We convene and educate public and private sector leaders to ensure that state and federal policies promote strong local governments, support excellence in public schools, increase the skilled workforce pipeline, and safeguard a thriving business environment.
Together as a unified region, we will continue to improve the sustainability and inclusivity of our economic competitiveness.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is unique. Home to 8 million people, North Texas, is one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S. We are currently the nation’s 4th largest region, and we are quickly making our way to the top three as we have 15 cities with a population of more than 100,000. We are proud to have a diverse, strong economy with a positive future trajectory.
A region as unique as ours needs a special kind of organization to serve it. That is why the North Texas Commission exists.
We advocate on behalf of our region for issues that have no city or county boundaries. Our state and federal legislative agendas cover infrastructure development, business and municipal-friendly legislation, economic development, education/workforce readiness, and health and well-being.
We provide extensive professional training and diversity programming for established and rising leaders. We inform decision makers around the world about the benefits of doing business in North Texas. We are quickly becoming the region’s go-to policy think tank to prepare our area for future growth.
Convening is deep in our roots. From NTC's beginning in 1971 to help establish DFW Airport, worked to develop the NTTA, spearhead the bid for Super Bowl XLV, and even today with the development of our legislative priorities and updating the regional plan by our 2050 Plan – it wouldn't be accomplished without the region’s business and civic leaders we bring to the table.
MEET THE TEAM
Chris Wallace
President and CEO
Chris Wallace was named President/CEO of the North Texas Commission in June of 2018. Under Wallace’s leadership, the NTC convenes the region’s most prominent public and private sector leaders to tackle the greatest challenges for our 13-county area including leading the region’s unified legislative advocacy voice at the state and federal levels. The NTC strives to ensure that state and federal policies promote strong local governments, support excellence in public schools, increase the skilled workforce pipeline, and safeguard a thriving business environment. Prior to joining the NTC, Wallace was President/COO of the Texas Association of Business, the state chamber of commerce based in Austin. In this role, he managed TAB’s statewide team responsible for legislative advocacy and strategy, operations, membership/marketing, as well as board and chamber relations. As a registered lobbyist, Chris has led advocacy initiatives in the areas of economic development and trade having founded the highly recognized and successful Keep Texas Open for Business Coalition, defeating discriminatory and unnecessary legislation in the 86th Texas Legislative Session. Wallace also led statewide campaigns reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank, the Texas-Mexico Trade Coalition (advocating for the passage of the USMCA), as well as the need for telemedicine in Texas. Wallace served 10 years as President/CEO of the Irving-Las Colinas Chamber, the first national Five-Star Accredited Chamber in Texas. He is a 1992 graduate of Texas Tech University-College of Media and Communication where he was named an outstanding alumnus. He was recently featured among the Dallas 500 most powerful business leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth by D CEO Magazine.
469.359.5336
Patrick Brophey
Chief Operating Officer
469.359.5333
As Chief Operating Officer, Patrick oversees the day-to-day management of the NTC office and team and as a NTC board liaison. As a registered lobbyist, he leads the Commission's advocacy team and manages the North Texas Regional Chamber Coalition.
Patrick graduated from Texas Christian University, where he studied Communication and Political Science. Patrick has experience in local, state, and federal government and politics, having worked in legislative offices and on local and congressional campaigns in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Patrick lives in Fort Worth with his wife, Caitlin, and their daughter.
Dawn Miller
Chief Administrative Officer
469.359.5335
Dawn Miller is the Chief Administrative Officer, responsible for the efforts, results, and success of the Commission. In this role, she provides financial advice and support to help senior management make key decisions, as well as coordinate office administration and procedures, to ensure organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and safety.
Dawn and her husband, Doug, live in Sanibel FL. and have three grown children. A cornerstone member of the NTC staff, Dawn has been with the organization for over 35 years.
Andrea Coker
Vice President, Strategic Communication & Federal Advocacy
Andrea will oversees the NTC’s communications, marketing, issue-based campaigns, federal policy development, and management of relationships with North Texas Federal Delegation offices.
From the UK Parliament to Congress, Andrea Coker has a rich background in a variety of roles, most recently leading communications at Visit Dallas to serving as a Communications Director for a U.S. Congress member. She has also worked to pass billions in school and city bonds in DFW, served a lead on many municipal elections as well as managed the PR for the Dallas Police Association. Andrea and her husband Michael live in Dallas with their three children, Margaret, Odette, and George and French bulldog puppy, Fred.
