DI People: Jacobs, BNSF, Kimberly-Clark, Transwestern, and More Make 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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KPMG’s Fernandez joins Jacobs’ Board of Directors

Manny Fernandez

Dallas based engineering firm Jacobs has elected Manny Fernandez to its Board of Directors.

Fernandez has spent more than 36 years advising public and private companies at KPMG LLP, most recently serving as the managing partner and market leader for the Southwest area at the Dallas office. He brings a strong focus on talent management and a passion for inclusion and diversity to Jacobs.

He is retiring on Sept. 30 and will join the Jacobs Board on Oct. 5.

According to Jacobs, its Board is comprised of 12 members from a variety of geographic, industry, government, technical, and business backgrounds. It provides a robust governance structure that aligns with the company’s emphasis on inclusion. Half of the Board is female or ethnically diverse.

Kirkland welcomes Dallas litigator

Taj Clayton

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is adding Taj Clayton to its Dallas office as a partner in the Litigation Practice Group.

Clayton joins the law firm from Winston & Strawn, where he was a partner and chair of the Domestic ADR Group. He brings experience in federal and state courts, in which he has handled a variety of complex business disputes. According to Kirkland, Clayton has represented clients in everything from healthcare and finance to entertainment and automotive.

“Taj is a highly regarded, talented commercial litigator who has handled a range of complex matters, and demonstrated leadership and an entrepreneurial drive throughout his career,” Jon A. Ballis, chairman of Kirkland’s Executive Committee, said in a statement. “He’s a great addition to our premier litigation practice, and we are delighted to add such a rising star to our roster.”

BNSF makes two executive appointments

Kathryn Farmer

BNSF has named a new president and chief executive officer, Kathryn M. Farmer, effective Jan. 1, 2021.

Farmer has been with the freight transportation company for the past 28 years, most recently serving as the executive vice president of operations.

She will continue her role—and assume leadership of BNSF’s Board of Directors—until Carl R. Ice retires at teh end of this year. Ice will remain on BNSF’s Board.

Matt Igoe

“Katie and I have been working toward this plan for a long time,” Ice said in a statement. “Katie has held many different roles at BNSF with an ever-increasing impact with each new role as she has built trust and confidence throughout BNSF. I am pleased for Katie and the organization knowing BNSF’s future is in good hands.”

Taking over the role of executive ice president of operations is Matt Igoe, also effective Jan. 1, 2021.

Igoe will be tasked with leading the entire operations organization. Most recently, he was the vice president of transportation, but has been with BNSF for 22 years after completing a career in the U.S. Army.

Kimberly-Clark adds to its Board of Directors

Dallas-based Kimberly-Clark Corporation has elected John W. Culver to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

In his new position, Culver will sit on the company’s Audit Committee. Currently, he is the Starbucks group president of International, Channel Development and Global Coffee, Tea and Cocoa. He is also on the Starbucks executive leadership team.

“I am excited to add John and his perspective to our board of directors,” Mike Hsu, chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark, said in a statement. “His global leadership experience at Starbucks, including leading the growth of the Starbucks brand in China, will contribute to our board conversations as we execute our strategy to accelerate growth in developing and emerging markets and elevate our core categories.”

UNT gets a new CFO

Arthur Bradford

The University of North Texas at Dallas has named Arthur Bradford, an experienced finance leader in the corporate sector, as its new executive vice president for administration and chief financial officer.

Bradford is stepping into his role on Oct. 1, replacing Jim Main, who is retiring. A certified public accountant, Bradford has experience related to finance in the retail, real estate, consumer packaged goods, and food service & vending sectors. He was most recently Head of Stores, Finance for JCPenney.

In his new role, Bradford will lead all financial functions for UNT, along with facilities and police/campus safety.

Transwestern appoints a head of investment analytics and research

Doug Prickett

Transwestern has named Dallas-based Doug Prickett its new senior managing director of Investments & Analytics.

Prickett is bringing more than 30 years of relevant industry experience to the Houston-based commercial real estate firm. In his new role, he will oversee research efforts for the organization and develop and use advanced analytics and cutting-edge technologies.

