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The Chamber's Annual Awards Celebration is a time to say thank you and honor the volunteers who serve our community and who help the Chamber in fulfilling its five-star mission. The event is dedicated to all who have invested their time and energy into empowering the 5-star chamber and growing the Irving business community. Together, the chamber and its hundreds of volunteers create economic activity for Irving, advance more than 1,600 business investors who represent 145,000 employees and promote all of its investors.

This year's annual awards were in celebration of the Chamber's 80th anniversary of helping businesses grow in our great city.  This year also marks the Irving Heritage House's 100th, Irving-Las Colinas Rotary Club's 75th, Fluor's 100th, Kimberly-Clark's 140th, and the U.S. Chamber's 100th Anniversaries.

Below is a list of Awards and Winners from the event on May 3.

Outstanding Chamber Corporate Partner: AT&T

The Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce has several partners that improve the city's quality of life and business community. 

Commercial Real Estate Broker of the Year / Deal-Project: Mark Collins, Dean Collins, Cushman & Wakefield for the KidKraft deal in Irving

This award goes to a broker team who has facilitated the lead representative's services to bring a new business to Irving.

Technology Leadership Council Innovation Awards: Alan Benitez, Cody Patton

This award recognizes science, technology, engineering, and math students who are working toward bringing innovative ideas to life using technology. The high school students below have creatively developed a concept or solution that will enhance technological growth and development.

The Clayton Dobson Irving Sister Cities / International Trade Development and Assistance Center Award: Thom Davis, Omega Environmental Technologies

The Clayton Dobson Irving Sister Cities / International Trade Development and Assistance Center Award recognizes an advocate of the Chamber's international business development initiatives and helps promote the vision of our six sister cities and international partnerships and exchanges worldwide.

Ambassador of the Year Award: Leo Hull

This award recognizes a member of the Ambassador Committee, an important group of volunteers who promote the value of chamber membership and are actively engaged with the chamber.

Commercial Construction / Project of the Year Award: Sfuzzi

The Commercial Construction / Project of the Year Award goes to a business who has completed new construction in Irving.

Residential Real Estate Professional Award: Beth Phillips, Ebby Halliday Realtors

The Residential Real Estate Professional Award goes to a real estate professional who exemplifies outstanding customer service during the home-buying process and who actively participates in the community, and promotes Irving as a great place to live.

Economic Development Partner of the Year: Four Seasons Resort and Club

The Economic Development Partner of the Year Award is given to an organization who has participated in economic development recruitment, retention and expansion, resulting in the growth of businesses in Irving.

Small Business of the Year: Larsen Dye Architects

This award recognizes a small business who exemplifies successful entrepreneurship through their innovation, civic engagement, financial stability and perseverance in continuing to enhance their products, services and employment opportunities in the community.

Chamber Volunteer of the Year: Ricky Stephenson, Rick's Car Kare

The Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes a chamber member who has made significant contributions to the Irving business community and to chamber programs and services through their outstanding 5-star volunteer service and leadership.         

MVP / Employee of the Year: Ryan Pafford, Director of Communications and Technology

The Camber's Employee of the Year or MVP Award recognizes a member of the Chamber's team who has demonstrated 5-star service for our investors and a commitment to go the extra mile in helping the team.

Chairman's Award: David Park, Atmos Energy

This award recognizes a person who has gone above and beyond, in his or her commitment to the chamber and who has shown exemplary service to the community.

The Chamber would also like to thank our sponsors for their continuing support:

·         Allstate

·         Atoms Energy

·         AVIALL

·         City of Irving

·         Cotten, Schmidt & Abbott

·         Creating & Managing Wealth

·         Dallas County Utility & Reclamation District

·         DART

·         HMS

·         Irving Flood Control # 3

·         Irving Hispanic Chamber

·         Irving Independent School District

·         Irving Sister Cities

·         Kiewit

·         Kroger

·         Las Colinas Medical Center

·         Microsoft

·         Oncor Electric Delivery

·         Reliant an NRG Company

·         RIM

·         Time Warner Cable

·         TXU Energy

Austin Commercial received the 1st place distinguished building award for the Irving Convention Center in the Building 6- Over $75 M category.  The project also received the interiors award (all contracts), submitted by LASCO.  Austin Commercial will now be eligible to submit Irving Convention Center in the national Excellence in Construction Awards for the Associated Builders and Contractors. The awards will be featured in the summer edition of the TEXO Contractor Magazine, in the awards section of the TEXO website and other construction related publications. Winning projects were recognized on April 19, 2012 during the TEXO Awards Night at the Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel.

Did you know the Girl Scouts is the largest pipeline of preparing young women for leadership roles?  This year marks the 100th anniversary of the organization and the Women' Alliance welcomed two CEO's from the Girl Scouts to speak to a crowd near 60! 

Becky Burton, CEO of Texas Oklahoma Plains, and Colleen Walker, CEO of Northeast Texas, spoke on how the Girl Scouts have evolved over time and adapted to meet modern day demands for women leadership.  The University of Dallas sponsored the luncheon and Crystal Scanio was introduced as the new Executive Director of the Irving Schools Foundation, the Women's Alliance community partner.  

The next Women's Alliance Luncheon is May 16 and will feature businesswomen, philanthropist and community advocate Christina Gears who will speak on Empowering Women. Register now to reserve your space and receive early bird pricing.  Sponsorship is available and can be secured by contacting the Chamber at 214.217.8484.

On March 26, 2012, the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Dallas Korean American Chamber of Commerce signed an agreement to collaborate on trade projects, cultural exchanges and to jointly research and pursue a possible Sister Cities relationship between the two communities. 

