FWBP 10-19-20

IN PRINT. IN POCKET. IN PERSON.â„¢

OCTOBER 19 - NOVEMBER 1, 2020 Vol. 32 No. 19

Stock Show takes the year off

COVID concerns

shutter Fort Worth tradition PAGE 14

FortWorthBusiness.com

Photo from 2019 by KPW

TOP 100 Class of 2020 announced Page 26

IMAGINE LIFE

LIFE’S IN THE LITTLE THINGS.

W h e r e t h e o f f i ce m e e t s t h e co m f o r t o f y o u r h o m e .

You won’t believe what’s possible with Realtors ® like ours.

W i l l i a m sTr e w . co m | 8 1 7. 7 3 2 . 8 4 0 0

COLLECTIONS IN CONVERSATION Experience the depth and diversity of the permanent collection as selected African, Ancient American, Asian, and European works appear in thoughtful dialogue throughout the iconic Louis I. Kahn Building. kimbellart.org | Admission to the permanent collection is always free.

This Week

october 19- November 1, 2020

NEWS Queen Nefertari.................................................................................. 6

Worth Noting.....................................................................................12

Home Sales.........................................................................................18

Commentary: Bank of America Executives....................................... 20

Newsmakers...................................................................................... 30

Real Deals.......................................................................................... 34

OPINION

Page 16

Businesses feel impact of cancellations

Rich Connor...................................................................................... 36

President and Publisher Richard L. Connor rconnor@bizpress.net CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

ADVERTISING Jodye Newton jnewton@bizpress.net

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EDITORIAL editor

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Page UMB Bank 22 continues growth in DFW

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Fort Worth, Texas phone | 81 7.3 3 6.83 0 0 fax | 8 17.332.30 38 fortworthbusiness.com

Page Southlake 32 adds a Fortune 50 company

Decisions Made

Locally

Solutions for your growing company.

When you partner with Veritex Community Bank you choose solutions. We look forward to building your future.

Our Fort Worth Commercial Real Estate team provides a variety of financing options, including: • Construction • Acquisition & Development • Value Add 8 Convenient Tarrant County Locations | www.veritexbank.com ©2020 Veritex Community Bank

Subject to credit approval.

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FortWorthBusiness.com

NEWS

Queen Nefertari’s Egypt

to Open at the Kimbell in December FWBP STAFF

T

he Kimbell Art Museum will present a sweeping showcase of female power and influence during the height of ancient Egyptian civilization in the upcoming exhibition Queen Nefertari’s Egypt, on view from Dec. 6, 2020, through March 14, 2021.

At the heart of the exhibition is Queen Nefertari, who was renowned for her beauty and prominence, the museum said in a news release.

“Ancient Egypt has long fascinated the modern world,” said Eric M. Lee, director of the Kimbell Art Museum, “and we are thrilled to present this remarkable exhibition that is altogether alluring, grand, exotic and captivating.

We are especially grateful to the Museo Egizio for lending us this extraordinary collection of objects.”

Called “the one for whom the sun shines,” Nefertari and other women of ancient Egypt are brought to life through 230 objects from temples, tombs, palaces and the artisan village of Deir el-Medina, presenting the richness of Egyptian culture some 3,000 years ago.

Drawn from the Museo Egizio in Turin, Italy, one of the most important and extensive collections of ancient Egyptian works in the world, these exceptional objects highlight the role of women – goddesses, queens and artisans – in Egypt’s New Kingdom period (c. 1539–1075 B.C.).

Nefertari is one of the most celebrated queens of ancient Egypt alongside Hatshepsut, Nefertiti and Cleopatra. She was the Great Royal Wife, the favorite of

pharaoh Ramesses II, who reigned from 1279 to 1213 B.C. Although few details are known about Nefertari, archaeological records show she was highly regarded and educated and could read and write hieroglyphs.

Until the early 1900s, Nefertari was known only through a few finds, such as sculptures, tomb paintings and hieroglyphs related to Ramesses II. In 1904, Italian archaeologist and then director of the Museo Egizio, Ernesto Schiaparelli, uncovered Nefertari’s tomb in the Valley of the Queens, located near the ancient capital of Thebes, and constructed around 1250 B.C. When the tomb was opened, he discovered brilliantly painted scenes depicting the perilous and challenging journey Nefertari had to make to appease the gods on her path to immortality.

While the tomb itself proved to be extraordinary, robbers had looted nearly all of its contents soon after it was sealed.

The exhibition opens with a monumental granite sculpture of Nefertari’s husband, the great pharaoh Ramesses II, seated between the sun god Amun and his wife, the goddess Mut – the two patron deities of Thebes.

One of the most frightening Egyptian deities was the lion-headed Sekhmet,

Francesco Ballerini, Edoardo Baglione and Michelangelo Pizzio Italian model of Nefertari’s Tomb, early 1900s / Provv. 3749, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy

goddess of divine wrath. During the reign of Amenhotep III (c. 1390–1353 B.C.), hundreds of statues depicting Sekhmet were produced, including four imposing sculptures displayed in the exhibition.

A statue of Ramesses II, seated between Worshippers made offerings the sun god Amun and his wife, the goddess Mut, Temple of Amun, Karnak, to Sekhmet daily to ask for New Kingdom, 19th dynasty, reign of her protection and ensure Ramesses II (ca. 1279–1213 B.C.E.) she remained in her gentle, Cat. 0767, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy domesticated form: the cat goddess, Bastet.

Queen Nefertari’s Egypt adds an Women were active exciting new show to the Kimbell’s participants in all spheres special exhibition repertoire and of ancient Egyptian society, casts light on royal life in the palace, from the fields and the the roles of women in ancient Egypt, courtroom to temples and the everyday life of artisans and the palaces, the museum said in powerful belief system and ritual the news release. practices around death and the Men and women were afterlife. treated as equals in the “I hope that these incredible eyes of the law. All women objects give our visitors a sense of had the right to own stepping back in time and into the property, run businesses footsteps of ancient Egyptians, both and bring cases before royal and commoner,” Casler Price the courts. Despite their said. “We’re thrilled to bring the unusual legal equality, best of ancient Egypt back to women were primarily Fort Worth.” tasked with raising Statue of the Goddess Sekhmet, Thebes, children and running the New Kingdom, 18th dynasty, reign of household.

Amenhotep III (ca. 1390–1353 B.C.E.) Cat. 0251, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy The exhibition explores women’s roles in religion, life in the palace and their Kimbell Art Museum Queen Nefertari’s Egypt beauty and adornment rituals. Musical Dec. 6, 2020-March 14, 2021 instruments, bronze mirrors, boxes Subject to change and jars for cosmetic powders and Tickets ointments and precious jewelry offer a Admission to Queen Nefertari’s Egypt is $18 for glimpse of women’s life and notions of adults, $16 for seniors and students, $14 for ages beautification.

6–11, and free for children under 6.

“I hope visitors will appreciate the Admission is half-price all day on Tuesdays and after 5 p.m. on Fridays. high level of artisanship in these works,” Admission is always FREE to view the museum’s said Jennifer Casler Price, curator of permanent collection.

Asian, African and Ancient American The exhibition is organized by the Museo Egizio, Turin, and StArt, in collaboration with the Kimbell art, “whether it is a majestic carved Art Museum. It is supported by the Texas stone sculpture, an exquisite piece Commission on the Arts, the Fort Worth Tourism of jewelry, a precious perfume jar, a Public Improvement District and the Consolato beautifully painted piece of domestic Generale D’Italia Houston. Promotional support is provided by American Airlines, NBC 5 and pottery, a humble painter’s brush, PaperCity. delicately painted papyri, intricately The organizing curator at the Kimbell Art painted coffins or even a queen’s pair of Museum is Jennifer Casler Price, curator of Asian, unassuming palm sandals.”

African and Ancient American art.

Francesco Ballerini, Edoardo Baglione and Michelangelo PizzioItalian model of Nefertari’s Tomb, early 1900s / Provv. 3749, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy

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FortWorthBusiness.com

In Market

Element5 Digital / Unsplash

So, He’s the One ROBERT FRANCIS

rfrancis@bizpress.net

W

ell, I tried to do my civic duty on Oct. 14. No, I didn’t head to a local bar now that they’re open.

My wife and I headed to our local early voting location, but alas, it was after 5 p.m. and apparently the location closes at 5 p.m. until we get closer to Election Day. Okay, no crisis, but good to know.

In a way, I still did my civic duty. I headed to one of those “on every damn corner” drugstores and got a flu shot. So I feel like I did something for me and my fellow Americans.

I’ve been getting a flu shot for about 40 years straight – I’ve missed a couple. The computer magazine I worked for in the 1980s required us to get flu shots because we attended Comdex, a poorly named but very key computer industry convention that occurred in Las Vegas annually the week before Thanksgiving.

The show drew crowds of 120,000 or so from around the world, right as flu season was getting revved up, so Comdex wasn’t just a place where people made deals, announced new products and took young reporters out to get stinkin’ drunk. It was also a place where you had to get up in people’s faces to talk.

Basically it was one giant petri dish for the flu.

What happened in Vegas, definitely did not stay in Vegas in that case.

So the magazine I worked for required the flu shots if you wanted to go to Comdex and believe me, you wanted to go to Comdex.

Not just for your job, either. Oh sure, you could catch a speech by Bill Gates, Michael Dell or some other computer industry luminary. And you could talk to people about their new PC models that had 1 gigabyte of RAM. What? We’ll never need that much power in our computers? That’s just a waste.

So why else, outside of nerd heaven, would you want to go? It was a hell of a lot of fun. One night I went to a party where the Monkees – minus Mike Nesmith – were taking the Last Train to Clarksville, then hit

another one where B.B. King was ripping off stinging lead lines on Lucille for about 400 invited guests of a computer company.

Yes, networking can be fun.

We worked hard, in other words. Sometimes we would stumble our way to our hotel rooms and catch some zzz’s and write a story or two.

More than once, I’d be typing my story of the day and find my head resting on the keyboard.

Thankfully, I had good editors. I think I’m still catching up on my sleep from those days at Comdex. It was well worth the flu shot.

So how does Fort Worth’s tallest building being for sale tie in with voting? Stick with me.

The Burnett Plaza building is on the market and JLL is ready to talk about it. That too, reminds me of voting and my civic duty.

When I was in high school, my buddy Rudy and I got out of R.L. Paschal High School early to go see Sen. George McGovern speak at Burnett Park when he was running for president. I think the reason for going was for some class called “Current Events.” It was a bit of a blow-off class, but at least I got to do this.

october 19-November 1, 2020

In Market It was great and felt very patriotic, whatever that feels like. Seeing a presidential candidate in little ol’ Fort Worth was very cool for a teenager.

Somewhere I still have a bumper sticker and a banner from that event. I kept the banner up in my room for ages and I probably should find it and put it up again. I’m sure my great-nieces and nephews will ask who that guy is.

My father was a airplane brake mechanic in World War II and he worked on then-Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s planes, so he wondered if he might have worked on McGovern’s as well. That would have given my father two presidential candidates whose planes he kept safe. McGovern was a B-24 Liberator pilot who flew 35 missions over Germanoccupied Europe. When McGovern finally wrote a book about his World War II days, it turns out that most of his flights were from a base in Italy. My dad was in Italy, but he didn’t seem to do much brake work there.

If case you don’t recall the 1972 election, aside from Watergate, the election was a disaster for McGovern, who won only one state and the District of Columbia. He didn’t do well in Texas.

Continuing along life’s strange twists, turns and ups, downs and inside outs, a few years later I would find myself delivering mail to Sen. McGovern’s office as I worked part-time in the U.S. Senate Mail Room while going to school at the University of Maryland.

I delivered the mail to a bunch of college kids, interns I’m sure, my age, who worked in McGovern’s mail room. I told them, in my earnest fashion, about seeing McGovern in Fort Worth and how I really admired him. Thereafter, when I would show up, a couple of the guys would go through this routine: Book cover for McGovern / Franklin Square Press

“There’s the McGovern fan from Texas,” one would say as I dumped a load of mail on their table.

“So he’s the one,” the other would say.

They never seemed to tire of the routine.

Once I joined them for an evening at a local D.C. pub and let me tell you, they repeated it like some vaudeville duo that only had one joke. They did it, over and over, for every person who came up to talk to them. “Meet our friend, Bob Francis, he’s a McGovern fan from Texas, big ol’ Texas,” one would slur out.

“So he’s the one,” the other would say, pointing a drunken finger at me and delivering the punchline to great laughter, among themselves at least.

