Board of Directors & Staff
2013 Board of Directors
RON WATTERSON
Chairman of the Board
Ron Watterson serves as a Branch Manager and Senior Loan Officer for PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Ron’s experience in real estate and mortgage banking spans over 25 years and includes tenure with Merrill Lynch and Ebby Halliday Realtors, as well CTX Mortgage-Park Cities for more than 14 years.
Since joining PrimeLending in January 2009, Ron opened the well known PrimeLending branch location at 3500 Oak Lawn Avenue at the corner of Lemmon. Ron is an affiliate member of the Metrotex Association of Realtors and a member of the DFW Federal Club.
When not helping his home-buying customers, you may find Ron relaxing at Cedar Creek Lake with his partner of 22 years, Michael, and tending to their small herd of dairy goats, heirloom breed chickens and ducks.
LARRY PASCHALL
Vice Chairman & Membership Chair
Larry Paschall, AIA, is a Project Architect and Vice President at HPD Architecture LLC and is responsible for day-to-day operations of the firm. In addition to his design and business management activities, he is co-host and author of the audio podcast The Architecture Happy Hour, an informal discussion about architecture for design professionals, clients, and architecture students available on iTunes.
Along with partners Laura Davis, AIA, IFDA and Holly Hall, AIA, CAPS, Mr. Paschall is a host and organizer for The Architecture Happy Hour monthly networking event, bringing together architects, interior designers, and various industry members interested in reaching out to the design community. He serves as the Vice Chair for the Board of Directors for the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce as well as membership committee chair. In addition, Mr. Paschall serves on the 2013-2014 Function: Industry Advisory Board.
A respected and inspirational speaker, Mr. Paschall has shared his firm’s experience and respective industry acumen at industry conferences across the U.S. Topics include alternative marketing strategies for architects; personal and professional branding; intern management; and starting an architecture and interior design firm.
MONICA PAUL
Secretary & Treasurer (Acting)
Monica is the Vice President of Sports Marketing for the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. Her responsibilities include implementing marketing programs designed to enhance Dallas’ acquisition of sports competitions and events including the active solicitation of professional, Olympic, collegiate and amateur sports, events, and meetings.
Prior to joining the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, Monica was the Associate Director of Events at USA Volleyball where she was primarily responsible for overseeing the international events and marketing for the USA Women’s and Men’s National Teams from 2007-2008. Monica was the Director of International and Domestic Events for USA Taekwondo from 2004-2006 and the Director of Events, Marketing and Sponsorships for the Junior Volleyball Association of Austin from 2001-2003. Monica first joined USA Volleyball in 1997 as the Technical Coordinator for the USA Women’s National Team and was a part of the USA Delegation for the 2000 & 2004 Olympic Games. While at the University of Texas, she was also a part of the coaching staff where she served as the Team Manager for the 1997 season.
Monica graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and earned a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. Monica is single and currently resides in Addison, Texas.
TIM DeWITT
Corporate Relations Chair
Tim co-founded OBOX Solutions with his husband, Thom DeWitt, in 2005. OBOX Solutions, a certified LGBTE, information technology solutions and staffing firm has achieved Tier 1 status for Fortune 500 companies, as well as, servicing small to mid-size firms.
His professional background includes being Assistant Vice President of Lomas Mortgage where his work with re-employing the older worker earned him Employer of the Year by the Department of Labor. Tim traveled nationally, speaking on behalf of the Urban League and the National Council on Aging of the benefits of employing the older worker.
Tim served on the Board of Directors and as Vice President of the Board for the North Texas Rebuilding Together. He currently serves on the NGLCC Procurement Council, Supplier Committee and Scholarship Committee. He is a supporting member of Lambda Legal Liberty Circle, AIN, HRC, AYNI Peru and Break the Silence.
Tim graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s of Public Relations with a minor in Professional Communications.
CRAIG RICHESIN
A Fort Worth native, Craig spent his high school and college years in Jackson, Wyoming & Bozeman, Montana enjoying outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing and skiing.
Upon his return to Texas Craig settled in Dallas and began working for hotel management companies in Dallas representing brands like Marriott, Adam’s Mark, Renaissance and Wyndham. For the past 10-years he has worked for Starwood Hotels & Resorts selling for Westin, Sheraton & Luxury Collection in Dallas & Phoenix.
Craig currently serves as Director of Sales for Starwood’s largest Sheraton property in North America, The Sheraton Dallas.
ROBERT C. RUHLIN
Rob Ruhlin is an attorney whose practice focuses on Tax and Employment Litigation. Rob represents individuals and small businesses in all stages of tax disputes with the IRS and the Texas Comptroller. In addition, Rob represents both employers and employees in litigation involving discrimination, wrongful termination, unemployment benefits, unpaid wages, and contract disputes.
Rob earned Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctorate degrees from The Ohio State University, and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University.
JUSTIN WILLIAMS
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EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS
LORIE BURCH, Immediate Past Chair
DERRICK BROWN
VERONICA TORRES
ED OAKLEY
Board Application Form
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STAFF
TONY VEDDA, IOM
President & CEO
Tony became the Chamber's President & CEO in 2007 after serving two years on the Board of Directors. His career in chamber management began thirty years ago as a membership specialist for the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Since that time he has worked with several general market chambers in Arizona and California, as well as five years as Executive Director of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Business Association, the nation’s first GLBT chamber of commerce.
Tony is a graduate of the US Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management (IOM). He is a past board member of Resource Center Dallas and the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. Currently Tony serves on the US Chamber West Institute Board of Regents and North Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives Association Board of Directors. He is a member of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE), as well as the Leadership San Francisco, and Leadership Dallas alumni associations.
Membership Development Advisor
Membership/Executive Assistant
