Tyler Economic Development Council

TEDC Investor Spotlight:
Brad Curtis, Tyler Building Systems, LP

Chances are, you’ve seen the work of Tyler Building Systems — you just may not have known it was theirs.

From Tyler High School’s indoor practice facility to the DSS CAT Warehouse, Tyler Building Systems has their fingerprint on many locations throughout our community.

And they have been doing it for more than 50 years.

The company was founded by W.E. Curtis in 1968. A few years later, R.C. “Bobby” Curtis became president, and the company officially became Tyler Building Systems. Brad Curtis, third generation, joined the family business in 1991 and today serves as president.

“We manufacture metal building systems, and we do the engineering, the detailing and the manufacturing here in Tyler,” Curtis said.

Over the years, Tyler Building Systems has grown from a company originally
created to serve businesses in the East Texas oil fields into a regional supplier serving primarily Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

And while their reach extends across four states, the work still happens here.

The company employs around 70 people in Tyler, with local employees handling everything from engineering and detailing to manufacturing the components that eventually become commercial buildings, warehouses, schools and other facilities.

There are buildings around Tyler that most of us have probably driven past
countless times without realizing a local manufacturer played a role in putting them there.

All Saints Episcopal School, F45 and other recognizable projects all have a
connection to Tyler Building Systems. Their work has also reached major
companies and projects outside our community.

Tyler Building Systems has also been an investor in the Tyler Economic Development Council since the 1980s, and for Brad, that support comes back to a pretty simple idea: when Tyler grows, local businesses benefit.

Brad’s father was involved with the group that helped bring longtime TEDC leader Tom Mullins to Tyler in the 1980s, and Tyler Building Systems has been an investor ever since.

“I think it’s really important to the community to have a focused effort to guide growth, as opposed to just whatever may happen or not happen in a community,” Curtis said.

For Brad, it’s not just about growth. It’s about being intentional about the kind of growth that comes to Tyler and Smith County.

“I think TEDC shapes an important part of making sure that Tyler and Smith County has a continued growth, but also the growth that we want,” Curtis said.

He credits TEDC President and CEO Scott Martinez with helping focus those recruitment efforts.

“I think Scott’s done a really good job of channeling that focus of who do we
want, who do we want to go after to try to recruit them for Tyler.”

One example Brad points to is YellaWood. Before that project, TEDC faced a significant challenge: it didn’t have enough development-ready property to offer companies looking at Tyler.

“Scott is the one who kind of came in and said, ‘Hey, we have got to get some land and some buildable land to market to these companies. You have to have it ready to go.’”

YellaWood became the first company to commit to the property. Soon after came another name almost everyone recognizes: Amazon. Brad said Amazon’s decision to locate in Tyler did more than bring another company to the community. It also demonstrated to other prospective businesses that Tyler could successfully handle major projects.

Some of those economic wins are also much bigger than many people realize.

“The YellaWood treatment facility for wood is the largest of its kind in the world,” he said.

He also points to Wayne-Sanderson Farms as another example of a successful economic development partnership in Smith County.

“They employed more people and spent more money than they were required to do, too,” Curtis said. “So, they’ve been a great partner.”

After more than five decades in Tyler, Tyler Building Systems has seen firsthand what growth can mean for local businesses. And after generations of investing in this community, the company continues to support TEDC and its efforts to make sure Tyler and Smith County are not just growing — but growing with purpose.

Tyler Pipe and Coupling has been a pillar of our manufacturing community for decades. There are currently 540 Tyler Pipe employees, including about 480 who work at the Tyler facility. The company reports an annual payroll of $45.2 million and an estimated economic impact of $310.9 million.

One of the nation’s last domestic cast iron pipe manufacturers continues evolving in Tyler - Tyler Morning Telegraph Molten iron and blue-collar grit have long gone hand in hand. For more than 90 years, Tyler Pipe has relied on both, producing cast iron pipe in Tyler while outlasting foundries across the country. Today, it is one of only two domestic producers of cast iron drain, waste and vent pipe and fittings s...

Thank you Texas State Representative Daniel Alders, Texas State Representative Cole Hefner, Texas State Senator Bryan Hughes and Congressman Nathaniel Moran for your assistance with this important effort. Your support helped make the case for including the census tract containing the Tyler Economic Development Council’s Prosperity Park in Governor Abbott’s Opportunity Zone 2.0 nominations. We appreciate your continued partnership in creating new opportunities for Tyler and Smith County.

Congratulations to Mary Alice Guidry, Sr. Vice President of Tyler EDC, on completing Dale Carnegie’s High Impact Presentations course!

Thank you to Brian Brandt and Core Insights for partnering with the Tyler EDC and investing in the continued professional development of our team.

Tyler’s employment base is growing about 75% faster than Texas overall.

Tyler job growth accelerates to 2.1% — and is now outpacing Texas

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics has posted preliminary July 2026 metro payroll data showing the Tyler MSA at 122,800 nonfarm jobs, up 2.1% from July 2025. That works out to roughly 2,500 additional jobs over 12 months. Manufacturing employment is up 1.3%, while trade, transportation and utilities is up 1.2%.

Texas, by comparison, posted 1.2% year-over-year nonfarm job growth in July.

Tyler’s economic development story has deep roots in agriculture.

In 1906, the Tyler Commercial Club — today’s Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce — helped establish the first county agricultural agent in Texas and the first in the nation dedicated to a single county. It was an early example of Tyler’s business community working together to strengthen an industry, create opportunity, and build the regional economy.

More than 120 years later, agriculture and agribusiness remain important parts of the East Texas economy — from producers and processors to equipment, logistics, distribution and the many businesses that support them.

