Homepage
Local News
Photo Gallery
Local Sports
Living
Weddings Engagements Births
Opinion
Columns Editorials Letters to the Editor
Farm & Ranch
Blogs
The Baseline Herald-Press
Local Scene
Obituaries
Death Notices
Classifieds
Buy a classified
Subscriber Services
Multimedia
Advertising
Texas Legal Notices
Friday Night Central
Follow Me on Twitter
FacebookLocal News
Search Discussion
Add a comment on this story
January 26, 2011
Travel plaza to include Denny's
By PAUL STONE
Palestine Herald-Press The Palestine Herald-Press Wed Jan 26, 2011, 06:30 AM CST
PALESTINE — The Palestine City Council on Monday OK’d a zoning change, opening the door for construction of a travel plaza at the intersection of West Oak Street and Knox Street in the Westwood area.
Developers say the travel plaza will include a convenience store; fueling areas for both large trucks and passenger cars; a “tunnel” car wash; and an approximately 4,500 square foot Denny’s restaurant which is projected to be open by the end of the year.
The travel plaza will be “very similar” to one currently operating on U.S. 59 South in Carthage, according to developers.
To pave the way for the plaza, the council unanimously approved a zoning charge for the 6-acre tract of land, changing it from C-3, General Retail Commercial District, to C-4, Highway Commercial District.
The city’s planning & zoning commission had recommended that the council approve the zoning change.
Also on Monday, Elizabeth Saegert was introduced as the city’s interim finance director by interim City Manager Michael Ohrt.
Saegert is a certified public accountant who has worked for the City of Ferris and also for “not for profit” agencies.
“It is my honor to have this opportunity to serve the City of Palestine,” Saegert said during the open meeting. “I’m really excited about it. It’s a beautiful city. This is a wonderful opportunity for me...I like working for cities. It’s a challenge.”
Bobby Pennington, the city’s former finance director, left his position last month to accept a similar job with the City of Fort Worth.
————
Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
http://www.victrongroup.com/outstanding-citizen-year-ali-sharaf
Most Outstanding Citizen of the Year
By JOANN LIVINGSTON Daily Light Managing Editor
February 23, 2007
Hilda Chapman was honored as the 2006 Citizen of the Year during the Waxahachie Chamber of
Commerce’s annual awards banquet Thursday night.
A Waxahachie native, Chapman was recognized for her service with the Downtown Merchants
Association and Bethlehem Revisited.
“(Chapman) comes naturally by doing a great amount of work - like her parents did,” said presenter
Len Sullivan, 2005 recipient. “She has been involved in practically every project of the chamber and
she is still very involved.”
“I do appreciate this award so very much,” Chapman said. “I do appreciate receiving it. I am so very
honored.”
Also recognized for their service were the chamber’s executive committee, board of directors, advisory
board and committee members.
Outgoing board members recognized for their service included Wayne Boze, Mary Kirton, Don
Schmerse and Cindy Smith.
Guest speaker of the evening was Andy Horner, who presented an inspirational program that included
a message about the opportunities represented by living in the United States.
“It is important that we believe in America,” Horner said, saying that despite the negativity of the times,
“There are a lot of good things in America, and we still live in the best nation.”
Horner encouraged those in attendance to remember the No. 1 asset in their businesses: people.
“The key to your business’ success is in your ability to relate to people,” he said.
The chamber’s annual major awards also were presented during the banquet, with Shirley McLeroy
honored as Ambassador of the Year.
The award “is given to an individual who with countless volunteer hours, commitment and willingness
has made a positive impact on the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce,” Jeff Lincks said. “Through
their actions and goodwill this person truly embodies the ambassador spirit.”
The Mabel Frame Award for contributions in the area of promoting tourism was presented to Holly
Davis by Chapman.
Davis’ service has included serving as chairman of the Gingerbread Trail several times, past president
of Historic Waxahachie Inc., conducting courthouse tours for schoolchildren and other groups, serving
on the Chautauqua board and planning committee for the Chautauqua Assembly, serving as a board
member of Waxahachie Partnership Inc. and the Ellis County Museum, and serving with the
Waxahachie Symphony Association.
“She is always willing to help with any event or activity,” Chapman said.
Paul Stevens presented the Leadership Waxahachie Award to Joe Gallo, who was recognized for
being active in the community, including serving on the City Council. Gallo will serve on the
chamber’s executive board as third vice chairman in 2007.
“Since his arrival in Waxahachie, he has become an active member in the community,” Stevens said.
