April 2025 News & Notes

Greetings distinguished NLF members, appointed officials, elected officials and business leaders!

Once again the Northeast Leadership Forum is having another great year bringing everyone together, hearing from influential people about informative, interesting and timely topics. 

We had a great month of April and are lined up to have a awesome rest of 2025. Below are some noteworthy items and reminders to keep you “in the know” and “on top of” what’s going on in Northeast Tarrant County. See you at the May 6 membership breakfast!

Sincerely,

Craig Hulse

2025 NLF Chair

NLF Annual Awards Luncheon Recap

Friday, April 4, was a momentous day for the Northeast Leadership Forum as we held our Annual Luncheon with over 240 people in attendance at the Hurst Conference Center. 

We would like to thank Chris Cassidy, President and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation and Northeast Tarrant County resident, for gracing us with his time and discussing how he was able to deal with pressure and overcome adversity during one of his many space flights. Thank you, Chris! 

The Northeast Leadership Forum was also able to honor City of Hurst Mayor, Henry Wilson with 2024’s Distinguished Leadership Award. 

Euless Mayor Linda Martin, 2023’s honoree, provided a wonderful tribute to her regional colleague, noting Mayor Wilson’s long tenure serving the City of Hurst in addition to serving as President of the Texas Municipal League and Chair of the Regional Transportation Council. 

Thank you Mayor Wilson!

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we recognized both RaDonna Hessel, CEO of the Grapevine Chamber, and John Fletcher of Fletcher Consulting for their years of service and dedication on the NLF Board. 

We appreciate Tarrant County College, Northeast Campus, for being our Education Sponsor alongside our VIP Sponsors Atmos Energy, Great Plains Bank, Linebarger Attorneys at Law, Medical City Alliance and North Hills and the United Way of Tarrant County for helping to underwrite the event.

Finally, huge thanks to the event committee for organizing a fantastic time, specifically Event Chair Marcia Etie. 

May Membership Breakfast & NLF Scholarship Awards

Tuesday, May 6 - 7 • 7:45 a.m. - 9 a.m. • Hurst Conference Center

It is time to make your reservation to attend the May 6th NLF membership breakfast!

We are excited to continue our tradition of hosting the recipients of the NLF Foundation Scholarship Winners, giving out $38,000 this year to 24 students across HEB ISD, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, Birdville ISD, Keller ISD, and Carroll ISD. This membership breakfast is well attended not only by NLF members, but the families of the scholarship recipients.

This is possible because of you, our sponsors who support the Annual Awards Luncheon and The Heart of North Texas, along with the Nancy and Alan Hamm Foundation!

Before presenting our scholarship winners we will hear from our past scholarship recipients. They will share with us how the scholarship benefited their education and prepared them to be successful with their future endeavors.  You will not want to miss this program and to hear from our future leaders!

Thank you to our sponsor!

Dr. Ray Perryman to Speak at the Heart of North Texas Conference

Block off your calendars for the morning of Wednesday, October 29 for the Heart of North Texas Conference. This year we'll recieve another entertaining - yet informative - update on the Texas and Regional Economy from none other than Ray Perryman. 

Who knows what the economy will look like six months from now, but we know Ray will be able to break it down for those in attendance.

Make Northeast Leadership Forum a Priority!

Now’s The Time – Mark Your Calendar – Save the Dates

All Events and Meetings are held at the Hurst Conference Center.

Doors open at 7:45 a.m. for membership breakfast meetings.

Date:

Tuesday, May 6

7:45 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Tuesday, August 12

7:45 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Tuesday, October 7

7:45 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Wednesday, October 29

8:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Meeting:

May Membership Breakfast

Sponsored by: Great Plains Bank

Topic: NLF Foundation Scholarship Awards

August Membership Breakfast

Sponsored by: Community Enrichment Center

Speakers: Holly Reeder and Scott Baumbaugh, ONCOR

October Membership Breakfast

Sponsored by: Atmos Energy

Speaker: Leigh Ferguson, Atmos Energy



Heart of North Texas Conference

Welcome to our Newest Members of the Northeast Leadership Forum

At the next NLF event, please reach out to our newest members!

New Member

Rebecca Cox

Sandra Gibson

Chris Ponder

Scotty Richardson

Ray Watson

Position/Company

GRACE

City of Watauga

Kelly Hart & Hallman

City of Colleyville

Town of Flower Mound

Recommended By

Mike Taylor

Art Miner

Trasa Cober

Kathryn Rotter

Chelsea Rose

We ask each of you to consider inviting someone you know who would benefit from the networking and information provided by the NLF to the next meeting you attend and ask them to become a part of this longstanding regional group of business and community leaders.