Alumni News

1980s

Jana Phillips, BBA ’80, was recognized by Today’s Honoree for her captivating thriller, “Power Lies.” Phillips’ book follows a public relations vice president investigating the cover-up of a murderous and corrupt industry.

Roland Garcia, BBA ’81, was nominated and approved to serve another term on the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports. The Pilot Commission also unanimously elected Garcia to serve as vice chairman of the board and as chairman of the Diversity Committee.

Andy Cullen, BBA ’86, was recruited to serve as the SVP–Sales & Marketing for RACK59 Data Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Scott Salmans, BBA ’87, was reappointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to the Judicial Compensation Commission. Salmans, the owner and CEO of WRS Group Ltd, will serve on the commission through Feb. 1, 2027.

1990s

Beck A. Taylor, BBA ’92, was elected as the 19th president of Samford University. Taylor previously served as dean for Samford’s Brock School of Business from 2005-2010, and has served as president of Whitworth University since 2010.

Jason Stephens, MBA ’97, JD ’97, received numerous professional recognitions in 2020, including his 17th consecutive appearance on the Super Lawyers list, which recognizes the nation’s top attorneys.

Greg Shepard, BBA ’98, celebrated 17 years as founder and CEO for Dallas Maids, an award-winning, locally-owned home cleaning service.

Ace Roman, BBA ’99, was promoted to chief financial officer of Granite Properties, a commercial real estate investment, development and management company. Roman, who joined Granite in 2009, previously served as senior director of finance for the company.

2000s

Thasunda Duckett, MBA ’01, was named TIAA’s new president and CEO in February before joining the firm in May. Duckett also serves as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Hankamer School of Business.

Amber Roy, BBA ’04, MBA ’14, was appointed CEO at Triumph Business Capital. In this position, Roy will lead all operational functions, including underwriting and customer experience.

Lauren Whitney Kirchner, BBA ’08, was named to Horticulture Industry Magazine’s “40 Under 40” Class of 2021. As director of Sales and Marketing for Spring Creek Growers, Kirchner has created a fun plant shopping experience that sparks joy in consumer spaces.

2010s

Lance Sepulvado, BBA ’14, was named vice president and chief financial officer of Harvest Oil & Gas Corp. Prior to joining Harvest in 2016, Sepulvado worked in the Energy Finance group at Comerica Bank.

Meredith Montrose, BBA ’15, joined Dinsmore & Shohl LLP’s San Diego office as an associate. Montrose will practice with the firm’s national litigation and insurance defense groups.

Hunter Bingham, BBA ’18, began working toward his MBA at the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University. Bingham interned for PIMCO with their Institutional Investor group.

2020s

Brittany Blakey, JD ’20, MBA ’20, joined Gray Reed’s Energy Transactions practice group as an associate. Blakey participated in the firm’s summer associate program in 2018 and 2019 while attending Baylor.