January 2010 - The Business Lifestyle Magazine Digital Edition by Fort Bend Business Journal

Fort Bend/Katy

Volume 28 • No. 1

THE BUSINESS LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2010

Focused on Fort Bend’s Future special features

n Political Spotlight on Local Candidates n A New Year - A New You n Spotlight on Orthopaedics n Spotlight on Cardiologists feature stories

n Ten Things To Do In 2010 n Sugar Land to Address 2009 Accomplishments - Vision for the Future n Tracking Codes with Smart Software $4.95

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January 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Fort Bend Business Journal

Publisher’s Preview by Carolyn Reed

The Editorial Advisory Board Jacqueline Baly Chaumette President and CEO Baly Projects, LLC

Kolbe Curtice CCIM, CLS Curtice Commercial Real Estate

Louis Garvin President and CEO Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce

Will Hardee Financial Consultant RBC Dain Rauscher and Hardee Investment Group

A Time for New Beginnings

his is a time for reflection as well as celebration. As you look back on the past year and all that has taken place in your life, remember each experience for the good that has come of it, and for the knowledge you have gained. Remember the efforts you have made and the goals you have reached. Remember the love you have shared and the happiness you have brought. Remember the laughter, the joy, the hard work, and the tears. And as you reflect on the past year, also be thinking of the new one to come. Most importantly, this is a time of new beginnings, and the celebration of life.

Dee Koch Grant Officer The George Foundation

Debbie Marcell, ABR, GRI Fort Bend Real Estate Prudential Gary Greene Realtors

Becky Munnell President and CEO Blue Jungle Marketing

Robert Roy Owner Sugar Creek Financial Group

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

Linda Starr Certified Master Coach Starr/CTC

Tim Stubenrouch President First Community Bank

Jeff Wiley President Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council John Whitmore Whitmore Company

—Taylor Addison “New Year’s is the only holiday that celebrates the passage of time. Perhaps that’s why, as the final seconds of the year tick away, we become introspective. Inevitably, that introspection turns to thoughts of selfimprovement and the annual ritual of making resolutions, which offer the first of many important tools for remaking ourselves.” — Gary Ryan Blair We are starting the year off with a feature on Local Politics. It is time for all of us to become involved in the political process in one way or another. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine one person making a difference in this world. A lot of challenges face our society. Some are huge, some are more manageable, but all require the action of at least one person. Start making the world a better place by being that person on the local level. Get involved in local politics and see the world change before your eyes. Show your support of the political system by voting every election. More importantly, bring others to the polls with

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

you. Talk about the issues with people and inspire them to let their opinions be heard through their votes. Help out at a local political office. It doesn’t matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat, all political parties need volunteers. Work one on one with them and learn the political process. Network with others involved in local politics. Get in on the ground floor and learn the ropes. Look into volunteering for organizations who promote causes. They need you and the world needs you. This year we will be spotlighting different areas of healthcare. In this issue we are spotlighting Orthopedics, Cardiology, and A New Year, A New You. For February, we will be spotlighting Dentists and Cosmetic Dentistry. February is engineering month so we will also have a feature Engineering in Fort Bend. Of course, we will also be featuring Business and Personal Taxes. Yes, I am sorry to say, it is that time of year most of us dread. I am sure this feature will give you much needed information regarding the 2009 tax year. Let’s not forget the Valentine’s Day Feature. I hope all of you had wonderful holidays and now we all are looking forward to a great new year! Now, let’s get back to work. If you would like to advertise your business please call me at 281 690-4201. We have put together a 2010 Economic Stimulus package for your business as well as a 6 month Ad Flex Package. We want to help you grow your business. Until next month, keep those cash registers ringing. Carolyn Reed

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January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

S Fort Bend/Katy

Cover Story Focused on Fort Bend’s Future

Volume 28 • Number 1 • January 2010

pg.

Special Features Political Spotlight on Local Candidates......................................................... A New Year - A New You.............................................................................................. Spotlight on Cardiologists.......................................................................................... Spotlight on Orthopaedics. ........................................................................................

17 46 62 64

Features

For subscriptions send check for $25 to Fort Bend Business Journal 4655 Techniplex Dr., Suite 300 Stafford, Texas 77477 281-690-4200 TOLL FREE 1-888-430-7478 www.fortbendstar.com Single copy $4.95

PUBLISHER.................................... Beverly Carter ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER / EDITOR & MARKETING........................................ Carolyn Reed GENERAL MANAGER............Michael Fredrickson

Tracking Codes with Smart Software............................................................................... 14

MARKETING CONSULTANT.............Wanda Lockhart RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce announces the 2010 Executive Committee Officers ............................................................................. 22

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

Sugar Land to Address 2009 Accomplishments, Vision for the Future......................... 24

COLUMNISTS..................................... Will Hardee

Texas unemployment rate down in November to 8.0 percent....................................... 32

....................................................Alan Sandersen

Houston Real Estate Market enjoys second consecutive month of positive sales volume and pricing in October .................................................. 36 A Voice for the Voiceless...................................................................................................... 39 Citizen survey validates updated comprehensive plan.................................................... 44 Quality assets are coming to market.................................................................................... 76

M O N T H L Y

C O L U M N S

Linda Starr

Tim Stubenrouch

Certified Master Coach

Money Talks

Discusses Plan Your Year.................................. 6

Will Hardee

Tax Smart

Financial Investment

Discusses How Can Your Prepare You Business For A Tighter Credit Cycle?................ 8

Discusses Section 529 Plans.......................... 12

MONTHLY DEPARTMENTS

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

..................................................Tim Stubenrouch CONTRIBUTORS . ...............Sharon K. Wallingford .............................................................Dori Wind ART DIRECTOR.................................Joey Belleza PHOTOGRAPHER...............................Walter Hurst Hurst Photography

Discusses Ten Things To Do in 2010.............. 10

Alan Sandersen

Newsworthy................................. 26-30 Names in the News........................... 31 Fort Bend Chamber Newsletter.... 53-60

...........................................................Linda Starr

Service Directory......................... 68-71 Data Beat..................................... 72-75 Dining and Entertainment........... 78-80

ON THE COVER Danny Nguyen Cover Photo courtesy by Danny Nguyen

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January 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Fort Bend Business Journal

Coac hi n g to inc rease pr od uctivity

Notes from the Coach by Linda Starr / Starr/CTC

Plan Your Year It’s January, and a new beginning. If you haven’t already done so, it is time to go shopping for a calendar. I have experimented with many types and sizes and for this year, I am returning to the Franklin mid-size version. Whatever format you decide on, be sure to have a monthly overview to use for planning purposes. Recreation First! Recreation is probably the most overlooked component to business success. For this reason, I encourage my self-employed clients to block out those vacation days first, and then fit the work days around them. There are four fifth Fridays each year. Why not go ahead and block those out right now. That will ensure four long weekends. Next it is time to block

out your vacation weeks. However many vacation weeks you took last year, add one additional week each year until you get up to eight scheduled weeks per year. Double Vacation = Double Income A long-time client in the financial services industry has worked his way up from less than two weeks a year to the required eight weeks and has the increased income to prove it. It is reported that we are more productive the week before and after a vacation than at other times and I have observed this to be true. A 20+ year massage therapist not only takes her eight weeks, but also schedules three mini-vacations each day. By taking care of herself, she has kept her life in balance and avoided burnout

while doubling the life expectancy of her practice. A CPA we know works a four-hour work week after tax season is over. He is wealthy with time, our only non-renewable resource. The ultimate vacation planner I have known of is an insurance professional who works one month and takes two months off each year. He generates so much business in one month that it takes his staff two months to process his sales. Recreation = Re-Creation Time off replenishes us and allows us to move forward with increased velocity. Claim yours!) Linda Starr is this area’s most experienced Productivity Coach. She can be reached at linda@StarrCTC.com.

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January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Tax Smart by Alan Sandersen / Sandersen Knox & Co. L.L.P.

How can you prepare your business for a tighter credit cycle? Tightened credit conditions are almost inevitable when the economy slows down. The cost of credit rises and lenders naturally become more risk-averse. There’s no way to get around the reality of tighter credit markets, but certain strategies can help your business survive — and even grow — during the downturn. Consider these six business credit strategies for surviving and even thriving in a challenging economy: 1. Keep lenders in the loop. Communicate proactively and frequently with your lenders, instead of waiting until you have an urgent need or problem. Keep them abreast of your company’s strategic plans

and share your successes. But also let them know as soon as possible about potential issues. Your lenders are likely facing increased scrutiny themselves, and will feel more comfortable knowing you’re keeping them in the loop about how your company is doing.

3. Maximize your flexibility. Add flexible provisions to the terms of your credit agreements before you actually need them (when you’ll have fewer options). Discuss with your lender extensions and other options for existing loans as soon as possible.

2. Give lenders more business. Whenever possible, give potentially lucrative noncredit business to your most important lenders. Consider, for example, transferring deposit accounts to your lenders. This will help build goodwill and strengthen your relationship. Moreover, lenders are more likely to support a good customer when financial conditions are tight.

4. Talk to a credit arranger. A credit arranger, who helps negotiate or develop credit terms and documents, may be useful if you’re trying to access multiple forms of capital. Credit arrangers can also help if you need several investors to carry out growth plans, such as an acquisition. For many smaller businesses, however, a CPA or financial advisor — professionals who have objective credibility with banks

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Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

to evaluate and advise you regarding terms â&#x20AC;&#x201D; can assist with these matters. 5. Manage liquidity. Keep receivables profitable with strict payment terms, sales tracking and frequent reviews of excess inventories that can be reduced or eliminated. Also, your project budgets may have been drafted well in advance of actual projects, so be sure to reassess budgets closer to the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inception and on an ongoing basis for possible overestimates. Your budgets should be flexible enough to take changes in conditions into consideration on an ongoing basis. Activity based budgeting is a plus in most economic times, and is especially important in the current situation. 6. Plan ahead. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re anticipating a sale or acquisition in the near future, build in extra time to complete the deal. When credit is tight, lenders are likely to conduct more extensive due diligence and require stricter compliance with collateral requirements and documentation. And lenders may more closely scrutinize your growth projections and analysis to determine how your deal might withstand a harsher economic climate. These are just a few ideas to help prepare for a slowdown in the credit cycle. Depending on your businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s size or industry, you may need to consider other strategies. Just remember that, beyond stringent numerical guidelines, most commercial bankers have the capacity to make subjective decisions and sign off on your loan terms if they make sense. Alan Sandersen is a columnist for the Fort Bend Business Journal and owns Sandersen Knox & Co, L.L.P., Certified Public Accountants. He can be reached at 281-242-3232. www.sktx.com H

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Money Talks by Tim Stubenrouch / First Community Bank

Ten Things to Do in 2010 With the beginning of a new year, it is a good time to take stock of our financial health and well-being. 2010 brings us the opportunity to look back on the “year that was” and gain perspective on what went well and what could have been improved. As we look forward to a new year, we came up with “Ten Things to Do in 2010” related to your money. 1. Do a budget and use it. Developing a budget is good and helps us be aware of our financial position but unless we use it as a measurement we will not gain the most benefit. 2. Protect your credit. This includes safeguarding your identity, reviewing your free annual credit report and using credit wisely. 3. Have a financial plan and work it. Financial planning is important for every-

one, and working it makes it work. 4. Know about mortgages and home ownership. A home is one of the biggest financial investments that we make, and we should know as much as we can about the process. 5. Teach our children about money. From piggy banks for pre-schoolers to credit cards for college students, we need to be sure that our younger generation knows about money and how to handle it. 6. Beware of fraud and scams, and protect your privacy. There are lots of opportunities to “get taken”. Our basic rule is that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. 7. Make the choice to save. This relates to your budget, your financial plan, your credit, and is an important component of your overall well-being. It is a choice, and

one we should all make. 8. Manage your credit card accounts, and use credit wisely. 9. Consider your financial life stage. Business ownership, anticipated retirement, or children approaching college age are examples of where you are in your financial life. Plan according to where you are. 10. Make your money work for you. That sums it all up! Throughout 2010 we will focus on some of these topics. May your New Year be prosperous! Tim Stubenrouch is a Columnist for the Fort Bend Business Journal and is with First Community Bank, N.A., President - Fort Bend, 13135 Dairy Ashford, Suite 250, Sugar Land, TX 77478. He can be reached at 281-242-2262, fax: 281-242-1522, or email at stubenrouch@firstcommunitybank.net. H

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Section 529 Plans For the past several years, college costs have risen rapidly, and they’re still going up fast. That’s why you need to look at all possible college-funding sources – one of which is the Section 529 plan. A 529 College Savings Plan (named for the section of the IRS code under which they were created) is a flexible, tax-advantaged college savings program that offers taxdeferred earnings, no income limits restricting who can invest, estate planning features and high contribution limits. Here are more details on what a 529 College Savings Plan has to offer: • Tax-deferred earnings – The earnings on your investments grow tax deferred – much like a 401(k) or Traditional IRA. • Tax-free withdrawals – Earnings are not

subject to federal taxation if they are used for qualified higher education expenses. • High contribution limit – Limits may vary depending on the plan. • Contributions eligible for gift tax exclusion – You may generally contribute up to $60,000 ($120,000 for married couples) per beneficiary in a single year without federal gift tax consequences, provided you do not make any other gifts to that beneficiary over a five year period. Accelerated gifts are normally subject to an add- back feature in the event of death of the giftor. • Beneficiary must use funds for higher education – Unlike accounts covered under the Uniform Gifts or Transfers to Minors Act (UGMA/UTGA), qualified withdrawals may only be used by the ben-

eficiary for higher education costs. • Control of funds – The account owner remains in control of the account – unlike an UGMA or UTMA, the beneficiary never assumes control of the account. You may withdraw the funds at any time for nonqualifying expenses or change the beneficiary of the account. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 makes permanent the federal tax exclusion for qualified 529 withdrawals – earnings on funds withdrawn from the plan will continue to be exempt from federal taxes. The Act also preserves the tax exclusion at the state level in states that piggy-back on the federal tax treatment of 529 plans. These tax exclusions had been scheduled to sunset in 2010.

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Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

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In addition, the Act will make permanent other 529 benefits authorized by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, including: • Rules allowing same-beneficiary rollovers, • Elimination of state-imposed penalties on non-qualified distributions, • Expansion of qualified expenses to include off-campus room and board, and • Eligibility of first cousins as members of the family. This provision allows you to take greater control over how your 529 plan investment dollars are being allocated. Because different states choose different investment managers, there’s a great deal of variability among plans in terms of investment philosophy, strategy, etc. Now, if you don’t like the direction your 529 plan is taking, you can move your account or make a change in the investment options once every 12 months – without hassles, taxes or penalties. Section 529 plans continue to offer significant benefits. Put them all together and you’ve got a great college-savings vehicle – one that can help you cope with the high cost of higher education.

This article is provided by H.H. “Will” Hardee, AWM of the Hardee Investment Group and a senior vice president – financial consultant with RBC Wealth Management in Houston, and was prepared by or in cooperation with RBC Wealth Management. The information included in this article is not intended to be used as the primary basis for making investment decisions nor should it be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any specific security. RBC Wealth Management does not endorse this organization or publication. Consult your investment professional for additional information and guidance. RBC Wealth Management does not provide tax or legal advice. Participation in a 529 Plan does not guarantee the investment return on contributions, if any, will be adequate to cover future tuition and other higher education expenses. State programs vary, therefore you should carefully review individual program documents before investing or sending money. Federal income tax on the earnings and a 10% penalty on distributions for non-qualified expenses may apply. RBC Wealth Management is not a tax advisor. All decisions regarding the tax implications of your individual investments should be made in connection with your independent tax advisor. PP035

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

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January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Tracking Codes with

Smart Software

Fulshear Business Improves Material Management By Sharon K. Wallingford

hen two Weston Lakes residents - an innovator and a marketing guru - teamed together new opportunities began to abound. A strategically positioned company has taken the lead in radio frequency identification and in servicing companies such as the FBI, Georgia Pacific, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Merck & Company, AT&T, Chase, Citigroup, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. “An innovator is someone who creates something new, which has not existed prior to its development,” says Alan McGaffin, who in 1983 formed ATM Technologies, Inc. and in 1985 introduced the first check-in and check-out barcode file tracking software system for Standard Oil Company. “Everything I make or create first starts in my mind as a result of wanting to achieve an end goal, need or requirement, whatever that may be.” Since then the inventions have been numerous and include a librarian’s self check out kiosk, real time tracking systems using radio frequency for legal, finance, medical, insurance or government businesses, and a receptacle for hazardous wastes that reads the tagged items dropped into it. McGaffin claims his second step is to figure out if its been accomplished or if a new product is needed. “If something new is needed, I must first build it in my mind. To do so, I must determine what is needed to create it and then purchase the materials, put it all together for a test, and test and retest until the goal is completed.” He was first introduced to the technology in 1973 while in the United States Air Force. While stationed at NORAD, he worked on the Philco 2000 machine as a maintenance technician. In 1975, he was transferred to Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi as a training instructor and electronics technician. “My Air Force computer was on three floors and had a 25K memory (size of six refrigerators) for old core memory. We used

Jack Marshall, left, and Alan McGaffin display one of the radio frequency identification machines that allows a business owner to know where the company files are at all times. Tracking files as they move from area to area increases productivity without the logging of numbers or manually searching for a file.

to trouble shoot our training computer by turning the lights out because most of it was old vacuum tubes which glowed. Today, the same computing power fits on a desk. The future holds many new innovations in processing power. The package size will continue to shrink and increase in capability with even more memory.” In 1991, he introduced MasterTrak, one of the first Windows based bar code software tracking systems, and with the accounting and finance expertise of partner Pam McBee, established ATM Technologies, Inc., as a major market force. The company sold the first worldwide license to Bank of America on a global basis and steadily has increased in sales. Then McGaffin continued by merging with a public entity to form ATM Canterbury in 1997. As a result, he developed significant pioneering products. In 2004, he formed ATM Tech Solutions, Inc. as an exclusive private company. His inventions may not be considered “green” by energy standards, but they produce

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

a significant savings in personal activity. Beyond his technical products, he enjoys alternative building and power. “I built our house in Fulshear out of Earth Blocks (adobe blocks) in 2000. The walls in the house are 18 inches. It’s the first adobe house I am aware of in the Houston area. The inner walls are hand plastered in clay plaster imported from Santa Fe, New Mexico. After eight years of living here, we have found the humidity stays naturally around 45%, because of the clay walls. It is fire proof, bug proof and mold proof.” He made his own blocks with a machine he had made for himself out of dirt that he both dug at the site and had delivered. “It is by far, the greenest house around,” chuckles McGaffin, who also enjoys water rafting and snow skiing and research in alternative energy. McGaffin was a scout in his youth and today serves as the Assistant Scout Master and Troop 941 Committee Chairman. He is also a current Trustee on Weston Lakes Property Owners Association. He and his wife are the parents of three and enjoy their four grandchildren. Jack Marshall joined him for the marketing aspects of the products. While McGaffin was leaving the military and completing early inventions, Marshall was in Sweden participating in an education exchange program in the early 80’s studying zoological sciences and wildlife diseases endemic to that specific region of the world. He also traveled and lived throughout Scandinavia and as a result he is fluent in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish. That work also took him to Africa through the same program where I was in Tanzania near the Ngorongoro Wildlife Refuge and the Island of Zanzibar. “Tanzania is like no other place on earth where the relationship between predator and prey remain in a pristine balance as it has been for countless centuries,” claims Marshall. “While I would never trade these experiences for anything, the most amazing unexpected lesson I learned is that the United States, deContinued on page 16

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Tracking Codes with Smart Software Continued from page 14 spite all of her domestic challenges and conflicting struggles, remains by far, what every other country in the world aspires to be like. It takes living away from home to truly experience and appreciate that on the purest level.” When he returned to the USA, he settled in Texas for a while completing academic work earning three degrees from Texas A&M University. “I gained valuable life work experiences throughout Texas including Lubbock where I became a pilot and learned to fly in the middle of the cotton fields of West Texas,” says Marshall. While holding executive positions with a Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 company, he eventually moved back to his original birthplace - New Orleans.

Alan McGaffin and Jack Marshall display the BookMate that allows individuals to self checkout books. Each book is labeled with an RFID label that is read when a book is dropped “in” or “checked” out. Multiple books can be scanned at once. The self check in and out will eliminate having to be tied to the front desk. BookMate is truly a librarians ultimate assistant.

“My roots, my family, and my heritage are all based there,” he says, explaining there are so many traditions that don’t make any logical sense to anyone who is not from there. “Your home is your home. For that reason and so many others, it was an extremely difficult yet a swift decision I had to make when that lady named Katrina took all that away at the end of August 2005. Life, however, goes on and Houston is now base.” He joined McGaffin to assist with the marketing of ATM and the software product lines. “Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an amazingly powerful tool that allows people and processes to come together in ways never dreamed possible just a few short years ago.” “Microchips no larger than a grain of salt can be embedded in just about anything from labels to plastics to cloth,” he adds. “There are countless applications that can be pursued and we are truly at the cutting edge of that implementation. Whether it’s libraries allowing students and patrons to check in and out their own books, manual inventories that once took several weeks to accomplish now being done in a few short hours, or files and equipment automatically being tracked in real time, RFID is silently and accurately always working.” ATM currently has over 600 companies using its products. MasterTrakPlus is the patented software that is licensed to the end user and is the platform for all of our RFID applications to be implemented including real time asset tracking, access control, and file management.

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

BookMate is the ultimate librarian’s assistant and is activated at one of Lamar Consolidated Independent School District’s newest schools H.F. McNeil Elementary School. “It allows students and patrons to check in and out their own library books (multiples all at the same time if necessary) and frees up the librarian to concentrate on more relevant tasks. Taking inventory of all books in the library is also accomplished amazingly quickly through the system’s portable RFID reader.” DeskMate provides immediate and timely access to the location of any file or folder throughout any company in any industry wherever it may currently be. “ It is a real time tracking system and automatically “reads” and updates the location of files even as they are moved from desk to desk.” Today Marshall is active in the Fort Bend community and serves as the president of the Weston Lakes Board of Trustees Property Owners Association. He and his wife Val are members of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the parents of two sons, Addison and Austin, who are students at Foster High School and Texas A&M University. He continues to be an active leader in Boys Scouts of America and has been involved in Eagle Scouting for more than 25 years. “This is something I have always been extremely passionate about,” explains Marshall. “Scouting is about giving back and passing the abundance of knowledge on. I’ve been involved in scouting for over 33 years as an Eagle Scout myself and Scout Leader in various locations around the world.” “Both of my sons have also become Eagle Scouts and are ready to now give back,” he is pleased to say. “Currently, I serve as a Scout Leader in Fulshear by working with the older scouts in attaining the ultimate goal of Eagle Scout so that their abundance of knowledge can then be passed on to others. I can’t think of a better way to leave a legacy in this world.” “Alan and I have had an incredible history together,” he adds. “As a licensed professional business coach, I have worked with ATM Tech Solutions to help develop a short and long term plan for the company to move forward and grow. Over time, this has developed into a synergistic relationship between “concept” and “rollout”, between the “brains behind the invention” and the “ brains behind the sales & marketing”. This has served us well as we continue to gain extraordinary momentum in new markets and applications with the company.”

Political Spotlight on Local Candidates

Fort Bend County Politics By Dori Wind

hen Stephen F. Austin determined that he would cultivate a community of Anglo immigrants into Mexico in 1821, he established the seeds of Texas politics in Fort Bend County that are still inherent in the county today. Austin’s colony was located in what is now Sugar Land, Richmond, Rosenberg, Stafford, Katy, and other areas of the county. Austin, also known as “The Father of Texas,” worked hard to make sure his colony succeeded. He understood the need for rules and regulations if human beings were to achieve higher aspirations, including participating in self-governance, being educated, moral, civic-minded, and charitable. At the same time he had the patience to endure what he called the ignorant, whimsical, selfish and suspicious rulers from whom he received his Mexican land, and the unruly set of North American frontier republicans he imported to create his colony. (Letter from Austin in 1829). Unlike many present day politicians Austin never got rich from his desire to establish Texas, nor did he have time for a wife, a family or any “extra-curricular affairs.” He was focused on creating the gardenland country of North America. He worked with the Mexican leaders helping to bring Santa Anna to power when he thought it was appropriate and then fought to defeat him when he knew Santa Anna was detrimental to the continued success of Texas. Austin was a consummate politician dedicated only to the transcendence of the well being of Texas and its inhabitants. As opposed to being described as a Democrat or Republican, Austin was an altruistic enforcer of mutual benefits. Austin would have been a fan of planned communities, as opposed to no zoning. He was an advocate of all getting a high school and college education, and would have been pleased to welcome the University of Houston

to his colony. He expected everyone to work hard and rewarded his colonists who worked the hardest. In its past, the county has been solidly Democratic, but more recently has seen its share of Republican politicians, as well as the in-fighting between the two groups. Perhaps the most famous fight between the parties, the Jaybird-Woodpecker War, occurred after the Civil War when Republicans put into power the Woodpecker government in the area. An armed battle ensued resulting in several casualties after the shooting of two participants. The Woodpeckers were given 10 hours to leave town and many of them did. Order was restored by the governor and the Houston Light Guards, and Fort Bend remained Democratic for the next 100 years. In 1978, Republicans migrating from Houston began to gain ground and in 1994 a Republican County Judge was elected in Fort Bend County for the first time since Reconstruction. While Fort Bend County appears solidly Republican, some of its elected officials have been known to switch parties in order to get elected. In 2006, Nick Lampson defeated Republican write-in candidate Shelley SekulaGibbs for the congressional seat in Texas’ 22nd congressional district that was vacated by Tom DeLay after he resigned from Congress, only to be subsequently defeated by Republican Pete Olson.

