BUSINESS HALL OF FAME

Presenting Spirit of Enterprise Award

Presenting Community Leadership Award

Presenting Entrepreneurial Spirit Award

Presenting Exemplary Customer Service Award

Farmers Insurance C. Keith Bland Agency

Allen Samuels Chrysler Jeep Dodge at Alliance

City of Keller

First Financial Bank

Frost Bank

Atmos Energy

NET Business Resource Magazine

Allied Waste Services

All About Recognition

Rocky Top Therapy Center

Classic Chevrolet - The Thompson Group

August 12, 2011
 
Come hear our featured speaker - Mitch Gaylord, Olympic Gold Medalist & America's First "Perfect 10!"

Entrepreneurial Spirit Award

This award is reserved for a business that has created a successful new commercial operation, grown an existing business into a larger presence in the community or exhibited an extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit while conducting business.

Community Leadership

This award has been reserved for a business that continually exhibits strong community spirit and outstanding leadership and commitment to community, civic and /or philanthropic efforts.

Exemplary Customer Service Award

This award has been reserved for a business that exhibits customer service above and beyond the expected, normal business operations.  This award recipient understands the importance of going the “extra mile” to satisfy the needs of their customers.

Community Outreach Award

This award is reserved for a non-profit business or agency that exceeds expectations serving those in need in our community.  This non-profit reaches beyond the expected level of assistance to meet people's physical needs and goes further to ensure that their self respect remains intact, taking a very proactive approach to solving the problem.

2010 Winners

Winners, from left to right:

Trent Swearengin, Sr. Vice President, First Financial Bank – Keller
Brenda DeVore, AAMS Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Investments
Vicki Truitt, State Representative, District 98
C. Keith Bland, Insurance and Financial Services Agent, Farmers Insurance
David Russell, Vice President of External Affairs, Verizon Communications

Entrepreneurial Spirit – Edward Jones Investments

Brenda DeVore began her career as an Edward Jones Financial Advisor in 2002.  She started very modestly.  In 2002 she started by creating a mobile office from the trunk of her car. Brenda began her business by going door to door through the neighborhoods in our area, building her business one client at a time.   Brenda’s high level of energy and passion for helping others has given her what it takes to become one of the premier financial planning and investment firms in the Keller area.  It is not about the sale, but rather it is about how to solve a problem.  Currently Brenda’s business is 100% referral.  Through the care and personal attention she gives each client, she has not only the client, but has added the client’s parents, the client’s children, other relatives and friends.  The success Brenda DeVore has found is mainly due to the depth and breadth of her relationships.  The path that Brenda DeVore followed shows strong entrepreneurial spirit and commitment.

Community Leadership – Verizon –Large business

Verizon selected Keller TX as the 1st city in the country to deploy its FiOs fiber optic network.  Keller received an enormous amount of local, regional & national press for the city.  Verizon generated so much excitement about Keller and the FiOs that they helped host an open meeting with the Federal Communications Commission in the City. 

Verizon has consistently supported Keller’s numerous school, city and non-profit endeavors, donating well over $100,000.00 in grants to several different Keller causes over the years.  Recipients include the KISD Education Foundation, multiple Keller schools, dozens of Keller churches, the Keller library, the Community Storehouse, the Greater Keller Women’s Club, Christ’s Haven for Children, Rocky Top Therapy Center, Little Orphan Angels Animal Rescue of Keller, Keller Lions Club, KYA, Lightening Dancers Service Organization, Keller Little League, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts & the North Tarrant County Rural Fire Dept.
47 employees work in facilities that are in Keller.  Many more Verizon employees that work in other cities have chosen Keller, TX as their home – a total of 359 employees are residents of the city.  Verizon continues its partnership with the city of Keller and truly appreciates being able to live work and support all aspects of the city through its commitment to community leadership.

Community Leadership – First Financial Bank – Small business

First Financial Bank is a strong supporter of several community non-profit organizations with employees that have given their time and efforts to get involved and make our community a better place.  Trent Swearengin serves as President of the Keller Rotary Club, sits on the Board of Christ Haven for Children, is involved with Relay for Life  - Banking on a cure.  The bank participates in Teach Children to Save Day by visiting local classrooms and teaching children about the importance of saving money.

Exemplary Customer Service – Farmers Insurance – C. Keith Bland Agency

Excellent customer service is a signature of all good businesses.  As an insurance agent, when your clients call in need, it is because something has gone wrong.  Keith Bland is always accessible to visitors and by phone.  Keith has been called by clients at the scene of an auto accident and has responded, helping clients with the reporting process, discussions with police, initiating the claim, helping with a rental vehicle etc.  He has had calls by clients that are out of town whose wives/daughters have been in a wreck and has personally gone out to assist them and calm them down.
Another example was of a home that was under construction that was blown by severe straight winds and had fallen against a customer’s home.  Keith went to their home to assist, expedited services, photographed damages, and spoke to the builder and their insurance company.  Accidents do not just happen between 9a and 5p, they happen in the evening, at night, on weekends and during holidays.  Keith Bland is committed to providing the highest level of customer service possible.

The Spirit of Enterprise Award

The Spirit of Enterprise Award goes to an elected official that has made a significant contribution to their constituents and the Keller community.  This Year’s Spirit of Enterprise Award winner is State Representative Vicki Truitt.

Now in her sixth term, Representative Truitt is the Chairman of the Texas House of Representatives Committee on Pensions, Investments and financial services and is a member of the house committee on Public Health.  Throughout her career, she has been a leader in our state on transportation  funding issues, public retirement and healthcare systems, banking and lending issues and health and human services. 

Her most recent legislative accomplishments include:
property tax appraisal process reform, authoring and passing bills in support of public employee retirement systems, authoring and passing bills to support the State’s community mental health/mental retardation centers, bills relating to state  financial regulatory agencies and the regulation of certain persons involved in mortgage lending and the regulation of discount healthcare program by the Texas Department of Insurance.

In addition, Vicki Truitt has volunteered and led many community organizational initiatives in NE Tarrant County in the fields of art, education and local philanthropy.