Two of Dallas-Fort Worth’s largest public companies named new chief executives this week in planned successions.

Irving-based Vistra Corp., the state’s largest power generator, named longtime company executive Jim Burke as its next CEO to replace Curt Morgan, who has guided the company since 2016. Burke’s promotion is effective Aug. 1.

Richardson-based Lennox International went outside the company to find Todd Bluedorn’s successor. It hired Alok Maskara, CEO of Luxfer Holdings PLC, to an advanced materials industrial company. He takes over May 9.

Bluedorn announced in July that he intended to retire by mid-2022. He led the heating, venting and air conditioning giant for 15 years. Lennox’s revenue grew 15% last year to nearly $4.2 billion.

Maskara, 51, has guided Luxxfer Holdings for five years. Prior to Luxfer, he was president of several global business units at Pentair PLC, a water treatment and sustainable applications company, for a decade. He also previously held leadership roles at General Electric Corp. and McKinsey & Co.

At Vistra, Morgan will stay on as CEO through a summer transition, according to the company. Board chairman Scott Helm credited Morgan with moving the company away from a reliance on coal plants and into one of the largest power producers and retailers in the US It sells electricity and natural gas to nearly 4.3 million residential, commercial and industrial customers.

“Leading Vistra has been the most rewarding experience of my 40-year career,” Morgan said in a statement. “Now is the right time for this leadership transition. The company is strong with the right strategic direction and capital allocation plan. And importantly, Jim is the right person for the job.”

Burke, 53, most recently was president and chief financial officer of the $12 billion-a-year business that includes well-known retailers TXU Energy, Ambit Energy and Dynegy and power generator Luminant. Before that, he was Vistra’s chief operating officer for four years and previously served as CEO of TXU Energy.

CEO turnover is beginning to accelerate this year, with 276 top executives departing in January and February, according to a report by global outplacement and coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. That’s up nearly 42% from the same two-month period a year ago.

“As pandemic concerns subside somewhat with falling cases, leaders who have been in crisis mode for the last two years may look for something new,” said Andrew Challenger, senior vice president of the Chicago-based firm. “As with many American workers, they may choose to retire or resign for other positions.”

Since August, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Tenet Healthcare are among North Texas companies with retiring CEOs being replaced with internal successors. Earlier this month, Susan Salka, the chief executive who established Dallas as a second headquarters city for staffing firm AMN Healthcare, said she will retire this year after her successor is hired.

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Horizon Forbidden West went the extra mile to honor late Guerrilla Games lead producer Patrick Munnik with a special in-game memorial.

In Horizon Forbidden West, between Legacy’s Landfall and Thornmarsh, is a small island that can be reached by a series of sandbars. Scanning the island with Aloy’s focus reveals no loot to be found or machines to be hunted. It stands out from the rest of Forbidden West’s map, hiding an Easter egg that will only be revealed when Aloy steps on its shores.

Right away there is a sense that something about this island is special. No achievements or objectives are hiding there, only a fond memorial to a departed friend. This beautiful Easter egg was included to honor the late Patrick Munnik, the lead producer at Guerrilla Games until his death in 2019.

RELATED: How Horizon Forbidden West’s Best New Location Reflects Aloy’s Growth

Munnik started working for Guerrilla Games in 2011 and was the producer behind Killzone: Shadowfall and Horizon Zero Dawn. At only 44 years old, he made his mark on the gaming industry before his sudden passing. 2013’s Killzone was a PlayStation 4 launch title and 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn was massively successful, selling over 20 million copies and receiving critical acclaim.

It is with great shock and sadness we inform you that our lead producer Patrick Munnik is no longer with us. We are eternally grateful to have had our greatly valued and much loved Patrick on our team. pic.twitter.com/IpeNvSMmht

— Guerrilla (@Guerrilla) June 13, 2019

While Guerrilla included a dedication to Munnik in Horizon Forbidden West’s ending credits, it also went the extra mile to honor his memory with an in-game location. Following a path lined by candles brings Aloy to a scenic view of the ruins of San Francisco. As Aloy sits on a woven mat, the camera pulls out to a cinematic angle.

