thank you and good morning it’s great to be with you all and that what has
be with you all and that what has
be with you all and that what has actually become my adopted hometown of
actually become my adopted hometown of
actually become my adopted hometown of El Paso I first visited El Paso in the
El Paso I first visited El Paso in the
El Paso I first visited El Paso in the January of 2012
January of 2012
January of 2012 I’d never been here before and all I
I’d never been here before and all I
I’d never been here before and all I knew at the time is what I’ve read and
knew at the time is what I’ve read and
knew at the time is what I’ve read and been told so West Texas town it’s in the
been told so West Texas town it’s in the
been told so West Texas town it’s in the desert on the border and it can be
desert on the border and it can be
desert on the border and it can be really windy that was it that was the
really windy that was it that was the
really windy that was it that was the totality of my knowledge what my
totality of my knowledge what my
totality of my knowledge what my perception was of El Paso at that point
perception was of El Paso at that point
perception was of El Paso at that point it was a negative per se but it wasn’t
it was a negative per se but it wasn’t
it was a negative per se but it wasn’t positive either it was kind of unknown
positive either it was kind of unknown
positive either it was kind of unknown frankly leaning more to the negative
frankly leaning more to the negative
frankly leaning more to the negative side now I will tell you that I believe
side now I will tell you that I believe
side now I will tell you that I believe that’s the perception that those outside
that’s the perception that those outside
that’s the perception that those outside of this community often have but what I
of this community often have but what I
of this community often have but what I found and what I definitely felt was
found and what I definitely felt was
found and what I definitely felt was what I’m gonna call the reality of El
what I’m gonna call the reality of El
what I’m gonna call the reality of El Paso and that is the tremendous
Paso and that is the tremendous
Paso and that is the tremendous potential that this region has and that
potential that this region has and that
potential that this region has and that potential is the subject of my talk
potential is the subject of my talk
potential is the subject of my talk today now little background
today now little background
today now little background I’m the Californian born and raised in a
I’m the Californian born and raised in a
I’m the Californian born and raised in a small town two hours north of the bay
small town two hours north of the bay
small town two hours north of the bay area where I grew up on a ranch than my
area where I grew up on a ranch than my
area where I grew up on a ranch than my family owned and operated for two
family owned and operated for two
family owned and operated for two generations have you ever heard of Ukiah
generations have you ever heard of Ukiah
generations have you ever heard of Ukiah most people have it oh here’s one that
most people have it oh here’s one that
most people have it oh here’s one that has one of the reasons I really love
has one of the reasons I really love
has one of the reasons I really love this community is because I can actually
this community is because I can actually
this community is because I can actually spell El Paso I settled in the Bay Area
spell El Paso I settled in the Bay Area
spell El Paso I settled in the Bay Area for college met my wife and that’s where
for college met my wife and that’s where
for college met my wife and that’s where we decided we were going to live and
we decided we were going to live and
we decided we were going to live and raise our family now this is despite but
raise our family now this is despite but
raise our family now this is despite but I’ll call an addiction to the sports and
I’ll call an addiction to the sports and
I’ll call an addiction to the sports and entertainment business that developed
entertainment business that developed
entertainment business that developed over the course of time and it’s a
over the course of time and it’s a
over the course of time and it’s a business that often requires frequent
business that often requires frequent
business that often requires frequent relocation now at this point you may be
relocation now at this point you may be
relocation now at this point you may be asking yourself what qualifications does
asking yourself what qualifications does
asking yourself what qualifications does this guy this California the worst kind
this guy this California the worst kind
this guy this California the worst kind the California have to tell me about my
the California have to tell me about my
the California have to tell me about my city well it’s a good question the
city well it’s a good question the
city well it’s a good question the answer is I think I can share a unique
answer is I think I can share a unique
answer is I think I can share a unique perspective after visiting and working
perspective after visiting and working
perspective after visiting and working here in this community for basically six
here in this community for basically six
