September 2023 Newsletter

Greetings from your NLF Chair, Dr. Eli D. Mercer

Grateful for Beauty and Bountiful Harvest in the Fall Season

September marks the coming beauty and spectacular days of autumn in North Texas. Weather begins to turn and leaves begin to fall. Schools are in full swing. The relentless heat of summer is finally beginning to fade. It is the traditional season of harvest and provision. Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh put it this way, “As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas, and colors enough to paint all the beautiful things I see.” We are grateful for the change of season.

We congratulate the outstanding leaders of Northeast Tarrant County who have begun fall leadership programs with local cities, chambers, and regional organizations. Thank you for being intentional and investing your time to meet monthly or quarterly with other leaders to learn from one another and find ways to collaborate. These leadership programs provide a means for leaders from all sectors and from all walks of life to get to know one another. 

Thank you to all the speakers, presenters, and community members who contribute to their success. Thank you to organizations who sponsor and to program leaders who diligently put them together. We owe a debt of gratitude to all who help develop strong leaders in this community.

Recent reports from the Texas State Demographer’s Office and the Dallas Fed show that DFW overall and Northeast Tarrant County in particular continue to grow in population and diversity. Both have fared better than many of our national peers in the areas of economic resilience and market growth in spite of a volatile and unpredictable economic cycle.

We are growing at record rates and many industries are not slowing down. Other industries that took a hit this year are predicted to bounce back more quickly here than in other regions of the US. In part, this is the fruit of the labors of businesses and regional leaders across all sectors. We are fortunate to be part of such a dynamic regional economy.

We celebrate this bountiful harvest that comes from another year of seeds sown into our businesses, families, and the community. Samuel Butler said that, “Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers, we more than gain in fruits.”

Congratulations to the many successful business owners and their employees who make this possible. We wish you great success as you are beginning to wrap up the last quarter of another good year.

The NLF provides a forum for collaboration, dialogue, and engagement to build stronger communities through relationships. Click here to download the membership application. We wish you and your families a wonderful school year ahead.

With tremendous gratitude,

-Dr. Eli D. Mercer, Chairman of the Board of NLF

eli.mercer@kingdomecosystems.com

Celebrated CEO Jason McCann to

Keynote November 1 Heart of North Texas

Congratulations to RaDonna Hessel, Kathryn Rotter, and Craig Hulse and their entire team – particularly Trasa Cobern – for securing one of America’s most celebrated CEOs to keynote our 26th Annual Heart of North Texas at the Hurst Conference Center.

Jason McCann conceived the idea of a standing desk whenever his boss and future business partner, Dan Flaherty, sat down at his desk. Jason developed a simple solution: Have Dan – who was suffering from back pain – stand while working and place the computer on a cardboard box.

This was the “Aha Moment” that created the variable height standing desk. This Varidesk, as Jason named his creation, relieved Dan’s pain and transformed Jason’s life. His constant quest for “the next big thing” has led to him to create a full suite of office furniture, real estate holdings, partnerships with landlords, investments in co-working.

Next, he developed VariSpace – where the company owns complete entire buildings and leases office space filled with products by… you guessed it… Vari!

You’ll learn more of how Jason developed the standing desk concept while working for Dan Flaherty at Coppell-based Gemmy, which manufactures and produces holiday lights and inflatables. The company’s top seller was…

Billy Bass – the singing big-mouth bass that is displayed proudly on the walls of fishermen and fisherwomen everywhere!

Please look forward to hearing the story behind Vari and how one simple idea can lead to many brilliant innovations. Jason McCann will inspire you and your guests, so finalize your sponsorship or buy your tables today.

Details Being Finalized on the

26th Annual Heart of North Texas Conference 

'The Future is Now.'

We are proud to announce our speakers with one of America’s great entrepreneurs as our keynote: Jason McCann, founder/CEO of Vari and VariSpace. His topic will be Workspace Innovation.

Jason was recognized as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Dallas CEO named him its CEO of the Year in 2021. Click here to learn more about Varidesk that is now in 100% of the Fortune 500 companies and inside home offices throughout the nation.

