October women in business

Women in

BUSINESS Kellie Fischer ................................... 24 Dr. Joan Bergstrom ........................ 26 Dr. Kristin Robbins .......................... 27 Dr. Lisa B. Fell ................................. 27 Brenda Cureton Smith ................... 28 Valerie Landry ................................. 29 Dr. Melissa Danchak ....................... 30 Donna J. Smiedt .............................. 31 Vicki Hafer ........................................ 32 Linda Magazzine ............................ 34 Sarah Merrill Young ........................ 34 Sharon Holman ................................ 35 Kimberly Fitzpatrick ....................... 35 Stephanie Foster Gilbert ................ 36 Mary Davis ....................................... 36 Claire Wheeler ................................. 37 Dr. Amy Schoening .......................... 37 Dr. Stephanie Bangs ....................... 37

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Kellie Fischer

The Texas Rangers’ CFO has been a club mainstay for nearly two decades

O

ne of the more important members of the Texas Rangers baseball club has yet to take a swing or throw a pitch in a major league game. In fact, this person was welcomed to the team largely because baseball wasn’t a particular passion, not in the early days of the Ranger career, anyway.

Still, when you get to the bottom line – pretty much every bottom line associated with the club – few people have had the impact on the team that Kellie Fischer has had. The obvious rea-

Photo: Richard Greene

son, of course, is that Fischer is the team’s Chief Financial Officer, and CFOs are the folks who balance budgets and cut checks and generally make sure “P” trumps “L” on the ledger.

Given that Fischer has been managing the Rangers’ financial operations since 2005 – and has been in the employ of the team for nearly two decades – it’s also safe to say that what she does, she does very well. So it isn’t hyperbole to proclaim her as a key player in Rangers history.

24

ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Fischer is the first to admit that she wasn’t hired based on her baseball acumen. “I wasn’t a baseball nerd, for sure,” she says. But she loves crunching numbers and producing successful results – and being comprehensively involved in practically all things Rangers.

“One of the reasons why I was so drawn to being a CFO was the fact that everything any company does ultimately has a financial impact,” she says. “To have the opportunity to do that for the Texas Rangers is a true honor. This means that I am aware of or involved in all major decisions the club makes. Anything from taste testing hot dogs to helping secure hundreds of millions of dollars to build a new stadium – and everything in between – is part of my job description. No two days are the same!”

Prior to becoming a Ranger, the affable Fischer spent four years at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. “I was lucky to be invited to interview by my first manager at PWC, who had already found his way to the Rangers,” she says. “It pays to keep in touch with former colleagues.”

The Baylor University graduate worked a number of jobs with the club before moving into a prominent office on the fourth floor of Globe Life Park. At each one – and in her current position – she adopted the same “can do” attitude that has marked the baseball team over the past few seasons.

“My three mantras are first and foremost to be ethical at all times and be clear that I cannot be swayed differently,” she says. “Second, I want to be a joy to be around in the office. My job is important and serious, but that does not give me a reason to be grumpy or inconsiderate of others. I have always found that the grumpy ones have to be much more intelligent or technically proficient to get away with a bad attitude. I need every advantage I can give myself. Finally, I believe in being flexible in my career and daily life. I would never have even landed a job with the Rangers had I followed my original plans. Even after many years of being in the same position, everything around me has changed, including leadership, philosophies, colleagues and areas of oversight.

When Kellie Fischer is not at the office ...

Being flexible with changes has helped me keep charging ahead.”

Fischer is especially proud to be part of one of the more exciting periods in club history.

Besides the recent success of the team on the field, there’s a new ballpark in the works.

“This is a good time to repeat that no two days are the same,” she says. “It is amazing to be a part of such a dynamic shift in the club. At no time in my career with the Rangers have I seen so many significant investments.

All of our staff are firing on all cylinders at all times right now. In addition to getting Globe Life Field and the Texas Live! development out of the ground, we are building an Urban Youth Academy in West Dallas and a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. We have also recently acquired two minor league teams in North Carolina. Things are hopping at 1000 Ballpark Way!” That wasn’t always the case. Fischer has served with three ownership groups, and there were some rocky times prior to the recent success stories. “The Rangers have been through quite a bit financially during my tenure, including a highly publicized loan default, sales process and bankruptcy from 2008 to 2010,” she says. “Those years marked a true turning point in my career of working under excruciating circumstances assuming I was working my way out of a job once a sale of the team was completed. It is an honor to be a part of the club still seven years later after Ray Davis and his partners acquired the Rangers.”

While the tumultuous times are long behind her, she is grateful for what she learned from the process. “I feel like I got a degree in bankruptcy law, but in reality I got a degree in people,” she says.

