Highlands Chamber installs new board & officers

NEW chamber president Jim Wadzinski

MONT BELVIEU – Eagle Pointe was the site for an installation banquet for the board and officers of the Highlands-Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce. The event took place last Friday night, Feb. 8.

Jessica Woods was the master of ceremonies, as the new president Jim Wadzinski took office and gave a talk about his goals for the coming year. Jessica thanked outgoing president Phillip Morris for his two years of service, and presented him with a plaque. Morris also was last year’s Terry Davis Award winner, she noted. ZXP Technologies was the 2012 Business of the Year, and that award was given to George Browning of the company.

New officers for 2013 will be president: Jim Wadzinski; 1st VP/Jamboree chair: Jessica Woods; 2nd VP/Heritage Museum: Dickie Woods; Secretary: Judy Culbreath; and Treasurer: Tonya Kostka.

Wadzinski then gave a speech about goals and activities for the coming year. The talk varied from personal commitment, to call for community involvement and support.

Wadzinski pointed out that the greater Baytown area, including Highlands, will experience the effects of huge growth in the refinery industry in the next few years. 22,000 construction jobs, and 3500 permanent refinery and support jobs are promised by Baytown refineries in the next 2 to 5 years. Wadzinski wants to make sure that the Highlands Chamber gets its “fair share” of this growth, he said.

“Highlands will change,” and the Chamber must grow. He noted that in the last 11 years, since he became involved in the chamber, membership has gone from 23 to 103. He projects continued growth. His goal is a 25% increase in members in the next two years.

Wadzinski also thought that the Chamber should sponsor a golf tournament, which could raise major funds for projects such as scholarships and a building fund. His goal was to raise $20,000 and use some of those funds for two major $5000 scholarships for Highlands students.

Wadzinski wanted more effective communication with local government and industry for mutual benefit. He announced that Chevron Phillips had joined the chamber, as a start.

Wadzinski said he is looking for help from each member of the chamber to achieve these goals. He quoted Peter Drucker, “The best way to pre;dict your future is to create it.”