Our session topics and main speakers will be:

Future of Transportation and Logistics

Ian Kinne

Director of Logistics Innovation at Hillwood

Artificial Intelligence

Dr. Danielle M. Clement

Technical Fellow at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

Cybersecurity

Sheraun Howard

Supervisory Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Dallas Office, who leads the Dallas National Cyber Squad

Sponsors have finalized their participation in this marquee event, so please respond now for your last opportunity to join a big success.

Kathryn Rotter, RaDonna Hessel, and Craig Hulse have been leading their committee in a combination of in-person and Zoom planning meetings for months to finalize our major November event. The date will be Wednesday, November 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Hurst Conference Center. 

PLEASE NOTE that this meeting is on the first Wednesday of the month because it was so successful last year. 

 The remaining sponsorship levels are:

Diamond Sponsor: $5,000

Platinum Sponsor: $3,500

Gold Sponsor: $2,500

Silver Sponsor: $1,000

Table Sponsor: $600

We thank our confirmed sponsors!

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Table Sponsors

1 Million Cups - NE Tarrant

Beyond the Known International

City of Bedford

City of Colleyville

City of Euless

City of Grapevine

City of Hurst

City of North Richland Hills

City of Southlake

DEC Engineering

HEB Independent School District

Howard Shotwell

Lift Aids, Inc.

Lucas Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Northeast Tarrant Chamber

O. Trevino Construction

ONCOR

Tri-County Electric Cooperative

Schedule highlights are:

8:00 a.m.

Registration & Breakfast Buffet

8:15 a.m.

Opening Remarks

8:30 a.m.

Morning Keynote: Ian Kinne, Director of Logistics Innovation at Hillwood

Topic: The Future of Transportation and Logistics

9:15 a.m.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Danielle M. Clement, Technical Fellow for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

Topic: Artificial Intelligence

10:00 a.m.

Networking Break

10:15 a.m.

Featured Speaker: Cybersecurity: Sheraun Howard, Supervisory Special Agent in Charge of FBI Dallas Office Cyber National Task Force

Topic: Protecting Your Business with Smart Cybersecurity

11:15 a.m.

Networking Break and Buffet Lunch

12:00 p.m.

Jason McCann, Co-Founder/CEO of Vari and VariSpace

Topic: Workplace Innovation

1:00 p.m.

Adjourn

In addition to the exceptional subject matter experts, the event will include both breakfast and lunch. We are riding a wave of continued success at the Heart of North Texas due to the timely relevance of our agendas and the outstanding quality of our speakers.

In addition to the exceptional subject matter experts, the event will include both breakfast and lunch. We are riding a wave of continued success at the Heart of North Texas due to the relevance of our agendas and the outstanding quality of our speakers.

Please click below to view the sponsorship flyer or contact RaDonna Hessel directly for more details about how your company may become a supporter of this event.

Please remember that the net proceeds of the Heart of North Texas are the major source of funding for our scholarship program.

DFW Airport CEO Sean Donohue to Keynote

October 10 NLF Breakfast

Program Chair RaDonna Hessel created a clever theme with “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”, which will not star hilarious cast members Steve Martin or the late John Candy.

However, she is happy to present our final episode with Sean Donohue, who has been CEO of DFW Airport for the past 10 years.

Today, Donohue manages a $40 billion powerhouse that covers 17,000 acres. DFW Airport is recognized as the second-largest economic engine in the state of Texas, with a pre-pandemic 250,000 jobs associated with the airport.

We look forward to hearing from Sean Donohue as he shares his insights on how DFW Airport will continue to thrive and drive the North Texas economy forward into the future.

This is definitely a program that will impress your friends, clients, and colleagues, so feel free to also invite prospective members to attend.

CLICK HERE to register by Friday, October 6.

We thank our friends at Atmos Energy for sponsoring our October 10 breakfast.

Membership Continues to Grow

Our NLF Board of Directors approved the following new members at its September 13 meeting:

• Schalizabeth Albizu: EECU, Community Relations Director
• Scott Baumbach: ONCOR Electric, District Manager
• Dr. Mark Foust: Superintendent of Northwest ISD
• Mark Overcash: Class 101 College Planning, Co-Owner/Advisor
• Andrea Roy: City of Bedford, Assistant City Manager
• John Terrell: Commercial Real Estate Strategic Partners

As you interact with business and community leaders who impress you, please invite them to sit at your table for our next breakfast on Tuesday, October 10, at the Hurst Conference Center. These influencers are making a difference in our area, so let's invite them to participate in NLF. Membership is the lifeblood of our organization.

