EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ATTENDS SAE WORLD CONGRESS

The Society of Automotive Engineers has played a vital role in the development of the mobility industry since 1905. Diana Blank, Executive Director of the Cuero Development Corporation, recently attended the Centennial SAE Engineering World Congress in Detroit to meet with automotive vendors and seek out industry prospects.

In the early 1900s, there were dozens of automobile manufacturers in the United States and numerous others in countries around the globe. A need for patent protection, common technical design problems and the development of engineering standards was quickly emerging, however, and many engineering the automobile business expressed a desire to have "free exchange of ideas" in order to expand their individual technical knowledge base.

A cornerstone of the global automotive operations, engineering and manufacturing with a reputation as the most trusted source for state-of-the-art automotive engineering and technology, the SAE World Congress has evolved to meet the changing needs of the industry. SAE provides the foremost technical program on advanced technology and relevant engineering techniques, business sessions featuring industry's top executives and conducted amidst the largest exhibition of automotive technology, a full menu of training solutions with many high-quality onsite seminars. The SAE World Congress was about the future direction of the automotive engineering technology, the opportunity to connect with people influencing this industry and its products, and the incredible value of face-to-face contact with prospects and customers from the entire global supply chain.

Each year, for five technology-packed days, more than 35,000 of the most influential professionals from the operations, engineering and supplier community assemble at the SAE World Congress. This year's SAE World Congress commemorated the Society's 100th Anniversary and a century worth of transportation events, people and technological advancements that have helped to shape the world.

LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION BY TEXAS DEPT. OF AG

The March/April issue of the Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Yes! newsletter features an article titled "Rural Texas: Where Youth and Wisdom Reside" highlighting young leaders in Texas, where the Executive Director of the Cuero Development Corporation, Diana Blank, was recognized.

The article states that "In the smallest towns in Texas today you'll find great treasures - where youth and wisdom reside. Communities 'on the grow' are defying the odds by targeting tourism and economic development efforts at two different generations that are separated by years but not dreams. Attracting and retaining young business leaders and seasoned citizens can create exponential economic returns."

The purpose of the Texas Yes! Program is to get everyone to say "Yes!" to rural Texas and is designed by Agriculture Commisioner, Susan Combs to spread the world loud and clear.

Texas Yes! Program membership is open to cities, non-profit organizations, associations and businesses located in of the state.

Associate membership is also offered in entities that help support and promote rural Texas, such as publications and travel associations.

The ability of Texas to meet the challenges of the 21st century lies in the leaders of small communities. For more details on the Texas Yes! Program, visit www.texasyes.org or contact the Texas Department of Agriculture at (866) 4TEX-YES.