38 minute read
Play ball
from October 2020
Globe Life Field will be the site of playof baseball and the World Series
In a move that serves as a reminder of just how Will fans be allowed to attend the games at the stadiums signifcant a player The American Dream City has in baseball’s version of “the bubble” concept that had been become on the national stage, Major League Baseball implemented previously in professional basketball and announced that the 2020 World Series will be played this hockey to ensure safe playing environments in the era of month at Arlington’s Globe Life Field. coronavirus?
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And that’s just part of the great news for the city. In mid September, after Major League Baseball
The schedule for the 2020 postseason, which opened Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the playof and with the American League’s inaugural Wild Card Series World Series sites, he expressed his desire for the answer on Sept. 29 and the National League’s frst Wild Card to be yes. Series openers on Sept. 30, also puts NL division and “I’m hopeful that for the World Series and the [League championship series match-ups at the game’s newest Championship Series] we will have limited fan capacity,” ballpark in the days leading to the World Series. Globe Life Manfred said at a virtual address to an audience at Field is one of four ballparks that will be used in the latter Hofstra University’s Frank G. Zarb School of Business. rounds of the playofs, along with Houston’s Minute Maid “I think it’s important for us to start back down the road. Park, San Diego’s Petco Park and Dodger Stadium. Obviously, it’ll be limited numbers, socially distanced,
In the frst neutral site Fall Classic in modern history, protection provided for the fans in terms of temperature Game One of the 2020 World Series is set for Tuesday, Oct. checks and the like. Kind of the pods like you saw in 20 at the new home of the some of the NFL games. We’ll Texas Rangers. A potential probably use that same Game Seven of the World “WHOEVER COMES through theory.” Series is scheduled for our doors, whichever clubs Manfred said last month Wednesday, Oct. 28. Major League Baseball’s are fortunate enough to that a fnal determination about in-stadium attendance announcement was welcome make it to the championship, will be made before major – and not totally unexpected – news to at least one big fan of we’re thrilled to host them league teams head to their respective neutral playof baseball and his home town. here in Arlington and Globe sites. Any decision would
“Before COVID hit, the Life Field.” be tied to state and local owners had a meeting right ordinances. Late September here to see this new Globe Texas state regulations would Life Field,” says Arlington Mayor Jef Williams. “To allow Globe Life Field and Minute Maid Park to be flled hear frsthand from those owners there how impressed up to 50 percent capacity. Capacity for a baseball game at they were with this ballpark, that really laid a lot of the Arlington venue is 40,300. groundwork because these teams that are in the playofs In devising the postseason plan, Major League Baseball and World Series are going to be coming to the premier and the Major League Baseball Players Association Major League Baseball ballpark in America.” incorporated several key safety measures, including:
After the question of where the playof and the World – Players on contending teams will have to quarantine at Series games would be played this year was answered, their respective hotels in the fnal seven days of the regular a second important query followed almost immediately: season.
– Families of players on contending teams will be permitted to quarantine with players for the seven-day period and can remain together throughout the postseason run. Family members would be considered to be part of the bubble. – Everyone considered to be part of the bubble will be tested for COVID-19 on a daily basis. – Players can elect to leave their hotels once their team has been eliminated.
For the Texas Rangers, hosting the World Series at Globe Life Field is quite the consolation prize after having to play the frst season in their new home without having paying
Image courtesy of The Texas Rangers
customers in the stands throughout the 60-game season.
“We’d [have loved] the Rangers to be in the World Series this year,” says Rangers Executive Vice President of Business Operations Rob Matwick. “Whoever comes through our doors, whichever clubs are fortunate enough to make it to the championship, we’re thrilled to host them here in Arlington and Globe Life Field. We certainly want to thank Major League Baseball and Commissioner Manfred for having confdence in us in being able to deliver at the highest level of our game, at the most important games, and the most important times of the year for Major League Baseball here in October.”
YOUR FAMILY ATTORNEYS
when seeking the high-quality legal services I knew I could ofer them.”
Additionally, she had become dissatisfed with the professional climate of practices in Dallas, where it was commonplace to fnd “Rambo type lawyers,” who treated family law just as any other civil suit. Her experience with Tarrant County colleagues revealed that several were, instead, at the forefront of ofering alternate dispute resolution, such as mediation and, later, collaborative law, and she knew she wanted to be a part of the changing landscape of the practice of family law.
