William Bunn meets Donald Trump

Casting calls were held in New York July 30th at Trump Tower for "The Apprentice 3" with billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump. Gilmer resident William Bunn was in the casting call line at Trump Tower at 4 AM to ensure that he had the opportunity to audition before Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Productions. Burnett is the creator and executive producer of NBC’s "The Apprentice," an instant cultural phenomenon and the #1-rated new show of the 2003-04 television season.

NBC 56 reporter Deana Snow featured Bunn in a news story, August 4th, discussing his experience at The Apprentice casting call with Donald Trump. The news story aired August 4^th and 5^th on NBC 56. The news story then made the National news on MSNBC August 5^th and 6^th .

Bunn sent in an audition tape to Mark Burnett Productions in Los Angeles and participated in an Apprentice casting call the prior Friday in San Antonio before making the trip to New York.

The day before The Apprentice casting call, Bunn sent Trump a request for a brief meeting while he was in New York. Renee, Mr. Trump’s personal assistant, called Bunn to let him know that Mr. Trump’s schedule was unfortunately packed while he was down. Bunn related to Renee that one thing that he was unable to walk away with during his visit was a personally autographed photo of Mr. Trump. Renee stated that she would have Mr. Trump to sign a photo and would be forwarding it to Bunn.

Bunn stated, "I felt the opportunity to personally see and meet Donald Trump made the trip to New York an exciting opportunity. The opportunity to compete for an Apprentice position, at Trump Tower, before Donald Trump, is clearly the chance of a lifetime. If nothing else happens from this point forward, just having met ‘The Donald’ made the trip worthwhile." Casting call bracelets were distributed at 8 AM and at 10:30 AM Donald Trump made his appearance at the front of Trump Tower where it was a media frenzy. Film crews and reporters had been interviewing Apprentice applicants that had begun forming a line into Trump Tower, from 9 AM the day prior.

One inside Trump Tower applicants handed over their application packets to Mark Burnett Productions and entered the lower atrium area of Trump Tower for interviews. Large round tables were set up with producers conducting the interviews with 10 applicants at a time. Donald Trump would casually stroll from table to table listening in and asking applicants questions. Applicants were asked to quickly state their name, current position and why they should be Trump’s next Apprentice. The applicants were then told to forget their resumes and job histories, as the producers would review that material at a later time. The producers and Trump wanted to hear the applicants opinions on a variety of subjects ranging from Presidential nominations, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth behavior on Apprentice 1, legislation to allow gay marriages, dating in the workplace and a host of other controversial topics not normally discussed in what might be considered a typical job interview, debated in roundtable discussions.

Because of the topics discussed, the viewpoints were somewhat heated as applicants vied for their opportunity to shine in front of the producers and Donald Trump. The applicants were encouraged to be open and vocal while keeping it all in a professional business environment.

Bunn proposed that Trump develop a casino and hotel in Shreveport, Louisiana and possibly Texas, should new legislation allow such. Six Shreveport casinos currently boast over $821 million in revenue with the Horseshoe Casino leading the pack with $256 million. Bunn quoted casino revenue figures as well as personal experiences in trying to obtain a hotel room in the oversold market. Based on the revenue figures Bunn surmised that the proposal would be a profitable venture, especially considering the draw produced from the Trump name, which represents the highest standards and quality.

At the conclusion of the roundtable discussions, applicants were then told that the producers would take the applications and their discussion notes back to Los Angeles for review and would then begin the call back sessions. No timelines for future interviews were given to the applicants or the press.

At the conclusion of Bunn’s interview he noticed that a press conference with Donald Trump was forming. NBC, Extra, Entertainment Tonight and a host of other television reporters were filing in line beside his group as he was exiting the atrium area. Bunn decided to take his chances and blended in with the reporters and managed to tape and photo most of Trump’s press conference beside NBC 4 News, New York, which was just a few feet away from Mr. Trump. While in Trump Tower Bunn recognized Matthew Calamari, Executive Vice President of Operations from Trump’s latest book entitled "How to Get Rich" and was able to speak with Calamari and obtain a personal photo.

Though Bunn states the chances are literally one in a million with the number of applicants applying to be on The Apprentice, he feels that he has an edge with 15 years of experience negotiating contracts in the corporate healthcare sector in New York and other large cities across the United States as well as entrepreneurial skills he has gained over the years in small business ownership.

Bunn owns Don Reynolds Flowers & Gifts (2 locations in Pittsburg) and a website development company, bunnwebdevelopment.com. He also works for East Texas Medical Center’s Regional Healthcare System in Tyler where he is Director of Business Relations for the healthcare system where he is tasked with developing new business opportunities for the healthcare system. The winner of The Apprentice 3 will become the CEO of one of Donald Trump’s companies at starting salary of $250,000.

