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03/26/2009 Meeting Notes
I consider our first meeting a success. What an interesting group. I
will offer some comments on what we shared around the table at lunch.
Jason Kaspar
of
Kaspar Wire Works in Shiner (www.kasparwireworks.com)
filled us in on a new environmental protection product they have
developed that uses electrostatic charging to coagulate metals and
contaminates in industrial solutions and then draw them off to purify
the solution. (www.kaselco.com)
Greg Chumchal, COO of
Kaspar Wire Works in Shiner (www.kasparwireworks.com),
briefed us as to the new products being developed and marketed by the
company. Many were not aware that Ranch Hand Truck Accessories was a
Kaspar Wire Works family company. (http://www.ranchhand.com/)
It is nice to know that the rural industrial community can also draw
from their Kaspar Die & Tool company also. (www.kaspardieandtool.com)
Keith Musick, General Manager of
TXGN Railway (http://www.txgn-rr.com/index_TXGN.asp)
in Gonzales, surprised most of us when he described the abilities and
rail car storage capabilities of the local short line railroad that
serves the route between the industrial customers of Gonzales and the UP
main line in Harwood.
John Schneider, Plant
Manager of South Texas Protein in Waelder, explained to us the
agricultural recycling capabilities of his plant that manufactures
animal food products.
Blake Macfarlane, of
Aqua-Structures of Austin, represents a company that specializes in
developing water activities by building aquatic structures such as water
parks, fountains, swimming pools, dams, and other industrial scale water
structures. I escorted Blake around the City of Gonzales and after
seeing the aquatic opportunities offered by the dam and Guadalupe River
for water based activities told me that he had never seen such
undeveloped opportunity.
Greg Sengelmann, Manager
of the Gonzales County Underground Water Conservation District in
Gonzales, impressed us all with a vivid description of the water
aquifers supporting the industries of the area, how they are fed, and
the challenges of salinity. He also discussed conservation and future
control of water underground.
Richard Lopez, owner of
Gonzales Food Market (http://www.gonzalesfoodmarket.com/),
told of the company’s 50th year in business in Gonzales. As
an organizer’s note I would like to recognize Richard for two reasons.
First, I would like to thank him for making valuable space in his
restaurant for us to meet. And second, I would like to recognize his
industrial management abilities in that he consistently sustains the
highest product quality control and consistency. His foods always taste
good.
David Huseman, City
Manager of the City of Gonzales (http://www.cityofgonzales.org/CityAdministration/CityManager.asp
), seemed too busy listening to the industrial leaders to talk much. He
did share with us that he had an industrial background and that the City
of Gonzales wanted to cooperate in any way that might make "doin'
bidness" in Gonzales easier.
Carolyn Gibson, City
of Gonzales Economic Development Corporation (http://www.cityofgonzales.org/EconomicDevelopment/default.asp
), talked at length with everyone to better understand how GEDC could
support their operations.
Shelly Pennell of the
Cuero Development Corporation (http://www.cuerodc.com/
) attended and visited with all as to how CDC could assist in improving
the environment for rural industrial development.
Barbara Hand, Executive Director
of Gonzales Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture (http://www.gonzalestexas.com/
) represented the interest of the chamber. These types of informal
gatherings always produce information you didn't know before. I was not
aware of Barbara's extensive past experience in agricultural inspection.
Now I know someone I can call if I have a question in this arena.
David Geaslin, of
The Geaslin Group in Gonzales (www.geaslin.com),
as organizer and moderator shared that he wanted to create a meeting
group modeled after the Houston Business Roundtable (www.houbrt.com)
where people with like industrial needs and experience could meet and
visit in a casual and unstructured manner to get to know others they
could share with.
As the organizer, I would like to say that I considered the meeting a
success. I would like to thank all who attended for the opportunity to
meet and discuss the industrial issues that shape rural operations. For
an hour and a half, I had the pleasure to listen and learn from the
industrial leaders of our community. It was fun. Please invite anyone
you know who might enjoy visiting with us next month. I am looking
forward to seeing you all again.
Thanks,
David Geaslin |
