Greetings from your NLF Chair, Dr. Eli D. Mercer | |
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Wishing you a safe and fun July 4th Celebration!
Today is a great day to be free! As we wrap up June and move into the dog days of summer here in Texas, we turn our eyes to the American flag and all things patriotic. The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, became a federal holiday in the United States in 1941. However, the tradition of celebrating Independence Day and freedom goes all the way back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.
This is a time for unity, shared values, and gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy. Thank you for your leadership in Northeast Tarrant County. It is the work of everyday heroes like you, our NLF Members making a difference in all walks of life, that we enjoy the quality of life that we do in this region. The July 4th celebration provides an opportunity to come together, celebrate our freedom, and count our many blessings as families and as a community.
Founders who drafted the Declaration of Independence risked everything. They shared values and the conviction to stand up for what they believed in. In doing so, they declared a new approach that President Abraham Lincoln would later describe as government “of the People, by the people, and for the people.” While these words have been tested many times, we continue to work together to walk out this vision. These shared values have served as a uniting force in the US in times of war and peace. Even famous founders and political rivals John Adams and Thomas Jefferson agreed on the importance of “shared values that led congress to declare independence” and “their work to defend the individual liberties of every American.”
On July 4, 1776, Congress unanimously passed the proposed bill. The Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America begins as follows:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Even today, these values unite, overcome division, and spur collaboration to improve our community.
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 happy 4th of July.
With tremendous gratitude,
-Dr. Eli D. Mercer, Chairman of the Board of NLF
eli.mercer@kingdomecosystems.com
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Membership Continues to Grow as NLF
Attracts More Community Leaders
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NLF added four new members during May, bringing our year-to-date total to 10 and we are on pace to match last year’s 25 new members, according to Membership Director Craig Hulse.
Our new members are:
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Beverly (Bev) Dixon: President/CEO, Greater Keller Chamber of Commerce
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Dr. Brad Schnautz: Superintendent, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD
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Ruth Assi: Regional Director, United Way of Tarrant County
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Daryn Eudaly: CEO/Co-founder of New Era Companies in Grapevine
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Sponsorship Packages for Events
Our sponsorship committee is creating a package that will allow members to make their sponsorship decisions before the end of this year for all their 2024 involvements. This packaging will provide better planning opportunities for our sponsors to schedule their participation in the Heart of North Texas, the Annual Award Luncheon, and our quarterly breakfasts.
You will receive this information in the
September edition of the NLF Newsletter.
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Michael Morris to Keynote August 8 Breakfast:
“Planes, Trains, & Automobiles”
Michael Morris is known as the authority on transportation issues in our area, as he has served as Director of Transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) since 1990.
NCTCOG is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Dallas-Fort Worth area, through which Michael serves the region by developing transportation plans and programs that address the mobility needs of our rapidly growing area.
Some of his key projects have been:
- DFW Connector
- Airport Freeway
- I-35W in Fort Worth
- I-35Ein Dallas
- Highway 360
- Loop 820
As part of this year’s focus on “Trains, Planes, and Automobiles,” Michael will share insights on the freeway and local street mobility plans for the North Texas region’s next 20 and 50 years.
This breakfast provides your opportunity to invite friends and colleagues to hear the inside scoop on transportation issues that impact all of us. Please CLICK HERE to confirm your reservations.
We appreciate Linebarger Attorneys at Law being our breakfast sponsor.
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Chamber Leadership Program: Apply Now
One of the signs of a vibrant community and its chamber of commerce is a powerful leadership program that opens the doors for the next generation of leaders. Each of the chambers of commerce affiliated with Northeast Leadership Forum is accepting nominations for its leadership program.
These leadership programs offer the opportunity for you to identify emerging leaders and seasoned leaders within your company or organization to grow their circle of influence and connections. All Chambers of Commerce listed above produce leadership programs. Please contact them directly for more information.
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| Colleyville Chamber of Commerce | 817-488-7148 | | Grapevine Chamber of Commerce | 817-421-1522 – Already full | | HEB Chamber of Commerce | 817-283-1521 | | Keller Chamber of Commerce
*In partnership with the City of Keller | 817-431-2169 | | Metroplex Chamber of Commerce | 817-937-1000 | | NE Tarrant Chamber of Commerce | 817-281-9376 | | Southlake Chamber of Commerce | 817-481-8200 | | |
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Roundtable Updates
One of the main purposes of NLF is to provide platforms for leadership segments to interact and exchange best practices. Our Roundtable groups consist of the chamber of commerce executives and chairmen, city economic development directors, mayors, and superintendents (which also include TCC NE). Our most recent updates are:
Chamber of Commerce: Grapevine Chamber CEO RaDonna Hessel reports the next meeting of chamber executives will be on July 17.
