EFNT’S ‘SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP’ EVENT BRINGS NORTH TEXAS
BUSINESS COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO HONOR LEADERS AND INNOVATORS
June 24 Celebration Welcomes Bill Lively Into ‘Ring of Entrepreneurs’
DALLAS – On Thursday, June 24, more than 300 business community leaders are expected to gather for the ninth annual Spirit of Entrepreneurship celebration, where Bill Lively, chairman and CEO of the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Committee, will be inducted into the “Ring of Entrepreneurs.” The invitation-only event, this year entitled “Scaling the Heights of Philanthropy,” is hosted by the Entrepreneurs For North Texas (EFNT), a fund of Communities Foundation of Texas that facilitates community involvement and philanthropy for small and mid-size companies.
After a reception at 6 p.m., to be held at the foundation’s headquarters at 5500 Caruth Haven Lane in Dallas, Lively will be introduced by Mayor Tom Leppert and then will participate in a Q&A session moderated by Terdema L. Ussery II, president and CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. Also during the event, the North Star Award, given to individuals who have set a “shining example” for their leadership in community involvement, will be presented to Chris and Ashlee Kleinert. The couple have contributed countless volunteer hours and resources to many local charitable organizations and founded the nonprofit organization, Executives In Action, which connects executives in transition with non-profits who can leverage their management skills. The North Star Award will also be given to EFNT member company ES OnDemand for their generous contribution of time and resources to North Texas nonprofit organizations in need.
“This event is a celebration of the generosity and entrepreneurial spirit that shape our community,” said Pam Gerber, executive director of EFNT. “Recognizing these role models in corporate citizenship is an important and effective way to encourage involvement.”
Lively joins a prestigious group of leaders who have been inducted into the “Ring of Entrepreneurs” for their far-reaching commitment in philanthropy. Previous honorees include Jim Keyes, Ray Hunt,
Craig Hall, Roger Staubach, T. Boone Pickens, and Charles and Sam Wyly.
Proceeds from the event’s sponsors and silent auction will go to support EFNT, which leverages the resources of entrepreneurs and their companies to give back to their communities while they build their businesses and professional networks. Auction items include an autographed poster from New Moon; a romantic weekend getaway in California’s Napa Valley; a cocktail party for 20 guests at The Capital Grille; a 48-inch strand of Freshwater Pearls; signed jerseys from sports legends Peyton Manning and Joe Montana; “Face Time” dinners, lunches and events with business leaders including Bill Lively, Charles Wyly, Jim Keyes and Keith Brooking; and gift certificates from local restaurants such as Ristorante Nicola and Lucky’s Café.
The event is supported by the “Spirit Of The Entrepreneur” sponsor Hunt Investment Group; platinum sponsor Sevin Rosen Funds; auction sponsors Tellligent and iWave Software; Silent Auction Sponsors BKD, LLP and silver sponsor BKD, LLP; bronze sponsors Alon USA, Coda Construction, hck2 Partners, Montgomery Coscia Greilich LLP, TriNet, The Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UT Dallas, and School of Management, UT Dallas. “Good For Business” Donors, sponsored by Mutual Capital Alliance, Inc. include Haynes and Boone, LLP, MHT Partners, InSite Interactive, Solar Park Initiatives, Venturity Financial Partners, MarketWave, Business Access, Metz Insurance & Financial, Riveron Consulting and Keste. In-kind donors are D CEO, Nick & Sam’s, Preston Hollow Catering, American Airlines, Big Box-Little Box, Caven Enterprises, Carter Malouf Private Jeweler, Chris Henry Designs, Edward Baumann Clothiers, Gold Crown Valet, Hall Wine, Intelligent Interiors, J. Hooker Productions, JR’s Assurance, Jef Tingley Communications, Mountain Hideout, Paciugo, Padgett Printing, Snap the Picture and Tiffany Seston.
About EFNT:
Entrepreneurs For North Texas facilitates community involvement and philanthropy for small and mid-size companies in the area. As a fund at Communities Foundation of Texas, EFNT makes it simple for companies to give back to the community by assisting with organizing volunteer activities for employees and hosting networking events for senior-level management of companies to help grow and strengthen their roles as good corporate citizens. In establishing a relationship with EFNT, a company networks with like-minded philanthropists while contributing to the greater good of the community. Today, more than 100 companies in North Texas participate in EFNT, and more than 40 underwriters significantly support the effort. Additional information is available at www.efnt.org.