“I experienced first-hand what makes people tick, how high-pressure situations can cause good people to make bad decisions, but most importantly how resilient we all can be when needed. I have learned just as much in the last seven years about people and strong leadership. Although I do not know for sure, I think the Rangers might be at the very least the 20th company that Ray Davis has led in his career. He knows what he is doing.”

The same goes, she says, for many of the folks at the forefront of the new development projects. “Everyone at the City offices,

Photos courtesy of Kellie Fischer

Professionally speaking, Kellie Fischer is the Chief Financial Officer for the Texas Rangers Baseball Club. That means many days – and nights – spent at Globe Life Park managing money matters for the team. During her offtime, though, Fischer has a variety of passions, captured in these images.

Above left shows Kellie the smiling runner. Above, Kellie and her husband Scott pause for a photograph at one of the many vineyards the couple love to visit. The photo to the left shows William, the Fischers’ grandson.

from Mayor Williams, the city council and city staff are passionate, intelligent and focused on pushing Arlington to continue to grow for years to come. How amazing to be a part of it!”

While baseball proper remains a work in progress for Fischer – she counts a personal highlight the time she got a hit during the 2002 employee softball tournament “despite closing my eyes and swinging with no muscle tone or natural skills whatsoever” – she is quite adept at several endeavors outside the office.

She loves to travel with her husband Scott, especially to any area that goes by the alias “wine country.” “Scott and I take an international trip every few years,” she says. “Those are always special.”

And she revels in her role as a mother and as a grandmother to one of her favorite people in the world, William. “He lives in Lubbock with his mom and dad,” she says. “They come to visit every few months and he is discovering that “KK” (me) has access to baseball. It turns out even 5 year olds can be discerning enough to want to only watch games from a private suite! But then, who wouldn’t?”

arlingtontoday.com • October 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

25

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Dr. Joan Bergstrom

D

r. Joan Bergstrom was the first female Obstetrician-Gynocologist in Arlington, founding her practice, Women’s Health Services, in 1986. A four-time winner in the Ob-Gyn category in Arlington Today’s All Stars Readers’ Choice poll, Dr. Bergstrom leads a practice that has all female physicians, making it distinctively qualified to provide full health care for women in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

The WHS team includes Dr. Dawnette Peppler, Photo Ken Cox, Muson-Cox Portrait Design Dr. Kiran Nangrani, Dr. Sheri Puffer, Dr. Joy Carter, Dr. LaTasha Jarrett and Dr. Jessica Brown. All WHS physicians are Board Certified or Board eligible and skilled in manthe phone, is wasted,” Dr. Bergstrom says. “Our online schedulaging all aspects of women’s health care, including normal and high ing and patient portal provide efficient systems that women can risk pregnancy, gynecologic surgery, incontinence treatment, annual access at all hours of the day or night.” exams, and contraceptive and hormone therapy needs.

This kind of forward thinking typifies the devotion the WHS team “We are dedicated to taking care of female patients from adoleshas for its patients. cence through menopause,” says Dr. Bergstrom. “Our collective “Our philosophy is that, as women, we not only have gone goal is to provide quality care with high patient satisfaction.” through the life experiences, but we also have the enhanced To that end, WHS has two Arlington offices that put patient needs education to help all our patients deal with their physical, situationand concerns at the forefront of every visit. “Our doctors underal and emotional problems,” Dr. Bergstrom says. “We approach stand the busy lifestyle of women today, so they have implemented every challenge with a ‘can do’ attitude. If plan A isn’t going to work, an on-line scheduling system for patients,” Dr. Bergstrom says. what is plan B? Communication is everything. Don’t let problems This convenient system allows patients to select an appointsimmer; confront them and figure out a solution.” ment date and time and book it online. Women’s Health Services Dr. Bergstrom says that even though her practice has provided also has a secure patient portal, which allows patients the ability more than three decades of quality health care, what’s ahead is to review and retrieve test results, e-mail questions or request just as important. “Living and working in Arlington – the brightest information from the practice. “We all know that time is precious, star of North Texas – and being part of this community is a fabulous and spending hours waiting in a reception room, or on hold on journey that is still in progress,” she says.

Women’s Health Services

1001 N. Waldrop, Suite 505 • (817) 277-9415 • 5005 S. Cooper St., Suite 275 • (817) 704-1936 • womenshealthservices.com 26

ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Photo courtesy of Audiology Experts

Dr. Kristin Robbins & Dr. Lisa B. Fell

A

udiology Experts is celebrating its ninth year as a privately-owned audiology and hearing aid practice serving patients in the DFW Metroplex. Dr. Lisa B. Fell and Dr. Kristin Robbins are co-founders of Audiology Experts. They are audiologists, mothers and friends with a shared vision: providing thorough and expert hearing care while being present in the lives of their families.

