December 2012 - The Business Lifestyle Magazine Digital Edition by Fort Bend Business Journal

Volume 30 â&#x20AC;˘ No. 12

THE BUSINESS LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

December 2012

Mercy Grant, Compassionate and Going Above and Beyond Mercy Grant, RN Owner of Mercyfull Home Health, Inc.

INSIDE STORIES

Will Rogers On Real Estate CNG Stations Coming to Katy, Rosenberg Cultural Arts Revival in Rosenberg Fort Bend Newsworthy & Names in the News Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter Data Beat Information 4.95

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December 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ Fort Bend Business Journal

Editor’s Preview

by Sharon Wallingford

Curtain closes on MMXII

MXII was a leap year that ignited on a Sunday and concludes on a Monday. It’s the 12th year of the third millennium and of the 21st century, and the third of the 2010s. As the sun sets on 2012 in Fort Bend County we can be thankful for our continued pace in job growth, residential and commercial sales, excellent public and private educational opportunities, healthcare and medical breakthroughs, ample employment and business opportunities, and the recreation and entertainment sources we so enjoy and almost take for granted. Because our county is so diverse, global news touched us in some way each day of 2012. Iran suspended oil exports to Britain and France following sanctions put in place by the European Union and the United States in January. Greek government debt crisis: Eurozone finance ministers reached an agreement on a second, €130-billion Greekbailout. Arab Spring: As a result of ongoing protests, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh was succeeded by Vice President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Al-Hadi in February. In March, after 244 years since its first publication, the Encyclopædia Britannica discontinued its print edition. During the second quarter, from May to August the 2012 World Expo took place in Yeosu, South Korea. Mid year, Tokyo Skytree, the tallest self-supporting tower in the world at 634 metres high, opened to the public. The century’s second and last solar transit of Venus occurred. China became the third country, after the United States and Russia, to successfully perform a space mission. July brought us the 2012 Summer Olympics held in London, United Kingdom. In the worst power outage in world history, the 2012 India blackouts left 620 million people without power. In September, Canada

officially cut diplomatic ties with Iran by closing its embassy in Tehran and ordered the expulsion of Iranian diplomats from Ottawa, over support for Syria, nuclear plans and human rights abuses. And a series of terrorist attacks are directed against United States diplomatic missions worldwide. In the US, opinions are divided over whether the attacks are a reaction to a Youtube trailer for the film Innocence of Muslims. In Libya, it yields to fatalities. In October, Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner became the first person to break the sound barrier without any machine assistance during a record space dive over Roswell, New Mexico. The skies darkened when Hurricane Sandy killed at least 109 people in the United States and Canada. November brought peace talks to Israel and Garza leaders and political elections across the states. This month is marked by The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, notably used by the preColumbian Mayan civilization among others, completing a “great cycle” of thirteen b’ak’tuns (periods of 144,000 days each) since the Mesoamerican creation date of the calendar’s current era and the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ends. So as we awake to 2013, let’s set our goals high and maintain a momentum that is typical or surpassing all records for Fort Bend County. Let our inside features guide you to setting new marks in healthcare, discovering what the real fiscal cliff is all about, taking another look at how the arts and newly found friendships can create sound economic gain, new solutions to taxes, and how revisiting with the late Will Rogers can become a tool to better understand our growth cycles.. Keep the cash register ringing. Sharon K. Wallingford

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

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

Jacqueline Baly Chaumette President and CEO Baly Projects, LLC

Dee Koch Grant Officer The George Foundation

Becky Munnell President and CEO Blue Jungle Marketing

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

Tim Stubenrouch President First Community Bank

John Whitmore Whitmore Company

Contact: Barbara Carlson Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com 281.690.4204 - Direct Sharon K. Wallingford Sharon@FortBendBusinessJournal.com 281.690.4200 - Office

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CONTENTS

Fort Bend/Katy

Cover Story

Volume 30 • Number 12 • December 2012 For subscriptions send check for $25 to Fort Bend Business Journal

Mercy Grant, a woman committed to helping others, is a leader in Home Healthcare

pg.

Inside Stories

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

Stop business crises before they create havoc........................................................................ 8 Condensed Natural Gas (CNG) stations coming to Katy & Rosenberg..........................10 Golden Age makes its appearance in Katy.............................................................................12 Big Shots - Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance Celebration Ball..................................14 Fort Bend Family Health Center in now AccessHealth........................................................16 Methodist receives Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award...............................................18

GENERAL MANAGER............Michael Fredrickson

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER . ..............Barbara Carlson

EDITOR ...........................................Sharon Wallingford

MARKETING CONSULTANTS.................Diane Strehl Ann Sturrock

Texas Instruments announces plans to build new business in Sugar Land..................22 BMC remedy improves quality of service for State’s official website..............................28 Cultural Arts Revival comes to Downtown Rosenberg........................................................30 How to detect & protect against workplace bullying...........................................................42 Sister cities across the globe bring dual economic development....................................50 Fort Bend Chamber hosts Harris County Judge Ed Emmett

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST.........................................Becky Hall

CONTRIBUTOR ............................... John Graham Wayne Chandler Rakesh Malhotra Nancy Olson

at Government Relations Division Luncheon.........................................................................55

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

Monthly Columns

Alan Sandersen Tax Smart

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

Discusses Are Structural Deficits the Real Fiscal Cliff?............................. 17

Kolbe Curtice CCIM, CLS Commercial Real Estate

Discusses Will Rogers On Real Estate............. 15

Elsa Maxey Star Digital Studios Discusses We're in the Digital Age... so where's your Video?................... 21

Monthly Departments Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter...................................................33-40 Newsworthy ......................................................................................................43-47 Names in the News...........................................................................................48-49 Data Beat...........................................................................................................56-59 Service Directory...............................................................................................60-62 Meet & Eat - Food, Drink & Entertainment Guide............................................62-63

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

ON THE COVER Mercy Grant, RN Owner of Mercyfull Home Health, Inc.

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A guide to saving your corporate neck

Stop business crises before they create havoc By John Graham

erhaps even more than the lure of money, optimism dominates the entrepreneurial mind. Whether it’s well grounded or not, every business enterprise is fueled by it. “During the Great Recession, more Americans have become entrepreneurs than at any time in the past 15 years,” states the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity. Even with the nation’s economy in a persistent slump, more individuals opted for business ownership. As history tells us, many of these fledgling enterprises will fail. Yet, even taking the step to “go out on your own” is an act of incredible optimism, particularly since others often talk about “going into business” but never act. It shouldn’t be surprising that any talk about a downside is intolerable to the entrepreneurial spirit. Optimism trumps all challenges, including recessions. While a positive attitude is essential in business, ignoring the downside can spell trouble and even worse –– and the best way to avoid crises is to head them off before they take their toll. Even more to the point, failing to think about the unthinkable is not a plan. Halloween, as we all know, has become the nation’s second biggest holiday event. In 2011, the Massachusetts-based 54-store retailer, iParty, was more than ready, having rented extra space in malls. Then came a major storm that wrecked sales. Having gone through this devastating experience, it was somewhat surprising that the retailer was not better prepared for Halloween 2012 when hurricane Sandy wiped out sales. Although management evidently considered buying business interruption insurance, it dropped the idea due to the cost, as reported by The Boston Business Journal. CEO Sal Perisano said they “hoped lightning would not strike twice.” The company’s future remains in question. One of the best ways to think about the

unthinkable is to ask “what if” questions. Here are a dozen worth considering. • What if we outlive our value? It can and does happen. Even though we see it in other enterprises, John Graham we have great difficulty in recognizing it in ourselves. While a “nothing can stop us” attitude is both commendable and useful, it’s easy for companies to blind themselves to a creeping loss of relevance. It’s prudent that every business ask, “What should we do to make sure we never outlive our value?” • What if we drag our feet with technology? It seems as if the vast majority of small- to medium-sized businesses are close to clueless about their customers. They act as if customer data is unrelated to their success, let alone their continued existence. Even though they may accumulate customer data, they’re totally ignorant of how to take advantage of it and leverage technology to better target customer preferences, buying cycle stage and sales opportunities. In effect, they send an unavoidable message: “We don’t care about our customers.” What these businesses don’t “get” is that customers know when they are being ignored and taken for granted. • What if a new competitor moves in on us? Between believing “nothing can stop us” and failing to probe the competitive landscape, it’s easy to be blindsided, to wake up one morning and say, “We have a problem.” Staying on the offensive is critical, but having a defensive strategy is equally important. Getting caught off guard can lead to negative consequences. • What if we lose a major supplier? You may think certain vendors love you. Perhaps. But just remember: “Love is blind.” Far too often, businesses see what they want to see –– and then it’s too late. Nothing is forever, so make sure your options are always lined up. • What if we don’t know what we don’t know? Businesses are often “closed systems,”

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

more akin to “solitary confinement” than they are to classrooms. Employees know the topics that are “off limits” to open discussion, while “impenetrable walls” guard against the threat of fresh ideas. In it such a stultifying atmosphere is it any wonder that companies fail to meet new challenges and opportunities? • What if a key person leaves? Count on it because it always happens. It will be the one who’s “indispensable,” the one “we can’t do without.” But that actually may be the person who specializes in maintaining the status quo, who impedes change, who makes it difficult for the business to make the right moves. When the indispensable person makes an exit, the door of opportunity opens wide. • What if our market changes? Acknowledging change is like pushing a boulder up a mountain, particularly when it involves critical business issues. It isn’t easy. GM did it for decades and Research in Motion had to hit the ropes before admitting they were faced with a life threatening problem. • What if we have a serious problem that impacts our customers? Plan on it. It will occur. That’s why having a plan ready is absolutely necessary. And, by the way, denial is not a plan, neither is trying to put a “spin” on it or hiding from the media –– “no comment” doesn’t make the cut. That leaves one option if you want to be viewed as credible and put it behind you as quickly as possible: being candid and clear, i.e., tell the truth. It’s the stuff of which trust is made. • What if marketing and sales don’t get along? Unfortunately, “sacred silos” are alive and well when it comes to marketing and sales. In a recent Corporate Visions survey, two-thirds of the responding companies “struggle” with collaborative efforts between marketing and sales. One solution for overcoming this pervasive problem may be marketing automation technologies that allow flexible, response-appropriate actions based on where the customer is at the moment so data flows

seamlessly from marketing to sales and vice versa. • What if your largest customer leaves? It may be closing its doors, being sold or moving to a new vendor. Whatever the cause, it can instantly raise doubts among employees who fear for their jobs. The effects

often extend to customers and other business relationships. Many businesses seem to rely on keeping their fingers crossed when it comes to the unthinkable rather than asking themselves a serious question: What steps should we be taking to mitigate the

effects of losing a large customer? • What if we drop the ball or mess up a customer’s order? Let’s be clear: an excuse is the last thing a customer wants to hear when this happens. Right? Yet, we continue making excuses rather than offering explanations that make clear what we’ll do to assure customer satisfaction. • What if we get a negative online business review? It can happen to any business today, not just restaurants and plumbers. And the smartphone is driving it. Consumers can “do it now” before anger cools. If you have good reviews, a poor review should not be a problem. Customers are suspicious of 100% great reviews. One negative is understandable since you can’t please every customer every time. The key is to monitor sites regularly so there are no surprises. While every business is faced with overcoming challenges, avoiding unnecessary damage is more than worth the effort to think about the unthinkable. Ironically, focusing on the “what if” questions may be the path to getting over the hurdles and reaching your company’s objective.

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CNG stations coming to Katy, Rosenberg By Wayne Chandler

s the worldwide demand for more gasoline continues, there’s new serious efforts by marketers of compressed natural gas to find a significant niche in Fort Bend County. Katy-based CNG 4 America expects to have a CNG fueling station operating in the Bryan area by the end of this year, and stations ready for business on I-10 in Katy, and U.S. 59 at State Hwy 2218 in Rosenberg by next August. Bob Baldwin, president and CEO, of CNG 4 America, announced that financing has been arranged for these three sites at a cost of about $900,000 and $1,200,000 each. Frito Lay is converting its fleet of semis to CNG and Silver Eagle Distributors already has converted some of its trucks. Frito Lay has more than 1,100 semitrailer trucks, with more than 50 of them based at its Rosenberg plant. Silver Eagle is the second largest beer distributor in the U.S. Also, Waste Management and Royal Disposal are converting their trash trucks to CNG. The Bryan facility was agreed upon when several fleet owners in the Bryan area asked CNG4America to consider building a station there. This venture into Fort Bend will add to only three other public CNG fueling stations in the Greater Houston area. There’s another one in Conroe, built by Waste Management, but is available to the public as well. There are 14 stations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. With CNG prices $1- $2 a gallon less than gasoline, Baldwin is optimistic that he’ll find a lot more customers in the foreseeable future. CNG4America has met with City of Sugar Land officials who announced last July that they are seeking fuel alternatives for 90 automobiles and some 200 larger vehicles.

“Most big trucks can justify conversion costs within two years because of the large volume of fuel that they use,” Baldwin said. Baldwin said that his company has been able to move ahead by receiving two grants of $300,000 each from the Texas Emissions Reductions Plan (TERP), a state agency encouraging more use of natural gas because of the reduction of emissions. “We have investors in the Bryan station and are confident that we’ll gain more partners as we move forward, “ Baldwin said. Baldwin and other proponents of CNG in the state already are seeking legislation aimed at making it feasible for individual vehicle owners to convert from gasoline/ diesel to CNG. Baldwin said that the proposed Texas Natural Gas Act of 2013 would exempt Texas from the Clean Air Act of 1994 whereby the Environmental Protection Agency EPA has ruled that no tampering can be done to engines without expensive emissions testing for each year, make and model of auto. The new legislation’s wording is similar to that passed two years ago in Utah which reduced the cost of conversion by more than 40 percent. Because of the EPA rules, only two percent of cars sold in the United States in the last six years have a system

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

available that the EPA considers legal even though most vehicles have a system that will work, and is being used around hthe world. Baldwin said, as yet there aren’t any EPA-approved system for foreign vehicles. However, Honda is selling a GX model which runs on CNG. Ford, GM and Dodge all have CNG models of pickups and vans. Austin is using CNG street sweepers. Summary wording of the Texas proposed bill: “Not only will we continue to clean up our air but we will stimulate our economy with thousands of jobs and keep our financial resources in Texas without requiring state rebates to encourage conversions. Because the kits are not burdened with EPA certification costs, and all available kits from around he world are now legal to use, conversions will be less expensive and more Texans will convert their vehicles.” Baldwin said that if and when this Texas legislation passes that many other states are likely to follow suit. “Oklahoma already is going gangbusters with CNG,” he said. There are about 60 fueling stations already, offering CNG at about $1.25 to $1.60 per gallon. CNG4America also is introducing home

fueling stations for individual or company locations so that anyone can fuel vehicles using the natural gas from the pipes in their home or small business. Baldwin personally converted his 2009 Ford Focus to natural gas at a cost of $9,500 plus $779 in sales tax. “On a recent trip to Oklahoma I got 43 miles to the gallon,” Baldwin said, but he admits that it will take him three to five years to recoup conversion costs. “That’s why we need to change the rules,” he said. There are 22 million automobiles registered in Texas, and more than 250 million nationwide. There are only about 120,000 natural gas vehicles on U.S. roads, but heavy fuel guzzlers are marketing targets immediately for CNG. Most school buses get about three miles to the gallon. Baldwin is talking to school districts. “Most districts lack the funding to convert, but we’re trying to help them arrange financing.” Internationally, there are millions of cars being converted to natural gas: Three million in Pakistan, and 2 million each in Brazil and Argentina. Baldwin notes that China, since 2009 has bought more cars

than U.S. consumers, about 15 million cars in China and 9 million in the America this year. Baldwin doesn’t think that we’ll ever see gasoline at a dollar a gallon again. China and India continue to buy foreign oil at a record pace. Jack Perkowski, China visionary and author of Managing the Dragon, wrote, “The China auto industry will continue to show rapid growth…I would argue that the China transportation industry will actually be 50 million vehicles per year…not the 15 million of this year…They represent only part of the market…” Baldwin notes that there are impressive reasons for America to move toward natural gas: 1) it’s affordable 2) it’s abundant (more than a 200 year domestic supply) 3) it’s clean (easy on engines with oil changes needed every 50,000 miles) and it’s American (“it’s ours and there’s plenty in Texas”). Lance LaCour, president/CEO of the Katy Economic Development Council, lauded Baldwin’s work. “We at Katy Area

EDC have been working with Bob and his team for some time to explore a variety of marketing and financing opportunities, and we congratulate them on their achievements and accomplishments,” LaCour said. Baldwin, a petroleum engineer from Montana, is on a crusade to establish CNG as the main source for transportation fuel. A graduate of Northwest Community College, Powell, Wyoming, in 1977, he has a P.S degree in petroleum engineering from Montana Tech, Butte, MT, in 1980. Since then he has had a host of assignments tracking oilfield production and writing software for companies such as Microsoft, Borland and Software Publishing Company. Baldwin moved to Houston in 2000 as vice president of development for Production Access, Inc. He still provides parttime professional services for Upstream Professionals that he co-founded six years ago. He started CNG 4 America in Katy two years ago. “We need to get off foreign oil,” Baldwin said. “The USA spends $750,000 a minute for foreign oil.”

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Golden Age makes its appearance in Katy By Wayne Chandler

fter two more new businesses were introduced to the burgeoning Katy business community, Lance LaCour declared that this “truly is the golden age in Katy.” LaCour, the president and CEO of Katy Area Economic Development Council, said “all of the groundwork that we have laid in the past six to seven years is beginning to have a domino effect.” “We never have been a part of the general downturn (in the nation) and this now is a fantastic time to pour on the gas, “ LaCour stated. He added that the Katy business community has made a “tremendous investment” in time and effort here, and that there is more to come. The increased activity in oil and natural gas exploration in several parts of Texas has energized virtually all companies along the Energy Corridor on I-10, and this means that both old and new firms are looking for more space in the Katy area. The two new businesses which made presentations were the East Group Properties and Weltec, Inc. Kevin Sager, vice president of East Group Properties, announced a new business park, Ten West Crossing, a 22-acre site just north of I-10 between Westside Parkway to the west and to Mason Road on the east. Ground was broken last month for the park which is to include eight buildings. EastGroup already has a Katy area property in West Houston Business Center, and a total of 12 business parks in the Greater Houston area with 5.1 million square feet of space, and 10 properties totaling 782,000 sq ft now in development. Sager said that EastGroup still plans for developing 148 acres (2 million sq ft,) and will build to suit. Sager stated that EastGroup is dedicated to extensive structural and landscaping

Westec’s Carl Strubberg, left, Katy Area EDC’s Lannce LaCour, with Kevin Sager of EastGroup Properties.

features which will make it a prime “professional facility and business park.” EastGroup’s first customer in Ten West Cross will be Westex, Inc., a Denmark-based worldwide oil and gas pipeline servicing company, which has committed to occupying the first of the new EastGroup structures.. Carl Strubberg, Weltec senior vice president, said the site will be the headquarters for its U.S. Canada, Mexico and Latin America operations, and will provide training and maintenance facilities, and be a sales office for the Houston area. Strubberg noted that his firm, in its 20-year history, has established a total 52 offices, and operates on every continent. Westec has a total of 950 employees and will have 31 in the Katy area. Why did Westec come to Katy? Strubberg said it is because of its proximity to the Energy Corridor’s vast list of major oil firms, plus the impressive Katy ISD for its employees’ children, plus desirable and affordable housing, and a safe and secure environment. In an update on the Katy Area District Councils, council member

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

Rick Lawler reported there now are nine municipal utility districts and emergency service districts as members, with others showing interest in joining. Lawler said that the council’s mission is to support operating infrastructure in the Katy area, create a vehicle for unified actions and community branding, participate nd provide guidance to the Katy Area EDC, improve image and communications of the districts, enhance job creation via tax base, infrastructure and development improvements, leverage existing Association of Water Board Directors relationships and improve quality of life and place in the Katy area. Lawler added that the districts council is providing an ever-growing forum for members to share ideas and develop plans to focus on their experience, resources and opportunities, which is bound to benefit the Katy Area EDC’s efforts. Current council members are MUDs of Addicks, Cimarron, Cinco Southwest, Fry Road, Harris County # 81, West Harris County # 7, plus Fort Bend EDS #1 and Harris County ESD #48, and West I-10 Fire Department.