here in this community for basically six years about what I fought in 2012
years about what I fought in 2012
years about what I fought in 2012 and what I see in 2017 in the future now
and what I see in 2017 in the future now
and what I see in 2017 in the future now after working here for almost six years
after working here for almost six years
after working here for almost six years what my experiences tell me is that this
what my experiences tell me is that this
what my experiences tell me is that this is a city on a spectacular rise now it’s
is a city on a spectacular rise now it’s
is a city on a spectacular rise now it’s my perspective is a little bit like that
my perspective is a little bit like that
my perspective is a little bit like that of the distant uncle who shows up after
of the distant uncle who shows up after
of the distant uncle who shows up after five years walks in a house and says wow
five years walks in a house and says wow
five years walks in a house and says wow the kids have sure grown it’s a it’s a
the kids have sure grown it’s a it’s a
the kids have sure grown it’s a it’s a unique perspective but the perspective
unique perspective but the perspective
unique perspective but the perspective of an outsider that those of you on the
of an outsider that those of you on the
of an outsider that those of you on the inside may be a little bit too close to
inside may be a little bit too close to
inside may be a little bit too close to recognize and may in fact take for
recognize and may in fact take for
recognize and may in fact take for granted
granted
granted well El Paso has grown and it’s grown in
well El Paso has grown and it’s grown in
well El Paso has grown and it’s grown in many ways to the point where I believe
many ways to the point where I believe
many ways to the point where I believe it can be become something very special
it can be become something very special
it can be become something very special for the purpose of today’s this
for the purpose of today’s this
for the purpose of today’s this discussion you can call it whatever fits
discussion you can call it whatever fits
discussion you can call it whatever fits for you I’m going to refer to it as a
for you I’m going to refer to it as a
for you I’m going to refer to it as a city of distinction and I’d like to
city of distinction and I’d like to
city of distinction and I’d like to share with you why I feel this way and
share with you why I feel this way and
share with you why I feel this way and how I see El Paso getting there now as
how I see El Paso getting there now as
how I see El Paso getting there now as you might expect I’m going to use the
you might expect I’m going to use the
you might expect I’m going to use the chihuahuas as sort of to draw some
chihuahuas as sort of to draw some
chihuahuas as sort of to draw some analogies from and our experiences the
analogies from and our experiences the
analogies from and our experiences the things we’ve learned and some of the
things we’ve learned and some of the
things we’ve learned and some of the principles we have applied I believe can
principles we have applied I believe can
principles we have applied I believe can be helpful as we look at El Paso’s
be helpful as we look at El Paso’s
be helpful as we look at El Paso’s future in fact the twala’s just might
future in fact the twala’s just might
future in fact the twala’s just might serve as a microcosm or a small scale
serve as a microcosm or a small scale
serve as a microcosm or a small scale model for what can be on a much larger
model for what can be on a much larger
model for what can be on a much larger scale in this community now when I
scale in this community now when I
scale in this community now when I arrived here I found a city on the cusp
arrived here I found a city on the cusp
arrived here I found a city on the cusp local philanthropist business and civic
local philanthropist business and civic
local philanthropist business and civic leaders who had a vision and that vision
leaders who had a vision and that vision
leaders who had a vision and that vision was to transform the community and
was to transform the community and
was to transform the community and especially the downtown and in part to
especially the downtown and in part to
especially the downtown and in part to do so using a sports team a new stadium
do so using a sports team a new stadium
do so using a sports team a new stadium to play baseball to help build momentum
to play baseball to help build momentum
to play baseball to help build momentum for this transformation imagine that a
for this transformation imagine that a
for this transformation imagine that a sports team and the American pastime
sports team and the American pastime
sports team and the American pastime could be part of this process
could be part of this process
could be part of this process now simultaneously as many of you recall
now simultaneously as many of you recall
now simultaneously as many of you recall the city was contemplating and later
the city was contemplating and later
the city was contemplating and later approved by a margin of I believe 72%
approved by a margin of I believe 72%
approved by a margin of I believe 72% a number of almost 500 million dollars
