About Jake: Jake Bailey has over 16 years of oil and gas experience prior to starting Trellis Energy Partners. Jake founded Split Rock Resources (“SRR”) in 2019 with an initial commitment of up to $25MM. Based on early success, he was able to raise over $100MM in commitments with North Hudson Resource Partners. SRR generated over a 3.5x return after the successful sale of its final properties in 2024. Prior to SRR, Jake managed existing assets for Crestline Investors and evaluated new deals in the oil and gas space. He oversaw an ~80,000 acre operated position in the Bakken along with ~150 non-op wellbore interests in the DJ Basin. Before joining Crestline, he served as CFO at Tana Exploration, a subsidiary of TRT Holdings, which had operated assets in the East Texas, onshore South Louisiana, shallow water offshore Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico. Jake also has experience in the Woodbine with an East Texas operator. He began his career with a contract driller covering basins in Texas, Arkoma, and Appalachia. Mr. Bailey has a BBA in Accounting and a BS in Psychology from the University of Georgia, an MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington and is certified in Corporate FP&A.

About Kimberley: Kim Bartos is a multifaceted business and finance executive with more than 30 years of advancement with Allstate Insurance Company, a $40B Fortune 100 organization. She brings “big picture” business perspective derived from broad experience across finance, sales, risk, product management, and business strategy and improves organizational performance by creating shared vision, anticipating, and resolving business challenges, and delivering consistent results. Kim is a calculated risk taker who injects a change-ready mindset to maintain progress through organizational, industry, and market changes. She is known as an authentic and supportive leader who takes time to understand individual motivators, fosters collaboration, and mentors women to build thriving career trajectories. Most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Allstate, Kim oversaw development, modeling, communication, and compensation programs and was responsible for 140+ finance leaders across 14 regions. During this time, she collaborated with sales leadership to create a new compensation approach, developed vision and buildout of a new sales/metrics technology platform, expanded individual household use from one to multiple Allstate products, and led a range of operational improvements that reduced human error and boosted efficiency. Kim mentored more than 40 high-performing women on various life and work circumstances through her executive leadership tenure. Currently, Kim is a board member of Gardenia E. Jannsen Animal Shelter as the Treasurer. In addition, she is a mentor for Menttium Corp.

April Bell: April Bell helps teams turn curiosity into better ideas. As founder of Made With Empathy, she helps organizations bridges business strategy with human psychology to spark practical innovation. She’s led hundreds of research and innovation projects and listened to thousands of people to uncover what truly drives decisions. April holds an Executive MBA from SMU, is the author of The Firestarter: Igniting Innovation with Empathy, which explores how understanding people deeply can spark transformation in business and life.

Greg Bibb: Greg Bibb, a sports industry veteran with more than 27 years of experience, leads the Dallas Wings in his role as CEO and Managing Partner. With the WNBA’s Dallas Wings, Bibb has been the guiding force for the team on and off the court, as he helped reshape the coaching staff, roster and front office staff. Bibb was named the General Manager in November of 2015 and was appointed President, CEO and Partner in April of 2017. With Bibb at the helm the Wings have qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in three of the past four seasons despite being the youngest team in the WNBA during two of those campaigns. Under his guidance, the Wings have drafted and developed a bevy of talent on the court. The Wings have selected seven WNBA All-Rookie Team selections since 2016, including 2017 WNBA Rookie of the Year Allisha Gray. Also included in this group is Arike Ogunbowale (5th overall selection in 2019), who was the 2020 WNBA Scoring Champion, a 2020 All-WNBA First Team honoree, a 2021 and 2024 All-WNBA Second Team selection, the 2021 and 2024 WNBA All-Star Game MVP and made her fourth straight All-Star Game appearance in 2024. Satou Sabally (2nd overall selection in 2020) was named to the 2020 WNBA All-Rookie Team, was a WNBA All-Star selection in 2021 and 2023, and was an All-WNBA First Team choice and the WNBA Most Improved Player in 2023. On the business side of the Wings, Bibb directed the team’s turnaround that has transformed the Wings into one of the highest revenue producing teams in the WNBA, while also guiding the Wings to significant gains in attendance, corporate partnerships, media reach and brand awareness. In 2024, the Wings set all-time franchise records in ticket revenue, single game gate and a franchise-high average ticket price, while totaling a record eight sellouts at College Park Center. The Wings also made strides on the partnership front in 2024, including deals with notable brands Baylor Scott & White Health, Lyft, Wendy’s, Raising Cane’s and NextCare Urgent Care. Prior to the 2025 season, Bibb orchestrated a groundbreaking television rights deal for the Wings with renowned broadcast company TEGNA and its local affiliates WFAA and KFAA. At the time, the deal with the local ABC station was the most lucrative for a WNBA team in league history. In his role with the Wings, Bibb serves on the WNBA Board of Governors and the WNBA Competition Committee. Prior to joining the Wings, Bibb was the Founder and CEO of Capital Sports Ventures (CSV), an Arlington, VA based sports-focused investment and events company. Before launching CSV, Bibb served three years as the Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Washington Wizards and five seasons as the Washington Mystics Chief Operating Officer. His responsibilities with both teams included overseeing numerous business functions including marketing, communications, community relations, game operations, digital media, video production, analytics, and the camps and clinics program. Bibb spent two years as the President of Hantz Group Sports & Entertainment where he was instrumental in the launch of the Detroit Ignition of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). He also served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Philadelphia KiXX soccer team. Prior to joining KiXX, he was the MISL’s Director of Public and Media Relations after beginning his sports career as the Director of the Public/Media Relations for the Harrisburg Heat of the MISL. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Marist College, Bibb was named a member of the Washington Business Journal’s 2010 40 Under 40 Class. He has also been honored numerous times as a member of D Magazine’s Dallas 500, which recognizes the most powerful business leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth. Bibb was recently recognized as the 2024 WISE (Women in Sports & Events) DFW Allyship honoree, and was also a recipient of the Dallas Business Journal C-Suite Leaders Award. Bibb has served as a board member for various non-profit organizations including Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, The Greater Washington Sports Alliance, and Most Valuable Kids. He currently serves as an advisor for the Arlington, Dallas and Fort Worth Sports Commissions and is a board member of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Bibb has also spent time as an adjunct professor in the Sports Industry Management program at Georgetown University. A Hershey, PA native, Bibb and his wife Tara, currently reside in Fort Worth with their two children, Adelyn and Caden.

About Brandon: Over the last 40 years, Brandon has worked in a variety of real estate banking industry positions in Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, and Sacramento. Brandon is now responsible for growing and managing the overall banking activities within the Tarrant County market for Amegy Bank of Texas. Brandon previously spent 18 years with Bank of America. Brandon is a native of Fort Worth, Texas and received his B.B.A in Real Estate and Urban Land Development from the University of Texas at Austin.

