Posted 7:17 pm Sunday, October 30, 2011
Tyler Kung Fu & Fitness Celebrating 15th Anniversary
Tyler Kung Fu & Fitness is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Opening in 1996, the martial arts and fitness center has provided self-defense training to children and adults with 28 black belt graduates. The business, owned by Brandon Jones, is at 2537 E. Fifth St. and can be reached at 903-597-0275.
NEW BUSINESS
Blue Print TOO is bringing an eclectic alternative to Tyler's home design offerings with a new store.
Leslie Jenkins and Molly Holbrook, both of Tyler, are opening the store Tuesday at 4525 Old Bullard Road, and a ribbon cutting is set for Nov. 8. The business is a new take on the successful Blue Print Store in Dallas, which was opened in 2010 by Ms. Jenkins and her Dallas-based design team. The Tyler boutique will also house Jenkins Interiors.
NEW TYLER OFFICE
Richardson-based general contractor Hill & Wilkinson opened an office in Tyler.
"We have been serving the Tyler market for the past three years and wanted to be closer to our existing clients, as we develop new business relationships," Matt Sisco, senior project manager for the Tyler office, said in a prepared statement.
The new office is at 320 S. Broadway Ave., Suite 200. Hill & Wilkinson's first project in Tyler was the $11 million renovation of the university center at The University of Texas at Tyler. The general contractor also built the Phase One academic addition for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. The firm has also been hired to provide the MEP renovations for First Presbyterian Church in Tyler. With a diverse portfolio including the construction of automotive dealerships, data centers, manufacturing plants, recreation centers, public and private schools, medical clinics and warehouses, Hill & Wilkinson has revenues of about $200 million. In 2010, Hill & Wilkinson was named General Contractor of the Year in North Texas by TEXO and has been named one of the Top Ten "Best of Places to Work" in Dallas-Fort Worth by the Dallas Business Journal. For more information, visit www.hill-wilkinson.com.
NEW CHIEFS
Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics announced the appointments of Dr. William R. Hobbs as chief of orthopaedics and Dr. J. Rick Rogers as chief of pediatrics.
Hobbs earned his medical degree and completed his residency at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He is board certified in orthopaedic surgery and was trained in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. He maintains a full-time medical practice at Trinity Clinic Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, 1327 Troup Highway.
Rogers earned his medical degree from Southwestern Medical School and completed his residency at Children's Medical Center. He is board certified in pediatrics and maintains a practice at Trinity Clinic Pediatrics, 706 Turtle Creek.
ELECTED VP
Joe Carlyle, president of Carlyle Homes, was elected to serve for the next three years as vice president/secretary of the Texas Association of Builders before becoming president in 2013. The installation of officers was held at the Texas Housing Hall of Honor & Excellence in Leadership Dinner in Austin. Carlyle, past president of the Tyler Area Builders Association, oversees his custom homebuilding and renovation business and serves on the TABA Board of Directors, the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and on the Troup City Council.
SENIOR VP
April Witt joined Texas Bank and Trust Co. in Tyler as senior vice president and deposit administration manager.
Ms. Witt has been involved in community banking for 11 years and was most recently employed with Farmers Bank & Trust Co. in Magnolia, Ark., as executive vice president and chief financial officer. At Texas Bank and Trust, she will be responsible for the administration of retail functions. She is a certified public accountant and holds a master of business administration degree from Henderson State University.
CREDIT ANALYST
Kyle Watts joined AgriLand Farm Credit Services' Tyler corporate office as credit analyst.
A Lawrenceville, Ga., native, he will examine large, complex credit relationships for the cooperative lender. He holds a Master's degree in agricultural and applied economics from the University of Georgia.
AWARD
Camille Brown, owner and executive director of Stepping Stone Preschool, Elementary and C. Brown Middle School, was awarded Texas Association for the Education of Young Children Excellence in Leadership at the 47th Annual Conference in Arlington.
Ms. Brown was commended for her outstanding leadership in her school, community, state and the nation.
READER'S CHOICE
Holiday Inn South Broadway won the fourth annual Reader's Choice Award for the second time.Â
Holiday Inn won for Best Venue/Hotel/Resort (holds 500+). In 2009 it received the award for best Holiday Venue. The annual award is voted on by readers of Texas Meetings + Events Magazine. The voters are made up of meeting planners, suppliers, vendors and event planners. Holiday Inn also received runner up for Meeting/Event Venue, Hotel or Resort (holds less than 500).
CHAMPIONS OF YOUTH
The Boys and Girls Clubs of East Texas gave Brookshire Grocery Co. the Champions of Youth Award for 2011.
The award was given for BGC's support and contributions to the success of youth through the Boys and Girls Clubs and for its support of the East Texas Food Bank and donations raised for children's programs.
FUELING WORKSHOP
Chesapeake Energy Corp. and the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce will host The Northeast Texas Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Fueling Workshop in Tyler on Nov. 7.
During a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tyler Rose Garden Center, officials will discuss how to implement a successful natural gas vehicle program for fleet vehicles and reduce fueling expenses by up to 60 percent. They will also talk about nine public CNG stations scheduled to open in the Ark-La-Tex region by early 2012 and which dealerships and conversion centers can convert and service natural gas vehicles. Seats are limited for the free event. For more information, contact Sarie Joubert at 318-347-1962 or sarie.joubert@chk.com.
BUSINESS WORKSHOP
The Tyler Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Association of Business and community partners will present the 2011 Business Workshop, "Sink or Swim: Surviving Employment Issues," at the Tyler Rose Garden Nov. 9.
The all-day workshop is for East Texas employers dealing with employment-related issues and recent legislation. The early registration deadline is Tuesday, is $65 per person and includes lunch. After Tuesday, the cost is $80. Register online at tacc2011employment.eventbrite.com or call 903-593-2746. For more information, call Heather Gatlin at 903-596-0106 or email hgatlin@tylertexer.com.
The event will be kicked off by the Chamber's quarterly Small Business Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. "Understanding work force programs and getting the most for you and your business" will be presented by Scott Eychner, manager ES & UI Policy and WorkinTexas.com, and the Texas Workforce Commission.
LUNCH MEETING
East Texas Estate Planning Council will meet for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Wednesday at Hollytree Country Club. Colin Matheny, regional manager at Salient Partners, will speak about "Alternative Investment Strategies." RSVP by noon Tuesday to Janice Carter at 903-534-0088 or Janice@gmpcpa.com.
DRIVER SAFETY
AARP Driver Safety Courses will be held from 1-5 p.m. Nov. 7 at Green Acres Baptist Church and Nov. 14 at Pollard United Methodist Church. The course teaches the effects of aging on driving skills, effects of medications and alcohol and when it is no longer safe to drive. Completion may result in a discount on auto premiums. Cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers. During November, military veterans, spouses, widows and widowers are eligible to take the course for free. Call Randy Vanderstay at 903-752-0240 to register.
