Dr. Gail Thomas

Hopefully, someone will congratulate Gail on just being granted honorary membership in the American Institute of Architects. She is just one of six in the country to be selected for the designation. You did know that it’s one of the highest honors that the AIA can bestow on any person outside the profession., didn’t you?

After TREC Vice Chairman Melissa Eastman handled “the housekeeping issues” like reminding guests of the May 6th “Fight Night” at the Anatole and that TREC’s new website was up and running, she introduced a well-done video showcasing the many community projects in which TREC has been involved.

Then Melissa got to the featured act — Terdema Ussery (pictured above). The guy’s credentials not only go on for a week, but each one is a showstopper. Ivy Leaguer, lawyer, president/CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Dallas Housing Authority.

Still the audience was hardly prepared for the talk. If you thought the group was in overdrive before, they took off in warp speed thanks to Terdema. Not only did everyone stay throughout the entire talk, hardly a soul checked their Blackberry or iPhone.

To get things going he had a brief video shown of the Dallas Mavericks. Smart move. There’s nothing like basketball players, cheering fans, and adorable cheerleaders to perk up a crowd of real estate pros. This guy knew how to please the crowd.

While the video was being shown on two screens, Terdema was standing on the stage with a cool aura that hasn’t been seen since the last snowfall. But this was only a warm up.

After the video ended, Terdema took the guests on a verbal ride. He talked about his childhood in Watts, teachers who influenced him, studying at Princeton and Harvard, his father’s being shot, and his journey to Dallas thanks to Ross Perot Jr. Using no teleprompters, he constantly looked into his audience making them feel as if they were having a personal conversation. He interjected humor just at the right spots like a chef knowing when and how much spice to add.

But he never let it interfere with his message –”I was the child that was looked through. I was the guy in the back of the pickup with the others that no one noticed.”

Yet Terdema admitted that in his case, someone. . . no, make that several someones did notice him and did make a difference. Teachers, relatives, and other adults made him aware that his future was not limited to life in Watts. “Someone said ‘I see greatness in you.’”

Terdema went on to admit that every morning he wakes up living a life that many envy but acknowledging, “I don’t have a choice. I am acutely aware people interceded in my life.”

Perhaps it was with this in mind that he became involved with the Dallas Housing Authority.  “If I had read The Dallas Morning News, I wouldn’t have taken it on because of all the political mess. . . . But one day the Dallas Housing Authority is going to be a kind of group that people will greet, not dread.”

Turning the talk to real estate, he gently admonished the group, “We can’t just build big buildings. Let’s make sure that the least are take care of.”

Finally, his concluded his talk with Haiti and how “there is beauty out of tragedy.” Despite the devastation and loss of life, he pointed out how within 24 hours of the Haitian earthquakes, countries throughout the world were on the spot rendering aid.

Unlike other speakers who motivate, Terdema managed to take on Dallas’ most industrious professionals and “to see greatness in” them.

Now when it comes to being in the clever department, residential real estate pros can give retailers a run for their $$. With the recent topsy turvy world of home sales, they’re really upping their creative brain cells. Just ask Sweet Candy.

Need an example? How about David Marett of Keller Williams Elite Park Cities. He’s just launched “Dallas Home Site Charity Sponsorship Program.” It’s simple and sweet.

“For each home purchased or sold while working with David, he will make a $500 donation per transaction closing in your name to any area non-profit organization of your choice. This means a donation of up to $1,000 per client.

As a court-appointed special advocate for CASA and a former board member for A.R.T.S. for People, Marett know the impact non-profit organizations can have on others. “I created Dallas Home Site Charity Sponsorship Program because I had not seen another program like it. It is an easy way for me to give back to the community and allows me to support many worthy causes and organizations. It is something I intend to do throughout the duration of my real estate career.”

While David has created the program to celebrate his 10 years in real estate, he’s also practicing Creative Salesmanship 101 with benefits for all.

Oh, you already knew about his growing up in the Watts section of south central LA? Then you know what drove him to achieve such accomplishments as being an Ivy Leaguer and law school. If you don’t or just want a great way to start the day, make reservations to hear Terdema tell his story at  The Real Estate Council Community Breakfast on Thursday, January 21, at the Fairmont. Reservations have to be in by January 18, so get on it.

Event sponsors include Ernst & Young, Haynes and Boone LLP, and Stewart Title.

