Across North Texas, companies are promoting and hiring people for leadership positions.
Dallas Innovates covers prominent personnel moves in Dallas-Fort Worth businesses and nonprofits—from the newest startups to well-established companies. Here are the people moves tied to innovation and technology in the region.
Avocados From Mexico gets new marketing leadership
Irving-based produce company Avocados From Mexico has made two strategic hires to strengthen its marketing organization: Kelly Burke as associate brand director and Steven Klingele as director of research and analytics.
In her new role, Burke will lead brand efforts, working with digital marketing and the marketing media, data, analytics and consumer insights teams. She previously was the brand portfolio marketer for Pepsi Co, and before that, spent several years on the Immediate Consumption Portfolio team at Frito Lay North America. Klingele was most recently the director of consumer insights & innovation at Mission Foods. He has extensive food knowledge and strong data and research expertise. At AFM, he will lead analytics and consumer research efforts, while driving marketing analytics and delivering consumer insights that inspire innovation and optimization. AFM said adding Burke and Klingele represents its efforts to pioneer the transformation of produce marketing and branding by adopting CPG approaches to build a brand in a traditionally brand-less category.
Nexstar Media gets a general manager of Dallas’ broadcast and digital operations
Irving-based Nexstar Media Group Inc., the nation’s largest local television and media company, has promoted Marc Hefner to vice president and general manager of broadcast and digital operations in Dallas.
In his new role, Hefner will oversee KDAF-TV, cw33.com, and their related digital subchannels, mobile apps, and social media platforms. Hefner has more than 25 years of broadcast management and sales experience, and is well known as a leader within Nexstar. He has been with the company since 2007, serving as vice president and general manager of WCWJ-TV in Jacksonville, and was appointed to vice president and general manager of WSAV-TV in Savannah in 2017. Dallas is the country’s fifth largest market. “At both WCWJ-TV and again at WSAV-TV, Marc grew ratings, revenue, and market share, and deepened the station’s relationship with the greater community,” Traci Wilkinson, SVP and regional manager for Nexstar’s broadcasting division, said. “We’re confident that Marc will meet with similar success managing the talented teams at KDAF-TV in Dallas, and we’re looking forward to working with him in his new position at Nexstar.”
Darling Ingredients adds to its renewables team
Irving-based Darling Ingredients Inc., a leading producer of organic ingredients and renewable clean energy, has promoted Sandra Dudley to executive vice president of renewables and U.S. specialty operations.
In her new role, Dudley will continue to oversee Darling’s renewable fuel strategy, spearheading the production of nutrients for wet pet food, organic fertilizers, bakery feeds, and refining operations. She will also be tasked with growing the restaurant services business, which plays an integral role in the vertical integration of Darling’s renewable diesel joint venture. She originally joined Darling in 2015 and was most recently the SVP of renewables and strategy. “Sandy’s extensive knowledge of the renewable fuels industry and low-carbon feedstock supply gives her a unique and valuable perspective that has advanced Darling as a leader in sustainable ingredients,” Randall C. Stuewe, chairman and CEO of Darling Ingredients, said in a statement. “Her contributions have benefited Darling’s business around the world, and we look forward to her business acumen continuing to drive results in this new leadership position.”
