Transcription
wwVolume III, Issue 2www.valleybusinessreport.comw.VJall oin uey sBu onsin lines e atsReport.comOctober 2011LifelongLearningWith the opening of the University Center at TSTC andSouth Texas College's e-campus, the opportunities forprofessional development have taken a quantum leap.See page 5
October 2011 Valley Business Report 3More Sunsets – Less TVThink time. Non-think time. You choose.Either way, you will get more out of sunsets thansitcoms.Recently, I might have missed a western skymural if it weren’t for the puppy begging for hisafter-dinner walk. As I stepped out my front door,I stared at a picturesque moment. It was good. Itwas more than good.The football game that I was watching wasgood too, but the visual of a zoned-in set of cloudspartially covering a sunset was a better picture.And just from the comforts of my yard, the viewwas better than a suite or box seat at Jerry’s World.I know what you’re thinking. Tickets at football’sfantasy land cost a pretty penny. Trust me; thisseat was more valuable.Too often we pass up these opportunities ofmind refreshers – a brief break of forgetting aboutthe day’s craziness, and when we see it – it’s morevivid and clear than the latest 1080i flatscreen.You’ve been there. Maybe it’s time to go back.Sunsets can be a time to reflect on a businessplan, quarterly sales revenues or on absolutelynothing. Either way, it’s positive. When yourcomplete focus for those few moments is on thesun dipping beyond the horizon until you see it nomore, all is right with the world. If you don’t fitinto the group that regularly needs this break fromchaos, check your pulse. Better yet, consult yourphysician.The ironic thing is we often say at the sight ofa breathtaking sunset, “That just doesn’t seemreal.” We never make that comment when theevening’s sitcom or a goal line stance has us gluedto the sofa. Take time; take more time than you didlast week or last month to walk outside and seesomething in a different way. Your next great ideamay come from staring at a fiery orange sky.For some of us, that great idea happens whenall is quiet on a 3-hour flight or if you’re luckyenough to be the passenger rather than the driveron a road trip across Texas. Being still and listeningis important. It’s then when business ideas of glorycan seep into our psyche. We search vigorously fora pen because if we blink, this Einstein momentmay vanish. So we write. We write with passion.And it’s all because we took a break of the constantrat race we find ourselves in and we allowed for“think time.”Think time is just as important as productiontime; in many ways more. Greater results comefrom executing a well thought-out plan. Successfulbusiness systems all share a common order: Think.Plan. Execute.This evening, peel yourself away from the recliner and take a walk just before sunset. Tomorrow’sbrightest idea may stare right back at you.Todd BrelandGeneral ManagerValley Business ReportVBR nessreport.com"Connecting You To Local Pro-Business News"
4 Valley Business Report October 2011ContentsExecutive Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Lifelong Learning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5All Valley Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Medical Practice Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9All Star Metals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Exceptional Wines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Valley Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Banking Q & A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Minority Business Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Mercado in Brownsville. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Workforce Duo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Free Job Posting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Rich Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Promoting American Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Message to Businesses from American Heart Assn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25In the Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Cover photo by Freddy Rodriguez, TSTCValley Business Report StaffEditorEileen Matteieileen@valleybusinessreport.comGeneral ManagerTodd Brelandtodd@valleybusinessreport.comMarketing ConsultantsCori ThomasBeth inessreport.comProduction Art DirectorSharon Campbellsharon@valleybusinessreport.comEditor, VBR e-BriefAngey Murrayangey@valleybusinessreport.comWeb DesignMPC StudiosPhilosophy: We are a pro-business publication providing in-depth perspectiveson business trends and creating a forum in which business leaders can exchangeideas and information affecting the local community’s economy.Letters to the Editor: Letters of 300 words or less should be e-mailed toeditorial@valleybusinessreport.com with the subject line: Letter to the Editor.Please include your full name and city of residence. 2011 Valley Business Report is published by VBR Media, L.L.C.Office: 956-310-8953 P.O. Box 2332 Mission, Texas 78573
