Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM December 2018 | Page 6

Steve Paterson President & CEO League City Regional Chamber Thankful and Looking Ahead Wow, what a year! I can hardly believe it's almost over. I sit here and write as I digest another scrumptious Thanksgiving Dinner celebration with family and friends and listen to yet another football game in the background. It is times like these that let me have time to reflect on how thankful for all we were able to accomplish with this year as a Chamber of Commerce, especially following the devastation of Harvey on our communities. As are all nonprofits, we are challenged with fund raising to have the necessary funds to support our advocation, education and representation of the business community. I first want to give thanks to all those individuals and businesses, who continue to support and trust in us as members with their membership and sponsorship dollars. I also want to give thanks to all of our new members and sponsors who have joined us this year for their investment and trust in our organization, which we will do all we can to help them move forward with their goals and dreams. Our membership has increased by (20) twenty percent this year with over a month left in the current year. We would hope it is because of our pursuit of making sure our members see a positive return on their investment with us. We are thankful to our members who were nice enough to have referred over (80) eighty percent of those new members to us. We are truly blessed. We will be working towards continuing to earn your trust by expanding our plan of work in 2019 through our committees and staff to help build a wonderful environment for economic development and quality of life in our region. We will continue to work to earn the respect of our partners in government, education, economic development and business. To assist in these efforts, we will launch a county wide business publication in 2019 to tell the wonderful story that is unfolding in our region. Discussing all the factors which are developing around us each day. Such as the development in the healthcare sector, petroleum and polymer sector, innovation in emerging technology, biosciences, aerospace and aviation, transportation, maritime and education and more. We are truly blessed to be in one of the fastest growing regions in the country, which is only beginning to see its awesome potential. Like all things which grow, a region is no different. Investment, planning, collaboration, and team work will be all needed more now than ever to deal with the great problems that come with growth that we face as communities. Whether its roads, drainage, better schools, more schools, infrastructure and finance, your chamber is working in front of these challenges to help make insure that we all have the community we know we can attain. If we are patient, invest well, and plan, we can guarantee to those who follow us a wonderful future. Your Chamber of Commerce is embracing the future in hopes of achieving this vision. From the staff and I, have a merry and safe holiday and a Happy New Year! Steve Paterson 2018 Board of Directors Chair, Rebecca Lilley Memorial Hermann Treasurer, C.B. “Bix” Rathburn, Ph.D. Moody Bank Secretary, Gloria Greene EliteCare 24 Hour ER Past Chair, Ray Soto Soto Financial & Insurance 2019 Incoming Chair, Bill Provenzano Hometown Bank of League City Elga Boeker Houston Methodist St. John Hospital James Brockway Brockway Realty / Commercial Dr. Laura Dupont CCISD Matthew Mathias Clear Lake Regional Medical Center Dr. Warren Nichols College of the Mainland Kalpesh Patel Hampton Inn & Suites/Candlewood Suites Chris Premont Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai Genesis Dan Seal BAHEP Debbie Simmons Anchor Point Becky Trout-Unbehagen UTMB Health Rolando Villareal Hilltop Securities Peter Wuenschel CIS - Bay Area John Baumgartner Ex-Officio, City of League City Amanda Fenwick Ex-Officio, City of Clear Lake Shores Lisa Howard Ex-Officio, HOT Tax Board Peggy Zahler Ex-Officio, HOA Alliance of League City