DI People: TREC, Farmer Brothers, McKesson, TDIndustries 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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TREC gets a new chief development officer

Patricia Addington

Patricia Addington has joined The Real Estate Council (TREC) as the new chief development officer.

Addington brings more than two decades of experience in leadership, fundraising, and events and volunteer management to the Dallas-based organization. Previously, at Southern Methodist University, she was responsible for raising $3-6 million annually for the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development and soliciting a grant to develop a STEM Model School in West Dallas.

She will specifically focus on fundraising, volunteerism, and event sponsorships to strengthen TREC’s brand equity and awareness.

“Last year was a banner year for our organization as we more than doubled our investment in the Forest District, which is the focus of our Dallas Catalyst Project, and as we worked with community partners to make even greater strides toward creating a path to equitable development in the Forest District, the Bottom, and a West Dallas neighborhood by securing a $6 million JPMorgan Chase PRO Neighborhoods grant,” Linda McMahon, president and CEO of TREC, said in a statement. “Patricia’s unique skills reinforce our commitments to making Dallas a better place to live for everyone, and we are confident that her experience in capital campaign management, fundraising, events and sponsorship development, and community investment will have a meaningful impact on both our organization and our city.”

Farmer Brothers appoints a chief sales officer

Maurice Moragne

Farmer Bros. Co. announced that Maurice Moragne will be joining the company as chief sales officer, effective June 8.

The Northlake-based American coffee foodservice company brought Moragne onto the team based on his knowledge of the food & beverage category and expertise in the direct store delivery, retail, and omni distribution models. In his new role, Moragne will add value to functional beverage ingredients, company partnerships, and innovation.

Moragne has more than 30 years of experience in the consumer goods industry, most recently serving as CEO, CSO, and founder of International Agriculture Group LLC. He has also held leadership roles at Chiquita Brands International, L’Oreal USA, and British American Tobacco.

“The rich history and capability that exists at Farmer Brothers are unique and provide avenues for differentiation and growth,” Moragne said in a statement. “I look forward to using my food and beverage industry expertise, innovation experience, and retail relationships to help unlock sales growth opportunities and position Farmer Brothers as a leader in beverage innovation.”

TDIndustries promotes Hawley to VP of New Construction

Brent Hawley

Dallas-based TDIndustries, an engineering, construction, and facilities services company, has made Brent Hawley its Fort Worth vice president of New Construction.

In his new role, TD said Hawley will continue to lead TD’s project management, production, and estimating efforts. He has been with the company, and specifically the Fort Worth division, for three years. But he will also provide more oversight of all new construction operations in Fort Worth.

Hawley has around three decades of experience in construction. He’s overseen major projects throughout the country, locally with Frost Tower, several hospitals, and a major corporate campus relocation project.

“Brent is an incredible example of living out our core value of Passionately Pursuing Excellence,” David Fultz, TD’s Fort Worth SVP, said in a statement. “He helps drive our team to improve every day. This includes growing other Partners through soft-skills training, challenging us to improve our efforts and discipline around ZERO Harm, and challenging the status quo on what excellence in execution looks like.”

Tom Rodgers joins McKesson

Tom Rodgers

McKesson Corp., the Irving-based drug distribution giant, has made Tom Rodgers its executive vice president and chief strategy and business development officer.

The role was previously held by Bansi Nagji, but he stepped down effective March 31.

Rodgers was previously McKesson’s VP of corporate strategy and business development from 2001-2004. He most recently worked for McKesson’s strategic venture capital firm, McKesson Ventures, as the senior VP and managing director.

“McKesson has a long history of evolving our company in meaningful ways that enable us to lead in a rapidly changing healthcare environment,” McKesson CEO Brian Tyler said in a statement. “Tom’s experience in both venture capital and large healthcare environments, will be extremely valuable to our leadership team as we continue to strengthen our core business and transform our company to create new opportunities to deliver future growth.”

