Tyler Economic Development Council

TEDC’s Tara Ellis Takes the Stage at the Governor’s Small Business Summit

Today, TEDC’s Tara Ellis moderated the panel discussion “Adapt. Hire. Grow: Workforce Resiliency for an Evolving Economy” at the Governor’s Small Business Summit held at the W. T. Brookshire Conference Center.

The conversation focused on one of the most important challenges facing businesses today: building and maintaining a resilient workforce in a rapidly evolving economy. Panelists shared insights on talent attraction, employee retention, workforce training, and strategies for helping businesses adapt to changing market conditions.

As employers across Texas continue to navigate workforce challenges, events like the Governor’s Small Business Summit provide valuable opportunities to connect, learn, and share best practices that support long-term business success.

We’re proud of Tara’s leadership in workforce development and her continued efforts to strengthen the connections between employers, educators, and workforce partners throughout our region.

TEDC Investor Spotlight
A. E. Shull & Company
Building Tyler from the Ground Up

For more than five decades, Gene Shull and his family have helped shape the infrastructure beneath Tyler’s growth — often quite literally.

From roads and water lines to subdivisions and major development projects, the Shull family business, known formally as A.E. Shull and Co, has quietly played a role in many of the places East Texans now call home. Their work may not always be visible once the concrete is poured and the homes are built, but the impact is everywhere.

“This month marks 53 years since we started,” Gene Shull said. “We moved permanently to Tyler in January 1974, and we’ve been here ever since.”
What began as a construction business built on hard work and relationships has evolved into a true family operation. Gene’s daughter, Jennifer, joined the company in 2002, while his son, Collin, came aboard in 2005. Together, the family has continued growing the business while maintaining the close-knit culture Gene established decades ago.

“We’ve grown a lot, but we still know our employees and their families,” the family shared during a recent conversation. “That’s important to us.”

Over the years, the company has completed infrastructure work for many of Tyler’s residential developments, helping prepare land for new neighborhoods by installing underground utilities, roads, and drainage systems.

“We go in and do all the infrastructure and underground utilities and roadway work,” Collin explained. “We get it all ready for builders to start building homes.”

Among the subdivisions and projects tied to the company’s work are Oak Creek, Hollytree, developments near FRESH by Brookshire’s, and multiple city and county infrastructure improvements across the region. They’ve also contributed to major utility and roadway projects, including work connected to the City of Tyler’s sewer improvements and development near the rapidly growing Interstate 20 corridor.

One of their most exciting recent projects was the development of County Road 3344, constructed for the Tyler Interstate Commerce Park, and the newest county road constructed since the 1950s!

The family points to another particularly memorable project in 2003 — replacing approximately 31,000 water meters throughout Tyler in just six months.

“It was the perfect storm,” Gene recalled. “It hit us at the right time.”
The project required innovative thinking, coordination, and teamwork — qualities that have become hallmarks of the business.

Believing in Tyler’s Future

Gene has also been involved with the Tyler Economic Development Council since its early years, when local leaders recognized the need to diversify Tyler’s economy following downturns in the oil industry.

“We’ve got to do something to diversify the economy,” Gene said of the organization’s beginnings.

Today, the Shull family remains deeply engaged with TEDC and its efforts to recruit industry, support infrastructure, and prepare for future growth across the region.

They credit TEDC’s leadership and regional collaboration for helping position Tyler as an increasingly attractive destination for businesses and residents alike.

“Tyler is ideally located between Houston, Dallas, and Shreveport,” Gene said. “We’ve got the natural resources here. We’ve got water, which is becoming a huge issue everywhere. We’ve got energy here.”

That growth has directly impacted their business as well, opening doors to projects connected to industrial expansion, regional utilities, and transportation improvements.

A Family Culture That Lasts

While the company’s work has helped build East Texas infrastructure, the Shull family says its greatest asset has always been its people.

“Our most valuable assets are our workers,” Gene said. “We can buy all the tractors and trucks we want, but if you don’t have qualified people, none of it matters.”

That philosophy has created remarkable loyalty within the company, with several employees celebrating 20-, 30-, and even 40-year careers.

The family also takes pride in training employees from the ground up and creating opportunities for younger generations. Some employees’ children now work for the company as well, continuing the cycle of mentorship and stability that has defined the business for decades.

At its core, the company remains exactly what it has always been: a family business committed to Tyler’s future.

As Tyler continues to grow, the Shull family’s work — both in construction and economic development — remains embedded in the city’s foundation.

Literally and figuratively, they have helped build the roads that brought Tyler where it is today.

Great opening session of the 3rd Annual Tyler Economic Development Council InterCity Visit to Greenville, SC. Thanks to Greenville City Manager Shannon Lavrin and Greenville Mayor Pro Tem Dorothy Dowe for their insightful presentation.

TEDC is thankful that our delegates will be utilizing an event app during the InterCity Visit, made possible by the generous support of UT Tyler!