a number of almost 500 million dollars
a number of almost 500 million dollars in bonds to support projects that would
in bonds to support projects that would
in bonds to support projects that would further this transformative process it
further this transformative process it
further this transformative process it was clearly a compelling vision from my
was clearly a compelling vision from my
was clearly a compelling vision from my standpoint increase the quality of life
standpoint increase the quality of life
standpoint increase the quality of life promote economic development and as a
promote economic development and as a
promote economic development and as a result become much more competitive as a
result become much more competitive as a
result become much more competitive as a region
region
region well simultaneously during that time I
well simultaneously during that time I
well simultaneously during that time I was knee-deep working with Mountain star
was knee-deep working with Mountain star
was knee-deep working with Mountain star Sports Group to buy a team and do all
Sports Group to buy a team and do all
Sports Group to buy a team and do all the things that you do to finance design
the things that you do to finance design
the things that you do to finance design build a new ballpark and to create a new
build a new ballpark and to create a new
build a new ballpark and to create a new business and we were all doing this from
business and we were all doing this from
business and we were all doing this from scratch as you can imagine time was
scratch as you can imagine time was
scratch as you can imagine time was flying by before we knew it it was
flying by before we knew it it was
flying by before we knew it it was October 22nd 2013 day in our minds that
October 22nd 2013 day in our minds that
October 22nd 2013 day in our minds that will live in infamy and I’ll tell you
will live in infamy and I’ll tell you
will live in infamy and I’ll tell you why we were gathered with 1,500 people
why we were gathered with 1,500 people
why we were gathered with 1,500 people in the plaza theater next door virtually
in the plaza theater next door virtually
in the plaza theater next door virtually every member of the media from El Paso
every member of the media from El Paso
every member of the media from El Paso and many from Juarez and we were there
and many from Juarez and we were there
and many from Juarez and we were there to hear the answer to the most sought
to hear the answer to the most sought
to hear the answer to the most sought after secret in decades in El Paso what
after secret in decades in El Paso what
after secret in decades in El Paso what is the name of this new baseball team
well the curtains drew open the confetti
well the curtains drew open the confetti cannons went off the music blared the
cannons went off the music blared the
cannons went off the music blared the balloons dropped and we announced we
balloons dropped and we announced we
balloons dropped and we announced we were the El Paso chihuahuas well the
were the El Paso chihuahuas well the
were the El Paso chihuahuas well the first 24 hours were not so good but that
first 24 hours were not so good but that
first 24 hours were not so good but that might be an understatement the disdain
might be an understatement the disdain
might be an understatement the disdain the disapproval and beyond was beyond
the disapproval and beyond was beyond
the disapproval and beyond was beyond our wildest dreams as you can see here
our wildest dreams as you can see here
our wildest dreams as you can see here we had some people who were clearly
we had some people who were clearly
we had some people who were clearly embarrassed not just for the team but
embarrassed not just for the team but
embarrassed not just for the team but for the community as at large they were
for the community as at large they were
for the community as at large they were we have individuals who weren’t
we have individuals who weren’t
we have individuals who weren’t returning for Thanksgiving Christmas
returning for Thanksgiving Christmas
returning for Thanksgiving Christmas they weren’t even coming back for the
they weren’t even coming back for the
they weren’t even coming back for the summer and then some who were just in
summer and then some who were just in
summer and then some who were just in disbelief the good news is is the future
disbelief the good news is is the future
disbelief the good news is is the future proved to be much brighter and more
proved to be much brighter and more
proved to be much brighter and more about that later
about that later
about that later well 2013 proved to be the beginning of
well 2013 proved to be the beginning of
well 2013 proved to be the beginning of the beginning of a new era for El Paso
the beginning of a new era for El Paso
the beginning of a new era for El Paso to understand
to understand
to understand the development in the evolution of this
the development in the evolution of this
the development in the evolution of this region it’s best to look back to the
region it’s best to look back to the
region it’s best to look back to the 20th the 20th century between 1900 and
20th the 20th century between 1900 and
20th the 20th century between 1900 and 1950 El Paso was truly a powerhouse it
