for producing a disproportionate number of excellent engineers for a university of this size. Also, if you live in the Golden Triangle area, chances are your child is taught in school by a Lamar grad. If you go to a doctor or the hospital, you are tended to by a nurse trained at Lamar. The MBA program in the business school is highly regarded. Outside of engineering, education, nursing and business, where do you see areas of opportunity?

by james shannon business journal

When Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall announced that Kenneth R. Evans, Ph.D. would be named president of Lamar University, it marked the end of a monthslong process. A search committee comprised of more than a dozen regents, deans and professors – with a couple of businessmen who happened to be Lamar alumni and the student body president thrown in for good measure – had reviewed more than 75 applicants and nominees before deciding the dean of the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma would become the 15th president in the school’s history. Evans succeeds Dr. Jimmy Simmons as leader of the university that is an important part of life in Southeast Texas. His previous career stops at the University of Missouri and Arizona State have prepared him to guide Lamar into the future. Evans arrived on campus on July 1 and agreed to sit down with The Examiner for a get-acquainted interview.

We have a great audiology studies program as well. The numbers are not as huge as in some of the other sectors that you mentioned, but it likewise has a very strong reputation. I can’t disagree with you on the areas you’ve identified. What I can’t answer – and I am going to discover over the period of the next few months of visiting with each of the departments on campus – where there are particular areas of exceptional performance where there might be opportunities to leverage other areas of core competency on campus. So it’s premature of me to say, ‘That’s it.’

You’re succeeding a guy who had a long tenure here both as a faculty member and president since 1999. Jimmy Simmons was considered a transformative figure in the history of this university, and his seat is still warm. You’re familiar with the phrase ‘Woody Hayes Syndrome’? Whoever followed Woody Hayes would have a tough act to follow. There’s no question that’s the case, not just with Jimmy but Susan’s legacy as well. There’s no question they added a number of facilities on campus; residential life dramatically changed; the student rec center. You could go on and on. The football program … But the truth of the matter is that the platform of higher education is just dramatically changing at light speed, and the distance ed piece is really at its earliest gestation process in many ways. What the campus does in terms of identifying key areas of focus of core excellence going forward that it can leverage regional and national reputations off of – this school can be and should be a destination school for a student who is really looking for an intimate learning experience. It’s one thing to go to a large, major state institution and be lost, frankly, in the numbers they tend to generate as opposed to a campus like ours where the class sizes are intimate; our students have 6 | Business Journal • August 2013

I realize as we sit here it’s July 8, so you have been on campus for exactly one week, minus the Fourth of July holiday. Based on what you’ve seen so far, what do you see as area of opportunity for the university?

tremendous success records going forward in graduate programs; pre-med has been successful. This university has the ability to take what it has done in that kind of educational experience and ratchet it to the next level. But likewise, speaking to the other piece, it also needs to deal with retention and matriculation issues. You make, in effect, a contract with somebody when you recruit them to the university and accept them into the university environment, that you will help them and do everything you can to help them matriculate. While our statistics have not been as we’d like to see them become – and they will become that – the reality is that’s a commitment we have to those students, and we need to build our ability to be able to put retention and matriculation metrics in play, systems in play,

interventions in play to help those students succeed. How much of that has to do with admission standards? Are admission standards high at Lamar compared to other schools? Admission standards have gone up this past year, and it’s affecting our enrollment a bit, if truth be told. But on the other hand, we have always had a commitment to providing access to students in the Southeast Texas area, and we will continue to have that commitment. What that means from our standpoint in terms of helping that student navigate the undergraduate experience is a part of our obligation as educators. Lamar has been known for its en-

I can tell you, obviously, energy – you can’t live in an environment like we have here where maybe 40 or 50 percent, maybe more, of the refining that takes place in the United States happens within a 50 or 60 mile radius of Beaumont or thereabouts and not see the oil and gas industry as a core constituent and partner with Lamar. Obviously the chemical engineering program is demonstrable in terms of its role and relationship with that industry. How we might find other ways to partner with that industry is the next step. Most of those people experience glass ceilings if they’re interested in moving into management in the refining industry, how they might access continuing education product in order to be able to overcome that glass ceiling. They all need continuing ed product because the refining industry’s science is moving along, and they need additional education in order to be able to stay on top of what’s happening in that industry. So certificate programs for us targeted at that industry make a lot of sense. SEE EVANS, PAGE 7

Nurse of the Year From left, Ruth McKnight, RN, Tara Holder, and Rhonda Butler, RN APRN received the 2013 Nurse of the Year award from each of their respective facilities: Christus Hospital – St. Mary, Christus Health Southeast and Christus Hospital – St. Elizabeth. Since 2004, nurses have been nominated and selected based on performance.

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EVANS | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 (laughing) No, not at all … Certificate programs targeted at the education industry, which is also moving at light speed at the primary To what extent do you find that the reputation of and secondary levels where a large part of our infusion of talent comes from here, that we prepare for that a university is tied to its athletic program? I know OU has been known for its athletic excellence for market – the opportunities are abundant. years. Did that factor into your marketing of the I remember the first time I stood on the eighth business school there? floor of the John Gray Library at night and No, not really. Obviously I was competing looked out on all the twinkling lights of the with the athletic department for developskyline and realized those were the cracking ment dollars when I was looking to raise towers of the Exxon Mobil refinery … funds for scholarships or a professorship. … The reality is there’s a vibrancy of the Well, you stand up there and you go, that marstudent experience on campus that is certainly ket and what it means to Southeast Texas is such a huge part of our identity that if you don’t stand up enhanced when an athletic program is in play. Bethere and develop an immediate love affair with the cause we are such a big partner in the Beaumont twinkling lights, you’re denying what your present community and beyond, the fact that we have an athletic program and it provides an opportunity and your future is going to look like. for the community to interface with the campus You come here from the University of Oklahoma, is a good thing. We’re working on improving our and obviously athletics are not that big of a deal up performance in all those sectors as we speak. The women’s golf team did very well this last year, so there … kudos to them. Softball played well this year and baseball looked good, so there’s a lot of good things to tout.

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In your cover letter to the search committee, you referred to the expansion of online learning and how we are at the threshold of that. Where does it go from here? Online learning and what the future of it is – my goodness, if I knew that, you and I could walk out of this interview and make ourselves a fortune in that market. It’s not entirely clear – with the MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and what has been going on in that space and free-provided product in the market and now attempts to find ways to secure revenue off these mass online products being offered out of Stanford and MIT and other institutions. What that means within the context of regional schools where you’re trying to carve out a unique niche, where you have a sustainable advantage – what we have here is a network of educators that have a tremendous trust in what we do in the provision of educational product for advancing individuals within their careers in primary and secondary education. There’s no way you can put a value on that because the brand is so important, and it sustains itself long-term. That’s a market we have the ability to provide product to and continue to own a differential advantage. n


Victory Medical Center Beaumont With Ames as CEO, new surgical hospital on Beaumont’s West End recruits top docs by james shannon business journal

Victory Medical Center Beaumont has taken its place on the Southeast Texas healthcare landscape since it opened its doors in May of this year. The facility is charting a new course in patient services as a private surgical hospital that provides leading-edge technology and superior personalized care from the region’s top physicians. According to a statement on the company’s website, “Patients will experience the Victory Difference – a dedication to healing through education, technology and first-class care. … At Victory Medical Center Beaumont, patients will receive first-class care including a dedicated nurse, private, spacious patient suites, and luxury amenities such as gourmet food, Wi-Fi, high quality linens and convenient front door parking.” The 85,000 square foot medical center is comprised of the 56,000 square feet of hospital space and 29,000 square feet of medical office space on Dowlen Road between Folsom and Delaware. The facility opens with 17 private inpatient suites, five oversized operating rooms and three special procedure rooms. Victory Medical Center Beaumont specializes in complex spine procedures in addition to neurological, orthopedic, bariatric and general surgery, as well as pain management, podiatry, and ear, nose and throat procedures. The hospital’s 24-hour emergency services will be staffed by the Golden Triangle Emergency Physicians group. Victory Medical Center Beaumont CEO Becky Ames emphasized that the facility is, for lack of a better de8 | Business Journal • August 2013

Neurosurgeon Bratislav Velimirovic, M.D., or Dr. V, and Victory Medical Center Beaumont CEO Becky Ames

scription, a different breed of cat – our expression, not hers. “That’s what we are – a specialty hospital. We don’t claim to be all things to all people,” said Ames. “We are a surgical hospital; that’s what our core business is. But because we are a hospital and not a surgical center, we do have an emergency room.” Because Victory does not seek to admit patients through their ER, they have a policy to take the patients that come in that cannot be treated and released to triage, stabilize and transfer to a full-service hospital. Victory does not participate in Medicaid or Medicare, so those payments are not accepted for surgical patients. Ames explained: “We take insurance, but it’s out of network. A patient has to have out-ofnetwork benefits, but any time you can do a surgery that’s out-patient – that

you don’t have to stay (overnight in the hospital) – for whatever reason, whether it’s the procedure type or the method or the equipment used, it’s going to be less expensive, so that is obviously that is what we try to do,” said Ames. “We do have 17 in-patient rooms and suites because there are some – especially our spine surgeries and some orthopedic surgeries – that do need a one-night stay. We have had one or two twonight stays, but the majority are onenight stays when they do stay.” This is consistent with Victory’s core values, which are centered around providing a new standard in surgical care through a first-class environment, a one nurse/one patient model, and revolutionary technology. The concept is the brainchild of Robert N. Helms Jr., founder and CEO of Victory Healthcare. Based in The Woodlands, Texas, the privately owned

company has built a growing network of specialized surgical hospitals that to date includes Houston, San Antonio, Beaumont and the DFW Metroplex including Fort Worth, McKinney and Hurst with leading local physician partners in each community. They have also established training and education centers, and the only privately held tissue bank in the state of Texas. Helms oversees and manages the overall operations of Victory Healthcare. He has been working in healthcare for more than 40 years. Over that time, he has served as CEO of several large regional healthcare providers in both short-term acute care and longterm acute care in Florida, Texas and Illinois. He is presently the primary owner and CEO of Victory Healthcare. The hiring of Becky Ames as Beaumont CEO was a canny move. She has amassed an impressive record of service as a Beaumont City Council member since 1994, and she was elected mayor in 2007. She led Beaumont’s recovery from Hurricane Ike in 2008 and has a record as a proven leader. She was reelected in the most recent election with over 91 percent of the vote, so she is well liked, no doubt an asset in her current position. But it is her background in hospitality and facilities management that makes her uniquely qualified to head up this unique hospital. She was director of sales and marketing for the Beaumont Hilton for 13 years from the time it opened. Then she spent 16 years as executive director of Atria Collier Park, a retirement community. In both jobs, she opened new buildings, so her position as the inaugural CEO of Victory Medical Center

Beaumont puts her on familiar ground. On a recent morning, she guided the Business Journal on a tour of the new facility, pointing out the gleaming art and architecture. She greeted the employees we encountered by name and they smiled broadly at meeting a stranger. In response to a comment about their friendliness, she commented, “I know – I hired them.” This is a hospital, of course, and Ames took particular pride in showing a visitor the beautifully appointed patient rooms and treatment facilities. The spacious surgical suites were offlimits to non-essential personnel but could be clearly seen on video monitors in the doctor’s lounge. That is a large area, comfortably furnished with couches and chairs in addition to a dining area. A chef stood ready at a quesadilla station – in the morning, it is an omelet station – ready to offer nourishment to the physicians. To demonstrate the excellence of the food, Ames had her prepare quesadillas for our inspection.

As we sampled the fare prepared on demand for the doctors, a new surgeon walked by. Ames had only met him once and introduced him as “Doctor V” since his name is somewhat difficult to pronounce. He is Bratislav Velimirovic, M.D., a neurosurgeon from Serbia who trained at the University of Belgrade College of Medicine. He served his neurosurgery residency in Chicago at North-

western University’s McGaw Medical Center before becoming a professor at the Harvard Medical School for three years. He is the author or co-author of more than a dozen scholarly papers, a distinguished and honored practitioner of the medical arts. So what is he doing in Beaumont? Dr. V was recruited to Victory by another eminent neurosurgeon who is a partner there and said he leapt at the chance to treat

his patients and perform surgeries at such an advanced facility. He is only one of the many excellent physicians on staff at Victory Medical Center Beaumont. That a healer like him – who would be welcome in any of the leading medical centers in the world – would chose to come to Victory Medical Center Beaumont is powerful evidence they are doing something right over on Dowlen Road. n

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Intervention work ongoing at South Timbalier 220 Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Director James Watson has been in Houston and Houma, La., in recent days overseeing critical efforts in response to a loss of control of a natural gas well offshore of Louisiana. “BSEE has already initiated an investigation into the root causes of this incident, and our focus at this time remains on the ongoing response,” Watson said. “All of the workers aboard the platform were safely evacuated before the fire, but complex operations to completely secure the well will be ongoing over the coming weeks and those must be conducted safely and cautiously. Tuesday’s event and other recent incidents serve as a reminder that industry must rededicate its efforts to make safety its top priority, including in shallow water.” The director visited BSEE staff and Coast Guard members working directly in response activities and well control operations in the Unified Command stood up in Houma, La. “BSEE employees are dedicated public servants and are among our nation’s top experts in offshore oil and gas operations,” Director Watson said. “I greatly appreciate their dedication to ensuring this well is secured safely and in a manner that protects the environment. I also appreciate and am proud of our close working relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard and our tremendous collaboration this week to ensure safety at all levels and at all times.” The BSEE, U.S. Coast Guard, and Walter Oil & Gas Corporation, through the Unified Command, continue to oversee and coordinate response efforts to secure the South Timbalier 220 natural gas Well A-3. Safety of personnel and protection of the environment remain the top priorities. All available options for a safe resolution to the incident continue to be under consideration. After completion of a site assessment, personnel are on board the Hercules 265 jack-up rig and in the process of installing gas detectors and high-capacity water jet fire monitors for contingency purposes. The Superior Derrick Services’ barge Performance arrived on location July 27 and began setting anchors. The barge will be used by response teams to assist with well intervention activities. BSEE has approved Walter’s permit

application to drill a relief well. The Rowan EXL-3 jack-up rig, contracted by Walter, is on location at South Timbalier 220 and crews are preparing the rig for drilling. A relief well is drilled to intercept the target well. Once intercepted, drilling mud followed by cement will be pumped into the well to secure it. A slight sheen continues to be detected on the water’s surface according to visual observations. The sheen is dissipating quickly. The Coast Guard continues to maintain a 500-meter safety zone around the site. Firefighting and other marine vessels remain onsite with personnel from Walter, Hercules, and other professional engineering contractors, and relevant federal agencies. BSEE’s investigation into the cause of the loss of well control continues in coordination with the Coast Guard. Walter experienced a loss of control of Well A-3 at approximately 8:45 a.m. July 23 on an unmanned platform at South Timbalier Block 220 while doing completion work on the sidetrack well to prepare the well for production. The operator reported the safe evacuation of 44 personnel from the Hercules 265 jack-up rig. Coast Guard confirmed that the leaking natural gas ignited at 10:45 p.m. CDT July 23. BSEE confirmed July 25 that the well flow subsided after a natural bridging process suppressed the fire.

Oil & Gas WRAP


Appeals Court strikes down diesel fuel tax

In CSX Transportation Inc. v. Alabama Department of Revenue, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals held July 1 that Alabama’s imposition of sales and use tax on diesel fuel purchased by rail carriers violates the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976. This is the second time that the case has been before the Circuit Court. An earlier decision of the Circuit Court holding that a rail carrier could not challenge its competitors’ exemptions from sales and use tax under the 4-R Act was reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 22. The 4-R Act prohibits certain discriminatory taxes. Three prohibitions deal with taxes on property, and the fourth prohibits “another tax” that discriminates against rail carriers. Citing the 4-R Act, CSX challenged Alabama’s imposition of sales and use tax on diesel fuel purchased by rail carriers. CSX said the tax is discriminatory because fuel purchased by interstate

Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard

motor and water carriers is exempt from the tax. The Circuit Court held that this established a prima facie showing of discrimination under the 4-R Act, shifting the burden to the State to prove a “sufficient justification” for taxing rail carriers differently. Because the state failed to do so, the Circuit Court held that the tax on diesel fuel purchased by rail carriers is discriminatory in violation of the 4-R Act. It remanded the case to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, directing it to enter declaratory and injunctive relief in favor of CSX.

Huntsman to acquire Oxid L.P.

