University mourns loss of Dr. Robert H. Rutford, UT Dallas’ 2nd president
Dr. Robert H. Rutford, former president of The University of Texas at Dallas, died Dec. 1, 2019. Dr. Robert H. Rutford Rutford served as president of UT Dallas from 1982 to 1994 and was named president emeritus by the UT System Board of Regents in 2007. He also was a long-time member of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce and served on its board of directors. During his tenure as UT Dallas’ second president, Rutford guided the University through several transformative changes including adding freshman
How the talent shortage affects kids
by Kim Quirk, education The talent shortage is affecting businesses across a variety of industries. As our world has moved firmly into the digital age, more and more employers are looking to hire those who have digital and analytical skills. In the construction and trades that aren’t glorified in the media, students are missing out on the advantages to these ‘old’ professions. Many businesses are finding that there just aren't enough job applicants who possess the required skills for their businesses,
Enhance your reputation and credibility
Enhance your reputation and credibility. Sponsor an event or increase your investment for more benefit. Your chamber membership already benefits your business. Continue to gain valuable recognition in the Richardson community by sponsoring a chamber event or even upgrade your membership to higher investment levels that offer increased benefits. Why should you invest in a sponsorship or membership upgrade? The Richardson Chamber of Commerce is a five-star accredited chamber, which places us among the
Consumers are looking for your business on Discover Richardson
Consumers are looking for your business on Discover Richardson The City of Richardson is placing a promotional flyer featuring Discover Richardson in each envelope that contains a water bill. Consumers will be visiting the site. Will they only find your simple listing? Make sure to get the full impact of this visibility. If you have a marketplace membership, your listing will have expanded offerings like logo, location/directions/map, phone #, website link, contact form, hours of operation, business
Multiple services available for senior care in Richardson
Multiple services available for senior care in Richardson By Suellen Price, editor Having senior parents is a familiar story, but it became personal for me a few years ago. And it came quickly. Two teen-agers, a crazy job…and now my parents were the ones needing help. Sure, they were only 100 miles away. Close enough to get there in an emergency, but not close enough to run to the grocery store or figure out why the TV remote didn’t work. If you haven’t experienced it yet, you someday will. By 2030, as
Chamber board gains seven new members
Chamber board gains seven new members Our dedicated board members give their time and commitment to the success of businesses in Richardson. The leadership provided by the board of directors is part of what makes the Richardson Chamber so strong. During a typical three-year term, the board members spend countless volunteer hours ensuring that the chamber maintains financial stability and stays true to the mission. This month, seven valued members will complete their tenure on the board, as defined by
Salute to our President’s Club Principal members
A very special thank you Salute to our President’s Club Principal members The Richardson Chamber of Commerce companies in the President’s Club are true business and community leaders who have chosen to go the extra mile in their volunteer leadership and financial support of the chamber. Through their significant commitment, President’s Club members help the chamber realize its vision to enhance the business environment for its members and the community. Many chamber activities would not be possible
New and growing companies in the Richardson landscape
by John Jacobs, Executive Vice President Richardson has recorded 25 expansions and relocations through Q3 2019 that will result in the addition of 3,547 new and retained jobs and the occupancy of 1,877,310 SF of office, flex and industrial space. Some notable projects include: DXC Technology – This is the latest version of Ross Perot’s iconic EDS which was acquired by Hewlett-Packard and then spun out as a separate company a few years ago. One of the world’s largest independent IT services and
Member news Dec 2019
Member news: Texas Instruments is keeping it local with two major donations. First, the TI Foundation has granted a total of $325,000 to several organizations across North Texas to aid in recovery efforts after tornados swept across the area on Oct. 20. The grants will be used to support organizations and those impacted in our communities through frontline disaster relief, mobile food banks, school supplies and more. Secondly, on the occasion of The University of Texas at Dallas’ 50th anniversary, TI made
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Richardson in the news: December 2019
Richardson in the news: A study along Greenville Ave. shows a two-mile area is “underutilized,” making it ideal for more sidewalks and bike lanes. The study is part of the effort to create an 1,200-acre Innovation District east of US 75. Opting for bike lanes and pedestrian crosswalks could make it easier to get around the district without a car, city officials report. News from the City of Richardson Richardson’s Complete Count Committee, made up of local business, education, cultural and nonprofit
Richardson in the news October
