1. Joe Bailey, 31, Vice-President Administration, DallasCowboys. The rising star of the heralded Cowboy
front office, Bailey spent several years as Cowboy business manager before recently being appointed to his new V.P.
post, a position synonymous with “Tex Schramm’s Right Hand Man.”
2. Len Barker, 22, pitcher, Texas Rangers. It’s always risky to make predictions about the Ranger pitching
staff. But many observers think that big Len, 6’4″, 235 lbs. and reminiscent of Dick “The Monster” Radatz, Red Sox
relief ace in the Sixties, will blossom this season. His pitch is the fastball, and some feel that, with the
possible exceptions of Nolan Ryan and Dennis Leonard, he’s the hardest thrower in the American League.
3. Steve Bartlett, 30, Dallas City Councilman. Bartlett’s stunning upset of establishment-backed Peter
Baldwin in the past fall’s special election was only a hint of this young Republican’s political savvy. Bartlett
knows politics and he understands power. Look for Bartlett to become a calm, progressive voice on the council, one
who, despite his youth, will be able to communicate with Lucy Patterson as well as Bob Folsom.
4. Rev. Don Benton, 46, pastor, Lovers Lane United Methodist Church. Pastor of Spring Valley United Methodist
for 15 years, Benton built the Richardson church into a strong congregation. As if the challenge . of running the
world’s third largest Methodist church weren’t enough, some friends are already touting him as a national spokesman
for Methodism.
5. Jim Bradshaw, 37, mayor pro tem, City of Fort Worth. Managing partner of Cogdell Auto Supply since the age
of 26, Bradshaw has served three years on the Fort Worth City Council. Some say he’s set to run against Mayor Parmer
in the next election; others say he’s a perfect congressional candidate. 1978 may be Bradshaws year of decision.
6. Michael Wayland Brown, 6 36, architect, Envirotech-nics. One of the founders of the East Dallas
Preservation League, Brown’s firm specializes in the restoration of older houses. But he is also behind “The
Lindens,” the first new house on Swiss Avenue in years. East Dallas residents can expect a strong bid for the City
Council when William Cothrum steps down.
7. Bob Burns, 49, president, East Dallas Chamber of Commerce. In the last few years Chamber organizations in
Dallas have changed from local booster clubs to hard-working, problem-solving community action groups. Burns, an
officer at Lakewood Bank, is familiar with the problems – and possibilities – for East Dallas. Look for even more
activity as this older area of Dallas continues to boom.
8. Mark Campbell, 25, disc jockey. When Bonneville Broadcasting begins its takeover of KAFM this month, many
listeners hope they’ll look favorably on Campbell, the host of “All That Jazz.” Campbell’s show is a rare option in
the Dallas radio market, and one that jazz-minded listeners would very much like to keep.
9. David Chappell, 34, president-elect, Young Lawyers division of the American Bar Association. In Fort Worth
they talk of Chappell as if his election to the presidency of the ABA in the not-too-distant future is already sewn
up. Chappell has made his mark in national circles. Meanwhile, the firm of Hooper, Chappell and Broiles continues to
grow.
10. D. L. Coburn, 39, playwright. While Dalla: was making much of Preston Jones, whose Bradleyville
Trilogy failed to make it on Broadway, Coburn was quietly going about his business, lining up actors Hume Cronyn
and Jessica Tandy and director Mike Nichols for his first play. The Git Game. It’s a big Broadway hit, and
local theater directors are looking sheepish because they failed to find this talent in their midst.
11. Louise and Donald Cowan, 61 and 63, University Professors, University of Dallas. The university’s past
graduate dean and past president, respectively, are now on leaves of absence. But for the Cowans a leave doesn’t
mean a vacation: they taught one course in the civic affairs graduate program this year, and now they’re writing a
book together on the concept of the city.
