Dick Weekley

Dick Weekley has been active in civic and community affairs, currently including service on the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Partnership, the Board of the Metropolitan YMCA (and Past Chairman), the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (Houston Branch), and the Executive Committee of the Governor’s Business Council. Dick Weekley is Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, a statewide organization dedicated to bringing fairness and balance back to Texas’ civil justice system. Dick Weekley is also Co-Founder of the Quality of Life Coalition of Houston.

Dick Weekley attended Southern Methodist University where he graduated in 1967, receiving a BA in Economics. Weekley then served as an officer in the United States Navy. Weekley was a Line Officer aboard the destroyer USS Philip serving a tour of duty in Vietnam and then went to the Flag Staff of the Commander of Amphibious Forces, U. S. Atlantic Fleet.

Dick Weekley has been active in the real estate business in Houston, Texas since 1971. In 1973, Dick Weekley formed Weekley Properties, a commercial real estate brokerage firm. In 1976, he co-founded Weekley Homes with his brother, David. Weekley Homes is a privately owned, single-family home building company operating in Texas, Colorado, Florida and other Southeastern states, with 2008 sales volume in excess of $980,000,000. In 1978, Dick Weekley founded Weekley Development Company, also with his brother, David, which he currently serves as Chairman. Weekley Development develops and operates shopping centers and other real estate investments in Texas.

Dick Weekley is a native of Houston, Texas. He is married to Margaret Neuhaus Weekley and is the father of three children.

Dick Weekley, at Thursday’s William J. O’Neil Lecture, SMU alum shared with students how media affects business. Weekley is the brains behind commercial real estate brokerage firm Weekley Properties and co-founder of privately owned, single-family home building company Weekley Homes, which operates out of Houston.

But it was a project closer to his heart that Weekley spoke about at the lecture...

Dick Weekley looked anguished on the eve of his most important political moment. Within 24 hours, the Texas House would consider four of the 11 tort reform proposals the Houston businessman had been promoting, day in and day out, for five months.

A look of concern, perhaps a tinge of panic, swept his angular face. The developer had been pulled away from his late, late dinner, learning that a high-level tort reform meeting was occurring with House leaders. He was not included; trial lawyers were there. What did that mean?

Affiliations:

• Greater Houston Partnership

• Quality of Life Coalition

• Texans for Lawsuit Reform

• TLR Foundation

• TLR PAC

• Weekley Family YMCA

• Weekley Homes

• YMCA of Greater Houston

Other Affiliations:

• "C" Club
• Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum
• Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
• Governor's Business Council
• Texans for Educational Excellence in the Classroom
• Citizen Leader Alliance
• Trees for Houston

Articles of interest:

• Governor Hosts Authors of National Tort Liability Index, Houston Chronicle, May 15, 2006
  "Gov. Rick Perry hosted the authors of a national study that links the tort reforms passed under his leadership to the state's booming economy, job market and business growth."

• Texans for Lawsuit Reform Announces PAC Director Departure, Houston Chronicle, April 26, 2006
  Richard W. Weekley, Chairman and CEO of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, said, "Matt has been a key to TLR's success. He is conscientious, principled and exceptionally capable. All of us value Matt's contribution to our organization -- he is a person you can count on, no matter how tough the going or how strenuous the effort. We are thankful that Matt has been with us as PAC Director and we look forward to his contributions to the Texas civil justice system as a consultant to Texans for Lawsuit Reform."

• The Dallas Morning News, Reformers Still Can Make a Difference
  “Dick Weekley looked anguished on the eve of his most important political moment. Within 24 hours, the Texas House would consider four of the 11 tort reform proposals the Houston businessman had been promoting, day in and day out, for five months.”

• Fortune Press Release, David Weekley Homes Makes Fortune List, January 9, 2006
  “At David Weekley Homes, we have created a culture that enhances people’s lives. We have worked hard to build a world-class company that employees, vendors and customers want to be associated with,” said David Weekley, Chairman of David Weekley Homes.

• TexasInsider.org, Want The Facts? Want A Balanced Story? Want Honest Journalism? Too Bad!, November 16, 2005
  “In fact, the late Lt. Governor Bullock, a Democrat, was so impressed that Dick Weekley and other TLR supporters personally lobbied the Legislature that he referred to Mr. Weekley as “Mr. Smith Comes To Austin,” after the legendary idealistic character played by Jimmy Stewart in the film “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington”. Texas Monthly knows that, but chose not to mention it in the article.”

• Townhall.com, Businessman turned Mayor Hailed in Houston, November 5, 2005
  "For a leader not to utilize the private sector when the city has a wealth of talented, concerned citizens with the means and experience to help the city and will donate their services _ especially when speed is an issue _ wouldn't be prudent," said developer Dick Weekley, who has helped with beautification projects.

• The Houston Chronicle, 'ONCE IN A BLUE MOON' There's lots of buzz surrounding bayou park October 13, 2005
  Guests filed into the party tent where civic leader honorees Jack Blanton Sr., Dick Weekley and Ed Wulfe took bows along with government leaders in the spotlight - Mayor Bill White, Art Storey, Mike Talbott and Gary Trietsch.