The work-life balance can be challenging but, together, these co-owners share the responsibilities of their busy practice while being very active in family endeavors such as Cub Scouts, soccer, karate, music lessons, vacations and mission trips. According to Dr. Robbins, “two women starting and operating an audiology practice is somewhat rare in the industry. Especially, since many hearing aid offices are part of a franchise or owned by large corporations.”

By being independently owned, they have the freedom to choose the best hearing instruments to meet individual needs, lifestyle and budget from a variety of manufacturers. “Our dedication to providing high-quality audiology services and products to our patients is paramount to our success as a small business,” says Dr. Fell.

Since their days as students, Drs. Fell and Robbins have enjoyed parallel careers. They each earned their Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree from Arizona School of Health Sciences Center and both also hold undergraduate and master’s degrees from

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Prior to founding Audiology Experts, they worked together at an ENT physicians’ office in Arlington as clinical audiologists. Both audiologists are Board Certified in Audiology and are licensed to evaluate hearing and fit hearing aids in Texas.

With Audiology Experts, Drs. Robbins and Fell have built a reputation for providing the highest quality hearing healthcare through education, compassion and expertise in a comfortable and unhurried environment.

“We encourage our patients to bring a family member to their initial evaluation,” says Dr. Robbins. “A change in a person’s ability to communicate affects the whole family, and often it’s a family member who first notices a change in their loved one.”

This team approach and family inclusion is reflected in the clinic’s atmosphere – warm, friendly, and patient-centered. Dr. Fell and Dr. Robbins are the experts at providing advanced hearing technology solutions for maximizing the consumer’s hearing, listening and communicative abilities so they can continue to be productive in their daily professional and personal activities.

In addition to hearing evaluations and hearing aid fitting, Audiology Experts offers tinnitus evaluation and management, custom solutions for hearing protection, assistive listening devices and hearing aid supplies.

Audiology Experts

1261 W. Green Oaks Blvd., Suite 105 • (817) 451-4818 • audiologyexperts.com arlingtontoday.com • October 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

27

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Brenda Cureton Smith

B

renda Cureton Smith, owner of Great Skin Spa & Facial Club, began her career in the skin care and beauty business 12 years ago as the first U.S. franchisee of Canadian-based Faces cosmetics. Taking that experience, she founded Great Skin Spa & Facial Club seven years ago in Arlington, where the company has continued to grow and gain notoriety as an exceptional day spa and skin care provider. In fact, it has been named an All Star in the past three Arlington Today Readers’ Choice polls.

“I’ve always loved going to spas for professional spa treatments and was intrigued with how one could keep their skin looking more youthful, beautiful and relax in bliss while getting some ‘me time,’ at the same time,” says Cureton Smith. “As I continued to live with the intrigue and love of skin and makeup, and wanting to keep my own skin looking youthful, and then owning and operating a cosmetic store, and working with thousands of clients looking to increase their beauty and age gracefully, I quickly learned that makeup was a temporary fix, and the real foundation to looking and feeling beautiful was to take great care of your skin and manage the signs of aging.”

Cureton Smith 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.

“Great Skin is known for highly respecting each client’s goals and working with them to achieve those goals by fully understanding and matching their needs to the perfect skin care treatment plan and home care system,” Cureton Smith says.

A brief needs assessment is done with each client prior to develop a treatment plan that is fitted to their exact needs. Often, a Great Skin esthetician will ask clients to take a picture prior to the treatment and throughout the treatment plan so they can ultimately celebrate the success of achieving their goals.

“It’s about partnership at Great Skin,” Cureton Smith says. “Great Skin’s slogan is “Relax, Rewind, Renew!”

Great Skin offers cutting-edge skin care technology such as

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

Micro-Needling for Anti-Aging, Skin Tightening and Facial Contouring, Microdermabrasion, LED Light Therapy customized facials for all skin types and conditions including anti aging (their specialty) wrinkle and fine line reduction, hyperpigmentation, dark and sun spots, acne scars, collagen stimulation, Chemical and Non chemical fruit based skin peels, full face and body spa quality waxing; Slimming Body Treatments, Slimming Body Wraps, Non surgical, Fat Cavitation (fat melting) and body contouring, Endermologie (LPG) for Cellulite reduction and body contouring, foot detox and nutritional drinks and special occasion makeovers.

