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Hurst Euless Bedford Chamber of Commerce
2109 Martin Drive, Bedford, TX 76021
P.O. Drawer 969, Bedford, TX 76095 (mailing address)
817-283-1521
http://www.heb.org
Mary Martin Frazior has been president and CEO of the Hurst Euless Bedford Chamber of Commerce since 1997.
She began her career as a staff manager at the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, eventually becoming vice president. She then spent 12 years as vice president of development and finance for the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce.
Bedford Mayor Jim Griffin, one of her nominators, notes that she’s in her 22nd year at the HEB chamber.
“Her leadership is a key reason the HEB community has prospered and grown. The numerous programs she has directed have advanced the community,” Griffin said. “Mary demonstrates dedication and passion for local businesses, governmental affairs, and economic development.”
Frazior is a summa cum laude graduate of Corpus Christi State University – now Texas A & M at Corpus Christi – with a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing and finance.
She holds a number of certification and honors, among them being recognized by the Business Press as a Great Woman of Texas in 2014.
Her community involvement is extensive and she was inducted into the HEB ISD Hall of Fame as the Distinguished Community Leader in 2010.
She and her husband, David, live in Bedford and have two children and two grandsons.
“Her dedication and passion for local businesses, governmental affairs, and economic development is apparent to all who have had the pleasure of working with her,” said Jennifer Klump, also with the chamber, in her nomination.
– Paul K. Harral
When was your company founded?
1955
Employees
5 ½
Founders
Business leaders in Hurst Euless Bedford. The first chairman of the board (called president at the time – the head volunteer) was Clyde Mooney.
Type of Business
The Hurst Euless Bedford Chamber is a nonprofit membership association that brings business, civic and community leaders together to improve the economic climate and quality of life in the HEB area. We have four major goals to achieve our mission of Advancing Business and Strengthening Community as we our members engage one another:
• Business & Community Success
• Business Advocacy
• Economic Development
• Chamber Excellence
What differentiates your company from others?
The HEB Chamber is a four-star accredited chamber of commerce by the U.S. Chamber. Only 3% of chambers in the U.S. have earned this distinction.
What was your greatest challenge and how did you respond to it?
The Airport Freeway (SH 183/121) is the main artery running right through the heart of Hurst Euless and Bedford. During reconstruction, this route led to congestion, confusion and irritation by drivers and the contractor did its best accommodate drivers and businesses with frequent communication.
The community was originally told there was no funding for the expansion. After meeting with elected officials and transportation officials, the Chamber formed a coalition with our three cities and the county to make a presentation to the Texas Transportation Commission asking them to expedite funding.
After many trips to Austin and staying in front of transportation groups and elected officials, reconstruction started in 2010 and was completed ahead of schedule.
The business climate is changing rapidly. What do you foresee as challenges?
Taxes including local, state and federal: A concern for both businesses and residents, local taxes pay for basic services – police, fire, maintaining streets and education. Recently the Texas Legislature capped these taxes and my concern is that cities, counties and school districts will struggle to provide services our communities depend on.
Access to labor: With low unemployment, finding educated, skilled employees is a challenge right now and has been for the last few years. In addition, the increasing costs for higher education may lead to fewer graduates, which will become an additional challenge when attracting businesses to our area in the future. We work in partnership with Tarrant County College, Northeast Campus, and are impressed with how TCC is customizing training programs for employers to help recruit staff.
Do you see the present business climate as challenging, uncertain or optimistic and why?
I continue to be optimistic about the future of Hurst Euless Bedford, Tarrant County and Texas. We have a great business climate, and companies and people continue to choose to relocate our area.
If you could make one and only one change in the present business climate, what would it be and why?
Let’s work together to make HEB, Tarrant County and Texas the best we can be – forget about political party lines and let’s do what’s best for our residents, businesses and organizations.