Whitley Penn
Nathen McEown, Chief Executive Officer
Whitley Penn has named Nathen McEown, current partner-in-charge of consulting and chief growth officer, its CEO effective January 2025. McEown has spent the last two decades with the accounting firm after joining in 2004. He served as the former energy practice leader and was a part of the firm’s creation of its client accounting and advisory services before becoming chief growth officer in 2024, overseeing two acquisitions. He succeeds Larry Autrey, who has held the post for the past 25 years and will stay on board as the executive chairman.
Education: Texas Tech University (MS, BBA)
Toby Cotton, Chief Operating Officer
In addition to McEown, Whitley Penn will have Toby Cotton, current partner-in-charge of tax, step into the role of COO come January 2025. Cotton joined the firm in 2001, serving for over 23 years. In his current position, he has helped Whitley Penn develop tax research opportunities to reduce tax burdens on clients, as well as maximize cash flow for business owners.
Education: University of North Texas (MBA), Southeastern Oklahoma State University (BBA)
Locke Lord
Nick Graber, Partner
Locke Lord has promoted Dallas-based Nick Graber to partner. Graber focuses his practice on all aspects of litigation, from intake to resolution in state and federal courts and alternative dispute resolution forums across the country. His practice includes business torts, contract disputes, False Claims Act actions and related government investigations, including violations of anti-kickback statutes, and general commercial litigation.
Education: Indiana University Bloomington (JD, MBA), Iowa State University (BS)
Jennifer McCoy, Partner
Jennifer McCoy has also been promoted to partner at Locke Lord. McCoy focuses her practice on white collar criminal defense and government and internal investigations, as well as labor and employment matters. Her clients include companies, educational institutions and individuals facing various allegations of fraud; antitrust violations; antikickback violations; False Claims Act violations; securities law violations; and misconduct related to employment, regulatory and compliance matters.
Education: Southern Methodist University (JD), Texas A&M University (BS)
McGuireWoods
Chelsie Kidd, Partner
Dallas based Chelsie Kidd has been announced named partner in McGuireWoods’ Dallas office in its newest class of partners for 2025. Kidd focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions and private equity. She joined McGuire Woods in 2018 as an associate following a two-year stint at Brown and Fortunato.
Education: Texas Tech University (JD), Florida International University (BA)
Brian Robertson, Partner
Brian Robertson has also made McGuireWoods’ 2025 partnership class. Robertson serves clients in a range of business transactions including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, securities transactions, strategic contracting and corporate compliance. He also joined in the firm six years ago as an associate after spending two years with Polsinelli in the same position.
Education: Baylor University (JD), Texas Tech University (BBA)
Paul Hastings
Stephen Fitzgerald, Partner
In further expanding their market-leading environmental litigation practice, Paul Hastings has announced that premier environmental litigator and crisis management advisor Stephen Fitzgerald has joined the firm as a partner in Dallas. Fitzgerald’s practice focuses on defense of clients in state and federal enforcement actions, as well as private party lawsuits involving numerous federal environmental laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act.
Education: Widener University (JD), Spring Hill College (BS)
Neighborhood Credit Union
Steve Boylan, Senior Vice President
Neighborhood Credit Union, a not-for-profit financial organization and the oldest credit union in the DFW metroplex, has named Steve Boylan as senior vice president of lending and collections responsible for managing all aspects of consumer lending, indirect lending, mortgage lending, and collections while adhering to all state and federal regulations and rules. An industry veteran, Boylan served as chief lending officer for Community Resource Credit Union in Baytown, Texas and has held leadership positions with Texas Dow Employees Credit Union, Wells Fargo and First Financial Bank.
Education: University of New Mexico (BS)
HEI Hotels & Resorts
Robert Jones, Director of Sales and Marketing
The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa and The Sheraton Stonebriar Hotel announce the appointment of Robert Jones as the new complex director of sales and marketing. With nearly 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and a track record of success in revenue growth, strategic partnerships, and brand innovation. In his new role, Jones will oversee all sales and marketing functions for both The Westin Stonebriar and The Sheraton Stonebriar with a focus on elevating both properties’ market presence by driving both corporate and leisure business and creating impactful partnerships.
Education: Community College of the Air Force (AS)
Board Appointments
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Roger Gault, Board Chair
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Dallas Symphony Association announce the election of the next chair of the DSA board of governors, Roger Gault, as well as nine new board members. Gault is a licensed real estate broker and a licensed architect. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and a past member of the AIA Ethics Committee. Gault succeeds CeCe Smith as chair of the DSA board of governors who has held the position since the 2021-22 concert season.
Education: Texas Tech University (BA)
The remaining new board members will begin their three-year terms immediately:
Jim Baldwin, Board Member
Linda Burk, Board Member
Kevin Bryant, Board Member
Susan Geyer, Board Member
Marsha Halloran, Board Member
Dan Hoverman, Board Member
Steve Penrose, Board Member
Michael Rosenthal, Board Member
Crayton Webb, Board Member
Tolleson Wealth Management
Tolleson Wealth Management has appointed two new members to its board of directors.
Peter Chilian, Board Member
Jon Wolkenstein, Board Member
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