Richardson will soon reap the benefits of several education-related initiatives.Funding changes from House Bill 3 and increased property tax revenue means Richardson Independent School District starts the year without a deficit.The district is partnering with Texas State University to help teachers earn a master’s degree in special education.West Coast University is closing its Dallas location to relocate in the old Fossil headquarters building. The school can accommodate 1,500 nursing and healthcare
Members in the news
Accucode 3D is now Accucode 3D and the 3D Printing Store following a merger of the companies in July.The first of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas’ medical centers is now open in Richardson as the insurer moves into the provider space with 10 new facilities statewide in a partnership with Sanitas Medical Center.Axxess, a health care technology company founded by its CEO and University of Texas at Dallas alumnus John Olajide BS’04, has donated $500,000 to establish the Axxess Scholars Program for UTD computer
EDGE awards recognize outstanding companies, individuals and projects
EDGE awards recognize outstanding companies, individuals and projects The City of Richardson, Richardson Chamber of Commerce and Richardson Rotary Clubs are excited to announce the 2019 Economic Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) Award recipients, who will be honored during a special luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 14. For 37 years, these groups have recognized deserving Richardson businesses, individuals and projects with these awards program. This year’s honorees have meaningfully contributed to
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Ambassador profile: Mary Anne Thornton
Ten years ago, Mary Anne Thornton was a young intern with the Richardson Chamber of Commerce. Today, she is one of the Chamber’s top ambassadors.“The staff is so friendly and supportive, and the ambassadors are a fun group that enjoys supporting one another and the businesses that call Richardson home,” she said. Ambassador Club members are liaisons who serve as the face of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce. Ambassadors represent, promote and encourage participation in the Richardson Chamber, while
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Board profile: Monica Scott, Logotology
Monica Scott is a true hometown girl. She’s lived in Richardson all her life, graduated from Berkner High School and now owns a small business here. In serving her community, she’s a new member to the Chamber’s board; she’ll serve as the vice chair of the business services division in 2020. “I have been a member in the chamber for years, and recently served on the advisory committee, the executive after hours and the bowling committees,” she said. She also is a graduate of Leadership Richardson and has
10 constitutional amendments on Texas Nov. 5 ballot
10 constitutional amendments on Texas Nov. 5 ballot Texas voters will vote on 10 proposed amendments to the state constitution this year, which deal with everything from retiring law enforcement animals to the state's tax code. Texans will be asked to vote on these propositions about a wide range of topics from allowing judges to hold more than one office to cancer funding. A summary of all 10 propositions drafted by the Chamber’s Public Policy committee are below. The chamber’s board of directors have
Continued connections made in international markets
When companies choose Richardson, local tax revenues, jobs and other small businesses all thrive with the economic boost. Chamber CEO Bill Sproull spread the word about Richardson’s robust business climate, particularly in the innovation space, in Europe this fall. Bill was one of four participants on an international panel discussing approaches in innovation ecosystems at the 36th annual conference of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) in Nantes, France. More than 600 delegates from 70
DART agrees to shuttle agreement with Richardson
A three-year agreement with the City of Richardson for a Galatyn Park Station shuttle was approved on Tues., Oct. 8, by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Providing a last-mile connection, the agreement calls for a shuttle from DART’s Galatyn Park Station to the surrounding industrial park areas, corporate offices, entertainment and residential housing, 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Service currently supports 118 weekday riders, but the area is going through accelerated development
Richardson creates a land for future giants
From D Magazine In June, the city ofRichardsonjoined the Better Block Foundation to throw a party in a burgeoning neighborhood. Inside what’s for now being called the Collins/Arapaho Transit-Oriented Development and Innovation District—a place filled with generally uninviting, aging, one-story manufacturing buildings—workers trotted out food trucks, brought in live music, and invited anyone who works in, lives in, or visits the area. More than anything, the block party served as a preview of what the
Tech Titans Live! Expo and Trade Show
Companies will showcase leading-edge equipment, software and solutions for technology companies at a trade show and networking event Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Richardson Civic Center, 411 W. Arapaho Road, Richardson. Throughout the Live! Expo, each specific Tech Titans®’ special interest forum will host a technical presentation featuring subject matter experts and panels sharing valuable insights about technology topics including perspectives about future impacts, innovative use cases
Ambassadors of the month
