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FACES & PLACES 
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 This month, Vision FW members met for a Table of 10 breakfast at the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth with Angie Gallaway, Chief Development Officer. Over pastries and breakfast classics such as eggs, bacon, etc. by Corner Bakery - Hulen, Angie shared about her life path to the Ronald McDonald House, her passion for helping others and covered the importance of having mentors in your life. Members also went on a guided tour of the home. L to R: Nancy Jeter, Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth; Hillary Curtis, Fort Worth Chamber; Carrie Volmer, AXA Advisors; Michael Mischloney, Weaver; Kendra Clements, Adecco General Staffing; Breck Gower, Higginbotham; Megan Cano Dobbertien, PAVLOV Advertising; Angie Gallaway, Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth; and Brittany Bates, Fort Worth Chamber. |
G E, is that ...? Mr. B was lunching with Greg Abbott when CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt of General Electric walked into Del Frisco's with a gentleman wearing a conductor's cap. Guessing Jeff was with Walter Amaya, the GM of GE's locomotive manufacturing up at AllianceTexas. Just about everyone has heard GE is unhappy with some minor tax increases that Connecticut is levying on corporations. Maybe Mr. Immelt was looking at a move to Texas. Mr. B gladly introduced Mr. Immelt to Mr. Abbott. "Governor, it's a pleasure," Mr. Immelt said. Except this was Greg Abbott of Zenith Roofing. Still, all was pleasant, especially the ribeyes and the 23x-baked potato and creamy spinach. We're sure Mr. Immelt left with an outstanding impression. You, too, will leave with an outstanding impression after feasting with this dinner for two to Del's delicioso courtesy of Greg Kalina.
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Coolest grill in town: It is doubtful there is anyone friendlier in Fort Worth than Marvin (extending a) Branch of Andrews Distributing Company of North Texas. Coors, Miller, domestics, imports ... you name it and Marvin Gardens it for Andrews. Whatever beer he doesn't distribute, Marvin is keeping hisownself for July 4. But for you, Andrews has either 1) A super fantastic Coors Light, silver metal, light-up cooler (blue battery operated lights in cooler top show through the clear window) that measures 60 x 41.5 x43.5 centimeters, which B doesn't know how to convert to inches; or 2) A Coleman white metal, steel-belted Miller Lite cooler that holds 51.1 liters. And thanks to Norma Rae Davila at Spectrum Business, each winner also will get a very nifty BBQ tool kit. Grill on, folks!
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Don't Miz this: Ex-convict Jean Valjean - first known ex-convict ever mentioned in B2B Insider - has tried for 150 years to become "a force for good in the world, but cannot escape his criminal past." Policeman Javert has been on the case for that long, too, his doggedness similar to the Washington Generals trying to defeat the Harlem Globetrotters. Casa Maņana is featuring the fabulous French caper Les Miserables on stage as part of its Broadway Series through the weekend. The play, movie and soundtrack have surpassed in popularity the epic 19th century Victor Hugo book, which was panned by critics. B2B Insider panned Casa's agency JO for tickets and received two for the 8 p.m. performance Saturday, June 27.
 LOL: In 1960, bored as an accountant, Bob Newhart got on stage to begin a career in comedy that has consumed 55 of his 85.5 years. How does one stay irreverent and relevant that long? "You shouldn't get too close to the truth, because then maybe you stop being funny," Newhart has said. Newhart will bob and weave through his classic stories and observations July 10 at Verizon Theater and the jimaustinonline.com suite has a sweet gift for you and a guest. Two tickets to the jimaustinonline.com suite life, a VIP parking pass and plenty of laughs. Congratulations to June 17th Prize Winners:
- Kristen Bostick, Goodwill Industries
- Phil Beckman, Northwest ISD
- Mark Warren, PlainsCapital Bank
- Travis Gallatin, Southwest Bank
- Jerry Bolz, Peloton Commercial Real Estate
- Abby Slayton, There's No Place Like Home
Winners will be announced weekly
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HE SAID, SHE SAID, THEY SAID
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B stands for bothched: Mom B is 86 today. Similar to many of you readers, she complained last night that she never has won one of the prize drawings.
