november 2005 houston business connections newspaper

Harris County Tax Assessor-CollectorPaul Bettencourt recently announced thatthe county’s delinquent tax attorneys havecollected $6.9 million in delinquent prop-erty taxes from several Enron subsidiaries

in the largest bankruptcy collection in thecounty's history.

“This record collection returns mil-lions of dollars to where they rightlybelong — to the residents of Harris

County, Houston and HISD,” saidBettencourt. “Attorneys with Linebarger

Recently over 200 supporters ofPeter Brown gathered at his campaignheadquarters for it’s grand opening.Community leaders,elected officials,family and friends got a treat fromspecial guest, former Secretary ofHousing and Mayor of San Antonio,Henry Cisneros. Peter and Henryentered the office located at 3907

Main via the light rail. Enthusiasticsupporters applauded them as theywalked from the rail line to the cam-paign headquarters.

Peter Brown an architect andurban planner is the front runner forHouston City Council At Large

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS

ALL SMILES: Peter Brown, candidate for Houston City Council At-Large Position 1,(Right) is joined at the “Grand Opening” of his campaign headquarters located 3907 MainStreet by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, (Left) and his guest speaker for the occa-sion Henry Cisneros former Secretary of Housing and Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, (Center).

Houston

Published By Houston Highlights Publishing, L.L.C. Proudly Serving The Houston Community Since 1998 • Email: [email protected] • NOVEMBER 2005

ROSA PARKS 1913-2005

Marsh

HoustonBUSINESS CONNECTIONSCommunity News & Business Reports

P R O F I L E I N S U C C E S S

Please see ENRON, P.10

INDEXFrom the Publisher's Desk …………..…...2The Range Rover For 2006 ..………..…...2

Ernster Receives President’s Award ........3Stress & It’s Impact On You......................4Gov. Perry Gains Major Endorsement .... .5Beat High Gas Prices With Moore............6Jodie Jiles Achieves Another Milestone....6Deciding The Best Leasing Option ...........7Staying Plugged In While You’re Out .......82005 Election Guide ...............................1BOnline Poll Results .................................2BCandidates Answers To Questionnaire ..2BQuestions & Answers About e-Slate .....2BTribute To Rosa Parks..........................10B

BROWN ON FAST TRACK

Robert Marsh knows the value of a dollar. $10 dollarsto be exact. A promotion to get his new business going inOctober, 1998, has helped Everyones Internet to soar intocyberspace earning many millions.

The concept of “Just$10 Bucks” a month, with

Marsh knows the value of a dollarHouston-Based fastest Growing ISP,

Web-Hoster wired for success

Please see MARSH, P.10

Full Steam AheadArchitect Peter Brown has Grand “Grand Opening”

Please see CAMPAIGN, P.12

House WantsTo Go To TheBig HouseGladys M. House A Long-Time Community ActivistLaunches Campaign ToBecome Mayor of Houston

Gladys M. House, president andCEO of Carpet Depot, a local carpet

and tile company ison a mission tobecome Houston’sfirst African-American femalemayor. Having vol-unteered for over25 years with theFreedman’s TownAssoc ia t ion in

Houston’s 4th Wardprovides House a strong connection toHouston’s inner-city neighborhoods—this could aid her in her bid.

One of the knocks on Mayor BillWhite, is many within the African-American community feel he doesn’tinvolve the community enough beforecrucial decisions are made that effectthe community. As a matter of fact,well known Houston minister RobertMuhammad, the southwest regionalminister for the Nation of Islam isquoted in Houston’s only daily as say-ing, “His weakness is lack of com-munity input and not utilizing long-term senior staff members in theadministration.”

House just beat the filling dead-line to enter the race for mayor and isready to fund her campaign on her ownif need be. She may be fighting anuphill battle, but she is determined andwill not be deterred by anyone she toldHouston Business Connections duringthis interview. Her competition in therace for mayor are Bill White the cur-rent mayor, Anthony Dutrow a meatpacker, Jack Terence publisher of theHoustonian, and Luis Ullrich, a self-employed contractor.

The following is House’s responseto a series of questions posed to her by

Please see HOUSE, P.10

House

Community News & Business Reports

Enron Turns Over Nearly $7 Million in Delinquent Property Taxes

Johnson Emerges as Front Runner

Jarvis Johnson (Left) garnered 48% of the votes in the District B poll. FOR COMPLETE BREAKDOWN SEE SECTION B.

Other Candidates Favored By Poll Participants

Inside this issue candidates discuss theirstrengths, weaknesses and why Houstoniansshould vote for them. Houston Highlight

Publishing, L.L.C., publisher even gets thecandidates to rate the City on it’s response toHurricanes Katrina and Rita. See B

Race For MayorBill White (i) 81%

At-Large Position#1Peter Brown 75%

At-Large Position#2Jay Aiyer 45%

At-Large Position#3Sekula-Gibbs (i) 81%

At-Large Position#5Michael Berry (i) 83%

District AToni Lawrence (i) 86%

District BJarvis Johnson 48%

District CGeorge Hittner 62%

District FM.J. Khan (i) 70%

District HAdrian Garcia (i) 74%

District ICarol Alvarado (i) 71%

Proposition #264% For Prop #2

Heroine RememberedIn 1943 and 1944 Rosa Parks tried to

register to vote but was denied both times.Houston Highlights Publishing, L.L.C., wouldlike to pay tribute to the memory of RosaParks an American heroine. SEE PAGE 1B.

By David MoaklerCEO, HomeSavers USA

The new bankruptcy law will have a greatimpact on consumers making it much harder forthem to wipe out their debt completely. Thosewhose incomes are above their state averagewill be forced to file Chapter 13, instead ofChapter 7 which gives a fresh start, meaningconsumers will be required to repay much oftheir outstanding debt over 5 years.

Those being impacted the most include sin-

Considering

Bankruptcy? Law changes may lead

to prolonged hardship

Please see BANKRUPTCY, P.12

The 2005 General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 8

AUTOMOTIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS/Publisher’s Page

Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land • 15625 South West Freeway • Sugarland, Texas 77478

Because You Deserve The BEST!Purchase your next car from Kesa Guest

Mercedes-Benz of Sugarland15625 South West FreewaySugarland, Texas 77478

Direct: 281.207.1519Cell: 713.703.5185

Kesa GuestExecutive Sales Associate

Star Achiever

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The Publisher’s Desk

Aubrey R. Taylor, president and CEO ofHouston Highlights Publishing, L.L.C., pub-lisher of Houston Business Connections.