A special thank you to our hard-working ambassadors. Our summer ambassadors of the month are Mark Kobilka, Vivan Plumlee and Amy Taylor.Mark is owner of Make Your Mark Printing and Design. Family owned and operated since 1985, MYM offers high quality printing at an affordable, competitive price…from simple black and white business forms to full-color catalogs.Vivian Plumlee of Dallas Coffee News. Dallas Coffee News is a free, weekly publication for business customers who have a few minutes to read good
Congressmen Taylor and Allred meet with chamber delegation
Freshmen Congressmen Collin Allred (D-TX 32nd District) and Van Taylor (R-TX 3rd District) met with Richardson business people and Chamber members last month to discuss their introduction to Washington and federal policies that directly impact the North Texas region. Both congressmen agreed that major priorities include passing additional infrastructure funding for the North Texas region. Texas is projected to double in population by 2050. New highways, bridges and investments in infrastructure will be
UT Dallas ranks high on NYT mobility index
Not a day that goes by that we do not hear about the cost of higher education. But is the cost of a college degree worth it? In other words, does it pay to invest in yourself (or have someone invest in you)? We believe the answer to that question is yes, and especially so at The University of Texas at Dallas which is both highly selective and capable of economic transformation of its students. But don’t take my word for it, let’s turn to the data. Among the many measures by which a university can be
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Podcast: Women in Leadership, preparing for the next stage
At the September Women in Leadership event, a panel spoke to women from millennial to pre-retirement, including legal and financial experts, to find out how you can be prepared for your future. Examples include Kathy Tran who runs a business at 25 years, Amanda who had cancer by 25, and Kristen whose husband in the military. On the healthcare side, think of HIPPA authorization, medical power of attorney (get 3-4 people), DNR, advanced directive. If you have children—college age=medical release, how to
Barbara Tunstall joins member services team
Barbara Tunstall has joined the Richardson Chamber full time supporting our member services effort. Barbara has been a long-time volunteer with the Richardson Chamber and Tech Titans. She has a long history of working in client-centric industries such as academia (Brookhaven College), restaurant, retail & wholesale apparel (Jones New York), real estate (new home sales and properties manager), technology (Impiger Technologies), transportation (Bubbl) and healthcare (Assisting Hands). She has worked with
Richardson in the news September
Richardson in the news Groundbreaking held for Main Street Revitalization ProjectRichardson named a top 10 U.S. recession-proof housing market Richardson ranked 10th best small real estate market in U.S.Cottonwood Art Festival announces musical actsDART Silver Line Q&A available RISD Superintendent Dr. Jeannie Stone wins Texas PTA of the Year City information from the mayorCorporate Challenge is underway with title sponsor GEICO. During the course of the program, Special Olympics has received $2.6
Architecture and Construction Careers academies kick off first school year
Architecture and Construction Careers academies kick off first school year The inaugural freshman class of the Architecture and Construction Careers Academies at Richardson and Lake Highlands High Schools is under way. This group of students will be the first to graduate four years from now with the new curriculum that includes 60 hours of dual credit. They will exit high school with an associate’s degree and be ready to join the workforce. Compensation for these new hires is expected to be in the
Nominations accepted for Education/Workforce Hero Award
Nominations are being accepted for the second annual Education & Workforce Hero Award The award recognizes an organization or individual that has provided significant support for education initiatives and projects that advance the Richardson Chamber of Commerce's education and workforce goals. Ken Hutchenrider, city councilman, president of Methodist Richardson Medical Center and former chairman of the Richardson Chamber, was the first recipient of the award. This recognition can be awarded to any
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Mayor Paul Voelker in Rich Talk podcast
Mayor Voelker sits down and talks about his background in Richardson, and his approach to business relationships with the city. Part of the conversation is how Richardson develops interest from international companies, and why bringing in international companies is important. Mayor Voelker also talks about the planning that is being done for the city as a whole to develop areas of interest that can best serve various groups of citizenry and businesses. It's an exciting and cohesive look at the future of
Member news August 2019
Chamber members on Dallas Business Journal's list of best places to workTexas Instruments to delay $3.2 billion expansion of its Richardson plantWhat will be the impact of new school finance legislation? Panel event Sept. 11Richland College student accepted into NASA community college aerospace program What will be the impact of new school finance legislation? Hear from local public school leaders at the State of the District Luncheon on Sept. 11. The Education & Workforce and Public Policy Committees
Richardson in the news: August 2019
