Cover Story

"As early on as I can remember, my vocal coaches told us to see or be or do something different when you get in front of the camera. Now, I'm trying to unlearn that. You're supposed to just be yourself.

East Texas is blessed with an abundance that appeals. There are beautiful landscapes of rolling hills and tall pines, lakes and rivers, building and industry and development as far as the eyes can see. But our greatest resource, without any doubt, is the wonderful people.

In many ways, East Texas is exceptional.

She came to Tyler as a young, ambitious blonde, with focused green eyes and a direct stage presence. On camera, she was the consummate reporter turned news anchor. Experience as a producer and field reporter gave Jennifer Kielman an air of casual authority during KETK’s evening news.

East Texas has a little secret. Well, it used to be a secret, anyway. These days there are far too many people in-the-know to carry that title any more. Pretty much everyone is in on it – even if they aren’t sure quite what “it” is.

It doesn’t take much to notice all the new businesses cropping up in the East Texas area. But why? Tom Mullins, President and CEO of the Tyler Economic Development Council, and other east texas experts explain that the recent growth is not a coincidence and why we are on the grow.