Visit Dallas news

Philip Jones, CEO of beleaguered VisitDallas, resigns

Phillip Jones is out.

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VisitDallas, the organization that markets Dallas as a tourist destination, announced that Phillip Jones is stepping down as President and CEO, effective immediately.

According to a release, VisitDallas' Board of Directors and Jones came to a "mutual decision" at a board meeting on May 8.

An interim CEO will be announced on May 9, and the Board has begun a search for a full-time successor.

The "nonprofit" convention and visitors bureau has been mired in controversy since results of an audit were published in January that brought attention to the accounting of its expenses and some exorbitant loans granted to Jones.

The organization received more than $146 million in city tax funds between 2013 and 2017, much of it from a hotel occupancy tax.

City auditors blamed the agency for not fulfilling its responsibilities, while city hall officials ignored their oversight responsibilities and failed to collect many millions of dollars on time from VisitDallas.

The agency become a key issue in the city election that took place on May 4, with mayoral candidate Scott Griggs a vocal critic of the tourism agency who publicly questioned Jones' $700,000 annual compensation package.

In a statement, VisitDallas board chair Mark Woelffer thanked Jones for his 15 years of leadership and "great career" at VisitDallas.

"We are proud of the work VisitDallas has accomplished during Phillip’s tenure to promote Dallas, which is now a top 10 destination nationally for meetings, conventions, sporting events, and leisure travel," Woelffer said. "As Phillip has decided to pursue other opportunities, we wish him the very best."

Jones was given a chance to make his own parting statement. "It has been a privilege to lead VisitDallas during an important period of growth for the organization, and now it’s time for my next challenge," he said. "Together with my colleagues at VisitDallas, the City of Dallas and partners across the hospitality and tourism industry, we have positioned Dallas as the top visitor destination in Texas for meetings and events, and one of the top convention and visitor destinations in the nation. I’m proud of our accomplishments and know the organization is on track for continued success."

Incoming board chair Joyce Williams called his contributions "significant and lasting," noting a "five-fold" increase in hotel room bookings, and Dallas' climb from number 18 to number 6 on the country’s top visitor destination list.

"Dallas' Tourism Public Improvement District was created and Dallas was re-branded as a global destination," Williams said. "He led the charge statewide to defeat the 'Bathroom Bill' not just once, but twice. We wish Phillip well and look forward to continuing the great momentum as we welcome new leadership."

Williams will lead the search committee to identify VisitDallas’ next leader and will begin work immediately.

VisitDallas along with Mayor Mike Rawlings will announce an interim CEO during a news conference on May 9 at 11 am at the VisitDallas office at 325 N. St. Paul St.

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Animal News

Wills Point, Texas man charged with cruelty for abandoning 18 animals

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Lucas Wayne Penrod, charged with animal cruelty

Another animal cruelty case has emerged from Van Zandt County, resulting in the arrest of a Wills Point man: Lucas Wayne Penrod was charged with Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals, a 3rd degree felony.

It began on Friday, October 24, when the Wills Point Police Department performed a welfare check at a mobile home within the city limits. Officers became concerned when they heard multiple dogs barking along with a foul odor of animal waste.

On October 25, after obtaining a search warrant, Wills Point PD and the SPCA of Texas ACI Unit entered the residence and found multiple animals living in deplorable conditions.

The mobile home was filled with trash and animal feces. The team discovered a total of 8 cats, 2 guinea pigs, 4 adult dogs, and 4 puppies, cruelly confined to the unsanitary living conditions on the property.

Two dogs were confined to filthy crates with no access to water.
Three puppies were in a small bathroom covered in urine and feces; one of the puppies was deceased and decomposing.
The guinea pigs were found in a cage without access to food or water.

Most of the animals showed signs of long-term neglect and were in dire need of urgent medical intervention. The animals were seized by the SPCA of Texas and transported to the organization's Dallas location for veterinary care.

Dog in cage Wills Point Lucas Wayne Penrod Dog abandoned in Wills Point by Lucas Wayne Penrod.SPCA

On October 26, Lucas Wayne Penrod, the owner of the animals, contacted an SPCA of Texas Investigator regarding the animals. The Investigator determined that Penrod had unlawfully allegedly abandoned the animals, failing to provide them with proper care, resulting in the death of one of the puppies and the critical state of the surviving animals.

On October 28, the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Penrod, who was apprehended by Tyler Police Department and booked into the Smith County Jail with a $50K bond. Penrod was charged with Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals, a 3rd degree felony.

On November 1, at a civil custody hearing at the Van Zandt County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 courthouse in Wills Point, Penrod relinquished custody of the 18 allegedly abandoned, cruelly treated animals to the SPCA.

"The squalid conditions these beautiful animals were living in were abhorrent--locked in spaces without food or water, in their own excrement," said SPCA of Texas ACI Unit Chief Investigator Courtney Burns, CAWA. "This is some of the worst mistreatment of domestic animals I've seen in my extensive career in animal cruelty investigations. In no small part, these pets owe their lives to the Wills Point Police Department. If it wasn’t for their quick thinking to involve us right away, I don't think the animals would have made it."

"This case perfectly illustrates the team effort that investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty cases in Texas is," Burns added. "We are extremely thankful to the Tyler Police Department for their efficient assistance in apprehending Penrod so that he can be brought to justice in the timeliest manner possible. And we are especially grateful to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and court system with whom we continue to partner to get justice for abused animals in their jurisdiction."