I didn’t mind the joke. It was a great way to meet people in a city where almost everyone is from somewhere else – at least around Capitol Hill.

That was a long time ago, nearly 50 years ago, and here I am, still doing – or trying to do – my civic duty.

CDC / Unsplash

“So he’s the one,” as my friend from South Dakota would say.

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FortWorthBusiness.com

NEWS

Child Care Associates Re-Opens 20 Early Education Campuses FWBP Staff

C

hild Care Associates (CCA) reopened all 20 of its early education centers Oct. 5, offering low-income families quality early learning options with the choice of in-person or remote services, the organization said in a news release.

CCA serves more than 1,800 children in Fort Worth, Arlington and the greater Tarrant County area.

“CCA and our team of early education professionals are thrilled to offer in-person Head Start and Early Head Start services again to children and their families,” said CCA President and CEO Kara Waddell.

“We’re big fans of in-person learning for our youngest children because they learn by rich handson experiences. Play-based learning allows children the opportunity to develop speech and language skills and to hone their listening skills as well,” she said.

CCA campuses are finalizing the additional health and safety features including portable hospital grade air filtration systems or HVAC UV light air cleaning systems, contactless health screening checkpoints at entry, and other enhanced protocols to minimize COVID-19 exposure, the organization said in a news release.

A preschooler at the Child Care Associates’ Meacham Early Education Campus art center gets creative with a friend. The art center is a creative outlet for children and helps them express their emotions and ideas. It remained open during the pandemic offering child care for essential workers.

Child Care Associates

A child’s temperature is taken at morning drop off at Child Care Associates’ Meacham Early Education Campus to ensure safe entry to the child care area. All children and staff entering child care areas are screened and required to wash their hands before entering the classroom areas.

Child Care Associates

“We’ll start off the year with smaller classroom sizes – no more than eight for infants and toddlers and 10-12 for our preschoolers – and two teachers per classroom,” said Travis Davis, CCA’s chief of early education. “CCA teachers and staff are following CDC and Tarrant County Health guidelines to better support the health and wellbeing during this COVID-19 period.”

For families not quite ready for in-person learning, CCA offers income-qualifying families’ direct access to remote teaching teams to support developmentally appropriate, home-based learning and promote family engagement.

All of CCA families, including those who opt for remote instruction, will continue to receive the full

services of CCA’s whole-child whole-family approach including weekday meals of breakfast, lunch and snacks for their children, the news release said.

Families who select remote instruction may receive a mobile-powered tablet with access to home-based activities and content to shape their child’s development and support their ongoing learning.

Visit https://childcareassociates.org/headstart- early-head-start for eligibility and enrollment information More information: https://childcareassociates.org

october 19-November 1, 2020

NEWS

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Wave of ‘Nutcracker’ cancellations hits dance companies hard ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS Associated Press

F

or many, it’s not Christmas without the dance of Clara, Uncle Drosselmeyer, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Mouse King and, of course, the Nutcracker Prince.

But this year the coronavirus pandemic has canceled performances of “The Nutcracker” around the U.S. and Canada, eliminating a major and reliable source of revenue for dance companies already reeling financially following the essential shutdown of their industry.

“This is an incredibly devastating situation for the arts and in particular for organizations like ours that rely on ticket sales from the Nutcracker to fund so many of our initiatives,” said Sue Porter, executive director of BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio.

“The Nutcracker” typically provides about $1.4 million of the company’s $2 million in annual ticket sales, against a $7 million budget. That money goes to school programing and financial aid for dance class students, Porter said. It’s the first year since 1977 that the company isn’t staging the ballet in Ohio’s capital.

The cancellations have meant layoffs, furloughs and salary cuts, with companies relying heavily— sometimes exclusively — on fundraising to stay afloat. Beyond their financial importance, “Nutcracker” performances are also a crucial marketing tool for dance companies, company directors say.

Children often enroll in classes for the chance to dance in the performances as mice, young partygoers and angels, among other supporting roles. For adults, the shows are sometimes their initial experience watching live dance.

“It tends to be the first ballet that people see, the first time they experience attending a production, that thrill when the curtain goes up, the hush of the crowd,” said Max Hodges, executive director of the Boston Ballet. “So for that reason it’s a key part of the pipeline in welcoming audiences into the art form.”

In Fort Worth, the cancellation of the Texas Ballet Theater’s “Nutcracker” meant the loss of about $2 million in ticket sales. It was also a personal blow to 16-year-old Micah Sparrow, who would have danced roles as a rat and a cook, the third time she would have performed in the show.

Sparrow, a longtime Texas Ballet Theater student, hopes to become a professional dancer. For now, she attends ballet classes reduced in scope as social distancing limits normal movement.

“It really gives me a sense of purpose around the Christmas season just to make magic for the audience and for everyone who watches it,” Sparrow said. “I’m really going to miss it.”

After deciding to cancel this year’s live performances, the Boston Ballet will use archived

Ballet student Micah Sparrow dances in a classroom at the Texas Ballet Theater, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Fort Worth.

AP Photo/LM Otero

footage of past performances for a one-hour version to be shown on television in New England. The annual $8 million in “Nutcracker” ticket sales accounts for about 20% of the company’s annual budget.

The pandemic has cost the arts and entertainment industry about 1.4 million jobs and $42.5 billion nationally, according to an August analysis by the Brookings Institution.

The economic vulnerability inherent in arts organizations is exacerbated when they rely on a major seasonal event — like “The Nutcracker” — for large portions of revenue, said Amir Pasic, dean of the School of Philanthropy at Indiana UniversityPurdue University Indianapolis.

One silver lining is the opportunity for organizations to improve their online offerings, which could also help open up markets to younger consumers, he said.

That’s the case in Toronto, where the National Ballet of Canada is contemplating future hybrid programming that offers tickets for in-person

“Nutcracker” performances and less expensive tickets for those who want to watch it online. The company canceled its “Nutcracker” in August.

The cost of the digital equipment needed to record broadcast quality performances has been a sticking point for companies in the past, said Amy Fitterer, executive director of Dance/USA, a dance service and advocacy organization. Now, companies are working on ways to access such equipment to prepare for a hybrid future of performances, she said.

Some companies that canceled are offering online streams of a past performance, such as Seattle’s Pacific Northwest Ballet. Others are offering inperson performances of a sort, such as Atlanta Ballet’s “Drive-In Movie Experience” allowing patrons to watch a filmed past performance from their car.

Of the 50 dance companies with the largest annual expenses surveyed by the Dance Data Project, only eight were proceeding with in-person performances.

Others either canceled, planned to offer streaming versions or still haven’t made an announcement.

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NEWS

FortWorthBusiness.com

Worth Noting

Linear Labs raises $6 million in new funding

Trinity Metro expands on-demand in Near Southside

Linear Labs

Smarter energy company Linear Labs has raised an additional $6 million in funding to further develop manufacturing capabilities and grow its employee base, the company announced Oct. 13.

The new capital comes shortly after Linear Labs’ $68.9 million partnership with the City of Fort Worth was announced, which includes an incentive package involving Linear Labs’ plans to develop an advanced manufacturing facility and support thousands of new, skilled jobs over the next 10 years.

The new round was closed with participation from new and existing investors including Champion Hill, Chris and Crystal Sacca’s Lowercarbon Capital, Kindred Ventures, Gen Fukunaga, Duke Angel Network, Spike Ventures, and also Moving Capital – an Uber-alumni investing syndicate, Linear Labs said in a news release.

The company said the funding will be used to expand manufacturing expertise, supply chain infrastructure and logistics, as well as advanced automation and robotics engineering, in order to meet the current signed customer needs of producing 100,000 units in 2021 with a target of 1,000,000 units the following year.

Clients for these motors include global OEMs in automotive, micro-mobility, industrial pump and applications, as well as residential and light commercial HVAC. “The success of our most recent funding round is a testament to our superior technology and the versatility of its uses – from more efficient industrial applications and pumps to increased range of mobility applications to more sustainable air conditioners,” said Brad Hunstable, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Linear Labs.

“Our mission is resonating not only with the best minds in Silicon Valley, but also the growing technology hub that is the Fort Worth area. We’re making a global impact through smarter utilization of energy as we enter the beginning of Energy 2.0, with a motor that is as big a breakthrough in energy as any major battery breakthrough.”

Additionally, Linear Labs has expanded the board of directors to include Chris MacFarland, chairman and CEO of Texas-based Masergy, a software-defined cloud platform leader.

“I can see that Linear Labs is going to effect change on an international scale in multiple industries,” said MacFarland.

“The company is getting bigger by the moment, and to join their board just as their new funding is secured and their deal with Fort Worth is announced, is fortuitous timing.”

The patented HET motor technology from Linear Labs is an entirely new class of electric machine, producing up to twice the torque of competitor motors – or the same torque in half the size – and can also be made using rare-earth or ferrite magnets.

For more information: www.linearlabsinc.com

Near Southside ZIPZONE map / Trinity Metro

Trinity Metro’s Near Southside ZIPZONE, an ondemand daily transportation option, is expanding its service area to include more access to grocery shopping and medical facilities.

Beginning Sunday, Oct. 11, the new area goes south of East Hattie Street to East Berry Street, with the eastern boundary at South Riverside Drive and the western boundary at 8th Avenue. The larger area includes a Fiesta, Walmart Neighborhood Market and additional coverage for neighborhood residents to reach medical facilities with ease, a news release said.

“As we continue to prioritize the health and wellbeing of our community, it begins with focusing on access,” said Mayor Betsy Price. “Expanding this existing ZIPZONE to include numerous grocery stores and medical services is one step in ensuring our community has access to essential services.”

Wayne Gensler, vice president and COO of bus and paratransit, said the timing is right for expanding the Near Southside ZIPZONE. “Shortly after we began the service in July, we recognized the need for a broader boundary to better serve the community,” he said. “We want to make sure people have a reliable transit option for essential medical appointments and grocery shopping.”

To celebrate the expansion of the Near Southside ZIPZONE, one-way fares will be $1 from Oct. 11 to Oct. 31. Beginning Nov. 1, the fares will be $3 each way.

The Near Southside ZIPZONE serves the region that encompasses Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center, Cook Children’s Medical Center, John Peter Smith Hospital, Texas Heath Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, Medical City Fort Worth, Moncrief Cancer Institute, and UT Southwestern Monty and Tex Moncrief Medical Center at Fort Worth. The zone also includes many restaurants and businesses on Magnolia Avenue.

The ZIPZONE, which is provided through a contract with Via, utilizes black Toyota Siennas for the shared rides from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. ZIPZONE connects with Trinity Metro TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express (TRE) at the Fort Worth T&P Station and to bus routes 1 South Hemphill, 4 East Rosedale, 5a Evans Ave., 5b Glen Garden/Wichita, 6 8th Ave./McCart/Hulen Mall, 9 Ramey/Vickery and 14 Sylvania/NE 28th.

How it works: Download the Trinity Metro ZIPZONE app.

Use the app to order a ride.

A short how-to video is here: http://bit.ly/SouthZIP

october 19-November 1, 2020

Worth Noting

SafeHaven releases first annual fatality report SafeHaven of Tarrant County has released a local, comprehensive report, compiled by several collaborating organizations, that sheds light on the number of intimate partner homicides that happen each year in the Tarrant County community.

The fatality report includes details about eight intimate partner homicides that took place Tarrant County in 2019, including perpetrator/victim demographic information, crime information, and the interaction with community agencies prior to the homicide.

The Fatality Review Report is designed as a tool to evaluate and improve the current system with which both abusers and victims interact in the hope to end fatalities at the hands of domestic violence.

“I am confident in the process our collaborative group utilized to gather and analyze this data. I am also grateful for this team and our ability as a community to come together in this important way,” SafeHaven of Tarrant County President and CEO Kathryn Jacob said.

“We learned so much while reviewing these cases, and, sadly, much of the research we have on intimate partner violence was confirmed through these local examples.

“The most powerful piece was regarding women who leave their relationships. This does not always mean they have found safety. In fact, most of the time, leaving does not equate to safety,” Jacob said.

The Fatality Review Team consists of designated partners that conduct in-depth case analysis with each partner providing relevant information. Contributing partners are the Arlington Police Department, the Fort

Safe Haven of Tarrant County

Worth Police Department, John Peter Smith Hospital, MedStar, the Office of the Criminal District Attorney, SafeHaven of Tarrant County and Texas Health Texas Health Resources.

The review found that intimate partner violence impacts every age group, with victims ranging from 23 to 71, and the homicides happened in Arlington, Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, and Watauga. The victims and offenders identified as white, Black, Asian, and Native American.

