Jackson-Shaw
Michele Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer
Real estate development company Jackson-Shaw has promoted Michele Wheeler from president and COO to CEO. Wheeler joined the company in 2005 and has held previous roles in finance, development, and management at Jackson-Shaw. She has also taken an active role in industry leadership, serving in the past as president of the National Association of Industrial and Office Professionals and chair of North-Texas based The Real Estate Council—the first woman to ever hold the title. This year marks Jackson-Shaw’s 50th year in business.
Education: Stephen F. Austin University (BBA)
Salad and Go
Charlie Morrison, Chief Executive Officer
Charlie Morrison was formerly the chairman and CEO of Addison-based Wingstop, which he led from a regional chain into a global brand with more than 1,800 locations. Morrison has also held leadership roles at Pizza Hut, Kinko’s, Steak and Ale Restaurants, Boston Market, and Pie Five Pizza Company. He announced his new C-Suite role at Arizona-based Salad and Go earlier this year and now is officially on board. With Morrison at the helm, Salad and Go is projected to grow from 60 locations to nearly 90 by the end of this year and double that by the end of 2023— with much of the growth taking targeted for North Texas. The brand also recently opened an Addison office.
Education: Kansas State University (B.A.)
Molecular Testing Labs
Eric Strafel, Chief Executive Officer
Washington-based health sciences company Molecular Testing Labs will soon be led by Eric Strafel, who will run the company from its North Texas office. Strafel previously served as president and CEO of Boeing subsidiary Aviall, creating the framework for the company, guiding it through three consecutive years of 20 percent growth, and increasing annual revenue to more than $5 billion during his tenure. Strafel is also the founder of SUMMi7, a consultancy focused on helping businesses with inclusion and sustainability built into their DNA to grow.
Education: Carnegie Mellon University (MSIA), Binghamton University (B.S.)
Education Opens Doors
Roscoe Compton-Kelly, Chief Executive Officer
Roscoe Compton-Kelly succeeds Jayda Batchelder, founder and former CEO of Education Opens Doors, a nonprofit that focuses on college and career preparedness during middle school. Compton-Kelly previously served as senior director of external affairs and led the advancement, partnerships, and advocacy teams. Before joining Education Opens Doors, he spent 20 years with Scholastic, where he held leadership roles within the book fairs division of the company. In his new role, he will lead cultivation, relationship management, and strategy around partners and donors.
Education: Texas Christian University
CASPR Technologies
Matt Horine, Chief Operating Officer
Before joining CASPR Technologies, Matt Horine was vice president of engagement for IntelliCentrics, where he was responsible for the delivery-side engagement strategy for thousands of medical facilities and hospitals. He also held several positions at Veryable and served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army. In his new role, Horine will lead the day-to-day operations of the environmental health technology company.
Education: Pepperdine University (MBA), The University of Texas at Austin (B.A.)
United Way of Tarrant County
Gary Doubrava Jr., Chief Financial Officer
In his new role with United Way of Tarrant County, Gary Doubrava Jr. will be responsible for all financial matters, information technology, and facilities management. He will also work with the president and CEO and partner with senior leadership and the board of directors to develop and implement financial strategies across the organization. Doubrava previously served as CFO for the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and prior to that, as controller for the Georgia Aquarium.
Education: Shawnee State University (B.S.)
StreetLights Residential
Robert de Bruin, President
In his new role, Robert de Bruin will be responsible for the company’s organizational health. He was promoted from his previous role as president of design-build, in which he spearheaded the initiative to combine the design, finance, construction, and operations teams. Before joining developer StreetLights Residential, he was vice president at Gables Residential. StreetLights has numerous urban infill projects throughout the country with more than 16,000 multifamily units completed, in progress or in design in 20 cities across six states.
Education: Northeastern University (B.S.)
Vincent Hunter, President of Design
Vincent Hunter joined StreetLights Residential in 2021 and has been promoted from his previous role as senior vice president of design. In his new role, he will lead all aspects of architectural design and planning. Before joining StreetLights Residential, he was a principal at WDG Architecture. The StreetLights team focuses on custom luxury communities, aiming to rival the experience, lifestyle and amenities of living in an urban boutique hotel.
Education: Syracuse University (BArch)
Andrew Kastanos, Senior Vice President of Finance
In his new role, Andrew Kastanos will be responsible for all debt and equity capital markets and capital relationship management. He began his career with StreetLights Residential as a senior financial analyst and was one of the first employees at the company after its founding in 2011. Prior to that, he was planning and finance associate at Greystone Communities. During his time at StreetLights, he has been involved in financing more than 40 multifamily projects with a total capitalization of over $2.5 billion.
Education: Southern Methodist University (B.S.)
Holland & Knight
Chauncey Lane, Partner
Chauncey Lane was previously a partner with Reed Smith’s Dallas office for two years. Lane advises clients on transactions including stock and asset acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, going private transactions, add-on acquisitions, carve-outs, platform acquisitions, and recapitalizations. He also advises on cross-border transactions in Europe and South Asia, as well as other international jurisdictions.
