August 2007

• FWISD
• Higher Education
• President's Column
• Update
• Cowboy
• Golf Tournament
  
• Action Ambassador
• Huckabee
• CVB's Dubois
• Sponsorships
• Texas Hold'em
• Calendar
• Ribbon cuttings
  

FWISD Superintendent Recaps Second-Year Accomplishments

Superintendent Dr. Melody Johnson

Just as the 2007-2008 school year gets underway, Fort Worth Independent School District Superintendent Melody Johnson, Ph.D., will present her third State of Education address at the annual Chamber education luncheon.

Dr. Johnson will share highlights of the 2006-2007 school year and then talk about what to expect in the new school year. Topics in her presentation will include new district initiatives, such as the math and science focus she unveiled last year, and the challenges and opportunities facing the school district in the coming year. In particular, the Chamber audience will hear how the business community can positively impact the high school graduation rate.

Some of those ways, listed in the FWISD’s Project Prevail brochure, are:

• Make school enrollment a condition of employment for teens
• Limit student work schedules to 10 p.m. on school nights
• Provide incentives for school performance and attendance
• Allow adult employees to attend school / teacher conferences without penalty
• Establish, solicit and award college scholarships

Dr. Johnson is beginning her third school year as superintendent of schools. She joined the Fort Worth ISD in July 2005 following her tenure as superintendent of schools in Providence, Rhode Island.  During her time in Providence, Dr. Johnson received national recognition for her efforts to spearhead long-term systemic reforms.

Southwest Bank is Presenting sponsor of the luncheon. Platinum sponsor is JPMorgan Chase and Gold sponsor is The T.

What:	State of Education Luncheon
When:	Thursday, Sept 6, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.
Where:	Hilton Fort Worth, 815 Main St. 76102
Cost:	Chamber members – $35; Gold and Preferred members – $30; non-members – $60; and tables of eight – $350.
How:	Register online at http://events.fortworthchamber.com or with Brianna Dishman at bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.

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Fort Worth Higher Ed Meets Business Needs

In a city that offers countless business opportunities, it’s only fitting that it also provides the educational means to get there. The following provides a glimpse into the latest happenings on the college and university campuses around the city.

TCC Associate Professor of History Mike Nichols uses modern technology in his lecture to students at the Nortwest Campus.

Texas Christian University
The discovery of the Barnett Shale beneath Tarrant County has and will provide endless opportunities to the city. Texas Christian University (TCU) has responded by recently creating an Energy Institute to take advantage of the educational opportunities. The general mission of the Institute is to help develop the emerging energy strategies that will define our future. The specific mission is to provide broadly based educational support for the development of the Barnett Shale. TCU alumnus Ross Matthews, president of Sinclair Oil and Gas Company, has agreed to serve as the first director of the Institute and is assembling a board of commercial, industrial and political advisors.

The Energy Institute is designed to involve the professional and educational communities in Fort Worth, incorporating advisors from many areas in the industry. The Institute integrates the College of Science and Engineering and the Neeley School of Business to provide a unique opportunity for students, faculty, professionals and the industry to examine energy resources. Individuals can take classes, conduct leading-edge technology research, and receive certification.

The proposed curriculum provides comprehensive education in petroleum geology, petroleum engineering and petroleum land management. The Institute plans to focus on prospect to production, materials technology, drilling navigation and guidance, geologic data integration, oil & gas marketing strategies, future energy sources, lease agreements, urban drilling issues, energy regulations and policy analysis.

Tarrant County College
The Tarrant County area workforce will benefit from an $864,590 job-training grant from the Skills Development Fund that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) administers. Tarrant County College (TCC) has partnered with an eight-member business consortium to provide the training.

The grant will be used to create or upgrade 897 jobs, including aircraft assemblers, engineering specialists, printing machine operators, retail salespersons, marketing and sales managers, shipping clerks, production workers and more. The business consortium includes Bell Helicopter TEXTRON, Motheral Printing Co., OBIM Fresh-Cut Fruit Co., Liberty Carton Co., PCI/Hawk Electronics, Sealy Mattress Co., Miller Brewing Co. Fort Worth Brewery and Ropak Corp.

