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June 2007

Mary Matalin
Did you know?
Math camp
President's Column
FastTrac blog
Update
Spirit of Enterprise
Night Vision
Leads Groups
Action Ambassador
Schwarz Hanson Architects
Calendar
Expo
Pat Green
Ribbon cuttings

Political Insider Mary Matalin Keynotes Chamber’s 125th Annual Meeting

In 1882, the Fort Worth Chamber was founded. That same year, showman P.T. Barnum purchased Jumbo the elephant from the London Zoo. To celebrate the Fort Worth Chamber’s 125th anniversary, we are bringing a different kind of elephant to town. Mary Matalin, conservative commentator, will be the featured speaker for the Fort Worth Chamber’s 125th Annual Meeting presented by Compass Bank. Her topic will be “Politics, the Presidency and the Press.” Entertainment sponsor is XTO Energy.

What: 125th Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Luncheon

When: Wednesday, June 7, 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m.

Where: Renaissance Worthington Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 200 Main St., 76102
Cost: Individual tickets are $80

Mary Matalin

Extraordinary White House Experience
Matalin formerly served as assistant to President George W. Bush and counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney, and was the first White House official to hold that double title.

Before joining the Bush/Cheney White House, Matalin hosted CNN’s critically acclaimed debate show, Crossfire. She is the former founding co-host of the Washington-based political weeknight talk show, Equal Time, which premiered in May 1993 on CNBC

She served as co-host until shortly after the 1996 national political conventions. Her political astuteness and antics contributed to the show’s being called “the best talk show on television” by Knight Rider News Service. Matalin’s humor, straightforward discussion, and ability to discuss the hottest political issues in Washington should make for a lively Annual Meeting.

It must be true that politics makes strange bedfellows. Matalin is married to renowned liberal commentator and presidential adviser James Carville.

Matalin has made frequent television appearances as a political commentator, and has written for various periodicals including Newsweek and The Los Angeles Times. She also co-authored the best-selling political campaign book All’s Fair: Love, War and Running for President with her husband, who was the chief campaign strategist for Clinton/Gore in 1992. And Matalin recently appeared with Carville on HBO’s critically acclaimed series K-Street, about the world of powerful political consultants. Her most recent book, Letters to My Daughters, made The New York Times and The Washington Post best-seller lists.

Matalin took her sharp wit and free-spirited political repartee to the airwaves during her own three-hour afternoon radio program on the CBS Talk Radio Network. The Mary Matalin Show highlighted current events, featured distinguished guests and listener calls.

Matalin has been active in politics since college, starting at the grassroots level in local and statewide campaigns in her native Illinois. The Reagan Revolution brought her to Washington, DC where she served the Republican National Committee.

In 1992, President George H.W. Bush named her the deputy campaign manager for political operations. As deputy campaign manager, she was responsible for the overview and organization of all 50 state operations. As the on-board planner who traveled with President Bush throughout the 1992 campaign, she emerged as the vocal, and occasionally controversial, defender of the president and his policies.

Matalin now runs Threshold, a new conservative publishing imprint at Simon & Schuster.

Luncheon
The 125th Annual Meeting promises to be memorable as the Chamber looks back at its colorful history and celebrates a new century in Fort Worth. This year’s Spirit of Enterprise Award recipient will be JPMorganChase. (See related story on page A.)
Presentation folder sponsor is Southwest Securities. Platinum sponsors are Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) and Haynes and Boone, LLP.
Sponsored tables of 10 are available at the following levels:

Gold sponsor - $2000
Silver sponsor - $1600
Bronze sponsor - $1300

For more information on the luncheon or table sponsorships, contact Becky Matson at bmatson@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 243.

Did You Know…?

The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce was established May 31, 1882, when a group of local merchants and business leaders concerned with community improvement and quality of life established the Fort Worth Board of Trade.

In 1912, the Board of Trade changed its name to the Chamber of Commerce and the organization was on its way to shaping and building one of the nation’s most rapidly growing cities.

Fort Worth was destined to become a major air traffic hub when, in 1947 – the Chamber’s 75th anniversary – the Civil Aeronautics Administration green lighted an $11 million international airport, Meacham Airport.

In 1960, the Chamber provided funding for the first Van Cliburn piano competition.

The Dallas Chamber and the Fort Worth Chamber held their first joint meeting in 1972 with former Texas governor John Connally as speaker.

The Chamber established the first Spirit of Enterprise Award and presented it to Charles Tandy, who was in New York at the time, via closed-circuit television in 1975.

On its 100th anniversary in 1982, the Chamber enhanced and strengthened the Area Councils program.

In 1987, the Chamber was part of a successful effort to have the U.S. Currency Printing Plant located in Fort Worth. It is one of only two such plants in the U.S.

The building of the Texas Motor Speedway and the formation of a Racefest partnership was announced in 1995.

In 1999, the Chamber celebrated the Texas Sesquicentennial along with the entire state.

