Latest news with #OdessaChamberof
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Discover Odessa hosts Lone Star Letters initiative to advocate for Texas' creative industries
Apr. 9—Discover Odessa is proud to host Lone Star Letters, a statewide letter-writing campaign advocating for Texas' thriving creative industries, including film, television, gaming, animation, and digital media. The initiative will take place April 9 — April 27 and is open to industry professionals, students, and supporters who want to make their voices heard. Texas is home to a multi-billion-dollar creative economy that fuels jobs, innovation, and small businesses across the state. As the Texas Legislature considers policies (SB 22 and HB 4568) that impact these industries, Lone Star Letters provides an opportunity for local creatives to directly engage with lawmakers by writing personal letters about why their work matters to Texas' economy and culture. "The Lone Star Letters initiative is a great way for our community to support Texas' creative industries. SB 22 and HB 4568 will help bring more film and media projects to our state, creating jobs and boosting local businesses. For Odessa, this means more visitors, more opportunities for our small businesses, and a chance to showcase our city as a great place for film production. Your voice matters—join us in writing a letter and help keep these opportunities right here in Texas," Laura Marts, Director, Discover Odessa, said in a news release. During this initiative, local film makers, creatives, storytellers, and supporters are encouraged to email Discover Odessa or mail in your letter that we will mail to state representatives on April 28. How to submit my letter: >> Letter Drop Offs: Odessa Chamber of Commerce, 700 N Grant Ave #200, Odessa, TX 79761 >> Mail it in to the Capital Office: Brooks Landgraf, P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768 >> Email it to us: [email protected] Discover Odessa will be mailing off letters every Monday, the last mail out day will be the 28th, and encourages everyone to get their hand-written letters in as soon as possible. If you'd like to mail off your letter yourself, mail it to our Texas Rep. Brooks Landgraf, P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768. Lone Star Letters is a statewide initiative led by the Texas Media Production Alliance (TXMPA) in partnership with industry organizations and film-friendly communities across Texas. Every letter sent is a step toward securing a stronger future for Texas' creative workforce.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hogan honored as this year's Citizen of the Year
Feb. 18—When Ted Hogan first learned that he was named the Citizen of the Year, he was astonished. "I was surprised," Hogan said when asked about his initial reaction. "It's an honor to be considered. It's really great." The respected business leader and community advocate was honored by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce with a ceremony Tuesday at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. "It was a big surprise but it's an honor because I love Odessa," Hogan said. "My family has been blessed to live here." Hogan, who's lived in Odessa since 1992, graduated from Crane High School in 1973. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education with a minor in biology from Texas Tech in 1977. Hogan would go on to embark on a successful career in the oilfield services industry. In 1994, he founded Light Tower Rentals, a rental service company that he built into a regional powerhouse. While Hogan is now retired from LTR, he remains actively engaged in the business world. He currently partners with MHRT International Oilfield Services, LLC, RTB Ventures LLC, Freedom First Inc., and Boot Heel Management. "I work in oil and gas," Hogan said. "I have a few other interests like ranching and cattle." He was quick to thank his wife Jodi as well as his family and friends around the community. "My wife's been my rock and has stood behind me and supported me," Hogan said. "I've made a lot of friends in Odessa. Odessa is a great place to raise a family. We've made so many friends. We have a great church family here. Everything about Odessa is great. It's been a blessing for us." Odessa Chamber of Commerce Chair Shem Culpepper talked about this year's Citizen of the Year recipient. "Today, we're rewarding a very worthy citizen of the year," Culpepper said. "Even though it's called Citizen of the Year, it's really more like a lifetime achievement award. Mr. Ted Hogan has devoted a large portion of his life in giving back to the community. He's a very successful businessman. It's an honor and a privilege to honor him. He has not been selfish with his time and he's given back to his community." President and CEO of Odessa Chamber of Commerce Renee Earls also talked about the process of selecting this year's winner. "Each year, we ask the community to make nominations for candidates that they feel like would be good nominees," Earls said. "We always receive wonderful nominations. Ted Hogan is the epitome of service. He's an example of not only in his business but also in his volunteering of being very giving and he deserves this award." The Odessa Chamber of Commerce has selected a Citizen of the Year since 1958.
