April 2011 - The Business Lifestyle Magazine Digital Edition

Fort Bend/Katy

Volume 29 • No. 4

THE BUSINESS LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

APRIL 2011

Interview with State Representative Ron Reynolds District 27, Fort Bend County INSIDE STORIES

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CONTENTS

Fort Bend/Katy

Cover Story Interview with State Representative Ron Reynolds, District 27, Fort Bend County

Volume 29 • Number 4 • April 2011 For subscriptions send check for $25 to Fort Bend Business Journal

pg.

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4655 Techniplex Dr., Suite 300 Stafford, Texas 77477 281-690-4200 TOLL FREE 1-888-430-7478 www.fortbendstar.com Single copy $4.95

PUBLISHER.................................... Beverly Carter

Special Feature Volunteer Fort Bend Announces County’s Top Honorees. .............. 10

Inside Stories

GENERAL MANAGER............Michael Fredrickson EDITOR ...........................................Sharon Wallingford ADVERTISING DIRECTOR .............. Barbara McNeil

Fort Bend “Captures” High-Tech Animation Studio..................................................................... 9

MARKETING CONSULTANTS................ Dottie Childs Diane Strehl Ann Sturrock

Community Banks Offer Personalised Service..........................................................................13 Tax Exemptions May Change for Farmers and Ranchers........................................................14

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

Innovative Infrastructure 2011.......................................................................................................16

SPECIALIST.........................................Becky Hall

Central Fort Bend Chamber to Host Rosenberg Candidates Forum.....................................20

COLUMNISTS...............................Alan Sandersen

Cricket Takes Over Fort Bend County.........................................................................................26

Tim Stubenrouch

ITI Delivers Antibacterial Mask.......................................................................................................28

CONTRIBUTORS . ................................. Gene Hall

Ribbon Cutting Around The Bend................................................................................................38

Elsa Maxey Nancy Mills

Special Mammogram Offer Gives Jeanne Parker A New Lease On Life..............................40

Wayne Chandler

Sugar Land Stadium Construction Contract Approved............................................................43

Dori Wind

Ben E. Keith Breaks Ground in Missouri City..............................................................................44

ART DIRECTOR.................................Joey Belleza

Sgt. Richards Recognized as Sugar Land Police Officer of the Year.....................................58

GRAPHIC DESIGNER / WEB.............Carlo Arcillas

Monthly Column Kolbe Curtice CCIM, CLS

Alan Sandersen

Commercial Real Estate Discusses "Open For Bussiness" sign is out for Fort Bend Commercial Real Estate................. 21

Tax Smart Discusses Solving the Social Security Puzzle – It can be done but it requires wise public policy choices.............. 29

Monthly Departments Data Beat...........................................................................................................30-33 Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter...................................................45-52 Newsworthy.......................................................................................................54-56 Names in the News................................................................................................. 57 Service Directory...............................................................................................60-61 Dining and Entertainment.................................................................................62-64

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Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

ON THE COVER State Representative District 27, Fort Bend County Ron Reynolds

©2011 Fort Bend Business Journal Magazine No material from this publication be copied or in any way reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

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by Sharon Wallingford

Editor’s Preview Fort Bend County is booming and blooming

The Editorial Advisory Board Kolbe Curtice CCIM, CLS Managing Director – Colliers International | Fort Bend

I

t’s a wonderful time to live and work in Fort Bend County. New business doors are opening and others are breaking ground and establishing roots for their new facilities that are expected to be up and operational in 2012. It’s also the season for the annual display of wildflowers that grace our many highways and byways.

If you are wondering what’s happening in Austin, ask our own State

Representative Ron Reynolds. The issues he is dealing with are varied and besides the budget include water, eminent domain issues, redistricting, sales and property taxes and his favorite and the most dear to his heart topic of education.

Last month in our publication you read about Ben E. Keith Foods that will have 474,861

Jacqueline Baly Chaumette President and CEO Baly Projects, LLC

square feet when its build out is completed in Missouri City. The company is a member of the US Green Building Council and will include a LEEDS Gold Status for its branch office.

Their planned strategies include harvesting rainwater for use as non-potable water for the facility, less paving to reduce rainwater runoff, and natural lighting for 75 percent of their

Louis Garvin President Emeritus Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce

occupied space. Their groundbreaking was March 22 and I hear this is only a beginning for what’s to come.

This month we feature some of our own businessmen like Sandy Levin, the founder of ITI Manufacturing in Sugar Land. If you haven’t met him on this end of the county you

Dee Koch Grant Officer The George Foundation

may have seen him on the tennis courts in Quail Valley over the years. Take a look at what new dimension is being introduced at the University of Houston - Sugar Land and WCJC campuses. And look at what one of the professors is digging up on the other side of the world.

Becky Munnell President and CEO Blue Jungle Marketing

The game of cricket is taking over the open fields in Stafford, Missouri City and Sugar Land. Do you know how to play the international game? You can learn from writer Wayne Chandler as he explores the sport.

Alan Sandersen Certified Public Accountant Sandersen Knox & Co. L.L.P.

Many events are occurring daily in our county. Business is booming and we never lack for activities at our libraries, non profit agencies, schools, parks, YMCAs, and in our communities. Be an involved resident and appreciate where you live.

Keep those cash registers ringing,

Tim Stubenrouch President First Community Bank

Sharon K. Wallingford

John Whitmore Whitmore Company

The Buzz Box Thank you for the lovely spread about the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra...You’ll be glad to know FBSO had a record crowd at its February

Contact: Sharon K. Wallingford skwcountry@aol.com

Thanks Sharon. I am so excited about it.

“Viva Italia” concert.

Barbara McNeil barbara@fortbendstar.com

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Wow! So many people have congratulated me on the publication.

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

Jocelyn Gordon With gratitude, Nancy Mills

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2011 Rice University Business Plan Competition offers $1 million in prizes

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hat do you need most when you start a new business? Money! And the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC) will be awarding more than $1 million in prizes to aid new startup businesses at the 11th annual competition at Rice University April 14-16.

Forty-two teams are selected from more than 500 entries, an application pool that is more than 20 percent higher than last year.

The teams selected come from top universities around the world. Teams are chosen based on their executive summaries to compete in six categories: life sciences,

information technology, energy and clean technology, green technology, renewable and recycling, and social and other. The teams will have 15 minutes to present business plans and the top six competitors will vie for the grand prize valued at more than $400,000.

The 2011 competition will feature a new $100,000 Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers (KPCB) Prize for CleanTech Innovation.

The KPCB prize is intended to encourage business and technology solutions for cleaner power, transportation and water. KPCB has backed entrepreneurs in more than 600 ventures, including Amazon, Amyris, Bloom Energy, Electronic Arts, Genentech, Google, Intuit, Netscape, Sun, Symantec and Zynga.

Besides the impressive prize money, the greatest statistic of the RBPC is the track record of past competitors. Of the 312 teams who have competed during the 10 years of the competition, 102 have successfully launched their ventures and are in business today, raising more than $327 million in early stage funding. These companies have created more than 600 new jobs in their early stages.

“This 30 percent success rate is indicative of the quality of teams the competition draws,” said Brad Burke, managing director continued on page 59

Johnson Development Wins ‘Best of’ Honor at Houston AMA Awards

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he Johnson Development Corp. won Best of Category in the Real Estate: Residential Builders/Developers category in the American Marketing Association – Houston’s 2010 Marketer of the Year competition.

The win was for marketing efforts in two of the developer’s master-planned communities, Woodforest and Riverstone.

Selected by a vote of AMA Houston members combined with voting by a local panel of marketing professionals and educators, winners had to achieve objectives and overcome obstacles to address marketing challenges during 2010.

“As a newly introduced community in a still-struggling housing market and economy, Woodforest certainly faced challenges in 2010,” said Virgil Yoakum, general manager of Woodforest. “But we ended the year with nearly 100 homes sold, 140 homes started by our builders and 249 residents. That’s impressive for a new community regardless of the market.”

Riverstone also faced challenges with the economy in 2010, albeit different ones from Woodforest.

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“Well established in Fort Bend County, Riverstone has long been marketed as a luxury home community,” said Tom Wilcox, Riverstone’s general manager. “But in Tom Wilcox 2010 both home sizes and prices contracted. It proved challenging for a community known for large homes with staring prices above $200,000 and most base pricing above Larry Johnson $300,000.”

Riverstone also ended the year strong despite market trials, with more than 200 home sales and an average sales price of $450,000.

Special events helped both communities increase exposure and entice buyers. Woodforest hosted two large events — the American Dream Showcase of Homes and the 2010 Pumpkin Patch and Parade of Homes, which drew thousands into the community. Riverstone also welcomed thousands and received significant media exposure during a visit by acclaimed street artist Tracy Lee Stum, who

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

painted a reality-challenging 3-D masterpiece in a custom home in Riverstone.

Both communities also strengthened ties to their respective Realtor communities.

“We are very proud of the success of both Riverstone and Woodforest,” said Larry Johnson, chief executive officer of The Johnson Development Corp. “Their staff worked extremely hard during the year and they deserve this recognition from their marketing peers.”

The annual AMA Houston’s Marketer of the Year program recognizes exceptional marketing by Houston area companies, organizations and institutions over a field of 42 industry categories. The Houston chapter is considered one of the American Marketing Association’s best, having won AMA Chapter of the Year five of the past seven years.

The Johnson Development Corp. is one of Houston’s largest residential developers, with other active projects including Sienna Plantation, Fall Creek, Tuscan Lakes, Edgewater and Imperial.

The corporation also developed Silverlake in Pearland. For more information, visit www.johnsondevelopment.com.

Fort Bend “Captures” high-tech animation studio

A Condo for the Price of a Room

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he Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council (GFBEDC) has announced a partnership between the University of Houston System (UHS) and TimeGate Studios (TimeGate) to establish a cutting-edge motion capture studio in Fort Bend County. The agreement between TimeGate, an award-winning Fort Bend-based video game developer and publisher, and UHS includes equipment, facility hosting, training and mentoring for student interns.

“Students enrolled in UHS will have the opportunity to learn the latest technologies while being mentored by industry leaders,” says Dick Phillips, associate vice-chancellor for the University of Houston System at Sugar Land. “The end result will be a better trained workforce for the industry and more recognition and opportunity for our graduates.

Dick Phillips We are very fortunate to have programs already in place at the UHSSL campus, provided by System partner University of Houston-Victoria, that can be adapted to meet the needs of companies like TimeGate,” says Phillips. “UHS will continue to work with our off-campus partner HCC Southwest for transfer students from their established program and our on-campus partner Wharton County Junior Alan Chaveleh College as they develop their gaming program.”

TimeGate’s Chairman of the Board Alan Chaveleh, says: “This agreement represents the beginning of a long-term relationship with UHS to develop a world-class Computer Science and Digital Gaming Simulation program right in our backyard.

The relationship will provide mutual benefit to both TimeGate and UHS through, among other things, Jeff Wiley furthering TimeGate’s in-house development capabilities and curriculum enhancement for UHS.” The partnership between the UHS and TimeGate began with a series of conversations between TimeGate’s Chaveleh and the GFBEDC’s President Jeff Wiley. “Not many people are aware that Sugar Land is home to one of the best and largest video game developers in the world,” says Wiley. The agreement between UHS and TimeGate specifies that the University will purchase the motion capture equipment and TimeGate will provide space and the commercial talent to operate the studio at TimeGate’s Sugar Land headquarters. “This will foster an educational and entrepreneurial atmosphere that is mutually beneficial for all parties involved,” says Wiley.

“Students will be better prepared to enter the workforce with realworld, practical experience, while TimeGate will benefit from having a greater talent pool from which to select employees,” says Regina Morales, director of economic development for the City of Sugar Land.

“In turn, the overall community retains a uniquely skilled workforce with the potential to attract other entertainment and technology related companies for relocation.”

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3/3/11 12:02 PM

Volunteer Fort Bend announces county’s top honorees

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he winners of a county-wide search for the top volunteers in Fort Bend County have been selected by a panel of judges from 24 nominations received from throughout the county. These five individuals -- Dave Kiger, Carol Manby, Susan Papa, Christine Smith, and Nolan Stilwell -- have exhibited exemplary service to the organizations for which they volunteer and have made a significant impact in the lives they touch.

The five honorees will be recognized for their accomplishments by Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert at a celebratory breakfast on Thursday, April 28, beginning at 7:30 am, at Safari Texas Ranch, 11627 FM 1464 in Richmond.

The panel of judges included Stafford pharmacist Gene Woo; community volunteer Shirley Clark; Suzanne Hinds with the United Way of Greater Houston; Fred Arnold with Minute Maid; Kelly Matte with H-E-B at Sienna Market; and Linda Cahue with Hyatt Place Sugar Land.

Upon learning of the extraordinary accomplishments of the volunteers who were nominated for this award, Minute Maid generously requested the honor of being the presenting sponsor of the awards ceremony for the third year in a row.

The first honoree, Dave Kiger, comes from a family of volunteers who instilled the importance of volunteerism in him at a very young age. In the Exchange Club of Sugar Land, Kiger found an organization that supported his own goals -- helping the underprivileged youth and elderly and supporting the American spirit of patriotism and ideals. As a retired colonel in the United States Army, Kiger takes his patriotism very seriously. A member of the club’s Americanization Committee, Kiger has volunteered on the ‘Give a Kid a Flag to Wave’ program, the Freedom Shrine program, and currently chairs the ‘Give a Vet a Flag to Wave’ program, which coordinates

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visits to hospitalized veterans to show appreciation for their service to their country.

His hope is that the young people with whom he interacts will come to share in his love and appreciation for America.

Kiger participates in the Exchange Club’s ‘Walk with Pride’ program year after year, taking children to local shoe stores to select a new pair of shoes that they can be proud to wear to school. Kiger says that the excitement he sees reflected in the eyes of those children provides “goose bump” moments for him.

Every month, Kiger serves as the master of ceremonies for the Meals on Wheels birthday party for senior citizens. He takes the time to talk to and play Bingo with individuals who Dave Kiger might not otherwise have an opportunity to celebrate their birthdays. His gift to them is to ensure that each and every person knows how important and valued they are on their special day.

In addition to his work with the Exchange Club, Kiger is also a very active volunteer at his church, St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Sugar Land. He serves as the director of the church’s St. Vincent de Paul Society, which provides food and money for rent and utilities to people who have been hit by hard times. When Kiger took on this responsibility, the program was all but defunct, but through his perseverance and faith, it has grown to become a strong and effective program making a great impact in the lives of many underprivileged families in Fort Bend.

“Dave has the ability to turn even the most heart-breaking volunteer assignment into a joyous occasion,” says Celeste Ryan, who nominated Kiger for the award. “His enthusiasm is contagious!”

The second honoree is Carol Manby, who volunteered at the Fort Bend Women’s Shelter for more than 10 years until very recently, when two very painful and debilitating illnesses forced her to step down.

Before that, Manby could be found at the

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

Women’s Center three days a week, inspiring staff and clients alike with her selfless determination to help improve the lives of the women and children who were trying to survive the ravages of domestic violence and sexual assault. Her perseverance in helping them achieve safety and self-sufficiency continued, even as she fought her own illness and watched her infant granddaughter’s heart-rending battle with cancer.

Sometimes Manby would hear of a client’s need that the shelter was unable to meet, such as extra diapers or an infant’s carseat. Before anyone realized it, Manby had provided the needed items. According to Patty Holt, who nominated her for the award, Manby finds Carol Manby her source of strength in the wonderful life she has been fortunate to have, complete with loving husband and children.

“She wants to help give our clients hope for that same life in the future.”

Holt says that the women helped by Manby are often incredulous that this quiet, unassuming woman would work so hard for them without being paid a penny. “It means more than anyone can truly know for these ladies to see that someone who doesn’t even know them thinks they are worthwhile individuals, deserving of time and friendship,” says Holt. “She listened without judgment and had a way of being encouraging even in the worst of circumstances.”

Manby has been truly missed at the Women’s Shelter, according to Holt, but the legacy of hope for a brighter future -- despite life’s adversity -- that Manby inspired lingers on and continues to motivate others to follow in her footsteps.

Susan Papa, the third honoree, volunteers her time and talents for Casa de Esperanza de los Niños, an organization devoted to providing a safe place for children from newborn to 6 years of age who are in crisis because of abuse, neglect, or the effects of HIV. About 10 years ago, this organization

caught Papa’s attention and then it caught her heart. Since then, she has devoted her photographic skills, her pets, her financial resources, her time, and her home to ensuring that Casa de Esperanza has the assets it needs to succeed -- both now and in the future.

For more than three years, Papa has used her exceptional photographic skills to provide professional-quality portraits for the families.

Candid moments captured by her now grace the walls of the Program Center and the homes of the adoptive families. Papa understands that life is made up of moments -- not all of which are happy -- so she preserves the special times in photographs so that the families can remember and treasure them during the times when life is not so perfect. Papa also realizes that those images can convey in a heartbeat the entire purpose of Casa de Esperanza, and perhaps inspire others to join her in supporting its cause.

Papa also shares her love of animals with the children of Casa de Esperanza. She and her rescue Collies joined Faithful Paws, and Papa began a monthly pet therapy program for the Susan Papa center, where the children very quickly accepted and returned the dogs’ unconditional affection.

“The visits help the children build feelings of trust, empathy, and respect,” says Mary Scalise, who nominated Papa. “She brings her dogs to visit the children because she understands the dogs’ role in healing the children’s emotions. On another occasion, she invited our foster and adoptive children to observe the goats on her property.”

Papa’s ability to understand the Casa de Esperanza program in its entirety has led her to become a member of the newly-formed Advisory Board, where she can use her influence to encourage others to join her in this worthy cause for the children. She has worked on the program’s capital campaign and on the gala committee for the program’s annual fundraiser, “Wish Upon a Season,” where she was named “The Diaper Queen” two years in a row. Whether she is considering the program’s long-term needs for the future or its more immediate needs of today, Papa brings a sometimes-rare commodity to the children and families of Casa de Esperanza -- hope.

The fourth honoree is Christine Smith, a retired home-economics teacher who has devoted more than 25 years of her life to the

children and families at the William Smith, Sr., Tri-County Child Development Council, Inc., Head Start/Early Head Start program in Fort Bend county. Because of her dedication to the people of Fort Bend County, the First Years, First Steps Early Head Start Center in Richmond was named after her. Volunteerism runs in her family -the William Smith, Sr., Tri-County Child Development Council is named after her brother.

Some of Smith’s many responsibilities over the years have included teaching cooking classes and budgeting classes for families, purchasing groceries and cooking for the center, and teaching children how to count by using a pretend grocery store so that they incorporate fun into real-life lessons. Not only has she has taught Head-Start parents how to cook, she has also taught them to read so that they are better able to become active participants in their children’s lives. Smith is determined that disadvantaged children will have the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty and have a chance Christine Smith to achieve their dreams as reputable citizens and productive professionals. She believes that people should earn their way and work for what they want, and she models these ideals for the families in the Head-Start program.

According to Linda Newsome Johnson, who nominated Smith, Smith refuses to accept excuses. “She doesn’t make any, nor does she accept any.” Upon learning that former Head-Start students were not able to continue their education after high school because of limited finances, Smith began enlisting the support of friends in the community to help her raise money to give to students to help them begin. Since 1992, Smith has presented 96 $1,000-scholarships to former Head-Start students, with money raised from community partners who believed in Smith, in her determination to help these students, and in the potential that they themselves saw in these students. The example she has set for children, their families, and the Head-Start community is one of “never giving up” in pursuing your dreams.

The final honoree is a student at Katy High School -- Nolan Stilwell. At 21 years of age, Stilwell is already making a name for himself in the Fort Bend ARTreach

community as a gifted culinary artist and budding entrepreneur. ARTreach is a nonprofit organization that uses the arts to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children, special-needs groups, the elderly, and neglected populations. Stilwell has been involved with the organization for the past two years. Through his participation in ARTreach, Stilwell discovered a passion for gardening and cooking, and now he is realizing his dream of becoming a culinary artist with a business. The jalapeno jelly that Stilwell has become known for is sold at ARTreach events to help raise money for the organization’s outreach programs. The fact that Stilwell has Down’s syndrome has not slowed him down or deterred him from pursuing his goals. Through his own example, he is paving the way for other students with special needs who want to transition from high school into “real life” and working in the Fort Bend community. In a way, Stilwell is acting as an ambassador representing young adults with special needs. He is helping to build awareness in Nolan Stilwell mainstream society that people with Down’s syndrome are real people with hopes for a happy and meaningful life, just like everyone else.

“Nolan’s optimism is contagious,” says Terri Bieber, who nominated him. “When parents of other special-needs children see him at our events, talking about raising peppers, and making and selling his jalapeno jelly, they see hope for their own children’s futures.”

According to Bieber, Stilwell’s creativity, initiatives and abilities have enabled ARTreach to find new ways of helping at-risk and special-needs students achieve success.

“As a child with Down’s syndrome, Nolan was always described as “different,” says Bieber, “but today I am nominating him for the difference he is creating for the future of other students like him.”

Join us in applauding the amazing accomplishments of these five individuals at the 2011 County Judge’s Volunteer Fort Bend Awards ceremony on April 28.

Individual tickets and corporate sponsorships are still available. For information, call Kathy Renfrow, Director of Volunteer Fort Bend, at 281-340-1919, or email her at kathyr@ VolunteerHouston.org. The deadline for corporate sponsorships is April 12.

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Sugar Land professor digs history

By Wayne Chandler

T

wice a year Dr. Scott Stripling gets down to earth –literally— with his true passion of uncovering the past about the ancient Near East and Biblical history, for the present and the future. His work is being recognized globally.

Stripling, a noted archeologist, is assembling a volunteer group this May to assist him in a fascinating excavation project in Israel, 10 miles north of Jerusalem at Khirbet el-Maqatir which is a likely candidate for the biblical city of Ai. He recognizes now, as, he did during this past December in Jordan and Israel, that he’ll be going back to an area of extreme political and cultural unrest.

For most of the year, Stripling minds his day job of teaching English and humanities at Wharton County Junior College.