The length of the relationships ranged from two weeks to many years, and all but one relationship had ended. Only one couple remained together at the time of the homicide.

The report may be accessed here: http://bit.ly/SafeHavenReport More on SafeHaven: https://www.safehaventc.org

NEWS

13

College entrepreneurs donate face masks to non-profits and small businesses Frog Mask, a supply-chain company founded by Kinh Pham, a TCU sophomore and Fort Worth native, recently donated 10,000 face masks to Tarrant Area Food Bank. Amidst a nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment, the company has donated nearly 30,000 masks since its establishment in June.

Pham established the company during quarantine in June, partnering with his friends Will Porter, Jay Trivedi, David Evans, and James Dowell to reach out and supply cities, colleges, health systems, and businesses with protective equipment.

They spent their summer pitching their products to clients and delivering the Frog Masks to local customers.

They launched www.frogmask.org in an effort to reach a retail audience and has encountered enormous success, shipping their product to 12 different states and selling over 100,000 Frog Masks, the company said in a news release.

Today, they continue to run the company while attending college full-time, delivering masks and speaking with clients in between their classes. They plan to donate a total of 30,000 masks by the end of October using the proceeds from their sales.

Flying Saucer Launches 2020 election glasses

Voting with a glass / Raynor Brumfield

MedStar CEO retires The board of directors of the Metropolitan Area EMS Authority Board of Directors (MedStar) accepted the resignation and retirement of MedStar’s CEO Doug Hooten Sept. 29.

Hooten has served as MedStar’s CEO since 2012.

In communicating his desire to retire, Hooten referenced MedStar’s numerous accomplishments over the past nine years, as well as his desire to relocate to another area of Texas.

“We want to thank Doug for his service to MedStar and the communities we serve, and we wish him and his family all the best on their road ahead. We know that MedStar’s leadership team will continue the foundation of high performance, innovative EMS service to our community that Doug fostered, and that has been MedStar’s hallmark since it was created by the City of Fort Worth in 1986,” said Dr. Brian Byrd, MedStar’s Board Chairman.

During Hooten’s leadership, MedStar achieved a number of milestones:

– Continued expansion of MedStar’s awardwinning and internationally recognized Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) programs, including innovative new economic models.

– Being named the EMS Provider of the Year by the National Association of EMTs and EMS World Magazine.

– Receiving a Top-10 EMS Innovator Award by the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS).

– Receiving a Healthcare Innovation Award by the Academy of International Mobile Healthcare Integration.

– Acquired, renovated and relocated to a new 110,000 square foot headquarters facility in west Fort Worth.

– Implemented a new, state of the art computer aided dispatch (CAD) system.

– Acquired land and constructed a new deployment center in north Fort Worth.

The MedStar Board appointed Ken Simpson, MedStar’s Chief Operations Officer, to serve as Interim CEO until a new CEO is selected.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium recently debuted its 2020 U.S. presidential candidate pint glasses, launching the craft beer pioneer’s own poll to predict the next president.

Since 2004, Beerknurds and diehard Flying Saucer fans have correctly predicted the election outcome by purchasing the glass of their preferred candidate. Presidential memorabilia collectors covet the sought after set, the company said in a news release.

Who would you rather have a beer with? Cast your vote in the “The Election of the Century” for incumbent Trump or former vice president Biden. Every glass is a vote, so Beerknurds can take pride in having a big impact on the tally.

Head to any Flying Saucer to cast a vote or order online. Nationwide shipping is available and included in online orders.

Available by the pair in a 2020 collectors box, by the case or single, order online www.beerknurd.com Flying Saucer has been a pioneer on the craft beer scene since Shannon Wynne opened the doors of the original location in Fort Worth in 1995. Capt. Keith Schlabs was then the GM and has since become a partner and Beer Guru to hundreds of thousands of Beerknurds around the world.

Along with partner Larry Richardson, the family-owned beer joint which helped cultivate beer culture has 14 locations throughout Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina. Flying Saucer offers more than 200 beers with a full spectrum of brewing styles handpicked for each unique market.

14

NEWS

FortWorthBusiness.com

COVID Shock

Stock Show and Rodeo canceled for 2021 ROBERT FRANCIS

rfrancis@bizpress.net

The Fort Worth Stock Show Midway in 1922. There is a ride called “The Whip” in the background and a Ferris wheel on the right. / University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting University of Texas at Arlington Library. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth38165/: accessed Oct. 9, 2020)

The 2021 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo has been canceled.

It was not, by all accounts an easy decision. And little wonder.

The executive committee of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (FWSSR) voted unanimously on Thursday, Oct. 8, to cancel the 2021 Show scheduled for Jan. 15 through Feb. 6, citing the ongoing pandemic and Centers for Disease Control guidelines, according to a news release from the show.

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is an economic boon to the city of Fort Worth, North Texas and West Texas.

Like the crack of an auction gavel, the news, announced on Oct. 9, that the 2021 show was canceled hit hard.

According to a five-year-old report, the economic impact associated with the 2015 Stock Show & Rodeo exceeded $88.6 million in annual spending by visitors, participants and the nonprofit corporation itself. To an already struggling hospitality, restaurant and retail industries, this meant that, another lifeline for many businesses had disappeared.

But, for a moment, forget the dollars and cents.

“I had the great fortune and opportunity to show my own animals at FWSSR while I was showing in my 4-H & FFA career,” said Joe Brhlik, Swine Superintendent and FWSSR Director, as well as supply chain manager for Standard Meat in Fort Worth. “I certainly empathize with the emotions our student exhibitors, their families, ag teachers and county extension agents are experiencing as a result of the cancellation. They have spent countless hours and made a financial investment to ensure their animal is at peak performance and health in January.”

That’s the kind of emotional grip the Stock Show has on Fort Worth. It’s a cultural touchstone that puts the now modern, booming city in touch with its

hardscrabble Western roots – and boots.

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price voiced support for the decision, noting that the FWSSR is a tradition “that holds a special place in Fort Worth history.”

Brhlik’s comments were echoed by Stock Show President and General Manager Brad Barnes.

“This is a heartbreaking decision for our leadership and was not made lightly,” he said. “We wanted to find a way to safely hold a show for our 1.2 million guests, exhibitors and competitors. Unfortunately, the challenges we face to create practical and enforceable protocols and procedures to comply with COVID-19 guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are extremely daunting. The uncertainty of the virus potential spread across Texas and the nation during the upcoming flu season was another major factor weighing on our decision.”

The decision comes as the COVID-19 pandemic appears, once again, to be showing a surge.

On Oct. 13, Texas health officials reported the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 broke through the 800,000-case level amid a new surge of cases.

The newly reported cases raised to 800,415 the total caseload reported in Texas since tracking and tracing of the pandemic began in March, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported.

An estimated 77,126 of those cases are active, an increase of almost 2,100 since Oct. 12, and 4,053 of those cases required hospitalization.

That was 183 more cases than Monday and the first time more than 4,000 COVID-19 cases required hospitalization since early September. It also was nearly 900 more than Oct. 1 with the state clearly on a slow COVID-19 climb that broke what had been a twomonth decline.

After the announcement, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said he knows the decision was difficult.

The Fort Worth Stock Show Midway in 2019 in a drone shot.

K.P. Wilska

“I talked to Brad this morning and I know how hard it was, but I mean, as he was relaying to me, they’ve got kids from, I guess, 200 counties within the state of Texas. And probably, I think he said something like 40 different countries. And so I know it’s hard.”

According to a 2015 study, nearly 1.25 million Stock Show & Rodeo visitors (several thousand for multiple days) spent an average of $50 a day – a total of about $62.4 million – contributing $1.77 million in Fort Worth sales and hotel taxes and $5.54 million in Texas sales taxes. And, according to the report by Grotta Marketing Research of Fort Worth, as well as related surveys and analysis (all commissioned by the Stock Show), three out of four visitors came from outside of Fort Worth.

The economic impact associated with the 2015 Stock Show & Rodeo, the report stated, exceeded $88.6 million in annual spending by visitors, participants and the nonprofit corporation itself.

For a city that often bills itself as a place of “Cowboys and Culture” and “Where the West Begins,” the announcement can be as hard to swallow as hardtack without a cup of campfire coffee.

“This is a setback for our community, fans and all who would participate. FWSSR events go far beyond rodeo performance and competition,” said Bob Jameson, president and CEO of Visit Fort Worth, in a statement.

“For example, more than 11,000 youth from across Texas participate through exhibitions Bob Jameson during the show’s 23-day run.

“While many events cannot take place during this difficult time, our organization continues working with our community and customers to find a way forward where safe gatherings are possible,” he said.

On Monday, Oct. 12, Whitley announced that

october 19-November 1, 2020

bars could re-open Oct. 14, though he was clear that violators of social distancing and mask requirements faced closure.

This year, in March, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was canceled after it had started, just as the coronavirus began making an impact. According to a study commissioned by Rodeo Houston, the economic impact of that show was $227 million annually. Because the Houston show is later in the year, officials have not announced plans for 2021 yet.

There are also smaller livestock shows that will continue as they draw smaller crowds and don’t have as far-flung attendees.

“The health and safety of our community is of the utmost importance,” said Tarrant County Public Health Director Vinny Taneja. “We support the Stock Show’s executive committee in making this difficult decision.”

“Daily Stock Show attendance can exceed 140,000 people that crowd into buildings at the Will Rogers Memorial Center to see livestock, shop, dine, enjoy the carnival-midway and petting zoo as well as watch the many shows and competitions,” the release said.

“Each year exhibitors typically travel from approximately 235 of Texas’ 254 counties and 40 states filling the various barns where they work in proximity preparing their animals for exhibition. Consultations with infectious disease and public health professionals indicate the Stock Show would rank as a ‘very high risk’ for spread of COVID-19, potentially impacting populations and healthcare systems.

“More than 30,000 animals are typically exhibited in 3,770 classes for horses, livestock, poultry, rabbits and ag mechanics in addition to approximately 2,300 participants in the art contest, judging contests, rodeos and many other competitions and exhibitions.

COVID Shock

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“Each event and competition – from the FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament to the Youth Poultry Show, Carnival Midway and all others – represents what’s unique and important for every participant and guest.

Consequently, the decision was made to cancel all FWSSR events and features as opposed to allowing some to be held at the expense of others,” the Stock Show said in its news release.

“The FWSSR attracts visitors from around the globe, and the Stock Show in particular does not allow for adequate social distancing,” said Price. “I appreciate the FWSSR Board’s leadership and look forward to making the 2022 event the best one yet.”

K.P. Wilska

K.P. Wilska

K.P. Wilska

The only other time a Stock Show was canceled was in 1943, near the height of World War II. “Today we’re in another war with an enemy that’s invisible and quite deadly,” said Barnes. “We feel a responsibility to be proactive, in order that COVID-19 is brought under control sooner rather than later. For fans of Fort Worth’s oldest and largest public event, our common goal is to help bring the pandemic to an end so future Stock Shows won’t be in jeopardy.”

The first Fat Stock Show was held in 1886 with C.C. French and Charlie McFarland as its guiding forces. That first year, a storm arrived for the first night of the show and the next morning the cattle were coated with sleet under live oak and pecan trees. No surprise then that a tradition began of referring to snow, sleet, rain or cold during the run of the show as “Stock Show weather.”

The Stock Show became known as the first indoor rodeo and served as a model

for similar events around the world. The Stock Show has continued to grow over the years, and in 2020, rodeo events moved to Fort Worth’s new Dickies Arena, a modern, high-profile event center built by tax dollars and private funding.

Along with the Stock Show and Rodeo, the event includes displays of ranch-related tools and equipment.

The Stock Show ends with the Sale of Champions where organizations and businesses purchase many of the animals from the show, with the funds going to scholarships for the students who have raised the animals.

Last February, two records were eclipsed at the Junior Sale of Champions. More than $4.7 million was raised by individuals, corporations and foundations surpassing the previous record for the total sale haul by $775,000 and the price paid for grand champion.

While the barn door is shuttered and locked for 2021, officials with the show are looking to future.

In a video posted on the FWSSR website, Barnes said: “We’ll see you in 2022 for what will be the best Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ever. Thank you for your support. And remember, this thing is legendary. God bless America.”

“The health of FWSSR participants and guests must remain the priority,” said Brhlik, “Given the size of the event and draw of guests from across the state, there is no plan nor risk mitigation factors that could be implemented to fully protect guests and prevent the spread of Covid-19 during the coldest two months of the year. I, along with thousands of others, look forward to 2022.”

Associated Press contributed to this story.