“I was well schooled as a very profcient litigation lawyer
The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt has been successfully serving Arlington and Tarrant County clients for the past two and a half decades
from my 10 years of experience as a board certifed family lawyer in Dallas, so I knew that I could bring that expertise level to the practice in Arlington for the community, where these skills were needed,” she says. “But I was also interested for my own sanity, as well as that of my clients, in working with a community of lawyers that were cognizant of the great toll family law litigation takes on not only the lawyers, but the parties and especially their children.”
For the past 25 years, Donna Smiedt has helmed one of the more signifcant legal entities in the city, The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt. Teaming experience, passion, persistence and legal and technological savvy, Smiedt has emerged as one of North Texas’ foremost authorities on complex family law litigation, which runs a gamut that includes divorce, property division, adoption, child
That triad is at the heart of what has emerged as one of Smiedt’s specialties, collaborative law, which enables couples who have decided to separate or end their marriage to work with their collaborative professionals including collaboratively trained lawyers, coaches and fnancial professionals, to avoid the uncertain outcome of court and to achieve a settlement that best meets the specifc needs of both parties and their children without the underlying
support, paternity, and post-divorce modifcation.
From Day One to the present, she and her team have ardently – and successfully – represented thousands of clients during often-difcult times.
For Smiedt, Day One occurred in 1995 after marrying her husband of 25 years. It was then
Desaray Muma, Donna J. Desaray Muma, Donna J. Smiedt and Michael Muñoz
threat of litigation.
Early on, Smiedt planted her professional fag on that mountain – and in this city – and has been helping ease a heavy burden for her
that she left a successful practice in Dallas to start a frm and pursue a new dream in what, appropriately enough, would come to be known as the American Dream City.
“I moved my practice because he lived here, and I was so impressed with Arlington,” she says. “I felt that it was a growing city and in the future would support a specialized boutique family law frm.”
When she arrived, there were only fve boardcertifed family law attorneys supporting a large city. “From a business standpoint and as an entrepreneur,” Smiedt says, “I felt that I could build a family law frm in Arlington that operated at a very high-level so that Tarrant County and Arlington residents would not have to look to Dallas or Fort Worth frms
clients since.
However, she hasn’t had to go it alone. Her legal team also includes NonEquity Partner Desaray Muma and Senior Litigation Lawyer Michael Muñoz, and Smiedt says they have been godsends since joining her in her quest to help families achieve the best and least painful legal results, regardless of the circumstance.
“Desaray and Michael have been such a blessing to the frm and bring their own unique styles and talents,” Smiedt says.
Photos courtesy of Major Images Photography and Donna Smiedt
They also bring both passion and compassion to the ofce every day. Muma has been with the frm some six years, starting nearly a year out of law school. Smiedt says Muma has excellent litigation skills, as well as a true interest in providing collaborative and mediation services to her family law clients. When Smiedt experienced recent back and hip issues, Muma stepped in to take up the slack. As a result, Smiedt made her a non-equity partner.
Muñoz, meanwhile, has been stellar as the frm’s senior litigation lawyer with 15 years of experience. “He is a very intelligent and procedurally savvy lawyer who does not back down from a fght,” Smiedt says. “With his excellent litigation skills he has been an invaluable member of our team.”
In essence, the team of Smiedt, Muma and Muñoz can handle every aspect of family law, even – especially – those tied to a recent phenomenon: the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, an issue that has become prominent lately, Smiedt says, is representation of grandparents in termination cases fled by the state because of drug abuse and mental illness, two consequences tied to the pandemic.
And then, of course, there’s the biggest COVID-19 consequence: elderly deaths. To address that issue during the current health crisis, the frm began ofering, at a greatly reduced rate, a Will Package containing a Simple Will, Medical Power of Attorney, Durable Power of Attorney and Directive to Physicians.
“We hope people don’t have to utilize these important legal documents now,” Smiedt says. “But we are committed to expediting turnaround for clients in need.”
This kind of resourcefulness typifes Smiedt’s yearning to establish a comprehensive family law frm. And comprehensive, it is. For example, Smiedt has years of experience and skill in high-asset divorces, dealing with many members of Arlington who are not only pillars of the community but have complicated separate-property tracing cases or businesses that require valuation, etc. “We provide the whole gamut at our frm,” Smiedt says. “And that has always been my vision.”
The practice is located in a beautiful building at 3216 W. Arkansas Lane that she helped design, not only to express her eclectic design taste embodied by the bright colors and interesting art collection, but to be a place that was not
intimidating to clients who may never have stepped foot in a business ofce before to retain an attorney.
Because many meetings for mediation and collaborative cases are held at the ofce, Smiedt wanted it to be bright and interesting so clients might not become more depressed during a mediation process that can leave them feeling like they’re losing their life, their family, their children and maybe their fnances.