1950 El Paso was truly a powerhouse it
1950 El Paso was truly a powerhouse it was thought of amongst many of the great
was thought of amongst many of the great
was thought of amongst many of the great cities in the u.s. it had great parks
cities in the u.s. it had great parks
cities in the u.s. it had great parks and neighborhoods great transportation
and neighborhoods great transportation
and neighborhoods great transportation systems and a vibrant downtown the
systems and a vibrant downtown the
systems and a vibrant downtown the region had a big vision median family
region had a big vision median family
region had a big vision median family income was 14% higher than the state
income was 14% higher than the state
income was 14% higher than the state average 4% higher than even the national
average 4% higher than even the national
average 4% higher than even the national average but in the second half of that
average but in the second half of that
average but in the second half of that century that vision changed the city
century that vision changed the city
century that vision changed the city began to focus on providing low-cost
began to focus on providing low-cost
began to focus on providing low-cost labor primarily in the garment industry
labor primarily in the garment industry
labor primarily in the garment industry the result the vision disappeared and
the result the vision disappeared and
the result the vision disappeared and along with it those great parks the
along with it those great parks the
along with it those great parks the community gathering places the trains
community gathering places the trains
community gathering places the trains the trolleys the bus systems all but
the trolleys the bus systems all but
the trolleys the bus systems all but went away
went away
went away downtown became a dilapidated area
downtown became a dilapidated area
downtown became a dilapidated area populated by many boarded up buildings
populated by many boarded up buildings
populated by many boarded up buildings El Paso with during that era el paso was
El Paso with during that era el paso was
El Paso with during that era el paso was thinking small very small other
thinking small very small other
thinking small very small other communities like Phoenix Austin Tucson
communities like Phoenix Austin Tucson
communities like Phoenix Austin Tucson were passing it by during that period of
were passing it by during that period of
were passing it by during that period of time but in 2012 you could see that
time but in 2012 you could see that
time but in 2012 you could see that there was a turnaround going on relative
there was a turnaround going on relative
there was a turnaround going on relative to this decline that Oh Paso had the
to this decline that Oh Paso had the
to this decline that Oh Paso had the potential to become something much more
potential to become something much more
potential to become something much more significant than it had been in its
significant than it had been in its
significant than it had been in its recent past but once again it could
recent past but once again it could
recent past but once again it could become a great city or a city of
become a great city or a city of
become a great city or a city of distinction and ultimately become
distinction and ultimately become
distinction and ultimately become competitive on both the national stage
competitive on both the national stage
competitive on both the national stage and even potentially the global stage
and even potentially the global stage
and even potentially the global stage now some of the fruits of the labor of
now some of the fruits of the labor of
now some of the fruits of the labor of the vision that was created during that
the vision that was created during that
the vision that was created during that period of time are being seen today the
period of time are being seen today the
period of time are being seen today the business cycle index is up significantly
business cycle index is up significantly
business cycle index is up significantly El Paso’s employment growth is above its
El Paso’s employment growth is above its
El Paso’s employment growth is above its long-term average and importantly in the
long-term average and importantly in the
long-term average and importantly in the leisure and hospitality service sectors
leisure and hospitality service sectors
leisure and hospitality service sectors there are key indicators that have
there are key indicators that have
there are key indicators that have become very positive and that’s a spell
become very positive and that’s a spell
become very positive and that’s a spell so important because quality of life is
so important because quality of life is
so important because quality of life is part of that new vision and more busier
part of that new vision and more busier
part of that new vision and more busier than downtown a more vibrant area more
than downtown a more vibrant area more
than downtown a more vibrant area more things to do is critical to improving
things to do is critical to improving
things to do is critical to improving that quality of life and obviously the
that quality of life and obviously the
that quality of life and obviously the leisure and hospitality sector play a