“Responding to the workforce needs of Texas’ employers is one of our top priorities, and the Skills Development Fund is one of the best methods we have for doing that,” said TWC Chair Diane Rath. “With this grant, area employers gain a custom-trained workforce, workers learn valuable skills, and the community benefits through added jobs and economic development.”

In Fiscal Year 2006, Skills Development Fund grants created or upgraded 14,090 jobs. The FY 2006 grants assisted 125 Texas employers with their customized training needs. The Legislature has appropriated $40.5 million to the Skills Development Fund for the 2006-07 biennium.

Texas Wesleyan University
Texas Wesleyan University (TWU) has been selected to receive nearly $2 million from the U.S. Department of Education's Strengthening Institutions Program. Texas Wesleyan was the only university in the state to receive this award and was one of 20 institutions nationwide.

The grant award will be approximately $400,000 per year for 5 years, beginning October 1, 2007. The Strengthening Institutions Program funding totals $1.98 million over five years and includes money for instructional technologies, academic programming using the Learning Community Model and transforming the advising process.

The university has also created a new degree program, a master’s in management with a concentration in public administration, designed to prepare future managers and leaders in government, nonprofit and for-profit business.

"We worked in partnership with the City to formulate the degree plan," said Dr. Charlie Little, TWU’s director of graduate business programs. "The master in management, with the public administration concentration, moves away from the traditional MBA plan and focuses on the things that managers and leaders actually do in organizations: budget and finance, managing change, ethics, public relations, communicating.”
 
Tarleton State University – Fort Worth
Though its main campus is in Stephenville, Texas, Tarleton State University offers several graduate, undergraduate and certification options from its locations in Fort Worth. The university recently celebrated the grand opening of its new teaching facility at 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd. In addition to the Fort Worth campus, Tarleton State offers classes in Granbury, Weatherford and Cleburne.

The graduate school gives students the opportunity to earn master’s degrees in educational leadership, educational administration, counseling, counseling psychology, curriculum and instruction, human resource management, business administration, management and leadership, mathematics and humanities.

Students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree are offered options in business, clinical laboratory science, medical technology, histotechnology and medical laboratory technology.

Tarleton State’s Fort Worth location also provides certification for principals, superintendents, counselors, clinical laboratory scientists, histotechnologists and medical laboratory technologists.

University of Texas at Arlington – Downtown Fort Worth
Arlington is its main location, but the UT Arlington College of Business Administration is now offering an executive MBA in its specially designed location in downtown Fort Worth. The EMBA program is the only 15-month classroom-based business school EMBA program in the state of Texas. In addition, it is the only Texas program with a world-class ongoing China EMBA connection.

The EMBA is designed for mid-level and senior managers, as well as company executives. Most students in EMBA programs have at least seven years of work experience. Classes are held on alternating Fridays and Saturdays so students can stay in their jobs. The UTA program begins at 1 p.m. on Friday so that students can be in the office on Friday morning. Also, the courses run for 15 months, rather than the traditional 21-month model.

The fully accredited 13-course module is offered in downtown Fort Worth at the EMBA Executive Center at 1401 Jones Street. The alternating weekend EMBA primarily targets working professionals in the DFW area. The globally focused program features state-of-the-art facilities with the latest technology available, an executive classroom, dining room and library, all in a self-contained complex with historic designation.

University of North Texas Health Science Center
The nation’s eyes turned to Fort Worth on June 25 when the DNA Lab at the University of North Texas Health Science Center was featured in an article in USA Today. The article, which features missing persons investigation work the lab conducts with the FBI, appeared on page 2A of the print edition and on the Web site. To see the online edition, go to www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070625/a_unidentside25.art.htm.

In other news, the UNTHSC School of Public Health received a seven-year accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the longest-term accreditation offered by the organization. UNTHSC’s school is one of only 38 accredited schools of public health in the nation.

To be accredited, an institution must offer master’s degrees in all five disciplines of public health: epidemiology, biostatistics, health management and policy, environmental and occupational health, and social and behavioral sciences. It must also offer a doctoral degree in at least one of the disciplines. The School of Public Health exceeds this criterion by offering doctoral degrees in four of the disciplines.

