Help us welcome a new team member! David is our new Special Projects Director in our Administration Department. Help us welcome him to ETCOG!

We want to congratulate Michaela Marotta on five years of service this month! Michaela is part of our Operations Department as our Cash Draw Coordinator. Thank you for all you do!

Congratulations to ETCOG's Executive Director, David Cleveland, on being appointed to the National Association of Development Organizations' Board of Directors! This is a great opportunity to work with other leaders across the country on regional strategies for remaining economically competitive in today's environment.

🌟 Celebrating Public Service Recognition Week! 🙌 This week, we honor the remarkable individuals who serve our communities as government employees at all levels. They tirelessly work to make a positive impact in our communities. Let's take a moment to show our gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service. Join me in celebrating Public Service Recognition Week!

Help us congratulate these 20 incredible employees who are celebrating work anniversaries in May! 👏👏👏 Your commitment to the region is appreciated. Thank you for all you do!

We want to congratulate Lisa Pead on five years of service this month! Lisa is one of our Call Center Reservationists who serves ETCOG's rural transit agency, GoBus! Thank you for all you do!

We want to congratulate Lacetta Johnson on 15 years of service this month! Lacetta is one of our Ombudsman with the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas. Thank you for all you do!

We want to congratulate Lacetta Johnson on 15 years of service this month! Lacetta is one of our Ombudsman that serves East Texas. Thank you for all you do!

🚌 Ready to drive change? Join us at our upcoming hiring event for bus operators with our rural transit partner, GoBus! 🚍 Don't miss your chance to steer your career in the right direction. • May 14th | Tyler Workforce Center |10 AM - 3 PM • Part-time and PRN positions available • $15.50 - $16.00 per hour • CDL preferred but not required

During ETCOG's next regularly scheduled Executive Committee meeting, the agenda will include a public hearing to discuss and determine the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program regional project priority types. Public comment will be taken, and ETCOG invites anyone with input into the TxCDBG program to submit oral or written testimony.

It's Administrative Professionals Day! We want to show our appreciation to all the admins in our offices. Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed. Thank you for everything!

Congratulations to TxDOT's Nancy Hoehn for being recognized as the first ETCOG Shining Star recipient! Nancy Hoehn, who serves as the region’s Public Transportation Coordinator representative with TxDOT, has been recognized for her invaluable partnership and dedication. In her role, Hoehn has facilitated partnerships and coordinated efforts between multiple agencies, including ETCOG, demonstrating a passion for collaboration that has led to comprehensive transit agreements throughout East Texas, ensuring no area remains unserved.

Congratulations to Sheriff Maxey Cerliano with the Gregg County Sheriff's Department for being recognized as the ETCOG Regional Committee Service award recipient! Sheriff Cerliano, a longstanding member of the ETCOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee for over 20 years, has been honored with the award for his unwavering dedication. His expertise and insights have been instrumental in advancing regional grant recommendations and enhancing public safety initiatives. Sheriff Cerliano's commitment to justice, integrity, and professionalism has earned him the respect and admiration of his peers throughout East Texas, showcasing his enduring impact on the community.

🎉 Celebrating Telecommunicators Week with a special visit! This week, we've loved welcoming the incredible telecommunicators to our office to recognize their invaluable contributions. From the first hello to every life-saving connection, your dedication doesn't go unnoticed. Thank you for stopping by and being the lifeline of our communities! • Christus EMS • Rains County Sheriff’s Department • Van Zandt and Wood County Sheriff’s Department • Panola County Sheriff’s Department • Gregg County Sheriff’s Department • White Oak Police Department • Jacksonville Police Department

🏠✨ April is Fair Housing Month! ✨🏠 Every person deserves the right to live in a safe, inclusive, and discrimination-free environment. This month, we celebrate the strides made toward fair housing practices and reaffirm our commitment to equality for all. Let's work together to eliminate barriers to housing and ensure that everyone has access to the housing they need and deserve. #FairHousingMonth #EqualityForAll #HousingJustice #InclusiveCommunities 🌟🏡

Congratulations to Gladewater Councilwoman Brandy Flannagan for being recognized as the ETCOG Regional Stateman of the Year recipient! Nominated by community members, including fellow councilpersons, Flannagan's tireless efforts in municipal governance, particularly in budget management, have been pivotal in achieving a significant surplus. Her impact extends beyond Gladewater, as she serves as a business advisor for East Texas counties, fostering economic growth and resource accessibility across the region.