Students Encouraged to Look to the Future

Forty students from Meadowbrook Middle School were flying high for three days in May as they attended a special Math & Science Camp courtesy of the Fort Worth Chamber’s East Area Council. Meadowbrook is the EAC’s adopted school and board members were looking for a way not only to encourage the students to stay in school, but to set their sights on their futures by concentrating on math and science.

Meadowbrook Middle School students in their science and math camp tee shirts.

“We have been trying for a year to put this program together,” said Pennie Blossom, area council manager for the Chamber. “We donated 200 shirts to the school’s closet to help students who could not afford the new school uniforms. But we wanted to do something that would really help them long term.”

The idea of staging a math and science camp for promising students was born. According to Mac McLain, an EAC board member, each board member worked to get someone involved in the program from speakers, to sponsors, to teachers.

“Everyone on the board got someone else involved,” said McLain.

The three-day camp, being held at Texas Wesleyan University, consisted of special motivational speakers each morning getting the kids revved up and ready for their classes.

Day one, Wesleyan President Harold Jeffcoat urged the students to start thinking now about what they want to do in their lives and stressing the importance that math and science courses will play in future careers.

“At least 75 percent of good jobs in the future will require competence in math and science,” said Jeffcoat leaving them with a math-related riddle for them to try to solve.
Paul Paine, former commander of NAS JRS Fort Worth and fighter pilot, was up next emphasizing the importance of discovering their passion and then following it.

“What do you want to do?” Paine, now president of Fort Worth South, Inc., asked the students. “That’s the question in front of you today. Where does your heart want to take you? You must decide and work hard for what you want.”

He added that his exciting career flying F-14s would never have been possible without a working knowledge of math and science.

Other speakers lined up for the camp included Doug Nakashima on fitness and Adrian Murray on auto engineering.

The camp’s math and science activities included rockets (Ric Rodriguez), computer gaming (Charlene Ghaedi and Don Cunningham), entrepreneurship (Adrian Murray) and meteorology (Garry Seith).

Each day’s activities included hands-on demonstrations designed to allow the students to get up close and personal with the projects as well as to capture their imaginations. The day ended with team building activities, facilitated by Christina Aguilar from the FWISD.

After all is said and done, how will those who worked on this project know if it was a success?

“If even one of these students goes on to college, that will be a success,” said Blossom. “The main focus for all the area councils is to start dangling the prospect of college in front of these kids. We want them to start thinking that they can do this, they can go to college.”

The Chamber’s EAC board is grateful to everyone who participated in the camp, especially McLain who handled the logistics. Others who helped out include:

Texas Wesleyan University – host
The T – lunch sponsor
Riverside Kennel – lunch sponsor
Reliant Energy and Subway on Vickery– lunch sponsor
The Hill Company – t-shirt sponsor
Chase Bank and Southeast Fort Worth Inc. – calculators

Click here for a list of the East Area Council board members.

President's Column

Bill Thornton

2007 is a year for looking forward as well as looking back.
This year, the Fort Worth Chamber is celebrating its 125th anniversary. It’s hard to imagine that when a group of local merchants and business leaders concerned with community improvement and quality of life got together to establish the Fort Worth Board of Trade – the Chamber’s predecessor – that we would be here today working with essentially the same mission.

Today that mission is expressed as working to make Fort Worth a better place to live, work and play and for our entire history, the Fort Worth Chamber has strived to do just that.

It is with no small amount of pride that I look around our area today. Fort Worth is the envy of the nation. We are the 18th largest city in the country and one of the fastest growing. We have a dynamic, thriving downtown teeming with new projects ranging from hotels and office buildings to restaurants and residential units.
A glance out West Seventh Street shows more progress. The Montgomery Ward project, the new Citizens Bank and even more prime real estate growth are transforming that once down at the heels area of town. And in the process, it is creating a fabulous gateway to our unequaled Cultural District.

How many cities can boast three world class art museums within walking distance of each other? In addition, there we have the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame which will soon tie in with the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s breathtaking new facility.

With the Barnett Shale energy activity, we have a fast-growing energy sector that promises to add dollars to both the public and private sector today an din the future.
As always, when talking Fort Worth history, one must include the Historic Stockyards, an area which maintains a direct tie to our colorful cowboy past. These three areas create the Fort Worth “triangle” – a place where tourists and locals alike can spend many exciting and enlightening hours.

But even as we look back at our history, the Fort Worth Chamber is casting its eye on the future. That vision of the future has led the Chamber to launch Vision Fort Worth, our new organization created to expose young professionals in our area to business leaders from all walks of life. Our mission is for young professionals to make contacts, create opportunities and foster the growth of our city and its future leaders.

Vision Fort Worth had a spectacular debut in April with a launch party at the T&P Lofts. Those of us who have been around Fort Worth for a few years were amazed to see the crowd of young men and women – more than 500 -- looking for just such an opportunity to build business relationships with peers.

And in May, Vision Fort Worth held its first quarterly luncheon. Thanks to the hard work of Chamber staffers, not only are we providing a needed venue for YPs to build valuable business relationships, but we are ensuring our city a steady stream of dedicated, community conscious, up-and-coming business leaders and retaining quality professionals in our community.