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President’s Column

Bill Thornton

Every time I open the newspaper or a magazine, I read that Fort Worth and Tarrant County keep topping the lists: Fastest-growing. Most livable. Most innovative. Hottest downtown.

Despite these accolades we have our challenges, not the least of which is transportation. We enjoy connections to four major interstate highways, and our city’s leaders are constantly striving to improve transportation options. A key component of that is the cadre of individuals who tirelessly advocate for smart planning, construction and management of Metroplex infrastructure.

Bill Meadows is one of those individuals. As Tarrant County’s representative on the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), he has spent years advocating for State Highway 121 (Southwest Parkway) on Fort Worth’s rapidly expanding southwest side.

His impact has been felt again. A recent victory for the region revolves around SH 121 from Collin to Denton County. In an unusual competition to build a roadway, Meadows and a delegation from North Texas convinced the Texas Transportation Commission to award construction of that toll road to the NTTA. The deal brings $3.3 billion in Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) funds to expand area roads, with a portion of toll receipts to be used for easing congestion here in our region.

This past legislative session officials voted to exempt Tarrant County transportation projects from the state’s toll road moratorium so that we can keep people, freight and business moving. Russell Laughlin, Hillwood Properties senior vice president and 35W Coalition president and Transportation Committee chairman, was one of many dedicated advocates who contributed to that win. Russell was recently recognized as a TxDOT Road Hand, the department’s highest honor that acknowledges individuals who have demonstrated a strong dedication to enhancing the Texas transportation system.

North Richland Hills Mayor Oscar Trevino, whose city hall overlooks a congested NE Loop 820, has been a strong voice for progress with road and rail. He advocated in Austin for North Tarrant Express funding (I-35W, NE Loop 820 and SH 121/183 expansion) as well as changes to the sales tax limits to allow more regional mass transit. As newly elected chairman of the Regional Transportation Council, we know he will continue to champion regional priorities.

Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, previous chairman of the RTC, remains a dogged advocate for keeping the region’s transportation projects on track. His continued efforts on our behalf are having lasting impact on our economic climate and quality of life.

Finally, where would we be without Walt Humann, “father of DART” and staunch supporter of regional commuter and light rail solutions. Walt has been chairman of the Chamber’s Transportation Committee for a number of years, and continues the fight in Austin to adjust the sales tax limits to allow more Texas cities to enjoy mass transit.

With our rapid population growth and air quality issues, we cannot afford to be a “Sunday driver” on this issue. The Chamber is working closely with The T to carve our own transit path, and encourages the public to give input at upcoming rail station planning sessions.

A city --- or a county or a region -- is only as strong as its leaders, and many have contributed to our success. This newsletter is not large enough to acknowledge everyone who is having an impact, but congratulations and many thanks from the Fort Worth Chamber to you all.

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Recap of Tarrant County Economic Updates
           
In the Works
An innovative design by Rosales + Partners of Boston for a pedestrian bridge that will connect the east and west banks of the Trinity River south of the Lancaster Avenue Bridge, adjacent to downtown Fort Worth, was unveiled May 18 by the Fort Worth Parks and Community Services department. The unique configuration, the first of its kind to be completed in the United States, consists of a continuous concrete stress ribbon supported on a slender steel arch. The central arch has a clear span of 163 feet over the water and the overall length of the 12-foot-wide bridge is 364 feet. The $1.5-million bridge will help continue the revitalization of the Trinity River by encouraging pedestrian and bicycle traffic, say those familiar with the project.
Fort Worth Business Press, June 4, 2007

San Francisco-based Pacific Bay Investments recently bought shopping centers in Fort Worth and Haltom City. “We are very bullish on Fort Worth,” Chief Executive Adam Sparks said. “We think basically that Fort Worth is one of the strongest economies in the country.” The latest Fort Worth shopping center being renovated is McCart Plaza, at 5210 McCart Ave. in Fort Worth. 
Star-Telegram, June 11, 2007

Innovative Developers Inc. in Fort Worth has been selected to oversee the renovation of Ridglea Country Club’s clubhouses, a $5-million project that will involve tearing down and rebuilding one clubhouse and remodeling part of the other. The club will spend about $3.4 million to rebuild the 11,000-square-foot clubhouse at its South Course, 3901 Ridglea Country Club Drive, off Southwest Boulevard in southwest Fort Worth. Ridglea Country Club renovated the east end of the building in 2001. It is now renovating the west end of the building to match. The clubhouse was built in 1954.
Star-Telegram, June 18, 2007

