Officers
Contact us at 817-496-9477
or write to us at PO Box 8861 Fort Worth, TX 76124-0861
EFWBA Officers for 2011 – 2013
Don Boren, Norm Bremes, Chandra Pryor, President Doug Henderson, President-elect Ruben Mercado,
Bob Gallant, Jean McClung, Past-president Tim Morton, Wanda Conlin
or write to us at PO Box 8861 Fort Worth, TX 76124-0861
EFWBA Officers for 2011 – 2013
Don Boren, Norm Bremes, Chandra Pryor, President Doug Henderson, President-elect Ruben Mercado,
Bob Gallant, Jean McClung, Past-president Tim Morton, Wanda Conlin
President Doug Henderson
When Douglas Henderson took office as President of East Fort Worth Business Association about two months ago, he already had a plan for the betterment of the Eastside; one he had been tinkering with for years. After growing up and living on the Eastside most of his life, he has seen the changes that have occurred in the area and – like most – thinks we can do much better.
Born in Dallas in 1955 he said he got back to Fort Worth, his home, as fast as possible. At the time, his family lived in a house in the Brentwood-Oak Hills Neighborhood (BOHN) with Henderson’s two sisters and that is where he resided until college.
“My parents lived in Dallas for a while before they moved to Fort Worth. In World War Two my dad had been a “Combat Forward Observer” for the Army in Europe; which means he directed artillery to enemy targets to blow up. He was a registered mechanical engineer and, after the war, worked for 30 years at LTV with a high security clearance, meaning we didn’t get to hear much about dad’s job at home. After Vietnam, dad could discuss his work as a major player in the first tram system around DFW Airport,” said Henderson.
Henderson attended Eastern Hills Elementary, Meadowbrook Junior High School, and Easter Hills High School. He then went off to Baylor where he graduated in 1979 with a degree in Sociology, and minors in Criminology and Political Science. All of which – he laughingly says – gave him excellent preparation for his first job out of college: Working in the engineering department at Frito-Lay. He stayed there from 1980 – 1995. He then went to work at Loeb Equipment, a pharmaceutical and cosmetic equipment manufacturer, who also had him running trade shows around the world. “And that’s how I met my wife Patti. I was running a trade show in Guadalajara, and she was there as a representative for Gatorade. We both took a plane to Dallas and talked all the way. We’ve been married for ten wonderful years,” he said. Henderson also has a 28 year old son from a previous marriage who took up his grandfather’s occupation as a mechanical engineer.
In 2003 he had a disagreement with one of his bosses at Loeb and amicably left. In 2004, he went to work as Vice-president for Innovative Services with two old friends. They are building contractors who work out of a unique building at 3009 Sandy Lane, north of Division Street.
After spending this many years on the Eastside, Henderson feels qualified to address some of the areas problems and possible solutions. He quickly boils down what he feels the three biggest problems are: Perception, expectations, and city hall indifference, and gives suggestions.
“First, perception: I think many people who live outside the area see us as crime-ridden, with a bunch of homeless shelters fueling our problems. But over and over again, we keep hearing – and being shown by the police – that our crime [statistics] are lower than many other parts of Fort Worth; and in many instances, the lowest. And, yes, we do have homeless shelters on the Eastside; and we’ll probably never get rid of those, but they are a very small part of the Eastside. We need to get quite a bit bolder by defending our side of town. When we see negatives in the media or hear disparaging remarks from someone we need to correct them. We need to write letters to media outlets we think are misrepresenting us. It’s a matter of educating them and not backing down.”
“Second, expectations: I think as business owners, homeowners, and consumers we put up with too much on the Eastside. Things that people on the Westside would never tolerate. If we get bad service from a business, restaurant, a store owner…we need to bring that to their attention and complain. If we don’t get satisfaction from them then we need to go above their heads. Bottom line? We need to raise the bar,” Henderson said.
“Third, city hall indifference: Simply, city hall and our council and staff need to involve us more in the decisions they make for the Eastside; most of the time we feel like we’re outside of the loop. I have been encouraged by our new mayor. She has a can-do attitude, and she comes and speaks at our meetings. But, we’re nearly a year into her regime – so it’s time to start seeing some actual plans for the Eastside. I would say one thing to the city staff: ‘Hey! Where are you guys and why aren’t you helping us,’ – especially panning and development. What can we do to raise the level of awareness out there? One example is the I-30 monument. I don’t understand why there’s not one person who works or lives on the Eastside on that committee; not even of voting status. That’s absurd.”
Henderson has some thoughts about the business association too.
“Of course I would like to see the membership grow. But I also want to see some new blood as well; get more young people involved. I want to raise the professionalism of the association. We’ve had some highs and lows as far as eating places are concerned. We need a better budget – and I think (past president) Tim Morton has got a good handle on that. Again, we need to be involved by the city and businesses as a force for change. For instance, we’re losing Kroger. It’s entirely possible that – had we been asked – we could have negotiated a deal to get them to stay. But we weren’t; why not?
