By Lee Roberts
TIAA Executive Director
Five members of the Texas Independent Automotive Association competed today in the 2nd Annual Boots ‘N Shoot event, which raises money for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s education fund.
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| TIAA Boots 'N Shoot team poses during the event Aug. 21, 2009 at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio. Photos by Lee Roberts |
Gary Pundt, TIAA state president and owner of Alamo Heights Garage; Luke Harms, owner of Sanford Automotive and D&S Garage; David Sladek, owner of Kayser’s Automotive, David Bippert, owner of Lone Star Radiator; and Steve Beltran, Jasper Engines & Transmissions; competed in the sporting clay event at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio.
“Everything is about raising money for those kids,” said Beltran, who organized the team. “Those kids rely on the scholarships to continue their education year in and year out. It’s a great opportunity for the automotive industry to get out and build camaraderie with each other as well,” he added.
The TIAA team scored a composite score of 271 out of 500 and did not place. But the team did have fun and they said they enjoyed a day of networking with other area business owners and event sponsors.
“It was fun to shoot,” Bippert said. “And all the funds go to the scholarship fund, which is a very worthy cause. You can tell people like supporting youth because of the huge turnout.”
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| David Bippert fires at a sporting clay. |
During the event, TIAA also garnered publicity as Silver Clay sponsors.
“It was a great way to get our name out there and to support such a great cause,” Pundt said. “As a team we just had a great time and gave it our best shot.”
TIAA also had members that competed with the NAPA Auto Parts team and Seymour’s Garage fielded two teams. The NAPA team placed 3rd in their group with a composite score of 338. The Seymour’s Garage team No. 1 won the event championship with a composite score of 447.
Mark Colaw, a TIAA member, owner of Seymour’s Garage, and shooter with the championship team; is the assistant vice president of the Boots ‘N Shoot Committee and helped coordinate the event that raises millions for the rodeo and to assist 4-H and FFA students. So it’s no accident TIAA and the San Antonio Rodeo & Junior Livestock Auction make great partners when it comes to supporting the youth of Texas and their educational endeavors.
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| David Sladek shoots during the Boots 'N Shoot event. |
TIAA will again participate as a buyer to support youth scholarships during the livestock auction Feb. 4-21, 2010. Anyone interested in donating to this event that allows TIAA member businesses to give back to communities statewide should contact Bippert at 210-381-8617.
And the TIAA team plans to compete again next year and will encourage more TIAA members to form teams. “I had a blast. It was a lot of fun and I can’t wait to do it again next year,” Harms said.