2011 Board of Directors

Chris Kobler – President

Chris Kobler has a long history of DJCC involvement. He joined the Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce in 2003, and was elected to the board a month later as Vice President of Marketing. He set about to design and develop the chamber’s first working website and designed the DJCC logo which is still in use today. He also served as Vice President of Operations in 2005, Chairman of the DJCC Winetasting in 2008 and 2009, and Executive Vice President in 2010. Chris has served on all major committees of the DJCC, including the DJCC Winetasting, FOYD, Johnny Sides and the Easter Egg Hunt Committee. Chris received his bachelor’s from the University of Texas at Arlington. Professionally, he is employed by match.com as a User Interface Engineer for their International Department, maintains a personal website and offers freelance graphic design and website development services at chriskobler.com.

Spring R. Rowell – Executive Vice President

Spring R. Rowell joined the Junior Chamber of Commerce in 2010 and served as a member of the 2010 – 58th Annual Johnny Sides Rookie of the Year Award Committee. Spring is currently an Attorney at the U.S. Small Business Administration, active member of Lakeshore Community Church in Rockwall, and part of the Dallas Area Young Lawyers.  She clerked at the American Center for Law and Justice and was on Staff for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives shortly following September 11th.
Spring graduated from Regent University School of Law in 2005 where she served as the President of the Student Alumni Association and member of numerous organizations. She graduated from Oral Roberts University in 2001 with a Degree in Music, where she served as the President of the Student Senate and Deputy Secretary of State for the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature. Spring is involved in local and international community service: spending time in schools, churches and HIV orphanages in Kenya, Peru, Botswana… She is an avid fan live music and arts; enjoys debate, hunting, politics, cooking, and outdoor activities; and cheers for the Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, and Plano Rough Riders.

Kevin Lateko – VP of Membership                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Kevin Lateko started with the Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce May 2010 and served on the Johnny Sides Gala Committee. Kevin received his B.B.A in Management with a focus on leadership and international business from the University of Texas at Arlington . He is currently working for Nationstar Mortgage, LLC managing a portfolio of non-performing accounts negotiating short sales for the investor. He is an active leader who is focused on community involvement, personal development, and networking. In his spare time he enjoys being with friends and family, tennis, fishing, being outdoors, and reading.

                                                                                                                                                            

Jennifer Mills – VP of Marketing   

Jennifer has been an active member of the Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce since January 2009. Most recently, she served as 2010 Vice President of Connecting. Jennifer previously served as Chairman of the 2009 Johnny Sides Rookie of the Year Gala. She has served as a committee member for all four signature events. Professionally, she is employed by SuperMedia as an advertising specialist where she manages several national accounts on superpages.com. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Advertising & Public Relations from Texas Christian University. Jennifer is an active member of the Dallas chapter of the TCU Alumni Association. Additionally, she works on polishing her public speaking skills in Toastmasters International. Jennifer volunteers her time at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and the North Texas Food Bank. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, watching college football and running.

Ponce Duran – VP of Finance

Ponce Duran grew up travelling the southwest, living in California, Arizona and Texas. He graduated from Baylor University with a double major in Political Science and History in 2008. He is an avid history and pop culture buff. He joined the DJCC in January 2010 and quickly became involved. Ponce was named member of the month in August 2010. He served as Co-Chair for very successful 2010 Johnny Sides Gala. He is a former aide to Congressman Pete Sessions serving as Outreach Coordinator for 2 years. Ponce is now the North Texas Coalition Field Coordinator for Smoke Free Texas, a legislative action and advocacy organization. He is active member of the community and enjoys following his favorite pro sports teams the Cowboys and Spurs.

Peter  A. Swanson – VP of Business Development

Peter A. Swanson joined the Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce in 2011 andcurrently serves as the Vice President of Business Development. Peter graduatedfrom the University of Rochester (NY) concentrating in public health andclinical investigation. Currently he is a graduate student and Hatton W. Sumnerscholar at the University of North Texas and the National Center for PolicyAnalysis. Peter’s work concentrates in public finance, economic development, andhealth care. Before moving to Dallas, Peter was an active researcher and avolunteer leader at various emergency services organizations throughout New YorkState. In addition to the DJCC, he also serves on the board of the Dallas Alumni Chapter of the SigmaChi Fraternity.

Anthony G. Bridges – VP of Operations

Anthony has been involved with the DJCC for nearly 3 years.  This past year he served on the FOYD committee.  Professionally, Anthony works for PreMark Health Science in Irving where he is a purchasing agent.  Anthony earned his bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin.  While at UT, he served as a congressional intern in Washington, DC and as an intern for a Texas State Rep.  He also spent a semester abroad in Costa Rica.  Outside the DJCC he is a member of the D/FW World Affairs Council and is also active in political causes.  In his spare time he likes to read, play tennis, spend time with his close friends and loves watching college football, especially the Texas Longhorns.

Brandi Crozier  – VP of Community Service

Brandi is one of the newest members with the Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce.  She is also new to Dallas after moving here from Denver, Colorado, in September 2010 she accepted an opportunity to serve on the 2011 Board of Directors.  Currently she is working in the oil and gas industry, and has worked as a mediator in the juvenile court system and served as an advisor on a hospital ethics committee in Toledo, Ohio.  While in Denver, Colorado, she worked as a legal analyst for a law firm specializing in oil and gas.  Brandi earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo in 2007 and her Bachelor’s degree from Creighton University in 2002.  She recently moved to Dallas and is looking forward to exploring what this great city has to offer.  Brandi loves traveling, cooking, photography, live music, swimming, and exploring new places and cuisine.  She is excited about being a part of this well established organization and contributing to its continued success.

Vanessa Vasquez – VP of Connecting

Vanessa joined the DJCC this summer 2010. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2008 with a Bachelor’s in International Business Administration. Professionally, I have been on the sales/ financial advisor field.  Currently, I work for Comerica Bank as a loan officer/personal banker. During my journey through college, I was able to study abroad few times. Participated on a German exchange program in 2006 and in 2007 completed my summer classes in Valladolid, Spain. I volunteer at the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, love spending time with kids and their families and helping around the hospital. During my spare time I love to travel, play/watch sports; soccer, football, softball, play video games, running, shopping, road bike, dancing, try new restaurants, spending time with friends and family.

Tiffany Vanek – Chair

Tiffany has previously served on the Executive Board as President in 2010. She moved to Dallas in January 2009 from Nashville where she was working in the National Hockey League. During her time in Nashville, she was active in the Nashville Junior Chamber of Commerce, Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce, Williamson County Chamber of Commerce and the Rotaract Club of Greater Nashville where she served as President. After her move to Dallas, she quickly joined and became an active member of the DJCC. Tiffany has served on all major committees of the DJCC; including the Wine Tasting, Easter Egg Hunt for the Blind, FOYD and Johnny Sides.
Professionally, Tiffany has been a Sales Executive in the Sports and Entertainment Industry for over 11 years.  She is currently employed by Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie as Group Sales & Catering Account Executive. She is an innovative, personable, and dynamic professional with extensive experience in business and community networking. Tiffany is a corporate focused leader with exceptional success in developing strong customer loyalty with corporate level executives as well as individuals.
She is a Member of the Texas Ballet Theater Leadership program. Also, she is an active Member of the Tower Club Dallas where she served on the Ambassador Council and on the Community Service Board.  In her spare time, she enjoys giving her time through volunteer work, attending sporting events and charity events, spending time with family and friends and trying out new restaurants in Dallas.