“He has served on the city’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board and the Navarro College advisory
committee. Our recipient is a graduate of Leadership Waxahachie and a member of the Rotary Club. He
also currently serves on the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce executive board and the Historic
Waxahachie Inc. board.”
The Marvin E. Singleton Jr. Environmental Beautification Award was presented to Victron Energy by
Mark Singleton.
Owner Ali Sharaf and Victron Energy are not only a leader in wholesale fuel distribution, but also “a
leader in branding and building beautiful facilities” across Ellis County, it was noted, with Victron’s
new building across the street from the chamber recognized.
“It’s about beautification and putting a face on Waxahachie,” Singleton said.
The Small Business of the Year Award was presented to Philip Browne and Chick-fil-A.
“The owners became actively involved in the community before they ever opened the doors in July
2004 and that community involvement has only grown since the ‘first bite’ ceremony,” incoming
chairman Teresa McNiel said. “They support many organizations in the community, such as the
Waxahachie ISD, Meals-on-Wheels and the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce and Convention and
Visitors Bureau. … Anyone who has ever eaten at the restaurant will recognize their trademark
hospitality phrases: ‘May I help you?’ and ‘My pleasure.’ You know the employees sincerely mean
what they say.”
Business of the Year was presented to Kevin Chester of Linebarger, Goggan, Blair and Sampson.
Chamber president and CEO Debra Wakeland made the presentation, saying that the firm has “made a
difference through support of a wide range of community organizations, such as Crime Stoppers,
Meals-on-Wheels, Ellis County Youth Expo, the Gingerbread House, the Boys and Girls Club of
Waxahachie and the Education Foundation for WISD.”
“We present this award to someone who has been - for the chamber - a team player in every sense of
the word. Many chamber events - Ellis County Day in Austin, the Gingerbread Classic golf
tournament, Waxahachie Night at the Texas Rangers and our annual auction - have been more
successful thanks to the continual support of this person and this business,” said Wakeland, who also
presented the Industry of the Year Award to SkillsNET.
“This is always a very difficult selection due to the many fine industries and businesses we have in our
community,” she said. “However, upon evaluation, this company seemed to rise to the top.”
Citing a few of the headlines received by SkillsNET in 2006 due to its accomplishments, Wakeland said
she had “personally witnessed this team create a fast and effective user-friendly solution to
Waxahachie’s very own workforce management challenges.”
“Michael Brown is certainly much more than a consulting firm and not just another software
company,” she said. “He is a friend to the chamber and city of Waxahachie and for this we
acknowledge SkillsNET as Industry of the Year.”
Williams presented the Chair’s Special Award to Garry Brown.
“For nearly 15 years, this evening’s recipient has been more than an active chamber member - he has
been a leader, a mentor and a counselor,” Williams said. “With an attention to detail and an
appreciation for how today’s actions affect tomorrow’s opportunities, this unique volunteer gives untold
time to our chamber, helping to ensure that this organization continues to be sound - and strong - for
future members.
“At one point this past year, we had need for this person’s expertise, and despite the many reasons he
could say no, he immediately agreed to take on additional responsibility for the board, providing
knowledge and experience when it was most needed,” Williams said. “I hope this award can serve as
a small token of my appreciation for his service to the chamber.”
“One of the great comforts I had this past year was the knowledge that I would be followed by someone
with a passion for the community and a proven willingness to work hard on behalf of our city,” said
Williams in his recognition of McNiel. “For the past few years, I have had the pleasure of working with
Teresa McNiel through the chamber board and the Waxahachie Civil Service Commission, and know
her to be someone who will build on our successes.
“I am pleased to be passing the gavel to Teresa, in who I have high hopes, great confidence and a vast
amount of respect,” he said.
McNiel extended her appreciation to Williams for his service the past year before speaking about her
theme for 2007: “Connecting the Dots.”
“Each dot is important to the other,” McNiel said, saying a dot can represent such as areas as business,
industry, tourism and others. “Our dots are connected, and each dot is important to the other. We must
keep these dots connected, stay involved and stay informed. In the coming year, I challenge you to
become familiar with a different dot.”
Copyright © 2007 The Daily Light
Reprinted with permission from the Waxahachie Daily Light
By JOANN LIVINGSTON Daily Light Managing Editor
February 23, 2007
Hilda Chapman was honored as the 2006 Citizen of the Year during the Waxahachie Chamber of
Commerce’s annual awards banquet Thursday night.
A Waxahachie native, Chapman was recognized for her service with the Downtown Merchants
Association and Bethlehem Revisited.
“(Chapman) comes naturally by doing a great amount of work - like her parents did,” said presenter
Len Sullivan, 2005 recipient. “She has been involved in practically every project of the chamber and
she is still very involved.”