leisure and hospitality sector play a
leisure and hospitality sector play a big part so what is a city of
big part so what is a city of
big part so what is a city of distinction now if you ask
distinction now if you ask
distinction now if you ask orbán designers city planners even
orbán designers city planners even
orbán designers city planners even psychologists about great cities they
psychologists about great cities they
psychologists about great cities they will tell you that some of the
will tell you that some of the
will tell you that some of the attributes include communities that
attributes include communities that
attributes include communities that others admire they look up to they look
others admire they look up to they look
others admire they look up to they look to replicate but from a very basic
to replicate but from a very basic
to replicate but from a very basic standpoint a city of distinction has
standpoint a city of distinction has
standpoint a city of distinction has these attributes it has the great parts
these attributes it has the great parts
these attributes it has the great parts and neighborhoods the community
and neighborhoods the community
and neighborhoods the community gathering places it has effective and
gathering places it has effective and
gathering places it has effective and varied transportation systems and of
varied transportation systems and of
varied transportation systems and of course the thriving and vibrant
course the thriving and vibrant
course the thriving and vibrant downtown’s which we’re starting to
downtown’s which we’re starting to
downtown’s which we’re starting to experience here it also has high
experience here it also has high
experience here it also has high standards in three other areas in terms
standards in three other areas in terms
standards in three other areas in terms of Education a distinctive City seeks to
of Education a distinctive City seeks to
of Education a distinctive City seeks to ensure that a high percentage of high
ensure that a high percentage of high
ensure that a high percentage of high school graduates do in fact go on to two
school graduates do in fact go on to two
school graduates do in fact go on to two and four-year postgraduate work and then
and four-year postgraduate work and then
and four-year postgraduate work and then a higher than average percentage of
a higher than average percentage of
a higher than average percentage of those students graduate it seeks to
those students graduate it seeks to
those students graduate it seeks to ensure that the median family income is
ensure that the median family income is
ensure that the median family income is once again above the national average
once again above the national average
once again above the national average and that the quality of life that is the
and that the quality of life that is the
and that the quality of life that is the cultural the entertainment and the
cultural the entertainment and the
cultural the entertainment and the sports scene is on par with the top
sports scene is on par with the top
sports scene is on par with the top twenty percent of cities of equal size
twenty percent of cities of equal size
twenty percent of cities of equal size now it’s one thing to set these goals
now it’s one thing to set these goals
now it’s one thing to set these goals and to set these objectives buts another
and to set these objectives buts another
and to set these objectives buts another thing to actually accomplish them
thing to actually accomplish them
thing to actually accomplish them interestingly we face similar daunting
interestingly we face similar daunting
interestingly we face similar daunting challenges with the baseball team during
challenges with the baseball team during
challenges with the baseball team during our startup period and one of the first
our startup period and one of the first
our startup period and one of the first things that we did and was to establish
things that we did and was to establish
things that we did and was to establish some very high expectations and then to
some very high expectations and then to
some very high expectations and then to establish a road map in our case it’s
establish a road map in our case it’s
establish a road map in our case it’s our vision and our mission statements
our vision and our mission statements
our vision and our mission statements our mission statement what we do is to
our mission statement what we do is to
our mission statement what we do is to provide the highest quality the most
provide the highest quality the most
provide the highest quality the most memorable entertainment in a safe
memorable entertainment in a safe
memorable entertainment in a safe first-class and family-oriented
first-class and family-oriented
first-class and family-oriented environment every day and
environment every day and
environment every day and regain again high standards our vision
regain again high standards our vision
regain again high standards our vision statement that is what we aspire to be
statement that is what we aspire to be
statement that is what we aspire to be is to be the very best organization in
is to be the very best organization in
is to be the very best organization in our business and minor league baseball