In March, the Executive Committee approved contracts with the East Texas Police Academy and Tyler Junior College to offer over $250,000 in funding for police training! In FY23, this grant paid for training more than 1,500 officers!

Help us congratulate these nine incredible employees who are celebrating work anniversaries in April! 👏👏👏 Your commitment to the region is appreciated. Thank you for all you do!

Congratulations to Sergeant Konrad Roberts with the Longview Police Department for being recognized as the ETCOG Regional First Responder of the Year award recipient! Sergeant Roberts received the award for his exceptional dedication to community safety. In addition to his duties, Roberts mentors young officers, takes on extra responsibilities, and continuously improves his leadership skills. Despite his role as a sergeant and police officer, Roberts is also a devoted father and full-time student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, showcasing his commitment to personal and professional growth.

It's Telecommunicators Week, and this is a reminder to honor the heroes working behind the scenes. While we often think of frontline responders, it's important to recognize the role of telecommunicators who answer calls to provide crucial assistance. The response statistics featured below are just for one year of service to our region. With the flooded roads and stranded individuals this week, telecommunicators remain the calm voice guiding us through emergencies, ensuring help reaches where it's needed most. They are the backbone of our emergency response system. Thank you for all you do!

As part of our solid waste program, ETCOG hosts several free trainings throughout the year for environmental enforcement officers, local peace officers, prosecutors, and elected officials to seek a better understanding of how to ensure a clean and pollutant-free community. Check out our most recent training photos!

Congratulations to Dina Carroll for being recognized as one of the ETCOG Regional Citizen of the Year award recipients! Carroll, a lead volunteer at Friends of Jefferson Animals Rescue, has been honored for her commitment to animal welfare. Nominated by over 50 community members, she is recognized for her tireless efforts in rescuing, caring for, and finding homes for abandoned and abused animals. Through her leadership, Carroll advocates for responsible pet ownership, promotes spaying and neutering, and educates the community on animal protection.

Our Homeland Security and Criminal Justice advisory committees recently gathered to review grant presentations from agencies across our 14-county region. These applications aim to secure funding for safety enhancement projects throughout East Texas. They are ranked and scored by our advisory committees comprised of local experts, presented to our governing board, and then submitted to the State. Grant award announcements will be made in the coming months.

In March, the Executive Committee approved the renewal of our text-to-911 contract, ensuring continued access to crucial emergency services through text messaging. The service will continue to be available at no additional cost in 10 East Texas counties, broadening its accessibility and impact across the region.

Congratulations to Paula Jiminez for being recognized as one of the ETCOG Regional Citizen of the Year award recipients! Raised in adversity by a single mother among seven siblings, Paula exemplifies resilience and hard work, achieving a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and psychology as a first-generation college graduate. Overcoming numerous obstacles, she pursued a career as a private investigator, offering free services through "The Innocence Project" to advocate for justice and family reunification. Beyond her professional role, she actively supports victims of human trafficking and leads fundraising efforts for various charitable organizations. We commend Paula for her impactful contributions and extend our congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.

Congratulations to The Genesis Group for being recognized as the ETCOG Regional Corporate Citizen of the Year award recipient! Over their 35 years of operation, they've provided innovative software solutions for public safety, such as the eBONDS platform, which modernizes jail operations and enhances community resilience. Through strategic partnerships and philanthropy, they've also supported local nonprofits addressing issues like children’s welfare, education, and food insecurity, showcasing their commitment to making a lasting impact in the region.

Congratulations to Gregg County on winning the ETCOG Paula Gentry Traveling Spirit Award!🏆 At each Board of Directors meeting, the county with the most enthusiasm and spirit earns bragging rights and our traveling trophy. Gregg County faced off with some tough competition this year, but they were the loudest and proudest representing group in the end! We will see them again in September with a newly decorated trophy representing their county.

We're thrilled to announce a new name for our Traveling Spirit Award! For those who may not be acquainted, at each ETCOG Board gathering, the county in East Texas that shows the most spirit during roll call gets the prestigious title and possession of this trophy until the next meeting. The anticipation runs high, with attendees often breaking into cheers, exuberant hollers, and bringing props to take home the win. A notable past board member, former Upshur Commissioner Paula Gentry won this award multiple times and is the sole individual in history to secure this honor single-handedly. In a historic move, the Board recently approved to bestow upon this cherished accolade a new designation that pays tribute to Paula Gentry's indelible mark on the region—the Paula Gentry Traveling Spirit Award. Congratulations, Paula! We love your enthusiasm, contagious spirit, and pride for East Texas!