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Christopher Lee
Director, State Advocacy
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Christopher Lee joined the Commission in January of 2022. As Director of State Relations, he leads NTC's legislative tracking and relationships. Christopher works closely on advocacy issues as part of the Commission's Legislative Team and manages the Higher Education Committee.
Christopher graduated from the University of North Texas where he served as Student Regent in 2017. Previously he worked with the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, JUUL Labs and the Texas Legislature. He brings more than seven years of experience in local, state, and federal policy and politics to the NTC team.
Christopher lives in Farmers Branch with his wife Karen, daughter Rebecca, and their German Shepherd, Maverick.
Caitlyn Sartin
As Project Manager for the North Texas Commission, Caitlyn is responsible for managing day-to-day tasks around the office, sponsorship solicitation, on site event set up, etc. In addition, she provides support to the executive staff, supports event staff, and is the head staff liaison for the Leadership North Texas program.
Caitlyn holds a B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies from Texas Tech University. She currently resides in Aubrey with her husband Dillon, and two dogs, Duke and Tessa.
José Carreon
Stakeholder Relations Manager
469.359.5324
As Stakeholder Relation's Manager, José oversees new member engagement efforts, stakeholder programs, and assists in managing NTC's Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Councils. Additionally, he supports the Legislative Team by maintaining relations with our State and Federal delegation offices.
Prior to joining the NTC team, José served as Assistant Director of Marketing Campaigns at Dallas College. He has over 8 years of experience working in the Dallas political, non-profit, and higher education sectors.
José is an alum of Dallas College and the University of Texas at Austin. He currently resides in the Bishop Arts neighborhood in Dallas.
DianaLee Enriquez
Communications & Engagement Manager
As Communications and Engagement Manager for the North Texas Commission, DianaLee manages web assets, social media channels, and email marketing campaigns and assists with marketing/communications plan. She also leads event sponsorship management and event and program planning.
Before NTC, she began her career during her undergraduate studies at Sam Houston State University, working on campaigns, nonprofits and grassroots efforts. She went on to join Governor Abbott’s team in the Rio Grande Valley, where she significantly increased Hispanic voter outreach in South Texas. After a victorious win in 2022, DianaLee went on to join Chairman Todd Hunter’s team for the 88th Texas Legislative Session. Her successful tenure there led her to the private sector, where she managed various projects across Texas.
469.444.8733
Linda Valdez Thompson
Director, Leadership Development & Diversity Programs,
Valdez Thompson Consulting, LLC.
Linda Valdez Thompson serves as the Director of Leadership North Texas. In this role, she manages all aspects of the Commission's leadership development programming.
Linda brings many years of regional leadership to the Commission. Previously, she served as the Executive Vice President of Administration, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at DFW Airport. During her time at the airport, she was one of the highest-ranking Latinas in the airport industry.
Linda has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Midwestern State University and a Masters's in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.
Dan Johnson
Local Government Policy and Program Advisor
Dan Johnson has joined the NTC Team as a Local Government Policy & Program Advisor. He is essential to the new initiatives for strategic planning of the 2050 plan for the North Texas Commission. Before serving as the LGPP Advisor, he served as a member of the executive committee.
Dan Johnson is a native Texan, born and raised in Dallas, Dan has devoted 45 years of experience as a public administrator ranging from working in the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the City of Carrollton, the City of Sherman, and the City of Richardson. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Austin College, and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of North Texas. He was the 2022 Citizen of the Year for the Richardson Chamber of Commerce and continues to serve the North Texas region on multiple board positions and as an adjunct professor at UNT and the University of Texas at Dallas. He recently retired as City Manager of Richardson, TX
.Dan and his wife Tina, live in Richardson where he continues to be an active public administration consultant advisor and instructor. In their spare time, Dan and Tina homeschool their miniature schnauzer, Luna.
Marc Rodriguez
State Lobbyist
The Offices of Marc A. Rodriguez
Marc Rodriguez currently serves as one of the Commission's State Lobbyist.
In his work as a government relations consultant, he uses personal experience as an entrepreneur to identify with and understand his clients' industry challenges. Mr. Rodriguez has worked on state legislative issues for the last 13 consecutive Texas state legislative sessions and has a professional history of representing entities with elected and appointed boards.
