Emcee Script
6:50pm
[Tammy turns off sponsor feed and goes to main screen.]
Floyd:Good evening, ladies and gentleman and distinguished guests. I am FloydMitchell, your evening’s emcee. Tonight we are here to celebrate the Longview Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet by honoring outstanding organizations and leaders who are making a difference. Our theme is “Unmask the Possibilities.” Each of us has the ability to do just that, and you will hear this theme continued throughout the evening. It is with great pleasure that tonight we honor those who are making a difference for the future of Longview.
Floyd:First, I’d like to ask Dr. Dale Lunsford, President of LeTourneau University, to come forward andoffer tonight’s invocation.
Floyd:Welcome Dr. Lunsford.
6:54pm
[Floyd movesbackas Dr. Lunsfordapproaches the podium and gives the Invocation. At the conclusion of the Invocation, Floydreturns to the podium.]
6:58pm
Floyd:Thank you, Dr. Lunsford, for blessing tonight’s event.
At this time, I would like to recognize this evening’s sponsors. Please join me in thanking our presenting sponsor, Citizens National Bank. [APPLAUSE] I would also like to thank our supporting sponsors, Henry and Peters, PC and US Steel Tubular Products Lone Star Tubular Operations. [APPLAUSE] Tonight’s Prime Time Reception sponsor wasTurn-Tex Machine and Tool. Beverages for the reception were provided by Coors of Longview, Harley’s, and R&K Distributors. Thank you all very much! [APPLAUSE] We truly appreciate all of your support of this event and what it has done to make this evening possible.
Floyd:Now, I’d like to introduce the dignitaries joining us tonight! Please stand as I introduce you and if all of you would allow me to introduce everyone before we welcome them with a warm round of applause.
Representing the office of United States Senator John Cornyn, Louellen (Lu-ellen) Lowe;
Representing the office of United States Representative Louie Gohmert,Jonna Fitzgerald;
Representing the office of Texas State Senator Kevin Eltife, Dee Farmer
Our Texas State Representative, David Simpson
Floyd:12th Court of Appeals Chief Justice Jim Worthen
Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt
Gregg County Court at Law #1 Judge Becky SimpsonGregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano ('SIR-lee-'AH-no)
Floyd:and Longview City Council members:
Wayne Frost
Gary Smith and
Kasha Williams
Thank you to all our special guests for joining us this evening.
[APPLAUSE]
Floyd:I’d like to take quick a moment to mention that the City of Longview is currently creating the Longview Comprehensive Plan. Your input is needed to help create our City’s roadmap for the future. Please share your input at LongviewTexas.gov/plan. You can also take part in the Comprehensive Plan Community Event on Monday, February 10, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the LeTourneau University Belcher Center. Get involved and help shape your community!
Floyd:I hope everyone is enjoying your dinner this evening! Help me give special thanks to Gerald Rodriguez and his team with Tyler Street Bistro.
[APPLAUSE]
Floyd:Finally, on behalf of everyone here, I’d like to thank the people behind the scenes that help make it all come together, the Longview Chamberof Commerce staff. Staff members, as your namesare called, please stand and be recognized. Again, ladies and gentlemen, please hold your applause until all names have been called.
Floyd:Kelly Hall, President/CEO
Paul Anderson, Senior Vice-President, Communications Director
Elaine Reynolds, Vice-President of Special Event Operations
Leska (Less-kuh) Parker, Director of Development
Chelle (Shelly) Brown, Director of Entrepreneurship and Advocacy
Mary Whitton, Community Development Director
Diana Northcutt, Retail Development Coordinator
Missy Saunders, Business Development & Special Events Director
Lisa Null, Membership Services Coordinator
Kayla Cantey, Convention Meetings & Main Street Manager
Margie Harris, Tourism Services Manager
and Carrie Fisher, Director of First Impressions
Thank you all for your hard work!
[APPLAUSE]
Floyd:And now, please help me welcome your 2013Chairman of the Board, Brad Tidwell!
[Floyd returns to hisseat as Brad approaches the lectern.]
7:03pm
Brad:Thank you so much, Floyd. We’re so happy to have you with us tonight! Let’s give Floydaround of applause for the great job he’s done so far.
[APPLAUSE]
[Brad segue ways into Chairman’s Remarks].
2013 Chairman’s Remarks
7:10pm
Floyd:Thank you, Brad, for sharing with us the many accomplishments of the Longview Chamber of Commerceduring your term. What a great year for the chamber! Your dedicated service is to be praised. Let’s give him another round of applause for leading the chamber in such a successful year.
[APPLAUSE]
Floyd:Now I have the pleasure of introducing ourkeynote speaker.
Gary Hooverbegan his entrepreneurial journey at a young age. He began subscribing to Fortune Magazine at the age of 12, and he has acquired most of the issues back to 1930. He also began keeping a list of ideas for new businesses. At the age of 30, he took the plunge with one of his ideas and launched book superstore BOOKSTOP, which helped change the nature of book shopping in America. After selling the business to Barnes and Noble for $41.5 million, he began the company that became Hoover’s, the world’s largest Internet-based provider of information about enterprises. Over the years, he has continued to add new ideas to his list of business ideas, now numbering over 200.
