NIRI DFW
leadership team
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 ~ Treasurer
Senior Director of Investor Relations,
EnLink Midstream LLC
Brian Brungardt is Senior 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 ~ Communications Director
Associate Vice President, Accounting,
E2open Parent Holdings, Inc.
Cassie Baca is the Associate Vice President, 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.