“If someone wants to open a restaurant or a business on the Eastside, we have the expertise on our board to advise them. Businesses that are thinking of moving or expanding; we could help them. I hate to see businesses leave this area. That would take an effort from the association, city hall, and our neighbors.”
Henderson wrapped up the interview with this: “Neighborhood associations, homeowner’s associations, and business associations – we all have an investment in the positive growth and stability of the Eastside. I think we should all pull together and solve our problems. Let’s all get together and go after some bigger things. Let’s make the Eastside an even better place to live.”
President-elect Ruben Mercado
(photo not available yet)
Ruben is an independent Farmers Insurance agent, located at 5555 Bridge St. #101, Fort Worth, TX 76112
Business: 817-658-5147
rmercado@farmersagent.com
www.mercado-insurance.com
Se hablá español
When Douglas Henderson took office as President of East Fort Worth Business Association about two months ago, he already had a plan for the betterment of the Eastside; one he had been tinkering with for years. After growing up and living on the Eastside most of his life, he has seen the changes that have occurred in the area and – like most – thinks we can do much better.
Born in Dallas in 1955 he said he got back to Fort Worth, his home, as fast as possible. At the time, his family lived in a house in the Brentwood-Oak Hills Neighborhood (BOHN) with Henderson’s two sisters and that is where he resided until college.
“My parents lived in Dallas for a while before they moved to Fort Worth. In World War Two my dad had been a “Combat Forward Observer” for the Army in Europe; which means he directed artillery to enemy targets to blow up. He was a registered mechanical engineer and, after the war, worked for 30 years at LTV with a high security clearance, meaning we didn’t get to hear much about dad’s job at home. After Vietnam, dad could discuss his work as a major player in the first tram system around DFW Airport,” said Henderson.
Henderson attended Eastern Hills Elementary, Meadowbrook Junior High School, and Easter Hills High School. He then went off to Baylor where he graduated in 1979 with a degree in Sociology, and minors in Criminology and Political Science. All of which – he laughingly says – gave him excellent preparation for his first job out of college: Working in the engineering department at Frito-Lay. He stayed there from 1980 – 1995. He then went to work at Loeb Equipment, a pharmaceutical and cosmetic equipment manufacturer, who also had him running trade shows around the world. “And that’s how I met my wife Patti. I was running a trade show in Guadalajara, and she was there as a representative for Gatorade. We both took a plane to Dallas and talked all the way. We’ve been married for ten wonderful years,” he said. Henderson also has a 28 year old son from a previous marriage who took up his grandfather’s occupation as a mechanical engineer.
In 2003 he had a disagreement with one of his bosses at Loeb and amicably left. In 2004, he went to work as Vice-president for Innovative Services with two old friends. They are building contractors who work out of a unique building at 3009 Sandy Lane, north of Division Street.
After spending this many years on the Eastside, Henderson feels qualified to address some of the areas problems and possible solutions. He quickly boils down what he feels the three biggest problems are: Perception, expectations, and city hall indifference, and gives suggestions.
“First, perception: I think many people who live outside the area see us as crime-ridden, with a bunch of homeless shelters fueling our problems. But over and over again, we keep hearing – and being shown by the police – that our crime [statistics] are lower than many other parts of Fort Worth; and in many instances, the lowest. And, yes, we do have homeless shelters on the Eastside; and we’ll probably never get rid of those, but they are a very small part of the Eastside. We need to get quite a bit bolder by defending our side of town. When we see negatives in the media or hear disparaging remarks from someone we need to correct them. We need to write letters to media outlets we think are misrepresenting us. It’s a matter of educating them and not backing down.”
“Second, expectations: I think as business owners, homeowners, and consumers we put up with too much on the Eastside. Things that people on the Westside would never tolerate. If we get bad service from a business, restaurant, a store owner…we need to bring that to their attention and complain. If we don’t get satisfaction from them then we need to go above their heads. Bottom line? We need to raise the bar,” Henderson said.
“Third, city hall indifference: Simply, city hall and our council and staff need to involve us more in the decisions they make for the Eastside; most of the time we feel like we’re outside of the loop. I have been encouraged by our new mayor. She has a can-do attitude, and she comes and speaks at our meetings. But, we’re nearly a year into her regime – so it’s time to start seeing some actual plans for the Eastside. I would say one thing to the city staff: ‘Hey! Where are you guys and why aren’t you helping us,’ – especially panning and development. What can we do to raise the level of awareness out there? One example is the I-30 monument. I don’t understand why there’s not one person who works or lives on the Eastside on that committee; not even of voting status. That’s absurd.”
Henderson has some thoughts about the business association too.
“Of course I would like to see the membership grow. But I also want to see some new blood as well; get more young people involved. I want to raise the professionalism of the association. We’ve had some highs and lows as far as eating places are concerned. We need a better budget – and I think (past president) Tim Morton has got a good handle on that. Again, we need to be involved by the city and businesses as a force for change. For instance, we’re losing Kroger. It’s entirely possible that – had we been asked – we could have negotiated a deal to get them to stay. But we weren’t; why not?
“If someone wants to open a restaurant or a business on the Eastside, we have the expertise on our board to advise them. Businesses that are thinking of moving or expanding; we could help them. I hate to see businesses leave this area. That would take an effort from the association, city hall, and our neighbors.”