Freese and Nichols adds a Sheri Larson to its team

Sheri Larson

Freese and Nichols, a Fort Worth professional consulting firm, announced that it is continuing to expand its environmental services with the addition of Sheri Larson, PG.

Larson brings more than two decades of experience and expertise in site assessment and remediation to the firm’s Environmental Services and Coastal team.

She has led projects across the state for a variety of entities, including state agencies, local governments, and private industry. She has specific knowledge of helping clients meet regulatory requirements and cleaning up properties to prepare them for development or redevelopment.

“Sheri expands our ability to serve clients needing assessment and remediation to meet their goals,” Jimmy Gibson, Freese and Nichols’ environmental practice leader, said in a statement. “She also has earned the confidence of clients through her project leadership and the relationships she has developed across the state.”

CSW Industrials promotes Sullivan to executive vice president

Don Sullivan

Dallas-based CSW Industrials, Inc, an industrial growth company that focuses on industrial products and specialty chemicals, has made Don Sullivan executive vice president. He will continue serving as the general manager of the company’s industrial products segment.

“Since 2016, [Don] has successfully led the Industrial Products segment through a period of high growth, and has diligently worked to develop a best-in-class team, integrate multiple acquisitions, and drive margin expansion,” Joseph B. Armes, CSW Industrials’ chairman, president, and CEO, said in a statement.

“We look forward to Don continuing to execute on our growth strategy and appreciate his expertise within the executive leadership team.”

OYO Hotels & Homes continues adding to its board

Dr. W. Steve Albrecht

India-based OYO Hotels & Homes, which has its U.S. headquarters in Dallas, has appointed Dr. W. Steve Albrecht as non-executive director of its Board of Directors.

The announcement follows the addition of Troy Alstead, former COO of Starbucks, to the board as an independent member.

In his role, Albrecht will guide the founder and executive team on business decisions that are crucial to the company. He is currently the Andersen Alumni Professor at the Marriott School of Management of Brigham Young University and was formerly president of the American Accounting Association.

Brad Leffler joins Mazars USA’s Dallas office

Brad Leffler

Mazars USA LLP, an accounting, tax, and consulting firm, has added Brad Leffler to its newly opened Dallas office.

Per the DBJ, the Dallas opening marked the firm’s entry into Texas.

Leffler will serve as the office managing partner, where he will assist clients with acquisitions, divestitures, and exit strategies. He brings more than two decades of relevant experience to the company, specifically in delivering audit and assurance services.

Vista Bank gets a new general counsel

Jared Craighead

Dallas-based Vista Bank announced on its website that Jared Craighead was joining the company as its chief of staff and general counsel.

Craighead brings more than 20 years of experience, having previously held the same role at the Texas Railroad Commission. He will provide legal counsel and address state and federal regulatory matters for the bank.

Vista Bank said Craighead is known for his clarity, energy, and attention to detail.

Brown and Caldwell to propel its statewide growth with new hire

Adam Evans

Adam Evans is joining Dallas-based environmental engineering and construction firm Brown and Caldwell as part of its Texas growth strategy.

As the vice president and area leader, Evans will be responsible for operations management, business development, driving new client growth, and meeting market and customer needs. Brown and Caldwell said he will direct project teams in the planning, design, and construction of municipal water, wastewater, and stormwater projects.

Evans has a 17-year background in the water and wastewater sector.

“I am thrilled to welcome a leader of Adam’s caliber to our growing Texas business,” CEO Rich D’Amato said on the company’s website. “His client-centric approach complements our proud legacy of bringing highly technical, cost-effective solutions to the Lone Star State’s most complex environmental challenges related to aging water infrastructure, flood control, and water supply and reuse.”

Shei Unger joins Northern Trust

Shei Unger

Shei Unger has joined the Dallas-based team of Northern Trust as a senior wealth strategist.

Per the DBJ, Unger has experience in exit planning. He will be tasked with “advising and educating business owners before, during ,and after the sale or recapitalization of their privately held companies.”

Unger will report to the Dallas region president, David Key.