Micki Boland: Micki Boland is a global technologist, cybersecurity warrior, and #csuitecybersensei with Check Point Software Technologies’ Office of the CTO. With 20+ years of leadership across ICT, cybersecurity, and emerging tech innovation, she brings deep expertise in financial services, healthcare, energy, and high-tech manufacturing. A U.S. Army veteran, Micki holds the CISSP, an M.S. in Technology Commercialization from THE UT Austin, and an MBA in Global Security from ECU, along with an MIT certificate in No-Code AI/ML. Micki is a recognized voice in cybersecurity, featured in WSJ, Dark Reading, Silicon Angle, Security Boulevard, and on broadcast media, where she shares insights on the global threat landscape, dark web research, deepfakes, cloud security, DevSecOps, and AI/MLSecOps. Her recent focus: advancing AI-driven threat intelligence and guiding organizations to harness Generative AI securely, leveraging it as a shield, not a risk, to stay ahead of adversaries.

About Mark: Best Facility Services in headquartered in Hurst, Texas, began doing business in 2004 and was co-founded by Steve Nobles and Mark Borge. We have over 35 years of combined industry experience within our company, which has been instrumental in positioning us as a resource that consistently provides a high level of personal service to a broad range of facilities. We are now cleaning several million square feet per night of commercial, corporate and institutional building space in the Dallas/Fort Worth region

About Jeanne: Jeanne Boyd Curtis hails from a family with deep roots in the construction industry and has been immersed in the trade since childhood. Summers spent working in her grandfather’s lumber yard and assisting her father with storm claims while in college sparked a lifelong connection to the field. A proud alumna of the University of Texas at Arlington, Jeanne earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication in 1992 and later her Master of Education in Educational Administration in 2001. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, she also obtained her Property & Casualty Adjuster’s License, blending academic achievement with hands-on industry experience. After graduation, Jeanne dedicated 22 years to public education, including 12 years as an Elementary School Principal, where she honed her leadership, problem-solving, and people-first approach. In 2015, she transitioned full-time into her family’s business, Boyd Bone Dry Roofing. Today, as CEO, Jeanne leads the 3rd-generation commercial roofing company with a commitment to quality, innovation, and preserving her family’s legacy of excellence. Beyond her role at Boyd Bone Dry, Jeanne serves as a consultant and appraiser for both commercial and residential properties. She is President of the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT), holds licensure as both a commercial and residential roofer, and is an active member of the National Roofing Contractors Association’s Future Executive Institute. In April 2024, Jeanne and her family proudly celebrated 50 years of service in the construction industry—a milestone that underscores their dedication, integrity, and long-standing reputation. Jeanne continues to champion industry standards while mentoring the next generation of leaders.

About Paul: Paul Brodie is a 21-time Bestselling Author and CEO of Brodie Consulting Group. He helps people share their story and positions them as an expert in their field. His company, Brodie Consulting, accomplishes this by helping their clients create, publish, and launch their books to a guaranteed best seller with over 200 consecutive best selling launches in all genres and 42 best selling launches in 2024. Paul is a lifelong learner and earned an M.A. in Teaching from Louisiana College and B.B.A. in Management from the University of Texas at Arlington. Paul is a proud Rotarian and holds membership in the Corporate Leadership Council of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Arlington Highlands, River Legacy Foundation, and the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce. His leadership and service have been recognized on multiple occasions, including being a three-time recipient of the MAVS100 from UT Arlington in recognition of business revenue growth, and the Rotarian of the Year and President’s Award from the Rotary Club of Arlington Highlands.

About John: John Brookby serves as Vice President of Commercial Development at DFW International Airport. In this position, he is responsible for driving revenue-generating development and leasing of Airport commercial real estate. Mr. Brookby leads the strategic planning, marketing and implementation of business initiatives for commercial land development and redevelopment at DFW, as well as the Airport’s hotel, commercial facilities, and property management functions. He has over 30 years of broad professional experience with an extensive background and knowledge in aviation, architecture, master planning, construction, and real estate marketing, leasing, financial analysis, and development processes. Mr. Brookby holds Master of Science in Real Estate and Bachelor of Architecture degrees, and he is a licensed architect and private pilot.

Eric Causey: Eric Causey is a seasoned industry professional with over 18 years of experience in mortgage origination, more than 2 years in corporate training within the mortgage sector, and 2 years in mortgage recruiting. Over the past 22 years, he has been dedicated to opening doors and closing loans for Texans. Born and raised in the DFW Metroplex, Eric is a proud native Texan. His commitment to service and helping others has been a cornerstone of his career as a mortgage originator. Eric strives to make the home-buying process as straightforward, transparent, and stress-free as possible for every client.

Amy Chaney: Amy Chaney is a recognized security, technology and transformation executive leader with decades of experience in highly sophisticated and evolving financial environments. By architecting innovative ecosystems across cybersecurity, risk management, and evolving technologies, Amy brings deep expertise in identity systems, quantum-resilient architecture, and AI-driven security strategies and complex transformation initiatives that redefine digital trust and sovereignty. Amy is experienced in organizationally imperative initiatives to modernize infrastructure, strengthen security, and employ modern solutions like artificial intelligence, and post-quantum security into scalable, future ready change to enhance resilience and prevent emerging threats. Known for mobilizing elite global teams and catalyzing change with speed and vision, Amy’s influence spans corporate boardrooms, international think tanks, and high-stakes regulatory domains. Her leadership consistently delivers measurable outcomes, shaping secure, intelligent ecosystems for a rapidly evolving world.

Kristin Chatila: Experienced Senior Account Executive with a proven track record of partnering with healthcare clients—including pharmaceutical, medical device, and health & wellness organizations—to address critical business challenges. Skilled at uncovering consumer insights and translating them into actionable strategies that drive informed decision-making and sustainable growth. · Client-Centric Approach: Known for building strong client relationships and delivering meaningful, measurable results. · Integrated Intelligence Expertise: Specialized in strategy, marketing research, and the application of integrated intelligence across the healthcare decision-making process. · Innovation & Market Assessment: Adept at supporting clients with innovation, positioning, market assessment, and evaluating future growth potential.

About Drew: Drew Chumley is a seasoned accounting and tax professional with over 16 years of experience spanning startups, middle-market firms, high-net-worth individuals, and private equity clients. As a Founding Partner at Seamless, a boutique accounting firm in Fort Worth, Drew leads the outsourced accounting and tax practice. He brings a nuanced, scalable approach to financial reporting, tax planning, systems implementation, and private equity due diligence. Before founding Seamless, Drew honed his expertise at a regional accounting firm focused on comprehensive services for mid-sized and high-net-worth clients. He also contributed his skills in the private equity tax practice at a Big 4 accounting firm, and worked in industry in roles including Controller and CFO. This blend of consulting and hands-on leadership gives Drew a well-rounded perspective on financial operations. Drew earned both his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Master of Science in Accounting summa cum laude from the University of Texas at Arlington. A Certified Public Accountant, he remains closely connected to the UTA community and is dedicated to supporting the next generation of business leaders.