Local races include those for the governing body of the county, Commissioners Court. Although the body is called a court, they are not a court in the traditional sense of the word. Rather, the commissioners are four elected officials from specified areas of the county (presently 3 are Republican and one is a Democrat) with the fifth official being elected county-wide and being called the County Judge ( a Republican). All five officials are actually charged with carrying out the business of the county, including setting tax rates, a budget for all elected and appointed county officials and departments, maintaining county properties, and providing for county parks, recreational facilities and county roads. An interesting Democratic race is shaping up for Governor of Texas with former Houston Mayor Bill White going against Farouk Shami, a successful Houston businessman. Kinky Friedman, formerly with Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys, who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2006, and had already announced this year as a candidate for governor, has decided to now run for Agriculture Commissioner against Todd Staples. The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary which presently includes Governor Rick Perry and Sate Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Democratic Come-back in local races?

Party Label Really Irrelevant

With a Democratic President in the White House and a minority-majority population in the county, the Democrats are enthusiastic that they may be able to stage a come-back in local county politics. After all they did pull some upsets in neighboring Harris County. Whether this can happen is any one’s guess, but it appears that the Democrats may be offering candidates in many upcoming local and state 2010 races.

Whether you consider yourself a yellow dog Democrat or a red blood Republican, hopefully you will go to the polls and exercise your most important right to vote. And, as Stephen F. Austin would implore each of us to do, put aside our own selfishness as we pick the leaders for the good of our county, our state and our country. And if find yourself crossing party lines to continue the legacy of Austin, so be it!

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Political Spotlight on Local Candidates

Ron Reynolds advocates for high-quality education and affordable healthcare investing in the community he has made a positive impact on the business and economic base in Ft. Bend. Ron believes that “to whom much is given, Ron Reynolds much is required.” As State Representative, I will serve the residents and business owners in Ft. Bend County by advocating for high-quality education, affordable healthcare and economic empowerment in our community.” Ron has the distinction of being one of the youngest people appointed to serve as an Associate Municipal Judge for The City of Houston. He was also an adjunct professor at Texas Southern University. He currently serves as Vice President of the Ft. Bend Democrats, Fort Bend I.S.D.

FORT BE ND COUNTY CL ERK

Over 27 years of Distinguished Service as Fort Bend County Clerk www.diannewilsoncountyclerk.com

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

Paid for by the Dianne Wilson Campaign 2010, Robert Wilson, 1803 Arbor View Dr., Sugar Land, TX 77479, 281-413-6393

on Reynolds, a candidate for Fort Bend County’s State Representative House District 27, is a long time resident of Ft. Bend County who grew up in Missouri City. He is a product of Ft. Bend County public schools. He went on to attend Texas Southern University and received a B.S. degree in Public Affairs, “magna cum laude”. Ron received a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech Univ. School of Law. Ron spends the majority of his personal time serving the community by practicing law, serving as President of the Missouri City & Vicinity Branch NAACP, being the voice of the voiceless and advocating for people who have been maltreated. He is the managing partner in Brown, Brown & Reynolds law firm. Ron believes that by

Bond Advisory committee and Constable Ruben Davis Advisory Council. Ron is past President of the Houston Lawyers Association. Ron has received numerous achievement awards for his legal and civic engagement. Recently he was voted “Best Attorney in Houston” by H Texas magazine. Some other awards include: Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce “Business Pinnacle Award”, MLK Drum Major for Justice Award, EEOC Civil Rights All-Star Award, American Red Cross Humanitarian, Missouri City Juneteenth Community Service Award and YMCA Minority Achievers Award. Above all his accomplishments, Ron is most proud and grateful for his wife, Dr. Jonita Reynolds and his daughter, Lacey Reynolds.

Dianne Wilson, County Clerk of Fort Bend County, is a candidate for re-election

he has received many state and national awards, including the Trail Blazer Award presented in 2003 by the Texas Association of Counties Leadership Foundation. This premier recognition is awarded annually to only one Texas elected county official (out of about 4,500), who consistently has been an outstanding governmental leader. “Trailblazers, like Dianne, generously share their knowledge and expertise with other Texas county governmental communities, and serve as mentors to many,” states Karen Norris, Director of Texas Association of Counties. She serves on numerous local and state boards, including chairman of the board of trustees for the past five years for Texana MHMR Center serving a six-county region. Texana Center serves 4000 clients, has a staff of 550, and a $39 million annual budget. Dianne and husband Bob have been married for 40 years and reside in Sugar Land. “During my 27 year tenure as county clerk there have been many challenges which I addressed with enthusiasm and diligence. I have not waivered or tired in bringing improvements to the citizens of Fort Bend County and to the great State of Texas. I certainly look forward to continuing my service,” added Wilson.

Political Spotlight on Local Candidates

January 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Fort Bend Business Journal

Political Spotlight on Local Candidates

Schaefer runs to bring integrity and innovation to District Attorney’s office

graduate of Houston Baptist University and South Texas College of Law, Schaefer has been practicing criminal, juvenile and family law in Richmond for more than 24 years. She is currently an Associate Municipal Judge in Sugar Land and has held office as Presiding Municipal Judge for the City of Stafford. She has presided over hundreds of jury trials. She is active in the Republican Party and with the Rosenberg-Richmond Chamber of Commerce. Schaefer and her family have a passion for public service and she experienced the ultimate sacrifice a law enforcement officer’s wife can make when -her husband, Wade Schaefer, died in the line of duty while serving as Chief Deputy for Pct. 5, Harris County Constable’s Office. Wade had retired from HPD as a Lieutenant. She is now married to Bob Mayne, a retired State trooper and her daughter was in law enforcement before leaving to care for her children.

Vote

NINA

“There is a smarter and better way to handle the continually growing criminal docket in our county. Presently, there is a backlog of cases and as Fort Bend County continues to grow so will the cases,” expounded Schaefer. “As the District Attorney I will work to handle these cases in a smarter, more cost effective manner, all the time seeing that justice is done. I will also incorporate community crime prevention opportunities into the office so that, together, we can all make the county a safe place for our families.” “Professionalism and respect must be taught by example and our District Attorney should be the embodiment of integrity,” advocates Schaefer. “The District Attorney sets the example for young lawyers and should always be above reproach. As the DA, I would institute a comprehensive training program for young lawyers and a new policy of integrity and openness, as well as respect for others.”

JUSTICE, NOT POLITICS! • Former Municipal Court Judge

SCHAEFER District Attorney

• Over 20 Years legal experience in criminal law

for Fort Bend County

Here is what some concerned Fort Bend County Citizens are saying... “...I regretfully conclude that Healey has lost his moral compass. He is no longer deserving to hold the office of District Attorney.” Dick Tate - Letter to the Editor • Fort Bend Star • Fort Bend Herald • April 18, 2009

“It’s about damage control, his judgment is deeply flawed...It’s a shame that Healey lost his way.” Fred Hartman - Fort Bend Herald • May 8, 2009

“As an attorney, Nina Schaefer can always be counted on to treat the law with the highest respect and concern. Many times, she has volunteered for those in need of legal services who can’t afford it. As a municipal judge, she has been dependable and fair. Nina Schaefer is well liked, organized, and trustworthy. She has a good heart. She would make an excellent District Attorney, a job which requires a leader to be fair, seek justice, and run a professional office. It’s time for a change!”

Bev Carter - Fort Bend Star • August 24, 2009

Pol. Adv. paid for by Nina Schaefer for D.A. Campaign, Robert Mayne, Treasurer, 3915 Broad Thicket, Sugar Land, Texas 77478

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

Political Spotlight on Local Candidates

James Patterson works for efficient & effective government

ames Patterson will seek re-election for a fourth term as Fort Bend County Commissioner Precinct 4 in the March 2, 2010 Republican primary election. “Fort Bend County Commissioners’ Court has accomplished a great deal for the benefit of our citizens in the years I’ve served, but there is more to do for this rapidly growing county,” Patterson said. County government is responsible for many aspects of our lives including roads, bridges, drainage, parks and recreation, libraries, elections, health care, EMS, animal control, social services, and emergency management. “The county is fortunate that commissioners work very well with the municipalities to complete roadway, drainage, and other projects - quickly and with shared resources,” Patterson said. Currently among the projects on the county agenda are:

State Highway 6 Access Management Project This project will provide raised medians and left-turn bays on SH 6 from FM 521 in Arcola to Voss Road in Sugar Land, improving safety conditions by separating opposing traffic and allowing space for turning vehicles. Scheduled to begin in January 2010, funding partners include Fort Bend County, Missouri City, Sugar Land, and TxDOT. Fort Bend County Flood Maps Fort Bend County, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other partners have completed a multi-year project to update and modernize flood maps. The result is the Fort Bend County Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map Program available online at http:// fbcmap.co.fort-bend.tx.us/floodplainmap/ index.htm. Fort Bend County Public Transportation The Fort Bend County Public Transportation Department will start a new

Commissioner James Patterson

commuter service route to the Texas Medical Center and Veteran’s Hospital after the first of the year from park and ride locations. Call 281-6333-7433 for information about routes and tickets. Early voting is February 16-25 and voter information is available at http://www.co.fortbend.tx.us/. For campaign information please visit www.electpatterson.net. On county business, contact Commissioner Patterson at 281-980-2235.

When results matter and experience counts

Commissioner, Fort Bend County, Precinct 4 Republican Primary March 2, 2010 Early Voting February 16-26, 2010

Efficient and effective government Improved mobility and transportation Better public health, safety and quality of life

www.electpatterson.net

Pol. Adv. Paid for by James Patterson Campaign, Jim Condrey, D.D.S., Treasurer, 314 South Belknap, Sugar Land, TX 77478 January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce announces the 2010 Executive Committee Officers

t the November meeting of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the officers for 2010 were elected by the Board. The terms are for one year and begin in January. Immediate Past Chair is Kolbe Curtice, Curtice Commercial Real Estate. Bridget Yeung, with Fort Bend Financial will serve as Chairman of the Board and the Chair-elect will be Chris Breaux, with Null Lairson, P.C. Namita Asthana of Verum Solutions is Secretary/Treasurer and Louis Garvin is President and Chief Executive Officer. Garvin said “it is very exciting that the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce continues to attract top quality community leaders to help guide the organization. We will have a very strong Board of Directors and Officers for 2010, which should be a banner year in our long history” Bridget R. Yeung is a principal & Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) with Fort Bend Financial with over 20 years experience in the financial service industry. Bridget Yeung Chairman Bridget, a 20 year resident of Sugar Land, is involved in numerous community service projects, including the restoration of the historic Lakeview Auditorium. She currently serves as Chairman on the City of Sugar Land Planning and Zoning Commission. Along with being Vice President of the Sugar Land

Cultural Arts Foundation, Bridget currently is Vice President of Fort Bend County M.U.D. 123. Furthermore she serves as Vice President of Sugar Land Heritage Foundation and a 2003 graduate of the Fort Bend Leadership Forum. Kolbe has been a licensed Texas real estate broker for over twenty five years. In 1997, he opened Curtice Commercial Real Estate in Sugar Land. The firm has been involved in a Kolbe Curtice Immediate Past Chairman broad spectrum of real estate solutions from complex land development to the representation of Fort Bend business owners to acquire or sell commercial property. Since opening, Curtice Commercial Real Estate has been involved in the lease, purchase, sale or development of over a million square feet of commercial space in Fort Bend County. Kolbe is a graduate of the University of Houston, and a 2004 graduate of the Fort Bend Leadership Forum.

Chris Breaux

Chair-Elect

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

Christopher Breaux, CPA is a partner with the firm of Null Lairson, P.C. In this role, he has provided auditing and consulting solutions to a variety of governmental, non profit

and private sector clients in the greater Fort Bend and Texas gulf coast areas for over twenty years. Additionally, Christopher conducts technical training for both accountants and non-accountants at regional and state-wide conferences in the governmental sector. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Christopher has served as past president of the Sugar Land Exchange Club, chairman of the Missouri City Parks Board as well as a board member and volunteer of various other businesses, professional and civic organizations. Chris graduated from the Fort Bend Leadership Forum, Class of 2008. Namita Asthana, a 2007 graduate of the Fort Bend Leadership Forum, is the owner and President of Verum Solutions, an IT and security services company based out of Fort Bend County. Verum Namita Asthana Secretary/Treasurer Solutions provides IT operations, computer support, vulnerability assessments and video security services to small and medium sized businesses since 2001. Namita has lived in Fort Bend County since 1996, when she moved to the Houston area with her family. Prior to moving the Houston area, Namita has lived and worked in Atlanta, Brussels (Belgium) and New Delhi (India) for companies such as Apple Computers, European Information Service, Schlumberger and Amgen. Namita has a BS in English Literature from University of Lucknow, India.

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January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Sugar Land to Address 2009 Accomplishments

Vision for the Future

ugar Land will partner with the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce to present a State of the City Address focusing on the City’s 2009 accomplishments. This is the third year that the City has presented an annual summary of activities to citizens. The community is invited to attend the program to be held Jan. 15 at the Sugar Land Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, located at 16090 City Walk at the corner of U.S. Highway 59 and State Highway 6. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m., followed at 8 a.m. with a dynamic presentation of 2009 Sugar Land achievements and a look at exciting activities on the horizon. Register at www. fortbendchamber.com (click The Chamber, then Community Calendar). A preview of accomplishments for 2009 follows: • RiverPark officially become part of Sugar Land with the annexation of the subdivision’s 3,592 residents on Dec. 1. Property taxes for RiverPark residents decreased from what was formerly paid to their Municipal Utility District. There is also no cost to existing residents associated with the annexation. • In Town Square, Minute Maid moved into its new corporate headquarters, and the final build-out of Town Square is currently taking place on property facing State Highway 6 and Texas Drive, one a six-story Class A office building.

• Development began for the remaining acreage of Brazos River Park, a green-space that will be a model of how to incorporate recreation areas into the environment. • Justin P. Brindley Trail opened in Sugar Land Memorial Park, located just off U.S. Highway 59 on University Boulevard, near the Brazos River. The trail provides exciting challenges for beginner to intermediate riders, with several wooden technical trail features for the more experienced riders. The trail honors Justin Petersen Brindley, a Sugar Land resident and outdoor enthusiast who died in a rafting accident last year. • Sugar Land opened a new dog park, Pawm Springs Dog Park at Sugar Land Memorial Park. The tropical oasis-themed Pawm Springs dog park is a six-acre retreat that includes large- and small-dog areas enclosed by a chain linked fence, a shaded pavilion and a resort style pond. • Sugar Land City Council approved a $1.3 million contract for landscaping improvements along U.S. Highway 90A and State Highway 6. The improvements will include trees and shrubs that are similar to plantings along U.S. Highway 59. • The City of Sugar Land’s newest park, known as Duhacsek Park, was officially opened on May 5. The 50-acre Duhacsek Park was donated to the City by Walter and Virginia Duhacsek, who moved there in 1956 to enjoy life away from urban development.

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

Photo By Kenneth Ellington

• Sugar Land continued a citywide, every two-year Citizen Satisfaction Survey conducted by an independent research firm. The statistically valid and random telephone survey offered direct feedback from residents throughout the City on citizen opinions about overall quality of life, police and fire safety in the community, parks, mobility, communications, code enforcement and city customer service in areas such as water and trash services. • Wharton County Junior College joined the University of Houston-Sugar Land on a campus next to Brazos River Park. • Sugar Land opened Fire Station No. 1, a replacement facility, at Brooks Street and Matlage Way. • The Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land opened in 2009. It was another example of a successful public-private partnership with the Houston Museum of Natural Science and Newland Communities, developers of Telfair. Located at the intersection of University and New Territory Boulevards in the Telfair subdivision, the museum was the first step in a City initiative to create a cultural and entertainment district. • City Council approved on Sept. 15 a $220.3 million budget for fiscal year 20092010. The budget maintained the existing tax rate of 30 cents, one of the lowest in the state and second lowest for cities with a population of more than 25,000. The budget included

$86.7 million for 2010 capital improvement projects. The 2010 CIP was the largest in City history, driven mainly by street projects. • The City refunded $13.2 million of outstanding General Obligation and Utility Revenue bonds for about a 6.5 percent savings over the life of the bonds in October 2009. • Debt for $45.1 million in capital projects was sold in November 2009 with an average interest cost of four percent. • Sugar Land’s financial stability and health was recognized by international rating agencies as the City’s bond sales were reviewed and the City’s tax backed Certificates of Obligation and General Obligation Refunding Bonds maintained the AA+ rating assigned by Fitch Ratings and received an upgrade to AA+ from Standard & Poor’s. Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s confirmed their ratings of Aa2 and AA on the City’s revenue debt. • Drainage: 1. In 2009, Sugar Land continued working with FEMA, Fort Bend County Drainage District and area levee improvement districts in the refinement of area flood maps. Revisions to the National Flood Insurance Program and the regulations that apply regarding flood insurance and floodplain/floodway regulations may have a significant impact on residential insurance. The City assisted in refining FEMA’s preliminary maps through the use of LIDAR –Light Detection and Ranging, the latest in topographical technology. Those FEMA maps were released Nov. 15. 2. A major project was completed – 750,000 square yards of soil were used to raise the height of several levees to meet the new FEMA standards. 3. A major drainage improvement project was completed in the Belknap/Brookside area and new projects began in areas including Sugar Creek and Sugar Mill. 4. Construction of detention ponds and basins in Riverbend Country Club golf course were completed in May 2008. The improvements will alleviate extensive street flooding and address an undersized ditch system and aged infrastructure. • A 10-year, $500 million re-construction project of U.S. Highway 59, U.S. Highway 90A and State Highway 6 was completed, adding 100 new lane miles of highway and frontage roads inside the city limits. • Sugar Land celebrated its 50th anniversary, culminating a year of special activities and events with a New Year’s Eve celebration at Town Square. • Recognitions:

1. Business Week named Sugar Land as one of the 50 best cities for Startup Businesses (just one city in each state was named). 2. Sugar Land was among 25 American towns included on Forbes’ list of “Top Towns to Live Well.” Forbes says cities on the list “boast cultural amenities, pro-business environments, highly educated workforces and enviable salaries.” 3. Sugar Land won two of the five Texas Municipal League Municipal Excellence Awards – one for the City’s Asian Outreach program and the other for volunteer response to Hurricane Ike. 4. The Anti-Defamation League named Sugar Land a Community of Respect© for the second straight year. The ADL’s Community of Respect© program is an initiative to help governments, non-profit organizations, faith institutions, businesses, and institutes of higher learning create an atmosphere that rejects prejudice and fosters respect and an appreciation for diversity. 5. Sugar Land was named the 11th safest city in America, a distinction based on an analysis of FBI crime statistics. The national ranking is included in CQ Press’ City Crime Rankings 2009-2010: Crime in Metropolitan America, a publication that annually compares crime in U.S. cities and metropolitan areas. Sugar Land has been among the top 20 safest cities in America for three consecutive years. 6. Aviation International News named SLRA as the Number One Fixed Base Operations airport in the Americas—chosen by airport users. • Sugar Land Regional Airport completed a huge new hangar complex project, a $24.5 million project largely funded through TxDOT Aviation. The airport is recognized as a very important part not just of the local economy, but the state’s economy. The 81st Legislature approved legislation allowing for the City to acquire a portion of the state prison facility currently being utilized primarily for state prison guard housing. Per Senate Bill 1149, the 96 acres may be purchased by the City “to expand municipal airport facilities or supporting commercial operations for the airport.” • Vision 2025 was created as a template for crafting future policies and decisions that will affect the City and is essentially an update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, most recently updated in 2003. It offers an ideal view of what the city of Sugar Land should strive to be in the next 15 years. The Vision 2025

document contains 11 value-based principles that highlight key areas of importance for the City’s future. • Sugar Land sought proposals for a minor league baseball stadium and an indoor concert venue that could result in facilities by 2012 and 2013. During 2009, discussions focused on specific developers but agreements were not reached. There was continued interest from other potential development partners, including independent league baseball teams. Formal Request for Solicitation of Interest (RSI) documents are intended to identify additional partners for the development of a minor league baseball stadium and indoor concert venue. Voters authorized funding tools on Nov. 4, 2008, that could be utilized for a minor league baseball stadium and an indoor concert venue; these include existing capacity from the 4A Corporation and new venue-specific taxes (i.e., ticket tax, hotel tax and parking tax).

Looking to the Future • Surface Water Conversion and Current Distribution 1. The City of Sugar Land is required to convert to 30 percent of surface water by 2013 and 60 percent by 2025. Sugar Land has relied totally on groundwater from the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers. Continued reliance on groundwater would have a negative impact in our ground subsidence. Property was acquired near the intersection of State Highway 6 and Voss Road to construct a surface water treatment plant. The first phase will be 9 million gallons per day; the second phase is anticipated to be 22 MGD. 2. To mitigate the effects of blending ground and surface water treated surface water will be transported to the City’s groundwater plants before redistribution of blended water to City customers. Phase one of the plant is anticipated to cost $54 million, and the transmission system to two City water plants cost is estimated at $22.5 million. The plant site is adjacent to Oyster creek. 3. Sugar Land received Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approval on a Microfiltration membrane treatment plant. • The University Boulevard project, two miles of new road with three bridges totaling $21 million, and the Dulles Avenue project, four miles of street reconstruction with new curb and gutter and sidewalks totaling $15 million, will be funded with municipal bond.

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

NEWSWORTHY Keep a mileage log in your car to keep track of business mileage

Bikes donated to the Rainbow room

#1 in a series of tips for fledgling entrepreneurs.

(l-r): Rita Sosebee, President of the Rainbow Room, Jacquie Chaumette, Sugar Land City Councilwoman, Mike Lucchesi, Vice President of CH2M Hill and Wendee Lewis, PresidentElect of the Rainbow Room.

CH2M Hill Consulting brightened the holiday season for local Fort Bend children through its donations of fifteen bicycles to the Fort Bend Community Partners’ Rainbow Room, a charitable organization dedicated to helping children and families in crisis. Mike Lucchesi, Vice President of CH2M Hill said, “we wanted to make a difference this season, so we contacted Councilwoman Jacquie Chaumette to help find the right recipients.” Councilwoman Chaumette contacted the Rainbow Room and helped distribute the bikes. “We rely upon the generosity of residents in the community, and gifts like this are a special part of what we do,” said Wende Lewis, President-Elect of the Rainbow Room. The Rainbow Room is a resource room stocked with snacks, diapers, school supplies, clothes, toiletries, toys, and other items frequently needed to meet the emergency needs of families in crisis. “Abused and neglected children and adults do not deserve abused and used items so we carry almost exclusively new items,” said Rita Sosebee, President of the Board. “Getting new items can help children understand how important they are.” For additional information and details about the Rainbow Room, please go to www.fbrr.org or contact Tonya Lewis, Executive Director at (832) 595-3029.

It is very important to keep records for all business expenses. Miles driven for business purposes can add up to a substantial tax deduction. Using a mileage log in your car is essential. Whenever you start your car, log in your mileage from your odometer. Then note whether the purpose of the trip of business or personal. If it’s a business related trip, note the purpose of the trip. Elaborate enough so you can explain the purpose a year later. A sample entry might be, “23,501 / Business / Meet with John Doe to discuss new ad layout.” You do not have to state the purpose of a trip that’s not business related. Such an entry might be, “23,532 / Personal.” At the end of the year, just tally the miles driven for business purposes. There is an Excel spreadsheet that simplifies this task at www. steps-to-starting-your-business.com/course/ mileage-log.php. According to the IRS, the 2009 standard mileage rate for business purposes is $0.55/mile. The Federal Highway Administration estimates the average car is driven over 11,000 miles per year. If you drive your car just 10% for business purposes, that translates to a business tax deduction of $605.

This is a significant tax deduction making it well worth the effort to keep a mileage log in your car. Steps To Starting Your Business (www. steps-to-starting-your-business.com) is an online course designed to help people start a sideline business. The course is directed by weekly email assignments and supported by an online bulletin board (forum) on which students can post questions. Sources: Miles driven per year: http://www.epa. gov/OMS/climate/420f05004.htm IRS mileage deduction: http://www.irs. gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=200505,00.html Preview of next topic: #2 in a series of tips for fledgling entrepreneurs. Use a separate credit card and checking account for all business related transactions.

Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels receives $60,000 Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels receives $60,000 from Houston Endowment to feed Fort Bend’s seniors. (l-r) Rick Forlano-Board Member, Manuela Arroyos-CEO, Jana EndicottSecretary, Ray Aguilar-Board Member, Randy Briones-Vice Chairman.

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

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Lufkin Automation moving headquarters to Missouri City The City of Missouri City and the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council (GFBEDC) announced today the sale of 6.2 acres in Trammell Crow Company’s new Lakeview Business Park where Lufkin Automation will construct a 40,000 sf company headquarters building. This new $4 million project will relocate an estimated 45 jobs to Missouri City when completed. The City of Missouri City and Fort Bend County Commissioners’ Court approved tax abatements for the project. Lufkin Automation currently is located on Beltway 8 in Houston. Dewayne Atwell, Lufkin Automation General Manager, remarked that “we look forward to working in our new facility. The Missouri City/Fort Bend County location we selected is accessible not only for our employees, but also for our customers and vendors. We anticipate that the Lakeview Business Park will provide Lufkin Automation with an excellent environment to conduct its business.” “We are all very excited to welcome this growing company to our City,” said City of Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen. “Lakeview Business Park offers the ideal setting for their business. Its convenient access to Beltway 8, US Highway 90A and the Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road positions it to effectively and efficiently serve the entire Houston metro area. We have a great story to tell and welcome the

Rendering the recent announcement that Lufkin Automation is moving its headquarters from Houston to Missouri City. Lufkin Automation has purchased 6.2 acres in Trammell Crow Company’s new Lakeview Business Park.

opportunity for other companies like Lufkin to become a part of our growing city.” “The 157 acre Lakeview Business Park represents what companies expect to find in Fort Bend County—a pro business atmosphere, an amenity-rich environment, excellent access to all of Greater Houston, and a perfect answer to the question of how to maximize value without sacrificing quality,” commented Barkley Peschel, VP of Development/Operations at the Greater Ft. Bend Economic Development Council. “Lufkin Automation is a perfect fit for Lakeview and Fort Bend County.” Bob Graf, the City’s Economic Development Coordinator, further affirms

that Lufkin is the type of growing company that the city looks to attract to Missouri City. “Lufkin’s project will be the catalyst for companies to take a look at relocating to this great new development with sites that are shovelready for development.” Lufkin Automation is a leader in the development, manufacturing, sales and service of technically advanced, electronic well automation equipment and the premier supplier of artificial lift optimization and training with emphasis on increasing profits for oil and gas producers through minimized operating costs and optimum production. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2010.

