Earlier this year, we asked local business leaders if they could give any gift to someone, what they would give and why. From happiness brought by shared experience to a longing to ease the pain of others, the generosity, humor, passion, empathy, and love shared by those in the North Texas business community came through in their responses. Here are some of our favorites.
“If you could give your favorite person a gift this year, what would it be and why?”
Kenneth Novice, president, Dallas Summer Musicals: “I would give my wife and 10-year-old daughter a trip to Cambodia. My wife and I visited there before we got married, so she could show me where she was born and teach me about her journey in the 1970s. It would be a joy to join my wife and share the beautiful parts of Cambodia with my daughter and help her understand where her ancestors came from and their culture.”
Christian Corts, North Texas regional president, Truist: “We just moved into a new house and have been renovating a few things. Due to a few supply chain interruptions, we have lived in the home for 45 days without a kitchen. If I could give my favorite people any gift this year, I would prepare a big home-cooked meal for my family.”
Sharon Anderson Wright, president and CEO, Half Price Books: “A better world without hate, a pandemic and global warming would be nice.”
Nick Lee Clark, founder and CEO, Common Desk: “A Tushy! I’ll let you Google it; just know it changed my life.”
Jeff Staubach, founding partner, Staubach Capital: “My wife really wants all new appliances, so I’ll probably be remodeling a kitchen soon.”
Steven Upchurch, co-managing director, Gensler: “A modern, mixed-media, abstract painting. I am an artist and I enjoy painting on at a large scale. My paintings can take months to complete, and my closest friends know how much passion and effort I pour into my work.”
James Springfield, president, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas: “I would give my wife, Teri, a Labrador Retriever. We are huge dog lovers! The problem is, we already have three dogs. So, we’ll have to wait a bit before adding to the family.”
Christian Rodriguez, president and COO, Charles Schwab Premier Bank: “Outside of my wife and son, my favorite person is my high school football coach, who adopted me and took me in to live in his home my sophomore year of high school. My gift to him would be a luxurious RV that he could use to travel the country with his family to see historical sites, catch any football game he wanted, and get back some of the time he spent doing 90-hour work weeks while he was coaching. I would not be where I am today as a person, husband, and father without the guidance and tough love he gave me. He took a chance on me, and I am forever grateful for that.”
Theresa Motter, CEO, Van’s Kitchen: “If I could give any gift to my favorite person, I would give the gift of being pain free for a day to my father. He has been in chronic pain for the last 20 years, and I would give anything for him to feel great—even if it’s just for one day.”
Dan G. Baucum, attorney and shareholder, Ferguson Braswell Fraser Kubasta: “I would give my wife a year-long circumnavigation of the globe.”
Sarah Shadonix, founder and CEO, Scout and Cellar: “We are a soccer-obsessed family, so I’d love to give the gift of taking my husband and kids to the World Cup in November 2022.”
Edgar Guevara, CEO, M Crowd Restaurant Group: “I would give my wife a trip to all the tennis majors—Wimbledon, Australian, French, and the U.S. Open. I don’t think there’s anyone who loves tennis more than she does. I’d have our two daughters travel with her.”
Sheri Crosby Wheeler, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, Fossil Group: “I would purchase my mom a house because she has never owned her own home. There are folks who take the ability to own a home—and sometimes multiple homes—for granted, and she has never had one. I still may be able to do it for her one day, but if I could do it this year, I would!”
Nadine Lee, CEO, DART: “I would love to give my husband his dream sportscar. But at 6’ 5”, he really wouldn’t fit inside, so it would just really be a gift for me.”
Jonathan Kirkland, marketing and brand chief, BLK: “If I could, I would gift my mother peace of mind. She suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, and I’ve watched her health quickly decline. Although she is physically in top shape, her mental health is suffering. The pain of watching a loved one go through this is unimaginable. If it were possible, I’d love to give her the ability to find the words she’s looking for, remember our past experiences, locate those lost items, and be at peace.”
Jim Stevens, president, Golden Chick: “My wife Susan and I love to race, and we love to travel. I would buy her a ticket for the World Marathon Challenge,which is seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. She would call me crazy, and then get very motivated!”
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