Mike Austin
Born and raised in Arlington, TX. Mike has been married to his wonderful wife Nicky for 24 years and they are the co-owners of Austin Realty Consultants, a local real estate brokerage serving the DFW area. Mike and Nicky are parents to two children…Ben, a sophomore at Texas A&M University and Ella, a freshman at the University of Oklahoma. Mike is active in many groups within Arlington and the Arlington ISD as well as serving on boards for the AWARE Foundation, THAM, City of Arlington, and Gospel City Church. Mike is in his 9th year serving on the Arlington Margarita Board.
Esteban Blanco
Cole Carter
Cole grew up in Arlington and attended Martin High School. He is an alumni of The University of Alabama, and works for Peyco Southwest Realty. He currently resides in Southwest Arlington with his wife Lauren, son Beckett, and daughter Adeline.
Paul Cary
Paul is a native of Arlington, Texas. He is a CPA and a partner in Sutton Frost Cary LLP, a CPA firm in Arlington. He and his wife Angela live in Arlington with their daughter Madison.
Spencer Cearnal
Born at Arlington Memorial, attended school at Duff, Bailey and Arlington this community is what helped to shape the Cearnal Family making Arlington “home”. Spencer & Amy have 2 teenage boys Davis (15) and Payne (13) while owning/operating a residential Real Estate Brokerage, Front Real Estate Co. When not “Improving Lives Through Real Estate” Spencer & Amy are chasing the boys from one sports field to the other across the country. Each spend time volunteering throughout our city in so many organizations – Spencer even helped to create 100 Men Who Give A Damn Arlington. They attend Fielder Church as a family and you might be able to find Spencer on a golf course or around a billiard table from time to time
Travis Cope
Travis is the Vice President and Regional Counsel for KB Home’s eastern US operations. A native fifth-generation Arlington resident and graduate of Arlington High School, class of ’92. Travis is married to Nina with children Braden, Arden and Brody.
Carl Cravens
Carl lives in Arlington with his wife, Lisa, and daughters, Mary Nelle and Edie and son, Coleman.
Robert Cronin
Rob Cronin is the COO of mma, inc. An Arlington based Civil Engineering, Planning and Landscape Architecture Consulting firm. A Boston native and US Navy Veteran; Rob and his family moved to Arlington in 2015. As a father to six (6) children, the ideal that a strong community is critical in growing strong families is what drives Rob to be engaged in the City of Arlington.
Don Duke
Don is a health insurance broker for Coble-Cravens. Don and his wife Cristy have one daughter, Olivia and their Bernedoodle Archie. The Dukes live in Pantego.
Jordan Foster
Jordan is President at Peyco Southwest Realty, a Commercial Real Estate Company located in South Arlington. He and his wife Catie have two children named Reid and Grace and currently reside in South Arlington.
Larry Fowler
Larry and his wife, Melody, live in Arlington. He is an Attorney with Pope, Hardwicke, Christie, Schell, Kelly and Taplett and offices at the Ballpark in Arlington. He and Melody have one son, Brennan, who is a Senior at Martin High School. Larry also serves as President of the Board of Directors of the River Legacy Foundation, is the current Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and is immediate past Chairman of the City of Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission.
Paul Fulks
Paul Fulks is the heart and soul of 3Di Sign + Design. His vision and integrity have helped shape the success of numerous multi-million dollar companies. Paul looks at each prospective client’s business as if it were his own, envisioning more than a sign, but an entire marketing campaign and how his designs will attract the desired customers. With over 25 years of sign industry experience, Paul brings his creative genius as well as an uncanny engineering perspective to each client. This special talent has resulted in many national awards, including honors as a national finalist of Pillars of the Industry chosen by The National Architects and Developer Association. He has been recognized for several years in the magazine “Signs of The Times” for his winning designs. Paul was also invited to participate in the focus group for the re-design of The City of Arlington sign ordinance. Paul believes whole-heartedly that every business has both professional and community responsibilities. He is an avid supporter of several Arlington-based non-profits and serves on many boards, including The Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vice President of Large Gifts for the Arlington Education Foundation, President of Dance Theatre Arlington, Board Member of the Friends of the Levitt Pavilion, and Director of the Arlington Margarita Ball. Paul also sponsors Miss Arlington, Miss Texas, Tailgate Education Foundation and is a Lifetime Member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce since 1997. The respect Paul receives from his colleagues and City leaders has been well earned. Many comment on his extraordinary talent, honesty and hardworking ethics. “Details Matter” is one of Paul’s favorite sayings, and because of his strong belief in providing the best, his clients form lasting relationships with him and 3Di Sign + Design.