The company’s signature product, outside of its customized skin care systems, is the “Anti Aging GoldTox” kit, which is formulated to increase collagen stimulation, lighten dark spots, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, tighten the skin and infuse antioxidants and vitamins A, E and C into the skin. “GoldTox is exclusive to Great Skin, and many customers refer to it and say ‘it works like a topical Botox,’” Cureton Smith says. “It’s known for having amazing results!”

Cureton Smith, a resident of Arlington, is from Wisconsin. She is a licensed Texas Esthetician, Certified Fat Cavitation, Radio Frequency Skin Tightening Specialist, and Certified LPG Endermologist. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Professional Communications. Her background is in media, training and management.

Great Skin is now offering franchise locations to those wanting to own a Great Skin Spa & Skin Care through Franchise Marketing Systems.

Great Skin Spa & Facial Club

3851 S.W. Green Oaks Blvd. • (817) 478-2114 • greatskin4you.com 28

ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Valerie Landry

V

Photo: Southern Flair Photography

alerie Landry, General Manager of The Sanford House Inn and Spa, knows the hospitality industry inside and out. But then, she should – she has been involved with the hotel since her grandparents built it in 1997.

“I’ve done just about every job that could be done, from pulling the weeds to cleaning the rooms to serving the Rooney family during the Super Bowl,” Landry says. “After I graduated from college, I moved back to Arlington and began working as the Spa Director and Marketing Director for the company. Soon after that, we remodeled the property to accommodate our restaurant and bar, and I shifted into my current role as General Manager. Now, restaurant506, under my sister Camille’s tutelage, is one of the best restaurants in the city, and my family has a wonderful opportunity to work together on future endeavors.”

In the past year, that family has grown by one, as Landry welcomed daughter Vivian Rose to the world – and, to a minor degree, to The Sanford House. “She came to work with me until she was five months old and had the chance to meet some of our guests,” Landry says. “Now she is in daycare, but she still makes it so clear what I am working for – a brighter future for our community means a brighter future for my daughter. I am excited to watch her grow and develop and find her own passion for life.”

Landry’s passion, at least professionally, is The Sanford House Inn, which offers luxurious accommodations for overnight stays.

The venue also has the capability to host magnificent outdoor

events on the Grand Courtyard or smaller intimate social affairs indoors. The highly acclaimed restaurant506 is located in The Sanford House and features “Inspired American Cuisine.”

Then there is the Sanford Spa, which is a full-service spa and salon that offers full body, facial, nail and hair services for special occasions or “just because.”

Landry says she is devoted to making sure that people who visit The Sanford House – any facet of it – come away not only pleased with their “Sanford House experience” but so enamored that they make a point to return. “Our passion for customer service is what sets us apart as special,” she says. “The leadership team and staff of The Sanford House Inn and Spa and restaurant506 are committed to providing unparalleled customer service and an excellent experience for all guests.”

The Sanford House is just part of Landry’s story, however. She is very active in the community and is preparing to serve as Chair of the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation Board and is a member of the Leadership North Texas Class 9. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce and has served in various capacities with the Chamber of Commerce Women’s Alliance, and with the Junior League of Arlington. She is the immediate past president of the Downtown Arlington Rotary, and is preparing to serve as Assistant Governor for Rotary District 5790 in 2018-2019. She also serves on the Board of Symphony Arlington and was in Leadership Arlington’s Class of 2009.

The Sanford House

506 N. Center St. • (817) 861-2129 • thesanfordhouse.com arlingtontoday.com • October 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

29

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Dr. Melissa Danchak

M

elissa Danchak is the owner of Kos/Danchak Audiology & Hearing Aids – and one of the three doctors of audiology at the practice responsible for diagnosing and treating people with hearing challenges and concerns.

“I began working at KDA in 1997, and I have owned the practice since 2002,” she says. “This practice has been helping people in North Texas hear the best they can for over 31 years. We’ve seen – and unfortunately continue to see – cheap imitations of hearing care come and go.

We know though that people seeking solutions for their hearing and communication needs want good, consistent service. And they want to meet with professionals that have proven their value to the community, as well as their commitment and Photo: Southern Flair Photography loyalty to helping the patient first.”

Danchak says there are two main areas that separate her practice from others in the area that provide audiology testing and hearing aid dispensing services. “First,” she says, “Susanne Kos, the original owner of the practice, was very well respected and trusted by several area physicians. Those physicians referred patients to her on a monthly basis. Today, many of those same physicians continue to refer upwards of 25 patients each month to us for their hearing health care needs. We are proud and certainly humbled by the trust these physicians continue to place in us.”

“Second, we provide the most comprehensive hearing health care program in North Texas, especially after you are fit with your hearing devices. Our Complete Hearing Health Care Program includes all of the follow-up services, including free batteries for the lifetime of

your hearing aids. The fundamental goal of the program is that you are successful with your investment in better hearing and with Kos/ Danchak Audiology.”