This month, we will celebrate our past, our present and our future at our 125th Annual Meeting. And in August, Pat Green will help us throw ourselves a birthday party at Billy Bob’s Texas. I invite our members to join us at both. Now who says history can’t be fun?

FastTrac Gathering Steam

By Arden Allen Dufilho

We, the members of the spring FastTrac class, are now in our seventh module, not to be mistaken for Cloud Nine. The program is grueling for me and I am the only one who doesn’t actually run a business yet. How these folks manage to work a full day and still find time to read the course material and do the homework assignments, I don’t know. It is a testament to their dedication and determination to improve both their lives and their businesses.

And with the help of course instructors Robin (“You never get off my bus”) Lasher and Lori Campbell, this class will emerge at the end of three months with new ideas on everything from financials to marketing. We will have access to state-of-the-art research tools and one-on-one time with Robin and Lori to help us create bankable business plans and find information competitors would die for.

FastTrac is a program designed to help small business owners streamline business processes, analyze strengths and shortcomings, and achieve more balance in their work and personal lives and is a cooperative program of the Fort Worth Chamber and the Tarrant County College Small Business Development Center.

It is truly amazing to hear my classmates and their stories about their businesses. Shakisha Crooks makes homecoming mums. Sounds like something you do a couple of months a year. It is, but the prep time involved is astounding. Hao Tran and her husband have started a realty company. I pay close attention to her stories because my husband and I hope to work together and I have no doubt it takes a very special relationship to manage that.

Don Brookins runs a janitorial service and Sheldon Dennis has a window cleaning company. Don’s business is his own; Sheldon’s is a franchise. Still they face many of the same issues -- slow-paying customers, jobs that don’t pay for themselves and how to “fire” some of their customers. Earl Wright’s fence-preserving company faces some of those issues as well. LaShanda Franklin is looking to grow her daycare and Sarah Garrett runs a unique art gallery and shop that is soon to move. No matter the business, there are still some things true for them all and we are wading through those tricky topics.

The camaraderie among the group is great. We have started giving each other marketing ideas, web site help and swapping leads. Sheldon found me an electrician. Hao and Sarah have discussed using art to help sell houses. Don, Earl and Sheldon discuss ways to deal with customer issues.

LaShanda’s daycare issues are different from Sarah’s dealings with artists, but it’s amazing how our brainstorming can help each of us come up with unusual solutions. I especially like Sarah’s idea for dealing with unattended children in her shop full of art.

“I’m going to post a sign that says, ‘Unattended children will be given a triple latte and a puppy.’” Now that is a bright idea.

As we continue towards course completion, one thing is for sure. We will know how to look at problems from all angles and how to come up with innovative solutions.

Recent Economic Activity in Tarrant County

OUT OF TOWN REPORTING

Embassy Suites Hotels announces the opening of its first property in Fort Worth, TX as the only upscale, all-suite hotel property in Fort Worth. Located directly across from the renowned Bass Performance Hall, and only three blocks from the Fort Worth Convention Center, the property is perfectly accessible to all Fort Worth area attractions, and is within walking distance of Sundance Square, which offers guests an array of restaurants, retail shops, art galleries and live entertainment venues. Business Wire, April 30, 2007

Range Resources Corporation, an independent oil and gas company operating in the Southwestern, Appalachian and Gulf Coast regions of the United States, announced that effective Monday, April 30, 2007 its Fort Worth headquarters will move to a new downtown location. The Company will occupy five floors at the newly renovated Two City Place, formerly known as the Tandy Towers. Business Wire, April 27, 2007

Hemi Energy Group Inc. announced it relocated the executive offices to Fort Worth, Texas. The new Hemi offices are now located in Fort Worth historic Stockyards district in the Exchange Building. Business Wire, April 26, 2007

CUNA Mutual Group officially opened its new customer operations center in Fort Worth as part of its ongoing effort to revamp its approach to customer service and streamline its operations. CUNA Mutual's new Customer Operations Center will house 700 employees in a 108,000-square-foot building that is being constructed in the Campus at CentrePort Business Park. The projected costs are approximately $12million for the project. Banking Wire, April 18, 2007

Bearfire Resorts has plans to deliver world-class skiing to Texas year-round. After careful consideration, the company has decided to shift its plans for a winter-themed entertainment destination from Dallas to Fort Worth, Texas. Formerly envisioned as a theme park using the working name "Coolzone Winterplex," the new project, now known as the "Bearfire Resort," will feature ski slopes spread over a 650,000-square-feet ski-able area. Additionally, Bearfire Resort will include a 600-room hotel, a convention center, and a world-class spa at the base of the ski mountain. contractmagazine.com, April 27, 2007

IN THE WORKS

Wells Fargo is building a bank branch at Alliance Town Center, at Heritage Trace Parkway and Interstate 35W. The branch will open May 14. It will have a drive-through and business bankers and be open every day except Sunday. Star Telegram, April 2, 2007

