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ED M O N D, O K LAH O MA
May 2014
VOL. 6 | NO. 5
INSIDE
2014
PUBLISHER Karan Ediger 405-341-2121 kediger@edmondsun.com MANAGING Lisa Shearer EDITOR 405-341-2121 lshearer@edmondsun.com
Minimum wage hike brews national debate
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MULTIMEDIA Carolyn Womack-Jenner SALES 405-341-2121 MANAGER cjenner@edmondsun.com
Work for all skill sets: The Meadows provides secure working environment
SALES TEAM Terri Bohanan Brittany Eddins Greg Dorshaw CONTRIBUTING Mike Crandall WRITERS Jim Denton Cyndy Hoenig Nick Massey Patty Miller Van Mitchell Tim Priebe Terri Schlichenmeyer Mark Schlachtenhaufen
Raising the minimum wage has been a hotbutton issue for years from legislators to business owners to those employees working at that pay rate.
8
More than 30 years ago a group of parents in the Edmond area came together with a common cause of how to best help children with developmental disabilities succeed in life. Their efforts helped create the Meadows Center for Opportunity.
Wanted: Skilled labor for Oklahoma jobs
10
Oklahoma is not unlike many other states across the country that have good paying jobs available but not enough skilled labor to fill them. And, as a result, state leaders are pushing for more of a public-private partnership between education and business and industry to fill that training gap.
James Coburn Legislature eyes unemployment law changes
Miss your Business Times? Call 341-2121 to get on our mailing list. Thanks! The Business Times is a monthly publication of The Edmond Sun devoted to business in the Edmond area. All rights reserved. Copyright Š May 2014.
14
Rep. Randy McDaniel, R-Oklahoma City, saw a need to close a loophole in the state’s unemployment benefits program and amend legal language making it easier to claim separation from employment due to domestic violence.
May 2014 | The Business Times
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from our Publisher
Edmond has much to offer businesses
T
o our readers: Recently I wrote a letter for The Newcomer’s Guide one of our special publications of The Edmond Sun. Every year that I write it I’m amazed at our city. Whether your business is located in Edmond or you call Edmond home here are some statistics you will find fascinating. Edmond is 13 miles north of downtown Oklahoma City and, according to the Edmond Economic Development Authority, there are 84,524 people who live in Edmond. Median age in Edmond is 35 with 32,636 total households. The Edmond Economic Development Authority also reports that the average household income is $98,736. Edmond also boasts the lowest crime rate when compared to Norman, Moore and Oklahoma City. If you’re a transplant why did you move to Edmond? If you’re like hundreds of other people it was for the school system. Edmond has 16 elementary schools, five middle schools and three high schools. Francis Tuttle Technology Center partners with the Edmond Public School District to serve the community in a variety of industries. Edmond also is home to both the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma Christian University. Edmond’s major employers, according to the EEDA, in order are the Edmond Public Schools, University of Central Oklahoma, City of Edmond, OU Medical Center Edmond, INTEGRIS Health Edmond, Adfitech, Remy International Inc., Petra Industries Inc., and Pelco Products Inc.
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May 2014 | The Business Times
Be proud of Edmond and for more information such as this be sure to visit the Edmond Economic Authority inside the Chamber of Commerce Building in Edmond. And for more information on employment keep reading this issue of The Business Times of Edmond.
KARAN EDIGER is publisher of The Business Times of Edmond, The Edmond Sun and Community Connection.
(405) 340-1717 www.womackadvisers.com 1366 E. 15th St., Edmond • 73013 Registered Investment Adviser
Minimum wage hike brews national debate
R
aising the minimum wage has been a hot-button issue for years from legislators to business owners to those employees working at that pay rate. Congress is considering raising the pay rate again for the first time in four years and once again it has stirred emotions on both sides of the issue. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, the federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Many states also have minimum wage laws. Some state laws provide greater employee protections; employers must comply with both. The Minimum Wage Fairness Act (S. 1737), sponsored by Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, and the Fair Minimum Wage Act (H.R. 1010) sponsored by California Congressman George Miller, would raise the federal minimum wage from its current $7.25 level to $10.10 per hour in 95 cent increments during the next three years. The bills also would increase the tipped minimum wage from 6
May 2014 | The Business Times
By Van Mitchell | Special to The Business Times $2.13 per hour to 70 percent of the minimum wage. These bills would then index minimum wage for the future, to keep wages from losing value to inflation. Fred Morgan, president and CEO of the State Chamber of Oklahoma, said the chamber is against a minimum wage hike. “The State Chamber opposes increases in the minimum wage,” Morgan said. “The reason we are is a lot of minimum wage jobs are young and unskilled people who are getting their first jobs. We think businesses will cut back on hiring if the minimum wage is raised. Something has to give at some point.” Jayson Lusk, Samuel Roberts Noble Distinguished Fellow at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, concurred. OCPA is a public policy research organization focused primarily on state-level issues. “The standard economic model of minimum wage hikes is pretty clear: If businesses are forced to pay more for workers, they will hire fewer workers,” Lusk said. “From the business perspective, minimum wage increases cause economic loss: Firms have fewer laborers to get the job done and have to pay more for the ones they
keep. From the worker perspective, there are some who keep their jobs and earn slightly more money and are somewhat better off. Other workers who either lose their job or cannot find work are unambiguously worse off.” Lusk said minimum wage increases also incentivize businesses to innovate and mechanize to avoid higher-cost labor. “In many large cities, where wages are higher, you can order from a computerized kiosk if you want a Big Mac,” Lusk said. “Likewise, many grocery stores have begun to eliminate checkers by utilizing computerized self-checkout lanes. In agriculture, there are many areas where mechanized harvesting would become cost effective if labor were more expensive. I’d expect an increase in minimum wage to lead to more of these sorts of mechanization.” Henry Holasek, owner of Al’s Bicycles, 2624 S. Broadway Court in Edmond, said raising the minimum wage could affect small businesses like his. “I normally start out a guy at $8.50 and then we raise them as we go,” Holasek said. “It will certainly be a sizable increase in the payroll there. I don’t know if the market will bear increases. I don’t see how the employer could absorb all of that. Instead of having five people I would have to have four.” Morgan said raising the minimum wage doesn’t address the real employment needs in Oklahoma, which is a lack of skilled workers. He said manufacturers and businesses across the state have job openings but can’t find skilled people they need. “If you really want to raise our average per capita income in this state you need to be concentrating on the jobs that pay $40,000
to $70,000 a year level,” Morgan said. “We do have those jobs available but we don’t have the people with the skills to meet the needs of the business community (hiring or those) jobs.” Morgan said the state needs to be focusing on filling those higher-paying jobs. “It is very important that we start aligning our education system to produce the kind of skills that the business community needs,” Morgan said. “We need to have graduates that have skills to meet the job demands.” Lusk said research is mixed on how small wage increases would impact businesses. “The empirical research on the topic of whether and to what extent small minimum wage increases cause unemployment is somewhat mixed,” Lusk said. “However, it would be difficult for most economists to believe that businesses would not respond to an increase in the price of an input by not buying less of that input, whether that input is energy, computers or workers.” Lusk added that while the economics on the issue are compelling, the issue also has an ethical dimension. “If two people, an employer and employee, voluntarily enter into an employment contract at a given wage, then what business is it of some third party to deem that voluntary agreement ‘illegal’ by setting a minimum wage?” Lusk said. Holasek said the bottom line for him is he doesn’t want someone telling him how much he should pay his employees. “I don’t think I need anybody mandating how much to pay,” he said. “If a guy is a good employee and works hard he gets compensated well.”
