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A MOMENT WITH THE PRESIDENT
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From the Desk of John Hernandez, President of the FWHCC
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This month, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the impact of women in our business community. Earlier this year, we invited a panel of successful Latinas in Corporate America to speak to our members. The panelists openly shared their personal experiences in leadership positions at their respective corporations. Later this month, we will invite a similar panel of Latina Entrepreneurs to candidly share their stories of trials and successes in starting and running their own enterprises.
My entire staff at the Chamber is comprised of women. Sometimes I am asked, "John, why do you only hire women?" I respond to this question, "It's not that I only hire women. It's just happened more times than not that they are the best candidate for the job. They are detail oriented, organized, and dedicated." Because of these qualities, I truly believe that women can be successful business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders in our community.
Upon doing some research, I found that one in five women in the U.S is a Latina. It is projected that by 2060, Latinas will form nearly one third of the female population. Latina-owned businesses are growing at the fastest rate of all women-owned businesses and accounted for more than $71 billion in receipts in 2014. Latinas have made tremendous progress over the last decade and have created an impact on young women all over the country.
Cultural stereotypes can make it seem that women do not have what it takes for leadership roles, thereby adding to the barriers that women encounter in attaining roles that yield substantial power and authority.
What I find so disappointing is that despite the
irrefutable
need to balance corporate leadership ranks with more women, we're making very little progress in the way of effective corporate change.
To be part of an organization and community where we can empower female entrepreneurs and leaders is not only effective but is also beneficial to business. I hope to see you at our upcoming Latinas in Leadership panel event on October 27th as we support and learn from women who have impacted our community with their entrepreneurial spirit.
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EVENTS CALENDAR
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Please note that the Chamber is undergoing a database upgrade and registration for some events may not be available online. Please call the Chamber at (817) 625-5411 to register if you are unable to do so online.
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FWHCC Annual Golf Tournament
The FWHCC Annual Golf Tournament attracts over 100 golfers by providing a fun opportunity to get out of the office and make business connections. On
October 5th
, join us for the opportunity to network and enjoy a round of golf while benefiting the Chamber's initiatives and Scholarship Fund. Please call the Chamber at (817) 625-5411 to register your team
!
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Joint Business After Hours Mixer
Join the FWHCC and the Fort Worth Chamber for a joint chamber networking event on October 13th. Meet and mingle with members of both the Fort Worth Chamber and the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber, enjoy refreshments and don't forget to bring your business cards for networking! Register online.
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Five Pillar Lecture Series: Leadership
The FWHCC will host a panel of four successful Latina Entrepreneurs on
October 27th
. Join Sandra McGlothlin, Wanda Granier, Erica Cisneros, and Crystal Marra as they
discuss their experiences growing a business and candidly talk about the risks and failures associated with their experiences. Please call the Chamber at (817) 625-5411 to register.
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Prepare a Bid Packet with a Bang!
Join TRVA and TRWD on October 20th for a moderate panelist discussion about contracting processes from their agency's perspective. Topics will focus on types of bidding tools, bonding and insurance requirements, commonly-made mistakes, bid presentation, the necessity of pre-bid meetings, schedule requirements and many more helpful tips. This is your opportunity to hear first-hand insight from the project managers and contracting officers that might be looking at your next bid or proposal. Register online.
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Abrazando al Exito
Tarrant County College's 7th
annual Abrazando al
Éxito
event serves as the college's culminating event for Hispanic Heritage Month on October 20th. With the purpose of celebrating culture and student success, this event seeks to invest in our community's future Latino leaders through professional development, personal growth and scholarships. This year's event is appropriately themed, "Los Caminos de Nuestros
Sueños
",
and seeks to highlight the multitude of pathways Latinos have taken towards reaching their dreams. Register online.
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DFW Area Vendor Fair
Tarrant County Public Agencies are collaboratively holding a Vendor Fair on
November 1st
. All small, minority, women, historically underutilized or disadvantaged businesses and enterprises are encouraged to participate. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet decision makers from different businesses throughout the
DFW area
, attend workshops, participate in one-on-one interviews with buyers, network and learn about current and upcoming bid opportunities. Register online.
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CHAMBER
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Five Pillar Lecture Series: Business
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To facilitate the development of quality business leadership, four prominent Fort Worth CEOs joined the FWHCC's members at the Fort Worth Club to discuss their companies' growth trajectories and how they have addressed business problems, staffing concerns and growing a thriving enterprise.
Thank you to our panel, Sean Donohue of DFW International Airport, Deborah Connor of Fort Worth Business, Robbie Briggs of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty, and Martin Lehman of Byrne Construction Services. Thank you also to our wonderful moderator, Carlo Capua and our generous sponsors, DFW International Airport, Wells Fargo, New York Life - JoAnn Jensen, and Fort Worth Business Press.