“I do appreciate this award so very much,” Chapman said. “I do appreciate receiving it. I am so very
honored.”
Also recognized for their service were the chamber’s executive committee, board of directors, advisory
board and committee members.
Outgoing board members recognized for their service included Wayne Boze, Mary Kirton, Don
Schmerse and Cindy Smith.
Guest speaker of the evening was Andy Horner, who presented an inspirational program that included
a message about the opportunities represented by living in the United States.
“It is important that we believe in America,” Horner said, saying that despite the negativity of the times,
“There are a lot of good things in America, and we still live in the best nation.”
Horner encouraged those in attendance to remember the No. 1 asset in their businesses: people.
“The key to your business’ success is in your ability to relate to people,” he said.
The chamber’s annual major awards also were presented during the banquet, with Shirley McLeroy
honored as Ambassador of the Year.
The award “is given to an individual who with countless volunteer hours, commitment and willingness
has made a positive impact on the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce,” Jeff Lincks said. “Through
their actions and goodwill this person truly embodies the ambassador spirit.”
The Mabel Frame Award for contributions in the area of promoting tourism was presented to Holly
Davis by Chapman.
Davis’ service has included serving as chairman of the Gingerbread Trail several times, past president
of Historic Waxahachie Inc., conducting courthouse tours for schoolchildren and other groups, serving
on the Chautauqua board and planning committee for the Chautauqua Assembly, serving as a board
member of Waxahachie Partnership Inc. and the Ellis County Museum, and serving with the
Waxahachie Symphony Association.
“She is always willing to help with any event or activity,” Chapman said.
Paul Stevens presented the Leadership Waxahachie Award to Joe Gallo, who was recognized for
being active in the community, including serving on the City Council. Gallo will serve on the
chamber’s executive board as third vice chairman in 2007.
“Since his arrival in Waxahachie, he has become an active member in the community,” Stevens said.
“He has served on the city’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board and the Navarro College advisory
committee. Our recipient is a graduate of Leadership Waxahachie and a member of the Rotary Club. He
also currently serves on the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce executive board and the Historic
Waxahachie Inc. board.”
The Marvin E. Singleton Jr. Environmental Beautification Award was presented to Victron Energy by
Mark Singleton.
Owner Ali Sharaf and Victron Energy are not only a leader in wholesale fuel distribution, but also “a
leader in branding and building beautiful facilities” across Ellis County, it was noted, with Victron’s
new building across the street from the chamber recognized.
“It’s about beautification and putting a face on Waxahachie,” Singleton said.
The Small Business of the Year Award was presented to Philip Browne and Chick-fil-A.
“The owners became actively involved in the community before they ever opened the doors in July
2004 and that community involvement has only grown since the ‘first bite’ ceremony,” incoming
chairman Teresa McNiel said. “They support many organizations in the community, such as the
Waxahachie ISD, Meals-on-Wheels and the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce and Convention and
Visitors Bureau. … Anyone who has ever eaten at the restaurant will recognize their trademark
hospitality phrases: ‘May I help you?’ and ‘My pleasure.’ You know the employees sincerely mean
what they say.”
Business of the Year was presented to Kevin Chester of Linebarger, Goggan, Blair and Sampson.
Chamber president and CEO Debra Wakeland made the presentation, saying that the firm has “made a
difference through support of a wide range of community organizations, such as Crime Stoppers,
Meals-on-Wheels, Ellis County Youth Expo, the Gingerbread House, the Boys and Girls Club of
Waxahachie and the Education Foundation for WISD.”
“We present this award to someone who has been - for the chamber - a team player in every sense of
the word. Many chamber events - Ellis County Day in Austin, the Gingerbread Classic golf
tournament, Waxahachie Night at the Texas Rangers and our annual auction - have been more
successful thanks to the continual support of this person and this business,” said Wakeland, who also
presented the Industry of the Year Award to SkillsNET.
“This is always a very difficult selection due to the many fine industries and businesses we have in our
community,” she said. “However, upon evaluation, this company seemed to rise to the top.”
Citing a few of the headlines received by SkillsNET in 2006 due to its accomplishments, Wakeland said
she had “personally witnessed this team create a fast and effective user-friendly solution to
Waxahachie’s very own workforce management challenges.”
“Michael Brown is certainly much more than a consulting firm and not just another software
company,” she said. “He is a friend to the chamber and city of Waxahachie and for this we
acknowledge SkillsNET as Industry of the Year.”
Williams presented the Chair’s Special Award to Garry Brown.
