Young Emerging Leaders - Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce

The Port Arthur Education Foundation supports your local students and teachers! Come join the fun while having some delicious chicken! 🫶🏼

Fundraising with Raising Cane's. Just mention the Port Arthur Education Foundation when you order📚

Today we had the pleasure of having Claire Jackson, Social Responsibility & Community Affairs Manager for Motiva Enterprises come speak to the group about Community & Stakeholder Engagement. We appreciate the time and expertise she shared with us, and I know our members benefited greatly from her knowledge!
Thank you to everyone who attended and if you missed this meeting, we invite you to come check our our next one!

🟧 REMINDER 🟧 TOMORROW 🟧 JULY 18TH 🟧
We invite everyone to come join us for Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home & Greenlawn Memorial Park Ribbon Cutting!!!
Come help us celebrate this special moment!✨

Happy 4th of July from the Young Emerging Leaders!

Meet our newest member, Ransom E. Howard Jr.

Ransom E. Howard Jr., born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas, is a distinguished graduate of Memorial High School, class of 2014. Ransom is a dedicated member of the historic First Sixth Street Baptist Church. Currently attending Strayer University, Ransom is set to graduate in December 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, concentrating in Management. His academic excellence has earned him an invitation to the National Honor Society and a place on the Dean’s List in 2023. Professionally, Ransom is a talented Sales Development Representative with extensive experience in various leadership roles at companies such as T-Mobile, AT&T, and The Beaumont Enterprise. He currently serves as a Sales Development Specialist at Mustang Cat, where his responsibilities include prospecting and generating new leads, monitoring local market activity, leveraging product knowledge for sales negotiations, managing customer relationships, and developing equipment parts for sales.

Ransom attributes his high-quality results to an excellent work ethic and meticulous attention to detail. With over a decade of experience in sales development and leadership, he has honed his skills to become a valuable asset to both his company and will be to the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce.
Ransom is deeply committed to his community and youth development. He leverages his career skills to serve others, collaborating on scholarship initiatives for high school students and participating in various local community service organizations. He dedicates his time to mentoring young adults and providing
necessities to the less fortunate, finding true fulfillment and satisfaction in these endeavors.

Meet our newest member, Deion Mitchell.
Deion was born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas. He graduated from Memorial High School in 2009. He attended Wiley College of Marshall, Texas, and graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Business for Global Management in 2017. His dream is to own his own Trucking Company in the near future.

Deion is currently employed at Airgas in Port Arthur, Texas, where he is a delivery driver. He is an active member of Lakeshore Lodge #256, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, and his church and community organization. His hobbies include spending time with his family and friends. He is incredibly elated about joining YEL and contributing to its success. Deion is eager to collaborate and looks forward to the organization's growth and development opportunities.

Meet our newest member, Brittany Richard.

Starting her career in 2015 in the dynamic and challenging refinery industry, Brittany Richard began as a Safety Attendant at Motiva. Immersing herself in the culture and operations, she quickly embraced a commitment to learning and understanding Motiva's expectations. This foundation in safety and dedication to excellence set the stage for her future growth within the company.

After three years of diligent service, Brittany earned a promotion to KTM General Foreman at Motiva. This role tested her resolve to maintain high standards as she navigated transitions caused by colleague retirements and departures. By 2019, her unwavering dedication saw her rise to the position of KTM Superintendent of the Turnaround Department at Motiva. Here, she found invaluable guidance through mentorship from Kenny Tims, the owner of KTM, whose support was crucial for her development at the Motiva site.

Understanding the importance of a supportive team environment for maintaining excellence in upcoming projects, Brittany assembled a dedicated core group. This endeavor not only provided an opportunity to cultivate her leadership skills but also highlighted the significance of patience in fostering resilience.

In 2021, recognizing a gap in management skills among their exceptional field supervisors, Brittany embarked on a mentoring journey. Her goal was to equip them with the necessary tools for success. Witnessing their growth and progression—from foremen to general foremen to superintendents—reinforced her belief in the transformative power of mentorship.