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FortWorthBusiness.com

Stock Show fallout

Businesses Feel Impact of Cancellation NEETISH BASNET

nbasnet@bizpress.net

All that is left are memories – for this year at least.

Chef Michael S. Thomson used to visit Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo [FWSSR] when he was younger. Later on in his life, he, alongside a friend, began a tradition of taking both their fathers to afternoon programs of the Stock Show. The “Bulls Night Out” performances were their favorites.

“And, those were memories I’ll have forever,” Thomson said.

Thomson’s father passed away some years ago.

Still, jockeying around his tight daily schedule, he continued frequenting the once-a-year event, almost as a way to pay homage.

Because besides the personal attachments, the Stock Show played a vital role over the years in the success of Thomson’s business, MICHAELS CUISINE Restaurant and Bar. The restaurant, located minutes away from Will Rogers Memorial Center in the Cultural District, opened in March of 1992, a month shy of the that year’s stock show. After building up its reputation and menu throughout the year, he had hoped the Stock Show’s enthusiasm would flow over decent business to his establishment as well.

What MICHAELS received in 1993 was a welcome outpouring of support – and diners.

“As much of an uptick as we could handle, anywhere,” Thomson said. “We always had been pretty much at our maximum limit for that entire month.”

People kept pouring in during the show into the restaurant. The restaurant grew alongside FWSSR on its popularity and reach in the last three decades since then.

“Our bar business got a lot of it,” Thomson said.

“And then, as the years kept going, we pushed more to get the dining in. And, we were more fine dining. And then I realized as – not just as a chef proprietor – but as a businessman, we need to take advantage of this.”

That’s when the restaurant rolled out a special “Stock Show” menu, with steaks and side dishes, and turned its focus on providing quicker service.

The 23 days of Stock Show became the busiest period for the restaurant, every year. Last year, it amounted to over 25% of his total annual sales, according to Thomson.

The staff members at MICHAELS were all gearing towards another stellar Stock Show business period, albeit cautiously and hopefully. Following the fallout from COVID-19 that has affected restaurants

Chef Michael S. Thomson at work / Glen E. Ellman

throughout Fort Worth, the consistently expected droves of restaurant patrons might have just turned the underwhelming year around.

Then, on Oct. 9, the executive committee of FWSSR announced the decision to cancel the 2021 show, citing health risks from the coronavirus.

“It has historically been our best time of the year.

So getting this – the stock show cancelled, I mean,” Thomson said with a sigh, “we were praying that it wasn’t going to happen. Because with COVID, you know, we’d lost out on a lot of things.”

The cancellation of the Stock Show is yet another big blow not only to him, but so to every other local businesses in the area, Thomson said.

According to official estimates, more than 1.2 million guests, exhibitors and competitors would have attended the event, with daily Stock Show attendance exceeding 140,000.

Internal visitors and guests coming from approximately 234 Texas counties as well as all parts of the world, the event would have garnered millions of dollars in. direct and indirect financial impact to the local economy. A 2015 study puts that number to more than $88.6 million.

And with the move to the newly-built, 716,00-square-foot Dickies Arena, plans for the Stock Show were going to get larger.

“This is a heartbreaking decision for our leadership and was not made lightly,” Brad Barnes, Stock Show president and general manager, said in a statement regarding the cancelation.

The decision, however, comes as no surprise to many. There was writing on the walls already.

From Classic Rock band Kiss to pro-Wrestling shows and a national-level women’s gymnastics championship, among various others, all shows scheduled to take place in Dickies Arena since March until now have either been cancelled or postponed.

The same is true for almost all other larger-scale events throughout the Cultural District and Fort Worth as a whole.

“The question would be that if [FWSSR] were to happen, would it still be the same economic engine that we’ve experienced in previous years?” Dustin Van Orne, chairman of the Fort Worth Cultural District Alliance, asked rhetorically.

“I think all signs would be pointing to the fact that it would not, based on what every other institution and event is experiencing right now,” Van Orne said. “An event that’s as expensive to produce as the Stock Show and Rodeo, I have to imagine that their decision was not made with glee.”

Van Orne pointed out to how social restrictions or digital trends, like virtual gathering, would needed to have been placed to move forward with hosting the Stock Show.

“From an economic perspective, the cost of an event that size, it just seems like it would be a difficult hurdle to try and recoup the cost of an event when you may only expect 20 to 30% of your normal attendance,” Van Orne said.

It will be a while, it seems, for normalcy to return.

In any given year, a bustling art and culture scene would have been present in the Cultural District. At present, the museums and arenas are hollow and the many cafes, bars and restaurants only slightly abuzz.

Van Orne and the Fort Worth Cultural District Alliance, which represents more than a hundred business and tourism leaders, have seen numerous businesses suffer from the lack of commerce this year.

“Just a general disappointment to the whole situation,” Van Orne said.

“It’s just a really tough year,” he said. “And the more that we can do as a community to kind of circle around these small businesses that are, that are struggling, and have been struggling throughout the year, the better.”

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FortWorthBusiness.com

REAL ESTATE: Home sales

Fort Worth homes sales up in September Solid economic data for residential construction FWBP Staff and Associated Press

T

he median price for Fort Worth homes increased 8.9 percent year-over-year to $250,000 in September 2020.

Fort Worth home sales also increased 21.3 percent during the same time frame.

In addition to the higher prices and increased sales, Fort Worth’s monthly housing inventory was down to 1.6 months, 1 month less than the year prior. The Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University cites that 6.5 months of inventory represents a market in which supply and demand for homes is balanced.

“Our lives have changed so much this year, and so has the real estate market,” said Shelby Kimball, 2020 President of the Greater Fort Worth Association of REALTORS®. “We continue to see historically low inventory, causing prices to climb by 9 to 16 percent compared to September of last year. Until more people start putting their homes on the market and new builds increase, we’ll continue with this supply shortage and its effects.”

Homes spent an average of 35 days on the market, four days less than in September 2019. Additionally, active listings decreased 37.3 percent to 1,764 listings in September 2020.

The Fort Worth and Tarrant County results reflect the generally solid performance of residential real estate around the county.

Pending home sales in August continued to move upward, marking four uninterrupted months of positive contract activity, according to the National Association of Realtors. Each of the four major regions experienced growth in month-over-month and year-over-year pending home sales transactions.

The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on contract signings, rose 8.8% to 132.8 – a record high – in August. Yearover-year, contract signings rose 24.2%.

An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001.

“Tremendously low mortgage rates – below 3% – have again helped pending home sales climb in August,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.

“Additionally, the Fed intends to hold short-term fed funds rates near 0% for the foreseeable future, which should in the absence of inflationary pressure keep mortgage rates low, and that will undoubtably aid homebuyers

continuing to enter the marketplace.”

The trend doesn’t seem to be abating anytime soon.

U.S. construction spending increased 1.4% in August, led by a surge in singlefamily homes.

The gain was double the 0.7% increase in July, the Commerce Department reported Oct. 15, and the August gain was better than economists had been expecting. In an additional sign of strength, the government revised higher its earlier estimates for spending in July and June.

Spending on residential construction rose 3.7%, with a 5.5% rise in spending on single-family homes offsetting a

0.1% dip in apartment construction, a smaller and more volatile sector.

Spending on nonresidential construction fell by 0.3% with hotels, office building and shopping centers all suffering declines.

Total government construction rose a slight 0.1% with spending on highway projects up 1.9%.

“While the outlook for nonresidential and public construction is less certain, the trend in residential should improve further, reflecting strong demand for homes as seen in new and existing home sales,” said Rubeela Farooqi, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics.

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REAL ESTATE: Home sales

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September 2020 Fort Worth Statistics At-A-Glance • 1,315 - Homes sold in September 2020, 21.3 percent more than September 2019 • $250,000 - Median price in September 2020, 8.9 percent more than September 2019 • 1.6 - Monthly housing inventory in September 2020, 1.0 months less than in September 2019 • 35 - Average number of days homes spent on the market in September 2020, four days less than September 2019 • 35 - Average number of days to close in September 2020

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Commentary

FortWorthBusiness.com

Five Trends that Could Define Our Post-Coronavirus Lives

A

Richard Holt

s the Metroplex continues to grapple with the impact of COVID-19, one thing is certain: We are experiencing one of the rare events in history that is likely to completely reshape geopolitics, societies and markets.

We don’t see COVID-19 as just a temporary crisis but as a permanent disruptor, which could ultimately allow Dallas and Fort Worth businesses to drive innovation and change.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 created health, economic, environmental and social challenges around the world. The consequences will be far-reaching, potentially ranging from further tectonic shifts, to localization for the U.S. supply chains, to new views on the roles of technology and government, and our approaches to health care and consumerism.

A new report from BofA Global Research, “The World after COVID,” studied 3,000 companies across 25 different market sectors and identified five megatrends. These trends outline changes that are likely to have a lasting impact on business and society.

Geopolitics and Globalization

Joan D’Amico

Post-COVID-19, we should see higher investments in data tracing to better prepare for future health crises.

A shift from globalization to localization was underway before the coronavirus struck, but analysts now anticipate a much faster-than-expected shift in manufacturing away from China. Trade tensions between China and the U.S. have continued to grow, with China’s global share of manufacturing rising from 3% in 1990 to 25% in 2020. Also, as consumers have become savvier, there is a greater focus on sustainability and social and environmental issues that could drive the trend away from globalization.

Tech Wars Amidst increasing competition for tech supremacy between China and the U.S., analysts predict both countries ramping up tech investments. Post-COVID-19, we should see higher investments in data tracing to better prepare for future health crises. COVID-19 has also significantly increased the use of technology to support remote working environments, with 50% of sector analysts expecting technology investments to grow.

Other anticipated investments include new communication infrastructures such as 5G, data generation, cloud computing power and bandwidth, as well as an increased focus on advanced technologies like autonomous vehicles, quantum computing and vertical farming.

Unsplash

Commentary

october 19-November 1, 2020

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Unsplash

Big Government COVID-19 has driven governments worldwide to adopt an expanded social mandate to protect their citizens. Increased government surveillance, aimed at stemming future outbreaks, will likely raise debates over the greater social good versus individual privacy.

Governments may also influence companies to shift away some focus from shareholder returns toward other priorities and stakeholders, including improved benefits for workers and efforts to solve climate change.

A Greater Focus on Health COVID-19 has drawn attention to the importance of health care and the critical role it plays in national security and economic growth. Twothirds of analysts surveyed believe that employee health care is likely to grow as an important Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factor for company coverage while fueling debates about universal health care in the U.S.

The pandemic has also drawn focus to other health issues, including drug pricing, antibiotic resistance and future pandemic prevention. Health care systems that prioritize preventative care and utilize advanced technology, such as big data, AI, telehealth and wearables, could be more efficient and critical to maintaining a healthier world population postCOVID-19.

The New Consumer Gen Z has grown up online and is well-equipped to thrive in a digital world. In contrast, older generations have been slower to embrace new technologies, such as streaming, social media and online shopping, but have been forced to adapt in a world of quarantine and social distancing.

Many of these new habits are likely to stick, in our view, which has implications for business strategies going forward. However, Gen Z is also the most vulnerable to reduced long-term earning potential due to the coronavirus.

We have little doubt that COVID-19 will have

a significant and lasting impact on our world, dramatically accelerating political, economic and psychological transformations.

Every crisis in history has left a legacy of innovation.

In the 14th century, the Black Death killed nearly one-third of Europe’s population, resulting in a labor shortage that in turn led to higher wages and the dismantling of feudalism.

After the oil shock of the 1970s, the world became more conscious of energy conservation and efficiency.

As we have learned from past crises, from pandemics to world wars, humans are resilient, and disruption can drive innovation and positive change.

To learn more about these five post-coronavirus trends and the industries that could benefit, read the BofA Global Research primer, “The World after COVID:” http://bit.ly/BofA-After-COVID Richard Holt is the Greater Dallas and Central Texas Market Executive for Global Commercial Banking, Bank of America and Joan D’Amico is the North Texas Market Executive for Global Commercial Banking, Bank of America

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FortWorthBusiness.com

UMB Bank continues growth in DFW market

Looking for more real estate opportunities ROBERT FRANCIS

rfrancis@bizpress.net

The FDIC has released its latest Summary of Deposits report as of June 30, 2020, and the reports showed that UMB market share in the Dallas-Fort Worth MSA jumped 9 spots to 52, up from 61 last year.

The bank is up 81% year-over-year vs. the market growth of 28.2%, according to the FDIC’s statistics.

