The Telco Plus Credit Union elected a new Board of Directors at its annual meeting on Feb. 17. Board members included: James Pete, treasurer; Bill Thompson and Dan Tucker, directors; Joni Bailey, vice chairman; and Sunni Nix, associate director. Carma Smith, secretary, is not pictured.

ATTORNEYS

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) announced the induction of 209 attorneys at its annual induction ceremony. This year marks the 40th anniversary of legal specialization, a milestone for TBLS and the Texas legal industry. Attorneys from Tyler included Deron Dacus, Matt Flanery and Melanie Reyes.

The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Buck Files, of Tyler, a 1975 TBLS Board Certified Criminal Attorney, President of the State Bar of Texas from 2012-13, a former TBLS board member and a criminal law advisory commission member. Justice Philip W. Johnson, Supreme Court of Texas, administered the oath to honorees. Visit tbls.org.

 

DIRECTORS

Telco Plus Credit Union elected a new Board of Directors at its annual meeting on Feb. 17. Joni Bailey, vice chairman, was reelected for a three-year term. Bailey has served on the board for four years. Bill Thompson, director, was reelected for a three-year term. He has served on the board for 12 years and was an employee of Telco Plus for 25 years. Jessie Nichols, director, was reelected for three-year term, Nichols has served on the board for 14 years. Telco Plus Credit Union is a community charter credit union that has open membership to people who work or live in Gregg or Smith County, or through a family member or a sponsor company. Telco Plus Credit Union was organized in 1951 and originally served employees of Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Longview. Telco Plus Credit Union operates “not for profit, not for charity, but for service.” It is owned and controlled by its members.

The Board of Directors include: James Pete, treasurer; Bill Thompson and Dan Tucker, directors; Richard Leonardi, associate director; Ricky Vaughn, chairman; Jessie Nichols, director; Joni Bailey, vice chairman; and Sunni Nix, associate director; and Carma Smith, secretary.

 

MEETING

The Association of Fundraising Professionals, East Texas Chapter (AFP), announced Marilyn Abegg-Glass will be the guest speaker Tuesday. “Do You Know About the Fab Four … And What It Means to Your Non-Profit?” is the topic of the luncheon at Hollytree Country Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The AFP East Texas Chapter has educational lunch meetings featuring local and national speakers on topics relevant to everyday development work.

The chapter also offers additional educational and networking opportunities. Visit www.afpetx.org.

Marilyn Abegg has been active in community and educational affairs for more than 30 years. She has been a teacher and principal and longtime volunteer. She served as director of development for Stephen F. Austin State University before joining her late husband’s consulting firm, Sidney Abegg & Associates, in Tyler. In 2011, Marilyn Abegg-Glass and Patrick Willis merged their consulting firms, which is now known as Abegg Willis & Associates.

 

MIXER

The Tyler4Tech Networking Mixer and SXSW Send-Off Party is Thursday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Coyote Sam’s, 5224 Old Jacksonville Highway. RSVP preferred at info@Tyler4Tech.com.

CAMPAIGN

Allstate Insurance Co. is launching a recruitment campaign to appoint 130 new agency owners in Texas this year. Allstate agency owners are also actively searching for qualified candidates to fill more than 300 sales professional positions in agencies across the state. Allstate is actively seeking 12 mid-manager, mid-level career individuals who want to own and operate their business in the East Texas area. This is part of Allstate Texas’ commitment to bring nearly 500 jobs to Texas this year.

 

AFTER HOURS

Altra Federal Credit Union will host a free Home Buying After Hours Mixer from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on March 24 at One Realtor Center, at 2772 SSE Loop 323. Attendees will receive a home buying guide and a coupon worth $300 off closing costs or a $300 Visa Gift card at closing from Altra.

They will have the opportunity to register for door prizes, including a flat screen TV. Refreshments and appetizers will be provided. Register at altra.org.

SHOWCASE

The Lindale Area Business Showcase will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 5. The free showcase is open to the public and includes lunch at noon. It is an opportunity for the public to see their options of services and products that can be found in and around Lindale. For more, email Holly@ProgressRocks.com or call 903-780-7969.

 

SEMINAR

The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and Core insights will hold a critical thinking seminar from 8:30 a.m. to noon on March 31 at the Rose Garden Center. The event will cost $85 for chamber members and $100 for nonmembers. Topics will include the role of critical thinking in your business, how to think critically, how to prompt others to think critically and how to build a critical thinking culture.

 

SUMMIT

The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Economic Development Council, City of Tyler and several other sponsors will host the Tyler Area Energy Summit on March 30. Speakers will include Dr. Paul Tanaka, Exxon Mobil Corporate Strategic Planning; Dr. Bernard Weinstein, Maguire Energy Institute at the SMU Cox School of Business; and Dr. Tom Tunstall, UT San Antonio Institute for Economic Development. The event will review global and domestic energy markets and the effect of oil and gas prices, geopolitical issues and the energy markets, issues and updates on the export of light crude, LNG issues and progress to date and Northeast Texas energy related economy and job market. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center.

 

LUNCHEON

The Tyler Economic Development Council’s 26th annual Investors & Contributors Appreciation Luncheon is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 2 at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center.

Tickets are $25 per person or $200 for a table of eight. For more, contact Stephanye Petree at spetree@tylertexas.com or call 903-593-2004, ext. 245.

 

EVENT

The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Tyler Parks and Recreation will host the ninth annual Seniors Celebrating Life event from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 2 at Harvey Convention Center. This year’s theme is Surfin’ Up Fun. The event is designed to interaction and education, is free and includes lunch with entertainment. Breakout sessions will be held on gardening, safety tips, staying fit, financial matters, volunteering and Medicaid and Medicare updates. It will be a proactive event for participating businesses by providing a setting for educating potential consumers about services and products available in the Tyler area.

 

GIVING

During a press conference at 10:30 a.m. today, the Tyler area Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants will announce their “Month of Giving” campaign to benefit CASA for Kids of East Texas. At Jersey Mike’s, at 1690 S. Beckham Ave., they will also unveil the ‘CASA Favorite’ sub. Jersey Mike’s Subs are holding “Month of Giving” celebrations nationwide for more than 120 charities, including CASA. Last year, the initiative raised $2.1 million for 100 different charities and we hope to raise more than $2.5 million in 2015. In just four years, the program has raised more than $5 million for local charities across the country. CASA is a nonprofit organization that provides trained volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children involved in the courts of Smith, Wood and Van Zandt counties, with a goal of achieving a permanent living arrangement for each child, which will serve that child’s best interest.