our business and minor league baseball
our business and minor league baseball and then underlying all of these are our
and then underlying all of these are our
and then underlying all of these are our core values these are the six items that
core values these are the six items that
core values these are the six items that support the vision shape the culture and
support the vision shape the culture and
support the vision shape the culture and reflect our organizational values now
reflect our organizational values now
reflect our organizational values now our mission statement vision statement
our mission statement vision statement
our mission statement vision statement core values have worked for us we’ve
core values have worked for us we’ve
core values have worked for us we’ve been very fortunate to have some
been very fortunate to have some
been very fortunate to have some significant significant success over the
significant significant success over the
significant significant success over the course of our now four-year history and
course of our now four-year history and
course of our now four-year history and we hope we’re playing over the course of
we hope we’re playing over the course of
we hope we’re playing over the course of the next couple of days we we have set
the next couple of days we we have set
the next couple of days we we have set attendance records for minor league
attendance records for minor league
attendance records for minor league baseball in this community we’ve been
baseball in this community we’ve been
baseball in this community we’ve been recognized on a national stage for the
recognized on a national stage for the
recognized on a national stage for the quality of El Paso’s ballpark in the
quality of El Paso’s ballpark in the
quality of El Paso’s ballpark in the ballpark experience and then importantly
ballpark experience and then importantly
ballpark experience and then importantly we become a part of the fabric of this
we become a part of the fabric of this
we become a part of the fabric of this community on a grassroots level but
community on a grassroots level but
community on a grassroots level but underlying all of this and we don’t talk
underlying all of this and we don’t talk
underlying all of this and we don’t talk about these particular items often but I
about these particular items often but I
about these particular items often but I thought it was important to talk about
thought it was important to talk about
thought it was important to talk about it here what we call our six guiding
it here what we call our six guiding
it here what we call our six guiding lights and these may be these may be in
lights and these may be these may be in
lights and these may be these may be in a lot of ways more important than even
a lot of ways more important than even
a lot of ways more important than even the vision mission and mission
the vision mission and mission
the vision mission and mission statements and the core values and as I
statements and the core values and as I
statements and the core values and as I go through these think about El Paso as
go through these think about El Paso as
go through these think about El Paso as a city of distinction the first is to
a city of distinction the first is to
a city of distinction the first is to set the bar high and everyday and
set the bar high and everyday and
set the bar high and everyday and everything that we do we want to be the
everything that we do we want to be the
everything that we do we want to be the best that we can be we get it it’s not
best that we can be we get it it’s not
best that we can be we get it it’s not always possible but it’s the standard
always possible but it’s the standard
always possible but it’s the standard and the expectation that matters
and the expectation that matters
and the expectation that matters second is attitude think of this out
second is attitude think of this out
second is attitude think of this out almost as a naive optimism or a level of
almost as a naive optimism or a level of
almost as a naive optimism or a level of convenient obliviousness that allows you
convenient obliviousness that allows you
convenient obliviousness that allows you when the inevitable obstacles and
when the inevitable obstacles and
when the inevitable obstacles and challenges come along to eventually
challenges come along to eventually
challenges come along to eventually overcome them
overcome them
overcome them third is to ignore the naysayers every
third is to ignore the naysayers every
third is to ignore the naysayers every city has them there’s a rumor that El
city has them there’s a rumor that El
city has them there’s a rumor that El Paso may have more than its share of
Paso may have more than its share of
Paso may have more than its share of naysayers
naysayers
naysayers now think back to that October day in
now think back to that October day in
now think back to that October day in 2013 we obviously were getting some
2013 we obviously were getting some
2013 we obviously were getting some significant negative feedback we stayed
significant negative feedback we stayed
significant negative feedback we stayed the course we we understood what what
the course we we understood what what