HHPHouston Highlights Publishing, L.L.C.

Houston Highlights Publishing, L.L.C.Mailing: 957 Nasa Parkway #251Houston, TX 77058.

Connections Line: (832)212-8735 Fax Line: (530)348-6423Email News & Press Release info to:[email protected]

Houston Business Connections is published on amonthly basis by Houston Highlights Publishing, L.L.C.all right reserved. No articles may be copied, rewritten,published, or otherwise distributed without the prior writ-ten approval of the publisher. For special requestsemail: [email protected]

2 • NOVEMBER • Houston Business Connections Monthly • PUBLISHED BY HOUSTON HIGHLIGHTS PUBLISHING, L.L.C. • 832.212.8735

The Range Rover for 2006 is themost refined, most luxurious and mostpowerful Range Rover ever. Two newpetrol engines – including a powerfulsupercharged 4.2-litre – are complement-ed by fresh exterior design details, aquieter interior and a profusion ofnew technology.

“The Range Rover has always beenthe world's most complete luxury SUV,”says Land Rover's managing directorMatthew Taylor. “With this new, evenmore refined flagship for the company,we believe that the best luxury SUV inthe world is now even better.”

The latest Range Rover joins therecently announced, dynamic RangeRover Sport, which has extended theLand Rover line-up to five models for thefirst time.

“The two Range Rover models com-plement each other perfectly,” saysMatthew Taylor. “The Range Rover for2006 is our luxury SUV. The RangeRover Sport is our performance SUV, adriver-focussed sports tourer. Two differ-ent models will enable us to competeeven more successfully in the market andtake the Range Rover name to evengreater success.”

The Range Rover For 2006

nother Election Day is upon usand many candidates are vyingfor your vote. Some deserv-ing—some are not so deserv-

ing. Personal views aside—my onlyrequest is that you make an informedvoting decision on Election Day. That’swhy we’ve gone to such great lengths topull together our 2005 VOTERS GUIDE.

While we do not endorse politicalcandidates, our “Election Poll” was ofgreat interest to the political campaigns.I would like to thank all those who par-ticipated in the poll. I furthermore lookforward to more people taking part inour next poll. Nothing pleases me morethan to say over 18,000 votes were castin the poll and I’m hopeful that we willhave greater participation in the upcom-ing March Primary polls.

With that said, I must personallythank the following individuals for mak-ing our 2005 VOTERS GUIDE possible:Gladys House, M.J. Khan, Peter Brown,Anne Clutterbuck, Shelly Sekula-Gibbs,Judge Georgia Dempster, K.A. Khan,Brian Cweren, Dr. Eddie Watson, JohnShike, Jarvis Johnson, and MichaelStoma. As always, none of what we doto serve the community would be possi-ble without the support of our manyadvertisers and readers.

I hope you enjoy this issue and wishall the candidates much success in theirrespective races.

A

PUBLISHED BY HOUSTON HIGHLIGHTS PUBLISHING, L.L.C. • 832.212.8735 • Houston Business Connections Monthly • NOVEMBER • 3

NEWS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

WHY SETTLE FOR LESS THAN THE BEST?Mike Calvert Toyota opened for business in Houston over 20 years ago. The reputation of this dealership is built uponFairness, Honesty, and being there after the sale. Our hard work earned the President’s Award for Customer Satisfaction.Call Andre’ Walker at 866-684-3446 or come by our Dealership located at 2333 South Loop West for a pleasant buying experience. There’s always a great selection to choose from. Easy financing! Call or come by TODAY!

Andre’ WalkerNew & Preowned Sales(713)558-8252 Direct(832)283-1660 CellEmail: [email protected]

MIKE CALVERT TOYOTA2333 SOUTH LOOP WESTHOUSTON, TEXAS 77054

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Support Companies That Support Diversity! A message from Houston Highlights Publishing, L.L.C.

Please see LISTING, P.5

Acres Home CitizenChamber Of Commerce(713) 692-70036130 Wheatley StHouston, TX 77091

Arab U.S. Chamber Of Commerce(281) 447-2563525 N Sam Houston Pkwy EHouston, TX 77060

Arab-us Chamber National(713) 963-46201330 Post Oak BlvdHouston, TX 77056

Asian Chamber OfCommerce(713) 782-72227457 Harwin DrHouston, TX 77036

Australian AmericanChamber Of Commerce(713) 467-214611935 Cobblestone DrHouston, TX 77024

C I S American ChamberOf Commerce(713) 464-48008707 Katy FwyHouston, TX 77024

Caribbean Chamber Of Commerce(713) 977-83087171 Harwin DrHouston, TX 77036

Chamber Of Commerce North(281) 872-870016825 Northchase DrHouston, TX 77060

Chamber Of CommerceNorth Channel Area(713) 450-3600P 9759 Ste Ste 100Houston, TX 77213

Clear Lake Area EconomicDevelopment Foundation(281) 486-55352525 Bay Area BlvdApollo, TX 77058

Clear Lake ShoresChamber Of Commerce(281) 488-76761201 Nasa Rd 1Apollo, TX 77058

Cy-fair Houston Chamber Of Commerce(281) 955-110011050 Fm 1960 Rd WHouston, TX 77065

Cy-fair Houston Chamber Of Commerce(281) 765-888811050 Fm 1960 Rd WHouston, TX 77065

French American Chamber Of Commerce5373 West Alabama, #209Houston, TX 77056(713) 960-0575

German AmericanChamber Of Commerce(713) 877-11145599 San Felipe StHouston, TX 77056

The following is a comprehensivelist of Houston area Chambers of Commerce--------------------------

Houston based attorneyCletus P. Ernster, III, received aSpecial President’s Award at theOctober 7th NAACP StateConvention in Dallas, Texas.The theme of the convention was“Conscience of a Nation”. Mr.Ernster was recognized for hiscommitment to addressing con-sumer racial profiling andracial justice in the African-

American community. “Mr. Ernster is so dedicated

to the plight of those wronglyaccused and mistreated atDillard’s department stores thathe has risked much personally tofight for justice,” says attorneyGary Bledsoe, President of theState NAACP branch. “His com-mitment exemplifies the conven-tion theme and the goals of the

