Preservation Dallas Names Carolyn Howard as New Executive Director

Preservation Dallas has a new Executive Director, and I’m not sure there could be a better fit for this remarkable organization. The board met last night and unanimously approved candidate Carolyn Howard to lead Preservation Dallas into its next chapter.

Preservation Dallas is a nonprofit founded in 1972. It is dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of Dallas’s historic buildings, neighborhoods, and architectural and cultural resources. They are the go-to resource for everything you need to know about preservation, providing advocacy, education, and a dedicated staff that will find an answer to any question and works tirelessly with its board members to protect our history.

An example of their successful efforts is the creation of the Demolition Delay overlay. In 2014 after a surprise demolition of four historic buildings downtown, Preservation Dallas was instrumental in creating overlay areas in East Dallas and Oak Cliff. Without Preservation Dallas, we would have lost many of our most important historic buildings and homes and, along with that, the character of our city.

It’s a tall order to head up an organization that deals with everyone from government officials to homeowners disgruntled that they cannot paint their brick while simultaneously overseeing a calendar of events that would make anyone’s head spin. 

Preservation Dallas’ Leadership Journey

Former director David Preziosi left last year to become Executive Director of the Texas Historical Foundation, and he was a tough act to follow. Transitions are always challenging in any organization, but Interim Executive Director Will Stovall and Board President Norman Alston rallied the troops and created some excellent programming.  

“We are very excited about our new Executive Director,” board member David Griffin said. “It began as a rough year because our previous director moved into a new position, but what has been impressive is how the board has made things happen. We have had our most successful Preservation Dallas Home Tour and awards event back to back, and these events brought everyone together.”

With a dynamic and energized staff, a solid financial footing, and more members than we’ve had in years, Preservation Dallas is ready for a permanent Executive Director to lead us into the future. Preservationist Carolyn Howard is uniquely qualified to take our organization to the next level so we can continue to effectively safeguard our City’s historic places for years to come.

Preservation Dallas Interim Executive Director, Will Stovall

An Executive Director With a Solid Preservation Background

Howard has had a passion for preservation since she was a child growing up in the Park Cities. Her father was the minister at Park Cities Baptist Church when the sanctuary on Northwest Highway was built. She had a front-row seat to what it meant to build something meant to last. That passion led to a 25-year career with Main Street America, a program the National Trust for Historic Preservation started to revive and revitalize older historic and commercial districts to improve local economies and bring communities together.

Forty years later, Main Street America has proven to be nothing less than a resounding success. More than 1,600 organizations and individuals based in rural and urban areas alike now form the Main Street America network. Combined, they have created more than 600,000 new jobs and helped rehabilitate nearly 300,000 historic buildings.

Main Street America

Howard wants to bring that experience to Preservation Dallas.

“If I can take my experience and put it to work to be a part of saving the best of Dallas landmarks, that is exactly what I want to do. Everyone has this place that reminds them they belong there. I felt that the minute I walked in the door of Preservation Dallas headquarters in the historic Wilson House. That’s the feeling I want everyone to have. I want them to feel like they want to be a part of this,” Howard said. “I’m excited about teamwork, and I’m so impressed with the sense of volunteerism. This is a landmark organization, and I hope we can use everyone’s talent. Our board members have an overwhelming amount of experience, and I would love to plug in everyone. I always believe everybody is somebody, ask them what they think and get their input. But the first thing I want to do is listen and learn.”