Jamail & Smith Construction lends a hand to East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry This holiday season, Jamail & Smith Construction supported the Fort Bend community by teaming with their neighboring subcontractors and vendors to support a local charity, East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry (EFBHNM). Jamail & Smith Construction leveraged these relationships to raise $5,100 and matched the contribution to help EFBHNM fund their efforts to alleviate hunger and help families in need. Jamail & Smith Construction has been providing Job Order Contracting services to Fort Bend ISD for the last three years. As members of the Fort Bend community, the

Jamail & Smith Construction team wanted to give back to the community and was excited about the overwhelming response and generosity from their vendor and subcontractor associates- including: American Mechanical Services of Houston, Automated Logic – United Environmental Services, Rice & Gardner Consultants, Inc., Vector Concepts Inc., The Hunton Group, Data Display Audio Visual Co. LP, Hightower Electric, All Texas Electrical Contractors, Game Court Services, and Gregory Edwards. continued on page 30

Pictured from left to right: Jennifer Trahan, Vice President – Finance and Accounting for Jamail & Smith Construction; Connie Esposito, Community Outreach Coordinator for EFBHNM; Brent Doucette, Senior Project Manager for Jamail & Smith Construction.

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

NEWSWORTHY State Representative Charlie Howard unveils Sugar Land ornament for Christmas Tree at State Capitol State Representative Charlie Howard and wife Jo unveiled the District 26 ornament today at the annual Texas House of Representatives’ Capitol Christmas Tree Trimming in Austin. Each Representative from across the state were given a plain ornament and asked to have a citizen from their district decorate the ornament to represent their part of Texas. The ornaments were provided by the Speaker of the house to hang on the Capitol’s tree. Representative Charlie Howard asked Clements High School Visual Arts Facilitator Sally Doyle to decorate the ornament to represent District 26. Sugar Land is presently celebrating the 50th anniversary of incorporation, which was the inspiration in painting the Capital ornament to hang on the Christmas Tree at the capitol in Austin. “Ms. Doyle did a great job of depicting Sugar Land’s 50th anniversary with a large 50 on one side of the ornament. The other side depicts the historical Imperial Sugar Char House with the windows painted in the form of a cross. In Sugar Land, the Christmas season has always been marked for many years by

Charlie and Jo Howard hanging the ornament on the capitol tree in Austin.

the traditional lighting of the cross-symbol in the windows of the old Imperial Holly Char Building,” said Jo Howard. “I enjoyed presenting the ornament from District 26 ,” said Representative Howard. “This is a wonderful way to showcase each representative’s district, and this year’s ornament is especially significant because of the

50th anniversary of Sugar Land.” The Howards invite all District 26 residents to visit their capitol in Austin, which is now adorned with the House Christmas tree and the lights down Congress Avenue. “Texas stands tall among the states and your capitol building is a symbol of all that is great in our state,” Howard said.

Sugar Land City Council approves creation of TIRZ 4 Sugar Land City Council approved Ordinance 1768 designating a roughly 700acre tract of land at the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard as Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) 4. The City is creating TIRZ 4 for the purpose of financing public improvements and facilities necessary to support the development of employment, commercial, cultural arts, sports and entertainment districts within an urban-density, mixed-use center. TIRZ 4 will enhance the creation of a first-class destination activity center within the City, thus promoting the continued economic vitality of Sugar Land and Fort Bend County. The conceptual plan for the TIRZ is based in large part on the 2007 visioning document -as recommended by the Vision Task Force and adopted by City Council -- which anticipates

the realization of many of the elements from the City’s Cultural/Entertainment District plans. The City and Newland Communities partnered in the development of a conceptual plan for the 300 acres of commercial reserve within the TIRZ boundary. The TIRZ also includes the University of Houston – Sugar Land site. A TIRZ is a tool that local governments can use to publicly finance needed structural improvements and enhanced infrastructure within a defined area. The primary goal of a TIRZ is to create additional new value and reinvest that added value back into the designated area. Sugar Land Town Square, located within a TIRZ, is a prime example of this economic development tool in action. Without the Sugar Land Town Square TIRZ, many of

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

the improvements and amenities currently enjoyed by the residents would never have materialized. With Sugar Land Town Square serving as a thriving TIRZ model, the City will reinvest the new dollars that TIRZ 4 will create back into the project rather than using the City’s existing general property tax base to fund the public improvements. The TIRZ will ensure residents of Sugar Land see no impact to their residential property taxes and are not asked to shoulder the burden of development within the designated zone. With the passage of Ordinance 1768, the City will now begin the more detailed process of determining a prioritized list of public improvements to be included in the final project plan for the reinvestment zone, as well as the potential for other entities to participate in its funding.

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Sam’s Club awards $1,000 to Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra

Community Feedback continues for 38 acres of Quail Valley parks project Circle your calendars for Tuesday, January 12, for the presentation of findings and park development options for the former Executive Nine property, part of the Quail Valley Parks Project. The community will have the opportunity to comment following the remarks. The meeting will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at the Community Center in the City Hall Complex at 1522 Texas Parkway. For the past two years, citizens have offered their opinion through committees and at public meetings on recreation uses of

Missouri City residents offered specific input last fall on recreational uses for the former Executive Nine property, a part of the Quail Valley Parks project. Community feedback will continue at the Jan. 12 meeting at the Community Center, 1522 Texas Parkway.

the Quail Valley Parks Project. Most recently, citizens focused their comments on the 38acre former Executive Nine property at a public meeting held last September. Three potential priority elements for the property have been identified. They are: Water features, Open/passive area for trails, paths, green space and benches, and Limited activity areas not adjacent to homes potentially for playground, fitness equipment, pavilion and parking. Following the September meeting, an engineering consultant conducted a water availability assessment, including drainage, to assure the water features are sustainable. Based on this water analysis and citizen feedback, preliminary information will be presented on trail layout, parks amenities and water drainage and capacity. The final park plan that is developed will be reviewed by the Missouri City Parks Board prior to its review and approval by City Council. The plan will be implemented in phases, with work on the first phase beginning as early as the spring 2010. Funding will come from the November 2008 bond program.

Pius Awa, marketing team leader for Sam’s Club, Sugar Land, presents $1,000 to Laura Aguero, director of fundraising for the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra. The grant will provide reduced FBSO ticket prices for retirement/ assisted living communities in the area.

2009 Fort Bend Outstanding Realtor of the Year

Sugar Land helps families in need, including wounded warriors

Gingerbread - Sugar Land City Hall

A gingerbread house on display in the foyer of Sugar Land City Hall helps ensure that three needy families will have a merry Christmas. Sugar Land’s mayor, City Council and city manager purchased the holiday decora-

tion – a replica of City Hall – during a special event held by Minute Maid at Sugar Land’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Event in Town Square. Each year, three families are adopted during Christmas as part of the Minute Maid 3-Family Fund. Sugar Land’s purchase of the gingerbread house helps ensure that assistance will be provided to families from the Fort Bend Rainbow Room, The United Way and The Wounded Warrior and Family Support Center at Brooke Army Medical Center. The gingerbread house is available for public viewing Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jim Cockrill

At the Houston Association of Realtors Fort Bend November luncheon held at Sweetwater Country Club, it was announced that Jim Cockrill had been named the Fort Bend Outstanding Realtor of the year. Jim, a broker with Coldwell Banker Commercial United, Realtors, was congratulated by the Vice President for Coldwell Banker Commercial United, Realtors, John McFarlin, and Jim’s wife of 24 years, Debbie. Jim’s volunteerism and dedication to the Fort Bend political process and governmental affairs, was instrumental in the decision to elect him to Realtor of the Year. Shown are (l-r) Jim’s wife Debbie, Jim Cockrill, and John McFarlin.

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

NEWSWORTHY Sugar Land grows by 1,100 homes overnight; city welcomes 3,592 new residents RiverPark will officially become part of Sugar Land with the annexation of the subdivision’s 3,592 residents on Dec. 1. Two years ago, a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) between Sugar Land and Fort Bend County Municipal District (MUD) No. 1 created a plan for annexation. The SPA provided for limited-purpose annexation of retail areas in 2007, followed by annexation of the entire MUD this year. RiverPark has contracted for fire protection from Sugar Land for years; however, annexation into Sugar Land will include all other municipal services. The Sugar Land Police Department will establish a new police beat to patrol the area, along with the Telfair subdivision, and RiverPark will begin to benefit from the City’s public works and utility services, parks and recreation programs and animal services. Residents will also benefit from property value safeguards offered by the City. For instance, all new construction and remodeling requires building permits. Sugar Land also has zoning ordinances which establish land use requirements to benefit homeowners. Furthermore, the City’s code enforcement office ensures and protects health, safety and welfare in existing residences and businesses. Property taxes for RiverPark residents will decrease from what was formerly paid to their Municipal Utility District. In the 2008 tax year (the last bill collected) a resident in an average RiverPark home, with the District’s homestead exemption, paid roughly $975 in property taxes to MUD 1. That same house, with the same home value, in the 2010 tax year (the first year City rates will be assessed) will be charged roughly $557 for City taxes. The savings of more than $400 makes up for the slight increase – $18 a month on average – in utility costs. All together, RiverPark’s annexation will save an average resident just over $200 a year in tax and utility costs. There is also no cost to existing residents associated with the annexation. Riverpark residents will be represented by District Two Council Member Don Olson.

Sugar Land launches Twitter pilot Sugar Land is taking its first step into the virtual world of social media with a pilot project utilizing Twitter. Twitter is a social networking service that can be used with ease on both personal computers and mobile devices. Because it limits users to very short messages of 140 characters or less, it has become one of the largest platforms in the world for quickly sharing data. The City will send “Tweets” on public safety, special events and range of other topics. The City’s Twitter page can be accessed from a standard web browser such as Firefox, Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Free programs such as Tweetdeck, Power Twitter for Firefox and Twhirl enhance viewing the Tweets via the Internet. Twitter users can also have these messages sent to them mobile devices as text messages. “Social networking websites like Twitter are a great way for the City to keep citizens and visitors informed

about topics ranging from road closures to emergency notifications,” said City Manager Allen Bogard. “Our goal is to take advantage of communication tools already being used by a large group of people and provide timely, relevant and accurate information.” Following an evaluation of Twitter, Sugar Land will consider expanding its Web 2.0 program to other social media applications. To follow Sugar Land on Twitter, go to www.sugarlandtx.gov. A Twitter icon will direct visitors to Twitter to create a free account, select “Find People” from the Twitter menu, search for City of Sugar Land and then click “Follow.”

Jamail & Smith Construction lends a hand to East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry continued from page 27 Connie Esposito, Community Outreach Coordinator for EFBHNM, commented, “We are so grateful for the generosity and support of Jamail & Smith Construction and all the subcontractors and vendors who contributed to this incredible donation. This has been a tough year for many in our community.” The $10,200.00 donation was presented to Esposito at Jamail & Smith Construction’s Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Fry at their Fort Bend Office located in Missouri City. This yearly event gives Jamail & Smith Construction a chance to thank their employees, subcontractors and vendors for a job well-done throughout the year. “While so many families are feel-

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

ing the need for a little support in these economic times, it was not only our pleasure to help but a responsibility we should all have for the community in which we work and live,” said Brent Doucette, Senior Project Manager for Jamail & Smith Construction. “We are seeing 25% more families coming to us for help while our donations have been down”, said Esposito. “This gift from Jamail & Smith Construction couldn’t have come at a better time for East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry. We will be able to use the funds to keep food on the table for our neighbors in need and help those who are facing eviction from losing their home.”

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NAMES IN THE Mitchell & Duff announces opening of new Law Office With over two decades of legal experience, Elizabeth Duff and Amy L. Mitchell are announcing the law firm of Mitchell & Duff, LLC. Mitchell & Duff provide a broad spectrum of representation on general civil litigation, corporate transactional and personal matters. Mitchell & Duff have a proven track record of winning their clients’ cases with a success rate in their trial practice. This firm defends businesses and individuals in disputes over torts, contracts, complex litigation, consumer debt litigation, family law, guardianships, insurance, probate, representation of financial institutions, strict liability, and wills and trusts. Mitchell & Duff handles all aspects of civil litigation, civil matters, insur-

ance defense, probate, guardianship, commercial litigation, mediation and class actions. The firm focuses on assessing their clients’ needs from pre-suit investigation through the appellate process while maintaining a conservative economic strategy. According to Amy Mitchell, “We are thrilled to be combining our practices to create one of the premier civil firms in Fort Bend County. The outpouring of support from the community has been heartwarming.” Mitchell & Duff is located within walking distance of the historic Fort Bend County Courthouse in Richmond, Texas. Mitchell & Duff handles cases in and around the Houston and Fort Bend area as well as throughout the state of Texas. The attorneys

Curtice Commercial Real Estate welcomes new Broker Associate Jason Scholtz Curtice Commercial Real Estate is pleased to announce that Jason Scholtz has joined their office as a Broker Associate. Prior to joining Curtice Commercial, Jason worked with a Fortune 500 engineering firm as a financial analyst. Jason’s primary business focus is office

Mike Stone, FBCTRA An update on the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority Keep up to date at the next Fort Bend Chamber Infrastructure Planning Division meeting on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce at 7:30 a.m. Mike Stone, Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority, will give an update. Breakfast will be provided. Any interested parties are welcome to attend. Admittance for Chamber members is $10 and for prospective members is $20. Reservations are required. For more information, please contact Ellen Bush at 281-491-0277 or at Mike Stone ellen@fortbendcc.org.

tenant representation, brokerage, and development. Born in South Carolina, Jason moved his family to Sugar Land so they could experience the explosive growth that has characterJason Scholtz ized Fort Bend County. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Jason has an undergraduate degree in Finance & Real Estate. Jason is also in the process of obtaining his MBA, in the evenings, from the University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business. Jason’s main goal is to provide his clients with superior service. His financial background allows him to work with clients in an advisory role. “Fort Bend is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation”, says Jason, “I couldn’t think of a better place to be right now.” Curtice Commercial Real Estate, founded in Sugar Land in 1997 by Kolbe Curtice, is active in the Fort Bend Market. Located in Sugar Land Town Square, the firm is a full service commercial brokerage company whose services include tenant representation, brokerage services and development. For more information call 281-494-4769.

Amy L Mitchell and Elizabeth Duff, the newest law partners in Fort Bend County.

of Mitchell & Duff are licensed in all Federal and State Courts in Texas. Mitchell & Duff is located at 210 Main Street, Richmond, Texas 77469, 281-3411718, www.mitchellandduff.com. For more information, contact Amy L. Mitchell at 281-341-1718.

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Elects Himesh Gandhi as Legal Counsel The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce has elected Himesh Gandhi to serve as Legal Counsel for a term of one year beginning in January. As an associate attorney at Hrbacek & Associates, Himesh Gandhi P.C., Gandhi represents local individuals and entities in a wide variety of business transactions and commercial litigation. His primary focus is in the areas of entity formation, acquisitions, collections, litigation, construction, real estate, finance and general business. Gandhi graduated from Houston Baptist University in 1999 and South Texas College of Law in 2002. In addition to practicing law, Gandhi is active in community affairs. He is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Indo American Forum of Fort Bend, a member of the City of Sugar Land’s Building and Standards Commission, graduate of Sugar Land 101 and Sugar Land Fire Department’s Citizen Fire Academy, graduate of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Leadership Forum and a member of the Exchange Club of Sugar Land. Gandhi is also a member of numerous legal and professional organizations and also serves as a board member for the North American South Asian Bar Association.

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Texas unemployment rate down in November to 8.0 percent

he Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 8.0 percent in November, down from 8.3 percent a month ago, and continued to trend well below the U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November at 10.0 percent. The Texas Civilian Labor Force reached its highest level ever at 12.1 million workers in November. Total nonagricultural employment in Texas increased by 17,300 positions in November for a total of almost 70,000 jobs over the past two months, while the nation as a whole lost 122,000 jobs. “Texas employers added a significant number of jobs in most industries during October and November,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Tom Pauken. “Job growth coupled with a lower unemployment rate indicate movement in a positive direction for Texas.”

During November, Mining and Logging employment increased by 5,100 jobs, Financial Activities employment rose by 4,700 jobs, and Professional and Business Services added 3,300 positions. Leisure and Hospitality employment increased by 4,800 positions in November. “Job growth in the last two months has been encouraging, however we know many Texans still are out of work,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “TWC and staff at the 28 workforce boards remain committed to serving Texas claimants with job-search assistance and training available to all job seekers.” Education and Health Services employment grew by 4,600 jobs in November, marking 14 consecutive monthly employment gains in that industry. Since November 2008, employment in Education and Health

Services increased by 60,000 jobs, a 4.6 percent gain. “Seven of 11 industries recorded job growth in November, most notably the consecutive months of job growth in Education and Health Services,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Andres Alcantar. “Texans searching for work can continue to find assistance at workforce centers across the state.” The Amarillo Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) experienced the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 5.3 percent (not seasonally adjusted), followed by the Lubbock MSA with 5.4 percent, and the Midland MSA with 5.6 percent. Please note that the unemployment estimates for the United States and Texas in this chart are “Not Seasonally Adjusted” for purposes of comparison to the “Not Seasonally Adjusted” Metropolitan Statistical Area data.

Civilian Labor Force Estimates for Texas Metropolitan Statistical Areas Not Seasonally Adjusted (In Thousands) NOVEMBER 2009

OCTOBER 2009

NOVEMBER 2008

C.L.F.

Emp.

Unemp.

Rate

C.L.F.

Emp.

Unemp.

Rate

C.L.F.

Emp.

Unemp.

Rate

United States

153,539.0

139,132.0

14,407.0

9.4

153,635.0

139,088.0

14,547.0

9.5

154,624.0

144,609.0

10,015.0

6.5

State of Texas

12,103.2

11,149.3

953.9

7.9

12,069.7

11,090.4

979.3

8.1

11,808.2

11,167.6

640.6

5.4

Abilene

83.6

78.6

5.0

5.9

83.5

78.4

5.1

6.1

83.0

79.6

3.4

4.1

Amarillo

131.7

124.7

7.0

5.3

131.3

124.1

7.2

5.5

129.9

124.9

5.0

3.8

Austin-Round Rock

905.5

843.1

62.4

6.9

904.6

839.9

64.7

7.2

877.7

834.6

43.1

4.9

Beaumont-Port Arthur

183.4

164.3

19.1

10.4

183.4

163.6

19.8

10.8

181.5

167.7

13.8

7.6

Brownsville-Harlingen

151.0

135.1

15.9

10.5

150.1

134.3

15.8

10.5

146.3

135.4

10.9

7.4

College Station-Bryan

110.6

104.0

6.6

5.9

109.7

103.2

6.5

6.0

110.9

106.2

4.7

4.2

Corpus Christi

207.9

192.2

15.7

7.5

207.2

191.3

15.9

7.7

205.2

195.0

10.2

5.0

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington

3,236.2

2,979.0

257.2

7.9

3,232.9

2,966.0

266.9

8.3

3,158.0

2,981.9

176.1

5.6

Dallas-Plano-Irving MD

2,154.8

1,983.6

171.2

7.9

2,153.7

1,975.8

177.9

8.3

2,113.0

1,993.1

119.9

5.7

Fort Worth-Arlington MD

1,081.5

995.4

86.1

8.0

1,079.2

990.2

89.0

8.2

1,045.1

988.8

56.3

5.4

El Paso

310.4

281.7

28.7

9.2

310.3

280.8

29.5

9.5

301.4

280.9

20.5

6.8

Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown

2,846.3

2,612.2

234.1

8.2

2,839.5

2,599.8

239.7

8.4

2,808.3

2,656.9

151.4

5.4

Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood

162.9

151.5

11.4

7.0

162.2

150.7

11.5

7.1

160.5

151.8

8.7

5.4

Laredo

97.3

88.9

8.4

8.6

96.8

88.4

8.4

8.7

93.3

88.0

5.3

5.7

Longview

111.3

102.8

8.5

7.6

111.4

102.5

8.9

8.0

108.7

103.9

4.8

4.4

Lubbock

143.9

136.2

7.7

5.4

144.0

136.2

7.8

5.4

142.2

136.6

5.6

3.9

McAllen-Edinburg-Mission

304.9

270.8

34.1

11.2

300.9

267.3

33.6

11.2

286.3

263.6

22.7

7.9

Midland

77.6

73.3

4.3

5.6

77.8

73.3

4.5

5.8

76.5

74.2

2.3

3.0

Odessa

75.6

69.2

6.4

8.5

75.8

69.0

6.8

8.9

72.4

69.8

2.6

3.6

San Angelo

53.8

50.4

3.4

6.4

53.7

50.1

3.6

6.6

52.9

50.5

2.4

4.5

San Antonio

975.7

909.8

65.9

6.8

973.7

905.7

68.0

7.0

950.7

901.0

49.7

5.2

Sherman-Denison

57.7

53.0

4.7

8.2

57.7

52.8

4.9

8.5

56.0

52.9

3.1

5.6

Texarkana

65.2

61.1

4.1

6.3

64.9

60.6

4.3

6.6

64.3

61.1

3.2

4.9

Tyler

102.7

94.6

8.1

7.9

102.2

94.0

8.2

8.0

99.6

94.6

5.0

Victoria

59.2

54.7

4.5

7.6

59.0

54.4

4.6

7.8

58.7

56.1

2.6

4.5

Waco

114.0

106.1

7.9

6.9

113.6

105.7

7.9

6.9

111.7

106.3

5.4

4.8

Wichita Falls

74.2

68.7

5.5

7.5

74.0

68.2

5.8

7.8

73.2

69.2

4.0

5.5

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Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

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www.FortBendStar.com January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

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Fort Bend/Katy

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Houston Real Estate Market enjoys second consecutive month of positive sales volume and pricing in October Comparison to hurricane-battered market and 2009 homebuyer tax credit are factors

he lingering effects of Hurricane Ike back in October 2008 combined with recent homebuying activity spurred by the federal government’s $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit produced positive numbers for the Houston real estate market in October. For the second month in a row, both property sales volume and pricing recorded gains. According to the latest monthly data compiled by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), October volume of single-family home sales across the greater Houston area rose 13.8 percent compared to October 2008. Total property sales climbed 14.1 percent in October on a year- over-year basis. At $149,000, the October single-family

home median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—rose 5.0 percent from one year earlier, representing the sixth straight monthly increase in median price. The average price of a single-family home in Houston was $198,639, up 3.2 percent last month versus October 2008. Both figures reached the highest levels ever for a month of October in Houston. Foreclosure property sales were flat month-over-month in October, making up 18.6 percent of all single-family home sales in the Houston area, but down compared to 25.8 percent in October 2008 and the 12-month peak of 34.0 percent in January of this year. The median price of October foreclosure sales reported in the Multiple

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

Listing Service (MLS) rose 3.8 percent to $88,293 on a year-over-year basis. Sales of all property types in Houston for August totaled 5,716, up 14.1 percent compared to October 2008. Total dollar volume for properties sold during the month was $1.0 billion versus $942 million one year earlier, representing an increase of 15.9 percent. “Hurricane Ike had a lasting effect on the greater Houston real estate market last fall, so it’s no surprise to have the kind of year-over-year improvement we’ve now seen for two months in a row,” said Vicki Fullerton, HAR chair and broker of record at RE/MAX of The Woodlands & Spring. “Many Houston REALTORS® have reported that the first-time homebuyer

tax credit was extremely effective at drawing consumers to the marketplace, and we believe momentum will build with the federal government’s extended and expanded incentive program.” October Monthly Market Comparison - The month of October brought Houston’s overall housing market positive results when all listing categories are compared to October of 2008. Total property sales, total dollar volume and both median and average single-family home sales prices were all up on a year-over-year basis. The number of available properties, or active listings, at the end of October fell 7.3 percent from October 2008 to 45,424. That housing inventory represents 96 fewer active listings than one month earlier, in September 2009. October’s monthend pending sales—those listings expected to close within the next 30 days—totaled 3,673, which was 2.6 percent higher than last year. An increase typically signals that the next month’s sales will improve further, however because this data compares to a period in which Hurricane Ike interrupted many local real estate transactions, that signal is unclear. The months inventory of single-family homes for October came in at 6.1 months, down from 6.3 months one year earlier, and remains healthier than the national months inventory of single-family homes of 7.8 months, reported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Single-Family Homes Update - At $149,000, the median sales price for singlefamily homes rose for the sixth consecutive month, up 5.0 percent from October 2008. That represents the highest median price ever recorded in a month of October in Houston. The national single-family median price reported by NAR is $174,900, illustrating the continued higher value and lower cost of living that consumers enjoy in the Houston market. The average price of single-family homes in October was $198,639, an increase of 3.2 percent from one year earlier. That represents the highest average price ever recorded in an October in Houston. October sales of single-family homes in Houston totaled 4,834, up 13.8 percent from October 2008. This is the second consecutive monthly increase in sales volume.

