The Bank Note - September 2020
Connecting with Shareholders of Alliance Bank Central Texas
September 2020
Message from Todd Moore
A lot of great things continue to happen in Waco! See articles about Waco's strong housing market and first food truck park, a new mixed-use development that is underway, and an old downtown building that is now a sparkling new apartment complex, The Madison.
Your checking account has a lot of powerful tools. Are you using all of them? See how these "gems" can make your life easier.
Learn what Gary Vaynerchuk says are the key components to achieving business success, and how to find happiness in the "gap."
Jeff McKee is a senior business development executive at Microsoft and has been working from home since the spring. In our AskAlliance podcast, he gives personal insight into the work from home model. The episode also discusses how to not become a commodity to your employer or your customers. Sign up for our podcast on Spotify, and hit us up at AskAlliance@alliancebanktexas.com.
Todd Moore
President & CEO
Cell Phone: 254.722.2300
Business Spotlight
Shane Turner, Principal and Broker
Turner Behringer Holdings
With the rehabilitation and development of residential, retail, office and mixed-use spaces, a lot has changed in downtown Waco over the past decade. The old is now reimagined and inspired, transforming the way we work, live and play. For Shane Turner, principal and broker, Turner Behringer Holdings, a vision for a more vibrant downtown atmosphere has come to life, allowing Wacoans and tourists alike to experience our city in a whole new way.
What led you to real estate and real estate development?
I grew up in Groesbeck, Texas, where my father was a general contractor, so my brother, Cody, and I grew up around construction and in the real estate business. I moved to Waco in 1996 to attend Baylor University and headed to Dallas after graduating. When Cody started a residential construction company in Waco in 2006, I decided to get my real estate license, return to Waco and help him sell houses. It all grew from there. We saw some opportunities for some neat developments in downtown Waco and decided that we wanted to make a run at development. I don’t think that we ever imagined we would end up doing as much as we have done in downtown. It's been an amazing experience to watch our downtown transform into what it is today.
When did Turner Behringer Holdings begin? Multiple Waco real estate, property management, construction and development firms merged under the umbrella of the newly formed Turner Behringer Holdings, in February 2019. The merger brings together experienced real estate companies that specialize in identifying, acquiring, and developing commercial and residential projects in Central Texas. Turner Behringer Holdings is the parent company. Its holdings include Turner Behringer Real Estate, Turner Behringer Property Management and Turner Behringer Development. These entities absorbed Lucra Real Estate, Kunkel Construction and KCFI.
What keeps you energized about your work?
The real estate industry is everchanging and I really like that. In order to be successful at this game, you need to understand what’s happening globally. That's what sets Turner Behringer apart from any other real estate firm in Waco, we are a full service Real Estate firm. We offer services in residential real estate, commercial real estate, commercial/retail development, industrial development, single family home development, historic restoration, adaptive reuse, construction management, commercial property management, multi-family property management, and single family property management. This experience gives us an edge because we are able to handle everything in house.
While you’ve been a part of many development projects throughout Waco and Texas, a number of your projects have helped transform downtown Waco. What started you down a path of historic projects in Waco?
We wanted to see our city develop, and we knew that in order for that to happen, the heart of our city would need to come back to life. Downtown was such an amazing place at one time, looking at all of the historic photos and hearing stories from some of the locals served as motivation for us to get downtown back to what it once was. We have made a lot of progress, but there are still plenty of opportunities out there to be done.
From the restoration of the Hippodrome and other historic buildings, to the addition of new construction, what are some of the key downtown projects you’ve worked on? If you had to name a favorite, what would it be?
The Hippodrome was definitely one of the most recognizable projects that we have done in Waco, and that is one that we are most proud to have completed. Some other notable projects we completed were The Altura Lofts, Franklin Square, Union Hall, Tinsley Place Apartments, UParks Village, West Bay, The Kress Lofts, Woolworth Suites, Tinsley Square, The Madison, The First Federal Bank Building... I could go on for a while! I have enjoyed parts of all of our projects, so I don't really have a favorite. I think the most satisfying part of redeveloping a historic property is when you can figure out a way to bring a building back to life with a use that will keep it active for decades to come.
You recently completed The Madison Apartments on Austin Avenue. Tell us about your vision for the 1920s building?
We hope that the newly renovated New York-style apartments become the premier place to live in downtown Waco. The combination of an amazing location and affordability make The Madison a great place to be in an area that is constantly growing.
Managing Stress During a Crisis
In last month's episode, Dr. Michael Godfrey shared qualities of resilience that can help you navigate difficulties. In the sixth and final episode of our Managing Stress During a Crisis series, hear about practices that will help you strengthen resilience.
Report: Waco's Housing Market
August was a busy month in Waco for housing with a 14.1% increase in total homes sales, according to AG Real Estate's Waco MLS 2020 August Report. And total sales was not the only thing that was up.
Noteworthy
Congratulations Route 77 Food Park on your recent opening! Waco's first food truck park, Route 77, features six local food trucks, climate controlled and open air seating and yard games. And coming soon! A craft beer bar inside the park that will offer local pours on tap. Head down to 1425 La Salle Avenue for a unique dining experience, fun for all ages!
Developers Jimmy Banks and Lisa Monroe, both of Triliji Group, have broken ground on a new project! The Heights, located at Loop 340 near Robinson Road, will be a mixed-use development and home to a 40-bed rehab center. The developers, who are also the visionaries behind Legends Crossing, The Colonnade and The Ridge Office Park, hope to attract restaurants and a hotel to the site. Click here to read a full Waco Tribune-Herald article.
Hidden Gems
Did you know your checking account at Alliance Bank Central Texas has features and functions that you may not be using? Click HERE to learn about some “hidden gems” that are included with your existing checking account.
AskAlliance
Working from Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The current pandemic has forced companies to change both how and where they do business. Jeff McKee, senior business development executive at Microsoft Corporation talks about how they are supporting the work from home model. And, Dr. Michael Godfrey, founder and president of Discover Your True Course Life and Leadership Development, emphasizes the importance of maintaining work-life balance, especially when working from home can often blur those lines.
Listen to the PODCAST.
Gary Vaynerchuk
Watch here to see what Gary Vaynerchuk says about self awareness, patience and treating customers and employees better than the way we treat oursleves.
Employee Birthday Celebrations
September Celebrations
Lizette Cardenas (9/8)
Scott Rogers (9/9)
Glenice Ashley (9/11)
Riley Conn (9/13)
Alfredo Lopez-Ramirez (9/26)
Ken Turner (9/29)
October Celebrations
Trent Turner (10/15)
Amy Dellinger (10/21)
Karla Cuevas (10/27)
About Alliance Bank Central Texas
Alliance Bank Central Texas is a community bank founded by a local board of directors, owned by a diverse group of over 200 shareholders, and operated by seasoned bankers, most of whom have spent their entire careers in Waco. In less than ten years it has seen assets grow from $35 million to over $350 million. The bank is focused on helping entrepreneurs, professionals and residents, and understands the condition of the local market. It feels real value is created through people connecting personally with their bankers, versus simply having transactions with a bank. Alliance Bank Central Texas provides a full range of financial services including business, personal and mortgage loans. It also provides a variety of deposit products and services including commercial, personal and certificates of deposits along with electronic banking, mobile deposit and cash management services.