Kansas City-based UMB Bank entered the Texas market in 2013 – with one person in Dallas – and expanded into Fort Worth with the acquisition of Marquette Financial Companies and Meridian Bank Texas.

UMB Bank added an investment banking team and a private wealth group in 2016, then made a bigger splash when it moved into the high-profile 777 Main building in 2018.

UMB likes to have downtown banks in all of its major metro locations “to really be a center of that community, because we invest heavily in the communities that we do business in, not only financially, but with our people,” Michael Garner, Texas and Oklahoma regional president, said before the bank moved into the building.

Garner said things have gone well for the bank and in the Dallas and Fort Worth markets in particular this year.

“Things have gone well for us locally, and it’s hard work and being diligent with our clients and making sure we’re staying ahead of things with them. And it’s been going very well,” he said.

Garner said the bank has used technology to its advantage during the COVID-19 crisis to remain connected to clients.

“It [COVID-19] took away some of the in-person contact but picking up the phone and having just an old-fashioned conversation went a long way,” he said. “Just being able to pick up the phone and have a conversation versus relying on email and text was helpful. People were eager to talk to one another and so I found that very insightful.”

Garner said the UMB clients have also done well reaching out to the bank, utilizing the UMB app and mobile deposits during the pandemic.

Courtesy

october 19-November 1, 2020

REAL ESTATE

23

“They were already moving in that direction, so the impact didn’t really – in my mind – affect them as much because they were already doing the things to be efficient as a business in the first place. And now, getting access to see their banker in person, that’s about the only thing that was impacted, but we’ve leveraged the video technology to be able to have that.

While it’s not in person, you can see each other face to face via video and make the best of what technology has provided us,” he said.

Regarding UMB Bank’s growth in the market, Garner pointed to “a great group of bankers.”

“They have just done an outstanding job of helping build our brand, attract great customers to the bank and really helping us execute on our business strategy going into the market. And I think that’s been probably the biggest thing for us,” he said.

Garner said that despite UMB Bank’s size ($23.3 billion in assets), the bank tries to be “nimble, flexible and responsive.”

“That goes a long way when you’re trying to run an organization and not just get tied up in policy and guidelines,” he said. “It’s trying to find an answer. It’s trying to find a resolution for your client who maybe has an interesting situation. And we try to do that and try to take that approach.”

UMB has been around for 107 years, Garner noted.

“It has been a very stable organization, and it’s the trust and relationships we built with clients that really are what I think the foundation is of who UMB as an organization has become. And so that really helped propelled us through this time,” he said.

In the real estate area, UMB Bank is still finding a lot of ways to do a lot of real estate in today’s market, said Greg Sudavill, Senior Vice President and Regional Commercial Real Estate Manager at UMB in Fort Worth “We’re being more cautious and we are looking at different property types a little bit differently today, but there’s not even one property type that we’re absolutely saying that we’re not going to do any of here over the next three to six months or a year,” he said.

“We are continuing to do those things where we’re very much supporting our customers. We look at this kind of time as a great time for us to try to find new, good customers who possibly don’t feel that they’re being treated as well as they’d like to at their bank.

UMB usually excels in these kinds of markets after the downturn,” Sudavill said.

Sudavill said that in 2010, the bank found a lot of new customers following the 2008-2009 recession.

Garner said the bank plans to grow its real estate business.

“We’re definitely in the market for new opportunities and have capital to grow within our real estate group,” he said.

Michael Garner, Texas and Oklahoma regional president / Fort Worth Business Press

UMB Bank Market Share 2020 UMB ranks No. 1 for market share in its headquarters of Kansas City with 23% of the total market share.

UMB is ranked in the Top 5 for market share in five cities within its footprint, including: • Kansas City (No. 1) • Colorado Springs (No. 5 and the first time to be in the Top 5) • St. Joseph (No. 5 and the first time to be in the Top 5) • Warrensburg (No. 5) • Atchison (No. 3) • In other major markets, UMB ranks in the Top 10 for market share, including:

• St. Louis (No. 10 and first time to be in Top 10) • Joplin (No. 9) • Salina (No. 6) • Columbia (No. 10 and first time to be in Top 10) Market share in the Dallas-Fort Worth region jumped nine spots to No. 52, where the bank is up 81% year-over-year vs. the market growth of 28.2% Market share growth in Denver was up 40.9% vs. the market growth of 22.3% Source: UMB Bank

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FortWorthBusiness.com

NEWS

Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison receives H. Neil Mallon Award FWBP STAFF

T

he World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth presented the 37th annual H. Neil Mallon Award to Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison Oct. 9 in a livestream event for its underwriters and supporters.

The award is presented annually to individuals who have excelled at promoting the international focus of North Texas. It is named for H. Neil Mallon, the late chairman of Dresser Industries and founder of the Council in 1951.

Former Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert L. Gates joined Hutchison for a wide-ranging armchair conversation at the event which was chaired

by Ray L. Hunt and presented by the men and women of Hunt Consolidated Inc. The evening was underwritten by Bell, ExxonMobil, Haynes and Boone, LLP, Hillwood, the O’Donnell Foundation and Vistra Energy. PwC sponsored the livestream production.

Hutchison, who was elected in 1993 as the first female United States Senator from Texas, has served as the United States Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization since 2017. The Galveston native is a longtime resident of Dallas.

Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison accepting the H. Neil Mallon Award from the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth.

World Affairs Council

From left: Robert L. Gates, Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison and Council President/CEO Jim Falk.

World Affairs Council

“Ambassador Hutchison’s distinguished service embodies the spirit of this award,” said Jim Falk, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council. “The past recipients of the Mallon award represent the very best from our region; individuals who have truly made a contribution to our region, state, country and in a few cases – such as this year’s honoree – a contribution to the world.”

Past recipients of the Mallon Award include President George H.W. Bush, Vice President Richard B. Cheney, Lucy Billingsley, Ray L. Hunt, Stanley Marcus, Ross Perot and Ross Perot Jr. and Secretary Rex Tillerson.

In 2019, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings was honored.

Platinum patrons whose donations support the Council’s mission and programs were Marjorie A. Adams, AT&T, Baker Botts L.L.P., Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Foley & Lardner LLP, Greenberg Traurig LLP, Maisie L. Heiken, HKS Inc., Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison, Kosmos Energy LLP, KPMG, Mercado369, Petro-Hunt LLC, PwC, Texas Capital Bank, Texas Instruments and Wipro.

october 19-November 1, 2020

NEWS

25

Share your memories and make art history FWBP STAFF

F O R T

W O R T H

in Association with

O P E R A presents

Saturday, November 7 at 2:00pm & Sunday, November 8 at 2:00p.m.

At Farrington Field Parking Lot.

PAY WHA YOU T CAN !

Artwork proposal renderings courtesy Refik Anadol Studio

The Arts Council of Fort Worth has announced that through October, residents have a unique opportunity to participate in the creation of an exciting audio/video artwork titled Pioneer Tower Dreams.

Artist Refik Anadol has launched a Call for Memories website ( www. pioneertowerdreams.org ) to accept images and/or stories associated with any location in the city.

These memories will contribute to a vast pool of data which will be processed by machine-learning algorithms and transformed into a dreamlike visualization of Fort Worth’s collective memory, the arts council said in a news release.

The resulting artwork will be projected onto the facades of the historic 204-foot Pioneer Tower at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in the Cultural District during a free public event currently scheduled for late February 2021.

Refik Anadol Studio was commissioned by the city based on a proposal which seeks to “celebrate the people, places, histories, and dreams of the city that have been woven together through interpersonal and social interactions over the years.”

Since memories are strongly linked to spaces, the artwork will focus on physical environments in Fort Worth where those interactions took place.

Pioneer Tower is the first of four distinct gathering places in the city to receive major artworks as recommended in the Fort Worth Public Art Master Plan Update, adopted by City Council in 2017.

In addition to the City of Fort Worth’s investment, the project was recently awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Texas Commission on the Arts through the efforts of the Arts Council of Fort Worth which manages the Fort Worth Public Art program.

Watch the live performance of Stone Soup, A Children’s Opera in One Act. Saturday, November 7 | Food distribution day is reserved for families of TAFB and community service organizations.

Sunday, November 8 | Food drive day is open to the general public with a suggested food pantry donation of 4 kid-friendly, non-perishable food items and a suggested ticket price PAY WHAT YOU CAN Children are taught a beautiful lesson on how they and their community are coming together to support all children, just as they did in the story. On Sunday, FOOD DRIVE DAY, place your food donation in our life-sized cauldron in a show of support for other families in the community.

Socially distanced performances will take place at: Farrington Field parking lot 1400 Foch St., Fort Worth, TX 76107 For tickets and other information please visit fwopera.org/stone-soup or use the QR code.

MELLON FOUNDATION

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NEWS

FortWorthBusiness.com

TOP 100

The Top 100 event is getting close. Do you have your tickets yet?

Join us for a celebration of accomplishments both last year and this year in a time of unprecedented challenges.

It’s time for the 2020 Top 100 Awards.

The Fort Worth Business Press announces a group of business leaders who excelled in 2019 and continue to find success under the difficult, unexpected circumstances in 2020.

The Top 100 event honoring these leaders will be Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the lush outdoor gardens of Joe T. Garcia’s, starting at 6 p.m. for networking. Dinner will begin between 6:30 -7 p.m. The venue is large and open so everyone can celebrate in a friendly, inviting, socially distanced space.

“We have one of the best groups of top business leaders in Tarrant County this year,” said Richard Connor, owner and publisher of the Fort Worth Business Press. “They are all incredible folks and you’ll want to get to know them better. We have a venue where we can both social distance and have fun – Joe T’s. This will be a great night and a time to gather and celebrate, safely and in true Fort Worth fashion.”

Who are we honoring?

Here are some of our honorees: • David J. Endicott, CEO of Alcon, Top Public CEO. • Brad Hunstable, CEO of Linear Labs: Top Private CEO. • Bob Jameson, President/CEO of Visit Fort Worth: Business Advocate of the Year.

• Jonathan Morris, Owner of Fort Worth Barber Shop, Hotel Dryce and recently announced as the host of a program on entrepreneurs on the Magnolia Network: Entrepreneur of the Year.

Ben Rosenthal

Bob Jameson

• Ben Rosenthal, Co-President/CEO of Standard Meat Company: Next Generation Award.

Where: Joe T. Garcia’s outdoor patio Tickets: Individual: $175 Harriet Harral

Ian MacLean

• Harriet Harral, Retired Director of Leadership Fort Worth: Legacy Award.

Table: $1,250

For more information: https://fortworthbusiness.com/events/

• Ian MacLean, Owner of Highland Landscaping: Top Family Business.

• Derrick Martin, Owner of Smoke-A-Holics BBQ: Small But Mighty Award.

Celebrating the 2020 Top 100 When: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6 p.m.

• Rosa Navejar, Owner of The Rios Group: Top Woman-Owned Business.

• Laura Hilgart, CEO of The Women’s Center of Tarrant County: Nonprofit CEO of the Year.

Brad Hunstable

Or contact Jan Simus at 817-763-5087 or Jonathan Morris

Rosa Navejar

j.simus@jansimusevents.com

27

october 19-November 1, 2020

We Are Better Together!

Come Help Guide the Future of Fort Worth Become a Member of The Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth Today!

With over 400 members, the Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth is THE unified voice for the commercial real estate industry in Tarrant County.

UNION GOSPEL MISSION OF TARRANT COUNTY @ HOME

HEART^ FOR THE HOMELESS

PRESENTED BY GM FINANCIAL BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

JOSH WEATHERS

NOVEMBER 10, 2020

WWW.HEARTFORHOMELESS.COM

An Antiquing

Adventure AwAits

Newton’s News Events in & Around Town To post or update your event(s), email: jnewton@bizpress.net 2 Fridays prior to Monday publication

Jodye Newton, Director of Diversity and Inclusion

open dAily

MontgoMery Street Antique MAll A Fort Worth tradition since 1994 with over 61,000 Sq. Ft. to explore!

A fantastic selection in a fun and casual atmosphere. Voted “Best Antiques” in the Star-Telegram’s “Reader’s Choice Awards” year after year.

