The Foundation was organized as a project and a component fund of The Dallas Foundation in 2017. The Foundation received its 501(c)(3) tax status in November 2018. Since its inception, the Foundation secured $40 million in public funds from the NCTCOG, worked with the City of Dallas to obtain $7 million in matching funds from the 2017 bond program, initiated the deck park concept design, conducted community meetings, and organized fundraising, governance and design oversight functions.
The Foundation’s Board is comprised of 16 dynamic members, representing community leaders, area businesses, and cultural institutions. The board is diverse in terms of age, race and ethnicity, gender, and profession. The board currently includes real estate developers with assets in the area, legal experts, neighborhood advocates, and community partners.
Board Members
Mike Gruber, Chairman
Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP
Lester Houston, Vice Chairman
President, Zoo Creek Park Neighborhood Assoc.
April Allen
President & CEO, Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation
Mike Ablon
Principal, PegasusAblon
Marilyn Augur
Founder, Marilyn Augur Family Foundation
Edwin Cabaniss
President, Kessler Presents
Paul Carden
Associate, Venture Commercial Real Estate
Stacy Covitz
Vice President, Marketing & Public Relations, Methodist Health System
Michael Davis
President, Davis Business Services
Alan Dorantes
Senior Corporate Counsel, T-Mobile
Barry Hancock
Partner, Cienda Partners
Latosha Herron-Bruff, Secretary
Senior Vice President, Dallas Regional Chamber
Marvin Jackson
Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Archer Western
Tina Luna, Treasurer
Partner, PwC
Brentt Shropshire
Managing Partner, Shire Wealth Strategies
Roddrick West
Director of Development, Skyview Developments
Philip Wise
Partner, Cienda Partners
project team
April Allen
President & CEO, Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation
Chris S. Lyons
Chief Operating Officer, Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation
Anne Hagan
VP of Strategic Initiatives, Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation
Jessica Muniz
Operations Manager, Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation
Keith Bjerke
Program Manager, Bjerke Management Solutions
Southern Gateway Alliance
This diverse group of civic and business leaders all have a personal commitment to and passion for the Park and the valuable role it will play in the continued revitalization of Southern Dallas. As official ambassadors for the Park, they will champion its mission and encourage support of the landmark project with their respective networks.
Southern Gateway Alliance Members
Ron Kirk, Co-Chair
Former Ambassador and Former Dallas Mayor
Amanda Moreno-Lake, Co-Chair
Jim Lake Companies
Mike Rawlings, Co-Chair
Former Dallas Mayor
James Armstrong
Builders of Hope
Derwin Broughton
KAI Enterprises
Bryan Carter
Concord Church
Mita Havllick
Dallas Education Foundation
Matt Houston
Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce
Lee Kleinman
Masterplan Texas
Noelle LeVeaux
Communities Foundation of Texas
Terrence Maiden
Russell Glen Company
Bob Mong
UNT Dallas
Drex Owusu
The Dallas Foundation
Brian Page
JP Morgan
John Phillips
Methodist Dallas Medical Center
Cristal Retana
Children’s Medical Center, Oak Cliff Chamber
Jason Roberts
Better Block
Miguel Solis
Commit Partnership
Kezia Stegemoeller
TD Jakes Foundation
Taylor Toynes
For Oak Cliff
Community Advisory Council
This group reflects the diversity of Oak Cliff’s residents and is a continuation of the Foundation’s Community First plan (CFP) for the project and its impact area. To that end, members will advise the Foundation on its role in furthering community access to the park, as well as future programming. The Council also will help the Foundation to identify and amplify the unique history of Oak Cliff and surrounding communities.
Community Advisory Council Members
Delia Jasso, Co-Chair
Former Dallas City Council Member
Libbie Lee, Co-Chair
Golden Seeds Community Development Corporation
Ever Amaya
Cedar Crest Neighborhood Assoc.
Rita Vela Castillo
Kiestwood Historic Homeowners Assoc.
Shaneika Frazier
Dallas College
Phil Gipson
Cedar Crest Neighborhood Assoc.
JR Huerta
Dallas Youth Sports
Tino Jalomo
Dallas Arts and Culture Commission
Daymond Lavine
Brentwood Trinity Heights Community Action Group
Dr. Ajamu Loving
UNT Dallas School of Business
Lydia Torrez
St. Cecilia School
Lexy Young
Methodist Dallas Medical Center