A dream realized Champion Equipment celebrates new home
A goal 30 years in the making is now a reality for the Walker family.
Champ Walker and Dana Scott-Walker, along with their children and granddaughter, celebrated the grand opening of the home of Champion Equipment on Scott Lane in Pilot Point with a ribbon cutting through the Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce.
'Right here was my father- in-law's business,' Champ said in reference to Scott Electric owned by J.W. Scott. '... Not to get too sentimental, but it's built on a good foundation.'
There are more benefits to the new building beyond a beautiful home for the equipment sale, rental and parts company.
Michael Walker, Champ and Dana's son, is the vice president of Champion.
Michael's wife, Jodee Walker, will be working in the building, too, with a place for their daughter, Leighton, to be at the office.
Abby Walker, Dana and Champ's daughter, is working remotely from one of the upstairs offices.
The front door, too, faces the building where Dana and her mother ran the Germania Insurance agency that now bears the name the Scott-Walker Insurance Agency, which Dana can see from her new office inside the Champion building.
'Getting everybody under one roof is super,' Champ said.
Dana is grateful for the way their dream has become their reality, crediting her husband with working hard to make it happen and honoring her parents for the example they set, 'because we wouldn't be here without them.'
'My dad worked extremely hard and took care of us kids, and I'm just happy to be able to carry that on,' she said. 'I got a strong work ethic from him, and so it does mean a lot.'
Michael spoke of the legacy his family has created.
'It just keeps compounding,' he said.
He said it's special that the family will get to all work together under one roof, as his father said, especially with having his own daughter there.
'She's going to be the one who benefits from all of it,' Michael said.
He touched on the example set by his grandparents, J.W. and Betty Scott.
'They set the precedents for all of this to happen,' Michael said. 'They were hard working, so it just all passed down generation to generation, and it's, like I said, a legacy.'
He hopes to help grow Champion Equipment to its greatest potential to the point where 'this whole facility is being used,' he said.
Abby, too, said she's grateful to see the new building.
'My parents worked really hard for this,' she said. 'As a daughter, just watching your parents' dream come true is really fulfilling. ... My parents have poured into us all of our lives and into Pilot Point, so seeing it all come together is just so rewarding.'
Texas Republic Bank Executive Vice President Brett Kuhn spoke with pride in helping the Walker family, who have been longtime customers of his, secure the financing for the facility.
'Buildings like this will enhance the city, especially with all the growth going on,' he said, adding that he thinks it will help draw people to the downtown area.
Champ and Dana's longtime friend and Pilot Point Fire Chief Heath Hudson came out to celebrate with the family.
'I've rented time and time again equipment from him for construction work and for cattle and ranching,' he said. 'And not only that, he's been a great asset to our fire department.'
Hudson mentioned that Champ has provided sideby- sides for the fire department to use during Bonnie and Clyde Days.
'Anything I've ever needed, he's taken care of us,' Hudson said. ' I'm happy for them. They're good people.'
The Walkers received a grant from the Municipal Development District for $25,000, which was presented to them at the ribbon cutting by MDD Executive Director Denise Morris.
'We were really excited that they have been in that location for a long time and stayed here in Pilot Point and expanded,' she said. 'It's a beautiful building.'
