Chamber Committees & Councils
Join a Chamber Team
Chamber teams are peer-to-peer, collaborative environments, offering members an opportunity to shape The Chamber's programming and events for the South Montgomery County business community. Every team is led by a leader and co-leader representing thought leaders in The Woodlands area.
Team activities include meetings and events designed and presented by the respective team. Team meetings and events provide expanded opportunities for strategic relationship development, intellectual exchange, and enhanced connections with business leaders.
If you would like to join a Chamber team, contact the team's Chamber staff member for more information about becoming involved.
Signature Events Teams
The Annual Meeting & Awards team produces an event to celebrate the Chamber's dedicated investors and The Woodlands area's economic growth. The team secures sponsors and helps coordinate event logistics.
Team Leader:Â Kathy Rifaat, New Danville
Co-Leader: Amber Sickafoose, The Woodlands Country Club
Chamber Staff Member: Cyndi Alvarado, cyndi.alvarado@woodlandschamber.org
- Meeting Frequency: Team meets from March to September
- Who Can Serve: Diplomat Team
This special events team identifies a theme and coordinates decorations and entertainment for The Chairman’s Ball, an annual gala honoring the chamber’s outgoing chairman of the board.
Team Lead: Melissa Young, Corporate Incentives, Inc.
Co Team Lead: Dusty Paez, Fusion Academy
Chamber Staff Member: Gabby Peña, gabby.pena@woodlandschamber.org
- Meeting Frequency: Team meets from February to August
- Who Can Serve: General membership
This special events team produces the annual Economic Outlook Conference, including recruiting sponsors and speakers and setting the agenda. The conference is the business and economic forecasting event of the year, providing an economic analysis and predictions for the coming year with panel discussions, guest speakers and presentations about industries that are driving our regional economy.
Team Lead: Jordan Buras, Key Process Solutions, LLC
Co Team Lead: Stephen Wright, Wright Business TechnologiesÂ
Chamber Staff Member: Jennifer O'Neal, jennifer.oneal@woodlandschamber.org
Meeting Frequency: Team meets from June to February
Who Can Serve: General membership
This Signature Events team produces the Health, Wellness & Fitness Expo to provide a platform for health and wellness professionals, practitioners, and service and product providers to showcase their offerings to hundreds of health-conscious consumers, from children to seniors, in an interactive setting including vendor booths, medical screenings, and fitness demonstrations.
 
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Team Lead: Denis Gagnon, WeKinnect Global Branding Agency
Co Team Leader: Lisa Fenley, American Heart Assosciation
- Meeting Frequency: Team meets from November to April
- Who Can Serve: General membership
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This Signature Events team produces the annual golf tournament, including recruiting sponsors, hosting teams and event logistics.
Team Leader: Ashley Reina, Blue Skies Bookkeeping
Co-Team Leader: Bill Warner, Retired
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Meeting Frequency: Team meets from April to October
Who Can Serve: General membership
The Signature Events team produces the area’s annual culinary event featuring scrumptious selections from top restaurants, caterers, bakeries, delis and beverage companies for guests to sample. The team is responsible for securing sponsors, restaurants and raffle items.
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Team Leader: Jennifer Moore
Co-Team Leader:Â Cathy Bruce
Chamber Staff Member: Gabby Peña, gabby.pena@woodlandschamber.orgÂ
- Meeting Frequency: Team meets from July to January
- Who Can Serve: General membership
This event provides companies access to leading edge corporate resources which enables competitive and productive functioning while maintaining a healthy business culture for all employees. Registrants will hear from keynote speakers and are offered various topical tracks in breakout sessions, some of which afford continuing education credits.