“For nearly 15 years, this evening’s recipient has been more than an active chamber member - he has
been a leader, a mentor and a counselor,” Williams said. “With an attention to detail and an
appreciation for how today’s actions affect tomorrow’s opportunities, this unique volunteer gives untold
time to our chamber, helping to ensure that this organization continues to be sound - and strong - for
future members.
“At one point this past year, we had need for this person’s expertise, and despite the many reasons he
could say no, he immediately agreed to take on additional responsibility for the board, providing
knowledge and experience when it was most needed,” Williams said. “I hope this award can serve as
a small token of my appreciation for his service to the chamber.”
“One of the great comforts I had this past year was the knowledge that I would be followed by someone
with a passion for the community and a proven willingness to work hard on behalf of our city,” said
Williams in his recognition of McNiel. “For the past few years, I have had the pleasure of working with
Teresa McNiel through the chamber board and the Waxahachie Civil Service Commission, and know
her to be someone who will build on our successes.
“I am pleased to be passing the gavel to Teresa, in who I have high hopes, great confidence and a vast
amount of respect,” he said.
McNiel extended her appreciation to Williams for his service the past year before speaking about her
theme for 2007: “Connecting the Dots.”
“Each dot is important to the other,” McNiel said, saying a dot can represent such as areas as business,
industry, tourism and others. “Our dots are connected, and each dot is important to the other. We must
keep these dots connected, stay involved and stay informed. In the coming year, I challenge you to
become familiar with a different dot.”
Copyright © 2007 The Daily Light
Reprinted with permission from the Waxahachie Daily Light
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
About Ali Sharaf
Ali Sharaf was born in 1957 near Damascus, Syria. His father was a farmer/merchant and his mother was a homemaker. Ali graduated from Damascus University with a Civil Engineering degree in 1980. He then first founded and ran his own successful engineering/construction company for six years before moving to the United States.
Ali Sharaf moved to the United States in 1986 and purchased his first convenience store that same year. Over the next 10 years, with hard work and determination, he expanded his holdings to 11 stores. In 1997, Ali purchased H&H Oil Co., Inc., which was a premier Exxon Fuel Distributorship with annual sales of approximately twenty million gallons. He continued to build and acquire convenience stores for another nine years.
In 2006, he changed the name of H&H Oil Co., Inc. to Victron Energy, Inc., and built new headquarters in Waxahachie, Texas. Victron Energy, Inc. has expanded to distribute fuel for not only ExxonMobil, but also Shell, Chevron, Texaco, Conoco, Valero and other, unbranded fuels. Victron Energy, Inc. now boasts close to three hundred million gallons in annual sales and is still growing with new construction and acquisition of properties.
Another strength of Ali lies in his associations with 13 different food franchises, such as Sonic, Krystal, Denny’s, KFC, Church’s and Subway. In 2006, Victron debuted its own brand, Texas Best Smokehouse. The unique facilities of Texas Best Smokehouse feature barbecue, jerky, smoked meats, and cheeses, as well as its own private brand of candies, jams, nuts, wine and energy drinks. Victron Energy, Inc. is best described as being creative and ahead of the curve.
With all the success of Victron, Ali is especially proud of the positive impact he has had on the lives of the people of North Texas. He recognizes the honest, hard-working values of small-town America as similar to those of his own rural upbringing. In every location, Ali gives back to the community with the creation of jobs and opportunities. Ali’s philosophy is to try to fill a void, to build what people need while giving them security for the present and hope for the future. Though based in Waxahachie, Victron has created over 5,000 jobs directly or indirectly in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
Ali’s affinity for community and his knack for construction are leading him to branch out into other developments. He developed a 40-acre shopping plaza around I-45 in Seagoville, and a 60-acre plaza in Red Oak, Texas. He developed a seven acre shopping center, with a Sonic restaurant in Royce City, and is currently completing a similar project in Carthage, Texas. Moreover, he has finished a high-end, 310-unit apartment complex near I-35 and Ovilla Road in Red Oak. The same store is repeated in so many towns in Texas, including but not limited to Tyler, Longview, Kilgore, Venus, Burleson, Carthage, Italy, Balch Springs and many more. Ali’s accomplishments continue to contribute to the overall economy of the region, bringing more and more opportunities to the people he serves.
Ali’s passion is construction and building. There is nothing he likes better than to take a raw piece of land and turn it into a successful project that can bring economic growth to North Texas, creating additional jobs and enhancing the tax base of the local communities.
Ali believes in small town American values like hard work, integrity and honesty because these same values were instilled in him as a young man. He realizes that small towns hold the opportunity, the necessity and the values for major growth and success.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
