Promotions, achievements, events among this week's business news

Lighthouse Funeral Home appoints Patricia Garcia as Managing Partner

Lighthouse Funeral Home and Cremation, which describes itself as Amarillo’s most inclusive and customized end of life care, has named Patrica Garcia as a managing partner. In her new role, Garcia will continue to build upon the trust and commitment she has provided to families in the Amarillo area by fulfilling Lighthouse’s mission to make funeral planning comfortable, meaningful, and affordable for all beliefs and communities, a news release states.

“Patricia has been a steady hand, guiding hundreds of families through some of the hardest times of their lives as they turn to Lighthouse for help and advice,” said Joel Carver, owner and founder of Lighthouse Funeral and Cremation. “As we transition to a new chapter of our funeral home’s story, I know that she and I, as the sole members of the leadership team, will be able to continue our legacy of lifting the heads and hearts of those grieving in the Amarillo area.”

According to the release, after more than a decade of experience serving families, Garcia is the only female funeral director in Amarillo that speaks both English and Spanish, giving her the unique ability to empathize and communicate with various populations in the city. Garcia is involved with the community as a member of the Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, an active member of the Rotary Club of Amarillo, and a Patriot Guard Rider honoring fallen veterans. Look for more details on Garcia's life and career in an upcoming story in the Globe-News.

To learn more about Lighthouse, visit: https://lighthousefunerals.com/

Northwest Texas Healthcare System announces assistant chief nursing officer

Northwest Texas Healthcare System (NWTHS) has announced the promotion of Carolyn Hudson, MSN, to Assistant Chief Nursing Officer.

Hudson served as the Director of Nursing Operations with previous experience in the Intensive Care Unit, Surgical Recovery, Neonatal ICU and Emergency Department. She has been with NWTHS since 2004. In her new role Hudson will be responsible for the management of Nursing Services and Nursing Administration.

Amarillo restaurateur inducted into Texas Restaurant Association Hall of Honor at 87th annual Texas Restaurant Show

SAN ANTONIO — The Texas Restaurant Association hosted its 87th annual ‘Texas Restaurant Show presented by Eat Local. Eat Often.’ at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on July 14 and 15. The annual event is the second-largest restaurant show in the country with over 5,500 attendees and 500 exhibitor booths.

Roy Bara, with La Fiesta Grande Restaurants in Amarillo, was among this year's Hall of Honor Inductees, bestowed on industry leaders selected by their peers with at least 15 years of TRA service who exemplify superior business ethics. The other inductees were Gary Johnson of Frontier Enterprises (San Antonio) and Sharon Van Meter of SVM Productions, LLC (Dallas).

The show provides those in the foodservice industry with valuable insights through informative seminars and interactive panels by industry thought-leaders and access to cutting-edge products and services exhibitors from across the globe, and the annual Texas Restaurant Awards & Lone Star Bash honors restaurants and culinary leaders in Texas.

The Texas Restaurant Association represents the state’s $106.8 billion foodservice industry, which encompasses more than 56,000 restaurant locations and a workforce of over 1.4 million employees. To learn more, visit txrestaurant.org.

CNS Pantex wildfire relief fundraising efforts a success as contributions surpass $100,000

Corporate donations along with employee contributions and local fundraising efforts has resulted in $101,036 dollars being raised at Pantex for local wildfire relief.

Bechtel-led Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, the current management and operating contractor of the Pantex Plant in Amarillo and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, joined with its parent companies in fundraising efforts at Pantex. The charitable arm of CNS parent company Bechtel, the Bechtel Group Foundation, donated $25,000 to Hutchinson County United Way, matching up to $25,000 in additional funds donated by its employees around the world and Leidos, a CNS parent company, also donated $10,000 to the United Way of Hutchinson County, along with other corporate donations. In addition, Pantex hosted fundraisers from the sales of commemorative t-shirts as well a portion of food sales from Pantex’s cafeteria along with more than a dozen food trucks on site.

While there was no damage to Pantex property and no Pantex employees were injured at the plant as the wildfires abated about three miles from the plant’s boundary, the Pantex Fire Department built firebreaks, prepared the plant for the fires, and responded to communities near the plant.

