The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce Fourth Friday Luncheon presented by Tipton Ford will honor the chamber’s non-profit business members as Home Town Heroes. Dr. Neal Naranjo will discuss the impact that service organizations make in the community.
The luncheon is from noon to 1 p.m., Friday, Jan. 25 in the HotelFredoniaConvention Center.
Before the program begins and from 1 to 2 p.m., exhibits will be open for anyone to visit one-on-one with the participating non-profit representatives.
“Our non-profit organizations are a valuable part of our community,” said Chair Angela Wiederhold, Point A Media. “The people in these organizations work very hard to make Nacogdoches a better place by recognizing and addressing specific needs. At this event, chamber members as well as the public get the opportunity to recognize and thank ‘our home town heroes’ for all that they do.
“Our current chamber theme is ‘our people are our greatest strength,’ and this chamber event will give everyone an opportunity to discover how non-profit organizations benefit our community,” Wiederhold said.
Neal is a sixth generation resident of Lufkin and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Texas in Austin. His wife Mary Ann is a magna cum laud graduate from the University of Southern California and a CPA. Neal received his PhD from the University of Southern California in neuro psychology and was a post doctoral fellow at HarvardMedicalSchool. While on the faculty at HarvardMedicalSchool, he spent numerous weekends on metal detecting archeological digs. Since age five, Neal has explored the counties of East Texas for fossils and artifacts and received formal training in paleontology and archeology while attending UT Austin.
The Naranjo Museum of Natural History is a family affair with Neal and Mary Ann establishing the museum, and their children, J. Neal and Katie, going on digs and taking an active role in establishing the facility.
Neal and Mary Ann own and operate A Pineywoods Home Health Care Inc. which covers 54 counties in East Texas with nine offices.
The luncheon serves as the Chamber’s monthly membership meeting, and all from the community are invited to attend. Reservations are required by Jan. 24, and lunch is $16 at the door. A safe “pay online” option is available at nacogdoches.org, or contact the chamber to register, 936-560-5533.
All attending may enter the $50 drawing, and all chamber members are entered in a $250 drawing, but you must be present to win. Both drawings sponsored by First Bank & Trust East Texas.
Gold sponsor is Xerographix East Texas, Inc.