12. Don Criswell, 31, certified public accountant. Five years ago he walked into Lakewood Bank and asked for
a loan to renovate an old house in East Dallas. The bank finally agreed, but only under the condition that he would
use his renovated house to help attract other young couples back into the dying area. Since then, Criswell has
worked for neighborhood improvements; he was instrumental in making the East Dallas Design Committee a major force
in land use planning.
13. Cullen Davis, 43, vice-president, Kendavis Industries Intl. Rumor is he personally began and directed the
restoration of the downtown Continental Life Building while still esconced in the Amarillo jail awaiting the jury’s
decision on his trial for murder. Now that he’s free, Fort Worth expects to see a lot of action.
14. Jeff Davis, 28, Fort Worth City Coucilman. He surprised everyone, maybe even himself, by winning a seat
on the city council last April. He made his impression on the voters by walking door to door in his district. He’s
made more of an impression since his election, and now is regarded as Fort Worth’s best young comer, even though he
isn’t native-born or-raised.
15. Levi Davis, 32, Assistant to the City Manager. Davis earned a reputation for trouble-shooting as the head
of the Action Center, and is now straightening things out in the Office of Human Development. If he gets a handle on
things there, he has a good chance to become an assistant city manager.
16. Robert Decherd, 26, assistant to the execu-tive editor, part owner, Dallas Morning News. Decherd
and his sister just inherited 16 percent of the Dealey trust; more importantly. Decherd, a former editor of the
Harvard Crimson in his college days, has urbane editorial sensibilities – something the News will need
in future years to stem the tide of the onrushing Times Herald. Insiders indicate if the News has an
editorial future, it is with him at the helm.
17. Dr. Richard Dickerman, 32, Professor of Surgery at U.T. Health Science Center.Dickerman recently
performed Dallas’ first pancreas transplant, along with Dr. William Fry and others. It may not be the last –
Dickerman’s research group is currently experimenting with a new surgical transplantation method, which they feel
will be more successful than previous attempts.
18. Mike Dodge, 34, attorney. Dodge is one of Democratic County Chairman Ron Kessler’s top young Turks.
Present head of the prestigious Dallas Democratic Forum, Dodge is expected to play a key role in Congressman Bob
Krueger’s senatorial campaign here next spring, and to emerge as a local Democratic power-broker in coming years.
19. Pat Donovan, 24, Offensive Tackle, Dallas Cowboys. Donovan is good and he’s smart. He has been
exceptional in replacing injured all-Pro Rayfield Wright, who will have no easy time getting his job back. Donovan
is another tribute to Gil Brandt and the Cowboy scouting system – he was a defensive end in college at Stanford, but
Brandt & Co. knew an offensive tackle when they saw one.
20. Lyn Dunsavage, 35, editor and publisher, Downtown Dallas News. Former member of the city plan
commission and longtime East Dallas community activist, Dunsavage has the experience and the toughness to make her
new downtown weekly a success. Its progress could be a measure of how far Dallas has come in revitalizing its inner
city and how much downtowners themselves care about its future.
21. Walter Durham, 41, president and director of MESBIC Financial Corporation. Durham was instrumental in
founding the Dallas alliance for Minority Enterprise in 1970, and later served on the National Advisory Council for
Minority Enterprise. He”s well-regarded by the business and minority communities.
22. James Early, 54, Dean 22 of the School of Humanities and Sciences, SMU.If President Zumberge’s
budget-balancing act succeeds, Early will be in an excellent position to insist that the administration and trustees
make good their promises to pay more attention to the traditional disciplines that have always been neglected in
favor of SMU’s professional schools.
23. Louise Eiseman, 46, buyer and public relations officer, R. D. Eiseman, Inc. Her public relations
expertise extends to the volunteer realm, too, where she has been a key fund-raiser for the Multiple Sclerosis
Society, Goodwill, and the National Council of Jewish Women. She earned high marks for her participation in the
Chamber of Commerce-sponsored “Leadership Dallas” program.
