To say that Betsy Price never has a dull moment would be an understatement. As mayor of Fort Worth, her day is jam-packed with meetings, conference calls—and bike rides. Overseeing one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, Price is constantly looking for ways to improve the community. She even invented her own take on town hall meetings, the “Walking, Rolling and Caffeinated Town Halls,” which give Fort Worth residents the opportunity to voice their opinions and explore their city in a new and innovative way.
5:30 A.M.
Price begins her day early to ensure she can get in a workout, whether that be a bike ride or a walk. Anything to help her wake up.
7:00 A.M.
Breakfast with her husband—toast with peanut butter and honey for her, and yogurt and berries for him. No morning is complete without a caffeine kick: “I can’t start my day without my English black tea with lemon and Sweet ’N Low.”
7:45 A.M.
Prep begins for the day at a Fort Worth nail salon. Price reads the morning paper while getting her nails done. A multitasker, she also puts finishing touches on her speech for the International Mayors luncheon.
9:30 A.M.
Arrives early at Edward J. Briscoe Elementary School to participate in an education roundtable hosted by the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. The topic: the future of elementary education in Fort Worth.
10:15 A.M.
George and Laura Bush arrive, and the panel begins. Among those attending are billionaire Walter Rainwater and Fort Worth ISD board members. Panelists discuss the best ways to train and retain successful school leaders. “So often we see really good principals who have [leadership] skills, but private industry takes them away,” Price says, identifying salary and frustration with testing as factors that play into the decision.
11:00 A.M.
Price is escorted out by her security team, to ensure she arrives on time to her luncheon.
11:30 A.M.
Price arrives, early again, at the The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel, where she’s hosting the 2016 Mayor’s International luncheon.
12:30 P.M.
The luncheon begins. Price speaks about the future of Fort Worth and the importance of trade for the Texas economy.
12:45 P.M.
Speaker Robert Kaplan, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, touches on globalization, changing demographics, and interest rates. He wants to “bring Wall Street to Main Street,” and says that any changes in the interest rate must be done “gradually and cautiously.”
1:30 P.M.
Returns to her office to debrief on the day’s events. She sits down with Mattie Parker, chief of staff, to ensure that she’s staying on top of all her tasks.
2 P.M.
Attends a meeting with executives from Texas Health Resources and wellness company Healthways regarding funding for Fort Worth’s health and wellness initiative, called the “Blue Zones Project.”
3 P.M.
The mayor’s scheduler, Beth Ellis, informs Price of important emails and missed phone calls. The mayor grabs a quick cracker snack, as she didn’t have time to eat at the luncheon.
3:30 P.M.
Jumps into a meeting with a network provider to discuss the city’s service.
4:45 P.M.
Price reads last-minute emails, but has to cut her work day short to attend a joint birthday party for her son and brother-in-law. She’s serving up burgers and a good time at her home in Fort Worth.
10:30 P.M.
Price calls it a night at her usual bedtime.