Teach for America-DFW gets a new executive director

Rea Foster

The local chapter of national nonprofit Teach for America-DFW has promoted Rea Foster to executive director.

In her new role, Foster will use her background and experience to advocate on behalf of children in the North Texas area.

Per our sister publication, D CEO, Foster previously served as COO for over two years, VP of external affairs for a little over one year, and held several other leadership positions with Teach for America.

Before joining education, she was a litigation attorney for Beveridge & Diamond. Foster has raised more than $50 million across Dallas-Fort Worth and Washington D.C. for public education and has spearheaded new partnerships with The Crystal Charity Ball and the Dallas Mavericks.

Harmon to lead Regional Transportation Council board

Roger Harmon

The Regional Transportation Council has elected Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon as its new chair that will lead the transportation policymaking body for the upcoming year.

Harmon replaces Denton County Judge Andy Eads, according to Fort Worth Business Press. Eads was leading the RTC, which is part of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and Harmon will pick up those duties with his appointment.

He will also lead the RTC during the upcoming 87th Texas Legislative Session in January.

Cyber Defense Labs appoints general counsel

Cyber Defense Labs, a Dallas-based information security service provider, has made Steven Carlotto its general counsel and a member of its executive leadership team.

Carlotto will oversee all corporate legal affairs in his new role. He will also act as a counselor and advisor to the senior leaders and board, the company said.

Previously, Carlotto served 26 years in the Federal Bureau of Investigation before retiring in 2018. He practiced corporate law in New Jersey for a time before joining Cyber Defense Labs.

“I have personally known and seen Steve’s expert knowledge, breadth of experience, sound judgement and valuable insights make a difference in a variety of situations over the last 25 years. He is an outstanding addition to our executive leadership team,” Robert E. Anderson, Jr., CEO of Cyber Defense Labs, said in a statement. “Steve has led a remarkable career with integrity and honor. We look forward to his perspective and counsel during this time of strategic growth and expansion for Cyber Defense Labs.”

The announcement follows Cyber Defense Labs naming Katy Montgomery its new executive vice president for corporate affairs and communications.

Colliers International adds industry veterans to its team

Jorg Mast

Colliers International is getting two local property experts: Former JLL executive Jorg Mast and LaPaul Partners president Chris Paul.

Mast and Paul will help lead a brand new team at Colliers International that is focused on investment-grade multifamily and mixed-use properties in Texas and the surrounding region.

Our sister publication, D CEO, has more:

Chris Paul

“The addition of Jorg and Chris will be a great benefit to our growing capital markets team and our clients,” said Steve Everbach, Colliers International President, Central Region | U.S. Brokerage.

Prior to joining Colliers, Mast spent the last six years at JLL, focusing exclusively on investment sales of institutional multifamily properties. Danny Miller, who was also previously at JLL, will accompany him to Colliers as a senior associate. Before JLL, Danny held positions at Newmark Knight Frank and HFF.

“Colliers’ recent acquisition of Dougherty Mortgage (now Colliers Mortgage) will enable us to directly originate loans from Fannie Mae and HUD,” said Mast. “This will allow us to function as true advisors to our clients, providing them with acquisition and disposition services, originating mortgage debt, and arranging JV equity and structured financing.”

Danny Miller

Paul was previously the founder and President of LaPaul Partners, a Dallas-based boutique commercial real estate advisory firm.

Over the last 30 years, LaPaul Partners has specialized in the sale and financing of institutional-grade multifamily properties in Texas and throughout the southern U.S.

“I am excited to help create this new, full-service multifamily platform for Colliers’ Central Region. Rarely, do you find this type of entrepreneurial opportunity at such a large, global company,” said Paul. “Jorg and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”

Second Thought Theatre gets a new artistic director

Carson McCain

Second Thought Theatre is introducing Carson McCain as its new artistic director, as reported by NBC DFW.

McCain replaces Alex Organ, who previously announced that this year would be his last season. The duo will work together to plan the rest of the theatre’s current season.