Huntsman Corporation has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the business of Oxid L.P., a privately held manufacturer and marketer of specialty urethane polyols based in Houston. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Oxid’s polyols are a key component in the production of energy saving polyurethane insulation products used in residential and commercial construction. The polyols are combined with methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) – in which Huntsman’s Polyurethanes division is a leading global producer – to create polyurethane foam insulation for walls, roofs, refrigerators and many other applications. Oxid markets its diverse product line of specialty polyols under the trademark Terol and distributes products worldwide from its manufacturing facility in Houston. Commenting on the planned acquisition, Anthony P. Hankins, president of Huntsman’s Polyurethanes division, said: “Oxid has an excellent reputation in the market, and the addition of its

Terol specialty polyols to our existing MDI product portfolio will strengthen our offer to the key downstream insulation markets in North America and provide new opportunities globally. “As growth in the U.S. housing and construction markets gathers pace, we aim to leverage the significant benefits of MDI polyurethanes insulation and this acquisition will strengthen our position considerably. We see strong market and technology synergies in combining the two businesses and look forward to concluding the deal in the near future.” The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter and will be immediately accretive to Huntsman’s earnings. Oxid generated $86 million of revenue in 2012.

Gastar extends property sale

Gastar Exploration Ltd. has agreed to provide Cubic Energy an additional extension on the closing of the previously announced sale of Gastar’s East Texas properties. The closing of the transaction was extended to July 31 with a termination date of July 31 in order to allow Cubic Energy additional time to finalize financing. As compensation for the additional extension of the closing date, the parties have agreed to reduce certain identified due diligence negative adjustments to the purchase price by an additional $350,000. Gastar Exploration is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil, natural gas, condensate and natural gas liquids in the United States. Gastar also holds producing natural gas acreage in the deep Bossier play in the Hilltop area of East Texas but has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its East Texas assets. n

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THE LAMARS

Czech transplant make U.S., Lamar her home Going to college was not always an obvious choice for Patty Stephens, a biology/pre-med major at Lamar University. Born in Prague, Czech Republic, she moved to the Netherlands as a young child and then spent several years in Aruba, a Dutch island in the Caribbean Sea. At 16, she and her family relocated to Port Neches, where she finished high school. “High expectations are not really set in Aruba. Most people don’t even go to college. I wasn’t exactly sure it was feasible for me,” she said. “When I came to Lamar University, I started seeing that I actually really enjoyed school and learning. Medical school seemed very appealing to me. I always enjoyed helping people.” Stephens started college as a psychology major then changed to nursing. After becoming a pre-med/ biology major, she found even more ways to get involved on campus. She joined the Lamar chapter of the American Medical Students Association and starts her second year as the organization’s president this fall. Stephens and a few of her fellow members have even attended national AMSA conferences for the past two years. “I absolutely love it,” Stephens said. “We’re making it grow, and all the members are so dedicated. I’ve learned what it means to be a leader.” Both Stephens and the organization were honored this spring at Lamar’s 2013 Toast to Leadership Banquet. Stephens won the Ann Shaw Leadership Award, which recognizes a student who makes significant contributions to Lamar, fosters teamwork and excellent leadership, and exhibits exemplary personal ethics and integrity. The Lamar AMSA chapter was named the university’s most improved student organization. Now well on her way to achieving her goal of becoming a doctor, Stephens acknowledges that her transition a few years ago to a new school in a new country was a little tricky. “Most people say when they go abroad, it’s a cul-

experience at Lamar has been good. “Lamar has opened my eyes to everything, especially to volunteering and being involved,” she said. “It’s built my character and personality. I’ve become a leader at Lamar and will take that with me wherever I go.”

New scholarships

Janice Trammell Scholarship

Patty Stephens

ture shock. For me, it was moving to Texas. Aruba is a lot more open and free-willed,” she said. “It wasn’t until I started college where I started standing on my own two feet that I started to feel comfortable calling this place my home. Lamar University did that for me.” An international upbringing has its advantages, though. Stephens speaks five languages – Czech, Dutch, Papiamento (a language of Aruba and other nearby islands), Spanish and English, which she did not start learning until age 12. “I think learning all these other languages when you’re younger helps when you’re older with absorbing new information and knowledge,” she said. She still has a few more semesters before graduation, but Stephens already reached one important milestone during her tenure at Lamar. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen, as did her mother and sister. Two of Stephens’ three sisters (two were born U.S. citizens) also are Lamar students. Although they have different majors and are involved in different activities on campus, it is nice to run into each other on campus sometimes, she said. For all of them, the

The Lamar University Foundation has established a new endowed scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in communication. The Janice Trammell Scholarship in Communication was funded through donations from the LU Foundation Board of Trustees in honor of Trammell upon her retirement as executive director of the Foundation. “The communication department gets good students,” said O’Brien Stanley, chair of the Department of Communications. “Because this scholarship is available to all communication students, this will help encourage them to stay in school.” Trammell began working for Lamar in 1983 as a staff member for Continuing Education and as an adjunct faculty member for the Department of Communication. In 2001, Trammell became the executive director of the LU Foundation, also serving as the director of development for the Division of University Advancement. In these positions, Trammell oversaw the daily management of the Foundation and was responsible for fundraising to establish scholarships and endowments to support Lamar University. The retirement gift from the board of trustees was all the more appropriate since her work included seeking gifts that would establish student scholarships. She was also integral in the foundation’s restructuring process and

LAMAR

UNIVERSITY

SEE SCHOLARSHIPS, PAGE 13

Graduate student Gu earns National Science named Region 18 Foundation fellowship Teacher of the Year Lamar University graduate student School before accepting a position Justin Walker has been recognized as assistant principal of Goddard as a Region 18 Texas Secondary Junior High School in Midland Teacher of the Year for 2014. Walk- for the 2013-14 school year. Walker is a semifinalist for the er is currently earning his state-level Texas Teacher of Masters of Education from the Year Award. Finalists Lamar and will graduate in will be announced Aug. 26. December. “There are so many great Walker, who lives in teachers in our region,” Midland with his wife, Walker said. “It was a suralso a teacher, and their real feeling knowing that I 9-month-old daughter, was chosen.” had not always planned on Justin Walker Walker was a Career teaching. Walker graduand Technical Education (CTE) ated from Texas Tech University teacher specializing in marketing with a bachelor’s degree in busieducation at Midland Senior High ness marketing. n 12 | Business Journal • August 2013

Anita Hongbo Gu, a joint Lamar University/Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) doctoral student in chemical engineering, has earned the prestigious Student Participation Fellowship from the National Science Foundation. Gu will represent Lamar and HIT at an upcoming Research and Innovation Conference in Boston, Mass. Gu is a visiting scholar working with Lamar chemical engineering faculty and student researchers with the support of the China Council Scholarship (CCS) program. She has published more than 30 peer-reviewed papers in her chosen areas of research, polymer nanocomposites, giant magnetoresistance sensors and environmental remediation, including one reviewed paper in the highly regarded

Chemical Society Reviews publication. “The CCS program that brought me to Lamar as a joint doctoral student has been a wonderful experience for me,” Gu said. “It allows me to focus on research while building toward my career.” Gu, a native of China, has worked with the Lamar chemical engineering faculty for almost two years and will complete her studies in August. She’ll fulfill her obligations under the CCS programin China. “Miss Gu is very knowledgeable in her field of research with a strong work ethic,” said Zhanhu Guo, assistant professor of chemical engineering and director of the LU Integrated Composites Laboratory (ICL). “She has worked closely with me throughout her tenure at Lamar and is an active collaborator in our ICL.” n

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THE LAMARS

LIT Foundation announces 2013 Salute event for Sept. 5 Lamar Institute of Technology will honor area first responders and military personnel with its “A Salute to the Real American Heroes” fundraiser Sept. 5. The event raises scholarship money for the LIT Foundation. The scholarships are awarded to outstanding students in the Regional Police Academy, the Regional Fire Academy, homeland security, emergency medical technology and criminal justice programs. It will begin at 6 p.m. at Wesley

United Methodist Church, 3810 N. Major Drive, Beaumont. Cooks 2 Dozen Plus Inc. will provide dinner with sponsorship by the Sabine Area Restaurant Association. Tickets are $50 each, and admission is free to active uniformed personnel and their spouses. Reservations are required. You may reserve a table or buy tickets by calling (409) 839-2956. n

LAMAR

On MajOr

The Garth House Child Advocacy Program is looking for volunteers for their Prevention Program and “Friend of a Child” Program. If you have as little as two hours a week to spare please call 838-9084.

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOLARSHIPS | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 with the Investing in the Future Campaign before her retirement in 2013. After more than 36 years of experience, Trammell’s passion for Lamar, for higher education and for assisting students with educational expenses can be reflected and preserved for years to come. “After many years of securing gifts to establish scholarships that would reduce a student’s cost of obtaining a higher education, I am honored to have my own named scholarship that will exist in perpetuity at Lamar University,” Trammell said.

Dreyer Family Scholarship

The Dreyer Family Scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in mechanical engineering was funded through a partnership between the Dreyer Family and ExxonMobil as part of ExxonMobil’s 3-to-1 Matching Gifts Program. This program was established to encourage ExxonMobil employees and retirees to donate to the community and to higher education. “The Dreyer Family Scholarship will help the mechanical engineering department to attract more high-quality students, to reward students for their excellent performances, to motivate students to achieve their career goals and to relieve some of students’ financial burdens,” said Hsing-wei Chu, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Dreyer graduated from Lamar with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. Mrs. Dreyer graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English, a minor in history and a secondary certification in teaching. She later received an elementary certification in teaching from Lamar. Finally, she received a Master of Education in 2000. The

Dreyers have a son, who graduated from Lamar, and a daughter, who has taken summer courses at Lamar.

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The Camille Mouton Scholarship was established by the members of the Lamar University Investing in the Future Campaign Cabinet to honor Mouton’s work and dedication during Lamar’s first comprehensive campaign. According to members of the cabinet, Mouton’s “tireless and selfless” commitment to the campaign and her “friend raising before fundraising” code of conduct were key factors in the enormous success of the campaign. Mouton graduated magna cum laude in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in business education from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now known as University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Mouton began her career at Lamar University in 1997 as director of development. She also served as executive director of the Lamar University Foundation from 1999 to 2001 and served as executive director of university advancement before being promoted to vice president for university advancement in 2004. In this role, Mouton is responsible for development, alumni affairs, public relations and marketing, Web Camille Mouton communications, advancement services, the University Reception Center and the SpindletopGladys City Boomtown Museum. For more information about establishing an endowed scholarship, contact the Lamar University Foundation at (409) 880-2117. n

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THE LAMARS

New nursing building slated for August opening In November 2012, representatives from Lamar State College-Orange held a ground-breaking ceremony for the latest addition to the campus, an Allied Health building. Now about nine months later, it is expected to be completed by Aug. 26 when classes begin, according to Dr. J. Michael Shahan, president of LSC-O. “Contractors believe it will be ready,” Shahan said. “We are still on target.” Since 1992, LSCO has had more than 3,000 students graduate and become nurses. The nursing program is the largest program on the campus. Nursing students contribute to nearly half of the enrollment on the campus, so when the property was acquired to help house an area of study, it was quickly decided the nursing students would benefit the most. When completed, the 32,000-square-foot building will have labs, lecture halls, computer rooms and more much-needed space that awaits the more than 1,000 nursing students on campus. The LSC-O Foundation acquired the former Orange Leader building next to the campus in 2010, and the college subsequently purchased the site from the foundation so that it could be renovated and used for classroom space. However, in 2011, the campus hired a consulting firm to examine the feasibility of renovating the building and found it would not be cost effective to save it, so plans were made to construct a new building, according to Record archives. “When the Campus Master Plan was put together, we did not designate a specific area of study for the building,” Shahan said in a previous interview. “As we looked at our enroll-

ment growth over the past four years, it became evident that the demand for nursing instruction exceeded the capacity of our existing facilities.” Currently, nursing students are housed in the Allied Health Building on campus, along with the EMS program and pharmacy technology. Without enough room, many of the nursing classes have had to be scheduled in the Wilson building across campus. Not only will students work out of the new building, but the nursing program directors and administrative assistant will be housed in the new building, while most faculty offices will remain

LAMAR

STATE COLLEGE

ORANGE

Photos by Sharon Brooks


in the current Allied Health Building. Moving the nursing classes to the new building will allow some of the classrooms in the Allied Health Building to be used for general instruction, as well as continue to comfortably house the EMS and pharmacy technology programs. The money for the new construction will come from two sources, according to Shahan. “The campus receives an annual allocation of money from the state’s Higher Education Assistance Fund,” he said. “For several years, LSC-O has saved a portion of this money, and these savings will pay for almost half of the construction. The remainder will be paid from funds generated through revenue bonds issued by the Texas State University System.” There are approximately 160 vocational nursing students, 80 registered nursing students, and roughly 300 basic nursing students each year at LSC-O. However, with the more than 500 prevocational students that have to be advised through the nursing department, things have grown a little crowded. The new building, as well as the grounds surrounding it, is very inviting and conducive to learning. “Recently a student said to me they were so looking forward to coming to class in the Allied Health Building but was disappointed that their class was in the Wilson building because they wouldn’t be able to be a part of the ‘nursing atmosphere,’” said Gina Simar, director of Allied Health, in a previous

interview. “I think the new building will give students that sense of pride and accomplishment that they have arrived to nursing and their hard work is paying off.” Simar says the main thing the new building will provide is room for the nursing students to learn, but the new building will also be equipped with a simulation lab to include two adult rooms, a birthing room, pediatric room, and a home setting environment. New equipment will be included to enhance student learning, and there will be two five-bed skills labs that will also be for the training of nursing students. In addition, there will be an 80-seat lecture hall, a 60-seat computer room, two 50seat rooms and a 60-seat classroom. “I think the new building is going to motivate students and will be a beautiful, up-to-date facility of which we are going to be very proud to be a part of,” said Simar. “The 80-seat lecture hall will allow for all of LSC-O to perhaps sponsor presentations, hold specialized meetings and invite speakers.” Administrators at LSC-O are looking to the future for students and the professionals they will someday become. “When I first started in Allied Health, the vocational nursing program entered 40 students twice a year, and the registered nursing program entered 40 students once a year,” Simar said. “These programs have grown considerably, and it is time for LSC-O to grow and expand as well in order to accommodate our students.” n

THE LAMARS

Praxair starts up hydrogen plant serving Valero in PA

Yvonne Murray of Beaumont won a Dell laptop at the recent New Student Orientation at Lamar State College-Port Arthur. Murray is pictured with members of the Advising Department at LSC-PA, from left, Aubry Boone, Lawanda Brown and Carla Santos, and Student Activities Assistant Diana Crutchfield.