October 2011 Valley Business Report 5Lifelong Learning is Good for YouBy Eileen MatteiIf you want to take college courses to help youadvance professionally, to study a new field toprepare for a career change, to go for a degree or tomerely indulge a personal interest, the opportunitiesfor lifelong learning have never been so abundant.This summer’s openings of the University Center atTSTC and South Texas College’s eCampus havemade advanced, bachelor’s, and associate degreeseasily accessible, sometimes as close as your homeoffice.At the University Center, eight universities areoffering 23 bachelor and 23 master degree programsthat range from Health Care Management, TechnologyProject Management and Industrial Engineering toMedia Relations and Health and Human Performance.The mix of face to face, teleconferencing and onlineinstruction depends on the course and the institution:University of Texas at Brownsville and Pan American,Texas A&M at Kingsville and Corpus Christi, theUniversity of Houston, Our Lady of the Lake University, Wayland Baptist University and LeTourneauUniversity.Real WORld CRITICal ThInkIng“How many of you have been offered a bribe?”The entry of the University Center displaysbanners of the eight universities offering coursesthere. (VBR)UTB instructor TomCoyle asked his Principles of Managementclass as he paced infront of them, bootheels tapping on thenew floor. Two studentsof the 13 studentsraised their hands, andthat gave Coyle aspringboard for a livelydiscussion of workplace ethics. Half ofthe students in the classare employed, but allof them, he said, wouldbe faced with a bribeat some point in theircareer. “Would youtake a two million dollar bribe? You need to decidenow,” what behavior is acceptable, what principlesare non-negotiable.Classes like Coyle’s have stimulated Anna Desjardins, a stay-at-home mom who is working on abusiness degree that she expects to complete whenher youngest starts elementary school in 18 months.Desjardins has taken online courses and classes atTSTC and in Brownsville. “I would like to work fora land developer. A degree would put me in a betterposition. The fact that I am staying home lets metake advantage of these classes,” she said, acknowledging that her husband encouraged her to go backto school. Coyle, she added is a very good teacherand is strict.In the University Center’s comfortable lobby,four Ph.D. candidates in Leadership Studies were ina serious discussion with Dr. David Egleston, coordinator of the Our Lady of the Lake University program. Stella Garcia, now Associate VP for Corporateand Community at TSTC, said she three years ago,when she began the four-year Ph.D. program, therewere few non-education doctoral programs in theregion. “I thought that one day I would want to beon the faculty of a college and teaching,” she said.“It has really helped us to have such a supportivefaculty.” The OLOL cohort program met elsewhereon the TSTC campus eight Saturdays per semesteruntil the University Center opened. Garcia hassqueezed comprehensive exams and numerous papersinto her schedule, just like the other three in hercohort who also have full-time jobs.STC Nursing student Luci Simpson practices taking vital signs on a simulated Preemie. (STC courtesy)
6 Valley Business Report October 2011Roy Scheneman of VTCI had a dream toget a Ph.D and complete his education at the highestlevel. “I just wanted to know more: what makespeople effective as leaders; what makes companiessuccessful.”The e-CaMPUSHalf the UTB students in Tom Coyle's Principles of Managment course are working while attending college. (VBR)In August, a virtual ribbon was cut by SouthTexas College administrators to launch the college’ssixth site: the Virtual Campus, an e-STC. Attuned tothe digital age, the Virtual Campus allows STC’s30,000 students to enroll in any of 500-plus onlinecourses taught by STC instructors that can lead to15 degrees and five certificates.Distance education, in the form of correspondencecourses and radio and TV courses, has been availablefor over 200 years, and for 14 years at STC, accordingto Dr. Brett Millan, interim dean of the e-Campus.The virtual campus gives access to online libraryservices, admissions, advising, financial aid, bookstoreand testing. “The vast majority of colleges do notoffer student services online. That takes a mindsetchange,” Millan said. Last fall over 4,800 studentswere in distance learning classes, and most were hybridizing their schedules taking some on-campuscourses. This year 5,400 are using eSTC. Onlineinstructors undergo training in online best practicesfor teaching, using video techniques and interactiveweb technology.Statistically, Virtual Campus students are