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October 2006

 

Make Quality Contacts at Tarrant Area Chambers Trade Show

Quality contacts. Relationship building. Area-wide exposure. And, it’s fun. That’s the 2006 Tarrant Area Chambers Trade Show. Join chambers of commerce and companies from all over Tarrant County as part of this annual, must-see business-to-business event, Thursday, Nov. 2. But don’t wait; purchase your booth today. Now is the time to make the most of your marketing budget by purchasing your booth. Do it by the Early Bird deadline of Oct. 18 and save $100.

  • What: Tarrant Chambers Trade Show
  • When: Thursday, Nov. 2, 4-8 p.m.
  • Where: Will Rogers Memorial Center – Exhibits Hall, One Amon Carter Square, 76107
The Tarrant Area Chambers Trade Show will draw business prospects from all around the county.


Annually, about 1,500 Trade Show visitors browse up to 200 booths ranging from financial services and home improvement, to office equipment and outsourcing solutions. Again this year, a Health and Fitness aisle will host hospitals, clinics, fitness experts, spas and other health service providers offering vital information and screenings.
As always, there’s the food! You be the judge of the Taste of Tarrant contest, presented by Silver Fox Steakhouse, as popular local restaurants provide samples of signature dishes.


Silent Auction
As in past years, Trade Show will include one of Fort Worth’s most popular silent auctions featuring travel, dinners, gift packages and other unique items. Attendees can purchase something special for themselves or get a jump on holiday shopping. Businesses interested in donating items to the silent auction should contact Becky Matson at 817/336-2491, ext. 243.


Participating Chambers
At press time, participating chambers include:

  • Arlington Chamber
  • Benbrook Area Chamber
  • Burleson Area Chamber
  • Colleyville Chamber
  • Crowley Area Chamber
  • East Parker County Chamber
  • Fort Worth Chamber
  • Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber
  • Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber
  • Hurst Euless Bedford Chamber
  • Northeast Tarrant Chamber
  • Saginaw Area Chamber
  • South Wise County Chamber
  • White Settlement Area Chamber


Buy Your Booth Now
Don’t pass up this opportunity to showcase your business before potentially hundreds of customers in one evening. Early Bird deadline for booth purchases is Oct. 18.


Booth rates are: Chamber member - $425/ $525 after Oct. 18; Gold members - $395/$495; non-members - $600/$700. Prime booths, reserved for Chamber members only, are $600 (Early Bird deadline does not apply.)


For that price, exhibitors get a 10’ by 10’ booth with eight-foot back draping and three-foot side drapes; one skirted six-foot table with two chairs; one printed company name sign; business listing in the 2006 Trade Show program; and 20 complimentary admission tickets to share with clients, customers and co-workers.


For more information on the Tarrant Chambers Trade Show, contact Lydia Hall at lhall@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 272.

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Watt Honored as 2006 Outstanding Business Executive

W.R. “Bob” Watt, Jr.
President and General Manager, Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show

Epitome of the old West. A great thinker. Efficient and effective.
All these phrases have been used to describe President and General Manager of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show W.R. ”Bob” Watt, this year’s choice as Fort Worth’s Business Executive of the Year.


The keynote speaker for the evening is Richard L. Conner, publisher of the Fort Worth Business Press. Reverend Burt Honea will give the invocation and the “Remarks of a Friend.” All proceeds benefit the Wesleyan School of Business scholarship program. The event, sponsored by Texas Wesleyan University, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Worth Business Press, will be held Thursday, Oct. 19. (See sidebar.)


 

The Business Hall of Fame, founded in 1970 to honor the Business Executive of the Year, chooses an individual who has made a profound impact on the business world. Watt has served as president and GM of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show since 1978. He became a member of the Stock Show Board of Directors in 1958 and was named board secretary and GM in 1973.


“Bob is the embodiment of our heritage and culture,” said Bill Thornton, president of the Fort Worth Chamber. “He is a tireless advocate, a great listener and great thinker. Like the E.F. Hutton commercials, when Bob speaks, everyone listens.”


Under his direction, the Fort Worth Stock Show has grown steadily, more than doubling in length, and livestock and rodeo contestant entries have increased 62 percent. The City of Fort Worth’s largest single event, the Stock Show, now hosts more than 900,000 in annual attendance and exhibits over 21,000 head of livestock. In addition, the world’s original indoor rodeo has expanded to more than 900 contestants annually. The overall prize purse for the livestock show and rodeo now approaches $500,000. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and educational grants are awarded by the Stock Show to youth participants and educational organizations each year.


“Bob has both efficiently and effectively carried on the great Stock Show tradition for many years, and over these years, he has been instrumental in creating the many facilities improvements made at the Will Rogers Memorial Center,” said Doug Harman, executive director of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Bob and the other leaders with the Stock Show have, in cooperation with the city, provided Fort Worth the finest equestrian and event facility in the country. “


Watt has worked with city officials to achieve many significant improvements at the Will Rogers Memorial Center, home to the Stock Show since 1944. These
include the openings of:

  • the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall in 1984
  • the Will Rogers Equestrian Center in 1988
  • the Kit and Charlie Moncrief Building in 1996, the Stock Show’s centennial year.


