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Dallas Mavericks
Gina Miller, Chief Communications Officer
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The Dallas Mavericks have named Gina Miller as its chief communications officer. In this newly created role, Miller will be responsible for overing all corporate communications, as well as basketball communications and broadcasting. Over the past decade, Miller has served with FC Dallas as vice president of broadcasting, media and communications. During her tenure in Frisco, she secured the franchise first paid local television broadcast package and played a key role in helping land a record nine matches in North Texas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as well as the International Broadcast Center.
Twin Hospitality Group
Melissa Fry, Chief Marketing Officer
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Melissa Fry will be the next CMO for Twin Hospitality Group. Most recently, the senior director of marketing at Hooters of America, she has 25 years of hospitality marketing experience. At Hooters, Fry led national media campaigns, influencer marketing initiatives, experience-focused marketing, and a digital platform overhaul to drive engagement and revenue growth. Fry will be tapped to install similar initiatives across the Twin Hospitality Group portfolio.
Education: Palomar College (AA)
Nexus Family Recovery Center
Mackeshia Brown, Chief Financial Officer
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Nexus Family Recovery Center has tapped Mackeshia Brown to take over as CFO of the substance abuse recovery nonprofit. Brown brings two decades of nonprofit finance experience, most recently as the assistant controller for the nonprofit. She also has experience managing budgets exceeding $90 million. Now she will be tasked with guiding Nexus’ long-term financial stability.
Education: East Texas A&M University (MS, MBA), University of Phoenix (BBA).
Emily Parham, Chief Programs Officer
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Emily Parham is also taking on a new role as Nexus’s chief programs officer. In this role, Parham will spearhead Nexus’s nonclinical programs, including recovery, residential, transportation, and case management services. As director of compliance with Nexus, she oversaw operations and held them to all federal, state, and Joint Commission client care standards.
Education: The University of Texas at Arlington (MSW), Texas Tech University (BS)
Quantum Connections
Jonathan Thorp, Chief Executive Officer
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Quantum Connections, a workplace employee engagement firm, has named Jonathan Thorp as its CEO. The retired Navy pilot, with 24 years of service, takes over following a stint as chief learning officer. Thorp has experience in the financial sector, including as a talent development VP and private banker at J.P. Morgan, as well as almost 11 years at First Command Financial Services. Thorp is tapped to lead the firm that sells communication training, based on behavioral science, to boost connection and profitability in the workplace.
Education: Northcentral University (PhD), U.S. Naval War College (MA), United States Naval Academy (BA)
The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas
Jacopo Nardini, Director of Food & Beverage
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Jacopo Nardini is bringing his 15 years of hospitality experience to The Ritz-Carlton, Las Colinas. He was previously the director of restaurants at The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, where he oversaw multiple renovations while keeping to the hotel’s standards. He joins the Las Colinas hotel, as it recently underwent a $55 million renovation. Before his tenure across multiple Ritz locations, Nardini served in a leadership role at Adare Manor Hotel & Resort in Ireland.
Education: London South Bank University (HM)
BRIX Holdings
Erik Jensen, Vice President of Marketing
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BRIX Holdings taps Erik Jensen as its new vice president of marketing. Jensen will be in charge of marketing strategy, brand development, and engagement across its portfolio – including Friendly’s, Orange Leaf, and Red Mango. Most recently, the senior brand engagement director at Keurig Dr Pepper; previously at Denny’s, Foote, Cone & Belding, and DDB. He has been a part of multiple award-winning advertising campaigns.
Education: Michigan State University (BA)
Board Appointments
The University of North Texas System Board of Regents
Carlos Munguia has been elected as chairman of the University of North Texas System Board of Regents. Melisa Denis will serve as vice chair. The pairing comes at the conclusion of outgoing chair Laura Wright’s six-year term/ Munguia previously served as vice chair.