INSIDE OUT FALL 2023

Celebrating the 2023 Business & Community Excellence Awards

On the Cover: Photos from the 2023 Business & Community Excellence Awards Luncheon

Vol. 2 | Issue 6 | Fall 2023 4123 Cedar Springs Road, Suite 1206 Dallas, TX 75219 (214) 821 4528 lgbtchamber.com

While every effort has been made to make the information contained herein as accurate as possible, neither the North ...

Board Chair’s Message President’s Message Chamber Leadership Corporate Ally Award – Wells Fargo ExtrAA Mile Award – J...

This is a Town Square Publications, formerly MetroMedia (since 1997), publication created and produced for the North ...

Chairman, CEO and Publisher | Douglas K. Ray President and Chief Operating Officer | Scott Stone Vice President / Dir...

Contents

Board Chair’s Message

President’s Message

Chamber Leadership

Corporate Ally Award – Wells Fargo

ExtrAA Mile Award – Juan Contreras, Texas Latino Pride

Excellence in the Arts Award –

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Chamber Champion Award –

Matthew Jones, Lorenzo Hotel

Employee Group of the Year Award – Pride EBRG; American Airlines

Business Excellence Award – Ray Scott State Farm, Ray Scott

Chamber Events

Corporate Partners

Member Directory

On the Cover:

Photos from the 2023 Business &

Community Excellence Awards Luncheon

Chairman, CEO and Publisher | Douglas K. Ray

President and Chief Operating Officer | Scott Stone

Vice President / Director | Scott Ray

Managing Director | David Small

Director of Production | Ryan Moore

Sales Executives | Wayne Metcalfe

Editor | Bob Oswald

Designer | Angie Davis

While every effort has been made to make the information contained herein as accurate as

possible, neither the North Texas LGBT

Chamber of Commerce nor Town Square Publications

accept any liability for errors or omissions.

The weather was so warm for so long that I thought for sure that fall would never arrive. Thank goodness for the onsl...

The weather was so warm for so long that I thought for sure that fall would never arrive. Thank goodness for the onslaught of pumpkin-spice everything to differentiate the seasons for us. While nature slows down for the winter, the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is ramping up for 2024 and beyond. But now I’m getting ahead of myself.

This issue of Inside Out is dedicated to our 2023 Business & Community Excellence Awards. I believe this is the most competitive year we’ve ever had. Narrowing the field down to three finalists per category was difficult; selecting one recipient per category was nearly impossible. A few pages from here, you will read about the very deserving award recipients. Therefore, I would like to take a moment to shine a light on our other finalists.

Business Excellence Finalists

DEI Recruiting & Consulting (Michelle Jovilet)

Zerbina Imports (Bryan Howell)

Excellence in the Arts Finalists

Meow Wolf

Nasher Sculpture Center

ExtrAA Mile Award Finalist

Elizabeth Rodriguez (HRC)

Jon Culpepper (Pride Frisco)

Chamber Champion Award

AMP Creative; Ofelia Yanez

The Mason Dallas; Kyle Hennigan

Corporate Ally Award

Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages

Comerica

Employee Group of the Year Award

ePride; Vistra

FUSION ERG; Bell Textron

Each of these members, and so many others, have made our Chamber and our community better because of their active participation. To see photos from the 2023 Business & Community Excellence Awards go to https://lgbtqchamber.net/2023AwardPics.

As we approach 2024, it is time to look forward. With our mission to achieve equality through business always top-of-mind, the Chamber Board has established multiple pillars of success to provide guidance as we approach our 20th anniversary in 2025. Each of our volunteer board members is committed to the Chamber’s long-term success and will work with our professional staff on a variety of programs and initiatives in the coming year.

It has been my great pleasure to serve as our Chamber’s board chair this year. I am equally excited about the year to come. Your continued support of the Chamber is vital to our success. Let’s make 2024 an amazing year together!

Rachel Wolf • Board Chair

BoardChair@LGBTChamber.com

Please join me in congratulating all of the 2023 Business & Community Excellence Award finalists and recipients. My o...