To further the idea of positivity, Smiedt, an animal lover who has served on the board of the Arlington Animal Shelter for four years, has divorce therapy dogs at the ofce.
Baxter was the frst to join the team. He was saved from the Arlington shelter an hour before he was to be euthanize. Rex was rescued by Amanda Smith, the frm’s Ofce Manager. Rufes, the newcomer, is Muma’s Goldendoodle puppy.
“I am always supporting the animal shelter and rescue dogs,” Smiedt says. “They tend to restore my soul after years of being on the forefront of people‘s misery. I certainly think they are very therapeutic for our clients that are going through the worst time of their lives. Obviously, if people are afraid of dogs, we will inquire, and we lock the pets up accordingly.”
Another area in which Smiedt and her team are at the forefront is technology. They spent 2018 diverting all their clients to an online cloud system managed by Thomson Reuters, a giant in the legal industry for safeguarding confdential client information.
“And, because of our technological expertise, we were able to continue our practice when Arlington residents needed us most during this COVID-19 crisis,” Smiedt says. “We were seamlessly able to work from home when necessary.”
Smiedt says that the aftermath of the shut down has caused the divorce rate to rise as much as 35% “Luckily, we were able to keep the doors open because of my forethought regarding technology,” she says. “I am kind of a nerd, so I was happy to invest in the software and hardware to be able to run the frm remotely. I am always ‘connected’ to the law frm. And I am very proud that I was able to keep our eight employees on salary during the entire shut down and able to continue providing services to Arlington residents when they needed it most.”
For more: arlingtondivorces.com.
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Lezlee Liljenberg
Lezlee Liljenberg, owner of the Allstate Insurance-Lezlee Liljenberg Agency, has been providing compassionate and dynamic service as an agent for clients for the past 18 years. Indeed, her knack for connecting with – and then fnding solutions for – her customers has earned the affable Liljenberg a loyal following, dating virtually to her frst day on the job.
“My husband inspired me to become an agent,” she says. “At the time he was a manager with Allstate, and my love for helping people has always been my passion. It was a great ft.”
Liljenberg’s agency specializes in more than just the conventional home and auto realms for which Allstate is well known. In fact, that’s one of the aspects of working with a national company that most appeals to her – she can offer a variety of practical and benefcial solutions to clients’ insurance needs via more than 200 of the top insurance carriers.
“As a small-business owner, I understand the importance of building a solid foundation for the future and developing long-lasting customer relationships,” she says. “That’s why I’m committed to offering you the same level of service I expect. When you work with my agency, I want you to feel confdent, informed, assured and satisfed.”
Liljenberg works alongside “six incredible women every day” to provide the best options for their customers. “In these tough times,” she says, “I think we all need to remember to be kind to one another and that we are all human – that is our mantra to live by every day.”
The agency offers insurance products in the realms of Auto, Home, Business, Life, Condo, ATV, Renters, Boat and Motorcycle, and the team is constantly looking for the best ways to exceed customer expectations in each.
“I am a true student of insurance,” Liljenberg says. “I recently completed three years of additional training to obtain three new designations: CIC-Certifed Insurance Consultant, MLISManagement Liability Insurance Specialist and CRIS-Construction Risk & Insurance Specialist. That desire for knowledge is important to being able to assist clients with a level of information that sets us apart from most agencies. I take the responsibility of protecting people’s assets very seriously. It concerns me that companies have made insurance into such a joke and act like it is just about the ‘cheapest prices.’ Having a sense of humor is great, but the diffculties that agents face every day in order to help their customers is no laughing matter.”
That’s one of the reasons she has kicked off a campaign of “Insurance Agents R Heroes 2.” Her plan is to take this message nationwide. Last year, the agency introduced “Garage Girls Passion,” which is an interactive event to teach females of all ages about insurance, auto maintenance and safety. “You can see I am passionate about this,” she says.
Liljenberg’s passion extends beyond the offce walls, where, on any given day you’ll fnd her enjoying metal sculpting, writing, cooking, public speaking and philanthropy.
If you are a licensed agent and looking for a great place to advance your career, call Lezlee.
Allstate Insurance-Lezlee Liljenberg Agency
3105 W. Arkansas Lane • 817-794-5887 • agents.allstate.com/lezlee-liljenberg-mansfeld-tx.html
Reba Blevens
As the owner of Media Matrix, Reba Blevens specializes in Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations, including Media Buying and Planning, Marketing Strategies and Production Services, including print, radio and television. In other words, if you have a product/service/brand you think the public needs to know about, Blevens not only will help you spread the word – she will get people excited to hear it.