the course we we understood what what direction we were going but we also
direction we were going but we also
direction we were going but we also respectfully listened because we knew
respectfully listened because we knew
respectfully listened because we knew that down the road we want to do
that down the road we want to do
that down the road we want to do everything we can to embrace those folks
everything we can to embrace those folks
everything we can to embrace those folks and to make them part of the
and to make them part of the
and to make them part of the organization it’s important to be open
organization it’s important to be open
organization it’s important to be open to new ideas and to collaborate at the
to new ideas and to collaborate at the
to new ideas and to collaborate at the end of the day we get it we don’t have
end of the day we get it we don’t have
end of the day we get it we don’t have all the best ideas by any stretch of the
all the best ideas by any stretch of the
all the best ideas by any stretch of the imagination why not reach out find those
imagination why not reach out find those
imagination why not reach out find those that are tried-and-true perfect them in
that are tried-and-true perfect them in
that are tried-and-true perfect them in your own environment and end up at a
your own environment and end up at a
your own environment and end up at a better place collaboration is key as
better place collaboration is key as
better place collaboration is key as well in the context of our organization
well in the context of our organization
well in the context of our organization we find that it results in a more body
we find that it results in a more body
we find that it results in a more body in staff because they take ownership
in staff because they take ownership
in staff because they take ownership same thing in a community if citizens
same thing in a community if citizens
same thing in a community if citizens are heard if they’re part of the process
are heard if they’re part of the process
are heard if they’re part of the process they’re going to embrace the end result
they’re going to embrace the end result
they’re going to embrace the end result fifth is a fanatical attention to
fifth is a fanatical attention to
fifth is a fanatical attention to details now most of you I’m sure have
details now most of you I’m sure have
details now most of you I’m sure have been to Disneyland have you ever
been to Disneyland have you ever
been to Disneyland have you ever wondered why Main Street and Disneyland
wondered why Main Street and Disneyland
wondered why Main Street and Disneyland is spotless well the answer is Main
is spotless well the answer is Main
is spotless well the answer is Main Street in Disneyland is spotless because
Street in Disneyland is spotless because
Street in Disneyland is spotless because Main Street in Disneyland is spotless
Main Street in Disneyland is spotless
Main Street in Disneyland is spotless right it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy we
right it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy we
right it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy we endeavor never to have a piece of paper
endeavor never to have a piece of paper
endeavor never to have a piece of paper on our concourse or in our bathrooms
on our concourse or in our bathrooms
on our concourse or in our bathrooms clearly an impossible expectation
clearly an impossible expectation
clearly an impossible expectation however it’s that standard that matters
however it’s that standard that matters
however it’s that standard that matters and it translates into every aspect of
and it translates into every aspect of
and it translates into every aspect of our business and then finally
our business and then finally
our business and then finally communicate the vision it’s one thing to
communicate the vision it’s one thing to
communicate the vision it’s one thing to have a vision but it’s another thing to
have a vision but it’s another thing to
have a vision but it’s another thing to communicate it it’s critical to that in
communicate it it’s critical to that in
communicate it it’s critical to that in the case of a community that civic and
the case of a community that civic and
the case of a community that civic and business leadership communicate that
business leadership communicate that
business leadership communicate that vision again and again and again and
vision again and again and again and
vision again and again and again and again people don’t hear it at first
again people don’t hear it at first
again people don’t hear it at first they’re busy they have their own lives
they’re busy they have their own lives
they’re busy they have their own lives but eventually they’ll start to listen
but eventually they’ll start to listen
but eventually they’ll start to listen repetition leads to awareness which
repetition leads to awareness which
repetition leads to awareness which leads to acceptance which ultimately
leads to acceptance which ultimately
leads to acceptance which ultimately results in in our case people embracing
results in in our case people embracing
results in in our case people embracing the team becoming fanatical fans and
the team becoming fanatical fans and