Welcome to the Fall Edition of Inside Out!

Message from the President

Welcome to the Fall Edition of Inside Out!

Please join me in congratulating all of the 2023 Business & Community Excellence Award finalists and recipients. My only regret is that we have a relatively small number of awards to give when we know that just about every member deserves some kind of appreciation for their business excellence and support of the LGBTQ+ community in North Texas and beyond.

Since this is the fall edition of Inside Out, it seems appropriate that I should use this space to express my gratitude to some of the people and things for which I am most thankful. First and foremost, I am thankful for the selfless volunteers who serve our community on the Chamber and Foundation boards. Each and every board member is committed to the missions and success of the Chamber and Foundation. I could go on and on, but you would stop reading. I’m thankful for our staff, Lisa Howe and Erica Mendez, and our volunteer staff member, Debbie Hoff. It makes work a pleasure when you are surrounded by smart, capable people.

I am always thankful for our members. As you know, businesses are not required to join a chamber of commerce. If you think about it, the work of any chamber affects the entire business community, even those businesses that do not choose to join. Members invest their money and time not because they have to or because it is “the right thing to do” but because they see the value and power in our work and our collective voices. Thank you!

Within our membership, we have businesses that invest as President’s Circle Members and large employers who invest as Corporate Partners; you can see all of these listed on our website and on page 18 of this magazine. These members’ financial commitment is essential to the advancement of the Chamber. Many members, from both large and small companies, take an extra step by becoming event sponsors and advertisers in this very publication. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Throughout the year, the Chamber and Foundation, like any other business, has purchasing needs. I am thankful for how quickly our members provide us with exceptional pricing and service. The Chamber’s board and staff are intensely conscious that every dollar we spend belongs to our members. We do our absolute best to be good stewards of your money. I want to thank you for the trust you place in us every day. I am both proud and humbled to serve as president of the Chamber and Foundation.

On behalf of the board and staff, we join you in support of the Chamber’s mission to achieve equality through business and the Foundation's mission to develop leaders in the LGBT community.

Thank you,

Tony Vedda, CCE, IOM • President & CEO

tony.vedda@lgbtchamber.com

Rachel Wolf Chamber Board Chair Dallas College

Armando Gonzalez Secretary Goody Goody Liquor

Shelley Hunter Sky Branded Apparel & Promos

Jacob Krysiak General Counsel Polsinelli, PC

Stephen Lewis Corporate Advisory Committee Chair Toyota

Gary Sanchez Foundation Board Chair Visit Dallas

Clint R. Thomson Past Board Chair Celeratec Managed Services

Justin ‘’JT’’ Williams LGBT Chamber Foundation Chair Emeritus Independence Title

Suzanne Butler, CPA Treasurer Butler Accounting

Scott Carnes Dave Perry Miller Real Estate

Lisa Howe VP of Membership & Programs Tony Vedda, CCE, IOM President & CEO Erica Mendez Membership Specialist

Chamber & Foundation Board Members

Suzanne Butler, CPA

Treasurer

Butler Accounting

Scott Carnes

Dave Perry-Miller

Real Estate

Clark Davis

Brinker International

Armando Gonzalez

Secretary

Goody Goody Liquor

Shelley Hunter

Sky Branded Apparel

& Promos

Jacob Krysiak

General Counsel

Polsinelli, PC

Stephen Lewis

Corporate Advisory Committee Chair

Toyota

Kevin McKeever

Toyota

Armando G. Ramirez

Reliance Mortgage

Joli Robinson

Housing Forward

Gary Sanchez

Foundation Board Chair

Visit Dallas

Clint R. Thomson

Past Board Chair

Celeratec Managed Services

Justin ‘’JT’’ Williams

LGBT Chamber Foundation
Chair Emeritus

Independence Title

Kevin Williams

American Airlines

Rachel Wolf

Chamber Board Chair

Dallas College

Staff

Lisa Howe

VP of Membership & Programs

Tony Vedda, CCE, IOM

President & CEO

Erica Mendez

Membership Specialist

With its Corporate Ally Award, the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce seeks to shine a light on a major employer in...