A chorus of Utaru singers rises in the background as Aloy reads a note left at the site: “Here, we remember our friend, with a view as calming as his voice, on stone as strong as his spirit. He was not just our rock , he was our oak, sturdy and stoic, whose presence brought us comfort and whose branches touched us all. Rest in peace.” Additionally, Aloy makes comments about how the memorial “must be for a beloved friend” who “sounds like he’s truly missed.” It’s evident from this tribute that Munnik meant a great deal to the team at Guerrilla Games.

RELATED: Horizon Forbidden West: How Aloy Changes Sylens

While the note doesn’t mention a specific name, the language used indicates that it was written by a member of the Utaru tribe. The Utaru frequently use metaphors involving plants in their speech, and the note compares the departed to an oak. This is an interesting choice given the tribe’s philosophy and rituals surrounding life and death. Every Utaru has a seed pouch that they carry with them their entire lives, collecting seeds that are then planted upon their passing. This practice is symbolic of their belief in the cycle of life and death.

To the Utaru, death is natural and necessary, laying a foundation for new life to grow. The plants that grow from seed pouches of the fallen are looked after and treasured by their loved ones. To the Utaru, returning to the Earth and becoming part of that new cycle of life is sacred; from death comes new life. It seems only appropriate that the voices of the Utaru should be used to honor the departed Munnik, giving him an uplifting memorial that celebrates his life and the impact he left on those we worked with.

KEEP READING: How Horizon Forbidden West Sets Up a Sequel

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About The Author

Taylor Piscitello
(10 Articles Published)

Taylor Piscitello is a life-long gamer with an extensive knowledge of video game lore and history. When it comes to character histories and lore Taylor is an expert on many popular video game franchises, and takes regular deep dives into the most interesting and obscure facets of her favorite games. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and served as a script writer for the YouTube Channel TheThings, providing analysis, behind-the-scenes information and trivia on pop culture topics like Marvel, DC, and Disney. She has a wide and varied taste for games ranging from Animal Crossing to Dark Souls, and she’s always eager to try out a new RPG or Roguelike. When she doesn’t have her hands on a controller Taylor enjoys role playing and the occasional crochet project.

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Highlifeflos Audio Production Services is a sought-after studio that provides artists in the San Francisco Bay Area and nationwide high-end audio recording and music production services. After operating out of a 700 square meter studio in South San Francisco For several years now, his modernized 2,000-square-foot studio at 973 E. San Carlos Avenue has more than doubled in size, allowing him to expand its services.

The new studio will officially open its doors 11 AprilWith two professional sound engineers to help artists develop their sounds.

Born and raised in South San FranciscoHighlifeflo was educated at SAE Expression College in Emeryville, California before opening his own studio. During his seven year career as a professional sound engineer and producer, he has worked with major recording artists including Stupid Young, MBNel, 24kGoldn, China Mac, Tee Grizzley, Blackbear, Blueface / Jame $ TooCold and more than 300 other musicians in rap, hip hop and pop. His recording of 24kGoldn’s track “Valentino” was the Bay Area’s first rap recording to go platinum. The song landed on the Billboard charts along with Highlifeflo’s Lil TJay remix.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Highlifeflo was asked to scale and adapt its business to keep its customers safe. While he was working on the opening of his new and improved studio, he continued to train his clients at a distance by helping them set up home studios.

The secret to his success is his hands-on approach, tireless work ethic, and focus on coaching artists by providing honest feedback and adding value during sessions.

“My goal is to use creative pressure to bring out the greatness of any artist,” he said. “I want to help artists reach their full potential. With this new studio, we can better develop artist sounds and raise the bar as we expand to serve more customers.”

For more information on Highlifeflo’s audio production services, please visit https://www.highlifeflos.com.

Follow Highlifeflo on Instagram at https://instagram.com/highlifeflo.

SOURCE Highlifeflos Audio Production Services LLC

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