NIRI DFW relies on its leadership to curate events, contribute to best practice sharing and to be the conduit concerning issues impacting public companies between their company and NIRI National. Positions are voluntary and terms are one year.
Below are the officers and directors for the 2024 – 2025 term year.
Brook Wootton, Senior Director, Investor Relations, At Home Group; President
Ms. Brook Wootton, MBA, IRC, is a senior investor relations executive who has guided multiple companies through initial public offerings, acquisitions, and other complex financial transactions. She joined At Home, a home décor superstore, in 2023 as Senior Director, Investor Relations. She previously directed investor relations for Albemarle Corporation, a global mining and chemicals company. Prior roles include serving as vice president of investor relations for Primoris Services Corp (PRIM) during a period of active M&A-based growth, and as vice president of investor relations for InfraREIT, Inc. and its external manager, Hunt Utility Services, LLC (HUS). She led InfraREIT’s investor relations from the novel real estate investment trust’s IPO until its sale in 2019.
Brook’s previous experience includes investor relations and communications management positions with LINN Energy, Noble Corp and Weingarten Realty Investors, as well as a consulting role with Hill & Knowlton, where she counseled high-profile corporations including Compaq and Continental Airlines. Her work has been nationally recognized with awards for investor relations as well as internal and external communications. She is a past member of the national board of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) and is a member of the NIRI Senior Roundtable. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Masters’ in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Science from Texas State University and the Investor Relations Charter® credential that signifies best-in-class professionalism in investor relations.
Liz Kline, Principal and Vice President, Account Services, Eisenberg; Past President
With over 30 years of experience in the creative and marketing industry nationwide, including over 20 years with Eisenberg, Liz Kline has worked with a client base that spans most industries. Liz is responsible for directing account services and new business efforts for Eisenberg, we well as running the Dallas office. She serves as senior manager on major projects, including investor communication, ESG reports, corporate websites, corporate branding and annual reports.
Liz began her career at KIDSNET, a nonprofit organization in Washington D.C., specializing in the development of educational curriculum materials for children’s television. She then worked for Bremmer & Goris Communications, a design studio in Alexandria, Virginia. She has a bachelors degree in political science from Davidson College and an MBA from the George Washington University. Liz has been a member of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) since 1998 and was the 2007 past president of the NIRI DFW Chapter and has chaired several Southwest Regional Conferences, and has received three NIRI Chapter Leadership Awards.
Mac Schmitz, Senior Vice President – Investor Relations, Matador Resources Company; Executive Vice President
Mac Schmitz is Senior Vice President – Investor Relations for Matador Resources Company (NYSE: MTDR), an independent oil and natural gas exploration company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Mac helped Matador go public in 2012 and has seen the company grow its market cap from less than $500 million in 2012 to over $8 billion during 2024.
His background is in investment banking, working previously for KeyBanc Capital Markets and MarshBerry Capital, LLC. He earned a BBA in Finance, with a focus on Investments, from Ohio University and holds the Investor Relations Charter (IRC) credential. He is a loyal Cleveland and THE Ohio State sports fan and enjoys spending free time with his family and friends.
Blevin Brown, Co-Founder, Veridian Strategic Partners; Membership Director
Blevin Brown is the co-founder at Veridian Strategic Partners, an IR advisory firm that specializes in incorporating direct investor feedback into the IR function. Blevin advises management teams on a full range of investor relations matters, providing executives with a clear, up-to-date understanding of how investors view their business as the company navigates challenges that span from investor targeting to activism prevention.
Prior to founding Veridian, Blevin was an investor relations consultant where his practice included developing strategies and investor communication programs for various corporate actions such as strategic realignments, transactions, and activism defense. Prior to beginning his career as an investor relations consultant, he held roles in Corporate Development at Uniti Group (Nasdaq: UNIT) and in Equity Research at Stephens Inc. Blevin holds a BBA from the University of Arkansas.
Brian Brungardt, Senior Director of Investor Relations, EnLink Midstream LLC; Treasurer
Brian Brungardt is Director of Investor Relations for EnLink Midstream LLC (NYSE: ENLC), an integrated midstream infrastructure and CO2 transportation company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Brian is responsible for all aspects of communicating with the financial community, including managing the earnings process, engaging with current and potential investors, corporate message development, and ESG initiatives. Brian has over 15 years of finance experience with roles in sell-side equity research and portfolio management.
Brian received a B.S. in Finance from Saint Louis University. He is also a Charter Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder. Brian has been a member of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) since 2021 and was recently recognized as part of the NIRI 2023 Class of Rising Leaders Under 40. Brian, along with the Investor Relations team, has been ranked as one of the best Investor Relations Offers and best IR departments for the Midcap Natural gas and MLP category by Institutional Investor magazine.
Cassie Baca, Senior Director, SEC Reporting and Technical Accounting, E2open Parent Holdings, Inc.; Communications Director
Cassie Baca is the Senior Director, SEC Reporting and Technical Accounting, for E2open Parent Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ETWO), the connected SaaS supply chain software platform that enables the world’s largest companies to transform the way they make, move and sell goods and services. A CPA with over 20 years of experience, Cassie is responsible for all aspects of SEC reporting, technical accounting and complex business transactions, and was instrumental in the Addison, Texas-based company’s 2021 IPO.
Cassie’s expertise includes SEC reporting, technical accounting, consolidations and team leadership. She has led the SEC reporting areas for two IPOs and built out the financial reporting process after each one. Cassie has also been involved with broader areas of investor relations, including earnings releases, presentations, scripts, shareholders’ meetings and ESG reporting.
Along with a B.S. in Accounting from Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, Cassie holds an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin.
Fatma Sardina, Treasury Intern, Copart; Programs Director
Economist and statistical analyst deeply immersed in the world of research with expertise spanning various domains, including investor relations, financial markets, urban development, public policy, and transit utilization.
