Texas Forest Country Partnership Economic Development Summit

Texas Forest Country Partnership
2021 Annual Economic Development Summit
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BUILDING TEXAS FOREST COUNTRY!
Post Pandemic Economic Growth

Fredonia Hotel & Convention Center
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 – 8:00 am-3:45 pm
200 North Fredonia Street – Nacogdoches, Texas 75961

8:00 am
Registration and Booths Open

8:30 am
Opening Ceremonies/Welcome/Introductions
Eddie Hopkins, TFCP Chair,
Jasper Economic Development Corporation Executive Director

Opening Prayer/Lunch Blessing
Christi Sullivan, TFCP Past Chair

Posting of the Colors

Pledges
Art Bedford, SMSGT, USAF, RET, San Augustine

National Anthem
Rikki Leigh Willoughby, Red House Winery, Nacogdoches

Welcome
The Honorable Jimmy Mize, City of Nacogdoches Mayor

9:00 am
Session 1 – Rural Broadband Opportunities
Lonnie Hunt, Deep East Texas Council of Governments
Economic Development District Executive Director
Introduction by Cathy Bennett, TFCP Secretary, City of Ivanhoe Mayor

9:30 am
FEATURED SPEAKER
Session 2 – Life After COVID
Labor Market Trends & Practices to Ponder Post Pandemics
Rich Froeschle, Texas State Technical College
Senior Labor Market Economist
Introduction by Roger Lindsey, TFCP Treasurer, ONCOR Area Manager

10:30 am
Break

10:45 am
Session 3 – Building Business in Deep East Texas
Glenn Hamer, Texas Association of Business President & CEO
Introduction by John Camp, TFCP Vice Chair,
Grundfos Americas Senior Category Manager

11:15 am
Silver Bucket Award – Ed Few, Jasper County (Posthumously)
Presenting Sponsor Southside Bank
Ryan Reeve, Southside Bank Jasper Market Vice President

11:30 am
Lunch
2020/2021 Board Recognitions & Annual Meeting
Inaugural Chair’s Award
Eddie Hopkins, TFCP Chair

12:30 pm
Keynote
Adriana Cruz, Office of the Governor Economic Development & Tourism
Executive Director
Introduction by The Honorable Robert Nichols, Texas State Senator

1:00 pm
Session 4 – State of Workforce in the Texas Forest Country Region
Aaron Demerson, Texas Workforce Commission
Commissioner Representing Employers
Panelist to Include:
Mark Durand, Deep East Texas Workforce Solutions Executive Director
Joey Garza, Angelina Forest Products Human Resources Director
Introduction by Nancy C. Windham, TFCP President & CEO

1:30 pm
Session 5 – “Lead, Build, Grow”
TFCP Region Legislative Delegation
The Honorable Robert Nichols, Texas Senate District 3
The Honorable Trent Ashby, Texas House District 57
The Honorable Ernest Bailes, Texas House District 18
The Honorable Travis Clardy, Texas House District 11
The Honorable Chris Paddie, Texas House District 9
The Honorable James White, Texas House District 19
Moderator Lonnie Hunt, DETCOG

2:30 pm
Adjourn Summit
Eddie Hopkins, TFCP Chair

2:45 pm
Post Party
(Special Business Roundtable Discussions)
TFCP Region Legislative Delegation
Office of the Governor Economic Development & Tourism
Texas Workforce Commission
Commissioner Representing Employers
Texas Association of Business
Deep East Texas Workforce Solutions
Small Business Development Center
Stephen F. Austin State University
Angelina College
East Texas Manufacturing Alliance/Regional Businesses
Regional Independent School Districts

3:45 pm
Post Party
Roundtable Discussions Conclude