Weitzman
Stephen Schmidt, Chief Investment Officer
In his new role, Stephen Schmidt will focus on investment opportunities, the capital markets, and financing relationships statewide. Schmidt was previously managing director for Dallas-based Cypress Equities, a nationwide firm. While at Cypress, Schmidt led its platform in the development or acquisition of more than 50 real estate investments representing $2 billion of invested capital.
EDUCATION: Texas Christian University (BBA)
Newmark
Jeff Pappas, Senior Managing Director
In his new role, Jeff Pappas will represent corporate clients on a national and international scale, specializing in real estate strategies for corporate headquarters relocations, industrial users and contact centers. Pappas previously served as managing director for Mohr Partners and prior to that as executive vice president, brokerage for ESRP. He has completed lease transactions totaling over 10 million square feet—resulting in value-added savings of over $25 million for his clients—over the last four years.
EDUCATION: Hardin-Simmons University (BBS)
MindHandle
Amanda Driggers, President
Amanda Driggers joined Dallas-based employment branding agency MindHandle in 2021 as head of brand management. In her new role, she will continue to help connect the dots between people and projects and solve problems. Prior to joinging MindHandle, she was account director at Dallas-based design agency 900Lbs.
EDUCATION: University of North Texas (B.A.)
NexBank
Scott Studenko, Market President
As the new market president of NexBank, Scott Studenko will oversee business development for corporate and commercial banking in DFW, focusing on commercial real estate lending. Studenko most recently served as executive vice president and head of the Dallas branch for International Bank of Commerce.
EDUCATION: Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University (BBA)
The Adolphus
Danny Estevez, Area Managing Director
Most recently, Danny Estevez previously served as area managing director of five properties for HEI Hotels & Resorts in South Florida. During this time, he also served as the general manager for the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. In his new role, Estevez will act as a liaison between the hotel and the Dallas community and strategize on the next evolution and vision for the downtown Dallas hotel.
KAI Enterprises
H. John Vetter II, Principal of Electrical Engineering
H. John Vetter II joined KAI Enterprises in 2021 as the firm’s inaugural national electrical engineering subject matter expert. In his new role, he will work in collaboration with the firm’s other principal engineers to oversee day-to-day quality assurance practices. Prior to joining KAI, he worked in engineering and management for over 32 years at the DFW-based firms Smith Seckman Reid and Aguirre Roden.
EDUCATION: Missouri University of Science and Technology (B.S.)
MBroh Engineering
Sara DeMark, Chief Administrative Officer
In her new role, Sara DeMark will lead MBroh’s human resources from its Dallas headquarters. She was previously an executive assistant at Profit Payroll Systems in Fort Worth. MBroh has offices in Dallas, Oklahoma, and Houston and focuses on planning, engineering, design and construction management services for public and private clients for water, wastewater and industrial plants; port facilities; transit systems; airports; and commercial complexes.
Valor
Peter Milley, Director of Business Development
Prior to joining Fort Worth-based Valor Peter Milley was a partner at Potomac Royalty Partners, worked as a landman for Stronghold Resource Partners, and served as an energy credit analyst for Independent Bank Group. In his new role, he will focus on business development and client acquisitions.
EDUCATION: Texas Christian University (MBA), Georgetown University (B.S.)
Ben Larabee, Director of Business Development
Ben Larabee previously worked with Milley at Potomac and Stronghold Resource Partners, and also served as a landman for Cazadores Royalty Partners. He will also focus on business development and client acquisitions at Valor, alongside Milley.
EDUCATION: University of Mississippi (B.A.)
Weil, Gotshal, & Manges
H.T. Flanagan, Counsel
H.T. Flanagan has been promoted from the firm’s banking and finance sector to counsel, effective in the new year. Flanagan is one of the firm’s 36 lawyers ascending to counsel internationally, and the only recipient of a promotion in the Dallas office. He joined Weil, Gotshal & Manges as an associate in 2019.
EDUCATION: University of Pennsylvania (J.D.), Washington University in St. Louis (B.A.)
Authors
Kelsey Vanderschoot
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