DI People: Texas Instruments, Comerica Bank, Omnitracs, Toyota, and Hunt Energy Make Executive Moves

Across North Texas, companies are promoting and hiring people to take on leadership positions within their organizations.

Dallas Innovates covers prominent personnel moves in Dallas-Fort Worth businesses and nonprofits—from the newest startups to well-established companies. Here are the people moves tied to innovation and technology in the region.

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Comerica Bank gets a Dallas market president

Amanda Mahaney

Comerica Incorporated has chosen Amanda G. Mahaney to lead its Dallas market. In her new role, Mahaney will continue managing the Dallas Middle Market loan groups and the Business Banking loan teams in Dallas and Florida.

She will also oversee business and community development efforts across the Retail, Commercial Banking, Middle Market, and Wealth Management lines of business in Dallas, according to Comerica.

Mahaney has been with Comerica since 2000, when she joined the team in Dallas as a credit analyst. Since, she has held a range of titles within Business Banking, increasing her responsibility, scope, and focus over time.

Most recently, Mahaney was promoted to senior vice president, department manager for Comerica’s Middle Market and Business Banking.

“Amanda has been a top performer throughout her career at Comerica,” Texas Market President Brian Foley said in a statement. “The positive impact she has made on our business banking and middle market departments in North Texas, Arizona and Florida makes her well-positioned to successfully direct our Dallas Market operations.”

TI names a chief operating officer

Haviv Ilan

Dallas-based Texas Instruments, the global semiconductor design and manufacturing company, has promoted Haviv Ilan to executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Ilan has been with TI for 21 years, most recently leading its Analog Signal Chain business. Prior to that, he led the High Performance Analog organization and was a VP in the Embedded Processing organization.

In his new role as COO, TI said he will oversee its business and sales organizations, technology and manufacturing operations, and information technology services.

“Haviv is a disciplined and inspiring leader with a proven track record of delivering results,” CEO, Chairman, and President Rich Templeton said in a statement. “His authentic leadership style, drive for continuous improvement and passion to win has made TI stronger, and I look forward to continuing to work together to further strengthen the company for the long term.”

Omnitracs hires a chief marketing officer

Amy Barzdukas

Omnitracs, a Dallas-based provider of fleet management solutions to transportation and logistics companies, has appointed Amy Barzdukas to its newly created role of chief marketing officer.

Barzdukas brings more than two decades of experience to the position, along with an “unconventional approach to the multiple disciplines of marketing.” Previously, she was the executive vice president and CMO at Poly, Inc. There, she was the head of a global team of more than 180 marketers and communications personnel.

In her new role, Barzdukas will be responsible for leading the global marketing organization in driving continued adoption of Omnitracs technology, according to the company. She will also support revenue growth and amplify Omnitracs’ brand story.

“We’ve been looking for a leader who can increase awareness of these technological advancements and cement our position as the market innovator,” Greg Nelson, chief commercial officer of Omnitracs, said in a statement. “Amy’s track record of driving revenue growth in new product areas combined with her deep expertise in brand messaging and brand strategy makes her a vital asset to our team.”

Hunt Energy announces new CEO of Hunt Perovskite Technologies

Scott Burton

Dallas-headquartered Hunt Energy has added Scott Burton to its team as the chief executive officer of its solar technology company.

As the CEO of Hunt Perovskite Technologies (HPT), Burton will be leading a company that has been engaged in metal halide perovskite solar cell development since 2013.

He brings a breadth of experience to the role: Burton has served as CEO of Reel Solar, CEO of Parity Solar, COO of Solibro GmbH, and led technology acquisitions for Hanergy Group. According to Hunt Energy, he is experienced in solar panel manufacturing and was involved in the development, financing, and construction of more than 100 photovoltaic projects in China, the U.S, Germany, and Italy.

“The development of solar perovskite technology is really the only area of photovoltaics that is truly exciting right now, and HPT is leading the way,” Burton said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the Hunt team to build upon their previous success and to bring in additional strategic investment to help take their manufacturing technology to the next level.”

Toyota Motor North America makes executive moves on its automotive operations team

Plano-headquartered Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) has announced multiple rounds of executive moves this summer with its latest announcement focused on the automotive operations division.

