CEO Rich Templeton was the keynote speaker at the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce 58th Annual Meeting. Video Click here to watch a video replay from the event.

As the keynote speaker at the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce's recent annual meeting, TI CEO Rich Templeton shared his views on what it takes to make companies and communities strong. He reiterated TI's commitment to citizenship and cited regional cooperation and tax reform as measures that are needed to keep North Texas competitive in the future. He also shared perspective on being competitive globally and personally and encouraged students to "do something they love" to be successful.

Templeton engaged in a half-hour lunchtime question-and-answer session with KRLD Radio business analyst David Johnson before more than 600 attendees, including city and state elected officials, civic leaders and company heads. Many of Dallas' companies and institutions were represented, such as technology and energy companies and banks.

"Global opportunities can lead to local prosperity," he said. "We should want more companies headquartered in the U.S. winning globally."

To ensure success, Templton said it is critical to have the right people and technologies in place in regions around the world. TI has about 20 factories worldwide. Templeton cited regional cooperation and tax reform as measures that are needed to keep North Texas competitive in the future.

Johnson told Templeton that TI has been interesting to follow through the years because it continues to reinvent itself and change what it does.

"It won't slow down," Templeton said. "We want to make sure we're always looking ahead to where we want to invest. It's good to be moving ahead of the world."

TI will have ample opportunities in the future as long as technology is still changing the world, Templeton said. To make his point, he asked how many members of the audience did not have cell phones, and nobody raised their hand.

"If we asked that question 10 years ago, it would have been about half the room," Templeton said. "Eighty percent of the planet carries a cell phone right now.

"As long as technology is still rapidly changing society, companies will continue to have great opportunities."

STEM education focus
Some of the dialogue between Templeton and Johnson focused on education challenges facing the U.S.

"We need to focus on education, particularly on STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] education, to make sure we have people literate and with the right foundation of skills," Templeton said.

He said one way to boost math and science skills starting at the elementary school level is to make sure schools have better prepared and qualified math and science teachers.

"If you fall behind in math or science in sixth or seventh grade, there's no catch-up program," he said. "The part we have to focus on is making sure kids are confident and capable with math and science."

Johnson noted that Templeton has many opportunities to talk with students about their futures. One of the questions youths often ask is, "How can I get where you are?"

Templeton said he advises them to make sure they are doing something they love.

"If you love doing it, it's not going to feel like work. You've got to enjoy what you do and the people you work with. In a company like TI, opportunities will usually find you if you are doing a good job and are competitive," he said. "We have a lot of great people who will be great leaders within TI."

Recognized for leadership
The chamber applauded TI's longstanding success in the region and world. The group also praised Templeton for his leadership at TI and in the community.

"As CEO, he continues to reshape TI and focus on areas such as analog and embedded processing. Under his leadership, TI has emerged as a stronger company," said Pat Faubion, president of Comerica Bank for Texas Markets, a gold sponsor of the event.

Faubion described Templeton as a leader who knows how to build a strong company while also finding time to serve the community.

For example, he cited that Templeton was recently named the 2012-2013 citywide campaign chair of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (UWMD). At that same event, TI was honored with the United Way Trendsetter Award, which recognized the company for substantially increasing its total campaign through innovative volunteerism initiatives and growing new-employee participation more than 300 percent.

"When you try to do something like we're doing in 2012-2013 with United Way, it's about having a great group of people inside of TI. That really amplifies your effectiveness," Templeton said. "When the business leaders in this room make it a priority, it sets the tone for everybody in their company. It really does make a difference."

Templeton encouraged other leaders to back the UWMD's efforts. He also urged leaders and businesses to work cooperatively to ensure that North Texas continues to be a great place to conduct business.

"Today, companies operating in Texas are at an advantage. I cannot think of a better state in the U.S. that I'd want to operate out of," he said, adding: "This is home. What keeps it home is having access to great people and a business environment that lets you move quickly, invest and operate in cost-effective ways."