Jennifer Rodriguez
State Lobbyist
Attorney-At-Law
Jennifer Rodriguez currently serves as one of the Commission's State Lobbyist.
Jennifer represents clients and governmental entities before the Texas Legislature and regulatory agencies. She primarily focuses on her practice on local government, occupational regulation, economic development, defense contracting and technology.
Jennifer has worked in state government and politics since 1995.
Jim Keffer
Senior Policy Advisor
For 20 years, Jim Keffer served in the Texas House of Representatives. During his time, he served as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, as well as the Economic Development, and Energy Resources Committees.
Jim currently resides in Eastland, where he is President of EBAA Iron Sales. He is a former Eastland County GOP Chair and graduate of Texas Tech University.
He currently serves as a senior policy advisor for the North Texas Commission. In this role, he helps the Legislative Team with policy issues.
Charles Luke
Policy Advisor, Education/Workforce Development, TEC Consultants
Dr. Charles Luke has over 35 years in business development, non-profit, and education-related work. A former Texas public school superintendents, Dr. Luke is a strong advocate for education throughout the State of Texas. He works closely with the Commission's Legislative Team to advocate for educational issues affecting North Texas.
Dr. Luke serves as the Director of the Coalition for Education Funding, is a co-director of Pastors for Texas Children, coordinator for the Coalition for Public Schools. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Veterans Coalition of Tarrant County.
Chris Lamond
Federal Lobbyist, Thorn Run Partners
Chris Lamond brings significant experience in developing, implementing, and managing federal government relation strategies to the Commission.
Mr. Lamond founded Thorn Run Partners in 2010 after seven years with Ogilvy Government Relations. He has built a career representing clients before federal, state, and local governments and brings more than 20 years of experience working for and with governmental entities.
Sophia Johnson
Founder & CEO
Alpha Business Images, LLC
Kayleigh Maddie is an Account Executive with Alpha Business Images and serves on the NTC's communications team, assisting with media relations, communications, and member engagement.
Kayleigh formerly served as the Communications Manager at Southwest International Trucks. She holds a B.A. in Marketing from the University of North Texas. She resides in Dallas with her boyfriend John and their West Highland Terrier, Charlie.
Daphne Kent
Daphne has served as the President and CEO for North Central Texas InterLink since September 2023. In this role, she is focused on bridging the gap between education, business, and government.
Prior to joining InterLink in 2023, Daphne served as an educator for 17 years, with 14 years of experience in K-12 and 5 years of experience at the post-secondary level. Her education experience includes teaching at both the secondary and post-secondary levels as well as K-12 administrative experience, including serving as the Executive Director for Fort Worth ISD from 2019-2023.
Currently, Daphne serves on multiple education advisory boards across the North Central Texas region. She has also served as a Texas HOSA Board Member and member of the National Human Genome Research Institutes Genomic Literacy Education and Engagement Initiative.
President and CEO, North Central Texas Interlink
817.932.5990
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Lori McMahon
CHAIR
Director, Government Affairs Toyota Motor North America
Michael Peterson
VICE CHAIR
Vice President, External Affairs
AT&T
Opal Mauldin-Jones
SECOND VICE CHAIR
City Manager
City of Lancaster
Steve Hulsey
TREASURER
President
Corgan
Kevin Ward
SECRETARY
General Manager
Trinity River Authority
Andrew Johnsen
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
Partner & CEO
Columbia Group, LLC
Chris E. Wallace
PRESIDENT & CEO
North Texas Commission
Cathy Altman
NTC Outside General Counsel
Carrington Coleman
Hon. Carolyn King Arnold
Councilwoman
City of Dallas
Liz Beauchamp
VP, Governmental & Public Affairs
Atmos Energy
Billy Glunz
Director, Governmental Affairs
American Airlines
Hon. Karen Hunt
Owner
KSH Advisory
Dr. James Hurley
President
Tarelton State University
Mike Land
City Manager
City of Coppell
Ashley McConkey
Director, Government Relations
Texas Instruments
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Winjie Miao
Senior VP, Chief Operating Officer
Texas Health Resources
Erica Mulder
Senior Governmental Relations Manager
DFW International Airport
Rosa Navejar
President
The Rios Group
Darby Nielsen
CEO & President
Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce
Scott Orr
VP Government Relations, Head of Southern Regional Public Affairs
Fidelity Investments
Hon.
