Aasem Khalil — DCC member, Dallas office head, head of investment banking in the southern U.S. and global head of investment banking client services at Goldman Sachs — now manages middle-market banking, advising on deals between $500 million to $2 billion after Goldman Sachs announced his expanded international role in July. Goldman’s appointment of a Dallas-based executive underscores the city’s strategic significance in the firm’s long-term growth plans. Goldman Sachs is constructing a $500 million, 800,000-square-foot downtown Dallas campus that will serve as a regional hub for 5,000 employees upon its opening in 2028. https://lnkd.in/gw6fwQmd
Dallas Citizens Council
Civic and Social Organizations
Dallas, Texas 4,584 followers
Our purpose is to lead and serve in the moments that matter the most for the people of Dallas.
About us
Dallas Citizens Council (DCC) leads and serves in the moments that matter the most for the people of Dallas. The council’s membership is comprised of chief executives from the largest companies across the DFW area, who are committed to improving the city and region in which we live and work. DCC seeks to advance priorities for Dallas and the region in the following ways: Priority 1 – Promote Inclusive Growth for All of the Dallas Community: Ensure that Dallas fosters an environment where economic growth and prosperity extend to all residents of our community by focusing on four primary public policy areas: Education, Mobility, Housing, and Quality of Life. Priority 2 – Serve as the Dallas Business Community’s First Responders: Support and assist both the business community and political leadership in addressing our region’s most immediate crises as they arise, serving in the moments that matter the most. Priority 3 – Support Connectedness and Collaboration: Forge an array of close and trusting relationships across our community with both business and civic organizations, elected and appointed leaders, and philanthropic organizations, to effectively advance these priorities.
- Website
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http://www.dallascitizenscouncil.org
External link for Dallas Citizens Council
- Industry
- Civic and Social Organizations
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- Dallas, Texas
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1937
- Specialties
- Public Policy, Economic Development, and Economic Research
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
1601 Elm St
Suite 4560
Dallas, Texas 75201, US
Employees at Dallas Citizens Council
Updates
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August’s featured member is Dr. Richard Benson, DCC ex officio member and former president of The University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Benson guided UT Dallas’s growth as it earned the acclaimed Carnegie R1 research designation in 2016 and unlocked more than $30 million in research funding from the Texas National Research University Fund in 2018 — the third institution to do so. Dr. Benson stepped down from the presidency on Aug. 2 but has continued his role as a professor. Dr. Richard Benson’s dedication to higher education is emblematic of DCC’s strategic priorities. He has earned the ASME (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Henry Hess Award, been made an ASME Fellow and was elected to a three-year term on the ASME Board of Governors in 2010. Dr. Benson has also held editorial roles with the ASME “Journal of Applied Mechanics,” “ASME Press” and “Applied Mechanics Reviews.” Thank you for your commitment to DCC and for your contributions to Dallas communities! https://lnkd.in/gJZkUZ-z
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Dallas Citizens Council congratulates Theda Khrestin, our vice president of policy and public affairs, on her selection to the Dallas Regional Chamber's Leadership Dallas Class of 2026! Theda is a strong example of DCC's purpose in action, and we look forward to her continued leadership advancing priorities for the city of Dallas.
The DRC has announced the Leadership Dallas Class of 2026, the 51st class of the program. Leadership Dallas, presented by Grant Thornton (US), unlocks leadership potential and inspires class members to elevate engagement within their organizations and communities. Join us in congratulating the 55 new members and find out more here: https://lnkd.in/g9xaqEnv
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In 2020, Dallas County voters approved $3.5 billion in bond funding for Dallas Independent School District with the support of Dallas Citizens Council, along with other local organizations through the Dallas Votes 4 Kids campaign. The bonds supported $3.2 billion for critical maintenance, including new roofs, asbestos removal, increased security and community resource centers. These resource centers were placed in neighborhoods most impacted by poverty and allowed students to explore careers in logistics, cybersecurity, aviation and culinary arts. The funds also improved access to updated technology and broadband throughout the district.