Memorial Hermann seeks to wipe out deaths from infection

ast year there were 100,000 needless deaths in U.S. hospitals, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. That would be the equivalent of 16 of the largest cruise ships sinking with every passenger and crew person not surviving. How many of these preventable deaths were in Fort Bend or the Greater Houston area? Nobody knows. But Dan Wolterman, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Healthcare Systems, is on a dedicated crusade to make certain that none of these patients end up in his 12 hospitals which include Katy and Sugar Land. Wolterman made that pledge to some 800 Memorial Hermann retirees at the annual luncheon last month in Marriott Town Square Hotel in Sugar Land. Without detailing hospital programs and procedures, Wolterman noted that since 2007 Memorial Hermann has had no cases of transfusion reactions from blood transfusions and no deaths. In addition, his hospitals have gone for several years without catheter-related blood stream infections. Medical technology now allows effective mandated electronic systems which help monitor all of Memorial Hermann’s 20,000

employees. There are 5,500 affiliated medical staff physicians. Medical technology , equipment and training have helped Memorial Hermann improve the community’s overall health with preventive care. Because of this, Wolterman said that his hospitals had an average of 110 patient days per 1,000 persons last year, and he expects this figure to be about 85 patient days per 1,000 persons in 2012. He noted that the Memorial Hermann systems were rated in the Top Five U.S. hospitals in the U.S. by HealthGrades a, leading national provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. Wolterman noted that such notable hospitals as Mayo and Johns Hopkins weren’t among HealthGrads top five. Wolterman reported that Memorial Hermann has had $900 million of charity work and bad debt this year, up from $752 million last year. Wolterman was ranked 15th among the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare in Modern Healthcare’s 2012 rankings, and was the only Texas healthcare executive and the only one from Houston to make this prestigious list. Among other notables on the list were U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts (#1), President Barack Obama (#4) and Mitt Romney (#13).

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December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

FORT BEND Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance Celebration Ball at Safari Texas Ranch

Denise Crayton and Tom Crayton, CPA, the Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Board Chair for 2012.

Pictured: Celebration Ball Committee members and Presenting Sponsors. Top row from left: Chuck Bucek, Blake Greer and Allison Wen. Middle row: Amber McDonald, Lisa Matthews and Shanta Kuhl. Bottom row: Ron and Juliana Ewer and Dr. Margaret and Kevin Patton.

Carole Brown, Bob Brown and Chamber President Shanta Kuhl.

Presenting Sponsor Kevin Patton and Ball Committee Chair Lisa Matthews.

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Sexton and Presenting Sponsor Ron Ewer of Legacy Ford.

Lionel and Melissa Martin, Garcia Martin & Martin, PC.

Chuck Bucek, Whitley Penn, and Amber Stevenson, SIG McDonald & Wessendorff Insurance.

Auctioneer James Vincek and Emcee Kevin Kline of the Snowdrop Foundation.

Fulshear Mayor Tommy Kuykendall and Huggins Elementary Principal Doug Waddill.

BIG SHOTS

R E A L

E S T A T E

Commercial Real Estate

By Kolbe Curtice, CCIM, CLS

Managing Director Colliers International - Fort Bend

Will Rogers On Real Estate On April 13, 1930 Will Rogers uttered one of his more famous quotes saying “out here I had been putting what little money I had in ocean frontage, for the sole reason that there was only so much of it and no more, and that they wasn’t making anymore.” This is the famous quote that is often paraphrased to say: “Buy land. They ain’t making anymore of the stuff.” Fort Bend County investors have been taking Mr. Rogers’ advice to heart. Brisk land and investment property sales activity has been due to not only a shrinking supply of quality properties, but also due to an anticipated rise in inflation and interest rates. Real estate serves as a hedge against rising inflation in periods where alternative investments offer low returns. In periods of rising inflation, people buy commodities

and real estate as stores of wealth, to avoid losses expected from the declining purchasing power of money. Investors are looking for vehicles to place their savings where the values of their investment won’t deteriorate. Inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services over a period of time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Inflation - cite_note-1. When the general price level rises, each dollar buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money. Traditional investments like equities (stocks) and bonds can be problematic during inflationary periods. The problems with bonds in a period of inflation is clear. When the value of the dollar deteriorates month after month,

the income and principal payments on an investment which is denominated in those dollars is going to deteriorate at the same rate. Stocks, like bonds, also do poorly in an inflationary environment. Historically, the return on equity capital has not risen with inflation. For many years, many believed that stocks were a hedge against inflation. That proposition was rooted in the fact that stocks are not claims against dollars, as bonds are, but represent ownership of companies and their production capabilities. Stocks, however, are really very similar to bonds. Many investors feel that the return on a bond is fixed, while the return on an

KOLBE CURTICE... continued on page 53

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December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Fort Bend Family Health Center is now AccessHealth

n an effort to more accurately describe its vision, Fort Bend Family Health Center is now AccessHealth. AccessHealth provides primary health care for both adults and children, obstetrics and gynecological care, behavioral health services, dental care and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs in Fort Bend, Waller and Wharton counties. Upon recently becoming the administrator of the WIC program in Austin, Waller and Colorado counties, AccessHealth now has 13 service locations, including Brookshire, Richmond, Rosenberg, Missouri City, and Stafford. Chief Executive Officer Carol Edwards

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Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

“We feel that the name is much more representative of what we provide to these communities. Access to health care is so important and we provide that access to both our clientele with insurance and those who qualify for our services at a reduced rate,” stated Chief Executive Officer Carol Edwards, Over the past few months there have been several changes made regarding registration and scheduling, making it easier for patients to utilize the services of the clinics. In 2011 over 23,000 individuals were served and with the addition of the WIC sites that number is expected to double in 2012. “Our patients can feel comfortable that only the name of the organization and improvements for the registration process have changed. You will still see the same caring physicians and staff that you have developed a relationship with over the years,” said Development Officer Kelli Metzenthin. A celebration unveiling the new name and logo of the organization was held for the staff of the center and the community on November 14. AccessHealth is now accepting new patients at each of its sites and will continue to add additional services whenever possible in response to the needs of the communities we serve. For additional information regarding services or to register as a patient of AccessHealth please call (281) 342-4530. You can also find additional information at www.MyAccessHealth.org.

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.

Are Structural Deficits the Real Fiscal Cliff? National leaders have been struggling to make wise public policy choices necessary to address the growing US debt burden. The two obvious components are revenue and expenditures, but gaining an understanding of which expenditures are variable and in what quantity is important. According to the Congressional Budget Office, 2011 revenues and expenditures could be categorized as follows: See figures on page 52. The figures indicate a large structural deficit the nature of which requires a different approach than current spending. Options discussed include: • Broadening the tax base, • Increasing marginal tax rates on high income earners, • Broaden the tax base combined with

marginal rate increases. • Elimination of base line budgeting which adds an automatic escalation to federal expenditures, • Instituting zero base budgeting, • Passing an actual budget under any methodology. • Taking advantage of the “peace dividend” from the wind down of Mideast conflicts, • Tapping revenue from natural gas exports produced in the Eagle Ford and Bakken shale plays. For example, the Japanese are phasing out nuclear power and pay as much as $8 to our $1 for natural gas. Tapping into the inside margin on exports could develop infrastructure necessary to bring the resource either to market via pipeline or to the complexes that process it into other items

and help fund other needs. However, final solutions to our deficit situation will have to address structural deficits and this does not mean “cutting” seniors out of their social security benefits. For example, current formulas fund an increasing lifestyle, while holding a level lifestyle in and of itself could make social security whole for many years to come. Coupled with some revenue enhancements to fund the current cash flow imbalance could also help. Certainly, elimination of ill-advised payroll tax breaks would be a wise alternative during a time when the system has a cash flow deficit.

ALAN SANDERSEN... continued on page 52

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www.colliers.com/markets/sugarland December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Methodist receives Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award

“M

ethodist Sugar Land Hospital has received the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines”�-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations. “With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and the Get With The Guidelines’�Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award demonstrates Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s commitment to being one of the top hospitals in the country for providing aggressive, proven stroke care and addressing

the important element of time,� said James Ling, M.D., Medical Director of the Methodist Sugar Land Stroke Program. “We will continue with our focus on providing care that has been shown in the scientific literature to quickly and efficiently treat stroke patients with evidence-based protocols,”�said Maria Socci, Manager, Stroke Program. Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has developed a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department. This includes always being equipped to provide brain imaging scans, having neurologists available to conduct patient evaluations and using clot-busting medications when appropriate. To receive the award, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital achieved an 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Achievement

indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month intervals and achieved 75 percent or higher compliance with six of 10 Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Measures, which are reporting initiatives to measure quality of care. These measures include aggressive use of medications, such as antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy, deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, cholesterol reducing drugs and smoking cessation, all aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients. In addition to the Get With The Guideline-Stroke award, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has also been recognized as a recipient of the association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll, for improving stroke care. Over the past quarter, at least 50 percent of the hospital’s eligible ischemic stroke patients have received tissue plasminogen activator,

TWC announces $1 million skills training initiative for returning veterans

he Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has announced the launch of Skills for Veterans, an initiative to address the unique challenges and training needs of veterans who served in the military post 9/11, many of whom are returning to the Texas workforce. TWC has designated $1 million from the state’s Skills Development Fund to establish the initiative, which offsets employer training costs for eligible veteran new hires in an effort to expedite the return of veterans to the workforce. “The leadership, experience and skills veterans bring back home are a valuable asset to Texas employers,” Gov. Perry said. “The Skills for Veterans initiative will help make it that much easier to connect highly-qualified post-9/11 veterans with Texas employers who are seeking these talented and experienced individuals.” Skills for Veterans will provide post9/11 veterans with training that employers

identify as necessary for the business’ growth. The initiative will provide up to $1,450 for tuition and fees in a 12-month period for each eligible veteran new hire. Private employers in Texas must partner with public community and technical colleges in their area or the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) to develop the training programs. “Approximately 1,500 veterans who served in the military post 9/11 separate from military service and return to Texas each month, joining more than 200,000 post-9/11 veterans already residing in Texas,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “Skills for Veterans will help ensure that these service men and women have the opportunity to receive training and occupational certifications in highdemand industries, such as oil and gas.” The hourly wage for each veteran trained under Skills for Veterans must meet or exceed the prevailing wage for that occupation in the local labor market. Visit www.texasworkforce.org/svcs/funds/

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

skills-veterans-initiative.html for more information about the new program. “These brave service members and veterans have answered the call to serve their country during war time at great personal risk,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “The Skills for Veterans initiative will provide post-9/11 veterans the training necessary to be competitive in the civilian workforce and offer them greater opportunities to connect with employers.” Employers are also encouraged to hire veterans by attending one of the 27 Hiring Red, White & You! career fairs being held throughout Texas today. More information on the Hiring Red, White & You! job fair can be found at www.texasworkforce.org. “There is a high demand across the state for workers with skills training,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Tom Pauken. “This initiative will not only help to bring home our veterans the right way, it will also help grow our private sector by filling a great need in today’s workforce.”

Chris Siebenaler, Chief Executive Officer ; Janet Leatherwood, Chief Nursing Officer; Becky Chalupa, Associate Chief Nursing Officer; Diane McGraw, Director of Quality Management; Maria Socci, Stroke Program Manager and Dr. James Ling, Medical Director of the Stroke Program.

or tPA, within 60 minutes of arriving at the hospital (known as “door-to-needle” time). A thrombolytic, or clot-busting agent, tPA is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the urgent treatment of ischemic stroke. If given intravenously in the first three hours after

the start of stroke symptoms, tPA has been shown to significantly reverse the effects of stroke and reduce permanent disability. “Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is to be commended for its commitment to implementing standards of care and protocols for treating stroke patients,” said

Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., chair of the Get With The Guidelines National Steering Committee and Director of the TeleStroke and Acute Stroke Services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. �”The full implementation of acute care and secondary prevention recommendations and guidelines is a critical step in saving the lives and improving outcomes of stroke patients.�” “The time is right for Methodist Sugar Land Hospital to be focused on improving the quality of stroke care by implementing Get With The Guidelines�Stroke. The number of acute ischemic stroke patients eligible for treatment is expected to grow over the next decade due to increasing stroke incidence and a large aging population,”� said Janet Leatherwood, Chief Nursing Officer at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is one of the leading causes of death and serious, long-term disability in the United States. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

The MOST Complete ORTHOPEDIC CARE in FORT BEND COUNTY D. Dean Dominy, III, M.D. Hand & Upper Extremities

Kenneth M. Renney, M.D. Sports Medicine

Jeffrey B. Wood, M.D.

Diseases & Deformities of the Spine

Eddie T. Matsu, M.D.

General Orthopedics, Joint Replacement

Mark W. Maffet, M.D.

Knee & Shoulder Surgery, Sports Medicine

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Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas (MOST) physicians are recognized as some of the finest board-certified physicians in the specialty of orthopedics. They provide comprehensive, world-class orthopedic care under one roof right here in Fort Bend County — from sports medicine to joint replacement, hand and wrist to ankle and spine care. They perform on a higher level, so you can, too.

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Joint Reconstructive Surgery

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Adult & Pediatric Orthopedics

David A. Braunreiter, M.D. Sports Medicine

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281-494-MOST (6678)  MethodistOrthopedics.com  MOSTappts@tmhs.org

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Diseases & Deformities of the Spine

Four Convenient Locations:

Unemployment rate falls again

Texas employers add 36,600 jobs in October

mployers added 36,600 total nonfarm jobs in October in Texas for a total of 277,400 jobs added over the year. The state’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.6 percent in October from 6.8 percent in September. The unemployment rate in Texas remains well below the national rate of 7.9 percent. “Private sector employers in Texas continue to drive our state’s economic growth, having added 269,000 jobs over the year for an annual growth rate of 3.0 percent,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Andres Alcantar. “The Texas economy continues to show strength compared to the national

private sector, which has experienced an annual growth rate of 1.8 percent.” Over the last year, 10 of 11 major industries in Texas have shown positive growth. Six of the major industries displayed monthly gains in October. Education and Health Services grew more than any other industry over the month, adding 13,700 jobs for the largest monthly gain in the series’ history. Over the year, this industry added more than 43,000 jobs and is one of four industries in Texas showing an annual growth rate of 3.0 percent or higher. “It’s good to see the state’s unemployment rate drop by half a point over just the last two months,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “I encourage

those looking for work to visit their local Workforce Solutions Office to help them seize the opportunities offered by Texas’ diverse economy.” Leisure and Hospitality employment expanded by 8,700 positions in October. Overall, this industry has added 51,800 jobs over the past year, more than any other industry. “I’m encouraged that Construction employment surged in October with the addition of 13,600 jobs, the largest monthly gain in recorded history in Texas,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Tom Pauken. “The Construction industry’s 8.4 percent annual growth rate is further evidence that Texas continues to be a great place to build your business.”

Fort Bend/Katy

COMING JANUARY 2013 ISSUE

special feature

Business and Personal Taxes Deadline: December 10 TO ADVERTISE CALL BARBARA J. CARLSON 281-690-4204• cell 281-687-9426

Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

DIGITAL

STUDIO

VIDEOS

Behind the Scene

By Elsa Maxey

Executive Producer Star Video Productions

"Made you look"

We’re in the digital age…so where’s your video? A lot of the focus is now on the Internet when it comes to conveying a message. It used to be that video commercials ruled in the TV industry. But now with the ability to get on demand programming or digitally record what you want to watch, it’s easy to fast forward the commercials. So where does one go to get a message out? The Internet….that’s where. Many companies are now switching their video message focus to the Internet away from the traditional method, according to reports. So why use video? Because it sells what you’ve got to offer. Let’s face it. After seeing a video, most prospective buyers of products or services will have a better understanding. We also hear that most people watch videos

in their entirety mainly due to curiosity. So what do you have to lose? Better yet, look at what you have to gain. Video will present your consistent message every time and it can be done on demand. That’s the best part. You know that someone

has deliberately clicked on that arrow button to see what you have to say. That arrow button is the best “made you look” feature. Best of all, when it comes to getting your message out, video is now affordable and not just for big companies. Let us help you with a 2-3 minute video. You script it, we’ll take a look at it and offer you suggestions. In the end, you’ll enable a wider audience to literally see what you have to offer. Give us a call!. Elsa Malakoff is a contributor to the Fort Bend Business Journal and Fort Bend Star and a Executive Producer of Star Video Productions. She can be reached at 281-690-4280. Go www.Starvideoproductions.com or email us elsamaxey@starvideoproductions.com.

IT’S HERE! Video. On Demand. 24/7. On your website. Are you taking advantage of this powerful tool to set yourself apart from the competition? You can now have your commercial playing around the clock to a global audience. Google and other search engines love video. A video on your website will place you higher in search rankings. And your customers love video. It’s dynamic and engaging. At Star Video Digital Productions, we can help you from conception to completion with your video marketing. Whether you need high-quality video for your website, a TV commercial for traditional cable or broadcast or a promotional video on DVD to deliver to potential customers, we can help.

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Telfair receives the nod

Texas Instruments to build new Business Development Center in Sugar Land

exas Instruments Incorporated has plans to construct an approximate 160,000-square-foot office facility in Telfair to be completed by early 2014. The facility will be constructed on a seven-acre site that can bring more than 375 jobs to Sugar Land. The City of Sugar Land and the Sugar Land Development Corporation have approved an incentive package that will support plans by Texas Instruments Incorporated to locate a future business and development facility at the northeast corner of U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard in the Telfair commercial development area. The company elected to locate its

research and development facility in Sugar Land after a regional search based on proximity to employees’ homes, local amenities and clarity of site-development plans. The new Texas Instruments facility will house employees that work in a variety of areas within the company’s embedded processing organization. “Texas Instruments has had a longstanding relationship with the city of Stafford, where we have had a site for 45 years,” said TI Houston Site Manager Curt Moore. “In January, we announced plans to sell the site in Stafford. TI is fully supportive of redevelopment efforts in Stafford and is actively coordinating with the city as the site shutdown and sale activities are proceeding. “We are appreciative of the ongoing

support we have received from Fort Bend County and of their efforts to retain TI within the county. And we are very excited about our future home in Sugar Land and the opportunities this will bring. We look forward to forging new relationships with the business community in Sugar Land.” The City of Sugar Land’s Office of Economic Development created a multi- faceted incentive package that was recently approved by both the Sugar Land City Council and the Sugar Land Development Corporation to secure the research and development facility in Sugar Land. The incentive package was based on the company creating more than $35 million in new capital investment. “We are ecstatic to welcome a stellar Fortune 500 Company such as Texas Instruments to Sugar Land,” said Mayor James Thompson. “Texas Instruments’ corporate philosophy and national recognitions such as Fortunes ‘Most Admired Company’ closely aligns with the City’s standards for excellence and lays the foundation for a long-term partnership between the company and City.” Texas Instruments semiconductor innovations help 90,000 customers unlock the possibilities of the world as it could be - smarter, safer, greener, healthier and more fun. Learn more at www.ti.com.