More recently, Watt and other Stock Show officials worked to help fund the new Ticket Office and Visitors Center at the north entrance to the Will Rogers Memorial Center.


“Bob Watt is the epitome of the old West and the new frontier,” said Conner. “He has kept our Western traditions alive while at the same time moved our rodeo and stock show into the future. But, quite frankly, that’s his job. What isn’t his job is to be the kind of man and business leader he is. His example is one of quiet confidence, high ethical standards, and keeping alive the tradition here in Fort Worth where a man’s word is his bond. That is what makes him exceptional.”


In addition to his Stock Show duties, Watt is active in the Watt Cattle Company, a family ranching operation in Throckmorton County. He is a trustee of First United Methodist Church Foundation of Fort Worth and Harris Methodist Hospitals, and is a board member of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the Texas Livestock Marketing Association. He is past president of the American Livestock Show and Rodeo Managers Association and past director of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. An alumnus of Oklahoma A&M University (now Oklahoma State University), he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry.


A Fort Worth native, Watt grew up at the Stock Show under the guidance of his father, the late W.R. Watt, Sr., president of the show from 1946 until his death in 1977. In 1996, his father was honored posthumously with the naming of the W.R. Watt Arena in the Charlie & Kit Moncrief Building.


The Annual Business Hall of Fame dinner will also recognize the recipient of the Thomas H. Law Scholarship, to be chosen at the beginning of the 2006-07 school year. Established in 1998, the scholarship was named in honor of the1987 recipient of the Business Executive of the Year. Thomas H. Law Scholarship recipients are chosen annually by Wesleyan’s business faculty.


Reservations are required as seating is limited. For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, contact Texas Wesleyan’s Office of the President at (817) 531-4401.

37th Business Executive of the Year Dinner

President and General Manager of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show W.R. ”Bob” Watt will be honored as Fort Worth’s Business Executive of the Year at the 37th Annual Business Hall of Fame dinner on Thursday, Oct. 19. The event is sponsored by Texas Wesleyan University, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Worth Business Press.

  • What: 37th Annual Business Hall of Fame Dinner
  • When: Thursday, Oct. 19; reception begins at 6 p.m. in the Terrace Room. Dinner and program begin at 7 p.m. in the Horizon Room.
  • Where: Fort Worth Club, 306 West Seventh St., 76102
  • Cost: Tickets for the black tie optional event are $250 for individuals and tables of 10 are $2,500.


Reservations are required as seating is limited. For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, contact Texas Wesleyan’s Office of the President at (817) 531-4401.

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Guest Column

David Berzina
Fort Worth Chamber
Executive Vice President
of Economic Development

In case you haven’t noticed, the city of Fort Worth is increasing in size. The old Fort Worth, where it was easy to get a reservation at a downtown restaurant on a half-hour’s notice, where traffic congestion was non-existent and there was Class A office space to spare, is no more.


Many of you have heard that we’re now the 18th largest city in the United States as well as one of the fastest growing. We have been recognized by Business Week as one of the four hottest housing markets in the U.S. Accolades from other publications clearly indicate that Fort Worth is on the move in an upward direction.

We thought it prudent to take a moment to let readership see some specific, real time examples of that growth. In 1980, Fort Worth population was 400,000; in 2006, it is 680,000. In 1980, the ad valorem value of the City of Fort Worth was approximately $2 billion. In 2004, the ad valorem value of the city stood at $31.1 billion and it is growing. Not only is our population growing, but our tax base is continuing to grow at an astounding rate.


Many companies in the U.S. are seeing the negative effects associated with substantial layoffs. For example, this year, Ford has announced the layoff of 15,000 white collar workers in addition to offering buyouts to 75,000 hourly workers. GM plans to layoff at least 2,500 workers this year. Such examples from the past few years could fill this column.


In Fort Worth, we are not immune to layoffs; RadioShack and Lockheed Martin are our most recent examples proving every day is a battle in this global economy.
Forbes Magazine recently indicated Texas has the largest number of Fortune 500 headquarters, ranked ahead of New York and California in second and third place. DFW alone has 22 of Texas’ Fortune 500 headquarters.


This year, Site Selection magazine named DFW the second most active metro area behind Chicago for business expansions and relocations. Of the companies that comprise the Metroplex, Fort Worth had the largest number of contributing projects to that designation.


Recently, we were pleased to announce three projects that will affect next year’s Site Selection award:

  • CUNA Mutual North America chose Fort Worth for a project with 500 jobs, 108,000 square feet and $12 million in capital investment currently under construction in Centerport.
  • ConAgra America’s project has 400 jobs, 800,000 square feet and $80 million in capital investment in Railhead Industrial Park.
  • And Whirlpool located in an existing 750,000 square foot facility in Carter Industrial Park earlier this year. These projects indicate to us that relocating companies in the U.S. have shopped Fort Worth and have chosen Fort Worth and the Metroplex as they position themselves in this globally competitive environment.


We are clearly benefiting from a positive national economy and a Metroplex with central location, superb infrastructure with DFW International Airport as an anchor, world class industrial parks and a post secondary education community dedicated to providing an employment base attractive to the productivity-conscious employment world.