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D CEO and Communities Foundation of Texas recognized Dallas native Ken Hersh — DCC board member, George W. Bush Presidential Center’s president and CEO — as the Legacy Award recipient. The honor is part of the Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards program, which acknowledged him for embodying the best parts of the business and nonprofit space. For more than 40 years, Hersh led an extensive career in financial services, including as co-founder at NPG Energy Capital Management, before being named president and CEO at the Bush Center. Hersh is a dedicated community leader and serves on the boards of St. Mark's School of Texas, Stanford University, the Baylor Scott & White All Saints Health Foundation, the Texas Rangers Baseball Club, the Hoover Institution, Stanford University’s Board of Overseers, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Council of the American Enterprise Institute. “When I had some success, it just seemed obvious. If the people in my peer group don’t give, who will build the next set of institutions or support the public goods that need it? I felt this responsibility,” said Hersh, when asked about his motivation for community service. DCC member organizations Hillwood, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and KDC Real Estate Development & Investments were recognized as winners of the 2025 Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards. https://lnkd.in/gjdZMN8q
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DCC member organization PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) welcomes Rob Baldwin as the new Dallas office managing partner. He succeeds J. Scott Moore, DCC board member, who retired in June after 37 years as the previous office managing partner. Baldwin shared that he is following a "PwC legend" in Moore and someone who was a "pillar" for the Big Four firm. “Dallas is at the tip of the spear of growth for PwC,” Baldwin said. “When we look at growth trajectory, and you know Texas growth trajectory, we see a lot of that coming to Dallas.” https://bit.ly/4lPeZtU
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Hearst Corp. will acquire DCC member organization DallasNews Corporation, the corporate parent of The Dallas Morning News and marketing agency Medium Giant, for $14 in cash per common stock. This price is a 219% premium to the company's July 9 closing price. “[The Dallas Morning News’ reputation as] one of the most trusted and distinguished daily newspapers in the U.S. [will continue with Hearst’s] resources, expertise and track record of supporting and investing in local independent journalism,” said Grant Moise, DCC board member, DallasNews CEO and Dallas Morning News publisher. https://lnkd.in/gSHBMGbT
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Congratulations to our board member Ken Hersh for his recognition by D CEO and the Communities Foundation of Texas! This Legacy Award is just one of many reasons why Dallas Citizens Council is proud to count him amongst our membership.
Each year as part of its Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards program, D CEO selects an individual to honor with its highest program honor, the Legacy Award. This year, we’re proud to recognize Ken Hersh. He’s an exceptional example of what can happen when the best of business and nonprofits align. A Dallas native and proud St. Mark’s graduate, Ken Hersh earned degrees from Princeton University and Stanford University before beginning his career in Morgan Stanley’s energy group and later co-founding NGP Energy Capital Management. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Hersh has lent his expertise and leadership to numerous organizations, serving on the boards of St. Mark's School of Texas, Stanford University, the Baylor Scott & White Health Foundation, and the Dallas Citizens Council. Through the Hersh Foundation, he has championed causes across education, health, democracy, and social services. In 2016, he was named president and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Under his leadership, the organization executed a long-term strategic vision and grew its endowment to more than $400 million, securing its future as both a museum and a hub for policy innovation and thought leadership. Hersh considers it a privilege to work alongside President and Mrs. Bush to help shape a lasting legacy. The Bush Presidential Center and Library generated a $2 billion economic impact in the region, and its influence now extends beyond North Texas, combining policy work and public programming to expand opportunity and strengthen free societies. When reflecting on his shift from the corporate to nonprofit sector, Hersh says the perceived difference is overstated. “It’s the same task for somebody leading an organization,” he notes. “Set a mission, clear goals, and a work plan, create measurables and a culture of honesty and trust, and work with everybody to make things happen.” He adds, “When I think about our policy work, the economic impact, the culture of this place, and the spirit of the Bushes, the focus is on freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. Those are the four core values we support in everything we do.” Today, Hersh serves on the boards of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club and other private companies, is a member of the Hoover Institution’s Board of Overseers, and belongs to both the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Council of the American Enterprise Institute. He will step down later this summer, leaving a remarkable legacy. When asked what inspired his lifelong commitment to giving back, Hersh modestly says, “When I had some success, it just seemed obvious. If the people in my peer group don’t give, who will build the next set of institutions or support the public goods that need it? I felt this responsibility.” Congratulations to our 2025 Legacy Award winner, Ken Hersh: https://lnkd.in/g2kkHK8x
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Areas like Southern Dallas have been “under-championed for far too long,” said Dale Petroskey — DCC ex officio member, Dallas Regional Chamber president and CEO, during the inaugural Opportunity Summit, where business and community leaders gathered to discuss the future of Southern Dallas’ development. “That’s all good news, but it’s not enough if everyone, everyone, doesn’t have an opportunity to share in that prosperity,” said Petroseky after sharing that more than 300 companies had moved to Dallas in the last 15 years. Dr. Justin H. Lonon, DCC member and Dallas College chancellor, was a panelist at the Opportunity Summit. https://bit.ly/4kFGTrc
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Ray L. Hunt — former DCC chairman and executive chairman of DCC member organization Hunt Consolidated — is one of the business leaders showing support for the Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group Inc as it seeks regulatory approval. The exchange, also known as TXSE, is viewed as a sign of Dallas' growing importance as a global financial center and Texas' economic strength. “In short, Texas is now becoming a new corporate financial hub on a national scale,” said Hunt. https://bit.ly/44NvmQZ
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