a champion for North Texas LGBTQ+ employee programs

Corporate Ally Award

Wells Fargo

a champion for North Texas

LGBTQ+ employee programs

By Jeff Wisser

With its Corporate Ally Award, the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce seeks to shine a light on a major employer in North Texas with a proven track record of outstanding support for its LGBTQ+ employees and the greater LGBTQ+ community. The award is geared toward recognizing corporations that have set a high standard for diversity policies and actions, financial contributions, service and leadership.

This year’s recipient of the Corporate Ally Award is Wells Fargo.

And Wells Fargo, says Mario Boffa, a product enablement leader-auto product & digital innovation for the finance giant, and chair of the company’s Pride employee resource group (ERG), greatly appreciates the recognition.

“It’s exciting to receive such an acknowledgement for our continued and unwavering commitment to diversity, and in this case specifically, the LGBTQ+ community” Boffa said. “I am proud to work for a company like Wells Fargo that is intentional about understanding the communities we serve and supports initiatives that address the financial and educational needs of LGBTQ+-owned businesses.

Wells Fargo, Boffa said, has placed an emphasis on making more meaningful inroads with the LGBTQ+ community in North Texas. He points to a number of programs the company has championed with the Chamber.

For instance, Wells Fargo has rallied behind the Chamber’s Business Matchmaker program, which seeks to bring together diverse-owned businesses and companies looking for goods and services. At these events, procurement professionals kick things off by talking briefly about their companies and their supplier diversity programs.

What then follows is a speed dating-like setup in which suppliers are given timed opportunities to pitch their products and services to the procurement professionals. In all, they have the opportunity to make four such pitches. After that, an open networking period gives suppliers the chance to hand out business cards and speak with representatives of any groups with whom they may not have had the chance to meet. It’s an efficient way for participants to make new contacts with targeted audiences of potential suppliers, clients or collaborators.

In another Chamber initiative that Wells Fargo has supported, the TGX Pitch Program offers transgender, nonbinary and gender expansive business owners the chance to hone their pitches before a “pitch panel,” composed of mid- and senior-level executives from area corporations. The TGX Pitch Program allows TGX business owners to hone their pitches by making them to prospective clients and investors and receive feedback following those pitches. Would a visual element enhance your presentation? Can your wording be improved? This is an excellent chance to find out.

Wells Fargo has also been a strong supporter of the Chamber's ERG Leadership Council, which holds a quarterly roundtable to discuss best practices and potential synergies with ERG leaders of other North Texas corporations.

These gatherings are aimed at supporting the launch, growth and sustainability of LGBTQ+ employee business resource groups as well as companies launching inclusion initiatives. ERG Leadership Council events are also aimed at supporting employee engagement to help retain and attract the best possible LGBTQ+ talent, driving high-quality learning opportunities for LGBTQ+ ERG leaders, executive sponsors and DEI professionals to access education, content and trainers focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion, and promoting LGBTQ+-owned businesses and LGBTQ+ community organizations to create connections and mutually beneficial opportunities with local, regional and statewide ERGs.

Working with the Chamber was a natural fit for Wells Fargo, Boffa said. The bank supports regional and local LGBTQ+ chambers of commerce around the country to ensure local LGBTQ+ business enterprises have access to the resources that will help them succeed.

“We recognized that the Chamber would be a conduit for realizing our goals of improving the lives of the LGBTQ+ community,” Boffa said. “It’s a win-win that allows us to make a more meaningful difference and we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what we have without the Chamber.”

pitches before a “pitch panel,” composed of mid and senior level executives from area corporations. The TGX Pitch Pro...

“We recognized that the Chamber would be a conduit for realizing our goals of improving, through making an investment...

The North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce has been presenting the American Airlines sponsored ExtrAA Mile Award since ...