NAACP.” Recognized statewidein 2001 by Texas Lawyer as oneof the state’s forty up and com-ing lawyers, Ernster has beendescribed as a workhorse andtireless advocate of consumerrights. Mr. Ernster’s law firm,Cletus Ernster III, P.C., has filed

Cletus P. Ernster III Receives thePresident’s Award from NAACP

Ernster

Local attorney leads the fight against racial profiling in Dillard’s department stores

Please see ERNSTER, P.10

By: Dr. Janice M. BealHouston Business Connections Columnist

“I have a deadline tomorrow at three,”“The traffic was horrible,” “I don’t like mynew boss,” “My spouse will not let up,” or“Oh My Children........” These statementsare often said by people who are experi-encing some form of stress. This six letter

word is probablyone of the mostfrequently used inthe English lan-guage. Everyoneat some point intheir lives experi-ence a certainamount of stressthat may over-come their naturalcoping abilities.The important fac-

tor is how you handle stress. Stress isdefined as an environmental stimulus thataffects an organism in physically psycho-logically injurious ways, usually produc-ing anxiety, tension, and physiologicalarousal. Because we are individuals eachperson views a situation in a different way.What may be stressful for one may not bestressful for another person. Whatbecomes most important is for you to beable to identify the sources of your stressand how these situations are affecting you.The process for learning to controlstress is life-long and will not onlycontribute to better health, but a greaterability to succeed in one’s own plans.

Tips for reducing orcontrolling stress

As you read the following sugges-tions, remember that success will not comefrom a half hearted effort, nor will it comeovernight. It will take determination, per-sistence and time. Some suggestions mayhelp immediately, but if your stress ischronic, it may require more attentionand/or lifestyle changes. DetermineYOUR tolerance level for stress and try tolive within these limits. Learn to accept orchange stressful and tense situationswhenever possible.

Be realistic. If you feel overwhelmedby some activities (yours and/or your fam-ily’s), learn to say NO! Eliminate an activ-ity that is not absolutely necessary. Youmay be taking on more responsibility thanyou can or should handle. If you meetresistance, give reasons why you’re mak-ing the changes. Be willing to listen toother’s suggestions and be ready to com-promise.

Shed the “superman/superwoman”urge. No one is perfect, so don’t expectperfection from yourself or others. Askyourself, “What really needs to be done?How much can I do? Is the deadline realis-tic? What adjustments can I make?” Don’thesitate to ask for help if you need it.

Meditate. Just ten to twenty minutesof quiet reflection may bring relief fromchronic stress as well as increase your tol-erance to it. Use the time to listen to music,relax and try to think of pleasant things ornothing.

Visualize. Use your imagination andpicture how you can manage a stressful sit-uation more successfully. Whether it’s abusiness presentation or moving to a newplace, many people feel visual rehearsalsboost self-confidence and enable them totake a more positive approach to a difficult task.

Take one thing at a time. For people

under tension or stress, an ordinary work-load can sometimes seem unbearable. Thebest way to cope with this feeling of beingoverwhelmed is to take one task at a time.Pick one urgent task and work on it. Onceyou accomplish that task, choose the nextone. The positive feeling of “checking off”tasks is very satisfying. It will motivateyou to keep going.

Exercise. Regular exercise is a popu-lar way to relieve stress. Twenty to thirtyminutes of physical activity benefits boththe body and the mind.

Healthy life style. Good nutritionmakes a difference. Limit intake of caf-feine and alcohol (alcohol actually disturbs

regular sleep patterns), get adequate rest,exercise, and balance work and play.

Share your feelings. A conversationwith a friend lets you know that you arenot the only one having a bad day, caringfor a sick child or working in a busyoffice. Stay in touch with friends and fam-ily. Let them provide love, support andguidance. Don’t try to cope alone.

Where to Get Help Help may be as close as a friend or

spouse. But if you think that you or some-one you know may be under more stressthan just dealing with a passing difficulty,it may be helpful to talk with your doctor,

spiritual advisor, or employee assistanceprofessional. They may suggest you visitwith a psychiatrist, psychologist, socialworker, or other qualified counselor.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Dr. Janice M. Beal is the Clinical Directorfor Beal Counseling Associates a commu-nity mental health agency. The agencyspecializes in Anger Management,Behavioral Problems, Attention DeficitHyperactivity Disorder, Drug and AlcoholAbuse and Depression. Dr. Janice M.Beal can be contacted at (713)522-1721.Beal Counseling Associates is located at2520 Rosewood St. @ Live Oak inHouston, Texas.


•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Support Companies That Support Diversity! A message from Houston Highlights Publishing, L.L.C.

HEALTH TALK WITH DR. JANICE M. BEAL

Dr. Beal

Stress & It’s Impact On You


Houston Hispanic Chambers Of Commerce(713) 644-72152900 Woodridge DrHouston, TX 77087

Houston NorthwestChamber Of Commerce(281) 440-347614511 Falling Creek DrBammel, TX 77014

Houston NorthwestChamber Of Commerce(281) 440-416014511 Falling Creek DrHouston, TX 77014

Houston West Chamber Of Commerce(713) 785-492210777 Westheimer RdHouston, TX 77042

Houston West Chamber Of Commerce SpringBranch Division(713) 467-93308400 Long Point RdHouston, TX 77055

Indo American ChamberOf Commerce OfGreater Houston(713) 850-11441990 Post Oak BlvdHouston, TX 77056

Interamerican Chamber Of Commerce(713) 975-6171510 Bering DrHouston, TX 77057

Italy-america Chamber OfCommerce Of Texas Inc.(713) 626-93034605 Post Oak Place DrHouston, TX 77027

Japan Business Association Of Houston(281) 493-151214133 Memorial DrHouston, TX 77079

League City Chamber of Commerce(281) 554-5595 P.O. Box 977League City, Texas 77574

National U.S. Arab Chamber Of Commerce(713) 963-46201330 Post Oak BlvdHouston, TX 77056

North Chamber OfCommerce(281) 872-870016825 Northchase DrHouston, TX 77060

North Channel AreaChamber Of Commerce(713) 450-360013301 E FwyHouston, TX 77015

North Houston Greenspoint Chamber Of Commerce(281) 872-870016825 Northchase DrHouston, TX 77060

Seabrook Chamber Of Commerce(281) 488-76761201 Nasa Rd 1Apollo, TX 77058

Listingcontinued from P.3

Please see LISTING, P.9


ENDORSEMENT NEWS

7 2 5 0 G u l f F r e e w a y H o u s t o n , T e x a s 7 7 0 1 7

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281.477.6767

20O5 DODGE MAGNUM

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Of Course, It’s Got a HEMI®!The Dodge Charger – one of thebiggest names from the muscle carera – powered its way out of its storiedpast and onto the stage at the 2005North American International AutoShow in Detroit. The much-anticipat-ed 2006 Dodge Charger is making itsway back onto the streets of Houston.Will you be behind the wheel of one?

