Laura Wright of Dallas, Texas, was appointed to the Board in November 2015. She served as Chair from August 2019 to August 2025 and as Vice Chair from August 2017 to August 2019. Her term expires in May 2027.
A UNT alumna who holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accounting, Regent Wright retired in 2012 after 25 years with Southwest Airlines Co., the last eight of which she served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance. She started with the company in 1988 and became Vice President Finance & Treasurer in 2001. She also served as Assistant Treasurer and Director Corporate Finance.
Prior to joining Southwest Airlines, Regent Wright was a Manager with Arthur Young & Company in Dallas.
Regent Wright currently serves on numerous prestigious public and non-profit boards including Board of Directors for CMS Energy and it’s subsidiary Consumers Energy, Board of Directors for TE Connectivity LTD and Board of Directors for Joby Aviation. She previously served on the Board of Directors for Spirit Aerosystems Inc. and Pebblebrook Hotel Trust. Regent Wright serves on the Board of Directors for non-profit organizations, MRI International and Forefront Living.
Regent Wright has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including induction into the UNT Business School Hall of Fame in 2015 and UNT Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018. She was named among America’s Best CFOs by Institutional Investor magazine in 2007, 2008 and 2009, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by Air Finance journal in 2008, was named top 25 Women Finance Leaders by Treasury and Risk magazine in 2009 and D Magazine selected has as Top Large Public Company CFO in 2011.
Regent Wright is married to Randy Wright and has two children and three grandchildren.