Macalik takes helm for retiring Chamber director

Macalik takes helm for retiring Chamber director
Dana Cullins Macalik

(Rockwall) [TheRockwallNews.com] A new Executive Director of the Rockwall Chamber of Commerce has been named by the Chamber’s Board of Directors to replace Margie Hooper, who is retiring Dec. 31.

Fourth-generation Rockwall area resident and Rockwall High School graduate Dana K. Cullins Macalik (left) started her new position Oct. 17.

She is the daughter of Douglas Cullins, who was Constable of Rockwall County Precincts 2 & 3 for over 18 years. Her grandfather J.W. Cullins, was a cotton farmer and Rockwall police officer who became the first Chief of Police in Heath. Her great-grandfather moved to Rockwall in the late 1800s to farm cotton.

Margie Hooper

Her sister, Saundra, married the late Regal Realtors co-owner Lance Holland, and Heath City Council member Justin Holland is her nephew.

Macalik was employed since last October as an asset manager for the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at Home Telos – a division of First Preston Foreclosure Specialists in Dallas.

From 2002-08 she was a realtor with Regal Realtors. From 1997 to 2002 she sold high school yearbooks and class rings for Taylor Publishing and Gold Lance/Balfour.

Macalik graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1983 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.

Since 2002 she’s also been a volunteer leader of Rockwall’s American Cancer Society “Relay For Life,” a volunteer at Rockwall Helping Hands, Rockwall County Youth Fair and the Rockwall County Republican Party.

She has also been a member of the Garland, Lewisville and Ft. Worth Chambers of Commerce.

Hooper had been the Executive Director since April, 2005, after retiring from a 31-year career with Cingular Wireless and SBC Communications. She will stay on through the end of the year to help Macalik with the transition.

About her new position Macalik said she hopes to be instrumental in improving Rockwall County’s business climate and quality of life.

“I hope to be instrumental in representing the Chamber’s commitment to creating an improved business climate and quality of life for the Rockwall County area,” she said.

“From a public affairs standpoint, I hope to implement a cooperative community and economic development program designed to create economic stability and growth.”

“From a business assistance and activities standpoint, I hope to provide high quality Chamber activities and events designed to increase new business contacts and opportunities for involvement and increase assistance programs for small businesses.”

“From a membership standpoint, I hope to increase overall Chamber membership and actively promote Chamber programs and involvement opportunities.”

By J.J. Smith, Publisher at therockwallnews.com, published Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011.

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