Uptown Dallas, Inc. has hired Kelem Butts to serve as the organization’s new executive director beginning July 1. An Uptown Dallas resident for 24 years, Butts brings extensive corporate and nonprofit expertise to the role, including serving on the UDI Board of Directors as Public Safety Chair for the last five years.

Noelle LeVeaux has served as the interim UDI Executive Director.

Ramsey March, Chairman of Uptown Dallas Inc. and Executive Managing Director at Stream Realty, said, “As we reviewed candidates for this position, it became clear that Kelem’s career experience, his board credentials and his love for Uptown made him the perfect candidate. He starts at an exciting time for the district and will play a key role in finishing out and opening our recently announced Safety Headquarters, which is located at the southern end of Uptown.”

Kelem Butts said, “I am honored to be selected for this role as it’s the intersection of everything that’s important to me—economic and urban development done strategically, a safe walkable community that feels like a small town, and being able to take an organization to new heights.”

Butts is known for his hands-on leadership and a career with major organizations like AT&T, where he worked on national philanthropic and educational initiatives. At AT&T he helped lead transformational change, serving lastly as Director of Charitable Operations. He led many facets of charitable operations, with a focus on overseeing the AT&T Aspire philanthropic program, a $100M initiative to promote high school success and workforce readiness. He also co-managed AT&T Connected Learning, which guides investments into connectivity and technology, digital literacy, and digital learning solutions to support student success. He also previously worked for a local nonprofit organization and held other corporate positions.

In addition to serving on the Uptown Dallas, Inc. board, Butts contributes to several boards including The National Mentoring Partnership: MENTOR (Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee); Dallas Independent School District PTECH Advisory Committee; Educate Dallas; and Region 10 Education Service Center. He graduated from Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and The University of Texas with a Master of Business Administration. He has spoken at various education and workforce conferences. In his spare time, Butts rows with the Dallas Rowing Club and can be seen walking with his girlfriend, Lori, and his bulldog through Uptown, reflecting his commitment to engagement and cleanliness (picking up trash on his street every Sunday).

Uptown Dallas, Inc.

Founded in 1993, Uptown Dallas, Inc. (UDI) is a nonprofit organization and a public improvement district spanning one square mile as one of the first live/work/play communities in Dallas. UDI aims to increase the quality of life for the 19,000 residents Uptown, hundreds of businesses and property owners, and more than 50,000 workers. On any given weekday, as many as 100,000 people pass through the district. The organization also has a safety team working to keep people safe along with its maintenance team responsible for enhancements such as street lighting and landscaping. UDI hosts Pilates in the Park and Movies in the Park (at Griggs Park) and sponsors other community-wide events. For more information on Uptown Dallas, Inc., visit https://uptowndallas.net/.

Dallas ISD, in collaboration withMerriman Anderson Architects (MAA) and Bowa-EJ Smith Construction – Post L Group, a Joint Venture, is proud to announce the upcoming groundbreaking for the new Dallas ISD Nolan Estes Campus, taking place on June 26, 2025 at 10 a.m. The new 142,000-square-foot, three-story Nolan Estes Plaza will be located at 912 S Ervay Street, Dallas, TX 75201, and is projected to open its doors to students in January 2027.

The campus will bring together three distinct schools under one roof:

• Downtown Montessori Academy (DMA)

• CityLab High School

• Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship Academy (IDEA)

This unique educational environment is designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and experiential learning for students from Pre-K through 12th grade in the heart of Downtown Dallas.

“This project is the culmination of years of collaboration with Dallas ISD to envision a school that meets the evolving needs of students, educators, and the downtown community,” said John Carruth, Principal, Director of Design, at Merriman Anderson Architects. “We’re proud to contribute to a campus that reflects both the diversity of the city and the future of public education.”

The path to the project was unconventional: originally awarded on a different site through a competitive selection process, the team was ultimately engaged directly by Dallas ISD. MAA began its work on the design in 2019 through early studies of multiple potential sites. Its deep familiarity with the program helped secure the commission for the current site.

MAA is also providing full interior design services for the new campus.

The consultant team, composed entirely of minority- and woman-owned businesses, includes:

• MEP/Fire Protection: MEPCE

• Structural and Civil: Geisler Partners Consulting Engineers + RLG

• Landscape Architecture: CCA Landscape Architects

• Acoustics: Saunders Associates

• Food Services: Bosma Design Solutions

• Building Envelope: ABBAE

• Storm Shelter Review: Farnsworth Group

• Traffic: DeShazo Group

• Permitting: Lam Engineering

• Accessibility: BDA Accessibility Services

Leading construction efforts on the project is Bowa-EJ Smith Construction – Post L Group, a Joint Venture.

As this new educational facility begins construction, the groundbreaking ceremony will mark a significant step toward supporting a more integrated and innovative approach to public education in Dallas.