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Agenda for Building Capacity
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| The FWHCC and other community partners, including BNSF Railway, the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, FWMBCC, and RHCA, hosted another successful Agenda for Building Capacity Business to Business Roundtable Networking Event this past month at the Tarrant County Resource Connection Center. Community Partners from Tarrant County gathered together to provide participants invaluable resources and networking opportunities. Thank you to our planning partners, our event sponsor, Wells Fargo and our guest speaker, Councilmember Kelly Allen Gray. |
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Robotic professional fields are proving to be critical for the advancement of our society. Consider robots being utilized to explore the depths of the ocean, unreachable by man, or robots being used to survey space. By all measures, the demand for professionals in these fields will continue to grow along with their earning potential. For these reasons, the FWHCC, along with many other organizations, has risen to the challenge of increasing STEM field awareness, passion, mentoring and healthy competition. This month, the Diamond Hill Robotics Team fundraising dinner was a key piece to our involvement with this objective. We provided our assistance to the "Adamas" robotics team with the planning and execution of their event: a fundraiser to support their dreams of attending a national competition. However, it was more than just an effort to raise funds. The students introduced guests to the world of robotic competitions, their robot "Glory," their amazing history and independent mentoring efforts. The fundraising dinner was a huge success, but the students still need to meet their fundraising goal for the FRC Robotics Competition before November 10th. Please consider donating to their
Go Fund Me Account.
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COMMUNITY
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Sister Cities Amazingly Global Race
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The Fort Worth Sister Cities Amazingly Global Race is coming up on October 14th! Race teams will join Mayor Betsy Price for this global challenge right here in Fort Worth. Teams will walk, run, and ride to eight international stations attempting various challenges along the way to reach the finish line.
Proceeds from the Amazingly Global Race benefit Fort Worth Sister Cities Youth Programs. These youth programs teach the leadership, communication skills and cultural understanding necessary to interact with the global community and to breakdown misunderstandings that often lead to conflict. These programs
make it possible for Fort Worth students to meet and interact with other cultures, thus developing a personal connection and understanding of international issues.
We would like to ask for your support of the
FWHCC's own Amazingly Global Race team. The FHWCC Queen Bees need your help to raise money for the entry fee to compete in the Fort Worth Sister Cities Amazingly Global Race. Each team has been asked to raise $1,000 for their entry fee and we still need $850 before October 10th to reach our goal. For your convenience, you may donate online.
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Cleburne Railroaders Baseball Team
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A vision to return professional baseball to the community along with a passion shared by civic leaders and overwhelming support by the citizens' voice has paved the way for Cleburne Railroaders Baseball, LLC.
In May of 2017, the Cleburne Railroaders Professional Baseball Team will take the field in defense of a Championship earned 111 years prior. As May 2017 approaches, the business of baseball in Cleburne has already begun including linking to other communities such as Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
Railroaders staff has spent all of this this year into the fall engaging in Johnson, Tarrant and surrounding counties, events, civic groups and organizations. Talking to as many businesses, baseball fans and citizens as possible is the key to their success. Educating the masses on tickets, sponsorships and opportunities is as much of a discussion as the need to just be part of the community.
Since the Railroaders have not been part of Cleburne since 1906, this current incarnation and ownership group wants to recreate an organization that the citizens are proud of and can rely on for affordable family entertainment and a safe place to be for many events throughout the year.
The development is a gateway to the community as a whole, that will be linked to a master developed retail/mixed use known as Cleburne Station, located at the very south end of the Chisholm Trail Parkway and Highway 67 Intersection.
As proposed and voter-approved, the business model for success has a city owning a baseball stadium and leasing to an operator. Cleburne Railroaders Baseball, LLC, is one of a few sports entities and businesses owned or partly owned by Dallas Mavericks President and General Manager, Donnie Nelson.
Donnie has a key involvement in the retail and mixed use development with his partnership in Matthews Southwest Group who will oversee the construction of the ballpark. Cleburne Railroaders Baseball, LLC, was a natural fit to be selected as the baseball operator and has since entered into an agreement with the City to operate an independent Professional Minor League baseball team at "The Depot".
Given current successes such as the NBA-D League Texas Legends owned by Mr. Nelson, the Railroaders bring experience and integrity in running a business by doing things the right way.
"The goal is, what we do, engages the community, contributes to the development of the community, charitable organizations, youth programs and family life, and by meeting that goal, we feel we will be successful regardless of the bottom line totals," according to Railroaders President Robbie Fenyes.
The stadium location at the south end of the Chisholm Trail Parkway and Hwy 67, has been under construction since July and is scheduled to be completed in March 2017. The first pitch in the new facility for the Railroaders is scheduled in May 2017.