2601 Montgomery St. Fort Worth, Tx 76107 817.735.9685 Mall Hours: Mon-Sat: 10-6 | Sun: 12-6 Secret Garden Restaurant Hours: Mon-Fri: 11- 3 | Sat: 11-4 Sun: 12-4

Cooper Street Antique MAll

APARTMENT ASSOCIATION OF TARRANT COUNTY Contact Perry Pillow @ (817) 616-0354 For Information On Events & Location Visit our website at www.aatcnet.org for updates on events

ARLINGTON BOARD OF REALTORS® Contact Teri Woodson @ (817) 701-2490, ext. 16 For Information On Events & Location Visit our website at www.arlingtonrealtor.com for updates on events

GREATER FORT WORTH ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Contact Alyssa Born @ (817) 336-5165 For Information On Events & Location Visit our website at www.gfwar.org for updates on events

GREATER FORT WORTH BUILDERS ASSOCIATION Contact Kimberly Eaton-Pregler @ (817) 284-3566 For Information on Events & Location Visit our website at www.gfwbatx.com for updates on events

Continuning our great tradition in Arlington with over 53,000 Sq. Ft. for shopping!

4905 South Cooper Arlington, Tx 76017 817.557.6215

Visit and fall in love with our beautiful store and the amazing delightful selections. There’s something for everyone, so enjoy the search.

Mall Hours: Mon-Sat: 10-6 | Sun: 12-6

Visit our website at www.gfwaiws.rapams.com for updates on events

Tin Tulip Tea Room Hours: Tues-Fri: 11- 3 | Sat: 11-4 Sun: 12-4

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS, FW REGION Contact Angela Gilchrist @ (817) 470-3941 For Information On Events & Location

treAt yourself & your friends Fort Worth’s

Arlington’s

Secret Garden Restaurant

Tin Tulip Tea Room

FORT WORTH SOCIETY OF COMMERCIAL REALTORS® Contact Alyssa Born @ (817) 336-5165, ext. 112 For Information On Events & Location

Visit our website at www.nareb.com for updates on events

FORT WORTH METROPOLITAN BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Contact Darryl Brewer @ (817) 871-6558 For Information on Events & Location Visit our website at www.fwmbcc.org for updates on events

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NEWS

Lane Kuntz

FortWorthBusiness.com

NEWSMAKERS

Jamie Mendoza

ADVERTISING/MARKETING Fort Worth’s public transit system, Trinity Metro, and its advertising/marketing agency of record, J.O. Agency, have created an integrated campaign to tackle any concerns about riding public transportation during the pandemic.

The upbeat campaign featured video and digital advertising – all done with volunteer principals and extras, including staff, a creative promotional twist and a strategic media buy. The objective was to increase ridership while building customer trust, Trinity Metro and J.O. said in a news release.

The marketing challenge was to reassure prospective riders that using the service was safe.

J.O. Agency saw an opportunity to communicate the changes to consumers in a reassuring yet lighthearted way. To put riders at ease about returning to public transit, the agency developed the “We Got You!” campaign. Advertising features staff and passengers in colorful face masks following the protocols while interacting and dancing to upbeat music.

The campaign has delivered over 20 million impressions and the combined ridership of buses, Trinity Railway Express, TEXRail and The Dash has increased 10.6 percent between May and August.

Balcom Agency has hired Lane Kuntz as group director to lead several clients within health care and pharmaceuticals. Kuntz brings nearly 20 years of corporate communications, sales, marketing and regulatory experience to the agency.

Before joining the Balcom team, Kuntz spent her career working in the pharmaceutical industry, most recently serving as associate director of communications (North America) for Galderma, a global skin health pharmaceutical company based in Fort Worth.

In her new role at Balcom, Kuntz

Ryan Noel

guides strategic marketing communications and oversees an account service team supporting Smith+Nephew’s Advanced Wound Management division.

Glint Advertising has added a vice president and an account director. Jamie Mendoza, a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, comes aboard as an account director. Mendoza earned a bachelor’s in journalism and minored in enterprise studies from the Gaylord College of Communication and Journalism, one of the country’s top 10 journalism programs.

Mendoza was a digital strategist for Lindsey + Asp, OU’s studentrun advertising and public relations agency, where she managed local and national clients.

Mendoza was also the public relations director for Sooner Sportspad, an award-winning sports television show, where sports analysts interview OU athletes and discuss all Oklahoma sports. The show is televised nationwide on Fox Sports and has a live studio audience every week.

Newly appointed Vice President Ryan Noel came to Glint Advertising because he believes in providing his clients with a holistic approach to their marketing strategy and that keeping the brand at the forefront of their work will always offer results, the company said in a news release.

As part of the leadership team, he is growing agency businesses on both the traditional and digital marketing side and brings a fresh and unique viewpoint to all of the work provided to clients, the company said.

Noel is active in the community as a member of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce - North Area Council; Vision FW Marketing Chairman; the Young Professional Summit Committee; and as a member of the advisory board of The Shaken Baby Alliance.

James I. Cash

Rosa Navejar

EDUCATION The Harvard Business School is renaming a building on its campus in honor of James I. Cash, a 1965 graduate of I.M. Terrell High School and member of the Fort Worth ISD Wall of Fame.

Cash joined the faculty of Harvard Business School in 1976 and became its first Black tenured professor in 1985. He served as chairman of the school’s MBA program.

Cash was an athletic and academic standout at I.M. Terrell.

After high school, he became the first Black basketball scholarship player at TCU. An Academic AllAmerican, he helped the Horned Frogs win the 1967-68 Southwest Conference championship. In 2014, he was inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame, the school district said in a news release.

Cash received a bachelor of science in math from TCU. He earned his master of science and a doctorate in computer science at Purdue University.

Cash was a pioneer in information technology, and retired from the faculty of Harvard Business School in 2003. He also served on the boards of Walmart, General Electric and Microsoft.

Cash is currently part owner of the Boston Celtics.

As Fort Worth ISD’s five Leadership Academy Network schools enter their second year under the direction of Texas Wesleyan University, a unique group of veteran educators and community leaders brought in to help guide those efforts is gaining two new members.

Joining the Leadership Academy Network’s Steering Committee are Rosa Navejar and Johnny F. Cook-Muhammed.

The Leadership Academy Network Steering Committee was formed in 2019 to support a partnership between Fort

Johnny Cook-Muhammed

Maha Haroon, M.D.

Worth ISD and Texas Wesleyan University and to sustain an academic turnaround at the Leadership Academies at Como Elementary, John T. White Elementary, Maude I. Logan Elementary, Mitchell Boulevard Elementary and Forest Oak Middle School.

Navejar brings a broad range of community leadership experience to the committee. After 25 years in the banking industry, she founded and is president of the Rios Group, a subsurface utility engineering firm. Prior to that, she served 11 years as president of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; as chairman of Visit Fort Worth; a board member at Texas Wesleyan University; and a Fort Worth City Councilappointed co-chair for the Race and Culture Task Force for the City of Fort Worth.

Navejar is also a recipient of the John V. McMillan Hall of Fame Award from the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award from the Women’s Transport Seminar.

Cook-Muhammed currently serves as a youth advocate for the Youth Advocate Programs Inc. of Tarrant County and a fatherhood program manager at the Children and Family Institute. He also has more than 20 years of experience as a mentor and leader for the Men of Umoja organization, five years as Umoja president, and serves as associate pastor for the Higher Dominion Bible Fellowship.

Other members of the Steering Committee are Jeremy Smith, president and executive director of the Rainwater Charitable Foundation; Erika Beltran, regional director at Tarrant County Leadership ISD; Hank Johnson, consultant at Region 11 Education Service Center; Norie PrideWomack, principal and founder of NEPW Consulting; Darren Moore, attorney at Bourland and Wall & Wenzel; Ken Helvey,

Betsy Price

assistant professor at the School of Education at Texas Wesleyan University; and Carlos Martinez, dean at the School of Education at Texas Wesleyan University.

FINANCE Rhodes Securities Inc., a Fort Worth-based family-owned broker/dealer firm, has opened a new Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction (OSJ), expanding its footprint into the Dallas market.

Under this OSJ, five registered representatives operating out of two offices in Dallas will continue to serve their clients, keeping all employees and independent advisors under the same structure as agreed upon by both companies.

This expansion under Rhodes Securities will streamline the Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction by not having to be their own broker/dealer.

“This further strengthens Rhodes Securities Inc. by giving us a presence in the Dallas marketplace and reflects our commitment to providing strong, diversified financial services to our registered representatives,” said CEO Rhodes Securities Gordon Rhodes.

Rhodes Securities partners with First Clearing LLC for its clearing and custodian needs and provides broker/dealer services and financial opportunities to professional independent registered representatives.

Products and services offered include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, options, CDs, qualified retirement plans, variable annuities.

Insurance, financial planning and other Investment advisory services are available through Rhodes Investment Advisors.

GOVERNMENT Gleniece Robinson retired from the City of Fort Worth Sept. 30 after a career that began in 1999

october 19-November 1, 2020

Mike Anderson

Hadley Woerner

as the public library director.

She held that position until she retired from the job in 2017 to become the city’s director of education strategies.

That was new position created to identify a role for the City of Fort Worth in support of public education, specifically grade-level reading, the city said in a news release.

Under Robinson’s leadership, the library conducted its first master plan in 2003, which focused on services.

The plan resulted in a new automation system, new computers for staff and the public and an increase in the materials budget. Other changes included improved marketing of the collection by moving adult popular titles from the basement to the ground floor, which led to an increase in materials borrowed.

Awards and recognitions include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Library Association in 2013; being named a Great Women of Texas by the Fort Worth Business Press in 2016; and a Paul Harris Fellow designation by the Fort Worth Rotary Club.

The Gleniece A. Robinson Education Fund was created by the Fort Worth Public Library Foundation in 2017 as she transitioned from library director to director of education strategies.

HEALTH CARE Maha Haroon, M.D., has joined HMA Pediatrics, soon to be Burleson Pediatrics, part of Texas Health Medical Associates.

Haroon’s office is located at 11807 South Freeway, Suite 365, on the Texas Health Huguley campus in Medical Office Building 4.

NEWSMAKERS

Brian Coltharp

The DFW Hospital Council has announced the 2020 recipients of its annual awards with Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price to receive the Distinguished Health Service Award; Dustin Anthamatten, vice president of operations at Methodist Charlton Medical Center, named the Young Healthcare Executive of the Year; and John W. Creecy, board member at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth, selected as the Kerney Laday Sr. Trustee of the Year.

The tribute video honoring the recipients will be sponsored in part by Hall Render and Campbell Wilson LLP. The council is a 90 hospital and 90 associate member trade organization with more than 50 years of service to North Texas healthcare. It is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of hospital executive officers.

HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS Paul Andrews, founder and CEO of TTI Inc., was honored with the annual Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Susan Halsey Executive Leadership Award at the Chamber’s 138th Annual Meeting on Sept. 29.

The annual meeting took place virtually on Hopin due to current recommendations on in-person events.

The award, named after the late Susan Halsey who served as chairman of the Chamber in 2013, honors leadership excellence in business in the Fort Worth metropolitan area. It recognizes presidents, principals or chief executive officers for devoting time and energy to strengthen and transform the organization they lead, the chamber said in a news release.

The award was created to honor Halsey, a formidable

Mike Scott

Paul Gravley

Fort Worth attorney and businesswoman, who passed away in December 2014. She was the managing partner of Jackson Walker LLP. “I am incredibly honored to be recognized by the Fort Worth Chamber to receive the distinguished Susan Halsey Leadership Award for 2020,” said Andrews. “In looking at the list of past recipients, I’m honored and humbled to be given a place among these respected and admired community leaders. Fort Worth is my hometown, my roots are here, which makes receiving this award all the more special to me.”

Nominees must demonstrate the ability to actively support advancement; create a vision and inspire others; establish a positive image for his or her business while leading it to higher levels of success; encourage innovation and risktaking among employees; give back to the community, and mentor, the chamber said.

The Susan Halsey Executive Leadership Award is presented

by Jackson Walker LLP. INSURANCE GEICO has opened a new local office at 4608 Bryant Irvin Road, Suite 412, in Fort Worth.

Mike Anderson will lead a team of licensed agents at the new location.

Anderson’s GEICO roots run deep, GEICO said in the announcement. He worked at GEICO’s Richardson corporate office for more than 25 years prior to opening his own local office.

During that time, he served as a sales supervisor and later moved to an IT role where he led efforts to help build GEICO’s digital sales platform.

Staff members in the office include Jennifer Reed, Sabrina

Roy Brooks

Reed, Kim Wood, Paul Hollomon, Marisol Amaya, Nichole Love and Joyce Anderson.

NONPROFITS The United Way of Tarrant County has selected Hadley Woerner, Tarrant County Regional President for Frost Bank, as chair of its annual campaign, and Brian Coltharp, president of Freese and Nichols Inc., as co-chair, officially kicking off the fundraising season.