Henderson wrapped up the interview with this: “Neighborhood associations, homeowner’s associations, and business associations – we all have an investment in the positive growth and stability of the Eastside. I think we should all pull together and solve our problems. Let’s all get together and go after some bigger things. Let’s make the Eastside an even better place to live.”
President-elect Ruben Mercado
(photo not available yet)
Ruben is an independent Farmers Insurance agent, located at 5555 Bridge St. #101, Fort Worth, TX 76112
Business: 817-658-5147
rmercado@farmersagent.com
www.mercado-insurance.com
Se hablá español
Past President, Dr. Tim Morton
Director, Don Boren
Don is the owner of Kwik Kopy on Handley Street.
Don has lived in East Fort Worth for more than 30 years. A graduate of
Polytechnic High School and Texas Wesleyan University, he was a part of
the management team at John Peter Smith Hospital, and later with HCA.
Don then went to work for Bergeron's TV and Appliances on Meadowbrook Drive, where he worked for over 15 years.
Don married Wanda Conlin in 2001, and moved to East Fort Worth, serving on the West Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association as president. Don is active in other organizations, including the Eastside Rotary, where he has served as president. Don is active in community planning, and serves District 8 on the City of Fort Worth Planning Commission.
Director, Wanda Conlin
Wanda
has lived in West Meadowbrook for 48 years, in two different houses,
both on Martel Street. Wanda has been an avid runner for more than 25
years. There are trophies lining her wall to prove that she was a fast
woman. The open space behind her home in the Scenery Hill area is her
favorite place to run or walk.
Wanda has served as President of EFWBA, Shakespeare in the Park, Historic Preservation Council for Tarrant County, and was Chairwoman of the City Planning Commission for seven of the nine years served on that commission.
Named Outstanding Woman of East Fort Worth, awarded by EFWBA, Outstanding Woman of Fort Worth, awarded by Commission for Women, Star Award from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and Planning Advocate of the Year, given by the Midwest Chapter of American Planning Association are a few of the honors Wanda is particularly proud of receiving.
Director, Don Boren
Don is the owner of Kwik Kopy on Handley Street.
Don has lived in East Fort Worth for more than 30 years. A graduate of
Polytechnic High School and Texas Wesleyan University, he was a part of
the management team at John Peter Smith Hospital, and later with HCA. Don then went to work for Bergeron's TV and Appliances on Meadowbrook Drive, where he worked for over 15 years.
Don married Wanda Conlin in 2001, and moved to East Fort Worth, serving on the West Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association as president. Don is active in other organizations, including the Eastside Rotary, where he has served as president. Don is active in community planning, and serves District 8 on the City of Fort Worth Planning Commission.
Director, Wanda Conlin
Wanda
has lived in West Meadowbrook for 48 years, in two different houses,
both on Martel Street. Wanda has been an avid runner for more than 25
years. There are trophies lining her wall to prove that she was a fast
woman. The open space behind her home in the Scenery Hill area is her
favorite place to run or walk. Wanda has served as President of EFWBA, Shakespeare in the Park, Historic Preservation Council for Tarrant County, and was Chairwoman of the City Planning Commission for seven of the nine years served on that commission.
Named Outstanding Woman of East Fort Worth, awarded by EFWBA, Outstanding Woman of Fort Worth, awarded by Commission for Women, Star Award from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and Planning Advocate of the Year, given by the Midwest Chapter of American Planning Association are a few of the honors Wanda is particularly proud of receiving.
Secretary, Chandra Pryor
Director, Jean McClung
Jean is a former member of the Fort Worth Independent School District Board of Education, and in honor of her 20 plus years of service, FWISD named the Eastside's newest elementary school in her honor, which is built on the grounds of the old Handley High School. Jean graduated one year before the school was closed.
Jean was first elected to serve on the school board in 1990. During her tenure, some of Jean's efforts included Because We Care counselors and Academic Coordinators at each high school, established the Comprehensive Truancy Intervention Program, saw construction of two new schools in District 2, and served on the Young Women's Leadership Academy. Jean has served on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of School Boards for over 13 years. For four years, she served on the Risk Management Committee for TASB. For 10 years, Jean was a member of the North Texas Area Association of School Boards and she is a life member of Texas PTA.
Director, Jean McClung
Jean is a former member of the Fort Worth Independent School District Board of Education, and in honor of her 20 plus years of service, FWISD named the Eastside's newest elementary school in her honor, which is built on the grounds of the old Handley High School. Jean graduated one year before the school was closed.Jean was first elected to serve on the school board in 1990. During her tenure, some of Jean's efforts included Because We Care counselors and Academic Coordinators at each high school, established the Comprehensive Truancy Intervention Program, saw construction of two new schools in District 2, and served on the Young Women's Leadership Academy. Jean has served on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of School Boards for over 13 years. For four years, she served on the Risk Management Committee for TASB. For 10 years, Jean was a member of the North Texas Area Association of School Boards and she is a life member of Texas PTA.
Director, Bob Gallant