Work for all skill sets
The Meadows provides secure working environment By Van Mitchell | Special to The Business Times
Photos by Karen Moore | Special to the Business Times
M
ore than 30 years ago a group of parents in the Edmond area came together with a common cause of how to best help children with developmental disabilities succeed in life. Their efforts helped create the Meadows Center for Opportunity, a non-profit corporation serving a dual purpose in the community as a Sheltered Workshop providing data destruction and other business services to more than 3,000 organizations and businesses across Oklahoma. Today, the facility at 1000 S. Kelly Ave., employees 60 people, with 44 having development disabilities, said James Hill, executive director of the Meadows. “Parents began an effort to formulate a plan for their children after they graduated high school,” Hill said. “Thirty-one years ago there wasn’t much opportunity at all. They started teaching the clients some social skills and activities of daily living to help them live on their own. It morphed into more of a business and a service to the community.” As an Oklahoma Sheltered Workshop, the Meadows provides controlled employment and training services to those with developmental disabilities and permanent brain damage as a result of trauma injuries. The Meadows’ mission is to provide each person the training 8
May 2014 | The Business Times
and opportunity necessary for that person to realize his or her maximum employment productivity. “We provide opportunities to people who are often denied the chance to work,” said Mike Crawley, program coordinator. “We do it in a safe environment. We offer employment and vocational training so they can develop their skills and abilities.” Hill concurred. “The goal is to get these wonderful people where they can be in the community with support and thrive,” Hill said. “Not all will be successful in that and we know that, but it is imperative that we give them the opportunity and the tools to be successful.” Hill said document destruction has become a big part of the Meadows’ operation. The organization’s customers in the business, banking, medical, government and educational fields rely on the Meadows to destroy sensitive and confidential information through data destruction, hard drive shredding and pill bottle destruction. “We always look for avenues and other income sources,” Hill said. “Being a nonprofit has it challenges. Seventy percent of our income comes from our document destruction. We don’t have a large donor base. The security around document destruction is something we take very serious.” Hill said the Meadows’ document destruction program has continued to grow. “We have seen our footprint expand not just in the metro area but statewide,” he said. The Meadows also offers additional business services, such as packaging, shrink wrapping, manual collation, brochure assembly and more. Hill said recycling is also top priority at the Meadows. “We completely recycle destroyed paper documents,” Hill said. “When the paper is shredded, it is baled into bales weighing approximately 1,500-1,800 pounds. These bales are sent to facilities around the nation to be reduced to pulp and used to produce recycled home paper goods.”
Hill said when looking at new revenue stream ideas, a program implemented at Dale Rogers Training Center in Oklahoma City caught his eye. It opened a Papa Murphy’s carryout pizza franchise near its headquarters and serves as an opportunity to train and employ people there. “Dale Rogers is a franchise owner in Papa Murphy Pizza in one location and that was intriguing to us,” Hill said. “We are looking at franchise potential within the document scanning arena. We could be a turn-key solution for a customer when it comes to scanning, Cloud management, warehousing and destroying their documents. It is a beautiful process when you look at the whole picture. It is exciting to look at it as a potential revenue stream for us.” Hill, who has been with the Meadows almost seven years, said he does not consider what he does for a living a job. “It is a passion and it is a ministry. I make a point every morning to walk through and say hello to everybody,” Hill said. “It is important to do that. We get the chance to change lives. There is nothing better than that.”
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Wanted: Skilled labor for Oklahoma Jobs By Van Mitchell | Special to The Business Times
O
klahoma is not unlike many other states across the country that have good paying jobs available but not enough skilled labor to fill them. And, as a result, state leaders are pushing for more of a publicprivate partnership between education and business and industry to fill that training gap. “Oklahoma is not alone in this problem,” said Fred Morgan, president and CEO of the State Chamber of Oklahoma. “You can look at almost any state in the country right now and they have the same issues. Over the last two years our government leaders have understood we have a problem. The No. 1 problem with businesses today is their inability to find skilled workers.” This issue was highlighted recently during Gov. Mary Fallin’s workforce summit in Oklahoma City as part of her “America Works: Education and Training for Tomorrow’s Jobs” initiative as chairman of the National Governors Association. Fallin was joined at the summit by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon. The initiative focuses on improving state education and workforce training systems and aligning those systems with the needs of individual state economies. “Preparing America’s 21st century workforce to keep pace and stay competitive is an issue that not only calls for national attention, it also demands gubernatorial leadership,” Fallin said. “Developing a highly educated workforce and closing the skills gap in our states is essential to ensuring our children’s futures and strengthening our economies.” Fallin said the “new minimum” for economic success is either a two-year or four-year college degree or a relevant workforce certificate. She said without some type of postsecondary education, a 10
May 2014 | The Business Times
majority of children and working adults will find it hard to achieve the American Dream and access a fulfilling middle class life or beyond. Nixon said by the end of this decade, two-thirds of all jobs will require a postsecondary credential “That is why I am proud to stand with my fellow governors as we work to ensure all students graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and the career of their choice,” Nixon said. “In today’s highly competitive global economy, education is the best economic development tool there is.” Shad Glass serves as vice president of human resources and organizational development at Kimray Inc. located at 52 N.W. 42nd St. in Oklahoma City. The company is a manufacturer of control equipment used extensively in oil and gas production. Glass said Kimray has jobs available and struggles to fill them. “We have about 22 full-time positions open right now and another nine temporary positions that have the potential of becoming full-time,” Glass said. “Most of them are in the production area, which includes assembly and manufacturing. We have openings in just about every department in the organization. We have a lot of opportunity right now. We have been struggling to hire the right people who have both character and competence. We have a very high standard in our hiring practices.” Glass said the current skilled workforce is aging and getting a new generation interested in those jobs has become more difficult. “We have an aging workforce that is starting to retire and the younger workers starting to come in to the market haven’t gone into the skilled trades,” he said. “The state is in desperate need of having programs to invest in not only the young who are wanting to get into the labor market but also employees looking to retool and get into a career change.” Glass said Kimray has had to become creative when looking long-term to fill its job vacancies including creating an entry level machinist training program for internal employees. The company also has partnered with Aztec Charter School in Oklahoma City on a tuition reimbursement program for students who come to work for Kimray. “We have said to Aztec if you have students who are 17 or 18 years old and have demonstrated both excellence in character and academic achievement then we want to hire them for the summer and get them exposed to the work here at Kimray,” Glass said. ““We have an excellent tuition reimbursement program to help pay for their school and help them get their (higher) education that might not be available to them.”
