Centennial Club Launched, Honoring Fort Worth's Enduring Businesses

0:00It's March 26. This is Dallas News Today, powered by AI. The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce held its 144th Annual Meeting this week, spotlighting legacy, leadership, and innovation with a stopter. Big focus on businesses lasting 100 years or more. They launched the Centennial Club to honor these enduring companies, kicking things off with leaders from three charter members sharing their stories. During a panel discussion, Freeze and Nichols, around for 132 years as an engineering firm, credit its steady leadership, strong company culture and winning. The Malcolm Baudre's Quality Award, twice for their staying power. Benny Keith Company, marking 120 years this year, grew from a small produce operation into a multi-billion dollar food distributor. Thanks to private family ownership and a culture of serving the business first. The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, at 118 years the youngest on the panel, highlighted Fort Worth's early incentives like land and funding that sealed their location

1:03here. Leaders emphasized treating people well, building community ties, and adapting without losing core values as keys to longevity. Recently, the Seminary bounced back from financial hurdles with local support, posting three years of enrollment growth and the healthiest finances in decades. The Chamber also debuted a video exhibit celebrating these Centennial businesses at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Rapping up the event, they handed out the Chairman's Spirit of Enterprise Award to Crescent Real Estate for boosting the city's skyline and economy. Plus, the Susan Halsey Executive Leadership Award to retiring, visit Fort Worth CEO Bob Jamison for promoting the city worldwide.