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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AECOM appoints a local business development lead

Nandita Kaundinya

Dallas-based infrastructure firm AECOM has named Nandita Kaundinya, P.E. as its state business development lead for the North Texas market. Kaundinya will lead the company’s central region transportation business line.

Kaundinya has around two decades of experience in civil, mechanical, and industrial engineering, according to AECOM. The firm says she can manage teams across multiple disciplines, work well with clients, and execute full-life cycle projects with governing agencies.

That experience comes most recently from Kaundinya’s role at Garver, an engineering, planning, architectural, and environmental services firm. There she launched a North Texas transportation team to increase company business, drove revenue and growth, and secured new new markets for TxDOT.

She was project manager on one of TxDOT’s largest projects.

“AECOM is focused on building its staff to support the robust Texas infrastructure market, and Nandita’s strategic leadership and cross-discipline approach will drive client collaboration and team-building to solve complex infrastructure issues in North Texas,” Dan Manojlovski, AECOM’s central region transportation regional business leader, said in a statement. “Her client focus includes various TxDOT districts, DFW Airport, North Texas Tollway Authority, local municipalities, transit authorities and regional metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs).”

AECOM said in her new role, Kaundinya will focus on growing the transportation footprint in Texas. She will collaborate with AECOM’s transportation business development and project management teams, and work to build strong client and industry relationships in the state.

Surgical Notes names a new CFO

John M. Carradine

Dallas-based Surgical Notes has added industry veteran John M. Carradine to its team as chief financial officer. Carradine has more than 40 years of experience in information technology and 16 years in healthcare.

Surgical Notes is a provider of revenue cycle services and solutions for the ambulatory surgery center and surgical hospital markets.

In his new role, Carradine will manage all financial administrative, legal, and compliance activities for the company. He will also be tasked with developing the business strategy and strengthening infrastructure to support future growth.

Previously, Carradine held positions at Compliance and Security Inc, HealthAxis, Micrografx, and Intellicall. He was most recently CFO and COO at A-LIGN, a tech-enabled security and compliance company.

“Over the past several years, Surgical Notes has achieved strong growth and further cemented its reputation as a leader in providing innovative revenue cycle solutions to the ambulatory surgery industry,” Randy Bishop, Surgical Notes’ president and CEO, said in a statement. “With his impressive work history and experience in both compliance and healthcare, John brings proven skills to Surgical Notes that will help us continue to grow our brand and maintain our ASC leadership position.”

Education Advanced expands its leadership team

Eric Turner

A local provider of K-12 operations technology, Education Advanced Inc, has added Eric Turner to its executive team as chief marketing officer, according to TownNews.

The announcement comes as Education Advanced begins to expand nationwide. Currently, the Dallas-based company provides technology solutions that benefit 4 million students across the U.S. (more than 70 percent of students are located in Texas).

Turner will help launch new products and expand the company’s reach in his new role as CMO.

“Education plays a critical role in the lives of students, families, communities, and the economy,” he said in the report. “I am honored and humbled to join the team at Education Advanced as we continue to provide purpose-driven technology solutions that empower education leaders and ultimately benefit America’s youth. It is a truly noble cause.”

UTD’s Dr. Richard Brettell gets elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences

Richard Brettell

The founding director of The University of Texas at Dallas’ Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History has been elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, the university announced.

Dr. Richard Brettell was one of 276 artists, scholars, scientists, and leaders elected to this year’s class. Each member was chosen based on an individuals exceptional accomplisments. The academy “convenes these leaders to examine new ideas and address issues of importance to the nation and the world,” UTD said.

Dr. Brettell is an art historian by undergraduate and graduate training, but is well known for founding the first institute of art history at a university known for science and technology. His work “extends the traditional disciplinary boundaries of art history.”

“As this honor makes clear, Rick is widely recognized as one of the leading voices in the world of art,” UTD President Richard C. Benson said. “He’s always looking for new platforms to make art more accessible throughout the world. Rick Brettell is simply a remarkable scholar and educator.”

Cyber Defense Labs makes Katy Montgomery its EVP of corporate affairs

Katy Montgomery

Cyber Defense Labs, a Dallas-based information security service provider, has announced Katy Montgomery as its new executive vice president for corporate affairs and communications.

With the appointment, Montgomery will become a member of the company’s executive leadership team and Cyber Defense Labs Board. In her new role, Cyber Defense Labs said Montgomery will oversee various corporate functions such as finance operations, human resources, marketing, and strategic communications activities.  

“Katy brings a thoughtful and creative mindset along with broad knowledge of our business and client services to this important role,” CEO Robert Anderson Jr. said in a statement. “Her detailed focus, results-oriented approach and unwavering commitment to our client partners make her an outstanding leader to run our corporate affairs activities and a strong voice on our Board.”

Montgomery most recently served as a Principal at The Chertoff Group, where she helped organizations develop an informed understanding of today’s security threats. Cyber Defense Labs said she will help the company continue providing customized cybersecurity solutions that help protect against today’s threats.