“I love the creative process,” she says. “No two days are alike.”
As much as she enjoys her job, it’s just one facet of what makes Reba, Reba. In fact, she’s generally as busy outside the offce serving in her community as she is at work. “I love my life,” she says. “I’ve enjoyed a great
deal of success. I believe when our lives are blessed, it is our responsibility to bless the lives of others. You get what you give.”
To that end, Blevens supports
Alliance for
Children, serving as co-chair for “The Great Conversation Dinner” in Fort Worth in 2015 with Elizabeth Smart as the keynote and in 2016 with Charles Haley as the keynote. The money raised for those events support the ongoing efforts to fght child abuse and increase awareness in Tarrant County.
She credits friend, mentor and civic activist Jerry McCullough for her participation in Mission Arlington Basketball & Baseball Camps supporting underprivileged children with an opportunity to learn basic skills in sports and the Salvation Army Family Life Center Advisory Council supporting the families living in the FLC with basic necessities, fnancial support, fund raising events.
She has become a regular Salvation Army Red Kettle “Bell Ringer,” something that was “far from my comfort zone when I agreed to help.” After the frst year, she personally witnessed families with so little willing to share what they had with those less fortunate. “My heart was grateful for the gifts I saw in giving from those with so little to give,” she says. “This experience truly captures the spirit of our community. I actually look forward to it today!”
She is also active with the Arlington ISD Education Foundation, serving as President this year. “This foundation serves the public school students of Arlington through fulflling extraordinary needs and initiatives,” she says. “This is a particularly challenging year with online learning and the specifc needs created by this challenge. We’ve also had to be extremely creative in fundraising initiatives with a comedy show and virtual bingo. We’re hopeful this event will allow us to generate the much needed funds to assist the teachers and students in Arlington.”
Blevens says much of her professional and civic success is rooted in a number of inspirations, starting with the noted automobile magnates, the Moritz family. “I have worked for them since 1996,” she notes. “I was fortunate to be involved in some of their philanthropic endeavors. I saw the difference they made in our community. I respect and admire them.”
She also credits the aforementioned McCullough, who was her ninth grade history teacher at Ferguson Junior High 50 years ago. “It was his frst year to teach, and he wanted every single student to be successful,” she recalls. “I am inspired by his tireless efforts (along with his wife, Becky) to make Arlington a better place. They have touched me and challenged me to go beyond my ‘comfort zone’ to help the less fortunate in our community.”
She’s also very partial to the Jeff Williams family. “Mayor Williams and his wife, Karen have been personal friends for years,” she says. “I am amazed at the work and dedication this family has given to our city.”
Ultimately, she says, she has become a benefactor because she was able to be a benefciary: “These people have all shown me the impact we can have and the difference we can make in the lives of the people around us.”
Media Matrix
6210 Ken Ave. • 817-925-7141
Dr. Melissa Danchak
Dr. Melissa Danchak began working at Kos/Danchak Audiology in 1997. She has owned the practice since 2002. Dr. Danchak earned her Bachelors in Communication Disorders from Abilene Christian University. She then earned her Masters in Audiology from The University of Texas at Dallas, and then earned her Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) from the University of Florida. With over 23 years of experience helping those with hearing challenges in the Arlington and surrounding communities, Dr. Danchak’s passion for providing unparalleled care and service for her patients
is on full display with the 100’s of online reviews her patients are sharing.
While her formal education gave her the book knowledge needed to become an audiologist, Dr. Danchak certainly believes that learning is a lifelong process. “Like any small business, we experience change, adversity, success, and a whole host of other “stuff” on a regular basis. We try to learn, every day. We evaluate how we help people and we try to make the hearing health care experience better for the people that we meet with each day. Our goal is for each person to have a better experience with us every time they visit. The fact that we have thousands of patients that have been trusting us with their hearing needs for 10 and 15 years tells us that we are doing a good job of providing a positive experience for our patients. We are also very fortunate to have tremendous support from the manufacturers in the hearing health care industry. They will often present ideas that help us improve the delivery of our services. Their perspective is invaluable and has helped us stay ahead of the curve when it comes to patient care!” At Kos/Danchak Audiology, they live by a fairly simple (professional) philosophy: do our absolute best to serve our patients and fellow employees to the best of our ability; continue to learn and grow, every day, so that we can accomplish that in the best way possible! Dr. Danchak says, “we make a difference in people’s lives. We see it on their faces when they hear and understand clearly what a loved one is saying. We see it when a spouse or child experiences the feeling of being able to communicate again without raising their voice or repeating themself. Patients and their families share with us that their investment in better hearing, and us, has changed their lives. It’s not always easy for people to admit that they have hearing loss or that they need hearing aids. We know we make a difference in people’s lives because so many of the new patients we meet each day are referrals from current patients that we have been helping for years! It doesn’t get any better than that.”
