In 2023, D CEO was named the country’s business magazine for a third straight year. The other editors and I are exceptionally proud of this achievement and are determined to keep the streak going.
A key strategy is to stay laser-focused on our mission to connect the C-Suite in North Texas and tell readers about under-the-radar innovators who help make the region tick. We also strive to share insights and surprises from some of the most recognizable names in the market.
We don’t build people up or tear people down—we simply tell the truth. That strategy has helped us earn the trust of exceptionally accomplished and busy leaders who make time to share their insights with us.
Except for me, our editorial team is young, comprised of Gen-Z and millennial journalists. They’ve helped us connect with emerging leaders and industries. Their passion for storytelling is impressive—and infectious.
Another key asset is Design Director Hamilton Hedrick. He has a degree in journalism, which is an advantage when collaborating with editors on how to visually tell the stories we write.
Next week, D CEO’s editorial team will meet to talk about new ideas for 2024. We’ll reveal soon what features and products we’ll introduce in the new year. For now, though, let’s take a look back at 2023 and the business stories editors selected as the year’s best.
Christine Perez, Editor
How Kelcy Warren’s Pipeline Dream Powered a Nation
Nearly all D CEO content is written by editors and other team members. But when we have a story that relates to the energy business, we have an ace in the hole—journalist Jennifer Warren. She’s known internationally for her industry expertise; knowing this, the frequently press-shy Kelcy Warren agreed to let her tell his story for our November issue. She writes about his booms and busts, innovations, and business maneuverings. Here’s a particularly revealing nugget: “These days, Energy Transfer operates nearly 125,000 miles of pipeline that transports roughly one-third of the country’s natural gas and crude oil—almost 5 percent of global oil supply. ‘When we began this whole journey,’ Warren says, ‘everything did not make sense until it did.’ He refers to the complex juxtaposition of an infrastructure asset map that expanded and morphed to bring hydrocarbons—gifts of geology—from America’s abundant fields. Energy Transfer has processed, piped, and then handed off supply at Gulf Coast ports, the East Coast, North Dakota’s Bakken, and, of course, the Permian and Cushing. ‘We’ve done a good job of always asking, ‘What is the best purpose of that pipe?’ versus moving resources in other modes of transportation,’ he says. His simple approach has yielded rich rewards to America’s economy—and Energy Transfer shareholders.”
Why Criminal Justice Reform is Becoming a Corporate Priority
From time to time, D Magazine’s late founder Wick Allison used to remind me: “You have a megaphone; use it wisely.” This mission is made front and center of our September each year, where, along with storytelling, we select a (sometimes controversial) topic of interest to CEOs and other C-Suite execs. This year, after moderating a panel on criminal justice reform hosted by Virgin Hotels, I met several changemakers who are determined to effect criminal justice reform, a mission that must have the support of business leaders to have a true chance of happening. The package is anchored by a feature by Will Maddox, who produced a deftly written report about companies that are leading the way, whether it’s helping those with criminal records get back in the workforce or changing hiring practices to give marginalized individuals a second chance. It’s rounded out by profiles of Dallas leaders Doug Deason, Cheri Garcia, and Danny Feldman, who shared how their brushes with the law inspired them to fight for change.
Wojo’s Mojo: How Gary Wojtaszek is Building RecNation, His Second Highly Lucrative REIT
Last May, I received an email from former Cyrus One CEO Gary Wojtaszek telling us about his fascinating new enterprise. I knew in an instant that Managing Editor Ben Swanger was just the writer to do this feature. And he delivered—big time. Swanger (pronounced Swan, like a swan, by the way) revealed how “Wojo’s” retirement plans were to tour the country with his wife in a recently acquired Airstream. But, he couldn’t find a place to park near his University Park home—or anywhere in the region. That led him to explore opportunities in the RV and boat storage business. His company, RecNation, has quickly become a phenomenal success. Swanger lays out how he built his new enterprise and includes this quote from Wojo: “‘I wanted to do something entirely different,’ he says. ‘And that was really my wife’s inspiration. She said, “Hey, how about you explore this RV storage facility thing?” And I know she was saying it from the perspective that this could be a small, family business thing that could keep me busy. And believe me—there was no intention of building another big, public company again. But I just couldn’t help myself.’”
Ben Swanger, Managing Editor
How Woodwright Hardwood Floor Co. CEO Lorie Welch Saved the Family Business
When I first sat across from Lorie Welch in her office space at Woodwright Hardwood Floor Co. to vet her story, we immediately connected. She opened up to share that her late husband, Steve, passed away in 2016 from throat cancer. My last living grandmother had a recent battle with the same cancer, and Lorie shared some much-needed words of encouragement. I didn’t write the feature—that would be Hilary Lau, who took on the task. And she told Lorie’s story better than anyone could have. After Steve passed away, Lorie had a decision to make: to sell the company or take it over as CEO. The stay-at-home mom took on the challenge to take over the business, and in November 2023, the company was on track to report $11 million in 2023 revenue. It wasn’t easy, and through Lau’s storytelling, Lorie’s grit comes through.