Left to right: Andrew Gilleland, current vice president of sales operations, Toyota Division, will be promoted to group vice president and general manager, Lexus Division. David Christ, current group vice president and general manager, Lexus Division, will replace Hollis as group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division. Jack Hollis, current group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division, will be promoted to senior vice president of automotive operations, TMNA. [Photos: Courtesy Toyota Motor North America]

Bill Fay has announced his retirement after spending over 38 years with Toyota, which is effective September 1, 2020. Fay has held several key sales positions at four regional TMNA offices and senior-level roles at the company’s Plano headquarters, according to a statement.

Jack Hollis, who is the current group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division, will be taking over Fay’s position. He will be in charge of leading all sales, market representation, marketing, and customer relations activities for Toyota and Lexus, as well as for Puerto Rico and Mexico. He will report to Carter.

Replacing Hollis in his previous position is David Christ, the current group vice president and general manager, Lexus Division. Christ will be reporting to Hollis and is expected to lead all sales, marketing, and market representation, along with all guest experience and retention activities for Toyota regional sales offices and distributors.

Andrew Gilleland has also been promoted from vice president of sales operations, Toyota Division, to group vice president and general manager, Lexus Division. He will be in charge of all aspects of U.S. Lexus automotive operations, including sales, marketing, customer service, and dealer operations and will also report to Hollis.

Social impact pioneer accepts new role

Chris Montoya

Chris Montoya, founder and CEO of The Daniel and Salvador Montoya Heroes Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit that assists veterans and military spouses in transitioning seamlessly from military lives to fulfilling careers, has accepted a short-term contract with Kraft Heinz.

In his new role as a talent acquisition/military and veteran recruiting consultant, Montoya will help lead transitioning military, veterans, and military spouses recruitment strategies in Dallas.

You can read about Montoya’s mission to change the way corporations view recruitment strategies, career mobility, and inclusivity for military personnel here.

Sidley Austin LLP adds a partner in its M&A and private equity global practices

Sidely Austin LLP has brought on Bart Biggers, an airline industry finance lawyer, as a new partner in its M&A and private equity global practice groups.

Biggers will also co-lead Sidley Austin’s aviation practice.

According to the global law firm, Biggers has a reputation as a preeminent lawyer and strategic partner to airline and aviation industry professionals. Previously, he was with Winstead PC, where he was chair of the Corporate, Commercial Transactions & Outsourcing Practice Group and the Airlines Industry Group.

“Bart’s reputation in the Dallas market, coupled with his invaluable experience within the aviation and airline industry, as well as his work for our existing clients makes him an ideal candidate for our firm,” Yvette Ostolaza, managing partner of Sidley’s office in Dallas, said in a statement. “His addition aligns with our strategic plan to continue building out our corporate capabilities in Texas and on a national scale. As a seasoned practitioner, Bart brings preeminent experience and industry insight that will strengthen our ability to counsel clients in today’s evolving landscape.”

Hope Cottage gets a new CEO

Teresa Lenling

Hope Cottage—a local nonprofit that fosters nurturing homes for North Texas children through adoption, foster care, education and parent support—has made Teresa Lenling its new CEO, effective immediately.

Lenling is a proven nonprofit leader. She has experience in strategic management, community engagement, and program design, and was most recently the vice president of school and community engagement at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

Prior to that, Lenling was the director of public engagement at the Science Center of Iowa.

According to Hope Cottage, her experience aligns with its work in educating and supporting current and potential parents across the region. She succeeds Brooks Quinlan, who announced a personal sabbatical to travel across North America.

“We believe Teresa is the ideal leader to help Hope Cottage continue building on its strong, 102-year foundation of adoption services through our expanding work in foster care, new parent support and teen education,” Kerry Fitzgerald, chair of the Hope Cottage board of directors, said in a statement. “As we embark on a new strategic plan this year, she has the right mix of expertise and community connections to increase the impact and visibility of our work, ensuring children grow up in the best environments possible.”

HealthMine names chief strategy officer

Dallas-based HealthMine, an engagement and reward solution, appointed seasoned healthcare executive Patrick (Pat) Ross as its new chief strategy officer.

Ross brings more than two decades of experience to the company, most notably in leading health plan operations and providing strategic and operational advisory services to government health programs. He joins HealthMine from being lead of a team of advisors serving government health plans.

“Pat’s industry expertise will prove invaluable to our current and future health plan partners, and the continued enhancement of our technology-enabled solutions,” President and CEO Bryce Williams said in a statement. “He understands the urgency plans must have to engage their members and act swiftly in deploying a solution that scales their member engagement and member satisfaction initiatives—while integrating seamlessly with their existing platforms.”