Glass said he is a success example of how the program can work. He has spent 17 years at Kimray working his way up the ranks while going to college at night. “I started out in assembly as an unskilled laborer and after a few years I wanted to make a change,” he said. “I was trying to better myself and achieve a level of income and upward mobility. If Kimray hadn’t invested in me and given me those opportunities it wouldn’t have been something that I could have realized.” Glass said the partnership is a win-win for both the students and Kimray. “I thought we could replicate that for other students and make a difference in their lives,” Glass said. “I am hoping it will give us a pipeline of great employees from the get-go and hopefully make a career of it here.” Joe Robillard, president of Autoquip Corporation in Guthrie, said the manufacturing company has had to rely on more in-house cross-training to fill some of its open positions. Since 1947 Autoquip has manufactured standard and custom scissor lifts, vertical reciprocating conveyors and material handling equipment. “We employ about 100 people here and have skilled machinist and welder positions open,” Robillard said. “Those are very difficult positions to fill. The oil patch can offer much higher wages typically than what industry can.” Robillard said Autoquip has worked with Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater trying to get more students interested in welding
and machinist careers. “They have a difficult time like other technology schools in attracting students for these fields,” Robillard said, “So we have basically had to rely to some extent on ourselves on (internal employee) training.” Robert D. Sommers, CareerTech director and state secretary of education and workforce development, said CareerTech is working on some changes to help with the employment issue. “CareerTech is creating performance funding models that provide incentives for technical certifications and credentials, such as those for welders and auto service professionals,” Sommers said. “We also are migrating to competency-based education, which allows incumbent workers to train in these fields at their own pace and faster than in the past.” Robillard said he applauds the efforts of state and education officials in addressing this issue. “It is a monumental hill that we have to climb. I think the end result will have some success,” Robillard said. “The issue is going to be to get these young high school kids interested and focused on working in industry and making themselves available for the training.” Morgan said this is an issue that won’t be solved quickly. “You don’t turn this around overnight,” he said. “This is a longterm problem that needs to be addressed and it is going to take longterm solutions.”
May 2014 | The Business Times
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Chamber launches new Intern Edmond Program By Van Mitchell | Special to The Business Times
T
he Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma Christian University, is launching a new program designed to assist its members in finding interns for their businesses. Rachel Martin, director of communications and marketing for the Edmond Chamber, said the objective of Intern Edmond will be to provide a seamless process where Edmond businesses can gain access to students at both universities who are seeking internships. “The idea was initiated at our yearly board retreat in October and one of the main initiatives that came out of that was focusing on building the next generation of leaders in Edmond,” Martin said. “And one of the ideas we thought would work well for that was an intern program.” Martin said the chamber is still working out the details of the program, but it should be implemented in time for internship opportunities this summer. “They (universities) will be responsible for getting the information to their students for the program. The chamber’s role will be letting our businesses know about this program,” Martin said. “We will be having a briefing event in early May to do an overview of how it works. We have already had a handful of chamber businesses contact us and say they are interested.” Mark Chan, director of OC Career Services, said the goal of the program is to have at least 25 businesses in Edmond and Oklahoma City on board. He said he previously worked with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and their internship program Greater Grads and Intern OKC, which have proven successful. 12
May 2014 | The Business Times
“Those programs have been wonderful,” Chan said. “It has helped Oklahoma City and the entire state encouraging students to stay in the area after they graduate. I am a big believer in this (Intern Edmond) program. I think it is going to be very successful.” Chan said the Edmond Chamber is printing an employer handbook for the program to help guide businesses with internship programs and offering other support. “We are going to be able to reach out to a lot of smaller companies and organizations around town and really put internships on the table,” Chan said. “It is going to get the conversation started. This is going to walk them through the baby steps and help see this is very doable. I think the Edmond businesses are going to love it.” Josh Waddell, director of UCO Career Services, said the Intern Edmond program is a win-win situation for students and businesses. “The Edmond Intern program is going to help students by giving a great opportunity to do an internship and participate in a learning process with some great companies both in Edmond and Oklahoma City,” Waddell said. “There is going to be tremendous networking opportunities through this program in meeting industry professionals. They will get to apply what they learned in class into a real work setting. And at the same time it will help them in their career decision-making process.” TO LEARN MORE, go online to www.edmondchamber.com or call Martin at 405-341-2808.