24. Bill Elliott, 29, attorney. Watch Elliott emerge as the dark horse prospect for Republican County
chairman this next year. Though youthful, he has already built a solid reputation among county Republicans for his
organizational abilities. Current Republican Men’s Club president, Elliott has been called by one longtime
Republican, “our party’s next Peter O’Donnell.”
25. Yvonne Ewell, 50, 25 DISD associate superintendent, East Oak Cliff sub-district. Two years ago Ewell was
placed in charge of this newly created subdistrict. the largest and most difficult in the city. Given the power to
upgrade the educational quality and implement the new desegregation order, her work has apparently paid off- she was
just promoted in December. But the final assessment will come next year.
26. Mike Ford, 18, Quarterback, SMU Mustangs.As a freshman this past season, Ford, of Mesquite. passed for
over 2.000 yards and 11 touchdowns – all in spite of the fact that much of the time he played with injuries. Because
of his size (6’4″. 215 lbs.) and his strong arm. the pro scouts are already drooling. If coach Ron Meyer can beef up
an oftensive line to protect Ford from injury, he may well erase all existing Southwest Conference passing records
over the next three years.
27. Russell Foster, 35, executive director, Black Chamber of Commerce. Since 1975, Foster has been running
daily operations at the chamber by coordinating the programs of the board and a few choice schemes of his own.
Foster begins one year administrative leave this month to the “One America” program, a group establishing black
chambers throughout five southwestern states.
28. Carolyn Foxworth, 40, volunteer worker. One of Dallas” cadre of energetic volunteer workers, Foxworth has
been particularly active in the fine arts, serving as secretary for the DMFA, and as coordinator of the Goals for
Dallas Higher Education Task Force. She’s one of the quiet hard-workers who don’t always receive the attention they
deserve.
29. Eric Franklin. 14. kicker, W. C. Stripling Middle School, Fort Worth.
The younger brother of highly touted Texas A&M barefoot placekicker Tony Franklin, Eric is following along right in
his brother’s big footsteps. Only an 8th grader, Eric already kicks field goals of 40 yards, in the same barefoot,
top-of-the-instep style. There are college kickers who would be envious of such a foot. Coach Merlin Priddy of Fort
Worth Arlington Heights High School, where Eric will kick next season, says he has never seen such proficiency at
such a young age, claiming that Eric kicks with more accuracy than Tony did at the same age.
30. Sidsel Taubo Friedman, 32, head designer, Howard Wolf. Educated at the University of Oslo, graduate of
Parsons School of Design, winner of the designer of the year award while at Parsons, recipient of a Donald Brooks
award, assistant to Geoffrey Beene. At Howard Wolf, she has impressively updated their sportswear and boutique
collection and has begun a new line of higher-priced fashions. Friedman looks forward to designing original fabrics
for the firm.
31. Hayden Fry, 48, head coach and athletic director, North Texas State. In his five seasons at North Texas,
Hayden Fry has molded the Mean Green from a ragtag second-rate football organization into a major independent power.
Despite being snubbed by the Southwest Conference schedule makers, Fry seems likely to continue his crusade to get
NTSU what seems to be a much deserved berth in the Southwest Conference.
32. Helen Giddings, 35, equal opportunity director for Sears, Roebuck.
The first woman vice president of the Black Chamber of Commerce, Giddings is involved in many civic organizations,
including the Greater Dallas Housing Opportunity Center, the city Planning Commission, and the Tri-Racial Committee.
Clearly one of the most energetic and capable young leaders in the black community.
33. Mitch Hart, 43, busi-nessman. Hart, former president of Ross Perot’s EDS, has been a powerful
behind-the-scenes force in local Democratic politics for several years. A buddy of Democratic powerhouse Jess Hay,
Hart was instrumental in the creation of the local Democratic Finance Council and a key local player in Dolph
Briscoe’s campaign efforts here. Watch for Hart to emerge as one of the Democratic party’s key powerbrokers.
