JUNE FORUM TO FEATURE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE

  

On June 1, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce will host the Governor’s Small Business Forum in Brenham, sponsored by the Office of the Governor, Bluebonnet Electric, Brenham National Bank and Citizens State Bank. This forum is a half-day event designed to provide small business owners and entrepreneurs an opportunity to gain knowledge and contacts to grow in today’s changing economy. It is being co-hosted by the Navasota-Grimes County Chamber, Burleson County Chamber and Research Valley Partnership in Bryan-College Station.

Held at the Fireman’s Training Center in Brenham, attendees will hear from several powerful speakers.  The keynote speaker will be Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos. As his first appointment, Governor Greg Abbott nominated Cascos to serve as Texas Secretary of State. He is the 110th Texas Secretary of State.

Not new to public service, Secretary Cascos was elected as Cameron County Judge in 2006 and was re-elected in 2010 and again in 2014. Previously, Secretary Cascos served on the Texas Public Safety Commission and as a Cameron County Commissioner from 1991 through 2002.

As county judge, Secretary Cascos served in a number of statewide roles including chairman of the Texas Border Security Council, Vice-chair of the Panama Canal Stakeholder Workgroup, and Vice-chair of the state’s Freight Advising Committee.

An active member of his community, Secretary Cascos served as a board member of numerous local organizations such as United Way, Sunrise Rotary Club, Leadership Brownsville, and the Brownsville Economic Development Council.

A Certified Public Accountant, Secretary Cascos is a partner in the regional accounting firm of Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP. He is a member of the American Institute, Texas Society and Rio Grande Valley Chapter of Certified Public Accountants. In addition, he is also a past member of the Association of Government Accountants and the American College of Forensic Examiners.

Born in Mexico and becoming a U.S. citizen in adolescence, Secretary Cascos attended Brownsville public schools and is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.  He is married with two daughters.

Another featured speaker will be Dale Craymer of Texas Taxpayers and Research Association.  Craymer is TTARA's president and chief spokesperson. He is an expert on state business tax, particularly the franchise or “margin” tax, as well as the state budget and the economy. He is a frequent advisor to public officials and is often asked to provide expert testimony on fiscal issues. He is a member of Texas’ Business Tax Advisory Committee and the National Taxpayers Conference, and has previously served on the executive Boards of both the National Association of State Budget Officers and the Council of Governor's Policy Advisors.

Before joining TTARA, Craymer served as the Director of Budget and Planning for the Governor's Office, Chief Fiscal Analyst for the House of Representatives, and as Chief Revenue Estimator for the Texas Comptroller's Office. He is an honors graduate of the University of Texas with a B.A. (Plan II) and M.A. in Economics

Senator Lois Kolkhorst will be on the program along with Texas Workforce Commissioner Ruth Hughs. Other speakers will cover topics including an oil & gas industry update, social media and leadership practices.  The forum will be moderated by Brice Milliorn of Edward Jones in Brenham.

A major highlight of the event will be the presentation of the Small Business of the Year Award for 2016.  Last year, the 2015 honor was awarded to Home Sweet Farm & Biergarten, and in 2014 Brenham National Bank and RE/MAX Advantage were the winners.

Doors will open at 8 a.m. with the forum speakers beginning at 8:15 a.m. Lunch is included, and the forum will conclude at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $49 until May 27 ($59 after). Corporate Sponsor tables are available for $499, which includes tickets for 8 people plus your company name will be displayed at the event, online and included on the printed program.

For more information or to reserve tickets call (979) 836-3695 or email events@brenhamtexas.com.

Story and photo courtesy of: Brenham/Washington County Chamber