The commitment of her team to their shared vision propelled Brittany into the roles of Site Lead and Project Manager. In these positions, she prioritized safety, quality, and relationship-building. By 2023, she proudly served as the Site Lead for KTM at Motiva, leading initiatives that underscored these values.

In 2024, Brittany achieved NCCER Safety certification, further solidifying her commitment to fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement within the organization.

In addition to her role at Motiva, Brittany is also instrumental in their company's latest venture: Texas Cool Down Trailers. As a salesperson for this innovative product, she is dedicated to providing portable, climate-controlled environments that ensure comfort and safety in extreme heat conditions. Texas Cool Down Trailers are equipped with advanced cooling systems, shaded seating areas, hydration stations, and first aid kits, making them an ideal solution for construction sites, outdoor events, agricultural fields, and more.

Brittany's dedication to safety, excellence, and mentorship has been a driving force throughout her career. She is passionate about continuous learning and improvement, both for herself and for those she works with. Brittany looks forward to continuing to lead, innovate, and contribute to the success and safety of their industry.

Memorial Day Remember & Honor!

Thank you Benjamin Darrington, for swinging by the chamber to drop off some delicious fried alligator balls to our President Joe Tant. 🧑‍🍳🐊🤗

We were thrilled to see so many familiar faces and meet new ones at our Coffee Quarterly Connection!

THANK YOU to everyone who came by and had a cup of coffee or water with us. Your energy and enthusiasm are what make these events truly special!

Until next time... stay caffeinated and connected!

Come join us on Tuesday for The coffee connection with our President! With the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce President Joe Tant.

Today we had an incredible turnout at our May Luncheon at The Pompano! A big thank you to our amazing speaker, Darren Lehrmann, Station Manager at 6KFDM/FOX4 News, for providing an insightful breakdown on the importance of marketing. We appreciate The Pompano for hosting us and everyone who attended, making today a huge success!

Happy Mother's Day 🌸

Meet our newest member, Dominisha "Dee" Haskin.

Dee was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas. She graduated from Clifton J. Ozen Magnet High School. She attends Grand Canyon University Online, pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in English for Secondary Education. Her dream is to become a college English professor. Dee graduated from Lamar Institute of Technology in 2022 with a certification in Child Development and became a licensed childcare director within the same year.

Dee is the Assistant Director of an after-school childcare center in Beaumont, Texas, called The Southeast Texas Family Resource Center. She is an active member of her church and works closely with the youth department. Hobbies include singing, drawing, and hanging out with friends and family. She is incredibly enthusiastic about joining YEL and contributing to our success. Dee is eager to collaborate and looks forward to the opportunities for growth and development within our organization.

Meet our newest member, Saul Carrillo!

Saul is 33, born in Mexico, and raised in Port Arthur. Saul and his wife, Maricela Pulido, have been married since 2012, and they have 3 boys and 1 daughter. He graduated from Memorial High School in May 2009 and attended Lamar Institute of Technology from 2009-2012. While working construction since 18 he decided to change his career to acquire more knowledge in the field of Industrial Fabrication and Protective Coatings.

After succeeding in the field in 2014, he became the Coatings Estimator, learning Project Management and Project Controls. He also completed and became a Certified Coatings Inspector by the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). Saul is an Oil & Gas Coatings Specialist for Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Division in the Golden Triangle. In his free time, he enjoys playing Soccer and teaching his kids the game.

Happy Cinco De Mayo from the Young Emerging Leaders of Port Arthur!

Meet our newest member, Esther Esquivel!

Esther is a dedicated wife to a local Port Arthur Pastor,a loving mother of two, and the Sales Manager at the MCM Elegante' Hotel & Conference Center! Balancing the demands of a career, church, and a family is a rewarding challenge that keeps her on her toes. Every day is a juggle of responsibilities and fulfillment, from managing deadlines at work to creating cherished memories with her children to going out and doing ministry work with her church!