In September 2012, Gary was appointed the first Entrepreneur in Residence at the School of Information at the University of Texas. The diverse graduate school focuses on information and society, and is ranked among the top ten in the US. Now, you’ll find Gary at home in Austin, Texas with his 55,000 book library.
Please help me welcome Gary Hoover!
[Floyd returns to his seat.]
7:15pm
[Gary begins keynote address]
7:50pm
[Floyd approaches the podium after Gary’saddress.]
[Tammy gets ready for AAON video.]
Floyd:Wow, Gary, thank you for helping us all realize how many possibilities we have! Gary told me earlier that he usually allows time for questions, but due to the magnitude of this event, the logistics were a little difficult. So, Gary has agreed to stay after the program and answer your questions near the stage area. Gary, thank you again for being here!
[APPLAUSE]
Floyd:Now, I think it’s time we present some awards! Tonight’s awards will be given tobusinesses and individuals who stood out among their peers in 2013.
Brad, would you please make your way to the stage so that our award winners can meet you on stage?
[Brad comes on stage.]
At this time, I’d like to ask you to turn your attention to the screen as we honor the Manufacturer of the Year.
7:55pm
[Tammy plays video as Leska directs AAON to stage.]
[In case of technical difficulty, the script for AAON is found on the next page.]
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AAON Script
AAON designs, manufactures and sells standard and semi-custom heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment for commercial and residential applications. The business model of AAON focuses on total owner value by offering an increasing breadth of customizable products, with attention to quality, energy efficiency, serviceability, life expectancy, and environmental issues. By combining the flexibility of more expensive custom equipment with the manufacturing efficiency of mass production, AAON customers receive a premium product that meets their application’s needs at a reasonable price. This business model has allowed AAON to steadily grow since the company was founded 25 years ago.
AAON, Inc. is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma and AAON Coil Products, Inc., a subsidiary of AAON, Inc., is located in Longview, Texas. In 1991, AAON acquired the assets of Coils Plus, Inc. of Longview, Texas to form AAON Coil Products, which manufactures the heating and cooling coils for all of AAON. Coils Plus had been founded in 1984 to design and make new and replacement coils for the HVAC industry. The heat exchanger manufacturing expertise AAON Coil Products has gained over the years has lead AAON equipment to be the most energy efficient in the industry.
Today, AAON Coil Products has expanded to both HVAC coil and HVAC equipment manufacturing. A complete line of HVAC systems including condensing units, air handling units, geothermal heat pumps, chillers, and modular air handling units, are now manufactured in Longview under the AAON brand. This year the SB Series geothermal heat pump, built at the Longview facility, was voted 2013 Product of the Year, by the readers of Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine.
Over the last 22 years, AAON Coil Products has grown from a 49,000 sq. ft. leased facility to an over 260,000 sq. ft. 100%-AAON-owned facility. Also, in 1991 there were 117 total employees at AAON Coil Products. Today, there are over 300 employees and AAON Coil Products is a top 15 employer for the city of Longview.
In 2013, AAON Coil Products partnered with the Longview Economic Development Corporation in the implementation of WorkKeys in the hiring process. The ACT WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system that helps AAON select, hire, train, develop, and retain a high-performance workforce. This has allowed AAON to hire the right employees and place them in positions in which they can succeed.
AAON Coil Products would like to thank the Longview Chamber of Commerce for nominating the company for this award. This is just the beginning of a powerful partnership that will lead to company growth, a more developed and expanded AAON workforce, and sustained economic prosperity in our East Texas community.
[Video over. APPLAUSE while photo is being taken on stage.]
7:57pm
Floyd:Congratulations AAON Coil Products! Now, please direct your attention to the screen to learn more about the Large Business of the Year.
[Tammy plays WARFAB video as Leska directs them to the stage.]
Warfab is an innovative company driven by their focus of safely delivering superior service and products that will help customers better manage their business. Warfab strives to develop long-lasting customer relationships and business alliances forged from integrity and their endless focus on safety, quality, and service.
Warfab is a ISO 9001:2008 certified company providing complete maintenance, repair, fabrication, and installation services worldwide for the coal, oil and gas, power generation, forging press, and heavy industrial sectors.
Warfab has a long history of providing best-in-class dragline components and upgrades worldwide. Their long history of proven techniques in re-building and repairing draglines sets them apart.
With advanced precision welding services and large capacity CNC machining capabilities, they can efficiently handle your manufacturing needs. Their facilities are also ABS certified to meet your offshore needs.
Warfab also supports the forging and press industry. They are experienced in small repairs to complete rebuilds. They provide an experienced workforce with everything needed for a complete onsite repair.