However, we are acutely aware that our national economy is poised for a slowdown. The housing market has already slowed on both coasts and in other areas. It is inevitable that it will catch up with us here in the Metroplex in the near future and those housing market ramifications will be far-reaching.


What we at the Chamber will continue to do is work with the city, county and region to provide solid infrastructure, a high quality of life, cutting edge educational opportunities and a pro-business environment that will allow us to weather any economic slowdown and transition our diverse economy through that inevitable business cycle.

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Chamber Announces Staff Changes

Brinton Payne

 

The Fort Worth Chamber is pleased to announce two new staff members. Brinton Payne has joined the staff as senior director of government affairs and urban development. He will oversee advocacy activities and volunteer advisory committees, including governmental affairs, transportation, aviation, and environmental health and safety.

Payne was previously with Senator Jane Nelson’s office as district coordinator, and succeeds Tim Keleher, who had been at the Chamber for 10 years and recently joined Chesapeake Energy Corporation.

“Brinton is familiar with the various issues the Chamber is asked to address, and we’ve enjoyed working with him in conjunction with Sen. Nelson’s office,” said Bill Thornton, Fort Worth Chamber president. “We’re pleased to bring Brinton’s knowledge of the issues, the legislature and the community to our team.”


Payne graduated from Westminster College (Fulton, Mo.) in 1996. He worked for Witherspoon and Associates for three years and after the tech bust found his way into politics. He previously worked for Senator Kim Brimer as well.

Melonye Whitson

Melonye Whitson has moved into the position of director of local business development. She will conduct business retention activities, address issues that impact the Fort Worth business community, and serve as the liaison between the Chamber’s economic development division and city, county and state governments. She will also focus on partnering with regional life science allies to recruit new age life science and biotechnology operations to Fort Worth. She was previously the workforce development coordinator for the Chamber, managing the Job Links program and building capacity of Chamber member businesses to attract and retain workers.


“I knew Melonye was right for the job when I could tell she was jazzed about playing a role in people keeping jobs, getting paychecks, parents making car payments, kids going to college,” said David Berzina, the Chamber’s Executive Vice President of Economic Development. “Melonye’s previous position in workforce development and the relationships she forged gave us the opportunity to observe her talents first-hand. We’re pleased she’ll continue to be an asset to the Chamber and to the community.”
Whitson, a Fort Worth native, holds a BBA in finance from the University of Texas.

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Recap of Recent Economic Activity in Tarrant County

In the Works

Paulie Ayala, the two-time world champion boxer plans to break ground on a permanent gym in west Fort Worth by the end of next month. The gym will feature two full-sized boxing rings, multiple heavy bags, speed bags, double end balls, cardio machines and free weights. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 21


The block of land at the intersection of North Tarrant Parkway and Interstate Highway 35W is set to become a 130-acre mixed-use village, with nearly half of the development to be preserved as grazing fields and open space. Plans were released for Monterra by Hillwood, which will feature a mix of 1,000 town homes and apartments, live/work office space, neighborhood retail and a medical office park. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 21

Renovation plans to the 120,000-square-foot River Plaza building include upgrading it to class A office space, which will open to a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use urban environment with approximately 100,000 square feet of upscale ground floor retail and riverfront dining, and a 140-room boutique hotel. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 7

Expansions and Moves

ConAgra Foods announced plans for a $75 million, 400-job expansion. The company purchased a 27-acre site at Railhead, a rail-served industrial park in north Fort Worth. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 21

Pier 1 kids, a 40-store children’s furniture subsidiary of Pier 1 Imports, merged its headquarters Aug. 21 with Pier 1, located at 100 Pier 1 Place in downtown Fort Worth. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 21

University of Texas at Arlington campus at the Fort Worth Center is expanding to occupy 21,000 square feet in the historic 1401 Jones St. building, and will house graduate and continuing education courses. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 28

DigiSource International, an Alliance Texas tenant, will expand its headquarters and packaging operation. As part of the expansion, DigiSource will lease almost 27,000 more square feet, and will have a total of 45,000 square feet in Alliance Gateway Building 15 at 4800 Alliance Gateway Freeway. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 28

Under Construction

Atlanta-based Seefried Properties is beginning construction on a 404,000-square-foot speculative warehouse and distribution building in its RiverPark development in far east Fort Worth. The new building will cost $8-9 million and should be completed in early March. Star Telegram, Aug. 14

A groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 21 at 1300 Houston St., marked the beginning of two years of construction for the $115 million-plus Omni Fort Worth Hotel. In November 2008, when the Texas-themed, 38-story hotel is scheduled to open, it will offer 48,000 square feet of meeting space and 604 rooms. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 21

CUNA Mutual Group, which provides financial services to credit unions, broke ground on Aug. 1 for the 108,000-square-foot customer operations center. Close to 700 jobs will be added to the Fort Worth market next spring, once the center is completed. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 7

Construction for a Wachovia Bank branch, to be located at 4533 Bellaire Drive, began in July. The bank, which is on a 4,000-square-foot pad site, will be the sixth Wachovia branch in Fort Worth. It is scheduled to open Nov. 14. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 14