Education: Georgetown University (LLM), Texas Tech University (J.D., MBA), Park University (B.S.)
Trademark Property
Phillip Sable, Executive Vice President of Finance and Operations
Mixed-use investor, developer, and operator Trademark Property will task Phillip Sable with developing and executing its financial strategy, leading and strengthening business operations, and optimizing systems and infrastructure according. Sable will also oversee several departments, including accounting, leasing, IT, marketing, and human resources in his new role. He previously served as vice president of finance for Martin Sprocket & Gear, where he oversaw global accounting teams and corporate FP&A and led change initiatives.
Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (MBA), The University of Texas at Austin (BBA)
The Real Estate Council
Jennifer Schmiel, Senior Director
In her new role, Jennifer Schmiel will help lead The Real Estate Council membership organization, overseeing public policy, member programming and initiatives, and leadership development. She previously served as senior vice president of membership engagement for the Dallas Regional Chamber, where she grew and retained revenue totaling more than $55 million over 11 years through campaign fundraising and membership sales. The Real Estate Council represents more than 2,000 commercial real estate professionals and 550 companies.
Education: University of Houston (MPA), Texas A&M University (B.S.)
The Statler
Jillian Lehmann, Director of Sales
Jillian Lehmann most recently served as regional director of sales and marketing for Crescent Hotels, where she has worked since 2020. She began as director of sales and marketing and was on the opening executive team for the AC Hotel Fort Worth, where she assisted in achieving a 100 percent revenue per available room index 12 months faster than a typical opening of a property for the brand. That work led to her promotion as regional director of sales and marketing, where she oversaw the sales efforts and strategy of four hotels in the DFW area. She now brings her expertise to The Statler downtown.
Education: Belhaven University (MBA), The University of Mississippi (B.A.)
TITAS/Dance Unbound
Jessica Malek, Director of Development and Education
Jessica Malek is returning to TITAS/Dance Unbound after working at several Dallas-based nonprofits, most recently serving as the associate director for UNT Dallas’ Principal Impact Collaborative. She was TITAS’ production and outreach manager nearly 20 years ago. In her new role, Malek will lead the company’s community education programs and maintain and grow philanthropic support. TITAS/Dance Unbound is a presenter of internationally touring dance companies and performance artists: The company has presented more than 615 performances with artists from more than 42 countries.
Education: Texas A&M University (B.A.)
Adolfson & Peterson Construction
Melisa Baune, Director of Business Development for North Texas
In her new role at the AP Dallas office, Melisa Baune will develop and execute a strategy to identify new businesses, markets, and clients throughout DFW. Adolfson & Peterson Construction is a national, family-owned construction management and contracting company. Baune previously served as relationship development manager for Cole & Associates and has worked on multiple business development teams throughout her career.
Education: The University of Texas at Arlington (B.A.), Normandale Community College (A.A.)
Bruce Wood Dance
Elizabeth Van Vleck, Associate Executive Director
In her new role with Bruce Wood Dance, a contemporary dance company in Dallas, Elizabeth Van Vleck will strengthen connections and partnerships across the country, oversee the company’s national touring program, and expand community impact initiatives, including workshops, masterclasses, and educational engagement programs. Van Vleck has experience in dance as a performer, choreographer, teaching artist, administrator, répétiteur, and fundraiser. She has worked with many dance companies and institutions, including Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, TITAS/Dance Unbound, New York City Ballet, Shapiro & Smith Dance, National Dance Institute, Diavolo, CalArts, and BodyTraffic.
Education: Southern Utah University (MFA), The City University of New York (B.S.)
McGuire, Craddock & Strother
Austin Whitmore, Attorney
Austin Whitmore focuses his practice on a broad array of commercial real estate transactions nationwide. He previously served as senior associate at Reed Smith. He routinely advises clients across the commercial real estate industry, including REITs, private equity funds, developers, and other commercial real estate owners and investors.
Education: The University of Texas at Austin (J.D.), Baylor University (BBA)
BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Texas Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors
Arun Agarwal, Member
Arun Agarwal, CEO of North Texas-based home goods company Nextt, will help with the mission to market Texas as the best state for business in his new role as a member of the Texas Economic Development Corp. board of directors. Agarwal is also chair of the India American CEO Council and president of the Dallas Parks & Recreation Board. During the pandemic, the expanded his multimillion-dollar textile business from sheets to in-demand protective gear, including N-95 face masks, face shields, gowns, gloves and hand sanitizer. Nextt Shield, the company’s healthcare supplies division, was the first company to import large quantities of PPE from India to serve consumers and commercial customers.
Education: Southern New Hampshire University (M.S.), Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad (MBA), Maharajas College (B.S.)
Authors
Suzanne Crow