Texas Latino Pride work to bring Latinx communities together

ExtrAA Mile Award

Juan Contreras,

Texas Latino Pride work to bring Latinx communities together

By Jeff Wisser

The North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce has been presenting the American Airlines-sponsored ExtrAA Mile Award since 2007 to individuals, organizations, companies and political leaders who have provided outstanding service to the LGBTQ+ community.

This year’s recipient is Juan Contreras and the group for which he serves as president, Texas Latino Pride.

Texas Latino Pride was founded by Contreras in 2014 with an eye toward uniting communities. The group believes that everyone deserves to live their life to the fullest, free from discrimination and stigma, and members strive to create a safe and welcoming environment where all community members can come together to celebrate their unique identities and experiences.

“I felt we were missing a space to bring all of our Latinx communities together in Texas,” Contreras said. “Things happen in your life when you have a moment of self-reflection, and you start thinking to yourself, ‘With your privilege, you could be doing more.’”

Contreras and his associates in the group kicked things off in 2014 by organizing the first Texas Latino Pride Fest, which aims to bring together people from all walks of life to enjoy music, dance, food and other cultural activities.

“I took all my chances with the fest to bring together community leaders, entertainers and local vendors,” he recalls. “My thought was, I’ll create a space, and if the community shows up, it’s a success. If not, at least I tried. And a couple hundred people showed up. I think they liked what we were doing.”

Since then, the nonprofit organization has celebrated the cultural heritage, diversity, and achievements of the Hispanic/Latinx and LGBTQIA+ communities in Texas with a slate of regular events ranging from the festival to drag brunches to film screenings.

Founded on the belief that by working together, they could create a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone feels empowered to be their authentic selves, Texas Latino Pride aims to establish strong partnerships that promote access to education, health services and advocacy.

“Our mission is to foster unity and solidarity between the Latino and LGBTQ communities by celebrating our shared experiences and crossed intersections,” Contreras said.

Receiving the ExtrAA Mile Award, Contreras stresses, is a much-appreciated recognition of what members of the group have done to achieve those goals.

“It’s always important to recognize folks who are doing the work out in the community. On a personal level, the symbolism behind the award means a lot.”

And it means a lot, he adds, to everyone in the organization.

“When we received the award, I told our board of volunteers that this is the recognition of the work we’re all doing at Texas Latino Pride.”

In addition to Contreras, members of the group’s board of directors include: James Ware, vice president; Matthew Paul, treasurer; Luis Quintanilla, secretary; Josh Garcia, director of operations; Robert Alvarez, hospitality director; Chris Huerta, entertainment director; Luis Valencia, creative director; David Cantera, social media director; and Marco Jimenez, marketing director.

Contreras is also quick to reflect some of the attention from the ExtrAA Mile Award onto his fellow nominees, Elizabeth Rodriguez of Human Rights Campaign and Jon Culpepper of Pride Frisco.

“In reality,” he said, “this award should be going to all of us, because we’re all doing the same work collectively in our respective communities.”

Contreras also gives a grateful shout-out to the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, saying, “They provide much-needed services for businesses in North Texas.”

Contreras asserts, however, that while the recognition of the Chamber is flattering and gratifying, there is still plenty for Texas Latino Pride to accomplish.

“Groups like TLP are important because our communities are very diverse. You can’t say that just one group can reach all the groups. But you don’t have to be Latino, you don’t have to be part of the LGBTQ community to be a part of our mission. We will be as receptive to you as to the communities we serve.”Texas Latino Pride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that celebrates the cultural heritage, diversity and achievements of the Hispanic/Latinx and LGBTQIA+ communities in Texas. For more information, or to get involved, visit txlatinopride.org.

regular events ranging from the festival to drag brunches to film screenings. Founded on the belief that by working t...

“Things happen in your life when you have a moment of self reflection, and you start thinking to yourself, ‘With your...

Luis Valencia, creative director; David Cantera, social media director; and Marco Jimenez, marketing director. Contre...