LAMAR

STATE COLLEGE

PORT ARTHUR

Free business seminars Ready to start your own business? Lamar State College-Port Arthur and the Small Business Development Center can help you realize your dream. The SBDC is hosting several free seminars in August and September at its home office on Procter Street in Port Arthur, as well as at the Nederland Economic Development Center. SBDC Business Consultant Conrad Cooper will lead the seminars. The seminars are geared for people considering going into business for the first time. Those in attendance will get information about business plans,

funding, employees, taxes and other issues facing the new business owner. Aug. 20, Cooper hosts the event from 9 a.m. to noon at the Nederland EDC at 1903 Atlanta Ave. in Nederland. He returns to Nederland on Sept. 24 for a seminar from 6-9 p.m. Although free, pre-registration is required to ensure class availability. Those interested can pre-register at www.lamarpa.sbdcnetwork.net or by calling (409) 984-6531. n

Port Arthur’s Valero refinery is getting a little bit of extra help from a new state-of-the-art hydrogen plant. In a press release, Praxair Inc. announced July 22 it had started up its 135 million standard cubic feet per day (scfd) hydrogen plant serving Valero’s Port Arthur plant and other customers around the US and world. The new plant boasts a brand new Steam Methane Reformer (SMR) that will supply up to 450,000 pounds per hour of steam to Valero’s 57,000 barrel-a-day hydrocracker. Valero’s hydrocracker is like many others in that it needs raw materials and other off-site chemicals to break down hydrocarbon molecules in heavier crude oil. The process eventually ends with the “production of premium transportation fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuels that burn cleaner and are in strong demand globally,” the press release says. “The process produces 1.2 barrels of high-value, low-sulfur products for each barrel of high-sulfur feedstock.” The new plant is also connected to Praxair’s existing 750 million scfd hydrogen storage cavern, SEE PRAXAIR, PAGE 16

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Lamar State College-PA expands with Audiovisual Production degree Try to imagine the movie “Star Wars” without the opening score, the chirping of R2D2 or Chewbacca’s growl. It just wouldn’t be the same. Without a movie soundtrack, the story on the screen is incomplete and lackluster. It would be “Godfather” without machineguns, “Rocky” without the chanting crowd, or “The Sound of Music” without the music. With that advent of the Audiovisual Production degree for the summer and fall 2013 semesters, Lamar State College-Port Arthur is making sure that the future of audio/video production is alive and well in the future. The associate degree offers students the opportunity for a handson experience using state of the art equipment to create dialog, electronic music and sound effects for

film and television. Over the twoyear study, students will learn how to create and edit short films and will graduate with a professional level demo reel. “Lamar State College-Port Arthur is not just about music,” Music Program Director Dan Walzer said. “We’re about all aspects of media production. Audio postproduction and sound for games are among the fastest growing industries in the creative arts.” The Audiovisual Production degree offers related classes such as Advanced Video Editing, ShortForm Camera Production, Audio Post-Production, and Film Scoring along with the musical core like Class Piano, Composition and Arranging, and Music Theory. With the addition of college core classes, the credits earned at Lamar State College-Port Arthur

will transfer to any four-year university for those wanting to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Other programs offered in the Music Department at Lamar State-Port Arthur include associate degrees in Commercial Music Performance and Sound Engineering, and certificates in Entertainment Business and Live Sound Design and Technology. Registration for the Fall 2013 semester is underway at Lamar State-Port Arthur and admission is ongoing. For information about admissions or registration, call (409) 984-6186. For information about financial aid, call the Financial Aid Office at (409) 984-6203 or 984-6205. To apply for admission online, go to www.lamarpa. edu and click the button on the right of the home page that says “Apply Here.” n Business Journal • August 2013 | 15

20 tenants inked in 20 months by clay thorp

business journal

In midst of downtown Beaumont’s hustle and bustle, the Edison Plaza stands out in the crowd. Not only has the previous Entergy building received a new face-lift, but the offices that once held only a single tenant are filling up quickly with local business and government entities looking to position themselves perfectly within the heart of Beaumont. “We’re thrilled for the building, especially when it has been around a while, to see it grow the way that it has; it’s very very exciting,” said property manager Kristin Winzer. “And we still have space left.” In a press release from AlbaneseCormier Holdings — who acquired Edison Plaza in 2011 and recently completed a comprehensive remodel of the building — the company said it has secured 20 new leases in 20 months. Big names like Progressive Insurance, the Region 5 Education Service Center, UnitedHealthcare, URS Corporation, STI Group, Burrow Global


and others are quickly filling the brand new spaces. So what really sets Edison apart from every other office building in Beaumont? “Aside from the general location ... its really the amenities that set the building apart,” Winzer said. “We have 24-hour, seven day-a-week security on site, as well as onsite property management. The fitness center in the lobby is exclusively available only to the tenants, which they love.” Edison is the only Class-A officer tower in Beaumont, and it also offers conference rooms, dry cleaning, copy/ fax locations for tenants only, as well as Fed-Ex and UPS onsite. “The building has undergone a trans-

formation,” Winzer said. Offices range from 700 square feet to 26,000 square feet, and tours are available Monday through Friday. If you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to check out the lobby of the newly renovated Edison Building. There you’ll find LePeep Cafe and the Edison Cafe adjacent to the new Starbucks. If you’re a business interested in coming to the Edison Building, Winzer said prospective tenants shouldn’t worry about Beaumont’s newest business building running out of space. “People are limited by their own imagination as far as what we can do with the space we have left,” she said. AlbaneseCormier Holdings is a commercial real estate development company currently holding nearly 2.0 million square feet of strategically placed assets throughout Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Colorado, Arkansas, Nevada, Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky. For more information about our company or on any other property within the ACH portfolio, visit www. AlbaneseCormier.com or contact the main office at (409) 892-0200. n

PRAXAIR | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 which it uses to supply customers throughout the Gulf Coast with high-purity hydrogen. “This project represents a significant investment in hydrogen supply for Praxair’s customers along the Gulf Coast,” said Mike Jordan, vice president, U.S. Hydrogen in a press release. “And with the completion of a similar plant with pipeline expansion in Louisiana this year, we will enhance competitive supply options for the lower Mississippi River corridor as well.” According to their website, Praxair is “the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2012 sales of $11 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings.” Praxair owns and operates more than 50 hydrogen production facilities and seven hydrogen pipeline systems globally. n

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A Lasting Mark George P. Mitchell, who died as domestic sources of oil and recently at the age of 94, was a natural gas help insulate the pioneer in not one, but two ma- United States from potential jor Texas industries. Texas lost a price shocks stemming from giant, and I lost a friend of more international events. It’s also than 30 years. He helping lower was a self-made THE ECONOMIST energy costs for man who had an all of us. While amazing ability to natural gas pricsee better ways to ing has curtailed do things, whethactivity in gaser by technologirich formations cal breakthrough to some extent, or visionary conm. ray perryman the development cept. One of the of plays such industries he as the Barnett radically changed, oil and gas Shale over the past decade has exploration and production, is generated billions in economic serving as a growth engine for benefits. the state. The other, real estate A major part of what has development, has enhanced the driven these booms in natural quality of life of people across gas and then oil is recovery the state. techniques that opened up It’s no secret that oil produc- the shale formations to ecotion and exploration activity is nomically feasible production. on an upswing, with massive Mitchell was the man responeconomic benefits, including sible for the key innovation tens of thousands upon thou- making this possible: hydrausands of high-paying jobs across lic fracturing (or fracking). He the United States. In addition, began experimenting with the this new production capacity technique in the 1980s, perhelps the nation move closer sisting for two decades before to the goal of energy security, reaching the point where it

unlocked sufficient quantities of natural gas to make drilling worthwhile. Add to that horizontal drilling and better exploration tools, and the rest is history. He actually discovered the Barnett Shale some 20 years before it became a global phenomenon, then quietly went about perfecting the techniques that would bring it to the surface. Even then, he was in the twilight of his career as a legendary oilman with an uncanny ability to locate major deposits. But that’s not all we can thank Mr. Mitchell for; he also led the way in master-planned communities. In the mid-1960s, he assembled the 27,000 acres that would become The Woodlands. His vision of the community started with the natural beauty of the site, adding a network of paths and parks connecting the neighborhoods within the development. He also realized that it was important to include a commercial component to the overall plan, and worked to attract corporations to the area. Even beyond this ground-

breaking idea that revolutionized our concept of how a community of 100,000 residents could look, Mitchell was also at the forefront of the sustainability movement, holding The Woodlands Conference to discuss population growth and resource issues. Again, this came after considerable prior success as a developer in Galveston and Houston. George, together with his wife, Cynthia, also set a high standard in terms of philanthropy, giving generously to support the arts and a number of humanitarian and environmental causes. The total gifts from George, Cynthia and their foundation are estimated to exceed $400 million. In addition, the Mitchells were instrumental in the restoration of Galveston’s historic district; George was born in Galveston and considered it a second home. When you look at Texas today, George Mitchell’s legacy is everywhere, and millions of (if not all) Texans are the beneficiaries. The energy boom en-

abled by fracking is providing an economic stimulus in many areas. The natural gas produced from shale formations is lowering energy costs as well as emissions (since it is a cleaner burning fuel). Thousands of people enjoy concerts, museum exhibits, and even the Galveston Mardi Gras celebration — all supported by the Mitchells. The sustainability movement owes Mitchell a debt, as do urban planners. Countless individuals have also been touched more directly through the various charities the family supports. The world is a better place thanks to the life of George Mitchell. He will be sorely missed. n For more about George P. Mitchell, see page 32. Dr. M. Ray Perryman is president and CEO of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup. com). He also serves as Institute Distinguished Professor of Economic Theory and Method at the International Institute for Advanced Studies.

Take pride in your work, not yourself Joe DiMaggio of the New York serious and genuine when he Yankees had a fierce pride about made those comments. Unforalways doing his best. tunately I know many people The Yankees were on the road mistake pride for selfishness. for a doubleheader against the When I looked up pride in a St. Louis Browns. thesaurus, I was The day was shocked at the not only boilsuggestions – aring hot, but the with the sharks rogance, conBrowns were also ceit, smugness, last place in the self-importance, league. Despite egotism, vanity, this, DiMagimmodesty, sugio made an offperiority and on hand comment and on. that he was lookMaybe there ing forward to isn’t a good synplaying that day. onym. But pride “In this heat!” to me is being said an amazed self-confident, sportswriter. “How can you en- but not egotistical. Pride is havjoy playing a doubleheader in ing a positive, can-do attitude stifling weather like this?” because you will settle for nothGlancing toward the grand- ing less than your level best. stand, DiMaggio said, “Maybe I want people like Joe somebody out there has never DiMaggio who are proud of the work they perform. Here seen me play before.” DiMaggio, affectionately are ways to build the pride that known as the Yankee Clipper, I look for: • Build your reputation. was a prideful player. He was

swimming

harvey mackay


Whatever you do for a living, your signature is on it. You can’t buy a reputation for doing good work; you must earn it. Reputation is one of the few assets that your competition cannot undersell or destroy. Would you buy a product or service from someone who didn’t take pride in their work? • Play your role. Everyone has a specific job to do, no matter how small it might seem to you. Do it to the best of your ability. Be a good team player. The boat won’t go if we all don’t row. • Be confident, but not cocky. There’s nothing wrong with being proud of your accomplishments, but you don’t have to tell the world. Keep your ego in check. A person who has the right to boast doesn’t have to. Self-esteem is a must for a prideful person. • Stay positive. Don’t let others bring you down, which is why I don’t hang around with negative people. Be friendly to everyone, including the people

you dislike. As Michael Corleone said in “The Godfather,” “Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.” • Build trust. The most important five-letter word in business is TRUST. Trust is central to doing business with anyone. People do not or cannot trust each other if they are easily suspicious of one another. When we trust people, we are optimistic not only that they are competent to do what we trust them to do, but also that they are committed to doing it. • Be knowledgeable. Learn as much as you can, and then keep on learning more. Knowledge is power. • Know that you don’t know everything. The way I like to say it is, “I know that you don’t know, but you don’t know that you don’t know.” You can’t know everything, but you can know people that do. The best remedy for conceit is to sit down and make a list of all the things you don’t know but should.

• Do good. Be a nice person and polite to everyone. Help people who need help. Try not to be judgmental. • Be kind. The Golden Rule applies here – Treat others the way you want to be treated. Smile and ignore anyone who wants to be mean to you. n As a professional photographer, Julie took a lot of pride in her work, and brought samples everywhere she went in hopes of getting new business. One evening she was at a dinner party, and her host asked to see her portfolio. She showed him over a dozen pictures, and the host was impressed. “These are some really nice shots,” he told her. “ You must have a great camera.” Julie was annoyed, but she said nothing until the meal was over. “That dinner was excellent,” she said. “Thank you,” said the host, pleased. “I prepared it myself.” Julie smiled. “ You must have some great pots and pans.”

Rich in Beaumont Flavor Market expands for Leo’s Originals Specialty Dressings Leo Danna, the heart and soul of Leo’s Originals, is a family man with a passion for flavorful, healthy food, children and giving back. Leo’s Originals Specialty Dressings are known to Jason’s Deli salad fans nationwide, and now the creator, Leo Danna, is introducing his flavorful bottled dressing throughout Texas. The dressings are flying off the shelves at HEB and Mandola’s Italian Market as customers are using them as marinades, pasta sauce, dipping sauces and salads dressings. Leo’s Originals were born out of Leo Danna’s childhood experiences growing up in a close Italian family, and spending time in the kitchen of the family restaurant in Beaumont. Danna’s love of family and strong Italian heritage led him to create the ‘family original’ salad dressing as a young man. Danna is hands-on and involved in all aspects of creating the dressings and sauces. “My thing is finding the best combination of flavorful ingredients, and putting a healthy spin on the product,” noted Danna. “I enjoy the fact that customers put these dressings on salads and also use them as marinades.”

About Leo’s Original’s Leo’s Originals Salad Dressings and Sauces were born in the kitchen of the family-owned restaurant, the Café, established in 1930 in Beaumont, and uses the healthiest ingredients without compromising the flavors that make the brand unique. Danna started making salad dressing 20 years ago, but his passion for delicious, exquisite flavors originated long before that – it came from the people in the Italian wedding photo that graces all of the Leo’s Originals retail labels. They are Leo’s parents, Sam and Helen, and some of his many aunts and uncles. Operating primarily as a handcrafted, small-batch, artisan food service manufacturer since 1995, Leo, his wife Pam and son Seth joined in 2007 to develop Leo’s Originals as a full line of dressings for the retail market. Their focus on small batch manufacturing lets Leo’s Originals maintain the highest quality, flavor and ingredients that customers have come to expect. Leo’s Originals products are gluten-free, MSG and trans-fat free, and are GO TEXAN products. Leo’s Originals donates a percentage of the profits to Canines for Disabled Kids, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to support the creation of child-canine service dog teams to promote independence and social awareness. For recipes and more information about Leo’s Originals Salad Dressings visit www.saladsoulmates. com. n

“Quality Work Done Safely”

Civil ConstruCtion ContraCtor 246 Rev. Randsom Howard • Port Arthur, TX 409-983-5555 • www.DezTex.com


Beaumont approves Entergy, ITC plan Approval of a resolution by the Beaumont City Council on July 30 gave a boost forward to Entergy Texas Inc.’s plans to transfer ownership and control of its high-voltage transmission business to Michigan-based ITC Holding Corp., an independent transmission-only utility. In giving their approval, City Council members joined more than a dozen other communities that also passed resolutions indicating their support for a plan expected to bring savings and a more efficient delivery of power to Entergy Texas customers. Other Texas cities that have approved similar resolutions in support of the plan include Houston, Bridge City, Cleveland, Conroe, Dayton, Groves, Montgomery, Navasota, Nederland, City of Oak Ridge North, Orange, Pinehurst, Port Arthur, Port Neches, Silsbee, Sour Lake and Vidor. “We see this as an opportunity for two top-performing companies to become even stronger by focusing on what each one does best: Entergy on power generation and distribution and responsive customer service and ITC on transmission,” said David Caplan, Entergy spokesperson. “With ITC responsible for transmission investments, Entergy’s Texas utilities will be in a much better position to focus future capital investments in generation and distribution infrastructure, which further benefits southeastern Texas consumers,” he added. Entergy and ITC believe that separating Entergy’s existing transmission

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business from its electrical generation and distribution assets and placing it under ITC operation and ownership will result in a more reliable and efficient electric delivery system for its customers as well as provide greater access to purchased power during peak usage times. The two companies recently put forward a $90 million rate protection plan for the first five years of the transaction. They assert customers in Southeast Texas will see more reliable service and lower cost electricity. ITC will absorb 750 employees from Entergy’s transmission unit, resulting in no job losses, maintain Texas employees and facilities, hire local vendors and invest its philanthropic and community support here. The spin off and merger will make ITC Holdings one of the largest transmission companies in the United States with more than 30,000 miles of transmission lines from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast. Entergy will continue to generate electricity at their power plants throughout the service region. The high voltage power will be moved along ITC transmission lines and transferred back to Entergy operated distribution lines to provide power for residential and commercial customers. Entergy’s other operating companies in Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and New Orleans are also working to merge their transmission operations to ITC. In June 2013, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ap-

proved the transfer of approximately 15,400 miles of Entergy transmission lines and related substations to ITC. The Public Utility Commission of Texas is expected to take up a proposal at two Open Meetings Aug. 9 and 15

to separate and merge Entergy Texas’ high-voltage transmission business into ITC Holdings Corp. Entergy and ITC have targeted closing the deal at the end of the year, pending approval from all affected parties. n