GOT NEWS? Sugar Land 8410 Hwy 90A Stafford 3531 S. Main Missouri City 3600 FM 1092 (713) 388-7600

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

FrostBank.com

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

CFBCA’s new Fulshear Area Business Division elects officers

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he Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance’s Board of Directors voted to approve the launch of the Chamber’s Fulshear Area Business Division. Last week, at the Division’s first meeting, officers were selected. Michael Martin of Martin Mortgage was elected Chairman. Juan Garcia of Victor’s Mexican Restaurant and Grill was named Vice Chairman. Randy Stacy of Texas Insurance and Gilbert Limones of First Victoria National Bank were elected Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. The FABD is comprised of businesses in the city limits of Fulshear and its immediate surrounding areas. The Division is designed to allow Fulshear-area businesses the opportunity to maintain their own distinct identity while at the same time allowing them the benefits of Chamber affiliation. The Division’s goal is to increase regional awareness of what the growing Fulshear business community has to offer and to serve the needs of that business community as they arise. The City of Fulshear first aligned itself with the Central Fort Bend Chamber in August of 2009, when it announced its Stakeholder status the same night the Chamber announced its name change from Rosenberg-Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce to its current title. Fulshear joined Richmond and Rosenberg as Stakeholder Cities. Since 2009, the Chamber has helped the City of Fulshear produce its annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and has helped with the promotion of its other annual events. The Division meets at 7:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at various locations. For more information about the Fulshear Area Business Division or the Chamber, contact Rachelle Kanak at 281.342.5464 or rkanak@cfbca.org.

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THIS IS ONE OF MANY VICTORIAN SPECIALS, CALL TODAY FOR DETAILS. December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

COVER STORY

By Barbara J. Carlson

Mercy Grant, a woman committed to helping others, a leader in Home Healthcare

ot too often do we get the opportunity to meet a woman who has blessed so many while she feels abundantly blessed, one who began with a dream and has built an empire while living in our very own backyard. If one hasn’t come in contact with Mercy Grant yet, one is truly missing out. Mercy began her dream of helping others in 2007, opening up her first office in Richmond, which is Mercyfull Home Health. Just five short years later, Mercy has expanded her reach to Nacogdoches, Livingston, up to Philadelphia and down to San Antonio, now employing 79 fulltime nurses. Mercy’s team offers physical therapy, skilled nursing care, occupational therapy, and one of her social workers even assists in coordinating Meals on Wheels. “How do you do it all,” Mercy was asked, “juggling five offices and raising four beautiful children who are also very active in sports?” Mercy’s face lights up as she softly responds, “There is plenty of time in the day. God is so good to me.” It only takes that one question for Mercy to talk of her deepest passion, her four children who are now a 20-year-old son who is on a basketball scholarship at OSU and majoring in sports medicine; an 18-year-old daughter who is on a track-and-field scholarship at Texas Tech; a 13-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son. Her daughter attending Texas Tech

Mercy addressing the audience.

misses her mom so much that she wants to get closer to home, hopefully transferring to UT San Antonio. “I have to talk with my kids every day and make sure they’re okay,” Mercy smiles. It doesn’t bother this committed mom when her son has told her, “Oh, mom, I’m okay.” Mercy’s eyes light up as she proudly relates that her two oldest children have also chosen to go into the medical field, following in her footsteps. Mercy remembers when her son decided to try football in high school for the first time during the season’s basketball break. Mercy worried that he’d

get hurt, entering this rigorous sport so late in high school. “I didn’t want my baby hurt,” Mercy explained. And as her son’s coach told her, “Many moms do what you did,” after she met with her son’s coach and quietly asked that he not play her son during a tough game, only putting him into the game the last two seconds. “My son even banned me from coming to his games because I would be so loud,” she smiled. “I’m so proud of my kids.” “What is your secret to your nurses staying with you so long?” she was asked. Mercy, in her comforting voice said, “We’re a family here. I just love my patients. I have to make the rounds every month to all of the offices and visit with my patients.” Even after a fatiguing day recently, she was awakened out of bed at 1:30 a.m. to go sit with one of her nurses and a family. She didn’t get back home until 5:30 a.m., in time to get her two little ones ready for school. “I just love what I do. God blesses those who are a blessing to others. I feel so blessed.” Mercy smiles as she pulls out an invitation for her upcoming “Dancing with the Mercyfull Stars” black tie event in which she’ll honor her employees on Friday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square. Mercy told of a patient’s story that still brought tears to her eyes. Some patients don’t have the family support that others have. Perhaps something that so many take for granted. For years one

We’re a family here. I just love my patients. I have to make the rounds every month to all of the offices and visit with my patients. 24

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

Mercyfull Home Health, Inc. employees at the gala.

of Mercy’s male patients had gone out shortly before Father’s Day and would purchase a Father’s Day card, sign it from his kids and then mail it to himself. In 2010 when Mercy learned of this, she bought a card for him, had all of her nurses in the Richmond office sign it and mailed it to him. Her elderly patient cried when he saw her, telling her, “Mercy, I have never received a card from my kids. This is the first card I have ever received,” as he proudly placed it on his mantle not allowing anyone but her to touch it. “It was one of his most prized possessions before he died,” Mercy said. “It doesn’t take much to make people happy. It’s not expensive, but it’s those little things that we can do for others is what really makes a difference in someone’s life.” It was devastating the day her patient died, as she had to comfort one of her nurses who found him. As one would expect, Mercy took charge, comforting her nurses in the

Richmond office, telling them, “Look what we did for him before he died. He was so happy. We did something for him that no one had ever done. Think of all the happiness we gave him. We made a difference in his life,” she softly told her Richmond nursing staff. Every Father’s Day and Mother’s Day the Richmond Health Care facility patients next door look forward to Mercy and her Richmond staff coming by for a visit with a beautiful yellow rose for the moms and a red rose for the dads. “Their eyes light up. They are so excited to see us,” Mercy warmly smiles and her eyes twinkle. The joy in Mercy’s face and the warmth in her eyes tell her story—a woman who is so compassionate and one who cares so deeply and one who unconditionally extends a loving gesture to her patients. Mercy and her staff don’t just provide medical care to her patients but go above and beyond.

Senior Citizen Day at the County Fairgrounds is another momentus event that many seniors look forward to coming up to Mercy’s booth. For the last three years, Mercy and her team have donated 20 prizes while the seniors play bingo, but the final grand prize is the eyeopener that many await if they’re the lucky winner. The first year Mercyfull donated an air conditioner. Again this year, the lucky winner came up to Mercy and told her, “I still have that air conditioner and it’s still working,” as he smiled at her. This year’s grand prize was a flatscreen TV. The excitement could be felt in the air. “It is such a joy to make so many happy,” Mercy explained. “These seniors look forward to our presence every year and the word has spread,” as her eyes twinkle again.

CONTINUES...

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

What is the hardest part of your job? The juggling? Commuting across the state and up to Philadelphia on a monthly basis? Managing 79 busy fulltime nurses? Mercy pauses for a moment and responds, “No. It’s when we lose a patient. It’s so hard when a patient passes away,” silence filling the room. How does one cope with the emptiness after such a devastating loss? “Where my eyes can’t reach, my prayers can reach,” Mercy whispers. A woman of such faith. A woman of such trust in God. A woman who is so committed to doing so much good for so many and bringing such joy to her patients’ hearts. A woman who goes so far above and beyond for so many. What an inspirational woman who has blessed so many. If only we all put forth such effort, such dedication to helping others as much as Mercy demonstrates, imagine how much better the world would be.” Rosemary (Mercy’s sister) and Mercy together.

301 S. 9th Street, Suite 216 Richmond, Texas 77469 281-232-7500 Fax: 281-232-5500 www.mercyfullhomehealth.com

Scan our QR Code to launch our website.

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

Sheila Jackson Lee’s office presenting Mercy an award.

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4655 Techniplex Dr., Suite 300, Stafford TX 77477 • Tel: 281-690-4200 December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

BMC remedy improves quality of service for State’s official website

exas NICUSA LLC, a subsidiary of NIC, the nation’s leading provider of official government Internet portals, is charged with providing the Texas government with efficient, cost-effective ways to develop and maintain online services for all Texans via www.texas.gov, the state’s official website. The company is contractually obligated to the State of Texas to demonstrate mature technology and wanted to move to a superior IT Service Management (ITSM) solution. Texas NICUSA chose the BMC Remedy IT Service Management solution from BMC Software (Nasdaq:BMC) to replace the multiple tools it had in place. BMC provided a mature, proven, single-vendor solution that met and exceeded its needs. “Rather than having 15 different

tools specializing in 15 different areas, we just love that BMC brings it all together,” said Lyndon Cain, configuration manager at Texas NICUSA. “That makes it easier to integrate with our few software lifecycle development tools.” Cain added, “We’ve invested quite a bit with BMC. It’s been the backbone of our IT maturation, and we would like to grow with it.” The Challenge Texas NICUSA needed to streamline its configuration and change management processes for multiple operating environments with a single solution to increase efficiency, reduce risk, and improve customer service. The Solution Texas NICUSA implemented the BMC Remedy IT Service Management solution to reduce the risk of downtime, improve service

and collect data to identify those processes most likely to pose problems in the future. Business runs on IT. IT runs on BMC Software. Business runs better when IT runs its best. Tens of thousands of IT organizations around the world -- from small and midmarket businesses to the Global 100 -- rely on BMC Software (Nasdaq:BMC) to manage their business services and applications across distributed, mainframe, virtual and cloud environments. BMC helps customers cut costs, reduce risk and achieve business objectives with the broadest choice of IT management solutions, including industry-leading Business Service Management and Cloud Management offerings. For the four fiscal quarters which ended September 30, 2012, BMC revenue was approximately $2.2 billion. www.bmc.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

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

ATTENTION : Fort Bend High School Seniors

CONGRATULATIONS! Kayla Villarreal

Congratulations to Kayla Villarreal, a student at Dulles High School, for being selected as Texas Direct Auto’s “Scholarship Star” for December! Michael Garfield, The High-Tech Texan® and Jessica DeMarr, Director of Business Development, present the $1000 check. At Dulles High School, Kayla serves on the student council, as president of the Spanish Club and as a member of the soccer team. Kayla was also an active member of the Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society. Kayla has received multiple awards for her academic performance, including President’s Award for Educational Excellence, AP Scholar with Distinction and Fort Bend ISD Academic Excellence Award. Kayla plans to pursue a degree in Visualization at Texas A&M College of Agriculture. Kayla was selected as part of Texas Direct Auto’s commitment to educational excellence through the “Scholarship Stars” program. Application details are listed below.

1,000

SCHOLARSHIP! Find complete details and forms at

www.fortbendfocus.com

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Special feature from Absolutely Brazos Magazine

Cultural Arts

Revival

By Nancy Olson Photos by Nesossi Studios

Rosenberg leads the charge to bring art – and a boon in the economy – to Historic Downtown Rosenberg

Rosenberg’s Cole Theatre is scheduled to reopen in 2014.

hink of the stretch along Highway 90A called “Avenue H” in Rosenberg, Texas, and it may prompt images of the red neon sign at the diamond ring factory, a line of nondescript buildings, a few modest white picket-fenced homes and the famous taco shop that was once featured on The Food Network. Observers would likely call this “a typical sleepy little Texas town.” But, if a group of local visionaries have their way, it won’t be for long. Just a few blocks north of 90A between 2nd and 6th Streets, the area coined as Historic Downtown Rosenberg is already starting to change. Have you noticed the new awnings announcing many of downtown’s shops, the fresh coat of paint on many of the buildings or the freshly washed windows and the updated signage? Perhaps you’ve noticed the construction or the slightly longer “rush hour?” There’s anticipation in the air – the sense that folks in Historic Downtown Rosenberg are rolling out the red carpet and getting ready for something big – something really big. And, they are. In the spirit of Paul Revere’s ride to alert the colonists of the approaching British forces, “The arts are coming! The arts are coming!” Rosenberg Mayor Vincent M. Morales, Jr. couldn’t be more pleased. In fact, he’s helping lead the charge. He says efforts to develop the cultural arts resources in his city will benefit everyone living in West Fort Bend County. “History shows that the arts create economic growth.” The numbers show that Mayor Morales’ theory has a lot of traction. In 2011, the nationwide arts industry generated over $135 billion of economic activity, and the money gets spread around. The arts not only provide needed income to the presenting organizations and their employees, but they also provide income to neighboring businesses – not just restaurants – but also retail and service companies. Morales wants his city to get a piece of the pie: “Anyone who sees what I have done in Rosenberg since being elected knows that my focus is all about economic growth.” The Rosenberg Development Council (RDC), the organization that is in charge of fostering economic growth in Rosenberg, is in sync with Morales, realizing that city government coffers can benefit too. The RDC is so convinced, they have committed $500,000 over the next two years to grow and redevelop the city’s cultural assets.

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

So why did Rosenberg decide to take a bold move and make a sizeable economic commitment to the arts, something larger, more progressive cities sometimes fail to do? Rosenberg Economic Development Director Matt Fielder says he and Morales have a simple answer. “We knew we had to ‘think outside of the box’ to spur development in the Avenue H corridor. Historic Downtown Rosenberg has been a real bright spot for redevelopment, and it was a logical place to start.” Fielder’s college degree is in history, and his keen interest in preserving the past has been an influence as well. “Redevelopment doesn’t have to mean bulldozing buildings,” Fielder says. “Preserving our heritage can be a vehicle for economic development. History adds value, but it’s value that isn’t reflected on a balance sheet.” It is often said that timing is everything. And this is where the story of Rosenberg’s new path to economic redevelopment lives up the adage. Roll back the clock to the summer of 2011 when newly-elected Mayor Morales is exploring ways to grow business in his town and fill vacant buildings. At the same time, Imperial Arts, Fort Bend’s well-established resident professional arts organization, needs to move from its temporary theatre location in Sugar Land’s Town Square. “Mayor Morales desired to bring the arts to Rosenberg, and we desired a permanent home and a long-term partnership with a local government,” said Imperial Arts’ Executive Director, Edward Crowell, III. “I had always wanted to move Imperial Arts into a restored historic theatre, but more importantly, we needed a partner to make it viable.” Crowell and Morales knew that they had found an incredible potential partnership – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that would truly be mutually beneficial to the arts and to the City’s plan for economic development. “This was an opportunity. One I knew we did not want to pass up,” said Morales of his role in facilitating Imperial Arts’ introduction to Rosenberg. But, he humbly adds that he didn’t do it alone. By February 2012, Imperial Arts and the RDC were signing the agreement that would commit a half million dollars over two years. In it, Imperial Arts would accomplish three pivotal things: the construction and opening of a new Center for the Arts in Historic Downtown

Rosenberg’s Cultural Affairs Council

Rosenberg with active programming to include every genre of performing Several of Rosenberg’s community and visual arts and arts education; the organizations have stepped up to restoration and reopening of the historic be the driving force behind bringing Cole Theater by the end of 2014; and the cultural arts to Historic Downtown Rosenberg. Organizations who were formation of a Steering Committee, for members of the original steering which Imperial Arts would serve as lead committee and now sit on the organization to organize the City’s cultural Cultural Affairs Council include: assets and enterprises into a Cultural District – making it a “destination for H Art League of Fort Bend cultural tourists.” H CAST Theatrical Company And so the small staff and dedicated H City of Rosenberg board members of Imperial Arts went H Downtown Merchants straight to work, but fortunately, they had of Rosenberg H Fort Bend County Commissioner help and support from the community. Richard Morrison Ron Saville is Chairman of the Board of H Fort Bend County Judge Directors of CAST Theatrical, Rosenberg’s Bob Hebert resident community theatre organization. H Fort Bend Hispanic “Since Mayor Morales took office, there Heritage Forum has been a big push to awaken downtown. H Imperial Arts Rosenberg used to be a rundown town that H Lamar Consolidated ISD no one wanted to be associated with. All of H Rosenberg Development that is changing,” Saville said. Corporation H Rosenberg Railroad Museum Saville has also been impressed with the H Shuck Consulting Services City’s support of the project, and the focus H West Fort Bend Management on economic development of downtown. District But as an actor, Saville also looks forward to new opportunities for a fresh, diverse group of talented people to pursue their craft. Thirteen organizations, each from a unique perspective and mission, but each with a vested interest in seeing Rosenberg succeed, met regularly as the Rosenberg Historic Downtown Cultural District Steering Committee. “There has been support for this project from places I didn’t expect support. This has brought a lot of people together – people have sat in the Members of the Rosenberg Historic Downtown Cultural District same room that I never Steering Committee at the Cole Theatre. Ed Crowell, Jr., Chairman, thought would ever Rosenberg Historic Downtown Cultural District Steering Committee; Rosenberg Mayor Vincent M. Morales, Jr.; Ron Saville, Board of be in the same room!” Directors, CAST Theatrical Company; Renee Butler, Downtown Fielder said.

continued on page 32

Merchants of Rosenberg; Matt Fielder, Economic Development Director City of Rosenberg, and Rosenberg Development Corporation; Joe Vera, Board of Directors, Fort Bend Hispanic Heritage Forum; Kathy Golden, Art League of Fort Bend and Rae Taylor, Development Director, Rosenberg Railroad Museum. December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

“We want downtown to be a premier cultural arts destination in Fort Bend County, and once the Cole Theater is renovated, it will be,”

Crowell says he’s seen it before. “The arts bring people together – across lines of culture, language, socio-economic status, religion and politics. The arts are a unifying force.” Via sub-committees, in-person meetings, phone calls and emails, the Steering Committee worked selflessly, and the results of their research and collaboration are impressive. The Steering Committee identified 42 cultural assets in Rosenberg. The group defined a cultural asset as an entity or project that support the arts and cultural activity. Some on the list were surprises, but one was obvious to everyone. The Historic Cole Theatre was the crown jewel that really got all of this started. The current iteration of Rosenberg’s 1919 theatre is its late 1930s art deco renovation. It was not only modern but even today is a textbook example of art deco style. The cut glass sconces, the sweeping staircase and the proportions and scale of the space are still beautiful, even through all the years of neglect. Many people who grew up in Fort Bend remember spending Saturdays at the Cole. Some go back so far that they remember buying tickets to the picture show for only nine cents. The Cole opened with the film Wanted for Murder starring Elaine

Hammerstein in the spring of 1919, and 64 years later, the Cole had the distinction of the longest continually-operating theatre in cinema history. The Cole hasn’t shown a film since 1983, but that will soon change. Renee Butler is the owner and operator of Another Time Soda Fountain, downtown Rosenberg’s signature diner. Renee also happens to be married to Bill Butler, the man who bought the Cole Theatre just a few years ago at an auction on the courthouse steps. “The Cole was going to be Bill’s final project downtown. He was never going to tear it down; he began to renovate it himself,” Butler said. “When Imperial Arts approached us, we knew the Cole was exactly what they were looking for. They came along at the perfect time.” Imperial Arts opens its new Center for the Arts on November 16th. This space, much like the organization’s former home in Sugar Land Town Square, will house a performance hall suitable for every genre of performing arts and a visual arts gallery. The Center for the Arts will also include Imperial Arts’ administrative offices, space for arts education and most importantly, the synergism that comes through the Rosenberg Historic Downtown Cultural District. This facility will serve as the primary location of

Holiday Happenings Miracle On Morton Street 10 am – 7 pm Downtown Historic Richmond See downtown Richmond transform into a Christmas wonderland filled with the sounds of the season. This family-oriented celebration features church and school choirs, a children’s activity area and a visit from Santa! This year’s theme is “Honoring our Military Men and Women.” Colored lights will dazzle the downtown district to showcase craft and food vendors and Santa’s Post Office. Narrated wagon rides through the historic district will educate you about the history of this area. You will not want to miss a free visit to the gallery of the Fort Bend Museum. This event never fails to entertain all ages. Visit historicrichmond.org.

all of Imperial Arts’ varied performances and events for the next two years, while the Cole Theater capital campaign and restoration are underway. “We want downtown to be a premier cultural arts destination in Fort Bend County, and once the Cole Theater is renovated, it will be,” said Butler. The name Historic Downtown Rosenberg suits the area well because it beckons back to a more nostalgic time. There’s an oldfashioned soda fountain serving 1950s style fare in the similarly-styled décor, antique stores stocking a variety of objects – some artisan and some just ‘old’, but the nostalgia runs deep – and even a small museum dedicated to the City’s nascent bond with the railroad. And then, there’s that old theatre. Every town in Texas has one. Most of them are empty, if they’re still standing at all. These theatres were constructed in an era of American history during which everyone went to the movies. The picture show. The cinema. The movie house. The vaudeville. It seems that every day, there is more activity, more anticipation and more electricity in the air in Historic Downtown Rosenberg, as there should be. The arts, which bring people together, promote economic development and touch the very soul of humanity, are here – in a big way.