Kos/Danchak Audiology & Hearing Aids
101 West Randol Mill Road • 817-277-7039 • northtxhearing.com
The Jim Ross Law Group, P.C., prides itself on excellent service to its clients and to its community. It is a familyowned law frm that treats its clients with three major hallmarks: loyalty, honesty, and respect. Here are four key members of the team:
Lori Shannon joined Jim Ross Law Group in 2019. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Texas Tech University and her law degree from Texas Tech School of Law. She worked for the Attorney General’s offce for over 20 years as a managing assistant attorney general and has extensive experience in establishing, modifying and enforcing child support orders. Lori has prior legal experience in family, criminal, civil and employment law – having worked as a prosecutor, an associate attorney and a solo practitioner. In her spare time, the Sweetwater, Texas,
Photo: Bruce Maxwell
native enjoys spending quality time with her husband and daughter – who is currently a student at Colleyville Heritage High School. The best part of Lori’s job is making sure her clients feel heard and get their day in court.
Linda Castillo joined the Jim Ross Law Group in 2017 as an associate attorney. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2013. Subsequently, Linda attended Texas Tech School of Law where she received her J.D. in 2016. Linda began working as a civil and family law attorney, until she switched focus to exclusively family law matters. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association. Linda is originally from the Rio Grande Valley, but has found her home in Arlington. In her free time, enjoys playing golf and spending time with friends. Linda is passionate about the practice of family law, and providing guidance and counsel to families during some of the most diffcult times of their lives. She practices with compassion and integrity as she fnds the best solutions to each client’s unique situation.
Amy Lorenz has been selected as a Texas Rising Stars Super Lawyer every year from 2016 through 2020. Amy is a graduate of L.D. High School, Texas Tech University, and Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. After graduating from law school, she started working for Jim Ross Law Group, P.C., in 2010; there she represents people in different areas of the law, primarily focusing her practice on personal injury, probate, estate planning, and general civil litigation. As an attorney Amy loves having meaningful, personally
engaging work, which allows her to be a source of support and guidance for her clients while also minimizing their stress in the litigation process.
Lori Shannon, Linda Castillo, Amy Lorenz and Lisabel Rodriguez-Espinosa
At home Amy loves spending time with her husband and daughter, including going on family runs, hiking, and cooking big family meals together.
Lisabel Rodriguez-Espinosa completed her bachelor’s from the University of Puerto Rico in 1998 and Juris Doctor from the Pontifcal Catholic University of Puerto Rico in 2001. A civil law practitioner, she has focused mostly on business, labor, and employment matters. Complementing her legal practice with the uprising technology challenges, she completed a master’s degree in IT Management and Information Assurance from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico in 2016, earning her the opportunity to join their faculty in 2017, where she continues teaching to date. Barred in Texas and Puerto Rico and having joined the Jim Ross Law Group have broadened her love for the law with her technology background. She says daily challenges with the friendly faces around the offce make her look forward to each workday.
The Jim Ross Law Group, P.C.
2221 E. Lamar Blvd., #800 • 817-275-4100 • jimrosslaw.com
Dr. Amy Schoening
D
r. Amy Schoening started her practice in Mansfeld in January of this year with a simple principle: Every patient is different, and every person’s individual needs are unique. That’s why Dr. Schoening and her staff strive to get to know each patient and work with them one-on-one to develop a treatment plan that fts their specifc needs.
“Every treatment plan is uniquely designed, but the goal is always the same – a healthy mouth, strong and functional teeth free of pain, and a beautiful smile that builds confdence,” Dr. Schoening says. “At Schoening, DDS, patients can expect the highest quality of customized care, because to us it’s not just about teeth, it’s about people and their quality of life.”
Dr. Schoening has deep roots in dentistry, having practiced for more than two and half decades, most recently in Arlington before taking a year off to prepare for the opening of Amy Schoening, DDS. She says she is excited about her new venture – and her new opportunity to transform lives by giving people back a smile her patients can be proud of.
“With time to refect over the last year, I’m planning to build a perfect, small dental practice that will refect me and my vision for dental care. Practicing will be both fun and rewarding for many years to come.”
Dr. Schoening is supported by a compassionate and talented team that includes Melissa Westlund, Allison Guice and Tiffany Bowles.