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Legislature Eyes Unemployment Law changes By Van Mitchell | Special to The Business Times
R
ep. Randy McDaniel, R-Oklahoma City, saw a need to close a loophole in the state’s unemployment benefits program and amend legal language making it easier to claim separation from employment due to domestic violence. So he filed House Bill 2505, which he says accomplishes both those goals. The legislation amends portions of the Employment Security Act of 1980. HB 2505 would prevent double-dipping into unemployment benefits and back salary in relation to furloughs or work stoppages. It also would allow for an employee to be separated from work due to domestic violence with the proof of reasonable evidence. After the federal government shutdown in October of 2013 federal employees received back pay to make up for the time they were furloughed. But that created a double-dip situation, as state law allowed for those employees to be eligible for unemployment benefits. HB 2505 requires that the deduction of any back pay, dollar for dollar, from any unemployment benefit received. The claimant would be required to repay any overpayment of benefits. “This bill prevents double dipping when back pay is given to furloughed workers,” McDaniel said. “It closes a benefit breach that allows federal government employees in Oklahoma to double dip when payback is granted to federal government employees during furloughs or shutdowns. This clamps down on that. You can’t receive both.” John Carpenter, public information officer with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, said in 2013, OESC paid out $269,217,351 in regular state unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. In comparison, these are the total payouts for the past four years: • 2012 — OESC paid out $271,643,296 in UI; • 2011 — $282,345,002 in UI benefits; 14
May 2014 | The Business Times
• 2010 — $394,348,733 in UI; and • 2009 — $559,297,881 in UI benefits. “So far in 2014, payments of regular state UI are down by about 10 percent from 2013,” Carpenter said. “We anticipate this trend continuing for the remainder of the year, as long as the economy continues to cooperate.” Carpenter said Oklahoma’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February was 5.0 percent, the lowest it has been since December 2008 when it was 4.8 percent. Another change contained within HB 2505 is amending language to make it easier to claim separation from employment due to domestic violence. Currently, any case that goes to appeal must be verified by reasonable and confidential documentation. Typically, that has meant the victim needing to go to a shelter quickly and then providing written documentation of the abuse. Under this legislation, the language would be changed to allow for verbal testimony as well as any kind of documentation that is available at the time to support the domestic violence claim. McDaniel said this section of the bill has been endorsed by the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. “It helps people of domestic violence,” he said. “We must ensure those who experience domestic abuse are able to report their cases as easily as possible. We must also not let their work be interfered with by a situation that is clearly out of their control. This (bill) is saying if you have a difficult situation it gives them a few more avenues to use to explain the situation and get immediate help. We must protect those who are in a dangerous situation.” McDaniel said the third prong to his bill is repealing the Shared Work, also called Short-Time Compensation program. It is an alternative to layoffs that may be used when the work
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available to employees decreases. Instead of the employer laying off some employees, all employees in the affected unit share the available work by working reduced hours and collect a portion of their unemployment benefits. McDaniel said the program was instituted during the last recession and was designed to help employers keep their doors open. He said new federal regulations have made it more prone to potential waste and abuse. “Looking at the potential harm it could do for all employers in the state the decision was made to repeal that program,” McDaniel said. “We will no longer have that unique scenario.” McDaniel said his bill also could include language from another unemployment benefits bill by Sen. Dan Newberry, R-Tulsa. Senate Bill 1808 deals with the appropriate definition for misconduct and definition of employment. McDaniel said his bill helps to level the playing field with unemployment benefits. “You trying to find that right balance for people who are truly deserving get it and preventing anyone from taking advantage of the situation,” McDaniel said. The measure passed the Senate 43-5 in April and was expected to pass the House in May. McDaniel is up for re-election this year to his House District 83 seat. He faces Democrat Ed Holzberger on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.
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The Business Times of Edmond salutes Sunshine Award winners
T
he Edmond Sun and The Business Times of Edmond salutes Sunshine Award winners. Winners of the annual The Edmond Sun Sunshine Awards gathered April 3 at First Presbyterian Church of Edmond for a catered breakfast by Millie’s Table. Each winner was selected by a Reader’s Choice balloting process in The Edmond Sun. Ballots had to have more than half of the entries completed in order to be counted and there were more than 150 business categories.
Bridget Jaime, Cynthia Hendershot, Caleb Coldwater and Miguel Gonzalez of Citizens Bank of Edmond
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Carly Rae, Owen Pickard, Mayor Charles Lamb and Kevin Christopher of Jake FM
Publisher Karan Ediger and Greg Justice of Camping World
Mayor Charles Lamb and Ted Jenks of Ted Jenks Water Well Service
Karyl James, Mayor Charles Lamb and Angie Lenon of Mercy
Jeremy Miller, Mayor Charles Lamb, Kelisha Snoddy, First Presbyterian Child Care Center
Mayor Charles Lamb, Randy Taylor and Shelby Trower
May 2014 | The Business Times
Publisher Karan Ediger congratulates College Nannies & Tutors franchise owner Karin Dallas and employee Jessica Eccellente
Store managers Carrie Gamino, Twyla Bly of AT&T Edmond and Mayor Charles Lamb
Rick Roberts, Mayor Charles Lamb, Zena Nipper of First Presbyterian Church of Edmond
Michelle Schaefer of Farmer’s Insurance and Mayor Charles Lamb
You He, Mayor Charles Lamb, Leon He of Sumo Japanese Restaurant
Tim Farmer of Tim Farmer Designs and Mayor Charles Lamb
Jason Duncan, owner of CafĂŠ Evoke, and Mayor Charles Lamb
Kyle Matthews, Kyla Betche and Randy Matthews receive their Sunshine Award from Mayor Charles Lamb
Eung Jain of Daylight Donuts and Mayor Charles Lamb
Lonnie Masters of Edmond Optical and Mayor Charles Lamb
Mayor Charles Lamb and John Luecke of Royalty Roofing
Mayor Charles Lamb and Mike Christi of Sprouts Famers Market May 2014 | The Business Times
17
business matters
Nick Massey Astute Investor
Market Bubbles in the Works H
ave you ever felt like you were outside looking in? Many investors have felt that way during the past several years as they have cautiously avoided the stock market. But then some people, including me, have suggested the market is in bubble territory. You might be late to the party, but is it too late to join? Do you remember the 1997 film “Titanic”? How could we ever forget the music, the elegant scenery and the unforgettable story line? Yet, what we forget is the way in which Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Jack Dawson, was able to get onboard the ill-fated ship. He won his ticket in a last-minute card game and shouted, “The luckiest day of my life.” For a brief moment, Jack was able to see how the so-called other half (perhaps the original 1 percent) lived. He romanced a love-starved young traveler, was taken under the wing of “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” dressed in fine evening attire, and wined and dined like a first-class passenger. Indeed, for a brief moment, it was the luckiest day of his life — the bottom 1 percent had become the top 1 percent. If anyone would have dared to tell Jack what was ahead, he more than likely would
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May 2014 | The Business Times
have stared back at the messenger with a look of “that is not even remotely possible.” However, just to make certain, Jack may have turned to his new society friends in order to ask them about the threatening message he had just received. Jack would have been told that the Titanic, while not only being the largest and perhaps fastest passenger liner, was also the safest and absolutely unsinkable. When stock markets are in a bubble mania (contrary to some opinions), everyone who’s invested in the market feels just like the top 1 percent. It is money made by simply pressing a button, going long and then it’s off to the country club for drinks and a round of tennis. Yes, while you’re in the bubble, everyone can wine and dine like they’ve always dreamed. Of
course, those not in the bubble will clamor to get in since the bubble supposedly knows no end. The storm clouds surrounding the current market bubble are much like icebergs floating in the dark of night, all of which are to be ignored. If Jack Dawson was asked if that fleeting moment of being like the top 1 percent was worth his future and even his life, how do you think he would have responded? When we are living in the bubble, it seems that nothing else matters and past lessons go right out the window. Unfortunately, whether it’s in the movies or if it pertains to real life, we always know what the ending will be. Thanks for reading.