As the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce suggests in its introduction of nominees for the 2023 Excellence in the A...

delivers harmony, tradition and community outreach

Excellence in the Arts Award

The Dallas

Symphony Orchestra

delivers harmony, tradition and community outreach

By Jeff Wisser

As the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce suggests in its introduction of nominees for the 2023 Excellence in the Arts Award, the arts and the community that the Chamber serves have enjoyed a long, and devoted relationship.

“Ever since the first (presumably gay men) drew on the walls of caves in France, art has been an important element of the LGBTQ+ community,” according to chamber president, Tony Vedda.

“The Excellence in the Arts award,” the introduction continues, “recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in its production(s), casting, and/or management, and engages in activities to make art accessible throughout the entire North Texas community.” This year’s Excellence in the Arts recipient, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, certainly fills that bill.

“We’re very pleased,” said Toni Miller, the symphony’s managing director of development, speaking from the DSO’s home at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. “People are taking notice of our commitment to the community, and to me it’s very validating.”

The DSO, the largest performing arts organization in the Southwest United States, traces its origins back to 1900 and has been a fully professional orchestra since 1945. Currently performing under the baton of Grammy Award-winning conductor Fabio Luisi, whose musical directorship began in 2020, the group has grown its national and international profile over the years through high-profile radio and television broadcast appearances and scores of recordings. The DSO has performed with luminaries including Yehudi Menuhin, and Arthur Rubinstein during its storied history, and has been home to conductors including Sir George Solti, Max Rudolph, Eduardo Mata and Andrew Litton.

Miller, a seven-year veteran with the DSO, takes particular pride in the outreach efforts undertaken by the symphony since 2020. He credits Kim Noltemy, the Dallas Symphony Association’s Ross Perot President and CEO, and points to the arrival in October of 2022 Glyne A. Griffith II as vice president-equity, diversity, inclusion and social impact as a key element of those efforts.

In addition, Miller points with satisfaction to the Dallas Symphony Community Groups, the organization’s four employee resource groups, which bring orchestra musicians, staff and chorus members into contact with members of the community.

Those groups include Dallas Symphony Pride, dedicated to bringing support, visibility and empowerment to “our LGBTQIA+ DSO family members and allies of this community.”

Other groups are Dallas Symphony Ability, with a focus on “DSO family members with disabilities and allies of this community”; Dallas Symphony Mosaic, geared toward those of various races, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds; and Dallas Symphony Women, providing support, visibility and empowerment to female DSO family members and allies.

The Dallas Symphony Community Groups, the organization stresses, play a significant role in raising cultural awareness, nurturing a sense of belonging and advancing the orchestra’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and social impact.

The symphony’s efforts to reach out extend beyond its community groups.

The orchestra’s DSO Salons, which bring musicians and senior leadership into local homes for the opportunity to share, is another successful outreach effort.

In addition to those programs, Miller touts the symphony’s Heart Strings ticket program and Student Card Program, dating back to the 2018-19 season as efforts to expand the reach of the DSO.

But the focus of the Excellence in the Arts Award is specifically on the overtures made by the renowned musical organization to those in the LGBTQ community.

“Our outreach to the gay community dates back to early 2020,” Miller said. “We felt that we could do a better job of reaching out to the gay community, the queer community.”

It wasn’t always easy, given the timing of the initiatives amid a backdrop of recent history. The arrival of COVID-19, Miller asserted, was not exactly ideal, and yet the DSO persevered.

“With the pandemic, we kept it up the best we could,” Miller stressed. “And then we grew it.”

And this latest recognition only fortifies Miller’s and the symphony’s resolve to continue to do more.

“This to me demonstrates that the community is taking notice of how we’re reaching out,” Miller said.

For more information, go to DallasSymphony.org. For tickets, call 214-TIX-4DSO (214-849-4376). The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center is located at 2301 Flora St. in Dallas.

Miller, a seven year veteran with the DSO, takes particular pride in the outreach efforts undertaken by the symphony ...

In addition to those programs, Miller touts the symphony’s Heart Strings ticket program and Student Card Program, dat...