You could do this: The fellow Bs at Balcom Agency did extensive Oxfordian research (probably Wikipedia) and learnt that office wellness programs reduce sick days on average by 28 percent, every $1 spent on wellness saves $3.78 and companies with wellness programs experience an increase in productivity. So the Bs had a wellness month with everyone getting a Fitbit, adding a "brain food" snack bar, getting a visit from a dietician and having walking meetings. And more. This month, everyone is healthier. Balcom lost so much weight that it totaled a loss of 15 FTEs, which made payroll very lean. Another month and Balcom will just disappear. To celebrate its success, the original Bs dined at Texas de Brazil.
Sleeper ... in more ways than one: The Chamber's 2014 annual report, written by David A. House and designed by J.O., came from nowhere to earn a national ACE Award of Excellence from the American Advertising Federation.
Teed up: J.R. (Dutch?) Holland has metal-iron(s) focus. The Director of Development for The First Tee of Fort Worth played 153 holes during its annual golf marathon this month and raised nearly $7,000. In total, the golf marathoners played more than 3,100 holes and raised $125,000.
 Penny for your thoughts: After 14 laborious, but "joyous" years (she has to say that in the exit interview), Pennie Blossom, Director of Member Programs, is retiring at the end of June from the Chamber. She oversees the Area Councils and Women Influencing Business groups and she has been a top 5k walker on the Chamber team.
Magic Mic: CBS-ex Bob Schieffer is a few weeks ahead of Pennie into retirement, but it's never too late to hear about his first paid gig from marketing guru John Fletcher: "My father, the late Earle Fletcher, gave Bob his first paid job in broadcasting at KXOL 1360. Dad was driving down University Drive in 1961 one evening and heard Bob on KTCU, the student station at TCU. Dad pulled into a Skelly gas station and used the pay phone to call the TCU studios and speak with Bob. Bob came in the next day for an interview and was hired."
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"Show appreciation to your employees. It is the cheapest and most rewarding thing you can do for your business."
-- David Minor, CEO
The Landscape Partners
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Will you still love me when I'm 64? Family-owned for three generations, Martin Sprocket & Gear is 64 this year. Company recruiter Kent Baker explains the company - "A sprocket is on a bike; a gear is in your watch, unless it's digital. We make both."
Dressed for success: The Fort Worth Business Exchange leads group donated $250 to a nonprofit that QCS Unlimited CEO Clara Knox and marketing director Lashelle Knox work with. The nonprofit hosts a dressy royal tea party for girls during a camping expedition; previously, the girls had to return the dresses. Clara vowed to get enough dresses and money donated so the 150ish girls can keep their dresses. She's at about 90 percent of her goal.
Paintin' Place: Debbie Ezmerlian bought BYOB A Piece of Work painting activities a little more than six months ago. "How important is the BYO part?" the B asked. "Verrrry," Debbie said. "What if you can't paint?" B asked. "If you can play Simon Says, you can paint," Debbie says.
Work cycle: In a survey with a +/- 81.7 percent accuracy, staffers at staffing agencies @Work, Carlton and Key Personnel tell Mr. B that Texas' low-four percent unemployment rate is keeping them busy. Companies turn to them to find workers in this employment environment. Because of job demand and a scarcity of options, these placements often end up being full-time positions.  Texas-size salute: Two Tarleton State University alumni posthumously will receive the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, the state's highest military honor -- Chief Petty Officer Christopher Scott Kyle ( American Sniper) and Col. William Edwin Dyess (Dyess Air Force base near Abilene). Chewing the fat: Chamber Am-Bass-Adorables will be bringing their sharpened scissors to Slim Chickens (5528 N. Tarrant Parkway) at 10 a.m. Monday not to cut ribbon, but to cut fat. Them chickens don't get slim by dieting. B2B Insider is breaking a little news here on the chain's popularity -- the skinny fries are only three calories each and the diet milkshakes are so thick that you actually exercise your swallowing muscles and can lose calories/weight by inhaling through a straw. |
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
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SUMMER SALE: FORT WORTH: ENERGIZED FOR THE FUTURE COFFEE TABLE BOOK
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Chamber's 200-page coffee table book tells the story of our city's remarkable growth and opportunity. This hardcover book highlights Fort Worth's people, companies and diverse culture through richly photographed pages. Purchase it today for $25.00* Contact Christine Gores to purchase or for questions.
*Member price. Price excludes tax.
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