“When stock markets are in a bubble mania (contrary to some opinions), everyone who’s invested in the market feels just like the top 1 percent.”
NICK MASSEY is a financial adviser and president of Householder Group Financial Advisors in Edmond. Massey can be reached at www.nickmassey.com. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC.
Business matters
Mike Crandall Growth S olutions
Sales lessons from a Girl Scout W
hen I asked what her key to success was she smiled and said “I can’t give away all my secrets, however, I have three key ingredients to my success — 1. Time; 2. Commitment; 3. Asking everyone I meet.” This sounded like something a seasoned CEO would say, not a young lady who just turned 12. This was the start of an unbelievable conversation I recently was able to have with a super dynamic and driven Girl Scout. At our firm we have been honored to work with the Girl Scouts on sales, management and leadership development. As you may know the Girl Scouts have one extremely important fundraiser per year. That is the selling of Girl Scout cookies. This key initiative is not only important from a fundraising perspective; it is also a key way for the Girl Scouts to learn valuable life lessons. These lessons include goal setting, scheduling, planning, how to handle money and communication skills, just to name a few. This year I was fortunate enough to have the chance to spend some time with a young Girl Scout named Katie Francis in Oklahoma City. Katie is what some would say an exceptional Girl Scout. In 2013 Katie showed she had the desire to achieve great things by setting a goal for herself to sell 12,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies. That is an impressive number, especially 20
May 2014 | The Business Times
considering the average Girl Scout sells about 100 or so boxes in the roughly two months they can sell cookies. Not only did Katie achieve her goal, she decided to raise the bar even higher for this year and set a goal to sell 18,100 boxes. This would allow her to beat the all-time record of 18,000 boxes set back in the early 1980s. Part way through the sales season I was asked to spend some time with Katie. During our visit I asked her some questions to better understand her thoughts and why she wanted to sell so many cookies. As I shared, the answers she provided to my questions sounded more like those of a seasoned CEO than of someone who just turned 12. After she shared her three key ingredients to success I had to ask more questions, especially around No. 3; this is where the real lessons came out. I asked her if you ask everyone; some people must not say no. She quickly replied “About 2 out of 3 say yes, about 1 out of 3 say no.” When I asked her how the no’s made her feel she said “You cannot take it personally if they say no, maybe they already bought some cookies from someone else.” Wow — her answers were amazing. For someone who is only 12 to be able to understand behavior, goal setting, drive, communication, handling money and have such an awesome attitude was wonderful. During my career I have had the chance to
spend time with thousands of salespeople — the vast majority do not have this handle on how to get better and achieve great things. After our time together Katie went on to shatter her goal of 18,100 boxes. She ended the cookie selling season with more than 21,000 boxes sold. Results that likely will allow her to be the world record holder for many, many years to come. Although her results are unbelievably impressive — what is more impressive is her behavior and her attitude. These are the things that we can control. She clearly showed how these can lead to great success. My hat is off to the Girl Scout leaders who help young ladies like Katie Francis do amazing things. If you have a daughter, niece, granddaughter or other young lady in your life perhaps you should introduce them to the Girl Scouts. So let me ask: What lessons could you learn from Katie? Not just her results, but her behavior and her attitude? MIKE CRANDALL is an Edmond resident and the owner of Sandler Training in Oklahoma City. He can be reached via email at mike.crandall@sandler.com or by phone at 405-844-1700. For more information, go to online to www.customgrowth.sandler.com.
HI, I’M JOE TAYLOR. Overton, Texas. What keeps me coming back to the Trail? It’s just absolutely sensational.
I have people tell me what they’ve spent playing one round at Pebble Beach and a night at the hotel, or going to Pinehurst for a couple rounds. We do the entire week, travel, hotel, green fees, good meals and everything for the price of one day at these places. And it’s absolutely a sensational place to come. TO PLAN YOUR VISIT to Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, visit rtjresorts.com or call 1.800.949.4444 today. facebook.com/rtjgolf twitter.com/rtjgolf
RTJ747JoeTaylorAD_CNHImags.indd 1
3/28/14 12:17 PM
Business matters
Tim Priebe Webifiable
Sustainable SEO takes a consistent approach W
hen is the last time you used a search engine to find a business? Do you think your potential customers and clients are doing the same thing? If so, it’s important to show up toward the top of the list in the results search engines show. In my industry, we call that SEO, which stands for Search Engine Optimization. So why is SEO important? First, it’s important to note that it’s not important for every organization. As an example, if your website is a step in the sales process that happens after initial contact is made through another method, SEO may not be important. On the other hand, if you want your website to be one of the points where your customers first find you, you have to make it as easy as possible to find you online. While social networking plays into that, search engines are still used extensively. And they will continue to play an important role in people finding your business. In fact, a study done in mid 2013 showed that 91 percent of people doing a search click on a first page result, and don’t go any further. So what can you do? First, some bad news. Working on your SEO is not a one-time event, if it ever was. There are certain one-time improvements that can set you up for SEO success, but 22
May 2014 | The Business Times
ultimately you need ongoing effort. Let’s look at using a personal trainer as a comparison. Most personal trainers have you come in for an initial assessment. That includes seeing where you are currently, what your goals are, and making a plan to get there. Do you think you’ll accomplish those goals if you stop after that initial assessment? Of course not! It takes ongoing work to really build up your ranking in the search engines. You don’t typically see overnight results. It takes an ongoing investment of time, energy, resources, and possibly even money to see beneficial results. And while skipping a week or a month is not quite as bad as skipping that many workouts, you’ll eventually start to see your search engine rankings slip. So if you’re concerned about your ranking, what do you actually need to do on an ongoing basis? Simply put, search engines like words. Lots of words. So what you need to do on a regular basis is write. Write blogs, write on social media. Write both on your website and off your website to get the maximum exposure. Search engines also like websites that have words added to them on a regular basis. So you need to write somewhat
consistently, and need to publish that content on an extremely consistent basis. Naturally, the words you write should be readable and useful to your audience. The search engines have ways of detecting if you’re adding words just to improve your SEO. So make sure you write useful content for your potential customers. It may be that your organization’s SEO is important to you, but you find it difficult to do all the writing that’s required. You might consider either finding an accountability partner, or just hire a professional to help you with the process. TIM PRIEBE is a public speaker, the author of the book “The Beginner’s Guide To Facebook Timeline for Business” and the owner of T&S Web Design in Edmond. He can be reached by email at tim@tandsgo.com, by phone at 405-285-0348, or online at www.tandswebdesign.com.
