Deokie Ramlochan-Ramjohn, Board Chair and Director of Corporate Services at AlgEternal Technologies LLC.
Ms. Deokie Ramlochan-Ramjohn, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, serves as the Corporate Services Manager of AlgEternal Technologies, LLC (AET), a company focused on the sustainable application of microalgae as an alternative to fossil hydrocarbons. Deokie holds an MBA in Marketing from University of Bedfordshire; B.A. in Business Management, from Herriot-Watt University, and a Professional Certificate in Events Management from the George Washington University School of Business. Deokie has over 18 years’ experience in providing Corporate Services Support and Management in increasingly senior roles both in the private and public sector.
Deokie provides critical Corporate Services Management support to AlgEternal, reviewing, amending, and creating where necessary, the internal policies, procedures, and controls to ensure that the Company meets and exceeds internal and statutory reporting requirements. She manages a team that supports marketing, procurement, logistics, accounting, and bookkeeping services for AlgEternal, to ensure that the Company maintains good Corporate Governance Standards. She is methodical, comprehensive, and anticipates the needs of the organization ensuring that operations run smoothly and without interruption. A logistics and planning expert, Deokie manages all Corporate events, planning and executing from the sophisticated and elegant to the informal and impromptu, within budget and on schedule. Deokie is also the Brand Ambassador for the AlgAllure® skin care, produced by AlgEternal and is a member of the Noon Lions Club and Rotary Club of La Grange, Texas.
Deokie is a board member with Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area representing Fayette County and La Grange Noon Lions Club. In her spare time, Deokie enjoys spending time with family, cooking, traveling, shopping, volunteering, and exercising.
Roxanne Cotter, Vice-Chair and Founder/CEO of Empowerment Team Medical Billing.
Roxanne is married to Damon Cotter. They own a small business and use their 30 years of combined experience in the healthcare billing and office management field to offer revenue cycle management services to providers in various care settings. Moved from San Antonio December 2021 to be close to a client in the Schulenburg area.
They have six grown children and six grandchildren in their blended family. Family and faith are at the forefront of everything we do, and they believe strongly in community service. Their goal is to contribute to the community they live in, and make a positive impact on their families and the communities they serve.
Michelle Gulash, Secretary and Owner of Dress for Success Uniforms https://www.shophellouniforms.com/
Michelle Gulash was born and raised in Victoria, TX. She met her husband, Bob Gulash, while attending Texas Lutheran University. After living in the Mid-West for 7 years Michelle and her family relocated to Fayette county in 2014.
After working for 10 plus years as a healthcare professional, she decided to take a leap of faith into the world of entrepreneurship. In 2017, she saw a need within the community and opened Dress for Success Uniforms. DFS Uniforms provides essential uniforms for healthcare workers, first responders, and private school uniforms.
She is also an active member of the following community organizations: the La Grange Rotary, Catholic Daughters of America , and the Texas Women’s League. When Michelle isn’t busy managing her business she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and 3 children, Leah, Waylon, and Madeline.
Ellie Thomas, Treasurer and Head Teller/Social Media Manager at Fayette Savings Bank in La Grange.
Ellie graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Family & Consumer Science. Before Ellie began her career in the banking industry, she was the Executive Team Lead of Sales Floor and Guest Experience at Target. Ellie is a motivated young adult with excellent communication, organization, motivational skills. Ellie is enthusiastic about supporting customer-facing organizations, where she can use her interpersonal skills to achieve the best quality of service.
Tony Brock, owner of The Ups Store in La Grange. Tony uses his 35+ years of experience in leading retail business sales, marketing and development to deliver solutions to small businesses throughout Fayette County. Tony believes that supporting your customers with quality products and exceptional, friendly service are the keys to successful retail business.
As a young man in his early twenties, Tony began his professional career with JC Penny’s in New Mexico. Tony found his passion for the western boot business while working for JC Penny’s. This led him to successful careers at ACME Boot Company, Dan Post Boots, and Cooper’s Western Warehouse. While at Cooper’s Western Warehouse, Tony began his corporate leadership career. First as a Senior Buyer of Boots, Belts and Hats, to General Merchandise Manager and then Chief Merchandising Officer. This career led him back to the great state of Texas where he was the Chief Merchandising Officer for BTWW (Boot Town Western Warehouse) who at the time was the largest Western Clothing Chain in the U.S., with over 150 locations. In 2008, Tony choose to leave the retail world and move to the wholesale side of the business by joining 3D Belt Company in Schulenburg, Texas as their VP of Sales and Marketing. By a twist of fate, Tony and 3D parted ways in 2017 and Tony moved to Fayette County.
Tony decided to take on his dream of owing his own business. Seeing the need to support small business small businesses and the growing shipping business, Tony opened The UPS Store in La Grange in June 2018 and plans to expand his business in surrounding communities.
Kala Gunn, Insurance Agent with Fayette County Farm Bureau
Kala has spent the past 10 years living and working in the great community of La Grange, Texas. As a graduate from Texas A&M University with a Degree in Ag Business, Leadership & Development, she has an extensive background and passion for team leadership. She is an entrepreneur with a passion for growing and developing businesses! Kala currently lives in La Grange with her husband (Sam) & 2 Children (Beckett- 4 & Everly-2). Kala also started an exciting new career in April of 2022, at Texas Farm Bureau as a licensed Agent specializing in Farm, Home, Auto & Life Insurance. She looks forward to joining the Chamber, becoming a part of the new team and lending a helping hand to this great community!
Thomas (Tom) Shaughnessy is one of our newer team members joining February 1st as the full time Chamber Operations Director. Tom comes to us with over 30 years successful experience with business to business sales and marketing in the technology sector. Most recently Tom managed membership and social media accounts for local non-profit organizations. He also owns a part time weekend honey bee business. Tom lives in New Ulm, Texas and is active in many community and church organizations. Prior to joining the Chamber Tom served as Vice President of the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce, serves on the committee of annual The New Ulm Honey Bee Jubilee and is active as a member in the Sealy and Bellville Chambers of Commerce in Austin County. Tom is past President and Vice President of The Friends of Stephen F. Austin State Park in San Felipe, TX. He is passionate about Texas’s great outdoors and is a Texas Certified Master Naturalist and Certified Interpretive Guide. Tom and his wife Brenda enjoy spending time hiking and exploring the trails on their 11 acre “habitat”. Tom invites you to call or stop by the Chamber office and talk about how we can work together in making your business grow and succeed.