The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce continues that legacy with the inaugural State of Agriculture in partnership with the East Texas State Fair and presented by Texas Farm Credit- a strong supporter of both the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and Tyler Economic Development Council.

In 1906, The Tyler Commercial Club (later to be renamed the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce), with the help of the US Department of Agriculture, established the very first county agricultural agent in Texas, and the first in the nation to serve a single county. The Chamber has a proud history of supporting the ag community of East Texas, and we're honored to host the inaugural State of Agriculture on Wednesday, September 30 in partnership with the East Texas State Fair. Thank you to our friends at Texas Farm Credit, Cavender's, City of Tyler, Delek US, and East Texas Seed Company for supporting this endeavour. Tickets are available at ag.eventbrite.com

Congratulations to Jerry LeClair on being named CEO of Brookshire Grocery Company.

Brookshire Grocery Company has been part of Tyler’s story for nearly a century, growing from a single downtown grocery store into now employing over 2,700 people in Smith County and operating over 200 stores in four states.

From Brookshire Grocery Company:

Brookshire Grocery Company is pleased to announce the promotion of Jerry LeClair as Chief Executive Officer.

Jerry has served as Interim CEO since February and brings more than 40 years of grocery industry experience to the role. Since joining BGC in 2019 as Executive Vice President - Chief Merchant Officer, he has played a key role in leading our operations, strengthening our business and advancing our commitment to serving customers and communities.

What makes Jerry's story especially meaningful is that his career began in the grocery industry as a courtesy clerk, and through hard work, strong leadership and a passion for serving others, he rose through the ranks to become CEO.

Jerry leads with integrity, humility and a genuine commitment to people. He has earned the trust and respect of our leadership team, employee-partners and vendors.

"I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as CEO of Brookshire Grocery Company," Jerry said. "BGC has an incredible legacy built by generations of leaders and employee-partners, and I look forward to working alongside our talented team as we continue serving our customers, supporting our communities and building a strong future together."

Brookshire Grocery Names New CEO – Officially Jerry LeClair has held the role on an interim basis since February

Great luncheon today at the UT Tyler Soules College of Business, featuring the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and an update on the state of the Texas and Tyler economies.

Great insight into the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping our economic future.

TEDC Investor Spotlight:
Ji Choi, Cascades Country Club

Many of Tyler’s longtime residents are familiar with the beautiful Cascades Country Club, but sitting down with Director of Operations Ji Choi gives additional insight into the vision behind the club, the family committed to its future, and their commitment to Tyler.

Ji and her family’s company, M&P Group, acquired The Cascades in October 2021, but their connection to the club goes beyond a business investment. They were drawn to its history, its longtime members and the opportunity to become part of the Tyler community.

M&P Group’s investment in golf extends beyond Tyler. In addition to The Cascades Country Club, the group owns two clubs in the North Texas area, including Coyote Ridge Golf Club in Carrollton.

That experience in creating and operating golf destinations is part of what M&P Group brings to The Cascades, while still recognizing the history and character that make the Tyler club unique.

For Ji, becoming involved with TEDC was one of the first ways she began finding her place in a new community.

“We were pretty new to the Tyler area, so we thought this was the best first step,” Ji said.

Through TEDC, they learned more about what was happening throughout Tyler and, perhaps even more importantly, began building relationships with other local business owners. Those relationships reflect something Ji has come to appreciate about Tyler during her three years living here.

Having spent her life in Dallas before moving to East Texas, she was surprised by just how connected the community feels.

“It truly is different in the sense that everyone here is very welcoming, and it’s all about the community,” she said. “You go to the grocery store, and you’re going to know at least one person.”

She has also been impressed by Tyler’s commitment to supporting local businesses and charitable organizations.

“I’ve never seen a community so big on giving back,” Ji said.

That same sense of community is what Ji and her family hope people find at The Cascades. The property has a history stretching back to 1959, when it was known as Briarwood Country Club. Some families have been connected to the club for decades. Ji’s family understood that history when they purchased the property, and they have worked to invest in it while
maintaining the sense of community that makes it special.

Since acquiring The Cascades, ownership has invested more than $4 million in reconstruction of the facility following damage from the February 2021 winter storm. They continue to reinvest in the property, from improvements on the golf course to the current roof project, which is being completed by local contractor Yosemite Roofing.

But Ji is quick to point out that The Cascades is about much more than golf. Along with the 18-hole course, members enjoy dining, a luxury swimming pool, tennis, pickleball, fitness facilities, golf instruction and regular social events designed for everyone from young families to couples and longtime members.

For someone who spends so much of her time at the club, Ji also enjoys seeing what the rest of Tyler has to offer. A self-described “foodie,” she likes trying new restaurants around town, most recently Tia Juanita’s, as well as taking classes at Club Pilates. Ji is also watching Tyler’s growth with excitement. The Cascades has seen an influx of new
members, including families relocating from Dallas and California, while new development continues to move toward the west side of Tyler.

And there may be more ahead for The Cascades itself. Ji said the family is looking at ways to expand and improve its event space, and they have even discussed the possibility of boutique-style lodging on the property as part of their long-term plans. Those ideas are still in the planning stages, but they offer a glimpse into how the family is thinking about the club’s future.

For Ji, though, the vision comes back to something simple: making The Cascades a place where people feel at home.

She said one of the best compliments they receive is that the community feels “warm and welcoming.” That is exactly the reputation she hopes to continue building—a place that feels like a second home for the people who spend time there.

As Tyler continues to grow, Ji and her family are here and ready to grow with it. Through TEDC, they’ve had a front-row seat to the work happening across Tyler to support local businesses, attract new investment and continue growing the “paycheck” businesses that strengthen our local economy. For Ji, it’s another reminder that investing in Tyler means being part of a community that is always looking toward what’s next.