Phil Clark: I started in the mortgage business in Hurst, Texas in 1995. Now, 30 years later, I’ve helped hundreds finance their dream homes. I’m also a proud father of three wonderful children—a daughter and two sons—and a grandfather to five amazing grandchildren. I’ve been happily married to my high school sweetheart for over 41 years. Ready to buy your first home, make your next move, talk about refinance opportunities, or your home equity strategy? Let’s chat!

About Shirley: Shirley Cox joined Amegy Bank of Texas in May 2021 and currently serves as the Commercial Banking Manager for the Arlington market. In this role, she played a key part in establishing Amegy’s Arlington branch and is actively focused on expanding the bank’s presence throughout eastern Tarrant County. Shirley also specializes in serving nonprofit organizations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including expertise in tax-exempt lending solutions. With over 35 years of experience in the banking industry, Shirley has led high-performing lending teams in both commercial and nonprofit sectors. Her leadership and dedication have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40 Award, SafeHaven’s Legacy of Women Award, Girls Inc. Bold Woman Award, and a Rotary Service Award. Shirley is deeply committed to community service and currently holds leadership roles as Vice President of Arlington Charities and Secretary of the Rotary Club of Arlington. She is also an active member of Women Inspiring Philanthropy. Her past board service includes leadership positions with the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, YMCA of Arlington-Mansfield, Texas Council on Family Violence, Rotary Club of Arlington South, and the UTA College of Business Advisory Council. A proud resident of Arlington since 1995, Shirley and her husband, Troy, enjoy living close to their two sons and daughter-in-law.

About Kim: Kim is a Partner in the firm of SFC LLP and has been in public accounting since 1994, including several years in the Dallas office of an international firm. Her extensive and diverse experience includes, but is not limited to, audits of financial statements of privately owned companies, employee benefit plans and nonprofit organizations. Kim also assists clients with various consulting services. She is a member of SFC’s executive management committee. Kim is a member of the Rotary Club of Arlington where she was treasurer for a number of years and was named Distinguished Rotarian of the Year in 2023 and Rotarian of the Year in 2010. Kim is president-elect of Women Inspiring Philanthropy, is a member of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, and is a graduate of Leadership Arlington. Kim is also a governor-appointed member of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. Kim is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a bachelors and a masters of science in accounting. She and her husband Scott have two daughters, Nicole and Sarah, a son-in-law, Jack and a grandson, Timothy. Kim is a certified advanced scuba diver and her hobbies include physical fitness and traveling.

About Wally : Wally Devereaux is currently an Executive Advisor with Southwest Airlines and is the former Vice President of Cargo and Provisioning where he had responsibility for all Air Cargo and Provisioning related activities for the company. He started his career with Southwest in February 1992 as a Customer Service Agent at Dallas Love Field. Since that time, he has served in various roles across multiple departments including Ground Operations, Corporate Communications, and Marketing before joining the Cargo and Provisioning department in 1999. Wally serves on the advisory boards of the Hospitality Management Program at the University of Texas at Arlington, and the Center for Logistics Education and Research at the University of North Texas. He is the proud recipient of the Airforwarders Association’s 2007 James Foster Memorial Award, and Southwest Airlines’ 2012 Fun-LUVing Attitude Award. Wally has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Texas at Arlington. He resides in Colleyville, Texas with his wife, Rachel, and they have two grown daughters, Abby and Emmy.

About Jim: Jim Dickenson, CIC, is Market President for the Fort Worth office of Frost Insurance. Jim and his team serve a diverse client base throughout the Fort Worth/Dallas area and beyond. Jim began his insurance career as a claim representative with Chubb Insurance Group. During his 16 years there he served in various capacities within the claim department before moving to a commercial underwriting role with Chubb. Jim joined Frost Insurance in May 2004. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at El Centro College in Dallas developing and conducting claims adjuster licensing classes consistent with the Texas Department of Insurance regulations. A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, Jim is a Past President of the Board of the Independent Insurance Agents of Tarrant County.

Dani Dulock: I’ve been with Martin since 2015, growing through each role I’ve held. I call it “a big, small town”… the hometown feel I grew up with, paired with the footprint and teamwork of 30+ locations worldwide. Manufacturing is my comfort zone, shaped by my parents’ careers, strong examples, and my lifelong curiosity for how things are made and how they work. We at Martin are eager to encourage your development, reveal your strengths, and also spotlight the world of opportunities for you. Go Martin, and MAV UP!

About Xavier: Embark on a transformative journey of success with Xavier Egan, President, Mergers & Acquisition at Capital Asset Advisors. A distinguished business leader whose expertise transcends conventional boundaries. At the dynamic intersection of private equity and venture, Xavier orchestrates the magic of innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and financial acumen to shape the future of industries. Xavier's journey is defined by a stellar track record, showcasing his mastery in driving growth and efficiency in complex business landscapes. Holding qualifications in finance, accounting, strategic planning, and executive leadership, Xavier's diverse knowledge forms the cornerstone of his multifaceted approach to business leadership. As a strategic partner across diverse sectors, Xavier has been a catalyst for change throughout his illustrious career. His mission is to create unparalleled opportunities for organizational stakeholders, consistently paving the way for sustained success. Currently navigating the realms of private equity, mergers & acquisitions, technology, venture capital, and real estate, Xavier stands at the nexus of industry evolution. His visionary outlook and strategic foresight position him as a trailblazer, capable of identifying opportunities that often elude others. A financial wizard, Xavier's expertise in financial modeling and forecasting provides profound insights into a company's future performance. His mastery empowers businesses to make informed decisions, setting the stage for sustained success. Xavier Egan is a deal closer extraordinaire, with a proven track record of successfully closing deals worth billions of dollars. His negotiation prowess ensures that each deal is not just closed but optimized for maximum value. In the dynamic landscape where private equity and venture meet, Xavier Egan is a driving force shaping the future of industries with wisdom and courage. In his free time, Xavier cherishes moments spent with his loving wife Tiffany, and their two children.

