February 2021 Newsletter
Greetings from your NLF Chair, Howard Shotwell
Two weeks ago saw the true heart and soul of our community put into action as many of us, along with family, friends and neighbors, lost power at our homes and/or businesses. 

We learned more about ourselves in regard to caring for others, being resilient and being resourceful. Many of us discovered a lot of recipes that include peanut butter.

We took friends in or friends took us in. A great number of hotels, motels and B&Bs offered discounted rates to accommodate guests who were suffering from the storm. As always, our hospitals and first responders were heroes as they responded to more than the usual number of calls.

Chambers of commerce, in addition to nonprofits, shifted the dates of scheduled events from last week to this week or later as they added the Arctic blast to their Covid challenges.

Moving forward, I invite you to read below about an initiative called 1 Million Cups (1MC). This volunteer movement launched in our area on January 20 and weekly meetings occur every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. For now, those meetings are virtual, and they will change to become in-person.

I have just confirmed that Drew Pearson - recently selected for induction in the NFL Hall of Fame - will keynote our 30th Annual Award Luncheon on Friday, April 30 – so our 30th on the 30th – at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine. We owe special gratitude to our Board member and CEO of the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce, RaDonna Hessel, for negotiating a very favorable arrangement.

Just 11 days later, we will hold our first breakfast at the Hurst Conference Center featuring one of our own – Ian MacLean, owner of Highland Landscaping in Southlake. Ian has been selected as Chairman of the Small business Council of the United States Chamber of Commerce. In this capacity, he is the “Voice of Small Business” for our entire nation.

Let's commit to being valuable resources during the balance of this pandemic. I appreciate what each of you does in Northeast Tarrant County and with NLF. Your commitment and passion for growing leaders in our region helps make us successful. If you have any ideas or suggestions or if I can be of help to you, please contact me at ghshotwell@gmail.com or (817-247-3240).


-Howard Shotwell
Communities Collaborate During Snow-vid Emergency
We saw communities throughout our entire region – and particularly in Northeast Tarrant County - move swiftly to care for their citizens and businesses. Community centers and houses of faith, as well as nonprofit facilities, quickly became shelters.
 
We rallied and cooked food for one another, delivered bottled water and supplies and provided encouragement. We made care calls to check up on friends and family.
 
Some of us offered hospitality while others of us received that wonderful down-home Texas hospitality. We showed that caring means everything in a time of crisis.
 
Sadly, most businesses that geared much of their sales forecast around Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day events experienced horrific weather that kept customers away in massive numbers as many of those retailers did not even open on Sunday or Monday.
    
Regardless, the Northeast Tarrant County area is back to bustling with activity.
NFL Hall-of-Famer-to-be Drew Pearson to Keynote Annual Award Luncheon Set for Friday, April 30
We look forward to welcoming Drew Pearson, the original #88 for the Dallas Cowboys, to share the podium for the 30th Annual Northeast Leadership Forum Award Luncheon on Friday, April 30 at the Gaylord Texan. Drew, who will be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in August, will be interviewed onstage by legendary sportscaster Scott Murray. 

We have reserved a ballroom large enough to provide social distancing with only four or five guests per table, and we can accommodate 200 attendees safely.
 
Be looking forward to the announcement of our keynote speaker, who will provide the quality of entertainment and insights that we have enjoyed in recent years.
  • Sponsorship tables: Two tables of five (10 total guests) with premier seating: $1,000
  • Reserved tables:
  • Two tables of four (8 total guests): $500
  • One table of four (4 total guests): $300
  • Individual ticket with general seating: $55
 
To register, please click the button below or contact the HEB Chamber at (817)283-1521 or email chamber@heb.org.
 
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact John Fletcher at 817-205-2334.
Nominations Due for NLF Distinguished Leadership Award
Since our award luncheon has been scheduled for April 30, we have extended the deadline for nominations to be Friday, March 19.
 
Please devote some time to think about nominating the most deserving recipient for the NLF Distinguished Leadership Award, our highest honor. The award recognizes that person who has given many years of service to the Northeast Tarrant County area.
 
The selection criteria are as follows: 
  • Service in civic or educational roles, non-profit organizations, chambers of commerce, elected office or other areas that allowed the individual to make general contributions to the quality of life and well-being of the residents of the Northeast Tarrant County area
  • Preferably, positive involvement in multiple areas of our community with innovative activities and leadership qualities
  • Various volunteer responsibilities and longevity in one or more organizations
 
We require two nominators for each candidate. Each nomination may also include up to three letters of support. For a list of previous honorees as well as the nomination information and form, please click here. Nomination forms may be emailed to Mary Frazior or mailed to the HEB Chamber office address below. 
 
Northeast Leadership Forum
Distinguished Leadership Award 
HEB Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Drawer 969
Bedford, TX 76095 
 
We were pleased to recognize Randy Clinton, CEO of The CEC (Community Enrichment Center), with the 2019 Distinguished Leadership Award.
NLF Foundation Scholarship Applications Due March 31
Scholarship applications from graduating seniors in Northeast Tarrant County public high schools are due by the end of school on Wednesday, March 31.
 
Once again this year, the Northeast Leadership Forum Foundation will award $44,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors thanks to the matching grant from the Nancy and Alan Hamm Foundation. Students are eligible if they will attend a two-year college, four-year university or a trade school.
 
The NLF Foundation members are in the process of meeting with area superintendents and reaching out to high school counselors so we can award our annual scholarships.
 