HAR also reports existing home statistics for the single-family home segment of the real estate market. In October 2009, existing single-family home sales totaled 4,049, a 15.6 percent increase from October 2008. At $140,000, the median sales price for existing homes in the Houston area rose 7.7 percent compared to last year. The average sales price of $185,117 climbed 7.0 percent from its October 2008 level. Townhouse/Condo Update - The number of townhouses and condominiums sold in October rose compared to one year earlier. In the greater Houston area, 514 units were sold last month versus 418 properties in October 2008, translating to a 23.0 percent boost in year-over-year sales. The median price of a townhouse/condominium rose 1.1 percent year-over-year to $126,340. The average price edged up 0.6 percent to $159,853 from October 2008 to October 2009. Lease Property Update - Demand for single-family home rentals fell 12.4 percent in October compared to a year earlier. Yearover-year townhouse/condominium rentals declined by 5.6 percent.

Houston Real Estate Milestones in October • Single-family homes sales increased for a second consecutive month, by 13.8 percent; • Existing single-family home sales increased for a second consecutive month, by 15.6 percent; • Total property sales increased for a second consecutive month, by 14.1 percent; • The median price of a single-family home was up for the sixth straight month, reaching the highest level ever recorded in an October ($149,000); • The average price of a single-family home reached the highest level ever recorded in an October ($198,639); • Month’s inventory of single-family homes dropped from 6.3 to 6.1 months compared to the national average of 7.8 months. The computerized Multiple Listing Service of the Houston Association of Realtors® includes residential properties and new homes listed by 24,000

Realtors® throughout Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, as well as parts of Brazoria, Galveston, Waller and Wharton counties. Residential home sales statistics as well as listing information for more than 50,000 properties may be found on the Internet at http://www.har.com. The information published and disseminated to the HAR Multiple Listing Services is communicated verbatim, without change by Multiple Listing Services, as filed by MLS participants. The MLS does not verify the information provided and disclaims any responsibility for its accuracy. All data is preliminary and subject to change. Monthly sales figures reported since November 1998 includes a statistical estimation to account for late entries. Twelve-month totals may vary from actual end-of-year figures. (Single-family detached homes were broken out separately in monthly figures beginning February 1988.) Founded in 1918, the Houston Association of Realtors® (HAR) is a 24,000member organization of real estate professionals engaged in every aspect of the industry, including residential and commercial sales and leasing, appraisal, property management and counseling. It is the largest local association/board of Realtors® in the United States as well as the largest individual membership trade association in Houston.

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Morris L. Overstreet files for Chief Justice, First Court of Appeals Respected Jurist Was Elected Twice to Serve on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

orris Overstreet, an experienced jurist who was twice elected in the 1990’s to serve on the state’s highest criminal appellate court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, officially filed today as a Democratic candidate for Chief Justice, First Court of Appeals. The nine-member First Court of

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Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

Appeals in an intermediate level appeals court that covers ten counties; Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington. The Morris Overstreet appellate court hears both civil and criminal cases. When he was elected to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on November 6, 1990, Judge Overstreet was the first African American elected to a statewide office in Texas history, and he went on to win high marks for his even handed temperament and application of the law during his eight years on that prestigious bench. “I’m running for Chief Justice because I believe every case should be decided on the law and the facts, and not the ideology of judges,” Overstreet said. Judge Overstreet is extraordinarily well-qualified to return to the bench, with over 30 years of legal experience, including: five years as a prosecutor and First Assistant District Attorney; eight years as an attorney in private practice; eight years as a trial judge; eight years as an statewide appellate Judge; and five years as a law school professor. At present, in addition to his private practice, he is the Presiding Judge of the City of Prairie View Municipal Court. “A judge must insure that there is justice for all who come into the courtroom, and not only a privileged few,” Overstreet observed. If elected, Judge Overstreet will be the first African American to head one of the state’s 14 appellate courts around the state. “The proper application of the law is the only way to make sure the guilty are punished, the innocent are exonerated, and justice is done for all, especially the victim,” Overstreet concluded.

Everyone

A Voice for the Voiceless

has a story

Toni Slusser is a voice for the voiceless.

Missouri City’s Crime Victim Liaison Toni Slusser reads some literature.

ver the past five years, Missouri City’s Crime Victim Liaison has used her expertise and empathy to help more than 3,500 residents help themselves. She tirelessly assists people who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, robbery and other crimes and provides them with the information, resources and referrals to get help. “Toni brings a unique skill set to the table in that she was a certified police officer in the Missouri City Police Department for years, so she’s been on the front lines of policing, seeing trauma firsthand and dealing with it,” said Assistant Chief Larry Capps, who directs Slusser in her role. “Toni is like the gatekeeper—the issues come to her and she opens the door to help people get on the right track at the right time. Having a full-time crime victim liaison is a tremendous asset for the department, community and officers.” Historically, Slusser’s role had been filled by detectives, who were struggling to aid victims on a part-time basis while still fulfilling their primary duties. Determined to provide a full-time advocate to victims and to ease the strain the dual jobs put on their officers, departmental officials made a commitment to seek funding for a crime victim liaison. “Five years ago we got our first [Victims of Crime Act] grant through the Houston-

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Galveston Area Council,” a conduit between local governments and the State, Capps said. Since then, Missouri City has successfully gone through four competitive application processes and has been awarded grants totaling more than $200,000 to fund the crime victim liaison position. The police department recently received this year’s allocation of $46,000 and matched about $11,000 of the grant to complete a total compensation package. Asst. Chief Capps authored the grant application and is pleased with the level of services it has allowed the department to provide. “Toni does a fabulous job helping crime victims. There’s a number of civic groups that she works very closely with to enhance the level of services we provide our crime victims and with her working fulltime, she has the ability to establish relationships with these other social services groups. She also has a very close working relationship with the area’s District Attorneys offices and their crime victim liaisons,” Capps said. Slusser says that her strong rapport with other agencies also gives her the ability to help not just crime victims, but also people who are facing hard times. She recently collaborated with Missouri City’s Fire and Rescue Service to locate housing for displaced residents. “The more groups that I have contact with and the more rapport that I make with other agencies, that helps me with our program because that’s more resources for victims,” she said. Moving forward, Slusser would like to expand her office and hire a part-time employee. Establishing the position would require additional funding and Capps and Slusser said they are presently looking into grant programs to help the department expand its services to crime victims. In the meantime, the 24-year veteran will continue to use her established network of contacts and resources to help residents. “When I’ve seen someone that’s basically utilized the tools and resources to help their lives, it makes me feel good,” she said, “because I know that I’ve helped them.”

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January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Fort Bend/Katy

COVER STORY

Focused on Fort Bend’s Future

anny Nguyen greets each new year by taking time to reflect upon the past year, his achievements, challenges, what he has done right or what could have been done better. After counting his blessings, lessons learned and experiences earned, Danny acknowledges there is so much to be grateful. To Danny, ultimate happiness means having a balanced life in the areas of faith, family, business and community. He believes in order to achieve balance, you must be ready for what life brings you. Danny Nguyen, President and founder of Danny Nguyen International and President and Co-Founder of the Vietnamese American Houston Chamber of Commerce, is ready. A Missouri City home and business owner, Danny focuses on being a great husband, devoted father of two young boys and being an active contributor to his community. Danny attributes his good fortune to his strong faith and belief in God. “My belief has given me the courage and strength to pursue and accomplish many things that would otherwise been impossible. All the glory belongs to Him. Danny Nguyen’s favorite Bible quote is “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” More than anything, he is grateful to God for his wife and children. “They are gifts from

God and bring me the most happiness in life. I thank Him for the opportunity to be with them every day.” Danny is married to his best friend and business partner, Marie Nguyen. Now that they have two young sons, Jordan and Darrell, they realize the impact of leaving behind a better country and community. “We know our small steps will lead to their leaps and bounds. We instill in them a sense of giving and doing not only for their loved ones but also for those less fortunate and their community,” Marie says, “We are literally taking baby steps with the boys to get them ready for their future.” Another way the Nguyens are getting their sons ready for the future is to take Jordan and Darrell with them when they research investment opportunities. Marie credits her mom for her intuitions about real estate. “When I was young, I felt she was dragging me to all these boring places. As I’ve gotten older, I realized everything I experienced with her helped me to quickly determine whether a property is worth the investment. You never know the impressions you make with the actions you take. Both our parents were entrepreneurs. That is the legacy they left us.” Danny has taken his entrepreneurial spirit and put it to work by opening Danny Nguyen Commercial for brokerage, investment and development. Despite the past few years of

Danny Nguyen and Associates

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

economic storms, Nguyen and his team continue to move forward with full force. This earned Danny and his team the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award given by the Houston West Chamber of Commerce for 2009. Danny believes his willingness to keep going even through bleak economic forecast has much to do with his success. “I stay focused with the end result in mind.” Danny has developments completed in 2009 in Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties that will provide any potential tenant or investor an opportunity to make money. The location in Pearland has approximately 34,000 square feet being offered as condominium retail space. This is a relatively new form of investing where a tenant can also be his own landlord. “This will allow an investor with limited capital to own real estate in a prime area for a smaller amount of money than what would normally cost them to purchase a whole development.” Danny also took the opportunity to help Missouri City with its redevelopment plan for Texas Parkway. He and his partners purchased and renovated a distressed Blockbuster building, renaming it Texas Independence Plaza. They are turning it into a 6,000 square foot retail center. Its anchor, Wingstop Restaurant, is set to open January 2010.

folio, Danny takes every opportunity to expand his network which goes beyond ethnic and community boundaries. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Realtors and is also the Chair Elect for the Houston Mayor’s Office of International Affairs & Development for Asia and Australia. This past summer, Danny served as a Judge for the Miss Vietnam Global Pageant in Las Vegas. He was featured in a national commercial real estate magazine as one of the “Rising Stars” of 2007. His knowledge, experience, and talents for the real estate profession led him to attain the designation of “Certified Commercial Investment Manager,” or CCIM, widely considered the most prestigious credential in the commercial real estate industry. Danny has 15-years of experience as a commercial real estate practitioner/specialist. He started as a commercial real estate agent and progressed

to broker, then to owner of a ReMax commercial franchise, and finally to having his own brand, Danny Nguyen Commercial. Nguyen feels fortunate to awaken each day excited to go to his office. When asked why he loves his job so much, he says, “This career is a perfect match of my talents, tenacity, education energy, experience and passion for free enterprise. I love what I do. As an investor, I am my own boss. I take joy in helping others fulfill their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs as well.” In May 2008, Danny was awarded an Honorary Degree from Houston Community College in recognition of his continuous contribution to the community. He commented, “I feel honored and inspired the HCC Board of Trustees selected me for this award. I want to use this opportunity as a source of motivation for others, especially young people, who dream of getting higher education but do not have confidence in themselves, their talents, and God-given unlimited potential.” Another of the opportunities that Danny is grateful for is the invitation to join the Fort Bend Economic Development Council to promote Fort Bend County. “When Marie and I married and considered moving to Missouri City, we knew immediately this city was very special. I know it sounds cliché, but we really felt the pull of ‘home sweet home.’ There was an instant bond with the neighbors we met here. We wanted these people to be our neighbors.” continued on page 42

Danny Nguyen

Photo By Hurst Photography

Danny Nguyen Commercial was the buyer’s broker for the purchase of approximately 192,000 square foot of retail space formerly known as JCPenny in Sharpstown Mall. Danny says, “I know times are difficult right now but I think crisis always breeds new opportunities. You are forced to be resourceful and creative. This is a tough time to ask people to invest, but it is the best time to plant seeds of investments. Buyers have the stronger negotiating hand because there are more sellers competing for their investment. This situation will not last so people need to take advantage of it.” Danny’s nature is to focus on long term goals. He said “sometimes we must delay instant gratification in order to build a foundation for the future. We need to understand if we start small and continue to build steadily, we can earn solid lasting success.” In addition to building his property port-

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

continued from page 41 The longer he lives in Missouri City, the more he appreciates it. “We are excited about the plans for the revitalization of the Texas Parkway corridor which serves as the main gateway for Missouri City to its neighbors, Houston and Pearland. We are developing several projects in Missouri City to further the effort, including Texas Independence Plaza. The new Wingstop, in line with the Plaza’s new look, will incorporate a new, modern design. The city has approved of bringing a fresh look to the area. We are hoping other business owners will recognize Missouri City’s positive movements toward business developments and bring more services to this growing community.”Danny says. Marie adds, “Not many people know how strategically located this city is. With Fort Bend Toll Road running through the city we can get to the Texas Medical Center, downtown Houston and Galleria in 20 minutes or less. It even connects to Beltway 8 which makes it convenient to Houston’s main airports.” Knowing all the great things about his city and wanting to spread the word, Danny plans to take his community service to the next level and run for City Council-At-Large in Missouri City at the urging of already elected officials. He feels with his network and business experience, he can work with the city to bring more business opportunities to this underserved community. “Though I understand large businesses will help the city economically overall, I am pro-family and prosmall business. I will not compromise what has made Missouri City great. It’s not always about what the big companies will bring in revenue, but how they will affect everyone’s quality of life. As a strong advocate of freedom of enterprise, I believe the backbone of a thriving economy is independent business owners. My goal is to help them get started and to stay in business. They serve the community and the community will return as customers. It’s a win-win for everyone,” says Danny. As we enter into a new decade, Danny is especially excited because he will work to make a transition from private citizen to public servant. “I’ve been looking forward to this opportunity of pursuing my long term dream for many years.” He wants to focus his attention on the city he calls home. “As a resident, I feel the desire to serve. I know my experience as a business owner will add to the city’s growth. I am determined to be a great asset to Missouri City. I would not have

Marie, Danny, Darrell and Jordan Nguyen.

invested in this city if I did not have faith in the city’s potential. This is where my wife and I have chosen to raise our children. We would not set roots where we did not plan to stay. The quality of life here is rich and genuine. There is an abundance of untapped amenities and resources. Many residents are unaware of what the city has to offer. Those that know me, know I am action-oriented. What better city is there for me to live and do business in than the ‘Show-Me’ City?” Danny attended Fort Bend ISD schools. He then worked his way through to earn his Texas A&M University BBA in International Business and Marketing, where he remains active with Texas A&M Alumni. Danny is a strong promoter of free enterprise. He especially appreciates this particular freedom amid the many other freedoms in Texas and the United States. After realizing his entrepreneurial dream, he wants to help as many people as he can to achieve the same dream. This is why he formed the Vietnamese American Houston Chamber of Commerce. As its president, he is instrumental in promoting business development not only between local Vietnamese and mainstream communities, but at the international level as well. He believes in specialization. “It is better to have depth of knowledge rather than being a ‘jack of all trades’.” He carries forward this philosophy in his company and works with all its clients to make certain their unique situation is analyzed and researched, and optimum business opportunities are presented. With his passion, principle, experience, contacts, and affiliation with a team of experienced professionals in the commercial real estate industry, he is committed to fulfilling his client’s needs

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

and exceeding their expectations. Danny inspires people around him not only by his words, but by his hard work and his actions. “As a local entrepreneur, I am accustomed to listening and responding to my customers and neighbor’s needs. I will use these skills and tenacity to provide a strong, effective voice for the families and businesses of Missouri City, “he said. According to Danny, “The purpose of life is to discover your gifts. The meaning of life is giving that gift away. What would be a better way to do this than to serve your city?” Nguyen is a graduate of the Fort Bend Leadership Forum and active in the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. He supports the American Legion Missouri City Post and the ARC of Fort Bend. He is most proud of his leadership on Missouri City’s Comphrensive Plan Advisory Committee, Quail Valley Country Club Finance and Acquisition Committee and TIRZ #3 Board. He also actively serves with Missouri City Business Alliance, Missouri City Police and Fire Auxiliary, Quail Valley Proud, his church and homeowners association. Issues important to Nguyen are combating crime and flooding, fighting high taxes, fees and fines, red tape and bureaucracy. For more information on investments and services provided by his firm or to learn more about Danny Nguyen, visit his website at Danny Nguyen Commercial, www.dncommercial.net., or call 713-270-5400. His new office is located on the 9th floor of American First Tower located in Westchase – International District – Sam Houston Parkway at 9999 Bellaire Blvd. Ste 909.

Car repairs in good hands

Colony One Auto Center has Technicians that know how to do it

usiness needs leadership at the top, a General Manager who knows and understands every aspect of the business, a talented Service Manager to coordinate, and experts to do the work. Colony One Auto Center at 1131 Dulles Ave, in Stafford has all of that, which is why they have had a reputation for providing excellent car repair service for 17 years! Their six experts are all Master certified, by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, with four of them certified to the next level, which is the advanced drivability designation L1. “The L1 credential is required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for technicians who repair vehicles that have failed the emissions portion of the annual Motor Vehicle Inspection,” says Corey Dillon,

Colony One Service Manager. The six Master Technicians at Colony One Auto Center, 281 980 4440, are Bruce Smith Master / L1, 30 years experience, and has been with the company since it opened in 1991. Corky Raynor, Master / L1, 28 years experience, and been here 14 years. Mario Monsivais, Master / L1, 11 years experience, and been with the company for 6 years, Rick DeLeon, Master / L1, 18 years experience. Rick has also been with the company for 6 years, Jim Pedersen, Master Technician, 25 years experience, and on the staff for 9 years. Chad Hanson, Master Technician, 10 years experience, is a product of Colony One Auto Center’s in house training program, having done everything from entry level to recently passing his Master certification. To have ALL

your Technicians certified master in the same shop is truly rare. “We are so proud of our techs because we’re right when we tell you what’s wrong with your car says Service Manager Corey Dillon. Yes we’ll make a wrong call on occasion. We’re not perfect, but if we do get it wrong, the customer will usually not be affected because our Technicians take pride in their work and will not let a misdiagnosis cost the customer,” he said. The General Manager Rick Hanson said, “Our Tech’s are highly educated. They take 40 plus hours of training annually, and have to recertify every five years. These are the guy’s who do the work and deserve the credit for turning out cars fixed correctly. Quite frankly, if you have a problem with your car, these are the guy’s you want working on it.”

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Citizen survey validates updated comprehensive plan

citizen survey conducted along with the update of the Missouri City Comprehensive Plan validates the Plan’s primary points, elements and direction. Following work by a 26-person advisory committee, public meetings and review by the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council adopted the updated Plan this fall. Survey respondents rated the top three most important quality of life factors to be: • Focus on crime prevention and security • Limitations on the amount of rental housing • Community beautification More local job opportunities and recruitment of high quality restaurants, respectively, received the next highest marks. The firm Kendig Keast facilitated the

advisory committee’s activities and utilized the firm of CDS Market Research to conduct the citizen survey. Surveys were mailed to 5,000 randomly selected households throughout the city and to those located in the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (the unincorporated areas eligible for annexation). The survey consisted of nine questions addressing important issues raised during the development of the updated Comprehensive Plan and eight demographic questions. “More than 77% of respondents confirmed the Comprehensive Plan guidelines that remaining vacant land zoned for commercial uses should be developed, with 54% of this group wanting it based on thoughtful planning and high standards of design,” said Director of Planning Ornita Green. “Such development has the potential to ease hom-

eowners’ tax burden.” For residential development, citizens equally preferred single-family homes (40%) and also a concentration on redevelopment of older, obsolete residential properties (37%) as opposed to development on vacant land. The majority of citizens favored a “town center”, with only 11% saying one was not needed. The two sites generating the most interest were in the vicinity of Highway 6 and the Fort Bend Parkway and the vacant site just south of City Hall on Texas Parkway. One will be addressed by the town center at Highway 6 and Sienna Parkway, with infrastructure currently underway there. The George E. Johnson study identified the need for a similar opportunity on Texas Parkway. The City will continue to work towards making that happen.

coming FEBRUARY 2010 issue

Deadline: January 15

Special Feature

Engineering & Construction Fort Bend County has grown exponentially and engineering & construction firms are instrumental in keeping up with that growth. To Advertise Call Carolyn Reed 281-690-4201 or 281-323-0185 carolyn@fortbendstar.com 44

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

Fort Bend/Katy

With regard to the Brazos riverbank and nearby area at the southern end of Missouri City, 78% wanted it preserved as a “green area” for public parks and recreational use. Only 24% of respondents favored water and wastewater services to continue to be operated by utility districts as they are today, while 75% wanted the City’s involvement at some level where service and facilities could be improved and if it made economic sense. On the subject of public transportation, 70% favored some type of mass transit – either more park-and-ride service to major employment centers or commuter rail. Regarding street improvements, only 21% wanted to leave the street system as it is. The majority wanted wider streets and aesthetic improvements as the budget was made available. Almost 59% wanted to see street widening projects along certain corridors only as rapidly as the City also could afford to add continuous sidewalks, landscaping and other aesthetic improvements. The remaining 20% favored more immediate action so long as right of way was available.

Allen Bogard

“Of the 5,000 surveys, 590, or almost 12%, were returned – an extraordinarily high number for a survey that offered no incentives,” Green said. “In my 19 years of market research, I have never seen such a high response,” said Ray Lawrence with CDS Market Research.

“It is clear you have a highly educated constituency who are sincerely interested in the future of their community.” Green said that slightly more than 96 percent of respondents were homeowners and only 2% of respondents were residents less than one year. About 30 percent of respondents were aged 45-54, with the majority of other respondents at least 34 years of age. She pointed out that many of the respondents’ answers to growth and development factors affirm actions the City currently takes. “The Comprehensive Plan sets the foundation for the community’s vision of our City’s future for the next 20 years and beyond,” said Green. “It establishes the guidelines for our community’s impending growth. City Council will look to the plan and the citizen survey as additional tools as they address growth, development, transportation, infrastructure, amenities and image in future programs and projects.” The survey instrument and tabulations are available at www.missouricitytx.gov. Click on the “For Residents” tab.

Fort Bend Commercial Real Estate Update Winter 2009

A Message From Kolbe Curtice As we approach the end of 2009, I would characterize the state of our commercial real estate market as weakened, yet stable. Although local commercial market indicators such as vacancy rates, absorption rates, average rental rates, etc. have all remained fairly stable in Fort Bend this year, we are feeling the affects of the weakened economy. A number of new buildings have spaces that have remained empty for over a year. Most landlords are being much more aggressive, offering increased economic incentives to fill these spaces.

Kolbe Curtice

Like most of you, I am seeing encouraging reports of an improving economy one day, and predictions of a prolonged recession the next. Commercial real estate sales activity in Fort Bend slowed to a trickle this year. The prospective buyers that were in the market had difficulty finding and obtaining financing. Although leasing activity also slowed substantially, we are beginning to see renewed activity this quarter and I am optimistic that it will continue into early 2010. CURTICE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE 15999 City Walk, Suite 250 • Sugar Land, Texas 77479

Phone: 281.494.4769 Fax: 281.494.3227

info@curticecommercial.com www.curticecommercial.com

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

A New Year, A New You

What will you do New for the New Year? By Dori Wind

t a recent Christmas party I listened to a friend who talked about giving gifts to charities around this time of year. She explained that it was a good time to reflect on how her year had been and what she could afford to give. In case you missed being able to do that at the end of 2009, as you begin 2010 you may want to think about giving your time and energy to a good cause in Fort Bend County. There are more than 1,500 charitable organizations in our area. The groups would certainly appreciate not only your money, but your time, energy and enthusiasm to promote their worthy causes. Whether you want to improve the environment, build a park, feed the hungry, provide shelter for the homeless, mentor a child, interact with different cultures, enjoy music and the arts, promote literacy, there is a group and a place for you. So where will you channel your energy and time this year? If your resolutions run toward increased exercise in your life, Fort Bend County also abounds in spas, gyms, walking trails, soccer and baseball fields, golf courses and a new crewing boathouse in the LakePointe area. Last year my husband and I accidentally happened upon the Dragon Races on the lake behind Fluor and I understand they will be back again in Sugar Land this year. While increas-

ing your amount of exercise may not be an easy task, it is probably a lot more fun with a walking buddy or with a team to cheer you on. Start with something you enjoy and make sure your physician agrees that your exercise is appropriate. Set a reasonable goal for yourself. Walking is a highly recommended exercise that most can participate in doing. Do not overwhelm yourself, but try to set aside time to follow through on a 15 or 20 minute walk each day. Improving yourself needs to begin with baby steps and progress from there. Just as a baby falls down innumerable times before he actually walks continuous steps, we may also have many setbacks along the way to our goal. For a child learning to walk, however, failure is not an option. Pretty soon you may find yourself walking everywhere and Sugar Land is fast becoming a great city for doing this. My husband and I walk 2 miles every morning and four miles on the weekend. Recently, we encouraged a neighbor to hike to Whole Foods Market on the weekend (about a 4 mile walk from our neighborhood). When we saw him again he said he had walked there and really enjoyed it. Walking not only can help you lose weight, but according to the National Institutes of health may avoid an early onset of Type II diabetes, is good for your heart, and can reduce cholesterol.

Fort Bend Business Journal â&#x20AC;˘ January 2010

By programming ourselves to understand that no matter how many setbacks we have, failure is not an option, than at some point we can achieve our goals. If your goals include getting rid of those wrinkles, you have many options now. Improvements can be found by using nonsurgical procedures such as botox or restalyne, or plastic surgeons are ready to do face lifts, nip, tuck and resculpt a face or body. Sugar Land is home to many skin specialists, plastic surgeons and holistic practitioners. There are also many other new health programs, including yoga, meditation and stress reducers. The Sugar Land Health Center at 3425 Hwy. 6, Suite 101 has added many new services and techniques to help you find your optimal health. Healthy eating habits and avoiding sun exposure can help to keep those wrinkles away as well. Oily fish like fresh tuna, sardines, mackerel, and salmon contain essential fatty acids (EFAs) that actually reduce skin inflammation and keep our skin moisturized. These EFAs also promote elasticity, keeping those wrinkles at bay. Added benefits: research shows that the Omega-3s found in fish slow cognitive decline, remove plaque from our arteries, and improve brain function. In short, tuna is a pretty smart choice for dinner. continued on page 50

A New Year, A New You

Timeless Plastic Surgery — “Keeping Texans Beautiful Everytime”

Dr.