The Hampton Inn & Suites, 2700 S. Green Oaks Blvd., is scheduled to be completed in October 2007.
Star-Telegram, June 18, 2007

Developer Eddie Vanston, who refurbishes old residential properties on the near south side of Fort Worth, is starting to renovate two more buildings: the Sawyer Grocery building at the southeast corner of Main and Daggett streets and the Joyslin Building next door. Both were built in 1909, right after the Great Southside Fire in April of that year, and have been vacant for many years, according to historical accounts. The new, $2-million project, involves commercial space on the street level and 14 apartments on the second level of the two buildings.
Star-Telegram, June 25, 2007

Sedalco Construction Services in Fort Worth said it will begin building Legacy Marketplace, a 40,000-square-foot shopping center, at 9700 Legacy Drive, near a Wal-Mart Supercenter. The shopping center, off Clifford Street and White Settlement Road west of Loop 820, is being developed by Legacy Partners in Fort Worth. The center is scheduled to be completed in December.
Star-Telegram, June 25, 2007

Expansions and Moves
Range Resources Corp. recently moved into its new offices in the renovated Two City Place.  Range Resources had previously been scattered around several buildings downtown. It now occupies five floors and 80,000 square feet of space in the north office tower of the City Place complex, once known as the Tandy Center. Already this year, the company has made three large acquisitions totaling $374 million, is pushing the edge of the Barnett Shale natural gas play and is moving into new plays in Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Fort Worth Business Press, June 11, 2007

Early in June there was a farewell weekend for Fizzi’s, a downtown restaurant before it closed June 10.  Owner Bobby Albanese is moving to the Cultural District. In July he’s planning to open Piola, an Italian restaurant at 3700 Mattison Avenue.
Star-Telegram, June 07, 2007

Citizens National Bank, which opened its new headquarters on West 7th Street earlier this year, has agreed to be acquired by Terrell-based American National Bank of Texas for an undisclosed amount, the bank announced on June 13. American National recently expanded into the Tarrant County market with the lease of 5,600 square feet of office space in the Summit Office Park at 1200 Summit Ave. The new branch, which will be American National’s 28th, will open this summer. With the addition of Citizens National, American National will have approximately 65 employees in Tarrant County, according to the bank.
Fort Worth Business Press, June 18, 2007

On the Dotted Line
Oakmont Sound Joint Venture has bought the 5,286-square-foot building at 6251 Oakmont Blvd. that was once a retail location for Sound Idea.
Star-Telegram, June 4, 2007

Three leases have been signed for 820 Business Park, 3134 S.E. Loop 820. City Electric Supply has leased 5,000 square feet; Solution 1 has leased 1,250 square feet; and Accutex, a technology manufacturer, has leased 2,000 square feet.
Star-Telegram, June 11, 2007

Silver Creek Labs has leased 5,000 square feet at 3800 Sandshell Drive.
Star-Telegram, June 11, 2007

SCI Real Estate Investments based in Los Angeles, has bought the 244-unit Cumberland at Ridglea apartment community. The community, near Bryant Irvin Road in the Ridglea area, was developed in 2005 by North American Partners Development Co. in Dallas.
Star-Telegram, June 18, 2007

Fort Worth Pipeline has bought the 36,000-square-foot building at 500 E. Rosedale St.  to use as its offices and warehouse. Grocery Supply Co. of Sulphur Springs bought the building in 1980 and sold it in 2001 to McCarty Properties. The building was most recently leased by Reflective Surfaces.
Star-Telegram, June 25, 2007

LA Fitness has leased 45,000 square feet for a fitness center in the Hawks Creek Shopping Center on Alta Mere Drive, between Green Oaks and Roaring Springs roads. The center is scheduled to open in August.
Star-Telegram, June 25,, 2007

Openings
Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest commercial real estate brokerage, has opened a new office with 18 sales specialists and support staff in downtown Fort Worth. The company has leased a 6,000-square-foot space in The Tower, at 500 Throckmorton St. Marcus & Millichap is headquartered in Encino, Calif. The company closed $20.5 billion in transactions during 2006.
Fort Worth Business Press, June 11, 2007