As a Sugar Land resident, he began participating in excavation related projects in 1994 after copious reading, and was unable to fulfill his appetite for understanding. For the past seven years Stripling has assisted winter and summer archeological digs in several Near East countries and now serves as a senior field staffer at Khirbet el-Maqatir and Tall el-Hammam, the site of his most recent dig, where he discovered a Roman bathhouse.

“This bathhouse probably is twice as large as the famous library of Celcus at Ephesus,” Stripling said, “but the top story has collapsed. It may take another 10 years to finish unearthing it.” He, along with his partner David Graves from Crandall University, have found a real treasure trove in this area which he says proves this building was started in the Early Roman Age (1st century B.C.) and remained in use through Byzantine and Islamic ages. Other areas at Tall el-Hammam date back to the Chalcolithic era (4500 B.C.).

How did Stripling get this interested in archeology? He ministered for years to a nondenominational church in McAllen, and

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has always possessed a keen interest in Biblical history, and in confirming and documenting its writings.

“What turns me on about archeology is how it illuminates and gives texture to the past,” Stripling said. “I always look for synchronisms –convergences between archeological data and the ancient text. There are hundreds of events in the Bible and other ancient sources that are verified…by the trowel.

“I love the joy of seeing what no one else has seen in thousands of years, but most of all, what stokes my fire is seeing the light come on in a volunteer or a student’s eye when he or she gets the synchronism.

“I recently had a student come by my office with a question about Greek culture and how it related to the Bible. I saw the light come on in his eyes when I explained that the biblical Philistines were of Greek origin and that their material culture proves it. Now he wants to come with me on this summer’s dig.

That is good stuff.”

In 2007, Stripling wrote and published

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

The Trowel and The Truth, through Vision Publishing. He is pursuing a second doctorate at Trinity Southwest University in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He also holds at M.A. in English from the University of Texas Pan American, and an M.A. degree in Biblical Literature from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Springfield, Missouri.

He wrote The Trowel and The Truth after teaching several years at International Bible College in San Antonio. “I was unable to find a text suitable for students at the undergraduate level, so I created detailed notes for my classes, and, from these notes the book grew.” It contains 64 pictures and maps.

Stripling’s mentor, Dr. Steven Collins of Trinity Southwest University, said in a foreword to the book, that “what Dr. Stripling has done… is to draw the student of Scripture into the biblical world through artifacts and architecture, while offering clear continued on page 18

Community banks offer personalized service Plus they help drive the economic engine of the community

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hoosing the right bank can affect whether you get a mortgage for a new home or a small business loan.

Independent Community Bankers Association (ICBA) and ValueBank Texas recommend that consumers look closely at the benefits of banking with a community bank. ValueBank Texas offers personal customer service, local decision-making, competitive rates and fees, local ties and innovative products and services to match what other financial institutions offer.

“The most important role for ValueBank Texas is our relationship with

our customers,” stated Scott Heitkamp, President/CEO of ValueBank Texas.

“We understand their needs and our focus is on producing a successful, long-term relationship. We are here to make timely financial decisions and answer our customers’ needs personally.

We believe in personal service and are committed to our customers’ success.”

Community banks work tirelessly each and every day to serve the needs of their customers and reinvest in their main street communities. Throughout the country community banks celebrate the vital role that they serve in the economic, civic and cultural life of their communities by recognizing April

as Community Banking Month. “We are proud to be part of the economic engine that drives our local economy and pleased to provide our customers with the personalized customer service and local expertise that only a community bank can provide. It is also important for consumers to know that community banks are good stewards of their depositors’ money. Our customers’ deposits, insured by the FDIC, are safe in our community bank,” stated, Heitkamp.

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10 Locations • 9710 S. Mason Road, Richmond • 281.633.9110 • valuebanktexas.com • SBA Preferred Lender April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Sales tax exemptions may change for Fort Bend farmers and ranchers

By Gene Hall

F

or many years, Texas farmers and ranchers have received an exemption of the state sales tax on those items used to produce agricultural products. This is a very reasonable and appropriate state policy. In lean years, it can be the difference between staying in business or not. Despite the law’s popularity, there have been problems and those who believe they’ve been victimized by its administration are becoming increasingly vocal.

Currently, anyone who buys products for use in agricultural production only has to state that he or she is sales tax exempt and fill out a form. When, however, that form arrives in the Texas Comptroller’s office and there is a problem, the seller of that product may be liable for the tax. Quite understandably, those

that sell these kinds of products are objecting to that.

For example, a 4-wheeler, ostensibly for use in farm chores, was sold and the sales tax exempted. Later, when the justification was found lacking, the dealer had to pony up the sales tax. This is a substantial hit for any business, small or large.

There are all kinds of good reasons to continue this exemption for the benefit of those who farm and ranch and none for those who do not. HB 268 has been filed in the Texas Legislature to address this problem.

The bill requires farmers and ranchers to secure a number that will prove their exempt status. It also would put some teeth into enforcement, with penalties for falsely claiming exempt status. The trick is to make the process seamless and easy for those who deserve it.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs has provided a list of reasonable documentation

NO SALES TAX her office will accept as proof of farm or ranch production. These include receipts for sales of livestock or crops, expense receipts for feed or other production items, a Farm Services Agency farm number or a Natural Resources Conservation Service cooperator number.

Of course, an IRS Schedule F, reporting farm income, would do the trick, but there is understandable reluctance to provide personal income tax information to a state agency.

The voices complaining against fraudulent use of sales tax exemptions are growing louder. At some point, these voices could threaten the continuation of the agricultural sales tax exemption that is very important to Texas agriculture.

METHODIST CARDIOLOGY ASSOCIATES

LEADING CARDIAC CARE

Dr. Kesavan Shan is pleased to announce the opening of his new practice, Methodist Cardiology Associates.

Dr. Shan is a long-time Sugar Land cardiologist who is highly respected for his skilled approach to medicine. Dr. Shan uses state-of-the-art technology to identify heart disease at its earliest stages, such as coronary and peripheral angiography, echocardiography, nuclear stress testing, coronary CT angiography, nuclear cardiography, cardiovascular MRI and cardiac catheterization.

• Board-certified in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine • Certified in nuclear cardiology and echocardiography • Located on the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital campus in Medical Office Building One, Suite 450

Call 281-275-0330 today for an appointment.

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Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

Legislation proposes fair representation for Fort Bend on regional water authority

F

ort Bend County Commissioners Court unanimously passed a resolution of support that provides Fort Bend and Brazoria counties with full voting representation on the Gulf Coast Water Authority (GCWA) Board of Directors.

Senator Joan Huffman filed Senate Bill 683 to add Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties on the GCWA board, an agency responsible for conveying surface water throughout the region. A companion bill -House Bill 3621 -- was filed by Rep. Dennis Bonnen in the Texas House of Representatives.

The GCWA owns and operates canals (i.e., rivers, creeks and manmade channels) that provide surface water in Galveston, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties. The management and control of the authority is vested in its board of seven directors who are currently appointed by the Commissioners Court of Galveston County. Since its creation in 1965, the authority has grown in both capacity and customer base, and the authority no longer supplies water to just the citizens, municipalities and industries of Galveston County. Today, 40 percent of the authority’s total contracted water volume is from outside Galveston County in Brazoria and Fort Bend counties.

SB 683 adds two members to the board of directors of GCWA, bringing the total number of board members to nine. One new member would be appointed by the Commissioners Court of Brazoria County, and one new member would be appointed by the Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County. Fort Bend and Brazoria counties representation, as proposed would only be 22 percent of the board where nearly 40 percent of the GCWA’s total contracted water volume is from these two non-voting member counties. Fort Bend County strongly supports the appointment of the new directors as a simple matter of fairness and equity.

Sugar Land Mayor testifies for fair representation on regional water board

S

ugar Land Mayor James Thompson testified before the Texas Legislature seeking fair, equitable representation on the Gulf Coast Water Authority board of directors.

In 1996, the GCWA committed, in writing, to add these two voting members to the board. SB 683 simply ensures the commitment is honored.

James Thompson “Water is one of the most precious resources in our community,” said Thompson. “This is just one of the many ways we are working regionally to provide a consistent and reliable source of quality water. Sugar Land is committed to planning for the long-term water supplies for our community and the region.”

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

15

The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce presents “Innovative Infrastructure 2011”

T

he Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce (FBCC) Infrastructure Planning Division presents, INNOVATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE 2011 a half-day conference presented by Dannenbaum Engineering bringing together “Thought Leaders” in traffic, mobility, sustainability, public policy and financing. This will take place Friday, April 1, 2011 starting with registration and breakfast at 7:30 am at Texas Safari in Richmond, Texas. This regional Infrastructure Conference promises to be information packed and a results oriented meeting of experts in various fields of infrastructure and financing.

• Opening speaker Judge Robert Hebert will address “Infrastructure for Future Growth.”

• Robert T. Bass – “The Census and It’s Effect on Statewide Redistricting” • Steve Costello, P.E. – “Funding and Planning Infrastructure” • Jeff Wiley – “Balancing Economic Development and Infrastructure”

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Census results reflect strong growth for Fort Bend County. As one of the fastest growing counties in the nation it remains a challenge to keep up with the expansion and not compromise the quality of life.

Infrastructure is the essential key to maintaining excellence – highways, airports, roadways, water systems, drainage and levee systems, wastewater David Dewhurst treatment, traffic lights, bridges, etc. It is not just attractive to residents; it is a key factor in retaining and attracting businesses. Fort Bend County continues to grow and with growth and age comes stress on existing infrastructure and the need for more. Fort Bend County is a proactive community that thinks long-term and act strategically for the future economic, physical, social and cultural wellbeing of the region.

The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Infrastructure Planning Division continues to educate and promote transportation/ infrastructure as an economic tool to the business community.

Infrastructure divisional breakfast seminars are a monthly occurrence that highlights relevant expert speakers. Details of upcoming seminars can be found on the website www.FortBendChamber.com. Harish Jajoo, P.E., CFM is the chair of this Infrastructure Conference. He is also a member of Planning and Zoning Commission for City of Sugar Land and Vice-Chair of Infrastructure Planning Division for the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce.

For sponsorship opportunities and reservations call Farrah Gandhi at 281-566-2152 or Farrah@fortbendcc.org.

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Email your news or press release to sharon@FortBendStar.com We love to hear from you. Also, don’t forget to read The Fort Bend Star or visit www.fortbendstar.com Ideas & suggestions are also welcome.

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Sugar Land professor digs history continued from page 12 and succinct explanations of basic archeological methods and protocol.”

Stripling notes in his book, “There are over one-billion Christians worldwide who base their lives and daily decisions on the Bible. In addition, there are millions of Jews and Muslims who find faith connections in the places mentioned in the Bible. Only a very small percentage of these believers will ever have the opportunity to visit the land of the Bible where the stories occurred that they venerate and upon which they base their daily decisions.” His book has been adopted as an archeology textbook by several universities.

His latest venture was sanctioned by Trinity Southwest University and the Associates for Biblical Research which has the necessary licenses for digging in both Israel , at Khirbet el-Maqatir, and Jordan at Tall el-Hammam, last December. There were 20 in the group who ventured to Israel and more than 100 to Jordan.

The trip was not without its challenges.

Stripling reported recently to friend Reverend David Kent, church members and guests at Fellowship of Praise Church in Stafford, that he had arranged for the required armed security guards, and housing, but when the troupe arrived in Israel, the guards weren’t there, and neither was the housing.

“It took me a week to hire new guards, and we were able to find satisfactory housing, thanks to several contacts there,” Stripling said. “While there always are uncertainties, I’ve made many friends among both Palestinians and Israelis and never have felt that threatened. I never felt that the guards,

packing heat, were important but state officials there demanded that we have them.”

On that venture Stripling took his oldest daughter, Tracy,22, and a friend, Catherine Shoppa, 23, of Wharton, for the month long stay. There was one newlywed couple with them for a couple of weeks. The cost to each volunteer is about $3,000, with the bulk of it going for airfares.

Daughter Tracy and friend Catherine were so enraptured by the experience that they both are planning to move there and hope to get teaching positions in Jerusalem.

“I learned more in a month there than I learned in four years of college,” Tracy said.

“It’s stuff you can’t learn in a classroom. You can’t help but just be drawn into it.”

At the Jordan site the landowner mistook Catherine for an Arabic woman. When Catherine showed up one day in tattered blue jeans, the well-meaning man brought her a fresh pair to put on, that might not show any skin on her legs. He relented once he was convinced that Catherine was American. The Bedouin man was really struck by Catherine and, since it is common practice in the Bedouin culture to pay camels for women, he

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offered 200 camels – a standard price – to Catherine. He kept increasing the offer, not wanting to take no for an answer. He finally offered a million camels, Tracy said. The girls stressed that the “million camel” offer was a joke, but the man was serious in his admiration of the young ladies.

The girls were impressed with the opportunities that American women have, compared to most Arabic women: education, career, right to communicate by computer, and choice of a husband.

Stripling’s wife, Janet, and his other three children stay in Sugar Land during his trips.

Stripling received a special honor on his latest trip when he was invited to lecture at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. A senior associate fellow of the W.F. Albright Institute of Archeological Research, whom he had met last summer, invited him. “I was very humbled and honored to be a guest lecturer because the other lecturers were internationally-known scholars, Stripling said.

Among archeologists, Stripling, at 48, is a youngster in a field of investigation that is relatively young. But in its brief existence, Stripling observes, it has transformed much of the thinking about people and cultures.

There is a world of ancient culture still to be documented. Only a small percentage of physical remains of the ancient world have survived the many centuries that have passed since they were originally built, carved and written. Experts say that only about 5 per cent of the physical remains in the Levant, a term used by archeologists to describe the land of the Bible on both sides of the Jordan River, have been excavated.

Of course, this entire Levant is a beehive of activity but for many other reasons than documentation. Stripling said that there are about 100 separate ongoing digs and that only four of them are being conducted by Christian believers.

The entire area , about the size of New Jersey, is wracked with political turmoil, and there is much looting, similar to the looting which took place in Iraq after the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime.

Stripling hopes to raise the percentage of discovery. He has many speaking opportunities and speaks often to church groups and service clubs. He does consulting work for non-profit and educational organizations. He may be reached by telephone at 512-773-7246 or by email at striplingd@wcjc.edu.

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April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Set for April 18

Central Fort Bend Chamber to host Rosenberg candidates forum

T

he Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance’s Governmental Affairs Department is emphasizing the importance of May 14 to the City of Rosenberg’s future, and the department wants to make sure Rosenberg residents are well-informed when asked to help decide that future. May 14 marks the city’s bi-annual general election, in which all seven city council positions, including mayor, will be on the ballot.

With a focus on voter education, the chamber department will host a Candidates Forum at 6 p.m. on April 18 at the Rosenberg Convention and Visitors Center.

The forum is free and open to the public. It will be moderated by longtime Governmental Affairs department member Marvin Marcell, with questions provided by Fort Bend Herald Executive Editor Bob Haenel and time kept

by City of Rosenberg Police Officers. As in past candidate forums hosted by the

chamber, each candidate will have the opportunity to make a timed opening statement, followed by a series of prepared questions and their timed responses.

On the ballot for Mayor are Susan Kroll Euton and Vincent Morales. William T. “Bill” Benton, Laurie Orsak Cook, and James Urbish are candidates for Council At-Large Position 1. George A. Zepeda, Sr., Cynthia McConathy and Cowboy Bill are seeking Council At-Large Position 2. Incumbent Juan Salazar is vying for the Council District Position 1 post. Incumbent Joe G. Segura and Eric L Ramirez are running for Council District Position 2. Christian “Christy” Hawkins and Dwayne Grigar are competing for Council District Position 3. Tom Suter is running unopposed for Council District Position 4.

Each resident-qualified voter of the city may vote for only one candidate for Mayor and one candidate for each At-Large Council Position, and may vote for only one

Marvin Marcell, Chamber Governmental Affairs Department member and forum moderator.

candidate for the single-member Council District position in the Council District where said qualified voter resides, and may not vote for any candidate in any other singlemember council district.

Early voting runs from May 2-5, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and May 9-10 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lamar CISD Administration Building on Avenue I. Election Day voting will be at Rosenberg City Hall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information about the City of Rosenberg Candidates’ Forum or other events and programs of the chamber, call 281-342-5464 or visit www.CFBCA.org.

Eclipse Soccer Club —Sign up now!

M

ethodist Sugar Land Hospital (MSLH) has once again extended its sponsorship of Eclipse Soccer Club, which serves more than 2,000 youth players from across Fort Bend County and southwest Houston.

As part of their continued relationship, Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas conducts weekly sports medicine clinics at Sugar Land’s Lost Creek Park, Eclipse’s home field, and will provide VIP cards to expedite treatment at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and at Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas. The Club also plans to team up again with MSLH on other initiatives that can benefit the community, such as the recent Score for the Cause fund-raiser in support of breast cancer awareness and treatment which rose over $3750 for the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital/ Fort Bend Junior Service

20

League Breast Cancer Fund.

“Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas has a long history of being deeply involved in supporting youth sports and keeping young athletes healthy, fit and in the game,” said Chris Siebenaler, CEO of Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “We’re proud to extend our relationship with Eclipse and to be an important part of the Club’s effort to develop successful athletes at all levels of competition.”

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital will continue as the primary jersey sponsor of the Eclipse recreational program. The hospital’s logo will also be added to the Club’s competitive team jerseys. The Club plans to use funds from the sponsorship to provide scholarships to cover training fees, improve and enhance field conditions and expand the club’s activities and offerings.

“Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

bottom row: Mac McCallum; Angela Byrd; Carl Hicks, M.D. Middle row: Rick Safier; Lowell Stanton; Timothy Sitter, M.D. Top Row: Steve Alexander and Ray Valdez, M.D.

are a perfect fit for Eclipse,” said Rick Safier, president of Eclipse Soccer Club. “Our goal for the sponsorship is to move beyond the basics and create a partnership that leverages the expertise, technology and health care services of Methodist in order to benefit our young athletes and their families.”

To learn more about Eclipse Soccer Club, visit the website at www. eclipsesoccerclub.com. For a physician referral to Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, call 281-274-7500.

R E A L

E S T A T E

Commercial Real Estate

By Kolbe Curtice, CCIM, CLS

Managing Director Colliers International - Fort Bend

Open For Business" sign is out for Fort Bend Commercial Real Estate New commercial development announcements in the county are reinforcing Fort Bend’s reputation as one of the more active markets in the state. Although recent announcements represent only a fraction of the levels we saw during the “boom” of a few years ago, the recent bump in new construction is encouraging.

Although at a more measured pace, Fort Bend is growing again. Businesses today, however, are being very selective when choosing locations to construct new facilities. With limited capital available and sales volumes down in almost all business sectors, companies are much more diligent when selecting expansion sites.

The tools that are available today to real estate brokers and site selection professionals are invaluable in helping to eliminate risks that are associated with choosing new business locations. Real estate professionals are able to

instantly access and evaluate the demographic make-up of a market and analyze the associated spending patterns of its population. They can look at mobility within a market and evaluate traffic counts and patterns. Geographic Information System (GIS) databases can provide a wealth of information about a specific property.

Satellite and aerial photography allow for an analysis of the property’s relationship with other surrounding properties. These tools are invaluable to site selectors with companies that have numerous existing locations as they allow them to accurately compare potential new locations to their existing properties. These comparisons give them the ability to predict future sales volumes for potential new locations with a high degree of accuracy.

Fort Bend obviously continues to grade well against alternatives as it remains one of

the “markets of choice” for these site selection professionals. Some recent announcements for new construction in Sugar Land include: a new HEB store at Hwy 6 and University; a new Churrasco’s restaurant in LakePointe at Hwy 59 @ Hwy 6; a new surgical hospital at the northwest corner of Highway 59 and First Colony Boulevard; a new Longhorn Steak restaurant and new Popeye’s Chicken and Taco Cabana franchises at the northeast corner of Highway 59 and First Colony Boulevard; a new bank at the southwest corner of Highway 59 and Sweetwater Boulevard; and several new medical office buildings which will start construction soon both in Lake Pointe and at the same intersection. Of more significance, of course, is the upcoming construction of both

KOLBE CURTICE... continued on page 43

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21

COVER STORY

By Dori Wind | Photos courtesy of MWH Public Relations

Interview with State Representative Ron Ron Reynolds is the freshman legislator for a large portion of Fort Bend County. In this interview, he discusses his vision for the county, his committee appointments and the Texas budget issues.

Impressions of being a State Representative in Texas – especially with the budget shortfall.

I’m enthusiastic and proud to represent Fort Bend County as its State Representative.

Our district is one of the most diverse in Texas covering a portion of Missouri City, Sugar Land, Stafford, Richmond, Rosenberg, Fresno, Arcola and even a portion of the City of Houston.

Honestly, I feel very blessed to have been elected and now actively involved with the issues. I approach the job humbly and with great fervor realizing I’m in Austin to give voice to the residents and business owners of Fort Bend County, advocating for high-quality education for our children, affordable health care, and economic empowerment for small business owners and minorities.

The budget shortfall is dismal. Texas faces a $26.8 billion deficit ensuing from a structural deficit within the budgeting system.

It is clear now more than ever before that we need to identify new and stable revenue streams if we are to prevent such drastic shortfalls in the future.

I’m committed to reach across the aisle to identify ways to reduce the deficit that won’t adversely impact the future of our families and our community.

The committees he has been appointed to and what he sees as his role in developing these committees to help his constituents and the residents of Texas Speaker Joe Straus selected me to serve on the Economic and Small Business Development Committee and the Environmental Regulation Committee. I’m delighted with my committee assignments and will work together with the chairmen and other members of the committees

Rep. Ron and Dr. Jonita Reynolds with President Barack Obama.

22

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

to ensure passage of quality legislation to benefit the people of my district and the state.

The Economic and Small Business Development Committee is a newly created committee for this session. It will address the critical issue of ensuring the vitality of small businesses as we emerge into a more prosperous and robust future. One of my priorities for this legislative session is to work diligently to improve the environment for small businesses.

Serving on the Environmental Regulation Committee will allow me to have an effective voice related to protecting and preserving our district’s environment.

I am proud to serve the people of my district and am ready to embark on these new responsibilities.