The Business Times
The Business Times Proudly Honors
homa of Edmond, Okla and Innovation ation Inspiration , Inform
July 2010 Vol. 2
No. 7
20 Forty
udly Honors The Business Times Pro U N D E R
20 Forty U N D E R
2014 Nominee Ballot Form
The next generation of Edmond business community leaders are already making their presence and influence felt in every industry. They’re there, working beside you every day, finding new ways to achieve success for both themselves and their businesses. The Business Times of Edmond wants to highlight the Top 20 under 40 in the local business community. Help us find the 2014 class of go-getters by nominating a young businessperson for this honor. Name:_______________________________________Age:______________________________ Business:______________________________________________________________________ Education:_____________________________________________________________________ Do they live in Edmond?__________________________________________________________ What makes this young businessperson outstanding?__________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ How do they contribute to the community?___________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ _______________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Previous honors and recognition:___________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ How to contact them:____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Nominee name and phone number:_________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Please fill out this form online at www.edmondsun.com/top20under40 or mail this form to The Edmond Sun, Managing Editor Lisa Shearer, P.O. Box 2470, Edmond, OK 73034, drop it by The Sun at 123 S. Broadway or FAX it to 405-340-7363. Deadline for nominations is 5 p.m., July 3, 2014.
GROWING EDMOND
Photos PROVIDED | EDMOND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Ribbon Cuttings
New coffee company to make Edmond its home
Fullfilled Coffee Company recently broke ground at 601 S. Boulevard, south of Boulevard Steakhouse. With a target opening date in late fall of 2014, the Piper family is excited to bring a new type of coffee experience to Edmond. “The vision for Fullfilled Coffee is to bring the community together in a relaxed and creatively inspired environment to enjoy premium coffee, tea and pastries,” report the owners of the new venture. “Fullfilled Coffee Company will be supporting and showcasing local artists through our Living Fullfilled Initiative.” The program funds a scholarship through the University of Central Oklahoma Fine Arts Department and plans to present several events throughout the year to benefit local artists.
integris opens new rehabilitation office
INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation at INTEGRIS Cancer Institute, 5915 W. Memorial Road in Oklahoma City, recently had a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of its newest outpatient clinic. “This is a full-service rehabilitation clinic providing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services for all patients,” the staff reports. “At INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation, your recovery is important to us. We take a team approach in helping you meet your rehabilitation goals so you can return to a healthy and active lifestyle.” For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 405-945-4500.
synergy homecare grand opening of Edmond office
SYNERGY HomeCare recently had a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of its Edmond office at 13720 N. Bryant Ave. This office will provide client services across the Oklahoma City metro area. SYNERGY plans to open a location in Lawton this year as well. “Synergy offers specialized services for cancer recovery, Alzheimer’s care, Parkinson’s care, orthopedic and other surgery recovery and also care for disabled children and new moms,” said CEO Weama Kassem. Services also include help during hospital stays and assisted-living transitions and contracts are not required. The company offers care 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be billed hourly or daily to reflect a client’s individual needs. For more information, call 405-254-3046 or visit www.synergyhomecare.com/edmond. 24
May 2014 | The Business Times
Qdoba Mexican Grill celebrates grand opening on Covell
Qdoba Mexican Grill recently had a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of its newest location at 1300 W. Covell Road. The franchise joins nine others in the Oklahoma City and Lawton areas and boasts a wide variety of menu items including gumbos, burritos, tacos, quesadillas and five types of salsa as well as options for children. Each restaurant prepares ingredients fresh daily and is available to cater small or large parties with three types of hot bars: Naked Burrito, Taco and Nacho. “We also offer rewards cards, easy to register from a smart phone or computer,” reports owner/operator David Smith. For more information, call 405-285-0355 or visit www.qdoba.com.
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25
BUSINESS CALENDAR Edmond Exchange Club 7 a.m. May 1 (Club meets every Thursday) Room 213 in the Nigh University Center 100 N. University Drive For more information about the club, visit www.facebook.com/ EdmondMorningExchangeClub
Oklahoma City American Marketing Association 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 8 (Second Thursday of the month) Will Rogers Theatre 4322 N. Western Ave., Oklahoma City, 73118 For more information, www.amaokc.org.
REI Women’s Business Center Women’s Business Breakfast 8:15-10 a.m. May 1 Kamp’s 1910 Café 10 N.E. 10th St., Oklahoma City Free parking at Kamp’s and also on Ninth Street. To register, go online to www.reiwbc.org
Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast 8-9:30 a.m. May 9 Rose Creek Golf Course 17031 N. May Ave. RSVP required; cost $25 for members, $30 for non-members
Edmond AMBUCS Noon May 2 (Club meets every Friday) Cherokee Room in Nigh University Center 100 N. University Drive Call June Cartwright at 405-820-9667 for more information
City Council 5:30 p.m. May 12 (Second and fourth Mondays) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda.
Boulevard Rotary Club 6-7 p.m. May 5 (Club meets every Monday) Louie’s Bar and Grill 1201 N.W. 178th St., Suite 101 For more information, http://facebook.com/BoulevardRotary
Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Business Development Luncheon 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 13 Topic: Disaster Preparedness: What’s Your Plan? Edmond Chamber 825 E. Second St. RSVP required to info@edmondchamber.com; Cost: $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers
Centennial Kiwanis Club 6 p.m. May 5 (Club meets every Monday) Italian Jim’s Restaurant 13 S. Broadway
Launch Pad FT Discovery at Lunchtime seminar Noon to 1 p.m. May 13 Topic: Internet Marketing Panel Cost: Free. Call Launch Pad FT Business Incubator at 717-7730 to register.
