Junior Achievement Celebrates Tom Mullins as Laureate of the Year

TYLER — The Junior Achievement(JA) Board of Directors will host the 2015 Business Hall of Fame Laureate Celebration this evening at 6:00 at the Tyler Rose Garden Center. Tom Mullins, this year’s honoree, has served as the president and CEO of the Tyler Economic Development Council(TEDC) since June 1989 and as the president and CEO of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce since March 1992. “We could not be more pleased or excited about this year’s nominee for the 2015 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame award,” said Chad Cargile, JA board chair and Regions Bank president.

Under Mullins’ leadership, the TEDC became Texas’ first accredited economic development organization. It is one of only 42 in the United States and Canada with that distinction. In addition, the TEDC was awarded the Texas Outstanding Community Economic Development Award in 1997 and 2001 and the Regional Economic Development Award in 1999. “The event will celebrate Mullins for being a role model for all aspiring business leaders and entrepreneurs,” Cargile said. “During his 30 years as a certified economic developer,

Mullins has assisted hundreds of companies with startup or expansion plans, including John Soules Foods, Mentoring Minds, Hebb Industries, Distant Lands, the Target Distribution Center, Sealtite, SPEA America, Motor Trike, and Genesis. “We look forward to an evening that celebrates Tom’s great work in Tyler,” Cargile added. John Soules Foods is the presenting sponsor at this year’s event. The general public can purchase tickets by contacting the Junior Achievement office at 903-581-7482.

Junior Achievement inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy, according to information from the organization. JA officials say JA programs provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Junior Achievement will teach these principles to more than 3,500 Tyler-area K-12th grade students in 172 classrooms this year, according to JA officials. Volunteers use age-appropriate and interactive programs and activities, according to a news release announcing the Thursday event. Officials say Junior Achievement in Tyler has impacted more than 90,000 area students Since 1988.