Renovations

Westwood Contractors, a Fort Worth-based general contracting firm, is remodeling the former Frost Bank on the southeast corner of West Seventh and Henderson streets, where it expects to move its office in October when its lease expires. The company will move from Carter Burgess Plaza, 777 Main St., where it leases about 8,000 square feet of office space. Star Telegram, Aug. 14

On the Dotted Line

Margaux Development Co., a Dallas mall developer with several projects under way in Tarrant County, has acquired a 9.2-acre retail tract at the southwest corner of Columbus Trail and Hulen Street. Star Telegram, Aug. 7

SPM Flow Control, a manufacturer of well-service pump and flow equipment for the oil industry, has acquired two buildings, one is 43,200-square-foot and the other is 33,050-square-foot building at 7700 Wyatt Drive, at the northeast corner where Wyatt crosses the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, to expand its manufacturing and corporate headquarters. Star Telegram, Aug. 21

Collins & Young is leasing 2,659 square feet of office space at 420 Throckmorton St. Star Telegram, Aug. 7

Industrial Buckets has leased a 1,400-square-foot building with 4.2 acres at 3201 E. Loop 820. The industrial space will be used for the sale, leasing and repair of industrial equipment. Star Telegram, Aug. 7

A real estate fund of Dallas-based Crow Holdings purchased the 252-unit Alta Ridglea Village apartments at Westridge Avenue and Milburn Street, off Camp Bowie Boulevard. Star Telegram, Aug. 7

Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy Corp. has leased the sixth floor of the DR Horton Tower in City Center, Third and Commerce streets, taking 18,000 square feet for a regional corporate office. Star Telegram, Aug. 7

Edward W. Kelley & Partners has leased 3,580 square feet of office space in One Ridgmar Centre, 6500 West Freeway.
Star Telegram, Aug. 14

A group of Dallas investors has bought the 58,000-square-foot industrial building at 4910-4920 Rondo Drive, in the Mark IV Industrial Park. Star Telegram, Aug. 14

Fort Worth Weekly has leased 5,769 square feet of office space at 3311 Hamilton Ave. Star Telegram, Aug. 14

Essner Manufacturing, a provider of precision sheet-metal fabrications, machined parts and turnkey assemblies, has leased an additional 10,242 square feet to increase production at its plant at 1300 Forum Way. Star Telegram, Aug. 21

Universal Air Conditioner has leased 45,000 square feet of warehouse space in the Village Creek Business Park, 5104-5118 Brush Creek Road. Star Telegram, Aug. 21

Sperry Van Ness recently completed the sale of a 29,260-square-foot office building at 3800 Hulen St. The fully occupied building with Class B office space sold for $2.6 million to a private California investor. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 7

Fort Worth-based Zeig Electric has purchased a building at 8224 White Settlement Road with plans to renovate the 27,000-square-foot space. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 14

Jay Searcy of Coldwell Banker Commercial Kelly, Geren and Searcy has negotiated a lease for 45,000 square feet in the Village Creek Business Park in Fort Worth. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 21

Fort Worth investor Susan Blue has bought the block bounded by Rosedale and Oleander streets and Hurley and Seventh avenues, where she plans to build a mixed-use development of restaurants, shops, apartments and town houses. Star Telegram, Aug. 28

Keller Properties LP recently purchased the 84,831-square-foot building at 5601 Bridge St. in Fort Worth. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 28

Ulterra Drilling Technologies, a Fort Worth company that specializes in drill bits, has leased 20,339 square feet of office and industrial space in Carter Business Park, off Interstate 35W and Will Rogers Boulevard. Star Telegram, Aug. 28

Englander Container & Display has leased a 3,080-square-foot office at 1616 E. Square. Star Telegram, Aug. 28

Choice Homes has agreed to a lease for 1,400 square feet of space for an office at 8205 Camp Bowie West. Star Telegram, Aug. 28

Openings

Grainger, a supplier of facilities-maintenance supplies to businesses, has opened an expanded 3,000-square-foot showroom at 5000 Northeast Parkway that is now the company's largest showroom in North Texas. Additionally, Grainger is planning to open a 2,500-square-foot branch at 300 Vickery Blvd. next year. Star Telegram, Aug. 21

Regency Hospital of Fort Worth, a 40-bed, long-term acute care hospital, opened Aug. 28 at 6801 Oakmont Blvd. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 14

Around Town

After a year of slowly merging the two companies, Macy’s department store will officially replace Foley’s retail locations across the nation on Sept. 9. Included in the transition are the four Foley’s stores located in Tarrant County. Fort Worth Business Press, Aug. 21

Out of Town Reporting

Opening Sept. 16 and running through Jan. 7, 2007, Regarding the Land: Robert Glenn Ketchum and the Legacy of Eliot Porter will be presented exclusively at the Amon Carter Museum. PR Newswire, New York,Aug. 8

Omni Hotels is capturing the Fort Worth horizon as construction begins for the brand's newest luxury hotel and condominiums. The 34-story, 604-room luxury hotel will boast a unique structural design and style that draw upon Fort Worth's strong cultural roots and bold Texas pride to create an unforgettable atmosphere. PR Newswire, New York, Aug. 21

Sundance Square announced it will construct a 16-story office building in Sundance Square at Lamar and East Third Streets in downtown Fort Worth across from the Fort Worth Public Library. The 300,000-square-foot Class A building is expected to open in June 2008 and will be known as The Carnegie in recognition of its proximity to the library. Business Wire, San Francisco, Aug. 14

Did You Know?

The Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival won marketing awards in five categories, including the coveted Zenith Award, the top prize from the Texas Festivals and Events Association. Star Telegram, Aug. 21

The Fort Worth Bowl announced it was wrapping itself in the flag with a new name – the Armed Forces Bowl – and a new sponsor, defense contractor Bell Helicopter. The Fort Worth-based aerospace company has agreed to sponsor the four-year-old college football bowl game for 2006 and 2007, with an option for two more years. Star Telegram, Aug. 28

Data provided by Strategic Insight Group --Intelligence Research Partner of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

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Dateline: Fort Worth…
Deep in the art of Texas

Deep in the heart of Texas, attractions are popping up right alongside old Texas favorites, giving the Lone Star State a greater tourism appeal. Museums, art and cultural attractions are the forerunners of the “what’s new” category, bringing Texas back to its Western roots and giving tourists more reason to travel to Texas…


According to Neal Hanks, communications manager for the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, art and culture have given tourists two great reasons to travel to Fort Worth in April 2007. The first great reason being the Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival, and the second one being the Texas Frontier Forts Muster and Quanah Parker Comanche Pow Wow & Honor Dances held at the Stockyards National Historic District – another great reason in itself to visit Fort Worth.


The Stockyard National Historic District has the largest train station in the southwest with more than 85,000 square feet of shopping and dining, along with nine guided historic Stockyard walks to choose from. Tourists can also watch the Fort Worth Herd travel the Stockyard streets, and then visit the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Courier
April 2006

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What’s in the Air at AllianceTexas?

Ross Perot, Jr.

It’s been nearly two decades since Ross Perot,Jr. founded Hillwood Development Corporation, a highly regarded real estate development and investment firm recognized globally for high-quality, long-term projects. Hillwood’s largest project is AllianceTexas, a master-planned international business center that is known as one of the world’s most technologically advanced trade complexes. Perot will be the featured speaker at the Fort Worth Chamber’s next Leaders In Business luncheon presented by Weaver & Tidwell, LLP.

  • What: Leaders In Business Luncheon – Ross Perot, Jr.
  • When: Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006
  • Where: Petroleum Club, Wildcatters Room, 777 Main St., 39th floor, 76102
  • Cost: Chamber members - $35; Gold and Preferred members - $30; non-members - $60; tables of eight - $350


Perot was elected chairman of the board of Perot Systems Corporation in 2004. Prior to that, he had served as president and CEO of the company since August 2000.

At the luncheon, he will present an update on the AllianceTexas development that now houses more than 140 companies, including 32 from the Fortune 500, Global 500 and Forbes List of Top Private Companies. These firms have invested more than $5 billion to build 25 million square feet and create 24,000 fulltime jobs. According to Perot, AllianceTexas has generated a $26 billion economic impact on the North Texas region over the past 15 years.

The next phase of the development is now underway. New destination retail and entertainment combined with strong residential growth will once again transform AllianceTexas. The community will soon become one of the top attractions in the country, bringing millions of visitors to North Texas.

A man of many interests, Perot became the majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks in 1996. He sold equity interest in the team in 2000, but he and Hillwood Development Corporation are involved with the Victory development site, a 70-acre complex that encompasses seven million square feet of high-density retail, residential, and office space, including the new American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Platinum sponsor for the event is Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. Bronze sponsors are North Texas Specialty Physicians and Wells Fargo.

Register online at fortworthchamber.com or contact Brianna Dishman at bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.

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Small Business Award Applications Due Oct. 31

The nominations are in for the “A Rising Star – Small Business of the Year 2007” Awards presented by Citizens National Bank. Now it’s time to for nominated businesses to complete the application and send it in. Completed applications are due Tuesday, Oct. 31.

The Small Business of the Year Awards recognize and honor businesses who have demonstrated “best practices” of entrepreneurship and have been in business three or more years. They are awarded in five categories:

  • Emerging Business (start-up company in business less than three years, cannot be a buyout of an existing company)
  • 1-10 employees
  • 11-50 employees
  • 51-100 employees
  • 101-250 employees


Among the judging elements considered are business growth and performance; sound business strategies and practices; customer service strategies and practices; business challenges; unique and innovative approaches; community involvement and contribution; and employee relations.

Platinum sponsor of the awards is TCU’s Neeley School of Business. Gold sponsors are Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and ProStaff Personnel Services. Silver sponsor is hireMAX.

For more information on the awards, contact Lydia Hall at 817/336-2491, ext. 275 or go to www.fortworthchamber.com.

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Action Ambassador for July 2006

Rebecca McKeever
Action Ambassador
July 2006

Congratulations to Rebecca McKeever, Action Ambassador of the month for June 2006. An ambassador only since March 2006, McKeever is in business development with Universal Land Title of North Texas, LLC.