34. Gerald Henigsman, 35, assistant city manager, City of Dallas.Henigsman rose from the ranks after nine
years with the city, now has administrative responsibility for such controversial areas as housing, central business
district development, and consumer affairs. He was also involved in the planning for our new downtown sports arena.
If the bond election passes, many of the projects authorized by it will be under his domain.
35. Frank Hernandez, 38, judge, County Court at Law. This long-time civil rights activist won appointment to
the bench last year. Now he’s a leading contender for White House selection as chairman of the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission. It’s a good thing Hernandez is a fighter, since it will take a lot of energy to clean up the
EEOC, known as one of the worst administrative messes in Washington.
36. Al Herron, 35, realtor, Galloway-Herron.
Galloway-Herron has blazed new paths for minority business in Dallas through their commercial and residential
holdings in Oak Cliff. A behind-the-scenes factor in Venture Advisors. DAMI, The Knights of Pythias and the Black C
of C. Herron is also active in the Dallas Chamber’s Lasso Club, an organization attempting to round up new business
membership.
37. Pat Hill, 32, attorney.Wife of Federal Judge Robert Hill, Pat has built a solid legal and political
reputation for herself in recent years. Widely respected among county Republicans and professionals, Hill has been
approached in recent months to run for state district judge. While she says she’ll likely hold off on such a move
until at least 1980, she’s definitely a woman to watch.
38. Robert Hoffman, 30, investments. One of the three original founders of the National Lampoon, this
Harvard MBA negotiated the sale of the magazine to Twenty First Century Communications and returned to Dallas to
work with his father’s diverse business interests. Since then he’s become the youngest member of the board of the
Dallas Museum of Fine Arts.
39. Fred Hoster, 38, general manager, Dallas Tornado. Before joining the Tornado soccer club, he was
executive director of the Mustang Club and, by all accounts, did a superb job raising money for SMU athletics. If he
can turn those same promotional skills to work for the Tornado, 1978 could be a key year for Dallas’ youngest
sport.
40. Amy Jackson, 18, dancer. An SMU freshman, graduate of the DISD”s arts magnet school who also attended
Skyline High School, Amy studied last summer with the Dance Theater of Harlem. Her teachers say she’s one of the
most promising dancers to come out of the Dallas schools in recent years.
41. Clay Jarvis, 19, sculptor. Now a student at the Kansas City Art Institute, Clay, a Kimbell High School
graduate, did sculptures now in the high school’s courtyard. He studied at SMU and with University of Dallas’ Heri
Bartsch, who regards him as one of the most impressive young sculptors he’s encountered.
42. Rex Jobe, 27, president, The Color Place. Jobe has quietly built the company he founded five years ago
into a major regional color processing operation. Having seen his sales double each year for the past three, Jobe
has now begun devoting time to political causes – with the same degree of success. He was Steve Bartlett’s chief
financial strategist in the recent city council election and won high marks for his determined, steady
fund-raising.
43. Ed Leach, 33, director of the Palmer Drug Abuse Program. Leach, a former drug addict and alcoholic, has
headed up Dallas’ most successful drug abuse program for teenagers since September 1975. Under Leach’s unique
guidance, the program has expanded from the basement of an Oak Lawn church to six suburban centers, with two more on
the way. Leach also spends much of his time on the PT A and school assembly circuit, recruiting teenage drug abusers
and concerned parents to join the program.
44. Ira Lipson, 31 program director, KZEW-FM radio. Lipson has worked a minor miracle with this station
during the past five years. Not only has he developed one of the few successful rock music stations in the country,
he’s led the way in locally-produced radio-TV simulcast rock concerts. KZEW now stands at third over all in a very
competitive market.
45. Richard Marcus, 36, and his wife Sue, 34, owners of Applause, Inc., a women’s apparel firm. (Not Neiman’s
Marcus). Founded just two years ago, Applause won the B.A.M.B.I. award in the dress category, an award given by
the fashion industry to the firm whose line has been best received by retailers, one of only a handful of Dallas
firms ever to have received the award.