“People are taking notice of our commitment to the community, and to me it’s very validating.” Toni Miller, managing ...

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“Whenever the chamber needs something …” That’s Matthew Jones, reservation manager of the Lorenzo Hotel, 1011 S. Akar...

Lorenzo Hotel dedicated to helping LGBT business community

Chamber Champion Award

Matthew Jones,

Lorenzo Hotel dedicated to helping LGBT business community

By Jeff Wisser

“Whenever the chamber needs something …”

That’s Matthew Jones, reservation manager of the Lorenzo Hotel, 1011 S. Akard St. in Dallas, explaining when he and the hotel’s team members rise to the occasion and assist the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce. And it is that dedication to answering the call that has made Jones, and the Lorenzo, recipients of this year’s Chamber Champion Award.

Previously known at various times as the Volunteer of the Year Award and the Member Service Award, it recognizes one or more Chamber Champions who are always ready to answer the call, members who have gone above and beyond in providing exceptional support for the chamber’s members and its mission.

For Jones, working with the Chamber goes beyond simply cooperating: It’s a point of pride powered by a strong sense of duty.

"We stand as a resilient beacon within the LGBTQ community, steadfast in the face of adversity,” Jones said. “Our collective strength and determination serve as a testament to the incredible contributions we have to offer to the business community and society at large. Together, with our allies, we will continue to stand strong, promote inclusivity, and demonstrate the vast potential that lies within our diverse and vibrant community."

Though Jones’ passionate approach encompasses not only the Chamber. He feels very strongly about the Lorenzo, the art centric boutique hotel that opened in 2017 and whose lavish furnishings feature more than 1,000 pieces of art throughout the facility, from its 237 guest rooms to its more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space.

Originally the Ramada Plaza when it opened in 1971, and later the Dallas Plaza Hotel, the building experienced a period of decline before being acquired by Hamilton Properties Corporation in 2006. The building’s interior was ultimately stripped down to the concrete, redesigned and rebuilt, creating for its 2017 rechristening the “living art gallery” that it is today. The Lorenzo’s aesthetics have continued to evolve since, showcasing the works of some of Dallas’ most celebrated local artists. There are works of art throughout the Lorenzo, from its lobby to its corridors and even in each of its rooms, offering “eclectic Dallas accommodations for an artfully elevated experience.”

The Lorenzo also showcases a collection of timeless literature in its lobby and features a South Beach resort-style swimming pool offering an eye-popping vista of the Dallas skyline.

But the Lorenzo’s artful touches extend beyond the walls and halls of the facility to include the culinary offerings of its handful of respected restaurants overseen by Executive Chef Kubilay Onder.

Onder has helped to create a culinary experience that is both locally sourced and internationally inspired, from artisanal comfort food to painstakingly curated bites. And guests are invited to complement the innovative but “down home” culinary offerings with an artful yet classic beverage program featuring not only old favorites, but also thirst quenchers with flair and a menu of hand-selected wines and craft beers. Among the eating and drinking establishments under the Lorenzo’s roof are the sophisticated but unstuffy Hamilton’s restaurant, the eclectic Taco Enzo and resort-style Relativity Pool Bar.

Jones takes understandable pride in the Lorenzo, and he is perhaps most pleased by the recognition of the Lorenzo that the Chamber Champion Award represents.

"As a proud member of this Chamber, our shared success reflects our dedication to promoting our community and local businesses,” Jones said. “Receiving the Chamber Champion Award is a heartfelt 'thank you' for our collective achievements in the past year. Our sincere gratitude goes out to our dedicated leadership team, Managing Director Al DeBerry, and the entire community. It's essential to acknowledge the invaluable support from the Hamilton family, owners of the Lorenzo Hotel, without whom this would not have been possible. Together, we shine a brighter light on our shared vision for a prosperous future."

And Jones sees no limit to the good that the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce can do.

