The North Texas Commission has awarded Mike Berry, President of Hillwood, the esteemed Dan Petty Regional Visionary Award, its highest honor. Named in memory of the Commission’s former President and CEO, the award recognizes transformational leaders whose vision and contributions have significantly advanced the economic vitality of the North Texas region.
The award held special significance for Berry, who worked alongside its namesake early in his career at Woodbine Development Corporation. He was recognized at the 54th Annual Members’ Luncheon, where civic and business leaders celebrated regional progress and leadership.
“Honoring Mike Berry with the Dan Petty Regional Visionary Award recognizes a leader whose vision continues to shape North Texas,” said Chris Wallace, President & CEO of the North Texas Commission. “Mike and the Hillwood Team have delivered transformational projects that create jobs, attract global investment and strengthen our region’s competitive edge. His passion for North Texas, collaborative spirit, strong civic engagement and decades of service at Hillwood have forged a multi-generational impact, which is the true measure of a lasting legacy.”
As President of Hillwood, Berry oversees strategic planning, business development and real estate investment across the Properties division, which includes AllianceTexas, one of the nation’s most successful master-planned developments. Spanning 27,000 acres, AllianceTexas is home to more than 590 companies, supporting 66,000 jobs and generating $4.3 billion in annual property taxes. Since its inception, it has contributed over $130 billion in economic impact, including $10.2 billion in 2024 alone.
AllianceTexas continues to serve as a cornerstone of innovation in logistics, mobility, infrastructure and industrial development.
Recent milestones under Berry’s leadership include:
- Hillwood announced a significant partnership with SGS Studios, which now operates the state’s largest production facility on the AllianceTexas campus. Developed in collaboration with Paramount Television, the studio will support four simultaneous large-scale film and TV productions.
- Berry has championed initiatives at the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ), a one-of-a-kind ecosystem advancing next-generation air and ground mobility solutions. The MIZ is accelerating the commercial deployment of innovative transportation technologies critical to the modern supply chain.
- In 2024, Hillwood and public-sector partners, including the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), TxDOT and the cities of Fort Worth and Haslet, secured an $80 million INFRA grant as part of a $262 million public-private initiative. The project will double inland port capacity, improve I-35W traffic flow and enhance regional safety, air quality and job access. The AllianceTexas Smart Port was one of just 44 projects selected nationally and the only one in Texas.
Beyond his role at Hillwood, Mike Berry is a widely respected civic leader. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Texas Christian University and the Board of Advisors for the Neeley School of Business. He is Chair of the Board of Directors for the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership. He is also a Founders Council member of the Greater Fort Worth Real Estate Council, a former Chairman of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Board of Directors for Safe City Fort Worth, among others. A proud Fort Worth native, Mike still calls his hometown home, where he lives with his wife, Marilyn.
About Hillwood
Hillwood, a Perot company, is a premier commercial and residential real estate developer, investor, and advisor of properties throughout North America and Europe. With a diverse portfolio of properties and home to many of the world’s leading companies, Hillwood is committed to bringing long-term value to our customers, partners, and the communities we serve.?For more information, please visit www.hillwood.com.
Hillwood Properties, based in Fort Worth, is a leading real estate developer specializing in industrial logistics, corporate office, and retail mixed-use development, as well as airport and property management. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Hillwood has established a reputation for quality development that drives economic growth for communities throughout North Texas. Signature developments include AllianceTexas, Circle T Ranch, and Frisco Station. To date, Hillwood Properties has developed and acquired 32 million square feet of industrial, 3.6 million square feet of retail and office, and over 4,000 multifamily units. For more information on Hillwood Properties’ flagship development, AllianceTexas, please visit www.alliancetexas.com.
About North Texas Commission
Established in 1971, the North Texas Commission is a unique public-private partnership that drives large, impactful projects and legislative issues benefiting a robust 13-county region and tackles the region’s greatest challenges with board and staff subject matter experts who provide resources to market the region and educate future leaders. The Commission also manages the region’s unified advocacy voice at the state and federal levels.