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ON THE SCENE

CHAMBER NEWS THE GREATER

BEAUMONT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FROM THE PRESIDENT Texas A&M Quarterback Johnny lutions to support this transition after Manziel goes to a fraternity party at the commitments from Entergy and ITC University of Texas and is turned away. that addressed their key concerns. The The video of the incident is viewed Coalition of Texas Cities negotiated an around the country within minutes and agreement with a major focus on condiscussed on ESPN and taining costs and demonthe sports talk shows for strating the benefits of the the next three days. Drew change to local citizens. Brees, quarterback for the I had the opportunity New Orleans Saints, buys to meet Cameron Bready, take-out food and leaves executive vice president a small tip. The receipt of and chief financial officer the transaction goes viral for ITC, and Dr. Terry S. and is the topic of conHarvill, vice president for versation nationwide for grid development. I also the next 24 hours. If this met with Sallie Rainier, is what our sports heroes president of Entergy can expect, imagine what Texas. We thoroughly this highly connected Jim Rich, President, Greater discussed the changes Beaumont Chamber of Commerce world is doing to corpoexpected with the separarate America! tion of the companies and I see these examples as the symptom the impact on the business commuof how technology is changing every- nity. Both company leaders illustrated thing and how everything we know how the changes are good for business will look different in the not too dis- and will bolster our capacity for ecotant future. Think about the changes nomic development, and they espeAT&T has experienced as people make cially believe the change will be good the switch to wireless technology and for consumers. They are so confident carry their smart phones wherever they about the long-term benefits that they go. It will not be long for landlines and have agreed to consumer protections so pay phones to be a distant memory, and Entergy’s retail customers will not see so will the employees who served and increases driven by the higher cost of maintained the infrastructure for the capital to make the changes. They have phone company. Is there such a thing set aside $90 million for bill credits as “the phone company”? Think about and reduced costs in the first five years. doing business with banks. I recently These protections will remain in place visited a local branch to refinance a until the benefits of ITC’s ownership home and after going through the ap- outweigh its rate effects. plication process with a live person, ITC will bring a stronger, more relispent the next two months talking to able and storm-resistant power grid to people in places like Atlanta before the our region —resulting in lower conloan closed. gestion costs, improved reliabilityand Change is coming to another busi- greater access to competitive generation. ness institution some refer to as “the We should welcome them as a new partelectric company.” It is driven by the ner to help us with business growth and same forces that are affecting so much sustainability. They are good corporate of society. ITC, the largest indepen- citizens in their other communities and dent transmission company based in will be active in our community, addNovi, Mich., formed an agreement in ing another solid, established company December 2011 for Entergy to sepa- with a strong balance sheet in Southeast rate and merge its electric transmission Texas. Bready vowed they will maintain business into ITC Holdings Corp. a strong commitment to their Texas faSoon the transmission of electric- cilities, personnel, charitable contribuity will be provided by ITC and 1,500 tions, and community engagement and current Entergy employees will be- involvement. They also will be commitcome ITC employees. You may have ted to hiring local contractors and purnoticed recently several Texas cities in chasing from local vendors. the Entergy service area passing resoSEE RICH, PAGE 22

Jim Rich and leaders from the Sabine Neches Navigation District visited Washington, D.C., on behalf of the Sabine Neches Waterway. Since the passage of the Water Resources Development Act in the U.S. Senate, the focus now has shifted to the U.S. House of Representatives to authorize the waterway for improvements.

STI Group DaddiO’s Burger

June Ambassador, Team of the Month Ambassador of the Month: The Ellem Group’s Leslie Weaver, who was the ambassador with the most visitations Ambassador Team of the Month: The Transformers · Pam Trosclair, Mobiloil Federal Credit Union · Connie Szuch, Wesley United Methodist Church · Dessie Richard, BBVA Compass · Jade Rayburn, Goodwill Industries of Southeast Texas · Leslie Weaver, The Ellem Group · Mollie Corkern, Dustbusters · Patti Standley, D’Vine Wine Winery · Paul Stein, Universal Coin & Bullion · Roger Spalding, Terminix · Sharon Thompson, Better Business Bureau of South- Leslie Weaver east Texas · Wendy Thibodeaux, John Wayne & Company Hair Salon Business Journal • August 2013 | 21

RENEWING MEMBERS A Star Tutoring Albert E. and Gena Reaud Guest House Alliance Therapy Services, LLP American Air Systems Inc. American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers American Hospice A-OK Moving, Shredding, & Storage Armour General Contractors, LLC Beaumont Business Journal Beaumont Home Health Service Beaumont Main Street Binswanger Enterprises, LLC

Blood and Plasma Research Inc. Bredero Shaw Burger King - Go Burgers Burns Properties Inc. Burris Transfer & Storage Co. Cajun Property Care Calder Woods Carl R. Griffith & Associates Inc. Chelsea Apartments Cheniere LNG Inc. Child Guidance Center Chris Castillo Code Red Safety & Rental Compro Event Center

Cornerstone Advertising & Design DJ’s Boudain D’Vine Wine Winery Fed Ex Ground Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park Four Alarm Productions Gulf Coast RV Resort Gulf Credit Union Inchcape Shipping Services Jason’s Deli Joel Lane Smith, D.D.S Keller Williams Realty Beaumont Leadership Southeast Texas Inc.

Peggy Burris has been selected as the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce’s July Chamber Member Employee of the Month. Burris was surprised by Chamber staff and a camera crew from KBTV FOX 4 with a popcorn gift basket donated by Pop Family Popcorn, a $50 gift card donated by Gulf Credit Union, a $25 gift certificate to Munro’s Dry Clean-

All About Skin 205 Brookhollow St. Vidor, TX 77662 Chicki Ratcliff Beaumont Main Street 505 Orleans, Ste. 104 Beaumont, TX 77701 Carolyn Howard Big Thicket Association P.O. Box 198 Saratoga, TX 77585 Bruce Walker Clinical Pathology Laboratories 3110 Calder, Ste. B Beaumont, TX 77702 Charles Appling

Matera Paper Company Inc. P.O. Box 200184 San Antonio, TX 78220 Natalie Picazo

Wings to Go (Mildred Enterprises) P.O. Box 1751 Vidor, TX 77670 Josh “Red” Savoy

ing & Laundry Services, and dinner for two at Outback Steakhouse. She appeared on KBTV FOX 4 for an interview with Jessica Guidry. Burris is employed by the Port of Beaumont. Submit a nomination form for Employee of the Month by e-mail to [email protected] or fax (409) 833-6718. n

Beaumont Chamber Foundation to host annual golf tournament

Jay Old & Associates, PLLC 3560 Delaware, Ste. 308 Beaumont, TX 77706 Jay Old

Universal Plant Services of Beaumont, LLC 2130 Well Springs Drive Beaumont, TX 77705 Keith Browning II

Sour Lake Motor Co. Inc. Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP SpawGlass Sunbelt Securities - M & R Capital, LLC Texas Karate Academy Texas State Optical The Ellem Group The Hughen Center Inc. Tolunay-Wong Engineers Inc. Torres Lawn Service Venterra Realty Woodforest National Bank

Employee of the Month

NEW MEMBERS

Tanglz 5955 Caswell Road, Ste. C Beaumont, TX 77708 Anna Papa

Long Architects Inc. Newtron Electrical Services, LLC Painting With A Twist Pollans & Cohen PC Porter’s Flooring America Prosperity Bank Raising Canes Red Roof Inn Reed Service Company Republic Allied Services RISE Center for Independent Living Savoca Marketing Group, LLC SERVPRPO of Beaumont Some Other Place

July Business of the Month Dale’s Pools & Spas in the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Month for July The staff of Dale’s Pools & Spas received a gift basket donated by American Personnel & Temps and cupcakes from Gigi’s Cupcakes. n

The Beaumont Chamber Foundation is hosting its annual community golf tournament Monday, Sept. 30. The objective is to raise funds for the Leadership Beaumont program. Idylwild Golf Club at 110 Pine Shadows Drive in Sour Lake is the venue for the event. Participation is open to the general public, and prizes can be won. According to the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce website, Leadership Beaumont has had more than 1,400 participants since it was launched in 1971. René Latiolais of the GBCC explained that the Leadership Beaumont program is a nine-month course for local participants. “They go through leadership training

and development,” she said. Tournament day begins with morning tee time at 7:30 a.m. Lunch will be catered by Outback Steakhouse from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., and afternoon tee time is soon at 1:30 p.m. There is a $75 entry fee for individual players or $300 cost for a team. n — Alizeh Ahmad

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Tuesday, Aug. 20

Chamber Mix & Mingle Albanese Cormier – Edison Plaza 350 Pine St. 4:30-6:30 p.m.

RICH | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 The changes to the “electric company” are inevitable, and it is up to us to recognize this is as an opportunity for two top-performing companies to become even stronger by focusing on what each one does best: Entergy on generation and distribution to customers with the same customer service orientation and ITC on transmission and customer service. This agreement allows both companies to excel in their 22 | Business Journal • August 2013

own areas of expertise. We anticipate new investments estimated at more than $40 billion in the coming years, with ITC responsible for significant new transmission investments. At the same time, Entergy will be in a much better position to focus their future capital investments in generation and distribution infrastructure. Another change involves Entergy Texas joining the Midcontinent Inde-

pendent System Operator (MISO), a regional transmission organization with expected savings to customers in Texas projected to be $225 million in the first decade alone. The ITC transaction adds even more, because an expert, independent transmission owner can leverage the benefits of an RTO by reducing congestion, adding capacity and opening access to generation and planning with a superregional view. ITC can take advantage of

MISO’s solid track record and ability to drive reliability up and costs down. All of this contributes ultimately to lowering the delivered cost of energy to customers in Southeast Texas. Our area needs a strong electrical infrastructure. We are convinced this transaction represents a positive, innovative step forward to ensure the affordable, dependable delivery of our future energy needs. n

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Calder Woods

Premiere retirement community makes residents feel at home and like family

by kevin king staff writer

Family is the word that kept coming up during several interviews with residents and workers of Calder Woods, the first continuing care community for seniors in Southeast Texas that features premiere independent living and a convenient, comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle at 7080 Calder Ave. in Beaumont. “When you meet new people at Calder Woods, they become like family to you,” David Long, director of marketing at Calder Woods, said. “It’s a family-like community.” Long has worked with seniors at the retirement community for the past nine years and said it is like a second home to him. “I have one of the best jobs at Calder Woods,” he said. “I really love seniors. This is a way that I can serve them. Our job is more like a ministry than going to work.” Long said Calder Woods is a senior living community including independent people who don’t take advantage of any health care but receive many five-star hotel-like amenities including laundry service, housekeeping, transportation, meals and maintenance-free living. “You can have meals delivered to your room. We provide a concierge who can get your laundry from the drycleaners and deliver it to your door. We can take you shopping, to church, to doctors’ appointments, and you don’t have to worry about driving,” Long ex-

plained. “It’s a new style of living for retiring seniors. A lot of them want to downsize but not downsize to a small apartment. They are wanting to downsize away from their large home and yard into a garden home.” The 11-acre property that includes independent apartments and town homes also features assisted living quarters located in the main facility, skilled nursing and rehab areas and an Alzheimer’s memory care area for those who do have health issues.

Photo by Kevin King

Betty Nellius gives a tour of her Calder Woods apartment.

“I get to know these families and determine how best we can help them,” said Long, who cared for his father, who had prostate cancer during his last days. “He went through radiation chemo treatments,” he said. “He eventually ended up on hospice.” Long said Calder Woods recently added hospice care to its long list of services. “Ideally when people move into Calder Woods, when their health declines, we can take care of them and they never have to leave their home,” Long said. “We have RNs, LVNs, certified nursing aides and certified medication aides to provide full-scale nursing care. We are also one of the few who are certified in memory care.” Memory care features selfcontained neighborhoods in continuing care retirement communities specially designed to serve residents with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Calder Woods opened its

doors in 2000 and is a closeknit community of seniors who stay active together with activities, games and hobbies and at the same time, enjoy much-needed privacy and care, Long said. The retirement community also offers both Protestant and Catholic chapels and chaplains to help fulfill its residents’ spiritual needs as well. “Calder Woods is unique with the hospitality our staff members provide our residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — full of integrity, full of passion,” said Ben Mazzara, executive director of Calder Woods. The retirement community is owned and managed by Buckner Retirement Services. Buckner International was founded in 1879 and has two divisions — Buckner Retirement Services and Children and Family Services, which caters to underprivileged children, foster care and adoption services. “The retirement end of Buckner helps support the ministry to children,” Long said. The ministry for children began in the late 19th century and was founded by Dr. R. C. Buckner. “Father Buckner started an orphanage for children and had widows who worked for him. He provided housing for the widows too, so they could take care of the kids. That’s how he started taking care of seniors as well as children.” The first retirement community opened during the 1950s, according to Buckner International literature. Betty Nellius has lived at Calder Woods for nearly three years and is a retired art teacher from Vidor High School who still enjoys painting at the age of 88. “I have just loved being here,” Nellius said. “My husband (Dr. Martin Nellius) died about five years ago and my son and daughter said, ‘Mother, the time has come for you to go to Calder Woods, and we’ll

feel like you’re being taken care of.’” Nellius said Calder Woods’ Charles Duit is a wonderful chef. “I’ve gained 15 pounds since I’ve been here,” she said. Besides mentioning how great the food was, Nellius also echoed the word “family” when speaking about Calder Woods. “You just feel comfortable,” she said. “The friendship is remarkable.” Nellius said she was able to bring all her favorite items and furniture from her Old Town home in Beaumont. Her great-grandchildren often get to visit her and sleep on the hideaway bed in Nellius’ living area, she said. “They just love coming to my apartment,” Nellius said. John Templeton, 87, and Billie Templeton, 86, have lived at Calder Woods for four years. The married couple met while working together at Texaco for nearly 40 years before retiring. “In our physical condition, we found that we couldn’t maintain a home like we needed to anymore, and we needed other options,” John said. “Calder Woods seemed to fit our needs.” John said that the amenities and services at Calder Woods are second to none and were a big factor in the couple’s decision to make the move. “I maintained a garden (at my previous home), and I was working out in the yard one day and said, ‘I just don’t want to do this anymore.’ And my wife said, ‘I don’t want to keep this house anymore.’” The couple said they feel at home at Calder Woods and part of a family. “It just turned out to be a homey place to be,” John said. “The staff here is just super.” There is plenty of entertainment for residents as well, Long said. “We have everything from bridge clubs to exercise classes to groups that come to entertain to daily outings and excursions to Moody Gardens in Galveston and museums in Houston,” Long said. Long said the 200-resident SEE MEMBER, PAGE 30


Port looking for Ward 1 commissioner

Harry Songe (left) and Jeffrey Daily

Arrest leads police to stolen UTVs Thursday evening, July 18, at about 8:20 p.m., the Beaumont Police Department 911 communications center received a burglar alarm from Beaumont Tractor at 4430 College St. The alarm company was monitoring live-feed video surveillance of the property that showed two men prowling the fenced lot. Patrol officers quickly responded, set up a perimeter and captured two men who were attempting to steal equipment, according to a BPD press release. The business had suffered a previous theft of two Kubota utility vehicles (UTVs). Stock That theft ocimage curred earlier in the week. Detectives from the BPD Auto Theft Task Force interviewed the two men captured Thursday night and during that interview, the men confessed to the previous theft. They also led officers to the stolen UTVs, which were hidden in the wooded area behind a business near Interstate 10 at Hollywood Avenue. Detectives recovered two UTVs with an estimated value in excess of $20,000 and returned them to Beaumont Tractor. Detectives identified the two felony theft as Harry Joseph Songe, a 28-year-old resident of Crosby, and Jeffrey Lynn Daily, a 46-year-old resident of Beaumont. Detectives booked them into county jail on two counts of felony theft. Each count has a $25,000 bond. They are also facing charges of attempted theft for the July 18 incident. n

During a July 22 meeting of the Port of Beaumont Board of Commissioners, Board President C.A. “Pete” Shelton announced that Aug. 5 was cutoff date to apply for appointment to the vacant Ward 1 position on the board. The board will interview candidates for the position during an executive session Aug. 26, and there could be an appointment to serve out the remainder of the six-year term, which will be up for election in May 2015, said John Roby, director of customer service for the Port of Beaumont. “If the board makes an appointment, they will Nell Clark reconvene in an open session and make the appointment,” Roby said. Applicants need no experience to apply, but must own taxable, real property within the port district. The position is an elected position and pays $500 monthly. Roby said that the board decided

to wait until recently to fill the position due to the redrawing of district boundary lines. The law provides for six commissioners, and there are only five at this time, he said. Ward 1, according to Roby, is basically the same as the city of Beaumont Ward 1 — covering northwestern and central Beaumont west of Interstate 10 — with a few minor differences. Due to the port’s relationship with the economy of Southeast Texas, the commissioner position is an important one, Roby said. “A port commissioner performs the governance of the Port of Beaumont,” Roby said. “They are responsible for attending port commission meetings, voting on the budget and other affairs. This position is important because the port is, of course, an economic engine for Southeast Texas and requires full governance.” The Ward 1 position became vacant in