Peter Chang holds two Ivy League degrees and two doctorate degrees. He is considered one of the most educated and well-trained plastic surgeons in the area. His meticulous pursuit of perfection and his genuine compassion for patients set him apart and make him the ideal cosmetic plastic surgeon. Dr. Chang’s goal is to offer his patients beautiful and natural results which are truly “timeless.” His vision is to build a CONCIERGE type of practice that caters to each patient and his/her individual needs. Your face is the most visible part of your body. It is used to make your first impression. Facial surgery is extremely complex

and experience matters. Dr. Chang has performed thousands of facial procedures. He is the only plastic surgeon in Fort Bend County with unique advanced facial cosmetic surgery trainPeter Chang, M.D. ing. He is known for his rhinoplasties (nose surgery) and facelifts. His special techniques and individualized approach to facial surgery set him apart from his peers. “I love the results. I have wanted rhinoplasty for many years... I love Dr. Chang and all his staff. They were very comforting during my surgery. I feel like a

new woman. I feel more confident about myself. I would definitely recommend this procedure and Dr. Chang to everyone. My advice to future patients is to visit with your doctor...and let him know all your concerns. If he is a good doctor like Dr. Chang, he will listen and you will love the results!” Liposuction and tummy tucks are examples of body contouring procedures. Dr. Chang has created the perfect balance of removing excess fat and tightening skin to give you the body you desire. He obtains great results using refined techniques developed over many years. It’s no wonder why he is so sought after for his “Timeless” tummy tuck.

Be a Timeless Beauty... exclusively at

Before

After

Before

“Timeless” Tummy Tuck and liposuction

After

Chin implant and neck liposuction

Concierge Service • Surgical Excellence • Beautiful Natural Results

Timeless Plastic Surgery 1327 Lake Pointe Pkwy., Ste. 300 •Sugar Land, TX 77478 Located in the Sugar Land Medical Plaza Peter Chang M.D.

281-242-TIME (8463) • www.TimelessPlasticSurgery.com January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

A New Year, A New You

Out with the Old...In with the New, Younger You in 2010

eassessing lifestyle and old habits has become part of a New Years’ tradition. While the next new day despite its place on the calendar is a good time to change harmful habits, the start of a brand new year is particularly motivating. While contemplating poor habits that not

only have a substantial impact on appearance but health as well, such as smoking and poor diet, give some thought as well to others that may not seem as significant – but can indeed change the outcome in the ongoing quest for beauty and more youthful appearance. Some relatively small changes that can yield tremendous results include: • Drinking more water.

At OakBend Medical Center, care comes first. By constantly striving to meet our own rigorous standards of excellence, we have achieved a selection of services so exceptional, we continue to gain award winning attention and recognition from the medical community - locally & nationally.

AWARD WINNING CARE We are now proud to offer our award winning patient services at two convenient locations. Like our Jackson Street campus, our new second full-service acute care hospital at Highway 59 and Williams Way Boulevard offers a wide range of first-class patient services in a caring and compassionate environment.

OakBend Medical Center has: Fort Bend County’s Only Accredited Cancer Center Fort Bend County’s Primary Stroke Center Advanced Trauma Center Advanced Wound Care Quality Respiratory Care Imaging Services Women’s Services and more

If you’re looking for award winning patient care, contact us today. 1705 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 Phone: 281.341.3000 22003 Southwest Freeway, Richmond, TX 77469 (At US Highway 59 and Williams Way Blvd.) Phone: 281.341.2000 Physician Referral: 281.341.4800 www.oakbendmedcenter.org

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

• Removing makeup every evening before bed. • Exfoliating regularly. Drinking more water and hydrating skin from the inside out is one of the most valuable beauty tips there Dr. Azul Jaffer is. No man-made hydrating cream can compare to the benefits that the skin derives from water consumption. Water keeps the skin hydrated and preserves its elasticity. Water also keeps the body perpetually cleansing – helping to remove toxins quickly out of the system. When toxins build up in our body, the harmful effects are inevitably reflected in our outward appearance – in the form of skin discoloration, rashes, acne, poor nails and more. Removing makeup every night is very important. While it is easy to succumb to fatigue and forego this important step, leaving makeup on will age the skin at an accelerated rate. Makeup not only clogs pores battling the daily build up of dirt and pollution as well, but also prolongs the skin’s exposure to less than healthy ingredients found in many different types of foundations and powders. Cleaning the skin nightly allows the skin to breath and reduces risk of bacteria buildup. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, which result from the perpetual regeneration of cells. Reducing the buildup of these dead skin cells will promote a healthy glow difficult to duplicate with makeup. By committing to these simple things, the other cosmetic products and procedures in which you invest will yield maximum benefit – as they work best when supported by a healthy body. Dr. Azul Jaffer is passionate about education and offers free consultations in order to promote the responsible use of cosmetic products and procedures. He obtained his Medical Degree and specialized in surgery at the University of Massachusetts in Pittsfield, MA. He completed the fellowship program in Plastic Surgery at Tulane University in New Orleans and today has hospital privileges at OakBend Medical Center. Log onto www.azulplasticsurgery.com to learn more about Dr. Jaffer, or send questions and concerns to Houston@doctor.com.

A New Year, A New You This New Year, you resolved to end your struggle with obesity and begin living a healthier, better quality life. Let OakBend Medical Center help you keep your resolution and lose the weight.

A WEIGHT LO SS

solution NEW YEAR’S resolution. for your

At OakBend Medical Center, Dr. Brian Mirza, M.D., F.A.C.S. and

our staff are changing the lives of many by offering comprehensive weight loss solutions in a caring and compassionate environment. If you are overweight and seeking a weight loss solution that’s right for you, we invite you to attend one of our life-changing seminars.

Bariatric Program Seminars January 19, 2010 - 6pm February 16, 2010 - 6pm March 16, 2010 - 6pm OakBend Medical Center - Conference Room 1705 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 Some of the solutions we offer: - Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

Before

- Sleeve Gastrectomy - Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

Award-Winning Care To RSVP, please call 281.341.2860. If you would like more information, please contact us today. 1705 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469 www.oakbendmedcenter.org www.drbrianmirza.com

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

A New Year, A New You

Longevity – Getting to the Heart of the Matter

ew things alarm a cardiologist more than an unhealthy waistline. And while a flattering physique is generally the driving force for most to contemplate surgical appetite control and weight loss procedures, it is the least substantial of all the benefits. Of course one’s self-esteem is important. But longevity, now that’s the real prize. Much is reported today on the growing number of obesity-related diabetes cases and the dangers of the early onset of this disease. And more recently the link between belly fat and cancer has made both national and international headlines. But, its role in the number one killer of women, heart disease, could not be underscored enough. The amount of fat an individual has, particularly around the middle area, is directly proportionate to their risk of many diseases, including heart disease. Aside from the strain increased weight poses to the heart muscle, the effects of the high blood pressure that generally accompanies obesity can be devastating. And blood pressure medications come with their own risks. The“LAP-BAND®,” procedure can provide patients the necessary controls they need to regain the upper hand in their long-term health…..and appearance. In the absence of weight loss, despite the best attempts to lose through diet and exercise, the LAP-BAND procedure can be that leg up in working towards the right “weight balance” for the healthiest you. This is a laparoscopic procedure that positions a gastric band around the upper part of the stomach. The band is a silicone ring filled with saline on its inner surface, creating a smaller stomach pouch able to hold a smaller amount of food. Reduced food intake results in weight loss. The band also controls the stoma, or stomach outlet, between the new upper

pouch and the lower part of the stomach. When the stomach is smaller, individuals feel full more quickly - while the food moves more slowly between the Dr. Brian Mirza upper and lower stomach as it is digested. When individuals are able to maintain a healthy weight, they are more energetic and motivated by exercise and additional activity – which further contributes to a healthy heart….and more. Dr. Brian Mirza is a fellowship trained laparoscopic surgeon who exclusively performs “Obesity” surgery. He has been in practice for over 15 years and performs his procedures at Bariatric Care Centers, with

privileges at OakBend Medical Center. He is board certified and a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Dr. Mirza is currently the president and medical director of Bariatric Care Centers PA in Houston. He specializes in Laparoscopic and weight loss surgery including Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass/ RNY, the adjustable gastric banding surgery or (Lap Band), and the Gastric Sleeve procedure as well as Bariatric revisional surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the society of the American gastro-intestinal and endoscopic surgeons (SAGES), and the society of laparo-endoscpic surgeons (SLS).

What will you do New for the New Year? continued from page 46 Nuts full of vitamins A and E protect the skin against pollutants and sun damage. They are also rich in good fats that keep our skin nourished and smooth. Power snack on sunflower seeds, almonds, and walnuts and before long, everyone will notice how great you look! Spinach with its antioxidant vitamins C and E is also a powerful anti-aging combination. It also contains vitamin B to boost energy in your activity levels, promoting a healthy glow. If you are into mowing your yard or working in the garden, you can start an exercise routine by counting the steps you walk behind your mower, or the number of times you bend over, squat, and move things around the garden Of course gardening can also help you to start the new year with healthier eating choices. Grow your own organic fruits and vegetables. You will know better than anyone if they

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

are truly organic. If gardening is not your forte, join an organic coop to buy your food from local farmers. In Sugar Land you can visit Whole Foods Market, or even the regular grocery stores have an organic section now. Whole Foods offers tours of the store to inform you of healthy affordable food choices. While you are in the grocery store, read the packages of food you are purchasing. Again if failure is not an option it is easy to bypass the items when we cannot even pronounce the ingredients they contain. We are what we eat – we can be healthy from a good diet of fruits and vegetables or sluggish from unpronounceable chemicals. Sugar Land has great opportunities to improve your health, your looks, your civic, charitable and spiritual participation in your community. So, as 2010 begins, what will you choose to do?

LIFE TIME.

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when you join by January 31.

Whether you’re interested in weight loss, building muscle or just trying to live healthier, we’ve got the people and programs that will set you up to succeed. Check out our world class facilities for yourself. Bring this ad to the club to receive a free one-day pass. Every Life Time membership includes:

Free lockers and towels | 24/7 access | No long-term contracts | 14-day, money-back guarantee Amazing Child Center that features a sport court, computer lab and more 1331 Hwy. 6

State Loop 58

Flanagan Rd.

Sugar Lakes Dr.

90A

CALL: 231-340-3100 CLICK: VISIT:

lifetimefitness.com 1331 Highway 6, Sugar Land

LIFE TIME FITNESS SUGAR LAND * $0 enrollment fee applies to new Single memberships. $25 enrollment fees applies to new Couple and Family memberships. A $95 administrative fee applies to all memberships. Offer good through January 31, 2009. State taxes may apply. prices, dues and fees are subject to change at any time. Other restrictions may apply. Cannot be combined with other discounts or offers. ©2010 LIFE TIME FITNESS, INC. All rights reserved. MKMG9632

GOT NEWS? BUSINESS LAWYERS www.texasbizlaw.com

SUGAR LAND 19901 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, Texas 77479

281.558.2220

HOUSTON

AV Rated Law Firm by Martindale.com Board certified in Consumer & Commercial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization* *Charles Vethan

2909 Baldwin Houston, Texas 77006

713.526.2222

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 • January 2010

Fort Bend/Katy

4655 Techniplex Dr. Suite 300 Stafford, TX 77477

Upcoming Chamber Event

Oh What a Night!

Save the Date Fort Bend Chamber Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ball January 16, 2010 For more information, please contact Ellen Bush at ellen@fortbendcc.org or 281-491-0277 www.FortBendChamber.com January 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Fort Bend Business Journal

Thank You To Our Renewing Members 1 Year Amedisys Home Health Care Arlene Coffman, 281-574-3701 EIM Controls Joyce McCormick, 281- 499-1561 2 Years Bank of Fort Bend Jean Cotter Goff, 281- 276-1800 Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union Ruth Keogh Gateway at Sienna Plantation Anita Alvarado, 281-778-4800 JAVANI Med Spa Afreen Pappa, MD, 281- 491-1151

Ben Bridge John Reyes, 281- 313-8900 KSA Engineers, Inc. Craig Phipps, 281- 494-3252 Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land Kenneth W. Enders, 281- 207-1500 7 Years Chamberlain, Hrdlicka Lawrence Sherlock, 713-654-9622 Genesis Day Spa and Salon Sonnie Gohel, 281- 265-6001 Links/Fort Bend County Chapter Jeanette Anderson, 281- 980-1611

St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital 281-637-7000

Princeton Classic Homes/Legend Homes Carly Crawford, 281- 671-9000

Verum Solutions, Inc. Namita Asthana, 281-242-4186

Texas Oncology, PA Sue DeMarco, 281- 277-5200

Weichert Realtors Wayne Murray Properties Wayne Murray, 281-243-4500

10 Years Nationwide Insurance Jim Murray, 281- 980-1611

3 Years Apollonia Dental, P.A. Isabel Vahedi, 281-565-4321

Pebble Creek Ranch Aubrey Jones, 281- 495-8746

28 Years Null-Lairson, PC John M. Null, 713-621-1515 Planned Community Developers, Ltd. Les Newton, 281- 242-2000 31 Years Flexicore of Texas Joe Phillips, 281-437-5700 37 Years Texas Instruments, Inc. Angelica De Los Santos, 281-274-3890

13 Years Chick-fil-A at First Colony Mall Brent Kubala, 281- 499-0377

4 Years Lone Star Directories LLC Joe Callus, 281- 277-1181 5 Years Lee Wayne Corporation Barbara Williams, 281-242-9791

6 Years BalyProjects, LLC Jacqueline Baly Chaumette, 713-524-4676 x 227

21 Years Fort Bend Family Health Center, Inc. Lynda Bible, 281-633-3106

Storage Choice Pamela Knight, 281- 313-3000

Watermark Todd Elder, 281- 491-8800

PBK Architects, Inc. Ron Bailey, 713- 965-0608

19 Years Cangelosi Company Vito Cangelosi, 281-499-0561

14 Years Internet Access Point Corp. Charles Newcomer, 281-242-1001 15 Years Cy Sanders, CPA Cy Sanders, 281- 491-9100 17 Years Houston Community College Southwest-Stafford Winston Dahse, 713-718-7760

www.FortBendChamber.com 54

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

Fort Bend Chamber 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 Comfort Inn Mudassar Khan, Manager 11230 SW Freeway Houston, TX 77031 281-498-9000 Hotels & Motels Envogue Spa & Salon Alladdin Hirani, Manager 1930-B Highway 6 Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-277-7721 Salons, Beauty

Fred Brown Insurance Eli Cruz, Agent 8323 Southwest Freeway Suite 475 Houston, TX 77074 713-541-5417 Health Insurance

Terra Associates, Inc. Bonnie Moss, Director of Transportation 1445 North Loop West Suite 450 Houston, TX 77008 713-993-0333 Engineering, Civil

Service Master Elite William Mayes, Director 2601 Cartwright Rd. Ste. d 180 Missouri City, TX 77459 713-653-3784 Cleaning Services

Timeless Plastic Surgery Dr. Peter Chang, President 1327 Lake Pointe Parkway Suite 300 Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-242-8463 Health Care

www.FortBendChamber.com January 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Fort Bend Business Journal

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The Vethan Law Firm, PC 19901 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, TX 77479 281.558.2220

The Vethan Law Firm, PC opened it principle office in the historic Avondale neighborhood, near downtown Houston, in 1999. Since then, the firm’s managing Partner, Charles Vethan, recipient of the prestigious AV rating by Martindale Hubble, has specialized in outstanding legal representation of privately held growing to mid-sized businesses in the Houston, US and international markets. In addition to receiving the Preeminent Rating from his peers, Mr. Vethan is also certified in Consumer and Commercial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The expert attorneys of The Vethan Law Firm, PC are equipped to handle all facets of complex corporate and commercial law. At The Vethan Law Firm, PC, the staff believe that establishing long-lasting relationships with its business clients is essential to its success and looks forward to working with the businesses of Fort Bend County. The members of the firm are excited about joining this dynamic business community.

Aliana Development 17122 West Bellfort Richmond, TX 77407

281.242.0808

Fort Bend County’s newest master planned community, Aliana, unveiled the $6 million residents only amenity center at their ribbon cutting and Network Nites event on December 3, 2009, to over 500 people. The Club at Aliana will house the Aliana Information Center, which will be the first stop for Realtors and prospective new homeowners to preview the Aliana community. The Club at Aliana has a variety of spaces: the pool complex, a state-of-the-art fitness center, the Club at Aliana also houses an interactive gaming center and the spacious ballroom. Future plans for Aliana also include the Aliana Polo Club, a world-class polo facility. In addition to all on site amenities, Aliana has an exclusive social membership arrangement with The Houstonian Golf & Country Club. Aliana is located just off The Grand Parkway and West Airport, approximately 15 minutes from downtown Sugar Land and 10 minutes from The Westpark Tollroad. For more information on the community and its unique amenities, visit Aliana’s website at www.AlianaHouston.com or call 281-207-6750.

www.FortBendChamber.com 56

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

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Smashburger

2623 Town Center Blvd., Building G Sugar Land, TX 77478 281.491.0380

The Denver-based Chain Celebrates it’s 6th Houston-area Smashburger Location. Bringing “Better Burgers” to Sugar Land Fast-casual sensation, Smashburger, is pleased to announce its new location in Sugar Land. Opening November 18, the new restaurant will be located at 2623 Town Center Blvd., Building G. Attentive, friendly service is a cornerstone to the Smashburger brand and the company is looking forward to sharing the menu with the Sugar Land community. Sugar Land makes the perfect home for Fort Bend County’s first Smashburger location thanks to the family-oriented neighborhoods and nearby businesses, including City Hall across the street. Known for the cooking method used to create the perfect Smashburger, each one-third or half-pound one hundred percent fresh-not-frozen Angus beef burger is smashed on a flat grill to sear in the juices. For those seeking lighter fare, the menu also includes grilled Smashchicken sandwiches and entrée salads.

Advanced Medical Resources LLP 1449 Hwy 6, Suite 300 Sugar Land, TX 77478 713.768.6730

Founded by George Bretz and Leonard Brown in 1998, Advanced Medical Resources(AMR) provides medical services and support products that clients depend on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Services include Cardiopulmonary Bypass procedures, Intraoperative Neuromonitoring, Intraoperative Blood Salvage, and Autologous Platelet Gel Grafting. Clients can choose to use their service personnel alone or choose a complete turn-key provision of service, equipment, and disposables. This allows for a cost savings for the hospital, as they don’t have to have costly inventory on the shelf that could expire or become obsolete. Their goal is simple...to link physicians and hospitals with the highest quality products available and to provide expert, dependable service to each client. To request services, hospitals or physicians can contact our office Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM at 281.768.6730.

www.FortBendChamber.com January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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My Flooring AMERICA 3337 Highway 6 Sugar Land, TX 7748 281.208.4949

Flooring America is more than just a flooring specialty store. They are experts trained in flooring sales and design and will help you find the perfect floor for the way you live. As part of America’s leading flooring retail group, our 500-store nationwide buying power guarantees you low prices on thousands of carpet types and other flooring options backed by the most solid warranties in the floor covering industry. Every Flooring America store is locally owned, so they can also guarantee a truly unique level of personal service. Their goal is to make sure you enjoy your shopping experience and find exactly what you want so that you are confident in your purchase.

Russo’s New York 10350 Hwy 6, Suite G Missouri City, TX 77459 281-431-6637

At Russo’s New York Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen, they are inspired by the traditional Italian values of family, friends and of course, food. Their menu delivers delicious Italian appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas, pizza and dessert prepared with our passion for food, fresh ingredients and the goal of providing our guests a distinctive dining experience. Also, it is their pleasure to offer Missouri City and Fort Bend County their location serving original New York style coal-fired pizza. They are open seven days a week from 11:00am to 10:00pm. They offer outstanding lunch specials every day and soon will offer brunch and mimosas on Sundays. Also at Russo’s, they offer catering for corporate events and festive occasions. For more information, contact Doug or Allyson Huston at 281-431-6637. Our address is: 10350 Hwy 6, Suite G, Missouri City, TX 77459.

www.FortBendChamber.com 58

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

Upcoming Chamber Events

State of the County Sugar Land

Please join Mayor Jimmy Thompson and Mr. Allen Bogard as they highlight the challenges and success of 2009 and the plans and visions for 2010. Mayor Jimmy Thompson

City Manager Allen Bogard

Friday, January 15, 2010 Sugar Land Marriott Town Square 16090 City Walk - Sugar Land 7:30 am - 9:30 am

www.FortBendChamber.com January 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Fort Bend Business Journal

FORT

BEND

LEADERSHIP F

The Fort Bend Leadership Forum presents the opportunity to enhance your value personally, professionally and as a community stakeholder. This ten-month program, August through May, consists of monthly sessions and retreats covering a wide variety of topics. For more information visit FortBendChamber.com, or contact David Crowl at 281.491.2497 or david@fortbendcc.org.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS! 60

Fort Bend Business Journal â&#x20AC;˘ January 2010

ROCK SOLID Independent free papers bring buyers and sellers together with more audited circulation than your daily. During these times, it is more important to make the right advertising choice. We’re it. We can help your business.

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4655 Techniplex Dr., Suite 300, Stafford TX 77477 • Tel: 281-690-4200 January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Spotlight on Cardiologists

The New OakBend Health and Fitness Center, Next Generation in Health & Fitness Care By Randy Kaiser, M.Ed., ACSM Health Fitness Specialist

espite the abundance of gyms and health and fitness centers throughout the United States, the obesity problem and associated diseases continues to remain in the forefront of the American health crisis. Why is this? After careful assessment and working closely with physicians of different specialties, it seems that one of the biggest problems is mindset. Typically, an individual will join

Staffed with highly trained and licensed therapists, OakBend Health and Fitness provides

healthy

and

safe

environment for your personal training and fitness needs.

OakBend HEALTH AND FITNESS Personal Fitness Care

Opening January 2010 Exercise Classes • Personal Training Massage Therapy • Yoga • Pilates • Tai Chi Acupuncture • Pulmonary Rehab Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy Hand Therapy • Neurological Rehabilitation Sports Performance

Pre-Register & Receive: - ½ price enrollment fee - Access to The Eleet Program™ - One Acupuncture Therapy Session - One (60 minute) Massage Therapy Session

Special Offer: $344.99 value for $154.99 (plus tax)! Minimum Registration: $94.99 (plus tax) Includes access to The Eleet Program™ Both packages include first month’s membership of $69.99 plus tax and half price enrollment fee of $25. Packages available to the first 50 members only.

Award-Winning Care 1601 Main Street, Suite 602 Richmond, TX 77469 Phone: 281.341.2874 Fax: 281.341.3012

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

a gym or fitness facility to reach a short-term goal – quick weight loss for an upcoming event, rehabilitation of an injured limb, temporary response to a poor medical exam. These are not sufficient enough to sustain a long-term, ongoing fitness program that can have real health benefits. Additionally, most individuals embark upon a new fitness program with little guidance. Unless a personal trainer is hired separately from a club membership, little instruction and ongoing supervision is provided. This is key in establishing a program that will allow individuals to strengthen at a safe and steady rate – recognizing short term accomplishments while pursuing long-term goals. Collaborating closely with OakBend Medical Center physicians and rehabilitation

Excellent Cardiac Care In Your Community Full service cardiac care is one of the many programs offered at OakBend Medical Center in Richmond. Excellent physicians and staff have chosen to be part of the new OakBend Institute of Diabetes, Heart and Vascular Disease. Both patients and clinicians have benefited from the speed and excellent image accuracy of the center’s advanced interventional cardiovascular lab. The complete system can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of a range of patient conditions and can be used for procedures such as diagnostic catheterizations, stenting and balloon angioplasty. Understanding what the patient wants and needs to become well is a vital concern. The Preoperative staff and ICU nursing staff have undergone extensive training for coronary artery disease and open heart surgical patients and their special needs. Nutritional value plays another key role in controlling diabetes and improving heart survival rates. At OakBend, it’s about providing the latest, and the most immediate steps in developing and delivering the most comprehensive health care to the community. It means less pain, shorter stays in the hospital and reduced recovery time. OakBend is the only community hospital in the county.

Spotlight on Cardiologists

coming February 2010 ISSUE

specialists, Randy Kaiser, M.Ed., ACSM Health Fitness Specialist, launched a health and fitness initiative unlike any in the Fort Bend community and surrounding metro area. A brand new health and fitness facility opening its doors in January 2010, the OakBend Health and Fitness Center, provides the ideal setting for establishing the type of fitness program that grows at an appropriate rate for a specific individual, taking into consideration their particular concerns and goals while establishing something sustainable. The center’s programs provide an overall and balanced blend of member-specific cardiovascular, weight, resistance and balance training – all guided by an experienced staff of both certified fitness trainers and physicians. This has been a difficult combination to find, until recently. Additionally, the center will offer an innovative new health program that combines over 20 years of higher education, research and practical health and fitness experience to promote lasting health practices and life-long results. This cutting-edge program designed specifically for the center to increase the overall mental and physical health of each member

is guided by two main principles: fitness is not just weight loss and outer appearance but rather a mental and physical journey to find one’s maximal performance level; and don’t treat the symptom but rather use the symptom to treat the problem. The main goals of the new program are to improve an individual’s fitness level, help eliminate pain, increase longevity and improve overall quality of life. It delivers six phases of high level fitness, as well as psychological and nutritional information to ensure that each member is developing physically and mentally. Some of the common benefits of the program include weight loss, reduced body fat, stress reduction, lowered blood pressure, and decreased resting heart rate. The certified staff of the new OakBend Health and Fitness Center believes that focusing on the “intangibles” and changing an “immediate results” mindset is the key to success. Using body weight, inches and body fat (external motivators) as main goals rarely leads to long-term success as evidenced by the current healthcare crisis. The goal of the staff and its unique program is to teach the physical and mental modifications needed to reach individual fitness, post-rehab, and extreme sport goals.