🌟Join our team🌟 We're hiring a Contract Support Specialist to execute and implement contract administration, service delivery, and financial management for Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) programs. • $56,000-65,000/salary • Full-time with benefits

Help us welcome a new team member! Sheri is one of our Child Care Development Specialists in our Workforce and Economic Development Department. Welcome Sheri!

Happy Birthday to Mayor Ben Middlebrooks! Councilman Middlebrooks represents the City of Rusk on our Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He also recently served as the past Chairman of our Executive Committee.

🌷It may not feel like it, but it is officially spring!🌷

Time change is this weekend! If you still have any battery powered devices, make sure to turn them back an hour😄

Last month, our Communications Director Lindsay Vanderbilt spoke with the Rotary Club of Carthage about ETCOG services and shared the FY2023 Solutions Report for Panola County, highlighting service impacts to residents and jurisdictions in the county. We want to especially thank former County Judge David Anderson for the invitation!

Help us congratulate these seven incredible employees who are celebrating work anniversaries in March! 👏👏👏 Your commitment to the region is appreciated. Thank you for all you do!

Happy Birthday to Representative Jay Dean! Rep. Dean represents District 7, which includes Gregg and Upshur Counties in the Texas House of Representatives.

Did someone say leap day? Oops wrong kind. Well we had fun and hope you do too on this extra day! 😊😂

ETCOG's rural transit system, GoBus, is honored to receive an American Public Transportation's annual AdWheel Award for promoting the annual hiring fair! The APTA AdWheel Awards fosters creativity and innovation within the public transportation industry, highlighting best marketing practices that contribute to the betterment of public transportation. The selection process involves evaluations by industry experts for creativity, impact, community engagement, and overall effectiveness. We are proud of our communications, human resources, and transportation teams! 👏👏

Happy Birthday to Commissioner Rashad Mims! Commissioner Mims represents Anderson County on our ETCOG Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

• Save the Date • The 105th ETCOG Board of Directors meeting takes place on March 21 in Marion County. Five regional awards will be given to deserving individuals in East Texas during this meeting. Board members and special guests, be sure to RSVP!

We want to congratulate Sandra McChristian on five years of service this month! Sandra is one of our Program Specialists with the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas. Thank you, Sandra, for all you do!

We are grateful for our elected officials who support ETCOG and our mission to serve East Texas! Harrison County Commissioner Hatfield serves as the Chairman of the ETCOG Executive Committee and has been instrumental in spreading the word about our programs and services. We serve as the bridge between federal, state, and local governments, helping cities and counties solve challenges and impact the future regionally.

Happy Presidents Day! This holiday is to commemorate George Washington's birthday but didn't officially become a federal holiday until 1879, known as Washington Day. It didn't shift formally to "Presidents Day" until the late 1960s to commemorate Lincoln's birthday as well.

⭐Regional Award Nominations⭐ If you know of an elected official in East Texas who deserves recognition, nominate them! The Regional Statesmanship Award recognizes a local, state, or federal official who has demonstrated valuable and dedicated service to regional cooperation. Nominations are due Friday, February 23.

⭐Regional Award Nominations⭐ If you know of an exemplary corporate partner in East Texas who deserves recognition, nominate them! The Regional Corporate Citizen of the Year recognizes a company or organization that has significantly contributed to the well-being of the East Texas region. Nominations are due Friday, February 23.

• Save the Date • The 105th ETCOG Board of Directors meeting takes place on March 21 in Marion County. Five regional awards will be given to deserving individuals in East Texas during this meeting. Board members and special guests, be sure to RSVP!

We want to congratulate Debra Marshall on five years of service this month! Debra is one of our Aging Program Specialists with the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas. Thank you for all you do!

We'd like to wish Representative Matt Schaefer a Happy Birthday! Representative Schaefer represents District 6 in the U.S. House of Representatives, which encompasses 76% of Smith County in our region.

We want to congratulate Beverly Brown on 20 years of service this month! Beverly is our Associate Director of Aging Programs with the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas. Thank you for all you do!

Help us welcome a new team member! Parker is our new Economic Development Manager in our Workforce and Economic Development Department. Help us welcome him to ETCOG!