Port of Beaumont recognized as most improved in nation The Railway Industrial Clearance Association (RICA) has recognized the Port of Beaumont as the nation’s most improved port. “A survey is sent to over 400 of our members asking them to rank ports across the country; the survey includes a multitude of questions that determines the ratings of ports and railroads,” said Kelli Collins, vice-president of RICA, a nonprofit group dedicated to aiding in all aspects of logistics associated with the movement of dimensional cargo. “The results of the annual survey determine Carrier of the Year, Most Improved Carrier of the Year, Outstanding Port Award and Most Improved Port Award.” More than $65 million in capital improvements, including $28 million in rail expansion consisting of a new interchange yard, a new rail loop and other rail infrastructure improvements, have recently been completed or are nearing completion at the Port of Beaumont. These improvements will ultimately allow for the relocation of the port interchange yard and provide new business opportunities for the Port of Beaumont. “It is an honor to be recognized by RICA,” said Port Director Chris Fisher. “Our valuable customers, business partners and community leaders have contributed to our growth

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May 2012 when Nell Clark, the board’s first woman commissioner, died. “She brought a lot to the table,” said John Roby. “Before becoming port commissioner, she worked in the shipping industry for 30 years. She had knowledge of the maritime industry. She was a very gracious and lovely lady and was well loved by everyone.” Although the next port commissioner will have tough shoes to fill, Roby is confident the board will find the right person for the job. “We believe there are a lot of qualified people in the community that could fill the position,” Roby said. “And we think there will be a lot of interest.” According to statistics from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Port of Beaumont is the nation’s busiest strategic port of embarkation. It is also one of the largest ports when measured by tonnage and one of the largest military seaports in the world. Those interested in applying for the Ward 1 commissioner position should contact the port’s executive director, Chris Fisher, at (409) 835-5367. n — Kevin King

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THE ARTS

Gary Garrison Playwriting Festival “We really wanted to celebrate the fact that this man came from the area and has made it as a playwright, but his Studio 33, a professional theatre name is not known in the area because company in Southeast Texas, and Beau- the arts aren’t as celebrated in Southmont Community Players will present east Texas as they are in bigger cities,” the Gary Garrison Playwriting Festival Avery said. “He has even written a on Saturday, Aug. 17, beginning at 1 book about how to write a 10-minute play, so we really thought this p.m. at The Betty Greenberg was appropriate.” Center for Performing Arts In addition to watching sevin Beaumont. Tickets can be eral plays written by local playpurchased the day of the show wrights with Lamar Univerand are $5 for each play or $25 sity and Lamar State College for an all-day pass. – Port Arthur ties, attendees Orange native Gary Garriwill even get a chance to see son is a playwright, author and a more than 400 year-old play, educator who graduated from “El Hospital de los Podridos” Lamar University in 1974. performed for the first time in Although Garrison won’t be Gary Garrison present at the festival, in honor of his English. The play, which translates to accomplishments, Studio 33 will pres- “Hospital for the Rotten,” was written ent seven different plays, all written by during the Spanish Golden Age and local playwrights and featuring short dates back to around 1600 A.D. Alworks that are all less than 50 minutes though not attributed, it is believed to each in length, according to Donny have been written by Miguel De CerAvery, president of Studio 33 and co- vantes, author of “Don Quixote.” With only a couple of minor changordinator of the festival. by kevin king

business journal

es, Andy Coughlan and Catalina Castillón stayed committed to the original more than four-century-old script. Another sometimes frustrating, relatable situation, putting together that complicated piece of furniture part by part, is coupled together with an even more complex question — When is it a good time for a young married couple to start a family? — in “Some Assembly Required,” written by Beth Gallaspy, marketing specialist at Lamar University. Gallaspy, who is new to playwriting, said she is excited about seeing her work brought to life by actors Michael Saar and Genevieve Brassard and director Theresa Ravencraft. “I’ve seen Michael and (Genevieve) on stage before; they’re both very talented actors,” she said. “(Theresa) is very talented and very knowledgeable. I’m really excited to see what the three of them are going to be able to do.” Stephanie Barclay will present Keith Cockrell’s “At The Edge of the Deep End.” “At The Edge of the Deep End,”

written by Cockrell, is a story about four teenage girls who are going off to college but get an opportunity to spend one last night together … in a haunted house. This will be the first full production of the play, which discusses sex, friendship, relationships and the supernatural, said Cockrell, who wrote the play for four of his students during a theatre workshop at LSC-PA. Other plays featured in the Gary Garrison Playwriting Festival include “The Last of the Cedar County Bank Robberies” written by Ashley Richard, “Man’s Best Friend” by Cody Underwood, “The Caterpillar Homes of Italy, Texas” written by E. Angela Johnson and “The Queen is Dead” written by Casey Wimpee and presented by AdHoc Beaumont. The Betty Greenberg Center for Performing Arts (Beaumont Community Players) is at 4155 Laurel Ave. in Beaumont. For more information on the Gary Garrison Playwriting Festival, visit Studio 33 on Facebook. n

‘Tasting for Some Other Place’

“A Tasting for Some Other Place” will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 20, once again at the Beaumont Civic Center. Sponsors, participating church congregations and other supporters of Some Other Place will each host a booth and provide “tastings” of favorite recipes to ticket holders. Since 1968, Some Other Place has served the north Jefferson County area by providing emergency assistance to low- and no-income families who have faced emergency situations. Tastings held in the last decade have all been huge successes with more than 3,000 tickets sold. Thousands of dollars have been raised each year to help ensure the continuation of the work of SOP. Tickets are $10 a person and are available at Some Other Place, through participating congregations and booth sponsors, at the Civic Cen26 | Business Journal • August 2013

ter Box office, at Jason’s Deli restaurants at Gateway and Dowlen Road. Entertainment will be provided by The Mid-Life Crisis Band. Parking is free and available at all city of Beaumont parking lots as well as at First Methodist and St. Mark’s churches with a free shuttle beginning at 4:30 p.m. and running until 8 p.m. to deliver attendees to the front door of the Civic Center. This year’s booth decoration judges are Grace Mathis, Shelly Vitanza and Albert Nolen. Also again this year will be the opportunity to win a quilt donated by The Golden Triangle Quilt Guild. Tickets for the drawings will be $1 for one ticket and $5 for six tickets. Contact Paula O’Neal at (409) 832-7976 and “Tasting” Steering Committee Chair Susan Legnion at (409) 8660427. n

Gift of Life promises colorful 5K Yvonne Washington slated for Survivors Promenade of Courage by clay thorp

business journal

Cancer survivors, prominent city officials and Beaumonters of all walks of life are gearing up for national breast and ovarian cancer awareness months and the Julie Rogers Gift of Life program is leading the charge. At a press conference Tuesday, July 30 announcing the new Gift of Life 5K Ribbon Run Color Rush, founder Regina Rogers and at least 60 residents gathered to celebrate sponsors and volunteers who’re making the event possible. “The Gift of Life has made such a significant difference in the lives of Southeast Texans now for 19 years,” Rogers said. “Each year we impact hundreds of women and men, really thousands, by providing help, compassion and love.” According to Rogers, since Gift of Life’s inception in 1994, the program has helped extend the lives of at least 200 individuals who have been diagnosed with breast or prostate cancer. In the U.S., where cancer rates are high, Rogers said early detection is key. To help women and men of all ages, Gift of Life has provided more than 2,000 free mammograms a year, with more than 23,000 women having received free mammograms since 1994. In the past two and a half years, at least 36 medically underserved women have been diagnosed with breast cancer and received support and treatment through Gift of Life. “We are truly blessed in Southeast Texas to have these volunteers and the

Gift of Life,” said Mayor Becky Ames, who attended the press conference with Councilman Jamie Smith and other dignitaries. Mayor Ames went on to say Gift of Life is especially important to underinsured or impoverished women. “Not all communities have an organization like this,” she said. To make sure women and men with cancer get the care they need, this year’s 5K Ribbon Run Color Rush will feature a non-toxic, washable, colored corn starch that has become popular at fundraising walks across the U.S. Runners and walkers, if they so choose, will be inundated with the colorful powder as they participate. “Start in your sparkling white outfit or Ribbon Run shirt and by the end of the 3-mile run/walk, you will become a Picasso work of art,” a brochure for this year’s run/walk reads. What’s more, Gift of Life announced Tuesday that legendary singer and songwriter Paul Anka will be kicking off the festivities Oct. 3 at the Julie Rogers Theatre at 7 p.m. The concert is at the starting line for the eventual Ribbon Run Color Rush, which will start at City Hall Oct. 5 at 8 a.m. To reserve your team’s spot in the run or for more information about this year’s Gift of Life run, call the Gift of Life office at (409) 833-3663. n

Photos by Clay Thorp

By the end of this year’s Gift of Life 5k Ribbon Run Color Rush, which will start at City Hall in Beaumont Oct. 5 at 8 a.m., participants will be covered in color. People gathered to hear Gift of Life founder Regina Rogers speak at the press conference Tuesday, July 30.

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CHAMBER NEWS

ON THE SCENE

THE GREATER

PORT ARTHUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FROM THE PRESIDENT I have discussed the unemployment fits our area? What are the cost implicanumbers in Port Arthur before. Each tions? month I receive the data for the area 3. Skills Training – What are the and Port Arthur. In April, Port Arthur’s targeted populations and occupations? unemployment rate was 15 percent. In a What is the best method of delivering city that has as many industries as ours the training, classroom or on-the-job it can be disheartening to see this many training? How do we fund training efunemployed. Local offiforts? What restrictions are cials want to blame our inthere on the funding? Who dustry and business for not are the current providers? hiring local residents. I’m 4. Life Skills/Soft Skills not going to say local hir– Who currently provides ing couldn’t be better, but this type of training? the problem lies in the skill Since that first meeting, level of the unemployed. I have discussed the issue Skill level does not just with several of our comrefer to technical skills; it munity leaders. They are also refers to “soft skills.” interested in helping, but The ability to dress properI can tell their enthusiasm ly for interviews, show up has been dulled by past atBill McCoy, President, Greater for work on time with the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce tempts. Still they all agree right attitude, deal with felthat we cannot give up low employees, and refrain from abuse of trying. There was one very interesting drugs and alcohol. The problem is com- point that came up in all of these discuspounded by the fact many of our jobs are sions and at the committee meeting. We located in Port Arthur for a limited span must involve our churches in this effort. of time. When the project is complete, They are the best at offering support and many of the employees move to the next teaching life skills. job. Should a Port Arthur citizen go to I am a strong believer that solutions work for a company, receive the training from these type of problems do not necessary to successfully do the job, become from the government but from the come acquainted to a higher level of life private sector. That is why the Chamber style, when that job leaves, they will take will make every effort to include in this their family and leave with it. task force private companies, churches, All of the above leads to a concentra- Lamar State College and PAISD. I think tion of unemployed that do not have we can develop some short-term and the skills and have become discouraged long-term goals to address the problem. in seeking that better lifestyle. In an at- The challenge will be to keep our energy tempt to address this complicated situa- up and not get discouraged because we tion, the Greater Port Arthur Chamber do not see results immediately. It took has created the Workforce Readiness Port Arthur many years to dig this hole Taskforce. Ira McNeil with the Work- and it will take awhile to fill it. That is force Solutions of Southeast Texas has the roll of a strong chamber: identify the agreed to chair this taskforce. In our first problem, gather information, design a meeting, the following talking points solution and take action. All of this to be were discussed: driven by volunteers who care about the 1. Workforce Intelligence – Who are community in which they live. the people we need to focus on, and If you have an interest in this project, what are their barriers to employment? you are invited to call me on my cell What information do we currently have? phone at (409) 527-0889 and schedule What information do we need and how a time and place to meet. There is nothdo we gather it. ing that would help our city more than 2. Workforce Readiness Credential to develop a program to get our people – What value will it have to the private back to work. Not only would it improve sector? Is it something meaningful that the economy, but it would give them will affect employer acceptance of a can- back their dignity and free them from didate? Is it helpful for economic devel- the less than mediocre lifestyle provided opment efforts? Which assessment tool by government programs. n 28 | Business Journal • August 2013

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RENEWING MEMBERS Levingston Funeral Home Charles R. Moses, M.D. King’s Pharmacy Allstar Insurance Agency Inc. Mexican Heritage Society Angelle Insurance Agency Coastal Welding Supply Inc. American Steam-A-Way Carpenter Insurance Mid County H-E-B – Highway 365 Coldwell Banker Southern Homes Real Estate Summer’s Abbey Flooring Center and Mattress Gallery Echo Maintenance, LLC Manning’s School Supply KMTEX Inc. Industrial Thermal Services, LLC Spindletop MHMR - Beaumont Captain Randy’s Guide Service Sabine-Neches Navigation District JBS Shrimp Packing Company Inc.

Jerry’s Automotive/Front End Service Gayle W. Botley, CPA Ridgewood Church Golden Triangle Federal Credit Union Advantage Real Estate Port Arthur Home Health Services Digital Workforce Academy LifeShare Blood Center Beaumont Arceneaux & Gates Consulting Engineering Beau Reve OCI Beaumont Candlewood Suites Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) Jefferson County Title Company Sempra Energy AltairStrickland Holdings, LLC Austin Industrial Cumulus Broadcasting Gulf Health Care Center – Port Arthur RE/MAX First The Greens on Turtle Creek Jefferson County Title Company

CALENDAR Tuesday, Aug. 13

Ambassadors Committee Meeting Orange Savings Bank 8535 Central Mall Drive, Port Arthur 10 a.m.

Thursday, Aug. 15

Morning Business Connection Beau Visage Day Spa & Salon 3015 Nederland Ave., Ste. E 7:30-9 a.m.

Thursday, Aug. 22

Team City Business & Economic Development Committee Meeting Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce 4749 Twin City Highway, Ste. 300 8:15 a.m.

Past Chairman of the Board Stuart Salter Chairman of the Board 1997

Tuesday, Aug. 27

Chamber Luncheon Holiday Inn Park Central 2929 Jimmy Johnson Blvd. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

THE GREATER

PORT ARTHUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce would like to express our appreciation for all of the hard work and dedication that Mr. Stuart Salter has given to make the City and the Chamber a success. Stuart believes education and empathy are important to the success of an insurance agency. Stuart has obtained several advanced professional designations for himself and strongly encourages professional development among his staff of six. He and his staff have also lived through three hurricanes themselves, suffered lost markets, cracked foundations and Texas mold. They have survived it all because they believe in the basic goodness of the people of Southeast Texas and the inherent value of the service they provide.

Fall recreational red snapper quota upped In a special meeting of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council in New Orleans, the Council voted to increase the 2013 red snapper total quota from 8.46 million pounds to 11 million pounds. This means a 2013 commercial quota of 5.610 million pounds and a recreational quota of 5.390 million pounds, according to Charlene Ponce with the council. The 11 million pound quota is the highest catch level the council could set without having to possibly decrease the quota in subsequent years. “The council also agreed that, if the NMFS determines that unused recreational quota is available, a supplemental season will open Oct. 1 and run continuously until the quota is met,” said Ponce. “Preliminary estimates indicate that the supplemental season will be approximately 21 days long. However, this estimate will be reevaluated when the June recreational landings data become available in mid-August.” The Framework Action will be submitted to the Secretary of Commerce and, if approved, will be implemented in time for the fall season. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight re-

Robert Sloan photo

gional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico. n — Robert Sloan Business Journal • August 2013 | 29

Bargain for Borrowers? by brandi haskett business journal

Houses, cars and even tools are available to rent. Everyone knows that. Many people rent items either out of convenience, or because they simply want to save money. It is not uncommon for the purchaser to rent items for necessity, but what about for luxury? Purses, rims and exotic vehicles are just a few choices a renter can select all right here in our area. In the 2008 movie “Sex and the City,” Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw had a fashion awakening when she was introduced to BagBorroworSteal.com. Jewelry, accessories and, of course, couture purses are available to the posh shopper on the website ... for a price. Designer bag rentals could be the answer every fashionista is searching for! Now, this isn’t the Big Apple, and as much as a girl loves a good Manolo Blahnik Mary Jane, she might not be Carrie Bradshaw. So how are you able to embrace all of your passion for fashion without spending thousands? From runway to reality, The Purple Door in Beaumont’s west end is your answer for showing off your stylish skills without shelling out all that dough. By bringing a little East Coast chic to Southeast Texas, The Purple Door offers several varieties of designer purses to choose from. Chanel, Gucci, and of course, Louis Vuitton are their signature labels.