Allowing the external motivators to take a backseat to finding maximum performance levels, the chances of success will increase dramatically. The OakBend Health and Fitness Center was developed to play both an adjuvant role for post injury strengthening as well as a “new approach” fitness that creates a personal trainer, custom program environment for every member. This will not only help reduce the number of injuries that result from unsupervised programs, but also put some valuable resources and real tools in the hands of those individuals who are serious about getting healthy. Special new membership offers include access to the center’s new Jump Start program, one Acupuncture Therapy and one massage therapy session. Randy Kaiser, M.Ed., ACSM Health Fitness Specialist, comes to OakBend Health and Fitness with advanced experience in the fitness industry - including positions such as fitness director, collegiate instructor, personal trainer, and strength and conditioning coach. He has a Masters of Education in Exercise Science and is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine. With extensive knowledge in the fields of weight training, strength and conditioning, postrehab, flexibility and energy systems training, he and his staff can help members safely accomplish fitness goals.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Banking & Financial Make sure your banking or financial services are advertised to over 11,000 businesses in our special feature in February.

Deadline January 15

To advertise call Carolyn Reed at

281-323-0185 January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Spotlight on Orthopaedics

Downtime is critical to prevent athletic injuries

hether you play basketball, run or bike, it’s important to schedule regular breaks away from your athletic endeavors. Steven Nolan, M.D., a fellowshiptrained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital and the Fondren Orthopedic Group recommends scheduling a two-day break each week to allow muscles and soft tissue to heal. “If someone is engaged in a sport every day, there is no recovery time,” said Dr. Nolan. “So if you get a small leg injury, like a pulled muscle or tendonitis, it never gets a chance to heal. Then minor sprains can develop into major injuries such as chronic tendonitis.” Dr. Nolan said women tend to have

more knee injuries than men – specifically anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. “A lot of females tend to jump and land with their knees extended instead of bent.” Ninety-nine perSteve Nolan, M.D. cent of Dr. Nolan’s surgical procedures are conducted on his patient’s knees and shoulders. “We have really refined the advances for arthroscopic reconstructive ACL for the knee,” said Dr. Nolan. “The new techniques are so good that we can reconstruct the ligaments so strongly that patients can put weight on the knee the day of surgery.” Despite everyone’s best efforts, sports

injuries can still occur. That’s why Memorial Hermann Sugar Land offers a Saturday Sports Injury Clinic, open year-round from 9 to 11 a.m., where athletes of any age and sport can receive complimentary injury evaluations. Staffed by affiliated physicians with specialization in orthopedic medicine, podiatry and sports medicine, the clinic offers peace of mind for athletes experiencing nagging pain or an unexpected twist or pop. Full diagnostic and treatment services are available, including a seamless transition to emergency care. The hospital also has a full-time sports medicine coordinator who works with sports and fitness leagues, clubs, teams and businesses to develop customized sports medicine programs for their players and members. To learn more, call 281.725.5333.

Get back in the game quickly with our Saturday Morning Injury Clinic. For athletes of all ages, the Saturday Morning Injury Clinic at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital offers complimentary evaluations when weekend game plans take an unexpected twist or bump. Located on the 1st floor of Medical Plaza I, the clinic offers easy access and peace of mind for sports enthusiasts of any age who are unsure about an injury. Full diagnostic and treatment services are also available to get you back to your game or regular activities. Open Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. For an appointment, please call 281.725.5333.

17510 W. Grand Parkway South, Suite 100 Sugar Land, TX 77479 memorialhermann.org

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

Spotlight on Orthopaedics

Sate-of-the-art videoscopic procedures to speed recovery, reduce patient discomfort in chest surgery

or the YouTube generation, video cameras are a way of life, always there to capture even the most mundane moments. But in the operating room, the use of tiny video cameras to assist surgeons in complex procedures is still relatively rare. One cardiothoracic surgeon at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, however, is specializing in videoscopic procedures that reduce patient pain and speed recovery time. Uttam Tripathy, M.D., has been performing video-assisted procedures at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital since 2006. But in recent months, he has expanded the role of videoscopy in chest surgery to bring its benefits to even more patients. Using a small three-inch “utility incision,” Dr. Tripathy inserts surgical instruments – including a small camera – into the patient’s body and manipulates them via two to three other, smaller one-inch incisions. The incisions provide easy access to the chest cavity and the video camera serves as the surgeon’s “eyes.” The benefits for patients are numerous,

because the overall impact is far less invasive and less painful than the traditional method of chest surgeries, which involved making a large incision and spreading apart the ribcage. “The pain and long recovery times associated with chest surgeries were almost exclusively the result of opening up and spreading the rib cage,” says Dr. Tripathy. “With videoscopic surgery, the rib cage stays intact, and as a result, recovery is shortened dramatically, pain is reduced and the transition out of the hospital is much faster.” Dr. Tripathy and his dedicated team of

Dr. Uttam Tripathy with patient

nurse professionals recently performed a video-assisted lobectomy on Julia Strezelecki, 79, to remove a small portion of her lung which contained an early-stage tumor. Within two days of undergoing the fourhour procedure, Strezelecki was back at home and had resumed her normal routine. “I am breathing well, walking around and doing chores,” she said. “Everything is back to normal. Dr. Tripathy and his staff were wonderful and the procedure itself was easy for me to handle.” Dr. Tripathy also uses videoscopic techniques for a wide range of other cardiothoracic surgeries, including lung biopsies and fluid drainage – procedures that previously were unnecessarily invasive. “We can quickly and easily perform these procedures with minimal impact to the patient,” he says. The role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is appreciated by the pulmonologists like Dr. Bhadresh Shah who referred Julia Strezelecki to Dr. Tripathy. For an appointment with Dr. Tripathy or a cardiothoracic surgeon in your area, please call 281-274-7500.

Official Team Physicians for the Houston National Invitational Gymnastics Meet and the Eclipse Soccer League

Fort Bend’s Sports Medicine C H A M P S.

Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas (MOST) continue to build the Methodist legacy of expertise in dealing with the unique and challenging injuries associated with sports. Aided by groundbreaking technology and the latest innovations in diagnosis and treatment, the MOST physicians rely on decades of experience in treating sports injuries. That’s why Fort Bend residents and athletes choose the MOST physicians as their caregivers for sports

Kenneth M. Renney, M.D., Timothy C. Sitter, M.D., Vincent C. Phan, M.D., Christopher K. Smith, M.D., Ray R. Valdez, M.D., Eddie T. Matsu, M.D. and Carl A. Hicks, M.D.

Conditions treated include:  

injuries. We perform at a higher level, so you can too.



Call 281-494-MOST for a same-day appointment.



 

ACL reconstruction Dislocations Cartilage transplantation Foot & ankle injuries Fractures Golfer’s elbow

     

Ligament & tendon injuries Stress fractures Tendonitis Tennis elbow Throwing injuries Ulnar ligament rupture (Tommy John surgery)

1201 Brooks Street • Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-494-MOST • MethodistOST.com

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Spotlight on Orthopaedics

The ImPACT concussion test, keeping athletes safe for the game today…. and strong for the one tomorrow

s reports of long-term brain damage for professional athletes subjected to repeated head trauma prompts news headlines and legislative changes, local sports organizers and athletic trainers are assessing safety standards and new preventative tools. One valuable tool helping sports administrators keep athletes at peak performance is the ImPACT Concussion test. Growing in popularity with the new understanding of brain trauma and its long-term effects, the ImPACT Concussion test now puts more control in the hands of team physicians and athletic

RICHMOND BONE & JOINT CLINIC

Protect Your Child!

trainers, as well as athletes and their parents. By taking a proactive approach and establishing baselines for athletes involved in contact sports, more serious injury can be avoided. Baseline results help sports medicine physicians more precisely assess an individual athlete’s condition, rather than applying national averages and a less exact determination and course of action. “The ImPACT test helps create a unique blue print for that particular athlete. This is tremendous when examining a head trauma. Prior to the test, we had only national averages based on like height, weight and gender in assessing severity of a head trauma. This is a broad net and not ideal in determining risk with return to play for individual athletes,” said RBJC team doctor and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas Rivers.

e e Fr Baseline Concussion Test If your child plays a sport call 281.344.1715 or visit www.rbjc.com TODAY!

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

ImPACT

“We want them back strong for their team and the next game, but most importantly, we want them back strong for their family everyday after that,” said Rivers. Richmond Bone & Joint is an official provider of the ImPACT Concussion test and credentialed ImPACT Consultant. A specialized team of orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians and athletic trainers work with local sports teams and school sports coordinators to establish baselines for each player, with ongoing assessment for injuries through the year. The ImPACT Concussion test and its support team are available on the RBJC website. Log on today to take a baseline test www.rbjc.com, or call (281) 3441715.

Spotlight on Orthopaedics

Richmond Bone & Joint Clinic continues support of patient education by teaming with leading pain resource, Spine-health Summary: Another step in its continued mission of providing patients with the best education on their symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options, the Richmond Bone and Joint Clinic Comprehensive Spine Institute is proud to announce its recent acceptance into the Spine Center Excellence Program of trusted pain information provider Spine-health.

s a complete spine center that takes great pride in continually improving its efforts to provide patients with the best education and highest standard of care, the Comprehensive Spine Institute of Richmond Bone and Joint Clinic (RBJC) is excited to announce its participation in the Spine Center Excellence program of Spine-health, a leading online resource for patients with back pain, neck pain and other symptoms related to the spine. Educating patients on the top spine centers in the United States and then allowing them to connect via Spine-health.com, the Spine Center Excellence Program is an ambitious, noble initiative that shares similar goals to the RBJC Comprehensive Spine Institute, the only facility in the greater Houston Metro area to provide physical therapy, imaging, surgical care, orthopedic spinal surgeons and pain management specialists all under one roof. “Covering all aspects of spinal care, the RBJC Comprehensive Spine Institute truly lives up to its designation as a “comprehensive” spine center that provides patients with a multitude of treatment options as opposed to limiting them to just one form of care,” according to Dr. Mohammad Etminan, Spine Surgeon at Richmond Bone & Joint Clinic. “When considering that Spine-health.com provides patients with diverse, unbiased information on available treatment options rather than championing specific procedures ahead of others, we feel that this partnership is a strong ideological fit with exciting possibilities for not only our clinic but the spine community as a whole.” Comprised of a spine surgeon, several orthopedic surgeons, an interventional pain management specialist, and a chiropractor who are all recognized for their academic and

medical achievements, the dedicated team at the RBJC Comprehensive Spine Institute is founded on providing well-rounded, efficient, cost-effective and timely care for its patients. In addition to developing individualized treatment plans for patients dealing with arthritis, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, scoliosis and many other spinalrelated conditions, the medical professionals at the Comprehensive Spine Institute work closely together to help patients recover from disease and return to their highest level of functioning as soon as possible. Working with Spine-health – which is viewed by nearly 1 million visitors each month – is a great way for the Richmond Bone and Joint Clinic Comprehensive Spine Clinic to be exposed to more prospective patients and help them achieve positive and meaningful results via its multidisciplinary approach. Dr. Etminan further explains, “Having

our wonderful personnel listed on Spinehealth, both on a Comprehensive Spine Institute profile page and individual doctor pages, is a perfect vehicle to further promote our unique emphasis on arriving at treatments that incorporate and leverage the expertise of all our different specialties. Considering Spine-health’s popularity and reputation in the online space, we look forward to attracting and working with new patients in Texas and ultimately showing them that we were the right place for them, as evident in successful treatment plans that provided effective pain relief and allowed them to live more fulfilling lives”. Learn more about the RBJC Comprehensive Spine Institute and their spine doctors by visiting their profile on Spine-health: Richmond Bone and Joint Clinic (http://www.Spine-health.com/doctor/ richmond-bone-joint-clinic).

About Spine-health.com - Spine-health.com (http://www.Spine-health.com) is a recognized back pain and neck pain resource “designed to help spine doctors guide their doctors to the most reliable and patient friendly back pain resources on the Internet and confirm the patient education conversation with the doctor during the appointment,” says Sylvia Marten, President of Spine-health. The site’s strict editorial standards and medical review process have earned it numerous awards for consumer health content excellence and made it a favorite of both consumers and physicians. Spinehealth.com publishes thousands of original health articles, doctor advice, and pain blogs, and facilitates the leading back pain message board. Patients can find a back doctor they can trust via Spine-health’s Spine Center Directory (http://www. Spine-health.com/doctor/spine-center) and by using Find a Back Doctor or Spine Surgeon (http://www.spine-health. com/doctor/find-a-doctor) search. January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

To be listed

Call Carolyn Reed

at 281-690-4201

S E R V I C E D I R E C T O R Y

Accountants Gerald Blakemore, CPA P.C. • 281-201-1809 www.geraldblakemorecpapc.com gerald@geraldblakemorecpapc.com Tax preparation and consulting for business and individuals. Accounting and bookkeeping services. Member: QuickBooks ProAdvisor® Program. No charge for initial consultation. Douglas T. Brown, CPA • 281-265-8366 www.douglastbrown.com. doug@douglastbrown.com. One Sugar Creek Center Blvd., Suite 970, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Tax preparation and consulting for individuals, businesses, trusts and estates. Accounting and bookkeeping services for small to medium size businesses. Serving all of Houston, Katy and Sugar Land. We focus on your needs to provide exactly the service you require. Call or email for a free consultation. Dennis Fernelius, CPA • 281-342-5342 Now affiliated with Philip Hammon III, PLLC CPA’s, 2501 1st Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471, 281-342-5342 or www.philhamman.com. Continuing to serve the East Fort Bend Business community • Questions call 281-261-7551 • Personal/Business tax planning and compliance • Accounting • Popular accounting software setup and support. Sandersen, Knox & Belt, LLP • 281-242-3232 www.SKBTexas.com asandersen@skbtexas.com. Alan K. Sandersen, CPA, 13401 Southwest Freeway #101, Sugar land, TX 77478, E-mail: Fax: 281-242-3252. Taxation, financial statements, audits-business/governmental.

Advertising Fort Bend Business Journal • 281-690-4200 www.fortbendstar.com Fort Bend’s ONLY business publication. Fort Bend Focus • 281-690-4242 www.fortbendfocus.com Fort Bend’s ONLY feature magazine Direct mailed to almost 40,000 homes every month in Fort Bend’s most affluent subdivisions. Fort Bend Star - 281-690-4200 www.fortbendstar.com We have been delivering a free community newspaper to homes throughout Fort Bend County longer than ANY OTHER Newspaper.

Advertising, Promotional Specialties Blue Jungle Marketing - 281-240-6700 www.bluejunglemarketing.com jmunnell@bluejunglemarketing.com. Jim Munnell, 10700 Corporate Drive, Suite 100, Stafford, Tx 77477, Fax: 281-240-6711, signs, promo. products, tradeshow displays, web design, etc.

Business Spirit Promotional Products 281-208-1100 www.BusinessSpirit.com Gifts • Travel Mugs • Caps • T-shirts • Briefcases • Food Gifts • Sport Towels • Knives • Rulers • Golf Items • Awards • Pens • Calculators • Canvas Bags • Calendars • Manicure Sets • Key Tags • Mirrors • Letter Openers • Flashlights • Imprinted Plastic Bags • Journals • Radios • Crayons • Coffee Mugs • Stress Relievers • Jackets • Chocolates • Nuts • plus 475,000 other items on our website!

Air Conditioning & Heating/Sales & Service Fresh Air, L.P. • 281-499-3511 www.freshairinc.com sonnyr@freshairinc.com. Sonny Roncancio, 5702 Power Line Rd., Richmond, TX 77469. Fax: 281-3441189, Serving Fort Bend Since 1971; Residential & commercial sales/service.

Auto Repair / Maintenance AAMCO of Stafford • 281-879-0055 12103 Murphy Road, Stafford, Texas 77477. Complete Car Care Center. Lifetime Warranty Available. Specializes in Foreign and Domestic vehicle. Certified and Professionally Trained Technicians with over 40 years of experience. State of the Art Diagnostic testing equipment. Honors manufacturer’s and extended warranties. Free towing available. Free shuttle service available. FREE Nationwide Warranty. Auto Central-Automotive Service & Sales 281-499-9684 www.autocentral.biz david@autocentral.biz. David Fauvelle, 2526 Fifth Street, Stafford, Texas 77477, Fax: 281-499-0183, Fast, friendly and professional automotive repair. AAA approved auto repair. Charlton’s Body Repair • 281-499-1126 www.charltonsbodyrepair.com. Chuck Charlton, 1131 Staffordshire @ 5th St., Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-499-1694, Complete collision repair. Frame & Unibody straightened. Expert computer color matching. Custom painting & pin stripping. Honest service. 79 Years Strong and 3 Generations Proud! Colony One Auto Center • 281-980-4440 www.colonyoneauto.com Rod Tate, 1131 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-261-0048, Complete state of the art automotive repair & maintenance facility. First Tire & Automotive • 281-313-2886 www.firsttireandauto.com Craig Popp, owner, 3 Sugar Land Locations. 960 Eldridge, 281-313-2886 & 2303 Williams Trace Blvd. 281-980-2666 (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!

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

12 MONTHS LISTING FOR ONLY $300

Banks Frost Bank - Stafford • 713-388-1191 www.frostbank.com 3531 S. Main, Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 713-388-7883, Three Fort Bend County locations to meet your banking needs. Founders Bank • 281-325-5000 www.foundersbanktx.com Email: customerservice@foundersbanktx.com. Fax: 281-325-5050. Fort Bend County only. Locally owned and managed bank. 4690 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land 77479 Houston Community Bank - Fort Bend 281-343-7700 www.houstoncommunitybank.com cleatherwood@houstoncommunitybank.com. Claude Leatherwood, Greatwood Lakes Bldg., 19855 SW Frwy, Ste 100, Sugar Land, TX 77479, Fax: 281-343-7787. Full service community bank. Houston Community Bank - Stafford 281-208-2111 www.houstoncommunitybank.com jsmith@houstoncommunitybank, Jeff Smith, 13811 Murphy Road, Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-208-4420. Community bank offering a broad range of financial services. 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! Sterling Bank - Fort Bend • 281-277-0100 12840 Southwest Freeway, Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-277-0223, Serving owner-operated businesses with local decision makers.

Blinds / Window Coverings Budget Blinds • 281-416-8499 www.budgetblinds.com bdimmitt@budgetblinds.com. Bob Dimmitt, 1306 FM 1092, Suite 401, Missouri City, TX 77459, Fax: 832220-8051, Custom window coverings, personal style consultant, “expert fit” measuring and installation.

Business Coaching The Growth Coach • 281-841-6680 www.TheGrowthCoachHouston.com g.smith@thegrowthcoach.com The most experienced business coaching team in Ft Bend County! Our staff has over 50 years combined experience mentoring business owners. We help busy entrepreneurs to slow down, catch their breath, reflect and map out the critical changes they need to improve their businesses and lives. Our clients get results! In the end they make more money, work less, and enjoy a better life.

Carpet Cleaning All Star Rotokleen • 281-731-0755 www.allstarcleanpro.com John Sturrock, 435 FM 1092, Suite B-1 #561, Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-438-5771, Organic cleaning solution with low moisture.

Catering Chef for You Chef Service & Catering 281-313-2433 www.chef4u.net. 9920 Highway 90-A, Suite B-260, Sugar Land, Texas 77478, Call Marcie to handle your next luncheon or dinner party. Check our online Corporate Catering Menu which can be customized to meet your needs.

Chiropractors Smouse Chiropractic & Scoliosis Center • 281-494-5144 www.scoliosistreatmentctr.com doctor.scoliosis@worldnet.att.net. Gary F. Smouse, DC, and Stephanie M. Smouse, BS, DC, 14015 Southwest Freeway #9, Sugar Land, TX 77478, Fax: 281-4942975, Chiropractic care with a non-surgical treatment of scoliosis.

Computer, Sales & Services Fast-Teks On-site Computer Services Greater Sugar Land / Katy Fort Bend Area • 281-857-6227 www.fastteks.com mkirkpatrick@fastteks.com. Business & residential computer specialists. Troubleshooting, Virus Removal, DSL & Cable setup, Wireless Networking, Data Back Up and Recovery, Preventative Maintenance Agreements, Website Development and more. 281-857-6227. New Dimensions Multimedia Computing • 281-980-4106 www.newdimcomputers.com normvoss@newdimcomputers.com. Norm Voss, 1108 Soldier’s Field Court, Suite 100, Sugar Land, TX 77479, Fax: 281-980-4107, Computer Sales, Service & Networking.

Construction Material Provider Sprint Sand & Clay Dispatch 281-277-5404 www.sprintsandandclay.com Sprint Sand & Clay is a full-service construction material provider of sand and clay type material with trucking, excavation, demolition, and other construction capabilities. Sprint Sand & Clay will work with you to provide everything you will need to start a successful build project. Whether a contractor is looking for select fill, sand or mulch; Sprint Sand & Clay can provide you with the material you need, when and where you need it. P.O. Box 19129 Houston TX 77224.

Country Clubs Riverbend Country Club • 281-269-2526 www.riverbendcountryclub.org triciarbcc@gmail.com. Tricia Hawks, 1214 Dulles Avenue, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Conveniently located in the heart of Sugar Land, Riverbend Country Club is just 25 minutes south of downtown Houston, Texas. Established in 1957, Riverbend continues its tradition as Fort Bend County’s only member owned club. Whether you’re looking for championship golf, fine dining, pools, tennis, fitness facilities or a wide variety of social and golf activities Riverbend is definitely the place to belong.

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

Debt Collection Services Beta Financial Services LLC • 281-208-0656 Roger Harris, Manager. Beta Financial Services LLC, 2601 Cartwright Road D161, Missouri City Texas 77459. Office 281-208-0656. Fax 281-403-3415

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

Identity Theft

Financial Products & Services Cohen Jacobs Financial Services C.J. Eaden, CITRMS • 281-499-8484 www.cybercopsusa.com idtking@yahoo.com, 802 Texas Parkway Suite G, Stafford, TX 77477 Fax: 281-499-2712 Providers of Identity Theft Protection and Restoration for individuals and small business owners, including a suite of services which provides help in every phase of Identity Theft. We help small business owners comply with new Federal Trade Commission guidelines on Identity Theft. Free training and education provided.

Cohen Jacobs Financial Services C.J. Eaden, CITRMS • 281-499-8484 www.cybercopsusa.com idtking@yahoo.com, 802 Texas Parkway Suite G, Stafford, TX 77477 Fax: 281-499-2712 Providers of Identity Theft Protection and Restoration for individuals and small business owners, including a suite of services which provides help in every phase of Identity Theft. We help small business owners comply with new Federal Trade Commission guidelines on Identity Theft. Free training and education provided.

S E R V I C E

Insurance Agencies Hardee Investment Group @ RBC Wealth Management • 713-853-0879 www.hardeeinvestmentgroup.com will.hardee@rbc.com Will Hardee, 1001 Fannin Street, Ste. 1200, Houston, TX 77002, Fax: 713-651-3366, 800-838-0757 tollfree. Investment management, financial long term planning and consulting. Sugar Creek Financial Group • 281-565-2266 www.sugarcreekgroup.com robroy@windstream.net. Robert H. Roy, ChFC, Fax: 281-565-2277, 12946 Dairy Ashford #350, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Life, Health, Pensions, Investments for businesses and individuals.

Fitness Center Curves for Women Pecan Grove - 832-451-8160 Sugar Land by the Mall - 281-240-0998 Stafford - 281-564-6161 Missouri City - 281-208-9260 30 minute fitness & weight loss center for women.

Gifts Edible Arrangements – Stafford The Fountains Shopping Center 281-313-7848 (281-31-FRUIT) Fresh fruit arrangements and gift boxes for pick-up and delivery in a variety of sizes. Our arrangements are hand-sculpted fresh fruit “bouquets” that artfully resemble floral arrangements and can be customized with gourmet chocolate, plush bears, and Mylar balloons. An edible arrangement is perfect way to say thank you, happy birthday, get well or congratulations, great for any meeting or celebration.

Agentwalker.com - State Farm Insurance 281-265-0711 tracy@agentwalker.com - Tracy Walker ChFC, CLU, CASL. AKA Soccer Mom, Baseball Mom, Football Mom 15510 Lexington Blvd Ste N Sugar Land, TX 77478 Providing Insurance and Financial Services Assurance One of Texas, LLC 281-494-6400 email@sugarlandinsuranceagent.com. Cherie Young, 245 Commerce Green Blvd., #110, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Members of Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce since 1993. Full Service Independent Insurance Agency specializing in the Best Customer Service available. Insurance Solutions of Texas 281-565-2222 • 281-341-5060 www.insurancesolutionsoftexas.com Jay Harris, Auto, Home, Business, Flood Insurance. 14140 Southwest Freeway, Suite 150, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. 281-565-2222, Fax 281-565-3333. 2515 Ave. H, Rosenberg, Texas 77471. 281-341-5060, Fax 281-341-5558. Mark Dalton Insurance Agency 281-242-2333 www.mdaltoninsurance.com service@mdaltoninsurance.com. Mark Dalton, 101 Southwestern Blvd. #106, P.O. Box 1205, Sugar Land, TX 77487-1205, Fax: 281-242-9162, Auto, Home, Life, Business, Insurance. Serving Ft Bend County for 25 yrs. Dan Noltensmeyer & Associates 281-342-7200 Nationwide Insurance, 19974 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77479, Fax: 281-342-7203 State Farm Insurance • 281-265-0707 tracy.walker.le19@statefarm.com. Tracy Walker, 15510 Lexington #N, Sugar Land, Texas 77478, Fax: 281-265-0707, Mutual funds, IRA’s, Life, Business Insurance, Auto, Home, Health.

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

D I R E C T O R Y

To be listed

Call Carolyn Reed

at 281-690-4201

S E R V I C E D I R E C T O R Y

Investment Companies Edward Jones • 281-494-3737 www.edwardjones.com Gayle.Swafford@edwardjones.com Gayle L. Swafford - Financial Advisor. 4623 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, Texas 77479, Fax: 888-849-8932, Financial services firm specializing in helping individual investors achieve their goals. Your local source for a variety of investments and financial services.