How he intends to support his constituents in west Fort Bend County regarding the issues of growth,

Rep. Ron Reynolds and Michael Johnson, Fort Bend constituent.

Fort Bend/Katy

Reynolds, District 27, Fort Bend County transportation, surface water, subsidence and property rights.

West Fort Bend County is an area of extreme growth and with that growth comes some potential environmental challenges such as compromising our invisible infrastructure -- water. Some studies show that Fort Bend could experience water shortages as early as 2014, due to the reduction in ground water.

As we know, our water comes from two sources, either from the ground or surface.

Subsidence is caused by pumping water out of the ground without allowing the water to replenish. As more growth is built on top of the land, the loss of pressure underground allows the earth to sink or subside causing flooding.

Our area has extensive subsidence caused not only by ground-water pumping but also by oil and gas extraction.

Unlike other areas of Texas that are built on layers of bedrock, our area is built on layers of sand and clay. Some reports indicate that there is as much as 10 feet of subsidence in the Greater Houston area.

Authorities believe that converting to surface water will allow groundwater to replenish and prevent further subsidence throughout the Houston area. Cleaning

Rep. Ron Reynolds is sworn in at the Capitol.

surface water also is more expensive, which may result in higher water bills and taxes.

As part of the Environmental Regulation Committee, I would like to work with authorities such as the North Fort Bend Water Authority and Harris-Galveston Subsidence District to find solutions. I also appreciate media outlets like the Fort Bend Business Journal that are educating the public regarding these important environmental matters. Even taking individual action such as being aware of our water usage and conservation helps in the long run.

His thoughts on balancing the Texas budget.

This budget proposed by the State’s leadership underscores the uncertainty for the future of Texas’ working families, children, students, and senior citizens. The current working draft proposes a 23 percent cut to public education, zero funding for some of the smaller community colleges, a reduction in healthcare and social services, cuts to higher education and research funding, and the elimination of the TEXAS Grants (the state’s primary financial aid program for new college students).

There’s no secret that I’m passionate about quality education. The proposed budget cuts may force school districts to lay off good teachers, increasing the likelihood of even more of our children being left behind. Analysts estimate that the proposed cuts could adversely impact approximately 10,000 state employees and over 80,000 teachers, costing them their jobs.

I believe tapping into our State’s “Rainy Day” fund of $9.4 billion is a viable option to save our educational system. The proposed budget eliminates Pre-K depriving nearly 200,000 Texas children of an early childhood education and that’s a travesty.

This proposed budget fails Texans, specifically our most vulnerable communities: our children and seniors. In spite of what lies before us, my unshakable faith and commitment to serve, fuels my passion to work tirelessly with leadership to protect Texas families, and to help maintain the quality of life that we as Texans enjoy.

We will be looking at many ways to increase revenue and reduce costs that are not harmful to our citizens. I encourage and welcome the suggestions and thoughts of your readers. Together, we can identify viable solutions that are productive and sustainable. continued on page 24

Rep. Ron, daughter Lacey and wife Dr. Jonita Reynolds.

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

23

continued from page 23

Thoughts on what to do about Medicaid costs, especially in light of the ever growing Texas population.

Texas has the unfortunate distinction of leading the nation in the number of uninsured residents, many of whom are our children and seniors. Health care is ultimately a national problem that requires a national solution, but we must do our part at the state level to expand access to affordable health care. That means restoring the hundreds of thousands of kids cut off from the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

There are thousands of families that don’t have health insurance because they cannot afford it. There is no excuse for not providing access to high quality health insurance to children. I believe that all Texans have a right to take their children to a doctor when they get sick and not go bankrupt in the process.

As Baby Boomers retire and our state’s population increases, embracing solutions to lower the cost of health care will be paramount.

As State Representative, I will support legislation that will restore the funding necessary to sustain CHIP and Medicaid to particularly aid our most vulnerable Texans - our children and seniors.

Legislation he has introduced in the House.

I coauthored HJR 56 which limits the power of the legislature to impose unfunded mandates on local government entities such as counties, cities, school districts, community colleges, hospital districts or other special districts. HJR 56 is a constitutional amendment to be voted on in November before it can take effect. It prohibits the legislature from enacting a bill that increases the costs to a local government without providing a funding source for the payment of the activity that requires the expenditure of funds.

HJR 56 will put in place safeguards that will protect our local governments from out of control budgets while we maintain financial responsibility at all levels of government.

With the $26.8 billion budget shortfall faced by the state this session, we must put protections in place so that increased costs do not transfer to the local governments. Budget cuts are inevitable

24

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

this session and payments to local governments will almost certainly be reduced. However, the mandates to the counties to provide services remain in place. This would be a tremendous burden for entities whose budgets are also currently strapped.

Of particular concern is how the burden of tax cuts and budget cuts could affect school districts which have increasingly numerous mandates issued by the state that restrict their ability to find relief and their flexibility to shift costs to meet their local needs. Community colleges could also suffer as costs shift downward and tuition exemptions and financial aid is reduced. Student needs become more difficult to meet and the shift in costs hinder our ability to have an educated workforce and vital economy in the future.

Criminal justice is another area that already has huge disparities in state and local shares of costs. The indigent defense fund which requires legal counsel for anyone needing assistance is in desperate financial condition. There are also mandates which include jail standards, prisoner expenses, witness reimbursement, and health care. There are many other local programs and activities affected by practically insurmountable mandates without raising taxes on local residents.

Reynolds’ passion: To make the changes we need.

Each day I am fueled by the support of my family, my lovely spouse Dr. Jonita Reynolds and my daughter Lacey Reynolds. Many have heard me cite my favorite quote by Gandhi, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” I earnestly believe that and live by it.

I’d like the citizens of Fort Bend County to know I am committed to their welfare. When I took the oath of office, I raised my right hand and vowed to execute the duties of my office. I want the citizens to know that I also vow to give of my time, talents, and treasures to help heal the hurts of humanity. I stand on the shoulders of others who have paved the way and my goal is to make an indelible difference as Fort Bend State Representative.

Ron is an partner in the Brown, Brown & Reynolds, P.C., law firm. He is a former Associate Municipal Judge for The City of Houston. He is very active in Brookhollow Baptist Church. For more information please visit his website at www.ronaldreynolds.com and www.brownreynolds.

ATULATION R G N S! O C Melissa Robbins

Congratulations to Melissa Robbins, currently a student at Lamar Consolidated High School, for winning a $1000 Scholarship sponsored by Texas Direct Auto! Melissa is currently Secretary of LCHS’s Varsity Choir, Historian of the National Music Honor Society and a softball team member. Melissa plans to attend the University of Texas San Antonio and believes she will major in photography although she is still undecided. Melissa was selected as part of Texas Direct Auto’s commitment to educational excellence through the “Scholarship Stars” program. Application details are listed below.

Register now and win a

1,000

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April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

25

Stafford Park to host 2011 Cup

Cricket is taking over Fort Bend County

By Wayne Chandler

G

eorge Bernard Shaw described cricket as “a game played by 22 fools and watched by 22,000 fools.”

If this Irish playwright is correct, there are thousands of fools in Fort Bend County, with perhaps ten times that number of fools as fans. Cricket is a sport which is making a hit in this county and is here to stay.

As competitive as cricket is, it’s a sport which seems to have much the tenor of tennis. Participants proudly refer to it as “The Gentlemen’s Game.” There’s no “trash talking” or chest thumping. The phrase, “that’s not cricket,” refers to fairness.

Fayyaz “Bobby “ Sarwar, president of the Houston Cricket League (HCL) , says, “Most of our players and families reside in Sugar Land and its suburbs. We have grounds in Houston, Stafford, Katy…, but none in Sugar Land. City of Sugar Land officials are working….(to create) state of the art cricket grounds in Sugar Land parks in the near future.

“If the City of Sugar Land develops a ground that can be approved by the ICC (International Cricket Council) a few international games can change the economy of the city. I know it will happen. How soon, I can’t tell.”

The biggest public event in the history of cricket in the Greater Houston area will be at Stafford Park, 3108 Fifth Street in Stafford at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 24 (Easter Sunday) when senior Pakistani and Indian teams, and Best of Indian and Best of Pakistani teams will play for the Aziz Rehmatulla Memorial Cup 2011. It is expected to attract thousands of fans. Pakistani Shahid Afridi, the most famous cricket player in the world, has been invited. His guest appearance here may depend on whether his team still is in contention for the world cup.

26

Every Saturday and Sunday there are professional businessmen, ranging in age from 20 to 60, clad in white shirts and trousers, seriously playing a game with a funny-looking bat and a red ball, on grassy makeshift playgrounds in several areas.

They’re avidly, deeply , involved in the sport which was their national pastime in their home countries, before they came to America.

To these kids-at- heart adults, most of them from India and Pakistan, cricket has the same fascination that baseball has to Americans There are legitimate comparisons between cricket and baseball, and some historians have noted that cricket was played by colonists in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Georgia and the Carolinas in the 17th century. There were some 120 cricket clubs in the Philadelphia area in the 1860s, and there were notable cricket matches as late as the early 1900s, but the sport disappeared during World War I. With the influx of athletes from other countries, cricket is popular again in New York and California,

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

and there’s a national cricket team now that even involves some players from Texas.

Sarwar points out that there are 28 teams playing on Sundays in the Greater Houston area. In addition, there are more than 100 teams playing beginners cricket, called taped tennis ball cricket. “Houston Cricket League has under 15, under 17 and under 19 cricket programs, and teams where players go to different cities to compete,” Sarwar said.

There is a team at the University of Houston which is participating in national college cricket competition. “They are doing this all with the financial support of their families and the cricket-loving community,” Sarwar said.

There is interest in introducing cricket in public schools, according to Yogesh “Yogi” Patel of Sugar Land, who has played on a team, captained by Kuldeep Patel, which competes regularly at Sardar Patel Stadium, 18700 Madden Road, just east of Harlem Road and SH 99 (Grand Parkway).

Yogi came from his native India to Fort Bend County in 1976. By 1978 he had found enough fellow cricket-lovers to form teams, and interest grew quickly. They formed a group which bought the Madden Road property which now is occupied from about 10 a.m. to late afternoon almost every weekend. Now 63, Yogi still gets into the action “in emergency situations.”

An ideal size for a cricket playing field is an oval shape, about 75 yards long and nearly as wide, but there’s no specific size. The key action is in the center of the field on a hard surfaced area called the pitch. It’s 66 feet long, 8 feet, eight inches wide. There is a wicket at either end of the pitch with three stumps, 28 inches tall and 9 inches wide, with two sticks (bails) placed loosely on top.

Each team has 11 players. The dominant players in the field are a bowler (the pitcher) and the wicketkeeper (the catcher). The other nine players are positioned around the pitch, anticipating where the batsman (the batter) will hit the ball. Each member of the batting team gets to bat before the team in the field gets its turn, and that is called an innings (plural). The most popular cricket rules today are for a game of Twenty20, which allows for two innings. The object of the game is to score more runs than the other team and to “completely dismiss” the other team (get them all out). A typical score might be 160 to 140 and take approximately three hours.

Classic and international cricket still is Test Cricket, in games that may last as long as

five days, but the most popular cricket now is played almost exclusively in the Greater Houston area and it’s called Limited (One Day)Cricket, designed to be completed in one day. This fits the local participants fine because of their busy work schedules.

In bowling the ball -- overhand -- the bowler isn’t allowed to bend his elbow, and must bounce the ball in front of the batsman.

Strong bowlers can reach speeds as high as 95 miles per hour. The wickets serve as a target for the bowling side and are defended by the batting side which is seeking to score runs.

The batting team places a runner at the opposite end, near where the bowler starts.

He only runs to the batting position, if and when the batsman hits the ball and decides to run. A run is scored when the batsman has run the 66-foot length of the pitch after hitting the ball with his bat. Fielders , in order to dismiss the batsman , must catch the ball on the fly or get the ball to the wicket before the runner gets there. The batsmen don’t need to run on a long ground ball hit that crosses the outfield rope, scoring four runs. If the ball is hit on the fly over the outfield rope it scores six runs.

Outstanding batsmen have made as many as 300 runs by themselves, but defense, as in most sports, is very important.

There are other ways that runs may be scored and also other ways that batsmen may be dismissed.

Cricket, as in baseball, is a game of finesse, speed and strength. Bowlers can rely on speed or guile, change delivery speeds and make the ball spin and change course by various grips on the seams of the ball.

The wicketkeeper is a specialist, too. He has an excellent chance of getting a batsman out by catching a ball off the edge of the bat.

If he doesn’t catch it, the ball is in play as there is no such thing as a foul ball in cricket.

The wicketkeeper is the only fielder allowed to wear a handglove.

The only equipment is the flat wooden bat, no wider than 4 ½ inches and no longer than 36 inches. It’s made of light willow and is about 2 inches thick near the center of the bat. The bats, made all over the world, may cost from $40 to $1,000. The hard leather ball , has a solid core, wound tightly with string, and has a single wide seam, and is 5.5 ounces, slightly heavier than a baseball . An official Houston Cricket League ball costs about $15. A ball normally will last about half a game.

Batsmen wear shinguards, gloves,

armpads, legpads and helmets.

Fort Bend County cricket enthusiasts are benefitting greatly from organization of the Houston Cricket League, a non-profit group approved by the United States Cricket Association (USACA), a member of ICC. In 2008, the HCL elected Bobby Sarwar, a project procurement manager for an Australian energy company, is president. He came to Houston in the early 1980s and bought a home in the Clear Lake area.

Sarwar, considered an “all arounder” for being able to play any position, made a few friends who were playing cricket on a Dairy Ashford school ground in Houston. It was a 100-mile round trip for Sarwar. They eventually found Houston parks where they could play, but attribute much of their success to Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack for reserving them places to play in Houston, and to Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella and mayor pro tem Ken Mathews in Stafford.

The main playing areas now are in George Bush Park , 16556 Westheimer Parkway; Sandor Patel Park, Richmond; Stafford Park; HCL –Paul Rushing Park,

9114 Katy Hockley Road in Katy, and Eagles Ground in Pearland.

Now, Sarwar praises Farha Ahmed, a Sugar Land attorney, and her efforts to find suitable playing areas in the Sugar Land area. “With the help of Farha, we have had several meetings with Farha Ahmed officials in the City of Sugar Land who are working with us to realize our dream,” Sarwar said.

At a special ceremony in Houston last January, Judge Emmett presented plaques of congratulations both to Sarwar and Farha Ahmed for their efforts to promote cricket in the Greater Houston area.

Farha Ahmed stressed that the HCL plans to promote sportsmanship, exercise and discipline, through cricket, to more youth groups. While most of the cricket players in Fort Bend are of Indian or Pakistani origin, there also are British, Australians, Asians, South Africans, West Indians, and Sri Lankans here. Some young Americans are already getting the swing of things. The HCL is encouraging young women to try out the sport, too.

LUCK

IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD.

Now more than ever it’s time to seek prudent advice from somebody with a proven track record. We’ve gone from warehousing wool in 1868 to overseeing more than $21 billion in investments today. And luck has nothing to do with it.

f r o s t b a n k

.

c o m

we’re from here

Sugar Land 8410 Hwy 90A | Stafford 3531 S. Main Missouri City 3600 FM 1092 | 713.388.7600

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

27

Public demands Antibacterial mask

A

Sugar Land company has yet again simplified the process for an American company to produce a product that can be sold and distributed internationally.

ITI has been helping companies manufacturer items in China for more than 35 years -- boosting profits and reducing costs.

“We’ve unlocked the mysteries of foreign cultures, trade customs and languages,” says ITI founder Sandy Levin, who has pioneered the import of high-quality Chinese manufactured goods. He was among the first group of Americans to visit China when President Nixon’s diplomatic initiative began modern US trade there. He’s made hundreds of personal trips to visit ITI’s eight Chinese factory owners, traders and agents, cementing the lasting relationships which Asians value so highly.

The connection has allowed Nexera Medical, Inc. to announce that it has received FDA 510K and NIOSH clearance to

commercially market their SpectraShieldTM Antibacterial N95 Respirator Mask. The mask is equivalent to a N95 (NIOSH rating), or a FFP3 (E.U. criteria) respirator Sandy Levin mask. The mask begins to kill certain strains of bacteria immediately on contact, and is available in both adult and children’s sizes. The mask is designed to give the general public, health officials, first responders, and care givers the best available protection against infectious diseases.

Independent testing in the US has shown the mask’s ability to kill and inhibit the growth of a wide variety of bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus, and other harmful and deadly bacteria. In addition, independent testing in Europe has shown the mask to inactivate a number of viruses by 99.9%. In developing the mask, Nexera entered into collaborative research and development relationships.

for sending your recommendation for TOP FORT BEND COUNTY BUSINESS WOMEN TO WATCH Look for our feature in the May 2011 issue 28

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

Three companies set to open in Sugar Land Town Square

C

FF Capital, LLC, Expolinc Corporation and W3 Media Group, LLC are coming to Sugar Land Town Square, a mixed-use development located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and State Highway 6. Planned Community Developers, Ltd. (PCD) recently announced the three companies.

CFF Capital, LLC manages hedge funds and is set to open for business in The Minute Maid Building at 2150 Town Square Place, Suite 210. The company will occupy 1,099 square feet of office space and is scheduled to open in May of this year.

Kolbe Curtice of Colliers International represented CFF Capital in the transaction.

Expolinc Corporation is a manufacturer and Kolbe Curtice distributor of portable display systems. The business opened its Sugar Land Town Square location in January of this year in Suite 464 of The Plaza Building, located at 2277 Plaza Drive. Jeronimo Don Janssen Gutierrez of Expolinc Corporation represented himself in the transaction.

W3 Media Group, LLC is scheduled for a May 2011 opening. Focused on the development and marketing of internet-based social media and messaging technologies, W3 Media Group operates three strategic business units: Earth Sports, LLC, a social media website for fishing and hunting, Motion Notes, LLC, a visual email technology and G4U Entertainment, LLC a massive multiplayer online gaming company. W3 Media will occupy 7,573 square feet of space at 2150 Town Square Place, Suite 395. Valerie Palmquist of Transwestern Commercial Real Estate represented W3 Media Group in the transaction. Senior Vice President of PCD Don Janssen represented PCD in all three transactions.

Y O U

A N D

Y O U R

T A X E S

Tax Smart

By Alan Sandersen

Sandersen Knox & Co. L.L.P.

Solving the Social Security Puzzle – It can be done but it requires wise public policy choices The current Social Security system is not as “bankrupt” as some would say, but it will require actuarial adjustments in order to remain sound over the next fifty years or so as demographic trends work their way through.

Solutions fashioned from the social security debate will be important public policy choices that are integral to keeping the American fiscal house in order.

• The current system is transitioning from a net producer of funds to a net user of funds.

• The current system tends to fund an improved lifestyle from that enjoyed at the point of retirement due to the cost of living adjustment (COLA) structure. That is partially why some savvy taxpayers elect to “un-retire” and repay benefits into the system with no penalty in

order to then gain from a “restart” at a higher benefit rate.

• There are public policy trade-offs to consider between the concept of social insurance v. wealth creation.

• There are equity issues to consider in connection with the “social compact” currently in place particularly as it relates to generational issues.

The current system is structured as a pay as you go system. In a perfect situation, demographic stability would allow dollars in to balance dollars out. Because demographics are not static and due to the structure of the COLA, this means that the system must be adjusted from time to time to remain sound. Since approximately 1983, the system has brought

in more funds than it has needed. The excess funds were used for various purposes and in 2010 were represented by bonds approximating $2.5 trillion of the $13.3 trillion national debt in August of 2010. Government borrowing against the fund at one time was expected to increase to $3.25 trillion by 2015. After 2015, the government can use means in excess of social security taxes to fund the system. The cash flow scenario is expected to flip soon, if it has not done so already meaning that cash will now be required to pay benefits than is currently generated. Some people have criticized the system as being structured like a Ponzi scheme, however that is not necessarily a fair characterization.

The mix of issues to deal with are:

ALAN SANDERSEN... continued on page 36

Tax Accountants • Auditors Consultants to Business Member: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Our professionals proudly serve Fort Bend & the Greater Houston area.

Alan Sandersen

• Taxation • Tax Controversies • Litigation Support • Audits of Commercial and Governmental entities • Construction Companies

130 Industrial Blvd., Suite 130 Sugar Land, TX 77478

281.242-3232 www.sktx.com

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

29

DBA (Assumed Names)

Data Beat (+) = More Names

This is a sample of the Assumed Names (DBAs) filed at the Fort Bend County Clerk’s office for February 2011. More Assumed Names may be viewed online at http://ccweb.co.fort-bend.tx.us/RealEstate/SearchEntry.aspx. There were 373 Assumed Names with Notary Fee for month of February. There were also 102 Assumed Names without a notary fee.

Roodgari Noshin (+) Down South Best Dance Crew 10914 South Gessner 77071 Ma Durga Llc Roy Grocery Store 3520 Liberty Road 77026 Watson Betty H Bety Le Marketing 3518 Cypress Landing Court 77471 Ip Livia Kam’s Catering Service 5027 Moss Run Dr 77459 Wu Jian Jiun Hirschey’s Snocones 3231 N Main 77477 Thompson Clarence Fort Bend Limo Group 912 Rth St 77471 Puente Francisco Puente Truck Repair & Tire Shop 1135 Hwy 90A Bld B 77489 Duncan Kollett (+) Just Fries!