Edmond Summit Rotary Club 7 a.m. May 6 (Meets every Tuesday) Oklahoma Christian University 2501 E. Memorial Drive For more information, call 405-CUEARLY. Launch Pad FT Discovery at Lunchtime seminar Noon to 1 p.m. May 6 Speaker: Chad McCoy of Edmond Family Counseling Topic: Stress Management in the Workplace Cost: Free. Call Launch Pad FT Business Incubator at 717-7730 to register. Planning Commission 5:30 p.m. May 6 (First and third Tuesday) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda. Edmond Rotary Club Noon May 7 (Club meets every Wednesday) Henderson Hills Baptist Church 1200 W. I-35 Frontage Road For more information, www.facebook.com/rotaryclubofedmond Edmond Kiwanis Club Noon May 7 (Club meets every Wednesday) Cherokee Room in Nigh University Center 100 N. University Drive Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce New member reception 5:30-7 p.m. May 7 Edmond Chamber 825 E. Second St. RSVP required to info@edmondchamber.com; cost free 26
May 2014 | The Business Times
Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours 5:30-7 p.m. May 13 Evans & Davis Law Firm 211 N. Broadway No RSVP required for chamber members; cost free
Edmond Economic Development Authority Board of Trustees 8:15 a.m. May 22 (Third Tuesday, but meeting time changed for this month) 825 E. Second St. Visit www.eeda.com; Call 340-0116.
City Council 5:30 p.m. May 27 (Second and fourth Monday, but due to Memorial Day holiday meeting on Tuesday) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda.
Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network Breakfast 7:30-9 a.m. May 22 Oklahoma Christian Gaylord University Center 2501 E. Memorial Road RSVP required; Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members
Edmond Noon Exchange Club Noon May 28 (Fourth Wednesday of the month) Italian Jim’s Restaurant 13 S. Broadway To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/edmondexchange
Launch Pad FT Discovery at Lunchtime seminar Noon to 1 p.m. May 22 Speaker: Tim Priebe of T&S Web Design Topic: Why Social Media Fails Cost: Free. Call Launch Pad FT Business Incubator at 717-7730 to register.
TO ADD your business event to this free calendar, email the details to lshearer@edmondsun.com.
Edmond Chapter of National Active & Retired Federal Employees Association 11:30 a.m. May 27 (Fourth Tuesday of the month) Oklahoma Christian University Gaylord University Center 2501 E. Memorial Road Meetings are open to any current or retired federal employee or spouse. Lunch cost is $8.50. To register, email Jerry Reese at jreese5@cox.net.
Nominate your favorite
Edmond Evening Lions Club 6 p.m. May 13 (Club meets second and fourth Tuesday) Johnnie’s 33 E. 33rd St. For more information, call Bob Austin at 285-4980. Edmond Young Professionals Education Event 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 15 Francis Tuttle Business Innovation Center 2824 Progressive Drive RSVP required to mboswell@edmondchamber. com. Cost: $10 for EYP members Planning Commission 5:30 p.m. May 20 (First and third Tuesday) City Council Chambers 20 S. Littler Ave. Visit www.edmondok.com to find the agenda. Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Morning Mingle 8-9:30 a.m. May 21 Crawford Family Funeral Home 610 N.W. 178th St. No RSVP required and event is free for chamber members.
Who has the best looking yard in Edmond? We want to recognize a beautiful yard per week through the summer with the annual Yard of the Week award. The honor is presented by Edmond Beautiful and co-sponsored by The Edmond Sun, Home Depot, TLC Nursery and the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce. Winners receive a $50 gift card to Home Depot, a $50 gift card to TLC Nursery and a six-month free subscription to The Sun. The contest kicks off May 26 and ends Aug. 31. There will be 13 winners announced in The Sun’s Weekender edition each week. To nominate a beautiful yard, call 341-2808 and leave a message with the homeowner’s address.
Call the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce at 341-2808
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27
Business Briefs Crest Fresh Market Raises $25,000 for Children’s Miracle Network
U.S. Cellular announces Edmond to receive 4G LTE Service
Through the efforts of energized and driven employees and customers, Crest Fresh Market’s two-week fundraising campaign raised more than $25,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals benefiting Children’s Hospital Foundation. Crest Fresh Market’s management led the way by encouraging customers and associates to join together in raising funds for pediatric research, education and clinical care to ensure Oklahoma’s children have a chance to live happy, healthy lives. This family owned grocery chain was founded in 1946 by the late Nick Harroz, who passed away this past March. Today, Nick’s son, Bruce Harroz, is continuing to follow his father’s teachings as a second generation owner, opening more stores and providing larger variety. Bruce and his wife, Tina, have brought growth and development to the company expanding to seven store locations in the Oklahoma City metro area with store No. 8 recently opening in Norman.
U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM), in conjunction with its partner, King Street Wireless, announced that Edmond residents will have 4G LTE services by the end of 2014. The company is adding more than 1,200 4G LTE cell sites across the country, and by the end of the year more than 93 percent of U.S. Cellular customers will have access to 4G LTE speeds that are up to 10 times faster than 3G. In addition to Edmond, this latest U.S. Cellular network expansion adds vast 4G LTE coverage in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and North Carolina and also brings additional 4G LTE service to areas in Iowa, Illinois, Maine, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. Also, 304 additional cities in Oklahoma are receiving 4G LTE services including Oklahoma City, Bethany, Norman, Moore and Yukon. 4G LTE is not available in all areas. See uscellular.com/4G for detailed coverage information.
Food Bank’s Leadership Council Applications Now Available The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma invites young professionals to submit applications for the nonprofit’s first-ever Leadership Council. The Leadership Council connects young professionals interested in getting involved in their community and state through engagement with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. These dedicated individuals, aged 24 to 35, will volunteer their time and creativity to raise awareness about the issue of hunger and increase the visibility of the Regional Food Bank and its mission of “Fighting Hunger … Feeding Hope” in Oklahoma. “With one in six Oklahomans classified as food-insecure, chances are hunger is much closer than you think,” said Adam Rainbolt, chair of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Leadership Council. “The face of hunger has become younger and is more prominent among the working poor and seniors. In today’s economy, it also includes the underemployed — families working full time minimum wage jobs that are still unable to make ends meet. Join our Leadership Council and join us in fighting hunger in Oklahoma.” Leadership Council members receive special access to volunteer opportunities, networking events and social events, as well as educational and informational programs designed to appeal to Oklahoma’s active young professionals in the community. Whether volunteering at the Regional Food Bank, or passionately sharing the message of how to fight hunger, Leadership Council members will bring about positive change in the community for a lifetime to come. To apply for the Leadership Council, visit www.regionalfoodbank.org/leadershipcouncil. For more information, contact Angie Gaines at againes@regionalfoodbank.org. 28
May 2014 | The Business Times
Business Book Review
by Terri Schlichenmeyer | The bookworm sez
“Get it Done: From Procrastination to Creative Genius in 15 Minutes a Day” c.2014, New World Library $15.95/$19.95 Canada 219 pages
Y
ou’re hoping someone has a match. That’s because you need a fire lit under your tail. You’ve been putting things off, lollygagging, dragging your feet, even though you know you’ve got lots of work to do. You need a prod, a poke, a reason to get down to brass tacks. Or maybe a reason not to. That might be the solution to your procrastination, as you’ll see in “Get It Done” by Sam Bennett. That unfinished project has been around for long enough. You were excited about it once, but now it’s the gorilla in the room and that makes you want to avoid it even more. Why can’t you just get the dang thing over and move on? There are three main reasons for being “stuckified,” Bennett writes. Maybe it hasn’t been the right time. Maybe you’re scared of the project now. Or maybe you “genuinely don’t care about it” anymore. The first action to take is to break the project into 15-minute pieces. Set a timer and work on it first thing in the a.m., before you check email (or you’ll procrastinate even more). Remember that “if you find yourself procrastinating, your project is too big!”
