It’s hard to believe it was just a few weeks ago that we were enjoying in-person networking, eating BBQ, taking business and socializing (not the distant kind). HARD HAT 2020 had more than 80 exhibitors and more than 750 attendees from the construction industry talking business.

Times have changed, but HARD HAT reminds us that we are all connected and ready to do business now and in the future. A few ways of doing business may change over time, but we are all probably more savvy about how technology can help us improve our business connections.

Stay safe and we will see you when we next host an in-person event in the future. — D/FW MSDC

The D/FW MSDC Board of Directors was installed in office on January 28, 2020. Presiding over the oath of office was Dallas County Commissioners Court Judge, Clay Jenkins. Judge Jenkins, in keeping with the mission and theme of the Council, spoke prior to the swearing-in ceremony about the continued need for constituents and directors to uplift the underserved communities and back educational growth and development of the workforce. He applauded the Council for its work with minority-owned businesses and congratulated Council President and CEO, Margo J. Posey, on leading the diversity efforts for Dallas County.

Prior to Judge Jenkins, the attendees heard comments from Adrienne Trimble, CEO of the National Minority Supplier Development Council and Bonnie Clinton, D/FW MSDC Chair of the Board of Directors and Vice President and CPO, Indirect Procurement Shared Services at Toyota Motor North America. Ms. Trimble provided comments on the direction of the NMSDC for 2020, while Ms. Clinton provided comments on her vision for D/FW MSDC going forward. Each encouraged participation by constituents and emphasis on our mission and goals to drive more minority business inclusion in order impact our local communities.

The installation ceremony was followed by a reception where attendees had a chance to mingle and talk with board members and visiting guests, including public officials and their representatives.

Jason L. Saving, PhD, and Communications and Outreach Senior Economist and Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas entertained the crowd of attendees at the recent D/FW MSDC Economic Summit held on January 28, 2020 at the Irving Convention Center. Saving provided insightful observations on the reasons for the apparent thriving economic health of North Texas. His comments also pointed out that while the economy was strong, there were still those in underserved communities that were not fairing as well. He was excited to be a part of talking with the attendees and valued the chance to interact with the Council and its mission of facilitating business connections between minority-owned businesses and corporations and government entities.

Saving kept the crowds interest with discussions on the health of housing, education, talent/workforce, unemployment and other factors impacting our economy. Like many others, he believes our ability to train and grow a skilled workforce for future jobs and opportunities is one of the biggest challenges facing our rapidly growing North Texas economy.

Saving has also written policy-relevant articles on state and local fiscal issues that impact Texas and the Eleventh Federal Reserve District. Among the questions he has examined are why property taxes rose so rapidly in the years after the Great Recession, whether the poor bear a disproportionate share of the state’s overall tax burden and why Texas has a relatively low percentage of people covered by health insurance. A recurring theme of these articles is that public policy decisions have important consequences for equity and economic efficiency.

Saving holds a BA in mathematical economic analysis from Rice University and MA and PhD degrees in economics from the California Institute of Technology. He has taught economics and business courses at George Mason University, the University of Texas at Dallas and Baylor University’s executive MBA program in Dallas.

For additional information papers researched and written by Saving visit www.dallasfed.org or review this link: https://www.dallasfed.org/~/media/documents/research/papers/2012-1.html.

Betty Manetta, Chair of the MBE Input Committee and CEO of Argent Associates sat down for a Fireside Chat with Bonnie Clinton, Chair of the D/FW MSDC Board of Directors and Vice President and CPO, Indirect Procurement Shared Services, Toyota Motor North America. The event took place on January 22, 2020 at the D/FW MSDC Council Offices. Certified minority-owned businesses representatives and supplier diversity professionals attended this session where Bonnie shared her vision for the Council in 2020 and how each of us could participate and help in directing the path of the organization. She provided attendees with first-hand knowledge on the “Toyota Way” of being able to work together and value the talents of all people, plus continually looking for ways to improve. Key takeaways included:

• Collaborate with others and partner when it makes sense.
• Use technology – the difference maker in any business. Be aware of what technologies are impacting your industry, your operations and where it is headed.
• Know what problem you are solving. It’s okay to pitch what you do, but also know and be able to communicate how you can help solve a problem.
• Think long term – have a succession plan. More and more Buying Entities want to make sure they are doing business with those that have long term view of their business and are reducing risk for the buyer.
• Participate in business events and take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow your business.

Toyota and Bonnie are one of the best ambassadors for the work of the Council, not only because of her ability to deliver impactful messages, but because she lives the words in all she does. The additional officers of the MBE Input Committee were also introduced. They are Silvana Rosero, 1st Vice Chair and CEO of Laguna Media Group, Pamela Nelson,
2nd Vice Chair abd CEO of Bracane Company and Tracy Green, Secretary and CEO of TinMan Enterprises. Margo J. Posey, CEO and President of D/FW MSDC closed out the program.