Tom Luce might be the most interesting individual in Dallas, and Will Maddox’s October feature on the renaissance man is gripping. For 50 years, Luce was Ross Perot Sr.’s trusted legal aid, helping him build a corporate empire. Luce would also carve a path in international politics, logistics, and technology. Now, he is leading biotech initiatives for Lyda Hill Philanthropies and captains Texas 2036—a nonpartisan public policy think tank. As Will describes, Luce has led quite the “Forrest Gump” life.
Bill Munck: The Lawyer From Long Island
As a young kid, Bill Munck was bullied. Then, his father, a New York police officer, taught him how to fight. And, today, Munck is still fighting—but now, it’s in the courtroom. He is the managing partner and co-founding partner of Munck Wilson Mandala. Christine Perez penned an extraordinary feature of Munck’s rise to legal stardom and how he built one of the nation’s most successful technology-focused law firms. In my favorite quote from a D CEO story from 2023, Munck says, “I hate bullying, from my own life experiences. I hunt bullies; I always have. I don’t care what it takes. It’s in me … When people ask me about my brand, I’m like, ‘I’m a cop’s kid from New York. I’m a street fighter. If necessary, I’ll get in the gutter and fight dirty with you. I’ll win.”
Will Maddox, Senior Editor
Inside the Life and Times of The Village
Dallas has long had an identity crisis. From the pioneer days and the reputation of a place with no reason for existing to the modern-day push toward a “world-class” city, it has been seeking a sense of self. Managing Editor Ben Swanger’s dive into The Village looks at the closest thing Dallas has to a rite of passage. The fascinating story helps readers understand an important cultural touchstone of Big D. It has something for everyone: real estate development, hospitality and food, and some incredible memories of when the biggest names in the region, including Mark Cuban, once lived there. The story is an in-depth look at the past, present, and future of the massive apartment community that has meant so much to so many.
D CEO has the unique ability to make connections between North Texas’ robust nonprofit sector and its business community, celebrating the work each entity is doing to make where we live a better place. Editor Christine Perez’s story about The Loop Dallas, which is close to completing 50 miles of connected trails around Dallas, is an excellent example of how local corporate leaders can follow their passion to team up with strong nonprofits to deliver a project that will make the region more livable. As real estate developers near the Katy Trail and Klyde Warren Park can attest, trails and parks can have an outsized impact on land value, and the story looks at the business case for The Loop and what it will mean to the citizens of Dallas.
How Will Evans Became an Accidental (and Wildly Successful) Entrepreneur
The former English teacher in me won’t pretend to be unbiased about this one, but reporting and writing the story behind Dallas publisher and bookstore Deep Vellum was right up my alley. The nonprofit is the country’s largest publisher of translated works and is continually growing via new works and acquisitions. The publishing world is treacherous unless you are one of the major players in New York, and bringing niche content from international and local authors is even more difficult. But Evans truly believes in the importance of helping these works reach the English-speaking world and has harnessed his infectious energy to the project with great success. The story covers Evans’ journey to becoming a publisher, how he is making it work, and how a nonprofit publisher can be the catalyst for building a robust literary scene in Dallas.
Hamilton Hedrick, Design Director
Jessica Jesse Finds a Higher Purpose With BuDhaGirl
A profile by Christine Perez tells us about BuDhaGirl founder and CEO Jessica Jesse. A former model and entrepreneur, Jesse’s accessory brand is on a mission to promote a more conscious way of living. Knowing the importance of nature in BuDhaGril’s approach, Jesse was photographed at the Dallas Arboretum by Jill Broussard. The result was a set of ethereal portraits of Jesse on the lush grounds, accentuated by her vibrant pink suit.
Inside Artisan Golf: How Two Fort Worth Club Makers Remade a Faltering Nike Division
A profile by Ben Swanger on Artisan Golf goes behind the scenes of a wildly successful but under-the-radar Fort Worth company. After Nike decided to stop production on its hard goods golf division, two employees purchased the facility and launched their own enterprise. Photographer Sean Berry and I spent a few hours with the team at Artisan, capturing every detail of their highly specialized process. What resulted was a photo essay capturing all the intricate work that goes into one of the handmade clubs, from the professional fitting to the hand painting done in-house by one of the company’s skilled craftsmen.
Dallas Power Couples: Inside the Lives of the Region’s Top Dynamic Duos
We ended the year on a high note with a December cover story on Dallas Power Couples. The package, written by the editors of D CEO, told the stories of five prominent couples—both of whom have experienced tremendous business success. A project that was initially conceived several years ago and finally began happening in the first half of the year, photographer Justin Clemons and I spent months scheduling and photographing these high-performing leaders. A conscious decision was made to photograph everyone in their own homes, creating more intimate portraits and allowing readers to get a better sense of each couple.
Authors
Christine Perez
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Will Maddox
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Ben Swanger
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