Nominations must be turned in to high school counselors by the end of the school day on Wednesday, March 31. We will announce and introduce our recipients at our May 11 breakfast meeting. Click below to download the application and apply today!
1 Million Cups Grows in Northeast Tarrant County
Based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and engage with their communities over a million cups of coffee, the Ewing Marion Cauffman Foundation develop 1 Million Cups in 2012.
 
This free program is designed to educate, engage and inspire entrepreneurs around the country. Through the power of volunteers, 1 Million Cups has grown to more than 160 communities.
 
The program empowers entrepreneurs with the tools and resources to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses. Mr. Kauffman believed it was a fundamental right for anyone who had a big idea to be able to bring it to life.
 
Meetings are held every Wednesday at 8:45 – 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. Register to participate here.
 
Community organizers on the Northeast Tarrant chapter website include Craig Hulse, Elizabeth Copeland, Darlisa Diltz, MiShon Landry, Hank Johnson, Chelsea Rose and Dakari Hill.
Keep NLF Dynamic and Growing
As you interact with business and community leaders who impress you, please invite them to our next membership breakfast meeting on Tuesday, May 11. 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 joining our organization to further the dynamic growth of Northeast Tarrant County. 
 
We 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 Shannon Watt, our membership chairman, if you have a prospect: shannon.watt@frostbank.com or 817-733-8485.
Support Your Local Chamber
Throughout this past year of Covid (which began March 4, 2020) and last week’s snow and ice, our chambers of commerce have been the ultimate resources and the bedrock of business for our communities.
 
As you visit with local business leaders, please encourage them to join their local chamber(s) of commerce to grow the power of their connections and influence:
  • Colleyville Chamber of Commerce: Chelsea Rose – 817-488-7148
  • Grapevine Chamber of Commerce: RaDonna Hessel – 817-421-1522
  • HEB Chamber of Commerce: Mary Frazior – 817-283-1521
  • Keller Chamber of Commerce: JoAnn Malone – 817-431-2169
  • Metroport Chamber of Commerce: Sally Aldridge – 817-937-2000
  • Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce: Jack Bradshaw – 817-281-9376
  • Southlake Chamber of Commerce: Mark Guilbert – 817-481-8200   
 
Upcoming chamber events:
Breakfast Meeting Speakers Attract Impressive Crowds
NLF members continue to praise the quality of programs that are driving increased attendance at our membership breakfasts. Please mark your calendar to attend our Tuesday, May 11, breakfast when our keynote speaker will be Ian MacLean, owner and CEO of Highland Landscaping in Southlake.
 
Ian, who is a member of NLF, was recently chosen to serve as Chairman of the Small Business Council of the United States Chamber of Commerce. Yes, a member of our own organization is now the “National Voice of Small Business,” so we have a stronger presence on the national stage than ever before.
 
He will address the impact of the PPP 2.0 small business loan program and the impact of the new Biden administration on small businesses.
 
Ian has served at a variety of committee and board levels of the Small Business Council for the past five years. He is a two-time past chairman of the Southlake Chamber of Commerce and has also chaired Southlake Oktoberfest – the #1 rated Oktoberfest in Texas and #4 in the nation – for the past seven years.
 
Please remember to RSVP and bring small business 
guests to hear his powerful message.
New Member Profile
Darlisa Diltz refers to herself as a Fervent Ecosystem Builder, a Status Quo Disruptor, an Entrepreneur Enthusiast and a Faith Fanatic. When you read her LinkedIn home page, you will see that that she is truly an enthusiastic entrepreneur.
 
For the past two years, she has served as Managing Director of the North Texas Entrepreneur Education & Training Center, where she has provided guidance to aspiring small business leaders. For the past seven years, she has served as founder of Y.E.P! Youth Entrepreneurs Platform that teaches entrepreneurial concepts to youth leaders in grades 3-8. She has also served as a business advisor for the Small Business Development Center.
 
After graduating from Fontbonne University in St. Louis with a Bachelor’s of Science and then earning her Master’s of Business Administration and Master’s of Information Technology at Lindenwood University, she fell in love with entrepreneurship.
Virtual Tarrant County Days in Austin
The Coalition of Tarrant County Chambers of Commerce participated in its two-day Tarrant County Days in Austin February 23-24– this year as a totally virtual event. Speakers included:
Governor Greg Abbott

Lt Governor Dan Patrick

Comptroller Glen Hegar

State Senators
Brian Birdwell
Kelly Hancock
Jane Nelson
Beverly Powell
State Representatives
Giovanni Capriglione
Jeff Cason
Nicole Collier
David Cook
Charlie Geren
Craig Goldman
Matt Krause
Stephanie Klick
Ramon Romero, Jr.
Tony Tinderholt
Mark Your Calendar
Deadline for the Distinguished Leadership Award Applications
Friday, March 19 @ 5 p.m.
Deadline for the NLF Foundation Scholarships
Wednesday, March 31 @ 5p.m.
2021 Membership Meetings:
(Please arrive by 7:15 to mix and mingle!)
Tuesday, May 11, at 7:30 a.m. - Keynote Speaker: Ian MacLean
Tuesday, August 10, at 7:30 a.m. - Keynote Speaker: To Be Announced
Tuesday, October 12, at 7:30 a.m. - Keynote Speaker: To Be Announced

Annual Events:
Friday, April 30, 2021
Heart of North Texas
Friday, November 5, 2021
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact John Fletcher at 817-205-2334.