Speakers

 

Emmitt Smith

Emmitt Smith is a professional football icon and one of the greatest to ever play the game. In his 15 seasons as a running back in the National Football League, Smith amassed many records that still stand today, including most career rushing yards and most career rushing touchdowns. Smith’s impressive resume includes three Super Bowl championship rings, his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, and, most recently in 2019, his selection to the NFL 100 All-Time Team (a prestigious list honoring the best players of the NFL's first 100 years).

As a first-round pick in the 1990 NFL Draft, Smith was the cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys offense for 13 seasons. The eight-time Pro Bowler was the first player in NFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in 11 consecutive seasons and on October 27, 2002 he surpassed Walter Payton as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.

After his playing days, Smith served as a football analyst and then took his television career a step further when he won the third season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, during which he was dubbed “the king of effortless cool.” He also added author to his list of accomplishments, publishing Game On, which outlines the principles that helped him succeed both on and off the field.

Smith then transitioned to the role of businessman and entrepreneur and runs several companies spanning real estate, construction, and technology. He is active in charitable outreach in the Dallas area and on a national level, providing educational opportunities and unique experiences for underserved youth. In addition, Smith is in-demand as a motivational speaker.

In August of 2021, it was announced that Smith has become a co-owner of a NASCAR team partnering with Jesse Iwuji Motorsports for the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. A major theme of Smith and Iwuji’s partnership will center on STEM education for lower income communities and diversity and inclusion initiatives within the sport of NASCAR. 

Smith resides in Dallas and, among his athletic accomplishments and business endeavors, is foremost a father of five children. 

VP/GM - Lennox Residential HVAC

 

Lanessa joined Lennox International in 2014 and has held several roles within the Commercial segment including District Sales Manager, Regional Sales Director and National Accounts Director. Prior to joining Lennox, Lanessa held senior leadership positions with Carrier Enterprise and JDC, Inc. including Vice President Sales/Operations and President/General Manager spanning their residential, commercial, and aftermarket sales businesses. Lanessa earned her bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Mississippi State University and her master's degree in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

VP, Sales & Stores - Lennox Residential HVAC

 

Steve Pitlik joined Lennox in 2011 and has held several roles including Director of Product Management, Regional Sales Director and Director of Customer Support. Prior to joining Lennox, Steve held senior leadership roles at Dr Pepper Snapple and Target Corporation across multiple disciplines within Supply Chain and Product Management. He received his bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management from the University of Tennessee.

VP, Product Management - Lennox Home Comfort Solutions

 

Tim Brizendine joined Lennox in 2006 and has served in roles of increasing responsibility in both engineering and product management. Tim was promoted to Vice President of Product Management in 2024 where he is responsible for Lennox and Allied branded products . Prior to Lennox, Tim started in the HVAC industry in engineering and manufacturing roles for commercial HVAC equipment as well as residential HVAC service and installation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University.

VP, Marketing & Customer Experience - Lennox Residential HVAC

 

Patty joined Lennox from Dallas College where she was the Chief Marketing Officer since 2018. During her tenure at Dallas College, she led the launch of the Dallas College brand, consolidating seven institutions under a single brand umbrella while overseeing their advertising, digital marketing, social media, communications, and online activities. Prior to Dallas College, Patty spent almost two decades at Texas Instruments serving in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility, including serving as Global Director of Digital Marketing generating demand for TI’s Embedded Processing division. Patty earned her Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Journalism from the University of North Texas (UNT) and an MBA from Oklahoma State University.