“I admire the way that they spend their money on actors and on their artists and make their budgets in service of that,” McCain told NBC. “I admire that they do risky plays, but always with the knowledge that their audience can handle it and never in a way that alienates their audience, but engages them in conversation.”

McCain said she has considered Second Thought Theatre her artistic home since 2014. Her goal is to build on the theatre’s core values, as she is already familiar with the way the institution is run and how involved the board is in productions.

Trendmaker Homes names a new VP of community experience

Peter Altuchow

The Dallas-Fort Worth division of Trendmaker Homes has added Peter Altuchow to its team as the new vice president of community experience.

A member of TRI Pointe Group, Trendmaker Homes designs, builds, and sells high-quality single-family homes. The company is currently working to strengthen its efforts in offering homes near employment centers, transportation, and amenities in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Altuchow transferred from another one of TRI Pointe Group’s homebuilder brands, Pardee Homes. He brings more than two decades of experience in residential sales to his new role, in which he will oversee sales, marketing, and the design studio.

“Peter brings tremendous energy and a laser focus on customer experience, teamwork, empowerment and accountability,” Trendmaker Homes Dallas-Fort Worth President Sean Ricks said in a statement. “I am confident that his vision and experience will help accelerate the Dallas division’s progress toward our strategic goals. Peter has strong experience in growing net orders, revenue and margins, and he has been instrumental in the successful launch of many new innovatively designed communities.”

Medical Director Named for the EMS Authority

Veer D. Vithalani, M.D.

Fort Worth’s Metropolitan Area EMS Authority (MAEMSA) announced that Veer D. Vithalani, M.D. has been named Medical Director for the MAEMSA system.

Dr. Vithalani originally joined MAEMSA as an associate medical director in 2014. He’s been serving as Interim Medical Director since October 2018, but the title recently became official. In his role, MAEMSA said Dr. Vithalani will become a resource for the EMS system providers and the leaders of the 15 member cities of the EMS Authority.

“Dr. Vithalani has been instrumental in the successful management of the coronavirus pandemic, serving as a trusted advisor to the EMS providers, city leaders, and healthcare community. His incredible depth of clinical knowledge, passion for data and patient outcomes, combined with his affable and friendly demeanor, makes Dr. Vithalani the ideal Medical Director for the MedStar system,” Dr. Brian Byrd, Chairman of the Authority Board and Fort Worth City Council member, said in a statement. “Community trust and innovation are among the core principles for the EMS Authority and its providers—Dr. Vithalani has demonstrated keen ability to build trust, and create innovative approaches to EMS care in our community.”

HSC Professor to chair a national group on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact

Dr. Yasser Salem

A professor of Physical Therapy at the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Dr. Yasser Salem, has been made chair of a national group working to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a blog post from HSC, the group will specifically look at how COVID-19 affects children with disability, their families, and professionals working with them. The effort was created by the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association, which hopes to better understand the effects of the health outbreak and the needs of children with disability.

“The coronavirus pandemic is considered a catalyst to any effort to meet the needs of those children,” Dr. Salem said in the blog. “The pandemic is not over yet, but we already see the devastating effects on this vulnerable population.”

Gulfstream Aerospace names Naveed Aziz general manager of local operations

Aziz Naveed

Naveed Aziz has been promoted to vice president and general manager for the Dallas facility of Gulfstream Aerospace Corp, as reported by EVA International Media.

Aziz started his career at Gulfstream back in 1996 and has since held several positions within the company, according to the publication. In his new role, Aziz will lead service center operations and Gulfstream’s G280 completions.

“Naveed has been a valuable asset to our next generation of aircraft,” Greg Collett, SVP of Manufacturing and Completions, told EVA. “In his current role as director of Completions Research and Development, he led development and certification of the award-winning Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600 interior and oversaw development of the all-new Gulfstream G700 interior, including the G700 cabin mock-up. We look forward to his continued success in Dallas.”

This story was updated on Monday, June 15. It originally stated that Shei Unger was with BNY Mellon; he left in May 2020 to join Northern Trust.