Forget about making a to-do list, Bennett writes. Instead, make a “coulddo” list of things you can do in your 15 minutes. Have an “idea catcher” with you and put your could-do list there, along with inspirations and thoughts you may need for later. Allow yourself to daydream, which loosens creative blockages. Find an idle task or hobby that takes your mind off the situation — and if that’s not possible, just “stand up and face the other direction,” which “quite literally” changes your perspective. Track your progress. Remember that perfectionism “is an insidious demon that must be fought with every weapon you’ve got.” Don’t be afraid to “get a C” or to ignore bubble-bursters and naysayers. Learn to budget and know exactly what you need in order “to find exactly what you need.” Cut down on TV, saying “yes” and disorganization. And if all else fails, understand that it might be time to relinquish or delegate the project. “It’s possible,” Bennett writes, “that you have outgrown this dream.” Feeling somewhat overwhelmed by a
work project? You might feel overwhelmed by the solutions, which is why you’ll want to take your time reading “Get It Done.” By saying that, though, I’m not implying that author Sam Bennett’s book isn’t helpful; in fact, it’s quite the opposite: Bennett is full of great ideas to foil footdragging and her enthusiasm fairly oozes from each page. That’s addicting and inspiring, but ideas come so hard and heavy that I felt like the only catcher at a Major League pitcher tryout. I had to remind myself to breathe. Still, I can’t imagine that this book wouldn’t be beneficial, even if the first 20 pages are all you read. So grab it, take your time, do the exercises and you might find that “Get It Done” is, for your situation, quite a good match. Terri Schlichenmeyer is a book reviewer in Wisconsin. She may be reached via email at bookwormsez@yahoo.com.
May 2014 | The Business Times
29
LAST LOOK
special to The Business Times
Photos By Karen MOore | The Business Times Exterior Photo Provided
Autumn Leaves of Edmond opens facility
T
he LaSalle Group, a national leader in memory care with more than 15 years of experience, has opened its first Autumn Leaves memory care community in the Oklahoma City metro — Autumn Leaves of Edmond. The 28,000-squarefoot, $8.8 million memory care community will provide specialized care to nearly 50 residents living with Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory impairment. The announcement was made by Mitchell Warren, CEO and co-owner of The LaSalle Group Inc. and Autumn Leaves, based in Irving, Texas. This is the first free-standing memory care community in Edmond. Autumn Leaves of Edmond celebrated with a grand opening event open to the public April 24 at 1001 S. Bryant Ave. “We are excited to join the Edmond community with our unique approach to care,” said Jonna Flick, executive director of Autumn Leaves of Edmond. “There is a tremendous need for expert memory care here, and we are ready to make a difference for families in the area.” The community was designed based on the latest Alzheimer’s research and includes high-tech equipment to help keep the residents safe. In addition, the community offers free programs to the public including seminars, speakers and monthly Alzheimer’s support groups. Respite care is also available. There is a growing demand for these specialized services as more than 60,000 Oklahomans — one in 10 seniors in Oklahoma — are living with Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. 30
May 2014 | The Business Times
“Families often come to us in panic mode,” said Marcie Davis, director of Sales and Marketing for Autumn Leaves of Edmond. “Our community helps them go back to being family members instead of caregivers. They don’t have to worry any longer about their loved ones because they know they will be cared for and loved with us. We are family here.” Utilizing current scientific research, Autumn Leaves of Edmond will feature an innovative building design and cutting-edge technology to create a calm, safe and engaging environment. A life engagement program will fulfill residents’ needs for artistic expression, physical activity, spiritual support, community connections, continuing education and lifestyle and leisure. The community also offers a full-service beauty and barber salon, on-site memory care nurses and meals prepared by a chef and dietician. The staff also undergoes rigorous training to help them understand behavioral, communicative and cognitive changes residents will experience. “Memory care is challenging, but very rewarding, work,” Flick said. “Families see amazing transformations with loved ones after coming here. Constant engagement with our activities, our specialized care and our hands-on approach of truly getting to know our residents leads to happier and healthier lives.” Autumn Leaves of Edmond is on South Bryant Avenue between East Ninth Street and Mockingbird Lane.
Located at the intersection of I-35 and Covell Road in Edmond, the Business Innovation Center provides a new, purpose-built environment in which Francis Tuttle can deliver programs and services to the Edmond area more efficiently and more comfortably.
The Center serves four main functions: • Customized Training Services • Career Development & Personal Enrichment
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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID EDMOND OK PERMIT NO. 84
BECAUSE NOW THERE ARE A LOT FEWER MILES BETWEEN YOU AND THE BEST CRITICAL CARE AVAILABLE.
Of course you’d drive miles out of your way to get to the best, most sophisticated critical care in the state. But now you don’t have to. INTEGRIS Health Edmond proudly announces the opening of the area’s only dual plane heart catheterization lab. So now outcomes for heart patients are more successful than ever before. And with the newly launched LIFENET System, connecting EMS teams with the hospital team at the point of the emergency, response times are faster than ever, too. In fact, on October 6, Edmond resident Todd S. experienced this life-saving difference for himself. He called 911 when he began having chest pains. When EMSA arrived at his home near Bryant and 2nd Street, they connected to INTEGRIS Health Edmond via LIFENET, verified it was a severe heart attack and took him straight to the response team awaiting his arrival. Within 50 minutes, he was recovering from the stent procedure that saved his life. The time he saved by not having to travel another 20 minutes to an equivalent hospital added precious time to his life. Today, Todd says: “It’s very reassuring to know we have such advanced heart care in Edmond.” INTEGRIS Health Edmond. No one else is closer. No one else is so far ahead.
The Most Challenging Healing.
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integrisok.com/edmond