JANUARY 2024 Chairman of the Board Becky Ogg Germania Insurance First Vice Chair Shane Nelson Bluebonnet Abstract & Title Second Vice Chair Justin Colley BIG - Brannon Industrial Group Treasurer Joyce Dickschat Brenham National Bank Secretary Jolene Curtis Texas Farm Credit Immediate Past Chair Shay Morrow QuestSpecialty Corporation Blake Barnes Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Eric Benitez Cedar Frame Real Estate Justin Boone Corrosion Resistant Alloys, LLC Kathrine Briscoe Visit Brenham Myron Dippel Blinn College District Gary Durrenberger Bank of Brenham Carlos Garcia Mariachi’s Mexican Restaurant Clay Gillentine Brenham Independent School Al Patel Holiday Inn Express & Suites ‘Formula Blue Lete Phillips Lete Phillips Exercise Program Chris Ann Stroech Washington County Landscapes Stephanie Wehring Sterling Estate Solutions District
ChamberWorks
WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BRENHAM, TEXAS
Chamber/EDF Annual Banquet to be held on February 1, 2024 The Washington County Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Foundation of Brenham have announced the date of their upcoming Annual Banquet and the featured speaker. The banquet will be held on Thursday, February 1, at Fireman’s Training Center in Brenham. The keynote speaker will be Frank B. Ashley III, Ed.D., Acting Dean of The Bush School of Government and Public Service. Dr. Ashley received his degrees from Louisiana College and The University of Alabama and is currently serving as the Acting Dean in the Bush School of Government and Public Service. Dr. Ashley was appointed Acting Dean in August 2023 and served as Executive Associate Dean from 2016-2023. Previously, he was a Senior VP for the College Board Corporation in New York. In his 40+ years in education, Ashley has served in a variety of roles, including teacher, coach, and administrator. As a faculty member and Dean at Texas A&M University-Commerce Ashley was very active in the surrounding school districts speaking to administrators, teachers, and students about the importance of education. Along with his work at the university, he served on the Commerce ISD School Board and in 2006 he received “The Citizen of the Year Award” given by the Delta XI Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. The following year Ashley received the “Distinguished Service Award” from the Faculty Senate of Texas A&M University- Commerce. After three years in Commerce, Ashley returned to College Station as vice chancellor of academic affairs for the A&M System. Later as vice chancellor for diversity and recruitment, he advised the Chancellor and Regents on diversity issues within the System and developed several initiatives to increase the diversity of students, faculty, staff and administrators across the A&M system. For his service, he was awarded the title of Vice Chancellor Emeritus.
Dr. Ashley has numerous publications and presentations and is invited to present nationally and internationally. He is a Distinguished Alumni of Louisiana College and in March 2022, Ashley was inducted into the University Of Alabama College Of Education Hall of Fame. He and his wife Janice live in College Station and have two children, Frank IV and Elizabeth. Chairman Circle sponsors of the banquet include Bank of Brenham, Baylor Scott & White Health, Blinn College District, Blue Bell Creameries, Brenham Abstract & Title Company, Brenham National Bank, BRIANNAS Fine Salad Dressings, Citizens State Bank, City of Brenham, Corrosion Resistant Alloys, Germania Insurance, Grocery Supply Company, H-E-B, Texas Vein & Wellness Institute, and Van Dyke Rankin & Company. “We are very grateful to these sponsors,” said Jamie Rankin, Chamber president, “They will enable us to host a great event for the community, plus they join in applauding the efforts of the volunteer leaders and citizens who will be recognized.” At the banquet, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce will recognize five directors who have ended a threeyear term of service on the board: Dan Blalock, Brenham Abstract & Title Co.; Jim Chisolm, Texas Star Winery; Kara Matheney, Washington County AgriLife Extension Service; Shay Morrow, QuestSpecialty Corporation; and Darron Smith, Brenham National Bank. Outgoing Chair Shay Morrow of QuestSpecialty Corporation will also be recognized for her leadership in 2023. The Brenham Economic Development Foundation will recognize two outgoing directors: Mike Hopkins, Jr, of Mike Hopkins Distributing and Barney Loesch, of Thrivent Financial, for each having served nine years on the board. Other highlights of the evening will be the announcement of the 2023 Man and Woman of the Year, the Business of the Year awards, the Blue Blazer of the Year, the Board Member of the Year, the Non-Profit of the Year, and a new award being introduced this year is the New Business of the Year. Tickets for the banquet are now on sale at the Washington County Chamber, located at 314 S. Austin Street in Brenham. Individual tickets are $50 per person and will be on sale until January 25. Reserved tables for eight people are also available. Contact the Washington County Chamber at 979-836-3695 or info@brenhamtexas.com.