As chair and co-chair, Woerner and Coltharp will work together to identify new companies to participate in United Way of Tarrant County’s annual campaign and build on relationships of current companies to increase financial support of the organization’s work in the community, United Way said in a news release.

Granbury Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mike Scott will retire Dec. 31 after 15 years with the Granbury chamber and more than 23 years in chamber and economic development related organizations.

Scott is a Fort Worth native and he and his family retired in Florida in 1993 after he completed 28 years as a naval aviator. Scott logged 120 combat missions in Vietnam, commanded a Naval Air Station, a squadron and was Air Boss on the USS Saratoga (CV-60), the chamber said in a news release.

Scott was development director for a Florida state college when he accepted the Granbury chamber job.

Texas Center for Arts + Academics (TCAA) has announced the appointment

Sandra Garcia

NEWS

31

Monica Vasquez

of Paul Gravley as president and chief executive officer. He assumed day-to-day leadership Oct. 2, succeeding Patricia Thomson, who had served as Interim president and chief executive officer since August 2019.

Before joining Texas Center for Arts + Academics, Gravley spent five years as executive director of The Parenting Center.

The Methodist Justice Ministry welcomes newly elected board members Commissioner Roy Brooks, Sandra Garcia and Monica Vasquez.

Frost Bank, one of the nation’s 60 largest banks, is the newest corporate partner for North Texas LEAD, the nonprofit coalition that prepares and connects experienced job-seekers with employers committed to building diverse and inclusive teams Hadley Woerner, Frost’s Tarrant Region president, joins LEAD’s Board of Directors, a significant endorsement of the work LEAD has done for more than two decades to help businesses diversify their leadership ranks and make the best use of human capital, the organization said in a news release.

Already, Frost has connected LEAD with Rod Washington, Frost’s Dallas regional president, and with Pam Cooper, Frost’s senior vice president for human resources across North Texas.

TRANSPORTATION/LOGISTICS Suddath, a global transportation, relocation and logistics company, has announced Jira Sansom as the new general manager for its Dallas-Fort Worth branch.

Sansom has more than 20 years Jira Sansom of experience in operations and logistics. Before joining Suddath, Sansom worked as a supply chain specialist at Martin Brower and before that, he served as general manager of distribution and logistics at Ryder in Hutchins.

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FortWorthBusiness.com

REAL ESTATE

Southlake Adds Fortune 50 Company, New Hotel It’s been a big month for Southlake.

First, Microsoft is heading to VariSpace Southlake, a space-as-a-service offering by Coppell-based Vari, which announced it had signed its first major tenant, a Fortune 50 company that moves in on Jan. 1, 2021.

Microsoft later confirmed it has signed a short-term lease at 1900 West Kirkwood Blvd., the VariSpace site, and will be utilizing the space to accommodate current growth while it continues work on the modernization project underway at the software giant’s existing Las Colinas campus.

“Microsoft is constantly evaluating our real estate portfolio to ensure we provide an exceptional place to work and create greater collaboration and community for our employees around the world,” said a spokesperson for Microsoft. “The company considers various real estate strategies, including traditional and co-working options, to determine which best supports specific business objectives in markets,” she said.

The former Vista at Solana sat empty for 11 years before Vari purchased it as its second VariSpace location.

Vari

That wasn’t Microsoft’s only Northeast Tarrant County-related news.

On Oct. 8, Microsoft announced a partnership with Grapevine’s GameStop. The deal sent the stock of the struggling retailer up $1.81 to $10.56.

This lease at VariSpace fills a long gap in occupancy for the building, as the former Vista at Solana sat empty for 11 years before Vari purchased it as its second VariSpace location. In the last year, it has been revitalized and now includes over 30,000 square feet world class amenities.

VariSpace Southlake will welcome Microsoft as itsfirst major tenant on Jan. 1, 2021./ Vari

“Since acquiring the building last fall, we’ve been hard at work completely renovating the building, layering all the hospitality touches and amenities so it all rolls into a simple, fully-managed solution.” said Jason McCann, co-founder and CEO, Vari. “I’m so thrilled to officially sign our first tenant at VariSpace Southlake and look forward to showcasing our remaining 250,000 square feet to the rest of the DFW marketplace.”

Also joining the Southlake community is Delta Hotels by Marriott, which announced on Sept. 28 that the official grand opening of the Delta Hotels by Marriott Dallas Southlake is scheduled for midNovember 2020.

The hotel, owned by an affiliate of RREAF Holdings and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, is located at the intersections of State Highway 114 and White Chapel Boulevard in Southlake.

“Our focus at this world-class hotel is on doing the simple things perfectly, featuring a clean aesthetic and a modern take on comfort,” said Hotel Manager John Emmett. “Every touchpoint is masterfully designed and prioritized to meticulously and seamlessly deliver the key essentials guests need and eliminate everything they don’t.”

The hotel includes 240 guestrooms with premium bedding and towels, large workspaces and free bottled water, plus access to the hotel’s complimentary Wi-Fi throughout, hydration stations on each floor, chef-inspired grab-and-go food market, a 24-hour elite pantry, a premium full-service fitness center, a luxurious outdoor pool and lounge area, and a much-talked-about heightened culinary experience.

The grand opening of the Delta Hotels by Marriott Dallas Southlake is scheduled for mid-November 2020.

Delta Hotels by Marriott

october 19-November 1, 2020

REAL ESTATE

33

The new Southlake hotel features a premium full-service fitness center and a luxurious outdoor pool and lounge area. / Delta Hotels by Marriott

FIGHT CANCER With so many ways to fight prostate cancer, you also need a way to decide which is right for you.

In many cases, early detection of prostate cancer means a period of watching and waiting. This can give patients a chance to research the wide variety of treatments and therapies available. At Texas Oncology, we’re here to help you understand your options and choose the right treatment for you.

Chef Dean Fearing’s influence will be seen in the hotel’s Sky Creek Kitchen and Bar. Delta Hotels by Marriott

Celebrity chef and iconic restaurateur Dean Fearing has consulted on plans for the hotel’s Sky Creek Kitchen and Bar featuring an elevated Southwestern cuisine and exceptional craft beverages.

In addition to Emmett, the hotel’s leadership team includes the following hospitality industry veterans: Opening Manager John Yeung, Director of Group Sales John Crosier, Director of Food & Beverage and Executive Chef Enam Chowdhury, Chef de Cuisine Jose Soto and Catering Manager Gino Del Valle.

The six-story hotel includes 10,000 feet of technologically advanced meeting and conference facilities consisting of eight meeting rooms, including the Chisholm Trail Ballroom. The hotel will soon be accepting reservations for guest room stays, dining reservations, corporate meetings, catered events, weddings, bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs.

The Delta Hotels by Marriott Dallas Southlake anchors a 16-acre mixed-use development that also features office and retail space to serve the booming area.

To learn more about prostate cancer treatment options and how Texas Oncology can help, visit ProstateRadiationTherapy.com.

TEXAS ONCOLOGY–FORT WORTH CANCER CENTER 500 S. Henderson Street Fort Worth, TX 76104 • 817-413-1500 TEXAS ONCOLOGY–SOUTHWEST FORT WORTH 6500 Harris Parkway Fort Worth, TX 76132 • 817-263-2600 TEXAS ONCOLOGY–CLEBURNE 191 Walls Drive Cleburne, TX 76033 • 817-648-0120 TEXAS ONCOLOGY–WEATHERFORD 911 Foster Lane Weatherford, TX 76086 • 817-597-7900

11901 Blue Creek Drive $425,000 Jennifer Demel 817-909-6440 and Sam Demel 817-899-6899

411 W. 7th St. #206 $489,000 Lori Gallagher 817-475-5117

www.burtladner.com | 817.882.6688 6115 Camp Bowie Blvd., Suite 240 Fort Worth, Tx 76116

4424 Overton Terrace $540,000 Laura Ladner 817-832-4732 and Suzanne Burt 817-996-4838

34

NEWS

FortWorthBusiness.com

REAL DEALS

Sun Valley Industrial Park / Empire Texas Equities

Sun Valley Industrial Park transformed Empire Texas Equities Ltd., a real estate investment and management firm, has transformed Sun Valley Industrial Park into a first-class business park over the last decade, and its latest transformation is two state-of-the-art, 13,036-squarefoot flex spaces located at 4808 and 4809 Vesta Farley in southeast Fort Worth. Todd Hubbard, president of Fort Worth for NAI Robert Lynn, is the owner’s broker, representing lease negotiations.

The new buildings are ready for industrial tenants, and six more buildings from the portfolio will be ready in 2021.

The buildings range from 12,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet. Each building comes with oversized 14-foot roll-up doors, fully secured HVAC and electric panels, large, fenced and concrete storage yards, a high-end security system and smart phone integration.

“Thanks to modern interior and exterior aesthetics, we’re offering regional companies an opportunity to have a functional, first-class headquarters facility while also offering national companies a facility that is equivalent to any high-end industrial facility across the country,” said Sandra McGlothlin, owner of Empire Texas Equities, Empire Roofing and Empire Disposal. “While we own and operate many

Rodeo moves to Old Hemphill Road Plaza Tierra Caliente LLC has purchased 19.840 acres located at 6250 Old Hemphill Road in South Fort Worth. This new development with a new Rodeo Arena will include a large stage for live music entertainment that will also include vendors and a new restaurant coming in the summer of 2021. Monika Guzman with NAI Robert Lynn represented the buyer.

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey-based Kennedy Funding, announced Oct. 6 it has closed a $1.96 million land loan to Plaza Tierra Caliente Inc., based in Fort Worth.

Loan proceeds will be used to cash out on two tracts of land totaling 11.59 acres, located at 850 and 1000 Oak Grove Road in Fort Worth, that are already owned by the borrower. Funds will be used toward the acquisition of 19.8 acres located at 6250 Old Hemphill Road, which is near the Oak Grove Road properties. The borrower is under contract to sell the Oak Grove Road properties for $2 million and is under contract to acquire the Hemphill Road property for $1.75 million.

“The borrower came to us with an unusual set of circumstances, but we were able to find a way to secure the funding he needed,” said Edwin Urrego, executive loan officer, Kennedy Funding. “As a direct private lender, we have the freedom and flexibility to examine every deal as it stands on its own merits.”

properties, our passion has always been investing in the area in our backyard, and it is great to elevate this location with the construction of these unique, ground-up construction facilities. We are proud to be a part of the continued transformation of southeast Fort Worth.”

Sun Valley Industrial Park features high-end office finishes and easy highway access. Office amenities include solid core doors, brushed stainless steel hardware, modern style floors and separate office and warehouse bathrooms. The property is less than three minutes from Loop 820, Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 287, and it’s 29 minutes from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

“It’s been rewarding to see this area and industrial park transform,” Hubbard said. “It has the functionality of the most sought-after Industrial space with oversized doors and outdoor storage, but it comes with the modern amenities of a Class A office space. That’s almost impossible to find.”

Empire Texas Equities owns and manages more than 80 properties across Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and Georgia including industrial, office, flex and retail. Empire Texas Equities is a member of the Empire family of companies, which includes Fort Worth-based Empire Roofing, the largest commercial roofing company in the southern United States with 14 locations and Empire Disposal, which services the DFW metroplex.

SALES According to Jerry Price of Austin-based JPF Capital Partners and the broker on the deal, Urrego and Kennedy Funding were “very quick to respond” to Plaza Tierra Caliente’s needs.

“He and the Kennedy team were able to overcome a number of obstacles we encountered throughout the closing process and make the deal happen,” Price said.

“The city of Fort Worth has wanted to construct multifamily housing in this area for quite some time, so there was significant support to see this deal advance,” said Kevin Wolfer, CEO of Kennedy Funding.

Wolfer noted that the Old Hemphill Road property was considered an “eyesore” by the city of Fort Worth for some time.

“The Old Hemphill Road property was once a flea market and 18-wheeler parking area, but it sat idle for a long time and did not provide any value to the city or the community,” Wolfer said, adding that the city had a special-use permit zone for the property which allowed events to take place there. “The buyer has plans to transform this property into a rodeo and events center for live events.”

Wolfer called the deal a “win-win” for Fort Worth.

“These new developments will bring jobs, housing, and revenue to the city and its residents,” Wolfer said. “We are glad that we could help Plaza Tierra Caliente secure the funding needed to advance projects that will beautify and bring value to this area of Fort Worth.”

Aero / Marcus & Millichap

Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI) has sold Aero, a 200-unit apartment property in Fort Worth. Al Silva, Senior Managing Director Investments in the Fort Worth office, had the exclusive listing to market the property on behalf of the seller, a California-based private investment company. The buyer was a private out of state family office, and was also secured by Silva. Aero is located at 8300 Calmont Ave. The buyers plan to make interior improvements to make Aero a more attractive place to live for area residents.

Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI) has sold River Oaks Shopping Center, a 23,380-square foot retail property at 4847 River Oaks Blvd. The property is a 100% occupied, and anchored by Dollar Tree and La Michoacana grocery chain.

Philip Levy, Senior Managing Director Investments in

october 19-November 1, 2020

REAL DEALS

NEWS

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LEASES

Sandy Lake Office Park / EBO Marketing River Oaks Shopping Center / Marcus & Millichap

Marcus & Millichap’s Dallas office and Chris Gainey, First Vice President Investments in Marcus & Millichap’s Fort Worth office, had the exclusive listing to market the property on behalf of the seller, a developer. The buyer, a limited liability company, was also secured and represented by Levy and Gainey.

Arbor Park / Marcus & Millichap

Marcus & Millichap (NYSE: MMI) announced Oct. 7 the sale of Arbor Park, a 78-unit apartment property located in Hurst. Al Silva, Senior Managing Director Investments, and Ford Braly, First Vice President Investments, in Marcus & Millichap’s Fort Worth office, had the exclusive listing to market the property on behalf of the seller, a limited liability company. The buyer, a private investor, was also secured and represented

by Silva and Braly.

“We launched the marketing for this property in mid-April as the COVID-19 lockdown became full force. We weren’t certain how receptive the market would be to a listing, as there wasn’t really anything else for sale at the time. Utilizing our Marcus & Millichap platform, we were able to attract 11 offers despite the fact that we couldn’t even tour the property in person until the final week of marketing,” commented Silva, “We were able to deliver results exceeding our initial pricing expectations amidst the market uncertainty. This was accomplished through our team’s comprehensive and far-reaching marketing process. The buyer was able to complete their 1031 exchange and plans to make significant improvements to the exterior and unit interiors, thereby making Arbor Park a more attractive option for area renters. They assumed the existing Fannie Mae loan that had 10 years left until maturity and, by doing so, they were able to avoid capital markets uncertainty and didn’t have to put up the large reserves now required for new loans”.

Arbor Park is located at 503 Brown Trail in Hurst and is a 78-unit apartment community.

EBO Marketing Inc., developer of Sandy Lake Office Park, has sold the class A suburban project to a local accounting firm after walking back its original plan to part with just one of its two buildings.

The multi-tenant office buildings, totaling 9,224 square feet, are situated on one acre at 1507 and 1529 E. Sandy Lake Rd. in Coppell. They were 75% leased at sale time.

Richmond Collinsworth, first vice president of Bradford Commercial Real Estate Services, and Jared Laake, vice president, represented the seller, who developed the office park in 2010 and has used part of the space as its headquarters from the onset.

“As the developer, EBO Marketing has an intrinsic attachment to Sandy Lake Office Park. After deep deliberations, the seller concluded it made sense to the keep the project together,” Laake says.

Sandy Lake Office Park will continue as an owneruser project. The buyer of record, JV Empire LLC, is setting up shop in 1,500 sf at 1507 E. Sandy Lake Rd., which previously was occupied by the seller. In turn, EBO Marketing is moving into 2,250 square feet in the adjacent building through a short-term sale-leaseback.

JV Empire had been searching the Coppell market for a site to lease. “Finding less than 2,500 sf and building signage on a prominent road doesn’t exist in this area,” Collinsworth says. “This is an analytical buyer who recognized the merit of acquiring a building and accruing equity versus paying a landlord.”

The Bradford team’s marketing attracted six solid offers because of Sandy Lake Office Park’s high visibility, freeway proximity and construction quality. The project is readily accessible to Interstate 35 E and President George Bush Turnpike real estate and minutes from Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport. Phillip Maxwell of Glacier Commercial Realty LP represented the buyer.

“This buyer really wanted both buildings for the synergy and economies of scale,” Collinsworth adds.

Vision Commercial Real Estate Principal Broker Roger Smeltzer Jr. recently completed lease negotiations at 700 W. Bedford Euless Road Hurst.

With 4,225 square feet, Suite A will now be leased to Steadfast Baptist Church. The church will share the marquee with co-tenants Fellowship of the Sword.

Congregants will be able to join the fellowship of Steadfast Baptist Church in November 2020. Vision Commercial represented the landlord. The lease was self-represented.

Vision Commercial Real Estate’s Molly MacEwan, Clint Renfro, and Scott Lowe, Directors and Partner at Vision Commercial, completed lease negotiations at 3100 S. Hulen in Fort Worth, with Robert Snider, the brokerage associate at The Woodmont Company.

Suite 158 will now be leased to Fort Worth Running Company to use the 3,180 square foot space as a retail store for athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories. Located in Trinity Commons, Fort Worth Running Co. joins the marquee center with Tom Thumb, Body Bar Pilates, Glamour Paws, Starbucks, DSW, and more. In the lease negotiations, Vision Commercial represented the landlord while the tenant was represented by The Woodmont Company.

Vision Commercial Real Estate’s Cameron Haddad, director at Vision Commercial, and Zach Boatwright recently completed lease negotiations at 3990 N. Collins in Arlington, with Konel Romada at Segovia Retail Group.

Marco’s Pizza will now be preparing pizza and much more in suite 134. The 1,397 square foot space is now a part of Waters Edge at Viridian with easy accessibility, being within five minutes from I-30.

Marco’s Pizza will be nearby Cherry Blow Dry Bar, Perfect Hair, Organic CBD, Upscale Nails, Man Cave, and much more.

In the lease negotiations, Vision Commercial represented the landlord while the tenant was represented by the Segovia Retail Group.

auction

Tom’s Mechanical Inc. has purchased a 32,878 square foot industrial building located at 3428 West Pioneer Parkway in Pantego. Jim Hazard, SIOR with ESRP represented the buyer.

Michael Stanzel, SIOR with NAI Robert Lynn represented the seller.

Schlumberger Surplus Industrial on 27.87+/- ac

CLEBURNE, TX • 3575 & 3701 Windmill Road The Property consists of 27.87+/- acres of land and three (3) industrial buildings totaling 54,000+/- sf. The Property is located in an industrial setting, with access from a major thoroughfare. Access to the site is from Windmill Road, which connects to Weatherford Highway. The site is 1.42 miles northwest from the nearest major intersection at Chisholm Trail Parkway, giving access to major thoroughfares in the area.

Open to the Public: 11-2pm Friday October 23 Auctions: 10am, Thu Nov 19 on site or bid live from anywhere at auctionnetwork.com Prefer Not to Wait for the Auction? Submit a Pre-Auction Offer!

View All Schlumberger Surplus Properties at:

williamsauction.com/SLB • 800.801.8003 TX JEFFREY MICHAEL ASHBY RE LIC 550021; THOMAS E. BARNES III AUC LIC 6457. BUYER’S PREMIUM MAY APPLY.

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OPINION

Your first vote is a vote you should always remember to orbit the moon and return safely to earth. But in between, 1968 was a year of increasingly violent civil rights demonstrations and anti-war protests as U.S. casualties rose in Southeast Asia. The toll of the Vietnam War on his presidency and challenges to his re-election by anti-war Senators Eugene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy led President Lyndon Johnson to announce in March that he would not run for a second full term.

Things only got worse as the year rolled on. In April, an avowed racist named James Earl Ray shot and killed civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis.

In June, after declaring victory in California’s Democratic presidential primary, Robert Kennedy was assassinated as he left a hotel ballroom in Los Angeles.

Richard Connor

M

y bet is she will remember this presidential election and how she voted better than I recall my first.

In this tumultuous time with the nation’s health – literally, our health – in the balance and faced with a world of uncertainty there is a 20-year-old woman who was certain of one thing. She was going to vote.

Tuesday, Oct. 13, was the first day of early voting in Texas and she was not going to chance it with a mail-in ballot while going to college miles and miles from Texas. So, after arranging to stay up-to-date with online classes and despite fearing the safety of traveling on a plane (American Airlines, by the way, did not enforce its mask policy), she balanced her little dog on her lap and flew 2,000 miles to cast her first presidential ballot.

There were reports of long lines at many polling places, although she said her location was not crowded and that concerned her about the turnout. It’s a salient concern.

Turnout in this election will be crucial on many fronts.

It’s easy to look at current events at any given time and believe they are different and perhaps even worse than the history you recall. The first year I was able to vote was 1968, and tumult was abundant.

It was a year that began with the January debut of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In on television and ended with the December launch of Apollo 8, the first manned spacecraft

By the time former Vice President Richard Nixon accepted the Republican nomination for president in August, the country was engulfed in turmoil and racked with violence – and Nixon made the mayhem a focal point of his campaign. He railed against “unprecedented lawlessness” and “unprecedented racial violence” in his acceptance speech and offered himself to voters as a leader who would restore law and order.

Sound familiar?

Later in August, Democrats nominated Johnson’s vice president, Hubert Humphrey, at a Chicago convention marred by violent protests and heavy-handed law enforcement tactics later described in an official report as a “police riot.”

Humphrey focused on peace and unity in his acceptance speech, quoting St. Francis of Assisi, but also emphasized law and order: “We do not want a police state but we need a state of law and order, and neither mob violence nor police brutality have any place in America.”

A third-party candidate, segregationist and former Alabama governor George Wallace, touted law and order in his campaign as well and managed to carry five Southern states in the November election. Nixon barely edged Humphrey in the popular vote but decisively won the election with a 301-191 margin in the Electoral College.

Wallace won 46 electoral votes.

Like it or not, the Electoral College is all-important in presidential elections. Just ask Donald Trump.

You had be to be 21 to vote in ’68. It was not until 1970 that the voting age was lowered to 18 in federal elections.

In 1971, the 26th Amendment to the Constitution broadened the law to allow 18-year-olds to vote in state and local elections as well.

I believe I voted for Humphrey but I do not recall. Wish I did. Even though I was fully aware of the rampant discord in the country among those my age I was most likely too self-absorbed worrying about the draft and the war and getting a job when I graduated in June of 1969. My hope is that the example of the 20-year old going to great ends to vote means today’s younger generation is more involved, more concerned, agitated, and likely to vote and remember their vote.

Foggy memories of past voting aside, this is an election I will not forget.

Voter turnout will be crucial and it will be determined by whose voters – Trump’s or Joe Biden’s – are more motivated.

To what extreme will they go to vote? Will the fear of coronavirus keep them away?

I’ve been in three states this summer – Texas, Maine and Ohio. The rural areas where I drove in those states had more Trump signs than Biden signs. Huge advantage.

The cities had more Biden signs in the yards but not by an overwhelming number.

Recent polls show Biden leading Trump by double digit margins. Are those polls an accurate reflection of who will vote? I am doubtful. Hillary Clinton had a commanding lead in the polls in the last election, you might recall. She won the popular vote but lost in the Electoral College where Trump beat her 304 -227.

In 2016 only 58.1% of those eligible voted, a total of 138 million. That percentage was lower than 2012 (58.6%) and 2008 (61.6%). It would seem natural that voter turnout will be higher this year because of the calamitous times we live in. Usually, the economy is the deciding factor in presidential elections. If voters feel they are better off than they were four years ago they will re-elect the sitting president.

This may be a different year. Clearly, the economy has been battered by the pandemic. People are out of jobs and a record number of companies are failing. On these factors alone Trump loses.

But the issue of race has been injected into this election and bigotry still thrives. Don’t think it doesn’t.

This is an administration sowing fear and hatred.

Those most fearful and angry may turn out in record numbers. Nixon successfully exploited racial unrest and widespread violence in 1968 and Trump is feverishly trying to do the same.

On the other side there are voters incensed by the George Floyd murder and other examples of white policemen killing black citizens, voters such as the 20-year-old, dog in her lap, flying 2,000 miles on a limited budget to cast a ballot in person. She represents not just a generation but a whole spectrum of Americans who are not afraid but are indignant and impatient for change. They believe that hate and misogyny are unacceptable and that their vote can make a difference. If there are enough like her the result could be a landslide victory for a better America.

I am guessing this is a tighter election than the polls show, and it is quite clear that if Trump loses he will contest the results. It may be weeks or months before we know who our next president will be, but ultimately there will be a winner. We can only hope we get it right.

Long lines greeted voters at Fort Worth’s Southwest Regional Library on the first day of early voting. (Photo by Robert Francis)

Richard Connor is president and publisher of the Fort Worth Business Press. Contact him at rconnor@bizpress.net

37

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