Kinley siblings lead 2025 Heart Walk in Tarrant County
FORT WORTH, March 17, 2025 — Cardiovascular Disease is the leading cause of death and the American Heart Association in Tarrant County supports resources for employee health, community well-being, and lifesaving heart disease prevention through its annual Heart Walk® community campaign, focused on engaging local companies, corporations and their employees to join the fight against heart disease and stroke.
To lead the charge in creating a healthier future for Fort Worth and surrounding areas, the Association has named siblings Jimmy Kinley and Katherine Kinley of Kinley Construction as Co-Chairs of the 2025 Tarrant County Heart Walk. Together, they will lead efforts to achieve a fundraising goal of $700,000 to support life-saving heart health initiatives, with a special focus on blue-collar workers and veterans.
For the Kinleys, this mission is deeply personal. Their grandmother was one of the first women to undergo open-heart surgery in the 1960s. Though the procedure prolonged her life, heart disease remained a challenge, and she eventually lost her battle to heart disease. Their grandmother’s resilience and determination shaped their family’s values and fuels their passion for breaking down health barriers today - especially as they uphold their family’s legacy by prioritizing the well-being of their employees.
“I believe the construction workers are what make the world go ‘round. They put in long hours, endure physical stress, and often have limited access to preventive healthcare. The same is true for many of our veterans,” said Jimmy Kinley, CEO of Kinley Construction. “We’re passionate about equipping these communities with simple, common-sense tools to live longer, healthier lives.”
Katherine Kinley, Chief of Staff at Kinley Construction, added: “We are honored to carry this mission forward – not just as business leaders, but as family members who understand the impact of heart disease on our loved ones. Our goal is to empower high-risk individuals with limited access to healthcare by providing them with the knowledge and resources to take control of their heart health before it’s too late.”
Taking Action for Heart Health
Kinley Construction is kicking off its leadership role with a major sponsorship for the Fort Worth Heart Walk, happening September 20, 2025, at The Shops at Clearfork. The company’s support will fund programs like Check. Change. Control., helping construction workers monitor and manage their blood pressure, increase physical activity, and adopt healthier lifestyles. Additionally, funds will support hypertension reduction programs for veterans, addressing critical health disparities.
Jimmy and Katherine will be joined by fellow executives in Tarrant County to recruit companies and organizations to take part in various Heart Walk® initiatives. Through these initiatives, the leadership team and supporting organizations will raise funds for the American Heart Association while leading action-oriented conversations about employee health, corporate engagement, community health and community transformation. The executive committee members include:
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Cyndi Wallace, Vice President of Finance, Sandlin Homes
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Daniel Vance, Audit Managing Director, KPMG
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Melissa Witbeck, Senior Vice President, Schwab Private Wealth Services, Charles Schwab
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Dr. David Lloyd, Chief Medical Officer, Texas Health – HEB
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Brandi Sanchez, Senior Vice President Consumer Services, GM Financial
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Mike Ray, Director of Wellness, BNSF Railway
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Josh Glover, Executive Vice President, Lockton Companies
Additional events in Tarrant County include:
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CycleNation® (May 8, 2025): A high-energy, stationary bike event focused on stroke and heart disease prevention.
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Company Field Day: Workplace-friendly activities to reduce stress, improve mental health, and boost teamwork.
Join the Movement
The Tarrant County Heart Walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2024, at the Shops at Clearfork in Fort Worth. Participants can choose a 1-mile or 5k option. Walkers gather early starting at 7:30 am for pre-walk fun featuring survivor celebrations, an area for furry, four-legged walkers, a kid zone with inflatables, face painting, and healthy activities. Opening ceremonies begin at 8:40 am to recognize Heart Heros and warm-up walkers before lacing up. Walkers take off from the start line at 9:00 am. Heart Walk participants choose to walk for those who cannot and to build healthier hearts across our community. For more information about Heart Challenge™ or to get your company involved in the Tarrant County Heart Walk, contact Jennifer Swofford at jennifer.swofford@heart.org, or visit http://www.tarrantcountyheartwalk.org/.
Additional Resources-
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Name: Lindsey Lyons Jones Lindsey.LyonsJones@Heart.org
Phone: 214-441-4114 Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
