Presidents Message
September MessageEFWBA Friends and Members,
We hope this message finds you well and thriving despite the heat of these last few months. As September approaches, we are excited to announce our next gathering dedicated to advancing business and economic development in our area. Your active participation and unwavering support have been instrumental in driving positive change, and we can't wait to continue this journey together.
At our August membership meeting, we had a few hiccups with the air conditioning in the Fellowship Hall, but the staff at Meadowbrook Poly Methodist Church pulled off a smooth transition. The change in venue did not keep the crowds away, and we had an amazing turn out for our program. In fact, everyone seemed to enjoy the bright open room of the Community Life Center. We might find ourselves back there again, so stay tuned.
Our September meeting holds the promise of yet another insightful discussion, and a valuable networking opportunity. If you’ve been keeping up with our programs, you know that your board and Director Gary Cumbie in particular, have carefully curated a lineup of speakers and topics this year that align with our mission of fostering thriving businesses and development opportunities. This month we will be welcoming Rich Andreski the CEO of Trinity Metro. We felt this companion piece to last month’s Eastside Transportation Plan meeting was fitting and continues our discussion of the importance of transportation and roadways for attracting future development. We hope to see you at Meadowbrook Poly Methodist Church on the first Thursday of the month.
In addition to our guest speaker, Director Bill Schwennsen has put together our slate of officers for next year’s board of directors. That slate of officers will be presented by one of our directors for your consideration. We will vote on those nominations at our October meeting.
If we look further ahead on the calendar, we will be hosting Bobby Ahdieh from the Texas A&M University School of Law in October. The economic impact of the new development surrounding the law school, and the spill over from that development into other areas of the City cannot be understated. We all witnessed the changes around Texas Wesleyan and the good things coming from the law school will be equally impressive.
Finally, I want to take a moment to thank our members. As the year wraps up, I hope you will consider renewing your memberships and continuing to be involved. The success of our group is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of each member. Your involvement has contributed to tangible improvements in our community's economic landscape, and we're excited to see the positive changes we can continue to bring about.
I hope to see you September 7th for our luncheon. Spread the word among your business peers, friends, and fellow entrepreneurs – the more, the merrier!
Mike Shedd, President, 2023
Newsletter PDFs
Videos of all our previous meetings can be viewed on EFWBA's YouTube Channel.
Guest Speaker
NEXT MEETING: OCTOBER 5TWU Coach JOE PRUD'HOMME
Joe Prud’homme is entering into his 7th season as head football coach in 2023. In February of 2016, he was tasked with building a new football program at Texas Wesleyan.
In five seasons (2020 was cut short to two games), Prud'homme has produced 4 All-Americans, 63 All-Conference selections, 55 Academic All-Conference selections, 24 SAC Scholar-Athletes, one NFF Scholar-Athlete, and one NAIA Scholar-Athlete.
Prud’homme compiled an extremely successful coaching career over 27 seasons in the Texas high school ranks and brings that wealth of coaching experience to Texas Wesleyan.
He came to the Rams from nearby Nolan Catholic High School, where he led the Vikings to eleven appearances in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) 5A State Finals and seven State Championships in 24 seasons (1991-’96, 1999-’15). At Nolan Catholic, he compiled a record of 209-105-2 and a playoff record of 38-15-1.
Prior to Nolan Catholic, Prud’homme began his coaching career as the head coach at Bishop T.K. Gorman Catholic School in Tyler, TX. Coaching the Cru in three seasons (1988-’90), he reached the State Championship game in his first season as head coach at the age of 23.
Prud’homme has received numerous accolades including American Football Coaches Association’s 2021 Regional Coach of the Year, SAC Conference 2022 Co-Coach of the Year, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine Private School Coach of the Year (2008), and TAPPS 5A Coach of the Year Awards in his State Championship seasons of 2004, ’05, ’08, ’09, ’11, ’12, and ’13. Among his 31 total Coach of the Year, awards are the 2005-’06 TAPPS 6A Coach of the Year awards which encompass all sports. Additionally, he has been named Tyler Morning Telegraph Football Coach of the Year (1998), Channel 8 Inside High School Sports-Private School Coach of the Year (2004, ’05, ’08, ’09), Chevrolet Truck Coach of the Year (2004), Txprivatesports.com Coach of the Year (’04, ’05), Fort Worth Star-Telegram Private School Football Coach of the Year (1991, ’95, ’99, ’04, ’09, ’12), TAPPS Division I Football Coach of the Year (2004, ’05, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12), TAPPS 5A District Football Coach of the Year (2004, ’05, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’15), LSCSN.com Private School Coach of the Year (2012), and even TAPPS District 5A-1 Girls Golf Coach of the Year (2004).
Prud’homme resides in Kennedale, TX, with his wife Amanda. Amanda is the veterinarian and owner of 287 Animal Hospital in Mansfield. They have two children, Joseph, who is with Ben E Keith Foods Fort Worth, and Emily, who is Regional Customer Accounts Manager for Bob Evans Foods. Both Joseph and Emily earned their MBA’s at Texas Wesleyan and Emily earned her PHD in Chain Supply Management from Liberty University.
Bobby Ahdieh, Dean of the TAMU law school had a trip to Mexico and cannot be with us. He is rescheduled for next year.
See what you missed.
Click here: Past Meetings
Paul Rodman asked us to share this info about the Scout Troops that meet across the street from the church.
Pack 12 is for boys Kindergarden through 5th grade.
Pack 12 meets Tuesdays from 7 to 8pm at "The Scout Hut" 3912 Mount Vernon St. (the building across street -south- of Meadowbrook - Poly United Methodist Church).
TROOP 12 is for boys and girls ages 11-17. They meet on Fridays from 7 to 8:30pm, unless they are out camping.
For more info contact:
Paul Rodman: 817.903.0000
Esthela Muñoz (en español) 817.798.9883
SCOUTING is a wonderful organization teaching youth excellent skills for adult life.
2023 Banquet
Thursday, November 9
Get "In the Mood" to Jazz It Up! for our fall Banquet!
Jazz It Up!