Westlund joined Dr. Schoening after living and working as a dental assistant in Austin for 10 years. She has been a dental assistant for 16 years and loves helping others improve their smile and help educate patients in oral health. Westlund worked with Dr. Schoening right out of school in 2004 and is very excited to be reunited and working alongside Dr. Schoening again in her new practice.
Guice lives in Grapevine and has called Texas her home since 2001. She started her dental career with Dr. Schoening in 2003 and is happy for the new adventure in Mansfeld. She especially loves the opportunity to educate patients on their dental health and seeing the transformation of a new smile.
Bowles began working as an assistant during school breaks and her love for the feld grew as she later went on to become a hygienist. She has served in that capacity for 10 years and looks forward to continuing being part of a team that helps patients stay healthy and enjoy the dental going experience.
Collectively, the specialists at Amy Schoening, DDS provide comprehensive dental care, including a hygiene program, periodontal therapy, crowns, bridges, and fllings. The practice also offers state-of-the-art solutions with regards to cosmetic dentistry, implant services and Invisalign.
While the services Dr. Schoening provides patients include those staples of the practice, that’s not what she believes will set Amy Schoening, DDS apart.
“I think my ferce attention to detail and always trying to treat the patient as an individual – not just treating their teeth – is important,” she says. “Also, I’ve always tried to treat others the way I would want to be treated. My leadership style comes from my heart and a place of compassion.”
Amy Schoening, DDS
1757 Broad Park Circle North Suite 101, Mansfeld • 817- 992-9201 • schoeningdds.com
Julie Short
The Julie Short Team is a full-service real estate team, profcient at working with sellers and buyers. Owner Julie Short says she and her colleagues are focused on customer service and on being available to assist their clients, doing whatever is necessary to ensure a satisfying home buying/selling experience.
Short says one key to her company’s success is its team approach to addressing clients’ needs. “If we are listing a house, we have a connection to get it ‘Show Ready’ with any repairs and touch-ups that need to be done,” she says. “We have a wonderful photographer and great inspectors we work with. We have excellent lenders we recommend. When the inspection report comes back, we have a company that coordinates any repairs. If clients purchase a home and want to remodel, we have people for that. We really try to take all the guess work out of the process and take care of as much as the clients are willing to allow.”
Short and her team embrace a simple philosophy. “I believe in balance in everything and living by the golden rule,” she says. “I really believe if you will treat others how you would like to be treated, you will never lack for business.”
She says her husband (Stoney Short) is a huge inspiration: “He has never let his circumstances or his past hold him back. He has always had big vision. It used to scare me when he would share all the things he wanted to do because I know the bigger you try, the bigger you can fail. But, I realized that was my own fear holding me back. Over the years, his ability to dream big has given me that same ability, and now I can share that with others. Not trying is the biggest failure any of us can have. DO NOT let fear of failure hold you back!”
The Julie Short Team/Coldwell Banker
Brenda Hunt
Brenda Hunt, owner of Great Skin Spa & Facial Club, began her career in the skin care and beauty business more than a dozen years ago as the frst U.S. franchisee of Canadian-based Faces cosmetics. Taking that experience, she founded Great Skin Spa & Facial Club 10 years ago in Arlington, where the company has continued to grow and gain notoriety as an exceptional day spa and skin care provider. At Great Skin she not only shares her experience in creating and maintaining beautiful skin via state-ofthe-industry technology and products; she also has championed the practice of receiving professional spa services as part of personal care, as opposed to a special occasional visit or gift due to affordability. Great Skin Facial Club members receive a wide range of treatment options at the spa, as well as guidance and products they can use at home to maintain fresh, youthful-looking skin.
“I developed the concept of Great Skin based on the goals of the thousands of clients – men and women – wanting to have more beautiful skin and manage the signs of aging skin through treatments, knowledge and skin care,” Hunt says.
As a result, Great Skin offers a full line of award-winning skin care products for anti-aging, acne, hyperpigmentation and general skin care, as well as skin and body care for men, women and teens. Two years ago, Hunt introduced a product paying homage to her mother, Mattie, who was afficted with Alzheimer’s: “Hemp Healing Cream” for skin and body care. GS is also known for its instant slimming treatments, and it now offers a special credit card that can be used specifcally for beauty and health services.
Most recently, Hunt began an effort to heighten awareness and implement operating principals of disease control to keep clients and staff safe and healthy. “Also,” she notes, “we specialize in treating every skin type, tone and texture with excellent results from knowledge, education and experience.”
