PHOENIX (Feb. 25, 2009) – The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America has chosen Thomas “Tommy” Parrett, managing director in the Project and Development Services (PDS) division of Jones Lang LaSalle in Dallas, to serve on its board of directors.

As a Foundation board member, Parrett will assist the nation’s largest wish-granting organization by providing leadership, strategic planning and outreach counsel for its wish-granting activities.

Parrett recently completed 12 years of service on the board of directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas, including a term as chairman. His other past service includes the Texas Society of Architects Codes and Standards Committee, the AIA/AGC Liaison Committee, the Advisory Board of Directors of the Quoin Chapter of the AGC and the Texas Tech Architectural Alumni Association Board of Directors.

“We’re pleased to have Tommy Parrett join the national board of directors,” said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. “He brings invaluable experience and leadership from his years on the North Texas board, and his perspective on the working relationship between the national organization and our chapters will serve us well.”

At Jones Lang LaSalle, Parrett manages the South Region PDS team, which is responsible for ensuring client's interests are represented during the design and construction processes. This includes budget and schedule development, design team selection, management of the design process, construction bidding and negotiation, and overseeing the construction process, including cost and risk containment.

Parrett earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Texas Tech University and an MBA from Southern Methodist University.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 66 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 26,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 174,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.