What is going to replace the Parthenon Greek restaurant? Borodino Land Ltd. plans to build a seven-unit condominium building called Talavera, and the architecture will closely match that of the neighboring Versailles condo building on Henderson Street, its developers said. The new condo building and the Versailles will form a U with a courtyard between the buildings, Smith and Jones said. The Parthenon will close April 28. Fort Worth Business Press, April 9, 2007

Hotel developer Sava Holdings has begun construction on a 143-room Holiday Inn at Trinity and CentrePort boulevards in the CentrePort Business Park in far eastern Fort Worth. The company already has a 174-room Candlewood Suites under construction next door. The CentrePort Holiday Inn is scheduled to open in September. Star Telegram, April 23, 2007

InterContinental Hotels Group has started work on a full-service Holiday Inn near Interstate 35W and Northeast Loop 820, according to the parent company. The 126-room hotel is set for completion by the beginning of 2008. Star Telegram, April 23, 2007

EXPANSIONS AND MOVES

Kincaid’s Hamburgers owners Ronald and Lynn Gentry have finalized plans to open three more burger outposts this year, and the family has plans to open up to 10 more local restaurants by 2010. The newest Kincaid’s will be located in southwest Fort Worth at 5000 S. Hulen St., in the shopping center which houses Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Old Navy. Fort Worth Business Press, April 9, 2007

Two Bucks Beverage Center, a Fort Worth party-supply and beverage company, is building a two-story, 19,000-square-foot facility at Interstate 35W and Felix Street. The facility will replace and double the size of its present store on South Freeway, which opened 65 years ago. Star Telegram, April 16, 2007

ECC Inc. and Stephen Evans of Thompson Tree Service have purchased adjoining lots totaling 4.5 acres in the 3100 block of Reagan Drive. The companies are leaving 3501 Concrete St. because the property will be in the path of the Southwest Parkway.
Star-Telegram, April 23, 2007

ON THE DOTTED LINE

Nation's Best Sports, a sporting goods buying group, has leased 30,000 square feet at 816 Blue Mound Road. Star Telegram, April 2, 2007

Extreme A/C has leased 7,500 square feet at 5083 Martin Luther King Freeway, in the Village Creek Business Park. Star Telegram, April 2, 2007

Kensington Realty has bought the Volunteers of America office building at 1424 Hemphill St. The organization will be leasing the 24,000 square-foot single-tenant office building until its new location on Riverside Drive is completed, according to a broker involved in the deal. Star Telegram, April 16, 2007

McCart Plaza, a 63,271 square-foot shopping center on McCart Avenue, just north of Interstate 20, has been sold to a California-based investor. The shopping center, 5203 McCart Ave, was built in 1970 and is 98 percent leased. It is anchored by McCart Thrift Center and Family Dollar. Star Telegram, April 16, 2007

Three tenants have leased space at 6850 Manhattan Boulevard:

Aurora Asul has leased 1,775 square feet for a training-and-sales center in Suite 509.
Certified Communications, a staffing agency for general contractors and electricians, has leased 2,050 square feet in Suite 410.
New Generations Insurance Agency has leased 2,145 square feet for its new insurance agency.

Star Telegram, April 9, 2007

Comedy Corner Cafe & Bar has leased 6,998 square feet of space in the Hulen Fashion Center, 5250 S. Hulen St. The club hosts open-mic nights for comedy and poetry. It also offers Christian comedy and live music on Sundays. Star Telegram, April 23, 2007

A local investor group, 3512 Bluebonnet LP, has bought the 59-unit University Apartments, 3512 S. University Drive, south of Bluebonnet Circle. Star Telegram, April 23, 2007

PlainsCapital has leased 8,263 square feet in the Trinity Commons shopping center for the company's third Fort Worth banking facility. It is scheduled to open in August. Star Telegram, April 30, 2007

OPENINGS

Abilene-based First Financial Trust & Asset Management Co. has opened its first Fort Worth location. The company has leased 1,738 square feet of space on the fifth floor of the Bombay Building, 550 Bailey Ave., the company said. First Financial Trust & Asset Management is a subsidiary of First Financial Bankshares, a financial holding company. Star Telegram, April 23, 2007

LegacyTexas Bank of Plano plans to open its first Fort Worth location on University Drive and has filed an application to open a branch at 1320 S. University Drive. Two other new banks are already open, Sovereign Bank of Dallas and First Financial Bankshares. Banks currenlty in the area include Wells Fargo and Bank of America. Fort Worth Business Press, April 30, 2007

The former TexasBank operations center on four acres just inside West Loop 820 at 8851 Camp Bowie West has been acquired by Hwy 80 Capital, an investment group of Red Oak Realty in Fort Worth, deeds show. The 48,000-square-foot, three-story building was built in 1985. Compass Bank, which merged with TexasBank last year, vacated the building in April. Compass Bank kept the parcel, which has offices and drive-through facilities. Star Telegram, April 30, 2007

