Velvin leaves chamber, Bittick fills vacancy
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

BRIAN BITTICK

After only a short time as Kilgore Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board, Roland Velvin bids Kilgore Farewell.

Brian Bittick, active Kilgoreite and local insurance agent, advances to Velvin's vacated position.

Velvin, president of City National Bank, and others at the chamber knew his term might be cut short because of Austin Bank's acquisition of City National Bank.

While Velvin was at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet being introduced as the new chairman, officers at First Lockhart National Bank were decidding to offer him a job as president of that bank.

Velvin has been named that bank's new president.

"I am certainly saddened that I was unable to finish my term as chairman of the board," Velvin said. "However, the chamber is excellent hands under Brian Bittick's management. This is going to be a great year for the chamber."

Bittick said "it is an honor to serve as Kilgore Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board."

"I look forward to helping Kilgore prosper in the coming year," he said.

Bittick was born in Henderson and moved to Kilgore in 1966 and attended KISD schools. In high school Bittick was a member of many organizations and active in athletics, including baseball and the 1980 championship football team. Bittick went on to Stephen F. Austin State University.

After graduating college Bittick returned to Kilgore and started his career in insurance and now owns Brian Bittick Farmers Insurance Agency downtown.

Bittick has been active in Kilgore Lions Club for more than 20 years and is a past president of the club. He was a charter member of the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Organization as well as a charter member of Leadership Kilgore and on the Kilgore Junior Achievement Board.

He is a deacon at First Baptist Church and participates in the sanctuary choir and praise team.

Bittick enjoys coaching little league baseball and basketball. He also enjoys officiating high school football, which he has done for more than 10 years.

In his spare time Bittick enjoys hunting, golfing and spending time with his wife Ellen Adams Bittick, a local real estate agent; daughter Tayler, a junior at Baylor University; and son Kade a sophomore at Kilgore High School.

Other executive board changes as a result of the move are: Patty Ford, chair-elect; Mike Wilcox, vice chairman; Roger Nunnally, treasurer; Kenneth Plunk, past chair; and Mike Coston, president.

Ex-officio Board members are: Dr. Bill Holda,Kilgore College president; Bill Adamson, Kilgore Economic Development Corporation president; Alvin Khoury, Gregg County 124th district court judge; and Jody Clements, Kilgore Independent School District superintendent and Jeff Howell, city manger.

Committee chairs are: Sports, Bryan Johnston; Past Presidents, Kenneth Plunk; Civic Affairs, Diana Ponder; Highways and Transportation, Randy Brogoitti and Jack Ward; Legislative Affairs, Dr. Charles Whiteside and Mike Wilcox; Retail Business, Allan Bussey and Jimi Mankins; Education, Patty Ford; Industrial Relations, Bill Mishkind; Ambassadors, Carolyn Woods; Publicity, Gregg Collins; and Leadership Kilgore, Roger Nunnally and Patty Ford.

Directors include Brenda Joiner, Andrew Cawthon, Darla Rutland, Kent Bryson, Allan Bussey, Bob Ellzey, Bill Woodall, Bill Mishkind, Dr. Charles Whiteside, Mike Wilcox, Roger Nunnally and Jimi Mankins.