Kick off the month of December with these family favorites. All three events are set for Saturday, December 1st.

Christmas In Rosenberg Noon – 9 pm Downtown Historic Rosenberg Begin your holiday season in historic downtown Rosenberg! Stroll among an eclectic mix of shops and eateries while enjoying the sounds of the season. Various food, craft and gift vendors help round out the festivities. Children and families can have pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, tour the Rosenberg Railroad Museum and enjoy a children’s carnival with an obstacle course and inflatables as well as other seasonable entertainment. Let historic downtown Rosenberg host you for a fun, free event jam-packed with the sights and sounds of the holidays. Visit www.ci.rosenberg.tx.us.

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

says Renee Butler.

Fulshear Festival of Lights & Tree Lighting 6 pm Downtown Fulshear Fulshear’s Annual Festival of Lights and Tree Lighting kicks off the holiday season for Fulshear residents and anyone else who enjoys a festive holiday scene. The event is free, and residents of the communities surrounding Fulshear are encouraged to attend and make this event a part of their own family Christmas tradition. Festivities begin with a parade in downtown Fulshear followed by the lighting of an extra tall tree to remain lit throughout the season. A stage will be mounted in the Bentley lot on 1st Street with bands and vendors for your enjoyment. Visit www.fulsheartexas.gov.

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

CHAIRMAN’S GALA 2013 FORT BEND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Friday, January 25, 2013 / 6:30 pm

rry Pullen Photo by La

Safari Texas Ballroom / Richmond, TX Contact: farrah@fortbendcc.org

Musical Entertainment by

THE BLUES BROTHERS TRIBUTE BAND

on a

. . . n o i Complimentary Libations s s i No Auction Guarantee m

www.FortBendChamber.com

Dinner & Dancing Black Tie Optional

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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 BEI Security

Edward Jones

Muzak

Jack Molho, Vice President 12502 Exchange Dr., Suite 408 Stafford, TX, 77477 281-340-2100 Security

Paul Matatall, Financial Advisor 15510 Lexington Blvd Sugar Land, TX, 77478 281-980-6610 Financial Services

Steve Richards, CEO 8280 Willow Place N., Ste. 150 Houston, TX, 77070 713-397-7286 Advertising Services

Elite Financial Management

OptumRx

Brilliant Sky Toys & Books

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Smita Singh, Owner 16160 City Walk Sugar Land, TX, 77469 281-242-8697 Hobbies & Toys

Compressor Products International

Thomas Stephens, Partner 1 Hermann Park Ct., Ste. 946 Houston, TX, 77021 713-370-0512 Financial Planning

Green Bank

Mike Braun, VP of Supply Chain 4410 Greenbriar Dr. Stafford, TX, 77477 281-207-4600 Oilfield Services

Mia Hinojosa, VP Private/Business Banking 4000 Greenbriar Houston, TX, 77098 713-316-3669 Banks

The Crayton Insurance Group

Legatus Security Solutions

Jamaal Crayton, President Three Sugar Creek Center Sugar Land, TX, 77478 309-706-3000 Financial Services

Scott Schultz, President/CEO 8122 Summer Wind Ct. Sugar Land, TX, 77479 281-881-7016 Professional Services

Fort Bend Business Journal â&#x20AC;˘ December 2012

Clayton Boquet, Pharmacy Operations Director 13131 Dairy Ashford, Ste. 500 Sugar Land, TX, 77478 832-532-5711 Pharmacies

Pinotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Palette Sugar Land Diana Vasquez 16170 City Walk Blvd. Sugar Land, TX, 77479 713-893-0923 Art Galleries

Prince Benefits Group Nelda Prince, President 806 Neal Drive, Ste. B Sugar Land, TX, 77498 281-325-0383 Health Care

www.FortBendChamber.com

Debbie Richards, Executive Director 2700 Lake Olympia Pkwy. Missouri City, TX, 77459 713-779-8877 Associations”

Seyfarth Shaw Andrew Laidlaw, CEO 700 Louisiana St. #3700 Houston, TX, 77002 713-225-2300 Attorney(s) at Law

Seyfarth Shaw/ LaRue

Stratus Power Solutions

J. Patrick LaRue, Attorney 700 Louisiana Street, #3700 Houston, TX, 77002 713-225-2300 Attorney(s) at Law

Ted Volf, Director of Sales 2617 W. Holcombe Blvd, Suite C-555 Houston, TX, 77025 832-465-2350 Energy Broker/Marketer

Simon Spine Jose Simon, President/DC 14019 SW Freeway, Ste. 310 Sugar Land, TX, 77478 832-886-4054 Chiropractors

www.FortBendChamber.com

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Rainbow of Love Adoption Agency

Zinsmeister & Associates, LLC

Waterside Dental Care and Orthodontics Glenda Johnson, Manager 9825 S. Mason, Ste. 120 Richmond, TX, 77406 832-595-6500 Dentists

Marlene Zinsmeister, Owner 106 Guenther St. Sugar Land, TX, 77478 281-265-4111 Attorney(s) at Law

For membership information, contact: Jan-Michael Jenkins 281-491-0218

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

We Believe in you. Thanks for Believing in US! 1 YEAR

SERVPRO of Stafford/Missouri City Kristyn Hollen, 281-403-2256 Evolution Kids Emporium Jimmy Brown, 888-765-5515 Omni Flow Computers, Inc. Daniel Stoller, 281-240-6161 ext.417 Sterling McCall Automotive Group Christy Parker, 713-995-2616 Global Imaging, LLC Puneet Ghei, 281-313-1700 ACE Endodontics Mauricio Ceballos, 281-491-0069

2 YEARS

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

State Farm Insurance John Bowers Jr., 281-242-4800 The Marketing Department Howard Spencer, 281-277-7272 Top Shelf Prithvipal Likhari, 281-240-9463 Resale Junkies Becki Mulvany, 281-494-9999 x103

3 YEARS

Terra Associates, Inc. Vickie Henkel, 713-993-0333 Katy Christian Ministries Steve Nordlander, 281-391-5261 CIRCLES at Wrenway, LLC Shelia Stewart, 281-741-9945 Sweetwater Specialty Consulting, LLC Zeenat Mitha, 713-922-6622 Republic Harley-Davidson Craig D. Slovak, 281-295-1000

4 YEARS

Sugar Land Plastic Surgery John T. Nguyen, 281-980-3661

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

Milestone Member 5 YEARS

7 YEARS

Bearden Management, Inc. Bud Turner, 281-568-4185

Century Sienna Plantation Mari Compean, 281-778-4800

Molina Walker Architects, Inc. Mary Walker, 713-782-8188

Vista Bank Texas Phil Davis, 281-325-5000

8 YEARS

Waterstone Place Apartments Marta Garcia, 281-261-7775 Hillwood Communities Lisa Chahin, 713-609-9219 St. Michael’s Emergency Rooms Shannon Orsak, 281-980-4357 Post Oak Publishing, Inc Michael Blalock, 713-952-1916 Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, LLP Michael J. Siwierka, 713-862-1860

6 YEARS

Symphony Inn & Suites Mike Desai, 281-933-5550 Whole Foods Erica Gentry, 281-491-5577 The Growth Coach Glenn Smith, 281-841-6680 Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste Orthodox Christian Church Gabriel Karam, 281-240-4845 LaBarge Inc. Michelle Peterson, 281-207-1357

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers-Town Square Alan Smith, 281-980-1601 McDonough Engineering Corporation Ranney McDonough, 713-975-9990 Fort Bend Optimist Club of Sugar Land Mike Harness, 281-236-9726

9 YEARS

Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land Kenneth W. Enders, 281-207-1597 Sugar Land Surgical Hospital Daniel Smith, 281-243-1000

Milestone Member 10 YEARS Groth Corporation Jeremy Glasgow, 281-295-6800 CP & Y, Inc. Sanjay Ram, 713-532-1730

11 YEARS

Geotech Engineering and Testing David A. Eastwood, 713-699-4000 Calvary Episcopal School and College Prep Malcolm Smith, 281-342-3161

12 YEARS

Arrow Plumbing Co. Ann Barnes, 281-240-6868

W.S.S. Tri-County Child Development Council, Inc Helen Wright, 281-239-3414

Sleep Inn & Suites D-Andre Holmes, 281-494-2900

13 YEARS

Texana Center George Patterson, 281-239-1300

www.FortBendChamber.com

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

For membership information, contact: Jan-Michael Jenkins 281-491-0218 jan@fortbendcc.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

City of Arcola Evelyn Jones, 281-431-0606

Executive Living Terry Gremillion, 281-494-4945

Forum Energy Technologies Valve Solutions Greg O’Brien, 281-565-1010

SES Horizon Consulting Engineers, Inc. Epi Salazar, 713-988-5504

Gomez & Company Benjamin Gomez, 713-666-5900

Sugar Grove Church of Christ Richard A. Fancher, 281-530-9651 Sugar Land Plumbing Jeanne Edmunds, 281-242-6990

14 YEARS

Dennis Fernelius CPA, PC Dennis Fernelius, 281-261-7551

Milestone Member 15 YEARS Hampton Inn / Stafford Joseph Sherfield, 281-565-0559

Nectron International, Inc. Michael Kardoush, 281-240-2222

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett December 3, 2012 • 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce 445 Commerce Green Blvd., Sugar Land Community Resources Division

Children at Risk: Legislative Priorities December 11, 2012 • 8:00 am – 10:00 am Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce 445 Commerce Green Blvd., Sugar Land Business and Professional Division

22 YEARS

What Local Businesses Need to Know for Planning in 2013

Champion Technologies, Inc. Nell Ciancarelli, 713-627-3303

December 13, 2012 • 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce 445 Commerce Green Blvd., Sugar Land

Brookside Inspection Services Richie Ford, 281-242-6428

January 2013 Governmental Relations Division

AECOM Kevin Krahn, 713-780-4100

2013 State of the City: Sugar Land January 18, 2013 • 7:30 am – 9:30 am Sugar Land Marriott Town Square 16090 City Walk, Sugar Land

Milestone Member 16 YEARS

Silver Eagle Distributors, Inc. Kevin Kohl, 281-239-1197

Sienna / Johnson Development, LP Michael Smith, 281-778-7777

Freedom Automotive Services, Inc. John Miller, 281-499-4797

The Design Source Birdie Blackburn, 281-242-3336

17 YEARS

Internet Access Point Corp. Charles Newcomer, 281-242-1001 Bank of Texas - Sugar Land Frank Yonish, 713-578-3556

18 YEARS

City of Richmond Hilmar Moore, 281-342-5456 TBG Partners John L. Wallace, 713-439-0027 www.FortBendChamber.com

Business and Professional Division

25 YEARS

Tyco Valves & Controls Jose Abdelnoor, 281-274-4606

December Governmental Relations Division

19 YEARS

The Grand Parkway Association David Gornet, 713-965-0871 Laserzone Gary Wilhide, 281-277-2900

SAVE THE DATE

Annual Business Planning with Glenn Smith

January 23, 2013 • 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce 445 Commerce Green Blvd., Sugar Land Business and Professional Division

Chairman’s Gala

26 YEARS

January 25, 2013 • 6:30 pm – 12:00 am Safari Texas Ranch 11627 FM 1464, Richmond

29 YEARS

Children at Risk: Future of Fort Bend’s Children Conference

Jerdon Enterprise, LP Bruce White, 281-261-5000

Community Resources Division

IDS Engineering Group, Inc. Tobin Maples, 713-462-3178

31 YEARS

January 18, 2013 • 7:30 am – 9:30 am Sugar Land Marriott Town Square 16090 City Walk, Sugar Land

Planned Community Developers, Ltd. Les Newton, 281-242-2000

38 YEARS

Stewart Title Mary Alice Gonzalez, 281-491-7050

February 1213 Governmental Relations Division

2013 State of the County

2013 State of the County February 15, 2013 • 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Safari Texas Ranch 11627 FM 1464, Richmond December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Ribbon Cuttings

IBERIABANK 5079 Sweetwater Boulevard Sugar Land, TX 77479 713-624-7808

I Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

BERIABANK, we offer the strength, stability and security you need; exceptional service you deserve; and competitive rates, products and services you expect. Backed by 125 years of solid financial performance, we continue to expand throughout the Houston area. We recently opened our Sugar Land office at 5079 Sweetwater Boulevard and celebrated our

Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening with over 175 clients and friends of the bank attending. We have local decision making, local bankers and treat our clients like family. We are well positioned to meet your personal and business banking needs, now and into the future.

Si Environmental 6420 Reading Rd. Rosenberg, TX 77471 832-490-1506

i Environmental, LLC (“Si Enviro”) was formed in February 2012 and is based out of Rosenberg, TX. Si Enviro offers water and wastewater service operations for MUD, ISD, Muni, Industrial, and other clients in the greater Houston area. Si Einvo is committed to serving their clients every day, offering them a wonderful experience with each interaction, and striving

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

for exceptional customer service with every opportunity. They offer a full-range of services to their clients ranging from billing and collections, call center and 24-hour dispatch, meter reading, operations, maintenance, and builder services.

www.FortBendChamber.com

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

www.FortBendChamber.com

Antonia’s Cucina Italiana 4849 Sweetwater Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77479 281-265-4000

McDonald’s

9310 Highway 6 S. Houston, TX 77083 832-328-1890

Fort Bend Family Health 400 Austin St. Richmond, TX 77469 281-342-4530

Royal Dialysis Center

20333 Southwest Freeway, Suite 105 Sugar Land, TX 77479 281-545-1470

www.FortBendChamber.com

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

FORT

BEND

LEADERSHIP F

Infrastructure Sponsors

Harris Construction Company Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Environmental Improvements, Inc. Double Oak Construction, Inc. Jones & Carter, Inc. Silver Eagle

Fort Bend Business Journal â&#x20AC;˘ December 2012

www.FortBendChamber.com

Fort Bend/Katy

Advertising Pays! Attention Fort Bend Businesses, As experienced business professionals we all know the importance of these two words. As owners of family owned businesses we know the value of sharing our story and our philosophy with new and established customers. Whether we market our business by word of mouth or aspire to share it on a much larger scale, share it we must if we desire to exist and grow. For more than 20 years, The Fort Bend / Katy Business Journal has been in the business of business. The Journal is the only locally owned publication in the Fort Bend area dedicated to focusing on your business. Whether the Journal is highlighting the creation of new enterprises, celebrating milestones of existing entities or reporting award winning business endeavors, it is the sole publication in the area dedicated to researching and sharing business stories. The Journal has been an integral part of the phenomenal growth of Fort Bend County reporting on development opportunities, government growth strategies and regulations, and the community/ business synergies that comprise Fort Bend County. The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce prints their monthly newsletter in our publication. To be a part of the Fort Bend / Katy business story, read the Journal and decide how you want to share your own story with the community. Businesses can choose to be a cover story, part of a monthly theme focus, or to run a time appropriate ad for a specific event. The Journal also features business involvement in the numerous philanthropic projects that epitomize the county. Our knowledgeable advertising executives can discuss available business presentation options. State-of-the-art graphic designers and award-winning photographers are also available to present your visual story. The Business Journal cover stories are a testament to the professional ability of our writers. Call 281-690-4204 today to talk with Barbara J. Carlson Associate Publisher. It’s your business and your future. Develop it now by sharing it with others who need your services and expertise.

4655 Techniplex Dr., Suite 300, Stafford TX 77477 • Direct: 281-690-4204 • Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com

How to detect & protect against workplace bullying -- a chronic corporate disease By Rakesh Malhotra

tories of workplace bullying are commonplace throughout the United States.

Some real-life examples: Mavis: “When I started there, I was told that someone had been acting in the position and had expected to get the job. This person continually undermined me and turned other staff against me. I endured 12 months of hell, and felt as if I was sinking in quicksand.” A male employee at a different company: “The misery took over my whole life. I turned nasty and bitter and treated my wife and kids like whipping posts. After many visits to a psychologist, I was able to think of all the positive things in my life. Now I look back and think I wouldn’t want to go through that experience again.” In general, there are no legal repercussions for non-physical bullying except in specific cases, such as sexual harassment. In fact, bullying is a character trait that tends to be condoned in American society. Consider our national obsession -- football. The object of this celebrated game is to get the ball to the other player’s goal, no matter what it takes: trampling, hitting, pushing, screaming. If football is a metaphor for American society, then the winner is the person who pushes others out of the way and wins no matter the cost. Bullies win by controlling situations and people around them. They crave power and the attention that comes from getting what they want. The effects of working with a bully Adults have a difficult time performing their jobs effectively when subjected to bullying by a co-worker. It takes a toll

physically because of our physiological responses to emotional stress. Typically, victims endure feelings of depression, guilt and shame, and they suffer sleep loss and fatigue. In some cases, victims begin to believe the bully’s behavior is warranted, and they develop feelings of worthlessness. They cannot complete tasks at the same level as others in their units. Victims of bullying may suffer from panic disorders, post traumatic stress syndrome, agoraphobia and stress-induced high blood pressure. If they leave the job or are docked because of resulting lowered performance, they face economic issues. Some take their own lives. The abuse takes a toll on victims in every way imaginable.

Are you a bully? Being accused of being the bully can be difficult to accept. You may believe your actions were unintentional, or a justified emotional response to provocation. Perhaps, you see yourself as the only one in the office qualified to do anything right. However, whatever you have said or done, whether purposefully or not, you have created a culture of negativity for at

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

least one person and you need to honestly assess the situation and your role in it. Symptoms that you may be the bully include: • Insulting a coworker (remember, one person’s “joke” may be another’s insult). • Undermining another employee’s work by creating a hostile environment or perhaps by consistently calling their attention to “flaws”. (Bullies focus on a person, while constructive criticism focuses on a task.) • As an employer, ignoring your employees’ suggestions. • Humiliating your employee in front of others. If any of these sound like something that you may be doing, it is important to address this immediately with your victim. You may want to speak with your doctor about getting help, such as counseling, sensitivity training, anger management and other seminars. It is important to understand the signs and symptoms of a bully in order to help the victim and the victimizer deal with and exterminate the behavior. If you are a victim, diligently record workplace bullying events. If you choose to make a formal complaint, you will be responsible for providing information should there be charges brought against the bully.