Jewelers J Loggins Jewelers Fort Bend’s Custom Jeweler • 281-242-2900 www.jloggins.com info@jloggins.com. 14015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Fax: 281-242-0839. Custom Design, Custom Repairs, Custom Makeovers. Full-Service Fine Jewelry Store, carrying famous designer lines.

Law Offices The Showalter Law Firm • 281 341 5577 www.showalterlaw.com mail@showalterlaw.com. David W. Showalter, 1117 FM 359, Suite 200 Richmond, TX 77469 Fax: 281-3415572. Law Office of Melissa G. Martin, P.C. 281-343-8914 www.mgmartinlaw.com Melissa G. Martin, P.C. , 19901 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77479. A general practice law firm in Sugar Land. Handles all legal matters including, but not limited to, business and commercial law, family law, insurance, and personal injury. Will give you the individualized attention you need. Call for a free consultation 281 343 8914.

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

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

Medical Equipment & Supplies Active American Mobility & Medical Supply, 281-265-3155 www.aamobility.com 15229 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478, Fax: 281-265-6058. Full line of mobility solutions and medical supplies.

Mortgage Realty Plus Mortgage - 281-403-3905 realtyplus@acninc.net. We have experienced loan officers to find the right mortgage. Experienced Realtors to explain the process & answers your questions to help you find a house and negotiate a contract to achieve you Real Estate goals. 2823 Dulles Ave., Missouri City, 281-403-3905, fax 281-403-1080, 1-877-405-3905. BBB Member, License No. 227

New Construction, Custom/ Planned Community Lakes of Mission Grove - 281-341-7010 www.mission-grove.com missiongrove@ev1.net. Sam Harrison, 1121 F.M. 359, Richmond, TX 77469 Fax: 281-341-5572. New Home Builders, LLC - 281-980-3390 ww.NHBrealtor.com dmiller@realtor.com. Diana Miller, 19901 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77479, Fax: 281-9807640 Real estate firm specializing in new construction, custom/planned community.

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

Optometrists Today’s Vision - 281-242-2020 www.2020sugarland.com todaysvision@2020sugarland.com. 15337 Southwest Frwy., Sugar Land, TX 77478 - Williams Trace @ Hwy 59 (Next to Conns). Thomas P. Arnold, O.D., Melissa C. Moeller, O.D., and Associates. Therapeutic and Pediatric Optometrists.

To be listed call at 281-690-4201 70

Elissa R. Wedemeyer O.D., FCOVD, F.A.A.O 281-499-2600 5425 Hwy. 6 #B-100 Missouri City, TX 77459. www. drwedemeyer.com. Therapeutic Optometrist, in house optical with a large selection of frames and contact lenses, medical management of eye infections and diseases.

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

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

Pest Control/Commercial ORKIN - Commercial Services www.orkin.com 713-784-2706 - April Shane-wilton (South Of I-10) 713-952-4500 - Dana Mowe (North Of I-10) Orkin services customers in a wide variety of industries, and we tailor our pest management solutions to fit your facility. Call today for a comprehensive inspection with pest pressure evaluation including quote and to find out about our “Orkin Triple Guarantee” and customized 7-step solution. VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT WWW.ORKIN. COM TO LEARN MORE.

Pharmacies Ed’s Pharmacy - 281-499-4555 Ed Sziy, 3740 Cartwright, Missouri City, TX 77459, Fax: 281-499-7088. Walgreen’s Drug Stores Hwy 6 @ Williams Trace - 281-980-5780 Lexington @ Dulles - 281-499-0231 24Hr Hwy 6 @ FM 1092 - 281-208-5904 24Hr Grand Parkway @ Hwy 59 - 281-633-0299 With more locations throughout Fort Bend to serve you better

Physicians Immunizations & Drug Testing IMU Southwest, The IMUnization Clinic 281-313-7468 www.IMUnizationclinic.org imusouthwest@windstream.net. 12869 Capricorn St. 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.

Plants, Interior Design Interiorscapes of Houston 281-933-0470 Alan L’ Roy, P.O. Box 218023, Houston, TX 77218, Fax: 281-277-0541, Interior plant maintenance, Serving Sugar Land & Fort Bend County, Specializing with a devotion to a degree beyond the usual.

Plumbing Supplies Morrison Plumbing Supply & Showroom 281-499-3299 10404 Cash Road, Stafford, TX 77477, Designer Quality at Clearance Prices. Your complete source for name brand faucets and fixtures at competitive prices.

Printers / Graphics Blue Jungle Marketing - 281-240-6700 www.bluejunglemarketing.com jmunnell@bluejunglemarketing.com. Jim Munnell, 10700 Corporate Drive, Suite 100, Stafford, Texas 77477, Fax: 281-240-6711, signs, promo products, tradeshow displays, web design, etc. Star Printing - 281-690-4200 www.fortbendstar.com We professionally design and print flyers, postcards, brochures, magazines, newspapers and catalogs in high-quality digital graphics.

Real Estate / Residential Bearden Development • 281-568-4185 budt@beardendevelopment.com. 10460 W. Sam Houston Parkway S., Suite 200, Houston, TX 77099, Commercial office, warehouse and manufacturing facilities for lease or build to suit. Commercial development and investments. 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, 20 yrs exp. in Fort Bend. Indermuehle & Co. - Commercial Real Estate 281-240-9090 www.icotexas.com lindermuehle@icotexas.com. Larry Indermuehle, 2333 Town Center Drive Suite 300, Sugar Land, TX 77498, Phone 281-240-9090 - Fax: 281-240-9070 - 1800240-9090, Commercial real estate sales, leasing and investments. 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. Mimi Kwan, Realtor CRS, GRI, ABR, e-PRO, Broker-Associate 281-208-51100 www.mimikwan.com MimiKwan@Realtor.com. 4500 Highway 6 @ Austin Pkwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478-4488, Office: 281-2655533 ext. 1212 *** Toll Free 877-373-6293 ext. 1212, Direct: 281-208-5110-Fax 281-208-5151. RE/MAX Fine Properties. Each office independently owned/operated. Riverstone Development Co. - 281-499-8700 www.riverstone.com tom@riverstone.com. Tom Wilcox, 4855 Riverstone Blvd, Missouri City, Texas 77459, Fax: 281-499-8704, Luxury waterside living in Fort Bend from $200s to the many millions. Telfair by Newland Communities 281-325-0032 www.telfair.com 1310 Heritage Place, Sugar Land, Texas 77479. Fax 281-325-0051. Telfair by Newland Communities – The Art and Soul of Great Living from the $260’s to Over $1 Million.

“The Power of Three” Team 281-207-5155 www.3realtors.com Denise Hulse, Kathy Richardson & Michele Sergie. RE/MAX Southwest, 14905 SW Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Email: info@3realtors.com. Residential Real Estate and 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.

Staffing Service / Temporary Help Strategic Employer Services, LLC Professional Employer Organization (PEO) 281-277-3006 www.strategicemployerservices.com Strategic Employer Services, LLC is a Fort Bend County based PEO providing full service human resources benefits to small businesses, enabling them to compete aggressively with larger organizations to hire and retain productive employees. Our offices are located at 4411 Bluebonnet, Suite 108, Stafford, Texas 77477. (10/07)

Transportation TREKEXPRESS 281-633-RIDE www.trekhouston.org jr@trekhouston.org. Commuter bus service from Fort Bend County to Uptown/ Galleria and Green way Plaza. Managed by TREK and funded by Fort Bend County Commuter Service.

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

Wash / Laundry / Drop-Off Coin Laundry @ Stafford - 281-261-6191 504–C Murphy Road@Ave. E, Large Commercial, Front load Washing machines; Wash, Dry & Fold same day service. Club welcome, both business or individuals. 7 days, 8 am-10pm

Waste Collection Services Sprint Waste Services Dispatch 281-491-7775 www.sprintwaste.com Sprint Waste provides trash collection services to a wide variety of commercial customers throughout Houston and as far away as El Campo and Victoria. Whether you are a business looking for a permanent waste solution or a general contractor with a temporary need, Sprint Waste has roll-off boxes, front load containers, and garbage compactors to meet your every need. P.O. Box 940820 Houston TX 77094.

Web Site Design & Programming DonDulin.com - 281-238-4719 www.dondulin.com don@dondulin.com, Don Dulin, P.O. Box 1840, Richmond, TX 77406, Fax: 281-239-6193, Complete web development; marketing, database, e-commerce and hosting.

Help people find your business here! Call Carolyn Reed 281-690-4201 • 281-323-0185

List your business in the Fort Bend/Katy Business Journal’s SERVICE DIRECTORY for only $300 for the whole year.

carolyn@fortbendstar.com

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

S E R V I C E D I R E C T O R Y

Data Beat DBA (Assumed Names)

(+) = More Names

This is a sample of the Assumed Names (DBAs) filed at the Fort Bend County Clerk’s office for November 2009. More Assumed Names may be viewed online at http://ccweb.co.fort-bend.tx.us/RealEstate/SearchEntry.aspx. There were 300 Assumed Names with Notary Fee for month of November. There were also 70 Assumed Names without a notary fee. Reyes-clark Berta (+) Reyes Richie Construction Consultants 19835 Mission Pines Ln 77407 Bryant Dominic R Franchise Trucking Inc. 1514 Mammoth Spring Ln 77469 Kroesen Elenora Jordan And Haiven’s Closet 729 Columbus Rd 77485 Alfonso-smith Rachel Shutterbunny Photography 20627 Nettlebrook Lane 77450 Rideaux Gail The Dessert Broker (+) 3018 Edgewick Elm 77545 Pirooz Iraj Katy Consignment 21979 Mason 77450 Okafor Wilfred Town Taxi 2213 Thompson Rd 77469 Rodruigez Stephen Quality Lawn Services 5718 Melanite 77053 Garcia Rubianel Rivera’s Appliance & Repair (+) 10315 King Ranch Ln 77478 Varghese John W Prompt Medical 4501 Cartwright Rd #104 77459 Benjebbour Rachid Rtm Auto (+) 1107 Inwood Dr 77469 Inyang Ini Takova Property Management P O Box 82 77250 Jones Rhonda T Tax Service On Wheels 8403 Bird Meadow Lane 77489 Perez Alexander Ap Technologies 14934 Laytham Ln 77498 Terrell Amanda Invites By Mandi 2222 Blue Rose 77459 Demetro Eddie Nationwide Buyers 5510 Cedar Edge Ct 77479

Heavenly Fruit Of The Spirit Youth Ministry Heavenly Fruit Of The Spirit Christian Center 791 Bateswood Dr #317 77079 Canales Jorge Luis Liaz Compass Services 22042 Rustic Canyon Ln 77469 Navejas Jose R Berto’s Lawns Etc 7227 Jackrabbit Dr 77095 Gaenslen George Hearing Aid Express 12018 Cedar Form 77477 Parrandero Inc Hearing Aids Of Texas 11285 S W Frwy #180 77031 Mercier Sharlene Real Tax 3710 Sandy Oaks Lane 77459 Howard Mirolyn M Bethel’s Fort Bend Church 13035 Hwy 6 77583 Clark Farncile Sinclaire Photography 1522 Rocky Bar Lane 77469 Drayden Earlene All Goode Educational & Training Facility 1116 Mortin #c 77469 Jaffe-rios Lauren Bella Innovations 2403 Lago Mirado Way 77406 Tran Kim Pure Soft Texas Company 4107 Lilac Ct 77477 Mundy Suzanne (+) Mundy Trucking Services 2808 Fm 521 77545 Alaniz Roy Shelton Family Cleaners 1251 Pin Oak Rd #105 77494 Ctli Llc Tactical Firearms 6254 Piedra Negras Ct 77450 Ctli Llc Complete Tactical And Logistical Ideas 6254 Piedra Negras Ct 77450

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

Ruiz Humbertina Nutri - Fun 2703 State Highway 6 #230 77082

Higgins Aundra Perpetuity Global Group, Inc. 13115 Highway 6 Ste 3 77583

Pohlman Rhonda Serendipity Diaper Cakes 10310 Feldman Falls 77459

Decuir Marisa R Inner Girly Designs 4407 Balboa Dr 77479

Jackson Jacqueline (+) Allstate Inspections 435 Murphy Rd B-1 Suite 135 77477

Pittman Victor D (+) Progressive Software 2018 Glen Park Dr 77489

Barthel Ryan (+) Holla Designs 14231 Fm 1464 #13305 77498

Jackson Jacqueline Allstate Merchandise 435 Murphy Rd B-1 Suite 135 77477

Schwenke Brian Iron Horse Trailer Conversions 211 Randon Dyer Rd Suite H 77471

Bondoc Joana D Xandra Gail Ribbons & Bows 1519 Thunder Lake Ln 77498

Wong Jeiron Forbiddenlogic (+) 3427 Boca Raton Drive 77459

Fitz Teferra M Kidd Kab Konnections 17023 Midnight Sky Ct 77407

Taylor Kenneth W Kt&t Trucking (+) 1731 Bent Oak Dr 77489

Gautreau Shelby Charlee’s Lil Boutique 25706 Oakton Springs Drive 77494

Anthony Barbara Queen B 4855 W Fuqua St 77045

Thayil Joseph A 2 Z Builders (+) 112 Palm Blvd 77459

Ehieze Innocent N (+) Dalapin Usa Rehabilitation Services 2719 Marquette Trail 77494

Crockett Tanesha Crockett Consulting 4023 Jan St 77545

Golden Mats Llc Buffalo Wings & Drinks 4524 Hwy 6 South 77478

King Therrance O Itransport (+) 7039 Villa Del Sol Dr 77083

One Source Property Management Resource Property Management Po Box 1646 77487

Gold Renita S A Touch Of Gold Hair Salon And Spa 17038 Evening Run Ln 77407

Jacobson Joan Ricci Jrj & Co. (+) 714 Sandpiper Drive 77478

Juhl Penny Sierra Roofing Po Box 321 77464

Richard Linda L The Linda Richard Agency (+) 12603 Southwest Frwy #500 77477

Carpenter Adrian Uptown Syndicate 15510 Indian Woods Dr 77489

Su Tiffany Texas Pain Associates 4801 Bellaire Blvd 77401

Carpenter Adrian Status Communications 15510 Indian Woods Dr 77489

Taylor Brenda C Temple Of Praise 1201 Preston St 77469

Cepeda Guillermo J G. J. Cepeda Civil Engineering 4402 Chestnut Ridge Ct 77459

America Golden Jubilee Llc Creative Learning Academy 2255 Williams Trace 77478

Modi Enterprises Inc Sienna Wine & Spirits 8880 Highway 6 Suite 130 77459

Benitez Angel (+) Welding On Wheels 5327 Fm 521 77583

Alexander Michael Houston Scooters 403 Crestridge Dr 77479

Liu Charles Mm Electronics 107 S Hall Dr 77478

Sturza Alexandra D Alexa Unlimited 518 King Drive 77469

Curry Gilda A Out And About Bags And Stuff 16406 Lost Quail 77489

Avery Charles Sr Avery Medical Supplys A.m.s. 3703 Pinoak Circle 77459

Pohlman Rhonda Serendipity 10310 Feldman Falls 77459

Foust Stacey Texas Dog Treats Po Box 17625 77496

Spady Dru Making Money Book Store 7726 Copper Point Ln 77469 Mitchell Lessa K Gb Building & Painting 1609 West St 77471 Sandle-ford Laportia (+) L&g Marketing (+) P O Box 224 77545 George Cenil Cage Motor Club 1747 Texas Parkway 77489 Cold Creek Ps Llc Cold Creek Property Solutions 5555 New Territory Blvd Apt 1208 77479 Rivas Boanerge J&b Tire Shop (+) 10719 Padon Rd 77461 Samad Inc Handi Stop #70 5052 Ave H 77471

Data Beat DBA (Assumed Names)

Garcia Rodolfo Erick Vip Motors 7102 Baneway 77072

Stewart Kathryn Roofing Analytics 50 Sullivans Landing 77459

Maji Enterprises Inc Heroes World 23323 Grand Springs Dr 77494

Milad Magued Data+ 3919 Fawn Nest Trl 77479

Asubonteng Benjamin Big Bens Auto Salvage 2211 Chelsea Vale Dr 77545

Wright La Quetta L Siyah Services/writing Envy 7322 Chasewood Drive 77489

Stavinoha Linda (+) Chihuahuas To Love 5702 Rancho Rd 77461

Kline Aldona Prestige Leather 21114 Machall Manor Ct 77406

Sanders Paula Couture By Paula 12338 Meadow Ridge Dr 77477

Francis Joseph James Joseph James Francis 16310 Dawn Crest Way 77498

Juhl Penny River Pointe Roofing & Construction Po Box 321 77464

Lidiak J Gary Lidiak Morotsports, Inc. 3622 Brinton Trails 77494

Arnold John (+) Jea Mack Productions P O Box 1255

Carroll Angela L Liberty Tax Service 2617 Ave H Suite B 77471

Ahmed Shezad S Rani’s Beauty Salon 11526 Hills Bridge Ln 77498

Lopez Hayle (+) Blue Diamond Usa, Inc. 7318 Compass Rose Dr 77407

Repasky Roy S (+) 7.62 Consultants 20501 Oak Forest Rd 77430

Nero Keir N A-total Lawn Kare Service Po Box 213 77487

Jackson Bridgette M B. Beauty Couture 915 La Hacienda Dr 77406

Promptsource Inc Prompt Medical Technology 4501 Cartwright Rd #104 77459

Tate Gloria The 4sure Group (+) 1111 Redwood Meadow 77545

Villagran Gabriela Ingaville 23814 Seventh Heaven 77494

Davis Isiah Jr Above The Rest Chauffeur Services 5823 Kenwood 77459

Handy James C Jch Advertising (+) 3955 Town Park Ln 77459 Oyewuwo Taiwo (+) Kingdom First International 16618 Broadoak Grove 77498-7170 Kingdom Integrity Investment Group Llc Kingdom Equipment And Supply 2611 Colony Knolls Ct 77459 Kingdom Integrity Investment Group Llc Kingdom Preservationa And Restoration Services 2611 Colony Knolls Ct 77459 Valdecanas Jenny A.m.i. Educators 6718 Little Haven Ct 77469 Pecson Roel S (+) Pecson Rehab Services 4226 Cedar Bend Dr 77459

Phelps Jeffrey S Magnetic Eyes Music 31 Swan Isle Blvd 77459 Anderson Marc Kids Making A Difference 2906 Manion Dr 77459 Carrillo Marcelia Perez (+) Fedman Custom & Remodeling 15818 Beechnut St 77083 Escobedo Linda Razzle Dazzle Cleaning 1723-a Eldridge Rd 77478 Poole Micah W Sr Deuce And Dabb 2211 Victoria Ct 77459 Poole Micah W Sr Mackhand International 2211 Victoria Ct 77459 Courtney John D Cf&associates 3422 El Dorado Blvd 77459

Giacona George R Jr Gia-con General Contractors 17424 W Grand Pkwy Ste 183 77479 Craig Funmi Bergman-burks Industries 5802 Autumn Fall 77479 Craig Funmi National Fianncial Services 5802 Autumn Fall Ct 77479

Juhl Penny Jcm Roofing And Construction Po Box 321 77464

Peets Eshcole Moo’s Auto 3915 W Orem Dr Bld B 77045

Hameen Danielle B (+) H And H Inc 106 Willoughby Ct 77469

Fuentes Monika Mgf Consulting 2902 Burning Tree Ln 77459

Tomfohrde Warren 40 Specialties 911 Sycamore 77469

Mora Vivian L Vlm Creative 22136 Westheimer Parkway #322 77450

Lee Edward Trace Trucking 2234 Woodglen Dr 77489

Rjc Productions Llc X4 Media Designs 7306 Rolling Knoll 77494

Vagher Mehmood A Mcpherson Anna Dish-92 (+) 14625 Beechnut Street #02 77083 C And E 4831 Waynesboro Dr 77035 Mitchell Trevor Discount Vacation Specials Garcia Julia Po Box 451046 77245 Julia’s Brick Laying 3218 Fern Brook Ln 77471 Gourmex Restaurants Llc Las Alamedas Brown Cecilia Zelena 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd Britton Staffing Solutions #f140 77494 3110 Cherry Creek Dr 77459 Christopher Gerald A (+) Architecture Outsource Texas 3114 Astor Court 77498

Brown Shirley M (+) The Sbs Group, Llc (+) 619 Crestridge Dr 77479

Jones Lillie M (+) Showers Of Blessing 16319 Napavine 7753

Hwang Tae Kil J-art (+) 1201 Lake Woodland 77381

Hutson Tim Hut Specialty Services P O Box 1569 77461

Agrawal Meena S Udipi Cafe Indian Vegetarian Cuisine 3551 Hwy 6 77478

Sanchez Omar Cafe Plaza Mexican Restaurant 3926 Ave H 77471 Kabwe Kamuanya Karina Executive Tour & Travel 435 Murphy Road 77477 Nguyen Amber Apn, Cpa 7302 Kyle Trail Ct 77407

Mike-irabor Adeola Katries Supply Chain 7614 Treeline Dr 77479 Ogunola Babatunde Beeshart Health Care 7335 Kainer Spring 77407 Jackson Melinda The Funky Junkie 1307 Quarterpath Ct 77406

(+) = More Names

Tarver Tammie Bingham Traditional Care Ems (+) 8019 Weeping Willow Pl 77459 Cooper Denise Thomas All About The Bag 4502 Pomegranate Pass 77406 Profit Zone Llc Kiss Options 2510 Las Posas G500 93010 Fidelis Trading Llc Master Pro Forex 2510 Las Posas G500 93010 Pirani Karim Niko’s Fusion Grill 16754 Sw Freeway 77479 Noble Avan Creative Kids Express 14056 Southwest Freeway #110 A 77478 Kingdom Integrity Investment Group Llc Kingdom Financial And Assurance Services 2611 Colony Knolls Ct 77459 Kingdom Integrity Investment Group Llc Kingdom Property Management 2611 Colony Knolls Ct 77459 De Paz Marta M Sweet Mommy Treats 7635 Harvest Mill Ln 77407 Randle Lakeisha R L. R. Productions 6531 Bazel Brook Dr 77489 Hayes Sean L Boomerang Fitness 2403 Edgedale Dr 77489 Mai Hanh Tran Serendipity En Vogue 14022 Coral Bean Dr 77498 Sterling Patsi 1st Fcr 3966 Southern Bend 77459 Hernandez Criseida Criss Elite Photography 6803 Brighton Hill Ln 77450 Poso Leigh A Sugar Land Glass 1106 Beecroft Dr 77498 Asset Realty Group The S.j.r. Group Inc (+) 16107 Kensington Dr #311 77479

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Data Beat

DECEMBER 2009 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

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

23,065.86 6,126.98 24,187.03 1,008.84 73,267.65 422,076.68 29,951.00 3,192.69 3,148.88 291,741.55 723,298.76 4,723.14 962,309.50 2,759,128.96 2,031.66

35,313.33 6,466.33 26,775.43 1,265.85 88,370.41 461,973.21 38,273.10 3,820.24 2,656.61 321,462.25 901,103.88 7,272.91 1,235,111.65 3,214,516.16 1,465.57

-34.68% -5.24% -9.66% -20.30% -17.09% -8.63% -21.74% -16.42% 18.53% -9.24% -19.73% -35.05% -22.08% -14.16% 38.62%

County Total

5,329,259.18

6,345,846.93

-16.01%

2009 Payments To Date

2008 Payments Change

Percent

304,708.92 88,268.49 355,135.52 15,298.31 1,031,680.39 5,943,358.09 319,624.06 49,195.42 42,200.78 4,153,419.12 10,475,452.36 59,727.19 13,656,036.86 39,083,499.90 17,286.67

527,964.62 81,055.53 356,009.22 19,045.23 1,055,797.78 5,751,816.15 409,680.68 45,742.85 41,536.42 3,690,657.68 10,707,648.18 53,063.68 14,613,782.12 39,539,273.71 20,950.60

-42.28% 8.89% -0.24% -19.67% -2.28% 3.33% -21.98% 7.54% 1.59% 12.53% -2.16% 12.55% -6.55% -1.15% -17.48%

75,594,892.08

76,914,024.45

-1.71%

Top 20 City Sales and Use Tax Comparison Summary - DECEMBER 2009 Please note that Sugar Land is 15th in sales tax revenues in the state. City

Houston Dallas San Antonio Austin Fort Worth Arlington El Paso Round Rock Corpus Christi Amarillo Plano McAllen Lubbock Irving Sugar Land Beaumont Frisco Grand Prairie Midland Tyler

Net Payment This Period

Comp Payment Prior Year

36,579,278.50 14,530,289.59 15,320,410.47 10,548,657.56 7,089,510.03 5,768,820.73 5,087,330.13 4,595,181.26 4,229,690.09 4,087,255.02 4,417,977.64 3,913,598.29 3,672,928.75 3,217,972.76 2,759,128.96 2,461,016.98 2,768,760.27 2,657,411.77 2,463,151.14 2,483,311.76

44,040,730.60 15,344,343.17 17,510,893.58 11,557,642.98 8,574,283.22 6,056,344.78 5,018,850.14 5,873,207.66 5,153,126.06 4,722,462.53 5,464,276.27 4,227,213.67 3,889,291.95 3,924,209.96 3,214,516.16 3,847,940.12 3,131,878.51 2,940,771.70 3,425,228.87 2,928,425.98

Fort Bend Business Journal â&#x20AC;˘ January 2010

% Change To Date

-16.94% -5.30% -12.50% -8.73% -17.31% -4.74% 1.36% -21.76% -17.91% -13.45% -19.14% -7.41% -5.56% -17.99% -14.16% -36.04% -11.59% -9.63% -28.08% -15.19%

2009 Payments To Date

489,009,133.36 205,447,327.19 202,966,327.47 131,403,988.52 97,877,323.29 80,170,009.37 64,480,622.89 58,694,318.19 57,311,248.22 56,514,269.14 55,715,366.22 53,613,678.01 49,027,273.93 46,556,087.00 39,083,499.90 38,554,563.80 37,233,051.60 35,830,387.47 34,809,929.69 34,762,320.40

2008 Payments Change

Percent

504,416,609.93 227,067,964.29 215,808,945.20 147,051,782.33 106,259,647.55 81,851,456.56 67,821,673.07 67,029,667.41 62,076,565.58 59,442,045.37 64,180,104.26 58,864,799.64 49,341,426.47 51,022,274.29 39,539,273.71 38,636,269.00 39,809,254.00 38,295,770.52 39,487,873.86 37,534,024.42

-3.05% -9.52% -5.95% -10.64% -7.88% -2.05% -4.92% -12.43% -7.67% -4.92% -13.18% -8.92% -0.63% -8.75% -1.15% -0.21% -6.47% -6.43% -11.84% -7.38%

Data Beat

Commercial Building Permits

Some significant building permits in cities in Fort Bend during the month of November Address

Type of Permit

Value Owner/Contractor

Missouri city $650,000 Trinity Retail Construction

10140 HWY 6

New Commercial

8817 HWY 6 400

New Commercial Lease

8880 HWY 6 180

New Commercial Lease

$45,500 Gulf Coast Construction

8840 HWY 6 140 Res G

New Commercial Lease

$215,604 Med-Tech Construction

10207 S Sam Houston Pky 130

New Commercial Lease

$207,000 Camden Construction Inc

1783 Texas Pkwy

Commercial Lease Alteration

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial & Residential)

11/01/09-11/30/09

$32,000 Sienna 1688 LP/Kumar Construction

$12,500 Grand Retail Properties LLC/RSG Mechanical $1,242,604

Significant Land Transactions Some significant land transactions in Fort Bend during the month of November 2009. Land transactions can be researched on line at http://ccweb.co.fort-bend.tx.us/search.asp?cabinet=opr. Some entries may be conveying mineral rights. Seller

Buyer

Acres

Seller

Buyer

Acres

Gonzales Elein

North Fort Bend Water Authority

0.0443 Ac

Centerpoint Energy

Kinder Morgan Texas

Part 16.744 Ac

Arroyo Cleto J (+)

North Fort Bend Water Authority

0.0349 Ac

Houston Electric Llc (+)

Pipeline Llc (+)

Tang Ken W (+)

North Fort Bend Water Authority

0.0307 Ac

Centex Homes (+)

Fort Bend County Municipal

Robles Gilberto

North Fort Bend Water Authority

0.0275 Ac

Utility District No 185

Smith Harold

North Fort Bend Water Authority

0.0275 Ac

Centex Homes (+)

Fort Bend County Municipal

Hudgens Jason K (+)

North Fort Bend Water Authority

0.0399 Ac

Utility District No 185

Gbi Group L L C

Missouri City City Of

Part 0.73 Ac

Centex Homes (+)

Fort Bend County Municipal

Fort Bend County Levee

Missouri City City Of

Part 0.07 Ac

Utility District No 185

Centex Homes (+)

Fort Bend County Municipal

Utility District No 185

X (+)

Fort Bend County Municipal

Utility District No 185

Centex Homes (+)

Fort Bend County Municipal

Utility District No 185

Centex Homes (+)

Fort Bend County Municipal

Improvement District No 19 Thakker J C (+)

Centerpoint Energy

Part 1.4596 Ac

Resources Corp (+)

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January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Quality assets are coming to market Will more buyers result in more sales?

