2018: A Year in Review

When I was originally approached about becoming President of Fort Worth HR I said no. The timing wasn’t right, I had a newborn to take care of, my job situation was unsettled, and I lacked the confidence to command such an important role. Self-doubt had taken over my thoughts and I was unable to pull myself out of the tailspin. Carla McKenzie, who was President at the time, stayed patient and continued to encourage me to get out of my comfort zone. I reluctantly agreed but the prospect of a two-year term seemed daunting. However, with a board of 15 exceptional people around me I stepped into the role with a mixture of excitement and nervous energy. Fast forward to January 2019 and I want to take some time to say thanks and reflect on what we have accomplished as an organization.

In 2017, we made the decision to re-brand the organization and shorten the name from Fort Worth HR Management Association to Fort Worth HR. With this change we needed a new logo, website address, and marketing materials. As you can imagine, logo discussions can lead to some intense debates, but we finally agreed upon one and prepared to go public with it. Being based in Cowtown, we wanted a brand that would resemble a cattle brand. Pretty creative, right? We also believed that the shortened name would be a better reflection of our members because they work in all areas of HR. 

Following the change, we focused our energy on building partnerships within the community, enhancing our programs, and expanding our influence to become the voice of HR in Fort Worth and surrounding areas. Our list of community partners includes Diamond Hill Elementary, Blue Zones, Tarrant Area Food Bank, FWInc Magazine, and several universities in the area. We added Summer School, a four-hour educational program on a topic chosen by our members and began looking for speakers that would truly challenge the individuals who attend our educational events. My hope has always been that you would hear challenging content that would be useful back at the office rather than just another presentation. Part of our mission statement is to promote the strategic value of HR which is only possible if our members are making an impact at their place of business.

To wrap up with some metrics, we grew by over 15% in 2018, attendance at luncheons is at an all-time high, and satisfaction surveys are consistently positive. This would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers and the help of our administrative team at the Culpepper Management Group. I want to end by saying thanks to you, the person reading this newsletter. I don’t know where you are at in your career or what is happening in your personal life. We are human first and without the human, you don’t get the resource. Fort Worth HR at its heart is a community and if you need help, feedback, coaching, or even a shoulder to cry on there’s someone who will be by your side. Thanks for trusting us with your time and investing in your professional development by being part of Fort Worth HR. As I hand over the reins to Jon Evans, let’s keep the momentum going and expand our impact in 2019.

By Justin Dorsey
Immediate Past President

Member Spotlight: Colby Waldrop

#FWHR caught up with Colby Waldrop, Senior Branch Manager at CornerStone Staffing in Fort Worth. Learn more about Colby by reading the Q & A below!

Q: How would you describe your day job to a child?

A: I get to work with the best companies in Fort Worth to help mommies and daddies find great jobs!

Q: Before working at CornerStone Staffing, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

A: The summer between High School and College, I literally lived on site in an RV at Six Flags over Texas in a park under “The Titan” and ran food vendor booths for a catering company that my best friend’s mom owned.  It was a lot of work and a lot of fun!

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Fort Worth?

A: Hard question as there are so many great places in Fort Worth,
but Capital Grille has to be one of my top choices.
I am pretty adventurous when it comes to food.

Q: What TV show are you currently watching?

A: I hate to admit this and be on the bandwagon,
but I am about to watch Game of Thrones again
in anticipation of the final season that starts in April.

Q: What gets you out of bed in the morning?

A: I am blessed with many opportunities to serve others
and I know that is my gift above all else. 
I am honored every day to serve God, my family, the teams I manage, my clients and the talent we place.
That is exactly what gets me out of bed every morning!

Q: How did you first learn about FWHR?

A: Our company sponsored a booth for the
Employment Law Update which I got signed up for as
the “new sales guy” five years ago. 
I met some fantastic people that day and knew I had to get involved!

Q: How has FWHR helped you in your career development?

A: Being in Business Development for
Talent Acquisition and Recruiting, I have gained so
much knowledge and exposure from being surrounded
by so many talented HR professionals. 
I have also had the privilege and trust of a lot of
members to build partnerships. I am proud to call
a lot of them clients and friends.

Q: What has been your favorite event to participate in at FWHR?

A: I enjoy the lunches, but I look forward to the
Employment Law Update because it has the
biggest turnout of people. Plus you get to spend all day
(and maybe even a Happy Hour) having great conversations and getting to know people.

Q: What advice would you give new or prospective members of FWHR?

A: Dive in, meet people and get involved. 
Just like anything else, the grass is greener where you water it, so turn on the hose!  

Q: How have you benefited from being a member of FWHR?

A: The connections, knowledge and partnerships built
through FWHR have not only driven my business,
but my continued education of how I can influence
the HR and Fort Worth community as a whole!