Visit GULFGATE DODGEto test drive one today.!

Call Dianoh Johnson-Wills the Fleet Manager at 281.477.6767

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AUSTIN, Texas – The TexasAssociation of Realtors has announced itsdecision to endorse Rick Perry in his re-election bid as Texas governor. Makingthe statement recently at the organiza-tion’s annual convention in CorpusChristi, TAR Chairman Lance Lacyapplauded the governor’s commitment tostrengthening the rights of private-proper-ty owners across the state.

“Gov. Perry has continued to sidewith homeowners, and that is why weare siding with him today,” said Lacy. “TheTexas Association of Realtors ExecutiveBoard voted unanimously to endorse Gov.Perry in his re-election bid to continue to bethe governor of the great state of Texas.”

Under the governor’s leadership, Texas

lawmakers guaranteed private-propertyowners state-level protection from eminent

domain for private profit,passed consumer-friendlyinsurance reform legislationand created another avenue forhomeowners to contest theirproperty appraisals withouthaving to file a costly lawsuit.

“I am honored to have theendorsement of the 75,000members of the Texas

Association of Realtors,” Perry said.“These men and women recognize that Ihave worked hard to make the dream ofhomeownership more affordable for Texasfamilies. I will continue to fight for real prop-erty tax relief that includes lower rates, more

taxpayertransparency and new taxpayer pro-tections that will stop government from grow-ing too fast.”

The first Texas A & M graduate tooccupy the Governor’s Mansion, Rick Perrywas sworn in as Texas’ 47th governor onDec. 12, 2000. He was elected to a four-yearterm in November 2005. A fifth genera-tion Texan, Gov. Perry understands theimportance of the right to own and usereal property, and the Texas Associationof Realtors believes he is dedicated to help-ing Texans realize the American dream ofhomeownership.

“Since Gov. Perry took office, he hasbeen a staunch advocate for Texas con-sumers,” said Benny McMahan, CEO of theTexas Association of Realtors.

Texas’ largest association pledges its support for Perry

Perry

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Support Companies That Support Diversity! A message from Houston Highlights Publishing, L.L.C.


SERVICES HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS REPORTS

High Gas PricesGot You Down?

Moore Transportation ServicesCan Help Houstonians to Beat theHigh Gas Prices In Houston

ouston area gas prices are simply outra-geous. These days everyone is feeling thepinch of the high gasoline prices—espe-

cially Houston area businessowners. If you’re drivingaround town in a mid-size car,truck, or SUV—you knowexactly what we’re talkingabout. With no end in sight,experts feel prices are certainto rise even higher over thecoming weeks. Some say gasprices could reach as much as$5 dollars per gallon. Sinceprices are certain to rise,Houstonians are certain tobegin looking for options tosave money. One good optioncould be to begin using adelivery service. You may besurprised at how inexpensive itis to let someone else do therunning around town for you. If you have employ-ees running errands or simple mail runs during thecourse of doing business, you could be liable for anaccident—should one occur. This alone is reasonenough to consider using a delivery service to cut costs.

“Moore Transportation Services is a Houston,Texas based courier service which operates underfour core principles; honesty, trustworthiness, loyal-

ty, and integrity,” says Antwan Moore, the founderand CEO of the company. “We treat our drivers aspart of the family and our clients are part of the fam-ily also,” he says. Moore a graduate of Houston’sWestbury High School is very knowledgeable of theHouston market because he’s spent all of his life inHouston. “I know Houston like the back of myhand,” says this confident business owner. “Mydrivers are just as knowledgeable as I am of theHouston area…this saves our customers moneybecause we take the shortest routes to get their pack-ages to their desired destinations,” he says.

Founded by Moore in March of 2000, MooreTransportation Services opened its doors whenMedical Billing Services asked Moore to be theirpersonal courier. Since then, Moore has grown hiscompany from a one-man operation into a corpora-tion with over twenty-five drivers. According toMoore, he attributes the company’s growth to thefaith he has in God and the support of his family,workers, and friends who have been there for himevery step of the way.

The company specializesin hotshots, mail runs, and gen-eral delivery services.

“With gasoline prices sohigh…business people shouldlet Moore TransportationServices do their running forthem,” says Aubrey R. Taylor,president and CEO of HoustonHighlights Publishing, L.L.C.,the publisher of HoustonBusiness Connections. “I’vefound Antwan Moore and hiscompany to be very depend-able and they treat you likeyou are their number one con-cern,” he says. “They’re not sobig where you are justanother number…however

they are big enough to service your every need.”The corporate headquarters for Moore

Transportation Services is located at 2600 SouthLoop West Suite #630 in Houston, Texas. For moreinformation or to begin experiencing the fast,friendly, and on time every time service ofMoore Transportation Service you should call(713) 668-0500.

H

DRIVEN TO SUCCEED: Antwan Moore hasgrown Moore Transportation Services from aone-man operation into a corporation withmore than twenty-five drivers. With gas pricesat record levels, delivery service providers likeMoore can help your business save dollars.

Greater Houston Partnership Chairmanachieves yet another milestone

Jodi Lee Jiles, chair of the Greater Houston Partnership andsenior vice president of First Albany Capital has achieved yet

another milestone. Jiles has been named to theboard of directors of the Houston branch of theFederal Reserve Bank of Dallas. He currentlyserves on the board of directors for BaylorCollege of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital,University of Texas Health Science CenterDevelopment Board, University of Texas atAustin Development Board, and is chairman ofthe Houston Community College SystemPerformance Audit Committee. Jiles was alsoappointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Interim

Commission on Higher Education.At First Albany Capital Jiles’ main responsibilities include

coordinating municipal finance operation and implementingstrategic marketing plans with targeted clients throughout theSouthwest.