His position encompasses all three companies: Transwestern Investment Group, Transwestern Real Estate Services, and Transwestern Development Company. Per a release, each business enhances Transwestern’s “use of proprietary data and sophisticated analysis to address real estate challenges and pursue opportunities that deliver value to investors, owners, and users of commercial real estate.”

Munck Wilson Mandala names co-chairs of litigation section

Jenny Martinez and Michael McCabe

Michael McCabe and Jenny Martinez have been selected by Munck Wilson Mandala as the co-chairs of the technology-focused firm’s award-winning complex litigation/dispute resolution section.

The announcement comes on the heels on Munck Wilson electing Martinez to serve on its executive committee, where she joins McCabe. McCabe, a skilled trial lawyer, will continue his position as co-chair of the firm’s employment and labor law section.

The duo will now helm a litigation section of 32 highly talented attorneys who work in the Dallas, Austin, Miami, and LA offices. Both bring unique qualities and legal experience to the role, having been critical in mentoring and developing younger attorneys.

WiNGS names a new chief development officer

Tameka Y. Cass

Dallas-based WiNGS, a community of women helping women overcome poverty, has added Tameka Y. Cass to its team as the chief development officer. Cass is replacing interim officer Melissa Cameron.

Cass has had stints at Metrocare Services, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and the Parkland Foundation. She brings nearly two decades of relevant experience in the nonprofit industry as a skilled professional in strategic planning, fund development, relationship management, capital campaigns, event management, and more.

In her new role, she will be tasked with establishing and implementing the infrastructure needed to grow WiNGS’ $3.5 million budget.

GridLiance appoints chief legal officer

N. Beth Emery

Dallas-based GridLiance, an independent electric transmission utility holding company, has made Mark S. Laufman its new executive vice president, chief legal officer, and secretary, effective immediately.

The news comes after N. Beth Emery, who has practiced law in the energy industry for more than 40 years, announced her retirement. Emery will continue as the senior vice president, special counsel until Dec. 31 to ensure a smooth transition.

Emergy was a founding member of the company’s leadership team back in 2014. Before that, she was a national law firm partner for around 20 years.

Laufman has more than three decades of legal experience in energy and infrastructure transactions, most recently working at a private practice with clients on energy-related transactions. He has been an advisor to GridLiance since December 2019.

YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas makes a dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion

Rodrigua Ross

The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas has created a new executive leadership position to advance its efforts to achieve race and gender equity within the organization and the local community. Rodrigua Ross will serve as the Y’s first-ever VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Ross is a nationally recognized leader in D&I issues for the YMCA, which she has worked at for more than 22 years. Most recently, she was the district executive director of the Park South YMCA and national chair of the African American Resource Network, an employee resource group (ERG) within the YMCA of the USA.

She is credited with launching ERGs for the Dallas Y, including D.R.E.A.M, the African American ERG; Women Empowered, the Women ERG; and Campeones Unidos, the Hispanic/Latino ERG. According to the Y, she is well known as an advocate for children and families in under resourced, marginalized, and access deficient communities.

In addition to Ross’ role, the Dallas Y has established a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee to keep itself accountable and forward-thinking on DEI issues.

SmithGroup hires a Dallas Health Studio Leader

Walter Marks, II

Integrated design firm SmithGroup has added Walter Marks, II to its team as a principal and health studio leader in the Dallas office.

Marks has more than three decades of experience in directing the design and delivery for hospitals and healthcare facilities, most recently serving as a principal and senior project designer in healthcare at Dallas-based Jacobs. According to a release, he has focused his career on designing advanced healthcare environments.

In his new role at SmithGroup, Marks will be tasked with collaborating with the firm’s Health Practice to deliver planning and design services to clients in Texas and across the Southwest.

Mike McKinley named 101st president of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas

Mike McKinley

Mike McKinley, who has worked in the club since 1992, is succeeding Pete Lodwick as president.

Since its creation in 1920, the nonprofit service organization has initiated and managed programs that have affected more than 100,000 underprivileged lives via the Momentous Institute.

McKinley is credited with providing instrumental support in the AT&T Byron Nelson’s move to its new home at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney. While the presidency title is new, McKinley is a long-serving player in the establishment, with his past roles as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Salesmanship Club Charitable Golf of Dallas, Inc. and as Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Northern Texas PGA.