You may be asking yourself, “How can I rent a purse?” or most importantly, “Why would I?” Renting a bag is easy. Register at the boutique, select the purse of your dreams, and start showing it off. Hey now, naysayers! There are plenty of reasons why a woman would want to rent a purse. For one, have you ever looked at a designer bag price tag? Two grand is usually a median range. Even if ladies can afford a couple of these handbags, it doesn’t mean they want to shred all that cheddar. Being able to rent different purses is ideal if you want to try it out for a bit without making that large investment. The Purple Door offers budget-friendly prices that range from $45 to $110 for weekly rates. Monthly rentals are also available at a discount. They are a great alternative for sprucing up your wardrobe. Have a weekend getaway or a lunch date with a potential client? What better than to go with a Luis Vuitton clutch or a Gucci tote by your side? It’s perfect for when you want to dress to impress. For more information, check out their website at www.Thepurple-door.com, or stop by their shop on the corner of

Dowlen and Phelan in Beaumont. Now fellas, you are not forgotten. Want to make your ride a little flashier? Let Cowboy Harley on I-10 turn your ordinary weekend into an adventure! Five new 2013 model Harleys are available to rent. Like with renting a purse, this is a great way to test out an investment before making a large purchase, or to enjoy luxury at a lower cost. A $2,000 deposit is required by cash or credit card, and the cost is $125 per day for 400 miles ($0 .35/ additional miles). State required insurance is included, and more insurance is offered for additional fees. In order to rent your perfect motorcycle match, you must be at least 25 years old, have a valid motorcycle license and the skills to handle a heavy motorcycle. Along with your rental, you’ll get an H-D Country approved helmet and raingear, short-term luggage storage and 24-hour roadside assistance. Check out all the sweet rides on their website, cowboyharleybeaumont.com. Sure, you can rent a car from your local distributors for a reasonable price, but why stop there? You are just a short drive away from renting exotic vehicles. We are not just talking about your fancy-

pants Bentleys, Maseratis, or Aston Martins, oh no … think bigger. Much bigger. Although they are also available to rent, if you’re going to rent a sports car, RENT A SPORTS CAR! Lamborghini Aventador, Murcielago LP640 Roadster and Gallardo Spyder are the big kahunas to look for at Luxury Car Rentals in Houston. Of course, if you are going for something a little more modest, a couple of Ferrari models are also available. Prices are a slightly higher with these babies compared to the average weekend Toyota — $199 to $6,900 day is the price range when renting from this dealership. To browse their selection and to view all availabilities go to www.autoexoticrental.com. There are always stipulations when renting these luxury items. Purchasers must have a valid form of I.D., a major credit card, and/or proof of employment. There may also be other terms of use when dealing with the different individual businesses, and additional fees and taxes may apply. So what are you waiting for? Do something nice for yourself. Just don’t forget to hold on to that Chanel when you’re ridin’ on the hog!

MEMBER | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 Calder Woods is looking to expand in the near future. “There’s a greater need as baby boomers are starting to retire,” he said. “This fall we’ll be announcing more details about it. We’ve purchased additional property west of us, and we are going to be building the Villas of Calder Woods which will be more town homes and single homes.” The Beaumont Chamber of Commerce honored the retirement community June 28 as its Business of the Month. “It was a wonderful honor,” Long said. “We welcome the award and the opportunity to share a little about what senior options are available.” “We were happy to pick Calder Woods for this recognition and to know the difference they make with their residents,” said Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce President Jim Rich. Residents are required to be at least 62 years of age. For more information about Calder Woods, visit their website at www.bucknercalderwoods.org or call (409) 861-1123. n 30 | Business Journal • August 2013

Local photographer honored The Texas Professional Photographers Association honored Frank E. Cricchio of Port Arthur with the first Star of Texas Lifetime Achievement Award in July at its Summer Roundup in Kerrville. Cricchio is a legend in the photography world. From his successful studio in Port Arthur to teaching and traveling around the world four times, he has impacted the lives of photographers throughout his working years. His work has been translated into as many as eight different languages. He was a consultant and lecturer for Kodak and Fuji and was on the teaching circuit for over 50 years. He is past president of Professional Photographers of America, American Society of Photographers, Camera Craftsmen, Southwest Professional Photographers of America, and the Texas Professional Photographers Association. He founded Texas School of Professional Photography and was director of Winona Professional Photography School. He was honored by the United Nations with the Photographic Leadership Award and by Professional Photographers of America with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He has honorarium degrees from many states and foreign countries. Texas Professional Photographers Association gave the “Star of Texas” award to Cricchio for his dedicated service in

Frank E. Cricchio

education and the advancement of the photographic industry, as well as service in Texas leadership roles. n

Photos by Star of Texas Lifetime Achievement Award winner Frank E. Cricchio Business Journal • August 2013 | 31

PEOPLE

In Memoriam

George P. Mitchell 1919-2013

George P. Mitchell, a petroleum engineer credited with pioneering hydraulic fracturing to pull the fuel out of shale formations, thereby transforming the natural gas industry by using, has died of natural causes at the age of 94. A native of Galveston who rose from modest means to become a billionaire philanthropist, he was the chairman and chief executive officer of Mitchell Energy & Development Corp, which was sold to Devon Energy Corp for $3.5 billion in 2002. Born in 1919, became a successful wildcatter after being raised by a father he described as a hardscrabble gambler and small-time entrepreneur. His parents were Greek immigrants. According to Reuters, Mitchell drilled for natural gas in a rock formation known as the Barnett Shale in north Texas where the first successful application of hydraulic fracturing, also referred to as fracking, resulted in the viable production of natural gas. Mitchell worked on the technology for 17 years and suffered numerous setbacks before it became commercially viable when he was nearly 80. Mitchell, a veteran of World War II, was also a real estate developer. In 1974 he created the Woodlands, a 25,000acre forested community filled with parks and a 1.4 mile long manmade canal, about 30 miles north of Houston. The Woodlands now has a population of more than 100,000 and is home to corporations including Anadarko Petroleum Corp. The world’s largest publicly traded oil company, Exxon Mobil Corp, is building a 385-acre campus in the area to accommodate 10,000 employees. Mitchell, whose wealth was estimated at $2 billion by Forbes, supported a number of causes ranging from the arts to educational initiatives and worked to promote the sustainability of natural gas through his Texas-based foundation. He raised 10 children with his wife, Cynthia Woods Mitchell, who died in 2009. In 2011, Mitchell signed the Giving Pledge sponsored by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates, making public his intent that the majority of wealth should be donated to charitable causes. n 32 | Business Journal • August 2013

UnitedHealthcare name new sales account executive for Beaumont UnitedHealthcare announced the addition of Jill Weycker as sales account executive for UnitedHealthcare’s Beaumont operations. Weycker comes to UnitedHealthcare with more than 17 years of experience in the insurance industry. Her extensive background includes work in property and casualty, and financial planning — with most of her career focused on the individual and employee benefits field. Weycker previously worked as a broker and outside sales representative for John Alden, Pacific Life & Annuity, and most recently, for BenefitMall, where she represented all major benefits carriers. UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with Jill Weycker care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 650,000 physicians and care professionals and 5,000 hospitals nationwide. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 38 million people and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. n

Juan Zabala the new LU Foundation executive director Lamar University has named Juan Zabala executive director of the Lamar University Foundation, officials announced. Zabala also serves as associate vice president of University Advancement, a position he assumed in July 2012 after serving in the role in an interim basis since September 2011. As executive director and associate vice president, he directs the activities of the foundation, public relations, integrated marketing,

Web communications, alumni af- Orange man named fairs and advancement services. Zabala joined Lamar Univer- to First Financial sity as director of alumni affairs board of directors in January 2003 when Lamar created the Office of Alumni Affairs First Financial Trust & Asset to expand upon the work of the Management Company, N.A. reformer LU Alumni cently announced Association. Through the election of Walthe Office of Alumni ter G. Riedel III to Affairs, the instituits board of direction works to engage tors. The announcealumni in all aspects ment was made by of the life of the uniKirk W. Thaxton, versity. Supervision president and CEO of the Advancement of the trust comServices department pany. was added to his “With his busiportfolio in Novemness and financial Juan Zabala ber 2007. expertise, Walter “Private philanwill make an outthropy provides the funds neces- standing addition to our board,” sary to attract and retain the fin- Thaxton said. “He is also a great est students and faculty to Lamar, community leader and will repreand provides much of the finan- sent our customers in Orange and cial aid that many of Southeast Texas very well. We are our students need in delighted that Walter has chosen order to reach their to join our board.” educational goals,” Riedel, a native of Karnes Zabala said. “The County, Texas, holds a Bachelor foundation serves to of Business Administration from provide an avenue Southern Methodist University for private gifts to and became a certified public acsupport all areas of countant in 1981. Riedel became Lamar University the accountant for the Nelda C. and its educational and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundamission.” tion in 1977, held numerous posiBy connecting tions over the years and currently alumni and friends serves as president, CEO and to the University through stew- board member of the Foundation. ardship, the foundation focuses He is also a member of the board on managing endowments and of First Financial Bank, Orange other private gifts, and raising Region (formerly Orange Savings funds, and distributing funds to Bank, SSB) and the University InLamar University terscholastic League programs according Foundation in Austin, to donor designaTexas. tions. Lamar UniHe is a member of versity Foundation and past president is a Texas corporaof the Orange Lions tion established unClub, past chairman der Section 501(c) of the advisory board (3) of the Interof the Salvation Army, nal Revenue Code past member of the for educational or Boy Scouts of Amercharitable purposes. ica, troop and district Prior to his apcommittees and a forpointment at La- Walter G. Riedel III mer member of St. mar University, Mary Catholic School Zabala served as assistant dean of Commission. He is a current the University of Texas School of member of the board of trustees of Law. Faith United Methodist Church Zabala has a Master of Busi- and is a member of the City of ness Administration from Lamar Orange Civil Service Commission University as well as degrees from and the Firemen’s Relief and ReSul Ross State University, Alpine, tirement Fund. n Texas, and Brigham Young UniGot an announcement to make? versity, Rexburg, Idaho. He has more than 25 years experience in Send us an e-mail at editor@ administration, university devel- beaumontbusinessjournal.com or call (409) 832-4178. opment and alumni relations. n

BRIDGE CITY

Orange County Drainage District open house The Orange County Drainage District held an open house, dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony at its new administration building on Wednesday, July 2. The county’s three Chambers of Commerce, Bridge City, Vidor and the Greater Orange Area, united, with each of their three ribbons being cut simultaneously during the ribbon cutting ceremony in the new building. The ribbon cutting took place in the new boardroom with the five elected Board of Directors, Bill Dixon, Karl Stephenson, Board President Brent Peveto, Jimmy Scales, J.B. Arrington and General Manager Mark Stephenson excitedly sharing in the festivities. Tours of the building were given as well as a short history of how the new building came into being. Representatives from Rep. Steve Stockman’s office, county commissioners along with other county agency heads, city officials from all over the county and many others were among the well-wishers. The new 3,700-square-foot building is adjacent to where the old building stood on Old Highway 90 just west of Highway 62 and I-10. n

Dr. Albert Pugh and associates and Bridge City Chamber Ambassador Elyse Thibodeaux

Business of the Month The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce recognized the Bridge City Animal Hospital as June’s Business of the Month at its monthly networking coffee at Corner Cuts & Massage by Brooklyn at 3139 Texas Ave. in Bridge City. The Bridge City Animal Hospital has been in operation in Bridge City for 37 years, opening in September 1976. Primarily focusing on preventative health care for all small animals, Dr. Albert Pugh along with recently arriving Dr. Elizabeth Skinner, enjoy providing Bridge City and the sur-

rounding area’s veterinary care. Their services include the latest cuttingedge technology including laser therapy. Grooming is available three days a week. Shelly Waddell is the office manager. The clinic is located next to the Bridge City High School at 2832 Texas Ave. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon p.m. You may reach them at (409) 735-9155. Pugh and members of his staff were on hand to accept their plaque sponsored by David Self Ford honoring them as the Business of the Month. n Business Journal • August 2013 | 33

CHAMBER NEWS THE GREATER

ORANGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FROM THE PRESIDENT The Chamber hosted the fourth annual Plant received the Sustained ExcelGolf Tournament July 15. The weather lence in Caring for Texas Award and held out, so we were able to get a full the Occupational Safety Distinguished day of golfing in. Greg Defrates said Safety Service Award. the next time we are in a drought he For plant sites with greater than was going to call the Chamber and 500 employees, DuPont Sabine River ask us to hold a golf tournament. He Works received the Caring for Texas said it always rains when we host one. I Award and the Occupational Safety might have to do a rain dance because Distinguished Safety Service Award. we always do what we can The Lutcher Theater to help the members. The for the Performing Arts hospitality food tent was is preparing for the 2013sponsored by Invista. Plant 14 “Red Hot” Season that Manager Raul Trochez opens Sept. 26, 2013, with and his team were handiconic soul and R&B arting out complimentary ist Aaron Neville. The seagolf towels to all golfers son promises something as they came through for for everyone, continuing food and drinks. We want with two performances of to thank all our sponDisney’s “Beauty and the sors who helped make the Ida Schossow, President, Beast” Oct. 22-23, folevent a success. The event Greater Orange Area Chamber lowed by the one man of Commerce was a great success as well show “Beyond Glory” as a great networking opportunity for starring stage and screen star Stephen our membership. Lang on Nov. 5. The 2012 Safety and EnvironmenThe company of Dr. Seuss’ “How the tal awards were presented at the Texas Grinch Stole Christmas” will spend a Chemical Council’s Awards Banquet week in Orange rehearsing the show in June of this year. at the Lutcher before they kick off a For plant sites 61-200 employees, SEE SCHOSSOW, PAGE 35 Chevron Phillips Chemical Orange

ON THE SCENE

The Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts 2013-14 “Red Hot” Season opens Sept. 26 with iconic soul and R&B artist Aaron Neville (right). Among the other shows this season is a ‘clean’ comedy routine Jan. 3, 2014, with ‘Four Stand Up Dads’ (above).

MEMBERSHIP GOC RENEWING MEMBERS

Showbiz Cinemas, LLC Foskey Veterinary Clinic Oakwood Village Apartments Mowers Tractors Inc. Mann Insurance Agency KBMT 12 Blue Cross Blue Shield KOGT Manning’s Chevron Phillips Chemical Company Pam Crew Katherine Frey The Orange Stationer Orange Christian Services St. Mary Catholic School Johnson Mini Storage North Orange Baptist Church Classic Forms Terry Ray Insurance Orange County Drainage District First Church of the Nazarene The Garden District Sunset Grove Country Club Redfish Rental

Orion Engineered Carbons Signal International Talon Insurance Agency Southeast Texas Arts Council The Examiner

GOC NEW MEMBER Orange Trade Days 200 E. Turrett Road Orange, TX 77630 Gabriella Snyder (409) 883-4344

ELITE MEMBER

Orange Savings Bank

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS

W.H. Stark House Stark Museum of Art Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center Frances A. Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts Heather Montagne State Farm Insurance Sabine Federal Credit Union

CALENDAR Monday, Aug. 19 Executive Committee Meeting Chamber Board Room 1012 Green Ave. 3-5 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 21 Board of Directors Meeting Garden District Restaurant 7536 Highway 87 N. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 24 Krewe of Krewe Summer Party 7 p.m. – midnight

Wednesday, Aug. 28

Mims Investment Services 34 | Business Journal • August 2013

Ribbon Cutting Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists Noon – 1 p.m.