In her downtime, Esther likes to unwind and go to her CrossFit gym in Beaumont! With each passing day, Esther is grateful for the love surrounding her and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the workplace, her family, and her community.

Meet our newest member, Taylor Cooling!

Taylor serves as a Vice President for First Financial Bank, which is located in Mid-County and throughout the Golden Triangle area. He was born and raised in Mont Belvieu, Texas, and graduated from Barbers Hill High School and Hardin-Simmons University. Taylor was recruited to play baseball at Hardin-Simmons University, where he was a four-year letterman, three-time all-conference player, and one-time all-state American team member and broke three school records.

In 2018, Taylor graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and held the Kelly Tucker business school scholarship. Following graduation, Taylor joined First Financial Bank as a loan review analyst, where he reviewed and assigned credit ratings to commercial loans within the First Financial portfolio. In 2020, Taylor moved into the credit analysis department, where he underwrote commercial loans for all twelve regions of First Financial Bank. In 2020, Taylor had the fantastic opportunity to join First Financial Bank’s Southeast Texas Region as a commercial loan officer. Taylor has been very dedicated and devoted to building new lifelong relationships throughout the community and looks forward to playing a part in the bank’s growth in Jefferson County. Taylor is an associated member of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, Nederland Chamber of Commerce, Nederland Rotary Club, YEL, SETEDF Board Member, & HSU Board of Young Associates Member. Taylor is married to his wife, Neely Cooling, and they have a daughter, Collins, and two basset hounds, Chuck & Boomer. American team member and broke three school records. In 2018, Taylor graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and held the Kelly Tucker business school scholarship. Following graduation, Taylor joined First Financial Bank as a loan review analyst, where he reviewed and assigned credit ratings to commercial loans within the First Financial portfolio.

In 2020, Taylor moved into the credit analysis department, where he underwrote commercial loans for all twelve regions of First Financial Bank. In 2020, Taylor had the fantastic opportunity to join First Financial Bank’s Southeast Texas Region as a commercial loan officer. Taylor has been very dedicated and devoted to building new lifelong relationships throughout the community and looks forward to playing a part in the bank’s growth in Jefferson County. Taylor is an associated member of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, Nederland Chamber of Commerce, Nederland Rotary Club, YEL, SETEDF Board Member, & HSU Board of Young Associates Member. Taylor is married to his wife, Neely Cooling, and they have a daughter, Collins, and two basset hounds, Chuck & Boomer.

Meet our newest member, Alexis Miller!

Alexis is a lifelong resident of Southeast Texas. Graduated from Lamar University in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication; the skills she gained there have led to her current role as an Outreach Liaison for Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas.

In this position, she manages their social media accounts, writes their monthly newsletter (JobBRIEF), press releases, and media alerts, and participates in numerous outreach events to connect with job seekers and employers. Alexis also frequently joins their Career Coach and Student HireAbility Navigator in career exploration activities, including assisting with Virtual Reality, Texas Reality, and Texas Career Check.

🌟 Exciting and Informative YEL Meeting Today! 🌟

Today's Young Emerging Leaders (YEL) meeting was truly inspiring and educational! We had the privilege of hosting Ashley Hasson, an education specialist and public speaker from the R**e and Su***de Crisis Center of Southeast Texas, Inc. Her insights and expertise shed light on important issues affecting our community.

Ashley Hasson's presentation was not only informative but also eye-opening. Her dedication to raising awareness and empowering our community is truly commendable. We are grateful for her valuable contribution to today's meeting.

Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in today's session. Let's continue to work together to empower ourselves, our youth and create a safer, more supportive community for all.

Crisis Center of Southeast Texas

**eSu***deCrisisCenter

"Empowering audiences with knowledge and inspiration through insightful talks. "

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at the YEL Luncheon!