John Geyerman: John Geyerman grew up in the rural farming community of Winner, South Dakota. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating in May of 1992 with a Business Administration degree with a focus on Management. John joined the Walmart Corporation in 1989 and successfully led store operations as the company grew its Hypermart concept from four original prototype units to more than 3,000 Supercenters. In 2004, John joined the Texas Regional Grocery retailer, H-E-B, operating stores and working with Supply Chain to develop best-in-class replenishment processes. In 2006 Schlotzsky’s, LLC, offered John an opportunity to become Vice President of their domestic franchise system with oversight to more than 600 FOCUS Brands units and 188 franchise partner relationships. John was recruited in 2015 to lead the retail operations at AngMar Companies in Mansfield, Texas, an eclectic collection of retail businesses in the North Texas area to include five firearm stores, an auto service & repair business, classic car and hotrod restoration business, 18-hole PGA-qualifying golf & tennis facility, a 22,000-square-foot nightclub & restaurant, and a new concept 7500 sq ft. BBQ restaurant concept. Upon leaving AngMar, John worked for a short time as the Vice President of Sales for Dickey’s Barbecue. Additionally, John has offered his unique and desired skill sets which involve retail and restaurant operations for corporate, franchise, private equity, and entrepreneurial interests to offer consulting services to a variety of both global and regional brands. Currently, John is serving as Chief Brand Officer for WOWorks, LLC – a family of “better for you” restaurant Brands which include Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Zoup!, and Barberitos. John has extensive experience and training in retail operations and resource management. He is accredited as a Certified Franchise Executive by the International Franchising Association, having completed hundreds of hours of education course work. As such, John adheres to a strict professional code of ethics and promotes a culture of high values in servicing his businesses and their guests. John and his wife Windee raised their two daughters in Mansfield, Texas, where he still maintains a very active role in the community, serving on boards and foundations and volunteering at local churches. John and Windee became licensed as Foster Parents and have hosted four placements to date. John has worked with several organizations to support global efforts focused on at-risk children and orphans including Lifesong.org, Free For Life International, and RetailROI.

About Ryan: Ryan Harrington is the founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Healthcare. For more than a decade, Trinity Healthcare has owned, operated, and managed skilled nursing and assisted living facilities throughout Texas. Following the recent divestiture of its operations and a portion of its portfolio, the company is now focused on expanding its current healthcare real estate footprint. Prior to founding Trinity Healthcare, Ryan served as Chief Financial Officer of a multistate senior housing operator. He also worked as a Senior Manager with Ernst & Young in the Dallas and New York offices. Ryan has been deeply engaged in both civic and industry leadership. He serves on the board of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization. He previously served on the board of the Texas Health Care Association, was appointed Chair of the Long-Term Care Facilities Council under Texas Health and Human Services, and has served on numerous boards of other healthcare-related businesses. In 2019, he was recognized as a Healthcare Hero by the Fort Worth Business Press. He is a Certified Public Accountant and received both his BBA and Master in Professional Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin. Ryan lives in Fort Worth with his wife and four children

About Kenneth: Sr. International Trade Specialist - US Department of Commerce

About Kelly Heatly: Kelly Heatly is a Consumer Insights Consultant specializing in qualitative research. Her company, Root Research and Insights, is a boutique research consultancy providing marketing research and brand strategy to agency partners and client-side corporations across a wide range of industries. Her services include research design, moderating, analysis, and reporting, working with clients in an immersive and collaborative style of partnership. With more than 25 years of marketing research experience, Kelly’s qualitative research experience spans new product development, user experience, concept testing, brand communications, brand positioning, website usability, and customer satisfaction. She specializes in group and individual depth moderating across multiple methodologies: video online, asynchronous online, and onsite. Her experience encompasses consumer, patient, B2B and HCP studies for a wide variety of industries including healthcare, pharmaceutical, health insurance, CPG, retail, restaurant, travel/leisure, apparel, automotive, mobile technology, financial, and homebuilding. Kelly’s pleasant and easygoing moderating style effectively draws out even the quietest or most difficult respondents, making “sensitive” topics comfortable to discuss. Her versatile communication allows her to easily relate to respondents representing many different consumer types across all generations and lifestyles including GenZ, Medicare patients, health care professionals, business owners, and C-suite professionals. Her creative approach to eliciting respondents’ reactions, ideas, and problem-solving approaches generates rich insights into the thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors of the target audience. In addition to moderating, Kelly designs studies, analyzes results, and synthesizes findings into strategically focused reports and presentations. Her action-ready style of reporting has been praised by clients for being insightful, thorough, user-friendly, and visually appealing, including the use of infographics, photographs, and video clips. Kelly earned a BS in Marketing from Louisiana State University and an MS in Marketing Research from The University of Texas at Arlington, where she currently serves as an Advisory Board member. Kelly completed moderator training from RIVA Training Institute in 2006. She is Past President of the Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA), serving four years on the Board of Directors. She has written articles for Quirk’s Marketing Research Review, GreenBook, and VIEWS Magazine, and presented at many research industry events. Outside of work, Kelly is busy being a “baseball” mom and running marathons.

About Dustin: Dustin Hollar, Vice President – Commercial Relationship Manager at Frost Bank. Graduated from UT Arlington with a degree in Finance. I have been with Frost Bank for 6 years. At Frost I’ve held titles of Associate Relationship Manager (I, II, III), Relationship Banking Officer, Assistant Vice President and now currently Vice President – Relationship Manager of Commercial Banking. Prior to that I held roles in retail banking and finance / accounting at a privately owned Fort Worth company. Community Involvement includes - Academy 4, Junior Achievement, and Meals on Wheels. I also volunteer to teach credit classes to small business owners, students, and Frost analysts. I live on my family’s farm in Springtown with my wife – we do beekeeping, have cattle and 4 rescue dogs.

Jonathan Hook: Jonathan Hook is an experienced account team leader with three decades of consulting expertise delivering actionable insights and exceptional client service. He designs and leads qualitative and quantitative research to inform brand strategy, new product development, and advertising effectiveness. Recognized as a trusted partner, Jonathan is known for his expertise in new product development, including concept and product testing, pricing optimization, and volumetric forecasting, across industries such as restaurants, consumer packaged goods, financial services, health care, travel, and entertainment. A graduate of Southern Methodist University, Jonathan serves on the University of Texas at Arlington MSMR Advisory Board, where he contributes his professional insight to curriculum design and student development.

About Mike: Mike has over 25 years of marketing research experience. He leads a team focused on providing clients with consultation and research to address business challenges and strategic questions. His background includes partnering with clients in home services, healthcare, transportation, telecom, durables, and public campaigns. He has experience in a wide array of research techniques including segmentation, discrete choice/optimization, volumetric forecasting, advertising copy and concept testing, and qualitative research. Mike holds a BBA in Economics from the University of North Texas and an MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas.

About Bonnie: Bonnie Janzen is President of Decision Analyst, a global market research, analytics, and strategic consulting firm. With over 30 years of experience, she advises Fortune 500 companies across diverse sectors, including retail, consumer packaged goods, healthcare, hospitality, and non-profits, helping them achieve their strategic business objectives. A dedicated supporter of the insights and research community, Bonnie is actively involved in organizations such as WIRE (Women In Research Events), the Insights Association, Quirks Events, ESOMAR, and the American Marketing Association. She frequently speaks, mentors, and participates in industry events. At Decision Analyst, Bonnie leverages her expertise to empower clients and drive business growth. The firm offers comprehensive consulting solutions, including strategic planning, segmentation, brand building, messaging strategies, customer experience enhancement, and new product launches. She holds a degree in Statistics from Oklahoma State University. Beyond her professional life, Bonnie is committed to community service. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and has fundraised for over a decade each for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Children’s Health (Children’s Medical Center Dallas). She has also volunteered with the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind as a Home Visitor for over nine years.