olderthan the college as a whole. More women than mentake advantage of distance education, also.Convenience is the operative word for studentSheena Faulkner, who has earned about 40 credithours online at STC. “I have been able to make mystudies fit my schedule. I can study at my own pace,which I believe has helped me earn better grades. Ican do my class work at 1 a.m. if I need to, andsometimes I have to because I work to pay my waythrough college. Also, I live 25 miles from thenearest campus and in this economy, taking onlineclasses has saved me a lot of gas money.”South Texas College expanded its all-online degree offerings to include associate degrees in 13programs as well as certificates in management ormarketing, said Juan E. Mejia, STC vice presidentfor academic affairs. “We are focused on meetingthe needs of every student, from stay-at-home parents,professionals who are employed, and those in themilitary stationed abroad to the many students whohave embraced technology and wish to completetheir degree from home. Students can expect thesame academic rigor that they have come to expectand appreciate from our traditional courses. The difference is that with eSTC we are eliminating time
October 2011 Valley Business Report 7and distance barriers and making education moreaffordable and flexible than everUTB and UTPA have continuing ed programswith credit and noncredit courses in addition to theirdegree programs.The SeCReT OPTIOnAuditing a university class is an amazingly lowcost, seldom-used option to continue learning, ifyou are not seeking credits or a degree. Last year, Iaudited an upper level science course at UTB, whichrequired applying for university admission, havingthe instructor’s permission and paying the 50 auditfee. I did the assigned work and took tests, but theinstructor was not obligated to grade my work. Thehydrology course was stimulating and tough. I lovedit and I’ve since used the knowledge gained instories.Academia has changed enough so that you cannow arrange to earn a Masters in InterdisciplinaryStudies merging interdepartmental interests, such asscience and art. The opportunities to create yourown unique path of lifelong learning have neverbeen so tempting.At the University Center, each university handlesits own admissions and financial aid applicationsfor prospective students. Call 956-364-4535 for moreinformation or see www.harlingen.tstc.edu/uc. Foradditional information about STC, visit vc.southtexascollege.edu or call 956-872-2598.Our Lady of the Lake University PhD candidatesdiscuss plans for the semester with Dr. David Egleston at the University Center. (VBR)
8 Valley Business Report October 2011Finding Cash in the TrashBy Eileen MatteiIn 2003, Paula Villanueva, a Weslaco office manager, and her husband Santos, a driver for a trashcompany, moved into a rural subdivision and had aproblem. “I wasn’t getting garbage service,” she said.“I signed up and kept calling and calling, but theynever showed up with a container.” Realizing that themajor waste companies were neglecting HidalgoCounty subdivisions in rural areas, the Villanuevasstarted All Valley Waste, LLC with a used garbagetruck, a few containers and a contract with the city ofEdinburg to unload waste there.Two neighbors were the first customers. “I didn’thave a clue. I didn’t know how to market,” PaulaVillanueva said. “We didn’t even have an office whenwe began. People would drive up to the house andhonk, and I would go to their car and take a paymentfrom them.” The first year, she kept her officemanager job and worked on All Valley Waste’s billingand collections after hours. “Eventually it got to betoo much, staying up to 2 o’clock in the morning.”By the the end of first year, thecompany had 50 customers, mostwho had seen the company’s nameand phone number on the containers.Today with close to 5,000 contracts,eleven drivers and seven trucks, AllValley is considered the leadingwaste company operating in ruralHidalgo County, with customersfrom Donna and Mercedes toPalmhurst and Mission.“We have lot of customers whowere never served by other companies or were dissatisfied with them.That’s what we concentrate on- people outside city limits,” Villanuevasaid. The company signs individualcontracts with each customer andprides itself on having prices lowerthan the competition.