The Greater Irving – Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce held their 82nd Annual Meeting on Friday, Oct. 24 at the Dallas Marriott at Las Colinas.
About 200 guests attended the Annual Meeting, which celebrates the accomplishments of the Chamber’s Immediate Past Chairman Michael Gonzales, Armstrong Relocation & Companies, and welcomes the 2014-15 Chairman Gary Huddleston, The Kroger Co., with a ceremonial exchanging of the gavel.
The meeting began with a $50,000 check presentation from Boeing on behalf of Aviall Services. Inc. President and CEO Ed Dolanski to the Chamber’s One Irving Campaign for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs in the Irving Independent School District. Irving ISD Superintendent Dr. Jose Parra accepted the check.
“‘One Irving–Making the Grade’ is a great example of how together, we can make a difference–by changing the way teachers teach and students learn,” said Dolanski. “While each community faces its own priorities and challenges, STEM education needs to remain a key area of focus if we are to address the needs of a competitive workforce, and enable students to be successful in academics, in their careers, and in life.”
Keynote speaker Lucy Billingsley, Billingsley Company partner, discussed her company’s Cypress Waters development and the new North American Headquarters of retailer 7-Eleven, Inc.–which will be located in Irving within the Cypress Waters development.
“Irving is a great city by the people, and for the people,” Billingsley said.
The 82nd Annual Meeting focused on the Irving Economic Development Partnership’s 26 economic development wins in the 2013-14 fiscal year. The partnerships economic development wins include business relocations such as 7-Eleven and Envoy Air, as well as retentions and expansions in Irving
The Chamber’s Annual Jennings Smith Community Service Award was given to Tom Trotter. Trotter is vice chairman of Board Governance for the Chamber and serves in many volunteer capacities in the community. The Jennings Smith Community Service Award pays tribute to past chairman Jennings Smith who was a true leader who promoted and represented outstanding community service. 2013 Jennings Smith Community Service Award recipient Fran Bonilla presented Trotter with the award.
Immediate Past Chairman Gonzales recapped a successful year for the Chamber, including economic development accomplishments as well as the hiring of the Irving Chamber’s new President and CEO Beth Bowman. Following the ceremonial exchanging of the gavel, Chairman Huddleston shared his vision to further the Chamber’s work in the upcoming year.
To view more photos of the 2014 Annual Meeting, visit the Chamber’s Flickr account.
To read our 2013-14 Annual Report, click here
