North Texas Commission Selects James D. Spaniolo as President and CEO

The Executive Committee of the North Texas Commission has selected James D. Spaniolo to serve as the regional, non-profit organization’s next President and CEO. Spaniolo served as president of the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) for almost a decade (2004-2013). His appointment will begin October 3, 2016, but he will be introduced at the 45th Annual Members’ Luncheon on September 15.

“We are excited to have Jim lead the team at the North Texas Commission,” said Robert Hastings, North Texas Commission chairman and executive vice president, Bell Helicopter. “At UTA, he had a strong record of collaboration and partnership building, and his extensive background in communications, public affairs, law, philanthropy and higher education will serve our region well.”

While President of UTA, Spaniolo was a Board Member of the North Texas Commission, and also served on the Boards of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, the Arlington Chamber and the Dallas Regional Chamber.

“Returning to North Texas is where my heart is. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the extraordinary public and private leaders throughout North Texas in achieving even greater levels of distinction for the most dynamic region in our country,” Spaniolo said.

Prior to joining UTA in 2004, Spaniolo served as the Dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University, and he was previously Vice President and Chief Program Officer for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the largest media-related private foundation in the United States. Earlier in his career, Spaniolo was legal counsel and an executive for several major newspapers.

A Michigan native, Spaniolo retired from UTA in 2014 but remained connected to North Texas through a number of volunteer and consulting activities. During that time, he also served as a special advisor for higher education for the Michigan Governor’s Office. He currently serves as the chairman of the Board of Trustees for the American College of Education, an online graduate school of education.

Spaniolo becomes the ninth president and CEO of the 45-year-old organization.

Established in 1971, the North Texas Commission is a regional non-profit consortium of businesses, cities, counties, chambers of commerce, economic development entities and higher education institutions in the North Texas region. The North Texas Commission improves the economic vitality, infrastructure and lifestyle of North Texas by marketing the region, promoting collaboration and advocating on critical issues.