ADVERTISING & PUBLIC RELATIONS
Lynne Swihart has been promoted to director of agency operations and production at Balcom Agency, with new responsibilities overseeing the recruiting of agency talent as well as continuing to manage production resources for client projects. Beyond her official title, Swihart will maintain her secondary moniker, “Poof. Done. Effortless.” The name alludes to Swihart’s ability to bring complex marketing concepts to life through her production savvy and solve every challenge that comes her way, while making it all look easy.
BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Louise Appleman has been elected president of the board of trustees of the Tarrant County College District. Other officers are: Conrad Heede, vice president; Teresa Ayala, secretary; Diane Patrick, assistant secretary.
ENTERTAINMENT
Jim Reid-Anderson was named the new chairman, president and CEO at Six Flags Entertainment Corp., succeeding John M. Duffey. Reid-Anderson had been serving as executive chairman of the company since February 2016 and was president and CEO from August 2010 through February 2016.
Duffey announced his retirement on July 17. The company noted that under Duffey the company set a new strategic direction, achieved all-time high guest and employee satisfaction ratings and significant operational improvements, and drove a 10-times return on investment for shareholders.
Reid-Anderson has previously been chairman, president and CEO of Dade Behring Inc.
HEALTH CARE
SteadMed Medical has added Norma J. Schafer, MS, as vice president of regulatory affairs and quality assurance.
HONORS & AWARDS
After a successful IPO in April, Elevate Credit CEO Ken Rees has been named to Bank Innovation’s “2017 Innovators to Watch” list, underscoring the company’s technology-driven approach to helping non-prime Americans get access to credit and build financial health.
“Ken has shown vision and leadership for this company since day one. His leadership has been driven by his passion for helping non-prime consumers improve not only their immediate situations but also their long-term financial outlooks. We are excited and proud that he has received this well-deserved recognition,” said John Rosenberg, lead director of Elevate’s board of directors.
LAW
Tanya S. Dohoney, a criminal law and appeals specialist with 30 years’ experience, has joined Varghese Summersett PLLC as of counsel.
NONPROFIT
Tarrant Churches Together (TCT), an inter-church nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting congregations and community groups, has named Rick Bousquet as its new executive director. Melinda Veatch, TCT’s executive director since 2006, will remain in an advisory role through the summer.
“We are excited to welcome Rick Bousquet and are incredibly grateful to Dr. Melinda Veatch for her dedicated leadership and service to God’s work at Tarrant Churches Together and in our community,” said Raymond Daniel, TCT board president. “We will miss her, and we wish her all the best as she and her husband move to Colorado.”
Bousquet has 18 years of experience with nonprofits. He has been the executive director for various nonprofits and business associations including Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas, Special Olympics Texas, Campfire USA, Texas Humane Legislation Network and the Assistance Center of Collin County.
Fairway to Heaven, a 501(c)3 Texas nonprofit organization created to host golf fundraising events for the benefit other Tarrant County nonprofits, announced its first fundraising golf tournament. It will benefit the Foundation for the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA) of Fort Worth and will be held at Mira Vista Country Club on Oct. 16.
“We’re excited to recognize and support young women in our community striving for academic and leadership excellence,” said Kim Dignum, chairman of Fairway to Heaven. “It’s extremely important that we help them on their path to reach their full potential through the YWLA program.”
Melissa Morgan, a former staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, joined Clayton Youth Enrichment as director of human resources.
SPORTS
Veteran motorsports marketing executive Jason Wonderly has been named vice president of sales for Texas Motor Speedway.
Wonderly spent nine years with Team Penske as the director of marketing partnerships and new business at the racing organization’s headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina. He will manage an 11-person business development team.
Send newsmakers to Robert Francis at rfrancis@bizpress.net.