Action Ambassadors make up an important group of up to 65 dedicated Fort Worth Chamber members who devote their time and energy to assisting members, with a focus on membership retention. A critical arm of the Membership Department, Action Ambassadors attend ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies, assist with member-retention calls and act as greeters at various Chamber functions. It is also a great networking tool allowing ambassadors to contact Chamber members on the Chamber’s behalf.

 

Contact Teresa Pearson at 817-336-2491, ext. 249 for information on becoming an Action Ambassador.

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Students Urged to Explore Aerospace

Gotta Jet! Round 2, a meeting of 102 aerospace industry officials, educators and students from 13 local districts and five postsecondary institutions, was held Aug. 30. The meeting was held as a follow-up to an inaugural meeting held in January by the DFW Regional Workforce Council’s aerospace cluster.

“That first meeting was a great success,” said Cynthia Fisher Miller, the Fort Worth Chamber’s senior director of workforce and education. “Participants asked that dialogues such as these continue and suggested inviting student participation as well.”

The Gotta Jet program was developed to address the needs of aerospace industry companies to fill vital positions as record numbers of “baby boomer” engineers and manufacturing employees retire and there are not enough young people in the pipeline to fill those positions.

"The educator engagement meeting was a great exchange of ideas to enhance programs offered to students interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics related careers in Aerospace," said Jon Gustafson, engineering training integrator with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. "The DFW Regional Aerospace Industry Cluster is encouraged by the increasing quantity and quality of engineering education and emphasis on applied math and science."

According to Gustafson, one of the highlights of the meeting was to hear students ask questions and participate in discussions with aerospace industry representatives. "These students are top-notch. They are taking very technically challenging courses that will better prepare them to fill available high-tech jobs, or to continue their education by pursuing engineering and engineering technology degrees needed for exciting careers in aerospace engineering."

To address this issue in the aerospace industry, and in others, four specific employment clusters were designated by the DFW Regional Workforce Council in 2002. In addition to aerospace, industry clusters including healthcare, logistics and semiconductor have been recognized as areas where a perceived information gap exists between employers, academia and workforce suppliers. Clusters allow industries to coordinate workforce activities while leveraging resources for maximum results.

At the August meeting, Workforce Board Vice-Chair Don Ellis and Executive Director Judy McDonald welcomed the participants and the group addressed a full agenda that included an industry panel and work on mini-lesson plans. Kaki Leyens, aerospace cluster manager from the Texas Workforce Commission, updated the group on statewide activities and how they link with regional efforts.

“The meeting was a great success,” said Bell. “We accomplished what we wanted to which was to get a good representation from education and the aerospace industry. Inviting students to attend and ask questions of the industry panel was especially helpful.”

The students, who are part of Project Lead The Way from Arlington and Mansfield, asked probing questions of the aerospace industry representatives P.D. Shabay, Bell Helicopter; Tom Stubbins, Vought Aircraft Industries; Dr. Ray Morrison and Mike Glass Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. The panel fielded questions relating to what courses they should take and what kind of work interns could expect in the real world.

Career and Technology Education programs, such as Project Lead The Way, a rigorous pre-engineering curriculum, allow students to learn math and science through hands-on, problem-solving engineering applications. Some of these students are actually receiving patents on their designs while still in high school.
“The event was an eye-opening experience that will benefit students at FWISD,” said Dan Belcher, director of career and technology education at FWISD. “The aerospace industry in our area is so vast, it was great to see what the students learned and how it will affect their futures.”

After the panel discussion, the next order of business was the development of mini-lesson plans using topics shared by educators who attended the Applied Learning Forum in June. Educators, students and aerospace professionals all had input. Centripetal force, Newton’s Laws and lift and drag were just a few of the topics the group tackled and the resulting lesson plans will be made available to all educators online this fall.

“We hope to continue these meetings,” said Miller. “And one of the major outcomes we hope to achieve is to gather and share the experientially-based mini-lesson plans on line so that other teachers can have access to them.”

The meeting concluded with distribution of the Gotta Jet! brochures and DVDs as well as a commitment from some attendees to join a newly formed Education Committee.
Gustafson believes, however, there is still much work to do.

"The solutions needed to address the critical shortages of engineers and engineering technologists require a holistic approach and involvement at all levels from national, state and local government, business and industry, community leaders, educators, administrators and counselors, as well as parents and students."

For more information on the work of the Aerospace Cluster contact Laura Misuk at lmisuk@fortworthchamber.com or Judy Bell at judy.bell@twc.state.tx.us.

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UNTHSC, UNT-Denton Collaborate on Boardography

Fort Worth’s UNT Health Science Center and the University of North Texas at Denton have joined together to introduce a new program that matches people wishing to serve on nonprofit boards with nonprofit organizations in need board members.

The program, Boardography, began recently when Program Director Kimberly Mills, Ph.D., approached the Office of Professional and Continuing Education at UNT Health Science Center and the Department of Public Affairs and Community Service at UNT Denton to adopt the program.

“I helped start a similar program at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh,” Dr. Mills said. “It was wildly successful. When my husband and I relocated here for his work, I saw that DFW had nothing like this, so I started knocking on doors. The response has been tremendous.”