46. Murphy Martin, 49, executive vice president, Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce. Oak Cliff businessmen are
planning a renaissance for the area and with his appointment as general manager of the Chamber, Martin is now in the
thick of it. The former TV anchorman was brought in to coordinate new fund-raising activities and to provide day to
day management of civic projects. Will this be the Year of Oak Cliff?
47. Kevin McCarthy, 27, former KNUS disc jockey, currently administrative aide to County Commissioner David
Pickett. McCarthy is worth watching if only because you never know what he’ll do next. In recent months, he has
made noises about running for the State Legislature, going into the computer list business and dropping out to work
the yacht harbors in Miami Beach. Our bet is that McCarthy will wind up where he belongs – back on the air.
48. Gene McDonald, 45, owner, Demco Manufacturing. McDonald established his gift manufacturing company 25
years ago. and has since branched out into real estate, a tire distributorship and the board of Guaranty Bank. The
Oak Cliff business community also knows him from his involvement with the Chamber, Lions Club, YMCA, Boy Scout fund
drives and the American Cancer Society. Keep an eye on his political involvement (he’s been a past campaign manager
for Bill Nichol).
49. Lott and Lance Mcllhenny, 16 and 17, fullback and quarterback, Highland Park High School. The Mcllhenny
brothers were the heart of the team that went to the state quarter finals this past season. Lance, a junior, rushed
for 1,143 yards while his brother Lott, only a sophomore, ran and passed for an incredible 2,445 total yards and 24
touchdowns. The Highland Park loss to Piano in the playoffs seems a lot less tragic to coach Frank Bevers when he
realizes that these two will be back next year.
50. Sally McKenzie, 49, president, Community Council of Greater Dallas. She worked in the trenches on this
United Way organization for several years and only last month was elected president. Vivacious, charming and
intelligent, she’s expected to move the Community Council into the limelight in 1978.
51. Kyle Money, 17, 3-sport athlete, W. W. Samuell High School. Some scouts say he may be the best high
school athlete in Texas. A junior, the multi-talented Kyle has already been named All-District in basketball as a
forward, All-District in baseball as a pitcher, and All-District in football as a quarterback. Though leading
district scorer in basketball and a .460 hitter in baseball, his football stats are perhaps most impressive – some
1,500 total yards and 14 touchdowns for an otherwise average team.
52. Don Montgomery, 35, independent oil operator. Montgomery, a Democrat, is a prime example of the new
generation of Dallas oilmen who are beginning to assert themselves on the local political scene. He played key roles
in the Jim Mattox, Lloyd Bentsen and Jimmy Carter campaigns. Look for him to be quite active in fund-raising and
organization for Frost’s congressional campaign this year.
53. Clark Nowlin, 45, president, Clark Nowlin, Inc. If Fort Worth’s downtown makes a turn-around, one reason
will be the persistent efforts of Nowlin’s firm. Realtor Nowlin concentrates on downtown property and specializes in
renovation and rejuvenation of some of Fort Worth’s outstanding older buildings.
54. Tom Pauken, 34, attorney. He came oh-so-close to pulling an upset against incumbent state Senator Bill
Bracklein in 1976 that local Republicans regard him as their brightest young star. Now he’s trying for another
upset, this time against freshman Congressman Jim Mattox in the 5th District. With Pauken on the offensive we’ll
pick the 5th for the campaign to cause the most sparks to fly.
55. Pat Perini, 33, vice president, broadcast services, KERA-TV. Perini moved from directing the station’s
public relations to a vice presidency that gives her a great deal of power in choosing programs the station puts on
the air. She has also recently directed the transformation of the station program guide into a more ambitious
magazine format. Since things don’t seem to have settled down at the station yet, Perini’s role there will continue
to be an interesting one – to say the least.
56. Suzanne Perlman, 30, ’defense attorney. A former Dallas County Assistant D.A., Perlman became the first
woman in local history to file as candidate for a criminal district judgeship, for the newly-created felony court.
