UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS AND LEGACY BANK
SPONSOR FIRST ANNUAL BUSINESS COMPETITION

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PLANO, TX (February 6, 2004) – The University of Dallas College of Business Graduate School of Management (GSM) and Legacy Bank recently partnered to promote entrepreneurship through the First Annual Business Plan Competition. Business plan winner Ronald J. Mussett and runner-up Melissa Harris were recognized earlier today at a luncheon held at the university’s Plano campus. University of Dallas Interim President, Robert Galecke and Legacy Bank Senior Vice President, Mike Shivers attended to honor the recipients.

The Business Plan Competition allows students to put into practice the skills and knowledge learned in the courses offered in the Entrepreneurship Concentration at the University of Dallas. The Competition encourages students to focus on developing a concrete plan for their business ideas and concepts. A major objective is for the student to be able to create a business plan that with the help of the Center for Entrepreneurship can be implemented. Several submissions were received for the competition and judged by Members of the Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. The judges were Dan Micciche, Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP; Joseph Sullivan, Joseph Sullivan LLC and Associates; and Gil Turchin, Turchin Financial Corporation.

The first-place recipient, Mussett, received $1,000.00 from Legacy Bank. Harris, the second-place recipient was awarded a $500.00 tuition credit from the University of Dallas.

Mussett, an MBA candidate at the University of Dallas is a partner with Lake Highlands Financial Services, L.P. Lake Highlands Financial Services is a newly formed Texas Limited Liability Partnership that has acquired the assets and debts from a franchisee of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. The objective’s outlined in Musset’s business plan include expanding the number of Jackson Hewitt tax offices (owned by Lake Highlands Financial Services) and offering additional services to its clients. “Making a profit for the stakeholders is the primary goal of the business,” said Mussett. He plans on distributing his plan to several business owners in the area in an effort to secure financial support.

“Ron’s Plan was very realistic, well developed, and very high in quality. I am confident that he will be able to attract the necessary financial backing to make this Plan succeed,” said Dr. Maura Sheehan, director of the Entrepreneurship Concentration.

According to Sheehan, “The questions, concerns, and suggestions voiced by the competition judges (all of whom are small business owners and/or work with small businesses) during the plan presentations, give students an invaluable opportunity to become better prepared for the types of issues that they will face when they enter the next steps of starting their businesses - attracting financial backing and establishing a small team of employees. “

Legacy Bank’s contribution to the Business Plan Competition has been instrumental. Mike Shivers, Senior Vice President of Legacy Bank stated, "Legacy Bank of Texas is proud to partner with the University of Dallas as they recognize and reward excellence, and work to develop the business leaders of tomorrow's communities and corporations."

The recently established Entrepreneurship Concentration prepares students for the creation and achievement of their entrepreneurial pursuits. The program equips students to develop an understanding of the entrepreneurial process and provides the knowledge and skills that are required to be successful. This success applies to any business venture, whether a business or franchise owner, corporate or not-for-profit, local or global. For more information about Entrepreneurship at the University of Dallas contact Nicole Anderson: 972-265-5757 or at entre@gsm.udallas.edu.”

The University of Dallas College of Business seeks to enable its students, graduates, partners, and clients to achieve their aspirations through making a high quality education available when, where, and how professionals need and want it. Over 12,000 students have graduated from the Graduate School of Management, making it the number one choice of working professionals in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex (based on the 2004 Dallas Business Journal Book of Lists). For more information about the University of Dallas College of Business visit http://www.thedallasmba.com.