In his newly appointed position to the Federal Reserve Bankof Dallas Board, Jiles will serve the remaining portion of anunexpired three-year term ending in 2007.

Jiles

Trustworthy

Courteous

Honest

Loyal

• SCHEDULED COURIER SERVICES

• GUARANTEED QUALITY SERVICE

• LARGE OR SMALL PACKAGES

• HOTSHOT SERVICES

• DAILY ROUTE PICK-UPS

• ALL MAIL RUNS

• DEDICATED DRIVERS

• BANK DEPOSITS

• LIVE DISPATCH

“You’ll Get More With Moore”

Corporate Headquarters: 2600 SOUTH LOOP WEST • SUITE 630 • HOUSTON, TEXAS 77054

Moore Transportation Services

(713)668-0500Fax: (713)524-7100

“MooreTransportationServices wasfounded byAntwan Moorein March of2000 to service theneeds of oneclient. Today,we haveclients throughout the city ofHouston andmore than 25 drivers to service theirneeds. WeInvite you tojoin our growing list of satisfied customers.”

Call Us Today!

GLOBAL TSU Alumnus Leslie Mays Joins PfizerIn New Diversity Leadership Position

Pfizer Inc. recently announced that Leslie Mays has joinedthe company as vice president of global diversity and inclusion.In this new position, Mays is responsible for developing andleading the design and implementation of global diversity strate-gies and plans for Pfizer.

Mays has a broad range of human resources and changemanagement experience, most recently with Royal Dutch ShellGroup where she served for the last nine years. As vice presi-dent/head of global diversity and inclusiveness at Shell,Mays established the first auditable global diversity and

inclusiveness policy in a global corporation.Prior to joining Shell, Mays held leadershippositions at General Mills and Reebok.

“This executive level role demonstrates animportant and tangible step in achieving Pfizer’sgoal of attracting, developing and engaging adiverse workforce,” said Sylvia Montero, seniorvice president of Corporate Human Resources atPfizer Inc. “As a leading corporate diversity and

inclusion specialist, we are pleased to bring Leslie aboard to notonly develop best practice strategies, but also to build on Pfizer'scurrent diversity platform.”

A native of Houston, Mays earned a Bachelor of Arts degreein communications from Texas Southern University, and is activein a number of professional associations.

Mays


••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Support Companies That Support Diversity! A message from Houston Highlights Publishing, L.L.C.

AUTOMOTIVE BUYING TIPS BY FRED HOYER

LINCOLN TOWNCAR LINCOLN MARK LT LINCOLN NAVIGATOR LINCOLN LS

Thinking ofaLincoln or Mercury?

Thinking about buying from the

#1 Dealer (8 years in a row)

& The Lincoln‘President’s Premier Club Award’

Winner

Fred HoyerFleet [email protected]

Bayway Lincoln Mercury(281)-929-6500 • Gulf Freeway exit Fuqua

By Fred HoyerFleet and Leasing ManagerBayway Lincoln Mercury

Everyone at one time or another willpurchase a new car or truck. One of themost popular forms of purchasing a newautomobile is leasing. Leasing is the mostcommon in luxury car lines, such asLincoln, Cadillac, BMW, and Mercedes etc.

Some advantages of leasing are lowermonthly payments, more automobile forthe money, ability to change automobilesevery 2 to 3 years, and the vehicle remainsunder warranty during the lease term.

Some things shouldn’t be done whenleasing a vehicle. First, never lease an

automobile for more than 3 years.Secondly, make sure the miles allowed are15,000 miles per year. Finally, do notlease an automobile if you cannot stayclose to the mileage limitations as statedin the contract.

There are two types of leases —Open-end and Close-end. Import dealers mostlyuse an Open-end lease and in my opinion,it is not a consumer friendly lease. TheOpen-end lease gives the consumer nooptions at the end of the lease. Take thisexample: you lease a new car or truck at$500 a month for 36 months, with a leaseend value of $19,000. Lease end value iswhat the car would be sold to you for atthe end of the lease period. Using an

Open-end lease you have no options at theend of the lease —you must purchase thecar or truck at the $19,000 sales price. Youcan refinance or pay cash, but you areforced to buy the car as stated in your con-tract. Avoid the Open-end lease at all cost.

Now lets talk about a Close-end lease.The domestic car lines mostly use a Close-end lease. I recommend this lease if you’regoing to lease a new car or truck. Usingthis lease, you have options available atthe end of the lease. First, at the end of thelease it is your choice whether you pur-chase the car or truck. Secondly, you canreturn the car to the dealership and pur-chase or lease a new car or truck. Thirdly,you can walk away from the lease at the

end of the lease period—if you desire todo so. However, you are responsiblefor mileage charges if you exceed themileage allowed or if any damage isinflicted to the vehicle as stipulated inyour contract. The Close-end lease inmy opinion, is the more consumerfriendly leasing option. I would rec-ommend this option to anyone plan-ning to lease a new car or truck.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

If you have any other questions regardingfinancing or leasing a new or used car ortruck, contact Fred Hoyer at Bayway LincolnMercury at (281) 929-6500 or by email [email protected]

Deciding Which Leasing Option Is Best For You

BUSINESS SHOWCASE & Something To Think About

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Thelma MooreSenior Loan Officer

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MYRNA L.SLACK-WILSONAttorney at Law

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5322 West Bellfort, Ste. 106 Houston, Texas 77035

UNNITEDNATIONALINSURANCEAGENCY

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BUSINESS SHOWCASE is a monthly inspirational platform sponsored by the businesses showcased. All advertisements are accepted at the discretion ofthe publisher. Although Houston Highlights Publishing, L.L.C. makes every effort to check the authenticity of our advertisements, we accept no responsi-bility or liability for the contents therein. The advertiser assures that advertisements will not contain any matter that is libelous or violates any person's rightof privacy or constitutes copyright infringement or is otherwise contrary to law. The advertiser assumes all responsibility in connection with the advertise-ment placed in this publication. Houston Highlights Publishing, L.L.C. shall be held harmless from any claim, loss, damage (including reasonable attorneys'fees) that may be incurred or suffered for any reason including but not limited to a breach of any kind associated with advertisers included in this section. To include your business in this section call 832.212.8735 or email your request to: [email protected]


Of all base passions, fear is most accursed. —William Shakespeare

What a new face courage puts on everything! —Ralph Waldo Emerson

A good disposition is a virtue in itself, and it is lasting. — Avid

Codwell FamilyFoot Center

StayingPlugged In While You’re OutMajority of CFOsCheck in With theOffice DuringVacations, Survey Finds

MENLO PARK, CA –Most financial executivesmay find it’s too easy to stayconnected to work while onvacation this summer.Nearly three-quarters (74percent) of chief financialofficers (CFOs) said theycheck in with the office atleast once or twice a weekduring their vacation; 34 per-cent said they do so daily.