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra gets two world-renowned artists for its fall season

Stewart Goodyear

For the 2020-2021 Symphonic Series, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) has added piano soloist Stewart Goodyear and conductor Roderick Cox to its artist roster.

According to the FWSO, the changes come as a result of travel disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Goodyear will join the first Symphonic program scheduled for Sept. 18-20. It is his first time performing with the FWSO in 16 years. He is scheduled to perform with conductor Patrick Summers, which will feature works by Rossini, Saint-Saëns, and Mendelssohn.

Roderick Cox

This is Cox’s debut with the FWSO. He will serve as a guest conductor for the second Symphonic program from Oct. 16-18, conducting four performances that include guest guitar soloist Artyom Dervoed and music presented by Prokofiev, Rodrigo, and Beethoven.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Goodyear and Mr. Cox to this year’s Symphonic Series,” Keith Cerny, Ph.D., the president and CEO of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, said in a statement. “Both are extremely impressive artists, and we look forward to providing the North Texas community with the opportunity to experience their exceptional talents in person.”

Simmons Bank names a Gainesville community president

Mike Crawley

Simmons Bank has appointed a community president for its Gainesville market, Mike Crawley.

In his new role, Crawley will lead local strategy and loan and deposit growth. He joins the bank from First United Bank, where he was the community president for Holdenville and Wewoka, Oklahoma.

The hire comes on the heels of moves Simmons has made to bolster its leadership and presence in Texas, its largest asset base.

“Mike brings nearly 35 years of industry experience to our Gainesville team and customers,” Randy Hensarling, Texas regional president for Simmons Bank, said in a statement. “His expertise in all aspects of banking, management and credit is backed by an outstanding track record of community service, which matches Simmons’ own community bank culture.”

Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce gets a new CEO

The Board of Directors at the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce has named Brandom Gengelbach as its new chief executive officer.

He succeeds Bill Thornton, who has held the role since 2000, but retired on July 7.

Gengelbach himself has been with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce since 2016 as the EVP of Economic Development. Prior to that, he was president of the Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance.

He has more than 18 years of experience with numerous chambers and already developed strong community relationships in Fort Worth.

“We are excited to begin working together and for the future of the Chamber,” Martin Noto, chairman of the Chamber Board and EVP and chief lending officer of Inwood National Bank, said in a statement. “His leadership has been invaluable to our members during the pandemic, he and staff have worked hard in providing resources and guidance along with reassurance that Fort Worth will persevere.”

UNTHSC adds a chief strategy officer

Dr. Sylvia Trent-Adams

Read Admiral Dr. Sylvia Trent-Adams has been named the new senior vice president and chief strategy officer for the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

Will Maddox at our sister publication, D CEO, has more:

Trent-Adams, who is a Rear Admiral with the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, was also acting Surgeon General of the United States in 2017.

Trent Adams was Deputy Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, which is a front line public health service branch of more than 6,000 officers, from 2015-2018. During that time, she was an advisor to the Surgeon General in the fight against the opioid crisis, which is a key issue for UNTHSC.

Trent-Adams also worked in the HIV/AIDS Bureau where she managed the $2.3 billion Ryan White Program, which provides services for uninsured and underserved populations with HIV. She has received the Meritorious Service Medal for leadership for her work responding to Ebola in West Africa, and the International Red Cross Florence Nightingale Medal, which is the highest international honor given to a nurse.

TeamSupport names a tech industry veteran as its new CEO

Pete Khanna

Pete Khanna is taking the helm at B2B customer support software solution provider TeamSupport as chief executive officer.

The co-founder and former CEO of Dallas-based TeamSupport, Robert C. Johnson, is set to assume a “pivotal role” on the company’s board of directors.

Khanna is an industry veteran and a proven business leader. He brings more than two decades of experience in senior executive roles at software and technology companies. Most recently, he was the CEO of TrackVia, and before that was president and COO of MX Logic.

“We look forward to Pete joining TeamSupport and helping us write the next chapter in the company’s legacy,” TeamSupport CMO Melissa Hendrick said in a statement. “His professional expertise and keen insight will help propel TeamSupport forward as we establish ourselves as leaders in the B2B customer support software market and as innovators in the ‘customer success’ market.”