"When we work together, we forge meaningful relationships and strengthen the bonds that connect us,” Jones said. “Our commitment to expanding our reach and including more people in our community is a testament to our collective spirit. We champion each and every one of our members, and in doing so, we champion one another. Together, we uplift and empower, fostering a network of support and opportunity for all.

"We are incredibly proud and honored, and we eagerly anticipate the possibilities that our continued partnership will bring in the coming year. Together, we look forward to achieving even greater success and making a positive impact on our shared journey ahead."

For more information, go to www.lorenzohotel.com. For reservations, call 214-258-6333, or book a party through the sales office at 214-273-3000. For customer service, contact info@lorenzohotel.com.

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The Lorenzo’s aesthetics have continued to evolve since, showcasing the works of some of Dallas’ most celebrated loca...

$\“We stand as a resilient beacon within the LGBTQ community, steadfast in the face of adversity.” Matthew Jones, rese...$

In honoring American Airlines’ Pride EBRG with its Employee Group of the Year, the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commer...

makes American Airlines a better place to work

Employee Group of the Year Award

Pride EBRG

makes American Airlines a better place to work

By Jeff Wisser

In honoring American Airlines’ Pride EBRG with its Employee Group of the Year, the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce recognized a substantial track record and body of work.

Pride EBRG, after all, has been promoting diversity, equality and inclusiveness, and its members have been working as brand ambassadors, engaging in community activities, supporting fundraising efforts and developing leaders for nearly three decades.

Founded in the summer of 1994, Pride EBRG was American’s first employee business resource group. It boasts more than 3,400 members – over 900 of them in the Dallas-Fort Worth area – from more than 21 business units.

Given American Airlines’ track record, this should come as no surprise, as American remains the only airline to receive a 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for 20 years in a row, dating back to the index’s inception.

“American has a longstanding history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community that we are incredibly proud of,” said Josh Ziesel, a senior program manager with the company and global lead of American Airlines Pride EBRG.

American is, after all, not only the first major airline to have a company-recognized LGBTQ employee resource group, but also the first to implement same-sex domestic partner benefits (in 2000), including health and travel benefits, as well as the first to implement sexual orientation (in 1993) and gender identity (2001) in its workplace nondiscrimination policies.

And Pride EBRG fits right into that mindset.

“Our team has mobilized to ensure we are educating our internal team members and business groups on LGBTQ+ issues to ensure an inclusive work environment for our team members and for our customers. We now understand the importance of supplier diversity and supporting LGBTQ+ businesses, which is why we actively work to promote your businesses internally and with our team members. We highlight a chamber member every month because we understand the value of supporting our community.”

The recognition from the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce is, Ziesel said, incredibly gratifying.

“We have an incredible group of leaders who volunteer to make our successes possible, and this is a big recognition of our leaders and members and the work they have been doing. It shows that our work is seen and makes a difference. Our members have carried us to where we are today and have increased our impact internally and in the community.”

Working with organizations such as the chamber has helped the group accomplish this.

“Our team has been actively involved with the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce and other community groups to ensure we are always giving back to our community,” Ziesel says.

That “giving back” is a particular point of pride to Pride EBRG and its members.

“Our common vision of equality empowers us to be inclusive educators and enables our workforce to foster positive relationships around the world,” Ziesel said. “We celebrate our differences and strive to benefit the American Airlines business in our quest to be the global airline of choice for our community.”

That, in turn, makes American, a company working hard to embed diversity, equality and inclusion into its corporate identity, a better place to work and to grow for employees. Pride EBRG, Ziesel says, “focuses on highlighting our intersectionality to build awareness for everyone to be able to be themselves at American, so they can reach their full potential.”

But while Pride EBRG has accomplished a great deal in its three decades, members say there is still more to be done.

“While we’re proud of the strides we’ve made,” Ziesel said, “we recognize there is always much more work to be done, and we’re looking forward to our continued journey. We’re dedicated to recruiting the best and brightest talent, and our aim is to provide accessibility, awareness and opportunity for all while working collaboratively with our 20 Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRGs) around the world.”