The survey was devel-oped by Robert HalfManagement Resources, theworld’s premier provider ofsenior-level accounting andfinance professionals on aproject and interim basis. Itwas conducted by an inde-pendent research firm andincludes responses from1,400 CFOs from a stratifiedrandom sample of U.S. com-panies with more than 20employees.

CFOs were asked,“During your vacation,how often do you typicallycheck in with the office?”

Their responses:Several times daily.........13%Once or twice daily.........21%Several times a week......14%Once or twice a week.....26%Do not checking .............21%Don't know/no answer......5%–––––––––––––––––––––––Total 100%

“For CFOs, job pres-sures build up year-round,and vacations often aredelayed because of busywork periods and financialreporting schedules,” saidPaul McDonald, executivedirector of Robert HalfManagement Resources.“Even a brief respite canhelp executives rechargeand refocus once they areback at the office.”

McDonald added,“Technology tools such aswireless e-mail devices, lap-tops and cell phones make it

Please see PLUGGED, P.9

From: Max MessmerChairman & CEO, Robert Half International

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Worry is aform of fear, andall forms of fearproduce fatigue. A man who haslearned not to feel fear will find the fatigue of daily life enormouslydiminished.

— Bertrand Russell

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Live Entertainment Wednesday Thru Friday!NO COVER CHARGE FOR BANDS

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A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.— Wisdom from Proverbs 17:22 Life reflects your own thoughts back to you.—Wisdom from Napoleon Hill

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easy to keep in touch with theoffice and are frequent compan-ions for vacationing executives.They offer instant connectivitybut prevent much-needed breaksfrom work.”

McDonald offers several tipsfor executives who want to beaccessible yet still enjoy plentyof rest and relaxation:

* Designate point persons.Inform key parties well inadvance of your upcomingabsence and appoint someoneyou trust to manage major proj-ects and daily responsibilities onyour behalf.

* Provide staff with clearinstructions. Let your teamknow upfront what matterswould require your immediateattention and those that can waitfor your return. Request theyoffer solutions to urgent issuesthey communicate to you.

* Be specific in out-of-office messages. State in yourout-of-office e-mail responsesand voice-mail recordings whomto contact for requests in yourabsence and when you will returnto the office.

* Determine "check in"times. If you must check e-mailand voice mail, do so during spe-cific times, such as early morningor evening. Let your staff knowwhen you will be checking in toavoid interruptions throughoutthe day.

* Understand the importanceof a vacation. Recognize thatbreaks are a necessity, not a lux-ury. Don’t minimize the value oftaking enough time to recharge.––––––––––––––––––––––––––Robert Half ManagementResources has more than 100offices throughout NorthAmerica, Europe and Australia,and offers online job searchservices at www.rhmr.com.

Pluggedcontinued from P.8

South Belt Ellington ChamberOf Commerce(281) 481-551611555 Beamer RdHouston, TX 77089

Swedish American Chamber OfCommerce(281) 990-99444130 Pine Crest TrlApollo, TX 77059

Swedish American Chamber OfCommerce(713) 914-0015Houston, TX 77052

Taylor Lake Village ChamberOf Commerce(281) 488-76761201 Nasa Rd 1Apollo, TX 77058

Texas Israel Chamber Of Commerce Inc(713) 785-88552425 Fountain View DrHouston, TX 77057

Tomball Chamber ofCommerce281.351.7222

Women’s Chamber OfCommerce Of Texas In Houston(713) 665-1637Houston, TX 77052

Listingcontinued from P.5

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds in a day. Have you used one to say “thank you”?—William Arthur Ward

The finest test of character is seen in the amount and the power of gratitude we have. — Thoughts of wisdom from Milo H. Gates

Thanksgiving is a sure index of spiritual health. —Maurice Dametz

No one keeps up his enthusiasm automati-cally. Enthusiasm must be nourished with newactions, new aspirations, new efforts, newvision. It is one’s own fault if his enthusiasm isgone; he has failed to feed it. —Papyrus



lots of features which are constant-ly upgraded and no contract for aninternet dial-up service, becamethe permanent mantra that cata-pulted ev1.net into the enviableposition of the fastest growing ISP(internet service provider) inTexas.

The philosophy from thebeginning has been to develop aworld-class network and sell atbelow-market prices. “Folks are alot more price sensitive than theywere in the past,” Marsh,Everyones Internet President andCEO says. “The value concept iswell-positioned in today’s economy.”

Entrepreneurial since hislemonade stand days at age 9,

while at college in ArkansasRobert Marsh rehabilitated agrand, historic single screen movietheatre. At age 21, in 1991, he co-founded Beeper Boutique with hisfather introducing beepers in avariety of styles and colors to con-sumers at value prices. Alwayslooking for growth potential in com-munications, he was one of the threeprincipals behind the launch ofEveryones Internet.

Not having much money to startwith, “we had to pull it together onour bootstraps,” says Marsh. “Wehad to make it work with less (andstill are cost-conscious). Othershave huge money behind them andhave blown through hundreds of mil-lions of dollars – and they’re still notprofitable.”

Marsh doesn’t believe ingrowing gray before sharing hisgood fortune with the community.