Chefs Lou Lambert and Grady Spearsopened their casual college hamburger grill, Dutch's Burgers and Beer, on South University Drive with a scaled-back menu of hamburgers, hot dogs and salads. A more extensive menu will come later.
Star-Telegram, May 31, 2007

Pappas Burger is open. So is the new Kincaid's Hamburgers near Hulen Mall. Cowtown's burger selection expanded this year with new restaurants by celebrity chefs Tim Love (Love Shack, 110 E. Exchange Ave.) and Dutch's.
Star-Telegram, June 29, 2007

Flying Fish, a new grilled and fried seafood restaurant, is opening in west Fort Worth. From the founders of the 8.0 Bar and the Flying Saucer, the Flying Fish brings the same spirit to a catfish cafe and oyster bar. A wall features photos of local anglers. The Fish is at 2913 Montgomery St., across from the Railhead Smokehouse.
Star-Telegram, June 29, 2007

Around Town
After years of orange barrels and diverted lanes of traffic, Rosedale Street in south Fort Worth is now open. The Texas Department of Transportation gave the contractor until September to finish the road, but it has finished ahead of schedule.
Fort Worth Business Press, June 25, 2007

More than 2,000 horses were expected for the 2007 World Championship Paint Horse Show, scheduled for June 24-July 7 at Will Rogers Equestrian Center. An annual non-qualifying event for registered American Paint Horses, the World Show features 183 classes, including five challenge series classes and four sweepstakes events. APHA and its corporate World Show sponsors will pay out more than $230,000 in cash and $170,000 in prizes at this year’s event. The APHA World Show has experienced steady and sustained growth in the past decade. Last year, 4,524 entries—1,400 of which were youth competitors—were in attendance.
Fort Worth Business Press, June 18, 2007

Out of Town Reporting
Texas Aviation Services, an industry leader in helicopter and aircraft completion, MRO and maintenance services for more than 36 years, announced that the company has received the FAA Diamond Award Certificate of Excellence. The FAA awards this highest safety and training certificate to those aviation companies who lead the industry in measurable commitment to training. Texas Aviation Services, with 140,000 square feet of facilities at Meacham Field, is an independent helicopter technical services company with 36 years of successful history. The Meacham Airport operations are one of the largest of their type in the mid-south, with capacity for scores of helicopter projects per year.
PR Newswire US, May 31, 2007

What's the fastest-growing American city with more than half a million people? If you guessed Fort Worth, you are correct. [Fort Worth] added more than 20 percent to its population from July 2000 through July 2006, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
CNNMoney.com, June 28, 2007

Did You Know?
The Quality Texas Foundation has named Freese and Nichols, a Fort Worth architecture and engineering firm, a recipient of the 2007 Texas Award for Performance Excellence. The company will receive the award June 25 at the Texas Quest for Excellence Conference in Horseshoe Bay. The annual award is patterned after the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award and recognizes Texas organizations that have achieved performance excellence and applied outstanding quality principles in their day-to-day operations.
Star-Telegram, June 4, 2007

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., InterConnect Wiring LLC and the Neeley School of Business at TCU received top honors at the ninth annual Mayor’s Global Business Awards on May 31. The trio was among nine finalists and 34 nominees recognized for international business excellence in Fort Worth and Tarrant County by the Fort Worth International Center and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
Fort Worth Business Press, June 4, 2007

AllianceTexas, a Hillwood development, received the Kenneth Barr International Flagship Award for outstanding success and proven dedication to long-term international business development in Tarrant County. The award is named for Kenneth Barr, the city’s 42nd mayor.
Fort Worth Business Press, June 4, 2007

Stripling & Cox, a generations-old retailer that faced stiff competition from national chains and discounters, will be closing along with 37 other stores of Fort Worth-based Dunlap Co., employees said Tuesday. The company has made no official announcement, but an executive at the company's Fort Worth headquarters said Dunlap expects to issue a news release later this week.
Star-Telegram, June 6, 2007

