Regional Leadership Awards
Each year, the North Texas Commission recognizes leaders and organizations that have had a positive impact on North Texas. From now until July 28, we invite you to nominate an organization or individual for our 2023 Regional Leadership Awards. Nominees can fall under one of the nine categories below. The recipients of each award will be recognized at the Commission’s Annual Members’ Luncheon on September 2023.
2022 Award Recipients
Dan Petty Regional Visionary Award
Victor Vandergriff
Victor Vandergriff has demonstrated a history of pioneering solutions across a wide spectrum of sectors and needs. Throughout his time as Chair of the North Texas Tollway Authority to his time with the Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition, he has long set the bar as a true leader for solving complex challenges.
Organization Leadership Award
DFW International Airport
DFW Airport serves as a major economic generator for the North Texas region. The organization supports over 200,000 full-time jobs, promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion through programs like their Capacity Building Program Series, and works to enhance infrastructure development through various sustainable design projects such as the Terminal D expansion, which incorporated sustainable approaches and products to reduce energy usage.
Civic Leadership Award
Dr. Susan Bohn, Aledo ISD
In addition to serving as Superintendent of Aledo ISD, Dr. Bohn is an engaged and active member of her North Texas community. By forging meaningful relationships with leaders in the region, she has created strategies to help boost economic development and collaboration.
Diversity Leadership Award
Wendy Lopez, AECOM
As one of the most significant female leaders within AECOM, Wendy Lopez has had the power to influence positive change across the region. As a gay female in a male-dominated industry, Wendy has worked with her peers and colleagues to help grow AECOM’s diversity, equity, and inclusion focus. As a top female executive in North Texas, Wendy has been able to encourage members of the LGBTQ community and young engineers to be themselves.
Education Leadership Award
Dr. James Hurley, Tarleton State University
Since becoming president of Tarleton State University in 2019, Dr. Hurley has shown his commitment to education. Through the creation of partnerships with regional school districts and two-year colleges, he has deepened the university’s commitment to educational attainment and affordability for all North Texas students.
Elected Official Leadership Award
Councilmember Adam McGough, City of Dallas
Throughout time as a Dallas City Councilmember, Adam McGough has made significant contributions to the North Texas region. McGough has served on the City of Dallas’s Public Safety committee, Regional Transportation Council, and TEX-21. During his time as an elected official, Councilmember McGough has championed the voice of the underrepresented and has been known to bridge gaps, provide solutions, and mitigate disagreement and dissension inside of his council.
Philanthropy Award
Anthony Mbroh, Mbroh Engineering
Anthony Mbroh, PE, is an advocate and a leader who has devoted his time to supporting various North Texas non-profit organizations over the past 25 years. Tony’s philanthropic endeavors include mentoring disadvantaged students, donating his time to help small businesses grow, and supporting the ongoing education at the University of Dallas.
Social Impact Award
University Crossroads, The University of Texas at Arlington
For more than three decades, University Crossroads has been helping students navigate the road to higher education by providing services that focus on college awareness, readiness, and access; career exploration; and financial literacy. Through the help of community partners, the organization is able to offer these services free of charge to more than 40,000 students annually across North Texas.
Rising Star Award
Kyle Riley, HNTB
Kyle Riley has not only become a leader in the HNTB organization but as a rising leader in the Dallas-Fort Worth community. Kyle currently leads the HNTB Fort Worth office, has been appointed to the Downtown FTW Inc. board, is an Leadership North Texas Alumnus, and participates in several local chambers. As he continues to rise in his career, Kyle will continue to make a positive impact in the region.