That, Ziesel said, will provide benefits for years to come to both travelers and company stakeholders.

“We will continue to focus on ensuring an inclusive workplace for our team members and all who fly with us.”

team members. We highlight a chamber member every month because we understand the value of supporting our community.”...

“Our team has mobilized to ensure we are educating our internal team members and business groups on LGBTQ+ issues to ...

That “giving back” is a particular point of pride to Pride EBRG and its members. “Our common vision of equality empow...

“It’s definitely flattering.” That’s Ray Scott, agent owner of Ray Scott State Farm, this year’s recipient of the Nor...

is business as usual for Ray Scott, State Farm

Excellence in Business Award

Being involved in the community

is business as usual for Ray Scott, State Farm

By Jeff Wisser

“It’s definitely flattering.”

That’s Ray Scott, agent-owner of Ray Scott State Farm, this year’s recipient of the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence in Business Award.

The award, according to the Chamber, “is reserved for those select businesses and business owners who demonstrate professionalism, excellence, and success in their business or profession. These businesses promote diversity, equality and inclusiveness in their workplace, engage in volunteer activities, financially support the community, and develop future leaders. In short, they are the best of who we are as business and community leaders.”

And that kind of recognition means a lot to Scott, who has been in business for eight years, with two locations in the area. Ray Scott State Farm locations are in Uptown Dallas (at 4144 N. Central Expressway, Suite 700, Uptown Tower, Dallas 75204-3133) and in Preston Hollow (5925 Forest Lane, Suite 502, Dallas).

“Being nominated by my peers, by people I respect, including previous nominees and winners, it is a big deal,” Scott said.

But, Scott stresses, he’s not in it for baubles and plaudits.

“Rewards are just a byproduct of good things you’re doing.”

One of those “good things” is his five-year involvement with the Chamber, Scott said.

“Working with the Chamber has been great for business, but also for finding and recruiting team members. It’s just been a really great synergy. I’ve made some great friends through my involvement with the Chamber, and I’ve met some great clients. And, again, I have some great team members thanks to working with the group.”

Scott speaks with pride concerning the business approach that caught the eye of the Chamber, pointing to his “active involvement in sponsorship within the LGBTQ community, our effort and participation. And we also employ a very diverse workforce, which is representative of our community.”

Scott “believes in doing insurance differently.” He is tightly focused on delivering “real value to our community.”

The approach at Ray Scott State Farm is geared toward developing and executing an insurance plan designed specifically for each individual customer, the value of which, Scott said, cannot be overstated.

“What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to our community,” Scott said.

It begins with getting to know the customer and the customer’s needs.

“We start by getting to know you, determining what policies fit your unique situation, and then crafting a package that lets you feel ready for the road ahead,” Scott said.

Scott encourages clients to meet with him every year or two “to make sure their package still makes sense for their life.” The firm takes pride in delivering high-quality, personalized service, and has received recognition for its commitment to customers from State Farm as well as from the insurance industry.

Ray Scott State Farm specializes in health, home, life, auto, condo, business and renter’s insurance, and the Oak Cliff resident’s business has met the needs of customers across Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico. Scott has served customers in cities including Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, New Orleans, Little Rock, Santa Fe as well as Dallas and Fort Worth.

He has volunteered for veteran and teacher organizations and helps with causes within the LGBTQ+ community. And he is proud of, and grateful for, the attention and recognition from his peers in the Chamber and the local business community.

“This kind of recognition, it’s great,” he said. “It gets the word out, and it lets people know the good things we’re doing.”

But, he cautions, it’s the vital give and take within the community that remains tantamount to Ray Scott State Farm and the entrepreneur behind it.

“Anytime you’re actively involved in the community and giving back, a byproduct of that is meeting and gaining new people, and, of course, new customers, who recognize the efforts we put in and the work we do in our community. And the more we do, the more we participate and the more we contribute, the more we get back. And that is very gratifying.”

For more information, call 4369-372-5925 or visit MyAgentIsRay.com.