“Thanks to the swift efforts, properties were protected and Pantex remained safe,” said Colby Yeary, Pantex Site Manager. “There has been an outpouring of Panhandle pride and spirit through donations, volunteer efforts, and assistance coming in from all over the area and across the state. We wanted to show our own support to our communities in need through our own fundraising efforts.”

The donated funds have been presented to the United Way of Hutchinson County and the Amarillo Area Foundation for distribution.

Abbott announces Governor’s Small Business Summit in Plainview

Governor Greg Abbott announced recently that the next 2024 Governor’s Small Business Summit will be held in Plainview on Thursday, Aug. 8.

Held throughout the year and in regions across the state, the Governor’s Small Business Summits aim to help Texas small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs succeed by connecting them with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen, and grow a business. The Governor's Small Business Summit — Plainview brings together local, state, and federal resource partners to provide key insights on critical business topics. The Summit also provides participants the opportunity to network with other business owners and meet experts who will share timely, relevant, and actionable advice on a multitude of small business topics.

The event takes place 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Plainview Municipal Country Club and Civic Center, 2902 West Fourth St. in Plainview. Panel topics include Marketing & Social Media Engagement for Small Business; Access to Finance & Funding; Making Technology Work for Your Small Business; and Recruiting, Training, and Retaining Employees in Today’s Economy.

Registration is $20 and includes access to all sessions, resource providers, lunch, and complimentary headshots. For more information and to register: gov.texas.gov/events. Registration is also open for all upcoming 2024 Governor’s Small Business Summit locations.

‘Rebuilding the Cow Herd’ theme of Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course on Aug. 5-7

“Rebuilding the Cow Herd” is the theme of the 70th annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course on Aug. 5-7 in Bryan-College Station. The event is hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Animal Science.

From the Texas Aggie Prime Rib Dinner to the Cattleman’s College, the nationally and internationally recognized three-day annual event offers producers more than 50 hours of training and 20 courses covering basic practices, new technologies and hot topics in beef cattle production. The event offers attendees access to over 150 agriculture-related businesses and trade show exhibitors, as well as continuing education units for both pesticide license holders and veterinarians.

Both in-person and virtual attendance are being offered. The cost is $300 for in-person attendance, $160 for virtual (with a late registration fee will be charged after July 27) and $150 for youth. Go online for registration, call 979-314-8507 or email beefcattleshortcourse@gmail.com for more information.

Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, will kick off the general session with his presentation “2024 Market Outlook: Cattle Prices and Input Costs.” The “Long-Range Weather Planning” presentation will bring Colorado meteorologist Brian Bledsoe to the stage. After that, David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist and professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, will present “What Can I Afford to Pay for a Replacement Female?” Finally, “What Are My Replacement Female Options?” with Ron Gill, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, Stephenville, will round out the look at rebuilding the cow herd.

Shuttered Kelly-Moore Paints stores reopening under HIS Paint brand

WICHITA FALLS — After Kelly-Moore Paints suddenly ceased operations at 157 stores nationwide earlier this year, H-I-S Paint has stepped in to re-open seven of the shuttered stores in Texas and Oklahoma, according to a news release. H-I-S Paint has opened a store in Wichita Falls and has also reopened three former Kelly-Moore stores in Oklahoma and another two stores in Texas. An additional opening is planned for Amarillo.

These former Kelly-Moore locations have been reopened with the same team and quality of products as before, enabling contractors, builders and DIY enthusiasts to return to the paint they trust. H-I-S Paint CEO Joe Cox said his company, a paint-industry leader with more than 50 years in business, saw an opportunity to save jobs and give customers access to the same quality paint of product at the same locations.

“When the Kelly-Moore stores closed, tenured employees lost their livelihoods while customers were left without an equal alternative,” said Cox. “We’re pleased to be able to give jobs back to more than 30 employees while allowing customers to return to what they know and love.”

To learn more about H-I-S Paint, visit https://www.hispaint.com.

Freddy's raising funds for Kids In Need Foundation

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers will be participating in a month-long giveback with its national charity partner, Kids In Need Foundation, an organization that provides teachers and students in under-resourced schools with the supplies they need to succeed.

From Aug. 1 through Aug. 31, guests will have the option to give back to Kids In Need by rounding up to the nearest dollar in restaurant, or by selecting a $1, $3, $5 or $10 donation when ordering in-app or online. For more information, visit https://www.kinf.org/freddys24/ .

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Promotions, achievements, events among this week's business news