MIke Gerro
Mike is a native Texan, Born in Beaumont Texas, and he grew up in East and North East Texas, He has lived in Arlington since 1991. Mike has been with Frost Bank for the past 20 years and is currently the Market President for the Bank’s Arlington market. He began his banking career after graduation from Baylor University in 1985 with a BBA in Finance. He and his wife Becky live in Arlington.
Current and Past community activities include; Arlington Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Board and the Executive Committee, Arlington Police Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County, the Green Oaks School, Tarrant County Workforce Development Board, former Board Member of the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation Advisory Board, former Board Chair and Board Member of the Safehaven of Tarrant County, and former Board and Executive Committee Member of Girls Incorporated of Tarrant County.
Michael Grabowski
Michael was born and raised in Arlington and an alumni of Martin High School. He graduated with a B.S. in Construction Engineering from Texas Tech University in 2013, and currently works as a Project Manager with McCarthy Building Companies. Michael currently resides in Arlington with his wife Shannon, his two children: Luke and Eva, and their two dogs: Chica and Charley.
Shane Griffin
Shane grew up in Arlington, Texas and is an alumni of Martin High School where he met his high school sweetheart, Alicia. They currently live in Fort Worth with their two sons, Easton and Sawyer.
After graduating from Texas A&M University, he has spent his career in commercial construction, with many projects completed across Arlington, including Medical City of Arlington, Globe Life Park, Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium. He currently works as a Senior Project Manager for Hutcherson Construction in Arlington.
Cameron Haddad
Cameron Haddad is from Arlington, Texas and graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2012. He currently serves as a Director at Vision Commercial Real Estate. Cameron has experience in retail, office and industrial real estate markets. He started his professional career at NAI Robert Lynn serving as Market Director for the greater Arlington area and continues to operate in his home market. Cameron has served as both member and President of Young Men for Arlington. Cameron is a devout Cowboys fan and a Fantasy Football champion.
Mojy Haddad
Mojy Haddad, is the President, CEO and Co – founder of CHS Architects, Inc since it was founded in 1984, providing architectural services for commercial projects ranging from Midrise Office buildings, Mixed Use Developments and Shopping centers to Hospitality projects and municipal work. He is a registered Architect in Texas, California, Florida, New York, Hawaii and several other states. In addition to his local and national architectural experience, Haddad has designed projects in Japan, Australia, Europe and Mexico. He is also the president and CEO of an affiliated commercial development company, Oakhollow Group, which develops, acquires and manages high quality commercial projects. Haddad holds three degrees from The University of Texas at Arlington; a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, Master’s Degree in Architecture and Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning. Haddad has resided in Arlington since 1974 and is very active in the community and civic organizations. In recent years, he has served, in various capacities, on numerous boards and commissions throughout his career including: Board of Directors of Super Bowl Host Committee; Chairman of the Arlington Chamber Foundation; President of the Arlington Sports Authority; Chairman of the Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission, Chairman of the Board of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of a joint committee of Arlington Chamber and the City for the re-write of the Arlington Zoning Ordinance and Design Standards, UT Arlington Development Board, UT Arlington School of Architecture Advisory Board. Haddad has been the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni of the Year, from UT Arlington school of Architecture and YMA (Young Men of Arlington) Award for community service. He has also received other professional awards including American Institute of Architects design awards, Mayor’s award for design excellence and “Best Preservation/ Adaptive Reuse” from downtown Fort Worth, Inc. Haddad and his wife Julia were also awarded the Ceicil Mayfield Torch of Hope Award by the North Texas Cancer Research Foundation. He currently serves on: NTTA Board of Directors, appointed by Tarrant County Judge and Commissioners; Arlington Chamber Executive Board; Arlington Foundation Board; Arlington Chamber Board; Arlington Police Foundation Advisory Board; Children’s Toys Inc (Arlington Margarita Ball Society); Rotary Club of Arlington (Paul Harris Fellow); Worthington National Bank Founding Board Member and organizer; and Board of directors at RTC (Regional Transportation Council). In 2014, Haddad was appointed by Governor Abbott to serve on the Gubernatorial Inauguration Board.
