Rafael Lizardi, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Texas Instruments (TI) today began his one-year term as 2023 Board Chair of the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) at the DRC’s 2023 Annual Meeting at the AT&T Performing Arts Center Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House.
Lizardi will preside over the DRC’s efforts to help ensure the continued growth of the region’s economy and help drive the DRC’s public policy agenda for the upcoming Texas Legislative session.
Lizardi joined TI in 2001 and was named Vice President in 2010. He was promoted to Corporate Controller in 2012 before assuming the role of CFO in 2017. Lizardi has sat on the DRC Board of Directors since 2018.
“For several years now as a Board member, I’ve had a front row seat watching the DRC in action, championing economic growth and development across the region, helping our kids get a good education, creating a more equitable society, and advocating for public policy proposals to keep our business climate strong, open, and welcoming,” Lizardi said. “As we prepare for a new Texas Legislative session, the DRC will encourage our elected officials to take advantage of our state’s budget surplus to make smart, long-term investments in our region’s infrastructure and human capital. These priorities will strengthen our region and set us up for an even better tomorrow.”
Lizardi earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from The U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University. Prior to joining TI, Lizardi was a captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He also holds the designation of Certified Management Accountant.
Lizardi succeeds Bob Pragada, who will remain a member of the DRC Board and Executive Committee. During Pragada’s tenure, the DRC was named National Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
“I’m proud of the DRC’s unyielding commitment to bringing a future filled with hope for everyone who lives and works in the region,” said Pragada. “The DRC team works hard every day to expand the economic, educational, and job opportunities for all – including becoming the fastest-growing market in the U.S. for high-tech jobs, the expansion of Dallas Thrives to invest in our future workers, and the launch of the Southern Dallas County Economic Development initiative. And I know that under Rafael’s leadership, the DRC will only build on this record of success.”
The DRC announced today that Nancy Avila, Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Technology Officer for McKesson Corporation, has been elected by the Board to serve as 2024 DRC Chair.
“The Dallas Regional Chamber has earned its reputation as the best in the nation by being a different kind of chamber,” Avila said. “I look forward to working closely with Rafael, my Board colleagues, and CEO Dale Petroskey and his team to make the Dallas Region the best place in the United States to live, work, and do business.”
To view a complete list of 2023 DRC Board members, please click here.
For more information about the DRC’s 2023 Annual Meeting, please click here.
About the Dallas Regional Chamber
Named as the National Chamber of the Year in July 2022, the Dallas Regional Chamber is one of America’s most established business organizations and serves as the voice of business and the champion of economic development and growth in the Dallas Region. We work with our member companies and regional partners to strengthen our business community by advocating for pro-growth public policies, improving our educational system, attracting talented workers from around the world, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and enhancing the quality of life for all. Our goal is to make the Dallas Region the best place in the United States for all people to live, work, and do business. For more information visit www.dallaschamber.org.
About McKesson
Headquartered in North Texas, McKesson is a diversified healthcare leader that touches virtually every aspect of health by delivering insights, products and services that make quality care more accessible and affordable.