The Arts Community Alliance
Maura Sheffler, Donna Wilhelm Family President and Executive Director
Maura Sheffler Sheffler had served as TACA’s interim leader since the departure of Terry Loftis on December 1, and now, the organization has made her post permanent. Previously as deputy director at TACA, Sheffler led grantmaking, programs, and marketing strategy. Since 2013, she has been integral to TACA’s transition from a grantmaker to a responsive, holistic arts service organization. She launched new grant programs, strengthened relationships with TACA’s multidisciplinary grantees, collaborated on community research initiatives, and built programs that are the foundation for TACA’s equity, diversity, and inclusion strategy.
EDUCATION: Southern Methodist University (MBA, B.A.)
Primoris Services Corp.
Colt Moedl, President, Utilities
As president of Primoris’ utilities business, Colt Moedl will oversee the segment’s strategic direction, encompassing operational excellence, quality performance, client relationships, and employee development. Moedl most recently served as president of Power Delivery, where he managed the development and capital deployment of startups for power delivery entities. Previously, he held leadership roles at Quanta Services and HDR, where he managed billion-dollar programmatic efforts, deployed and directed storm and wildfire responses, and implemented engineering, procurement, and construction project delivery.
EDUCATION: New York Institute of Technology (MBA), Montana State University (B.S.)
Mary Kay
James Whatley, Chief Information Officer
In his new role, James Whatley will lead Mary Kay’s digital innovation efforts, including revolutionizing Mary Kay independent beauty consultants’ capabilities through tools and technology. As one of the largest direct sellers in the world, Mary Kay processes millions of orders through its commerce sites. Whatley joined Mary Kay nearly 25 years ago and has played a key role in designing Mary Kay digital properties such as MaryKay.com, Mary Kay InTouch (a digital portal used by the independent sales force), online ordering, and the independent sales force’s personal business websites. Before joining Mary Kay, he worked at Software Spectrum and Electronic Data Systems in software development and consulting roles.
EDUCATION: University of New Orleans (B.S.)
The Beck Group
Matt Leyman, Regional Director
In his new role, Matt Leyman will oversee the Dallas office for architecture and construction firm The Beck Group. Leyman succeeds Jeff Forbes, who has served in that role since 2013 and will remain at Beck supporting its growth markets. Before his promotion, Leyman was the operations manager of Beck’s Fort Worth office. He has been instrumental in leading high-profile projects throughout the metroplex, most notably American Airlines Skyview 6 Hospitality Complex, Sundance Square, and The Shops at Clearfork. Leyman has been with Beck for almost two decades, starting as a senior project engineer and moving through the ranks. Before Beck, he served as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps.
EDUCATION: United States Naval Academy (B.S.)
Fears Law
Christopher Brown, Partner
In his new role, Christopher Brown will play a vital role in the development and training processes for Katten’s business law practice. Brown specializes in all aspects of business law. His expertise includes advising clients at the start-up phase, as well as in matters related to hiring, business operations, trademark and copyright protection, and protecting assets. He handles commercial, intellectual property, and estate planning cases, as well as technology contracts, licensing, and SaaS and PaaS agreements.
EDUCATION: Nova Southeastern University (J.D.)
Avocados From Mexico
Stephanie Bazan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Strategy and Execution
Stephanie Bazan joined produce marketing nonprofit Avocados From Mexico in 2014 as hispanic marketing director. She most recently served as vice president, shopper and trade marketing. Now, she will oversee a planned restructure for the brand aimed at sustained growth. To help implement AFM’s planned strategy, Bazan will work closely with the foodservice marketing team.Prior to joining AFM, Bazan worked for Mission Foods, where she worked for more than five years, culminating in a post as director of marketing for Guerrero and Hispanic brands.
EDUCATION: The University of Dallas (MBA), New York University (B.A.)
Stephanie Browder, Director, Sales and Marketing, Foodservice
In her new role, Stephanie Browder will be responsible for foodservice marketing. She joined AFM in 2014 as as shopper market manager. Prior to her most recent promotion, she served as associate director of digital marketing and e-commerce for two years. Prior to joining AFM, Browder worked as a brand manager at Mission Foods and an associate brand manager at Dr Pepper Snapple Group.
EDUCATION: The University of Texas at Dallas (MBA), Penn State University (B.A.)
Bank of Texas
Amanda Essaili, Vice President and Trust Officer
In her new role, Amanda Essaili provides sophisticated trust, estate, and fiduciary services to affluent individuals and families. Prior to joining Bank of Texas, she served as a transactional attorney, advising clients on extensive and complex legal needs as a senior associate at Kuiper Law Firm in Houston, where she worked for three years. She will be based out of Bank of Texas’ Sherry Lane office.
EDUCATION: The University of Oklahoma (J.D, BBA)
Gabriel Sherman, Vice President, Private Banker
As VP and private banker operating out of Bank of Texas’ North Dallas office, Gabriel Sherman Gabriel will focus on providing financial solutions to high-net worth individuals in North Dallas. He has been in the industry for more than 20 years, holding roles at financial institutions including JP Morgan, Wachovia, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, and Amegy Bank, as well as at mortgage companies including InterLinc Mortgage Services and Castle Hills Mortgage.
EDUCATION: The University of Texas at Dallas (B.A.)
The Center for American and International Law
Vickie Adams, Director of the Institute for Law and Technology and Co-Director of the Institute for Energy Law
Vickie Adams joined Plano-based Center for American and International Law as a part-time staff assistant working with criminal justice and grant programs in April 2014. In 2015, Adams began supporting the Institute for Energy Law, receiving promotions to associate director and deputy director. As deputy director, Adams helped lead the charge for an increase in IEL’s membership, helping to produce two new publications and revamp another existing one. She adeptly increased diversity among IEL’s leadership and faculty. This promotion also makes Adams the first female IEL director in the institute’s history. Her latest promotion follows the retirement of Wendy Castellana, former CAIL vice president and director of ILT.
EDUCATION: The University of Oklahoma (J.D.), University of Central Oklahoma (B.A.)
Golden Chick
Andrew Ross, Creative Director
Andrew Ross has more than 17 years of graphic design experience and seven years of creative design mentorship. He is Golden Chick’s first creative director in its over 50 years of operation. Ross will spearhead all creative efforts the brand is pursuing in terms of updated imagery and design. Ross joins Golden Chick after almost 17 years at Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, working his way up from his beginning roles as an associate designer and shift manager, to senior graphic designer.
EDUCATION: Southeastern Louisiana University (B.A.)
Shelby Shipley, Brand Manager
Shelby Shipley joins Golden Chick after spending 13 years at Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, where she started as a crew member in 2009. She eventually rose to the position of new restaurant opening marketing manager in 2022. As part of her new role, Shipley will also leading Golden Chick’s 2023 corporate sponsorship activities. Golden Chick has more than 210 locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Louisiana and soon Nevada.
EDUCATION: Texas Woman’s University
BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Downtown Dallas Inc.
Katy Murray, Chair of the Board of Directors
Katy Murray is president and Chief Financial Officer of downtown-based DallasNewsCorp. and will serve a two year term as Downtown Dallas Inc. chair. She previously served as DDI board treasurer since 2020 and has been on its board since 2016. Murray succeeds Mattia Flabiano III of Page, who served as chair for three years and remains on the board. Murray’s fellow DDI board officers are: Ted Hamilton of Hamilton Properties, vice chair; Larry Daniels of HRI Hospitality, secretary; and Amy Lewis-Hofland of Crow Asian Museum of Asian Art, treasurer.
EDUCATION: Louisiana State University (M.S., B.S.)
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