The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at SMU Cox 2025 session on the Southern Methodist University campus wrapped up this month with a commencement ceremony celebrating the graduation of SWGSB Class LXVI at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Ben Ray, Vice President, Relationship Manager at Susser Bank, completed the three-year program along with 106 additional classmates from Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas.

The SWGSB program attracts emerging leaders and experienced financial professionals—including regional presidents, commercial loan officers, branch managers, credit analysts, cashiers, mortgage lenders, consumer lenders, operations officers, and state and federal regulators—with a graduate program that propels careers in the financial services industry.

“We are proud of Ben and the entire SWGSB Class LXVI who completed the program with passion and persistence,” said SWGSB President and CEO William T. Chittenden, Ph.D. “From essential core elements to the latest management strategies, SWGSB provides a collaborative style of learning that empowers participants to gain mastery of leadership over three consecutive years.”

Since 1957, the SW Graduate School of Banking at SMU Cox (SWGSB) has educated and empowered bankers in all positions, other financial services professionals and affiliates, regulators, bank directors, and aspiring bank directors with knowledge and relationships that strengthen careers, organizations, and communities. SWGSB is a nationally recognized leader in banking and commercial lending education, bank management training, and bank director training programs. Learn more at swgsb.org or call 214.768.2991 for more information.

Founded 63 years ago, Susser Bank has operated under the ownership and direction of Susser Banc Holdings Corporation since 2018.  

Susser Bank is a Texas-based company offering a full suite of personal and commercial banking solutions with offices across Texas – Dallas, Arlington, Austin, Bedford, Corpus Christi, Fort Worth, Garland, Houston, Plano, Round Rock and San Antonio. The company is a diversified bank with robust capital, liquidity, and leading-edge technology led by the Susser family and a legacy of six generations of Texas entrepreneurs. Susser Bank is dedicated to building long-term client relationships and providing outstanding financial solutions that make Texas stronger. More information is available at susserbank.com.

Susser Bank will relocate its Dallas office and official headquarters to the Resolute Tower at the historic Old Parkland campus. The new full-service location will officially open on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Resolute Tower at Old Parkland, 4020 Maple Avenue, Suite 150 in Dallas.

Strategically located just off Maple Avenue with direct access to the Dallas North Tollway, the new office enhances accessibility for clients across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

“This move represents an important milestone in our long-term strategy to grow with strength, stability, and intention,” said Sam L. Susser, Chairman and CEO of Susser Bank. “Old Parkland reflects our values, historic roots, institutional quality, and enduring relationships. It’s the right setting for our team and our clients.”

In addition to housing Susser Bank’s Dallas banking team, the new location will serve as the company’s corporate headquarters, with members of the executive leadership team operating from the site.

The new space will replace Susser’s Crescent Court location and features a modern, state-of-the-art environment designed to foster collaboration and long-term partnership.

“This new headquarters serves as a strategic anchor in Susser Bank’s long-term commitment to Texas,” Susser added. “We are proud to deepen our presence here and look forward to welcoming clients to our new home.”

Office hours for the new location will be Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Founded 63 years ago, Susser Bank has operated under the ownership and direction of Susser Banc Holdings Corporation since 2018. 

Susser Bank is a Texas-based company offering a full suite of personal and commercial banking solutions with offices across Texas – Dallas, Arlington, Austin, Bedford, Corpus Christi, Fort Worth, Garland, Houston, Plano, Round Rock and San Antonio. The company is a diversified bank with robust capital, liquidity, and leading-edge technology led by the Susser family and a legacy of six generations of Texas entrepreneurs. Susser Bank is dedicated to building long-term client relationships and providing outstanding financial solutions that make Texas stronger. More information is available at susserbank.com.

It’s time to go blue — in the best way possible. This Saturday, June 28, The Smurf Experience USA invites North Texas families to celebrate Global Smurf Day with a day of smiles and Smurftastic fun inside Arlington’s Esports Stadium.

Single-day tickets start at just $25, giving guests of all ages the chance to explore 13,000 square feet of pure imagination — from Smurf Village and the Enchanted Forest to Gargamel’s spooky lair. With interactive games, obstacle courses, scavenger hunts, and virtual reality, it's an adventure wrapped in nostalgia and magic.

Kids can meet Papa Smurf and Smurfette, pose for share-worthy photos, and discover themed zones designed to spark wonder at every turn. And for families who want to come back again and again, the new All You Can Play Summer Pass is available for $54.99 — the best value for unlimited visits through August 11.

“The Smurf Experience is the perfect way to celebrate Global Smurf Day — and to keep the fun going all summer long,” says Danny Fritz, CEO of attraction producer SBX Group. “Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, every ticket unlocks a day full of immersive fun that kids (and parents) love.”

Already a European sensation with over 2 million visitors, The Smurf Experience made its U.S. debut in Arlington this May and has quickly become one of the most talked-about family attractions in Texas, earning a 4.6-star rating on Google.

But hurry — the experience closes in August!