AROUND TOWN

An overlooked pocket of Mistletoe Heights will soon see some dilapidated homes swept away to make room for new homes whose architecture reflects the historic neighborhood. The Westridge Group began buying lots in 2006 in a 3-acre area along Magnolia and Harrison avenues, and Morphy Street, just east of Jerome Street. They have amassed 18 lots, nearly half of the three-block area. Planned are single-family houses ranging from 1,750 square feet to 2,000 square feet, and some two-story houses that will be as large as 2,700 square feet. Prices will be under $300,000. The area is part of the Mistletoe Heights historic district, and the wood-frame houses date to the 1910s and 1920s. The houses range from 800 square feet to 1,000 square feet. Star Telegram, April 7, 2007

Another developer has been attracted to the charm of the Oleander Walk redevelopment along Oleander Street, a narrow, alleylike residential track on the city's near south side, where communities of town houses are springing up. Mint Interest Group in Dallas bought five lots last year at the northwest corner of Oleander and Adams streets, and now says it will begin construction of four units in June, the first phase of Oleander Place Townhomes, which will eventually include 17 town houses. Star Telegram, April 11, 2007

Oleander Walk is just north of Texana Townhomes, which has 14 units built. Oleander Walk is also one block east of the Lofts on Fairmount, which has four town houses up, and a second phase of six units is planned to begin this summer. Oleander Walk is a concept begun by Fort Worth South, which would like to have traffic minimized along Oleander Street between Hurley and College avenues to make the area more pedestrian-friendly and attractive to builders. Nearly 400 apartments have been developed, and nearly 200 are planned, according to Fort Worth South. Star Telegram, April 11, 2007

The skyscape portion of the downtown "zipper" mural, which has been one of Fort Worth's most visible pieces of public art for more than three decades, will be repainted this year. The image of a feather will replace the clouds, in part as a tribute to the artist who designed it. The late Stuart Gentling, who was a prominent Fort Worth artist, designed the mural that is painted on the side of a building on Lancaster Avenue, between Jennings Avenue and Monroe Street. Once a clothing factory for Williamson-Dickie, it is now an office building. The mural was painted in the mid-1970s. Star Telegram, April 9, 2007

Enormous changes in store for the Cultural District’s skyline have become even more so with word that the Kimbell Art Museum has chosen architectural superstar Renzo Piano to develop a neighboring building as a complement to the Kimbell’s landmark Louis I. Kahn structure of 1972. The site is an across-the-street parcel of 5.94 acres, acquired in 1998. The Kimbell’s present gross area of 120,000 square feet contains approximately 22,000 square feet of gallery space. Fort Worth Business Press, April 9, 2007

The unveiling of plans for a $65-million reconstruction of the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History makes plain a broader commitment to unify the older and newer components of the Cultural District. Architect Ricardo Legorreta, as if regarding the south-by-southwestern quadrant of the area as a campus for learning and entertainment, has taken pains to reflect and respond to the architecture of the nearby National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame. The institutions have developed a collaborative alliance in a strategy to strengthen the museum’s own Southwestern-heritage component. Fort Worth Business Press, April 16, 2007

The gradual introduction of stadium-seating auditoriums at Starplex Hulen Movies 10, 6330 Hulen Bend Blvd., marks a decisive beginning for a $1.5-million redevelopment process. The Starplex development and comparable improvements for the old UA Hulen site (behind Hulen Mall) promise to restore first-run big-screen attractions to the southwest sector on a competitive par with filmgoing venues at Ridgmar and in the Mid-Cities and downtown areas. Fort Worth Business Press, April 23, 2007

DID YOU KNOW?

Although the pace of Metroplex office leasing is down from the first quarter of 2006, the North Texas market still absorbed more than opened between January and March, Grubb & Ellis Co. research finds. While vacancies are up in many parts of the Metroplex, in Fort Worth's central business district, the overall vacancy rate is 5.4 percent. Star Telegram, April 23, 2007

Fort Worth-based Cheldan Homes and the company's new custom-home division, Kaden Homes, was awarded five sales and marketing honors at the 2007 McSam Awards. The McSam Awards are presented by the Sales and Marketing Council of the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas to recognize excellence in sales and marketing. Star Telegram, April 16, 2007

To better reflect the organization's mission, Historic Camp Bowie Inc. has formally changed its name to Camp Bowie District Inc. The announcement was made in April, but the switch was effective March 1. The seven-year-old organization was formed to promote economic development along Camp Bowie Boulevard, beginning at University Drive and heading west. The new name is meant to be more indicative of those economic development goals. Star Telegram, April 16, 2007

After more than 35 years as general manager of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, W.R. “Bob” Watt Jr. announced his retirement during the annual board meeting of the show’s membership April 17. The retirement marks the end of a family dynasty that has been key in the development of Fort Worth’s most famous event for more than half a century. Bradford S. “Brad” Barnes, 52, was appointed by the organization’s executive committee to the position of executive vice president/general manager. Barnes was hired as the No. 2 man at the end of the 2004 show in a special board-created position. Fort Worth Business Press, April 23, 2007

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

Spirit of Enterprise Awarded to JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan Chase is the winner of the 2007 Fort Worth Chamber Spirit of Enterprise Award.

