Across North Texas, companies are promoting and hiring people to take on executive and 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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Jordan tapped as Istation’s first chief product officer
Steve Jordan
Istation announced that it has hired Steve Jordan as its first chief product officer.
Istation is a Dallas-based education technology provider of computer-adaptive assessments and instruction in reading, math, and Spanish literacy.
In his new role, Jordan will be responsible for driving Istation’s product vision, strategy, design, and development, the company said in a release. Jordan will also lead Istation’s product management and design teams.
Overall, he will focus on innovation and growth of the product portfolio, building on the Istation mission of empowering kids and supporting educators.
J.Hilburn names Shilling as its chief marketing officer
Casey Shilling
Dallas-based J.Hilburn, a maker of custom menswear, announced that Casey Shilling has been named chief marketing officer.
Shilling brings significant experience in marketing lifestyle and consumer brands to her new role with J.Hilburn, the company said in a release.
Most recently, Shilling was chief marketing officer of Zoës Kitchen, a Plano-based fast casual Mediterranean restaurant group with more than 260 locations nationwide. While at Zoës, Shilling led the brand’s digital transformation and crafted strategic partnerships, such as Zoës’ branded in-flight food with American Airlines and an exclusive partnership with Whole30.
G6 Hospitality names Burnett to a vice president role
Tina Burnett
Carrollton-based G6 Hospitality, the parent company of the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands in the U.S. and Canada, named Tina Burnett as Divisional Vice President of Franchise Operations.
Burnett will report directly to Chief Revenue Officer Lance Miceli, who is responsible for brand strategy, franchise operations, and revenue-generation strategy and execution.
Burnett brings more than 20 years of experience working in the hospitality sector, having held multiple leadership roles in franchise development and operations since joining G6 Hospitality in 1998. Most recently, Shilling was vice president of franchise strategy and development, responsible for domestic growth of the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands. G6 Hospitality recently placed 73rd in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 40th Annual Franchising 500 list.
Comerica Inc. names Farmer as new chief executive officer
Curtis C. Farmer
Dallas-based Comerica Inc. announced that Curtis C. Farmer has been named chief executive officer and president of Comerica Inc. and Comerica Bank.
The banking company also announced that Ralph W. Babb Jr. has been named executive chairman of Comerica Inc. and Comerica Bank. Farmer will continue reporting to Babb, and both men will continue serving as members of the Comerica Inc. Board of Directors and the Comerica Bank Board of Directors.
As executive chairman, Babb will continue to chair the boards of Comerica Inc. and Comerica Bank.
Gillespie takes the VP of rental operations post at Associa
Kirk Gillespie
Kirk Gillespie has been hired by Associa as the new vice president of rental operations.
Associa is a Dallas-based community management company that has more than 180 branch offices across North America.
In his new role, Gillespie will focus on standardizing rental operations and driving future growth for the organization. Gillespie has more than 12 years of real estate investment and property management industry experience.
Garda to head Longford Capital’s new Dallas office
John Garda
Chicago-based Longford Capital has opened a new Dallas office and named John E. Garda to lead it as managing director.
Garda is a senior litigator and trial lawyer who previously was the managing partner of the Dallas office of the law firm K&L Gates.
In his 25-year career practicing law, Garda has focused on representing companies involved in complex commercial litigation and disputes.
Longford Capital is a private investment company that provides capital solutions to leading law firms, public and private companies, universities, government agencies, and other entities involved in large-scale, commercial legal disputes. Longford Capital typically funds attorneys’ fees and other costs necessary to pursue meritorious legal claims in return for a share of a favorable settlement or award.
UNTHSC taps Madhaven as dean of System College of Pharmacy
Suresh Madhaven
The University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth has appointed S. Suresh Madhaven as the new Dean of the System College of Pharmacy.
“There are so many opportunities at UNTHSC, and I am excited by the outstanding leadership, commitment to improving lives and diversity of the faculty and student body,” he said. “There is so much to share and learn from each other.”
Since 1994, Madhaven has been professor and chairperson of the Department of Pharmaceutical Systems and Policy at West Virginia University.
Kozlik joins Dallas-based Hilltop Securities as director
Tom Kozlik
Tom Kozlik has joined Dallas-based Hilltop Securities Inc. as director, head of municipal strategy and credit.
In his new role at Hilltop, Kozlik will work closely with Hilltop Securities’ underwriters, investment bankers, retail advisors, traders, and sales desk, the company said in a release. Also, he will publish regular commentary and be a presence on social and traditional media for the firm.
Kozlik brings almost two decades of experience to the position. Most recently, he was with PNC Capital Markets as managing director and municipal strategist, advising clients on a variety of municipal market credit profiles.
Marsh named COO of Celtic Intermodal by Transplace
David Marsh
Transplace, a Frisco-based provider of transportation management services and logistics technology, has appointed David Marsh as chief operating officer of Celtic Intermodal, Transplace’s intermodal business unit.
He will oversee the company’s daily customer service, operations and he will design and implement Celtic’s business strategies, plans, and procedures to grow customer relationships and drive sustainable growth, according to a release.
Marsh joins Transplace from Hub Group, where he held multiple leadership positions, including chief supply chain officer, chief marketing officer, and president of Hub Group Ohio and Hub Group Detroit.
Vista Bank hires James as president of Fort Worth market
Grant James
Vista Bank has hired banking veteran Grant James to serve as president of its Fort Worth market.
James has nearly 40 years of Fort Worth banking industry experience. His new role with Vista will include leading its team of bankers, growing market share through active retail and commercial business development, establishing brand awareness through marketing and sponsorship initiatives, and furthering the company’s commitment to putting people first.
James will office at Vista’s Fort Worth location, 1300 Summit Ave., where the Bank has a full-service retail and commercial banking center that opened in 2017. Vista Bank’s headquarters is in Ralls, Texas.
Noto joins Inwood National Bank as EVP and chief administrative officer
Martin Noto Jr.
Martin Noto Jr. has joined Inwood National Bank as its executive vice president and chief administrative officer.
Noto will be responsible for overseeing the commercial banking operation and assisting CEO Gary Tipton with other areas of the bank as needed, according to a release.
Noto has more than 35 years of experience in the financial industry. Previously, he was president and CEO of First Financial Bank’s Fort Worth Region.
Athlete Training and Health appoints Cahill as VP
Micheál Cahill
Arlington-based Athlete Training and Health announced that Micheál Cahill has been appointed as vice president of Performance and Sports Science for the rapidly growing company.
To his new position, Cahill brings significant credentials, including a Ph.D. Candidacy from one of the world’s top sports performance institutes, Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand.
ATH said that Cahill is developing evidence-led training specific to student, collegiate, professional, adult, team, and rebuild/injury recovery athletes. He has established a one-of-a-kind professional development plan for each individual ATH coach and is leading the integration of services between hospital, academic, and professional team partnerships.
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In this weekly roundup of executive moves in North Texas, you'll also find news from Liberty Capital Bank, Krista Software, Tuesday Morning, Trive Capital, Cantey Hanger, UNT, JUNO, NuZee, Jaunt Air Mobility, Korbyt, and ID90 Travel.
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