Economic Development: North Richland Hills Economic Development Director Craig Hulse reports most of the economic development directors from the area attended the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) in Las Vegas and worked collaboratively to help prospects choose to locate in Northeast Tarrant County.
Mayors: Keller Mayor Mizani reports the mayors met the first week in June and will be meeting again soon.
Superintendents: Keller ISD Superintendent Rick Westfall – who has just announced his retirement at the end of this calendar year – reports the superintendents will meet in June or July before the start of the new school year
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Committee Planning for 26th Annual
Heart of North Texas Conference
Please mark your calendar for the 26th edition of the Heart of North Texas Conference, which will be held at the Hurst Conference Center on Wednesday, November 1.
We look forward to our committee's direction following three events that have sold all available seating. If you would like to serve on this team, please reach out to:
Sponsorship levels will be:
Presenting Sponsor: $5,000
Platinum Sponsor: $3,500
Anniversary Sponsor: $2,500
Silver Sponsor: $1,000
Table Sponsor: $600
Individual Tickets: $75
In addition to what is becoming a fantastic line-up, the event will include both breakfast and lunch. We are riding a wave of continued success at the Heart of North Texas due to our agendas' relevance and the speakers' outstanding quality.
Please contact RaDonna Hessel for more details about how your company may become a supporter of this event.
And please remember that the net proceeds of the Heart of North Texas are a major source of funding for our scholarship program.
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New Member Profiles
Please welcome two of our newest members of NLF.
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Bev Dixon
President/CEO, Greater Keller Chamber of Commerce
Beverly (Bev) Dixon took over the helm of the Greater Keller Chamber of Commerce on May 1st after serving as Interim President and CEO since October 2022. Although relatively new to the Chamber world, she brought years of proven leadership to the role.
Bev is originally from Norman, Oklahoma. She entered the U.S. Navy after high school and served eight years enlisted before her selection to the Enlisted Commissioning Program. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from North Carolina State University and was commissioned as a Medical Service Corps Officer in July 2000. After 21 years of service, she retired from the Navy in September 2010.
Bev is actively engaged in the community as a board member for the Fort Worth Northpark YMCA, past president and member of the National Charity League (Keller chapter), Greater Keller Women’s Club member, and parishioner at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Colleyville. She has served in several leadership positions in the Keller Independent School District (KISD), including a member of the Board of Trustees from 2017-2023.
In June 2011, Bev and her family moved to Keller after her husband, John, retired from the U.S. Marine Corps. They have been married for 23 years and have two daughters.
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Dr. Brad Schnautz
Superintendent, GCISD
Dr. Schnautz was named Superintendent of GCISD in March 2023. He joined GCISD in 2017 and led the pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade instructional, athletics, and fine arts programs in his role as deputy superintendent. While working closely with and supporting executive directors, directors, and principals, GCISD has continued with the tradition of academic excellence and success in fine arts and athletics.
Dr. Schnautz began his career in education in 2002 as a math teacher and coach at Bryan ISD. He also served as a teacher and coach in Conroe ISD and Magnolia ISD before becoming a campus administrator in 2008. He has experience as a high school assistant principal, junior high school principal, and high school principal in Magnolia ISD. In 2015, Dr. Schnautz was selected as superintendent for Lexington ISD, where he led the district until his departure for GCISD.
Dr. Schnautz earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M University, a Master of Education in Administration from Sam Houston State University, and a Doctorate in Education from Texas A&M University.
He and his wife Jenny have been married for 23 years and have four children – Abby, who attends Georgia Tech, Mary and Lucy, who are students at Grapevine High School, and Will, a student at Glenhope Elementary School. In his spare time, Dr. Schnautz enjoys supporting his children in their extracurricular activities, volunteering, exercising, and reading.
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Mark Your Calendar: 2023 NLF Event Schedule | |
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Membership Breakfast Meetings
Location: Hurst Conference Center
Networking: 7:15 a.m. • Breakfast Open: 7:30 a.m. • Program Starts: 7:45 a.m.
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Tuesday, August 8
Speaker: Michael Morris, Director of Transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments
Sponsor: Linebarger Attorneys at Law
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Tuesday, October 10
Speaker: Sean Donahue,
CEO of DFW Airport
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