Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse of Central Texas

The Caller.com
February 16, 2010

CORPUS CHRISTI — Business astuteness, risk-taking initiative, vision and innovation, inspiring leadership and civic responsibility are synonymous with Corpus Christi Business Hall of Fame laureates. This year, Junior Achievement recognizes five individuals, including two couples, who exemplify these qualities.

Chris and Robert Adler, Julie Buckley and the late John Buckley, and Fred Heldenfels IV will be inducted into the hall of fame on May 18 at the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center.

“These laureates embody the spirit of the American free enterprise system,” said Jayne Woodall, executive director of the Coastal Bend’s Junior Achievement. “In honoring the 2010 Laureates, Junior Achievement hopes to inspire others, especially young people, to pursue excellence for a better tomorrow.”

n Chris and Robert Adler, Atlas Iron & Metal Co.

In 1962, Robert started Atlas Iron and Metal, which he led for 45 years. He has controlling interests in the Laredo Scrap Materials and Texas Paper Stock Inc., a wastepaper recycling company and paper mill supplier. His community service on local boards includes the Lexington Museum on the Bay, USO of South Texas, Mustangs of South Texas and Boy Scouts of America.

Chris began a career in education and then worked with Robert to manage and grow the family businesses. Her civic contributions include serving on the Corpus Christi City Council representing District 4, Del Mar Board of Regents and the Corpus Christi Independent School District Board of Trustees. She also is a Rotarian, a graduate of Leadership Corpus Christi and Leadership Texas. She serves on boards for the Art Museum of South Texas, Driscoll Children’s Hospital Foundation and Congregation Beth Israel. She also is a member of Clowns Who Care.

n Julie and John Buckley, Buckley & Associates

Julie and John, who died of cancer in 2008, were partners of the 20-year-old accounting firm Buckley & Associates. Buckley & Associates was founded in 1991 and has grown each year. The Buckleys have given their time to the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Foundation, the Driscoll Children’s Hospital Foundation, the South Texas Institute for the Arts, the American Diabetes Association Coastal Bend Council, Tor Minerals International Inc., Regional Transportation Authority, Buccaneer Commission and the American Bank Advisory Board.

n Fred Heldenfels IV, Heldenfels Enterprises Inc.

Heldenfels is president and CEO of Heldenfels Enterprises, a manufacturer of precast/prestressed concrete structures for the highway, industrial, commercial and sports construction markets. He has served since 2006 as vice chairman of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the board’s Committee on Strategic Planning and Policy and Governor’s Executive Order on Cost Efficiencies in Higher Education’s advisory committee. Heldenfels also served on the San Marcos Economic Development Board, Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse of Central Texas, the Texas A&M Twelfth Man Foundation, the Texas Good Roads/Transportation Association, the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Foundation and the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce.