HS Alliance
World UM
W. Joe DeMiero, American CEO
As CEO, W. Joe DeMiero will lead the strategy, direction and operations of media company UM’s largest marketplace, as well as oversee the management of clients including USPS, EJ Gallo, Rocket Mortgage and Zillow. DeMiero is the founder of TiltShift, the immersive reality arm of Publicis Groupe, and CloudTix, the first mobile ticketing platform as a service. DeMiero also served as CEO of Publicis CRM agency, Hawkeye, where he worked with clients including Google, AT&T;, USAA and Capital One. Although UM is based in New York, DeMiero will remain in Dallas.
Education: University of Southern California (BA)
The CMI Group
Carrie Finney, Managing Director and President
Carrie Finney Finney has worked for the CMI Group since 1998 as President and Chief Financial Officer, leading the growth and expansion of the business in markets such as government, toll authorities, telecommunications, utilities, health, insurance and financial services. Finney will retain her title as President, but in her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and leading the company to further growth.
Education: The University of Texas at Dallas (BS)
Jamco Interests
Cherif Mityas, President
Private equity firm Jamco Interests has promoted Sherif Mityas to the position of chairman of Brix Holdings, a collection of franchised brands in which Jamco is the majority shareholder. This will be in addition to its role as operational partner. In his new role, Mityas will lead Brix Holdings’ brands, which include Smoothie Factory, Redbrick Pizza, and more. Prior to Jamco, Mityas held various leadership roles including Director of Experience for TGI Fridays and CEO for Hollywood Video/Movie Gallery.
Education: Northwestern University (MBA), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (MS), Boston University (BS)
CASPR Group
Jon Zucker, President
Prior to joining environmental health technology company CASPR, Jon Zucker founded and ran Dialectic Group, an independent digital agency. Now Zucker will lead CASPR Group, an air purification company, as it tries to meet increased demand.
Education: George Washington University (JD), Barrett, The Honors College (BA)
ComparePower
Brent Moore, CEO
Brent Moore was previously president of the North American retail business of Canadian gas and electric retailer Just Energy and founder of Save On Energy, an online energy comparison marketplace. Moore created the Save On Energy model and built his brand in the newly deregulated retail energy sector, then sold it in 2012. Now Moore will lead the operations of ComparePower, a marketing and sales tool that allows consumers to compare energy prices.
Education: Texas State University (BA)
Catalyze Dallas Holdings
Michele Hodde, Marketing Director
In her new role as Catalyze Dallas’ Chief Marketing Officer, Michele Hodde will drive revenue and sales growth. Previously, she spent 10 years at Orica, a commercial explosives company in the mining industry, in various roles. Hodde was also co-founder, president and CEO of EarthRoamer, a manufacturer of Xpedition vehicles.
Education: University of California, Los Angeles (MBA), Iowa State University (BS)
Whitley Penn
Shea Kracheck, tax partner
Shea Kracheck will oversee personal, corporate, partnership, state, and franchise tax filings, while helping clients achieve their tax planning goals. She was previously at Lane Gorman Trubitt for almost 15 years, growing from tax manager to partner.
Education: University of North Texas (BS)
Hotels in Remington
Benjamin Howell, Divisional Vice President of Operations
Benjamin Howell will now oversee operations at Remington’s 12 to 15 properties in the Midwest region. Howell spent the first 10 years of his career at Remington, rising from director to general manager, before taking on various roles at Sonesta Hotels and Resorts, Aimbridge Hospitality, Widewaters Hotels, and more for the next 10 years.
Education: University of Florida (BS), Santa Fe College (AA)
Ben E. Keith Drinks
Alex Weaver, Director of Government Affairs
As Director of Government Affairs, Alex Weaver will manage relationships between distributors and local, state and federal policy makers for Ben E. Keith Beverages, the nation’s third-largest beer distributor. Weaver will also oversee the company’s program guiding its state and federal associations. She joined Ben E. Keith five years ago and previously spent five years in banking and investment roles at PlainsCapital Corp.
Education: Texas University of Technology (BS)
Board appointments
DFW Alliance of Technology and Women
Barry Shurkey, Chairman of the Advisory Board
Barry Shurkey, CIO of NTT Data Services, will be the new chairman of the DFW Alliance of Technology and Women. Shurkey has been an active advisory board member for three years and has over 30 years of IT leadership, including experience with EDS and HP.
Education: Central Michigan University (BS)
Saurajit Kanungo, Advisory Board Member
Saurajit Kanungo is Chairman of Cyber Group, where he held various positions for 12 years. He was previously director of the IT management company Pariveda Solutions.
Education: The University of Texas at Arlington (MBA), Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Carina Reyes, Advisory Board Member
Carina Reyes is Executive Managing Director of Ernst & Young Global Consulting Services. She was previously senior vice president and general manager of JLL, as well as vice president of Xerox.
Education: Florida Institute of Technology (MS), Brigham Young University (BS)
Greater Fort Worth Realtors Association
Shannon Ashkinos, President of the council
Shannon Ashkinos has been with the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors since 1995. As President, her responsibilities will include community outreach, mentorship, development, and advocacy efforts. Ashkinos began her career at William Rigg Realtors before joining RE/MAX in 1997, then JPAR Real Estate in 2016, where she is now Vice President of Relationships and Business Success.
Education: Weatherford College (AD)
The 2022 GFWAR Board of Directors also includes:
- Bart Calahan, Vice President, Coldwell Banker Realty
- Randi Reams, Secretary and Treasurer, Orr Property Management
- Elizabeth McCoy, Past President, Williams Trew Real Estate
- Blake Barry, Williams Trew Real Estate
- Zareen Brendel, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International
- Paul Epperley, Century 21 Judge Fite Co.
- Kim Gartner, Coldwell Banker Realty
- Michelle Moran, AHOUS4U
- Malyn Powers, RE/MAX Trinity
- Gaye Reed, Coldwell Banker Realty
- Betsy Senter, Coldwell Banker Realty
- Tony Sims, Kimball Real Estate
- LaToya Williams, RJ Williams & Co.
- Haley Zamarripa, Kimball Real Estate
- Billie Dodd, appointed by the President, Billie Dodd
- Robbie Renfro, appointed by the President, RE/MAX Achievers