 Bunn is a graduate of Texas Tech University. He and his wife Rebekah have a three-year-old son, William II. Bunn also has two daughters Heather 20, and Brandi 12. He is the son of Glenn and Nena Bunn, also of Gilmer.

 

Don Reynolds Flowers & Gifts Holds Holiday Open House

Don Reynolds Flowers & Gifts held their holiday open house festivities at 109 & 115 Jefferson Street Thursday, November 20, 2003. The event was marked by a ribbon cutting as new members of the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce.

Massage therapist Amanda Hurt was on hand to demonstrate Crabtree & Evelyn products with free hand and arm massages. Don Reynolds Flowers & Gifts is now the exclusive carrier of Crabtree & Evelyn women and men’s products in Pittsburg. Anna Connelley, a Crabtree & Evelyn representative, was on hand to talk to customers about the different lotions, room sprays, bath products, perfumes and men’s colognes stocked in the store.

Santa Claus visited from 4 to 8 PM for pictures with Pittsburg photographer Vicki Pipkin. Many children, adults and an occasional pet visited for a photo opportunity throughout the evening. Ms. Pipkin works closely with Don Reynolds Flowers & Gifts for special events and wedding photography.

Don Reynolds at 109 Jefferson Street specializes in all occasion fresh and silk arrangements in all design styles, funeral and wedding flowers. Tropical and unique fresh flowers are carried on a daily basis. Flowers can be ordered 24 hours a day on our web site, www.donreynoldsflowers.com. After hours phone orders may be made through the 24 hour answering service.

Don Reynolds Flowers & Gifts expanded to its 115 Jefferson location this past February. The new store features Crabtree & Evelyn products, BJON’s candles, home decor, seasonal items, crystal, figures, candy, snack and junk food baskets and the Don Reynolds specialty food line for gourmet gift baskets. Shipping is available on most items.

The shop has expanded it's delivery area!  We deliver within a 30 mile radius in Pittsburg and in the following towns:  Mount Pleasant, Gilmer, Winnsboro, Daingerfield, Naples, Omaha, Cason, Leesburg, Midway, Scroggins and the lake Bob Sandlin area. 

The florist has been existence for over 45 years in Pittsburg and is a member of the Allied Florists of East Texas. Other professional organizations include Teleflora, FTD, 1-800-Flowers.com and Floral Source. William & Rebekah Bunn are the owners of the business.

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Bunns Purchase Don Reynolds Flowers & Gifts

William and Rebekah Bunn have purchased Don Reynolds Flowers and Gifts in Pittsburg from Joe and Lisa Hefner.  The new owners began operation on Wednesday, May 1, 2002. 

The Bunn’s have been living in Plano, Texas the past few years.  William is former Vice President of American and Global Healthcare.  His duties included directing national and international operations for the healthcare company.  Rebekah served as Website Director for the City of Plano.  The Bunn’s have a sixteen-month-old son, William, II and Mr. Bunn has two daughters from a previous marriage, Heather 17 and Brandi 10, that live in Gilmer.

The Bunn family has spent most of their lives in the East Texas area and brings over 20 years of experience in the floral industry.  William previously owned and operated the Gilmer Flower Shop.  Nena Bunn, Mr. Bunn’s mother, will be assisting with the operation of the business.  Mrs. Bunn worked with the original owner, Mr. Reynolds, for five years.  She and husband Glen Bunn are the former owners of Bonnie’s Florist in Gilmer.  Before purchasing Bonnie’s Florist, Glen Bunn spent many years as administrator of Gilmer Hospital and Ragland-Fenlaw-Ford Clinic. 

Don Reynolds Flowers and Gifts is a full service florist that provides flowers, plants, balloons and gifts.  The florist specializes in funeral, special occasion and wedding arrangements.  The owners and staff of Don Reynolds Flowers and Gifts pledge superior service and will work to ensure 100% customer satisfaction.  The Bunn family would like to invite the residents of Pittsburg and the surrounding areas to visit Don Reynolds Flowers and Gifts for all of their floral and gift giving needs.  All major credit cards are accepted.

A ribbon cutting and grand opening of Don Reynolds Flowers and Gifts will be announced in the near future and our business services will soon be listed on the web at www.donreynoldsflowers.com.  

 

Don Reynolds Flowers and Gifts
109 Jefferson Street
Phone: 903-856-2691
Fax: 903-856-6617
Email: donreynoldsflowers@hotmail.com