Greetings from your NLF Chair, Dr. Eli D. Mercer | |
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Opportunities to Connect, Share Ideas, & Collaborate
Northeast Tarrant County is gearing up for another year of outstanding programming with a robust calendar of fall events and activities. We are receiving much-needed rain and people are refreshed, energized, and ready to engage. This month we feature two cornerstone events that foster relationships and collaboration in North Texas.
2023 Heart of North Texas Conference - November 1st
The NLF is excited to host the 26th Annual Heart of North Texas conference, our signature event, next Wednesday November 1st at the Hurst Conference Center. This year’s theme will be The Future is Now. We have a stellar lineup of speakers that you will not want to miss. We’d like to thank all the members of our organizing committee, sponsors, and community partners for making this event possible. A special shout out to our Tri-chairs RaDonna Hessel, Kathryn Rotter, and Craig Hulse for their leadership and vision over the last year. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Global Entrepreneurship Week North Texas - November 13th - 19th
Global Entrepreneurship Week North Texas continues to grow and have a positive impact on Northeast Tarrant County and all of North Texas. The weeklong schedule and activities have expanded from Fort Worth and Tarrant County to dozens of events across the region. We thank the leaders and organizers and look forward to taking part in GEW-NTX this year.
We Invite You to Join Us
Whether you are a newcomer to the area or a longstanding leader and collaborator, we look forward to having you to join us! These annual gatherings provide opportunities for leaders from business, government, education, and service organizations to come together and collaborate. The community will gather to learn together, discuss important topics, and re-connect with friends and collaborators from across the region. We look forward to seeing you next week.
The NLF provides a forum for collaboration, dialogue, and engagement to build stronger communities through relationships. Click here to download the membership application.
With tremendous gratitude,
-Dr. Eli D. Mercer, Chairman of the Board of NLF
[email protected]
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26th Annual Heart of North Texas – Just one week away on Nov. 1 | | |
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We look forward to what will be another sold-out Heart North Texas next Wednesday, November 1, at the Hurst Conference Center.
This year’s theme is The Future Is Now, and our speakers will reinforce how we will prepare ourselves for immediate and long-term success and prosperity.
Tri-chairs RaDonna Hessel, Kathryn Rotter, and Craig Hulse, along with their committee, have done another magnificent job delivering compelling speakers who are relevant and will share meaningful insights that impact our businesses.
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This is your opportunity to showcase NLF to your associates and customers, whose influence and success can help expand as you invite them to attend. If you have not completed your guest list for your table, please do so today! Please email your table’s attendee list to the HEB Chamber of Commerce at [email protected].
To provide quality networking opportunities, our participants will enjoy networking breaks between speakers, with a theme and encouragement to connect with others present.
Featured speakers will be:
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Jason McCann, the co-founder and CEO of Vari, the company that began with a single adjustable desk and has grown to have 100% market share inside the Fortune 500. Named 2021 CEO of the Year by D CEO Magazine, Jason will be our luncheon keynote speaker, where he will share insights about Workplace Innovation.
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Ian Kinne, Director of Logistics Innovation at Hillwood, will address how technological innovation is expanding the scope and efficiency of logistics.
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Dr. Danielle M Clement, Technical Fellow at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, will address how Artificial Intelligence can expand capabilities within companies with previously unimagined possibilities, and how those innovations will redefine companies and our workplace.
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Sheraun Howard, Supervisory Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Dallas Office, who leads the Dallas National Cyber Squad, will lead us through the challenges we face personally, professionally, and as a nation due to cyber threats, and how we can respond and protect ourselves.
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Table Sponsors
1 Million Cups - NE Tarrant
Allen Weath Advisors
Beyond the Known International
Birdville Independent School District
City of Bedford
City of Colleyville
City of Euless
City of Grapevine
City of Hurst
City of Keller
City of North Richland Hills
City of Saginaw
City of Southlake
Community Enrichment Center
DEC Engineering
Grapevine Chamber of Commerce
HEB Independent School District
Howard Shotwell
J-Moroco
Lift Aids, Inc.
Lucas Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Northeast Tarrant Chamber
O. Trevino Construction
ONCOR Electric Delivery
Tarrant County Commissioner, Precinct 3 - Gary Fickes
Tri-County Electric Cooperative
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Schedule highlights are:
8:00 a.m.
Registration & Breakfast Buffet
8:15 a.m.
Opening Remarks
8:30 a.m.
Morning Keynote: Ian Kinne, Director of Logistics Innovation at Hillwood
Topic: The Future of Transportation and Logistics
9:15 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Dr. Danielle M. Clement, Technical Fellow for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
Topic: Artificial Intelligence
10:00 a.m.
Networking Break
10:15 a.m.
Featured Speaker: Cybersecurity: Sheraun Howard, Supervisory Special Agent in Charge of FBI Dallas Office Cyber National Task Force
Topic: Protecting Your Business with Smart Cybersecurity
11:15 a.m.
Networking Break and Buffet Lunch
12:00 p.m.
Jason McCann, Co-Founder/CEO of Vari and VariSpace
Topic: Workplace Innovation
1:00 p.m.
Adjourn
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DFW International Airport CEO Sean Donahue Shares 50 Years of Travel Transformation at October 10 NLF Breakfast
DFW International Airport CEO Sean Donohue dazzled the attendees at the NLF quarterly breakfast on October 10. The crowd was larger than normal as Jack Bradshaw, CEO of the Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce, brought his Leadership Northeast class to hear about the airport’s history and future plans.
