
Crystal Wise
Brian Newby
Fort Worth Chamber Board Votes to Ratify 2025 Executive Board Officers and Names Executive Board Members, Area Chairs, and Committee HeadsBoard members of the Fort Worth Chamber have voted to approve the 2025 slate of executive board officers, including Brian Newby as chairman.
In addition to Newby, the first Black chair of the chamber, others ratified to fill executive board leadership positions include:
Mike Micallef (president, Reata Restaurant) — vice chair
Matt Whip (partner, Financial Services, Ernst & Young LLP) — treasurer/chair of Finance
Charlie Campbell (executive vice [resident Finance & Operations, Hillwood) — past chair
Steve Montgomery as FWC president and CEO
A longtime advocate for Fort Worth businesses, Newby, managing partner of Cantey Hanger, has been an active member of the chamber over the years, serving on the government affairs committee, chairing the membership committee, and holding previous positions on the executive board.
He has 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 Gov. Rick Perry.
“I’m a huge Fort Worth supporter,” Newby said in a statement. “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 a “small tire shop or a major corporation,” Newby said.
“Fort Worth is a dynamic place,” Newby said. “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.”
Also, the following 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 MembersLisa 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
Brendan Harrington (Autobahn) to chair the Automotive Task Force
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