News Room

December 2009

Open Channels Group and Franklin Partnership Announce Strategic Consulting Venture

Fort Worth-based Open Channels Group announced today that it has established a new strategic consulting venture with the Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm The Franklin Partnership. The new venture will utilize the communications and public affairs strengths of both firms to provide clients in the Fort Worth/Dallas area with innovative and strategic solutions for their government affairs needs.

"It is exciting to be joining with the distinguished team at The Franklin Partnership on this new venture" stated Tonya Veasey, president, Open Channels Group."This partnership allows us to utilize our strengths in communication and government affairs to further ensure that clients will be well represented both here and in Washington, D.C."

"We are happy to be joining with Tonya and her team at Open Channels Group on this new strategic consulting venture" stated Pete Rose, partner, The Franklin Partnership. "We believe that this allows us to better serve our clients by providing skilled communications and public affairs representation locally in the Fort Worth/Dallas area."

The Franklin Partnership provides comprehensive government relations and public policy analysis on behalf of their clients before Congress, the Administration, and state and local governments. With a diverse client base, The Franklin Partnership is able to effectively focus on appropriations, health care, municipalities, tax, international trade, manufacturing, defense, small business issues, tribal governments, energy, and telecommunications, as well as other areas. To learn more about The Franklin Partnership, please visit www.franklinpartnership.com.

August 2009

U.S. Department of Commerce and Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce Honor Tonya Veasey and Open Channels Group as 2009 Exceptional and Successful Entrepreneur

As part of the National Minority Enterprise Development Week, Tonya Veasey, president of Open Channels Group, was honored as the 2009 Exceptional and Successful Entrepreneur by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce (FWMBCC). "For the past 27 years we have held this event with the U.S. Department of Commerce to promote minority businesses and recognize those individuals and companies in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth region that are truly exceptional and successful. This year, it was a great pleasure to honor Tonya and her team at Open Channels Group with this prestigious recognition," said FWMBCC President Devoyd Jennings. "Open Channels Group is a dynamic organization that is dedicated to and passionate about each of their clients. Tonya"s success and entrepreneurial spirit captures the true meaning of this award."

The Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week commemorates the contribution of the nation"s minority entrepreneurs and firms. The MED Week Conference is hosted by Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration and other partners from the public and private sectors. It offers participants an excellent opportunity to interface and discuss issues relevant to this important segment of the nation"s business sector.

"I am honored to receive this recognition and award from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the FWMBCC," said Veasey. "It is truly fantastic to be acknowledged for our hard work during this special annual event. This affirms for our clients that we are making strides as we continue to help them achieve their goals."

MED Week was first initiated via Presidential Proclamation by President Reagan in 1983 and now stands as the premiere national conference for the minority business enterprise community.

July 2009

Omni Fort Worth Hotel Hires Open Channels Group to Plan Hospitality Diversity Vendor Fair

Fort Worth-based Open Channels Group is working with Omni Fort Worth Hotel to plan its first Hospitality Diversity Vendor Fair. Open Channels Group is responsible for organizing the Hospitality Diversity Vendor Fair from start to finish, coordinating with project partners on their participation and identifying suppliers and contractors to attend the event.

"We are excited about being selected as the firm of choice to plan this event," said Tonya Veasey, president. "We are committed to helping organizations such as Omni meet their business diversity goals."

The Hospitality Diversity Vendor Fair will be held at Omni Fort Worth Hotel located at 1300 Houston Street in downtown Fort Worth on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. During the fair, vendors will learn about contract opportunities with Omni Hotels and its participating partners, meet senior management and purchasing representatives, learn how to become certified as a Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise, and how to register as a vendor with the City of Fort Worth.

For more information or to register for this event, contact Tamesha Robinson by phone at 817.332.0404 or via e-mail at .

June 2009

Open Channels Group President Tonya Veasey featured in the June 2009 edition of Minority Business News.

Click here to read the full article.

March 2009

Open Channels Group highlighted as a diversified public affairs firm in the Fort Worth Business Press.

Click here to read the full article.

January 2009

Open Channels Group Relocates Its Offices and Hires New Staff

Open Channels Group, L.L.C. has moved its office to better serve its clients and allow for future growth opportunities. The new office is located west of downtown Fort Worth in the Mallick Tower at 101 Summit Ave., Suite 208. In addition, Open Channels Group has added Malizy Scruggs as vice president of integrated strategic communications.

"This is an exciting time for us," said Tonya Veasey, Open Channels Group president. "Our new location and staff are part of our overall rebranding effort as we look to compete in the growing market." Ms. Scruggs is a native of Dallas and graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington. Her background includes government affairs, media relations and internal and external communications. In her new role, Ms. Scruggs will oversee the public relations and marketing functions of Open Channels Group's client and business services. Prior to joining Open Channels Group, Ms. Scruggs performed in similar roles for HNTB Corporation, Dallas Housing Authority and Howland PR.

Open Channels Group is a minority-owned firm that specializes in public and government affairs, community relations and Spanish translation. Join Open Channels Group for its open house on Thursday, January 29, 2009, from 5 to 7 p.m.

June 2008

Tonya Veasey to Receive Madam C.J. Walker Award

The Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce (FWMBCC) has chosen Tonya Veasey, president of Open Channels Group L.L.C., to be honored with the Madame C.J. Walker Award at its Annual Awards Luncheon. The luncheon will be held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center Round Up Inn on Thursday, June 19, at 11 a.m. The award is named for Madame C.J. Walker, an African American businesswoman who achieved success as an entrepreneur in the 1900s and is given to individuals who have excelled in building their own business while maintaining a philanthropic spirit of support.

"We are proud to recognize Mrs. Tonya Veasey, of Open Channels Group, because she has developed a small thriving business that has the potential, spirit and tradition of Madame C. J. Walker," said FWMBCC President and CEO, Devoyd Jennings. The FWMBCC holds its awards luncheon each year to recognize individuals, small businesses and corporations that have supported the chamber and its mission. In its history, the FWMBCC has honored only two other recipients with the Madame C.J. Walker Award.

Tonya Veasey began her career in 1996 as the district aide for then Texas State Senator Mike Moncrief. Veasey quickly advanced to high-level roles with notable community based and nationally known non-profit organizations. In 2003, she was hired as a registered Texas lobbyist for The Eppstein Group. Veasey later went on to serve as director of public affairs for Cash America International, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company, where she was responsible for media relations and community affairs for over 700 stores.

In 2006, Veasey created Open Channels Group, a public affairs firm which provides services to public, private and grassroots organizations and special interest groups. Since its inception Open Channels Group has successfully advocated, conducted grassroots outreach campaigns, introduced and passed legislation, and organized events and fundraisers. Veasey's unique blend of experience, enthusiasm and expertise has made Open Channels Group a new leader in the public affairs industry.