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 people moves tied to innovation and technology in the region. 

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Ansira names MacLaren as new COO, CFO

Laurie MacLaren

Laurie MacLaren has joined Dallas- and St. Louis-based marketing company Ansira in the role of chief operating officer and chief financial officer, based in the Dallas office.

MacLaren will report to CEO Daina Middleton, and she replaces Gary Weller was Ansira’s CFO for more than 10 years. She will oversee and manage operations, finance, corporate development, and legal functions in here dual role.

“Her proven success and unique experience make her distinctly qualified for this new role,” Middleton said in a release. “We have integrated core business roles under Laurie’s leadership to ensure our continued growth and scale.”

Ansira made news in October when it announced it had acquired Dallas-based Adobe solutions provider Defakto.

Pier 1 Import names Colaco as chief customer officer

Donna Noce Colaco

Donna Noce Colaco has been appointed to the new position of chief customer officer by Fort Worth-based retailer Pier 1 Imports Inc., effective Dec. 3.

She will lead the retailer’s merchandizing organization and will oversee product development, planning and allocations, stores, marketing, and e-commerce, the company said in a release. Colaco will report to President and CEO Alasdair James.

“With 40 years of experience in the retail industry, she brings a successful track record of reinventing brands, spearheading new business initiatives, and driving long-term sales and profit growth, which we believe will be instrumental to our success at this time of transformation,” James said in the release. 

Previously, Colaco was brand president of White House Black Market, a Chico’s FAS Inc. brand. 

Skasko joins eGency Global as chief operating officer

Greg Skasko

Greg Skasko has joined eGency Global, a leading esports sponsorship marketing, media, and event firm, as chief operating officer.

The firm said that prior to joining eGency Global, he spent 11 years at AT&T Inc. the roles of assistant vice president and director in entertainment marketing and gaming, sponsorships, and AT&T Corporate Initiatives. 

“Greg’s vast experience in the realm of corporate sponsorships at AT&T combined with his deep knowledge of gaming make him especially well-suited to maximize The Trade Group & LST Marketing’s expertise to benefit those looking to capitalize on the rapidly expanding esports industry,”  eGency Global CEO Chris Stone said in a release. 

New executives named for Trinity Industries spin-off Arcosa

Dallas-based Trinity Industries has completed the spin-off of it infrastructure-related business Arcosa Inc., and as a result new executive appointments have been made for Arcosa.

They are:

• Sarah Teachout has been named senior vice president and chief legal officer.
• Theis Rice, former chief legal officer, will retain his senior vice president title and will become chief compliance officer.
• Lance Davis has been named vice president of finance and treasurer.
• David DelVecchio has been named vice president and chief human resources officer.
• Dr. Virginia C. Gray has been named vice president, corporate social responsibility and organizational development.
• Jessica Greiner is now vice president, investor relations and communications.
• Doug Horvath has been named vice president, tax.
• Steve McDowell has been named vice president and chief accounting officer.
• Ian Mutswiri has been named vice president and chief audit executive.
• Jared Richardson is now vice president and corporate secretary.

Addus Homecare names Rush to board of directors

Jean Rush

Jean Rush has been named to the board of directors of Frisco-based Addus Homecare Corp.

Previously, Rush served as executive vice president of government markets for the insurance company Highmark Inc. There, she oversaw Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and other related business lines.

“She has deep operational experience within health plan operations and administration related to payors such as Medicaid and, importantly, Medicare Advantage,” President and CEO Dirk Allison said in a release. “With the addition of personal care services as a supplemental benefit for Medicare Advantage plans beginning in 2019, we view this area as a significant long-term opportunity for Addus, and we will benefit from Jean’s tremendous experience and knowledge as we move into this market.”

Darling Ingredients appoints Ringenberg to board

Nicole Ringenberg

Nicole M. Ringenberg has been appointed to the board of directors of Darling Ingredients Inc. as an independent director, effective immediately.

Adding Ringenberg expands the board to 11 members, the company said in a release. Ringenberg retired recently after 32 years with Monsanto Co. where she most recently served as vice president and controller.

Irving-based Darling Ingredients is a global developer and producer of sustainable natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients, creating a variety of ingredients and specialty solutions for customers in the pharmaceutical, food, pet food, feed, technical, fuel, bioenergy, and fertilizer industries.

Atmos Energy adds Donohue, Walters to its board

Dallas-based Atmos Energy Corp. has named two new members of its board of directors Sean Donohue and Diana J. Walters. 

Sean Donohue

Donohue is the chief executive officer of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

“His experience as a leader in a highly regulated industry and his management of a public enterprise with safety and security as two of its top priorities brings great value and thought diversity to our board,” Kim R. Cocklin, executive chairman of the Atmos Energy board, said in a release.

Walters is the founder and managing partner of 575 Grant LLC, which provides financial advisory services as well as the creation and execution of corporate strategic plans.

“Di has a significant amount of experience in the energy sectors and brings over 30 plus years of management in public and private finance, strategic development, principal investments and exposure to both international and domestic markets,” Conklin said. “She will add significant value to the strategic discussions with her diverse experience in the industry.”

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, foundation name new board members

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is welcoming a group of accomplished business leaders to its 2018-2019 board of directors and the United Way Foundation of Metropolitan Dallas board.

They will serve three-year terms, and will help steer the nonprofit in creating solutions to complex issues in education, financial stability, and health.

New members of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas board are:

• Jim Hinton, chief executive officer of Baylor Scott & White Health, the largest not-for-profit health system in Texas.
• David Martin, partner and managing director in the Boston Consulting Group’s Dallas office.
• David Park, senior vice president, utility operations for Atmos Energy Corp.

New members of the United Way Foundation of  Metropolitan Dallas are:

• Mary Anne Cree, philanthropist and loyal Ruth Sharp Altshuler Tocqueville Society Member.
• Kevin March, retired chief financial officer of Texas Instruments, where he was recognized among the top-ranked CFOs in Institutional Investor’s “Best Semiconductor CFOs in America” for several of his 13 years of service.
• Ronald C. “Ron” Parker, retired senior vice president for human resources, labor relations and global diversity and inclusion at PepsiCo.
• Terri West, retired senior vice president at Texas Instruments, who served on United Way’s Campaign Cabinet, board of directors, 2012-2018, and as chair of the Resource Development Committee.
• Steven Williams, senior vice president sales and chief commercial officer at PepsiCo/FritoLay. He serves as United Way Workplace Campaign Tocqueville Chair.

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