SCHOSSOW | FROM PAGE 34 national tour. Lutcher patrons will have two opportunities to enjoy this show, Nov. 16 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Winner of four Tony Awards including Best Musical, the National Broadway Tour of Memphis will perform three times at the Lutcher, Nov. 22-23. And Dec. 14, Orange welcomes back for the holidays a Branson sensation, the violinist Shoji Tabuchi and friends, in “Christmas with Shoji Tabuchi.” Other “Red Hot” shows this season include the National Tour of Green Day’s “American Idiot” on Dec. 16, a “clean” comedy routine Jan. 3, 2014, “Four Stand Up Dads,” and Australia’s hottest tenors The Ten Tenors performing Broadway hits Jan. 30, 2014. For Valentine’s Day weekend, the National Tour of the Tony Awardwinning Broadway musical “Million Dollar Quartet” takes the stage for three performances, Feb. 14-15, 2014. This show is inspired by the electrifying true story of the famed recording session where Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” brought together icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for one unforgettable night. Montana Repertory Theatre brings “The Miracle Worker” on March 7, 2014, and internationally renowned contemporary dance company Parsons Dance treats Lutcher patrons to sexy athleticism, exuberant personality and joyous movement March 14, 2014. The Emmy-Award winning Sally Struthers visits the Lutcher as the strong-willed matchmaker Dolly on March 26-27, 2014, in two performances of the 10-time Tony Award winner “Hello Dolly!” Classic Broadway continues with three performances of the Tony Award winning “West Side Story” on April 11-12, 2014. This revival, based on Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction, remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The season closes on April 17, 2014, with the comedy of 6-2 humorist Jeanne Robertson, who captivates audiences with stories of friends, family and life with her husband, “Left Brain.” The 2013-14 Lutcher Incredible Kids Events include Lightwire Theater’s The Ugly Duckling, ArcAttack, Stuart Little, Romeo and Juliet, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, The Great Mountain, I Am Jack, Dino-Light, and The Snail and The Whale. Season packages of four or more shows are on sale now. Single tickets will go on sale online Aug. 22, and at the box office and on the phone Aug. 23. For more information about the 2013-14 “Red Hot” Series or the daytime Kids Series, visit www.lutcher.org or call (409) 886-5535. n

4th annual Golf Tournament Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce


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LOVELY GARDEN HOME! YOU WILL LOVE THIS LOCK & LEAVE IN A GATED COMMUNITY! NEIGHBORHOOD POOL & CLUB HOUSE, GREAT FOR ENTERTAINING, RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET. BELLCHASE GARDENS, A VERY SOUGHT AFTER AREA, HOSTS THIS UPDATED HOME. GREAT FLOOR PLAN. FRONT LEADED GLASS DOOR OPENS INTO VERY WIDE FOYER. LARGE DINING ROOM, GREAT FOR ENTERTAINING. KITCHEN & BREAKFAST ROOM OPEN TO PATIO. KITCHEN FEATURES GRANITE, STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, 5 BURNER GAS THERMADOR COOKTOP, LOTS OF CABINETS, BREAKFAST BAR, BUILT-IN DESK & MORE! MASTER SUITE WITH HUGE BATH & CLOSET PLUS ONE MORE BEDROOM DOWNSTAIRS. LOTS OF SPACIOUS CLOSETS THROUGHOUT. VERY LARGE DEN WITH FIREPLACE, 2 SETS OF LEADED GLASS FRENCH DOORS TO PATIO. UPSTAIRS, 2 MORE BEDROOMS, LARGE GAMEROOM & BONUS ROOM FOR WORKOUT EQUIPMENT, COMPUTER ROOM OR WHATEVER YOU NEED! JCAD RECORDS SHOW HOME BUILT IN 1998, HOWEVER, THIS WOULD NEED TO BE VERIFIED BY BUYER. ANN SCOGGIN, CRB, CRS, GRI, ABR, ASP. COLDWELL BANKER SOUTHERN HOMES. (409) 866-2392 X214

6420 WINDSOR PARKWAY • BEAUMONT

$769,000

1635 THOMAS ROAD • BEAUMONT $1,195,000

ATTENTION TO DETAIL THROUGHOUT WITH ALL THE AMENITIES TO MAKE ENTERTAINING A BREEZE. SPACIOUS OPEN FLOOR PLAN WITH BOTH FORMALS, PARQUET WOOD FLOORS IN FORMAL DINING AND LIVING ROOM, LAVISH MOULDINGS THROUGHOUT AND LOTS OF BUILT-INS. GOURMET KITCHEN IS SURE TO PLEASE ANY COOK! TOP-OF-THE-LINE STAINLESS APPLIANCES, GRANITE COUNTER TOPS, WRAP-AROUND BREAKFAST BAR, OVERSIZED ISLAND, CUSTOM CABINETRY AND WINE BAR. OPEN TO BREAKFAST AREA AND COZY DEN. SPARKLING INGROUND POOL WITH TANNING LEDGE, WATERFALL AND GAS FIRE PIT. 2 COVERED PATIOS WITH OUTDOOR KITCHEN, SUN SHADES AND CEILINGS FANS, PLUS SEPARATE PARTY ROOM WITH GUEST QUARTERS UPSTAIRS! DETACHED GARAGE FOR 4 WITH FLOORED ATTIC STORAGE ABOVE AND ADDITIONAL PARKING UNDER ATTACHED CARPORT. GENERAC GENERATOR RUNS WHOLE HOUSE DURING POWER OUTAGES. EXTRA STORAGE/WORKSHOP IN BACK AND GREEN HOUSE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL REAL ESTATE AGENT.


6290 MADISON RIDGE • BEAUMONT $460,000 BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM HOME ON QUIET STREET IN BEAUMONT’S WEST END. OPEN LIVING WITH FORMALS, SPACIOUS DEN, AND KITCHEN, ALLWITH TILE FLOORS. MASTER SUITE ON ONE SIDE, TWO BEDROOMS AND BATH ON THE OTHER. HUGE, AMAZING GAMEROOM UP, WITH FULLBATH, HAS A BONUS ROOM THAT COULD BE USED AS A CAVE-LIKE 4TH BEDROOM-PARTICULARLY COOL FOR A TEEN AGED BOY!. KITCHENHAS GRANITE COUNTERS, HUGE ISLAND WORK AREA, AND GREAT BUTLER’S PANTRY. THE YARD IS OVER-SIZED, AND HAS BEAUTIFULPOOL, SMALL POOL HOUSE OR STORAGE ROOM, AND A PARK LIKE VIEW.. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL REAL ESTATE AGENT.

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www.cbsouthernhomes.com

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FOR THE RECORD JEFFERSON COUNTY Johnson, Marques Wilson, Demetrius Johnson, Jamal Dba I Am Unlimited P O Box 20451 Beaumont, TX 77720 Filed 5/20/2013 cert no 83300 Melendez, Julio C. Dba Triangle Roofing & Remodeling 11516 Labelle Rd. Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 5/20/2013 cert no 83301 Holloway, Demetricia Dba Unity Dancing for Jesus 175 Vestal St. Beaumont, TX 77703 Filed 5/20/2013 cert no 83302 RCI Dining Services Inc. Dba Jaguars 5300 Memorial Dr. Ste. 1000 Houston, TX 77707 Filed 5/20/2013 cert no 83303 McCall, Angela Dba Angela’s Massage Therapy 317 Drummond St. Port Arthur, TX 77640 Filed 5/21/2013 cert no 83304 Boutte Sr., Peter Boutte, Clair Dba P & C Family Enterprise 2795 Prairie St. Beaumont, TX 77701 Filed 5/21/2013 cert no 83305 Hurt, Dr. Rita Dba Rita Hurt Psy D Clinical Psychologist 150 Dowlen Ste. B Beaumont, TX 77706 Filed 5/21/2013 cert no 83306 Lassaint, Rudolph Dba Rudy’s BBQ

2020 Ave. A Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 5/21/2013 cert no 83307 Warren, Kevin Dixon Jr., Floyd Dixon, Derrick Dixon, Floyd Dba Koko’s Bar & Grill 2820 Washington Blvd. Ste. B Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 5/21/2013 cert no 83308 Voight, James P. Dba Discount Storage 1420 South 21st Street Nederland, TX 77627 Filed 5/21/2013 cert no 83310 Basye, Arline Basye, Milton Dba A & M Enterprises P O Box 448 Hamshire, TX 77622 Filed 5/21/2013 cert no 83311 Wood, Michael Dba Michael Wood Insurance Agency 6385 Calder Ave. Ste. C Beaumont, TX 77706 Filed 5/21/2013 cert no 83312 Boram, Kyndale Dba The Initial Shoppe 900 S. Main Ste. 923 Lumberton, TX 77657 Filed 5/22/2013 cert no 83313 Linscomb, Sarah Dba The Initial Shoppe 900 S. Main Ste. 923 Lumberton, TX 77657 Filed 5/22/2013 cert no 83313 Ryals, David Dba Dave’s Landscape & Irrigation Services 21282 FM 365 Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 5/22/2013 cert no 83314 LeBlanc, Regina

Dba Supreme Kleen Services 1155 Madison Beaumont, TX 77701 Filed 5/22/2013 cert no 83315 Perales, Jesus Dba JP Perales Consulting 3580 French Road Beaumont, TX 77703 Filed 5/22/2013 cert no 83316 DeJean, John Francis Dba DeJean Bread Service 858 Schwarner St. Beaumont, TX 77701 Filed 5/22/2013 cert no 83317 Kimbrell, Shaun Dba Shaun’s Lawn Service 3001 8th St. #55 Port Neches, TX 77651 Filed 5/22/2013 cert no 83318 Morgan, Stephen Dba Crossroads Bible Church 777 N. 4th Street Beaumont, TX 77701 Filed 5/22/2013 cert no 83319 Morris, Yolanda Dba Allen Tax Services 2160 Washington Blvd. Beaumont, TX 77707 Filed 5/22/2013 cert no 83320 Willis, Ronald Dba Willis Trucking 451 Georgetown Beaumont, TX 77707 Filed 5/23/2013 cert no 83321 Lencinas, Adalid Dba Add’y Tamales 3433 Thomas Blvd. Port Arthur, TX 77642 Filed 5/23/2013 cert no 83322 Daigle, Shani Dba SM&J Enterprises P O Box 5564 Beaumont, TX 77726 Filed 5/23/2013 cert no

83323 Johnson, Stephenie L. Dba Chosen Generation Sport Activities League 3820 Bristol Dr. Beaumont, TX 77707 Filed 5/23/2013 cert no 83324 Johnston, Michelle Dba Johnston Tax Service 4630 Ridgewood St. Beaumont, TX 77708 Filed 5/23/2013 cert no 83325 Godfrey Jr., Edward Dba E & E Construction 1345 East Lucas Beaumont, TX 77703 Filed 5/23/2013 cert no 83326

Narcisse, Jonathan Dba Narcisse Entertainment 6550 Lexington Dr., Apt. 56 Beaumont, TX 77706 Filed 5/23/2013 cert no 83332 Downs, Troy Dba APC Plumbing Co. 687 Old Hwy 90 Vidor, TX 77662 Filed 5/24/2013 cert no 83333 JG Armory LLC Dba JG Armory LLC 5401 Beaumont Ave. Groves, TX 77619 Filed 5/24/2013 cert no 83334

Hartman, Lesli Rhea Dba Lesli Rhea Photography Gomes Lopes, Tamara 342 Patna Drive Ferreira Dba Sattva Ananda-Holistic Beaumont, TX 77713 Filed 5/24/2013 cert no Health & Wellness 83335 3764 Champions Dr. Beaumont, TX 77707 Jehanara M.D., Ahmed Filed 5/23/2013 cert no Dba Beaumont Diabetes & 83327 Endocrinology Doves Alliance Corporation 6135 Chatom Trace Dba Paul Davis Emergency Beaumont, TX 77706 Filed 5/24/2013 cert no Services of Beaumont 83336 6704 Lexington Dr. Beaumont, TX 77706 Taylor, Glenn Filed 5/23/2013 cert no Dba Custom Smokers 83328 1140 Condon Beaumont, TX 77701 Kinsel Ford, Inc. Filed 5/24/2013 cert no Dba Kinsel Mitsubishi 83337 3355 Eastex Freeway Beaumont, TX 77706 Lewis, Antonio Filed 5/23/2013 cert no Dba Lewis Specialties 83329 Trucking Service LLC 3600 Normandy Dr. #23 Seelke, Danny Port Arthur, TX 77642 Dba VIP Auto Spa 6555 Eastex Fwy. Filed 5/24/2013 cert no Beaumont, TX 77706 83338 Filed 5/23/2013 cert no 83330 Weeks, Julie Dba Restoration Christian Pablo, Yasiri Counseling Center Dba Y & M Cleaning 6131 Coolidge Services Groves, TX 77619 8341 Greenbriar Ln. Filed 5/24/2013 cert no Port Arthur, TX 77642 83339 Filed 5/23/2013 cert no 83331 Richardson, Sandra

Bankruptcies Lindsey, Curtis G. Chapter 13 Filed 5/10/2013 Jefferson County Herbert, Marcus B. Chapter 13 Filed 5/13/2013 Hardin County

Orange County Garriott, Cynthia L. Chapter 13 Filed 5/15/2013 Orange County

Braun, Rosemary P. Chapter 13 Filed 5/16/2013 Rodriguez, Leonora W. Jefferson County Chapter 7 Allen, Robert Filed 5/13/2013 Allen, Rachel Orange County Chapter 7 Filed 5/16/2013 Johnson, William H. Hardin County Johnson, Elma W. Chapter 7 Brown, Elizabeth S. Filed 5/14/2013

Chapter 7 Filed 5/16/2013 Jefferson County Corrao, Jennifer Chapter 7 Filed 5/16/2013 Orange County Taylor, Lydia T. Chapter 7 Filed 5/17/2013 Jefferson County Craigen, Kyle Craigen, Elizabeth Chapter 13 Filed 5/20/2013 Jefferson County


Gipson, Warren Gipson, Elaine Chapter 13 Filed 5/20/2013 Jefferson County

Orange County

Edgerton Jr., Woodrow T. Edgerton, Judith Chapter 13 Johnson, Joshua Willie 5/29/2013 Orange County Chapter 13 Filed 5/21/2013 Saucier, Brenda Jefferson County Chapter 13 Filed 5/29/2013 Lamb, Mary Jo Orange County Chapter 7 Filed 5/23/2013 Allen Jr., Ronnie Jefferson County Joseph Allen, Denisce Wilson, Teresa Rochelle Chapter 7 Chapter 13 Filed 5/28/2013

Filed 5/30/2013 Jefferson County Batman, Larry A. Batman, Koleen K. Chapter 7 Filed 5/31/2013 Hardin County Hernandez, Patricia Chapter 7 Filed 5/31/2013 Jefferson County Hebert, Gladys A. Chapter 7 Filed 5/31/2013 Jefferson County

Kemper, Thomas Dba New Leaf Homes 4602 Silverfox Drive Houston, TX 77066 Filed 5/24/2013 cert no 83340 Kemp-Rowland, Tajha D. Dba Only 1 Vase 1031 Pine Needles Dr. Sour Lake, TX 77659 Filed 5/24/2013 cert no 83341

Filed 5/28/2013 cert no 83350

Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83361

Jebokji, Mohamed Dba M & J Auto Sales 2349 Jefferson Dr. Port Arthur, TX 77642 Filed 5/28/2013 cert no 83351

Hernandez, Victor Dba Victor Hernandez Tire Shop 2660 College Beaumont, TX 77701 Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83362

Melvin Jr., Joseph Dba 1st American Disability Group 3614 St. James Blvd. Beaumont, TX 77705 LeBlanc, Regina Marie Dba Supreme Kleen Janito- Filed 5/28/2013 cert no 83352 rial Services 1155 Madison Ho, Cong Beaumont, TX 77701 Dba Delena’s Nail & Spa Filed 5/24/2013 cert no 1147 Woodworth Blvd. 83342 Port Arthur, TX 77640 Filed 5/28/2013 cert no Johnson, Bridget K. 83353 Johnson, Kevin C. Dba BKJ Investment Verde, Benjamin Paul Properties 3195 Dowlen Rd. Ste. 101 Dba SETX Motorsports 4820 Pure Atlantic Rd. Beaumont, TX 77706 Groves, TX 77619 Filed 5/24/2013 cert no Filed 5/28/2013 cert no 83343 83354 Johnson, Bridget K. Le, Tri M. Dba Professional AssessDba Midnight Lounge ments & Career Develop3885 Gulfway Dr. ment 3195 Dowlen Rd., Ste. 101 Port Arthur, TX 77642 Filed 5/28/2013 cert no Beaumont, TX 77706 83355 Filed 5/24/2013 cert no 83344 Knoden, Mary Nan Dba Jefferson County MasFlippo, Donny sage & Therapy Center Dba D&V Enterprises 4351 Crow Road 1207 E. Pineshadows Dr. Beaumont, TX 77706 Sour Lake, TX 77659 Filed 5/28/2013 cert no Filed 5/24/2013 cert no 83356 83345 McCabe, Steven Dba House of Hoops 2330 Sunflower Dr. Beaumont, TX 77713 Filed 5/24/2013 cert no 83346

