President's Message

"Our strength is the spirit and unity of the people of our region."
– C.A. Tatum, the first volunteer leader of the North Texas Commission

Mabrie Jackson

Those words were often spoken by the first leader of the North Texas Commission, and, nearly 40 years later, they still ring through as I embark on my tenure as the organization's eighth President and CEO.

That spirit of unity has proven successful over the past several decades. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the original catalyst that launched the North Texas Commission, is now the third busiest airport in terms of operations. Twenty-four FORTUNE 500 companies call North Texas home. We are the 4th largest metro area and the fastest growing region. And, nothing demonstrates unity better than the upcoming North Texas Super Bowl XLV.

But, now is not the time to simply bask in past successes, but to use the momentum to carry us further than we could ever imagine. The work of the North Texas Commission is far from over. The same premise the organization was founded on in 1971, to unify the region and maximize the visibility of North Texas as the premier destination to live and do business, remains our primary focus. However, in order to truly elevate our region to a global business destination, we have to focus on the future.

During the past year, the North Texas Commission has embarked on an initiative to examine its mission and strategies to ensure the organization remains true to its purpose within the region. In the next several months, we will begin to roll out new initiatives and programs focused on engaging our strongest asset – the people of North Texas. Our region is home to some of the brightest minds, most effective leaders and the strongest businesses; and the spirit of these regional ambassadors will unite us in ways we never dreamed possible.

What will the next 40 years bring to North Texas? The possibilities are as vast as the Texas sky. We know we'll experience phenomenal growth – almost 12 million people will call North Texas home by 2050. With every great opportunity comes a challenge, but the North Texas Commission will be there, unifying the leaders of our region and supporting our spirit.

Mabrie Jackson
President & CEO
North Texas Commission