⭐Regional Award Nominations⭐ If you know of an exemplary resident in East Texas who deserves recognition, nominate them! The Regional Citizen of the Year recognizes an elected official, volunteer, or private citizen who has significantly contributed to the well-being of the East Texas region. Nominations are due Friday, February 23.

We want to congratulate Norman Roberts on five years of service this month! Norman is one of our Aging Program Specialist with the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas. Thank you for all you do!

⭐Regional Award Nominations⭐ If you know of a first responder in East Texas who deserves recognition, nominate them! The Regional 1st Responder of the Year recognizes those who have rendered extraordinary service, putting their lives on the line for our safety while performing their duties as peace officers, firefighters, EMS, dispatchers, DPS officers, and troopers. Nominations are due Friday, February 23.

Happy Birthday to Judge Leward LaFleur! Judge LaFleur represents Marion County on the ETCOG Board of Directors and as the Chairman of the Chief Elected Officials / Rural Transportation Planning Organization Board.

We're excited to share our latest website design projects for several East Texas partners! At ETCOG, our collaborative approach with members and organizations focuses on identifying and implementing cost-efficient solutions. It's an honor to be part of these initiatives, and we anticipate great success for everyone! If you'd like to discuss how ETCOG can help revamp your website, visit → www.etcog.org/digital-design

Help us congratulate these seven incredible employees who are celebrating work anniversaries in February! 👏👏👏 Your commitment to the region is appreciated. Thank you for all you do!

Happy Groundhog Day! Legend has it that the groundhog comes out of the ground after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow and predict the seasons. This morning, Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow, which calls for six more weeks of winter. What do you think?

Help us congratulate these 10 incredible employees who are celebrating work anniversaries in January! 👏👏👏 Your commitment to the region is appreciated. Thank you for all you do!

• Save the Date • The 105th ETCOG Board of Directors meeting takes place on March 21 in Marion County. Five regional awards will be given to deserving individuals in East Texas during this meeting. Board members and special guests, be sure to RSVP!

We want to congratulate Christy Fowler on 20 years of service this month! Christy is our Transportation Program Specialist in our transportation department, GoBus. Thank you for all you do!

•Criminal Justice Grant Workshops• ETCOG Public Safety division will host workshops for local jurisdictions to learn about the grant application process and what projects are allowed. *Workshops required for all applicants*

Happy Community Manager's Day! We want to thank all of our local city managers for their leadership in supporting and guiding the East Texas communities in the best direction.

•Homeland Security Grant Workshops• ETCOG Public Safety division will host workshops for local jurisdictions to learn about the grant application process and what projects are allowed. *Workshops required for all applicants*

We want to congratulate Terri Ray on 30 years of service this month! Terri is our Office Manager in our workforce and economic development department. Thank you for all you do!

📢 Meeting Cancellation Notice 🚫 The regularly scheduled open meeting for the EasTexConnects Committee today is canceled. The meeting has been rescheduled for February 7.

❄️ Delayed Start ❄️ On Wednesday, January 17th, our offices will have a delayed opening of 10:00 AM.

Congratulations to our 2023 wellness winners! The ETCOG L.I.F.E. Wellness Program rewards employees for their efforts throughout the year in improving their overall well-being through the following: • Preventative health screenings • Physical activity • Education • Community Involvement Staff members are encouraged to participate, and the top three with the highest points are rewarded gift cards!

Due to inclement weather, ETCOG offices will be closed tomorrow, January 16th. Please stay safe and check back for updates!

This morning, ETCOG staff attended the annual MLK breakfast hosted by Kilgore College. The event raises money to provide dual credit scholarships for students in East Texas, and ETCOG is proud to sponsor continuing education for young adults.

We want to congratulate Brandon Deaton on five years of service this month! Brandon is our IT Systems Manager in our admin department. He works across the agency to assist with technical support in different departments. Thank you for all you do!

At our annual Christmas party, ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland honored longtime employees. In 2023, Sloane Bodle reached her 40-year milestone. Help us congratulate Sloane!

•Office Closure Notice• Our offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, to observe MLK Day. We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, January 16.

•Homeland Security Grant Workshops• ETCOG Public Safety division will host workshops for local jurisdictions to learn about the grant application process and what projects are allowed. *Workshops required for all applicants*

•Criminal Justice Grant Workshops• ETCOG Public Safety division will host workshops for local jurisdictions to learn about the grant application process and what projects are allowed. *Workshops required for all applicants*

At our annual Christmas party, ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland honored longtime employees. In 2023, Kamme Lau reached her 25-year milestone. Help us congratulate Kamme!