• American Enterprise Institute: Can Tort Reform Survive, Oct. 4, 2005
  “Our head, a man named Dick Weekley, is a fellow that has never taken any money out of the organization. The chairman did not and I have not. We're volunteers. ”

• Texans for Texas, Texas Asbestos & Silica Reform Becomes Law, May 24, 2005
  “Texas has again crafted and enacted model legislation that can serve as an example to others states and the United States Congress. We have demonstrated that one of the worst abuses of the civil justice system can be solved with compassion, fairness and common sense,” said TLR Chairman Dick Weekley.

• Plainview Daily Herald, Lawsuit reform group founder speaks here 08-07-2005, Aug 6, 2005
  “Joining Dick Weekley of Houston, a realtor and homebuilder who founded Texans for Lawsuit Reform, to build a strategy, Hoagland said the organization pushed for 11 points of change and its members sent 15,000 faxes and letters to 21 targeted lawmakers.”

• Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, Texas House passes asbestos legislation, May 11, 2005
  “This is historic," said Dick Weekley, chairman of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, adding that it could provide a model for Congress.

• The Advocate, TLR Proposes Fair Solution to Asbestos Litigation, January 2005
  “I AM OPTIMISTIC OF SUCCESS,” SAYS DICK WEEKLEY. “Although we have our work cut out for us,” observes TLR Chairman & CEO Dick Weekley, “we have excellent prospects of success because of the number of thoughtful and fair-minded legislators that serve Texas today.”

• Parkside, Hermann Park Projects Update: Donations, Designs and Dedications, Winter 2004
  “Thanks to gifts from the Wortham Foundation, Fondren Foundation, Meg and Dick Weekley and the Houston Area Road Runners Association (HARRA), we are well on our way to completing our $500,000 match to the $2M Statewide Transportation Enhancement Project (STEP) grant awarded for improvements to the multi-use trails in Hermann Park.”

• The Houston Chronicle, Texas icons host benefit dinner, November 14, 2004
  “Hot rods in business, politics, medicine, etc. served as hosts at tables of 10. Everyones Internet Chairman Roy Marsh and developer Dick Weekley were among the table talk leaders.”

• The Advocate, New Scientific Study Confirms Most Asbestos Tests Are Wrong, October 2004
  “TLR CEO Dick Weekley informed the audience of the work of TLR's 12,000 volunteers in advocating a fair and balanced civil justice system. TLR President Dick Trabulsi spoke of Rep. Ellis' contribution to the passage of HB 4.”

• The Advocate, Justice Tom Phillips Led Historic Change On Supreme Court, August 2004 “Texas owes Tom Phillips a huge debt of gratitude for the strong leadership he brought to our most important judicial body,” said Dick Weekley, TLR CEO.

• The Houston Chronicle, Houston from a new perspective; Coalition has formed to promote area's natural treasures, April 9, 2004
  “As I started showing Chicago's project to people in the Houston business community, they said this is what we need here. For example, (developer) Dick Weekley said that this is the kind of thing we can send all over the world so people will get a different impression of what we have.”

• The Advocate, A Decade of Political Action, April 2004
  “Both Trabulsi and Linbeck credited Dick Weekley with being the catalyst for creation of TLR. “He brought so much energy, determination and optimism to the cause, that he attracted people all over the state who had become disgusted with the rampant lawsuit abuse that had corrupted our legal system”, said Trabulsi. “I had been involved in public policy and politics all of my life,” Trabulsi continued, “and I saw that Dick Weekley was going to provide the kind of total-immersion leadership that is necessary to achieve signifi cant reform. That’s what caused me to devote so much of my time and energy to TLR.” Linbeck noted that Dick Weekley’s enthusiasm and idealism was contagious, and that even some of Austin’s toughest political leaders admired Dick Weekley’s civic-mindedness.”

• The Advocate, High Court Meets Short Deadline with New Rules, December 2003
  “In 1994, Hugh Rice Kelly along with Dick Weekley, Leo Linbeck and Dick Trabulsi, founded Texans for Lawsuit Reform. He authored TLR’s fi rst legislative agenda, most of which was enacted in 1995, and has served as general counsel to the group since its inception.”

• The Advocate, Historic Tort Reform Bill Passes, June 2003
  “TLR has grown to over 11,561 citizens in every nook and cranny of Texas—men and women who are engaged in the whole range of trades, occupations and professions in our society.”

• The Houston Chronicle, Epicures looking forward to 220 Main debut, March 24, 2003
  “Operated by Benchmark Hospitality of The Woodlands, the new hotel is still without an official name. But the players and the $ 30 million for the project are in place. Developer: Randall Davis. Investors: Dick Weekley, David Weekley and Burt Cabanas, Benchmark CEO. Hotel general manager: Troy Bennett.”