Mattie Parker
Mayor
City of Fort Worth
Robert F. Pence
Chairman of the Board
Freese and Nichols, Inc.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Shashea Adams-Guess
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Marianne Auld
Kelly Hart
Todd Baxter
Charter Communications
Robert “Bobby” Bisor
First Western Captial
Dr. Susan Bohn
Aledo Independent School District
Liz Brailsford*
DFW World Affairs Council
Randall Bryant*
Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce
Amy Carenza
ActivePure
Hon. Jeff Cheney
City of Frisco
Paul Cristina
Denton County Transportation Authority
Craig Davis*
VisitDallas
Dr. Stephanie Elizalde
Dallas Independent School District
Myrna Estrada
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Henry Florsheim
Cedar Hill EDC
Hon. Darren Gardner
Town of Addison
John Gonzales*
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Tyler Hargrave
Speak4
Erin Henry
Concorde Career College
Judge Todd Hill*
Ellis County
Robert Hinkle
NTE Mobility Partners
Taylor Holgate
Match Group
Chris Huckabee
Huckabee, Inc.
Bill Jackson
Texas Mutual
Hon. Clay Jenkins
Dallas County
Sophia Johnson
Alpha Business Images
Hon. Jeff Jordan
City of Kaufman
David Kelly
North Texas Municipal Water District
Anette Landeros*
Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Justin Lonon
Dallas College
Martin Lujan
University of Texas at Arlington
Kelle Marsalis
Plano Chamber of Commerce
Rob Matwick
Texas Rangers Baseball Club
Mark McDaniels
City of Fort Worth
Dr. Emily Messer
Texas Wesleyan University
Matt Moore
Children’s Health System of Texas
Brian O’Neill
Westwood Professional Services
Cheryl Orr*
Leadership Chair, Insight HR Partners, LLC
Seth Paxton
Paycom
Steven Poole
United Educators Association
Dylan Rafaty*
North Texas Disability Chamber
Justin Reeves
Lockwood Andrews & Newnam, Inc.
Hon. Jim Ross
City of Arlington
Urmil Shah*
Asian Chamber of Texas
Dr. Michelle Smith
Raise Your Hand Texas
Tom Sri
Raytheon Technologies
Hon. Rick Stopfer
City of Irving
Ariel Traub
City of Garland
Dr. Michael Waldrip
Frisco Independent School District
Hon. Duncan Webb*
Collin County Commissioner
Matt Williams
Mckesson
Hernan Albamonte
Philip Morris International
Hon. Steve Babick
City of Carrollton
Ryan Beck
Verizon
Hon. Gyna Bivens*
North Texas Leaders & Executives Advocating Diversity
Beth Bowman
Irving Las-Colinas Chamber of Commerce
Jose Luis Briones
Airbnb
Stephen Butt
Central Market/H-E-B
Erin Carter
Denton Chamber
Linda Christie
Tarrant Regional Water District
Kelbi Culwell
The Boeing Company
Hon. Andy Eads
Denton County
Charles Elk
Oncor Electric Delivery
Isaac Faz
Starbucks
Lisa Flowers
Parker County Chamber of Commerce
Maura Gast*
Visit Irving
Michelle Green-Ford
Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber
Sloan Harris
VLK Architects
Lisa Urban Hermes
McKinney Chamber of Commerce
Hon. James Hill
Tarrant Regional Water District
James Hofmann
North Texas Tollway Authority
Willie Hornberger
Jackson Walker, LLP
Hon. Gerard Hudspeth
City of Denton
Michael Jacobson
Arlington Chamber of Commerce
Amy Johnson
Retina Foundation
Matthew Johnston
Bank of America
Cliff Keheley
City of Mesquite
Daphne Kent*
InterLink
Dr. Elva LeBlanc
Tarrant County College
Bridget Moreno Lopez
Linebarger
Don Magner
City of Richardson
Hon. Stephen Mason*
Best Southwest
Sharon Mayer
Rowlett Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center
Grace McDermott*
U.S. Pan-Asian American Chamber of Commerce-Southwest
Jason Meyer
Cooksey Communications
Matt Mueller
Town of Little Elm
Rachel Ormsby
FORVIS
Rick Ortiz*
Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
James Perry
ASTERRA
Hon. Ramesh Premkumar*
City of Coppell
Dr. Angelica Ramsey
Fort Worth Independent School District
Hon. David Reid
City of Farmers Branch
Dr. Mark Rudin
Texas University A&M Commerce
Susan Skaggs
Dallas Cowboys Football Club
Joe Smolinski
City of Mansfield
Hon. Nick Stanley
City of Aledo
Elaine Suleski
ACME Brick Company
Danny Trimmer
Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages
Kelvin Walker*
Dallas Citizens Council
Hon. Royce West
West & Associates, L.L.P.