Boardography is designed to match professionals throughout the Metroplex with nonprofit organizations in need volunteers to serve on their governing boards.

“Our community is filled with nonprofits,” Dr. Mills said. “They all have boards, and they all need board members. At the same time, there are many professionals who want a chance to develop personally and professionally through leadership experiences.”

Dr. Mills facilitates the process by meeting with those who sign up for Boardography to determine the candidate’s interests and skills. She also meets with nonprofit organizations throughout the Metroplex to determine what their specific needs are for board members. After finding candidates and nonprofits that match, she sends the organizations information about the candidates.

“At that point, it’s up to the candidates and the nonprofits to make a mutual decision to see if the nonprofit wants to invite the candidate to join the board and the candidate wants to accept,” Dr. Mills said. “So I don’t actually make matches. I make introductions.”

The new program is free to both nonprofit organizations and candidates, so it exists based on donations from individuals and groups. RadioShack is the founding funder.

“The community benefits from this program,” Dr. Mills said. “Nonprofits get stronger board members; people in need get stronger nonprofit organizations; professionals get to join boards that they are interested in, and corporations get employees who are more engaged in the community.”

For more information on Boardography, contact Dr. Mills at 817/735-0177, or at kmills@hsc.unt.edu, or visit the website at www.boardography.com.

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Calendar of Events

October

3 Tarrant County Business Breakfast, 7-8:30 a.m. Networking for small, minority and women owned businesses. No reservations necessary. Radisson South, formerly Holiday Inn South, 100 Alta Mesa Blvd. 76134. Cost is $9 for full breakfast; $6 for continental breakfast. For more information, contact Teresa Pearson at tpearson@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 249.


5 Business After Hours, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Fort Worth Academy, 7301 Dutch Branch Rd., 76132. Chamber members only. Cost is $10 for members; no charge for Gold or Preferred members, but reservations required. Register online.


10 Leads Explosion, sponsored by Thumbtechs, 5-8:30 p.m., Texas de Brazil, 101 N. Houston St., 76102. Chamber members only, $30. Limited to 90 companies; no more than five from each industry. Gold and Preferred members are free, but must register with a credit card, which will only be charged a $30 non-refundable charge for a no-show. Payment must be received by noon, Thursday, Oct. 5. Register with Doris Becker at dbecker@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 288. For more information, call Diana Dugan at ext. 258.


19 37th Annual Business Hall of Fame Dinner honoring W.R. “Bob” Watt, Jr. Reception at 6 p.m. in Terrace Room, dinner at 7 p.m., Horizon Room, Fort Worth Club, 306 W. 7th St., 76102. Black tie optional. Tickets are $250 a person or $2,500 for a table of ten. For information or to purchase tickets, contact Texas Wesleyan’s Office of the President at (817) 531-4401.


24 Leaders in Business featuring Ross Perot, Jr., presented by Weaver & Tidwell, LLP., Petroleum Club, Wildcatters Room, 777 Main, 76102. Noon-1:30 p.m.; registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m. Cost is: Chamber members - $35; Gold and Preferred members - $30; non-members - $60; and a table of eight - $ 350. Register online or with Brianna Dishman at bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.

November

2 Tarrant Area Chambers Trade Show, 4-8 p.m., Will Rogers Memorial Center – Exhibit Hall, One Amon Carter Square, 76107. Cost is: Chamber members - $5 and non-members - $10. For tickets or booth information, contact Lydia Hall at lhall@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 272.


9 What’s Up, Fort Worth?, Fort Worth Sports Teams, noon-1:30 p.m. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m. The Fort Worth Club, 306 W. 7th St., Horizon and Terrace Rooms, 76102. Cost is: Chamber members - $35; Gold and Preferred members - $30; non-members - $60; and corporate tables for eight - $350. Register online or with Brianna Dishman at bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.

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Fabulous Weather Favors Chamber Golf Classic

Turner Construction took first place on the North Course. Honorary chair Bob Bolen, right, presented Jim Bald, Corbett Nichter, Aaron Smith and Michael Franklin with their trophies.

Now we know where the term “chamber of commerce weather” comes from. The Fort Worth Chamber’s 20th annual Golf Classic was held Monday, Sept. 18, under clear blue skies with temperatures in the low 80s. Nearly 200 golfers tackled Ridglea Country Club’s north and south courses under perfect conditions.

This year’s winners on the North Course were: First place – Turner Construction with team members Jim Bald, Michael Franklin, Corbett Nichter and Aaron Smith.

Second place was Lockheed Martin with team members Mike Moore, Eric Fox, Danny McGuire and Tres Morris.

Third place was HOLT CAT with team members Dan Dooley, Shawn Lothery, Bob Stratton and Gavin Cole.

The “Pick Another Sport Award” given to the team in last place by the Fort Worth Flyers went to XTO Energy’s Missy Hutton, Kerry Staab and Lauri Storm.

This year’s South Course winners were: First place – Newz E-Letter with team members Freddy Caram, Chris Keel, Steve Shineman and Jerry Smith.

The Newz E-Letter team won on the South Course. Former mayor Bob Bolen presented Freddy Caram, Steve Shineman and Chris Keel with their trophies. Not shown is Jerry Smith.


