Across North Texas, companies are promoting and hiring people for leadership positions.

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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Shokworks CEO joins Metrospaces’ Board of Directors

Alejandro Laplana

Alejandro Laplana, the founder and CEO of Shokworks, a Dallas tech firm that helps companies go digital first, has been appointed to the board of directors at New York proptech Metrospaces.

Laplana also serves as the CTO of Metrospaces, which is powered by Shokworks. He and his team have developed more than 150 platforms for leading brands, sports teams, and broadcasters, and Laplana himself has directly generated more than $150 million co-investing with clients to develop projects. He was formerly the managing principal of Nesting Partners LLC.

“We’ve found our partnership with Shokworks to be extremely successful and have been wowed by Alejandro’s expertise and leadership as CTO of our company,” Metrospaces CEO Oscar Brito said in a statement. “It was a natural fit for him to join our board of directors.”

You can read more about thep partnership between Metrospaces and Shokworks here.

Argano gets a group chief strategy officer

Tim Harris

Plano-based Argano, a business and technology services provider that creates digital foundations to help businesses run better, has named Tim Harris as its new group chief strategy officer.

In May, Plano-based Keste and Arlington-based interRel combined with United Virtualities, which has offices in New York, Guadalajara, and Buenos Aires, to form Argano, which is backed by Dallas-based Trinity Hunt Partners. Since then, the company has been making a series of acquisitions to build a consultancy focused on the digital renaissance.

In his new role, Harris will work with the executive team to drive corporate strategy. He has a successful track record of serving fast-growing organizations, along with deep experience in the services industry. Harris will continue in his role as CSO for Arbela Technologies, an Argano platform company.

“Tim will further develop our ability to configure solution packages that help businesses bridge the gap between the opportunities within their reach, and their capacity to execute and be market leaders,” Argano Group CEO Chip Register said in a statement. “He brings experience moving up the pace of discovery, innovation and results that transforms clients’ core operations into engines of success.”

TF Holdings hires a new COO

Irving-based TF Holdings, a holding company for fintech businesses, has brought Jason Dickard onto its team to serve as chief operations officer and head of the commercial division.

Dickard will be tasked with ensuring TF Holdings’ continued growth. He will lead operational improvements and promote the company’s lending-as-a-service business, personal financial wellness app, and more. Dickard has more than 20 years of experience as a business development and leadership executive, and he most recently served as the VP of risk operations and centralized collections at Regional Finance.

“We are fortunate to have Jason join us,” Martin J. Wong, chairman and CEO of TF Holdings, said in a statement. “His role will be critical to the future success of our company and Jason’s experience is perfectly suited for this role.”

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity makes key promotions

Blaine Cowart

Liz Phillips

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, the local outlet of the national nonprofit that’s committed to breaking the cycle of poverty and transforming communities, has made multiple leadership promotions.

Blaine Cowart was promoted from senior director of homeowner services to vice president of homeowner services. Cowart has worked with Dallas Habitat for more than ten years, making her way up through the homeowner services team by collaborating with families directly to help them achieve homeownership.

Cory Hohweiler

Liz Phillips was promoted from head of marketing to vice president of marketing. Since joining the team in 2019, she has led the organization’s transition to a virtual learning, fundraising, and media environment, ensuring it continues to reach more families.

Cory Hohweiler was promoted from vice president of retail to senior vice president of retail. He has been with the nonprofit since 2009, previously serving in roles that help to grow and lead Dallas Habitat’s ReStores to help fund their mission.

Evolon names a new VP of sales and marketing

Dave Dalleske

Dallas-based Evolon Technology, which develops technology that turns surveillance video into real-time actionable information, has added Dave Dalleske to its executive team as the vice president of sales and marketing.

In his new role, Dalleske will lead the sales, business development, and marketing strategy for Evolon’s perimeter surveillance software. He joins the company with more than two decades of video analytics, network video management, and video surveillance technology sales experience. Most recently, he was the senior vice president of American sales at Synectics, a provider of video surveillance and security systems.

“I’m very excited to welcome Dave to the Evolon Team,” Evolon CEO Kevin Stadler said in a statement. “His depth of industry expertise and stellar reputation working with clients to deliver world-class solutions is a perfect match for our products and our way of doing business.”

IBERIABANK/First Horizon gets a Dallas-Fort Worth market president

Key Coker

IBERIABANK and First Horizon, which recently merged and will soon operate as First Horizon in Texas and other markets across the U.S., has hired Key Coker as its new Dallas-Fort Worth market president.