Fenyes stated, "We anticipate reaching communities in Johnson and surrounding counties with this new entertainment destination. The development of the Chisholm Trail Parkway brings us much closer to Tarrant County, just 22 minutes from cowntown Fort Worth to the ballpark."
Fenyes added, "We hope to host as many Tarrant County residents as possible, an effort made even more viable by partnering with The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber, we appreciate their support tremendously."
The team has been working hard in marketing the season and the facility which is available year-round for private, corporate and community use. Manager of Community Development and Relations, Gabrina Soliz, commented "We have been working diligently offering season ticket and sponsorship opportunities and scheduling non-baseball events to maximize facility utilization. We are happy to speak with organizations, groups and communities at large about the opportunities available."
A league affiliation announcement is coming in the very near future.
Fenyes ended by saying, "As the Operator of the Cleburne Railroaders, we are grateful to the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for their support and the opportunity to be in the community working side-by-side with them to bring this vision to reality for Johnson and Southern Tarrant Counties. We are committed to bringing a championship back to Cleburne, continuing the tradition and building on the future."
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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Trinity River Vision Project
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 It's an exciting time for the
Trinity River Vision. Major components of the vision's infrastructure are underway now including bridge construction, demolition, environmental remediation, utility relocation and property acquisition is nearly complete. All this hard work is making way for a vibrant 800-acre urban waterfront neighborhood in the heart of our city with 12 miles of developable waterfront much like San Antonio's beloved river walk. Our project will not only provide great opportunities today, but for generations to come.
Panther Island: A New Place to Live, Work and Play
On Panther Island, land use is regulated through mixed-use zoning promoting a live, work, play environment. A form based code requires private development to conform to design principles that enable a pedestrian oriented, dense neighborhood to function. Minimum height requirements ensure high density, compact urban development in Fort Worth's central city where resources and services are already in place. Development Standards allow incentives for the construction of LEED certified buildings and require the use of quality materials in new construction.
Revitalizing and redeveloping the central city and encouraging brownfield redevelopment enhances the environment, reduces blight, brings people and jobs together, and helps to reduce urban sprawl and preserve green space in outlying areas.
Fair Contracting
Early in the development stages of the TRV project, the project's Executive Director and several of the local chambers of commerce held a meeting with the intent to discuss how they could be proactive with the inclusion of disadvantaged businesses to include locally-owned, minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned and small businesses in the contracting process throughout the lifespan of the project. One of the challenges that would be faced was that each project partner had different fair contracting policies, as well as their own set of qualifications. Therefore, the key to successful inclusion of disadvantaged businesses was educating the business community about project partner policies and qualifications.
As a result of this meeting, the Fair Contracting Committee (FCC) was created. Today the FCC has grown to 28 members and includes representatives from city government, chambers of commerce, project sponsors and various other agencies. The committees' efforts not only focus on disadvantage business inclusion, but also on educating local contractors of all sizes to keep the project dollars and work local. The motto continues to be "opportunity for all."
The FCC meets quarterly to discuss current contracting opportunities with the TRV project, challenges in regards to specific fair contracting issues and ways to increase awareness of the project to local and disadvantaged business communities. Some of the instruments used to facilitate information to the business community are a quarterly newsletter, educational workshops with project partners, certification workshops and more. As a result of the efforts of the FCC, the project has a current fair contracting percentage of 31 percent.
For more information on the TRVA project please visit their website.
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MEMBERS
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Ruben Montoya is an accomplished human resources leader with 25 years of experience working for Fortune 500 and private companies in corporate, field, and consulting roles. Ruben has advised senior management clients to effectively grow their business by listening to client needs, providing best-practice solutions and delivering value.
Ruben has joined the globally acclaimed John Maxwell Team (JMT), an elite group of 5,000 certified coaches, teachers, speakers, trainers, and professionals who have helped people worldwide create a leadership legacy within their own spheres of influence. John Maxwell Team members inspire positive life transformation and help others achieve their highest vision and goals, both personally and professionally.
Ruben helps companies and employees improve their leadership skills, coaches performance and grows teams. If you would like more information, please contact Ruben at (817) 914-0680 or
rub272@gmail.com. You may also visit his website
here.
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Interested in a Ribbon Cutting?
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A great benefit of your FWHCC membership is that we offer ribbon cuttings for members who have started a new business, moved to a new location, or
have remodeled/
expanded an existing business. Please let us know if you are interested in scheduling a ribbon cutting by contacting Nicole Antonini at (817) 625-5411 or
nicole.antonini@fwhcc.org
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Thanks to Our Corporate Partners
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GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
PARTNER
ASSOCIATES
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