An organization doesn’t hit the century mark without a thread of innovation. 

That’s something incoming president Mike McKinley is ready to tackle. To withstand a hundred years of change—present year included—the Salesmanship Club of Dallas has evolved its practices, techniques, and fundraising efforts to ensure the greatest outcome for the families it serves, he says.

McKinley has the history to carry that forward. After 28 years of working with the purpose-driven organization, he was tapped to serve as the leading service association’s leader. 

“The Salesmanship Club of Dallas is continually examining ways to innovate,” he told Dallas Innovates. “In the face of COVID-19, we reinvented our current structure while achieving our same expected charitable outcomes.”

In the pandemic, there was a need to quickly move “into a realm of virtual communication with one another, our clients, donors, and students, allowing our work to continue to positively impact children’s futures.” 

McKinley, who has worked in the club since 1992 and succeeds Pete Lodwick as president, says the organization has historically focused on establishing youth programs in underserved areas. Since its creation in 1920, the nonprofit service organization has initiated and managed programs that have affected more than 100,000 underprivileged lives via the Momentous Institute.

Recently, the Salesmanship Club of Dallas was the host organization of the AT&T Byron Nelson, its primary fundraiser for the Momentous Institute. Through the Byron Nelson, the Salesmanship Club has raised $167 million since 1968, making it the largest charitable fundraiser on the PGA TOUR. 

McKinley is credited with providing instrumental support in the AT&T Byron Nelson’s move to its new home at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney. While the presidency title is new, McKinley is a long-serving player in the establishment, with his past roles as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Salesmanship Club Charitable Golf of Dallas, Inc. and as Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Northern Texas PGA. 

A founding partner in the law firm of Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP, McKinley has four decades of experience in banking, enterprise, and private litigation. Our colleagues at D Magazine have put him on the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” list. 

McKinley underscores the organization’s foundational priority of improving access to education and emotional health resources to local youth. 

“For 100 years, the Salesmanship Club of Dallas has dedicated its efforts to support critical programs for children and families in areas of our community which lack equitable opportunities,” said McKinley. “It’s my honor to lead this organization forward in that mission, alongside my fellow Club members, as we continue to be a force of genuine service.” 

McKinley will serve the typical one-year term alongside six members elected to the following leadership positions on the Salesmanship Club of Dallas’ Board of Directors: 

• First vice president: W. Kelvin Walker, Dallas Citizens Council
• Second vice president: James K. McAuley, Texas Health Resources Foundation
• Secretary: Edward W. Moore Jr., Frost Brown Todd LLC
• Treasurer: Timothy P. Costello, Newstone Capital Partners, LLC
• Momentous Institute Board Chair: Bruce W. Hunt, Petro-Hunt, LLC
• Salesmanship Club Charitable Golf of Dallas Board Chair: John L. Jenkins, 42 Real Estate, LLC

Quincy Preston contributed to this report. 

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