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Elected Mayor in June 2011, Mike Rawlings brings three decades of
high-level business and civic leadership to Dallas City Hall. Mayor
Rawlings came to Dallas in 1976 with two hundred dollars in his pocket,
and through hard work and determination, he proved that Dallas truly is
The City of Opportunity. After taking an entry level job in one of
Dallas' top ad agencies, he worked his way up to become the CEO of
Tracy-Locke, which at the time was the largest advertising agency in the
South.
After a successful 20-year career in marketing and advertising, Mike
Rawlings took the helm of the world's largest pizza company, Pizza Hut.
Under Mike's leadership, the company had a major upturn in business
resulting in the highest weekly store sales in Pizza Hut history and
recognition by D Magazine as "The Best Company To Work For In Dallas."
Most recently, Mayor Rawlings served as Managing Partner of CIC
Partners, where he provided business counsel and capital, helping to
grow small and mid-sized businesses in Dallas, and across the U.S. In
addition to his vast business experience, over the past three decades
Mayor Rawlings also has served as a volunteer leader with a proven
record of tackling some of our city's toughest challenges.
As the Homeless Czar for five years, Mike oversaw the construction and
opening of The Bridge, which is the cornerstone of our city's long-term
plan to help the homeless and clean up our downtown. Mike also worked to
raise more than $12 million in private donations to operate this
non-profit that helps more than 1,000 homeless men and women every day.
Under Mike's leadership Dallas reduced its number of chronically
homeless by nearly 57% over five years.
As Chair of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2006-07, Mike
worked to bring in new tax revenue from visitors, relieving the burden
on homeowners. Under his leadership, the CVB brought in events that
generated $400 million in direct economic impact to Dallas.
And while serving as President of the Dallas Park & Recreation Board,
Mike fostered public-private partnerships securing private funding to
support basic services and start a new youth health initiative.
For his thoughtful leadership in working to end homelessness, Mike was
awarded the 2007 Innovation Award from the United States Interagency
Council on Homelessness, the Dallas Historical Society's Award for
Excellence in Humanities, and the Anti-Defamation League's Humanitarian
of the Year for 2010.
A lifelong athlete, Mike lettered in football at Boston College, where
he received a Bachelor's degree in philosophy and communications, Magna
Cum Laude. Today, he serves on the Board of Trustees of Jesuit College
Preparatory. He has been an active lecturer at many universities as well
as an adjunct professor at SMU. Mike and his wife Micki have raised two
children here in Dallas, Michelle (30) and Gunnar (22). |