JPMorgan Chase has served Fort Worth residents and businesses for more than 125 years, dating back to the bank’s founding as Fort Worth National Bank in 1873. Since then, the bank has grown to be a part of one of the world’s leading financial firms, with operations in 50 countries and more than $1 trillion in assets.

David Smith

Fort Worth remains a major market for JPMorgan Chase. The company employs more than 4,100 residents and serves customers through 49 area branches, with more on the way. JPMorgan Chase is also the market leader in serving Fort Worth businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to multi-national companies that call Fort Worth home.

“At the heart of banking is relationships, and relationships are about people,” said Danny Smith, chairman of JPMorgan Chase in Tarrant County. “We pride ourselves on our long-standing relationships with our customers, and a key part of those relationships is the longevity of our bankers. For more than 125 years, we have been Fort Worth’s bank, and it’s been an honor to serve this city’s people, and its businesses.”

Providing financial services to high net worth individuals and families is also a hallmark of JPMorgan Chase in Fort Worth. In fact, Fort Worth is home to JPMorgan Chase’s Specialty Assets Group, which draws on the strengths of longtime Fort Worth bankers who are experts in managing real estate; farm, ranch and timberlands; closely held business interests; and oil, gas and mineral properties, like the Barnett Shale natural gas field.

Like many local businesses, JPMorgan Chase has invested deeply in Fort Worth for its operating future. The firm opened a state-of-the-art operations center in the CentrePort business park earlier this decade, a site that processes more than 47 million customer transactions each month for consumer and business customers in six states.

Financial expertise from Fort Worth and other markets has helped JPMorgan Chase excel in the financial services industry. Today, the firm provides a complete range of financial services to consumers and businesses throughout the nation, and the world.

As JPMorgan Chase has grown worldwide and in Fort Worth, the firm continues to provide strong support to the city and its organizations, continuing a long-standing tradition of giving back both financially and through its employees.

“JPMorgan Chase’s investment in the Fort Worth Chamber’s education initiative as well as their support for our organization and our community as a whole has proved invaluable,” said Bill Thornton, president of the Chamber. “I applaud Danny Smith’s visionary leadership.”

Just as Fort Worth grew from a small Texas town into a vibrant city with countless modern offerings, so has Fort Worth’s oldest bank evolved into a robust institution with the capabilities and support of a major international firm.

It’s those relationships that have sustained JPMorgan Chase in Fort Worth for more than a century – relationships with businesses and Fort Worth residents alike that have made dreams come true, and provided capital that helped the city grow.

The Spirit of Enterprise Award will be presented at the Fort Worth Chamber’s 125th Annual Meeting, June 7 at the Renaissance Worthington Hotel.

Seen the Vision Yet? Vision Fort Worth’s Night Vision

Vision Fort Worth, a new Chamber program targeting young professionals 21-40, launched in April with a fabulous party at the T&P Lofts. Now, Vision FW begins its regular slate of evening events with its first Night Vision.

What: Night Vision
When: Thursday, June 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Silver Fox Steakhouse, 1651 S. University, 76107
Cost: VFW members – no charge; non-members - $10

Vision Fort Worth provides people of all professions the opportunity to come together and share their ideas and vision for the future and, unlike other organizations that are typically geared towards a single profession or field, Vision FW will expose you to business leaders from all walks of life.

One of Vision Fort Worth's goals is to build long-term business relationships in the community as well as friendships. The mission is for young professionals to make contacts, create opportunities and foster the growth of our city and its future leaders. Get involved and form lasting connections!

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

Leads Groups

Leads Groups meet weekly and help participants generate new business. They are comprised of no more than 30 individuals with each one representing a different industry. Participants must be Fort Worth Chamber members. A company may be in two Leads Groups, until/unless that slot is needed for another company in the same industry. Gold members participate for free with the same restriction.

To visit a Leads Group, either contact the Coordinator or call the Leader directly to make sure there is no conflict of industry. Each group has its own rules and personality, although they all loosely fall under Chamber guidelines. Consistent attendance provides the maximum benefit.

Newly Forming Group – Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m.
Saltgrass - 5845 Sand Shell Drive
Leader: Kolburn Conway, 817/577-6047, kolburn.conway@edwardjones.com

Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m.; Texas Tornadoes – Currently full
Luby’s Cafeteria – 251 University
Leader: Clarence Moore, 682/472-1306, cjlmoore@ADT.com

Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.; The Big List – Currently full
Bonnell’s - 4259 Bryant Irvin Rd.
Leader: George Fassett, 817/ 923-2419, georgefassett@thumbtechs.com

Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fort Worth Leads Exchange
Call for location.
Leader: Hal Dodd, 817/332-2061, ext. 2043, hdodd@paychex.com

NEW! Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. --1 p.m. Tuesday 3
Café Aspen – 6103 Camp Bowie
Leader: Troy Hutter, 817/923-2419, troyhutter@thumbtechs.com