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Team Leader: Leo Simpson II, Lone Star College - Montgomery
Co Team Lead: Cherelle Simon, Spherion Montgomery County
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Chamber Staff Member: Cyndi Alvarado, cyndi.alvarado@woodlandschamber.org
Meeting Frequency: Team meets from April to November
Who Can Serve: General membership
The Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon team coordinates an annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon recognizing nonprofit organizations for their amazing contributions and impact they have on our community. The team identifies a theme and coordinates the production from décor to an inspiring speaker.
Team Leader: Corrine Coulter, Education for Tomorrow Alliance
Co-Leader:Â Roxanne Davis, The Woodlands Family YMCA
Chamber Staff Member: Cyndi Alvarado, cyndi.alvarado@woodlandschamber.org
- Meeting Frequency: Team meets from November to April
- Who Can Serve: C.A.R.E.S. Committee Members
Business Connection Teams
The Diplomat Team
The Diplomat Team is the goodwill arm of the Chamber. This group of dedicated volunteers welcome and mentor new members and promote member retention by attending ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings and networking events. This team coordinates the monthly Business Connection events and the Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon. Team leads are appointed to run these events on behalf of the Diplomat Team.
Team Leader: Amber Sickafoose, The Woodlands Country Club
Co-Team Leader: Kristi Leggett, The Community Assistance Center
Chamber Staff Member: Cyndi Alvarado, cyndi.alvarado@woodlandschamber.org
- Meeting Frequency: Team meets monthly for events and meetings
- Who Can Serve: Members by invitation only
Business After Hours
Team Leader: Margaret Robinson, Synergy HomeCare
Co-Leader: Lacey Martinez, Gulf Coast Pros, LLC
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Chamber Staff Member: Cyndi Alvarado, cyndi.alvarado@woodlandschamber.org
Meet the New Members
Team Leader:Â Kelly Hoot, Woodforest National Bank
Co-Leader: Angela Schimmels, Image360 Signs and Graphics
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Chamber Staff Member: Cyndi Alvarado, cyndi.alvarado@woodlandschamber.org
Breakfast Connections
Team Leader: Paul Miranda, ValPak
Co-Leader: Adam Wright, Pyramid Waterproof
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Chamber Staff Member: Cyndi Alvarado, cyndi.alvarado@woodlandschamber.org
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Community & Educational Support Teams
The C.A.R.E.S. Committee, formerly the Community Relations Team, embraces and promotes the value of teamwork, community service and stewardship. The team completes monthly community service projects or donation drives to serve nonprofit Chamber members. This team is responsible for producing the annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon in April during National Volunteer Appreciation Week.
Team Lead: Cherie Diehl, Kroger
Co Team Leader: Jennifer Myers, Mosaics
Chamber Staff Member: Cyndi Alvarado, cyndi.alvarado@woodlandschamber.org
- Meeting Frequency: Team meets year-round on the first Wednesday of every month
- Who Can Serve: General membership
Connect with fellow Chamber members, key elected officials and policy leaders to discuss the legislative and policy issues that have a significant impact on employers. The Business Advocacy Council assists in developing Chamber policy positions that are advocated at the respective levels of government to improve the business climate.
Team Leader: Shiva Baradaran, Senator Brandon Creighton
Co Team Leader: Mariana Almanza-Cook, The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership
Chamber Staff Member: Jennifer O'Neal, jennifer.oneal@woodlandschamber.org
Meeting Frequency: Team meets year-round on the third Friday of every month
Who Can Serve: General membership
The Innovation Council is a collaboration with Houston Exponential to improve the Innovation ecosystem in South Montgomery County and integrate better with the greater Houston Innovation community. The council's objective is to identify and support the Innovation economy by providing advocacy, marketing and connection opportunities, and resources to innovation/technology-oriented businesses and organizations.
Team Leader: Eric Fishhault, MKB Services LLC
Assistant Team Lead: James Holian, Congressman Dan Crenshaw
Chamber Staff Member: Jennifer O'Neal, jennifer.oneal@woodlandschamber.org
Meeting Frequency:Â Team meets monthly
Who Can Serve:Â General Membership