Adrian Johnson: Adrian began her career at Federated in November 1995 as an auto/liability Claims Representative, progressed through the positions of Field Claims Adjuster, Claims Supervisor, and Claims Team Supervisor and in 2005 Regional Claims Manager in Tampa, Florida and back to Texas over the entire Texas office in 2006. After relocating back to Texas, Adrian added the Special Account Claims Liaisons to her responsibilities while continuing to manage the property and workers’ compensation divisions in the Texas claims office. Currently, Adrian continues to oversee a workers’ compensation unit and a recovery/subrogation unit in our North Richland Hills office. Adrian is married to Darwin Johnson II and we have a baby girl, Ayanna, who is now 4 ½ years old and in preK4.

Wes Jurey: Wes Jurey is the Founder & CEO of Redemption Bridge, a nonprofit intermediary, focused on establishing new models to serve opportunity populations, and the Co-Founder of the South Dallas Employment Project, a DBA of Redemption Bridge, that has become the largest collaborative governance model in Texas, comprised of 250+ Organizational Stakeholders, collectively serving some of the most underserved and disadvantaged communities in Texas in south, southern, and west Dallas. He is also the Founder and CEO of the ATIP Foundation; Workforce Development Strategist to the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council; Member, Advisory Council, Coalition for Career Development; and currently serves on a Task Force leading the establishment of Pilot Projects throughout North America, to strengthen North America’s competitiveness relative to supply chains and manufacturing. for the USMCA (formerly NAFTA) Trade Agreement’s Competitiveness Committee, comprised of the Office of the US Trade Representative, the Mexican Ministry of Economy, and Global Affairs Canada. Wes began his career in nonprofit management in 1968, serving the Methodist Church, the YMCA, the Oklahoma Department of Institutions, 18 years professionally with the Boy Scouts of America, and 34 years leading Economic Development entities. From 1990-2001 he served as President & CEO of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce; where he launched a major workforce initiative to resolve the challenge resulting from the loss of 28,000 jobs in the garment industry, supporting the emergence of technology related jobs and industries in the West Texas region. From 2001-2015 he served as President & CEO of the Arlington Texas Chamber of Commerce. During his tenure, he expanded the Chamber’s influence nationally and internationally through technology based economic and workforce development initiatives, while playing a key role in building Arlington’s entertainment infrastructure, securing $253 million to revamp the city’s transportation infrastructure around the entertainment district, resulting in both the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers building new stadiums in Arlington. Wes founded the Center for Innovation as an affiliate of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, which served as a Federal Partnership Intermediary to the US Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy and Transportation. The Center also partnered with the Federal Lab Consortium to annually host the World’s Best Technology (WBT) Conference, which featured 100 patented technologies developed by Federal Labs, attracting a global audience. He established Centers for Continuing Education and Workforce Development in 1995 in El Paso, and 2004 in Arlington; Both were selected as one of 12 sites nationally for the Workforce Innovation Networks Initiative, a project of the Ford Foundation and U.S. Department of Labor. Both facilities fostered partnerships with virtually every major education and workforce development stakeholder in their respective regions. His public service includes appointment to the Texas State Bar Board of Directors by the Texas Supreme Court in 1995. He was appointed by Assistant Secretary Emily DeRocco to the 9-member U.S. Department of Labor panel in 2002, charged with development of the Training & Employment Administration’s five-year strategic research plan; Labor Secretary Elaine Chao appointed him to the Department of Labor’s Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships in 2008, and he was reappointed by Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis in May 2010. In 2009, he was selected as a Ford Foundation Fellow, and was appointed by the Business Roundtable as one of 25 Commissioners for the Springboard Project, an independent commission that developed education & workforce policy recommendations for the Obama Administration. In 2010 he was appointed to the Council on Competitiveness’ Workforce Advisory Group. He served as the Founding Chairman of the Board of the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, a 501 (c)(3) affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber’s Education, Employment and Training Committee, and the U.S. Chamber Foundation Board of Directors. He serves on the Advisory Board of the School of Business at the University of Texas at Arlington; and is past Chair of the Texas Alliance for Higher Education. He was appointed by Governor Rick Perry as Chairman of the Texas Workforce Investment Council (TWIC) from 2007-2018 which is the state’s Workforce Investment Board, under the federal Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA), providing strategic planning & evaluation for the Texas Workforce Development System, comprised of eight state agencies. He was one of 20 individuals named to a White House Task Force in 2013 by the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy, to develop recommendations for federal technology transfer, and was named as a founding member of the America Invents Acts Pro Bono Advisory Council. Born in Enid Oklahoma, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma; is a graduate and former faculty member of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Executive Institute; and a Certified Fundraising Practitioner.

About Larry: A 1980 Business School Graduate from the University of Texas at Arlington, Larry began his professional career with IBM. He was promoted and selected from a small group within IBM to become a part of a Financial Management Team. Their mission was to market and offer $1 million finance options to qualified IBM customers. Larry was the youngest person in the company, and one of the only 3 African Americans to hold this position out of 150 people. Another corporate position held includes the Regional Transportation Manager for the Business Services Division of Office Depot. His management territory encompassed all of North Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. A 4th Generation Businessman Larry followed his natural entrepreneurial instinct and took over his family's small commercial cleaning business that was started by his father Jesse Kemp Jr. in 1972. Under Larry's leadership, KEMP & SONS GENERAL SERVICES INC., has grown from having 250K contracts in place to nearly $17 million. Larry Kemp has guided Kemp & Sons General Services Inc., in a period of dynamic growth from 8 employees to a staff of over 140. In a ten-year span, he increased business revenue seventeen-fold. Larry Kemp is a much sought after speaker and mentor to up-and-coming entrepreneurs, as well as small and minority business owners. Mr. Kemp is a Maverick Executive Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington where he speaks and mentors undergraduate and graduate students in UTA’s School of Business. He is a 4th Generation Entrepreneur who received extensive training over the years in employee staffing, corporate organization from Fortune 500 Companies, and Governmental entities. Model Leadership Kemp & Sons General Services Inc. has received awards on a local, regional and national levels such as; Business of the Year (Fort Worth Black Chamber), The Growth & Expansion Award (Small Business Development Corporation), Family Business of the Year (Small Business Administration), Quest for Success Award (Dallas Black Chamber) and many others. Most recently Kemp & Sons was chosen among thousands of nominees as one of the 100 Fastest Growing Inner City Firms in the United States. Winners will appear in an upcoming edition of Fortune Magazine this spring. He has also appeared on TV specials and in print media recognizing his company accomplishments. Larry insists 2 that one must be persistent while patient, have knowledge with a clear understanding of the rules and pursue the proper certifications and have solid infrastructure. Larry serves on various boards and committees related to UTA Athletics, Economic Development, Entrepreneurship and Business Diversity. He also serves on the American Cancer Society Board, and was past board president and board member of Jubilee Theater. He has served as a volunteer for Ronald McDonalds “Meals from the Heart” and a member of Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI). Larry is currently on the board of The Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce and Chairs its Economic Development Committee. He is an active participant in social and community activities that relate to economic development and business initiatives.

