By David Taylor / Managing Editor
The Highlands-Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce celebrated its annual Awards Banquet, bringing together business leaders, community members, and local officials to recognize outstanding achievements and contributions across the region. The event, held in at the Monument Inn, featured the installation of the 2026 Chamber Board and a keynote address by Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia.
Garcia praised the Chamber’s commitment to “making the Lynchburg area the best place to live and work and raise a family,” highlighting the alignment between his office’s Revive to Thrive initiative and the Chamber’s vision.
Garcia highlighted new programs and work coming to the Highlands-Lynchburg community.
“Revive to Thrive is all regarding the strategic investments that I try hard to make sure that it goes to the right places for the right purposes. and that it’s not just one area of the precinct,” he said.
Keep 2 Clean is an initiative to stop illegal dumping in the area.
“We are going to do something more than just responding to it,” he said. “It’s time for some accountability and so we’ll be working with the constable’s office and the sheriff’s office. We’re going to make sure there is a more investigative process and increased patrolling in the chronic site. We’ll partner with the DA’s office to get accountability.”
The other piece of the process is sustainability.
“We will have adopt a mile, adopt an espanade, ways that the community can participate,” he said.
Garcia also wants to turn on the lights in the Lynchburg subdivision by adding 166 streetlights. The hope is to complete the project by the end of the year.
“There are roads in our community that absolutely need repairs, and so I’m excited about the Precinct 2 Better Streets and Neighborhoods program. We have done 37 miles throughout the Baytown area costing approximately $16 million,” he explained.
The Crosby-Lynchburg Roads Phase 3 includes street and traffic improvements with additional traffic lights. Much of that was completed in 2024 with a $32 million investment.
The Harvey bond was $2.5 billion and Garcia said he continues to fight for those dollars in Precinct 2.
“Being on the downstream side of the county eans we have greater challenges,” he said.
With ditch regrading, they have completed 5 million linear feet of drainage maintenance which translates to over 942 miles, the distance to Miami.
Garcia is also expanding his community monuments program to include Highlands. North Shore and Channelview have already received two each.
The commissioner also said he was working with Houston Mayor John Whitmire to address homelessness.
“I want to make sure that he doesn’t push them out to the county and that we don’t push them back into the city. Instead, we deal with the individual,” he said. “I believe that God has given every human being some value.”
The program Employ to Empower allows precinct employees to go into the homeless encampments and recruit them, hire them to do work for the precinct. It also gives them an opportunity to plug them into resources that can help them get off the street and back into the community.
The opening of the Channelview Foundation of Hope will bring to bear many of those resources and job possibilities and additional services.
The evening’s awards honored both first responders and community leaders:
Highlands Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter of the Year (2025):
Ben Coward, Pablo Camargo, and Matthew Bennett
Recognized for their heroic actions during a structure fire, rescuing six victims—including children—from a burning building before additional units arrived. Their bravery and quick response saved lives under dangerous conditions.
Harris County Sheriff Deputy of the Year (2025):
Joshua Blair and Lola Ayala
Honored for stopping a wrong-way driver on the East Freeway, risking their own safety to prevent a potentially devastating accident. Both deputies sustained minor injuries during the incident, demonstrating exceptional courage.
Precinct 3 Constable of the Year (2025):
Eric Estupinan
Awarded for outstanding law enforcement service in the Highlands area, including recovering stolen property, removing drugs and guns from the streets, and making over 100 arrests. Deputy Estupinan’s dedication has made a significant impact on community safety.
Business of the Year (2025):
Kostka Auto Repair (David and Tanya Kostka)
Selected for their decades-long commitment to Highlands, providing reliable auto services and supporting numerous community initiatives. The family-owned business is known for its generosity, volunteerism, and unwavering support for local causes.
Terry Davis Award (2025):
Sarah Davis
Recognized for her tireless volunteer work and advocacy, particularly through the San Jacinto River Coalition and Texas Health Environment Alliance. Davis has been instrumental in environmental efforts and community support, making Highlands a healthier and stronger place.
The banquet also celebrated the Chamber’s achievements over the past year, including the sale of its previous building, expanded educational programs, and increased community outreach. Incoming President Isabel Dion was sworn in, alongside board members and directors, marking a renewed commitment to business growth and community development.
As Commissioner Garcia concluded, “I applaud the Chamber’s work. I look forward to continue to work with the Chamber, and I congratulate all the honorees that are being celebrated tonight.”
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