Second place was Wal-Mart with team members Matt Baumer, Jacob Belk, Sonny Littlefield and Mark Nayle.
Third place was an individual team with members James Bowie (Campbell Paper), Gred Goree (VMC Landscape Service), Don Marable (Edward Jones) and Charles Williams (Pioneer Service).
The “Pick Another Sport Award” on this course went to Tommy Bymes and Alicia Nevins of the Texas Rangers.

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Chamber Golf Classic Thanks Sponsors

The 20th annual Chamber Golf Classic was a huge success. As always, the Chamber wishes to thank the sponsors and volunteers who helped make this year’s event an unqualified success.
Again this year, XTO Energy served as presenting sponsor and PlainsCapital Bank was the dinner sponsor. And Outback Steakhouse grilled up perfect burgers as the lunch sponsor. Beverage cart sponsor was HOLT CAT. Midway sponsor was Galderma Laboratories, L.P. and photography sponsor was Kelly, Hart & Hallman, LLP.

Platinum sponsors were: Compass Bank; DHL Global Forwarding; Double Diamond Resorts; Fort Worth Transportation Authority (the T); Marriott Fort Worth; Summitt Bancshares, Inc.; Sundance Square Management LP; and Turner Construction.

Gold sponsors: Cantey & Hanger, LLP; Carter & Burgess, Inc.; Cotton Creek Capital Management, LLC; Hanfeld Hoffer Stanford Architects; Harris, Finley & Bogle, PC; Integra Realty Resources DFW; JPS Health Network Partners Together For Health; KPMG, LLP; Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company; Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee USA, Ltd.; Sanford, Baumeister & Frazier PC; Speed Fab Crete Corp. International; Tarrant Regional Water District; Texas Capital Bank; and Wells Fargo.

Silver sponsors: Acme Brick Company; Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry; AUI Contractors, L.P.; Bank of Texas; Cash America International, Inc.; Miller Brewing Company; MMI Professional Services, Inc.; and Southwest International Trucks.

Bronze sponsors: First Horizon Bank and Higginbotham & Associates

Hole-In-One Contests: Bruce Lowrie; Frank Kent Motor Company; Park Place Motorcars; Roger Williams Auto Mall; Suzuki; and Teape Subaru.

Course-pitality: Budweiser; Coca-Cola; Coors; Curly’s Frozen Custard; Fletcher Communications; Miller; Reddyice; Walgreens; and Wal-Mart.

Goody bags and prizes: American Airlines; Advance Me, Inc.; Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl; Compass Bank; Cumberland at Ridglea; Edward Jones – Don Marable; First Horizon; Fort Worth Chamber; Fort Worth Flyers; HOLT CAT; North Texas Specialty Physicians; Penguin Promo, Inc.; and Wal-Mart.

Signage: Maze Sign & Distributing Co.; Van: GM Transportation, Inc.; Graphic Design: Metroplex Designz; Printing: Alphagraphics – Alliance & Fossil Creek

And special thanks go to Ridglea Country Club, Christina Toups, CCM; Norma Ham and Keith Davidson.

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2006-07 Membership Directories Here

The 2006-2007 Fort Worth Chamber Membership Directory and Buyer’s Guide, the 2006-2007 Fort Worth and Tarrant County Economic Report have arrived.

  • The 2006-2007 Fort Worth Chamber Membership Directory and Buyers Guide puts information about your business at the fingertips of Fort Worth-area decision makers. Members are listed alphabetically or by categories, and it also includes a special section of Chamber resources, services, and board members.
  • The 2006-2007 Fort Worth Economic Report is Fort Worth’s annual, premiere 4-color economic development magazine highlighting demographics, climate, employment, education, health care, transportation, taxes, utilities, cost of living, major employers and major business parks. This is also bound into the Membership.


Tor order, visit www.fortworthchamber.com and click on Publications or call 817/336-2491, ext. 0.


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Recent Ribbon Cuttings

A ribbon cutting marked the opening of Home Sweet Home, a property management company at 5837 Locke Ave. To learn more, contact Brian “B.C.” Smith at 817/253-7343.

A grand opening celebration was held at East Gourmet Buffet, a restaurant at 6080 S. Hulen St., Suite 550. A buffet lunch was served by Alex Lin. For more information, call 817/263-8988.

Facial spa facelogic held a ribbon cutting to mark its grand opening at 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Suite 256. Call Kally Walton to learn more about the spa at 239-287-9566.

A ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of a new location for Dee Jay’s Candles was held at the 2828 W. Seventh St. location. Debbie Allen has details at 817/927-3377.

A grand opening was held at the new location of Accent Design Studio, an interior furnishings and design shop, at 2435 S. University. To learn more about the studio, contact Cindy Peck or Carol Owen at 817/738-0097.

Chappelle Supply of Texas, a pressure washing equipment company, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting at its 548 S. Saginaw Blvd. location. Contact Stephanie David at 817/439-2200 to learn more.

 

For more information contact:
Arden Dufilho
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
817-336-2491 Ext. 259

Archive

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2003


 


 

  
         
       
         
   
     
 
         
 
777 Taylor Street, Suite 900   Fort Worth, TX 76102-4997   817.336.2491