About Trey: Trey Knapp currently serves as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Accounting for the Sewell Automotive Companies, one of the largest and most iconic automotive retailers in the country. Prior to joining Sewell in 2009; Trey worked in public accounting for Forvis Mazars LLP (formerly Dixon Hughes Goodman or DHG) for ten years, focusing on automotive dealership audit, taxation, and consulting. At Sewell, Trey oversees the consolidated accounting, internal audit, insurance, and corporate FP&A functions. In addition to overseeing over 150 accounting associates, a significant portion of Trey's time is invested in bridging dealership operations with financial reporting in a way that builds a trusting partnership between these two critically important teams. Trey is an active member of the Dallas chapter of Financial Executives International (FEI), co-founder and Vice President of the Texas Association of Blind Athletes, Treasurer of the Carroll Education Foundation, Parliamentarian for Southlake Carroll Band Boosters, volunteers for The Community Storehouse, Vice Chairman for and speaker at the AICPA Auto Dealership Conference, and Executive Board member of the First United Methodist Church of Colleyville. In 2022, Trey was highlighted by both the FEI Dallas Member Spotlight and the DHG Alumni Spotlight. In 2021, the Dallas Business Journal recognized Trey as CFO of the Year. Trey graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2002 with both bachelors and masters degrees in Accounting. Trey, his wife Amy, and son Elijah live in Southlake, Texas.

About Nitin: Nitin Kumar specializes in Generative AI and Data Science, serving in a pivotal role at Marriott International on enterprise-wide initiatives that enhance customer experience, marketing effectiveness, and operational efficiency across a global multi-brand portfolio. He has designed and operationalized applied AI systems at scale, advancing how organizations leverage data-driven intelligence in practice. Kumar is recognized across the AI community as a sought-after speaker on AI agentic solutions and as a judge at international AI conferences and technology award platforms, where his insights and evaluations help shape the future of applied AI.

About Jeffrey: Jeffrey Kurland has served as the Director of Finance for the research enterprise at Cook Children’s Health Care System in Fort Worth, Texas for the past 10 years. He has over 20 years of experience in public accounting, operations management, non-profit tax and auditing and clinical trial financial management. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant, and earned his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Minnesota. He has spoken nationally on clinical trial financial management and managing research programs. He is also a current board member for the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants – Fort Worth Chapter.

About Valerie: Valerie (McDonald) Landry is an Arlington native. She attended Hofstra University and captained the Division 1 Tennis Team during her undergraduate tenure. Graduating with honors, Valerie returned to Texas, to join the family business, The Sanford House Inn & Spa in 2008. She has led the company through several iterations, with a focus on diversifying the scope of the business, including the development of Arlington’s top fine-dining restaurant, Restaurant506. She is passionate about customer service, and strives to emulate tremendous, sincere hospitality for her guests and her team. She actively participates on the Boards of numerous organizations including the Rotary Club of Arlington, Downtown Arlington Management Corporation, Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and the Arlington Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. In 2012, Valerie earned her MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington College of Business and then was awarded the 2017-2018 Alumni Award for Outstanding Early Career Achievement. In 2018, Valerie received the Rising Star Award on behalf of the Women’s Alliance and continues to pave the way for others to expand their leadership development through civic involvement. In 2022, Valerie was recognized as a member of the inaugural 40 Under 40 Class through the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce. In 2024, she was awarded the Sally Kallam Leadership Award by Leadership Arlington. Valerie is married to Christopher Landry, and they have two daughters, Vivian, and Arya. In her free time, Valerie enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling.

Erin Lindsey: Erin Lindsey is the Vice President of Dealer Disbursement and Vendor Management at GM Financial. With over 15 years of automotive experience, he specializes in enterprise strategic projects, advance business knowledge of both consumer and commercial products throughout the end-to-end lifecycle, and a technical background aligned to agile methodologies. Erin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forensic Chemistry. When he is not working, Erin enjoys traveling, outdoor activities and spending quality time with family.

About Varun: Varun Mallipaddi is an accomplished Corporate/Commercial Banking professional with a proven track record of excellence spanning over a decade. Currently serving at Frost Bank in Fort Worth, Texas since 2014, Varun adeptly manages existing client relationships while facilitating new business opportunities, with a keen focus on compliance and risk management. He specializes in working closely with HNW Individuals, Family Offices and its related legacy businesses, and Private Equity Funds to provide unique bridge financing facilities to optimize liquidity and cash flow needs. Prior to his tenure in banking, Varun demonstrated exemplary leadership skills at The University of Texas at Arlington, where he served as Student Congress President and represented over 33,000+ student body. Varun also spearheaded impactful initiatives to enhance student engagement and representation. Notably, he chaired the University's Tuition Review Committee, and was a member of UT System Student Advisory Committee, playing a pivotal role in shaping institutional policies. Varun holds a BBA in Finance from The University of Texas at Arlington. He has been serving on The Fort Worth Public Library Foundation board since 2018 and is an active member of its Executive, Finance committees and chairs the annual fundraising committee. Additionally, Varun has been nominated to the Chancellor’s Centurions, a young professional advisory group to the Chancellor of the UT System; serves on the Board of Directors for Downtown Fort Worth Inc (DTFW Inc) and on the Board of Governors for the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Tarrant County. Complemented by his active involvement in community organizations and fluency in English, Telugu, and Hindi, Varun embodies a multifaceted professional committed to driving excellence in both corporate and civic arenas.

Todd Martin: I grew up in our family-owned industrial manufacturing business and started learning how to machine parts at the very young age of 14. After graduating with a business management degree from Keystone College in northern PA where I also was on the wrestling team, I moved to Texas to continue my career with Martin.It has taken me on 36yr journey with the following titles. Sales Manager: Los Angeles, CA Bulk Material handling field specialist: Texas Power Transmission Product Manager: Cast Iron Products Material handling Product Manager National Corporate Sales Manager for OEM Sales Regional VP / Southwest Director of Training & Development

About Bridget: Bridget brings over 28 years of dedicated service to the US Small Business Administration (SBA), currently serving as an Economic Development Specialist, SCORE Liaison, and Veteran Business Development Officer at the SBA Dallas/Fort Worth District Office, covering Texas's Northern 72 counties. Beginning her illustrious career as an SBA Disaster Loan Officer and later advancing to Supervisory Loan Officer roles, Bridget has demonstrated exceptional expertise in home and business underwriting. Her commitment to public service extended to roles as a Public Information Officer, where she spearheaded direct disaster recovery efforts across the United States and Territories. Complementing her extensive professional background, Bridget holds a degree in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. Her entrepreneurial journey spans over three decades, during which she has not only founded and managed businesses but has also provided invaluable guidance to countless entrepreneurs, crafting business plans for startups and expansions alike. With a firm belief in the power of mentorship and collaboration, Bridget is dedicated to empowering others to thrive in their entrepreneurial ventures. She remains steadfast in her mission to foster business success and economic growth within her community and beyond.