“I consider us a small companygoing up against the giants. Thewaste industry is dominated by largecorporations,” Villanueva explained. “Because theysee us being successful, they are now making a bigpush and going into those areas where we are. Butwe give a little more to our customers in terms of personal attention. Plus our containers are deliveredwithin the day and our routes are always on time.”All Valley Waste’s rapid response time led one customerto comment that, “You guys are faster than theinternet.” One example of remarkable customer serviceis evident in Santos Villanueva’s habit of taking alongextra containers when he goes to deliver a containerto new customers. Often enough, a neighbor of thenew customer has gone into the Weslaco office tosign up for garbage service as well.While the Villanuevas say their goal is to remaina family business servicing people who live in ruralareas, that doesn’t mean they intend to stay small orlimit their scope. The company now offers commercialwaste service and has contracts with constructioncompanies, warehouses and small flea markets. Withthe Valley experiencing so much growth outside citylimits particularly with gated subdivisions andranchettes, All Valley sees strong growth ahead fortheir core business.The company has grown in other ways, too.“People would come in and ask to pay other bills,”Villanueva said. So the company began acceptingpayments for utility and cable bills. “We make itconvenient for them. I became a notary to be able toAll Valley Waste's mascot Dumpy tells kids not towaste their brains. (VBR)help customers with car sales and insurance paperwork.” The staff at All Valley, which includes a Villanueva son and daughter, know most customers byname and are willing to work out flexible paymentschedules.Besides catering to an older generation that likesto pay bills in person, All Valley set up a website thatenables new, younger customers to pay their bill online.All Valley Waste’s mascot--a smiling garbagecan named Dumpy-- makes appearances at schools,events and in television commercials. “Kids have alot of fun with Dumpy. The message is ‘Don’t trashyour brain.’” The commercials always feature thecompany’s customers and the most outgoing of therural residents are waiting in line to take part.“We have evolved,” Villanueva acknowledged.The company is getting ready to begin brush andheavy item pickup. It is also fielding requests forsolid waste service from Cameron County and as farwest as Sullivan City. “We will probably expandwest first,” Villanueva stated. “We’re getting readyfor this. We always have to offer a little more to thecustomer.”See www.allvalleywaste.com or call 956-9699009.
October 2011 Valley Business Report 9The Big Three Changes Coming to aMedical Provider Near YouBy Javier VazquezThree distinct trains have left their stations and areheading straight towards the front door of every medicalfacility and practice here in the Valley.The first of these arrivals, scheduled to start January 1,2012, is the 5010 Standards Implementation. The HealthInsurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)mandated the Secretary of the Department of Health andHuman Services (HHS) to establish standards that “coveredentities” must use when electronically conducting certainhealth care administrative transactions, such as claims, remittance, eligibility and claims status requests and responses.A covered entity includes physicians, hospitals, rehab clinics,health plans, clearinghouses and vendors.The current standards, called “4010,” account for over99 percent of Medicare Part A claims and over 96 percent ofMedicare Part B claims. The 5010 Version upgrade isexpected to reduce ambiguity and provide the ability toreport better clinical information as electronic medical recordsystems become more commonplace among medical practicesand hospitals. On March 30, the Medical Group ManagementAssociation (MGMA), a premier membership associationfor medical professional administrators and medical grouppractices, released results of a survey which indicated thatmedical groups faced significant challenges in upgradingtheir software to be 5010 Compliant.According to MGMA, most groups rely on theirpractice management system software to conduct the HIPAAelectronic transactions. As of March 2011, an alarmingnumber of respondents nationwide (22.6 percent) stated thatthey did not know what needed to be done with theirsoftware. As an additional challenge, fewer than half (47.7percent) of respondents indicated that they had received anycommunication from their practice management softwarevendor regarding the change to Version 5010. Only 22.3percent of respondents believed their current software wouldpermit them to use Version 5010, with 48.6 percent statingthat their software would require an upgrade and 5.8 percentindicating that their software would need replacement.The Cameron/Willacy County Medical Society andHidalgo/Starr Medical Society began issuing advisories totheir physician members early this year to contact theirsoftware vendors and schedule the necessary upgrades andtesting to their billing systems. In contras
Nov 26, 2011 · Classes like CoyleUs have stimulated Anna Des-jardins, a stay-at-home mom who is working on a business degree that she expects to complete when he ry ou ng sta l mc i 18 . Desjardins has taken online courses and classes at TSTC and in Brownsville. RI would like to work for a la
