Hal Brown
Owner/Publisher
What is the most important part of your job?
Ensuring we make a profit, so we can pay our employees and fulfill our mission to celebrate Fort Worth and make it better. It is also my job to make sure we stay true to our primary target audience.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
in oil and gas or a SaaS (Software as a Service) business. They typically have very high net profit margins and a valuation multiple of 4–10 net profit!
My favorite song is...
"Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison and "When You Say Nothing at All" by Keith Whitley
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
it provides big opportunities, a vibrant culture, a sense of community, friendly people, and room to breathe. To quote the great Amon Carter, "Fort Worth is where the West begins." It is the most Texas city of all Texas cities, where our cowboy, cattle and oil heritage blend effortlessly with our large industries of aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation.
Mike Waldum
President
What is the most important part of your job?
Developing and executing all of our sales strategies within our verticals and exceeding our clients’ expectations.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
a mascot for a pro sports team.
My favorite song is...
"Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
I can eat BBQ for breakfast.
Charles Newton
Chief Financial Officer
What is the most important part of your job?
Budget planning and financial reporting.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
a landscape architect.
My favorite song is...
Anything by The Eagles
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
of its western cultural history and the values that most Fort Worthians possess.
Brian Kendall
Executive Editor
What is the most important part of your job?
Learning everything there is to learn about the city — people and things, new and old — and either writing about those things or editing other people writing about those things. It’s my job to make sure we tell good stories, and that we tell them well.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
still trying to figure out what cryptocurrency is all about. Might also try my hand at filmmaking or writing the next great American novel, which would inevitably lead me to a humdrum desk job at [insert generic company name here].
My favorite song is...
"Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" by Kris Kristofferson
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
it has the perfect cool to cowpoke ratio. And when even the cowpoke is cool, there’s not a whole lot to dislike about this town.
John Henry
Executive Editor, Fort Worth Inc.
What is the most important part of your job?
Understanding our audience and then curating and delivering content that resonates with them. Much goes into all that, starting with defining an editorial vision and maintaining a cohesive editorial voice and tone that reflects our mission.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
a hobo … probably. Maybe going door-to-door selling encyclopedias. Maybe a teacher. Maybe all three.
My favorite song is...
"Float On" by Modest Mouse"
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
the distinct character of the place has revealed itself through a rich and colorful history — both glorious and perfectly inglorious — as well as through its unique personalities. This is especially true inside the Loop, where generations have grown up together or are just two degrees of Kevin Bacon separation from knowing someone who knows someone.
Stephen Montoya
Digital Editor
What is the most important part of your job?
Presenting online stories in a way that captivates our audience. I’ve found that, often, after digging deeper, a more compelling story emerges than I initially expected. Once I’ve uncovered that, my next task is to make sure we have enough intriguing stories to keep Fort Worth informed about the many facets and events that make our city, well, Cowtown.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
a singer in a rock band, of course.
My favorite song is...
"Panther City" by Leon Bridges
Cats or dogs?
Cats
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
the art deco design, the western history, and the food. But most importantly, it's the compelling people who live here. That's why I call this area my home.
Craig Sylva
Creative Director
What is the most important part of your job?
Working with the editors on every issue to produce a magazine we can be proud of and makes an impact with our audience. From a more personal point of view, making sure each issue of both Fort Worth Magazine and Fort Worth Inc. achieves a high standard graphically. And to try and have a little fun doing it.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
really sad!
My favorite song is...
"One" by U2
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
it's a big growing city with a small town feel ... except for the traffic on 820. That feels like a big city.
Spray Gleaves
Senior Art Director
What is the most important part of your job?
Creative design for Fort Worth Magazine and Fort Worth Inc.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
a helicopter pilot.
My favorite song is...
"Takin' Care Of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Cats or dogs?
Cats
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
it's a big city with a small city feel.
Gina Wigginton
Advertising Account Supervisor
What is the most important part of your job?
Going above and beyond clients’ expectations with stellar customer service — service beyond the sale. If a client signs an annual contract with me, I start from day one going above and beyond their expectations. I encourage my customers to contact me anytime — day, night, weekends, holidays — to ensure that their needs are met, and any concerns are dealt with immediately. I become a brand ambassador of their business. You will find me spending an enormous amount of time on photo shoots, developing ad campaigns, follow through to ensure that the client’s expectations are met, and the experience is the best they've ever had.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
volunteering at Saving Hope Rescue, rescuing as many precious babies as possible.
My favorite song is...
"Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman (I also love the Luke Combs version)
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
it has a vibrant culture and friendly atmosphere made up of folks that genuinely care about making the community better. It’s also a very philanthropic city, with fabulous 501C3 organizations unique to Fort Worth and beautiful people giving money and time to improve the city.