About Rina: Rina Parikh is a Certified Public Accountant and an audit partner in the Dallas office of Grant Thornton. With more than 20 years of public accounting experience, Rina has focused primarily on auditing both public and private companies, including financial services, banks & lending institutions, specialty finance companies, real estate entities, and asset management companies. Rina has significant experience in conducting financial statement audits as well as internal control examinations. Rina has extensive experience in evaluating and testing processes and internal controls, including SOX compliance for public companies. Rina has assisted several companies with initial public offering, additional equity and debt offering filing reports as required by the 1933 and 1934 Securities Acts. Rina leads asset management and real estate industry efforts for Dallas office, focused on increasing industry development and branding efforts. She is actively involved with multiple industry groups internally and externally. Rina serves as executive sponsor for Dallas office Women’s initiative focusing on recruitment, retention and development of women, including implementing leadership programs, organizing internal and external networking events, implementing professional development and business development programs for women. Rina is also a national sponsor for firm’s Future Leaders business resource group. Rina also leads and supports training initiative, including technical and professional development trainings of audit service professionals for Dallas office.

About Kristen: Kristen is a graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Marketing. Over the past two years, she has been an integral part of the Fan Engagement team at FC Dallas, contributing to various initiatives and representing the FC Dallas brand at community events. Earlier this year, Kristen completed an internship with the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, on the Concert Production team. During the event’s 18-day run, she supported 21 artists and their teams, gaining hands-on experience in live event production. Currently, Kristen is interning with the Dallas Sports Commission on the Event Management team. In this role, she assists with the planning and execution of client events, special DSC projects, and provides on-site event support. Through these diverse experiences, Kristen has developed a strong foundation in large-scale event operations and built meaningful relationships within the industry. She is passionate about creating memorable, inclusive experiences for both clients and attendees

About Molly: Molly Sandlin is a 2014 UTA MBA Cohort grad and the President and founder of CAET Project Management Consultants. She and her husband started the project management firm in 2016. Molly and her team of Project Manager’s support capital facility/construction projects for clients like American Airlines, Oncor, and Cognizant. The team is currently partnered on three design contracts at DFW, including the design for Terminal C and the Terminal C parking garages. Molly and two other consultants worked closely with American Airlines and the other 30+ carriers at DFW to renegotiate the 10-year lease that was signed into effect in 2023. Molly expanded her services and started CAET Construction in late 2021. Since that time, the CAET Construction team has built 3 new McDonald’s restaurants and have completed countless remodels for McDonald’s, Rita’s Italian Ice, and Enterprise Car Rental.

Nichole Sheridan: Human Resource Professional with a Masters in Human Resource Management, a minor in Disability Studies, and a Diversity Certificate. Currently a Total Rewards & Benefits Consultant at MFC, I like to create a positive, collaborative, and “open space” for my leaders and clients to “Hear and Be Heard” and have important dialogue in order to “Collaborate to Win” and help each other learn from one another. This enables individuals to bring their whole selves to work when supporting Aero 100, and helps “Accelerate Change” by ensuring their voice, opinion, and feedback is heard. In addition to my daily Consultant duties, I support a variety of Total Rewards activities from process design to execution and change management/communication activities, to include compensation data analysis, decision support, developing training and education materials to support compensation initiatives, and provides support for benefits activities. I also provide compensation consultation to a dedicated client group of HR Business Partners, providing total rewards guidance and support to inform their business decisions throughout the year. I am in charge of allocating, distributing, and managing an $8 million plus recognition budget and over a $12 million short term incentive budget.

Terrence Shine: Mr. Terrence Shine is Vice President of Business Banking and Community Development Leader at Frost Banking, Investments, and Insurance. Before Frost, Mr. Shine worked in similar roles at Citibank, Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo. Shine was honorably discharged from the USAF Reserves in 2007 and earned his MBA in 2020. Shine manages over $30 million in gross sales in his Banking, Investments, and Insurance role. In his role as Community Development Leader, Shine is responsible for creating and cultivating relationships in business communities designated as ‘new expansion areas’ by Frost. He travels the DFW region educating, counseling, and creating opportunities for burgeoning entrepreneurs and business owners. Shine is the primary custodian for his two sons, ages 13 and 10. In his downtime, he likes to connect with his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi.

About Adam: Calculated Risk is an investment company with a portfolio of Harley-Davidson dealerships, real estate and other strategic interests led by founder Adam Smith. Smith was born and raised in the DFW area. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1998 with a degree in business administration. Adam joined the Harley-Davidson motorcycle business in 1991. In 1996, Smith opened his first Harley-Davidson dealership in Grand Prairie, Texas, making him the youngest individual to own and operate a Harley-Davidson dealership at the age of 22. Eventually, he became one of the very few Harley-Davidson dealership group owners in the country. As an established and respected resource in the powersports arena, Adam evolved the Calculated Risk brand from dealer ownership/management to an investment business offering dealership and small-to-mid-size business advisory services and real estate investing. In May 2022, Adam sold his eight Calculated Risk dealerships, including Texas’ largest Harley-Davidson dealership, to Navigant Oak, LLC, a private holding company. The sale to Navigant Oak represents one of the first dealership acquisitions by a financial buyer in the Harley-Davidson arena. Previously, the parent company typically prevented family offices and private equity investors from acquiring dealership franchises. However, in Smith’s role as 2018 president of Harley-Davidson’s Dealer Advisory Council, he was instrumental in working toward relaxing ownership restrictions to facilitate growth for all dealer owners. The Calculated Risk sale to Navigant Oak allows Smith to retain 20% ownership of his dealerships as well as a seat on the board of directors. In addition to his advisory board role with Navigant Oak, Smith serves as an advisory board member for multiple companies including Diamond C Trailers. Adam enjoys speaking to aspiring entrepreneurs and students with entrepreneurial ambitions. His easy-going presentation style not only makes him relatable but highly approachable. Through the lens of his personal experiences, Adam shares compelling stories of his remarkable entrepreneurial journey and the strategic framework that propelled him to success. Adam has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and profiled in D Magazine. His successful business transactions have been featured in prominent publications such as the Dallas Business Journal, the Milwaukee Business Journal, PowerSports Business, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Motorcycle and Powersports News and in television news programs. For inquiries regarding Adam’s participation in your entrepreneurial program or to arrange an interview with him focusing on entrepreneurship, please email jhawkes@prexperts.net. You may also reach Adam directly at adam@calculatedrisk.com. Read more at www.CalculatedRisk.com