She was also a founder of the Dallas County Rape Crisis Center and worked to revise Texas rape statutes during the
1975-76 legislative session.
57. Dan Petty, 38, president, Dallas Chamber of Commerce. Petty, who took over only last spring, has already
straightened out the confused lines of authority, now plans to eliminate all debt. With internal affairs properly
organized and managed, the Chamber can get back to its job of selling the Dallas message to conventions and
businesses scouting for possible relocation.
58. Jean Claude Prevot,37, chef and restaurateur. Prevot has been cooking professionally since 1955. He plans
to do a little teaching in 1978 as well, but what his former students are excited to hear about is the opening of
his new restaurant – Jean Claude’s. Although just a few weeks old, the restaurant is getting rave reviews. Like
Calluaud’s and his alma mater, The Pyramid Room, Prevot’s new restaurant seems destined to provide Dallasites with a
rare commodity: an elegant, memorable dining experience.
59. Becky Reid, 18, Miss Teenage America of 1977. Now that Becky has relinquished her crown, the W. T. White
graduate is going on to Baylor University. She won the judges with a combination of intelligence, talent, and poise.
She’s also an accomplished pianist.
60. Barbara Robertson,39, owner of a women’s clothing store. After 15 years in retailing, Robertson decided
to start her own business, funding the enterprise with money put aside from previous earnings. Her store is now in
its second year of business. Monthly sales have already begun to double last year’s figures. Robertson has plans for
other store locations inside and outside Dallas. She explains, “I don’t think of mine as a little store. I want to
make a dent in the fashion scene here.”
61. Sanford Sacks, 50, owner of a men’s clothing store. At 45, Sacks left Neiman-Marcus as Senior Vice
President and General Manager to become an entrepreneur himself. By Sacks’ own pre-diction, 1978 will be “the year”
for his store. Most local fashion experts recognize Sanford Sacks as Dallas’ arbiter of good taste in men’s fashion
and an expert in the fine art of fashion retailing.
62. Mike Schwille, 42, assistant district attorney. Schwille, one of Henry Wade’s most solid and dependable
prosecutors for the past 10 years, is an odds-on favorite to win his bid for a criminal district judgeship this
year. If so, he will provide added impetus to the “youth movement” on the county’s nine criminal benches – a trend
most attorneys consider healthy.
63. Tara Shannon, 20, model, Kim Dawson Agency. Modeling for less than a year and she’s already a star. She’s
the right age, the right height (5’8″), has the right coloring for today (bright red hair) and the right attitude.
Photographers like to work with her. It’s paid off. Beginning at $300, she’s worked her way up to highest-paid-model
status: $500 a day. New York and Europe beckon.
64. Anne Smith, 18, tennis player, Trinity University. Anne raised eyebrows last year at both Wimbledon and
Forest Hills where she battled Billie Jean King in close 3-set matches before finally falling. Four-time Texas
Junior Women’s champion, the 1977 French Junior Open winner, and the #3 ranked junior in the United States the past
year, Anne will surely turn more heads this year.
65. J. W. Smith, 54, president of United National Bank. Led by Smith’s banking savvy, this new downtown bank
surprised everyone by making $290,000 in 1976, its first full year of operation, and possibly as much as $400,000 in
1977. Boosted by a pile of money from new investors, Smith and United National should take giant strides in 1978.
66. Sid Stahl, 44, president, Dallas Park Board. Most of the “non-essential” items being considered in this
year’s city bond election, such as the new downtown art museum and Town Lake, fall under Park Board Supervision.
Stahl has effectively balanced competing claims for attention from various arts and park factions, and he’ll be
instrumental in working with the city council to determine the final priorities for the bond vote.
67. Calvin Stephens, 32, executive director of Venture Advisors. Come February, if final federal approval
comes through, Stephens will become president of the Dallas Minority Business Center, a consortium of four minority
business development centers. Stephens almost single-handedly put together the package, wrote the proposals, made
the deals, and got support from the local business community.