Claire York
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
Richard Andreski
Trinity Metro
Brittney Baldovinos
Texas State Technical College
Hon. David Billings
City of Fate
Kadee Blair
CORE Construction
Hon. Richard Boyer
City of The Colony
Hon. Baine Brooks
City of Allen
Kervin Campbell
Dunaway Company
Ollie Chandhok
Dallas Business Journal
Dr. Libby Cohen
Raise Your Hand Texas
Brian Danhof
Peterbilt
Mike Eastland*
North Central Texas Council of Governments
Matrice Ellis-Kirk
Ellis Kirk Group
Lori Fickling
Lewisville Chamber of Commerce
Mary Frazior
HEB Chamber of Commerce
Anne Glasscock
Kaufman Chamber of Commerce
Paul Grimes
City of McKinney
Tom Harris
Hillwood Properties
RaDonna Hessel
Grapevine Chamber of Commerce
Hon. Chris Hill*
Collin County
Kristina Holcomb
AECOM
Christal Howard
Frisco Chamber of Commerce
Bob Hunt
Molson Coors beverage company
Robert Jameson*
Visit Fort Worth
Hon. Eric Johnson
City of Dallas
Caroline Joiner
Amazon
Mary Anne Kellam*
Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Jeremiah Kuntz
Aurora
Nadine Lee
Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Steve Love*
Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council
Ken Malcomson
North Dallas Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Neil Matkin
Collin College
Anthony Mbroh
Mbroh Engineering, Inc.
Linda McMahon*
Dallas EDC
Steve Montgomery
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
Hon. John Muns
City of Plano
Josie Orosco*
United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce
Larry Patterson
Upper Trinity Regional Water District
Dale Petrosky
Dallas Regional Chamber
Chris Price
HNTB
Becky Redman
Lockheed Martin
Dr. Angel Rivera
Mesquite Independent School District
Dana Schenck
Bell
Dr. Neal Smatresk
University of North Texas
Tony Sosebee
Huitt Zollars
Dr. Gayle Stinson
Birdville Independent School District
Stephen Tolerico
Sewell Automotive Companies
Hon. Bob Troyer
City of Lewisville
Lori Walker
Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce
Kathy Wilkins
Alliance Operating Services
Richard Zientek
Union Pacific Railroad
* Indicates Ex-Officio Position
Directors, Past Board Chairs
Lori McMahon
Toyota Motor North America
2023-2024
Eric Fox* (Retired)
Lockheed Martin
2020-2021
Chuck Allen (Retired)
American Airlines
2017-2018
Gray Mayes (Retired)
Texas Instruments
2014-2015
Holly Reed
Ryan, LLC.
2011-2012
Kenneth Barr
Barr Consulting Group
2007-2009
David O. Russell (Retired)
Verizon
2004-2005
Erma Johnson Hadley
2001-2002
C.H. Moore (Retired)
KPMG
1998-1999
Robert B. Lane
1992-1992
E. L. “Buddy” Langly
1987-1989
Joseph R. Musolino
1982-1983
Ray L. Hunt
Hunt Oil Company
1979-1980
Lewis H. Bond
1975-1976
Andrew Johnsen*
Columbia Group, LLC
2022-2023
Dr. Joe May* (Retired)
Dallas College
2019-2020
Stephen Tolerico
Sewell Automotive Companies
2016-2017
David Tesmer
Texas Health Resources
2013-2014
Robert F. Pence
Freese and Nichols, Inc.
2010-2011
Dan Farell (Retired)
TXU Corp.
2006-2007
John Carpenter (Retired)
American Airlines
2003-2004
Gale Duff-Bloom (Retired)
JC Penney Company
2000-2001
Alfred Hurley
1995-1997
Jack W. Evans
1991-1992
Leland A. Hodges
1985-1986
Joseph Grant
Texas Capital Bank
1981-1982
J. C. Pace, Jr.
1977-1978
C. A. Tatum, Jr.
1971-1974
Karen Hunt* (Retired)
Frost Bank
2021-2022
Scott Orr
Fidelity Investments
2018-2019