The Trinity River Vision Authority received the Celebrating Leadership in Development Excellence Award from the North Central Texas Council of Governments during its 41st annual general assembly meeting June 15. It’s the second time the management team has won the award in the public policy and planning category. The group was honored for implementing a program or policy that promotes continued economic success and quality of life for its region’s future. The Trinity River Uptown project is aimed at revitalizing an 800 acre area north of downtown Fort Worth with public improvements and private development. The plan is sponsored by the Tarrant Regional Water District, the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Streams and Valleys Inc.
Fort Worth Business Press, June 25, 2007

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

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A Different Kind of Cowboy is Riding into Town

It requires 1,200 on-site workers to construct, and there are shifts working seven days a week to see that it is completed on schedule. Its retractable roof panels, hanging 320 feet above the ground, will weigh more than 1,000 tons each.

Only one local personality could create such a frenzy, and he’s coming to Fort Worth to share the details behind these grand plans and efforts. Jerry Jones, owner, president and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, will be the featured speaker at the Leaders in Business luncheon on September 14. In what will undoubtedly be a rousing presentation, Jones will give the crowd an update on the Cowboys’ move to Arlington, construction of the new state-of-the-art stadium, the recent winning bid for the 2011 Super Bowl, and so much more.

Love him or loathe him, it’s impossible to deny Jones’ business acumen and his distinguished football successes. He is the only man in the history of the National Football League to play for a collegiate national championship football team (the 1964 Arkansas Razorbacks) and own a Super Bowl winner. He is the first owner in NFL history to guide his team to three league championships in his first seven years of ownership. 1995, his team became the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in four seasons while tying the NFL record for most Super Bowl victories by an organization with five. For the past nine years, Jones and his family have utilized the Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day halftime show to kick off the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Drive. The organization credits the Joneses with helping to raise more than $900 million during their near decade-long involvement.

Get online or call to register and secure your ticket—seats to this sporting event will go quickly.

What:	Leaders in Business Luncheon
When:	Friday, Sept 14, 11:30 a.m. Registration, noon lunch
Where:	Petroleum Club of Fort Worth, 777 Main St, 76102
Cost:	Chamber members – $35; Gold and Preferred members – $30; non-members – $60; and tables of eight – $350
How:	Registration online at http://events.fortworthchamber.com by 9/11. For more information, contact Brianna Dishman at bdishman@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 275.

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It's Tee Time at Ridglea

Planning for the annual Fort Worth Chamber golf tournament is underway, and because it sells out every year, interested players need to step up to the, um, tee.

The Golf Classic is a great opportunity to spend an afternoon out on the north and south courses of Ridglea Country Club. The north course of the club, also known as the family course, plays at 6,447 yards, while the south course, known as the Championship course, plays at 7,125 yards. Ridglea has made all of its facilities available to Chamber golfers. It has a full staff of golf pros, golf shops and practice areas at each location.

More than 300 people attend each year, and the tournament has always sold out. It is a tremendous opportunity to network.        

Some sponsorship opportunities are still available. Sponsors receive signage, recognition in the Chamberletter and seats at the awards dinner, which will conclude the day.

For more information on playing in the tournament, contact Lydia Hall at lhall@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 272. For sponsorship information, contact Becky Matson at bmatson@fortworthchamber.com, ext. 243.

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Bill Henry Named Star Ambassador

Bill Henry Star Ambassador

Congratulations to Bill Henry, this month’s Star Ambassador. He is the owner of Oak Lake Promotions and also operates an insurance consulting business.

Henry joined the Chamber this year and quickly jumped into events, including becoming an Action Ambassador.  He has attended every ribbon cutting, as well as After Hours and Getting to Know Your Chamber events. “I’ve enjoyed doing the work and meeting the people involved in the Chamber,” he said.

Action Ambassadors is 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 part of the Membership Department, Action Ambassadors attend ribbon-cutting and ground-breaking ceremonies, assist with member-retention calls and act as greeters at various Chamber functions.
           
Any Chamber member interested in becoming an Action Ambassador, contact Teresa Pearson at tpearson@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 249.

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Huckabee Mixes Spaghetti and Marshmallows in Recipe for Success

What do spaghetti and marshmallows have in common with one of Fort Worth’s leading architectural firms? According to chief executive officer Chris Huckabee, lots more than you might imagine. 

