FORT WORTH, TX – At the Fort Worth Chamber (FWC) General Board Meeting on January 23, 2025, board members voted to approve the 2025 slate of Executive Board officers. The Chamber also recognized this year’s roster of Executive Board members, at-large board members, committee chairs, and area board chairs.
Meeting monthly, the Executive Board is responsible for guiding, directing, and managing the Chamber’s strategic plan. The individuals ratified to fill Executive Board leadership positions in 2025 represent a broad spectrum of industries and interests across the Fort Worth area. They are, as follows:
- Brian C. Newby (Managing Partner, Cantey Hanger LLP) as Chair
- Mike Micallef (President, Reata Restaurant) as Vice Chair
- Matt Whip (Partner, Financial Services, Ernst & Young LLP) as Treasurer, Chair of Finance
- Charlie Campbell (Executive Vice President Finance & Operations, Hillwood) as Past Chair
- Steve Montgomery as FWC President & CEO
A long-time advocate for Fort Worth businesses, Brian C. Newby has been an active member of the Chamber for over five years, serving on the government affairs committee, chairing the membership committee, and holding previous positions on the Executive Board. He brings decades of experience in law, military leadership, and public service to his role, having served as a Major General in the United States Air Force and Texas Air National Guard, and as General Counsel and Chief of Staff to Texas Governor Rick Perry.
As the new Chair — and the first Black Chair at the Fort Worth Chamber — Newby aims to honor history while making it. Cantey Hanger LLP, Newby’s law firm, boasts a 140-year legacy of deep involvement in Fort Worth’s business community. “As long as Fort Worth has had a business community, members of our firm have been involved in leadership positions in the Chamber,” said Newby. Newby is also proud of his active involvement with the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber, a commitment to diverse business representation he plans to carry forward throughout his service on the Executive Board.
“I’m a huge Fort Worth supporter,” Newby said. “Anything that advances the business community in our city benefits the entire community. I’m also focused on ensuring that businesses of all types and from every part of the city feel represented — not just those based in downtown high-rises.”
Newby’s goals for 2025 include increasing Chamber membership and delivering meaningful value to businesses of all sizes. “Whether it’s a small tire shop or a major corporation, we want every member to see that the Chamber can address their specific needs and serve as a vital partner in their success,” he said.
Along with the Executive Board officers, the following individuals have been announced as Executive Board Members and At-Large Board of Director Members for 2025
Executive Board Members:
- Holli Davies (META)
- Lucas Bathurst (HDR)
- Henry Hudson (Danone)
- Ken Randall (Baird, Hampton and Brown, Inc.)
- Lori Baldock (Simmons Bank)
- Andrew Lombardi (Crescent Real Estate LLC)
- Becky Redman (Lockheed Martin Aeronautics)
- David Tesmer (Texas Health Resources)
- Travis Clegg (Real Estate Council)
- Matt Homan (Trail Drive Management Corp.)
At-Large Board of Directors Members
- Lisa Rettew (Luther King Capital Management)
- Nico Leone (KERA)
- Joel Heydenburk (Jackson Walker LLP)
- Jennifer Baggs Kamacioglu (Texas Capital Bank)
- Ken Schaefer (Schaefer Advertising Co.)
- Grant Coates (The Miles Foundation)
- John Vallance (Whitley Penn)
- Bexie Nobles (WALSH)
- Brendan Harrington (Autobahn)
- Wayne Gensler (Trinity Metro)
- Brian Lynch (Ben E. Keith Foods)
- Willie Rankin (Childcare Associates)
- Sanel Thomas (Thomas Restaurant Enterprises / Chick-fil-A)
- Ashley Freer (Balcom Agency)
- Cliff Keiser (UMB Bank)
- Karen Denney (Haynes Boone)
Additional FWC members have been tapped as new or continuing chairs for the following specialized committees and regional boards, dedicated to providing support for our diverse business community:
- Frank Shiels (Frost Bank) to chair the Business Advocacy Committee
- Mike Micallef (Reata Restaurant) to chair the Investor Relations Committee
- Brendan Harrington (Autobahn) to chair the Automotive Task Force
- Hudson Bell (CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC) to chair the Action Ambassadors
- Mia Moss (Black Coffee) to chair the East Area Board
- Mike Coffey (Imperative Information Group) to chair both the South Area Board and the Talent Committee
- Ken Randall (Baird, Hampton and Brown, Inc.) to chair the West Area Board
- Ben Johnson (Frost Bank) to chair the North Area Board
- Victoria Puente (Long Game Consulting, LLC) to chair the Central Area Board
“Charlie Campbell did a tremendous job as Chair in 2024,” said Newby of his predecessor in the role. “Working in tandem with FWC President & CEO Steve Montgomery, they shepherded us through a transformative year. I’m thrilled to continue working with them as we renew our emphasis on what I call the bread and butter of the Chamber — providing support and support services to all our members.
“Fort Worth is a dynamic place. It’s a place where you can accomplish the extraordinary. But you need connections — to the city, to the businesses in your industry, even to the businesses on your block. Membership in the Chamber ensures your business never has to operate in a vacuum. We have the resources, the networks, and the advocacy you need to thrive.”
ABOUT THE FORT WORTH CHAMBER
The Fort Worth Chamber, with more than 1,300 member businesses, serves as the leading voice of the business community in the fastest growing city in the nation. Through its core functions of leadership, engagement, and advocacy, the Chamber’s mission is to bring the Fort Worth region together to identify issues, solve problems and align resources resulting in a stronger business climate and greater economic prosperity for all.
For more information, visit fortworthchamber.com.