Ah, but more about that later. Let’s first talk about what mother-daughter team–who look more like a sister-sister team–Rainey Fogiel (pictured) and dotter Natalie are cooking up for this year’s must-get-your-tickets-now annual event. The gals have really done their homework by recruiting Dallas’ A-team to make this year’s show a blockbuster. For instance, the featured designer will be none other than Lela Rose; Stanley Korshak will present the spring fashion under the watchful cat eyes of show producer Jan “Picture Perfect” Strimple; Briggs-Freeman wunderkind Gigi Potter will be the “Heart of Gold” recipient; and honorary chair will be none other than Nancy Rogers.

Speaking of Nancy (pictured), when her name was announced, one guest whispered, “How come she’s not only gorgeous, but she’s so nice, too?” With that a murmur was heard within ear shot of agreement. Drat! The woman can’t be that perfect.

Now, which would you like to hear about–the Wolford digs or the going’s on?

For Candy’s sake, let’s start with the house which is a slice of the finest of Naples, as in Florida. Because there’s just too much to cover, let’s focus on the absolute perfection of its resort-like oasis/backyard. Of course, the covered-entertainment area has a complete gourmet kitchen, mega-sized flat screen, a very cool fireplace, and an elegant powder room. Just past the pool surrounded by palm trees, you walk up some steps and cross a mini-suspension bridge into a very secluded hideaway. If you think you hear gurgling, it’s because the hideaway complete with comfy seating areas is bordered by a full-blown brook (almost a creek) with the biggest, happiest koi you’ve ever seen. Denise admits that they have to have a koi wrangler to keep their finny friends happy and healthy.

So what about the happenings at the party? Well, here goes:

Hostess Denise had to briefly duck out because her teenage daughter was part of the Highland Park High School Lads and Lassies singing the national anthem at the school’s football game. She admitted that she barely made it in time. . . .Host/craniofacial surgeon Larry was just a tad bit late to the festivities because the hospital kept him longer than expected. . . . Former White House social secretary Linda Faulkner caught guests up on the status of her former boss Nancy Reagan’s fractured pelvis  of last year. . . Sweetheart Alicia Landry, widow of Tom Landry,  sparkled in turquoise and let guests know that she would be on hand for the  luncheon. . . . Cute and natty Crawford Brock (tieless no less) of Stanley Korshak hadn’t planned on staying too long, but lo and behold he almost outlasted the valet parkers. Rainey and Natalie had been at Korshak earlier in the day and reminded Crawford of the party. Thank heaven they gave him a gentle twist of the arm. He was oh-so in demand. You know when you’re Crawford, the ladies just don’t want you to say “good bye.”. . .Gigi Potter graciously received congratulations on her award. You know Gigi has seen leukemia from all sides. She has been in recovery for about a decade, a supporter of the luncheon, and even chaired it.

The first good news is that Real Estate Council will launch “Project Playhouse” at its Giving Gala tomorrow night in the Anatole Hilton’s Sculpture Garden. Mr. Up-And-Coming CW star Jack Ingram (pictured) will be the headliner. What is “Project Playhouse”? According to GG Chair Dan Fryman of Comerica, “Project Playhouse is a highly-creative way to utilize the professional expertise of our members to showcase green building techniques through three unique playhouses.”

The three Project Playhouse teams are Balfour Beatty Constructions and HKS Architects; ENTOS DESIGN and Tri-Texas Construction, Inc; and Corgan and MAPP Construction LLC. The playhouses will be sold at a live auction during the gala.

What was the bad news? The weather, what else? It’s gearing up to be another tsunami evening.

What was the other good news? The organizers are stressing they have a backup plan in case the weather prevents them from using the Sculpture Garden. 

And, no, my silly ones, they’re not going to hold the shindig in the playhouses.

“Giving Gala” sponsors include

Presenting sponsors–Deloitte and Republic Title

Limelight sponsor–Holt Lunsford Commercial

Spotlight sponsors–Crow Holdings (VIP reception sponsor), Ernst & Young (entertainment sponsor), Thackeray Partners (margarita sponsor), ZOM Living (project playhouse sponsor), Winstead Attorneys (invitation sponsor), CMC Commercial Realty Group (main reception sponsor), Jackson-Shaw (photo booth sponsor), and Comerica Bank (video sponsor).