On Thursday, Jan. 16, Globe Life Field in Arlington was abuzz with energy from business leaders, community partners, and sports executives as the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) hosted its 2025 Annual Meeting, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.
As the DRC’s largest event of the year, the Annual Meeting program celebrated the accomplishments of 2024, gave a glimpse into priorities for 2025, and showcased some of the Dallas Region’s greatest assets.

“I like to say that if you’re a member of the Dallas business community, you’re already on a winning team. But if you’re a member of the DRC, you’re inside the winning locker room,” said Dale Petroskey, DRC President and CEO. “This business community is a team—a team that likes working together. I think that’s why we’re so successful.”
The Annual Meeting marked one year since the DRC launched its 2024-2026 strategic plan, “Building Tomorrow Together.” At the 2024 Annual Meeting, 2024 Board Chair Cynt Marshall, then-CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, charged the business community with “seizing the moment” as the DRC’s strategic plan got underway.
“Today I’m delighted to report that we did indeed seize the moment to do good work,” said Marshall, now bearing the title of President and CEO of Marshalling Resources. “As I look out over this audience, I see amazing people who, in 2024, gave up their time, talent, and treasure to the citizens of Dallas and our region… You’ve made Dallas better.”
Petroskey encouraged attendees to explore the DRC’s 2024 Impact Report to see a full list of accomplishments from Marshall’s tenure as Chair.
At the end of her remarks, Marshall officially passed the baton to 2025 Board Chair Jim Springfield, President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.
“I’m excited to work with all of you to bring a bright future to life for the Dallas Region,” Springfield said. “We have much to be proud of and so much more to achieve. Now, as we look ahead to 2025, the DRC’s focus is squarely on advancing initiatives that will drive long-term growth and prosperity for our region.”
Specifically, Springfield referenced the work the DRC and its member companies will do in Austin during the 89th Texas Legislative Session to advance its legislative agenda.
Exploring the power of sports business

The event’s centerpiece was a dynamic keynote panel moderated by Chuck Morgan, the legendary voice of the Texas Rangers, and featuring leaders from Dallas’ iconic sports franchises. The discussion underscored why the Dallas Region is the No. 1 market in the U.S. for sports business, according to the Sports Business Journal, and highlighted the industry’s community-building power.
“Sports is not just a passion… it’s a culture for our community and a lifestyle,” said Charlotte Jones, Chief Brand Officer and Co-Owner of the Dallas Cowboys. “It’s a place where all walks of life come together—every generation, every culture, everyone.”
Neil Leibman, President and COO of the Texas Rangers, credited Dallas’ passionate fan base and state-of-the-art facilities as cornerstones of its sports dominance, while Dallas Wings CEO and Managing Partner Greg Bibb highlighted the collaborative spirit among regional teams and the business community.
Rick Welts, sharing the stage with his peers for the first time as the Dallas Mavericks’ new CEO, spoke to the transformative power of sports leadership.
“We have an outsized opportunity to improve our communities,” Welts said. “[Sports] is the most hopeful thing we have in our society today, and we’re all just lucky to be a part of it.”
Bibb agreed, adding, “In an increasingly fragmented world, sports is the last great unifier.”
Gina Miller, Vice President of Broadcasting, Media & Communications for FC Dallas, highlighted the role of the media ecosystem in contributing to Dallas’ status in sports business.
“That’s why there’s so much value for these corporate partnerships for sports franchises,” Miller said. “It’s going to get covered, it’s going to get engagement… [sports] is always front-of-mind in those editorial meetings, I can guarantee you that.”
Gratitude for the business community and the privilege to work in the region was a throughline in the comments from the playmakers on stage.

“There’s not a day goes by where we don’t recognize the privilege we have to serve in the roles that we have, and it’s because of our fans and people like you that make that possible,” Jones said.
She continued, “Back in 1989, Mayor Annette Strauss gave [the Jones family] one piece of advice that’s never been more true. She said, ‘if you love Dallas, it will love you back.’ Rick, those are my words for you.”
In his comments, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross captured the spirit of Annual Meeting.
“There is no better community than North Texas when it comes to working together.”
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SILVER
Amazon | Capital One Bank | Fidelity Investments | Forvis Mazars | Haynes and Boone, LLP | The Men and Women of Hunt Consolidated, Inc. | Oncor | Southwest Airlines | Toyota Motor North America | Wells Fargo
BRONZE
Amegy Bank of Texas | Arcosa | Bank of America | DHD Films | Dallas Mavericks | Frost | Grant Thornton | HKS, Inc. | Troutman Pepper Locke | Slalom | Texas Instruments, Inc. | Thomson Reuters | The University of Texas at Arlington
As of 1/10/2025