HTeaO
Shane Clark, Chief Development Officer
HTeaO, the leading iced tea franchise in the United States, is pleased to announce the appointment of Shane Clark as chief development officer. Clark previously served as chief development officer at Quality Brand Group, a large-scale, multi-concept franchisee organization that operates a total of 180+ Dunkin’, Baskin Robbins, and Buffalo Wild Wing Go locations across five states. In his new role, Clark will oversee real estate strategy, site selection, and construction management at HTeaO, driving the brand’s national expansion strategy.
Education: Southern Polytechnic State University (BS)
Michael Stoddard, Vice President of IT
Michael Stoddard brings a wealth of IT expertise to HTeaO, having rebuilt technology systems for several large brands from the ground up. With notable tenures at Taco Bueno, On the Border, Pei Wei, and Main Event, Stoddard has extensive experience designing scalable IT infrastructures, commercial POS systems, and back-office technologies to support rapid brand growth. In his role as VP of IT, Stoddard will be responsible for all aspects of HTeaO’s technology strategy, including launching a new app, introducing gift cards, and building an IT department capable of supporting HTeaO’s ambitious growth plans.
Education: University of Texas at Dallas (BS)
Stellar Service Brands
Jessica Wescott, Chief Executive Officer
Stellar Service Brands, a leading residential and commercial services company, has appointed Jessica Wescott as its CEO. Wescott, who joined Stellar Service Brands in June 2022 as COO and CFO, has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth, along with the expansion of its brands and services. Wescott has over a decade of experience in finance, operations and strategy, including senior leadership roles at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and Mooyah Burgers.
Education: Austin College (BA)
Lincoln Property Company
Laura Harkin, Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Advisory and Solutions
Laura Harkin has been joined Lincoln Property Company, a global, full-service real estate firm, as CCO, corporate advisory and solutions. Harkin spent 14 years with CBRE and most recently served as the CPP for CBRE’s GWS Local Americas business. In this role, she was responsible for all business operations, programs, strategy and process development and delivery. Harkin’s responsibilities also included oversite of health and safety, procurement and ESG.
Education: Pepperdine University (MS), University of Nevada (BA)
Norman Bertke, Executive Managing Director
Lincoln Property also named Norman Bertke executive managing director. In this new role, he will partner with existing Lincoln leadership to lead the firm’s corporate advisory and solutions (CAS) business. Lincoln’s CAS business provides comprehensive real estate services tailored to the unique needs of corporate occupiers, including facilities management, project management, transaction and lease management, strategic planning, site selection, and more. Prior to this, Bertke served as an executive for CBRE’s Asset Services business where he oversaw 300 million square feet of property and hundreds of client accounts.
Education: University of Southern California (MS), United States Airforce Academy (BS)
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Chris Smith, Senior Vice President
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden has named Chris Smith as the new senior vice president of marketing and guest experience. Smith brings extensive experience in public gardens and green spaces, most recently serving as a consultant for the arboretum, with significant contributions made this past summer. In her new role, Smith will lead the Arboretum’s marketing strategy and guest engagement initiatives, with a focus on elevating the experience for all who visit this beloved green space.
Education: Texas Christian University (MBA), University of North Texas (MER)
Southern Land Company
Jim Henry, Executive Vice President
Southern Land Company, a national real estate developer of award-winning master-planned, single-family, and mixed-use communities, has hired Jim Henry as the company’s executive vice president. In this newly created role, Henry will oversee SLC’s single-family and master-planned communities in each phase of their life cycles, from ideation to delivery. With over 25 years in real estate development, specifically master-planned and large-scale communities, Henry brings a wealth of experience to his role.
Education: University of North Carolina Wilmington (MBA), University of Pittsburgh (CE)
Ware Malcomb
Albert Yang, Studio Manager
Ware Malcomb, an award-winning international design firm, announced Albert Yang has joined the firm as studio manager in its Dallas office. In this role, Yang will help lead the overall growth of the architecture studio and manage select projects. Yang brings more than 27 years of architectural and design expertise to the Ware Malcomb team, having worked on a diverse international portfolio of projects including multifamily, aerospace, industrial, civic, hospitality and commercial.
Education: University of Hawaii at Manoa (BA)
KAI Design
Nicholas Simmerman, Project Manager
KAI Design has announced the hiring of Nicholas Simmerman as project manager at its Dallas-Fort Worth office. Simmerman brings over 18 years of experience in the architecture industry, having worked on a diverse range of projects, from large healthcare renovations and adaptive reuse of warehouse spaces to luxury multi-family hospitality and modern office developments. In the role, he is responsible for ensuring overall project profitability and customer satisfaction. He will manage owner relations and oversee the performance of subcontractors and KAI personnel.
Education: University of Texas at Arlington (MBA, BS)
Citadel Partners
Breck Besserer, Senior Advisor
Breck Besserer has joined corporate real estate advisory firm Citadel Partners as a Senior Advisor specializing in office and industrial project leasing in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Throughout his 15-year career, Besserer has represented both tenants and landlords. In the past three years, Besserer handled more than 60 transactions totaling over 1.2 million square feet of office, industrial, and retail properties.
Education: University of Kansas (BA)
Board Appointments:
PepsiCo Foods
Tiffany Derry, Culinary Advisory Board
Dallas-native Tiffany Derry is joining PepsiCo Food’s first ever culinary advisory board. With Derry’s culinary expertise, the culinary advisory board will work to reimagine what’s possible through PepsiCo Foods brands to inspire new ways to cook, experience and enjoy the foods fans know and love. As PepsiCo Foods continues its journey to reimagine what’s possible through its iconic brands, the culinary advisory board will help drive long-term strategy and innovation across the company.
Education: Art Institutes (AAS)
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