Council elects mayor pro temMain Street renewal project kicks off in downtown RichardsonRevamp of Sears building, surrounding area approvedSummer interns spend day of service at networkGoFundMe set up to pay for highway signs honoring Richardson's slain police Officer David SherrardDiscovering 10 things to do in Richardson Council elects mayor pro temFrom City of Richardson Newly elected City Council Member Janet DePuy was chosen by her peers on the Richardson City Council to become Mayor Pro Tem at a
Blog, Leadership in the workplace: David Aaker says we can be better people in business
Leadership in the workplace: David Aaker says we can be better people in businessby Kory Aoyama, 2019 chairman of the board and account exec with BlueCross BlueShieldDavid Aaker is well-known for his expertise in marketing and his ability to help businesses thrive and exceed their goals. His branding concepts, including identifying customer's interests and creating a community or story around those interests, has made him an icon in the business world. In a constantly evolving marketplace, David Aaker's
Leadership Richardson XXXV class list
Leadership Richardson Class XXXV kicks off milestone year for program Back when parachute pants, big hair and shoulder pads were a thing, and we all sang along to “We Are the World,” 35 future leaders were in the inaugural class of Leadership Richardson. Today, Class XXXV, destined to be the best class ever, kicks off with 42 members eager to enhance their personal and organizational leadership skills, learn what makes a successful community and figure out how they can make a difference. Programs like
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Member profile: Alicia Makaye, Ph.D, GXA
Alicia is the co-founder of GXA (along with her husband and business partner, George). Currently, she is the vice president and a key decision maker that serves as a strategic business planner and advocate for the organization. With a background in human resources, she serves as the tri-chair on the HR committee as well as on the advisory board. One of her most recent accomplishments -- Dallas Business Journal’s Minority Business Leader honoree – acknowledge her work helping young African American women
High school interns on the job in area businesses
High school interns on the job in area businesses The Richardson Mayor’s Summer Internship Program is under way and experiencing tremendous success. In just its second year, the program has grown rapidly from 25 internships last year to 43 this year thanks to the 40 participating businesses. The program provides eight-week, paid internships to high school students who attend Richardson ISD or live in the City of Richardson. Rivaling a college-level internship, this invaluable experience gives
Member news June 2019
More beds to address regional growth around Methodist Richardson Medical Center From Community Impact Newspaper In December, the hospital will open the first 50 beds associated with its $85 million, two-story expansion, a project that kicked off in 2017.Hospital President Kenneth Hutchenrider has said the expansion was prompted by “explosive growth” in and around Richardson.“We see a tremendous amount of economic boom all around us, so we want to position ourselves to be able to care for that continued
Richland College and grant funding provide free training for your employees
Recruiting, training and maintaining a highly-skilled workforce continues to be a top priority among Richardson area companies. Richland College provides high quality, customized training without cost to you, the employer. In fact, Richland can offer companies state grant-funded training for new and existing employees through the Skills Development Fund (SDF), a program of the Texas Workforce Commission. SDF enhances your employee training program and stretches your departmental budget. Several Richardson
Blog post: Teams play follow the leader
Teams play follow the leaderby Stan Bradshaw, 1st vice chairman of the Chamber's economic division and president and CEO of US Freedom Capital LLC Teamwork is critical for businesses in just about every industry, so it is likely that you will work as part of a team at some point in your career. Depending on your position within your organization, you may be called upon as a team leader as well. Here's what you need to know to keep your team members focused and ensure they follow your lead for exceptional
International news June
June has been hot as chamber leaders continue to nurture the business relationship with Japan CEO Bill Sproull and Mike Skelton, director of Mayor's Office of International Business, returned to Japan for numerous face-to-face meetings with Japanese business officials in June. The return trip included a stop in Washington, D.C., to attend the SelectUSA Investment Summit. In Japan, Bill and Mike worked with the Texas Japan Office to continue foreign direct investment (FDI) recruitment. Agenda
Richardson in the news: June
Richardson in the NewsIndependence Day celebrationsFrom City of Richardson Sparks will fly at the City of Richardson’s annual Family 4th Celebration on Thursday at Breckinridge Park. This traditional, patriotic salute is free and open to the entire community. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets and/or lawn chairs and enjoy the evening under the stars!Mapping, crowd-sourced data key elements in City of Richardson’s Smart City Game PlanBy Dallas Innovates From bobcat sightings to blocked
President’s Club profile: GEICO
The little green lizard with an English accent represents thousands of Richardson employees who love to give back to their community. Almost four years ago, GEICO claimed Richardson as home to the regional office handling sales, service and claims for Texas and nine other states. “We chose Richardson because it had a facility we were looking for,” said Dan Beacom, regional vice president. “A pleasant surprise is the city of Richardson has been terrific. The support has been very strong. It’s been a very