The mission at Kos/Danchak Audiology is to provide comprehensive and individual hearing health care, while building long-term relationships with patients and their families based upon honesty, integrity, and respect. “We have over 31 years of experience successfully helping people hear better,” Danchak says. “Physicians in and around our community trust us. Our current patients refer their friends and family members to us every day. Our goal is to live our mission each day with the people we meet and help hear better. To walk with our patients along their better hearing journey, providing them, and their loved ones, with a better hearing experience for life.”

Kos/Danchak Audiology & Hearing Aids

101 West Randol Mill Road, Suite 100 • (817) 277-7039 • northtxhearing.com 30

ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Donna J. Smiedt

D

onna J. Smiedt is the founding and managing partner of the Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt, PLLC. She has been practicing for more than 30 years, all of which have been devoted to the practice of family law.

Smiedt became board certified in family law in 1991 and has maintained her board certification since then.

Smiedt has twice been named as a Texas Super Lawyer by her peers, something Photo courtesy of Donna J. Smiedt only five percent of Texas lawyers have achieved. She was awarded the Family Law Attorney of the Year in Arlington every year from 1997-2002 and in 2010, and was named a 2013 Fort Worth Top Attorney and has an AV RATING by peers.

Other principals at the practice include attorneys Rashelle D. Fetty, Chelsea Fields and Desaray Roe Muma. Collectively, this team has some four decades of experience in serving clients in the practice of family law.

Smiedt is actively involved in the community. She has served for seven years on the Board of the Arlington Animal Shelter, two of those years as the Chairwoman. “My firm and I are dedicated to helping the animals of Arlington, and our office is dog friendly, with four ‘divorce therapy dogs,’ who work there full-time,” Smiedt says.

She also has served on the Arlington Bar Association Board of Directors for many years, and held the office of President. “We would raise money for a charity every year, and most often this

was Arlington Mission,” she says. “We are dedicated to helping the many battered women of Arlington and continue to provide Pro Bono services to women through the Arlington Bar Association.”

Smiedt was a member of Arlington Business and Professional Women for more than a decade and served as President of that group, as well. Each year she would help organize a Wine Tasting Event to raise money for women from the community who were returning to college. She continues to mentor college-bound women.

“Our firm is Arlington’s premier full-service family law firm,” Smiedt says. “From pre-nuptial agreements to appellate work, we cover the complete practice of family law. I specialize in complex high asset divorce cases as well as custody litigation, but between all the highly skilled lawyers at the firm we can handle the simplest uncontested divorce to the most contentious custody litigation, as well as non-litigation forms of dispute resolution such as mediation and collaborative law.”

The Family Law Firm of Donna J. Smiedt

3216 W. Arkansas Lane • (817) 572-9900 • arlingtondivorces.com arlingtontoday.com • October 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

31

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Vicki Hafer V

icki Hafer is a prominent local attorney, practicing in the area of family law.

Photo courtesy of Vicki Hafer To that end, she assists and represents clients in divorce cases and other suits affecting the parent-child relationship.

In addition to divorce cases, this includes child support and custody disputes, modification suits, parentage suits, suits to enforce the terms of court orders, applications for protective orders, suits to terminate the parent-child relationship, adoption cases, and grandparents’ rights cases.

“I work with my clients in order to prosecute or defend their family law matters, which includes advocating for my clients in and out of court,” she says.

Hafer graduated from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1994 and has been a licensed Texas attorney since shortly thereafter. For the last 10 years, her practice has focused almost exclusively on representation of clients in family law matters.

“The cases that I work on have a significant effect on families and the relationships within those families,” she says. “I do my best to help each divorce client dissolve his or her marriage as amicably as possible, so that the parties have a better chance of working together as co-parents in the future.”

Hafer says this philosophy also helps her clients to be in a better position emotionally to move forward after divorce, and to begin

the process of rebuilding their lives. “Ugly legal battles cause more wounds, so I try to minimize the battles as much as possible,” she says. “This philosophy often has the additional benefit of making a divorce less expensive. The less time spent fighting (in court or elsewhere), the less money spent paying lawyers! Being mindful of attorneys’ fees also helps clients to be in a better position financially to move forward as a single person. Of course, some cases necessitate a much more aggressive approach, especially when domestic violence, emotional abuse, or substance abuse is an issue. In those cases, my clients’ and their children’s safety and emotional well-being is the top priority.”