Former McKinnsey Consultant joins Apptricity

Gregory Kemp

Apptricity has added revenue growth expert Gregory Kemp to its executive leadership team as SVP of Professional Services.

Irving-based Apptricity is a global enterprise asset management software provider that delivers real-time enterprise asset tracking solutions to the government and commercial sectors.

In joining the team, Kemp will use his extensive experience to boost data management, operational processes, and organizational alignment for the company. Apptricity said is focus will be on scaling the organization to “improve the implementation timelines and overall client experience.”

Kemp, a seasoned veteran, brings more than 20 years in the professional services sector to the company.

“With our technical superiority combined with the game-changing team we are building,” he said, “Apptricity is poised to become the dominate player in the IoT Industry.”

Mohr Partners and Mohr Capital make moves

Matt Smoot

Mohr Partners, the Dallas-based leading commercial real estate advisory firm that exclusively focuses on representing tenants, and Mohr Capital, the company’s privately held real estate investment firm, have announced people changes.

Robert “Bob” Mohr, founder of Mohr Partners, launched Mohr Capital in 2000 to broaden his originally company’s services provided to the real estate capital markets. According to Mohr, “Mohr Capital specializes in the acquisition, development, and value enhancement of large corporate office and industrial projects.”

Susan Cheng

The first executive move is Matt Smoot, who rejoined Mohr Partners as managing director. Smoot began his career at the company as a senior associate back in 2005. He now has more than 15 years of experience in a wide range of tenant advisory services. Smoot says he’s excited to go back to where it all began.

“I could not be happier to have Matt back at Mohr,” Stephen Hemphill, managing principal at Mohr Partners, said in a statement. “We have collectively followed his career closely and his talents are a great fit to our team.” 

As for Mohr Capital, the firm made two promotions: Susan Cheng was made executive vice president and chief operating officer and Rodrigo Godoi is the new managing director of investments. 

Rodrigo Godoi

Cheng’s role is overseing business operations, managing accounting and finance, and working with the firm’s investment team. Godoi manages acquisitions for office and industrial properties.

“I am pleased to have both Rodrigo and Susan representing Mohr Capital and contributing to our many successes,” Bob Mohr said in a statement. “Both Susan and Rodrigo demonstrate the hard work and skill needed to succeed in this business, and I’m honored to have them as part of the Mohr Capital team.”

Perkins Coie adds to its Dallas office

Jill Louis

Jill Louis has joined Perkins Coie’s Dallas location as a partner in the Corporate & Securities practice. The firm said the addition represents its plans to expand Texas operations.

“The Texas legal market is extremely competitive, and we’re pleased that the firm and our platform continue to attract leading legal talent of Jill’s caliber,” Dean Harvey, the Dallas office’s managing partner, said in a statement. “Jill’s arrival aligns with our ongoing strategy of expanding our corporate offering in Dallas to support our growing technology and privacy capabilities.”

In her role, Louis will advise public and private companies in mergers and acquisitions, franchise transactions, corporate governance matters, and commercial contracts across a wide range of industries. She has a background in M&A, previously representing private equity-backed healthcare, infrastructure, and technology companies.

Perkins Coie said she will be highly valuable as it generates more business from its Texas offices.

Jordan Valdés joins Booster

Jordan Valdés

Same-day fuel delivery service Booster has announced that Jordan Valdés is joining its team as head of public affairs.

In his new role, Valdés will leverage public interest in the company with policymakers across the U.S. He’s formerly worked with the Obama Administration and in APCO Worldwide’s Washington, D.C. office.

In March, The Dallas City Council passed an ordinance allowing and regulating mobile fueling within the city. The ordinance amended the Dallas Fire Code by adopting a provision to regulate the mobile fueling on-demand (MFOD) industry, establishing a process for mobile fueling in the city.

Booster said the move will allow it and other businesses like it to help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

TPG appoints Joseph Konzelmann as a partner

Joseph Konzelmann

Fort Worth- and San Francisco-based TPG has announced that Joseph Konzelmann is joining the firm as a partner and head of fundraising for the Eastern U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. 

Konzelmann will lead fundraising activities in his designated regions for the global alternative asset firm. He’s also expected to work closely with TPG’s local coverage teams to expand its limited partner relationships and drive strategic client dialogue and solutions.

“Over the years, TPG has developed a diversified platform that delivers innovative investment solutions to many of the world’s largest and most important institutions,” Konzelmann said in a company blog post. “The firm has established a robust mandate for growth with its entrepreneurial culture, global reach, strong commitment to client service, and early leadership in critical areas such as ESG and impact investing. I am thrilled to join such a talented team and look forward to helping expand the firm’s partnerships with investors across the globe.” 

Konzelmann comes to TPG after spending 13 years at Goldman Sachs. TPG said he has experience working with clients globally on capital raising, investment solutions, and geopolitical advisory. 

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