NEWSWORTHY

Joint effort brings a new community center to Fort Bend County Officials from Fort Bend County and the City of Houston gathered recently to break ground on the new Senior Center located at 5525 Hobby Road, behind the Boys and Girls Club. Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebert and Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage officiated at the ceremonies. Officials from Fort Bend Count Commissioners Judge Bob Hebert Court, Houston City Council Members Larry Green (K) and Wanda Adams (D), and numerous other community leaders and interested citizens were also on hand to celebrate the start of construction. Located in a portion of Fort Bend County that is within the Houston city limits, the Center is an example of collaboration between the county and the City of Houston formed by leadership in both areas.

Funding for this community project is jointly provided by Fort Bend County and federal funds secured through the City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department. The City of Houston Health Department will provide health and wellness services and Fort Bend HHS will manage the day to day operations. The Center will also include: Grady Prestage an auditorium, a fitness center, an Internet Wi-Fi Café and minilibrary. This facility is a symbol of progress, growth and concern among city and county leadership for the area’s aging population and is scheduled to open its doors in the summer of 2013. “We have worked on his project for four years and we are very excited that it will finally become a reality,” said Commissioner Prestage.

Red Cross Super Ball XII set for January 26 The American Red Cross Greater Houston Chapter will be hosting the 12th annual Red Cross Super Ball on Saturday, January 26 at Safari Texas Ranch. This year’s event will be a casual, tailgate party featuring a super-size tailgate buffet, complimentary beer and wine, live and silent auctions, sports games, dancing and fun! Individual tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available. In addition to raising money for American Red Cross programs such as Disaster Services, Service to the Armed Forces, and Transportation, the Red Cross Super Ball honors individuals in the community who show strong support and commitment to Fort Bend County

and the Red Cross. This year’s Honorary Chairs are Chris Breaux, Whitley Penn, Mary Gayle Brindley, Amegy Bank – Town Square, and Keri Schmidt, Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. This event would not be possible without our sponsors. At this time, our early sponsors include our top sponsor, Legacy Ford, Trustmark National Bank, Silver Eagle Distributors, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, and Gurecky Manufacturing. For more information about the event, or to sponsor the event, please contact Shannon Woodruff at 713-313-1657 or shannon.woodruff@redcross.org.

Submit Newsworthy items to sharon@fortbendstar.com

Four things every taxpayer should get to know

Get to know your pay stub. Take the time to see what’s being taken out. It’s always illuminating to see what kind of bite taxes are taking out of your hard-earned take-home pay. Get to know the lingo. You don’t have to talk like a city manager or a chief financial officer, but it’s good for citizens to have a basic understanding of how bonds work and the differences between general obligation bonds and revenue bonds. And millage rate? Yeah. You should probably know that, too! Get to know the pros … as well as the cons. It’s easy to oppose ballot initiatives or policy proposals that have a hefty price tag attached to them. But there are always costs of doing nothing, and those must be considered as well. Get to know the players. The most interesting – and entertaining – ‘reality show’ you’ll ever watch just may be a local city council meeting or a government hearing featuring expert witnesses. So go see some real debate on issues that really matter.

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

NEWSWORTHY

OSHA encourages retailers to provide safety measures US Labor Department’s OSHA encourages retailers to provide crowd management measures to protect workers during major sales events The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging retail employers to take precautions to prevent worker injuries during major sales events during the holiday season. In 2008, a worker was trampled to death while a mob of shoppers rushed through the doors of a large store to take advantage of a sales event. OSHA recommends that retailers follow certain safeguards against this type of tragedy. “Crowd control and proper planning are critical to preventing injuries and deaths,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. “OSHA urges retailers to adopt a crowd management plan during the holiday shopping season that includes a few simple guidelines.” A fact sheet outlining these and other safety measures is available at https://www.osha. gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/Crowd_ Control.html. A letter that OSHA has sent to major retailers about preventing crowd-related injuries can be viewed at http://www.osha. gov/asst-sec/blackfriday_letter_2012.html. Comments on this subject from Michaels are available for radio stations to rebroadcast. To download the audio file, or view a transcript, visit http://www.osha.gov/ooc/ previous-focus.html. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http:// www.osha.gov.

Lamar CISD to build 600-seat natatorium near 315-seat stadium The Lamar CISD Board of Trustees approved a plan to build a 600-seat competition Lamar Consolidated Natatorium Study - LHS - Site Option natatorium on the current site Lamar Consolidated Independent School District. of the Lamar Consolidated High School baseball field at its November meeting. beginning of the 2014-2015 school year. The Mustang baseball team will play in a The Natatorium Master Plan team, new 315-seat stadium, located slightly north made up of Central Office administrators, of the current location, across Mustang representatives from Lamar CISD’s facilities, Avenue, on property the District already maintenance and athletics departments, owns, bounded by Radio Lane, Herndon design consultants and the district’s program Drive and commercial development that manager, made the recommendation to the faces Avenue H. Trustees. The new baseball stadium will be ready The new design will provide 222 additional by January, 2014. The new natatorium paved parking spaces for Traylor Stadium is scheduled for completion before the with room for additional parking.

Ocusoft consolidates offices Ocusoft, a privately held ophthalmic pharmacy company, recently consolidated four locations to settle in to a new 20-acre headquarters campus in Rosenberg. “We now have increased space and improved efficiencies because we are all under one roof,” said President and CEO Cynthia Barratt, who founded the company with Nat Adkins Jr. in 1986 in Rosenberg. The 70,000-square-foot facility is situated at 30444 Southwest Freeway and houses 130 employees. The new location allows room for growth as it enables the company to more efficiently ship its products to ophthalmologists, optometrists, wholesalers, distributors and retail customers throughout the U.S. and Canada, and directly to consumers who order online. It also has some international customers.

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

Half of the new facility is warehouse space, 20,000 square feet is used for administrative and operations and 15,000 square feet is for customer service, inside sales, training and a food court. The site originally contained three buildings, of which one was remodeled and another demolished and rebuilt to connect with the existing building. The third building will be redone to house a wellness and recreation area slated to open later this year. GRA served as the general contractor on the project, and Joe Milton was the architect. Ocusoft moved to the new location in May. The company has annual revenue of $35 million. Ocusoft has been recognized as a Top Workplace in the Greater Houston area the past two years.

Submit Newsworthy items to sharon@fortbendstar.com

Santikos Palladium – 100 Days Out Construction for the new Santikos Palladium is entering its final phase, crossing a milestone this week of 100 days till completion. Texas-based Santikos Theatres, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, will debut the Palladium in a grand opening celebration on March 1st. The entertainment destination – located in Long Meadow Farms near Richmond – will be the largest in the Santikos family, featuring 22 stadium-style theaters, four restaurants, 16 lanes of bowling, retail space and other amenities. Luxurious surroundings will be a signature of the Palladium, adorned with Greek columns and marble floors, and movie-goers will have access to multiple bars, including a sports lounge, and numerous dining choices including oven-fired pizza and

Gillman Honda supports Lamar CISD’s automative program

Santikos Palladium

fresh sushi. The complex will be the first in Houston to debut Dolby Atmos sound – a brand new sound technology from Dolby labs. Six of the theatres will feature giant screens measuring more than 80 feet wide, and four of the theatres will be devoted to art/ independent films.

Ten West Crossing coming to Katy Another great economic development project is underway in Katy. EastGroup Properties, with leasing partner InSite Realty, has announced Ten West Crossing, a new 40acre development located on Merchants Way near I-10 and Mason Road. Kevin Sager, Vice President of EastGroup Properties, noted that the Company purchased the tract earlier in 2012 and will soon be constructing two buildings, a 45,000

SF flex facility and 67,000 SF light industrial building. These buildings are the first group of seven that are planned for a total of 552,000 SF at Ten West Crossing. Sager, a Katy resident, noted that the buildings will be constructed of the highest quality with high end architectural finishes and glass. The company plans to recruit high quality companies to Ten West Crossing and the Katy area. Left to right – Allen Deon Wilson, LCISD auto tech instructor; Troy Schroeder, Gillman Honda Rosenberg; Richard Fonseca, former LCISD auto tech student/AYES intern.

Sugar Land to spread hope during holiday season The City of Sugar Land will host its annual food drive at the new T.E. Harman Center, 226 Matlage Way, on Dec 7, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The City’s partnership with KTRK Channel 13’s Share Your Holidays Food Drive is intended to make sure families in Fort Bend County have a meal on the table during the holiday season. Food and shelter are hard to find for some people, as many live at or below the poverty level. Families are forced to decide between food and rent payments. One donation can make a difference in someone’s life. Whether it’s one can or 100, every contribution makes

Gillman Honda Rosenberg and their Service Manager Troy Schroeder are working with Lamar CISD’s Automotive Youth and Education (AYES) Instructor Allen Deon Wilson to provide high school students with job-shadowing and internship opportunities. Richard Fonseca, a former Lamar CISD student, became a paid employee of Gillman Honda while in high school last school year. Even after graduation, he continues to work in the dealership while attending school at Wharton County Junior College. Richard Fonseca and Allen Wilson are shown presenting Gillman Honda’s Troy Schroeder with an AYES certificate for their support of AYES.

a difference. All donations will benefit East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry and St. Vincent de Paul Society. To ensure the most nutritious food possible, citizens should donate canned goods, beans, dried fruit, flour, rice, sugar, powdered and canned milk, baby formula and other nonperishable food items. Diapers are also needed. Cash donations or checks made payable to East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry will also be accepted. For more information, contact the Sugar Land Parks

GOT NEWS? 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

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

NEWSWORTHY

WCJC Instructor presents at International Atomic Energy Conference Wharton County Junior College’s Department Head of Nuclear Power Technology Rudolph Henry recently presented information about the college’s nuclear power program in a presentation titled “Preparing Technicians for the Nuclear Industry” at the 56th general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria. WCJC’s Nuclear Power Technology Program offers three degree specializations including, Non-Licensed Operator, Electrical Technician, and Instrumentation and Controls Technician. The program gained international recognition when the IAEA awarded the program the distinction of being a “Best Practice Program” among two-year nuclear power technology training programs. Henry was invited by the Nuclear Power Institute (NPI) to participate at the event as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce Industry Delegation. Henry attended several events and meetings that highlighted Nuclear Power Institute (NPI) programs. NPI is a program of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station that brings together four-year universities, two-year technical and community colleges, and public schools with the nuclear power industry, state and local organizations, and state, federal and international agencies. Together they work to meet the challenge of providing the trained

Wharton County Junior College’s Department Head of Nuclear Power Technology Rudolph Henry presented information about preparing technicians for the nuclear industry and WCJC’s nuclear power technology program at the 56th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

workforce needed to operate new and existing reactors in Texas. WCJC is one of 12 NPI participating institutions. Over the past year the NPI has brought several groups of visitors from other countries to tour the WCJC Bay City campus and

specifically to gain insight about the college’s nuclear power technology program and best practices. WCJC is one of 38 two-year programs that are part of the National Uniform Curriculum Project led by the Nuclear Energy Institute in Washington, D.C.

Four ways Texas is manufacturing America’s manufacturing renaissance How many manufacturing companies are in operation in Fort Bend County? How many are planning to come? There are 8.3 million fingerprints are all over creating a manufacturing renaissance in Texas: More than 830,000 Texans throughout the state go to manufacturing jobs every day in a variety of sectors, including computer and electronics; chemicals; fabricated metal; and motor vehicles and parts. The hub in the triangle: The Texas A&M

Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing is establishing Bryan/College Station as one of the top biotechnology hubs in the nation and bringing thousands of jobs to the region. Mine, mine!!: The new General Electric facility in Fort Worth is training and hiring workers to build cutting-edge mining equipment. The plant will manufacture electric-drive wheel systems and the Texassized off-road vehicles used in mining. Hot spottin’: San Antonio’s CPS Energy

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

– in partnership with OCI Solar Power – is bringing several new manufacturing facilities and more than 800 jobs to the city. The groundbreaking 25-year construction-topower purchase deal will put Texas among the nation’s top five solar-producing states. Fort Bend has its own four ways.To begin to answer the first question you can add Igloo, Texas Instruments, Niagara, and Gurecky Manufacturing to your list knowing there are others.

Submit Newsworthy items to sharon@fortbendstar.com

Put holiday preparations aside for Deck the Halls Put the holiday preparations aside to experience the magic of the season as the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra presents its popular holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. at the Stafford Centre. Deck the Halls features seasonal favorites like Sleigh Ride and Frosty the Snowman, as well as classical selections from The Nutcracker and Fantasia on Greensleeves. Also featured are the remarkably talented junior and senior division winners of the Houston Music Teachers Association Concerto Competition who will perform piano concertos with accompaniment from FBSO. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will also be on hand to spread holiday cheer and pose for photographs. Concert-goers can also visit the Christmas Boutique featuring handcrafted items made by orchestra members. For the best seats, purchase tickets early at fbso.org or call 281.276.9642. Reserved seats for adults begin at $12 with discounts for students, seniors 55 and over, military and groups of 10 or more. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult, but need a reserved ticket. The Stafford Centre is located at 10505 Cash Road at Murphy Rd in Stafford. About the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra (FBSO), founded in 1992, enriches the lives of Fort Bend residents and surrounding areas with live symphonic music presented by its volunteer members. The full-size orchestra, complete with brass, woodwinds, strings and percussion, represents an abundant cross-section of local talent, most of whom reside in the Fort Bend area. FBSO also fosters student musicians through sponsorship of an annual Young Artist Concerto Competition that includes a cash prize for the winner and the opportunity to perform with the Orchestra.

Wallace takes the reins at Mental Health America of Fort Bend County Mental Health America of Fort Bend County welcomes Jeanne Wallace as its new Executive Director. Jeanne Wallace, LMSW, joins the organization in its mission to promote mental Jeanne Wallace wellness and improve quality of life for all members of the community. “We are excited to announce that Jeanne has chosen to come aboard and lend her expertise working in the field of mental health administration. She has already proven to be a great asset to our organization” said Dave Armstrong, chairman of the Board of Directors for MHAFBC. Wallace comes to MHAFBC with over 20 year’s management experience in

community mental health as well as strong organizational and leadership skills. She shares the board’s passion for advocating for those dealing with mental health issues. Founded in 1989 after a Mental Health Needs Assessment Project, MHAFBC was initiated to provide information, education, and training to help those who help others meet the mental health needs of Fort Bend County. Today the organization continues to provide leadership in mental health education, advocacy and service for the diverse communities of one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. Its membership, leadership and support are open to all residents. to contact Wallace call (281) 207.2480 or E-mail info@mhafbc. org.

Community meeting scheduled for Sugar Land’s next major park An informational meeting is set for December 13 to discuss proposals for a citywide park located on 63 acres south of U.S. Highway 90A and west of State Highway 6 near Allen Bogard Easton Avenue and Chatham Avenue. The meeting will be held at Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd. North, and begins at 6 p.m. The City is creating the concept plan for the community park in Telfair. The parkland also includes a two-acre historic cemetery. The project proposal includes passive and active elements such as cricket, lacrosse, tennis, adult soccer, water features, playgrounds and more. The information meeting will build on a public feedback period that resulted in suggestions from more than 1,200 people. “Our citizens told us what they’d like to see at this park, and we’re listening,” said City

Manager Allen Bogard. “It’s a great example of citizen engagement. We’ll continue to look to our citizens as we seek their feedback on future parks projects.” A consulting firm was hired in August to perform a preliminary engineering report. As part of the process, the City conducted a communitywide online survey to solicit citizen input for programming at the park.

GOT NEWS? 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

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

NAMES IN THE NEWS

Dominy joins Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas Dr. Dean Dominy has joined Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas (MOST) . “It’s a privilege to join the exceptional staff at Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas,” said Dr. Dominy. “My focus on hand and upper extremities fits perfectly with the culture and history of MOST, and I am looking forward to being part of the team.” After growing up in Katy, Dr. Dominy completed his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University in College Station. He then graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and performed his orthopedic surgery residency

at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Dr. Dominy completed his hand and upper extremity fellowship at The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Dr. Dean Dominy in Erie, Pennsylvania, where his training encompassed both common and atypical conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. “Dr. Dominy brings a unique set of skills and expertise to MOST, his fellowship training included weekly rotations at Shriners Hospital for Children in Erie, Pennsylvania

Lamar CISD Superintendent Randle honored by Texas A&M Lamar CISD Superintendent Dr. Thomas Randle is the 2012 recipient of the Administrative Leadership Institute’s Hoyle Award in Educational Leadership. The Institute, located at Texas A&M University, honored Dr. Randle at its annual banquet on November 7. The Hoyle Award honors John Hoyle, author, researcher and professor at Texas A&M who is a legend in the field of educational administration. The award is given annually to “a practicing administrator who

Dr. Thomas Randle

–– he will be a tremendous asset to us,” said Dr. Vincent Phan of MOST. Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas features one of the largest groups of board-certified and fellowship-trained specialists in Sugar Land. MOST physicians provide general and sports-related orthopedic care, including sub-specialties in hand and upper extremity, foot and ankle, sports medicine, total joint replacement and diseases and deformities of the spine. He offices at two Sugar Land offices and one in Houston. Call 281-494-MOST (6678) or visit MethodistOrthopedics.com and select the Sugar Land location.

Fort Bend County Historical Commission

exemplifies the educator who ‘leads with love,’ is a futurist with ‘one foot in the present and one foot in the future,’ champions the ‘generic kid’ and tackles difficult situations ‘where even the cockroaches carry

crowbars.’” Dr. Randle has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M. He has been the superintendent at Lamar CISD since 2001.

Banker Ryan Watson receives $10,000 scholarship The Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation awarded Ryan Watson, a Sugar Land resident currently serving as a vice president in the commercial banking industry while pursuing an MBA at Houston Baptist University, one of nineteen $10,000 scholarships at a luncheon at the Hilton Americas Hotel in Houston. The foundation annually awards one scholarship to an undergraduate or graduate student focusing on entrepreneurship studies at each of the program’s current

nineteen participating Texas universities. Information regarding the scholarship program, including applications for 2013 may be found at www.texasbusiness.org. You can also find the Texas Business Hall of Fame on Facebook to connect with TBHF scholars and see the latest announcements. Houston Baptist University is an independent, private Christian liberal arts institution with a diverse student body. To learn more, visit www.hbu.edu.

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

Claire Rogers, secretary-treasurer of the Fort Bend County Historical Commission (CHC), was chosen as the organization’s first-ever Commission Member of the Year at a quarterly meeting. Rogers was cited for her dedication and initiative in meeting the varied challenges of her volunteer post. Pictured with Rogers is Lonnie Meadows, vice chair of the CHC’s Public Affairs Committee.

