Vicki Spriggs is a dedicated advocate for children who has worked for more than 40 years in the child services arena. Known for her leadership on youth-related issues, she is a national speaker, a decisive leader and a fierce believer in the rights of all children, especially their right to a safe, loving and permanent home.

Prior to joining Texas CASA in January 2012, Spriggs served in a variety of positions dedicated to child welfare, including 16 years as executive director of the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission and director of the Travis County Juvenile Court Informal Adjustment Unit. She has also opened her home as a foster parent.

She received a bachelor’s degree in education and Master of Education in juvenile justice and secondary counseling from the University of Massachusetts Amhurst.

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Britt Berrett served as the president of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, an 898-bed hospital. In addition to his role as president of the Dallas hospital, Berrett also served at the system level as an executive vice president of Texas Health Resources. He oversaw strategic planning and operations for Texas Health Dallas, guiding the hospital in its mission to improve the health of the people in the community it serves.  

While on a two-year mission in Peru, Berrett developed a great appreciation for the role that healthcare providers can play in improving the quality of life for an entire community. It is his concern for the quality of life in the community that makes him a passionate advocate for excellence in healthcare and a perfect fit for Texas Health Dallas.

Prior to joining Texas Health Dallas, Berrett served as president and chief executive officer of Medical City, a 677-bed hospital, since April 2000.  He received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Brigham Young University and his master’s degree in hospital administration from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.  Berrett also received his PhD in Public Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Texas Health Dallas was recognized in 2007 as a U.S. News and World Report Best Hospital for Digestive Disorders, Neurology and Neurosurgery and Orthopedics specialties. Texas Health Dallas received the Magnet Recognition Program Award for excellence in nursing services from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the nation’s largest and leading nursing credentialing organization within the American Nurses Association (ANA).

Currently Dr. Berrett is the program director of the Jindal School of Management’s undergraduate Healthcare Management program, as well as the director of UTD’s Center for Healthcare Leadership & Management. He lectures nationally and internationally on transformational leadership, organizational change and performance. In 2013, he co-authored Patients Come Second – Leading Change by Changing the Way you Lead

which has become a New York Times, USA Today and WSJ Best Seller.

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I enter the North Dallas offices of Spaeth Communications. It’s an unassuming suite. On the wall facing me as I look to the right of the glass conference room is a framed D CEO Cover with a photo of Merrie Spaeth sitting cross legged on top of a large executive desk. The caption reads, “The Fixer.” The name Merrie Spaeth has become synonymous with crisis management and effective messaging in board rooms across the United States. She is the founder and CEO of the company that bears her last name.

However, it was a long and winding road to these offices just across from North Park Mall off the LBJ freeway in North Dallas. It was a road that lead to Hollywood, Washington D.C., New York and finally led to the Lone Star State.

Merrie’s official bio reads as follows:

Merrie has a unique background in media, government, politics, business and entertainment. She is a thought-leader in communication theory, a master of executive coaching and acknowledged as one of the most influential communication counselors in the world. Before founding Spaeth in 1987, Merrie was a producer for ABC’s 20/20, a speechwriter for the legendary founder and chairman of CBS, William S. Paley, and was assigned to FBI Director Judge William Webster while serving as a White House Fellow. All of this culminated into her roles as director of public affairs for the Federal Trade Commission, and ultimately her appointment as director of media relations at the White House in the Reagan Administration. Merrie is a sought-after public speaker who provides strategic communication counseling for companies and executives across the globe. She is also a dedicated mother, dog-lover and needlepoint enthusiast.

I can’t help but describe Merrie as a true renaissance woman. She is in every way a Texas Titan, and gives me great pleasure to introduce you to my friend Merrie.

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John Wilding is a master networker, military veteran, corporate attorney and deal maker. John is the is the founder and host of the Last Tuesday Happy Hour at the Ritz Carlton in Dallas. He’s also an active community volunteer and philanthropist. In the world of mergers and acquisitions John Wilding is definitely a Texas Titan. 

John Willding is a partner in Barnes & Thornburg’s Dallas and Washington, D.C., offices and a member of the Corporate Department. John’s practice focuses on complex business matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and securities law compliance.

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