For any prospective NLF members you may know, click here to download the membership application. We want both established and emerging leaders to continue to join our organization to further the dynamic growth of Northeast Tarrant County. 

We specifically ask you to welcome visitors and new members to our breakfast meetings because growing the power of networks is one of the main benefits of NLF.

Please reach out to Craig Hulse, our membership chairman, if you have a prospect: chulse@nrhtx.com or 972-849-3858.

New Member Profile 

Please welcome one of our newest members of NLF.

Daryn Eudaly

Co-Founder and CEO, New Era Companies

Daryn Eudaly is the Co-Founder and CEO of New Era Companies, a Grapevine Texas-based healthcare real estate developer, and a Founder and Chairman of the Board of New Era IRF Holdings (a Nobis Rehabilitation partner, N2WHospitals).

Daryn is responsible for leading all facets of the vertically integrated real estate development, brokerage, capital, and healthcare company. Daryn has a proven executive track record across the healthcare sector with over 25 years of experience building teams and implementing infrastructure for startups, real estate development companies, capital companies, real estate brokerage, and strategic venture companies.

New Era is currently focused nationwide on the development of medical office buildings, and the acquisition and development of post-acute hospitals in the inpatient rehabilitation hospital and behavioral health sectors. New Era partners with municipalities, health systems, large medical groups, and hospital operators to bring the right real estate and healthcare solutions to communities.

Daryn earned a BA in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting from Austin College in Sherman, and an MBA with a concentration in finance from Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business in Fort Worth. He and his wife, Amy, have four children and reside in Colleyville and Crested Butte, Colorado.

Michael Moore

Founder/CEO, M3 Networks

Michael Moore's extraordinary journey from college student to the helm of M3 Networks' CEO beautifully interlaces the core values of family, inspiration, service, faith, and community.

During his college years, Michael's innate computer prowess shone brightly, even in the face of a fleeting attention span. His life revolved around his job at American Airlines and Tarrant County College classes. However, the tragic events of 9/11 left him jobless amidst the turbulence that swept through the airline industry.

In response to this adversity, he embarked on a new path in IT, gradually realizing the paramount importance of cybersecurity. Fueled by his entrepreneurial spirit, Michael founded M3 Networks in 2008, quickly establishing himself as a foremost expert in IT and cybersecurity.

His expertise led to public speaking engagements, including thought-provoking discussions with FBI cybersecurity expert Brett Leatherman.

Beyond his remarkable professional achievements, Michael remains deeply devoted to his family and community. He resides in Trophy Club alongside his wife, Stephanie, and their children, guided by Faith in God’s Plan.

Notably, his contribution to "Cyber Storm," a 2022 bestseller on Amazon, underscores his unwavering commitment to advancing the realm of cybersecurity.



Michael Moore's remarkable journey serves as a shining testament to how passion, service, and unyielding resilience can converge to pave a path to excellence.

NLF Roundtables Update



• Chamber Presidents’ Roundtable took place on September 19 and the next Chairman’s Roundtable will be held in December.
• Mayors’ Roundtable will be held next in Roanoke.
• Economic Development Directors’ Roundtable members participated in the Fort Worth Chamber’s Regional Economic Development Update and also attended Live in Austin.

Mark Your Calendar: 2023 NLF Event Schedule

Featured Event

26th Annual Heart of North Texas Conference

THE FUTURE IS NOW!

Keynote speaker:

Jason McCann, CEO of Vari, Varidesk and Varispace

Date: Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Time: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Hurst Conference Center

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Radonna Hessell.

Membership Breakfast Meeting

Location: Hurst Conference Center

Networking: 7:15 a.m. • Breakfast Open: 7:30 a.m. • Program Starts: 7:45 a.m.

Tuesday, October 10

Speaker: Sean Donahue, CEO of DFW Airport

Sponsor: Atmos Energy