Coker will lead the banking team, overseeing the company’s growth and expansion plans for DFW. As a results-driven local executive, Coker has more than 35 years of banking experience and expertise in a wide variety of client segments. Most recently, he served as the Dallas CEO of BBVA. Before that, he built and led numerous finance teams in various verticals for top international and U.S. banks.

“We’re very excited to welcome Key to our team,” First Horizon President and CEO Bryan Jordan said in a statement. “His extraordinary experience and strong connectivity will help us capitalize on the incredible client opportunities available in the dynamic Dallas and Fort Worthmarkets.”

Mohr Partners welcomes back a former executive

Jeff Pappas

Jeff Pappas, a 25-year commercial real estate services veteran, is returning to Dallas’ Mohr Partners, a global corporate real estate services firm, in the Dallas office.

Pappas has established himself as one of the top brokers in Dallas throughout his more than two decade career. He has represented clients in managing their corporate real estate around the world, becoming a leading expert on site selection, labor analytics, and real estate strategies. At Mohr Partners, Pappas will lead a 10-broker team focused on representing national portfolio accounts and headquarters relocations.

“Mohr Partners will allow me to provide my clients with sophisticated business intelligence tools to advise them on their real estate around the world,” Pappas said in a statement. “I also look forward to partnering with Mohr Partners other 26 offices to enhance my national and global presence.”

Accenture Interactive adds to its Southern leadership team

Becca Weigman

Accenture Interactive, a digital agency under global professional services company Accenture, has hired Dallas-based Becca Weigman as its managing director and communicate experience lead.

Weigman, who will also be a member of the South Market Unit’s Interactive leadership team, will work to partner with brands across industries to design, imagine, and communicate creatively. She has more than 25 years of experience in marketing and advertising, running advertising agencies and working with CEOs, CMOs, and CXOs across industries for the past 15 years.

“Becca is a highly engaged, contemporary executive who is focused and results driven, yet warm and quick witted with boundless energy that is infectious,” Jake Brody, Interactive Lead, South, for Accenture said in a statement. “She brings a wealth of knowledge from her 25-year-career in marketing and advertising, and I look forward getting to see her in action.”

CEC Entertainment names a VP of marketing for its pizza brand

Genaro Perez

Irving-based CEC Entertainment has appointed Genaro Perez as its vice president of marketing and strategy for Peter Piper Pizza.

Perez is an industry veteran who has vast experience spans across the technology, hospitality, retail, and nonprofit industries. Most recently, he led brand marketing, corporate communications, and innovation for P.F. Chang’s, and prior to that, he served in multiple roles at Brinker International. He will now help to develop Peter Piper Pizza’s overall brand presence and support continued growth and expansion.

“It’s an exciting time to be a part of the beloved Peter Piper Pizza brand,” Perez said in a statement. “The first Peter Piper Pizza opened in 1973 and since then we have grown to more than 100 locations in the U.S. and Mexico, offering made-from-scratch dough and the freshest ingredients in our pizzas. I am energized by the wonderful people and teams that have been part of the evolution and growth of this amazing brand.”

Scout & Cellar names a chief operations officer 

Chris Porter

Dallas’ Scout & Cellar, a pioneer in Clean-Crafted wine, has brought Chris Porter onto its team as chief operations officer amidst the company’s fourth year in business—and consecutive growth.

Porter is a well-known expert in supply chain, logistics, and operations. Most recently, he worked in Europe as a transportation senior executive for Amazon, a role in which he helped roll out large-scale transportation programs meant to drive speed and customer service benefits. Prior to that, he spent several years in the wine industry, specifically with E&J Gallo Winery as a business analyst implementing supply chain systems and eventually as global logistics manager.

Porter’s expertise comes at a crucial time for Scout & Cellar as it plans to continue an accelerated growth trajectory. His job will be to create a long-term roadmap that fosters diversification, improves margins, and drives efficiencies.

“One of our objectives for this year was to build a foundation of operational excellence, and hiring Chris is a significant step towards that goal,” Sarah Shadonix, founder and CEO of Scout & Cellar, said in a statement. “Chris brings a wide range of diverse experience, a transformational mindset and a strong leadership background that I’m confident will be a fantastic asset to our leadership team.”