Chianti Corporation Dba Chianti Carts 470 Orleans Beaumont, TX 77701 Filed 5/28/2013 cert no 83357

Matthews, Sydney Dba Texas Junior Cotillion / Texas Cotillion 1280 Cherokee Lane Beaumont, TX 77702 Filed 5/28/2013 cert no 83347

Artola, Alan Dba Quality Welding Services 3700 Platt Ave. Port Arthur, TX 77642 Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83358

Phillips, Allen Dba Texas Capital Reserve 13785 Research Blvd. Ste. 125 Austin, TX 78750 Filed 5/28/2013 cert no 83348

Ayala, Jesus Dba Ayala’s Drywall 3610 Parkway Dr. Nederland, TX 77627 Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83359

Philpott Motors Ltd Dba Philpott Ford 350 N. St. Paul Street Ste. 2900 Dallas, TX 75201 Filed 5/28/2013 cert no 83349

Goldman III, Major M. Ingram, Lawrence J. Dba Southeast Texas Interdenominational Mass 1760 Franklin St. Beaumont, TX 77701 Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83360

Philpott Motors Ltd Dba Philpott Toyota 350 N. St. Paul Street Ste. 2900 Dallas, TX 75201

Ingram, Lawrence J. Goldman III, Major M. Dba Imajor Records 1760 Franklin St. Beaumont, TX 77701

Pieternelle, Vivian Dba 46 + One It’s Me 5060 Shadow Lane Beaumont, TX 77706 Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83363 Malik, Awais Dba Pricewise 101 2924 Nederland Ave. Nederland, TX 77627 Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83364 MJS Business Services LLC Dba JAS Enterprises 4390 Highland Ave. Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83365 Williams, Ivory D. Ozane, La’Toyya Dba USA Olympic Dreams Track Club 5865 Falcon Ln. Beaumont, TX 77708 Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83366 Garcia, Kimberly Dawn Dba Brookdale House P O Box 12815 Beaumont, TX 77726 Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83367 Crews, Andy Dba Andy’s Paint & Body 1241 Yorkshire Dr. Beaumont, TX 77713 Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83368 Barajas, Leticia Dba Bella’s Hair Salon 2125 Jefferson Dr. Port Arthur, TX 77642 Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83369 DNT Plaza LLC Dba DNT Plaza 2916 E. Lucas Dr. Ste. D Beaumont, TX 77703 Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83370 Conner Jr., Duncan Dba Lone Star Notes 309 Drummond St. Port Arthur, TX 77640 Filed 5/29/2013 cert no 83371 Guillory Sr., Michael W. Dba Maintenance Masters 3720 Detroit St. Beaumont, TX 77703 Filed 5/30/2013 cert no 83372

FOR THE RECORD Gamez, Ricardo Gamez, Maria Dba Tasty Treats 812 Nederland Ave. Nederland, TX 77627 Filed 5/30/2013 cert no 83373 Joseph Lemaire LLC Dba J & D Trucking P O Box 21112 Beaumont, TX 77720 Filed 5/30/2013 cert no 83374 Deweyville Oil Company Dba Premier Tobacco Stop Daiquiri’s To Go 2115 Calder Ave. Beaumont, TX 77701 Filed 5/30/2013 cert no 83375 Harrison, Richard Dba Savvy Chic Salon & Spa 6159 39th St. Groves, TX 77619 Filed 5/30/2013 cert no 83376 Excellent Yard Care LLC Dba Excellent Yard Care LLC 3148 8th St. Port Arthur, TX 77642 Filed 5/31/2013 cert no 83377 Williams, Eric Dba Grocery Delivery of Southeast Texas P O Box 12523 Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 5/31/2013 cert no 83378 Dengler, Steven F. Dba LaBelle RV Park 8351 FM 365 Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 5/31/2013 cert no 83379 Moka, Shyama Kumar Dba Geethika Welding Service 2916 Ballpark Rd. Effingham, SC 29541 Filed 5/31/2013 cert no 83380

Wilson Sr., Randy Lee Wilson, Earma L. Dba U-Frame It Photography 3790 Audree Street Beaumont, TX 77708 Filed 5/31/2013 cert no 83384 Rojas, Galo Arturo Dba Beaumont Industrial Tank Paint & Repair 3050 Rusk St., Ste. A & B Beaumont, TX 77702 Filed 5/31/2013 cert no 83385 Anejo Port Neches LP Dba Neches Oaks Assisted Living & Memory Care 109 North Post Oak Ln., Ste. 200 Houston, TX 77024 Filed 6/3/2013 cert no 83386 Company E Consignment LLC Dba Company E2 Consignment 5925 Phelan Ste. F Beaumont, TX 77706 Filed 6/3/2013 cert no 83387 Angelle, Kari Lyn Dba Angelle Insurance Agency 1519 North 20th St. Nederland, TX 77627 Filed 6/3/2013 cert no 83388

2464 Liberty St. Beaumont, TX 77702 Filed 6/3/2013 cert no 83394 Turner, Danny Dba D&B Flooring 6695 Willis Ln. Beaumont, TX 77708 Filed 6/3/2013 cert no 83395 Starsouth Enterprises, LLC Dba The UPS Store #4747 3195 Dowlen Rd., Ste. 101 Beaumont, TX 77706 Filed 6/3/2013 cert no 83396 Anglo-Dutch Energy, LLC Moran Ad, LLC Dba Anglo-Dutch & Moran G.P. 8 Greenway Plaza, Ste. 900 Houston, TX 77046 Filed 6/3/2013 cert no 83397 Huber Kotzur, LLP Dba Mid County Family Clinic 1409 Hwy 69 S Nederland, TX 77627 Filed 6/4/2013 cert no 83398 Hein Jr., Edward Hoye Dba Texas Bullion Exchange 17782 FM 365 Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 6/4/2013 cert no 83399

Suderman Contracting SteveDores, Inc. Dba Metro Ports 350 N. St. Paul St., Ste. 2900 Dallas, TX 75201 Filed 6/3/2013 cert no 83389

Hein Jr., Edward Hoye Dba US Gold Silver & Bullion Reserve 17782 FM 365 Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 6/4/2013 cert no 83400

KMS Vital Enterprises LLC Dba Super Weave Xpress 1015 Gulfway Dr. Port Arthur, TX 77642 Filed 6/3/2013 cert no 83390

Hein Jr., Edward Hoye Dba US Gold Silver & Bullion Exchange 17782 FM 365 Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 6/4/2013 cert no 83401

Flores, Jorge Garcia Dba El Roble Carwash 5201 Gulfway Dr. Port Arthur, TX 77642 Trevino, Lisa S. Dba All Roofing & Construc- Filed 6/3/2013 cert no tion 83391 3810 Chandelle Ln. Port Arthur, TX 77642 Nelson, Harlan Filed 5/31/2013 cert no Dba Helena Mobile Home 83381 Park 2108 Helena Franks Jr., Robert C. Nederland, TX 77627 Dba R & R Marine Filed 6/3/2013 cert no 14170 Gordon Rd. 83392 Winnie, TX 77665 Filed 5/31/2013 cert no The TCPT Experience LLC 83382 Dba The 365 Revolution 2464 Liberty Street Williams, Bridgette L. Beaumont, TX 77702 Dba The Williams Law Firm Filed 6/3/2013 cert no P O Box 1482 83393 Port Arthur, TX 77641 Filed 5/31/2013 cert no The TCPT Experience LLC 83383 Dba You-Time Fitness

Caudillo, Shalanda P. Dba Southeast Texas Paralegal Services 650 W. Lucas, 2nd Fl. Beaumont, TX 77706 Filed 6/4/2013 cert no 83402 Nguyen, John Hau Dba Joseph Village 2555 Sweetgum Ln. Beaumont, TX 77703 Filed 6/4/2013 cert no 83403 ESP Structure & Piping Solutions LLC Dba Orbital Industrial Plus 3024 Commerce St. Port Arthur, TX 77642 Filed 6/5/2013 cert no 83404 Swallow, Burke

Dba Burche’s Catering 700 West 13th St. Port Arthur, TX 77640 Filed 6/5/2013 cert no 83405

Service 1107 A/B Magnolia Ave. Port Neches, TX 77651 Filed 6/7/2013 cert no 83416

West, Jocelyn Kay Dba Jay Kay Enterprises 2627 Forrest Beaumont, TX 77703 Filed 6/5/2013 cert no 83406

Portier, Cheryl Dba CP Properties 8115 Quail Hollow Dr. Beaumont, TX 77707 Filed 6/7/2013 cert no 83417

Antoine, Dexter Dba Antoine Construction 2048 19th St. Port Arthur, TX 77640 Filed 6/5/2013 cert no 83407

Albert, Melroy Dba Albert & Sons 1711 13th St. Port Arthur, TX 77640 Filed 6/7/2013 cert no 83418

Oneal, Kevin Dba NewMedia Butterfly 215 South 5 ½ St. Nederland, TX 77627 Filed 6/5/2013 cert no 83408

Jones, Cassandra M. Dba Hands of Hope Janitorial/Cleaning Service P O Box 41403 Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 6/7/2013 cert no 83419

Riley, Roger Philip Dba Riley Construction Service 685 Pine Crest Vidor, TX 77662 Filed 6/5/2013 cert no 83409

Rice, Blake Dba Blake’s Detailing 4240 Lincoln Ave. Groves, TX 77619 Filed 6/7/2013 cert no 83420

Filed 6/10/2013 cert no 83427 Livingston Jr., Gregory L. Dba Helping Hands 580 Campus St. Apt 103 Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 6/10/2013 cert no 83428 Frank C. Coffin, Jr., L.L.C. Dba Inquiries… P O Box 7743 Beaumont, TX 77726 Filed 6/10/2013 cert no 83429 Paulus, James A. Dba P.J. Construction Co 2138 10th St. Port Neches, TX 77651 Filed 6/10/2013 cert no 83430 Paulus, James A. Dba Smart Money 2138 10th St. Port Neches, TX 77651 Filed 6/10/2013 cert no 83431 Richard, Reginald Dba Haircut Suge Barber Shop 3135 Terrell St. Beaumont, TX 77701 Filed 6/10/2013 cert no 83432

Fao LLC Dba For All Occasions Rentals 5925 Phelan Blvd., Ste. K Beaumont, TX 77706 Filed 6/6/2013 cert no 83410

Voorhies, Fredrick Dba Fal’s Snowcones & Snacks 2019 Bluebonnet Ave. Port Arthur, TX 77640 Filed 6/7/2013 cert no 83421

Alli, Bibi Zahida Dba BZ Enterprise 1716 Ave. K Nederland, TX 77627 Filed 6/6/2013 cert no 83411

Voorhies, Fredrick Dba Fred’s Creative Styles 2015 Bluebonnet Ave. Port Arthur, TX 77640 Filed 6/7/2013 cert no 83422

Brottem, Thomas Edward Dba Tom’s 641 Patina Beaumont, TX 77713 Filed 6/6/2013 cert no 83412

D.S. Horizons Co LLC Dba D.S. Horizons Co LLC 10904 Glennoak Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 6/10/2013 cert no 83423

Brottem, Thomas Edward Dba Tom’s Property Management & Repair 641 Patina Beaumont, TX 77713 Filed 6/6/2013 cert no 83413

Kyles Jr., Walter Dba Elk Construction Co. 2875 Washington Blvd. Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 6/10/2013 cert no 83424

Orange Investments, LLC Dba Orange Equipment & Leasing 333 Lutcher Dr. Orange, TX 77630 Filed 6/6/2013 cert no 17497

Kyles Jr., Walter Dba Walter Kyles Insurance & Real Estate Co. 2875 Washington Blvd. Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 6/10/2013 cert no 83425

Weathers, Cynthia Dba C & M Construction LLC 2200 Rio Grande Pl. Orange, TX 77630 Filed 6/6/2013 cert no 17498

Bridges, Robert Leon Dba Leon’s Fence 6175 Second St. Beaumont, TX 77705 Filed 6/10/2013 cert no 83426

Oliphint, Jamie Dba Jamie Oliphint Photography 242 Loch Lomond Rd. Bridge City, TX 77611 Filed 6/10/2013 cert no 17499

Run, Samith Dba The Donut Palace 1255 N. Major Dr. Beaumont, TX 77706 Filed 6/7/2013 cert no 83414 Greater Lufkin Overhead Door Company LLC Dba Overhead Door Company of Greater Lufkin 10575 Hwy 90 Beaumont, TX 77713 Filed 6/7/2013 cert no 83415 Hollier, Anthony Dba Tony Hollier’s Tax

Chatlin, Billy Ray Dba B & C Odds and Ends 635 Moore Rd. Beaumont, TX 77713

ORANGE COUNTY Guillory Jr., Richard W. Dba Cardinal Chiropractic 5156 Fairfield Dr. Orange, TX 77630 Filed 6/3/2013 cert no 17495 Towery, Mike Williams, James Dba Bare Knuckle Blasting 335 Ellis Lane Vidor, TX 77662 Filed 6/5/2013 cert no 17496

Sneed, Lesha Dba R & S Tractor and Dump Truck Service

5199 Victory Lane Orange, TX 77630 Filed 6/10/2013 cert no 17500 Mims, Cynthia Dba Mims Investment Services 1301 MLK Dr., Ste. A Orange, TX 77630 Filed 6/11/2013 cert no 17501 Lynch, John W. Dba JW Lynch Trucking 1407 Green Ave. Orange, TX 77630 Filed 6/11/2013 cert no 17503 Samuel, Joseph T. Samuel, DeAnn M. Dba Paradise Donuts 2875 Texas Ave., Ste. A Bridge City, TX 77611 Filed 6/12/2013 cert no 17502 Milligan, Russell Rahaman, M. Dba Innovative Designs 1008 Orange Ave. Orange, TX 77630 Filed 6/13/2013 cert no 17504 Lauber, Jerry L. Bolt, Derrick Dba Blue Gray Reproductions 1405 Sandy Lane Vidor, TX 77662 Filed 6/13/2013 cert no 17505 Quibodeaux, Steve Dba Fat Katz 7277 FM 1006 Orange, TX 77630 Filed 6/14/2013 cert no 17506 Jolly, Tommy Dba AirJolly Productions 1202 W. Cypress Orange, TX 77630 Filed 6/17/2013 cert no 17507 Forsblade, Cindy Dba Massages By Cindy 2070 Texas Ave., Ste. A Bridge City, TX 77611 Filed 6/17/2013 cert no 17508

Dba Power House Dance Academy 2840 North Main St. Vidor, TX 77662 Filed 6/18/2013 cert no 17511 Forse, Maurice Dba Pirate Fireworks Supercenter 2330 North Main Vidor, TX 77662 Filed 6/19/2013 cert no 17512 Forse, Maurice Dba Bear Fireworks Supercenter 7774 Hwy 87 N. Orange, TX 77632 Filed 6/19/2013 cert no 17513 Seals, Travis R. Hall, Christopher C. Dba Firehouse Custom Cabinetry 10720 FM 105 Orange, TX 77630 Filed 6/19/2013 cert no 17514 Hebert, Paul Dba Abear’s Transportation 1224 Palm Dr. Orange, TX 77630 Filed 6/19/2013 cert no 17515 Smith Beach Grove Holdings, LLC Dba Holiday Farms 4426 Hillbrook Dr. Orange, TX 77632 Filed 6/19/2013 cert no 17516 Bailey Jr., Glynn C. Dba B & B Construction 455 N. Dewitt Vidor, TX 77662 Filed 6/26/2013 cert no 17517 Cockerham, Dawn Dba Leisure Time 3150 N. 105 Vidor, TX 77662 Filed 6/27/2013 cert no 17518

Williams, Helen Dba Over The Top Shop 145 West Bolivar Texas City Economic DevelVidor, TX 77662 opment Corporation Filed 6/27/2013 cert no Dba Texas City Brewery 17519 1801 9th Avenue North Texas City, TX 77590 Shannon, George L. Filed 6/18/2013 cert no Dba The Best Pawn 17509 1202 North 16th St. Texas City Economic Devel- Orange, TX 77630 Filed 6/28/2013 cert no opment Corporation 17520 Dba Texas City Brewing Company Baker, David 1801 9th Avenue North Dba Baker’s Fields Texas City, TX 77590 1310 Saw Mill Rd. Filed 6/18/2013 cert no Vidor, TX 77662 17510 Filed 6/28/2013 cert no Smith, Monica 17521


Beaumont Business Journal 795 Willow Beaumont, TX 77701 Change Service Requested

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