PLANO, TX - January 23, 2024 - The Plano Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to welcome our 2024 Board of Directors. These individuals were selected on an application basis or as an elected position associated with a Plano Chamber program.
Leading the Board of Directors as 2024 Chair of the Board will be David L. Downs, Managing Partner for Downs Fisher Financial. Downs joined the Plano Chamber Board of Directors in 2019 and has served as Treasurer for 2 years, Chair of Public Policy, Vice Chair and Chair-elect. He’s also served as an investor in the Chamber for several years and supported programs like Plano United Business, Leadership Plano and more. David is a graduate of Leadership Plano, Class 20.
“I am honored to join the Plano Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as the new Chair of the Board” states Downs. “I am excited to work alongside such a dedicated and talented group of individuals to support and promote the growth of local businesses in our community. I am committed to making a positive impact and to continue the Chamber's mission and fostering a thriving business environment in Plano.”
The leadership team for 2024 includes Chair of the Board – David Downs (Downs Fischer Financial), 2025 Chair-Elect – Kristen Lollar (Whitley Penn), Vice Chair – Amanda Rockow (University of Texas at Dallas), Treasurer - Russell Dubree (Performance Faction), Secretary - Crystal Clayton (SMU), Director At Large - Paul Myers (Quilling Selander), Immediate Past Board Chair – Michael Lawson (The Boeing Company), and Plano Chamber President & CEO - Kelle Marsalis.
New to the board in 2024 are Vincent Allen (Carsten, Allen, & Gourley), Catherine Bywaters (THR Presbyterian Plano), Ben Coogan (Medical City Plano), Jolene Risch (Risch Results), Kelsel Thompson (Paul Quinn College), Kelly Trouy (Frito Lay), Nick Weander (Olsson), Phillip Wiginton (JPMorgan Chase), Graciela Katzer (Plano International Festival) and Leadership Plano Board Chair Laura Retta (UBS Financial) will officially join the board in July 2024, in accordance with the Leadership Plano calendar.
We would like to thank the members of our retiring 2023 Board Members, Joan Cetera (Frito-Lay), Emily Fulton (AT&T), Chad Mumford (Liberty Mutual), Kalpana Murthy (WSI Digital Marketing), Elizabeth Sullivan (Murphy & Sylvest Wealth Management), and Trisha Windham (Trinity Public Affairs).
Joining the Executive Committee, listed above, will be the board of directors and advisory board.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vincent Allen
Carsten, Allen & Gourley
Russ Burch
Frost Bank
Catherine Bywaters
THR Presbyterian Plano
Ben Coogan
Medical City Plano
Sean Corrington
FMG
Kellie Davidson
KID Capital Funding
Angela Fisher
Children’s Health
Christopher Garza
Shutterfly
Paul Hernandez
Oncor
Misty Hoyt
Photography by Misty
Laura Retta
UBS Financial | 2024-2025 LP Chair
Bob Kehr
Kehr Technologies
Leanne Libby
Community Impact
Jolene Risch
Risch Results
Kendall Rowden
Children’s Health | YPP Chair
Kelsel Thompson
Paul Quinn College
Kelly Trouy
Frito-Lay
Nick Weander
Olsson
Phillip Wiginton
JPMorgan Chase
Pamela Zeigler-Petty
PZP BIZConnect
Emily Zoog
Veritex Community Bank | WD Chair
ADVISORY DIRECTORS
Doug McDonald
Executive Director
Plano Economic Development
Mark Israelson
City Manager
City of Plano
Dr. Mary Barnes-Tilley
Provost
Collin College
Lucas LaChance
Partner
Lane Gorman Trubitt, LLC
2023 COMMUNITY PARTNERS & FORMER CHAIRS OF THE BOARD
Graciela Katzer President
Plano International Festival
Steve McSwain
Chief Operating Officer
ARTA Travel
Lissa Smith
Community Relations Advisor
FedEx Office
Dr. Theresa Williams
Superintendent
Plano Independent School District
Shawn Whitlock
President
Collin County Black Chamber
The 2024 Board of Directors were officially installed on Wednesday, January 10 at the Plano Chamber’s Annual Meeting.
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About the Plano Chamber of Commerce: Established in 1946, the Plano Chamber represents over 800 businesses and community organizations in Plano and the surrounding area. Accredited as a 5-Star Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and awarded 2018 Chamber of the Year, the Plano Chamber of Commerce is committed to maximizing business development and economic growth of the community through advocacy, education, innovation, and collaboration.