68. The Sting, ages 15-18, Girls Soccer Team, Richardson. In their fourth year. The Sting has compiled the
remarkable record of 86 wins, 3 losses, and one tie. And two of those losses were to the Mexican National Team, an
all-star team in a nation that worships soccer. Under coach Bill Kinder and team captains Dianne Urey, Jamie
Fougeron, and Debbie Knecht, The Sting has trampled opponents from coast to coast. The girls have been invited to
compete this summer in the Gothia Cup in Sweden, the largest youth sporting event in the world.
69. Chris Storey, 49, housewife. She’s become a one-woman Oak Cliff improvement society: bringing the Dallas
Symphony to Oak Cliff, raising money for the Chamber, organizing task force meetings for DISD, attempting to have
Oak Cliff schools “adopted” by volunteers. She and husband Charles, the former city councilman, are working hard to
keep Town Lake in the bond issue. How successful they are may say a lot about Oak Cliff’s future.
70. Charles Tandy, 59, chairman of Tandy Corporation. Fort Worth’s Charles Tandy needs an encore. CB radio
sales finally played out on Tandy and his Radio Shack stores last year, sinking the ship that kept Tandy’s
high-priced stock afloat. Can Tandy make it without the CB?
71. Don Thompson, 48, chairman of Bonanza International. This is the year of fruition for Bonanza’s
restaurant operations, which in two years Thompson has led out of an awful morass of debt and inefficiency. With
conglomerates hungrily eyeing restaurant chains, Bonanza may be a worthy buy-out target by late 1978.
72. TalmadgeTinsley, 36, developer and homebuilder. Tinsley has several things going for him in 1978: lots of
guts, 600 acres of fabulous far North Dallas land and enormously powerful financial backers, who are taking nearly
all of his risks. As if that isn’t enough, he’s rumored to be on the verge of another big land deal, this one backed
by one of the state’s richest men.
73. Torance Vandygriff, 35, principal, T. G. Terry Elementary. Successful and popular as a school
administrator, Vandygriff is also a new force on the Oak Cliff scene. After only two years with the chamber, he
heads Quorum 50, a group of young businessmen emphasizing the training and placement of its members on civic boards
and organizations. In other words, Vandygriff is leading the leaders.
74. Garry Weber, 41, chairman, Weber, Hall, Cobb & Caudle. He’s been building a campaign war chest for
months, contacting Dallas businessmen of all political stripes with his message about the necessity of reform at the
county courthouse. His target is County Judge John Whit-tington. Weber will run to win, and he has the money to do
it.
75. Mark Whicker, 25, sports writer, Dallas Times Herald. Whicker is the brightest among a solid
stable of young sportswriters the Herald has brought in to complement Sherrod, Luksa and company. As a roving
reporter, Whicker never fails to find a fresh angle on old news and a quotable word or two from less than quotable
sports stars.
76. Ron Wilson, 22, Right Winger, Dallas Black Hawks. At press time, he leads the Central Hockey League in
scoring, using his exceptional stick handling abilities to great advantage, including his crowd-pleasing rushes down
the ice. Property of the Toronto Maple Leafs, his success here has made him prominent in the Leaf’s future plans.
77. Max Woodard, 39, president of Lear Petroleum. Can Dallas’ energy superstar possibly keep it up in 1978?
During the last two years Lear Petroleum’s performance in the natural gas business has been so strong that its
stock’s value has quadrupled. Industry analysts still love Woodard and see greater things ahead for him and Lear.
78. Jim Wright, 44, editorial director, Dallas Morning News. It’s not so much a question of whether
Wright can fill the retired Dick West’s shoes, as whether he can make those shoes take a few steps forward in his
new executive role. Look for Wright to inject some new life into the page. Don’t expect a total about face, though:
Wright is not expected to alter the rock-ribbed conservatism of the page.