Wednesday, 7:30 – 9 a.m. SW Morning Networking
4255 Bryant Irvin, Suite 113 (Edward Jones office)
Leader: Cathy Brooks, 817/946-2145, c.brooks@leamancontainer.com

NEW! Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Women Business Leaders – Currently Full
Café Aspen – 6103 Camp Bowie.
Leader: Jean Davis 817/233-9211, jean@swtc-business.com

Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Metroplex Business Partners
Green Oaks Hotel – 6901 West Freeway
Leader: Pepper Hudson, 817/732-2533, pepper-l@sbcglobal.net

Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Leads Masters
Call for location.
Leader: Tina Gardner, 817/205-5044, tinagardner@charter.net

Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. eLEADS Group
Café Aspen – 6103 Camp Bowie
Leader: Maureen Sullivan, 817/239-7533, maureen@ourfortworth.com

NEW! Friday, 11:30 – 1 p.m. – Friday Group
Historic Camp Bowie Mercantile Center – Call for directions
Leader: Brian Schneider, 817/731-6199, brian@hickmaninvestments.com

For more information on the program, contact Diana Dugan, 817/336-2491, ext. 258, or dugan@fortworthchamber.com.

Action Ambassador Program Creates Stars

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. Currently, the program is recruiting new members; Ambassadors must be members of the Fort Worth Chamber.

Recently Chris Munizza and Bethany Tyler were named as “Star Ambassadors“ recognizing their efforts on behalf of the program.

“I decided to get more involved in the Chamber, so I became an Action Ambassador,” said Tyler. ”I wanted to get out and meet successful people in different industries and learn from them. Not only did I meet a great group of people, but now they are more business acquaintances, they’re friends. I’d recommend Action Ambassadors to any young professional who wants to get involved in the Chamber.”

For more information on the program, contact Teresa Pearson at 817/336-2491, ext. 249 for information on becoming an Action Ambassador.

Love of Leggos Leads Architects to Small Business of the Year Award

Gerry Schwarz visited his father’s warehouse and being intrigued with the layout, drew up a crude floor plan. He was 6 years old. Somewhere along that time Schwarz received some Leggos, and the rest was history.

Gerry Schwarz, left, and partner Tod Hanson own Schwarz-Hanson Architects, this year’s Small Business of the Year winner for the 1-10 employee category.

“I always knew I’d be an architect,” he said. Gerry Schwarz and his fellow Texas A&M Aggie formed Schwarz Hanson Architects, winner of this year’s Small Business of the Year Award in the 1-10 employee category.

“It was amazing how many calls we got after winning from people who saw it in the Chamberletter,” said Schwarz. “That’s great. Now we’re going to use it in our marketing by putting it on our website and on our brochures.”

After Texas A&M, Schwarz worked in a firm and then went on his own in 1990, concentrating mostly on residential. It was five years later when he teamed with Tod Hanson, who had worked at Gideon Toal and with their combined experience, founded Schwarz Hanson Architects. The company of six employees is a full-service architectural and planning firm with experience in municipal, educational, institutional, religious, health care, residential and commercial projects.

As Fort Worth has grown, the business has grown both in revenues and services, doubling gross receipts in 2006 over ’05. The most recent addition to services is interior design, and landscape design services are planned.

“We’re not plant people, and we need one,” said Hanson. “And we’re planning to expand our office space, because we can’t grow here.”

But finding qualified, motivated and talented employees to grown with Schwarz and Hanson is one of their biggest challenges. They recruit from the American Institute of Architects, and need people with both creativity and precision.

“It takes a certain type of person to work in a small firm,” said Hanson, “one who can multi-task and wear multiple hats. But there is a lot of opportunity here, and we will reward those who want to grow with us.” Since winning the award, Hanson says there has a great sense of pride in the office. “Our team was really excited about it.”

The principals encourage employees to go to school career days to talk to students about the profession of architecture, as well as sponsor the Star-Telegram’s Partnership in Education program.

Architecture has changed over the years, and not just the transition from drafting tables to CAD. With more construction labor unable to communicate in English, additional graphic information must be incorporated into the drawings. Schwarz Hanson uses photos, three-dimensional modeling and other graphic representations on drawings to convey design intent.

“We have our staff get field experience to understand contractor’s issues as well as the clients’,” Schwarz said.

Among the firm’s most rewarding yet challenging projects was the Union Gospel Mission for the homeless in Fort Worth. The mixed-use building called for creativity of residential but practicality of an institution, all on a tight budget.

“We wanted it to have a homey feel, but it had to be durable, and have a security aspect,” said Hanson. “We incorporated some subtle planning in views and angles so that the residents don’t feel they are being watched, or they won’t come in.”

Another favorite project is one that was not built, but the model graces their lobby. They were one of 3,000 firms nationwide who applied to design the World Trade Center Memorial.

