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EFNT, CFT, and NTLSS Recognized Local Companies
and Individuals for
Work and Community Efforts
DALLAS, TX—June 10, 2003— Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson
(R-Texas) presented an outstanding keynote address at a special
event hosted by Entrepreneurs Foundation of North Texas (EFNT),
Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) and North Texas Life Science
Society (NTLSS). The event, called “Spirit of Entrepreneurship – Ask
What You Can Do for Texas,” was held at the new Mabel Peters
Caruth Center on June 6, 2003.
Dr. Da Hsuan Feng, vice president for research and graduate education
for The University of Texas at Dallas, was the featured speaker.
Other presenters included Richard Agnich, Charles J. Wyly, Jr.,
George Ellis, and Cheryl Unis Mansour. Event attendees included
more than 250 local entrepreneurs, business executives, civic leaders
and various dignitaries.
The event recognized successful entrepreneurs and businesses via
the North Star Recognition, which was given to those who have made
both their companies and communities better places to live and
work. The North Star Recognition recipients were:
Public Companies
·
Allegiance Telecom (www.allegiancetelecom.com)—formed an
employee volunteer forum to participate in philanthropic opportunities
in the communities in which Allegiance Telecom operates. Over
the last year, its employees have participated in several Habitat
for Humanity projects, coordinated five Carter Blood Care drives,
held two North Texas Food Bank drives, adopted many families
during the holiday season and participated in walks to benefit
Cystic Fibrosis and Susan G. Komen. Clay Meyers, senior vice
president of finance and accounting, accepted Allegiance Telecom’s
North Star recognition.
·
Sabre Holdings (www.sabre-holdings.com)—employees average
6,000 volunteer hours each year, supporting education and human
services initiatives. In the last two years, Sabre Holdings matched
its employees’ United Way contributions, raising $2.5M.
In 2002, the company was recognized as the “largest provider
of Junior Achievement classroom volunteers” in Tarrant
County, and was the title sponsor for the September 11th Tarrant
County “Day of Caring and Remembrance,” which its
employees helped attendees distribute over 10,000 postcards to
U.S. soldiers. Jim Murphy, senior vice president of corporate
development and treasurer accepted Sabre Holding’s North
Star Recognition.
Private Companies
·
Business Access (www.business-access.com)—implements Web-based
government programs for historically disadvantaged citizens. Of
the more than 1,300 Dallas citizens on welfare that have received
computers in their homes through Business Access’ “In-Home
Learning” system, 74% are now off of welfare. Its employees
receive paid time off to volunteer in organizations like Head Start,
junior sports, and disabilities programs, among others. Additionally,
Business Access employees participate in food drives, holiday family
sponsorships, and every employee participated in an event to rebuild
a summer camp for children with disabilities. Kimberly Bunting,
president and CEO accepted the North Star Recognition.
·
Skywire Software (www.skywiresoftware.com)—a leading provider
of enterprise software and integration applications, Skywire Software
endeavors to support the charitable activities of its employees
as well as the community at large. In 2002, the company donated
time and money to clean up the grounds at CITY House, a 15-bed
emergency youth shelter in Plano. Additionally, Skywire Software
employees participated in Frisco’s Future Holiday Drive for
children, teenagers and seniors, Freedom Day at Camp Summit and
developed a Web site for MASS (Mothers for the Advancement of Social
Systems), the Joyce Brown Story. Patrick Brandt, founder and CEO,
accepted the North Star Recognition.
Individuals
·
Ebby Halliday Acers—is a legendary businesswoman, mentor,
and philanthropist. Ebby Halliday started her real estate business
in 1945 helping hundreds of families realize the American Dream
of home ownership. She has been recognized by Realtor Magazine
as one of the 25 most influential people in real estate. Ms. Halliday’s
presence through gifts and service has been felt over the years
in countless organizations and community projects across the DFW
metroplex including: St. Paul Medical Center, Dallas County Community
College, the Dallas Arboretum, United Way, and the Collin County
Children’s Advocacy Center.
·
Bob Buford—is a nationally recognized entrepreneur who spent
the first half of his career building a successful cable television
company. The second half of his career has been focused on evangelizing
individuals with the attitude of service and giving back to the
community. He is the author of several popular books, including
Halftime. Game Plan and Stuck in Halftime. In addition, Mr. Buford
founded an organization by the same name (www.halftime.org) with
the intent of helping business professionals identify their significance
in life.
“When an individual or company is focused on making the
community stronger, that person or business should be held up as
a model for others,” said Richard Agnich, chairman of EFNT
and former general counsel of Texas Instruments. “The Spirit
of Entrepreneurship event recognized many success stories – all
of which exemplify the spirit of doing well, while doing good.” The
event sponsors were Winstead Sechrest & Minick, Arter & Haden
LLP, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Richard J. Agnich, Austin Ventures,
SoftBrands, Inc., and Tom Nelson/Patton Boggs, LLP.
About Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT)
CFT is one of the largest community foundations in the south, and
one of the largest grantmakers. CFT has a permanent and growing
endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations
that care about improving the quality of life in Texas. CFT’s
sole mission is to fulfill the philanthropic intentions of its
donors to meet the educational, medical, civic, artistic, cultural,
and social service needs of the community. For more information,
visit www.cftexas.org.
About Entrepreneurs Foundation of North Texas (EFNT)
The Entrepreneurs Foundation of North Texas assists emerging companies
in building philanthropy into business plans. EFNT works with
companies to leverage the value they are creating to benefit
their employees and the community in which they work. The process
includes a contribution of stock options that, upon a liquidity
event, are used to establish a company-advised fund for the company
to distribute to charitable organizations. EFNT supports this
form of charitable giving my acting as community affairs liaisons.
For more information, visit www.efnt.org.
About North Texas Life Science Society (NTLSS)
North Texas Life Science Society is a unique not-for-profit organization
dedicated to creating a neutral economic catalyst for the promotion
of research in, and the transfer of technology from, regional
academic and research institutions, the education of the public
about developments in and future potential benefits from life
sciences research and the development of the biotechnology and
health sciences industries in North Texas in order to lengthen
and improve quality of life. NTLSS’ core mission is to
facilitate life science research at regional institutions by
assisting in the formation of new businesses. For more information,
contact www.ntlss.org.
For more information, contact:
Wendy Gibson
972-377-1102
w_j_gibson@yahoo.com
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