Marion Knight
Advertising Account Supervisor
What is the most important part of your job?
Selling advertising/marketing! And then providing excellent service to my clients. I get to meet so many new and interesting people. I love my job!!
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
a political fundraiser.
My favorite song is...
"We Are The Champions" by Queen
Cats or dogs?
Cats
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
it's the perfect blend of a big city and yet, in many ways, has a wonderful small town feel to it. Our museums, the rodeo, the zoo, and performing arts are all outstanding and help make Fort Worth what it is today. How blessed we are to live here!
Tammy DeNapoli
Account Executive
What is the most important part of your job?
Building business relationships and creating marketing ideas to help my client's businesses grow. I connect people and their businesses to our community through Panther City Media Group's suite of marketing solutions.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
a sports or news caster.
My favorite song is...
"Circles" by Post Malone
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
it’s a city that is more like a town. People who grew up here rarely leave town and have deep connections to Fort Worth. It's also the one and only Cowtown.
James Marcellus Houston IV
Account Executive
What is the most important part of your job?
Getting my advertising clients great campaign results!
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
an inventor of LifeRaft Drones to save lives.
My favorite song is...
"Mad World" by Gary Jules
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
it has a friendly and clean small town feel with big city amenities and attractions without the blight.
Rita Hale
Territory Manager, Fort Worth Inc.
What is the most important part of your job?
Understanding and addressing the customer's needs, building trust, providing solutions, and creating lasting value.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
retired.
My favorite song is...
"Mama's Broken Heart" by Miranda Lambert
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
it offers everything you could want — walking trails, diverse restaurants, theaters, museums, and a wide variety of entertainment. Accurate description of Fort Worth: Small town feel in a big city!
Michelle McGhee
Senior Production Manager
What is the most important part of your job?
Being an excellent listener and connecting with individuals on a personal level rather than just seeing them in their roles. Additionally, it's essential to communicate effectively and solve problems efficiently. It's also important to be organized, manage process of materials collection, and to do it all in a professional manner.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
doing something that has to do with traveling.
My favorite song is...
"Holy Forever" by Cece Winans
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
it's the perfect balance between laid-back and vibrant. There's always something to do thanks to its dynamic arts and music scene. The friendly locals, rich cultural heritage, and numerous great places to eat add to its charm. With my family near by, it's the place I call home.
Robby Kyser
Director of Digital
What is the most important part of your job?
Making sure all our digital deliverables are performing as promised. It is up to me to decide which platforms we are on to keep up with trends and new technologies. I love AI; it will be a game changer in the decade to come.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
a full-time musician and audio engineer.
My favorite song is...
"When the World Was Mine" by Bad Suns
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
it's a good size city with a small-town attitude. It is progressive, eclectic, a mecca for cowboys, and a mecca for artists. Easy to meet a stranger and hard to forget a night out. I love Fort Worth not just because I grew up here, but because I wanna stay here.
Grace Behr
Director of Marketing
What is the most important part of your job?
Creating all general and sales collateral, managing all email communications, and overseeing marketing efforts across our various projects. From our lists to our events to our Dream Home project, I touch most everything in some capacity that shapes how our brand is perceived.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
a college advisor. After having a great academic advisor myself, I've always thought working with young adults in some way would be really fulfilling.
My favorite song is...
"Golden Hour" by Kacey Musgraves
Cats or dogs?
Cats
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
the city has been my constant through all of life’s growing pains. As a little kid, my grandmother took me to the Fort Worth Zoo and the Museum of Science and History, sparking a lifelong connection to this magical city. Every birthday growing up, my one request was dinner at Joe T. Garcia’s (and not much has changed). Fast-forward to meeting the love of my life — a Fort Worth native — and I've been shown a whole new side of the city. From cheering on TCU to experiencing the Stockyards and attending my first Billy Bob’s concert , my connection to Fort Worth has only deepened.
Victoria Albrecht
Events and Promotions Director
What is the most important part of your job?
Ensuring the success of our events while creating memorable experiences for our guests, and sponsors.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
an artist manager in the country music industry
My favorite song is...
"You've Got a Friend" by James Taylor
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
of the unmatched kindness and philanthropic spirit that defines its vibrant and generous community.
Kaitlyn Lisenby
Project Manager
What is the most important part of your job?
Managing all of our projects and keeping us on track for deadlines.
If I wasn't so darn good at my job, I'd be...
traveling the world studying other cultures, working in a museum, or maybe digging up bones at an archaeological site.
My favorite song is...
"Zombie" by The Cranberries
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
Fort Worth is my favorite city because...
the diversity and the food. If I could eat ceviche and dim sum everyday I would.