Winner of the Chamber’s 2006 Small Business of the Year award for the category of 51-100 employees, Huckabee & Associates is a school design firm comprised of architects, planners, managers, and construction observers. But typical industry resources are not only what have made Huckabee successful. Instead, Chris believes the principles behind the creative use of simple spaghetti and fluffy marshmallows have resulted in this award-winning company.

From time to time, Huckabee employee groups called “communities” – there are no “committees” at this friendly firm – get together for some light-hearted competition.  Communities are given a building assignment, with spaghetti and marshmallows as the only materials available. The employees begin the challenge; however, at certain pre-set intervals, they must leave their work in progress. Feedback from this innovative team-building exercise has shown that Huckabee’s employees grow with the realization that they can improve upon what a previous community has completed, rather than sabotaging another group’s work.

Huckabee & Assoicates employee groups work on a team-building assignment.

Huckabee and Associates was established 40 years ago in West Texas by Chris’s father, Tommie. Upon his graduation in 1991 from the architectural school at Texas Tech University, Chris joined the firm and slowly began moving a portion of the business towards Fort Worth. Historically known as a small firm, Chris ran into a few stumbling blocks with his future growth plans. The family business had always focused on rural school districts; consequently, when bidding for projects in larger urban areas, the “small town” firm had difficulty competing. Chris pressed forward to open the Fort Worth office, and by the end of 1995, the firm had landed a large project for the Mansfield Independent School District.

Chris’ vision paid off, and Huckabee’s growth continues. Today, the firm has delivered more than 1,100 educational facilities and more than $2 billion in construction costs by providing structural engineering, program management, technology design, bond planning and marketing, master planning, construction observation and interior design. Designing learning environments that meet the unique needs of each client, building from time-tested, durable materials that have proven to resist heavy wear and tear, providing long term cost effective design solutions, and developing concise but detailed documents are just a few of the business principles started by Chris’ father that the company abides by to this day.

Chris also adheres to his family’s business philosophy of focusing on both internal and external customer service. “Customer service is so important at Huckabee that we’ve created an internal community dedicated exclusively to that aspect of our business,” said Huckabee. “Each month the ‘Ravings Fans’ community meets to review our progress with current customers and develop Plus One service strategies. Our goal is to improve service to our clients by one percent every day.”

An example of Plus One service the Huckabee team has provided to a client was working the concession stands at Prosper High School’s homecoming game so that the parents could sit in the stands and enjoy the game. “We intend to convert every one of our clients into a ‘Raving Fan” by making them heroes in their own community, and surprising them with service from our team that is beyond the expected,” said Huckabee.

In addition, Huckabee’s Community Excellence Fund helps nonprofits like the American Red Cross and Cook Children’s Medical Center. Employees are also regular volunteers with local school districts, Junior Achievement and Happy Hill Farm Academy/Home.

A Fort Worth Chamber member since 1993, Huckabee’s firm applied for the Small Business of the Year award for the first time last year. “I was actually surprised at how much fun our employees had throughout the application process,” said Huckabee. Though they are a regular applicant for national architecture and engineering awards, the local business-to-business competition was a new opportunity for the firm. “One of the best parts about the process was bringing the judges through our office. All of our employees really showed tremendous pride in the firm. We actually wished we had been able to show them around for more time than the one hour they allowed us!

“I would strongly encourage other Fort Worth businesses to apply for the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year award. Win or lose, we knew we competed against the best businesses in town, and we learned a lot about ourselves throughout the process,” continued Huckabee. “This recognition was a great honor for our entire company, and we were thrilled with the awareness and exposure we received because of this prestigious award. It gave our team a chance to sit back and celebrate our accomplishments. In fact, we took the whole staff to the awards ceremony and then closed the office next day for a group lunch and afternoon of bowling to celebrate!”

2008 Small Business of the Year Nominations Now Being Accepted

Nominate your or another business for one of the following Small Business Award categories: 1-10 employees, 11-50 employees, 51-100 employees, 101-250 employees and emerging business (in business less than three years and not a buyout of an existing business). Nomination criteria include:

• Any for-profit business headquartered in Tarrant County.
• Applicant must be owner, partner or major shareholder of the business and active in its day-to-day operations.
• Business must be financially stable and operational for a minimum of three years with the exception of the “emerging business.”
• Businesses providing a current member of the Fort Worth Chamber Board of Directors will not be eligible for consideration.
• Businesses must be members of the Fort Worth Chamber at the time award is presented.