His other passions: children,including his son, and animals.Robert and his wife Michelle andhis brother Roy and wife Kathi aregenerous supporters of HoustonChildren’s Charity a non-profitumbrella group that helps manychild-involved agencies in theHouston area. The Marshes arealso involved with Citizens forAnimal Protection and its volun-teer adoption shelter for abusedand abandoned animals, andGreyhound Pets of America (alocal greyhound rescue group).United Cerebral Palsy, and theJewish Community CenterChildren’s Carnival, are a fewmore of the groups the supportedby the Marshes.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––Contact Everyones Internet by loggingon to www.ev1.net or call the corpo-rate office at (713) 333-SURF.

Marshcontinued from P.1

* After Hours & Weekend Service Available By Appointment

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The Good Shepherd Copiers

Goggan Blair & Sampson stuck with this case foryears to ensure that their clients and city and coun-ty residents got their money for schools and otherpublic services. It’s very rare in a bankruptcy caselike this to collect such a big payment, much lessall of the base tax owed.”

Harris County and the City of Houston willcollect $3.5 million of the $6.9 million, with mostof the remainder going to the Houston IndependentSchool District. The payments represent delinquent2001 property and business personal property taxeson Enron’s downtown office building at 1400Smith and its furnishings and equipment. Attorneyswith Linebarger Goggan collected the payment in48 checks. The $6.9 million is in addition to about$1.1 million the Tax Office, the Harris CountyDistrict Attorney's Office and the Harris CountyAppraisal District collected from Enron BroadbandServices through the same bankruptcy court inDecember 2002. Enron’s payment more than dou-bles the county's previous record for a bankruptcypayment, the $3.2 million collected fromWorldCom in October 2004.

“What District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal andChief Appraiser Jim Robinson proved in 2002 wasthe magnitude of the fraud that Enron Broadbandtried to perpetrate on the public,” said Bettencourt.“The good news today is that this most recentpayment bodes well for any companies emergingfrom Enron’s bankruptcy proceedings, becausethe public property tax bill will have effectivelybeen paid in full.”

Officials with Linebarger Goggan said the$6.9 million represents the largest bankruptcycollection in the Houston office's history and thatit effectively ends claims against the Enron com-panies, with the exception of some smaller col-lection activity.

Enroncontinued from P.1

Aubrey R. Taylor, president and CEO of HoustonHighlights Publishing, L.L.C., the publisher of HoustonBusiness Connections.

TAYLOR: What will you do for the city that perhaps thecurrent administration is not currently doing?

HOUSE: Houstonians will be given a greater voice byempowerment, giving them a forum to give meaningfulinput on the planning and development of their neighbor-hoods and the City of Houston as a whole. If Houston isto become a great city, it must be inclusive of its citi-zens and not only major developers and the wealthy.

TAYLOR: What can city employees expect fromyour administration if you are elected mayor onNovember 8, 2005?

HOUSE: City employees must be respected and appre-ciated by city administrators. Too often consultants anddepartment heads are selected outside Houston and Texaswhich says that Houstonians are not qualified to manage thedirection of their own city. Our city employees have beendoing a great job for many years and getting their input tobetter cut costs and be more efficient is key—not forcingthem into retirement and gambling with their pensions.

TAYLOR: Do you feel citizens are currently informedas well as they should be?

HOUSE: Citizens must be made aware of what isgoing on at city hall by first being part of the serious deci-sion-making process. Making decisions for citizens andthen conducting a townhall meeting is the improperprocedure if you respect and understand “We, thePeople...”

TAYLOR: What are some of your short and long termsplans for the city of Houston?

HOUSE: Short and long term plans for Houston willfocus first on empowering neighborhoods to plan and devel-op or re-develop their future and tie into the long term plansfor the city at large. I would divide Houston into four quar-ters, NW, NE, SW and SE and focus on the priority needsand resolutions for each. I would work monthly on address-ing these concerns and provide quarterly reports to eachhousehold in Houston. This prevents the eventual hiring ofany consultant to do what citizens and city employeesalready in place are capable doing.

TAYLOR: How would you handle a crisis such as theone city leadership is currently having to deal with?

HOUSE: First, get population/census information fromthe mayor of New Orleans. Call a meeting with NBUF,SHAPE, BUF, Shrine of Black Madonna, United Way, RedCross, etc. and other applicable groups for immediateaction. Order emergency pickup via ship, plane, etc. Havemedical teams ready to treat families upon arrival as theyexit transport, have food, water and clothing ready to handto each family. Assign color-coded housing or sections eachfamily will go to so that they could easily be located. A listwould be posted at each color-coded location so that all par-ticipants could locate their loved ones immediately ratherthan trying to do email or some other ridiculous approach.Each color would represent a quarter of the city to avoidconcentration of so many in one location that causesdisease/viruses to spread. Housing would initially be

in motels, hotels, and tents while temporary perma-nent housing would be established.

TAYLOR: What is your view on what capital improve-ments are needed currently in the city?

HOUSE: Capital improvements of infrastructure,sewer, and streets must be more fairly applied. Presently,disadvantaged neighborhoods in Houston receive blacktopwhile Caucasian communities receive concrete streets, andthis is unfair. Each period during CIP (Capital ImprovementProject) Houstonians are asked to submit their needs fortheir community, but disadvantaged communities neverreceive fulfillment. The city uses these communities’ demo-graphics to obtain state and federal funding, but uponreceipt of the funds, the city re-directs funding elsewhere.

TAYLOR: You mentioned several times that the currentadministration is unfair. In your opinion, who is benefitingfrom this perceived unfairness?

HOUSE: City government is biased and favors themajor developers and wealthy, while being arrogant andinsensitive to the everyday citizen requesting assistance.

TAYLOR: If elected what are some immediate changesyou would initiate?

HOUSE: I would make city hall more Houstonianfriendly and inclusiveness of citizens would be the immedi-ate change upon my being elected and sworn in as mayor ofHouston. Empowering Houstonians to give their input andbe a part of the direction the city is headed would make thedifference.

TAYLOR: Why should the citizens of Houston vote togive you the opportunity to become the city’s first AfricanAmerican female mayor?

HOUSE: If Houstonians want to be respected andincluded in helping to make their city grow and prosperfor all citizens, then they will vote for me. Houston can’tcontinue the route of favoritism and unfairness alongwith the attack on city employees. There are difficulttimes ahead and we must prepare ourselves for them.

MAKING HER RUN: Gladys M. House has servedHouston’s 4th Ward community for more that 25 years andis now making a run to become Houston’s first AfricanAmerican female mayor.

