James Hill added to Dallas Fed; SW Air acting by seat of its pants? Take a Buc-ee’s road trip for $$$.

Southwest Airlines announced plans to abandon its open-seating policy, and instead assign seats, offer premium seating and re-design its boarding model in 2025. SWA shares are down 25% in the last year and the airline is feeling pressure from investors. The changes need approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. 

American Airlines cut its annual profit forecast, citing its previous sales and distribution strategy that drove away corporate travelers. AA also highlighted excess capacity in the domestic market that undermines pricing power.

Greece finalized its intention to procure 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft by signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance, which includes an option for 20 additional aircraft.

The Army is close to its decision on its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). Bell Textron has been working for more than a year to finalize cost, schedule and performance targets for the $80-billion aircraft development effort, which will see the Army purchase thousands of next-generation tilt rotors from Bell.

James Hill has been elected to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas board of directors. He will serve the remaining portion of a term ending December 31, 2024. Hill is director of the Neeley Center for Real Estate at Texas Christian University, where he also serves as a finance professor. Additionally, he is principal of James Hill Consulting. He previously worked with AccessBank Texas and Texas Capital Bank, and serves on the board of the Tarrant Regional Water District, among others.

CenterWell, Humana’s healthcare services business, says it will lease and open senior-focused primary care centers at 23 former Walmart Health clinic locations, including Texas. 

The North Texas Commission has put together an exploratory committee to study legalized gambling in Texas.

According to the Star-Telegram, lawyers for the city of Fort Worth have reached a proposed settlement with former police chief Joel Fitzgerald in his wrongful termination case. Council members will vote on the settlement during August.

After 12 years, Tarrant Regional Water District has discontinued its annual Rockin’ The River concert and tubing series, held Thursday evenings in July and August on the Trinity River. No reason was given for the deflating news.

57 Texas hotels have been added to Michelin’s Hotel Guide, including three in Fort Worth. Hotels are vetted and rated on five criteria to determine inclusion in the prestigious guide. Selected were Hotel Drover, The Kimpton Harper and Bowie House.

Despite the F-16 nearing its 50th year of service, Lockheed Martin sees potentially 300 orders in the future and says it’s not going anywhere.

Five days after a 99% vote to strike citing alleged unfair labor practices during contract negotiations, Disneyland employees reached a tentative deal on a contract with the company. A formal vote is Monday.

Conn’s has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is closing 73 stores. The home goods retailer has five stores in the Tarrant metro area. 

Get paid to take a Buc-ee’s road trip? Get $1,000 for gas and lodging plus another $1,000 in Buc-ee’s gift cards. Pass the beaver nuggets and apply here.

Did you know? The $4.6 billion Bally's casino merger yesterday has nothing to do with our Bally's regional sports network, other than Bally's casino bought naming rights to Bally's sports.

Snippets:

• Are you a workaholic? Here’s how to spot the signs.

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas awarded $2.9 million in Blue Impact grants to 101 community-based organizations. 

Announcements:

• Sister Cities International: Selects Fort Worth’s Greg Jackson, a personal injury trial attorney, to its board of directors for a 3-year term.

• Eagle-Mountain-Saginaw ISD: Superintendent Jim Chadwell announces he will retire after the fall semester.

• Empire Roofing: Promotes Cheryl McGlothlin Chapman to President.

• Fort Worth Chamber: Jared Sloane, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, is leaving the organization.

• Hope Farm: Announces the passing of co-founder Noble Crawford, Jr.  

• NFP (an Aon company): Adds Brandon Lobell as Vice President.

• United Way of Tarrant County: Hires Eboney Cobb-McCain as Director of Donor Relations.

• Summerford Consulting Services: Launched by Haily Summerford.

• Los Vaqueros West: Chef Manuel Vasquez joins as Culinary Director and Executive Chef in Willow Park.

• YTexas: Adds LaKesha Raynor as host committee member.