BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mary Poss

Chairman of the Board

Mary Poss is a lifetime Dallasite having graduated from Bryan Adams High School in East Dallas and the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business with majors in marketing and finance. At age 13, Mary volunteered to help special needs children at an autistic school in her neighborhood. She spent summers volunteering in the nearby city park teaching swimming lessons. She worked part-time at dental offices in Dallas and Austin earning her way through high school and college.

Upon graduating from college, she became a banker in Dallas. After implementing numerous major projects and managing the Operations Division, she became the youngest vice president in the history of First National Bank in Dallas. Some of the projects Mary was responsible for included the MoneyNet new wire transfer system and the International SWIFT system, as well as a new letter of credit system. Mary also managed corporate cash management, calling on existing and new corporate clients. With her background in operations, which was solidified by co-authoring a primer about wire transfer security, she was able to attract millions of dollars of deposits to the bank from customers such as AT&T, Xerox, IBM, Estée Lauder, and other major corporations.

A new opportunity found Mary when a group of East Dallas business owners persuaded Mary to run for an open seat on the Dallas City Council. Mary was elected to the council in 1995, and she served the maximum of four two-year terms. She was unanimously elected Mayor Pro Tem by the council for her last three terms and became Acting Mayor of Dallas during this period.

During her eight years at City Hall, Mary led many successful projects including dredging White Rock Lake which came in under budget, ahead of schedule, and removed three times more silt than planned; the Latino Cultural Center; the Nasher Sculpture Garden; the Calatrava Bridge, and the first city-sponsored dog park in Dallas to name a few of her projects. Mary’s financial and technical expertise were also valuable while she was leading forensic audits, tax reviews, infrastructure improvements such as water quality concerns and numerous other efforts at city hall.

While at City Hall, Mary and the late Ebby Halliday became good friends. Shortly before completing her political career, Mary received a call from Ebby who invited her to lunch whereupon Ebby suggested that Mary consider residential real estate sales and management opportunities. Refusing such an invitation would have been unthinkable. So, Mary obtained her real estate license and became an agent, and in her first year earned Rookie of the Year honors and has been a Top Agent every year since. Mary has also served as the federal political coordinator for the National Association of Realtors and the chairman of Metrotex Association of Realtors Government Affairs Committee.

In her civic career, Mary has chaired more than 20 major organizations including the Homeland Security Task force for the National League of Cities and spokesperson to the White House for city security needs; the Texas Health Foundation Board, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, and the North Texas Crime Commission. Mary also served as a lobbyist for the Greater Dallas Crime Commission, passing 11 of 14 bills in the state legislature despite the governor saying that no new crime bills would be passed that session. Mary also has received numerous awards including a statewide award from the Texas Governor for Crime Prevention.

Mary is currently chairman of the Ebby Haliday Foundation in addition to being a fulltime real estate agent.

Ron Burgert

Treasurer

A founding member of the Ebby Halliday Foundation Board of Directors, Ron Burgert carries forward a deep, multi-generational legacy of devotion to the company and its founder. His parents were Ebby Halliday’s very first accountants—meaning Ron literally grew up inside the halls of the iconic firm before spending a distinguished 42 years as Chief Financial Officer prior to his retirement. Today, he proudly lends his lifelong institutional knowledge, fiscal expertise, and personal passion for philanthropy to ensure the Foundation continues to champion and improve the lives of women and children across North Texas.

Cody Baker

Cody Baker is the Director of Advertising for the Ebby Halliday Companies and serves as the Ebby Halliday Brand Manager. Cody has proudly been with the company for 20 years, a journey that began when he interned in the Marketing Department before his senior year of college. He had the privilege of working closely with Ebby Halliday Acers for a decade, an experience that shaped his career and deepened his commitment to her values. Today, Cody is honored to help carry on Ebby’s legacy of service and giving through his work with the Ebby Halliday Foundation, supporting organizations that uplift women, children, and families in need.

Candye Bartos Spears

Candye Bartos Spears is an accomplished entrepreneur, civic leader, and communications specialist with over four decades of leadership across business, local governance, and community organizations.

She earned a Master of Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management from Southern Methodist University, where she received the Outstanding Student of the Year Award, alongside a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. Throughout her career, she has founded and managed successful enterprises in environmental engineering, skincare distribution, and direct sales.

A dedicated public servant and political strategist, Candye managed three successful municipal campaigns in Dallas and served as President of both the Texas Women's Alliance and the Greater Dallas Planning Council. Her extensive board and community involvement includes service on the Ebby Halliday Foundation Board, Girls Incorporated, and the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce. She is married to Dr. William S. Spears.

Cindy Brinker Simmons

Cindy Brinker Simmons is an author, businesswoman, and philanthropist who cares deeply about helping people amid life’s challenges. Cindy graduated from the University of Virginia. She enjoyed a robust thirty-year career in media relations, event management, strategic communications, and brand positioning.

In 1980, Cindy established Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer, a non-profit organization that is relentlessly dedicated to eradicating pediatric cancer by funding innovative research as well as offering comfort and hope to children with cancer through support programs serving the entire family. Cindy is president of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation, one of the largest junior tennis development organizations of its kind in the world. She is also engaged in many global ministries and institutions of Christian education.

Cindy has received multiple awards for her leadership, volunteer, and philanthropic service.

Cindy’s second book, Restored: Reconnecting Life’s Broken Pieces, was released in March 2024 and is an Amazon best seller. Cindy lost her beloved husband, Bob, to cancer in 2005. She has a treasured adult son, William.

Ashley Cook

Ashley Cook is the Co-Founder of Fairfax Title and the CEO and Founder of ZOCCAM. An accomplished attorney, Ashley is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States and previously served as corporate counsel to the Ebby Halliday Companies.

A proud Dallas native and graduate of Highland Park High School and SMU undergraduate, Ashley holds a Juris Doctor from SMU Dedman School of Law. She serves on numerous boards, including the SMU Dedman School of Law Board of Emerging Leaders, the University Park Fire Department Pension Board, the Eva Easterwood Trust Endowed Scholarship Committee at SMU and the Texas Land Title Association PAC Board. She is also Co-Chairman of the SMU Reunion Committee and a Community Fellow for the
SMU Dedman School of Law.

Ashley’s deep love for Dallas and Texas is reflected in her commitment to giving back to the community that shaped her. Whether mentoring law students, serving on local boards, or leading innovation in real estate, she is passionate about preserving the values and spirit of the region. She lives in University Park with her husband, JR, and their two children, Taylor and Jack.

FOUNDING MEBERS

FOUNDING MEMBERS

Mary Frances Burleson

Ron Burgert

Jack Pfeffer

John Kober

Jefflyn Williamson

Ashley Cook

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mary Poss

Chairman of the Board

Carolyn Rosson

Vice Chairman

Ron Burgert

Treasurer

Cody Baker

Candye Bartos Spears

Cindy Brinker Simmons

Ashley Cook

FOUNDING MEMBERS