RCC board opens call for nominations for 2020 board of directors
RCC board opens call for nominations for 2020 board of directorsNominations accepted through June 28, 2019 The Richardson Chamber of Commerce Nominating Committee chaired by Amanda Rockow, 2018 chairman of the board, is accepting nominations to the board of directors for terms beginning Jan. 1, 2020. The RCC board of directors is responsible for setting the Chamber’s strategic direction, both now and in the future. Members of the board meet 6 times per year and actively participate in the Chamber’s
Richardson in the news: May 2019
UT Dallas named No. 1 best-value public university in Texas Mayor’s Internship Program hosts job fair Richardson more bike-friendly than most Texas cities, national organization says US 75 through Richardson officially named for fallen officer Ann Eisemann Inclusive Playground opensUT Dallas named No. 1 best-value public university in Texasfrom Community Impact Newspaper Students are getting a better bang for their buck at UT Dallas than at any other public university in the state, according to
President’s Club profile: NOAH'S Event Venue
From a picture-perfect wedding to a motivational corporate seminar, all successful, stress-free events start with the right place. President’s Club member, NOAH’S Event Venue of Richardson, offers all the flexibility necessary to make any event a success. The local in Richardson hosts the chamber’s Women In Leadership quarterly luncheons, among other events. “NOAH’S is here to change the way that people come together to work and play,” said Kate Jensen, vice president of sales. “Our goal is to create the
City council elections
City council election results 1 race in run-off; former Chamber board member gains seatfrom Community Impact Newspaper Richardson City Council will gain three new members as a result of this year’s election, but the question of who will fill one of those seats will not be answered until next month. One race will go to another round as none of its three candidates polled more than 50 percent of the vote. Dan Barrios and Janet DePuy were the top two vote-getters over Franklin Byrd in the race for Place 3
2020 U.S. Census seeks census takers
While the official Census Day is a year away, the 2020 Census has kicked off. An accurate count is essential to driving the future of Richardson. The once-a-decade population count affects local representation in government, determines how much funding a community receives and provides data to help businesses plan. Current initiatives include recruiting a local base of census takers.Everyone counts. The census counts every person living in the U.S. once, only once, and in the right place.It’s about fair
Historical downtown Main Street area to be called the Core
Developers and investors have revealed a new name for the Main Street area. Richardson’s Core District, an historic place on Main Street between Central Expressway and Greenville Avenue, will include construction of more than 20,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, 300 multi-family and 100 single-family homes and the addition of new parks. THE “core” (The Richardson Core District) was selected after several months of research and evaluation by design firm Dodd Creative Group, who worked with
Richardson will be home to TI’s new 300mm wafer manufacturing site
Richardson will be home to TI’s new 300mm wafer manufacturing site Texas Instruments will expand its presence in Richardson with its new wafer manufacturing facility. The new facility is expected to create more than 488 jobs and represent more than $3.1 billion in capital investment. “The Lone Star State continues to be a leader in the development of innovative technologies because of companies like Texas Instruments,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. “Made in Texas is a powerful label, and this expansion will
President's Club Profile: Anthony Pampillonia
Even after six generations, it’s still great when you get a little help from your friends, and your community. “When we opened our store in Richardson, we wanted to open it here,” said Anthony Pampillonia, “It’s our community.” “We enjoy serving our community, and our local employees and clients are just great,” he said. The business community is supported by the City and its residents. The supportive atmosphere makes Richardson a special place, he said. The Pampillonia family began designing,
Chamber brings Robbins speaker for strategy workshop
Chamber brings Robbins’ speaker for strategy workshop Chamber members can learn personal and professional strategy from a Robbins Institute veteran at a special luncheon workshop in April. Dragan Trajkovski, a 14-year veteran with Robbins Research International, brings sales, sales management, business consulting, leadership development and entrepreneurial expertise to ignite results-driven training, workshops and success seminars aligned with Robbins Research International. The lunch and
Richardson in the news: March 2019
Richardson in the news: City Council updated on Richardson Economic Development PartnershipMain Street revitalization project should begin this summerCity receives “Triple A” bond ratingsDART Galatyn Station platform extension project begins Richardson a best city for retirementRichardson named to “Top 100 Places to Live” list; highest ranked in TexasUT Dallas’ updated campus master plan addresses unprecedented enrollment growth in recent yearsWildflower! Festival to feature performances by Fitz and the
