Three Hall of Honor Awardees for 2023 were recognized at the recent December Chamber Board meeting. The Hall of Honor Award was created to honor those individuals who have participated in civic activities over many years and offers a lasting significance as it provides recognition for voluntary efforts benefiting the community through a permanent exhibit of the recipient’s photograph in Honors Hall, located at 390 S. Seguin Ave.
Barron Casteel has given back to our community by volunteering with many organizations including the YMCA of New Braunfels, Connections Individual & Family Services, NBISD Education Foundation, the Sophienburg Museum, the Wurstfest Association, and the New Braunfels Rotary Club, serving as president in 2013-2014. He is a graduate of the Leadership New Braunfels class of 2000. In 2014, he successfully ran for Mayor of New Braunfels and served in that role until May of 2020 with goals of engaging citizens, facilitating council members goals, and promoting investments in infrastructure within our growing community. He has been greatly involved in the Chamber of Commerce and will serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the year 2024.
Luke Speckman is a 4th generation Texan whose great-grandfather immigrated to Texas from Oldenburg, Germany in 1867. He and his wife, Lee Ellen, moved from Waco to New Braunfels in 1982 and raised three proud Unicorns. He became involved in the New Braunfels community from the get-go, joining as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and serving on the Convention Visitors Bureau Advisory Committee. While living in New Braunfels, he has not only been a successful real estate broker for over 30 years, but has served in leadership roles on many boards, commissions, and committees as well, including as President of the Board of Realtors, Planning and Zoning Commission, and the New Braunfels Conservation Society. You served on the Mainstreet Board for many years as Promotion Chairman, co-founded New Braunfels Mainstreet Partners to assist the City’s Mainstreet Department in revitalizing downtown through the establishment and operation of Wein & Sangerfest and Wassailfest, and in 2004 he was presented with the Key to the City for his “exceptional community service” by Mayor Adam Cork
Eric Couch attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, where he met his beloved wife Renee, and started working for the local radio station KGNB/KNBT. Upon graduating, he moved to San Antonio to work for Metro Media in 1989, but in 1992 Couch began his career in Mortgage Banking and moved to New Braunfels. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of Mortgage Lending for First Commercial Bank. Not only has he been committed to New Braunfels professionally, but he has been committed to giving back and serving this community, as well. He has been involved in many organizations and has served in roles such as Wurstfest Association President, Downtown Rotary President and Assistant Governor, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children Bulverde Board Chairman, Comal Appraisal District Board Chairman and Secretary, YMCA New Braunfels Board Chairman, and he is currently serving as President of the 100 Club of Comal County. He is a Chamber Blue Coat and an Alumni of Leadership New Braunfels Class of 2003. He is a member of several state and national associations, where he has been recognized for his professional achievements.
Please join us in honoring the above awardees with further recognition at the 105th Annual Banquet, which will take place at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center on January 26th, 2024.