Submit Newsworthy items to sharon@fortbendstar.com

Morales earns international requirements for CCIM Sugar Land Director of Economic Development Regina Morales recently completed international requirements for Certified Commercial Investment Members (CCIM). The Regina Morales worldwide designation has been achieved by only 6 percent of the 125,000 commercial real estate practitioners in the United States. Considered one of the real estate industry’s top accomplishments, CCIM designation requires course work and a resume of closed transactions and/or consultations that represent the highest level of expertise in: financial analysis; market analysis; user decision analysis; and investment analysis for commercial investment real estate. The CCIM designation - a rare achievement for government economic development professionals - benefits cities that must have unique insight into skillsets that facilitate strong economies. This includes developing new properties, developing business parks, redeveloping project sites and attracting new industry. Economic developers are heavily involved with real estate transactions and location analysis. Since its creation in 1999, Sugar Land’s Office of Economic Development has worked with 40 corporations and developers to expand or relocate to Sugar Land, bringing with them 2,400 jobs and more than $1 billion in capital investment. Fourteen corporations from the Fortune 500 list have a significant presence in Sugar Land. As a regional employment center, the city is home to numerous high-profile regional and international corporations housed in more than 22 million square feet of commercial space, including Minute Maid, Schlumberger, Fluor Corporation, Bechtel EO and Aetna.

Verdino produces “Out of Wildwood” Author Betty Verdino, Missouri City resident and community activist, has composed a lifetime of living into a book for her family and friends. After completing years of research of her American heritage, “Out of Wildwood” became a gift not only to herself and family members, but adds dimension of life for the public as well. Spanning all the America wars, the family life on the Mississippi River and travels to Pecos, Texas, yields to the lifestyles and adventures to four family planation homes that still exist today. Here’s how Betty describes her book: Synopsis of “Out of Wildwood” Wildwood Plantation, formerly located in old Port Hudson, Louisiana, and now present day Jackson, was the ancestral home of my Grandmother Alberta “Bert” McVea Lilley, her siblings and their descendants, as well as their parents, Tom Scott and Armina Neville McVea. It also became home to Armina’s mother, Mary Lilley Neville as well. “Out of Wildwood” is told through the life of Bert McVea Lilley, but contains the stories of all of the places and people which were important to Bert and her ongoing relationship to Wildwood. Because it is classified as a ‘memoire’, it is a true story throughout, based on multiple resources which are also ‘true’. Any ‘hearsay’ is always noted. More about Bert and her story Alberta McVea Lilley, fondly called “ Bert” by family, lived in that special time of American History following the tragic era of the Civil War – and on into the 20th century. Bert was a blend of a gracious Southern belle, surviving the Reconstruction period in post-civil war Louisiana, and a strong pioneer woman of the old West. She was an ordinary woman who accomplished extraordinary things. Her home was somewhere between the reality of Pecos, Texas, and her childhood home “Wildwood” in old Port Hudson, Louisiana. In her later life in Pecos, she became known

as “Mother Lilley” or Missus Lilley, and the name “Bert” seemed to disappear. But, she was always “Grandma Bert” to me, and I am her only grandchild. It has taken a lifetime for me to appreciate her influence on my life and her legacy as a ‘founding mother’, essential to our most interesting family. A treasure trove of letters penned by Bert to her family living at Wildwood, and other letters received by her from Wildwood, form the saga of her adult life. . . her courtship with her husband John, their unbearable separations, and the tragedies that befell her as she stoically and heroically took her place as a modern woman in a world of men. The story wraps itself around several generations of family that preceded Bert, and also her husband John Young Lilley – her first cousin once-removed. It is real history, lived out by real people of those times, and is carefully documented with photos and visual records. “Out of Wildwood” presents the opportunity to eavesdrop on Bert’s world, to admire her unwavering faith, and to vicariously relive a lovingly crafted family memoire of lives and loves, and of hardships and hope.

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Sister cities across the globe bring dual economic development

“A

sister,” wrote Toni Morrison, “can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves — a special kind of double.” She was referring to flesh-and-blood siblings, of course, but the same sentiment holds for the special relationships between Texas cities and their sister cities around the world. And those bonds are becoming closer as communities in Texas and other nations look to one another in new ways. In the wake of our national recession and global financial uncertainty, “more and more Texas sister city programs are focusing on ways to increase economic development,” says Mae Mae Ferguson Ferguson, CEO of Fort Worth Sister Cities. “We’re great at creating strong relationships and making it ripe for business to take root.”

Fort Worth Sister Cities “[The] sister cities [concept] is about exchanging people, not just keys to the city,” says Ferguson, recently named Texas state coordinator by the Sister Cities International board of directors. “We’re great at creating strong relationships and making it ripe for business to take root.” Texas’ sister city offices work closely with chambers of commerce and economic development authorities to bring jobs and opportunities to Texas. President Dwight Eisenhower created the sister cities program in 1956, as a way to encourage “citizen diplomacy” and get average Americans involved in global affairs. It was and is an ambitious and worthy project, and Sister Cities International continues to promote Eisenhower’s goal of “connecting people and communities in an effort to foster a more peaceful world.” Sister city programs increase tourism,

encouraging cities to send delegations and private citizens to visit, and provide participants with reliable business contacts. It’s also a way to better understand the cultural differences among different countries — and an opportunity for Texas businesses to show that they want to understand the international markets in which they hope to compete. Nationally, 600 U.S. cities and communities have sister city programs. These relationships extend to all corners of the globe, involving 136 countries and nearly 2,000 cities. At least 27 Texas communities have sister city programs, and many have multiple relationships. Laredo, for example, has 29 sister cities, while Houston has 17. And you don’t have to be a metropolis to have an international sister city; Goliad, with about 2,000 residents, is linked with Hidalgo, Mexico.

Distant Relatives Bad Königshofen, Germany has a downtown recreational park named “Arlington” in honor of its Texas sister. In 2006, the city of Arlington returned the favor by opening a water park called the Bad Königshofen Family Aquatic Center. New Braunfels had considered Braunfels,

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

Germany its sister city since the Central Texas town was founded in 1845, but it didn’t become official until their respective mayors signed a sister cities agreement in 2010. Houston’s only been around since 1857. Its sister city of Huelva, Spain has been inhabited since 3000 B.C. The space between the sister cities of Nassau Bay, Texas and Star City, Russia is immense, but then space is literally what unites them. Star City hosts the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, while Nassau Bay is adjacent to the Johnson Space Center (and home to many of its personnel). Fort Worth’s sister city Nagaoka, Japan contributed plants and construction materials to the creation of a Japanese garden in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. San Antonio is the only Texas city with a sister in India. It celebrates its relationship with Chennai every November, with the release of thousands of floating candles into the San Antonio River to mark Diwali, the Indian festival of lights. Sister city programs are funded in various ways. Some operate through local chambers of commerce or as a part of a city’s convention and visitors bureau. Others are

created as nonprofit organizations, as is the case with Fort Worth’s program, which receives just 4 percent of its annual budget from the city’s hotel occupancy tax.

Fort Worth’s “Best Program” In July 2012, Fort Worth’s Sister Cities program received Sister Cities International’s “Best Overall Program in the U.S.” award for cities with populations of more than half a million at its annual conference in Jacksonville, Florida. This was the eighth time the 28-year-old program had received this honor, more than any other city in the country. For a richer experience, please upgrade to a modern browser. The Fort Worth delegation shares its expertise on economic development at a conference in the city’s Chinese sister, Nanjing. Fort Worth’s program, which has an estimated economic impact of $2 to $4 million annually, recently added an economic development component as part of its selection criteria for sister cities. Last year, the Fort Worth city council approved an eighth sister city, Guiyang in China. “It’s considered an up-and-coming city in China. Today, its population is 4.5 million, which is considered a small city over there,” says Ferguson. “The city stands to grow as China wants to move its population off the coast. We thought it would be a good fit for us.” In June, Ferguson traveled with Steve Boecking of Hillwood Properties to the U.S./ China Cities Economic and Investment Conference in Nanjing, China. The goal of such trips is to build long-term relationships that lay the groundwork for future business deals. They don’t necessarily happen overnight, though. Fort Worth and Toluca, Mexico — a hub of private and public-sector activity in the nation’s center — established a sister cities relationship in 1998. Earlier this summer, Spirit Airlines initiated nonstop flights between the two sister cities, a move that businesses and government officials on both sides of the border hope will make it easier to forge mutually beneficial partnerships. Among the first travelers on the new flights

north were members of a delegation of Toluca businesspeople, as part of a trade mission the program coordinated. Travel to sister cities, to truly get a feel for the nation and the people, is a big part of the program. This fall, eight young businesspeople from the Fort Worth area will travel to Nagaoka, Japan as part of the Young Professionals Japanese Business Mentorship Program. The contingent includes men and women from Northwestern Mutual, the Texas Department of Transportation, HGC Real Estate Services and Texas Christian University’s Neely School of Business. They’ll work alongside Japanese business leaders, and next year, Japanese young professionals will travel to Texas for similar mentorships.

San Antonio: Jobs, Investment, Soccer San Antonio’s program has a long history of economic development efforts. More than 20 years ago, the city opened its first Casa San Antonio foreign trade office in Guadalajara, one of its sister cities. The Casa San Antonio initiative, which builds upon sister city relationships, helps San Antonio-area companies that wish to export their products and services south of the border. It also facilitates trade from Mexico and has opened up investment opportunities for Mexican companies and entrepreneurs. Today, the city has Casa San Antonio offices in Monterrey, another sister city, as well as in Mexico City. Sister cities “are the custodians of their community’s international relationships.” — Beth Costello, former director, San Antonio International Relations Office But it’s not just jobs and investment capital moving back and forth; there are soccer balls, too. In June, the Monterrey Rayados played in a soccer doubleheader that also featured the San Antonio Scorpions. The exhibition drew nearly 12,000 fans to Heroes Stadium and led to hopes that clubs from other of San Antonio’s sister cities, such as those in Spain and South Korea, may someday travel to the River City. San Antonio also has a longstanding sistercity relationship with the city of Kumamoto in Japan. That partnership and San Antonio’s Texas-Japan Office “help promote economic strategies,” says Sherry Dowlatshahi, chief of protocol for San Antonio’s International Relations office, and laid the foundation for

Japanese investments in the city such as the Toyota manufacturing plant. “Today, there are 29 Japanese companies with operations in San Antonio,” Dowlatshahi adds. In summer 2013, San Antonio will host Sister Cities International’s 57th Annual Conference. The event will offer scores of educational seminars and opportunities to share best practices with other sister cities programs from around the country. At the 2012 conference in Jacksonville, Florida, San Antonio’s former director of International Affairs Beth Costello gave several presentations to attendees eager to learn more about how sister cities can work together to create economic opportunities. “Texas is ahead of the curve,” Costello says. “We’ve long been reaching out to local companies to train our exporters in how to reach international markets.” She encouraged sister city personnel from around the U.S. to examine their cities’ strategic plans and consider how sister cities could help achieve their goals. “They really are the custodians of their community’s international relationships,” she says.

Houston Humanitarians It’s certainly not surprising that Houston, a major port city where 25 percent of the population is foreign-born, would have a strong affinity for international sisterhood. Recently, the Houston-Karachi Sister City Association joined in a historic memorandum of understanding with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Greater Houston Partnership. Together, the three organizations will join forces to share business and investment information and to develop import-export strategies between the U.S and Pakistan. Representatives from Houston and Karachi ink the historic agreement to foster stronger economic ties between the two sister cities. The Houston-Karachi Sister City Association also has a humanitarian focus. Sister Cities International gave the association its 2011 Innovation: Humanitarian Assistance Award, which honors efforts that promote peace through “mutual respect, understanding and cooperation,” for coordinating Houston’s aid efforts for Pakistan following devastating floods in 2010.

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

ALAN SANDERSEN... continued from page 17

2011 Federal …. Revenues Billion % Individual Income Tax $ 1,092 47% Corporate Income Taxes $ 181 8% Excise Taxes $ 72 3% Other Revenue $ 139 6% Net Interest Defense Department Discretionary

$ 1,484

64%

Expenditures

Billion

$ $ $

Net Category

(227) (700) (646)

6% 19% 18%

$ (1,573)

44%

$ $ $

20% 23% 13%

Billion

(89)

Social Security/Social Insurance $ 819 36% Social Security Medicare/Medicaid Other Mandatory $ 819 36%

$ (2,025)

56%

$ (1,206)

93%

Totals

$ (3,598) 100%

$ (1,295)

100%

$ 2,303

100%

(725) (835) (465)

Source: CBO

% of Total $ Needed to Make Social Security Whole

30% 36% 26%

18% 75% 100%

Options to Choose From Retirement Age Adjustments Phase in Retirement to 68 Phase in Retirement to 70 Index retirement age to life expectancy

Controlling Benefits Growth

Adjust COLA to set static Standard of Living Adjust the COLA by flat 1% Progressive Indexing – Index benefits to prices, not wages

10% 35%-39% 27% 10% 23% each

10%

10% 52

Tax Adjustments

Means Test Tax on Earnings Raise the cap to 90% of taxable earnings Preserve tax on estates over $3.5 million Raise tax on benefits Increase payroll tax rate (each 1/2% total split 50/50)

Investment Options

Invest 15% of the trust funds in stock and bond index funds

Expand Coverage Pool to Take in New People Phase in Newly Hired State/Local Employees

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

Study

Urban Institute AARP Obama

AARP Urban Institute Collaborative

AARP AARP/Obama AARP AARP AARP

AARP

LJA Engineering promotes James Ross to vice president Houston civil engineering firm is pleased to announce that James D. Ross, PE, has been promoted to Vice President in the firm’s Houston Land Development Division. Ross has 16 years of civil engineering experience including engineering design and management. He has worked on numerous land development James Ross projects and has provided excellent leadership for successful projects utilizing his engineering and business acumen. His experience includes feasibility studies, creation of construction plans and documents for underground utilities and paving for subdivisions, construction phase services, roadway reconstruction and widening, and serving as a District Engineer for various MUDs and TIRZs. He has been with LJA for 15 years and currently supervises engineering operations and manages the design and construction of land development projects in Shadow Creek Ranch, a 3,300acre, master-planned community in Pearland; El Dorado, a 412-acre community in Clear Lake City; Southlake, a 315-acre tract in Pearland; the Preserve at Highland Glen project for Beazer Homes in Pearland; and a 12,000-acre master-planned community in Fort Bend County and Waller County. In addition, his position involves interacting with clients and managing the coordination process with various governmental agencies. Ross is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas, and a graduate of Texas A&M University.

Shopping for the Holidays

ou’ve hit a roadblock and don’t know what to buy? Make Lone Star Banners And Flags your one-stop shop for all of your Christmas shopping. Football season is upon us. We also carry NFL, college and other special team flags. We have both commercial and residential flagpoles that will meet your needs. We custom order. You can’t make it over to our storefront? Just scan our QR Code into your smartphone and shop conveniently from your home or office. Questions? Call us at 281.495.2900 or 1.800.338.3524. Build a lasting memory. Show your patriotism. Support our troops.

Pam Ludlam-Wight, General Manager; and Mike Tettleton, President and Co-Owner.

KOLBE CURTICE... continued from page 15

equity investment can vary from year to year. Although that is true, the returns on equity by companies since the middle of the twentieth century have in fact not varied much at all (Warren Buffet: How Inflation Swindles The Investor – Fortune May 2011). Commercial property is a great alternative to these traditional investments which are susceptible to shrinking returns due to inflation and declining dollar values. Most commercial leases call for set annual rent increases, or, at a minimum, have language that will tie rental rate increases to the increases in the consumer price index (CPI). The CPI is basically a measure of the annual rate inflation as it measures the annual increase in the cost of a “basket of goods and services” in the US (both nationally and by region). Planned development in Fort Bend County has created our own version of Will Rogers’ “ocean frontage.” There is “only so much of it and no more.” I have witnessed our land values steadily increase as the county has seen record levels of development over the past twenty years. As our supply of property in our most attractive areas has been absorbed, prices have risen accordingly. I hope I have the opportunity to see what the next twenty years will bring. Kolbe M. Curtice CCIM, CLS is a licensed Texas Real Estate Broker and is the Managing Director of Colliers International - Fort Bend., 15999 City Walk, Suite 250, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479. He can be reached at 281-4944769 phone / 281-494-3227 fax / Kolbe.curtice@colliers.com.

Your full service flag and flagpole company 50 years business experience US State and Misc. Flags Custom logo flags and banners Commercial and residential Flags & Flagpoles • Service and installation Graphic service provided for custom orders Rush orders accepted Free Shipping on all orders over

50.00

(This offer does not apply to website orders)

281.495.2900 fax: 281-495-8727

www.lonestarbannersandflags.com December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Revolution Studio : ™

An innovative indoor cycling concept launches first independent cycling studio in Sugar Land

Revolution Studio takes indoor cycling to the next level. The studio has developed an innovative total body workout incorporating a mental and emotional component to the physical workout which resonates with their customers. “Each workout offers cardio, strength-training and a positive way to relieve stress, and most importantly, the Revolution Studio workout delivers results,” says Mitch Syma, former personal trainer for the United States Air Force and co-owner of Revolution Studio . “I always tell my athletes they should love what they do and work hard at the same time. This mirrors what Revolution Studio is doing.” Revolution Studio is the ‘go-to’ ™

evolution Studio , a boutique indoor cycling studio that combines the wildly popular indoor cycling movement with a full-body workout component, opened its doors in late October in Sugar Land Town Square at 2125 Lone Star Drive. “With advanced features like a state-of-the-art facility and cutting edge online reservation system, Revolution Studio™ is ‘revolution’izing the idea of group cycling,” says co-owner Kim Syma. “Revolution Studio is perfect for anyone looking to have fun, and mentally escape the day while getting an intense, invigorating cardio workout with proven results.” ™

™

place in Sugar Land known for the best workout in the most beautiful atmosphere. A place where people can meet friends, relieve stress, take a break from the day, combat the holiday weight gain, or just enjoy the spa-like facilities and great music. Revolution Studio also plans to host special events not typically associated with gyms, like guest DJs, theme rides, special guest instructors, charity rides and more. Each class feels less like work and more like a party on a bike In a sleek, modern, spa-like setting, Revolution Studio™ instructors inspire and motivate riders through a highenergy, full-body workout choreographed to adrenaline-pumping music that can burn up to 800 calories per 50 minute session. Created by Kim Syma, a 12-year cycling veteran, the Revolution Studio method includes an emphasis on the upper body and core through pushups, dancing, light hand weights and more. Revolution Studio™ does their part to help others and give back “We are a community-focused organization and believe in giving back to our community through partnerships with local and national charities,” says Syma. Throughout the year riders at Revolution Studio will sweat it out all for a good cause. On selected cause-related rides, Revolution Studio will donate a portion of its profits to a designated charity. To kick start the giving, Revolution Studio will host its inaugural “Turkey Ride” with all proceeds benefiting the Houston Food Bank. Visit www.revolution-studio.com, Facebook@RevolutionStudioCycling. ™

™

Channel 13 food drive returns to Rosenberg

he Channel 13 Food Drive is set for Friday, December 7 from 6 am-6 pm. Once again, it will be at Terry High School in the faculty parking lot. The driveway to the parking lot is accessed from FM 2218, directly across the street from the Central Appraisal District. Channel 13 will be broadcasting live from our location between 9 am-10 am. It is a lot of fun for the children/students to participate. All participation and assistance is appreciated

and encouraged. All volunteers and sponsors are welcome. All proceeds stay in West Fort Bend County.

™

Needy family’s wanted: Also, please keep an eye out for needy families. The best referrals are folks that are known first hand. Please give this serious thought between now and the Food Drive. Contact Bill Benton with Rose/ Rich Community Involvement and the Rosenberg Lions Club, who serves as the Channel 13 Food Drive Coordinator (West Fort Bend County).