Christian Hibbs
Christian Hibbs is a Commercial Real Estate Lender with Frost Bank, partnering with builders, developers and investors in North Texas, to service their real estate lending needs. Christian was born and raised in Arlington and remains actively involved in the community. In addition to being a Director of the Arlington Margarita Society, Christian has served as Treasurer for the Young Men for Arlington, Council Member of the Greater Arlington Chamber Young Professionals and as a Steering Committee Member for the Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth. Christian is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, earning a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration in 2012. In addition to his undergraduate degree, in 2015 he completed the ABA National Commercial Lending School at SMU and in 2019 completed his MBA with a concentration in Real Estate & Finance at the University of Texas at Arlington. Christian and his wife Haley live in Aledo with their dog Ralphie.
John Hibbs
Married 36yrs to my lovely spouse Mary, we have three great kids Christian 32, Jaimie 30 and Erin 25. I have spent 35 years in the Eye Care Industry. Currently serving as Vice President of Commercial Sales for Contamac US. Other honors include serving on the Contact Lens Manufactures Board of Directors, 9 yrs on the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees, current Chairman of the Arlington Margarita Society and several other Community Charitable Committees. Interests include working with Youth Sports, Golf, Travel and Church leadership.
Derric Hicks
Derric has been a resident of Arlington since 1978. He has been married to his amazing wife Kelsey for over 10 years. Derric is a graduate of Martin High School and Dallas Baptist University. Kelsey is a local real estate agent serving Arlington and surrounding areas. Derric owns several successful companies. Car Delivery Network has its US headquarters in Pantego, TX, and its UK headquarters in Thame, just outside London. CDN builds software that serves the automotive industry. Derric also just acquired a local Irrigation and Landscaping company, Xquisite Irrigation and Landscaping. Derric is deeply passionate about his 510(c)3 non-profit, One World Sports Association. OWSA uses sports to build relationships and bring cultures together all over the world. Derric is also very involved at Lake Church, formerly Lake Arlington Baptist Church. Derric and Kelsey have 4 kids, Peyton, Savannah, Clayton, and Cooper.
Michael Jacobson
Michael Jacobson was appointed President & CEO of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce in February 2016. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce represents the interest of over 900 businesses in the greater Arlington area, championing economic and community prosperity. Michael is currently a member of Downtown Rotary and serves on the Board of the Arlington Police Foundation, North Texas Commission and the U. S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center. Michael has served as Chair of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Corporate Citizenship Center. He also served on the Boards of Sacramento’s Valley Vision, KVIE Public Television, the United Way in Sacramento and Tarrant County, Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce, Folsom Tourism and Economic Development Board. Jacobson received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Baylor University in 1984. He met Kristen at Baylor and they have been married for 33 years. They reside in Arlington, Texas.
Clay Kelley
Clay joined the Margarita Society in 2018. He married Brandee in 2009. Clay is the Chief Strategist for RUSH Human Resources. Clay is passionate about all things Arlington; serving as Commissioner on the City of Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission, Arlington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Corporate Leadership Council and the Chamber Foundation Scholarship Committee. Clay is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Arlington, a founding Board Member of Bikes for Mission Arlington. He served on the boards for The Friends of the Levitt Pavilion, Arlington Public Library Citizen’s Advisory Board, Christian Men’s Job Corps and Shady Valley Country Club Board of Governors. Clay and Brandee live in Arlington and have two sons, Cole and Tyler.
Blake Kretz
Blake Kretz, FACHE, MHA is an experienced executive leader with 36 years of health care experience; thirty one of those years through diversified administrative leadership and five years of clinical experience as a certified orthopedic physician assistant. For the past seven years he has served as the hospital president at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital.
At Texas Health Arlington Memorial, Mr. Kretz led efforts to establish a comprehensive lung program, hyperbaric and wound care center. Under his leadership, the hospital is a certified Level III NICU, Level III Maternal Child and in active pursuit as a Level III Trauma Facility. Texas Health Arlington Memorial was recertified as a Cycle III Chest Pain Center and a Primary Stroke Center, Breast Imaging Center of Excellence this year.
Prior to joining Texas Health Arlington, Kretz served as President at Texas Health Cleburne and Administrator/CEO of Graham Regional Medical Center in Graham, Tx. He completed his administrative residency at HCA St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City and worked as an orthopedic physician’s assistant at Orthopedic Associates in Lewisville out of college.
Mr. Kretz believes it is important to be involved in the community and has served on the Chamber of Commerce Boards and community boards in every community he has been the Hospital President. Professionally, he serves on multiple boards, Texas Rehabilitation Hospital Arlington, Texas GI Center, and Texas Health Ambulatory Surgery Center Arlington. He has served on health care related committees, including the Texas Hospital Association Council on Policy Development and Precinct 2 Healthcare Advisory Council and is currently Chair of the DFW Hospital Council.