🌟 Big Thank You to our Board Chairman, Commissioner William Hatfield, for delivering an insightful presentation on ETCOG programs and services to the Marshall Citizens Advisory Committee. Commissioner Hatfield has been a driving force on our Executive Committee for nine years, passionately sharing about vital services partnered through ETCOG for the region's benefit. 👏 Your dedication is truly appreciated! 🙌

At our annual Christmas party, ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland honored longtime employees. In 2023, Brandy Brannon, Jennita Carter, Valerie Hatten, and Katey Pilgram reached their 15-year milestone. Help us congratulate them!

At our annual Christmas party, ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland honored longtime employees. In 2023, Brigitte Farrell, Deborah Johnson, Shauna Lyke, Doug Shryock, Steffany Vercher, Stephanie Bell, Tangela Jackson, and Nellie Henry reached their 10-year milestone. Help us congratulate them!

•Homeland Security Grant Workshops• ETCOG Public Safety division will host workshops for local jurisdictions to learn about the grant application process and what projects are allowed. *Workshops required for all applicants*

The schedule for the 2024 meetings for our Chief Elected Officials Board / Rural Transportation Planning Organization has been approved and released. For more information regarding open meetings, visit → www.etcog.org/open-meetings

•Criminal Justice Grant Workshops• ETCOG Public Safety division will host workshops for local jurisdictions to learn about the grant application process and what projects are allowed. *Workshops required for all applicants*

At our annual Christmas party, ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland honored longtime employees. In 2023, Brian Brown, Jonathan Hunt, Vince Huerta, Mike Kader, ShaRhonda Miles, and Sonia White reached their 5-year milestone. Help us congratulate them!

•2024 Holiday Closure List• ETCOG will observe 12 holidays in 2024. Please plan accordingly and enjoy the new year!

🌟Now Hiring🌟 We're hiring a Special Projects Director to support the Executive Director with developing and implementing special projects and programs in East Texas. • $85,000 - $110,000/salary • Full-time with benefits • Apply online at → www.etcog.org/employment

Happy Birthday to Commissioner! Commissioner McHam represents Henderson County on the ETCOG Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

•Homeland Security Grant Workshops• ETCOG Public Safety division will host workshops for local jurisdictions to learn about the grant application process and what projects are allowed. *Workshops required for all applicants*

•Office Closure Notice• Our offices will be closed on Monday, January 1, to observe the New Year holiday. We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, January 2.

Happy Birthday to Senator Ted Cruz! Senator Cruz has represented Texas in the U.S. Senate since 2013.

We want to congratulate ShaRhonda Miles on five years of service this month! ShaRhonda is a Child Development Specialist with the Texas Rising Star team in our Workforce and Economic Development department. Thank you for all you do!

•Homeland Security Grant Workshops• ETCOG Public Safety division will host workshops for local jurisdictions to learn about the grant application process and what projects are allowed. *Workshops required for all applicants*

Even though we've been experiencing colder weather for a few weeks, it's the first official day of winter!

The schedule for the 2024 Executive Committee has been approved and released. There will be no meetings in January or July. We can't wait to see everyone next year!

•Office Closure Notice• Our offices will be closed on Monday, December 25, and Tuesday, December 26, in observance of the Christmas holiday. We will resume regular business hours on Wednesday, December 27.

Happy Birthday to Representative Pat Fallon! Representative Fallon represents Texas' 4th District, which covers parts of Camp, Rains, and Upshur counties in our region.

Happy Birthday to Judge Joel Hale! Judge Hale represents Rusk County on the ETCOG Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of our Chief Elected Official Board / Rural Transportation Planning Organization.

Congratulations to Sandra McChristian on receiving an Executive Director's On the Spot Award! This award is presented to employees who exhibit exemplary service to those around them. Sandra received the award for her support in leading two workshops during the October REACH Conference when two speakers were unable to join. Help us in congratulating Sandra!👏

We want to congratulate Sonia White on five years of service this month! Sonia is the Student HireAbility Navigator in our Workforce and Economic Development department! Thank you for all you do!

Happy Birthday to Commissioner William Hatfield! Commissioner Hatfield represents Harrison County on the ETCOG Board of Directors and Executive Committee, in which he serves as our Chairman.

We are so grateful to have amazing employees who donated over 50 items and toys for the Buckner Longview Family Hope Center!