the team becoming fanatical fans and hopefully in the case of the community
hopefully in the case of the community
hopefully in the case of the community becoming fanatical citizens well let’s
becoming fanatical citizens well let’s
becoming fanatical citizens well let’s hard come back to that marvelous 24
hard come back to that marvelous 24
hard come back to that marvelous 24 hours in 2013 we were being lambasted
hours in 2013 we were being lambasted
hours in 2013 we were being lambasted far and wide regarding our our choice
far and wide regarding our our choice
far and wide regarding our our choice people were were prepared to leave the
people were were prepared to leave the
people were were prepared to leave the city but with we stayed the course we
city but with we stayed the course we
city but with we stayed the course we believed in our vision we told the story
believed in our vision we told the story
believed in our vision we told the story behind the name in the logo the
behind the name in the logo the
behind the name in the logo the backstory and we told it again and again
backstory and we told it again and again
backstory and we told it again and again and again and what happened that I began
and again and what happened that I began
and again and what happened that I began to turn over the course of the next day
to turn over the course of the next day
to turn over the course of the next day or two the comments turned to be come
or two the comments turned to be come
or two the comments turned to be come much more positive and ultimately we
much more positive and ultimately we
much more positive and ultimately we were having people who were seeking us
were having people who were seeking us
were having people who were seeking us out to wear Chihuahuas gear within a
out to wear Chihuahuas gear within a
out to wear Chihuahuas gear within a week people in all 50 states and ten
week people in all 50 states and ten
week people in all 50 states and ten foreign countries had purchased
foreign countries had purchased
foreign countries had purchased Chihuahuas merchandise within a month we
Chihuahuas merchandise within a month we
Chihuahuas merchandise within a month we had more people following the Chihuahuas
had more people following the Chihuahuas
had more people following the Chihuahuas on Facebook than any other team and
on Facebook than any other team and
on Facebook than any other team and there’s a hundred and fifty nine of them
there’s a hundred and fifty nine of them
there’s a hundred and fifty nine of them and minor league baseball not the
and minor league baseball not the
and minor league baseball not the ultimate metric but it demonstrated the
ultimate metric but it demonstrated the
ultimate metric but it demonstrated the level of interest and then over the long
level of interest and then over the long
level of interest and then over the long term in our first three seasons we have
term in our first three seasons we have
term in our first three seasons we have sold more merchandise than any other
sold more merchandise than any other
sold more merchandise than any other team in the history of minor league
team in the history of minor league
team in the history of minor league baseball during a similar period of time
baseball during a similar period of time
baseball during a similar period of time ever and the the reason is that we had a
ever and the the reason is that we had a
ever and the the reason is that we had a vision
vision
vision we believed in that vision we had a
we believed in that vision we had a
we believed in that vision we had a staff in a community that took ownership
staff in a community that took ownership
staff in a community that took ownership of that vision and with that vision we
of that vision and with that vision we
of that vision and with that vision we strive to be the very best in the
strive to be the very best in the
strive to be the very best in the business now I believe El Paso is on a
business now I believe El Paso is on a
business now I believe El Paso is on a path to becoming a city of distinction
path to becoming a city of distinction
path to becoming a city of distinction as long as it has a vision those that
as long as it has a vision those that
as long as it has a vision those that communicate that vision vision again and
communicate that vision vision again and
communicate that vision vision again and again and again and the willingness to
again and again and the willingness to
again and again and the willingness to do the little things that create results
do the little things that create results
do the little things that create results El Paso can become a city of distinction
El Paso can become a city of distinction
El Paso can become a city of distinction when I arrived here in 2014 I saw the
when I arrived here in 2014 I saw the
when I arrived here in 2014 I saw the potential and standing here today
potential and standing here today
potential and standing here today in 2017 I have no doubt that Oh Paso
in 2017 I have no doubt that Oh Paso
in 2017 I have no doubt that Oh Paso will accomplish that distinction thank
will accomplish that distinction thank
will accomplish that distinction thank you
you
you [Applause]
”
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