16614 Lonesome Quail 77489 Mickey Bouche Admiral Tlc 6815 Lavioletta 77083 Adan’s Complete Auto Repair Corporation Adan’s Complete Auto Repair 15441 Mckaskie Rd 77498 Vasquez Ruben Centro Cristiano Ebenezer 2211 Ave E 774171

Cervantes Carlos (+) Medrano’s School Bus and Day Care Home 16143 Bowridge Dr 77053 Erigha Eric Rico Geological And Data Systems Services 21118 Granite Trail Lane 77407 Bynum Anthony The Art Photo Store (+) 15906 Kenbrook St 77489 Walker Beverley Hassle Free Bail Bonds 14100 Southwest Fwy #360 77478 Kaye Mariann Hygeia Healing 3903 S Mason Rd #810 77450 Canady Felecia Better Way Janitorial Service 3015 Edgewick Elm St 77545 Hughes Robert (+) Mod Aquatics 7307 Alder Springs Lane 77494 Sandefur Brenda Sandefur Cpa & Associates 30502 Second St 77441 Williams Arthur Redwood Properties P O Box 372 77545 Rideaux Janice S Jab Solutions Bookkeeping & Taxes 1946 Hawthorne Brook Ln 77545

Williams Kathy E Death 2 Life Outreach 8435 Quail Crest Dr 77489

Luckenbach Bookkeeping & Tax Service Inc (+) L&H Financial Services 101 Southwestern Blvd Ste 224 77478

Di Studios Inc Dreams Innovation 323 N Marathon Way 77477

Ellermann David E Stafford Veterinary Clinic, P.C 2323 South Main St 77477

Moore Aurelia Moore Enterprises 10634 Farmersville Fork 77459

Leveque Stephane Onesource Moving 3915 Flintrock Ln 77479

Ohl John D Ohl Style Beef Jerky 3109 School St 77461

Morton William L Relational Fitness 8010 Bentford Park 77406

Khalil Syed N Richmond Legalization Aid Services 7647 Harvest Mill Lane 77407

Garcia Ivan E Garcia Con’s 2004 Ave C 77471

30

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

Bailey Lydia Lb Treasures Llc 15426 Camino Del Sol Dr 77083

Khalil Lina (+) Design Mart 16811 Pheasant Ridge Dr 77498

Guitron Villasenor Ernestina Tita’s Charm 3227 Keystone Square Ln 77471

Williams Sheryl Plum Scents By S’n A 3603 Liberty Square Trail 77545

Pickard Linda Lynette Pretty Rock 5414 Virginic 77406

Potts Kellie Swe’ Ware 2119 Vermillion Oak 77545

Marshall David Tier 1 Strategies 22136 Westheimer Pkwy Ste 610 77450

Clh At Woodcreek Llc Children’s Lighthouse at Woodcreek 15735 Brookwood Lake Place 77496

Hamilton Richard W Sr Missouri City Broncos Youth Football & Cheer Association 802 Derby Lane

Burelsmith William Bill P Jr Simonet Media 21531 Hawkspur Ridge St 77406 Omolaja Teslim Teslim Omolaja 442 Corridor Way 77477 Kozlovsky Marian The Plant Lady 615 Wood St 77498-2630 Vishnuria Llc Smoke Zone 9443 Hwy 6 S 77083 Morris Akilla Sweetooth Creations 8027 Cicada Drive 77459 Green Serina Big Mama Braids 2531 Cartwright Road 77489 Avila Edgar Michael Avila Michael 22136 Westheimer Pkwy #221 77450

Clh At Grand Mission Llc Children’s Lighthouse at Grand Mission 15735 Brookwood Lake Place 77498 Mvg Consulting Llc The Mar Company (+) 8715 Crown Jewel Dr 77469 Stubbs Charles Jr Movers R Us P O Box 663 77545 Daniels Schtrina Then & Now Assisted Living 2503 Willow Springs 77479 Vanderpool Michelle Vanderpool Eskimo Designs 715 Tyler Run 77479 Parker Shannan (+) Katy Cuisine 21503 San Marino Dr 77450

Omayi Henry O Providence Insurance & Financial Services 5814 Mitre Peak Lane 77469 Hernandez Mary R A Ramos Construction 5710 Onia Lane 77469 Whitaker Brittany (+) B&D’s Cars R Us (+) 22014 Emerald Run Ln 77469 Newton Kimberly D Transformations 7407 Sunset Bend Ln 77407 Francis Viola M Creative Visionz 6633 Liverpool 77021 Mufarreh Jeff Select Air - A/C And Heating 1810 Glen Oak Ct 77479 Richard Jasmine True Treasures Furniture Ect. 7526 Martin L King Jr 77033

Distinctive Dream Homes Llc Ceh Construction Services Lin Jack 3350 A Highway 6 #185 77478 Jacob Roney Gsr Computing Jacobs Creations 1430 N Medio River Cir 77478 Wise Trading Inc 1619 Crescent Oak Dr 77459 Dreamerz Wholesale Mattress Humble Garry 12871 Capricorn St 77477 Bjm Ventures Inc Humble Construction Embroidecor 16629 Old Richmond Rd 77498 Melchor Yvette (+) 10700 Corporate Dr Suite 100 Melchor Designs Heard Stephanie A 1700 1St Street 77471 Whirling F Enterprises Llc Be Prepared J & L Services (+) 1134 Cambrian Park Court 77479 Von Tungeln Mary 11219 Hundred Bridge Lane Vt Consulting 77498 Rockbill, Inc. 13918 Wilde Forest Ct 77498 R B I Solutions (+) Truong Nha Hien 13777 Stafford Point Dr 77477 Lozano Silvia Regal Nails & Spa Silvia’s Cleaning Service 8300 Hw6 Swt 500 77459 Shabankareh Imon 12500 Dunlap #406 77035 Imperial Gold Silver Broussard Melissa & Platinum Lopez Rosa Gmb Management Solutions 5140 Avenue H 77041 Rosa’s Cleaning Service Enterprises 12500 Dunlap #424 77035 3903 Wimberly Hollow Ln 77053

DBA (Assumed Names)

Data Beat (+) = More Names

Cranfill Allen Preston (+) Elite Dental Service 1914 Michele Dr 77498

Gonzales Rosalva Rose Maid Services 15511 Barbarossa Dr 77083

Shah Ashokkumar Jws Periodicals 2515 Willow Springs Ln 77479

Bagot Keona Keona Bagot 7700 Highway 6 S 77083

Amadi Benjamin Chisa Avab Integrated Resources 9800 Centre Parkway 77036

Pfeifer John M Coaltrain Custom Cues 5422 Humboldt Park Lane 77494

Morneau Consulting Llc Morneau Consulting 1115 Heron Ct 77478

Shah Ashokkumar Asce Pereodicals 2515 Willow Springs Ln 77479

Abuzoid Wael A.A.A. C.A.R. (+) 938 Rock Springs Dr 77469

Dipe Adegoke Adetokunbo Wonder Auto Salvage 3222 Vinca Ranch Drive 77494

Williams Kenneth Mr. Fresh Freeze 207 Landau 77583

Higgins Tamika (+) Bourgie Babies 8001 Mchard Rd Ste 3 77053

Kelley Ventures Llc Techmark International 3326 Confederate Ct 77459

Roethler David Dragon Pest Control 20825 S W Fwy #58 77479

Jones Victoria Heavenly Hands 4039 Ashview Ln 77545

Lushbaugh Jennifer B Just Sew 7214 Agave Dr 77494

Samuel Randal C Minnie Jean 3011 Doe Run Rd 77489

Coleman John Jpelectrical Solutions 2702 Fortuna Dr 77493

Serrano Olga M Designs By Olga 7829 Powerline Rd 77469

Guyton Darla (+) Guyton Photography 4302 Browning Ct 77479

Wahid Abdul (+) Darululoom Alsuffah 1020 Brand Ln Apt #521 77477

Burrell Joshua Rimshot Productions 1855 Wood Orchard Dr 77489

Mutolo John Master Pools & Spa 10534 Beechnut #1602 77072

Jones Jimmy Fire Um Up Pest Control 10420 Synott Rd 77498

Nwulu Nonso K Krs Enterprise 2910 Brannon Hill Ln 77479

James Derrick Jf Tax (+) 510 Plantain Ln 77469

Ali Riaz Laja Fatai Ifanaticgear.Com Kmb International Co 1020 Brand Lane #1527 77477 2470 S Dairy Ashford #301 77077

Pleasant Joshua Todd W C II Label Whore T-T Fencing 4730 Emerald Lodge Ln 77545 3025 School St 77461

American Pet Care Corp Vetsmall.Com 502 Hwy 90-A 77406

Cheng Puo-Chien Tgi Trust Company 5802 Bayberry Way 77479

Laja Fatai Yellow Rose 2470 S Dairy Ashford #301 77077

Rosas Lucio V Jr Texas Ranches 5084 Fm 3013 77474

Acevedo-Santiago Joelys Y Volley Fits U 2218 S Ferrisburg Ct 77478

Roland Jamakia N Sweet Tee 21126 Amber Crossing Dr 77406

Poscovsky Saul Helptex P O Box 16580

Laja Fatai Rosas Lucio V Jr Corequip Ranchos Tejanos 2470 Airy Ashford #301 77077 5084 Fm 3013 77474

Bouldin Helen Barnes Auzwood 6802 Indian Falls Dr 77489

Levington Sherri Cutterhouse Designs 23127 Willow Canyon Drive 77496

Davis Marie A (+) My Twist On This P O Box 1247 77489

Taylor Elmer Jr Taylor Made Auto Plex 16714 Snowflake 77489

O’day Ashley D & K Accessories 1135 Tanglewild Ln 77406

Barker Robin S Interior Evolutions Moments Of A Lifetime 12107 Valencia St 77477

England Elinor C Get It Done 3111 Lynbrook Ct 77478

Compton Germaine Tushea Productions Multimedia And Advertising Communications 4818 Plantation Colony 77478

Dillard Kimberly Domain Marketing Resources 9706 Harrison Ln 77459 Sig Insurance Services Llc Sig/Mddonald & Wessendorff Insurance 611 Morton Street 77469 Darrell Jones A/C & Heating Contractor Darrell Jones A/C & Heat Contr 6543 W Ridgecreek 77489 Rhino Sol Concepts Inc Sol Auto Sales 1037 Fm 359 77406 Freedia Entertainment Llc Reel Volume Promotions 35 Dupont Circle 77479 Atkinson Sherry Our Shared Treasures 2215 Masters Ln 77459

Swanson Luxury Holdings Llc Closetopulence.Com 1927 Reddington Rd 77478

Jackson Walter C Casey Jackson Consulting 1831 Teal Brook Ln 77479

Morgan Myon Eclectic Perception Public Relations Llc. 8327 Bird Run Dr 77489 Piragauta Camilo Tv Tech1 6626 Briar Glade Dr 77072 Blurbrick Llc Blur Brick 22136 Westheimer Pk #749 77450

Brooks Lois Lois Brooks & Associates 4326 Lakeshore Forest Dr 77459

Caldwell Douglas Caldwell Landscaping And Renovations P O Box 117 77406-0117

Elayaperumal Rajan Palette Prints 5627 Kendall Hill Ln 77479

Hegy Charity O Majic Photography 22311 Tea Rose Court 77407

Shah Ashokkumar Springer Periodicals 2515 Willows Springs Ln 77479

Mailloux Philip Phil’s Pressure Washing 906 Quiet Water Ct 77479

Shah Ashokkumar Cup Periodicals 2515 Willow Springs L 77479

Lyons Lefranc Missouri City Domino Jurk Center Whitford Candace 510 Texas Parkway 77459 Texas Gold & Diamond Exchange Russell Curtis 7110 State Highway 6 Uncut Sports Suite E 77459 25610 Rose Ridge Ct 77489 Perez Andrew Jose Carney Charlotte Parlay Parlor Hi Tech 1203 Austin St 77471 6930 Blue Ridge 77469

Shah Ashokkumar Lww Periodicals 2515 Willow Springs Ln 77479 Shah Ashokkumar Elsevier Periodicals 2515 Willow Springs Ln 77479

Fiedler Jennifer Trident Cleaning Services 10811 Cornwall Lane 77459 Surotchak George

By George 5002 Sandy Fields Ln 77491 Surotchak Becky Call Becky For Petsitting (+) 5002 Sandy Fields Ln 77491

Johns Tom Professional Movers (Tom Johns) 16311 Lagloria Dr 77083 Amaro Luis M Quality Satellite Service 948 Darst Rd 77414 Katy All Stars Family Grill Llc All Stars Family Grill 26440 Fm 1093 Rd #400 77406 Dean Waedell H (+) Top Line Roofing 3307 El Dorado 77459 Pinto Merwyn Siera Technologies 3802 Pimlico Point 77459 Greer Audria M The Freddie Lee Foundation P O Box 1153 77545 Tezeno Lewis Tezeno Consulting Inc. 2910 Grants Lake 77479

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

31

DBA (Assumed Names)

Data Beat (+) = More Names

Moore Carrie Quest Boot Camp 4807 Yorkshire St 77479

Zeno Gwendolyn Zeno Transportation 8334 Bird Meadow Ln 77489

Organizing For Liberty Sugar Land Tea Party 4807 Yorkshire St 77479

Mallet Richard Seryia Manor Apartment 4838 Pederson 77033

Hasting Dana (+) Accents To Treasure 22818 Deforts Ridge Ln 77494

Askin Karen E (+) Greatwood Glen Music 7011 Glenwood Dr 77479

Belle Naroisha Ahsaki 5 Star Entertainment 23 Westpoint Drive 77459 Siraj Syed Masroor Sms Trading (Usa) 9618 Sugarblossom 77498

Wheeler Otis Cinco Ranchhand 22419 Crisfield Ct 77450 Torres Juan A T&M Auto Repair & Service 16320 Boss Gaston 77498

Gracia Abraham A. Garcia Plumbing 22155 Wildwood Pk Dr Apt 1237 77469 Jackson Patrina (+) Naturalreign 16635 Gold Ridge Ln 77053 Haven Jordan Ft. Bend Residential Services P O Box 1577 Minamyer Renee V Deco Green & Co 10402 Hidden Lake Lane 77406 Nguyen Hue T Lv Nails 12406 S Kirkwood Rd 77477

Nordstrand Anne Longhorn Games & Music 18 Ambleside Crescent 77479

Mendez Roberto Mendez Transportation 1101 Fair Oaks Dr 77469

Hill Tyrone Jr International Empowerment Coalition 15835 Kenbriar 77489

Arismendez Ruperto S Arismendez & Sons, Inc. 2819 Lelia Lane 77477

Hernandez Maria L Premier Cleaning Service 10218 Towneview Dr 77498 Nigrelli Nathan J Big Bash Photobooths 1022 Albany Ct 77406 Lin Shu-Shyan Roger Usa Pressure Wash 4506 Beacon View Ct 77479

Anderson Vincent M Veteran Electric 12827 SW Fwy #223 77477 Macik Alan Rustic Kuts Furniture & Western Decor 939 Third St 77471 Chouhdry Carolyn C. Covarnibio’s Unique Bakery 310 Mortin 77469

Commercial Building Permits Some significant building permits in cities in Fort Bend during the month of February ADDRESS

TYPE OF PERMIT

VALUE

MISSOURI CITY 14511 Fairway Pines Dr 13340 S Gessner Rd

Commercial Remodel Commercial Lease New

$40,000 $122,000

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial & Residential)

02/01/11-02/28/11

$5,393,224

ROSENBERG 5728 Avenue I 3317 1st St. 4011 Avenue H 4310 Highway 36 3010 Hamore Rd

Commercial Building Commercial Building Commercial Building Commercial Building Commercial Building

$1,100,000 $12,500 $112,500 $30,000 $30,000

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial & Residential)

02/01/11-02/28/11

$1,285,000

STAFFORD 609 Dulles Ave 13130 Stafford Rd 4714 Techniplex Dr 13000 Murphy Rd

Commercial Building Commercial Building Commercial Building Commercial Building

$ 8,000 $ 300,000 $ 11,700 $2,000

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial & Residential)

02/01/11-02/28/11

$ 321,950

SUGAR LAND 12630 W Airport Blvd Ste 100 2581 Town Center Blvd N 17510 W Grand Pkwy S Ste 420 530 State Hwy 6 530 State Hwy 6 13000 Executive Dr. 15300 Southwest Fwy 2121 Williams Trace Blvd Ste C 2150 Town Square PL Ste 210 One Fluor Daniel Dr Bldg B 4th 12320 Cardinal Meadows Dr Ste 100 2745 D-1 Town Center Blvd N

Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Buildout Commercial New Commercial New Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Buildout Commercial Remodel Commercial Buildout Commercial Buildout

$32,792 $47,126 $118,734 $2,300,000 $4,200,000 $95,975 $49,981 $45,000 $66,017 $547,672 $365,800 $269,494

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial & Residential)

02/01/11-02/28/11

$18,452,682

32

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

OWNER/CONTRACTOR SMB Group LLC Graystone Commerce Park LP/BNC Construction

HPI Construction Co. Foodmaker Inc/Pro-tech Restoration Reliant Energy/Centerpoint Energy City of Rosenberg/Fort Bend County Doninguen Partners LTD/Gonzales Construction Enterprise

Godfather’s Pizza/BoGar Builders Industrial Ventilation Systems, Inc./Boliver Construction Inc Hampton Inn/Houston Pool Service Pro Training/Village Drywall Services

Cobalt Industrial Reit II/Angler Construction Weingarten realty Investors & Johnson Builders C A Walker, Inc Hwy 6 & 90 LTD/Williams Development & Construction Hwy 6 & 90 LTD/Williams Development & Construction GSL Fund 21 Sub D. LLC/Demar Services, LLC CHCA West Houston, LP/BFJ Construction, Inc. SNA Medical Center LLC/Steel Crete LLC Town Center Lakeside, LTD/D E Harvey Builders, Inc. Lakepointe Assets, LLC/Burton Construction Company Cabot II-TX2L01, LP/W M Dillard & Associates Weingarten Realty Investors & David D Baker Company, Inc.

Data Beat

March 2011 Sales Tax Allocation Comparison Summary Reports

Sales Tax Allocation Comparison Summary reports present data about monthly local sales and use tax allocation payments to local sales taxing jurisdictions.

These net payments represent monies identified for the local jurisdictions since the previous month’s distribution. These reports will allow you to compare current year sales and use tax payments with the previous year. When used with other local economic indicators, they may help indicate present and future trends.

County/City Fort Bend

Net Payment This Period

Comp Payment Prior Year

% Change To Date

2009 Payments To Date

2008 Payments Change

Percent

Arcola Beasley Fulshear Kendleton Meadows Place Missouri City Needville Orchard Pleak Richmond Rosenberg Simonton Stafford Sugar Land Thompsons

21,794.94 5,517.70 26,202.50 1,522.11 55,645.59 398,301.01 24,460.33 3,617.33 5,017.24 271,376.58 781,894.15 11,350.00 971,278.30 2,458,167.80 2,105.45

19,456.01 6,374.06 22,532.47 1,305.95 65,773.75 426,252.63 26,501.94 3,903.80 2,438.40 293,598.36 730,893.51 9,634.73 902,272.24 2,801,638.13 6,874.90

12.02% -13.43% 16.28% 16.55% -15.39% -6.55% -7.70% -7.33% 105.75% -7.56% 6.97% 17.80% 7.64% -12.25% -69.37%

69,597.28 17,000.96 103,678.29 4,871.67 228,269.47 1,493,093.43 86,300.37 10,377.56 15,444.45 996,069.10 2,885,900.20 24,337.69 3,295,950.74 10,233,640.38 3,278.66

61,502.87 18,248.79 87,252.52 4,076.06 238,850.68 1,488,186.02 80,685.27 11,562.85 22,107.06 1,032,426.04 2,677,785.64 21,748.77 3,162,962.40 10,273,982.97 9,912.81

13.16% -6.83% 18.82% 19.51% -4.43% 0.32% 6.95% -10.25% -30.13% -3.52% 7.77% 11.90% 4.20% -0.39% -66.92%

COUNTY TOTAL 5,038,251.03

5,319,450.88

-5.28%

19,467,810.25

19,191,290.75

1.44%

Top 20 City Sales and Use Tax Comparison Summary - March 2011 Please note that Sugar Land is 17th in sales tax revenues in the state.

City

Houston San Antonio Dallas Austin Fort Worth Arlington El Paso Round Rock Plano Amarillo McAllen Corpus Christi Lubbock Irving Frisco Midland Sugar Land Mesquite Abilene Grapevine

Net Payment This Period

Comp Payment Prior Year

% Change To Date

2009 Payments To Date

36,851,119.93 15,217,289.07 15,275,881.85 10,587,180.31 7,673,379.74 5,769,167.70 5,098,318.40 5,542,656.43 4,784,305.99 4,318,309.76 3,930,362.95 3,891,775.41 3,697,271.54 3,435,815.14 2,878,995.34 3,081,011.42 2,458,167.80 2,325,790.55 2,567,537.81 2,437,517.64

35,058,255.21 14,576,956.64 15,207,990.78 10,141,851.71 7,057,355.67 6,065,012.97 4,864,424.03 4,825,814.63 4,209,196.15 3,802,375.07 3,723,422.99 3,855,031.36 3,442,723.78 3,470,328.26 2,710,123.69 2,339,417.78 2,801,638.13 2,267,375.39 2,457,384.47 2,323,662.99

5.11% 4.39% 0.44% 4.39% 8.72% -4.87% 4.80% 14.85% 13.66% 13.56% 5.55% 0.95% 7.39% -0.99% 6.23% 31.69% -12.25% 2.57% 4.48% 4.89%

127,076,493.83 55,488,596.59 53,631,440.65 37,230,659.54 27,306,866.31 21,050,623.15 18,540,556.64 17,008,895.38 16,826,893.89 15,594,542.29 15,276,806.09 15,007,480.63 13,397,227.80 12,386,017.39 11,254,534.97 11,031,511.55 10,233,640.38 9,600,196.38 9,219,825.17 9,198,576.80

2008 Payments Change

120,422,129.22 52,226,655.02 52,395,473.62 35,273,902.21 25,000,535.96 20,656,140.53 17,641,830.91 16,217,226.16 15,281,735.56 14,217,391.08 15,608,211.02 13,759,868.08 12,625,754.91 11,228,720.53 10,299,403.75 8,470,994.49 10,273,982.97 8,693,818.76 8,394,839.84 8,269,233.26

Percent

5.52% 6.24% 2.35% 5.54% 9.22% 1.90% 5.09% 4.88% 10.11% 9.68% -2.12% 9.06% 6.11% 10.30% 9.27% 30.22% -0.39% 10.42% 9.82% 11.23%

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

33

Nacogdoches man finds heroes close to home at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

W

hen the results from Kenneth King’s blood work came in, his doctor knew immediately that Kenneth was headed towards kidney failure.