TracyLocke makes executive leadership changes

Stephen Miller

TracyLocke, a commerce and communications agency with hub offices in Chicago, Dallas and Wilton, Connecticut, has made changes to its executive leadership board, a move that comes on the heels of naming a new president in June.

Michelle Tisdale was promoted to chief analytics officer; Ashish Oak was hired as chief innovation officer; Phil Camarota moved into the role of chief creative officer; Sabrina Diez was promoted to SVP and executive creative director; Stephen Miller was named chief marketing officer; and Alex Cuevas was named senior director of talent management and diversity, equity and inclusion lead.

All executives will help evolve TracyLocke’s four pillars of driving strategic innovation, compelling creative excellence, expanding client partnerships, and unifying talent-building programs. Ashish Oak and Stephen Miller are local to Dallas.

Ashish Oak

Oak will work with Michelle Tisdale on data science, continuing efforts to deliver unprecedented shopper and commerce intelligence for clients and the agency.

Miller will focus on client partnerships in collaboration with newly appointed Chief Client Officer Michael Bartlett. The two will work to promote TracyLocke’s evolved capabilities and develop new growth opportunities.

“As we established our executive leadership board, we looked for individuals that embodied our culture of innovation and collaboration,” CEO Michael Lovegrove said in a statement. “Each member of our team brings a unique point of view and new perspective to the table, unlocking business opportunities across and for our full client portfolio.” 

IOMAXIS gets a new CFO

Joshua Montgomery

Dallas-based IOMAXIS, a tech company that builds communications and computing technologies, has hired Joshua Montgomery as its new chief financial officer.

Montgomery has more than two decades of financial planning and analysis experience, specifically in the corporate finance, M&A, and defense and government services sectors. His career includes managing multiple debt financings and mergers and acquisitions, which allowed him to establish a reputation for using operating and financial metrics to support business strategy and high-growth.

Most recently, he was a finance executive at Peraton, Altamira, and Oceus Networks. His appointment comes at a time when IOMAXIS is implementing a number of changes to accelerate growth trajectory throughout 2021.

“Josh’s strong background in operational finance and a proven track record of leading finance organizations and driving business results will be a huge asset to us,” IOMAXIS CEO John Castles said in a statement. “We see the addition of Josh as the necessary next step to immediately impact our operations. He is someone who will play a key role in the realization of our future growth plan.”

TEZ Technology adds a chief strategy officer role

Steve Resnick

Plano-based TEZ Technology, an app-free parking industry software developer, has appointed current CRO Steve Resnick to the newly created role of chief strategy officer.

In his new role, Resnick will collaborate with CEO Ken Lovegreen and key stakeholders to plan TEZ’s strategic vision for the future. That involves how to transform sales and support initiatives into actionable and quantitative plans, with a focus on strategic partnerships, special initiatives, and execution. He is a 28-year industry veteran who first joined TEZ in 2019.

“TEZ is moving the needle and leading the way in app-free innovation during this transformational time in our industry,” Lovegreen said in a statement. “I am very excited to have two proven industry leaders and ambassadors working side by side with me as we tackle new markets and opportunities.”

With the change, TEZ has also brought Todd Dorsey onto its team as chief revenue officer. Dorsey will now be responsible for the integration and alignment of activities related to revenue. He will also lead the sales team, while focusing on driving all domestic and international expansion efforts. Dorsey most recently served in the same role at Maven Machines.

UTD associate dean gets a lifetime achievement award 

Diane McNulty

The University of Texas at Dallas’ Diane Seay McNulty, PhD, today received the Lifetime Achievement Award at InnoTech Dallas’ Women in Tech Summit. 

The Women in Tech Summit is a special event from InnoTech—the business and technology innovation conference and exposition—designed for women in IT. It offers opportunities for collaboration, professional development, and networking via a day of fireside chats, panel presentations, and lunch.

Sponsored by DFW*ATW, SoftwareONE, and BravoTECH, the summit aims to connect female technologists to their local community in the hope that they’ll feel less isolated.

McNulty earned a significant honor at the event. As the associate dean for External Relations, Communications and Corporate Development at UTD’s Naveen Jindal School of Management, McNulty coordinates PR, marketing, community, and corporate relations strategies.

She also teaches graduate and undergraduate classes; serves as the executive editor of MANAGEMENT, the Jindal School’s biannual magazine, and Inside Jindal School, the online news site; and manages social media and podcasts.