A native Texan, Mr. Kretz is a graduate of Harlingen High School and Abilene Christian University, and he holds a master’s degree in health care administration from Trinity University in San Antonio. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, riding his mountain bike with his son, hanging out at the river, and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Lori, have a daughter, Nicole, a son, Michael, son-in-law Brandon, and first grandchild Bentley.
Kris Landrith
A founding Director and former President, Kris is an attorney who practices corporate, personal injury, real estate, title and litigation law. He is a car collector and golf nut. He is married to Ellen Foreman Landrith.
Bill Martensen
Bill is a founding member and past president of the Margarita Society. He is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and has been a State Farm Agent in Arlington for over 40 years. He has also owned Blue Moon Farm & Equestrian in Granbury for almost 20 years. He has been involved with the communities in both Tarrant and Hood counties including member and past president of Arlington West Rotary, Treasurer for Boys and Girls Club of Hood County, Leadership Granbury, Arlington Beautification Committee, Arlington Southeast Sector Planning Commission, Leadership Granbury, Beautification Granbury, Economic Advisory Board, and Fee Arbitration Committee Tarrant County. Bill is married to his lovely wife, Bonnie. He is the proud father of Blake, Kimi and Todd and stepchildren Blue and Dinah. He enjoys his beautiful 14 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Tom McCarty
Tom is Vice President of the oldest Architectural firm in the City of Arlington and has worked on many notable projects in the city and Tarrant County. He and his wife have been together since high school have raised three children and are now growing the family with grandchildren. When not working or with the family, you can probably find him out on the golf course.
Jeff McCurdy
Jeff is an Attorney with the law firm Foster & Sear. He graduated from TCU and Texas Wesleyan University Law School. He also served as chairman for the City of Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission. Jeff and his wife, Spring, live in Arlington and have 3 daughters, Mallory, Miller and Megan.
Randle Meadows
Randle is with Murphy Nasica & Associates, a consulting firm specializing in political strategy and issue management. He is a retired President of the Arlington Police Association which sponsors Santa Cops.
Greg Miller
Greg is a graduate of Arlington High School and UTA. He is a principal owner with Business Interiors. Greg is a founding member of Arlington North Rotary Club and currently serves as a director. He is also active in the Cowtown Executives Association. Greg lives in Grapevine with his wife Karen. They have four adult children: Lisa, Michael, Scott and Gregory and a wonderful daughter-in-law Courtney.
Jeff Pokrifcsak
Jeff is principal owner and COO of Streamline Packaging Solutions. He has served on various boards such as the Arlington Chamber Foundation board, the Arlington Arts Alliance board, and the city of Arlington’s Planning & Zoning Commission. Jeff lives in Arlington with wife, Erin, and two children, John & Olivia.
Tony Pompa
Tony is President of General Assembly based in Arlington, TX. He and his wife Julie have five beautiful daughters. Both Tony and Julie are extremely active in volunteering in their community and Church.
Marc Prda
Marc is celebrating his 15th year as a Director on the Arlington Margarita Society Board. He has been married for 35 years to Leah(School Nurse in Arlington) and together they have 3 “Young Adults”; Lauren(School Teacher in Arlington), Mitch(Resides in Colorado) and Marshall(Graduating Senior @ Texas State University)!
Marc is in his 35th year as a Financial Advisor and enjoys helping Families prepare for retirement and manage assets during retirement. He graduated in 1987 from UTA with a Degree in Finance and when not watching the markets he enjoys anything outdoors!
Thank you to Santa Cops, our Sponsors and each of You in making the Arlington Margarita Society one of the most successful non-profit organizations in the DFW area!
This year we celebrate our 40th year and with your participation we expect it to be our Best Ever !!!
Aaron Reich
Dr. Aaron Reich is President of TRINU Healthcare, an accredited healthcare education, development and consulting company; President of the Arlington Independent School District Board of Trustees; President of Theatre Arlington; a co-founder of International Corridor Vision, the non-profit responsible for bringing the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market to Arlington (the market’s first and only sister city); Co-Founder and President of Positive Influence, a non-profit focused on parent involvement and child engagement; Ex-Officio Member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He is an invited local, state, and national speaker, an Education Commissioner and Vice-Chair of the Commission in his career field, received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Creighton University and completed his Residency at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Aaron is married to Debra J. Freiheit, a local CPA, and they have two children Samantha and Jacob.
Alan Rose
Alan graduated from the University of Alabama, where he earned a Bachelor’s D