Plano Chamber Announces 2024 Board of Directors

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: LaChaya Terry
Phone: 972-424-7547, ext. 224
Email: lachayat@planochamber.org