“Architecture is a passion,” Schwartz said. “It must meet the needs of its inhabitants, needs that are physical, emotional and beyond.”
Participating in the Small Business of the Year process was rewarding, says Schwarz.
“I would recommend any small business do it,” he said. “It makes you very introspective about your business processes and methods. You really see what you do from a different point of view.”

Calendar of Events

Click here for the Chamber Calendar of Events

Barnett Shale Expo

Citizens interested in this gas rig were among thousands who attended last month’s Barnett Shale Expo to learn about the effects of the natural gas play. Go to www.barnettshale.com for information and video files from the Expo.

Singer Pat Green Headlines Chamber Anniversary Event

Texas native Pat Green will “cannonball” into Billy Bob’s Texas as the headliner for the Fort Worth Chamber’s 125th Anniversary Party later this summer. Mark that date now.

What: Fort Worth Chambers’ 125th Anniversary Party starring Pat Green
When: Tuesday, August 21
Where: Billy Bob’s Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, 76164

Pat Green

Green sells out stadiums like the Houston Astrodome and Dallas’ Smirnoff Center as well as the Nokia Theater in New York City as a headliner, but he also tours with major artists like Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and the Dave Matthews Band. Green’s anniversary appearance for the Chamber will be the social event of the year.

Cannonball, his new album, features Green’s provocative songwriting style. Working for the first time with a Nashville label, Green and his supporters expect Cannonball to transform him from Texas cult star to emerging country superstar.

“I feel like this album is a home run,” Green says. “I wanted to take our brand of independent music and give it a fresh shot at making a bigger impact. I think we’ve accomplished that when I hear these songs.”

Green has always lived on the border of both worlds. His unique lyrics present a distinct vision of the world that reaches outsiders and fans of off-the-beaten-path music. At the same time, the carefree, slice-of-the-good-life, sing-along-with-me nature of his work has built-in mass appeal.

Typical of his path, Green has built a career unlike any other in the modern music business. In an era when many artists shoot to stardom and sometimes fall just as quickly, Green has risen through grassroots support, common-man appeal and an engaging live show. “We have definitely gone about things differently from the start,” he said. “We never fit in with the cookie-cutter stuff, and for a while that was what dominated the airwaves. Now it seems that radio is more excited than ever about breaking new acts and bringing new blood into the fold.”

Cannonball captures Green at his most accessible and engaging. “I think everybody has their own story to tell,” he said. “For me, the only thing that works is trying to make sense out of the world around me and the life I’m living. Honesty is the only way to go for me.”

“Feels Like It Should,” the first single from Cannonball, encapsulates the spirit of the new album. “It’s all about knowing you’re on top of the world and soaking up that feeling,” he says. “I wrote that with my drummer Justin Pollard and Brett James, we really wanted to create the perfect summer song.”

Green also cites his enthusiasm for such new songs as “Dixie Lullaby,” “Way Back Texas,” “Love Like That” and the rowdy title cut. “I think is the most thoughtful and consistent record we’ve made,” he says. “I don’t like using words like ‘mature’ or ‘grown-up,’ because I’m still a kid at heart. I don’t want to have to act grown-up all the time. I’m a father, and I have to make the right decisions, so I think the balance of wanting to stay youthful yet live right comes through on these songs.”

As his attitude and words prove, Green has no problem believing that Cannonball is a career album for him. “I have to believe in what I’m doing—that’s what has gotten me over every hill,” he says. “I’ve got a big heart, and I’ve got a strong desire to climb to the top cliff and jump off. If you’re going to do that, you have to think you deserve it. We’ve been doing this a while now, and it just keeps getting better. I’m as ready as I can be for what comes next.”

Recent Ribbon Cuttings

EECU, 9350 Clifford St., 76108.
Contact Donna Thomas at 817/882-0160.
Boston’s, The Gourmet Pizza, 6501 North Freeway, 76137.
Contact Casey Ramage at 817/829-4369.
Historic Camp Bowie Mercantile & Trolley Stop Cafe, 7200 Camp Bowie Blvd., 76116.
Contact Brian Schneider at 817/731-6199.
Greiner Purtec, 7621 Pebble Dr., 76118.
Contact Brenda Rodriquez at 817/686-3100.
Meridian Bank Texas, 915 Florence St., 76102.
Contact Glenn Monroe at 817/334-4600.
Brown, Dean, Wiseman, Proctor, Hart & Howell, L.L.P., 306 W. 7th St., Ste. 200, 76102.
Contact Nikki Morton at 817/332-1391.
Samaritan House (Seeds of Hope Garden & Harvest of Hope Garden), 929 Hemphill, 76104.
Contact Sarah Deats at 817/332-6410.
Faces Cosmetics, 3811 S. Cooper St., #2074, Arlington, 76015.
Contact Brenda Cureton-Smith at 817/472-7222.
First Horizon Bank, 114 Main St., 76102.
Contact Debbie Jones at 817/870-1908.

Click here to view pictures from these and other ribbon cuttings.

Archive

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2003

777 Taylor Street, Suite 900

Fort Worth, TX 76102-4997

817.336.2491