PILLAR: Growing
AGENDA DATE: September 23, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Office of Economic Development
PRIORITY: Targeted Economic Growth
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SUBJECT
Title
Authorize approval of two nominees, Wei Wei Jeang and Brian Bernknopf, to fill two vacancies on the City of Dallas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
*In alignment with Economic Development Incentive Policy.
Body
BACKGROUND
On January 12, 2022, the City Council (1) authorized the establishment of the City of Dallas Economic Development Corporation (EDC), a non-profit local government corporation formed for the purpose of aiding and acting on behalf of the City of Dallas; and (2) approved the EDC’s Certificate of Formation and Bylaws by Resolution No. 22-0168.
On August 24, 2022, the City Council approved 15 nominees to serve as the initial Directors of the EDC Board by Resolution No. 22-1211.
Currently, the EDC Board has two vacancies for the positions formerly held by Jeanne Phillips and Deborah Hunter Johnson. Under the current Bylaws, “any vacancy occurring in the office of a Director, whether by death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the former occupant’s term by nomination of candidates by the Board in consultation with the Nominating Committee, and approval by the Dallas City Council.”
The EDC Board, in consultation with the Nominating Committee, is recommending Wei Wei Jeang and Brian Bernknopf to serve as the two new Directors of the EDC Board. Wei Jeang will assume the term that expires on June 30, 2027, and Brian Bernknopf will assume the term that expires on June 30, 2028.
No Director may serve for more than eight consecutive years.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On January 12, 2022, the City Council authorized (1) establishment of the City of Dallas EDC; (2) approval of the EDC's Certificate of Formation and Bylaws; (3) approval of the appointment of the EDC's interim Directors, as set out in the Certificate of Formation; (4) approval to file the EDC’s Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State; (5) approval of an interlocal agreement between the City and EDC; (6) any expenditures incurred by the City before or after this action shall be reimbursed by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA 2021) funds from the U.S. Treasury Department allocated for the EDC; and (7) funding allocation of ARPA 2021 funds from the U.S. Treasury Department in an amount not to exceed $7,000,000.00 over three years by Resolution No. 22-0168.
On August 24, 2022, the City Council approved fifteen nominees to serve as the initial Directors of the EDC Board by Resolution No. 22-1211.
On October 23, 2024, the City Council approved the nomination of two new Directors to the EDC Board to replace two vacancies due to the resignation of two Directors by Resolution No. 24-1568.
The City Council was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on September 11, 2026. <https://dallascityhall.com/government/citymanager/Documents/FY25-26%20Memos/ECO%20Friday%20Memo%20September%2023,%202026,%20City%20Council%20Agenda%20Item%20No.%2026-2914A.pdf>
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.