In 2021, I entered the world of investor relations with roles in consulting as well as internal finance. I served on the 2023 National Investor Relations Institute Annual Conference Committee as well as currently serve on the 2024 conference planning committee. This experience has solidified my commitment to the investor relations career path and played a significant role in motivating me to pursue a master’s program in finance, which I am currently undertaking at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Public policy work includes being a key contributor to a significant public policy research project, centered on investigating the impact of public transportation on congestion, and published by Reason Foundation.
Throughout my career, I’ve also worn the hat of an associate faculty member in economics at several respected institutions, including Collin Community College and Austin Community College. What truly drives me is my ability to translate the complexities of economics to my students, enabling them to comprehend the everyday macroeconomic decisions that shape our world.
My academic journey commenced with the completion of a master’s degree in economics from San Jose State University in 2007. Recognizing the importance of lifelong learning, I pursued further education and obtained a postgraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, with a specialization in Business Analytics, AI & Machine Learning. Additionally, my analytical and financial modeling skills were fortified through rigorous training at the Investment Banking Institute in Las Colinas.
Glen Orr, Principal, Orr Strategic Communications; Member at Large
Glen is president of Orr Strategic Communications, a firm built on the belief that enterprise value and communications are inextricably linked. He sees IR and communications as a business tool that when well executed can grow the value of an organization and when executed poorly can erode millions of dollars in value. Glen has more than 20 years’ experience in investor relations, corporate communications and crisis management, and he uses that experience to protect and fortify the reputations of client companies and help them achieve their corporate objectives. He has extensive experience coaching senior executives and working hand-in-hand with heads of corporate communications and investor relations during times of significant corporate change including: mergers and acquisitions, asset sales, physical and financial crises, shareholder incongruity, and executive succession.
Glen began his career in IR in San Antonio working for a natural gas utility and recently has counseled clients on implementing IR strategies and tactics to align shareholders with corporate strategies; and developed and implemented sophisticated employee and corporate communications campaigns to maximize the value of hostile and friendly M&A transactions, mitigate the impact of activist shareholder attacks and manage communications surrounding financial and physical crises. Glen also assists companies in nurturing and managing their relationships with media and navigating engagement with them during important corporate announcements.
Glen is a native of South Texas and has been a NIRI member for about 20 years, most recently serving as Executive Vice President. Prior to that he served as Vice President, Membership; Vice President, Programs; and has been a contributor on several committees. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance degree from Texas A&M.
Hala Elsherbini, Senior Director, Investor Relations, Tyler Technologies, Inc.; Member At-Large
Hala Elsherbini leverages more than 25 years of investor relations experience guiding client companies in managing comprehensive IR strategies to leading the internal IR role in her current position as Senior Director, Investor Relations at Tyler Technologies. As a strategic advisor and trusted resource to senior leadership, she is a key liaison to the investment community and manages message development, investor targeting, sell-side analyst relations, direct board relations, and managing Tyler’s ESG disclosure initiatives.
Hala graduated from Southern Methodist University with a B.A. in Communications, majoring in public relations. She has been a member of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) since 2005, serving on various committees and board seats, both on a national and local chapter level. In 2015, she served a four-year term on the NIRI National Board and was a member of the IR Update editorial committee. She also was recognized as a part of the NIRI 2020 Class of Fellows. Hala currently serves as an At-Large member of the NIRI DFW board of directors.
Jason Landkamer, Director of Investor Relations, Fluor Corporation; Member At-Large
Jason Landkamer is the director of investor relations for Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR). In this role he is responsible for communicating with the financial community, targeting potential investors, corporate message development and sell-side analyst relations. Jason has over 20 years of experience in finance related roles, including 19 years in investor relations.
Since joining Fluor in 2006, Jason has helped the company increase the level of communication and interaction with the investment community through multiple perception study and outreach initiatives, both domestic and international. Additionally, he serves on Fluor’s sustainability committee and designs and produces the company’s annual report.
Jason, along with the Investor Relations team, has consistently been ranked as one of the best Investor Relations Officers and best IR departments for the Engineering & Construction sector by Institutional Investor magazine since 2008.
Prior to joining Fluor, Jason was with AmeriCredit Corp. for seven years in various investor relations roles, including three years as AVP of investor relations.
Jason graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Finance. He has been an active member of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) since 2000. In December 2016 Jason was elected to the NIRI Board of Directors for a four-year term where he is currently focused on advocacy issues with the SEC.
Raul Peralta, CEO & Founder of Kaleidoscope; Member At-Large
Computer Science Graduate from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2001, where I not only earned my degree but also cultivated a deep-seated passion for coding and technology. Post-graduation, my career trajectory took a significant leap as I joined 10Kwizard, initially as a Software Engineer. My role there involved designing and implementing innovative solutions that streamlined data processing for financial documents, significantly enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of financial reporting. Over time, my contributions helped 10Kwizard grow and merge with Morningstar, a globally recognized leader in investment research. At Morningstar, I continued to refine my skills in software development, focusing on scalability and user experience in financial software solutions.
Currently, I am the CEO and Co-Founder of Kaleidoscope, a venture where I lead a dynamic team of innovators to explore and expand the limits of technology. At Kaleidoscope, we focus on developing cutting-edge software that integrates AI and machine learning to solve complex business challenges across various industries. My leadership philosophy is centered around fostering an environment where creativity and technical excellence are paramount.
Outside of the tech world, I am deeply committed to a balanced lifestyle. Fitness and health are major aspects of my life; I am an avid enthusiast of various forms of exercise, from running to weight training, which not only keeps me physically fit but also mentally sharp. This dedication to health complements my professional life, providing the energy and clarity needed to navigate the fast-paced tech industry.