Judging elements include business growth and performance; sound business strategies and practices; business challenges; unique and innovative approaches and community involvement and contribution.

For a nomination form, go to our website or contact Lydia Hall at lhall@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 272. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Becky Matson at bmatson@fortworthchamber.com, ext. 243.

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New Ideas from a New City Leader

CVB's David Dubois

Because its purpose is to attract out-of-towners to the city, the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau flies under the radar of most residents. The organization’s efforts are critical to keeping Fort Worth on the travel market, and the CVB’s new president and CEO, David DuBois, will be the featured guest at the August 29 membership luncheon, hosted by the Central Area Council with presenting sponsor Wells Fargo.

DuBois will unveil the CVB’s plans, to help promote the 2011 Super Bowl, give updates on new hotels opening in the area, and discuss marketing the DFW region to the nation and world.

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Sponsorships Benefit Chamber Members

The Fort Worth Chamber’s 125 years of success can be attributed to many factors, programs that aid members in doing business continue to be one of its most demanded services. From presentations by national politico Mary Matalin to hands-on instruction for how to put together a trade show booth, the Chamber’s programs are now a hallmark of the organization.

Underwriting by sponsors help keep those programs running. The Chamber is in the midst of its fourth annual Total Resource Campaign, where member volunteers sell sponsorships and memberships, earn prizes and commissions, and expand their personal business network.

“Sponsorship packages are tailored to each event, and members are able to choose not only which package best fits their budget, but also which event best reaches their target market,” said Becky Matson, development manager for the Fort Worth Chamber.

 “This approach is an innovative way to increase revenue and coordinate fundraising efforts,” added Susan Halsey, chairman of the Campaign and attorney-at-law with Jackson Walker, L.L.P. “The 2006 campaign had a goal of $575,000 and raised a record $606,000 dollars, so this year the initial bar is raised to $600,000, and we’re confident our volunteers and members can do it. The Chamber could not provide member programs and events without this generous support.”

From the annual Golf Classic to the weekly Newz-E-Letter, every Chamber activity needs sponsors. If your company is interested in a package, contact Becky Matson at bmatson@fortworthchamber.com or 817/336-2491, ext. 243.

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Chamber program raises stakes with Texas Hold’ em

The Texas Hold’ em craze has taken high school and college-aged students by storm with the average player being between 21-39 years old and male. Not to be outdone, Women Influencing Business, a new chamber initiative, will add women to the mix as they host the Chamber’s first Texas Hold ‘Em party, Thursday, September 27 at the Fort Worth Club. Beginner tables, blackjack tables and seriously going after it tables will offer fun for everyone.

All members are “invited to the table” for the Texas Hold’ em party, but you may want to first learn the basics or even brush up on your skills at the next practice session, Tuesday, August 14, at the Fort Worth Club card room, 11th floor. Cost is $20 per person.

Platinum sponsor is Consultants in Radiology; Gold Sponsor is Sanford, Baumeister & Frazier.

For more information about poker practice or the WIB program, contact Dugan at ddugan@fortworthchamber.com or 817-336-2491 x 258.  

Ladies who want to become involved in Women Influencing Business can go to www.fortworthchamber.com, click on WIB and register for updates on future events and activities.

Players practice Texas Hold 'em for the Women Influencing Business Launch Pary September 27th. (L to R) Teri Sheddy, Cynthia Sadler, Martha Newman, Ann Perryman, Docia Larson and Jill Gunnell know when to hold 'em.

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Calendar of Events

Click here for the Chamber Calendar of Events

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Recent Ribbon Cuttings
           
Salon Café
5817 Westcreek Dr.
Fort Worth, TX  76133
Contact Debra McIntosh at 817/371-8782
                                    
UBuildIt Lake Worth
800 Jim Wright Freeway #4
White Settlement, TX  76108
Contact Frank Shelton at 817/423-7303

Marcus & Millichap
500 Throckmorton St., Ste. 325
Fort Worth, TX  76102
Contact Drew Kile at 682/478-1200

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