The doctor also knew he couldn’t treat Kenneth; not because he didn’t have the knowledge, but because he practices in Nacogdoches, Texas, where there is no hospital equipped to perform kidney transplants.

“I was given lots of options,” says King, a Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office Investigator. “There are transplant clinics in Tyler and Shreveport that are each less than 60 miles away, but my doctor strongly recommended The Methodist Hospital System. After researching a number of facilities, just by the sheer number of transplants Methodist does and the positive outcomes, I knew Methodist is where I needed to be.”

So Kenneth and his wife, Angie, and nephew, Steven, loaded up their truck and made the two and a half hour drive to Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and its new Transplant Clinic, which provides pretransplant evaluation for patients with organ failure. Both Angie and Stephen had volunteered to be donors and would now undergo rigorous testing to see if either would be compatible for Kenneth.

“All along I knew it was going to be me,” says Angie King, wife and mother to the couple’s three children. “Everyone else was convinced that Steven would be the best match since he is a blood relative, but there was never a doubt in my mind that it would be me donating a kidney to my husband.”

While testing was being done on Angie and Stephen at The Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, Kenneth had his own series of tests completed at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. His first stop was to meet his new doctor, Horacio E. Adrogue, M.D., a second generation transplant

34

nephrologist on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and the Pancreas Transplant program Medical Director. Dr. Adrogue is also the Medical Director of the Methodist Transplant Network, which has a goal to create transplant evaluation clinics in the community to better serve transplant patients. “The Methodist Sugar Land Clinic is able to start evaluations for patients with any kind of organ failure, and Methodist is the only program in Houston with this type of clinic,” says Dr. Adrogue.

Kenneth King, Angie King and Horacio E. Adrogue, M.D.

“From the minute I walked through the doors at Methodist Sugar Land, I couldn’t have asked for better care,” says King. “The facility is so well-maintained and so clean, it’s just amazing. I also couldn’t have asked for a better doctor. There are a lot of similarities between me and Dr. Adrogue; we are both about the same age and we are both very aggressive in our jobs. He told me right away that, with two potential donors, we needed to go ahead and plan for a transplant while I was still strong – the sooner, the better.”

As if Angie had willed it, she turned out to be a good match for Kenneth. The Nacogdoches family headed home, packed up clothes and drove to a new apartment in Houston where they would be spending the next month following the surgeries. However, there was one hitch in the plan.

“We were worried about following through with the insurance company since

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

we were both about to go into surgery,” says Angie. “But the great thing was that Methodist Sugar Land was able to help with this as well, which really left me with the ability to solely focus on me and my husband.

It was a wonderful experience; we had been assigned to a whole team – a social worker, an RN, a team of doctors and our wonderful financial coordinator. He took over with the insurance company and told us we didn’t need to worry. The one thing that remained the same throughout our experience at Methodist—the patient was always the first priority.”

When the day of surgery arrived, Angie went in first, followed a few hours later by Kenneth, but they were side by side in the recovery room. “The nurses wheeled my gurney next to his so we could see each other,” recalls Angie.

After two days in the hospital for Angie and three days for Kenneth, the pair went home to their new Houston apartment. Now the anxiety ridden stage of the process began – making sure Kenneth’s body didn’t reject Angie’s kidney. But Kenneth’s body not only accepted the new kidney, he also recovered more quickly than expected and was able to leave for Nacogdoches a month sooner than doctors planned.

“We still have to make the almost 150mile trek here for follow up visits, but it’s really not that bad when you think about all that I have gained,” says Kenneth. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am to the staff and medical professionals of Methodist. In fact, I sent my dad down here for surgery when he needed a knee replacement. I’m telling you, even the cafeteria is great!”

As far as how Kenneth feels about his wife’s gift, he says, “As a man and as a husband, you expect to take care of your wife, not the other way around. But sometimes, your heroes are closer than you think.”

For more information please call the Methodist Transplant Center at 713441-5451.

Fort Bend County Fair calls for Grand Champion recipes for 75th Anniversary cookbook member, fair supporter, rodeo competitor, etc) when submitting your recipes. All recipes must be submitted by May 1.

If you think you make the best pecan pie, homemade bread, spaghetti or barbecue,

T

he Fort Bend County Fair Association celebrates its Diamond Anniversary this year.

“75 Years - What a Ride” will be the theme for the 2011 fair and we have many new and exciting events planned to celebrate our anniversary,” states 2011 Fair President William Carter. This year one more day has been added to the fair, which will include a PRCA Bull Bash, add some more special attractions and a great entertainment lineup that will be announced soon. The fair season officially kicks off on Friday, August 19 with the annual style show showcasing the 2011 Fair Queen candidates.

Another new addition this year will be a 75th Anniversary cookbook. Not only will the commemorative cookbook have delicious recipes from our community, but will also feature the history and photos from the past fairs. The Fair Association and Directors-incharge Elizabeth Duff Drozd and Tammy Osina Felinski are calling for all members of the community to submit recipes for the cookbook. Recipes will be accepted for appetizers & beverages, soups & salads, vegetables & side dishes, main courses, breads & rolls and desserts. Submissions can be made to the fair office by emailing to recipes@fbcfa.org or mail to P.O. Box 428, Rosenberg, TX 77471 Attn: Recipes.

Recipes should have a list of ingredients followed by cooking directions. Typed recipes are preferred but will accept handwritten if legible. Please include your name and contact information as well as your relationship to the fair past or present (i.e. life member, scholarship winner, president, exhibitor, fair queen, committee

please share your secret recipe with the fair.

This cookbook is sure to be treasured and passed down for generations to come. If you have any questions, please contact the fair office at (281) 342-6171.

Magazine

Honors the

SAVE THE DATE Thursday, September 22, 2011 Safari Texas Ranch Benefiting Literacy Council of Fort Bend Watch the 2010 Event on www.FortBendFocus.com Tickets & Sponsorship opportunities 281-690-4242 or www.FortBendFocus.com

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

35

ALAN SANDERSEN... continued from page 29

% of Total $ Needed to Make Social Security Whole

Options to Choose From

Study

Retirement Age Adjustments

• Because the currently structured system will no longer produce funds for other needs, those needs will need to be funded from other sources or possibly the net funding of social security or those other needs will have to be managed.

• The system will require bonds to be paid off or otherwise liquidated to pay benefits at projected levels under current projections. This means that revenues otherwise contemplated for other programs will need to be utilized for this purpose, or potentially new revenues will need to be generated to meet one or both goals given the currently projected funding requirements.

• The system will require a fair, actuarially sound, and affordable approach to structuring retirement benefits.

Alan Sandersen is a columnist for the Fort Bend Business Journal and is a Partner with Sandersen Knox & Co, L.L.P., Certified Public Accountants. He can be reached at 281-2423232. www.sktx.com. H

30%

Phase in Retirement to 68

Urban Institute

36%

Phase in Retirement to 70

AARP

26%

Index retirement age to life expectancy

Obama

Controlling Benefits Growth 18%

Adjust COLA to set static Standard of Living

AARP

75%

Adjust the COLA by flat 1%

Urban Institute

Progressive Indexing - Index benefits to prices, not wages

Urban Institute

100%

Tax Adjustments 10%

Means Test Tax on Earnings

AARP

35%-39%

Raise the cap to 90% of taxable earnings

AARP/Obama

27%

Preserve tax on estates over $3.5 million

AARP

10%

Raise tax on benefits

AARP

Increase payroll tax rate (each 1/2% total split 50/50)

AARP

23% each

Investment Options 10%

Invest 15% of the trust funds in stock and bond index funds AARP Expand Coverage Pool to Take in New People

10%

Phase in Newly Hired State/Local Employees

Where Family Memories are made...

Exceptional Location • Championship Golf • Fantastic Amenities Call Jennifer Rushlo, Membership Director, 281.494.9131, ext. 134 membership@sugarcreekcctexas.com • www.sugarcreekcctexas.com 420 Sugar Creek Boulevard 281.494.9131

36

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

AARP

COMING JULY 2011 ISSUE!

Fort Bend’s Top 40

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN! We’re celebrating the Top 40 Entrepreneurs and Executives in Fort Bend County!

But we need your help in determining just who these movers and shakers are!

Fort Bend’s

Top 40

Take a few moments to fill out the form below and email it to Barbara@FortBendStar.com.

Deadline for nominations is Friday, June 3rd.

Top Enterpreneurs & Executives

UNDER 40

Results will be published in the July issue of the Fort Bend Business Journal!

NOMINEE’S NAME: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY:_______________________STATE: ________ ZIP: __________________ DATE OF BIRTH: ____________________________/_________/____________ PHONE NUMBER: (________________) _______________________________ COMPANY NAME :________________________________________________ TITLE: ____________________________________________________________

REASONS FOR NOMINATION (No more than 150 words).

Please provide 4x7 headshot photo High-resolution at 300pdi and send to Barbara@FortBendStar.com.

RIBBON CUTTING AROUND THE BEND Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance Kevin Patton State Farm’s Newly Renovated Office Building, 2204 Thompson Road Richmond

Texas Citizen’s Bank 24701 Southwest Freeway, Suite 700 Rosenberg

H&R Block 24301 Brazos Town Crossing, Suite 400 Rosenberg

OakBend Medical Center’s New Grand Parkway 7830 W. Grand Parkway South Richmond

Katy Area Chamber of Commerce

38

Texas Borders 20940 Katy Freeway Suite H

Saratoga Homes Katy Branch

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt 22756 Westheimer Pkwy Suite 120

Canine Country Club 1440 Katy Fort Bend Road

Katy Birth Center 1002 Ave A

Titan Business Suites 24044 Cinco Village Center Blvd Suite 100

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

Meet Your New PCP. Allow us to introduce you to your new doctor — someone who knows you and not just by name. Someone who knows your complete medical history — from your blood type to the last time you had a tetanus shot to whether or not you’re at risk for heart disease.

Studies prove that having a Primary Care Physician (PCP) leads to early detection of health problems and an overall higher quality of care. And a doctor affiliated with Memorial Hermann can give you direct access to their extensive network of specialty and emergency care.

Just call 713.222.CARE or visit meetyourpcp.com to start building your relationship with a PCP affiliated with Memorial Hermann.

It’s time you and your doctor got to know each other.

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

39

Special mammogram offer gives Jeanne Parker a new lease on life Groundbreaking technology improves early detection of breast cancer

By Nancy V. Mills, APR Photos by Larry Pullen Photography

W

hen Jeanne Parker went for her annual mammogram last April she couldn’t pass up the special two-for-one offer. What she got in return probably saved her life. It also made her the first of her kind in the country.

Parker was an early participant in a national clinical trial for digital tomosynthesis at the Memorial Hermann Breast Care Center-Memorial City Medical Center. This new breast imaging technique creates a highly focused 3-D picture of the breast that enables earlier detection of tumors than traditional mammograms.

“I already had the special gown on for the regular mammogram when they asked me about volunteering for the tomosynthesis screening study, so I decided to participate,” said the then 52-year-old wife and mother of two.

Parker didn’t really notice any difference between the tomosynthesis and her regular mammogram except that the tomosynthesis made several pictures. And that is exactly what makes it so revolutionary.

Stephen Rose, M.D., who oversaw Parker’s screening, is a Memorial Hermannaffiliated breast radiologist and a principal investigator for the recently completed national clinical trial for tomosynthesis. He says the new technology looks and feels like a regular digital mammogram but instead makes a three-second, arc-shaped sweep of the breast, quickly creating multiple images from different angles. This eliminates overlapping breast tissue, found in traditional 2-D mammograms, where potential cancers can hide.

Shortly after her annual screening, Parker received the standard letter she had received

40

Jeanne Parker is the first woman in the country to be diagnosed with breast cancer using only tomosynthesis. Stephen Rose, M.D., a Memorial Hermann-affiliated breast radiologist who detected her bilateral tumors, said it would have been two or three more years before these tumors were found with traditional mammography.

after her annual mammogram for the past two decades. It informed her everything was fine, to continue breast self-exams and to repeat her mammogram in one year.

So when she received a phone call a few days later saying the radiologist had found spots on the tomosynthesis screening and wanted her to return for biopsies, Parker politely responded, “No, you have me confused with someone else.”

In reality, the tomosynthesis had detected what biopsies later confirmed – tiny tumors in both breasts. One was 8 millimeters, the size of a screw head on a light switch. The other was 4 millimeters.

With this diagnosis, Parker became the first woman in the country to be diagnosed with breast cancer using only tomosynthesis.

“The tomosynthesis technology saved my life,” says Parker with excitement. “The tumors were so small you couldn’t even feel them in a breast self-exam.”

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

“It would have been two or three years before we could have seen these tumors with a traditional mammogram,” said Dr. Rose, who has been in private practice for 25 years.

This earlier detection is just one reason the nationally known breast radiologist is so enthusiastic about tomosynthesis. The other is the reduction in patient recall rates.

Dr. Rose says the earliest tests of tomosynthesis, conducted before the clinical trials began in April 2010, showed such clear 3-D images that there was a 30 percent reduction in the need for additional tests.

Although he can’t reveal the exact numbers, he says his group’s testing is more impressive.

“Even if we didn’t find more cancers, if you can find them earlier and find them with fewer tests for the patient, that’s a significant improvement,” said Dr. Rose. “I think tomosynthesis is the biggest medical breakthrough I’ve seen in my professional career.”

Advertorial

Jeanne Parker with her breast radiologist Stephen Rose, M.D., a principal investigator for the national clinical trials of tomosynthesis. This groundbreaking technology promises earlier detection of breast cancer and should be at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital and Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center later this year.

Breast services expand at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land

M

ammograms are a vital tool in detecting breast cancer. So is the radiological interpretation of them. So why leave this to a general radiologist who sees everything from broken bones to breasts? Boardcertified, dedicated breast radiologists are now on site at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital to read these important tests and meet the needs of breast patients from screening mammograms to biopsies.

This expanded service is the result of a collaboration between Memorial Hermann Sugar Land and Rose Imaging Specialists P.A., the fifth such partnership in the Memorial Hermann system. Founded in 1999 by Stephen Rose, M.D., Rose Imaging is home to the largest group of breast imaging specialists in Houston and one of the largest in the country. Direct patient care sets these specialists apart.

“For every diagnostic test, the radiologist communicates directly with the patient, correlating the imaging findings, history and physical exam,” says Dr. Rose. “This allows patients to receive preliminary results before they leave.”

To learn more about tomosynthesis or to make an appointment for a screening mammogram at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land, please call 877.40.MAMMO (6.2666).

Tomosynthesis received FDA approval in February 2011. This technology will be available later this year at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital and Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center.

These will be two of 18 centers in the nation with this technology and the only two in Houston.

Approximately 3,000 patients participated in the national clinical trials.

Initially targeted for use on women with dense breast tissue, tomosynthesis was so successful in the early detection of breast cancer that Dr. Rose foresees its use in both screening and diagnostic mammograms for the vast majority of women.

Advertorial

Lucky lady takes treatments in stride Parker calls this past year a journey of craziness. She never considered herself to have a family history of breast cancer, although her grandmother had breast cancer in her 60s and her aunt in her 80s. Her grandmother lived into her 80s and her aunt is 91.

“It turned out that both my tumors were estrogen positive and progesterone positive,” she said. “The bigger tumor was HER2 positive, a type that can spread quickly.”

Estrogen and progesterone receptor tests

indicate whether those hormones are fueling a tumor’s growth. HER2 is a gene that tells cells to grow, divide and repair themselves.

HER2 positive means that these genes are over-producing the HER2 protein, causing the cancer cells to grow rapidly.

Aggressive treatment began with six rounds of chemotherapy. Last September, Parker had a double mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction rather than a lumpectomy that would have required radiation. She jokingly says she received new breasts for her 53rd birthday. Since then she’s had several minor surgeries to refine the reconstruction, but you don’t hear any complaints.

“I feel very fortunate that my cancer was caught early when it was so treatable,” says Parker with a smile. “I have met other women who went year after year for their mammograms and then when the cancer was found it was stage four.”

Last May, Parker began weekly infusions of Herceptin® to reduce the risk of the cancer returning. She requires one full year of this chemotherapy, and is looking forward to completing treatment this month.

Over the past year, Parker has been promoting tomosynthesis to anyone who will listen. She has appeared with Dr. Rose on several television programs to share her story.

“When I go for my chemo and see other women, I know I’m lucky that I haven’t had to go through what these women have gone through,” said Parker. “That’s why I’m so excited that Dr. Rose has had such good results with the tomosynthesis.”

Until tomosynthesis is routinely available, Parker is urging women to get a regular mammogram. “It’s not your favorite thing to do, but you do it,” she said. “Chemo is not for sissies.”

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

41

Early detectio n is key Take control of your health with our advanced breast care.

At Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, our breast care services proudly offer a comprehensive approach. From prevention to detection to treatment, our dedicated staff provides the highest level of care. And we use the latest in breast care innovation, including digital mammography and advanced radiology treatments.

Remember, proper breast care begins with you, so take an active role and schedule a screening with us today.

To schedule a mammogram, call 877.704.8700.

42

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

KOLBE CURTICE... continued from page 21

Stadium construction contract set for Barton Malow / Linbeck

S

ugar Land City Council awarded a $27.9 million contract on March 1 to Barton Malow/Linbeck as the preferred Design/Build contractor for the construction of a minor league baseball stadium northeast of State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A. The stadium is expected to be ready for opening day in April 2012.

Fourteen companies submitted proposals for the Design/Build contract, and Sugar Land selected five finalists in September 2010. A panel that included representatives from City Council, staff and Opening Day Partners conducted interviews leading to the selection of a preferred Design/Build contractor.

Design-build is a construction project delivery system where design and construction are contracted through a design-builder who is the general contractor and also the design professional (architect or engineer). This system is used to minimize the project risk for an owner by establishing a guaranteed maximum cost and reduce the delivery schedule by overlapping the design phase and construction phase of a project.

Barton Malow Company provides construction management, design-build, program management, general contracting, technology and rigging services throughout North America. With their first sports project – Navin Field in the 1930s, Barton Malow has a rich history of completing some of the most complex sports facilities in the country totaling more than $6 billion in construction. Recent baseball projects include Coolray Field, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park and Goodyear Ballpark.

Barton Malow has a staff of more than 1,200 in 13 offices and is headquartered in

Southfield, Mich., with annual firm revenues exceeding $1 billion.

Linbeck is a Houston-based construction management company offering construction management at-risk, design/build and related construction services. Since inception in 1938, the company culture is based upon integrity and trust. Using a collaborative TeamBuild® approach and Lean Construction principles, Linbeck helps clients minimize risk and waste to achieve optimal results. Most recently, Linbeck served as the Project Manager/Tenant’s Representative for the design and construction of Reliant Stadium, a worldclass, state-of-the-art multipurpose sports and entertainment facility.

Linbeck is ranked among the Top 10 Construction Managers by Building Design & Construction Magazine and among the Top 150 Building Contractors in the USA

by Engineering News Record. Linbeck operates offices in Texas (Houston and Fort Worth) with operations in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, South Carolina and Utah.

The stadium will be funded with a portion of sales tax revenues that may only be used for economic development purposes.

No general fund tax dollars will be spent on the stadium. In addition to the stadium serving as a community amenity, a conservative cost-benefit analysis performed

by Conventions, Sports & Leisure International conservatively estimates the project will generate economic activity annually of approximately $7.7 million or a net return of $169 million over 30 years on the investment of the City and ODP. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2011 to have the stadium ready for opening day in April 2012.

the new minor league baseball stadium for the “Sugar Land Skeeters” and the Imperial Sugar factory re-development just off of the northeast corner of Highway 6 and Highway 90.

Commercial leasing activity in the county is improving as well. Primarily driven by service retail, restaurants, and office, the leasing market is starting to show a steady pulse again. Area residents will soon see a number of new openings in shopping centers and office buildings in the area.

I don’t know that Fort Bend’s commercial real estate market will ever return to the levels of a few years ago. That said, however, we are demonstrating once again that our market continues to be one of the more attractive alternatives in the state. The “open for business” sign is in Fort Bend commercial real estate industry’s window once again.

Kolbe Curtice is Managing Director of Colliers International-Fort Bend. He can be reached at 281-269-3441 or at kolbe. curtice@colliers.com. H

Guadalupe

RIVERFRONT DUPLEX

Each duplex can accommodate four adults and four children or rent both for groups.

More pictures at

RioRatonDuplex.com book at

832-788-2294

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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The Ben E. Keith groundbreaking brings growth to Missouri City

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he half-million-square-foot Ben E. Keith distribution facility in Missouri City is officially underway. At the groundbreaking of March 22, the hundreds of new jobs and other economic development activities from this massive enterprise on the 82-acre site was the talk among businesses in attendance. Future plans also call for an expansion of the facility to more than 1 million square feet. Ben E. Keith is expected to begin its operations locally by Winter 2013.

“It’s a huge day for the city. We waited four long years and it was well worth the wait because we did it right,” said Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen.

The mayor was expressive about how important this new development is for

The March 22 groundbreaking signals that Ben E. Keith will soon be operating in Missouri City. City officials, other dignitaries and guests were hosted to a program and luncheon. (l-r) Robbie Fish, general manager, Ben E. Keith Foods-Houston Division; City Manager Frank Simpson, Councilman Danny Nguyen, Councilman Bobby Marshall, Mayor Allen Owen, Councilman Don Smith, Councilman Robin Elackatt, Councilman Brett Kolaja and Mike Roach, president Ben E. Keith Foods.

Missouri City and in particular, “to the tax base, to an employment base and to what it means to the community.” He also said that his next promise is to bring commuter rail to the location in the future.

Ben E. Keith Foods is the eighth largest U.S. broad-line distributor and has six centers

serving the south-central portion of the U.S. in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas, Tennessee, and Missouri.

Ben E. Keith in this area will serve southeast Texas and Louisiana. It will bring a workforce of about 300 new jobs.

APART: Shot in Fort Bend and newly released

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he newely released movie APART is the journey of the tragically star-cross’d Noah and Emily who, linked by a rare psychological disorder known as ICD10 F24, delve into the dark and twisted catastrophic events of their past in order to make sense of their lives. It premiered in Austin in March at the Rollins and Paramont Theatres.