Hafer’s personal involvement in everything that affects a client helps set her firm apart. “When you retain my firm, you get me,” she says. “I work with each client individually. If we have a hearing, I’ll be the attorney representing you in court. If there is a mediation, I’m the attorney that will go to mediation with you. And while I have invaluable professionals in my office helping me, when you need to talk to your attorney, I’m here. Additionally, I do not run a divorce mill. Each case is different, and each client’s circumstances are different. Personal attention is a necessity in divorce and custody cases, and you get that with me.”

Vicki Hafer Family Law

101 E. Park Row • (817) 548-1000 • VickiHafer.com 32

ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Photo courtesy of Linda Magazzine

L

Linda Magazzine

inda Magazzine is a broker associate with Ebby Halliday REALTORS®. Professionally speaking, however, that description barely does her justice.

For starters, there’s her vast experience – she has been a real estate professional for 38 years, the past 16 of which have been associated with Ebby Halliday. During that time, Magazzine has been the company’s Top Individual or Group Producer for the Arlington office since 2002. She also ranked in the top five nationwide from 1989 to 2003.

Her prowess has been noted often – and even recently, when, in August, for the second straight year, she was named an All Star winner in the Arlington Today Readers’ Choice awards.

She recently joined another Ebby stalwart, Michael Cunningham, to form the Magazzine Cunningham Group, which specializes in luxury living home marketing. This new enterprise has given the venerable Magazzine yet another vehicle to test her proven strategies – and sell more homes.

“My professional philosophy is this: To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity,” she says. “As an Ebby agent, I take pride in the fact that I am knowledgeable on the current market, which enables me to inform the consumer wisely and efficiently.”

Magazzine laid the foundation of her career in another home-related endeavor – she was a field editor for Better Homes and Gardens Magazine for the Texas Region. It was there that she found her love of homes and realized she could make a good living doing what she really enjoyed. Indeed, her production at Ebby Halliday over the past 10 years has exceeded $150 million in sales – all in areas near her hometown.

“I live in Arlington, I work in Arlington, and I believe in my city and community,” she says.

The Magazzine-Cunningham Group

1201 W. Green Oaks Blvd. • (817) 980-8733 magazzinecunninghamgroup.ebby.com 34

ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Photo: Alexander Portrait Designers

F

Sarah Merrill Young

or Sarah Merrill Young, helping clients plot their financial future comes naturally – literally. The Merrill Financial Group was founded by her father Charlie more than a half century ago, and Sarah has taken what her Dad taught her to become one of the area’s premier financial service professionals.

“What has inspired me most was my mentor, my Dad,” Sarah says. “I grew up around the financial service business and thought it was awesome how he helped people with their livelihood. I wanted to do that, but it was intimidating. Financial services is heavily male-dominant. I also watched my mother, who held a director position with the federal government, which encouraged me to go for it.”

The company philosophy has remained constant since Charlie started the business. “What we specialize in is putting the client first, which is something my father instilled in me,” Young says. “When you serve people, you will get business – it really is that simple.”

The company offers a wide range of financial products and services to individuals and business owners, including investments and Tax Deferred Annuities, Employee Benefits, Planning for Business Continuity, College Savings Plans, Retirement Planning, Disability Income, Life Insurance, Group Insurance, Senior Citizen Programs, Charitable Giving, and Estate Planning.

Young says her company tries to stay on the cutting edge as it helps clients prosper. “Technology is here in a big way in our industry,” she says. “It is definitely becoming a way of life. We are implementing much more ‘touches’ with clients and prospects, keeping individuals informed of the changing financial environment that affects us all.”

Young says her proudest professional moment came when she became a Retirement Income Certified Professional. “I believe I am well equipped to assist people who are serious about their situations and want help,” she says.

Merrill Financial Group

1807 W. Park Row Drive • (817) 460-4051 merrillfg.com

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Photo courtesy of Kimberly Fitzpatrick

S

Sharon Holman

haron Holman is a principal and lead agent of The Holman Group at RE/MAX Pinnacle Group Realtors, working alongside her son, Dixon R. Holman, to ensure that their buyer and seller clients make the most of their real estate opportunities.

Sharon started in Arlington residential real estate sales in 1977 with Billie Farrar and has been a broker since 1980.

“During my four decades in the business, I’ve seen the Arlington market grow more diverse and much more far flung,” she says. “We’ve put together an experienced, knowledgeable and sophisticated team of professionals and support staff that allows us to help our buyer and seller clients throughout the city achieve their goals, hopes and dreams.”

The Holman Group’s primary focus is residential real estate sales, though the company also handles some commercial and land transactions.