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

™

Fort Bend Chamber hosts Harris County Judge Ed Emmett at Government Relations Division luncheon

arris County Judge Ed Emmett will be the guest at a chamber luncheon on Monday, December 3 from 11:30 am-1 pm at 445 Commerce Green Blvd., Sugar Land. Edward M. Emmett became Harris County Judge on March 6, 2007. He attended Bellaire High School, graduated from Rice University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and from the University of Texas at Austin in 1974 with a Masters in Public Affairs. As a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1979 to 1987, Judge Emmett was chairman of the Committee on Energy, a member of the Transportation

Committee, and represented the state on numerous national committees relating to energy and transportation policy. Prior to becoming Judge Ed Emmett county judge, he received international recognition for his work in transportation and logistics policy. Among his many other activities, Judge Emmett is director of Harris County’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, chairman of the HoustonGalveston Area Council’s Transportation Policy Council and chairman of the Harris County Juvenile Board and is currently chairing The Texas Department of

Transportation Panama Canal Stakeholder Work Group. The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Governmental Relations Division continues to provide Chamber members with access to local and state government officials, to promote understanding of current legislative issues, and to provide the business community with an opportunity for input on these issues. Details of upcoming seminars can be found at www. FortBendChamber.com. Individual Member Reservation available for $25 - Non-Member Reservation available for $35 – At the door for $40. Register today at www.FortBendChamber. com or contact Matthew Ferraro at 281491-0277 or Matthew@fortbendcc.org.

COMING JANUARY 2013 ISSUE Deadline: December 10th

Special Feature

A New Year A New You! Fort Bend/Katy

To Advertise Call Barbara J. Carlson 281-690-4204• Cell 281-687-9426 Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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 October 2012. More Assumed Names may be viewed online at http://ccweb.co.fort-bend.TX.us/RealEstate/SearchEntry.aspx. There were 464 Assumed Names for month of October. Davis Susan Gail Vintage Gracie Candles 8502 Church Street 77461 Almanza Teodore G Almanza Framing 422 Fm 360 77417 Jama Kama Hassan Green Shine Arabia 4540 South Pinemont Suite 104 77450 Hancock Bannon Hancock Consulting 20231 Warrington Dr 77450 Huynh Hong Linh THI Tic Tac Nails 2188 D Texas Parkway 77489 Five Pointfour LLC Ciked.Com 20207 Lochpoint Ct 77407 Maxwell Mary My Smart Art Cart 15911 Darton Drive 77085 Chife Aloy Dr (+) Anam Floods Disaster Relief Fund 410 Royal Lakes Manor Blvd 77469 Chew Jeanne Elegant By Design 2903 Fulford Point Ln 77494 Watson Reginald Throwed Flix P O Box 2085 77459 Love Derrick T (+) A.P. Enterprise Po Box 2356 77459 Scott Tamika Desired Taste 3943 Norfolk Pine 77545 Mk Investments Hanafan Kathleen 4771 Sweetwarter Blvd Ste 241 77479 Onwuka Adline Nikki’s Boutique Po Box 2604 77087

Williams Oscar Alexis Texas Pressure Washing Unlimited 13107 Shoalwater Ln 77584 Dick Joshua Global Management Strategists 3206 Logan Crest Ct 77494 Thomas-Fortune Cheryl DJ3 (+) 4207 Ferro Street 77477 Brogdon Marie Clare Brogdon Home Resources 2418 Lakefield Way 77479 Goldman James Jim Goldman Consulting Ltd. 3306 Black Locust Dr 77479 Tramontina Usa Inc The Cook’s Homestore 12955 West Airport Blvd 77478 Tramontina Usa Inc Cook’s Store 12955 West Airport Blvd 77478 Tramontina Usa Inc Tramontina Cook’s Store 12955 West Airport Blvd 77478 Tramontina Usa Inc Tramontina Homestore 12955 West Airport Blvd 77478 Moses Joshua Holydai Water 4058 Mission Valley Dr 77459 Moses Joshua Yet Praise Ministries 4058 Mission Valley Dr 77459 Stacks Kenneth B (+) Environmental Friendly Products 5703 Ashley Spring Ct 77494 Katy Pawn LLC Katy Pawn 6193 H Way Blvd #105 77494 Khan Muhammad F (+) Quality Merchant 7355 Highway 6 South 77083 Ayurveda L L C (+) SanTHIgram Kerala Ayurvedic Wellness Center 3223 South Main St 77477

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

Flores Eric Ross Wolf Intel 27914 Feather Banks Ct 77441 Rodney Thompson LLC Thompson Transport 7702 Waterchase 77489 Mansanales Jesus D Nature’s Pride Landscapes 13006 Bonnie Lane 77477 Wilkinson David (+) Wilkinson Investment Group 4722 Sunshine Dr 77479 Akunna Billy Auto Plaza 5802 Autumn Fall Ct 77479 Edison Bertha Unity Softball Association 3115 S Main 77477 Alief Pediatric Dentistry Pc Mydentist Of Sugar Land 17420 West Grand Parkway South 77479 Petteway Kanabriel (+) Kana Ben Christian Academy 2304 Texas Pkwy 77489 Petteway Kanabriel (+) Absolute Logistics Inc. (Ali) 2304 Texas Pkwy 77489 Braswell Brent (+) Overcrowdedcrib Entertainment 1928 Pine Dr 77471 Hicks Oren L Bear Paw Productions 22611 Tullis Trail Ct 77494 Brown Raena Rlb Consulting LLC 1566 Quail Trace 77489 Blankenship Cheri The Shirner Sessions (+) 3702 Hawkins Ct 77459 Blankenship Cheri Gamagrass Records 3702 Hawkins Ct 77459 Mixon Anthony (+) Baja Onyx 5555 New Territory #1202 77479

Johnson Bernita Young Drivers Safety Training (Defensive Driving Course) 11315 W Airport #101 77477 Helmbeck Ronald Jr Coastal Wind Arms 3303 Dancing Creek Ln 77459 Helmbeck Ronald Jr Coastal Wind Outfitters 3303 Dancing Creek Ln 77459 Beeman Donald Sports Galore 8633 W Airport Blvd 77071 Johnson Bernita Young Drivers Safety Training (Defensive Driving Course) 10311 W Airport Blvd #101 77477 Mendel Bruce A (+) House Connections 12241 Gubbels Rd 77469

Cashion James Patrick Jmc Chemical 3810 Emerald Lake Dr 77459 Mcelroy Scott A Mcelroy Pool Care 1314 Bitterwseet Drive 77406 Hajduk Lawrence Marketing Freak Solutions 7407 Bannon Field La 77407 Holloway George A Broom and A Dustpan 4011 Frontier Drive 77479 Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC Fidelity Brokerage Services (Texas) LLC 23233 Cinco Ranch Blvd Suite 125 77494 Transformations By Sarah LLC Chamak 3425 Hwy 6 Ste 107A 77478

Nguyen Hoai Huong K (+) My Kim Hair Salon Pc 5022 Hwy 90 Ste H 77498

Le Pain De Vie Le Pain De Vie 14231 Fm 1464 Apt 8207 77498

Ku Jeong Lim Karismall Inc 4634 Brant Crossing Dr 77494

Cast Iron Skillet Cast Iron Skillet 14231 Fm 1464 Apt 8207 77498

Pritchard Colin Pecan Grove Computers 2010 Clara Lake Ct 77406 Boyle William D Jr Omnisphere Consultants 9402 Hanks Harbor Ct 77494 Ofor Precious E Jamestown Industries Limited USA 5911 Sagamore Bay Ln 77469 Ofor Precious E Prefach Global Concept 5911 Sagamore Bay Ln 77469 Anakua Emeka Emmy Motors 10506 Town Square Rd 77498 Warren Anna Annabelle’s 23706 Tustin Ranch Ct 77494 Jones Ryan D Machine Drumline (+) 15230 Briarcraft Dr 77489

Neal Jeanie J & J Auto Maintenance (+) 15238 Old Richmond Rd 77498 Klock James E (+) Klock Trucking 6806 Dolan Bluff 77469 Nguyen Oanh THI Oceanna Nail & Skin Care Service 4962 Raintree 77459 Loredo Stephanie Stephanie’s Mobile Tax Srvc 10603 Highland Woods Dr 77498 Crookshank Jameena Create Realty 16310 Quail Echo Dr 77489 Jones Sydney L Jupiter Credit Counseling Services Division Ii 1419 Acorn Ct 77489

DBA (Assumed Names)

Data Beat

Denton Keithrich M (+) Mukoro Nelson E Dr Mattress One Providence Chiropractic, 13645 Fm 1092 Ste 107 77477 Rehab and Sports Clinic 2818 Fir Crest Ct 77477 Salazar Bisente Templo Monte Sion Giddens Mary 400 Blume Rd 77471 Imagination Run Amuck 12303 Jeske Rd 77461 Ochoa Jorge Granite Solutions Usa Evans Jeffery 2027 Declaration Dr 77459 Office Tech 16722 Village Trace Dr 77053 Vanslyke Robert H Prudential Premier Properties Evans Jeffery 4819 Fm 359 77406 Jeffery Evans Realty 16722 Village Trace Dr 77053 Santos Jeremiah (+) Fit Fit Eady Patrick Arnold (+) Lonestar Drive 77479 Tempicure Po Box 1139 77461 Ihezue Bright (+) Stafford Kids Academy My Pack and Mail Express Inc 2503 S Main #A 77477 Budare Anepa Express 402 W Grand Pkwy Katy 77494 Presley Aaron Presley Woodcrafting Carter Justin (+) 2535 Planters Row 77478 Orange Juice Is Delicious 1403 Lewis Creek Ct 77406 Gonzales Maria Luisa Mg Minor Home Repairs Sicilian’s Pizza & Pasta LLC (+) 7035 Palmetto St 77087 Sicilian’s Pizza & Pasta 13416 Greenway Dr 77498 Pogue Sarah (+) AOG Igwe Anthony Ogbonnaya (+) 13907 Oakwood Ln 77498 Delta Petroleum Products - Kern Pc Tristan Agustin 13218 Terralyn Way Tristan’s Auto 77478-6058 3706 Edie St 77545 Moreno Miguel (+) Croson Blanca D Good Eye Advertising Cdr Process Design 5206 Windcrest Ct 77450 & Equipment 34705 Katy Freeway 77423 Merino Yuri S (+) Merino’s Auto Sale Ali Syed A (+) 3020 Henson Rd 77471 Aaa - A/C & Appliance 2310 Planters Row 77478 Traditions Health Care Of Houston/Galveston LLC Adhitama Yohan Traditions Health Care Little Tiger 1862 Rock Prairie Road 2427 Waterwood Dr 77479 Suite 202 77845

(+) = More Names Trevino Jose Jr (+) Jalapeno Joe’s Catering 16518 Elmwood Pointe Ln 77498 Beacon Mental Health & Social Services PLLC Idic Healthcare 5726 Sagamore Bay Ln 77469 Baralt Gerald (+) Jb Security Consultants and Investigations 1502 N Hearthside 77406 Guidry Velta Lighthouse Independent Care 8443 Bird Run Dr 77489 Ward Dayion The Kid In Me Ent. (+) Loc 10498 Fountain Lake Dr Apt 1028 77477 Holley Jonathan M J.F. Dulles 83 Reunion 4675 Sweetwater 77479 Dang Vu Hoang Jewelry & Watch Repair Center 2115 Thompson Rd Ste 5 77469 Jones Jennifer O Mango Seed Group Loc 9119 Hwy 6 Suite 230 #105 77459 Winata Jonathan J Winata Software Solutions 1818 Lake Winds Dr 77459 Solis Oscar Jr Texas Home Improvements 1520 Hil-Cris Rd 77477 Carbajal Francisco Jr (+) Shamrock Tires 2902 Cotton Stock Dr 77479 Manuel Kathy Lpc (+) Embrace Life Counseling and Consulting 1846B Snake River Rd 77449

Senior Frederick (+) Bekingo 1438 Sand Lake 77407

Lerma Sal (+) Quality Custom Construction 1317 Lawrence St Rear 77471

Senior Frederick (+) Teembre Multiservices 1438 Sand Lake 77407

Al Jabari Ghazi (+) Gazi Beauty Salon 11333 Fountain Lake Dr 77477

Mckay Family Enterprises LLC Strong Martial Arts 9825 S Mason Rd #160 77406

Banks William (+) Allied Premium Services 10502 Ripplewave Dr 77498

Momin Amir A President / Secr (+) Raceway #6900 3215 First Street 77471

Osborn Diane Remembering Oz 6140 Hwy 6 #107 77459

Sareen Aneet Integrated Support Services 5119 Pineridge Drive 77479

Ni Salon LLC (+) Salon De Moiselle 2248 Fm 1092 77459

National Associations LLC (+) Nata, LLC 10707 Corporate Drive Suite 130 77477

Collins William Jr (+) I Am Me Basics 700 Cobia Dr Apt 1822 77949 Shredguard Inc Ameritex 2121 Brittmoore Ste 3700 77043 Lyons Patricia Personally Yours by Design 3207 Robinson Rd 77459 Rivera Jaymes J T R Enterprise (+) 22136 Westheimer Parkway #727 77450 Giles Kennedy Lincoln Christian Consulting and Business Coaching 2601 Cartwright Rd Suite D114 77459 Hameed Zubair (+) Cell Spot 5304 E 5Th St Ste 109 77493 Pedersen Sandra L Quilting Your Quilts 7107 Pembrough Lane 77494 Powell Milton J (+) Mob Style Music Group 4011 Floral Way Ct 77545 Rosenbaum Russell W (+) Laserfades 2012 Avenue G Suite A 77471 Moreland Ryan Legend 2123 Redcoat Dr 77489 Powell Milton J Jr Mob Style Music Group 4011 Floral Way Ct 77545 Adebayo Victoria Adeola (+) Save Enterprise 7530 Crescent Lake Ct 77469 Hetherington Phillip M Gulf Coast Dive Charters 3362 Highway 6 South 77478 Singh Jaswant (+) Mchard Mart 16950 S Post Oak Rd 77053 Morton St Market (+) Morton Super Market 512 Morton St 77469 Khalfan Zainab Carte Blanceh Cr’eatif Po Box 16538 77496 Atm Tech Solutions Inc New Office Technology P O Box 1086 77441

Agee Stacy S Southwest Adventure Boot Camp 21018 Tranquil Shores Dr 77407 Williams Marquis Gruxboutt Records 1702 Oxford Green Ct 77545 Taylor Brian (+) Dbt Services 1123 Woodland Ct 77406 American Golf Association Aga Gulf Coast 945 Mckinney St Suite 324 77002 Rice Dionne Antoinette Fairy Tale Creations 3850 Kansas 77545 Den FC1 LLC Koko Fitclub 23010 Seven Meadows Pky Suite B 77494 Torlincasi Timothy (+) U.S. Veteran Contractors 318 Power Ct 77478 Bentley Joe Lp (+) Income Frontiers 21018 Barker Ln 77450 Flores Jose Luis J.L.F Painting 17010 Enchanted Circle East 77498 Simpson Robin R Living The Life 9614 Linkmeadow Ln 77025 Green Kim Jerome A & G Enterprise (+) 3930 Teal Run Place Ct 77545 Landin Rosa Lilia (+) L Landin Insurance 7404 Town Center Blvd 77471 Wooten Stacie Balanced Bookkeeping 3326 Hunterwood Dr 77459 Salazar Jose Luis (+) La Raza Meat Market 8611 S Highway 6 77083 Walker Chauntel Harris Worship To Wellness 3410 Cypress Landing Ct 77471 Fernandez Jose Jr (+) Regio’s “Bakery” 720 Murphy Rd 77477

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Data Beat November 2012 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 monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

2012 Payments To Date

2011 Payments Change

Percent

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

37,546.46 7,953.83 73,368.55 714.43 90,638.81 652,802.32 37,691.60 3,216.67 4,260.01 396,726.26 1,196,000.97 29,258.52 1,395,424.29 3,738,690.00 0.00

16,923.04 8,142.89 60,804.65 875.16 90,183.89 574,237.83 34,775.97 4,656.49 4,440.51 398,448.43 1,120,764.44 15,375.33 1,259,481.30 3,853,061.12 3,221.50

121.86% -2.32% 20.66% -18.36% 0.50% 13.68% 8.38% -30.92% -4.06% -0.43% 6.71% 90.29% 10.79% -2.96% -100.00%

339,557.74 86,889.47 595,532.01 11,826.56 960,507.59 6,015,202.40 396,801.11 39,974.09 72,153.04 3,747,172.92 11,748,808.98 164,519.93 13,379,134.82 39,904,826.73 11,119.50

199,637.35 74,774.79 445,935.42 16,814.85 848,716.76 5,476,530.49 330,505.46 40,273.54 44,869.95 3,606,132.50 10,548,709.64 132,668.41 12,425,059.38 36,794,087.96 22,693.71

70.08% 16.20% 33.54% -29.66% 13.17% 9.83% 20.05% -0.74% 60.80% 3.91% 11.37% 24.00% 7.67% 8.45% -51.00%

COUNTY TOTAL 7,664,292.72

7,445,392.55

2.94%

77,474,026.89

71,007,410.21

9.10%

Top 20 City Sales and Use Tax Comparison Summary - November 2012 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 Corpus Christi Plano Amarillo Round Rock McAllen Lubbock Midland Frisco Irving Sugar Land Abilene Grand Prairie Laredo

Net Payment This Period

Comp Payment Prior Year

% Change To Date

2012 Payments To Date

51,735,754.36 22,209,234.99 21,093,020.13 13,759,889.73 10,667,141.38 8,540,259.10 6,338,089.24 6,366,854.96 6,461,911.98 5,890,861.68 5,031,140.73 4,656,764.00 5,232,161.53 4,960,275.17 4,841,923.42 5,067,747.04 3,738,690.00 3,552,497.26 4,148,454.36 3,195,345.08

48,477,722.49 19,821,230.50 21,196,308.28 13,021,900.10 10,554,454.08 8,367,389.82 6,228,213.52 6,196,134.92 5,975,184.94 5,585,775.45 5,221,152.16 4,655,572.09 4,885,374.25 4,222,796.87 4,370,704.21 5,426,669.41 3,853,061.12 3,842,606.95 3,723,740.94 3,124,785.48

6.72% 12.04% -0.48% 5.66% 1.06% 2.06% 1.76% 2.75% 8.14% 5.46% -3.63% 0.02% 7.09% 17.46% 10.78% -6.61% -2.96% -7.54% 11.40% 2.25%

523,406,244.29 224,450,929.56 213,591,836.43 145,119,323.67 103,403,944.64 82,145,887.77 68,175,069.10 66,688,249.44 63,390,056.95 60,132,706.74 58,126,420.45 54,544,937.86 51,173,187.09 49,204,537.19 45,580,975.64 45,042,674.49 39,904,826.73 38,152,985.22 37,334,063.00 35,127,894.89

Fort Bend Business Journal â&#x20AC;˘ December 2012

2011 Payments Change

467,985,169.89 203,790,045.76 200,046,641.54 132,940,715.45 97,857,659.61 79,267,769.78 67,150,260.63 58,695,651.60 58,783,078.91 57,290,925.20 58,153,376.07 50,639,971.17 47,707,932.23 42,339,598.89 40,783,392.01 44,608,362.89 36,794,087.96 36,072,266.49 34,447,698.63 32,192,128.14