The lead role is played by Fort Bend County’s own Josh Danzinger and is based from an actual case history. The richly evocative and unsettling mystery contains a love story that will haunt you long after the lights go up. Most of the scenes were filmed in Fort Bend County and many local actors, production members and staff were included in the production and appear in the credits.

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Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

Outside the State Theater in Austin are APART Art Designer John Parker, Jr, and Production Intern Sandy Chapman of Richmond.

Olesya Rulin & Josh Danzinger at SXSW premiere of APART

Enjoying a reception at Stephen F. Austin Hotel are Art Designer John Parker, Jr., Rosenberg businessman Bill Butler and APART producer Ryan Rettig.

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter www.FortBendChamber.com

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Membership The following firms have realized the importance of economic growth and development for the Fort Bend County area. They have pledged their support to the cause by investing their time and efforts in the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. Please support your community by calling on these organizations when you have a need for products and services.

Welcome New Members Advanced Nutrition

Julia F. Thompson, Inc

Plan Ahead Events

StarTex Power

Alexandre’s Etiquette Advantage, LLC

Medical Uniforms

Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors

Sugar Land Modern Dentistry

Southwest 59 Sunrise Rotary Club

Wells Fargo Commercial Banking

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Jason Phillips, Owner 16126 SW Freeway Sugar Land, TX 77479 281-242-7322 Nutritional Supplements

Alexandre Wood, Owner 9203 Hwy 6 South #124-404 Houston, TX 77083 281-879-9663 Professional Services

Barton House MKT

Koren Greco, Executive Director 3060 Edgewater Dr Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-313-2500 Assisted Living

BGK Services, LLC Barbara Koslov, President 5023 Heatherglen Dr. Houston, TX 77096 713-320-5991 Consultants, Professional

Business Spirit Promotional Products

Susan Hargarther 435-B1 FM 1092, Suite 244 Stafford, TX 77477 281-208-1100 Advertising, Promotional Specialties

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Jacqueline Watson, President 5680 Highway 6, Ste 332 Missouri City, TX 77459 713-256-5223 Youth Enrichment

Jeff Yekta, Owner 16126 Southwest FWY, #160 Sugar Land, TX 77479 281-277-2111 Medical Equipment & Supplies

Millennium Lock, Inc.

Steven James, Director of Government & Development 3776 Greenbriar Dr. Stafford, TX 77477 713-266-1400 Security

Missouri City Pediatric Clinic

Shainy Varghese, Nurse Practitioner Provider 2240 FM 1092 Missouri City, TX 77459 281-261-5800 Health Care

Felicia Jackson, Owner 2903 Bison Bluff Missouri City, TX 77459 713-817-3792 Event Planners

Marcie Zlotnik, Co-founder P.O. Box 4802 Houston, TX 77210 713-357-2800 Energy Utility

Jennifer Humphreys, Realtor 2323 Town Center Dr Sugar Land, TX 77478 713-240-3339 Real Estate, Residential

Burt Kemper, Operations Manager 19984 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, TX 77479 832-595-2100 Dentists

Allen Harris, President 6410 Hwy 6 #244 Missouri City, TX 77459 832-642-3091 Associations

Jeffery Rose, Regional Vice President 2500 Citywest Blvd., Suite 1100 Houston, TX 77042 713-273-8506 Banks

Sally Wendel, LMT, CPT

William H. Reading, MD Neuropsychiatry

Sally Wendel 14873 Southwest FWY A-105 Sugar Land, TX 77478 214-543-2552 Health & Wellness

William H. Reading 12603 Southwest Fwy #510 Stafford, TX 77477 281-494-4471 Physicians, Psychiatry

Philippa Edokpayi, CPA Philippa Edokpayi 3737 Highway 6 Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-242-1600 Accountants

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

www.FortBendChamber.com

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

upcoming events APRIL

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Chamber Young Professionals (CYP)

CYP Mixer

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Hyatt Place Friday, April 14 - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

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• Granite Properties 1 1 0 2 Class of mFORT BEND& Gardner ent • Rice n r e v o G State Consultants, Inc.

s SponsorLEADERSHIP & Co., PLLC F O R• McGrath U M

• Methodist Sugar Land Hospital • Agilysys, Inc. • SouthWest Water company • NuBiz Connect • Fort Bend Focus Magazine

• Amegy Bank • CME Printing, Inc. • Premier Wireless, Inc. • Integrity Images • CNA Advertising, Inc.

MAY Government Relations Division

Government Relations Monthly Luncheon Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce May 9 – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Chamber Young Professionals (CYP)

Lunch & Learn – LinkedIn with Glenn Smith Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce May 11 - 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Business & Professional Division

Lunch & Learn – Managing Generational Differences with Mike Dolbert Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce May 18 - 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

sign up today for the Fort Bend Leadership Forum Class of 2012

The Fort Bend Leadership Forum presents the opportunity to enhance your value personally, professionally and as a community stakeholder. This ten-month program, August through May, consists of monthly sessions and retreats covering a wide variety of topics.

For information please contact David Crowl at 281.491.2497 or David@fortbendcc.org FORT

BEND

LEADERSHIP F

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Infrastructure Monthly Breakfast Meeting Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce May 26 – 7:30 am – 9:00 am

JUNE Infrastructure Division

Infrastructure Monthly Breakfast Meeting Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce June 23 – 7:30 am – 9:00 am Government Relations Division

State of the City – Missouri City Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce June 24 – 7:30 am – 9:00 am

BEND

LEADERSHIP F

Infrastructure Division

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We Believe in you. Thanks for 1 Year

Servpro of Sugar Land Mike Jacobs, 281-313-1338 Liberty Mutual Donna Shelton, 281-494-2700 APAAR Investments Paul Likhari, 713-412-9640

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

ACHIEVE Fort Bend County Lucia Street, 281-656-5295

DBR Engineering Consultants, Inc. Randall Curry, 713-914-0888

Home Helpers Fort Bend Ronald Norsworthy, 281-207-5359

Kona Grill Holly Winkler, 281-242-7000

Willie’s Grill & Icehouse #6 Jonni Ann Moore, 281-242-2252

Milestone Member

5 Years

Yokogawa Corporation of America Frances Young, 281-340-4246

Neel-Schaffer, Inc. Sonny Smoak, 713-783-7117

Vineyard on the Square Kelly Harris, 713-515-8929

TechRadium Susan Ley, 281-263-6369

Pebble Creek Ranch Tammy Guardado, 281-495-8746

2 Years

The Bale Law Firm, PLLC Denise M. Bale, 281-295-6000

TXU Energy Shawn Parker, 972-868-8333

6 Years

8 Years

The Millis Group, Inc. Mark W. Millis, 281-343-1400

9 Years

Riverstone Development Co. Tom Wilcox, 281-403-8770 Fort Bend County Ronald R. Pope, 281-341-4406

Milestone Member

10 Years

The Solana at Cinco Ranch Lori Vale, 281-395-9600

Stafford Run Apartments Melissa Flores, 281-499-9534

First United Methodist Church Missouri City Lynne Settlemyre, 281-499-3502

NMG Medical Planners, Inc. Ben Nassif, 832-668-4527

Emeritus at Sugar Land Jeri Krauss, 281-491-6257

The Houstonian Golf & Country Club Matt Barger, 281-340-7278

H-E-B Food & Drugs David Solis, 281-778-1300

Goodwill Industries of Houston Charles C. Canton, 713-692-6221

Murphy Road Self Storage Gloria McClellen, 281-208-5623

Higher Level Management, Inc. Eleanor E. Marsh, 281-565-8838

Newmark Homes Houston, LLC Mike Moody, 713-346 0200

Wal-Mart Desiree Melchor, 281-403-5000

3 Years

Houston Community Bank, NA Jeff Smith, 281-208-2111

State Farm Insurance Tracy Walker, ChFC, CLU, 281-265-0711

Greenscapes Unlimited Marian Kozlovsky, 281-989-1887

VR Trading Company Ashok K. Bhagat, 281-303-5475

Hartford Services, Inc. Mitch Rahim, 281-261-3333 St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System David King, 832-355-8701 Memorial Hermann Surgery Center - Sugar Land Steve Hildreth, 281-238-1620

4 Years

Japaneiro’s Sushi Bistro & Latin Grill Victor Litwinenko, 281-242-1121

7 Years

Terracon Todd Swoboda, 713-690-8989

Icenhower Consulting, LLC Kim Icenhower, 713-504-4378

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Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

11 Years

Granite Properties Inc. Sandy Benak, 713-800.9505

12 Years

Baker Petrolite Jim Lockwood, 281-732-8084 www.FortBendChamber.com

Amegy Bank of Texas Mary Gayle Brindley, 713-232-2957

13 Years

20/20 Eye Clinic & Optical Edward Chan, 281-277-6100 Quality Dialysis One, LP Cynthia Barclay, 281-491-4009

14 Years

Memorial Credit Union Tom Rogers, 713-778-6300 Auto Central-Automotive Service & Sales David Fauvelle, 281-499-9684 Julius Metals Julius Deitch, 281-499-6400

15 Years

Fort Bend Baptist Academy Pamela Jacobsen, 281-263-9187 Tallas Insurance & Financial Services Jeff Tallas, 713-271-2000

16 Years

RE/MAX Southwest Realtors Jeanne Gregory, 281-344-8918 State Farm Insurance Dwain Barnes, 281-980-0940 First Tire & Automotive Craig Popp, 281-980-2666

17 Years

Stephen De Young, MD Vianne De Young, 281-494-1314

19 Years

Fort Bend Real Estate Corporation E.G. (Bud) Friedman, 281-242-2200

Milestone Member

Ronald K. Rich, DDS, MAGD Ronald Rich, 281-980-2537 Houston-Stafford Electric (IES Residential) Teddy Wilks, 281-498-2212

24 Years

20 Years

Charter Title Company - Fort Bend Sharon Peterson, 281-242-1700 Houston Automobile Dealers Association Wyatt Wainwright, 281-980-3434

KenWood & Associates, PC Kenneth J. Wood, 281-243-2300

Milestone Member

25 Years 22 Years

Living Improvements Roland Younger, 281-499-7000 Coldwell Banker United Arlene R. Rolsen, CRS, 281-295-3140

23 Years

Richmond State School Claire D. Chipman, 281-344-4335

Lake Olympia Animal Hospital Terry J. Dobson, 281-499-7242

36 Years

VCA SW Freeway Animal Hospital Harvey S. Brannen, Jr., 281-491-VETS

37 Years

CenterPoint Energy Randy Pryor, 281-561-3201

Become a member Today!

For membership information contact: Jan-Michael Jenkins • 281.491.0218

18 Years

Indermuehle & Co. Commercial Real Estate Larry Indermuehle, 281-240-9090

www.FortBendChamber.com

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Believing in US!

Ribbon Cutting

The Marketing Department 4550 Sweetwater Blvd., Suite A Sugar Land, TX 77479 281-277-7272 www.tmdtexas.com

T Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

he Marketing Department is a revolutionary retail concept that provides small businesses with access to Madison Avenue marketing at Main Street prices. They will help you sell more products and services to more people, more often, for more money. They provide a 60-minute free consultations that will result in a spectacular, yet affordable, customized marketing strategy and materials designed to help you transform and

grow your business...whether you are a start-up seeking a brand identity, a well-established business wanting to grow, or a struggling business needing to reposition your brand.

No appointment necessary. Schedule your free consultation today...and experience a new way to grow your business!

Spartan Wealth Management LLC. Keith Borgfeldt 4690 Sweetwater Blvd., Ste. 280 Sugar Land, TX 77479 281.491.1600 www.spartanwm.com

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he team at Spartan Wealth Management helps small businesses, retirees, and successful individuals and families reach their financial goals by focusing on the uniquely different needs of each situation and providing a level of customer service and personal attention which exceeds their clients’ expectations.

They help create the financial security clients desire through in-depth interviews, goal determination and plan development. Spartan Wealth Management is unlike any firm you have encountered. The total commitment to

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Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

providing personal attention and individualized solutions is what sets them apart.

They call their client-centered philosophy, “The Spartan Experience.” Keith Borgfeldt, President and Managing Partner, states, “For 20 years, I have envisioned a wealth management firm that truly puts the client first and focuses on helping clients reach their goals. With Spartan Wealth Management, we have created that firm.”

www.FortBendChamber.com

Emb88dy Fitness Center Raul Cardenas, General Manager 4799 Lexington Blvd.

Missouri City, TX 77459 281.208.9080 www.embodyfitnesscenter.com

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mbody Fitness Center takes pride in listening to and caring for our members. They have a clean facility, with friendly faces, and staff with great customer service. With personalized training for anyone, a free kids club and aerobic classes throughout the week, they are sure to fit the needs of everyone.

They invite you to come in and experience for yourself the benefits of working out with a free seven day

guest pass. Be sure to ask for a tour of our facility to get familiar with all of their amenities. Embody Fitness Center has served in the Fort Bend area for two years.

They will provide our community with a great place to workout with their family and friends.

Millennium Lock, Inc. Ron Daniels, Owner 3776 Greenbriar Stafford, TX 77477 713.266.1400 www.theultimatelock.com

M

illennium Lock, Incorporated, is the parent company of The Ultimate Lock System, relocated their headquarters to Stafford, TX on February 28, 2011. Their locks are great for both commercial and residential markets. The residential lock series is designed to be 10 times stronger than any standard deadbolt with five levels of security that can withstand up to 4,000 pounds of applied force. The commercial series is designed to withstand double the strength of the residential series. Their patented locking system was designed with the assistance of NASA’s Space

www.FortBendChamber.com

Alliance Technology Outreach Program to enable home and business owners to take control of their safety.

Millennium Lock’s headquarters and main distribution center is located at 3776 Greenbriar, Stafford, TX. The lock system is now available in Lowe’s Home Improvement Retail Stores.

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

www.FortBendChamber.com

Upcoming Chamber Events

State of the city Friday, Fri day, June 24, 20 2011 11 Sugar Creek Country Club

420 Sugar Creek Blvd - Sugar Land 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Sponsorship opportunities are available Mayor Allen Owen

Corporate Table for 8 - $350 Individual Reservation for Member - $30 Individual Reservation for Non-Member - $40

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Cancellations must be received in writing and confirmed by 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2011. Thereafter full payment is due.

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce • 445 Commerce Green Boulevard • Sugar Land, TX • 77478 Farrah@fortbendcc.org • 281.566.2152 • Fax 281.491.0112 • register online at www.fortbendchamber.org

CYP Mixer

CYP Lunch & Learn

Join us at the new Hyatt Place Sugar Land for an evening of networking and socializing.

Leveraging the Power of

April 14th 5:00 -7:00pm at

Hyatt Place Sugar Land First 75 registrants only

to Build Your Personal Brand w/ Glenn Smith,The Growth Coach

May 11th 11:30-1:00pm at

The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce

Register online at www.FortBendChamber.com or contact Jan at 281.491.0218 or jan@fortbendcc.org

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Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

www.FortBendChamber.com

Sueba USA selected as builder partner for Imperial

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ith a reputation for building quality, upscale mid-rise multi-family homes, Johnson Development Corporation’s Imperial has selected Sueba USA as their multi-family builder partner. With a host of luxury midrise projects in the Houston and Phoenix areas, Sueba was the builder of the 167-unit City Plaza at Town Square in Sugar Land.

“Sueba’s quality speaks for itself,” said Shay Shafie, General Manager of Imperial.

“With a continual need for more housing in Sugar Land due to the forecasted growth rates, Imperial is dedicated to meeting that need with upscale, luxury multi-family homes perfect for individuals in transition, young professionals and couples, empty nesters and our ever-increasing work force.”

Imperial plans call for phasing of the multi-family units beginning in the spring of 2012. The majority of the multi-family

housing will be mid-rises located within the community adjacent to and near the new Star Tex Power Stadium. “Sueba is extremely excited to have the opportunity to partner with Johnson Development in creating a high quality, long lasting and desirable midrise development within the Ballpark District and with the residents of Sugar Land,” said Douglas Bergen, Vice President, Sueba USA. “We look forward to Sueba continuing its relationship within the Sugar Land community and participating in the growth and success of the Imperial development.”

The mid-rise development will include many amenities such as a resort style pool and spa, poolside veranda, clubroom and catering kitchen, an athletic center and an executive business center with a conference room.

Residents will be impressed with the high quality of the architectural design, construction and property management.

These mid-rises can be described as Class “A” luxury lofts due to their custom and

distinctive interior and exterior features.

Plans for Imperial, a 700 acre masterplanned community located in Sugar Land will include the redevelopment of the historic Imperial Sugar Company refinery site and the preservation of several of the iconic structures dating back to the early 1900’s. Imperial has been selected as the site for the City of Sugar Land’s new minor league baseball stadium which has been aptly named the Star Tex Power Stadium. Just over a year ago, Johnson Development was selected as Imperial’s development manager by Cherokee Sugar Land LP and the State of Texas General Land Office. Johnson’s charge is to bring life back to the old Imperial Sugar Refinery site with a mix of retail, commercial, hospitality, restaurants, office and urban residential land structures. The master plan also includes a significant amount of land across from the Sugar Land Regional Airport being dedicated for the City’s next professional business and technology park.

Progress of Imperial renovation on schedule

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he Johnson Development Corp. has entered into a contract to begin the preliminary phase of the historic char house renovation. Over the next four months, a majority of tanks, pipes, smoke stacks and other process equipment will be removed from the building to make way for the buildout of its final intended use.

“We are excited to start this clean-up phase of the refinery site,” said Shay Shafie, general manager of the Imperial Redevelopment. “Removing all of the equipment will allow us to start focusing on the highest and best use for this historic building”.

All of the work on the char house will be done internally protecting the exterior of the building with the exception of the smoke stack removal which spans from the third floor through the roof. The solid concrete smoke stacks must be removed for safety reasons and to allow for flexibility of the added build-out space. “We plan to replicate the stacks with a non-structural building material in the future in order to preserve the

exterior look of the Char House,” said Shafie.

Meticulous care has been taken by Johnson Development to preserve the historical significance of the entire Imperial site. The developer has worked directly with the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation to insure that the rich history of Imperial has been preserved while bringing the structures to a safe and habitable condition. Several artifacts have been tagged by the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation to be preserved and incorporated into the development.

Plans for Imperial, a 700-acre masterplanned community located in Sugar Land include the redevelopment of the historic Imperial Sugar Company refinery site and the preservation of several of the iconic structures dating back to the early 1900’s. Imperial has also been selected as the site for the City of Sugar Land’s new minor league baseball stadium which has been aptly named the StarTex Power Stadium. Just over a year ago, Johnson Development was selected as Imperial’s development manager by Cherokee Sugar Land LP and the State of Texas General Land Office. Johnson’s charge is to bring life back to the old Imperial Sugar

Refinery site with a mix of retail, commercial, hospitality, restaurants, office and urban residential land structures. The master plan also includes a significant amount of land across from the Sugar Land Regional Airport being dedicated for the city’s next professional business and technology park.

For more information about Imperial, visit www.imperialsugarland.com.

Dennis Palmer and Shay Shafie

NEWSWORTHY Friends of Sienna Library host Spring Book Sale The Friends of the Sienna Branch Library will host a Spring Book Sale on Saturday, April 16, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, in the Large Meeting Room of the library, located at 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd in Missouri City. A special Members-Only Preview Sale will take place on Thursday, April 14, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Membership forms will be available at the door for new members.

Numerous items will be available for sale, including books, DVDs, and CDs. People who love books, people who love bargains, and people who need to get rid of some spare change will find a lot in common at the used-book sale, where they will

discover adult and children’s books, music CDs, videos, and audiobooks on CD or on cassette. Prices range from 50¢ to $2.00.

Donations of used books, DVDs, tapes and CDs are always welcome, and may be taken to the library during regular business hours. All contributions are tax-deductible.

The Friends organization is instrumental in funding library programs such as the children’s Summer Reading Club. Proceeds from the book sale and annual membership dues also help to underwrite the costs of special programming and various cultural events at the Sienna Branch Library.

For more information, call the branch library at 281-238-2900.

Photos from the Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance’s February Business Luncheon, “State of the County, presented by S&B Infrastructure,” with Fort Bend County Judge Robert “Bob” Hebert. The luncheon attracted more than 400 attendees to Safari Texas Ranch in Richmond.

Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebert.

State Representative John Zerwas, District 28, Cheryl Stalinsky, and Fulshear Mayor Tommy Kuykendall.

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Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce President Keri Schmidt, Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance President/CEO Gail Parker, and Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance Board of Directors Chair Kamal Ariss.

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

Lamar CISD Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Bonnie Walker, Lamar CISD Superintendent Dr. Thomas Randle, Lamar CISD Executive Director of Community Relations Christy Willman and Lynda Queen, who presented the Professional Achievement Award to Willman at the 2011 Texas School Public Relations Association Conference.

Lamar CISD Executive Director for Community Relations Christy Willman was honored by her colleagues with the Professional Achievement Award at the Texas School Public Relations Association’s (TSPRA) annual conference held recently in Arlington.

Willman, who served as the Association’s President in 2007-2008, was nominated by her peers for the award. TSPRA rules call for the Award to go to someone who has worked in school public relations “for at least 10 years and during that time exhibited a creative,

State of the County luncheon

Rosenberg Mayor Joe Gurecky and EE Reed Construction Vice President Mark Reed.

Willman receives award

First Colony Community Association (FCCA) hosts candidate forum First Colony Community Association (FCCA) will host a candidate forum on Wednesday, April 27 from 6:30 – 9 p.m.

The forum will take place at Sweetwater Country Club at 4400 Palm Royale Blvd in Sugar Land. The event will provide the community an opportunity to hear the views and opinions of the candidates from the City of Sugar Land, the City of Missouri City and Fort Bend ISD. A meet and greet will follow with refreshments.

For additional information on the Candidate Forum, please call First Colony Community Association at 281-634-9500.

Submit Newsworthy items to sharon@fortbendstar.com

dedicated and professional approach to school communications.”