Cat Maxwell Smith: Cat Maxwell Smith brings over 20 years of experience in insights, strategy, and software development and implementation, making her the ideal choice for moderating B2B focus groups, particularly for SaaS development. During her tenure at Ingersoll-Rand and Ambit, she gained firsthand experience building software, while her roles at T-Mobile, Synchrony Bank, and JCPenney provided her with deep insights as a power user of marketing support SaaS tools. This dual perspective uniquely equips her to connect with both developers and users, facilitating discussions that drive actionable outcomes. As the founder of Seedling Insights, Cat has partnered with Fortune 500 organizations to refine growth strategies through targeted research and analysis. Her facilitation style fosters open dialogue, ensuring every participant feels heard while steering discussions toward strategic and impactful recommendations. She excels at uncovering and translating user needs into clear, actionable insights that shape software usability, feature preferences, market positioning, and implementation plans. Cat’s proven ability to bridge the gap between technical development teams and end-users, coupled with her data-driven approach, makes her an invaluable partner for SaaS innovators. Whether you're developing new features, enhancing usability, or rethinking your market positioning, Catherine can guide your focus groups to deliver insights that truly move the needle.https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmsmith-strategythruinsights/ SEEDLING insights & strategy

About Shyra: Shyra Smith is a seasoned marketer, Certified Professional Life Coach, Award-Winning Author, and empowering speaker. As the Founder of HS3 Marketing Solutions and Shyra Smith Coaching, she brings over 20 years of marketing expertise alongside a deep commitment to helping people find their voice, embrace their strengths, and live the lives they were created to live. Known for her heart-centered and practical approach, Shyra offers real-world strategies and mentorship that inspire emerging leaders. She challenges students and professionals alike to understand that lasting success is built on authenticity, integrity, and meaningful impact. Her commitment to both business excellence and personal empowerment inspires others to lead lives that influence, uplift, and transform the world around them.

About Alan: Alan is a Managing Director based out of the Dallas office and has been with Protiviti since 2012. Alan has a BBA in Accounting and an MBA (emphasis IT management) from the University of Texas at Arlington. With over 15+ years of transformative leadership, Alan supports large and mid-market clients in technology, telecommunications, and financial services. As a firm leader in the US Consumer Lending & Servicing industry sector, Alan is also responsible for development and execution of strategy, thought leadership and industry insights, solution innovation and improvement, nurturing stakeholder relationships, and collaboration across global delivery teams and strategic partnerships.

About Thomas: Jerry W. Thomas is President/CEO of Decision Analyst, one of the largest research and analytic firms in North America. He founded the company in 1978. He leads the overall strategic planning for the firm, heads the executive committee, serves as a consultant to Client Service Teams within Decision Analyst, and plays a key role in the design of firm’s proprietary research services and related mathematical models. He has served as a research and analytic consultant to many major companies over the years. He worked on the development and marketing of personal computers, word processors, printers, copiers, educational toys, electronic calculators, digital watches, microwave ovens, and many new Consumer Package Goods products. He began his career at Hallmark Cards, working in brand management, and then moved to Kraft Foods brand management, and focused on new products. He next worked at a major national research company, before launching Decision Analyst. He served on the Board of Directors of the Insights Association (largest marketing research organization in the U.S.) for many years. He also helped launch the graduate program in marketing research at The University of Texas at Arlington and headed its Advisory Board for several years. He still serves on that Advisory Board, as well as the Advisory Board for the College of Business at UT Arlington. He graduated from Arlington State College (now UTA) with a bachelor's degree in business. He holds an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin and studied graduate economics at SMU. He is a student of marketing strategy, new product creation, and mathematical modeling, and claims to know a little about Economics.

About Sharon: Sharon Washburn is a Vice President and financial planner with The Clements Group at Morgan Stanley in the firm’s Spring Valley branch. She has more than three decades of experience in financial services. She has been with Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms since July 1993. Prior to joining The Clements Group in 2017, Sharon was with a retirement planning group at Morgan Stanley focusing on estate planning strategies and retirement planning. There, she gained valuable experience working with estates and helping families fully understand the estate planning process. Known for her strong desire to empower clients through education, Sharon serves high-net-worth individuals, foundations and Fortune 500 companies and their employee plans. She is highly adept at working with corporate stock plans, including option, purchase, and restricted stock plans. Sharon has worked with The Clements Group’s Executive Financial Services team, which is responsible for Rule 144 stock sales and 10b5-1 sales plans and has proven to be an excellent collaborator with financial teams of individual investors to make sure they have a sound strategy in place for their stock awards. Sharon is also extremely skilled at helping individuals navigate the financial issues that arise due to major life changes, such as marriage, death, employment and divorce. She is Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® and a member of The Institute for Divorced Financial Analysts. While high stress often accompanies major life changes, Sharon serves as a reassuring beacon of light for her clients during these periods because she is personally familiar with the rigors of change, having grown up in a military family that moved five times during her youth. Sharon is a graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington, where in 1986 she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Following graduation, she worked for Judson Malkin & Bloom (JMB), concentrating on real estate limited partnerships. In 1989, she joined PaineWebber (now UBS). In her free time, Sharon enjoys listening to music, traveling, and spending time with her adorable dog, Ranger and cats Loui and Tanner. A resident of North Dallas, she’s an avid sports fan and supports all of the teams in the Dallas Metroplex -- in addition to several charities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

About Stan: Stan Waterhouse is a seasoned executive and board leader with over 30 years of experience driving organizational growth, innovation, and strategic transformation. His career spans hospitality, senior living, affordable housing, and real estate—industries where he has consistently delivered exceptional results and inspired high-performing teams. As Managing Director of CSW Advisory, LLC, he provides strategic guidance to senior living and affordable housing providers, helping them navigate development and long-term growth. With a deep belief in driving sustainable investments that strengthen communities, Waterhouse is currently driving over $600M in Public-Private Partnerships in affordable housing projects across Texas and the Sunbelt. Previously, Waterhouse served as President, CEO, and Vice Chairman of Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation, a $1 billion luxury senior living enterprise, where he led a successful evolution that increased revenues, efficiency and customer satisfaction. His career also includes leadership roles at ClubCorp, Ginn Resorts and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, where he played a pivotal role in revenue growth and operational excellence in the luxury hospitality sector. A passionate educator, Waterhouse has lectured on international business and operational strategy at institutions such as the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of Texas at El Paso and Texas Woman’s University. Waterhouse earned his MBA from Wake Forest University and as an undergraduate, studied Finance at the University of Texas. His career reflects a steadfast commitment to leadership, innovation, and sustainable growth.