Great Skin offers a turnkey franchise program that includes everything needed to successfully own and operate your own Great Skin Spa & Facial Club. “It’s about partnership at Great Skin,” Hunt says. “Our slogan is ‘Relax, Rewind, Renew!,’ and we are proud to share those values with our clients and franchisees.”
Great Skin Spa & Facial Club
Bobbie Jo Majors
Bobbie Jo Majors, owner of Major Images Photography, has spent 20 years perfecting her craft in photography, a time devoted to countless hours of education in the classroom and attending the best photography workshops all over the country. Meanwhile, she also has invested in the highest quality/professional equipment – cameras, lenses, lighting (“lots of lights”), programs, computers, books, backup drives, and a plethora of gadgets to make everything run smooth and work effciently.
“It has been lot of time, love, passion, effort, investment, grit and ‘get it’ poured into the recipe to achieve the success at my boutique photography studio,” Majors says. “It’s been a lot of us and our hard work, and most importantly, it’s been the gift of God’s sweet blessing on our business, and for that we are so thankful and inspired to press forward to another year.”
Majors is an “outdoors girl” to the core, she says. She also loves Starbucks, convertibles, driving her scooter or spending the mornings on her paddle board. She bikes at least 20 miles a week and runs 10-12 more.
Why?
“I am 5’ 2” and I LOVE good food (LOL).”
She also loves her ‘97 Jeep Wrangler, has a one-year-old standard poodle named Oliver, has three adult kids and “one sweet daughter in love.”
Major Images Photography
Call: 817-795-9922 • Text: 817-881-6627 • Email: bobbiejo@majorimages.com
Women caring for women
The doctors of Women’s Health Services provide full OB/ GYN services and are skilled in managing all aspects of women’s health care, such as normal and high risk pregnancy care, gynecologic surgery, incontinence treatment, annual exams, and contraceptive and hormone therapy needs. We also provide state-of-theart maternity care in the newly renovated labor and delivery suites at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital. Our goal is to provide quality care with high patient satisfaction. Visit our website and make your appointments online at www.womenshealthservices.com. We look forward to seeing you soon!
North Offce:
1001 N. Waldrop, Suite 505 Arlington, TX 76012
South Offce:
5005 S. Cooper St, Suite 275 Arlington, TX 76017 Phone 817-277-9415 • Fax 817-277-0360 Email info@womenshealthservices.com DOCTOR SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Maya Kuriakose
Dr. Maya Kuriakose grew up in Amarillo, Texas and graduated from Canyon High School. She then attended the University of Texas in Austin where she received her Bachelor of Science in Biology, followed by her medical degree in 2016 from Texas Tech University-El Paso. She completed four years of residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. She joined the team of physicians at Women’s Health Services in Arlington in 2020. Dr. Kuriakose met her husband in Dallas, whom she married at the completion of her residency training. Her husband, Shawn, is a pharmacist in the DFW Metroplex. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and spending time with her husband and her dog, Laila. As a naturally honest and friendly person, Dr. Kuriakose enjoys building and maintaining long term patient relationships. She enjoys educating her patients so that they can take oZQershiS of Wheir heaOWh She is e[WrePeOy SroÀFieQW iQ aOO aspects of obstetrics and gynecology including robotic and laparoscopic surgical skills. Dr. Kuriakose is accepting new patients at both the north and souWh ofÀFes &aOO or Eook oQOiQe aW
www.womenshealthservices.com
Brandee Kelley
Brandee Kelley leads the Brandee Kelley Realty Group of Keller Williams Luxury International. The group has helped meet the real estate needs of more than 1,000 families and individuals since 2005, serving clients with the highest standard of integrity through experience and teamwork.
“We help buyers, sellers and investors with residential and commercial transactions in DFW and throughout the world,” Kelley says. “Although we offce in Arlington and Southlake, we literally have business partners throughout the U.S. and in 42 other countries.” Kelley says her group employs a team approach that allows each member to utilize their gifts and strengths, while creating synergy that helps produce the best results for clients. “We have two of the most experienced fulltime administrators in real estate,” she says. “Our team also includes agents with different specialties like the luxury market, working with investors and frst-time buyers.”
Kelley has leadership experience in business, in the community and in ministry, a collective trilogy that has paid dividends in her professional journey.
“These experiences have led to priceless relationships, which are a blessing to me personally, help in leading the team, and have created a network that benefts our clients,” she says. “We often know about homes before they offcially hit the market, which is key in this current low-inventory market. And when we put homes on the market we purposefully utilize proven strategies to get multiple offers so the seller gets the most money for their home in the shortest amount of time.”