Sharon says the key to her success – and that of the company – is in the approach The Holman Group takes with each prospective opportunity. “In a nutshell, my professional philosophy is simple and can be summed up as: ‘If you always put your clients first, the rest will take care of itself.’ We want to develop relationships for life.”

To that end, Sharon and Dixon have established – and accomplished – a goal of focusing on serving sellers and buyers of fine homes with superior personal service.

The Holman Group isn’t just about business, however. Sharon says she is proud of where she lives and works. “I also believe that it’s important to give back to the community,” she says. “I try very hard to do that by being actively involved with and supporting organizations such as the Salvation Army and the Trinity Sports Foundation.”

The Holman Group at RE/MAX Pinnacle Group Realtors

1241 W. Green Oaks Blvd., Suite 151 (817) 299-1048 or (817) 299-1052 holmangrouptexas.com • sharon@holmangrouptexas.com

Kimberly Fitzpatrick

K

imberly Fitzpatrick is a partner at the law firm Harris Cook, LLP, and is the mayor of Dalworthing Gardens. As a result, she is routinely juggling a busy professional and civic schedule – all while also being a devoted wife and mother.

Fitzpatrick joined Harris Cook, LLP, in 2008 and is part of a legal team that is able to help clients with many issues such as business litigation, contract review, entity formation, employment law, family and custody issues, injury claims, wills and estate planning, and criminal matters. She manages the firm’s Arlington office.

“I understand that our clients want creative and timely legal solutions from attorneys who understand their needs and challenges,” she says. “I understand that clients want responsiveness and efficiency in the delivery of legal services while not being beaten down by the ‘billable hour.’ My firm’s goal is to deliver all of these. We pride ourselves on tailoring solutions to the particular needs of a client. We offer free consultations and offer a variety of payment arrangements.”

Fitzpatrick believes her best quality as an attorney is her persistence. “I’ve had more than a few reviews which compare me to a bulldog!” she says.

As might be expected, Fitzpatrick’s dual duties keep her busy.

Asked how she manages to thrive in both settings, she says, “I have a very patient and loving husband named Ryan.”

Because of the two positions, she has been able to experience a number of highlight moments. In her first year as Mayor of Dalworthington Gardens, the city won the award for the most money raised per capita for the Salvation Army’s Annual Mayoral Challenge – “beating my nemesis, David Cook (her partner at the firm and mayor of Mansfield),” she adds – and winning the “Rookie of the Year” award. “We were able to raise the most money the City has ever raised for this event,” she says.

Harris Cook, LLP

709 E. Abram St. • (817) 275-8765 harriscooklaw.com • kimberly@harriscooklaw.com arlingtontoday.com • October 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

35

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Foster Gilbert

Stephanie Foster Gilbert

S

tephanie Foster Gilbert started her legal firm, The Law Offices of Stephanie A. Foster, P.C., in 1992 and for the past two and a half decades she has been devoted to the practice of family law.

Earier this year, the firm was named an All Star in Arlington Today’s Readers’ Choice poll.

Stephanie A. Foster, P.C., has produced a formidable team that also features associate attorney Michael Muñoz, legal assistant Ashleigh Bell, paralegal Sandra Patino and administrative assistant Stephanie Bryce. Together, they concentrate in family legal issues, including divorce, modifications, custody, child support, spousal support, visitation, enforcement of custody/support, paternity and step-parent adoption.

Stephanie says her dream of having her own law practice was nurtured as a child. “I always wanted to be an attorney,” she says. “My father, John Foster, is an attorney. When I was a child, I would beg him to take me to work with him at his law firm every summer.”

From day one, Stephanie has focused on family law at her practice. “My professional philosophy is divorce with dignity,” she says, noting that she has taken many special measures to serve her clients in the best manner possible. “I was one of the first attorneys trained in collaborative law, in 2008. Collaborative Law is a way to divorce with dignity with no court and no war.”

She believes the collaborative law process is a powerful way to generate creative solutions in family law disputes while minimizing financial and emotional damage to the couple and their children, all the while promoting post-divorce psychological and financial health of the restructured family.

A graduate of Arlington Martin High School, Southern Methodist University and St. Mary’s Law School in San Antonio, Stephanie was named a “Top Attorney” by Fort Worth, Texas magazine in 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016.

nything Goes has become a favorite “Go To” place in Pantego/Arlington for all your gift buying needs from infants to adults. Fun and unique products line the shelves and are hand selected by Mary Davis, whose keen eye brings the fun into shopping from visit to visit.

Anything Goes started out as a dream and has far exceeded Mary’s expectations. Beginning with 1,200 square feet, Anything Goes has gone through two expansions and now occupies over 3,600 square feet of showroom space.

