Membership Luncheon - FEBRUARY 2026

Description

Flag football is having its main-character moment—and our community is right in the middle of the highlight reel!

Join us for the February HEB Chamber Luncheon as Dr. Marjorie Herrera Lewis, Commissioner of the Global Pro Flag Football League, and Paden Sickles, CEO of the performance brand SICKFIT, share how Bedford became the official host city for the 2026 GPFFL Championship Games at Pennington Field.

Come hear how leadership, strategic partnerships, and bold vision put our local area on the world stage—and what this moment means for local businesses, tourism, and our city’s economic future.

Because sometimes, the biggest plays happen right in your own backyard.
 

About the Speakers


Dr. Marjorie Herrera Lewis

Dr. Marjorie Herrera Lewis is an award-winning sportswriter, novelist, professor, and former college football coach now serving as commissioner of the Global Flag Football League. She was the first female journalist assigned to the Dallas Cowboys beat with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in the 1980s and later wrote for The Dallas Morning News. Her debut novel, When the Men Were Gone, received multiple literary honors and is now in development with Mandalay films. Marjorie has taught at several universities, including her most recent appointment as a faculty associate at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. During the 2017 season, Marjorie assisted with linebackers and defensive backs for the Texas Wesleyan University Rams. She currently co-hosts Journey Through Sports and Entertainment on DBTV, an international television streaming network. A three-time master's degree holder with a doctorate, she is also a former Nashville recording artist and minor-league baseball team co-owner. 
 

Paden Sickles

Paden Sickles is a dynamic U.S. Army Veteran, former Engineer Officer, and the visionary CEO and Founder of SickFit, the first woman-owned, veteran-owned sock company. What began as a simple solution to a problem has become a global movement proving that even something as overlooked as a sock can change how people work, compete, and live.

With more than 11 years of military leadership experience managing multi-billion-dollar operations, Paden brings discipline, strategy, and resilience to every step of her entrepreneurial journey. She earned her B.A. in Economics from the University of Kentucky, her MBA in Finance from Northern Kentucky University, and is now completing her Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) with a specialization in Marketing—fusing military precision with business and market expertise.

Under her leadership, SickFit has secured placements with major retailers including NEX and MCX, to include other retailers, and has activated inside arenas with the Dallas Wings (WNBA). The brand has been spotted on athletes during the 2024 Paris Olympics, collaborated with Olympic champions, and pioneered the world’s first ever sock mural. Paden has also worked alongside powerhouse organizations like Comcast, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Paramount, Fiserv, USA Volleyball, and the U.S. Army to drive campaigns rooted in resilience and innovation.

Her impact and innovation have been recognized globally. Paden has been awarded the prestigious NaVOBA We Love Enterprise Award, Woman Business of the Year and Mentor of the Year, she has been featured in Inc. Magazine, Yahoo, Medium, and Business Insider, and was even highlighted in Martha Stewart’s keynote speech. Her journey from soldier to CEO was also captured in an award-winning documentary, further solidifying her legacy as a disruptor in performance wear. At her core, Paden is a builder—of businesses, of legacies, and of people. Through SickFit, she is empowering veterans, athletes, nurses, and everyday doers with products designed for circulation, recovery, and endurance.

Her magnetic energy, infectious smile, and fearless approach leave a lasting impression, inspiring individuals and organizations to reject mediocrity embrace their resilence.

Sign Up for a Market Table!
Market Tables are a great way to showcase your business for only $50! To reserve a table, please call the Chamber at 817-283-1521
 
Bring a Door Prize!
Who doesn't love having their name called out as a Door Prize winner? If you'd like to give out a door prize at the luncheon just drop it off at registration!