House For Mayorcontinued from P.1

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

more than 100 cases against Dillard’s departmentstores; alleging racial profiling and race discrim-ination against African-American customers.

At the Conference of NAACP branches, heldin October of 2003, the Texas State branchesresolved that appropriate and serious forms ofdirect action, both locally and nationally, againstretail establishments such as Dillard’s that appearto have a historical pattern of practicing and per-petuating racial profiling against African-Americans be approved at the national level. TheNAACP has criticized Dillard’s for nearly twentyyears for their practices and unwillingness tochange management policies.

Mr. Ernster holds a Bachelor’s Degree fromTrinity University and is a graduate of theThurgood Marshall School of Law. He is a mem-ber of the State Bar of Texas, Houston TrialLawyers Association, Texas Trial LawyersAssociation, The Association of Trial Lawyers ofAmerica, and the Thurgood Marshall School ofLaw Alumni Association.

Ernstercontinued from P3

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I prefer the errors of enthusiasm to the indifference of wisdom. —Anatole France

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All things are possible to him that believeth—Bible Verse from Mark 9:23

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Serving Houston For Over 38 Years


gle parent moderate and lowincome minority families andindividuals of modest means hitwith unexpected expenses such asdivorce losses or medical bills.

According to the LeadershipConference on Civil Rights(LCCR), African American andLatino homeowners are 500 per-cent more likely than white home-owners to find themselves inbankruptcy court largely due todiscrimination in home mortgagelending and housing purchases aswell as inequalities in hiringopportunities, wages and healthinsurance coverage.

For the purposes of prevent-ing the very few “true abuse”cases where the rich use the bank-ruptcy laws to turn their back oncreditors, the new law will forcethe masses of filers that really doneed a fresh start to prolong theirhardships.

Hassles and Hurdles of Filing Ahead

As of October 17, filers willbe sent from the attorney’s officeto a credit-counseling centerwhere they will be required tohave their ability to pay evaluated.This will be called a “means test.”

If a monthly budget showsthey earn over the median incomefor their state, have over $166 leftafter paying the basics or evenhave enough disposable income topay their debts down by 25% overa 60 month term, they will not eli-gible be able to file Chapter 7.Instead, they will be forced to paytheir debt through a Chapter 13wage-earner plan for a 3 to 5 yearperiod.

Even if consumers meet theguidelines for a fresh start(Chapter 7), filers will be requiredto complete a financial educationcourse before they are granted adischarge of their debt.

How will this affect my car loan?

Before the new law, con-sumers who had car loans wouldsee the balance of their car noteshrink to the value of the car,called an “auto loan cram-down.”The new law will eliminate this.Instead, the consumer will stillowe the full balance, even if it farsurpasses the current value of thecar. The consumer will risk repos-session, if they cannot continuemaking payments at the currentlevel.

Housing ChangesThe new law also places lim-

its on the “automatic stay,” gener-al rules that immediately halt mostcollection actions and lawsuitsagainst someone filing for bank-ruptcy. Among other things, the“automatic stay” no longer stopsor postpones evictions after aforeclosure proceeding. Anothernew change, the new law willmake it easier for the lender tocontest the filing as fraudulent ifthe homeowner or spouse hasfiled in the recent past. Tenantswho are behind on their rent willalso have a harder time staying intheir dwelling with this new law.

Limited Homestead ExemptionIn the past, there were eight

jurisdictions with no limit on theamount of home equity one couldkeep during bankruptcy: Florida,Texas, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas,Oklahoma, South Dakota andWashington DC. The new lawwill limit the homestead exemp-tion to $125,000 unless the con-sumer has owned the property40 months and has lived therefor 2 years. With these newchanges, the notorious home-stead exemption will cease as weknow it, putting an end to shelterstrategies that were so oftenused by the infamous such asScott Sullivan of Enron fame.

Bad Timing of New LawAlthough this law has been 8

years in the making, it arrives justas troubling trends are in place.Citibank and other credit cardcompanies have raised the mini-mum payment required onaccount holders from 2% of thebalance to 4%. Other credit cardcompanies are expected to do thesame by the end of the year.Perhaps it is because they willsoon be required to post the num-

ber of months each cardholderwill be paying if they make theminimum payment each month, orperhaps they will be embarrassedto print that it will take 88 monthsto pay down $1,000 at a 17%interest rate. Nonetheless, if card-holders see their minimum month-ly payments double, some will getpushed over the edge.

New Filing CostsIn the past, the average cost

of filing a simple Chapter 7 waswell under $1,000. The new lawbumps the filing fees by $60 andalso requires attorneys to domore work on each case that willboost estimated cost of legalfees by 25 to 50%.___________________________

If you’re having trouble withdebt, call the NationalBankruptcy Hotline at (800) 574-3377. Learn your options, it’sfree! If you’re falling behind onyour mortgage payments, visitwww.homesaversusa.com or callthe mortgage relief hotline at800-452-9572.



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Position 1. The third genera-tion Houstonian is arenowned professional whohas received the FAIA des-ignation, the industry's high-est honor.

By the crowd you couldtell that Peter is no stranger inHouston. The diverse crowdsupported Brown’s statementthat he is a candidate for allthe citizens of Houston andhas a vision for the city'sfuture. In addressing the largecrowd of supporters Cisnerossaid “It is an honor to havesome one who has accom-plished so much in his profes-sion to be willing to sacrificefor the betterment of the city.Peter’s hand has been on manymajor developments inHouston. From The MainStreet Project to Light Rail,Peter has been there. Hisdesign team won the interna-

tional design competition forthe restoration of HermanPark. I’ve sat and talked withthis man and I know he will bea great leader for this city and Iknow he will Help Build ABetter Houston,” saidCisneros.

Congresswoman SheliaJackson Lee expressed wordsof support for Brown at the eventas well.

Peter has been endorsedby numerous organizationsand elected officials. He hasbeen endorsed by the likes ofCongressman Al Green, Rev.Bill Lawson, State Rep.Sylvester Turner, FormerNAACP President HowardJefferson, Constable MayWalker, The Afro-AmericanSheriff Deputy League andmany others._________________________

For more information youcan call Peter’s campaignoffice at 713-528-0049 or visithis website at www.peter-brownforcouncil.org

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november 2005 houston business connections newspaper

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