• The Advocate, Our Agenda for the 2003 Texas Legislative Session, Spring 2003
  “It is time for Texas to become the nation’s leader in ending lawsuit abuse,” said TLR Founder Dick Weekley. “We can and should become the example to the rest of the nation of what can be accomplished when the will of the people is heard in the Capitol.”

• The Advocate, TLR Civil Justice Day: Designed to Write Texas History, February 2003
  “This is our moment to help write Texas history,” said Dick Weekley, TLR Founder, Chairman and CEO.

• The Houston Chronicle, THE RACE FOR CITY HALL 2003; Fix-it man Bill White to join mayor's race, February 2, 2003
  “Two years ago, White and developer Dick Weekley co-founded the Quality of Life Coalition, which is pushing for more parks, libraries and other amenities.”

• The Advocate, Our Right to Arbitration is Under Nationwide Attack, Fall 2002
  “This November, it is critically important that every TLR supporter turn out to vote on every race, particularly the Supreme Court positions. We are pleased to have a candidate like Judge Margaret Mirabal to become a justice on our highest civil court in Texas,” said Dick Weekley, TLR Chairman and CEO.

• The Advocate, Bringing Fairness and Balance to Texas Civil Justice Laws: TLR’s 2003 Legislative Agenda, Summer 2002
  "Given the powerful influence of the plaintiffs’ lawyers and their lobbyists, passage of this agenda will require the active participation of every single TLR supporter," observes Dick Weekley, TLR Chairman and CEO.

• The Houston Chronicle, 'Green Tie Affair', April 24, 2002
  “Chairs Ray and Peggy Bailey, left, join Meg Weekley and honoree Dick Weekley on the terrace during the dinner reception. Dick Weekley received the Park People's highest tribute, the George R. Brown Memorial Award, for his leadership role in the Quality of Life Coalition.”

• The Advocate, TLR’S 10,000th Supporter, "Something has to be done.", Spring 2002
  "We know from experience that when informed citizens respectfully communicate with their legislators at the right moment in the legislative process we see positive and constructive results," said Dick Weekley, TLR Chairman and CEO.

• The Advocate, Report on the 77th Legislature, Fall 2001
  “Mr. Jefferson is a legal scholar and long-time appellate practitioner who will reflect great credit on an already distinguished court,” said Dick Weekley, TLR Chairman and CEO.

• The Houston Chronicle, Brotherly love; New YMCA ground-breaking a family affair, November 1, 2001
  "My two brothers and I grew up at Southside Place and went to the Southwest YMCA as a kid," said Dick Weekley, chairman of the Metropolitan YMCA. "Basically it was a contribution to honor our parents."

• Texas Worker's Comp Advisor, Commissioner, Insurers Agree on 'Clean Claims' Restitution, August 16, 2001
  TLR President Dick Weekley commended the commissioner for TDI's "strong role in enforcing existing Texas law to ensure the timely payment of legitimate health care claims."

• El Paso Times (El Paso, TX), Group works to end exorbitant lawsuits, November 18, 1999
  He said his consternation led him to his first meeting with Texans for Lawsuit Reform, a nonprofit lobbying organization. The group's president, Dick Weekley, spoke Wednesday at the Camino Real Hotel.

• Houston Business Journal, Home builder Weekley buys tract for headquarters building, April 18,1997
  Dick Weekley, who heads up Weekley Properties, confirms that his company and that of his brother, David Weekley Homes, will relocate to the new building within the next 18 months. Officials at David Weekley Homes did not return telephone calls by press time. "We'll be moving too," Dick Weekley says of his company. "But this is mainly about a move for David Weekley Homes. They'll be occupying about 95 percent of the building, and we'll be taking up the rest."

• The Advocate, TLR’S Legislative Day - A Great Success!, February 1997
  The program began with welcoming remarks from Leo Linbeck, TLR’s Chairman. Dick Weekley, TLR’s President, introduced the staff and consultants who make up the well-rounded team charged with shepherding the 7-point agenda through the legislative process.

• The Advocate, Senators Shapiro and Lucio honored, September 1996
  Dick Weekley, President of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, presented inscribed awards to the Senators with words of praise and thanks to them for their support and efforts in bringing about these much needed reforms.

• The Advocate, Celebrating a victory, preparing for next battle, November 1995
  TLR President Dick Weekley acknowledged the other groups which, with TLR, made up the reform-support team. "TLR created the framework for Texans to communicate with their legislators. Our legislators listened, then stood up and voted the wishes of their constituents," Weekley said. "And for that, we are extremely grateful."

• The Dallas Morning News, Both sides of lawsuit reform issue have mobilized quickly - Networking, grass-roots efforts come into play,April 2, 1995
  “Dick Weekley, a Houston commercial real estate developer, created Texans for Lawsuit Reform about two years ago and helped develop the sweeping package it now is pushing as a once-and-for-all fix.”

• The Advocate, Weekley & TLR: Briefings for lawsuit-reform supporters, March 31 1995
  "The next 60 days will tell the tale," Dick Weekley said, emphasizing the intensity of the battle.

• The Advocate, Texas State Senators file lawsuit reform bill package, January 1995