Warfab employs highly-skilled, specialized welders. their craft personnel produce some of the lowest weld rejection rates in the industry. They maintain National Board “R” and ASME “U” stamps. They will exceed your requirements on high-pressure piping or vessel repair, in their shop or at your location.
In addition to design and development, their team also provides stress analysis and finite element analysis services.
As they continue to expand to meet their customer’s needs, they will never lose sight of their commitment to safely provide exceptional service and value every day.
[Video over. APPLAUSE while photo is being taken on stage.]
Floyd:Congratulations WARFAB!
8:00 pm
Floyd:I am fortunate to have the opportunity to present the next award, the Ambassador of the Year!
The Longview Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors is a group of professionals who give of their time and resources to see that businesses succeed. They greet you at events, mentor new businesses, and celebrate with you at ribbon cuttings. They are the most recognizable faces to the membership and to the general public as well.
Through-out the year the Chamber Ambassadors must meet a rigorous set of guidelines to maintain their active membership in the program. Because of their dedication and service, the Ambassadors are a vital link between the members and the staff of the Longview Chamber of Commerce.
At this time, I would like to ask all active Ambassadors present tonight to stand. Let’s give them, as well as the companies they represent, a round of applause.
[APPLAUSE]
Thank you all for being so dedicated to the Longview Chamber of Commerce and the membership we represent. You may be seated.
Through-out the year, Ambassadors accumulate points for various activities including volunteering their time, attending Chamber events and providing leads on prospective Chamber members. Each month we honor the top performing Ambassador for their service. At the conclusion of the year, we recognize and celebrate the Top Producer of the Year.
Our recipient this year gives consistently of his time and resources to the Longview Chamber of Commerce membership. He has emerged as a leader, and the Longview Chamber should be proud to have such a great volunteer representing the organization. This year, please join me in congratulating the 2013 Ambassador of the Year Award, Mr.Chapin Miller with Citizens National Bank.
[Chapin has photo on stage]
[APPLAUSE]
8:03pm
Floyd:At this time, I’d like to ask Brad to join me. On behalf of the board of directors, and the membership at large, I’d like to take this time to thank you for your service as Chairman of the Board this year. You continue to help us drive the organization forward, and we appreciate all of your efforts.
[Take plaque beneath lectern and present to Brad.]
[APPLAUSE]
Floyd:Now, as your last official duty, would you be so kind as to introduce the new leadership for 2014?
[Floyd steps back.]
[Tammy prepares Anne’s video.]
Brad:Thank you all very much again for a great year! It is with great honor I introduce your 2014 Board of Directors. Please stand as I call your name. I ask that all applause be held until the entire board has been acknowledged.
First, the officers on the executive committee are:
Chairman,Jeremy DuMond,
US Steel Tubular Products Inc
Chairman-Elect, Ken Cunningham,
Good Shepherd Medical Center
Vice Chairman of Finance,Roy Eon,
Texas Bank and Trust
Vice Chairman Brett Lindig,
Sysco Food Services of East Texas
Vice Chairman Dr. Dale Lunsford,
LeTourneau University
Vice Chairman, Keith Honey, AEP SWEPCO
and President/CEO, Kelly Hall
The directors joining us on the board are:
James Barron with Barron’s
Jill Bayless, Longview Regional Medical Center
Kara Bolster, Stemco
Pat Britton, Eastman Chemical Company
David Hayes, Hayes RV Center
John Ray, Lively Cadillac GMC
Tim Vaughn, TVaughn Builders LLC
Darwin Winfield, Atmos Energy
and
Lester Lucy, BancorpSouth
[APPLAUSE]
8:05pm
Brad: Thank you, again, for your commitment!
Brad:Now it’s time to present the final award of the evening. Please turn your attention to the monitor.
[Tammy plays video.Script will be inserted at event in case of AV trouble]
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[Floyd makes his way to the stage on the side of the podium to come up after Anne’s remarks.]
[Video ends]
Brad:Anne, will you please join me on the stage to accept this award?
[Anne comes to stage for photo and makes remarks.]
[After remarks, Bradescorts Anne off the stage and returns to his table.]
8:20pm
[Floydapproaches the lectern for final remarks and adjournment.]
Floyd:Congratulations to all of tonight’s winners! Many thanks to our keynote speaker,Gary Hoover. Please remember, he will be near the stage to answer your questions after we conclude.
Once again, we’d like to thank tonight’s sponsors, Citizens National Bank, Henry and Peters PC, US Steel Tubular Products Lone Star Tubular Operations, Turn-Tex Machine and Tool, Coors of Longview, Harley’s and R&K Distributors.
To outgoing board members, thank you for your service. And to those serving in 2014, best wishes.
Floyd:To the Longview Chamber staff, thankyou for hosting another great Annual Banquet.
Finally, thank you for having me as your emcee this year. I hope you enjoyed the evening as much as I have. Thank you all for coming out this evening. Have a great night and drive safely.
[Tammy to run sponsor feed on front screen.]
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