Mullins featured speaker at chamber dinner

Tom Mullins will be the keynote speaker for the annual Whitehouse Chamber of Commerce dinner, announced Sandra Knackstedt, chairman of the event. Mullins is well known in East Texas as the president/CEO of the Tyler Economics Development Council and the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce.

Knackstedt also said this year's awards dinner will feature VIP tables for the first time.

"Obviously, we are excited to have a speaker of Mr. Mullins' stature be our speaker," said Knackstedt. "It seems appropriate too that we have VIP tables as well beginning this year."

"For a mere $100, a company or any individual can purchase a table which is located up front, has the company/ individual's name on a sign and comfortably seats six people. It will be somewhat different from the other tables in looks and the regular tables seat eight, just a little less comfortably," added Knackstedt. "We've already sold three tables so far and we think this is its time."

Under Mullins' leadership, the Texas Economic Development Council has recognized Tyler. He was presented the prestigious Community Economic Development Award in 1997 and 2002 for outstanding local development achievements.

Mullins had been president/CEO of the Tyler EDC since 1989 and the Tyler cham- ber since March, 1992.

Since Mullins received his master's degree from the University of Minnesota, numerous groups have recognized him for his expertise.

He served as chairman of the Texas Economic Development Board for 2004-2005. Gov. Rick Perry appointed him to the governor's Council on Science and Biotechnology Development in 2002. He served as president of Northeast Texas Economic Development Council, which serves the 23-county region of Northeast Texas in 1992-1993.

Other exciting features of this year's awards dinner will be door prizes for attendees and a silent auction, said Knackstedt. The auction will benefit the Whitehouse Community Library, one of the chamber's projects.

The chamber has recognized for years the immense value of a library to the quality of life in a community and has financially supported WCL with an annual donation. This year the chamber wants to support the library in a more substantial way.

Anyone interested in providing a door prize or an auction item can contact Knackstedt at 903-520-4585. All donations are tax-deductible.