Financing, pricing gap and wait for distressed sales are blocking the path for investors.

fter a quiet year of investment sales, buyers are preparing to forge ahead with acquisitions in 2010. Two-thirds of investors(65%)who responded to the 6th Annual Investment Survey plan to boost their investment in commercial real estate over the next 12 months. That figure is up from 56% in the third quarter and 51% a year ago. The exclusive survey is produced jointly by National Real Estate Investor and Marcus & Millichap. The fact that buyers are once again returning to the table is a huge vote of confidence for a commercial real estate industry that has been slammed in the past year by falling property values, occupancies and rents. Respondents to the annual survey who do plan to expand existing portfolios anticipate an average increase of 26%, up from 24% in the third quarter and 22% a year earlier [Figure]. Yet there may be a significant disconnect between what investors hope to achieve, and what will be feasible in a market that remains fraught with challenges. The survey, which polled 506 respondents between Oct. 9 and Nov. 5, shows that investors are well aware of the obstacles that lie ahead. Chief among those impediments are the continued lack of financing, a narrower but still sizable gap between buyer and seller price expectations, and uncertainty related to the volume of distressed properties coming to market. “We have seen buyer traffic pick up substantially over the last two to three months. The logjam is largely created by extremely conservative financing and underwriting that has swung too far to the other extreme from the market peak,” says Harvey Green, president and CEO of Encino, Calif.-based Marcus & Millichap. “We have an acquisition appetite of $1 billion-plus. The question will be whether we can find the right transactions,” says Richard J. Campo, Camden’s chairman and chief executive officer. Finding good buying opportunities is

FIGURE 1. PLANNED CHANGE IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS

Do you plan to increase or decrease your commercial real estate investment in the next 12 months? 100%

74%

69%

60%

61%

51%

65%

90% 80% 70% 60% 37%

50%

31%

40%

32%

30% 20% 10% 0%

25%

23% 20%

5% 1%

2004

11%

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Increase

The same

Decrease

No Answer

Base: all respondents to the 2009 (506), 2008 (1,129), 2007 (1,004) 2006 (1,042), 2005 (1,167) and 2004 (648) surveys.

more difficult as investors adopt conservative strategies to fit the current volatile climate. Timing the market It’s clear that investors want to pursue new acquisitions. Overall, 72% of respondents indicate that they are currently amassing capital in preparation for buying opportunities. The majority of investors expect to execute more transactions. More than one in four respondents (28%) say they have already started adding to their portfolios, while an additional 41% say they plan to begin acquiring property over the next six months. Miami-based LNR Property Corp. is looking at opportunities in office, industrial, retail and apartment markets in 2010, as well as indirect investment in underperforming real estate debt and potential operating platforms.

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

“This past year the fundamentals have been too uncertain, and it has been too early in the cycle, while next year should have more volume of higher-quality assets coming to market,” predicts Eric Paulsen, a vice president at LNR Property. One hurdle for buyers remains pricing. Many buyers are waiting for bigger price discounts before they jump into the market. The minimum cap rates respondents say would be necessary to spark aggressive buying in a particular property type range from an average low of 8.2% for top-tier apartment properties to an average high of 13.6% for low-tier hotels. “The degree of cap rate movement needed for buyers to become aggressive in this market really points to a lingering pricing expectation gap,” says Hessam Nadji, senior vice

president and managing director at Marcus & Millichap. “For example, the expectation that investors would require an 8.2% cap rate to spark aggressive buying of top-tier apartments seems unrealistic considering the fact that those ‘Aquality’ apartment properties are still trading in the range of 6.25% to 7%. Continued investor appetite for top-tier properties will likely prevent cap rates from rising dramatically. On the other side of the spectrum, investors may be right to expect higher cap rates on lower-tier properties and/or markets given the added risk,” Nadji adds. Investors tread carefully Investor demand appears to be rebounding even as buyers brace for a slow economic recovery. More than half of respondents (57%) believe that net job growth is a year or more away, while nearly two-thirds of respondents (62%) do not expect real estate values to return to their peak values for six years or longer. Apartment investors are the most optimistic, with opinions evenly split at 31% among those who expect valuations to increase or decrease during the next year. Another 38% who believe values will remain the same. In comparison, more than half (56%) of office owners are bracing for a decline in values, while 26% believe values will remain the same and 15% anticipate an increase [Figure 3]. The apartment sector is the only property type where owners expect values to hold up with an expected increase over the next year of a slight 0.2%. Investors in other property types anticipate further declines in valuations in the coming year with hotels faring the worst. Respondents project a 7.6% drop in hotel valuations, followed by office at 7.3% and retail at 6.2%. Only a fraction of investors expect effective rents will rise in the coming year, while the majority of investors expect additional deterioration. Office investors appear to be most concerned about falling rents. Among those respondents invested in office properties, 62% believe effective rents will fall further, while 25% anticipate rents will remain the same, and 9% are optimistic that rents will rise. Respondents believe that retail will suffer the biggest drop in rents at 7.6%, followed by office properties (7.5%) and hotels (5.7%). Even apartments are not expected to be immune from market challenges. Investors anticipate a 1.4% decline in effective rents. Expectations regarding effective rents are

a key concern for investors who are relying more on cash flow and less on property appreciation when it comes to underwriting deals today. “When we’re underwriting today, we’re building in declines in cash flow between now and the end of 2010 and early 2011, but then we think there is going to be a substantial uptick in cash flow because of the lack of new supply,” says Campo of Camden Property Trust. Camden’s target returns are for an unleveraged IRR of 10% to 11%. Financing hurdle lingers Lack of available financing continues to be one of the biggest impediments for returning investors, and respondents are not anticipating much improvement for the coming year. Investor expectations regarding the availability of financing have remained consistent throughout 2009. The majority of respondents (77%) expect that the availability of capital will remain the same or increase in the coming year with 36% who say there will be an increase, 41% believe availability will remain the same, and another 22% who expect a decrease. In comparison, 64% expect that the cost of financing will increase next year, while 32% believe it will stay the same and 4% believe

financing costs will decrease. “Unfortunately, there is no quick fix to getting the banking system on solid footing again,” Nadji says. Further improvements in their capital position and profitability are necessary before their tolerance for commercial real estate loans increases, and that will take more time—particularly since there are still some waves of home foreclosures in the pipeline. There are some encouraging signs emerging as life insurance companies are increasing their allocation, Freddie and Fannie are expected to remain active in the apartment sector, and at least a moderate thawing of the CMBS market should materialize in the next year, adds Nadji. “The full impact of the stimuli will also materialize in 2010, but it will take time for government solutions to normalize credit markets,” Nadji emphasizes. On a positive note, evidence is emerging that both buyers and sellers are returning to the table, and there has been some narrowing of the pricing gap. “Quality assets are coming to market at reasonable prices that are generating as many as 20 offers because those buyers aren’t trying to time the bottom,” explains Green. “They see the long-term value of the real estate.”

FIGURE 3. PROPERTY VALUES

Considering only the property currently in your real estate portfolio, do you expect the value to increase, decrease or remain the same twelve months from now? 100%

31%

20%

12%

21%

15%

35%

26%

36%

90% 33%

80% 70%

25% 38%

60% 50%

53%

56% 52%

40% 30%

47% 40%

31%

20% 10% 0% Apartment

Hotel

Industrial

Mixed-use

Office

Retail

Increase

The same

Decrease

No Answer

Only respondents invested in the property type are included in the columns for that property type. January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Food Review: FERNANDO’S restaurant

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.

Food Drink

$$$$=Very Expensive ($60 & Up) $$$=Expensive ($40-$60) $$=Moderate ($20-$40) $=Inexpensive (Under $20) FB=Full Bar WB=Serves Wine & Beer

ENTERTAINMENT

GUIDE

Owner Fernando Echeverrira’s restaurant offers fresh food and great service. Fernando’s has created a menu to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. A visit to Fernando’s begins with a charming waiter who pulls out chairs and hands you the cloth napkin. Service is excellent. The meal begins with plantain chips and a smooth dipping sauce made of mayonnaise, carrots, parsley, lemon and cilantro. You cannot taste the mayonnaise. If you like chicken, Soteado is a great choice. Two chicken breasts, baked in a wine-lemon-butter sauce with a little garlic, are so tender they actually melt in your mouth. Rice, grilled vegetables, and frijoles (black beans) along with Italian bread and butter complete the meal. The restaurant offers a blend of South American cuisine with a touch of Italian. Fernando’s Latin Cuisine - 14135 Southwest Freeway • Sugar Land Parking - parking lot What to Wear - anything from business casual on up Reservations - available but not required Seating - private room(s) & wine room Price - $$

AURA Restaurant • Chef/Owner Frédéric Perrier brings over 30 years experience to his newest venture - AURA. In an upscale yet casually comfortable setting, Innovative American Cuisine reigns and is highlighted in the numerous Daily Specials. AURA features only the finest, freshest ingredients. From Lunch Salads & Sandwiches to Dinner with Crabcakes and Filet Au Poivre to Diver Sea Scallops with Boneless Braised Short Rib ‘Surf & Turf’ appetizers and Farm Raised Chilean Sea Bass. No need to go to Houston or into Sugar Land for truly high quality dining experience...you will easily find it at AURA (without ‘Big Restaurant’ prices!) at Township Square - Missouri City. Lunch Mon-Sat 112. Dinner Mon-Thurs 5-9 and Fri-Sat 5-10. Please call for Reservations &/or Catering ~ 3400 FM 1092, 81-403-AURA (2872). $$ • WB

A Unique Dining Experience 14135 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, TX 281.494.9087 www.FernandosRestaurants.com 78

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

Barry’s Pizza • Barry’s Pizza at the Fountains was opened in 1997 with the idea of creating the best pizza in Fort Bend. Barry’s customers have said that Barry’s has more than fulfilled their goals! From our dough and pizza sauce, made fresh daily, to Barry’s own signature Mozzarella Cheese, we have been thrilling the pizza lovers of Fort Bend for over 8 years. Barry’s is a full service, full menu restaurant going to great lengths to maintain excellent quality and service. • 11303 Fountain Lake Dr. • 281-494-0666. $ • 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 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 Charlie’s Restaurants and Catering, Poboys and Grill • Two locations in Fort Bend. Cajun home cooked food. The “special” plate is a favorite with a choice of one meat, two sides and a roll. The meat choices range from brisket, sausage, and meat loaf, to baked chicken, turkey/dressing, ham, salis-

bury steak and spaghetti/meatballs. Home made desserts are a favorite feature. Catering is available for large to small functions, banquets, corporate or organization luncheons/dinners. 4719 Lexington @ Dulles, 281-499-0808 and 1250 Texas Parkway, 281-499-2233. $ Chef for You • Offers take out dinners prepared from scratch by professional chefs. Online ordering; Customized Catering Menus Available; Corporate Catering for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Homemade Cakes, Cookies, and Brownies; Soups and Salads. New menus offered each week at www. chef4u.net • 9920 Highway 90-A, Suite B-260, Sugar Land • 281-313-CHEF (2433). $ 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. 281-4949087. wwww.fernandosrestaurants.com. $$ • FB Hickory Barn BAR-B-Q • The Kiddy Brothers came to Houston with great BBQ on their minds. The first BBQ restaurant opened in 1953. Since then the family owned and operated business has

been serving up great BBQ. Although times have changed, our idea of great BBQ hasn’t. Come by and see us. Catering available. • 11534 Wilcrest @ W. Belfort. 281-530-9382. $ Incredible Pizza Company • All-You-Can-Eat Buffet is Made Fresh, From Scratch, Every Day. Enjoy 30 varieties of Pizza, 3 Styles of Pizza Crust, Meatballs & Spaghetti, Piping Hot Baked Potatoes with All the Toppings, Soups, Fresh Pasta with a Choice of Sauces, a Salad Bar Featuring Over 80 Items Including 9 Different Homemade Salad Dressings, and Desserts. Pies, Cobblers, Bread Pudding, Cinnamon Rolls, Ice Cream, Cookies & Much More for only $6.99 per person. Corporate Events, Team Building, Lock-ins, Birthday Parties, and Every Day Fun! In addition to the Incredible Food, the 20,000 Square Feet of Play Space is a Blast for Kids and Kids at Heart. www. ipcsugarland.com Open Sunday-Thursday 11am9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm, 3412 Highway 6 South @ Williams Trace, 281-313-0631. $ J & L Café • Homestyle Cookin’ like Grandma used to make! Joy Smith and Paul Jordan are back, and they’re cooking up a delightful assortment of homemade dishes to satisfy the heartiest of appetites. Since they opened their new restaurant, they’ve been serving up family recipes handed down for 3 generations. Stop by J & L Café and enjoy Chicken and Dumplings, Smothered Oxtails, Meatloaf, Ribs, Fried Catfish, Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Okra, and Cornbread Dressing, to name just a few menu

Traditional Mexican Recipes for Great Mexican Food Fajitas, Parrilladas, Enchiladas, Quesadillas,Chiles Rellenos, Pollo Asado,Baby Back Ribs and more...

12821 SW Freeway at Corporate Dr. Stafford, Texas 77477 281.240.3060 • 281.240.3135 (fax) HAPPY HOUR Monday-Friday 11am-7pm

Free Mini Buffet Monday Thru Friday

4pm-7pm

DAILY SPECIALS MONDAY

Chicken Fajitas for 2.............. $12.99 Domestic Draft Beer Pitchers... $5.99 Tequila Jose Cuervo................. $2.99

TUESDAY

Haciendas Plato....................... $7.99 Regular Margarita.................... $1.99 Corona..................................... $3.00

WEDNESDAY

Fajitas & Shrimp for 2............ $17.99 Draft Beer................................ $1.50 Strawberry Margarita............... $3.99

THURSDAY

Pollo A La Playa....................... $9.99 Bottled Domestic Beer ............ $2.00

FRIDAY

Parrillada for 2....................... $23.99 Hacienda-Rita.......................... $4.99 PRIVATE ROOM AVAILABLE. GIFT CARDS ALSO AVAILABLE

SATURDAY

Fajitas for 2 & Ribs................. $16.99

SUNDAY

Buffet 10pm to 3pm Fajitas, Shrimps Ribs and more............ $9.99 Coronitas................................... $.99

Sunday Brunch Buffet

10AM - 3PM FOOTBALL HAPPY HOUR SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS DISCOUNTED DRINKS AND SNACK BAR

5 OFF

Buy 1, Get $5 OFF your second meal! Dine-In only. Not valid with lunch or other specials. 1 coupon per table. Expires 01/31/10

FREE ICE CREAM

January 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

items and daily specials. The assortment of Desserts includes Peach Cobbler, Cheesecake and Banana Pudding, all guaranteed to make your taste buds smile! Joy Smith, co-proprietor, worked as Personal Chef to Former Houston Mayor Lee Brown for many years. Whole Cornish Hens are available on Sundays. Breakfast served Tuesday-Saturday 6-9am, Open for Lunch and Dinner Tuesday-Sunday, Closed Mondays. 1110 FM 2234 on the border of Stafford & Missouri City. 281-499-9895. $ Karl’s At The Riverbend • Romantic Dining in the Country, across the creek from a horse farm. Swiss Chef Karl Camenzind’s menu features Angus steaks, Prime Rib, Wienerschnitzel, Trout Almondine and other fresh fish, Rack of Lamb, Steak and other wild game, Atkins specials, a budget weeknight menu offered along with the regular menu, plus a wonderful Sunday Brunch Buffet. Company Luncheons and Rehearsal Dinners invited. Open Tues-Sat for Dinner and Sunday Brunch 5011 FM 723 Richmond 281-238-9300 www.karlsrb.com Read our reviews at www.b4-u-eat. 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. Twenty-three of those years have been spent in the restaurant business. If you want authentic Mexican food made from only the freshest ingredients and at a reasonable price, go to Lupitas Mexican Restaurant formerly Pico De Gallo Mexican Restaurant. The Garcias continually concentrate on customer satisfaction. That includes the quality and freshness of their food as well as the family atmosphere of their restaurant. Dine-In, Take-out, and Catering available. 3121 Highway 6, Sugar Land • Call 281-265-6556. $ • WB Mangola’s Fine Italian Restaurant• Serving fine Italian food to Southwest Houston and Fort Bend Country for more than 20 years. Conveniently located at 11786 S. Wilcrest @ Highway 59 S. Open for Lunch and Dinner 7 Days a week. Check out our website www.mangolasrestaurant.com. Call 281-498-6790 for reservations or to schedule your special event. Mantra Fine Indian Cuisine • Discover India with exotic spices and aromatic flavors that will awaken your taste buds and lift you off your feet, we will make you feel like royalty. Mantra Fine Indian Cuisine offers Lunch Buffet and To-Go lunch options, that’s in your budget and leave you to come back for more. Mantra caters to all from spicy hot to mild flavors. We prepare our meals fresh and offer a wide selection of healthy choices. We have full menu and full bar and you can enjoy the evening out on our patio with your family or friends. Mantra also offers special catering promotions for parties and formal functions or any event any size, host in our restaurant or choosing of your choice. Hours of Operation: Monday through Thursday, Friday to Sunday, Lunch: 11a.m. to 2:30p.m. Lunch: 11a.m. to 2:30p.m. Dinner: 5:30pm to 10p.m. Dinner: 5:30pm to 11p. m.Come visit us at 15295 Southwest Freeway off of Williams Trace exit. For more information, contact us at 281-325-0071 or visit www.mantraofsugarland.com. $$ • FB Old Hickory Inn Barbecue • More than 40 years in business in the Houston and Fort Bend area, Old Hickory Inn Barbecue is famous for their Old Fashion Hickory Smoked Barbecue and numerous Homemade Side Dishes, made fresh daily. They are available to cater your next event, for up to 3000 guests. In addition to great Barbecue, they make an awesome Gyro (Greek wrap featuring beef & lamb), and feature fruit cobbler, cream pies, rice pudding and cheesecake for dessert A casual dining experience in 3 convenient locations, with a drive-through window at the Highway 6 location. Open 7 days a week, Sunday-Thursday from 11am-9pm, and Friday & Saturday 11am-9:30pm. 3334 F.M. 1092 @ Hwy 6 Missouri City 281-499-8904 / 8000 Hwy 6 @ Beechnut 281-983-5020 / 5427 S. Braeswood @ Chimney Rock 713-723-8908. $ • WB

Fort Bend Business Journal • January 2010

Outback Steakhouse • Inspired by Australia’s spirit of adventure, Outback Steakhouse has been an innovator in the culinary world by creating big, bold flavors using only the freshest ingredients. Voted #1 Best Steak in the 2009 Zagat Survey of National Full-Service Restaurant chains, Outback’s mission is to provide high quality fresh dishes at affordable prices. Explore Outback’s new menu with 15 meals under $15 including new choices, classic favorites and down under prices starting at $9.95. Our favorites include the Bloomin’ Onion®, Outback Special Sirloin with Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie, Honey Dijon Chicken with Sweet Potato Fries and much more! The local Proprietor is Anthony Antonidis. Open Mon.- Thur. 4-10 pm, Fri. 4-11 pm, Sat. 3-11 pm, Sun 11 am-9:30 pm. Located at 15253 Southwest Freeway, (Off Highway 59 and Williams Trace Exit) in Sugar Land, Texas. 281-980-4329. $ FB Panda Garden • Panda Garden Restaurant, the three times winner for Best Oriental Restaurant in Fort Bend County, located at 3563 Highway 6 in Kroger Center, provides a warm, casual environment to best service all diners. The goal of our restaurant is to offer 100% satisfactory to the customers with variety selection of popular Hunan Cuisine. “We offer fresh, made from scratch meals that is unforgettably delicious!” Manager Kenny adds. The restaurant offers accommodations for small group meetings 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 Pappa La Rosa Flying Pizza and Restaurant • Pappa La Rosa Flying Pizza and Restaurant is a warm and inviting family owned and operated restaurant where pizza, pasta and subs are available on the menu, with daily specials. Catering, a private party room and birthday packages are also available. Dine in or take out. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday – Sunday. • 16227 Lexington Boulevard, Sugar Land • Call 281-313-3500. $ • WB Post Oak Grill Restaurant & Bar • The Rios Family invites you to come and experience the same quality, ambiance and service that you have at the original Post Oak Gill. Join us for a wonderful culinary adventure featuring fine center-cut steaks, chops, fresh seafood, soups, sandwiches, salads, and outstanding wine selection. Open lunch & dinner - Monday-Thursday 11:009:00pm, Friday & Saturday 11:00-10:00pm. Happy Hour 3:00-6:00pm. 4524 Highway 6, Sugar Land • Call 281-491-2901.www.postoakgrillsugarland.com $$ • FB Sandy McGee’s Restaurant & Catering • The “BEST” soups, gourmet sandwiches and salads in TEXAS. Casual Dining in Historic Downtown Richmond. Sandy McGee’s has a sterling reputation for “FRESH”. Mon.Fri. 10am-9pm and Sat.-Sun. 10am-3pm. 314 Morton St., Richmond. 281344-9393. $ Tacone Flavor Grill • Fresh. Fun. Handmade. Unique Environment. Tacone is a Casual Quick Serve Restaurant with gourmet flavor at not so gourmet prices. Rated Best Gourmet Wrap Restaurant by Restaurant and Resorts. This franchise based company from Los Angeles, CA has unique gourmet wraps, hot pannini sandwiches, salads, and smoothies. There is a BBQ Chicken Quesadillas waiting for you at Tacone. Make your other senses jealous! Sugar Land Town Square, 2228 Texas Drive, Sugar Land, 77479; 281-313-2300, fax: 281-313-2305. www.tacone.com. $ Tornado Burger • Home of the famous Spicy Burger. Find out why Houston’s largest newspaper raves about their burgers! Read the review by the Houston Chronicle at: http://blogs.chron.com/cookstour/archives/ 2007/09/burgerology.html. They make their burgers with fresh-ground chuck, and even their buns are handmade! The French fries are fresh Idaho potatoes cut right in front of you and fried to order! They compete with the multinationals with fresh food at low prices and very fast service. Their Philly Cheesesteaks are as good as Pat’s if not better! Open Mon. - Sat. 11am-10pm, Sun. 11am-9pm. Dine-In or Drive-Thru. 505 Murphy Rd (FM 1092) just south of Hwy 90 in Stafford, 281-403-FAST (3278). $

Start the New Year off Right!

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