Thursday, November 8, 2001

Perot focuses on local economy
By Jordan Blum
Staff Reporter

Ross Perot, Jr. said economic growth in Fort Worth following the Sept. 11 attacks is promising and his corporate projects have worked with the local government to stimulate the economy.

Perot gave a speech titled “An Optimistic Outlook for North Central Texas” in front of a packed and appreciative audience as the guest for the MBA Executive Speaker Series’ breakfast Wednesday morning at the Dee J. Kelly Alumni and Visitors Center.

Perot, the president and CEO of Perot Systems and the chairman of Hillwood Development Corporation, credited ex-mayor Bob Bolen for a growing economy in Forth Worth and said the city has become more economically viable because of joint efforts from the government and business communities.

Perot, taking time off on his birthday to speak at TCU, said the Metroplex has traditionally recovered quickly from recessions and it once again has an optimistic outlook for the near future.

“North Texas usually goes into recessions last and comes out first, and I see nothing to change that,” he said.

He said people have to do their part to help the economy during recessions.

“After Sept. 11, I told my teams to be aggressive and to do what they needed to keep the economy going,” he said. “You’ve got to spend money and be active to beat (Osama) bin Laden.”

Perot referred to his projects “Alliance, Texas” and “Victory”, the creation of the Fort Worth Alliance Airport and the American Airlines Center respectively, as examples of corporations working with the Metroplex.

He said the local economy seems to work in cycles.

“The Alliance started during the last recession and helped out when Tarrant County was the highest county in the nation in job loss,” Perot said. “It’s amazing how these cycles repeat themselves because now Lockheed Martin’s deal will help with the economic downturn.”

Charles Greer, associate dean of undergraduates for the M.J. Neeley School of Business, said bringing Perot to TCU was a major success.

“It was a showcase event for the program and it said something that we had standing room only,” Greer said. “I thought (Perot) did a super job and was really upbeat and provided a good analysis of the economic conditions and the progress North Texas has made.”

Greer said Jack Vogel, of Vanguard National Funds, will be the next speaker for the Executive Speaker Series.

Jordan Blum
j.d.blum@student.tcu.edu