Willman has served Lamar CISD as the Executive Director of Community Relations since 2004. She worked as an elementary classroom teacher for 13 years in the CypressFairbanks, Austin and Lamar CISD schools before becoming Director of Communications at Lamar in 1996.

She has been an active member of TSPRA since 1997, serving twice as a Conference Day Chair of the association’s convention and as Vice President of the Houston/Beaumont area.

She is also a member of the Houston Area School Public Relations Association and the National School Public Relations Association.

Under her leadership the LCISD Communications department has received seven Crystal Awards and numerous Best of Category, Gold and Silver awards from TSPRA.

Renowned pain management specialist at Memorial Hermann Hospital welcomes international visitor Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital recently was the site of an exclusive, international knowledge transfer. Ioannis Skaribas, M.D., a renowned expert in spinal cord stimulation and neuromodulation at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land and Greater Houston Pain Consultants, welcomed Masahiko Sumitani, M.D., professor of pain management from the University of Tokyo Hospital, for a peer-to-peer training opportunity in spinal cord stimulation and neuromodulation, which is used to reduce

OSHA change would involve checking box for a musculoskeletal disorder The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, in partnership with the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, has announced a series of three teleconferences to reach out to the small business community for input on OSHA’s proposal to add a column for work-related musculoskeletal disorders on employer injury and illness logs. This proposal would require those employers already mandated to keep injury and illness records to add the step of checking a column when recording work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Small businesses from around the country are encouraged to participate in the teleconferences. The first will be held on Monday, April 11 at 1:30 p.m. EDT. The second and third will be held Tuesday, April 12 at 9 a.m. EDT and 1:30 p.m. EDT. Participants may provide input about their experiences in recording work-related MSDs and how they believe the proposed rule would impact them.

The proposed rule only covers MSDs

Pictured, Dr. Skaribas (left) performs surgery as Dr. Sumitani observes.

chronic pain and improve neurologic function. The techniques can be used for pain relief due to a variety of causes, including back and neck spine disease, failed back surgery, neuropathic pain and intractable headaches.

Blake Greer opens Greer Wealth Management

that employers are already required to record under the longstanding OSHA rule on recordkeeping. Prior to 2001, OSHA’s injury and illness logs contained a column for repetitive trauma disorders that included hearing loss and many kinds of MSDs. In 2001, OSHA proposed separating hearing loss and MSDs into two columns, but the MSD column was deleted in 2003 before the provision became effective. OSHA’s proposal would restore the MSD column to the Form 300.

Interested businesses that wish to participate in one of the teleconferences should contact Regina Powers at powers. regina@dol.gov by April 4, and indicate the teleconference in which they wish to participate. For more information, contact Robert Burt, director of OSHA’s Office of Regulatory Analysis, at 202-693-1952 or Bruce Lundegren, assistant chief counsel for SBA Advocacy, at 202-205-6144.

Additional information is available online at http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/ MSD_Column_Meeting_General_Info. html.

A familiar face to many in the Fort Bend community is Blake Greer. He recently unlocked the doors to Greer Wealth Management at 311 Morton Street in historic downtown Richmond.

Blake Greer “We hope you will visit and let us help you understand the opportunities and potential rewards that are available when you take a proactive approach to your personal financial situation,” says Greer. “Our purpose is to help you better understand the financial concepts behind insurance, investing, retirement, estate planning, and wealth preservation.”

“We’re here to help educate you about the basic concepts of financial management; to help you learn more about who we are; and to give you fast, easy access to market performance data. We hope you take advantage of this resource and visit us often.

Greer offers general securities through SWS Financial Services, Inc. and is a member of the FINRA/SIPCA.

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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NEWSWORTHY Logan Farms Honey Glazed Hams are now in Kroger stores in Richmond / Rosenberg Leave it to Fort Bend county resident Pink Logan to make it happen. America’s first low salt, honey-glazed and spiral sliced ham is now available at the Kroger stores in Richmond and Rosenberg locations. Logan Farms, a locally owned company, has been in business for over 26 years.

Effective in 2011, Kroger supermarket shoppers can visit the stores located at 8011 W. Grand Parkway South in Richmond and 24401 Brazos Town Center in Rosenberg to purchase one of the special hams during the upcoming holidays: Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Originator of the first low-salt ham, Logan Farms Honey Glazed Hams are 90% fat free - virtually unheard of for a natural bone-in ham. In addition the company has invented a Honey Glazed, Spiral Sliced, fully cooked boneless Turkey Breast and it was awarded a US Patent (#RE37,374) for this unique product.

Logan Farms’ Pink Logan now has eight franchise locations in three states. In addition to the famous Honey Glazed Hams, they offer a large assortment of delectable Gourmet Meats, Casseroles and Spiral Sliced, Honey Glazed Turkey Breasts. Logan Farms also feature a Market Cafe with a wide variety of sandwiches and homestyle plate lunches made fresh daily.

Olson recognizes local small business Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) last week attended a ribbon cutting for the expansion of Kevin Patton’s State Farm agency. Patton was recently recognized by the Central Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Alliance as Businessperson of the Year. Patton has been an asset to the chamber through his service and involvement with their mission of business development in the Fort Bend community. While in Congress, Olson has been highlighting the success of Texas business noting that half of all new private sector jobs were created in Texas.

Congressman Pete Olson reads recognition at Kevin Patton’s State Farm ribbon cutting (Kevin Patton and family pictured on right).

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Congressman Olson honored Kevin with a Congressional Congratulations: “Small businesses are the back bone of our economy and the number one employer of Americans. I congratulate Kevin Patton on receiving the distinction and honor of the Fort Bend Chamber Alliance’s Business Person of the Year in 2010. Your hard work, consistent service to the business community and service to the Chamber of Commerce, embody the spirit of being a good neighbor! I pledge to work to reduce excessive federal burdens that strain resources and prevent positive growth. Thank you for bringing pride to Richmond and the 22nd Congressional District.”

Congressman Pete Olson with local State Farm agent Kevin Patton at ribbon cutting ceremony.

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

Rabies Awareness and Prevention Sugar Land Animal Services is working in conjunction with the Department of State Health Services Zoonosis Control Branch to help promote the Spring 2011 statewide Rabies Awareness and Prevention campaign.

“Rabies is endemic in Texas,” said Animal Service Manager Kathryn Ketchum. “Skunks and bats, species native to Texas and found in Sugar Land, are the most commonly affected species.”

In an effort to raise awareness a poster contest is being launched for grades kindergarten through eighth. Designers of the top three posters will win prizes, and the winning posters will be used in a statewide bat rabies prevention campaign.

Information about the contest and prizes can be downloaded from the DSHS Zoonosis Control website at www.dshs. state.tx.us/idcu/health/zoonosis. Posters are due April 8.

The rabies virus can affect all warmblooded mammals. The virus is transmitted by saliva through a bite or scratch that has broken the skin. The top five rabies carriers in Texas are the bat, skunk, raccoon, fox and coyote. Prevention is the key -- keep pets current on their rabies vaccines -- it’s the law. Never handle any wild animals or stray animals.

LEAF seeks scholarship applicants The Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (L.E.A.F.) is seeking applicants for three $500 scholarships to be awarded to seniors at each Lamar CISD high school. Applicants must plan to pursue a degree in the field of education.

Application forms are available from the counselor’s office at Lamar, Terry and Foster high schools or at www.lcisd.org/administration/LEAF/scholarships. Completed applications must be received in the L.E.A.F. office at the Administration Building no later than April 15. Call Janice Knight at 832-223-0334 for more information.

NAMES IN THE NEWS Contract Land Staff, LLC names new CEO and COO Contract Land Staff in Stafford, a nationwide land management and right of way consulting firm, has made changes to its management team. Laurie F. Markoe, currently president and COO, has been appointed president and chief executive officer (CEO). Lee McFarlain succeeds Markoe in the role of chief operating officer (COO) in addition to his current role as CFO. Brent Leftwich, company founder and former CEO, haws moved into a consulting role as vice chairman for the CLS Board of Managers.

With more than 20 years of experience in the energy services industry, and numerous leadership positions including SVP and general manager, and COO and president for CLS, Markoe became the ideal candidate to succeed Leftwich. She joined CLS in 1998 and has been involved in every

stage of the company’s evolution.

“Since Laurie Markoe’s arrival at CLS 12 years ago, she has been a results driven leader with an exceptional ability to master new challenges, streamline operations, strengthen organizational capabilities, and inspire people to produce extraordinary results. She’s a big picture, visionary thinker and that’s just what CLS needs at this stage of its growth,” explained Leftwich.

“Lee joined CLS in 2008 as CFO and has been instrumental in strengthening CLS’s financial operations and laying the groundwork for the company’s future growth and profitability. His financial track record, proven management capabilities, operational discipline, and experience in leading companies through periods of high growth are an asset both to Laurie and to the company as a whole,” he continued.

David Chaumette honored by the State Bar of Texas and earns a “Standing Ovation” Sugar Land resident and Houston attorney David A. Chaumette was honored in March by the State Bar of Texas for his exceptional contributions in 2010 to the State Bar’s continuing legal education efforts. Chaumette received an award from TexasBarCLE, the Bar’s division for providing continuing legal education and one of the premier providers in the nation.

Patrick Nester, director of TexasBarCLE, explained the significance of the award. “All of our volunteers deserve our gratitude for contributing to the continuing education of their peers. Nevertheless, some stand out each year for extraordinary dedication and commitment. We look forward to singling out individuals that not only gave enormously to our efforts, but also were gracious, easy to work with and—oftentimes—helped us out in a real pinch.”

A member of the Continuing Legal Education committee, Chaumette consistently advocated for the importance of fostering diversity in the State Bar’s pool of volunteer speakers. As one of the course directors for last

year’s Advanced Civil Trial Course, he also presented at five courses in 2010. A creative and gifted speaker, Chaumette is known for his clear and well-organized delivery of difficult and David Chaumette technically complex material. This comment by an attendee may sum it up the best: “David is an outstanding speaker/communicator on an extremely relevant topic. Thank you for including him in the program.”

“Without volunteers,” Nester continued, “CLE from the State Bar couldn’t be nearly as high quality, as abundant, or as affordable. Attorney volunteers are the reason TexasBarCLE can claim the slogan, ‘Education by the Bar, for the Bar.’” The award, a cobalt blue obelisk, is inscribed with “A Standing Ovation for an Outstanding Volunteer of 2010.” It also bears Chaumette’s name, the logo for the TexasBarCLE, and the seal of the State Bar of Texas.

Laurie F. Markoe

“The plans for Laurie’s succession have been in place for many years. I’m proud of all that we have achieved and am confident that CLS is in extremely capable hands. With this new leadership team in place, I see great things for CLS.”

About CLS Founded in 1985, Contract Land Staff, LLC is one of the leading independent Brent Leftwich land management and right of way consultants in the United States. CLS provides a combination of land and property management solutions including right of way acquisition, consulting services, training, staffing, and land and Lee McFarlain real estate administration services. CLS’s proprietary right of way technology solutions include web-based GIS enabled CLSLiNK®, and the Virtual Right of Way Department®. Together these right of way data management solutions represent the most comprehensive land records management, tracking, and GIS digital mapping software solutions in the industry. CLS serves pipeline, utility, power and electric transmission, rail, public sector, solar and wind generation, and telecommunications clients nationwide.

For more information, visit www. contractlandstaff.com.

Sugar Land Physician Partners purchases site Sugar Land Physician Partners has purchased 4.2 acres at the northwest corner of First Colony Boulevard and Highway 59 at 16906 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land. The seller, Sugar Land Properties Inc., was represented by Don Janssen of Planned Community Developers. Kolbe Curtice of Colliers International represented the buyer.

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Sgt. Richards recognized as SLPD Officer of the Year

T

he Sugar Land Police Department’s 2010 Officer of the Year Award went to a sergeant whose leadership resulted in more than 70 arrests during a sixmonth period that ranged from illegal drugs to burglaries, thefts and dangerous weapons.

Sgt. Mike Richards leads a special impact team that coordinates department-wide resources to address vehicle burglaries in the region. Property crimes have been an area of emphasis during recent years and prompted the formation of Richards’ team.

His efforts helped SLPD achieve a 3.1 percent decrease in the 2010 crime rate.

Through a comprehensive and systematic approach, Richards’ task force utilized targeted patrols, surveillance, citizen volunteers and education to address vehicle burglaries, a problem facing cities across the nation.

“When the impact team was created, we knew success depended on finding a leader who was creative, aggressive and most of all, determined to achieve results,” said Lt. John Bauer, Richards’ supervisor. “Mike has created that results-oriented approach.

Whether his team is conducting surveillance or standing at the front doors of local businesses handing out crime prevention information, Mike is standing right there with his team to lend a helping hand.”

The 2010 Officer of the Year trophy, a replica of the Guardian statue in front of SLPD, was presented to Richards at Safari Texas Ranch on during the SLPD Employee Awards Banquet, an event attended by more

Sgt. Mike Richards

than 250 people. The SLPD Meritorious Conduct Board selected Richards based on his dedication to public safety and tremendous work ethic throughout 2010.

Feedback from citizen surveys, public forums and other areas consistently shows public safety to be a top priority of the Sugar Land community.

Richards’s team includes two full-time officers, six crime prevention officers and park officers. He often partners with surrounding agencies to expand the reach of his team. It’s not uncommon for his team’s membership to include the Fort Bend

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Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

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County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Bend County constables or police officers from Missouri City, Stafford and Fort Bend ISD. Citizen volunteers have also been important to Richards’ success. Members of SLPD’s Community Assistance Support Team (CAST) help with high visibility patrols, surveillance activities and educational outreach efforts that are important to the team’s success.

Through signage and citizen presentations, the impact team continually reminds citizens to avoid leaving valuables – including purses, electronics, GPS and other items – inside vehicles. Their message is simple, but it’s one that Richards relentlessly repeats at every opportunity: • Keep vehicles locked at all times.

• When parked overnight, remove all valuables from vehicles.

• When shopping, make one trip to the car with purchased merchandise, and then leave the lot. Thieves have been known to watch shoppers as they place merchandise in their cars before returning to a store.

• Never leave identification, wallets, credit cards or jewelry in vehicles while visiting fitness centers. Doing so is much riskier than using a locker inside the gym or leaving the items at home.

• If personal property must be left in a car, lock it in the trunk. Unfortunately, this option does not exist for pick-up trucks or SUVs. Thieves are aware that there is no secure place to store items in these types of vehicles.

• Finally, before you leave a vehicle, take a second to look inside and make sure nothing is visible from the outside that could attract a thief.

Richard’s perseverance, leadership and commitment were highlighted during his recognition as the 2010 Officer of the Year.

Others honored during the awards banquet included: • Mike Castaneda, SLPD civilian employee of the year; • Bob Milke, Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (CPAAA) volunteer of the year; • Charles Stansell, CAST volunteer of the year; and • Bauer, CPAAA Officer of the Year.

2011 Rice University Business Plan Competition offers $1 million in prizes continued from page 8

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of the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship at Rice University, which hosts the competition along with Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business. “It is also representative of what we are finding to be an increased interest in innovation and entrepreneurship in the U.S. The current economy certainly affects this as well as the willingness by the millennial generation to take risks to start their own companies. These young entrepreneurs are vital to the U.S. maintaining its technology innovation leadership and its position in the world economy.”

Seven international teams will be represented this year, hailing from the United Kingdom, India, Thailand, Brazil, Sweden and Canada.

The winner of three-day competition will ring the closing bell at NASDAQ OMX Aug. 19.

The Rice University Business Plan Competition is the world’s largest and richest graduate-level business plan competition. It is hosted and organized by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship which is Rice University’s flagship initiative devoted to the support of entrepreneurship.

This is the 11th year for the competition. In that time, it has grown from nine teams competing for $10,000 in prize money in 2001, to 42 teams from around the world competing for more than $1 million in cash and prizes. The 2011 competition title sponsor is again Insperity (formerly Administaff), the $1.7 billion “Fortune 500” company founded in Houston in 1986 and industry leader in human resource and business solutions designed to improve business performance.

Prizes this year include the $150,000 Investment Grand Prize from The GOOSE Society of Texas, the $100,000 Waste Management “Think Green” Investment Prize, the $100,000 DFJ Mercury Tech Transfer Investment Prize, and $100,000 Opportunity Houston / Greater Houston Partnership Technology Prize, the $100,000 Opportunity Houston / Greater Houston Partnership Life Science Prize, the $100,000 Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers (KPCB) Prize for CleanTech Innovation, and the $75,000 OWL Investment Prize.

In 2011, applications increased nearly 20% from the previous year. More than 100 corporate and private sponsors support the business plan competition. Venture capitalists and other investors from around the country volunteer their time to judge the competition, with the majority of the 250+ judges coming from the investment sector. More than 100 past competitors have gone on to successfully launch their business and are still in business today, raising in excess of $327 million in funding.

281-565-2222 Jay Harris President

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cbsolutions@callmykate.com or call 888-445-8609 April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Advertising

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Fort Bend Business Journal 281-690-4200 www.fortbendstar.com Fort Bend’s ONLY business publication.

Fort Bend Focus - 281-690-4242 www.fortbendfocus.com Fort Bend’s ONLY feature magazine Direct mailed to almost 40,000 homes every month in Fort Bend’s most affluent subdivisions.

Fort Bend Star - 281-690-4200 www.fortbendstar.com We have been delivering a free community newspaper to homes throughout Fort Bend County longer than ANY OTHER Newspaper.

Auto Repair / Maintenance Auto Central-Automotive Service & Sales 281-499-9684 www.autocentral.biz david@autocentral.biz. David Fauvelle, 2526 Fifth Street, Stafford, Texas 77477, Fax: 281-499-0183, Fast, friendly and professional automotive repair.

AAA approved auto repair.

Charlton’s Body Repair - 281-499-1126 www.charltonsbodyrepair.com.

Chuck Charlton, 1131 Staffordshire @ 5th St., Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-499-1694, Complete collision repair. Frame & Unibody straightened.

Expert computer color matching. Custom painting & pin stripping. Honest service. 79 Years Strong and 3 Generations Proud!

Colony One Auto Center - 281-980-4440 www.colonyoneauto.com Rod Tate, 1131 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-261-0048, Complete state of the art automotive repair & maintenance facility.

First Tire & Automotive - 281-313-2886 www.firsttireandauto.com Craig Popp, owner,3 Sugar Land Locations. 960 Eldridge, 281-313-2886 & 2303 Williams Trace Blvd. 281-9802666 (First Colony), 20015 Southwest Freeway.

281-343-5666 (Greatwood), Diagnostic testing and evaluation, Manufacturer’s routine recommended maintenance, domestic and foreign vehicle repairs, AAA approved, ASE certified. Ask about our Fleet Service!

Banks Founders Bank - 281-325-5000 www.foundersbanktx.com Email: customerservice@foundersbanktx.com.

Fax: 281-325-5050. Fort Bend County only.

Locally owned and managed bank. 4690 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land 77479 The State Bank of Texas - 281-494-6686 www.tsbot.com nbb@tsbot.com. Nicki Black, 13010 Murphy Road, Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-494-6747, , Locally and independently owned - our prime interest is you!

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Sterling Bank - Fort Bend - 281-277-0100 12840 Southwest Freeway, Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-277-0223, Serving owneroperated businesses with local decision makers.

Blinds / Window Coverings Budget Blinds - 281-416-8499 www.budgetblinds.com bdimmitt@budgetblinds.com. Bob Dimmitt, 1306 FM 1092, Suite 401, Missouri City, TX 77459, Fax: 832-220-8051, Custom window coverings, personal style consultant, “expert fit” measuring and installation.

Home Health Care Texas State Healthcare 281-208-4344 www.txstatehealthcare.com What we do: Skilled Nursing - Home Health Aide Physical/Speech/Occupational Therapies - Medical Social Worker assisting with durable medical equipment needs and helping to provide Resources & Services in the Community - Wound Care - Catheter Care - Diabetic Care Lab Services - IV Therapy and more... “Hometown Nurses Helping Hometown People”

Insurance Agencies Country Clubs Riverbend Country Club 281-269-2526 www.riverbendcountryclub.org triciarbcc@gmail.com. Tricia Hawks, 1214 Dulles Avenue, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Conveniently located in the heart of Sugar Land, Riverbend Country Club is just 25 minutes south of downtown Houston, Texas.

Established in 1957, Riverbend continues its tradition as Fort Bend County’s only member owned club.

Whether you’re looking for championship golf, fine dining, pools, tennis, fitness facilities or a wide variety of social and golf activities Riverbend is definitely the place to belong.

The Houstonian Golf & Country Club 281-494-4245 www.houstoniangolf.com Nicole Scarbrough, Membership Private golf & country club, *Limited membership available.

Insurance Solutions of Texas 281-565-2222 • 281-341-5060 www.insurancesolutionsoftexas.com Jay Harris, Auto, Home, Business, Flood Insurance.

14140 Southwest Freeway, Suite 150, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. 281-565-2222, Fax 281-565-3333.

2515 Ave. H, Rosenberg, Texas 77471. 281-341-5060, Fax 281-341-5558.

Jewelers The Gold Connection Jewelers 281-344-9900 • We Buy Gold www.goldconnection.net Full service jewelry store. Diamonds, Gold & Silver Jewelry and Watches. Repairs done on the premises.

Custom design are our specialty. Front door parking.

206 Hwy 90A, Richmond, Texas 77406.

Locksmith Fire Extinguisher Service Gillen Fire Extinguisher Service Commercial/Residential 281-342-6969 www.GillenServices.com Gillen Fire Extinguisher Service provides a full line of fire extinguisher inspections, sales and services, as well as lighted exit sign inspections and service.

Our highly trained staff can even provide fire extinguisher training for your employees. For all of your safety needs, call Gillen Fire Extinguisher.

Financial Products & Services Sugar Creek Financial Group - 281-565-2266 www.sugarcreekgroup.com robroy@windstream.net. Robert H. Roy, ChFC, Fax: 281-565-2277, 12946 Dairy Ashford #430, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Life, Health, Pensions, Investments for businesses and individuals.

Golf Carts / Mobility Scooters CBC Golf Cart Services, Inc. - 281-494-1164 Scooters by CBC - 281-494-3454 www.cbcgolfcarts.com chris1001@windstream.net, 203 Ulrich Street, Sugar Land, TX 77498 (Behind Imperial Sugar).