Learn more here.

Federos expands its global sales organization

Frisco-based Federos, a provider of AI-optimized solutions for service providers and enterprises, is investing in more corporate growth with the addition of Ashley Fleeman to its worldwide sales team.

Fleeman joins Federos from gen-E LLC, where he was the lead in cloud service assurance and machine learning sales efforts in North America. He has more than 30 years of experience in OSS/BSS and service assurance software.

Hiring Fleeman continues Federos’ execution of an extensive development plan to expand its AI/Machine Learning capabilities, increase its flagship product’s portfolio, and provide focused service offerings.

Securonix continues growth with new executives

Brett Bowman

Securonix, an Addison-based leader in next-gen security information and event management, has made multiple executive and leadership announcements to bolster its record growth and accommodate for explosive demand.

Securonix said that its growth has been driven by a demand for its Cloud SIEM offering.

Brett Bowman has been appointed chief financial officer and Dilshan Ratnayake as chief people officer, and product engineering leadership has been added from companies including Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM.

Dilshan Ratnayake

Bowman joins the company after serving as the CFO of Woot, which was acquired by Amazon, and CFO of Main Street Hub, which was acquired by GoDaddy. Ratnayake was most recently the head of Human Resources at Sabre Corporation.

At Securonix, Bowman will lead finance and accounting operations and Ratnayake will lead people and talent functions.

“Securonix has experienced unprecedented market traction by allowing customers to cut the cord on traditional security monitoring and leverage the cloud-based SaaS model of the Securonix Next-Gen SIEM platform,” COO Dave Colesante said in a statement. “In order to capitalize on recent success and take the next step in our company lifecycle, we must continue to enhance our offerings with the best people, process and technology. With these latest hires, we are doing exactly that.”

Imaginuity expands its media team

Dallas-based Imaginuity, an integrated marketing agency, has added two new associate media directors to its team: Sarah Gantt and Todd Riemer.

According to Imaginuity, it has one of the largest internal media departments in the Southwest.

Gantt joins the team from Firefly, where she was a senior account executive. Riemer comes from The Integer Group, where he was an associate media director.

Orthofix gets a president of its Global Extremities business segment

Paul Gonsalves

Orthofix Medical Inc, a global medical device company in musculoskeletal products and therapies that’s based in Lewisville, has appointed Paul Gonsalves as the president of its Global Extremities business.

Most recently, Gonsalves was the chief commercial officer at Integra LifeSciences, a provider of regenerative technologies, neurosurgical, and extremity orthopedic solutions. He has also served as the SVP of Enterprise Sales and Corporate Marketing at Integra LifeSciences.

In his new role at Orthofix, Gonsalves will help enable the company to build and accelerate an important area of its business. He will report to President and CEO Jon Serbousek.

CUTX makes executive promotions

Allen-based Credit Union of Texas (CUTX) has made a slew of promotions to its upper management team to better position the company to meet its members’ needs.

The appointments are: Courtney Coss to chief retail officer, Angela Faust to hief administrative officer, Jennifer Olvera to chief engagement officer, Jessica Ortuno to VP of Support Services, Victoria Pilgrim to VP of Programming and Development, Mike Vining to VP of I.T. Services, and Kerry Whitson to VP of Accounting.

“Behind every great company is a diverse and talented team of people. One component of success comes when we place the right people in the right positions at every level of the organization,” Eric Pointer, president and CEO, of CUTX, said in a statement. “As part of our continuous process improvement, we periodically evaluate departmental and organizational processes to ensure our leadership is structured so we can best serve our members, staff and communities.”

Trinity Industries adds to its Board

Dallas-based Trinity Industries, Inc. has elected Todd Maclin to its Board of Directors, bringing the total member count to eight.

After a 37-year career at JPMorgan Chase & Co., Maclin retired in 2016. He currently sits on the Boards of Kimberly-Clark Corporation, RRH Corporation, and is a board advisor for Cyber Defense Lab.

“We are pleased to welcome Todd Maclin as a new member of our Board of Directors,” Leldon E. Echols, Trinity’s non-executive chairman of the Board, said in a statement. “The significant operating experience and financial insight Todd has gained as a top executive in the banking industry will bring additional leadership and valuable perspective to our Board.”