Office building lease, ECU additions among this week's business news

Coldwell Banker Commercial First Equity finalizes lease transaction for nearly 52,000 square feet of office space

Coldwell Banker Commercial First Equity recently announced the signing of a lease for 51,848 square feet of Class A office space at 701 S. Taylor Suites, in the heart of downtown Amarillo.

The office building is easily accessible from I-40 and I-27, a news release states.

Rachel Shreffler of Coldwell Banker Commercial First Equity represented the lessor, 1908 Properties, LLC. While the tenant is undisclosed, Shreffler said the intended use is office space for approximately 330 employees. The lease includes suites L118, L119, L121, L122, 350, 400, 430, 460, 470 and 480.

“We're excited to see how the addition of over 300 people will invigorate this area and the local economy,” said Shreffler. “This long-term lease, valued at over $5,000,000, has added substantial value to the building.”

For additional information, visit www.cbcworldwide.com.

Education Credit Union welcomes new professionals to Senior Management Team

Education Credit Union (ECU) has announced the addition of two esteemed professionals to its Senior Management Team. ECU proudly welcomes Michelle Wilson as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Ty Cox as the Chief Financial Officer.

“We are thrilled by the addition of Michelle Wilson and Ty Cox to the ECU Team. They each bring extensive knowledge in their respective fields of expertise,” said Marcus Smith, CEO of Education Credit Union.

Wilson joins ECU with 28 years of experience in the public school system and higher education. Her career spans various roles, including teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and central office administrator. Wilson has also made significant contributions at education service centers, specifically at Region 12 in Waco and Region 16 in Amarillo. Most recently, she dedicated 12 years to Region 16 ESC, focusing on innovative human resources initiatives and strategies. Beyond her professional life, Wilson has been happily married to Wade Wilson for 29 years, and they have three children: Kaul, Quinn (and his wife, Taylor), and two grandsons.

Cox brings to ECU a wealth of financial expertise, with over 24 years of experience in banking. His diverse career includes roles such as teller, credit analyst, Bank Secrecy Act officer, compliance officer, and commercial lender. Cox served as CFO at another local financial institution for ten years before joining ECU. A native of Amarillo, Cox graduated from West Texas A&M University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science. He furthered his education with a Master of Science in Finance and Economics (MSFE) from WT, graduating in 2010. Cox values his family highly, including his wife, Hope, and their three daughters, Cami, Crosby, and Callan.

For more information, visit educationcu.com.

Gov. Abbott appoints Bell site leader to Aerospace and Aviation Advisory Committee

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Sonja Clark and Summer Webb to the Aerospace and Aviation Advisory Committee for terms set to expire on September 1, 2025. Additionally, the Governor has appointed Kevin Cox and Robin Donnelly and reappointed John D. Guevara, Arturo Machuca, George S. Moussa, and John Mulholland for terms set to expire on September 1, 2027. The Governor also named Shelly deZevallos, Ed.D. as chair for a term set to expire at the pleasure of the Governor.

Sonja Clark of Amarillo is the site leader of Bell Textron’s Military and Commercial Aircraft Assembly and Delivery Center in Amarillo. Previously, she had a career in health care as a registered nurse and administrator. Her shift to the aerospace sector occurred in 2006, since then, she has held multiple leadership roles in Environmental, Health & Safety, Human Resources, and Integrated Operations.

She is a board member of the Amarillo Area Foundation, West Texas A&M Foundation, Texas Association of Community Colleges, Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, High Plains Food Bank, and the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health. Additionally, she is a former board member and former president of the Panhandle Texas Nurses Association and former board chair of the Northwest Texas Healthcare System. Clark received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from West Texas A&M University.

Robin Donnelly of Midland is president of The Eastland Oil Company. He is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Landmen and the Independent Petroleum Association of America and president and a director of the Midland Army Airfield Foundation. He is former president of the Natural Gas Producers Association, Midland Rotary, and the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Advisory Board in Odessa and former board member for the Texas Conference of Urban Counties and the Permian Basin Petroleum Landmen’s Association. Additionally, he is former chairman of the Permian Basin Metropolitan Planning Organization, City of Midland Airport Advisory Board, Permian Basin Workforce Development Board, and Midland Odessa Transportation Alliance. Donnelly received a Bachelor of Arts from UT Austin.

The committee assists in the state’s economic development efforts to recruit and retain aerospace and aviation jobs and investments in Texas.

Amarillo Association of Realtors reminds members and consumers of NAR practice change implementation on Aug. 17

The Amarillo Association of Realtors is reminding members, real estate professionals and consumers that on Aug. 17, 2024, the practice changes following the National Association of Realtors’ Settlement Agreement that would resolveclaims brought on behalf of home sellers related to broker commissions will be implemented across the country.

Realtor MLSs (those owned exclusively by one or more Realtor Associations) – must implement the changes by this date to remain in compliance with NAR policy, a release states. Under the settlement, the following practice changes will take effect:

Offers of compensation will be prohibited on Multiple Listing Services (MLSs): Offers of compensation will continue to be an option consumers can pursue off-MLS through negotiation and consultation with real estate professionals. Offers of compensation help make homeownership and the benefits of professional representation more accessible to buyers, including first-time homebuyers, increase homeownership opportunities for historically underserved groups, and benefit sellers by expanding the potential buyer pool. and ensuring they receive the best offer possible for their property.

Agents working with a buyer will enter into a written buyer agreement before touring a home. The practice changes do not require an agency agreement or dictate any type of relationship. Resources are available to assist with the implementation of the settlement terms — such as tips on clarity and emphasizing consumer choice and a “Written Buyer Agreements 101” resource.

"The members of the Amarillo Association of Realtors are committed to implementing these practice changes and to continuing to provide the valuable Realtor services consumers and clients have expected and enjoyed in our 100-plus years of existence in Amarillo,” said Helen Benton, Chairman of the Board.

Consumers can find additional information on what these changes mean for their home buying and selling experiences in NAR’s buyers and sellers guides. For NAR members, the practice changes are outlined in detail here, and detailed information is available in NAR’s FAQ. Visit facts.realtor for the latest updates on the settlement and practice changes.

WT’s Back-to-School Job Fair set for Aug. 29; deadline Aug. 15 for area recruiters

CANYON — Companies looking for West Texas A&M University student employees to join the workforce can recruit them during an upcoming campus event. WT’s Back-to-School Job Fair will run 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 29 on the Charles K. and Barbara Kerr Vaughan Pedestrian Mall in the center of the Canyon campus.

Registration deadline for companies is 11:59 p.m. Aug. 15. There is a $50 fee to attend for Canyon/Amarillo employers and no cost for WT departments. Registration can be done at bit.ly/wtbacktoschool24.

During the come-and-go job fair as the 2024-2025 school year begins, students will look for parttime employment opportunities both on- and off-campus.

“Connecting students with these employers from their early college years will promote greater connections within the community and, ultimately, a better network for our students as they enter the job market,” said Shelby Ford, assistant director for the Office of Career and Professional Development.

A full list of companies will be available to students at the registration link.

WT classes resume Aug. 26.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Office building lease, ECU additions among this week's business news