Percent

11.84% 10.13% 6.77% 9.16% 5.66% 3.63% 1.52% 13.61% 7.83% 4.96% -0.04% 7.71% 7.26% 16.21% 11.76% 0.97% 8.45% 5.76% 8.37% 9.11%

Data Beat

Commercial Building Permits

Some significant building permits in cities in Fort Bend during the month of October ADDRESS

TYPE OF PERMIT

VALUE

MISSOURI CITY 8721 Hwy 6 Res C 7425 Hwy 6 100 2424 FM 1092 Rd 7246 Knights Ct

Commercial New Commercial Addition Commercial New Commercial Building

$1,900,000 $4,650 $5,381,000 $99,600

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial)

10/01/12-10/31/12

$7,385,250

ROSENBERG 1441 Band Rd 5820 Avenue I 905 Frances Dr

Commercial Building Commercial Building Commercial Building

$380,000 $420,000 $565,000

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial)

10/01/12-10/31/12

$1,368,000

RICHMOND 703 Houston St 1612 Williams Way Blvd 1612 Williams Way Blvd

Commercial Building Commercial Building Commercial Building

$4,100 $2,000 $178,068

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial)

10/01/12-10/31/12

$184,168

STAFFORD 12723 Capricorn Dr 100 10225 Mula Rd 100 4659 Wright Rd 100

Commercial Building Commercial Building Commercial Building

$20,721 $93,700 $10,000

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial)

10/01/12-10/31/12

$124,421

SUGAR LAND 1520 Lake Pointe Pkwy Ste 500 2277 Plaza Dr Ste 400 500 Industrial Blvd 2170 Town Square Pl 2245 texas Dr Ste 450 15921 City walk 13131 Dairy Ashford Rd Ste 600 13213 Dairy Ashford Rd Ste 320 15870 Southwest Fwy Ste 100 3 Sugar Creek Center Blvd Ste 450 3388 State Hwy 6 15500 Southwest Fwy 15300 Southwest Fwy 13444 Southwest Fwy Ste 2 One Sugar Creek Center Blvd Ste 320 1959 Lakeside Plaza Dr 15958 City Walk Ste 250 16535 Southwest Fwy OAD 2004 12720 Dairy Ashford Rd 77 Sugar Creek Center Blvd Ste 150 77 Sugar Creek Center Blvd Ste 501 4555 State Hwy 6 Ste N 2430 State Hwy 6 15977 City Walk 77 Sugar Creek Center Blvd Ste 230 3536 A State Hwy 6 12720 Dairy Ashford Rd 13825 Lexington Blvd

Commercial Addition Commercial Addition Commercial Addition Commercial Buildout Commercial Buildout Commercial Buildout Commercial Buildout Commercial Buildout Commercial Buildout Commercial Buildout Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel Commercial Remodel

$49,438 $59,842 $88,601 $313,447 $379,277 $189,901 $2,000,000 $43,542 $48,756 $284,352 $43,074 $45,000 $150,000 $48,850 $24,282 $87,753 $30,150 $16,530 $900,000 $28,000 $14,000 $31,000 $34,175 $38,000 $33,233 $42,637 $770,000 $15,000

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial)

10/01/12-10/31/12

$5,817,846

OWNER/CONTRACTOR Sienna 1688 LP/Beck-Ford Construction, LLC HSH LLC Camden Builders, Inc. E & K Holdings Inc.

BLS Construction Nolan’s Advantage Construction Tenant Construction

Centennial Shingles Benton, William Benton, William

Adkins Services, Inc./Oilfield Audit/ Dunhill Development Corrotherm International USA LLC/ G B N C Construction LP Walong Marketing Inc/Tawa/ Echco Construction Inc

Lake Pointe Town Center, LTD/Gen-Tech Construction, LLC Town Center Lakeside, LTD/D E Harvey Builders, Inc National Oilwell, LP/Accurate Construction Company Town Center Lakeside, LTD/Texana Builders Town Center Lakeside, LTD/Trademark Construction & Remodeling Town Center Lakeside, LTD/ Med Tech Construction GPI-M Sugar Creek, LP/Trademark Construction & Remodeling GPI-M Sugar Creek, LP/Newport Construction Lake Pointe Town Center, LTD/Startex Services, LLC American National Insurance Co/Byrd Interior Construction, LP HSMEP William Trace, LP/Big Services Inc. CHCA West Houston, LP/BPJ Construction CHCA West Houston, LP/BPJ Construction KHO’s Family I, LP/Campbell Construction Parkway Portfolio I, LLC/Mahaca Construction Gary & Betina Greenberg Family/Critical Path Management, LLC Town Center Lakeside, LTD/O’Donnell/Snider Construction First Colony Mall, LLC/Mono Lite Stucco Lasco Services NNN Sugar Creek Center LLC ETA/Cannon Enterprises, Inc NNN Sugar Creek Center LLC ETA/Cannon Enterprises, Inc Halle Properties, LLC/NeyLand Construction Chase Manhattan Bank/Big Services, Inc Town Center Lakeside, LTD/Custom Redesign NNN Sugar Creek Center LLC ETA/Hermes Commercial Contractors HSMEP William Trace, LP/Omega Construction Lasco Services Rampart Builders, LTD

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Accounting

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Terri L Sibbet, CPA 713-234-0618 Office Affordable, Accurate, Timely -Bookkeeping, Payroll, Payroll Tax Returns - Quickbooks, Financials, Sales & Property Tax Returns -Tax Return Preparation

Advertising Fort Bend / Katy 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.

Acupuncture Mirvana Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs 281-491-0110 www.mirvacu.com Email: info@mirvacu.com. 736 Hwy 6, Suite 103, Sugar Land TX 77478. Mirvana Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs is an upscale, contemporary clinic where patients receive individualized services for a variety of conditions including Fertility, Pain Management, Stress/ Anxiety, Sleep Disorders, Menopause, and Allergies/ Asthma to name a few. The clinic is reminiscent of a spa; soothing decor and natural material enhance the relaxation and healing therapies. Mirvana Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs combines ancient medicine with modern technology including 24 hr. on-line scheduling, email reminders for appointments and an electronic patient database.

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. ASE Blue Seal Certified, State Inspection Station, Diesel Repair, Open Saturdays 8-3. Charlton’s Auto Body Repair and Vehicle Detailing 281-499-1126 www.charltonsbodyrepair.com Chuck Charlton, 1131 Staffordshire @ 5th Street, Stafford, Texas 77477, Charbody@aol.com, 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. 281-980-2666 (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 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!

Economic Development The Katy Area Economic Development Council (Katy Area EDC) www.KatyEDC.org - 281-396-2200 The Katy Area Economic Development Council (Katy Area EDC) , a 501 (c) 6 non-profit corporation, is a full service economic development corporation representing the Katy ISD area (Katy Area). Katy Area EDC : recruits new businesses, helps retain and expand existing businesses, helps create new businesses, facilitates the construction of business infrastructure and helps improve the quality of place and quality of life of the Katy Area.

Country Clubs & Golf Courses Quail Valley Golf Club 281-403-8518 (Direct) 281-403-5910 (Golf Shop) www.golfquailvalley.com Quail Valley Golf Course offers 36 holes of championship golf, a full practice facility, lessons and a fully stocked golf shop. The Missouri City Community Center at Quail Valley Golf Course hosts the Bluebonnet Grille at the 37th Hole, multiple event rooms as well as the 300 seat Magnolia Ballroom. Quail Valley Golf Course and the Missouri City Community Center are the perfect sites for your next meeting or big event. For more information visit www.golfquailvalley.com Quail Valley Golf Course 2880 La Quinta Dr. is located at Missouri City, TX 77459. 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.

Fort Bend Business Journal • December 2012

The Houstonian Golf & Country Club 281-494-4245 www.houstoniangolf.com A private golf and country club providing the area’s finest golf course and golf practice facilities along with fitness, pool, tennis, spa and dining amenities. Golf and Club (non-golf) Memberships are currently available.

Floral Flowers By Tiffany LLC 281-208-8681 www.FlowersByTiffanyStafford.com 508 F.M. 1092, Suite D, Stafford, TX 77477. 2011 CMUS Power Award Winner – Internet Customer Service Award. Beautiful Flowers for all occasions, Weddings, Events, Funerals, Plants, Fruit & Gourmet Baskets. Member of the Better Business Bureau and Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. Mention the Fort Bend Business Journal for a special discount.

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

Glass Block/Showers/Windows South Texas Glass Block - 281-355-8882 www. stglassblock.com We offer complete glass block solutions, providing excellent service and product to all of our customers. We have been in business since 1995, serving the entire Houston and surrounding areas. Our excellent workmanship is unmatched both in the commercial and residential arena. No job is too big for South Texas Glass Block.

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 Prince Benefits Group 713-884-8399 www.princebenefitsgroup.com Partner with a strategically uncompromising and experienced insurance agency that specializes in employee benefits. We help you attract the right talent and keep them happy! The jewel in our crown of insurance is group insurance but we offer the complete spectrum of benefits for groups and individuals: health, dental, life, vision, disability, 401k, general liability, property, worker’s compensation, umbrella, commercial auto, COBRA administration, HR compliance, etc. Prince Benefits

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.

Magazine Fort Bend / Katy 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 reach 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 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.

Newspaper

Printers / Graphics

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

Rain Gutters

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.

Sugar Land Rain Gutters & Remodeling 713-204-4664 SugarLandRainGutters.com Sales and installation of seamless rain gutters; repairing and cleaning out existing gutters and repairing fascia boards. Free Estimates and a 15 year warranty with all new installations. Also offering Organic Gardens and Landscaping by a degreed horticulturist. (Consulting and design fees apply). Locally owned and operated in Sugar Land, Texas.

Real Estate / Residential

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; Visual Perceptual / Binocular Therapy; medical management of eye infections and diseases. The office has a large selection of fashion frames.

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.)

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

Physicians Medical Supplies Synicare Medical 281-378-8040 www.synicaremedical.com synicaremedical@yahoo.com. 20333 State Highway 249, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77070, Fax 888-397-1240. Synicare Medical is focused on providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction. Our entire team is committed to meeting those needs with professionalism and integrity. Synicare Medical specializes in durable medical equipment,medical supplies, and third party billing.We accept all private insurance and strive to meet the needs of every patient in a professional and caring way. Synicare Medical is owned and operated by Synicare Group LLC.

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.

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.

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 tomw@johnsondev.com. Tom Wilcox, 4855 Riverstone Blvd, Missouri City, Texas 77459, Fax: 281-499-8704, Luxurious 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. See more on page 62

12 MONTHS LISTING FOR ONLY $300

December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Group provides your company the leverage it needs to get what it needs.

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Remodeling / Outdoor Living Living Improvements 281-499-7000 www.living-improvements.com AWARD WINNING - 2010 & 2011 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 5,000 satisfied customers. SERVING FORT BEND & SURROUNDING COUNTIES FOR OVER 35 YEARS.

Skin Care NeriumAD Age Defying Treatment 863-673-5256 www.shortmouthyblond.nerium.com NeriumAD improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, aging and sun-damaged skin. Created by a local hospital to aid in the treatment of skin cancer the effects of this cream are beyond amazing! Join the network marketing program that is second to none - get in on the ground floor today or just experience the best anti-aging cream you will ever find! 30-day money-back guarantee! See the results for yourself at shortmouthyblond.nerium.com.

Video Services Star Digital Studios 281-690-4280 www.starvideoproductions.com A full service video production studio providing all phases of video production including professional writing, videography, editing, DVD duplication, distribution; also video deposition services to the legal community. For video needed for a TV commercial, website posting, employee training, promotional DVDs, special presentations, coverage of live events/trade shows, or corporate videos, give us a call. If you are interested in something you do not see on our website, let us know and we’re ready to accommodate your needs!

Water Softening and Purification Systems R & S Water Services 281-416-9353 www.rswaterservice.com info@rswaterservice.com R & S Water Service is a Full Service Licensed Water Treatment Company. We offer Cost-Effective and Long-Lasting Water Softeners. We are 30%-50% less expensive than other water softening companies and we offer the best customer service even after the sale! Sales, Service and Installation of Water Softeners, No Salt Conditioners, Reverse Osmosis Systems, Well Water Systems, Ambassador II ChemFree Iron Filter Systems and Chloramine Removal Systems. We also can test and repair Back Flow devices. For other services or any questions please contact us. 281-416-9353 or info@rswaterservice. com. **List with the BBB. **Licensed members of the TWQA Texas Water Quality Association.

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.

Aling’s Hakka Chinese Cuisine Welcome to Sugar Land’s first Hakka Chinese Restaurant! Using family recipes, Chefs Lin Motiwala and Gary Yan present this unique “Chindian” cuisine, a delicious fusion of both Chinese and Indian cookery (without the curry undertones). From savory steamed or pan fried Dumplings to traditional Indianstyle Hakka dishes, as prepared in Bombay/Pune, like Chicken Lollipop, as well as American Chop Suey, each dish is prepared using the freshest ingredients to bring you a dining experience like no other. Lunch specials start at $6.95 for a 4 course meal. Open Tuesday - Sunday. Lunch: 11am-3pm (Tues-Fri). Dinner: 5:30pm-10pm (Tues-Thurs & Sun) and 11pm (Fri & Sat). Aling’s is located in the First Colony Commons shopping center at Hwy 59 and Williams Trace Blvd. between Home Depot and Office Depot. 15425 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land. Call 281-242-0432. www.alingshakka.com. $$ AURA Restaurant Chef/Owner Frédéric Perrier brings over 30 years experience to his newest venture - AURA. In an upscale yet casually comfortable setting, Innovative American Cuisine reigns and is highlighted in the numerous Daily Specials. AURA features only the finest, freshest ingredients. A three course prix fixe lunch for $12.95 to Mussles Marinieres, Roasted Red Snapper or Filet Mignon with Cognac Peppercorn Sauce. No need to go to Houston or into Sugar Land for a truly high quality dining experience... you will easily find it at AURA (without ‘Big Restaurant’ prices!) at Township Square - Missouri City. Lunch Mon-Sat 11-2. Dinner Mon-Thurs 5-9 and Fri-Sat 5-10. Please call for Reservations &/or Catering ~ 3400 FM 1092, 81-403-AURA (2872). $$ • WB BLU Restaurant | Lounge (New Listing) BLU boasts a globally influenced, Euro-Asian menu from acclaimed Executive Chef Junnajet “Jett” Hurapan. With a diverse background that spans cuisine from Thailand to New American and Mediterranean, Chef Jett’s dinner menu offers an extensive array of both small and larger plates perfect for sharing. Looking for a great deal, come enjoy an incredible three-course lunch menu for $12 Tues - Fri, and $4 happy hour menu Tues - Sun. BLU recently started a Live Jazz Sunday Brunch from 11am to 3pm! Visit www.blusugarland.com ~ 2248 Texas Drive - 281.903.7324. $$ • WB 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

Fort Bend Business Journal • July 2012

for take-out or delivery. 7425 Hwy 6 S (Just North of Sienna) 832-947-0440 / 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. $$ • FB Karl’s At The Riverbend Romantic Dining in the Country, across the creek from a horse farm. Swiss Chef Karl Camenzind’s menu features Angus steaks, Prime Rib, Wienerschnitzel, Trout Almondine and other fresh fish, Rack of Lamb, Steak and other wild game, Atkins specials, a budget weeknight menu offered along with the regular menu, plus a wonderful Sunday Brunch Buffet. Company Luncheons and Rehearsal Dinners invited. Open Tues-Sat for Dinner and Sunday Brunch 5011 FM 723 Richmond 281-238-9300 www.karlsrb.com Read our reviews at www.b4-u-eat.com. $$ • FB Las Alamedas Restaurant & Cantina Las Alamedas Restaurant and Bar Continues the long standing tradition of fine Mexican food and beverages that began in 1980, is now relocated in Katy at The La Centerra Center. Join us seven days a week for our warm hospitality and anything from brunch on the weekends to private corporate events and everything in between. We are a total scratch kitchen featuring an extensive selection of authentic dishes. We are family friendly with a great children’s menu. Our patios were voted one of the top two in the Houston area. Please visit our website and like us on Facebook! The only thing missing is you! We are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and we serve brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm. Our bar and lounge offers full meal service from open to close. Hours of operation are, Monday thru Thursday from 11am to 10pm, Friday from 11am to 11pm, Saturday from 10am to 11pm, Sunday from 10am to 9pm. BAR 11am till closing. 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Suite F-140, Katy, TX 77494. 281-347-3030. Reservations accepted by phone and on line by visiting our web site www.lasalamedas.com. $$ • FB 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. Twentythree 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, Takeout, and Catering available. 3121 Highway 6, Sugar Land • Call 281-2656556. $ • WB 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 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 Grill. Join us for a wonderful culinary adventure featuring fine prime beef, chops, fresh seafood, soups, sandwiches, salads, and outstanding wine selection. Open lunch & dinner - Monday-Thursday 11:00-10:00pm, Friday 11:0011:00p.m., Saturday 4:00-11pm, Sunday 10:00-9:00pm, & Sunday Brunch 10:00-2:00pm. Happy Hour 4:00-7:00pm. 1550 Lake Pointe Parkway, Sugar Land • Call 281-491-2901. www.PostOakGrillSugarland.com $$ • FB

Tradicao Brazilian Steakhouse Tradicao Brazilian Steakhouse is the best new steakhouse in Fort Bend. Tradicao, pronounced Tra-dee-son, was named after the Brazilian word for “tradition” and founded on the idea to continue this traditional way of grilling. They are a family owned and operated churracaria whose goal is to make sure your dining experience is one you will never forget. Their prixe fixe menu includes 14 cuts of perfectly grilled meats brought to your table side, a large salad bar and hot sides. Tradicao would like to invite you to come join them, sit back and relax. Lunch Mon-Fri 11am-2pm, Sat Closed, Sun 12-3pm. Dinner Mon-Thurs 5-9:30pm, Fri 5-10pm, Sat 4-10pm, Sun 5-9pm. Phone: 281-277-9292. 12000 Southest Freeway, Meadows Place, TX, 77477, www. TradicaoSteakhouse.com. December 2012 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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May the Lord watch over you and bless you and your family as we celebrate the miracle of Christmas.

Fort Bend/Katy

I Survived Stage III Breast Cancer at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

Dr. Clive Shkedy Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Charles Conlon Oncologist

Kristen Barley Breast Cancer Survivor

Dr. Kelly Dempsey Breast Surgeon

Dr. Jay Shenaq Reconstructive Surgeon

I was just 34 years old when I learned that I had stage III breast cancer. Because of my mother and grandmother’s own battles with the disease, I knew the diagnosis before I was even told; however, my cancer care team at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital gave me the strength, determination and encouragement I needed to fight for survival. Working together, my multidisciplinary team of doctors developed an individualized treatment plan that included surgery, radiation treatment and chemotherapy — all delivered close to home and with the amazing care and service only Methodist Sugar Land Hospital can provide. Now I am almost five years cancer-free, and I am proud to be a survivor!

You can survive breast cancer, but survival begins with an annual exam and mammogram. Call today to schedule yours.

— Kristen Barley, Breast Cancer Survivor

This is the Methodist level of cancer care — from diagnosis to survival, where leading technology and compassion — are leading to a cure.

To speak with Kristen Barley about her experiences — or for more information about the comprehensive breast cancer services offered at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital — call 281-242-CURE (2873). To schedule your mammogram, please call 281-242-PINK (7465).

16655 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, TX 77479 281-242-PINK (7465) MethodistSugarLand.com