Though the agreement was simple and the ceremony brief and straightforward, the consequences of this historic event are expected to be potentially significant, for several reasons.  For one, the South Korea-United States Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), which had long been discussed and whose negotiations were long and protracted, went into effect March 15, 2012. 

With a population of about 50 million, South Korea is one of the important economies in Asia, and the new FTA is expected to add at least $10 Billion to U.S. exports, with a consequent increase in U.S. employment that will number in the hundreds of thousands.  Texas will share in these economic benefits and the Irving Chamber is looking to ensure that the City of Irving also enjoys the corresponding and positive economic impact from the increased trade with South Korea. 

Chris Wallace, President & CEO of Irving Chamber, commented that he "was pleased to formalize a partnership with the GDKACC in order to pursue projects and events of mutual interest, for the benefit of both communities." 

Mr. Charles Ko, President of GDKACC, echoed his enthusiasm for "the collaborative efforts of the two organizations and the accomplishments that are sure to follow."  

The Irving Chamber is already engaged with GDKACC on several upcoming cultural events and on trade potential projects, more of which will soon be available.  For any additional information on the above, please contact Joe Chapa at 214-217-8484 or at jchapa@irvingchamber.com.

The Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber and its Board of Directors were presented with the 2012 Distinguished Organization Award during Tuesday's Board of Directors meeting. 

"The Chamber is a proponent of great healthcare in Irving giving more than $27,000 last year as well as advocating our mission to its investors - ensuring the health of our community," stated John Drake, President of Irving Healthcare Foundation.

The Distinguished Organization award is considered and approved by a select committee of the Irving Healthcare Foundation Board. The award is given only when it is merited--and is not awarded each year. It is presented to an organization that has contributed and advocated for enhanced health care in Irving by the support of Irving Healthcare Foundation (IHF) and the five healthcare beneficiaries.  Previous recipients of this prestigious award include: Siemens, NCH, IBM, Four Season's Resort and Club at Las Colinas, Allstate, ExxonMobil and American Airlines.

In the last business year, Irving Healthcare Foundation, with the assistance of advocates including the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber, raised more than $1.7 million and granted $1.8 million to five healthcare beneficiaries including: Baylor Medical Center at Irving, Our Children's House at Baylor-Irving, Irving Interfaith Clinic, Irving Dental Center and Battle Childhood Obesity.

Pictured from left to right: Tom Trotter, Chamber & IHF Board Member, Chris Wallace, Chamber's President & CEO, Jo Ann Goin, Chamber's Chairwoman & John Drake, IHF President

 

The Chamber is proud to announce the appointment of Austin Primiano as Vice President, Legislative & International Affairs.  Primiano will oversee government affairs and strategic relationships with international, federal, state and local elected officials. He will also be the staff liaison to the Government Affairs Committee, Transportation Management Association, and Committee to Inform Voters on Business Issues.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Primiano worked with congressional and state legislative leaders representing a global manufacturer with headquarters in the Metroplex.  Primiano has represented national trade associations and Fortune-listed companies over a career spanning Texas and Washington, DC. His primary focus has been working with stakeholders and officials to seek business-focused solutions to pending government policy issues.  In addition, he has led efforts to revitalize political action committees and grassroots advocacy programs.  Primiano and his wife, Angela, relocated from Washington, DC, to Texas in 2005.

The Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that eight small businesses have received national recognition from the US Chamber of Commerce.  The Chamber congratulates the 2012 Blue Ribbon Small Business Award^® winners! These successful small businesses have contributed to the vibrancy of American free enterprise and have been leaders in job creation and economic growth. 

Irving's Blue Ribbon winners are:  Big State Drug Store, Car Concepts (Rick's Independent Car Kare), FastSigns, Glory House Catering, and Larsen Dye Associates Architects.   Additionally three other nominees from the Chamber received national recognition as Free Enterprise Honorees for their strong business practices and contributions to the economy. Those businesses were:  FigDesign, Firemans Contractors, and Kerri Miene State Farm Insurance.

"Today, the U. S. Chamber celebrates the positive impact made by these companies and is proud to recognize them for their outstanding achievements," said Thomas J. Donohue, U.S. Chamber president and CEO.  Chris Wallace, president and CEO of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber stated that he was proud that the Chamber's nominees have been recognized as 8 of the 100 best small businesses in America and is tribute to the quality of businesses in Irving.

The Blue Ribbon winners will compete next for the Regional Small Business of the Year, which will be announced on March 15^th. 

Pictured below are representatives from 5 of the 8 nationally recognized businesses.
From left to right: Larsen Dye Associates Architects, FigDesign, Firemans Contractors Inc., Car Concepts (Rick's Independent Car Kare), Glory House Catering.

Mayor Beth Van Duyne and Mayor Pro Tem Rick Stopfer, along with City Council members Galloway, Patrick, and Phillip, joined the founder of Merritt Hawkins and Associates, Jim Hawkins and Jeff Singleton at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in celebrating the company's silver anniversary, and their 20^th year of business in Irving.

The company was founded in California but immediately relocated to Irving for its central location, great employees, and easy access to both airports.  The Mayor presented a proclamation naming February 17^th as Merritt Hawkins Day in Irving.  Merritt Hawkins is the largest physician and medical recruiting firm in the United States.   Also joining in the celebration was Tom Trotter, Chamber Vice Chairman, who presented a congratulatory proclamation from the Chamber.

The February Women's Alliance Networking Luncheon hit a new record with more than 50 in attendance!  Attendees learned the power of video marketing and how to easily incorporate this fast growing channel into their marketing mix from speaker Bob Kaplitz, Sr. Vice President of Content Marketing at AR&D.  The next Women's Alliance luncheon is April 18.  Mark your calendar and join the fast-growing, power networking event!