Sean revealed details about DFW Airport’s operations that were quite stunning, including a commitment to invest over $9 billion in the next 10 years. Chief among these capital projects will be a completely new Terminal F and complete replacement and expansion of Terminal C. The latter project will take place in phases between 2024 and 2028. Terminal F will begin with 15 gates and be expandable as it serves primarily airlines other than American Airlines.
That amount compares very favorably to the $3.8 billion invested in 2015-22 in 882 completed projects that created 32,000 jobs at and around the airport.
He added that each year the airport’s board of directors sets aggressive goals and the goals have been met every time.
Sean pointed to January 2024 as a milestone because DFW International Airport will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Some of his revelations included:
- DFW Airport has grown from the world’s ninth busiest airport in 2013 to the second busiest today.
- American Airlines operates at 85% of the gates and that percentage of penetration will continue, even with the eventual addition of…
- Southwest Airlines, which will be able to expand beyond Love Field starting in 2025 when the Wright Amendment expires and operate at DFW.
- How terminals are now being constructed on-site as modular units and they are transported across the airport by the same mechanism that repositions the space shuttle. With DFW International Airport being the industry innovator, this modular construction will be a major mode of construction moving forward. This construction process reduces costs by 35% and reduces construction time by 35%.
- The airport has created an end-around taxiway that allows for aircraft to cross the runways at the extreme end rather than run the risk of any potential collisions when crossing an active runway.
- DFW International Airport has focused on growing international travel for the past decade and is the fastest-growing major airport for global travel – by the way, international travelers spend more than four times as much once they arrive as do domestic travelers.
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Airports Council International has identified DFW International Airport as providing the Best Airport Customer Experience in the World.
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We appreciate our breakfast sponsor, Atmos Energy and Public Affairs Director Andrie Krahl. | |
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Membership Continues to Grow
One of the cleverest moments took place during the introduction of guests at our October 10 breakfast as Ginny Tigue introduced her husband Joe, who smiled and said, “I’m a real swell guy!”
NLF continues to help foster relationships among our community leaders, which creates extra value in the connections we help create.
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New Member Profile
Please welcome one of our newest members of NLF.
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John Terrell
President and Founder, Commercial Real Estate Strategic Partners
John Terrell is the Co-Founder and President of Commercial Real Estate Strategic Partners, a Southlake-based real estate development and advisory firm. He is also a partner in Carillon Crown; Hunter Chase Development Partners; Tong, Parsons & Terrell Real Estate Brokerage; and Cedar Hills Cabins North, LLC.
John is responsible for leading development of commercial, residential, and recreational properties, including Carillon Parc in Southlake, and Cedar Hills Lakes cabin development in Broken Bow, Oklahoma as well as numerous other real estate projects across several states. He additionally advises on strategic commercial development, revenue generation, and land use planning best practices at airports across the country.
John has a proven track record in the real estate sector with over 42 years of executive leadership experience leading Commercial Development at DFW International Airport and Union Pacific/Southern Pacific railroads and developing thousands of acres of property. He additionally has over 20 years of experience in municipal government, serving as Mayor, City Council, Planning & Zoning Chairman and Zoning Board of Adjustments in Southlake.
John is currently focused the development of Carillon Parc, a 42-acre, $400M, mixed-use property in Southlake, and a 120-acre, 111-lot recreational cabin development in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.
John earned a BS in Business Management from LeTourneau University and an MBA in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from the University of Texas at Arlington. He and his wife, Joanne, have two children and reside in Southlake.
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Mark Overcash
Co-Owner, Class 101 Mid Cities
Mark Overcash is the co-owner and college advisor for Class 101 Mid-Cities, Alliance, and with a third location scheduled to open in Grapevine in January 2024. Class 101 provides families with expert guidance in the college search, admissions, and financial aid process.
He has had many directions in his career which includes over 20 years of work in the military, being Vice President of Operations and Marketing for Agape Home Care in Fort Worth and working as the Director of Utilities at the City of Hurst, where he retired in March 2021. These positions have helped him gain a unique experience in leadership and guidance, which he shares with students at Class 101.
Mark is married to his business partner Melissa Overcash and they have 6 children from 23 to 36. Three of their children have served in the Military, one Marine and two in the US Army. Three went directly through college at UT Dallas, Texas Tech, and Tarleton. Mark and Melissa have five awesome grandchildren ranging in age from 6 months through 13 years.
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As you interact with business and community leaders who impress you, please invite them to sit at your table for the Heart of North Texas Conference on November 1 at the Hurst Conference Center. These influencers are making a difference in our area, so let's invite them to participate in NLF. Membership is the lifeblood of our organization.
For any prospective NLF members you may know, click here to download the membership application. We want both established and emerging leaders to continue to join our organization to further the dynamic growth of Northeast Tarrant County.
We specifically ask you to welcome visitors and new members to our breakfast meetings because growing the power of networks is one of the main benefits of NLF.
Please reach out to Craig Hulse, our membership chairman, if you have a prospect: [email protected] or 972-849-3858.
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Planning for 2024
Your NLF Board of Directors will meet Thursday, November 30, to set the 2024 calendar (quarterly breakfasts and Heart of North Texas) and to finalize details about the 2024 Award Banquet.
Our 2024 Chairman will be RaDonna Hessel and our Chair-Elect will be Craig Hulse.
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Mark Your Calendar: 2023 NLF Event Schedule | |
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Featured Event
26th Annual Heart of North Texas Conference
THE FUTURE IS NOW!
Keynote speaker:
Jason McCann, CEO of Vari, Varidesk and Varispace
Date: Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Time: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Hurst Conference Center
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