The growth has been exciting and is attracting customers from all over the Metroplex. Ten- to 12-hour days are not unusual, and though Anything Goes is closed on Sunday and Monday, you may still be able to shop if the lights are on.

Although Mary’s responsibilities include the overall operations of the store, her main philosophy is to keep the customer first and insure that each person that comes to Anything Goes has a great shopping experience.

Mary’s fun and caring personality shows when trying to find that special gift for a friend or loved one. Mary also encourages customers to provide input on what gift lines they would like to see Anything Goes carry in the store.

Mary believes that communicating with her customers is the key to building long-term relationships and enhances business success. Mary also is committed to partnering with the community, non-profits and local schools.

Many customers who come into Anything Goes say its like shopping with family.

The Law Offices of Stephanie Foster, P.C.

Anything Goes

4214 Little Road, Suite 1000 • (817) 277-2805 stephaniefosterlawyer.com 36

ARLINGTON TODAY • October 2017 • arlingtontoday.com

Photo courtesy of Mary Davis

A

Mary Davis

2504 W. Park Row Drive, Suite A • (817) 542-0862 anythinggoesgiftshop.com

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Photos courtesy of Pecan Park Dental

Photo courtesy of Claire Wheeler

C

Claire Wheeler

laire Wheeler is co-owner and Executive Vice President of Wheeler Advertising, a full-service agency that serves clients across the country.

“I am involved with our traditional, digital and social media departments with considerable emphasis on our social media services,” Wheeler says.

She has been in the automotive advertising business for over 35 years. She spent 25 years at Doner Advertising and was one of the founders of the Automotive Division for Doner. “Over the years I worked with many different automotive brand dealer associations, including the Texas and North Texas Ford Dealers,” she says. “My last 12 years with Doner were spend working on the Mazda North America Operations account as EVP/Regional Account Director.

My husband Ron opened Wheeler Advertising in Arlington specializing in automotive and RV advertising in 1991. I joined my husband at Wheeler in 2008.”

The company has five offices providing broadcast, print, digital and social media services for over 100 auto and RV dealers coast to coast. “We also pride ourselves in providing social media and other marketing services for several local non-profits, including the Salvation Army/North Texas Youth Education Town, The Arlington Police Foundation and The Trinity Sports Foundation,” she says.

Wheeler has a simple philosophy: “Trust God, work hard, build trust and really care about the people you work with and for.” She says the ability to build long-lasting relationships with both employees and clients sets the company apart. “The majority of our employees and clients have been with us for many years, some more than 20 years,” she says.

“Plus we believe strongly in giving back and supporting the Arlington non-profit community with our time and services.”

Wheeler Advertising

624 Six Flags Drive, Suite 150 • (800) 678-7822 wheeleradvertising.com

Dr. Amy Schoening Dr. Stephanie Bangs

P

ecan Park Dental has been gently caring for patients for nearly 25 years. Dr. Amy Schoening, Dr Stephanie Bangs and a highly trained patient-friendly staff offer: routine dental care, high-tech equipment, specialist on site, and cutting-edge cosmetic procedures, all in a completely pain-free / stress-free environment.

Patients say what stand out the most about this practice are its chairside manner and family-centric ambience that makes patients feel like they are in the comforts of a home. Pecan Park Dental is a comprehensive family practice that focuses on the patient experiece being comfortable while providing state-of-the art dental care.

The soft comfortable mission-style chairs, lavender aromatherapy, and Hill Country charm of the facility greet patients with a warm inviting environment. “I want everything in our office to say: ‘You are in the right place,’” practice founder Amy Schoening says. ”We strive to make the whole experience relaxing, encouraging patients to feel at ease. That is our goal for the initial visit and every visit along the way.”

Pecan Park Dental offers a gamut of dental services. They offer preventive care, needs-focused treatments, Invisalign orthodontics, full mouth reconstructions, and even an option to treat Sleep Issues without a CPAP machine. There are even specialists in the office to address special needs such as root canal therapy.

Dr. Schoening and Dr. Bangs tailor every treatment plan to each individual patient. “Every patient is different, and every case is different.” Dr. Bangs says. “We strive to educate our patients and determine their individual needs using the best diagnostic tools offered in the industry, and then provide the needed care in a gentle, comfortable, and relaxing environment.“ Although Dr. Schoening and Dr. Bangs are busy with their patients at their 4,000 square-foot facility, they both find time to volunteer in, and support, the Arlington community. Dr. Schoening states that “caring for the Arlington residents for the past 23 years has been my greatest blessing.”

Pecan Park Dental

912 N. Fielder Road • (817) 873-3300 pecanparkdental.com arlingtontoday.com • October 2017 • ARLINGTON TODAY

37