CBC offers Sales, Service, New & Used, Rentals and Parts for two lines of products, GOLF CARTS and MOBILITY SCOOTERS. Authorized Dealer for Fairplay and Pride Mobility products. fax 281-494-1189

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

B&B Locksmiths • 281-392-5500 www.bandblocksmiths.com. bblocksmiths@consolidated.net. 624 S. Mason Rd., Katy, TX 77450, Fax 281-395-5625. Full service locksmith including safe sales & service: Commercial, Residential, and Automotive.

Magazine Fort Bend Business Journal • 281-690-4200 www.fortbendstar.com Fort Bend’s ONLY business publication. Reaching over 10,000 businesses monthly. The place to advertise to teach the vital Fort Bend County business community.

Fort Bend Focus - 281-690-4242 Pearland Focus - 281-690-4242 Focus on Women - 281-690-4242 www.fortbendfocus.com Fort Bend’s ONLY feature magazine Direct mailed to almost 40,000 homes every month in Fort Bend’s most affluent subdivisions.

Medical Billing Complete Business Solutions 1-888-445-8609 cbsolutions@callmykate.com www.cbsbillingservices.com Complete Business Solutions, the medical billing professionals, is dedicated to improving your cash flow results. Our goals include: lower billing costs, savings of up to 50% by outsourcing with us, reduced

Nails P&L Nails – Sugar Land • 281-277-5072 PL Nails – Sienna Plantation • 281-778-8558 PL Nails - Katy • 281-347-1122 www.plnails.com Providing the most luxurious service available, PL Nails has Fort Bend county covered with locations in Sugar Land, Sienna Plantation, and Katy. Whether it be nails, body waxing, massage, or lots more, the expertly trained staff at PL Nails is committed to making your experience most pleasurable! Located at 4777 Sweetwater Blvd in the Kroger Shopping Center, Sugar Land, 281-277-5072. Located at 8880 Hwy 6 South, Suite 110 in the HEB Center, Missouri City, 281-778-8558. Located at 25681 Nelson Way in the HEB Center near Katy Mills Mall, Katy, 281-347-1122.

Newspaper Fort Bend Star 281-690-4200 www.fortbendstar.com We have been delivering a free community newspaper to homes throughout Fort Bend County longer than ANY OTHER Newspaper.

Open MRI Upright MRI of Sugar Land 281-494-0505 www.mri911.com CLAUSTROPHOBIC? Upright MRI is the only True OPEN MRI in Sugar Land. We scan patients standing, sitting, or lying down. For the first time, patients can be scanned in weight-bearing postures and in their position of pain.

It is ideal for patients who have difficulty lying down due to respiratory or cardiac problems. Mention this ad and receive $25 off your first scan. 2655 Cordes Drive #150, Sugar Land, 77479.

Open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Optometrists Elissa R. Wedemeyer O.D., FCOVD, F.A.A.O 281-499-2600 www.drwedemeyer.com 6026 Hwy. 6 Missouri City, TX 77459. Therapeutic Optometrist, in house optical with a large selection of frames and contact lenses, medical management of eye infections and diseases.

Pediatric Therapy MedCare Pediatric Group, LP • 713-773-5100 www.medcarepediatrics.com Occupational, Physical, Speech Therapy at home or at Rehab Center located at 12371 S. Kirkwood, Stafford, TX 77477. We also provide in home nursing services.

All services available in Houston and surrounding counties.)

Pest Control - Commercial / Residential Gillen Pest Control 281-342-6969 - Fort Bend 979-532-5701 - Wharton www.GillenPestControl.com Family owned and operated in Fort Bend and Wharton Counties since 1963, Gillen Pest Control’s highly trained professionals know where bugs hide, what their eating and breeding habits are, and how to get rid of them. They try to avoid the use of chemicals inside by working with you to create a barrier on the outside of your home or business, thus keeping those unwanted pests at bay. From the first time we visit your home or business, you will recognize we are no ordinary pest control company!

Pharmacies Ed’s Pharmacy 281-499-4555 Ed Sziy, 3740 Cartwright, Missouri City, TX 77459, Fax: 281-499-7088.

Physicians Immunizations & Drug Testing IMU Southwest, The IMUnization Clinic 281-313-7468 www.IMUnizationclinic.org imusouthwest@windstream.net. 3727 Greenbriar Dr. Suite 403, Stafford, TX 77477- Vaccines for children and adults for school, fertility, work, immigration, or travel needs. Daytime, Evening, and Saturday hours and no wait appointments available. Vaccine titers and Drug Testing for individuals or corporations. Certified Drug Testing Center & CDC Designated Yellow Fever Provider. We perform oral HIV testing also. Mobile on-site clinics available for churches and corporations.

Printers / Graphics Star Printing - 281-690-4200 www.fortbendstar.com We professionally design and print flyers, postcards, brochures, magazines, newspapers and catalogs in high-quality digital graphics.

Real Estate / Residential Colliers International, formerly Curtice Commercial Real Estate 281-494-4769 kcurtice@curticecommercial.com. Kolbe M. Curtice, CCIM, CLS, 15999 City Walk Suite 250, Sugar Land Square located at U.S. Highway 59 and State Highway 6, Fax: 281-494-3227, Brokerage, Development, Investment & Tenant Representation, 25 yrs exp. in Fort Bend.

Riverstone Development Co. 281-499-8700 www.riverstone.com tom@riverstone.com. Tom Wilcox, 4855 Riverstone Blvd, Missouri City, Texas 77459, Fax: 281-499-8704, Luxury waterside living in Fort Bend from $200s to the many millions.

Jeanne Gregory, CRS, GRI 281-344-8918 www.jeannegregory.com jeannegregory@earthlink.net.

14905 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77478, Fax: 281-242-6754, Re/Max Southwest.

Residential real estate sales & corporate relocation.

Jennifer Weaver, ABR, CRS, GRI 281-207-5037 www.jenniferweaver.com RE/MAX Southwest, 14905 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. Residential sales and corporate relocation since 1979.

Janet Williams, Realtor 832.724.4894 Realm Real Estate Professional www.har.com/jlwilliams janetw4co@yahoo.com 14090 Southwest Frwy, Ste 102. Sugar Land, TX 77478, It’s a great time to buy a HUD foreclosure with FHA financing because you just pay $100 down payment + closing cost. Call for details. Providing services for buyers, sellers, renters. Also specialize in short sales for residential and commercial.

Remodeling / Outdoor Living Living Improvements 281-499-7000 www.living-improvements.com AWARD WINNING - 2010 Houston’s BEST “Outdoor Living Space” Living Improvements’ commitment to excellence makes us the perfect fit for your building needs. We have over 200 years cumulative in-house experience in the remodeling and construction industry making us highly skilled, professional and detail oriented striving to exceed our customer’s expectations. We feature outdoor living spaces, custom homes, interior and exterior renovations. Our commitment to excellence is just one of the reasons we have over 4,000 satisfied customers.

SERVING FORT BEND & SURROUNDING COUNTIES FOR OVER 35 YEARS

Staffing / Recruiting / Job Seeking Technical ProSource Meeting Your IT Staffing Needs 713-272-8800 www.TechnicalProSource.com Serving Fort Bend companies since 1989 by providing all levels of IT personnel, contract, contract to hire and direct-hire. We are the IT experts! To save our clients time we offer Video Resumes which allow you to move faster through the interview process.

Recognized in Forbes magazine as a leading Staffing Firm Provider. Recognized in Texas Monthly as Most Dependable Staffing Firm and voted Best of Staffing by CareerBuilder. We look forward to helping with your staffing needs.

Video Services Star Video Digital Production Services, 281-690-4280 Full-service video taping, editing and special effects for your business. Professional writing to finished commercials, training DVD’s, and corporate videos.

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

rejection rates, faster payment of claims, average of 14 days response. To find out more about this and other services, visit our website for a FREE practice analysis and 50% off the initial set-up fee.

FOOD, DRINK, ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE WHERE TO EAT NOW - The following is a list of exceptional restaurants throughout in Fort Bend County & Katy Area. Prices reflect the average cost of a three-course dinner for one person, excluding drinks, tax and tip. $$$$=Very Expensive ($60 & Up). $$$=Expensive ($40-$60). $$=Moderate ($20-$40). $=Inexpensive (Under $20) . FB=Full Bar. WB=Serves Wine & Beer.

Aristotle Grill The Greeks have landed in Sugar Land! Owner Hamid Panah and his staff have just opened on the corner of Hwy 6 and Hwy 59 providing the best Greek dishes in the area! Everything from appetizers to traditional Greek salads, to plates specials and traditional Gyro sandwiches, Chicken Shawarma & Kafte Kabobs, this is the place for a nice, relaxed atmosphere and elegant Greek dining! Aristotle Grill also caters employee lunches, business meetings, and corporate gatherings. Their goal is to leave their guests impressed! Open 7 days, Sun-Thurs 11 am -9 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am -10 pm.

2109-B Highway 6 @ Highway 59 South, Sugar Land. 281-277-7787. $ WB AURA Restaurant Chef/Owner Frédéric Perrier brings over 30 years experience to his newest venture - AURA. In an upscale yet casually comfortable setting, Innovative American Cuisine reigns and is highlighted in the numerous Daily Specials. AURA features only the finest, freshest ingredients. From Lunch Salads & Sandwiches to Dinner with Crabcakes and Filet Au Poivre to Diver Sea Scallops with Boneless Braised Short Rib ‘Surf & Turf’ appetizers and Farm Raised Chilean Sea Bass. No need to go to Houston or into Sugar Land for truly high quality dining experience... you will easily find it at AURA (without ‘Big Restaurant’ prices!) at Township Square - Missouri City. Lunch Mon-Sat 11-2.

Dinner Mon-Thurs 5-9 and Fri-Sat 5-10. Please call for Reservations &/or Catering ~ 3400 FM 1092, 81-403-AURA (2872). $$ • WB

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Candelari’s Pizzeria Albert Candelari began making sausage over 50 years ago. As the years have passed the flavor remains the same, which is why Candelari’s is the “King of Sausages”! They take that delicious Italian sausage and put it in pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches.

Enjoy appetizers, salads, pastas, sandwiches, pizzas and desserts in there dining room, large patio, or full bar with large screen TV’s. Happy hour is Monday - Thursday 3 to 7pm. This casual dining experience is available at two locations in Fort Bend. Call either location for take-out or delivery.

7425 Hwy 6 S (Just North of Sienna) 832-9470440 / 6825 S Fry Rd (Fry & 99) 281-395-6746. www.candelaris.com. $ • FB

Fernando’s Latin Cuisine We are pleased to announce the arrival of Fernando’s Latin Cuisine-An exotic culinary adventure! Started by, Fernando Echeverria, the same owner of Los Andes by the Compact Center in Houston-Another wonderful Latin American restaurant. Fernando’s Latin Cuisine is located in the same building where Ruth’s Chris used to be. Featured dishes include Empanadas appetizer, Fileton, (Filet mignon) and Asada Y Camarones, Casually called the surf and turf. 14135 Southwest Freeway, in Sugar Land. 281-494-9087. wwww. fernandosrestaurants.com. $$ • FB

Charlie’s Restaurants and Catering, Poboys and Grill Two locations in Fort Bend. Cajun home cooked food. The “special” plate is a favorite with a choice of one meat, two sides and a roll. The meat choices range from brisket, sausage, and meat loaf, to baked chicken, turkey/dressing, ham, salisbury steak and spaghetti/meatballs. Home made desserts are a favorite feature. Catering is available for large to small functions, banquets, corporate or organization luncheons/dinners. 4719 Lexington @ Dulles, 281-499-0808 and 1250 Texas Parkway, 281-499-2233. $

Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen Since 1993, we strive to provide the highest quality Mexican food at the lowest price possible. Gringo’s offers dine-in, take out and customized catering to fit your needs. Open Sun-Thurs: 11am – 9pm and Fri-Sat: 11am – 10pm. Join us for Happy Hour (Mon-Fri: 2pm – 6pm) with $2.99 Margaritas and $1 Draft Beers. Some favorites include the Pollo Marisco, Smokin’ BBQ Pork Quesadillas, Sizzling Fajitas and Silver Star Margaritas. Located at 12330 Southwest Freeway in Stafford (59S & W Airport).

281-980-7482 (RITA) gringosmexicankitchen.com. $ • FB

Chef for You Offers take out dinners prepared from scratch by professional chefs. Online ordering; Customized Catering Menus Available; Corporate Catering for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Homemade Cakes, Cookies, and Brownies; Soups and Salads.

New menus offered each week at www.chef4u.net • 9920 Highway 90-A, Suite B-260, Sugar Land • 281-313-CHEF (2433). $

Hickory Barn BAR-B-Q The Kiddy Brothers came to Houston with great BBQ on their minds. The first BBQ restaurant opened in 1953. Since then the family owned and operated business has been serving up great BBQ. Although times have changed, our idea of great BBQ hasn’t. Come by and see us. Catering available. • 11534 Wilcrest @ W. Belfort. 281530-9382. $

Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

J & L Café Homestyle Cookin’ like Grandma used to make!

Joy Smith and Paul Jordan are back, and they’re cooking up a delightful assortment of homemade dishes to satisfy the heartiest of appetites. Since they opened their new restaurant, they’ve been serving up family recipes handed down for 3 generations.

Stop by J & L Café and enjoy Chicken and Dumplings, Smothered Oxtails, Meatloaf, Ribs, Fried Catfish, Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Okra, and Cornbread Dressing, to name just a few menu items and daily specials. The assortment of Desserts includes Peach Cobbler, Cheesecake and Banana Pudding, all guaranteed to make your taste buds smile! Joy Smith, co-proprietor, worked as Personal Chef to Former Houston Juneor Lee Brown for many years. Whole Cornish Hens are available on Sundays. Breakfast served TuesdaySaturday 6-9am, Open for Lunch and Dinner Tuesday-Sunday, Closed Mondays. 1110 FM 2234 on the border of Stafford & Missouri City. 281499-9895. $ Karl’s At The Riverbend Romantic Dining in the Country, across the creek from a horse farm. Swiss Chef Karl Camenzind’s menu features Angus steaks, Prime Rib, Wienerschnitzel, Trout Almondine and other fresh fish, Rack of Lamb, Steak and other wild game, Atkins specials, a budget weeknight menu offered along with the regular menu, plus a wonderful Sunday Brunch Buffet.

Company Luncheons and Rehearsal Dinners invited. Open Tues-Sat for Dinner and Sunday Brunch 5011 FM 723 Richmond 281-238-9300 www.karlsrb.com Read our reviews at www.b4-ueat.com. $$ • FB La Magia Cafe & Pizza If you are looking for casual dinning with an easy atmosphere then La Magia is just the place for you!

La Magia Café & Pizza recipes and menu are based on almost 30 years of Italian cooking. The dishes served at La Magia are prepared and cooked in the traditional Italian way, using fresh ingredients and herbs, giving them a home cooked flavor since 1980. In addition to authentic Italian cooking, La Magia offers popular American dishes. The pizzas are made with medium crust and cooked in a stone oven. This cooking process gives the dough a slow rise, for a true pizza flavor. All meals are prepared with extra virgin olive oil and

the freshest ingredients and herbs. Open 7 days, Sun-Thurs 11 am -9 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am -10 pm.

Lunch menu specials Mon – Fri. 3699 Highway 6 @ Settlers Way Blvd, Sugar Land. 281-5650366. $ WB Las Haciendas Mexican Bar & Grill Santos Escobar and his brother Ascension Escobar serve up dozens of heaping traditional gourmet Mexican plates. Lunch Specials run weekdays from 11am - 3pm. Great margaritas, fajitas and much more. Catering available as well as a party room for private parties. • 12821 Southwest Freeway. 281-240-3060. $ • FB Lupitas Mexican Restaurant Jaime and Lupe Garcia have lived in Fort Bend for 36 years. Twenty-three of those years have been spent in the restaurant business. If you want authentic Mexican food made from only the freshest ingredients and at a reasonable price, go to Lupitas Mexican Restaurant formerly Pico De Gallo Mexican Restaurant. The Garcias continually concentrate on customer satisfaction.

That includes the quality and freshness of their food as well as the family atmosphere of their restaurant. Dine-In, Take-out, and Catering available. 3121 Highway 6, Sugar Land • Call 281-265-6556. $ • WB Mantra Fine Indian Cuisine Discover India with exotic spices and aromatic flavors that will awaken your taste buds and lift you off your feet, we will make you feel like royalty. Mantra Fine Indian Cuisine offers Lunch Buffet and To-Go lunch options, that’s in your budget and leave you to come back for more. Mantra caters to all from spicy hot to mild flavors. We prepare our meals fresh and offer a wide selection of healthy choices. We have full menu and full bar and you can enjoy the evening out on our patio with your family or friends. Mantra also offers special catering promotions for parties and formal functions or any event any size, host in our restaurant or choosing of your choice. Hours of Operation: Monday through Thursday, Friday to Sunday, Lunch: 11a.m. to 2:30p.m. Lunch: 11a.m. to 2:30p.m. Dinner: 5:30pm to 10p.m. Dinner: 5:30pm to 11p.m.Come visit us at 15295 Southwest Freeway off of Williams Trace exit.

For more information, contact us at 281-3250071 or visit www.mantraofsugarland.com. $$ • FB

Old Hickory Inn Barbecue More than 40 years in business in the Houston and Fort Bend area, Old Hickory Inn Barbecue is famous for their Old Fashion Hickory Smoked Barbecue and numerous Homemade Side Dishes, made fresh daily. They are available to cater your next event, for up to 3000 guests. In addition to great Barbecue, they make an awesome Gyro (Greek wrap featuring beef & lamb), and feature fruit cobbler, cream pies, rice pudding and cheesecake for dessert A casual dining experience in 3 convenient locations, with a drive-through window at the Highway 6 location. Open 7 days a week, Sunday-Thursday from 11am-9pm, and Friday & Saturday 11am-9:30pm. 3334 F.M. 1092 @ Hwy 6 Missouri City 281-499-8904 / 8000 Hwy 6 @ Beechnut 281-983-5020 / 5427 S. Braeswood @ Chimney Rock 713-723-8908. $ • WB Outback Steakhouse Inspired by Australia’s spirit of adventure, Outback Steakhouse has been an innovator in the culinary world by creating big, bold flavors using only the freshest ingredients. Voted #1 Best Steak in the 2009 Zagat Survey of National Full-Service Restaurant chains, Outback’s mission is to provide high quality fresh dishes at affordable prices.

Explore Outback’s new menu with 15 meals under $15 including new choices, classic favorites and down under prices starting at $9.95. Our favorites include the Bloomin’ Onion®, Outback Special Sirloin with Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie, Honey Dijon Chicken with Sweet Potato Fries and much more! The local Proprietor is Anthony Antonidis.

Open Mon.- Thur. 4-10 pm, Fri. 4-11 pm, Sat. 3-11 pm, Sun 11 am-9:30 pm. Located at 15253 Southwest Freeway, (Off Highway 59 and Williams Trace Exit) in Sugar Land, Texas. 281-980-4329. $ FB Panda Garden Panda Garden Restaurant, the three times winner for Best Oriental Restaurant in Fort Bend County, located at 3563 Highway 6 in Kroger Center, provides a warm, casual environment to best service all diners. The goal of our restaurant is to offer 100% satisfactory to the customers with variety selection of popular Hunan Cuisine. “We offer fresh, made from scratch meals that is unforgettably delicious!” Manager Kenny adds. The restaurant offers accommodations for small group meetings continued on page 64

April 2011 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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FOOD, DRINK, ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE continued from page 63 and wonderful party tray for catering to the near by businesses and schools. Panda Garden is open 7 days a week on Mon. – Sat.: 11a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sun. 11a.m. – 9:30p.m. Delivery is available everyday with a min. of $15.00 purchase. A lunch special is offered daily as well as the full regular menu offerings. 3563 Hwy 6 @ Williams Trace, 281-265-0303. $ • WB Post Oak Grill Restaurant & Bar The Rios Family invites you to come and experience the same quality, ambiance and service that you have at the original Post Oak Gill. Join us for a wonderful culinary adventure featuring fine center-

cut steaks, chops, fresh seafood, soups, sandwiches, salads, and outstanding wine selection. Open lunch & dinner - Monday-Thursday 11:00-9:00pm, Friday & Saturday 11:00-10:00pm. Happy Hour 3:00-6:00pm. 4524 Highway 6, Sugar Land • Call 281-491-2901. www.postoakgrillsugarland.com $$ • FB Sandy McGee’s Restaurant & Catering The “BEST” soups, gourmet sandwiches and salads in TEXAS. Casual Dining in Historic Downtown Richmond. Sandy McGee’s has a sterling reputation for “FRESH”. Mon.-Fri. 10am-9pm and Sat.Sun. 10am-3pm. 314 Morton St., Richmond. 281344-9393. $

Tornado Burger Home of the famous Spicy Burger. Find out why Houston’s largest newspaper raves about their burgers! Read the review by the Houston Chronicle at: http://blogs.chron.com/cookstour/ archives/2007/09/burgerology.html. They make their burgers with fresh-ground chuck, and even their buns are handmade! The French fries are fresh Idaho potatoes cut right in front of you and fried to order! They compete with the multinationals with fresh food at low prices and very fast service. Their Philly Cheesesteaks are as good as Pat’s if not better! Open Mon. - Sat. 11am-10pm, Sun. 11am-9pm. Dine-In or DriveThru. 505 Murphy Rd (FM 1092) just south of Hwy 90 in Stafford, 281-403-FAST (3278). $

To Advertise Meet & Eat Food Drink Entertainment Guide Call Barbara at 281-690-4201 or email at barbara@fortbendstar.com

Real estate agents that SELL HOMES advertise them in The Star H Local Agent H Local Advertising H Local Results

281.690.4200 4655 Techniplex Dr. Suite 300 • Stafford, TX 77477

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Fort Bend Business Journal • April 2011

FIND YOUR NEXT CAR Search new and used car inventories online - easy, simple, fast

See some of the ads in print in the Star every week.

back pain? neck pain?

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