Chamber Leadership
Board of Directors
Justin Williams
Board Chair
JT is vice president and branch manager at the Bluffview office of Alamo Title in Dallas.
He was elected to the Chamber’s Board of Directors in 2011, believing strongly in the Chamber’s mission of equality through business.
In addition to his longtime support of the Chamber, in 2007, JT and his good friend, Jared Pearce, launched the Red Party (known today as the Dallas Red Foundation). Since then, the Dallas Red Foundation has provided more than $250,000 to Legacy Counseling and other Dallas-based HIV/AIDS service organizations.
When he is not working and dedicating time to non-profit work, you can probably find JT, his partner, Derek, and their toy poodles, Miss Mary and Mister Jack at the lake!
Clint Thomson
Chair Elect
Clint is founder and Senior Technician at Celeratec Managed Services, LLC. Celeratec manages every aspect of technology infrastructure, from recommendation and procurement to implementation and management. The company offers a variety of products and services created to maximize your technology assets and ensure your business success.
In addition to running Celeratec, a certified LGBTBE®, Clint is a competitive runner. Clint has served on the local leadership council of Lambda Legal, most recently as the council’s co-chair. He is also active with the Dallas Red Foundation, a charitable organization that provides funding to Legacy Counseling.
Marsha Thomas
Vice Chair/Secretary
Marsha is the President and owner of TNT Promotions, LLC. Providing promotional products, apparel, and trade show services.
TNT Promotions is a vibrant, young company founded by two seasoned professionals, Marsha & her husband, Bill, in 2010. Since then, it has grown to be a multi-national company while maintaining ties to the local communities. As part of their commitment to the community, TNT Promotions focuses on participating in local chambers and fundraising events.
Marsha has over 25 years’ experience in goal-oriented environments, developing and managing programs. She has a distinguished track record in sales and operational management, and is a recognized talent for building and managing top performing sales and operational teams. Marsha brings tremendous experience and a 'can-do' attitude to the Chamber and its Board of Directors. She is the recipient of the Chamber's 2013 Member Service Award.
When not working, you will find Marsha outside on the patio reading every chance she gets.
Armando Ramirez
Treasurer
Armando is a Senior Loan Officer with Supreme Lending and a Chamber Member since 2010. He has spent more than 28 years in the mortgage business, previously working at Southwest Airlines for 20 years where he gained valuable experience in customer service.
Armando has been actively involved with the Jaycees, Alpha Kappa Professional Men’s Alumni chapter, and local professional and networking groups.
Larry Paschall
Immediate Past Chair - Foundation Co-Chair
Larry Paschall, AIA, is an architect, entrepreneur, and noted speaker. Moreover, he is a fervent advocate for his industry and the communities in which he both lives and serves.
Larry is chief executive officer of Spotted Dog Architecture, specializing in residential architecture. In addition to working with his residential clients, he is currently pursuing advocacy opportunities within the architecture and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities.
Along with serves as past-chair of the Chamber and co-chair of the GLBT Chamber of Commerce Foundation, he is a former board member of Visit Dallas. He is a noted speaker at state and regional conferences for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) on topics, such as marketing architecture; architects as industry advocates, and enhancing leadership and community awareness.
Gary Sanchez
Gary is currently serving as the Director of Public Affairs at VisitDallas, formerly the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau. In this role, Gary is responsible for developing and fostering relationships with community partners, stakeholders, elected officials, chambers of commerce, state and national associations as they relate to hospitality and the travel/tourism industry. Additionally, he leads the organization’s government affairs, and works with local, state and national associations to protect and advocate for policy directly related to keeping Texas a welcoming destination for all.
Gary has more than fifteen years of experience in marketing and public relations, both in the private and public sectors. A native of Laredo, Texas, Gary earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Suzanne Butler, CPA
Following a career in various accounting, auditing, and supply chain roles, Suzanne left the corporate world in 2016 to start an independent CPA practice in Dallas, Texas, serving clients throughout the US. She helps individuals and small businesses with tax planning and return preparation with a focus on minimizing tax burden.
She has volunteered for organizations such as AIDS Interfaith Network, The Human Rights Campaign, Irving Flood Control District #3, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and Literacy Institute for Texas. For fun, she likes to build spreadsheets, travel, exercise, and eat Tex-Mex in her Oak Cliff neighborhood.
Chamber of Commerce Professional Staff
Tony Vedda, IOM, CCE
President & Chief Executive Officer
Tony has been the Chamber's President & CEO since 2007, following two years of service on the Board of Directors. His career in chamber management began thirty years ago as a membership specialist for the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Since that time he has worked with several general market chambers in Arizona and California, as well as five years as Executive Director of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Business Association, the nation’s first GLBT chamber of commerce.
Tony is one of 530 chamber leaders, and the only LGBT chamber leader, to receive the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) designation from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. He is also a graduate of the US Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management (IOM). Currently Tony has served on the US Chamber West Institute Board of Regents and the Institute Board of Trustees. He currently serves on the board of the North Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives Association, and the Visit Dallas executive committee. He is a member of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE), as well as the Leadership San Francisco, and Leadership Dallas alumni associations. Email
Matt Ebner
Membership Specialist II
Matt's personal mission to advance equality in the LGBT community, inspired him to work for the Chamber. As a Membership Specialist, Matt works to grow the Chamber membership and engage existing members to use the Chamber's many benefits, in order to reach their professional and business development goals.
In addition, Matt manages many of the Chamber's business growth programs, working to increase member benefits and ensuring long-lasting connections between members.
Matt graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. He previously served as a Site Coordinator for a nationwide non-profit organization that worked to improve the well-being of at-risk youth and their families. Through this experience, he encountered many LGBT youths, and was able to guide them toward improved self-acceptance.
Matt is an avid proponent of animal welfare; he is a devoted dog dad and a lover of all things cuisine, but finds the greatest enjoyment in spending time with friends and family. Email
Mike Henley-Hudson
Membership Advisor
Waylon Tate
J. Waylon & Associates
Public Relations & Advertising
Waylon Tate is the principal publicist and media strategist for J. Waylon & Associates (JWA), located in Dallas, Texas. JWA is a full spectrum public relations and advertising agency that provides a tailored suite of services for clients in the areas of government, public policy, election campaigning, business enterprise, and lifestyle management.
Over the span of his career, Mr. Tate has developed close ties with the White House, the State Department, the United Nations, the Department of Defense, and numerous national non-profits and think tanks. On a local level, he has fostered continued relationships with members of the Dallas City Council, the Dallas County Commissioners, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, State Senators and Representatives, and law enforcement agencies. Email
Debbie Hoff
Office Volunteer
Debbie Hoff retired from Raytheon in October 2010 after working for 32 years in Defense Systems software. While at Raytheon, Debbie was involved with its Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender and Allies (GLBTA) Employee Resource Group. In 2005, at the request of friend, Gib Murray, Debbie became the first straight ally officer of GLBTA, and continues to support the organization in her retirement, participating in group activities and hosting events at her home.
While an officer of GLBTA and, once again, at the request of Gib Murray, Debbie began her involvement with the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce. Debbie first volunteered on the Membership Committee in 2007 and started regularly attending networking events.
Debbie currently chairs the Chamber Volunteer Committee. She also works at the Chamber office one afternoon a week. In addition, Debbie volunteers at Methodist Richardson Medical Center and is active with several ministries of First United Methodist Church of Richardson, where she serves as chair of the Church & Society Work Area. Email