Jim Rich attended the Association of Leadership Professionals Conference in the Woodlands on Monday. He had the opportunity to network with leadership program leaders from around the country.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors met on Tuesday. They considered the report of the audit committee and accepted the resignation letter of Daniel Risso as the chairman of the Leadership Development Division. Updates were provided regarding the Total Resource Campaign, Lobsterfest, and Business Development Week.

The Board of Directors met on Wednesday for their bi-monthly meeting. Mayor Becky Ames addressed the group regarding the Beaumont Trash Off scheduled for April 14. She encouraged everyone to participate. The audit prepared by Lawrence, Blackburn, Meek & Maxey for the period ending September 30 was affirmed. Jerry Frey, ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery Manager was appointed as a director to assume the unexpired term of Daniel Risso. Gary Chalk was named chairman of the Leadership Development Division and Michael Perez will serve as Vice Chair. Barry Bryant, Bill Clark Pest Control and Frank Bakker, General Manager of Pandora Methanol were names as advisory directors.

A press conference was held on Wednesday to announce Munro's as the 2012 Spindletop Award Winner Bill Munro and Chad Blanchard were present on behalf of the company. Munro's has been a part of the Beaumont community since 1928 and have given back to the community in a number of ways. The award will be presented on Thursday, October 18 at the Beaumont Civic Center followed by a concert at the Julie Rogers Theatre with Michael Grimm and his Las Vegas show.

The kick-off for the Total Resource campaign occurred Thursday with a lunch at Carraba's with the campaign leaders and volunteers. The group established goals and we are looking forward to a successful effort.

The first Annual Business Development Week will be held at Lamar University and the MCM Elegante on Tuesday, April 24th through Saturday, April 28th.  The 5 day event will include exciting and informative programs, workshops and the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour hosted by Lamar University.  The event will be an opportunity for anyone interested in learning about business, starting a business or expanding an existing business.  A variety of scheduled events will include professional development, business growth and expansion and general business topics.

Priced economically, business of all sizes will have the opportunity to participate in the inaugural event.  Attendees will learn how to effectively and easily predict a business' success, how to use web tools and offline strategies to effectively promote a business, and strategies for effectively getting new customers to buy their products.  Business Development Week is an opportunity to provide meaningful assistance to the community by emphasizing economic development and building stronger businesses. Registration opens March 1st at www.setedf.org. For more information, please contact the Southeast Texas Economic Development Foundation at   

(409) 838-6585.  

Nominations are being accepted for the Leadership Beaumont 2013 class.  Email nominations to sbartos@bmtcoc.org.  Submit the nominee's name, business, position, mailing address, phone, fax and email.  Application deadline is March 15.  Orientation for nominees will be Thursday, March 29, 2012 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the chamber board room.  Application forms will be given to the nominees at the orientation on March 29.  The 2013 LB program will begin August 23, 2012.

Now Accepting Nominations for the 2012 Small Business Awards  

The 2012 Small Business Awards will be presented on April 25, 2012, during Business Development Week at the Small Business Awards Luncheon.  

The Southeast Texas Economic Development Foundation, in partnership with local Chambers of Commerce, is now accepting nominations for the following awards:

• Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Dr. Robert A. Swerdlow Small Business Person of the Year  (Open to all Southeast Texas businesses)
• Entrepreneur of the Year 
• Exporter of the Year 
• Family-Owned Business of the Year