That kind of service is a hallmark of the Brandee Kelley Group, and its leader says it hasn’t gone unnoticed: “Someone recently said the following about our team: ‘This team has dedicated their lives to assisting clients with what is likely the biggest investment of their life, and they take that role very seriously. It’s much different than any other Realty group I’ve ever seen.’”
Brandee Kelley Realty Group
Cynthia L. Hill (left) Cynthia L. Hill (left) and Melinda H. Barlow
Cynthia L. Hill and Melinda H. Barlow
Harris Cook, LLP is a Full-Service Law Firm with an established reputation and a long history of service. Our attorneys are known for providing outstanding legal services to businesses, individuals, and families throughout North Texas. The growing frm has recently welcomed esteemed attorneys Cynthia L. Hill and Melinda H. Barlow to its team of talented and sought-after attorneys.
A partner at Harris Cook, Attorney Cynthia L. Hill is a Labor and Employment Law attorney with over thirty years of legal experience. She often represents private sector clients in the areas of employment litigation, human resource issues, labor laws, and risk prevention. A litigator at heart, Cynthia has successfully represented employers in contested matters before state and federal courts, federal administrative agencies, and before the National Labor Relations Board. Additionally, Cynthia concentrates her practice in the areas of government strategies and school and college governance. She has ofered legal counsel to independent school districts, public and private schools, community colleges, universities, and other public entities.
Attorney Melinda H. Barlow is Board Certifed in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a specialization earned by only 2% of attorneys in Texas. Consistently seeking justice for her clients, Melinda is skilled in the evaluation of serious injuries and wrongful death, including those resulting from vehicle accidents, unsafe premises, and negligence. Melinda also concentrates her practice in the area of Employment Law. As a Partner at Harris Cook, Melinda ofers counsel to business owners regarding up-to-date legal guidelines and advice to stay in compliance with Federal and State Employment Laws.
Harris Cook, LLP
Kathy Howlett, CPA, Partner Kylie Lindsey, CPA, Principal Marie Bosillo, CPA, Partner Stephanie Buduhan, CPA, Principal
PSK LLP is a full-service CPA, consulting and advisory frm providing accounting, tax, audit, payroll and business consulting services to national and local clients in the DallasFort Worth area. The frm opened for business in 1964 and is now one of the largest frms in Arlington. PSK serves clients in transportation, healthcare, construction, manufacturing and the nonproft sectors, as well as churches, familyowned businesses and investor groups. PSK is dedicated to providing value to clients through the success and development of their team members, while maintaining important core values.
Kathy: Kathy is one of the partners at PSK and has been a member of the PSK team since 1991. Kathy provides accounting, tax and business consulting for family-owned businesses – a job she enjoys because of the close relationships she’s developed.
Kylie: A principal at PSK, Kylie has been part of the team for 15 years. She began in the PSK accounting department as an intern while a college student at UTA. She serves as a tax and accounting principal, always striving to partner with her clients to provide the best service possible.
Marie: A partner at PSK, Marie joined the frm’s team in 2007 and performs fnancial statement audits, reviews and agreedupon procedures for commercial and nonproft clients. With all her clients, Marie aims to develop a close, professional relationship through quality service and a positive attitude.
Stephanie: A principal at PSK, Stephanie started her tenure as an intern and has been with the frm for 13 years. She serves the church and nonproft sectors with comprehensive auditing services, always working to make audits as smooth as possible for her clients. Stephanie was recognized as a TXCPA Rising Star in 2019.
PSK LLP
The Women’s Alliance
The Women’s Alliance is an outreach of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce that focuses on empowering and uniting women through business and community endeavors.
The Women’s Alliance pledges to ofer leadership, mentoring and direction to its devoted members and is committed to strengthening women as professional, business, community and civic leaders. The organization recently welcomed its newest chairperson, Dr. Jacquelyn Minor, Academic Foundations Department Chair at the Tarrant County College Southeast Campus. She will lead the Women’s Alliance in encouraging member participation in Chamber activities and ofering unique opportunities for women to grow their businesses or fourish within the companies at which they work. Here are some of those opportunities:
Professional networking
Women’s Alliance members receive support and assistance to build solid contacts/relationships and become more recognized in the greater Arlington community.
Introductions to new members
Women’s Alliance members will be given the opportunity to mentor new members by welcoming them to the Chamber and inviting them to attend chamber activities, and to participate in Chamber initiatives.
Via its Facebook page, facebook.com/WomensAlliance/ ?ref=page_internal, the Women’s Alliance updates members on organization and local business events, as well as shares various members’ and other success stories within the greater Arlington business community.
