Out of 26 million Texans, you may have an idea to change the world. You may have had several ideas to change the world. But only a tiny minority of you pushed through the U.S. Patent office from application to successful patent. We've seen Texans change the world many times over. Jack Kilby did it with Texas Instruments in 1958 with the integrated circuit, causing the start of the digital revolution, which, in part, is why you can read these words over your electronic device.
Over the last few years, Texas Business has brought its feature: Texas Business Patent of the Day. This list is of the ones that were either extremely clever, odd or strange. One thing becomes apparent from these patents and the patent that runs daily in Texas Business—Texans have a unique mind set.
Though the history of the Corn Dog is disputed, the State Fair of Texas claims to have introduced the Corny Dog sometime between 1938 and 1942. As a paean to that invention that now sits in the freezer section of every grocery store in the southwest, here are the fried foods the State Fair of Texas has introduced, or tried to introduce, in the last seven years.
Dead Texas musicians live on every time you hear their songs. Their songs play everywhere, so the dead Texas musicians appear to be immortal. Here's the short list.
Don't get caught up with John Wayne religion. For one thing, he's not Texan. He's in some fine movies involving Texas, most notably The Searchers, but none of his movies can make the best cut of Texas movies. Here's the short list.
Unsung Texas Business Journalists Mention that one is a reporter, and there's a spark of interest. Mention that one is a business news reporter, and watch the eyes glaze over. Except to the players, business and economic journalists are unappreciated. While many wish to become sports reporters when they grow up, most do not realize that business journalists cover the Real Game. Mention that reporter covers business, and watch the eyes glaze over. A toast to these below on the short list and the numerous unnamed ones slogging away. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Mexican Food: The Short List No, we're not going to debate the difference between Tex-Mex, Mex-Tex, Mexican and Texican food. Just know these establishments are the pinnacle of Texas Mexican fare. No brag, just fact. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Burgers Texas Burgers. . While a hamburger is merely sustenance and gratification for a meal, the memory a good Texas burger can give rise to Homeric odes. The short list. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Texas Business reports: IRVING—WebTPA, a provider of health plan management services and an AmWINS Group Company, named two additions to the executive team: Thomas G. Martin, vice president, and Todd Fane, vice president of sales.
As a founder of WebTPA in 1993, Martin rejoins the organization with more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare and insurance industry. Fane also joins WebTPA with an extensive business background, specializing in finance, marketing, sales and operations.
“We are excited to welcome both Tom and Todd to the WebTPA family,” said WebPTA president Mike McCabe in a prepared statement. “Their countless program initiatives and strong executive leadership will be instrumental in advancing the organization and the services we provide to our clients. We look forward to their leadership as we continue our positive momentum and reach a new level of success.”
Martin comes to WebTPA from a managed healthcare consulting firm he formed in 2009. As a consultant, he was hired by Doctors Hospital and Renaissance in Edinburg, Texas where he was responsible for developing and attaining licensure for the Rio Grande Valley Preferred Health Care HMO and developed effective wellness programs for the hospital, as well as local government entities. Prior to consulting, Martin was with Shannon Health System where he started a regional provider network and utilization review company, negotiated managed care contracts and served on the Finance Committee for Mid-Con Health Plans dba HMO Blue Southwest Texas. While at Shannon he was also a member of the executive team that developed Legacy Health Plan, a provider sponsored health insurance company, in 1999 and the Legacy Health Solutions HMO in 2004.
Fane most recently served as director of IT at Truman Medical Center where he launched an enterprise-wide Electronic Medical Record. Fane previously worked in sales at GE Healthcare and Cerner Corporation. Prior to Cerner Corporation, Fane held positions with Kendallwood Healthcare Companies, Southern Methodist University and KPMG.
WebTPA is an infrastructure and services firm focused on the administration of insured and self-funded programs across the group and individual marketplace.
The Texas News Scrawl is a handy reference to stories Texas Business recommends from other news sources. Some of the stories that Texas Business currently suggests include: America’s greatest threat: Unsafe work conditions; The West News proves the value of a great weekly newspaper in a community torn up with grief and chaos; Chinese investors checking out Texas, Austin; Texas makes bounce house operators carry liability coverage, but not plants like West Fertilizer; bSpaceX’s Grasshopper leaping to NM spaceport;American Airlines, US Airways to name post-merger leadership within weeks; Texas power cushion seen at lowest level in a decade; Media outlets reflect Houston's diversity; and more.