Dawn Duplantier Robinette, APR, BBA ’91, MA ’94, has been elected Chair of the Public Relations Society of America Southwest District, overseeing 15 chapters across six states. She is a past president of PRSA’s San Antonio Chapter and owns Tale to Tell Communications, a public relations, marketing and content creation agency based in San Antonio.
Dillon Cecil has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer at Liberty National Bank. With a background in financial markets and banking, Cecil brings extensive expertise to his new role. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from The University of Texas at Austin- Red McCombs School of Business and has completed specialized programs at Texas Tech School of Banking, IBAT Banking Lending Institute, and SMU Southwestern Graduate School of Banking, where he graduated with special distinction in leadership. Cecil’s promotion reflects his demonstrated skills and commitment to the bank’s success.
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Greg Lee has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer of VVater, a US-based next-generation water treatment company, artificial beach, and property developer. With over 40 years of experience, including roles at the Livestrong Foundation and the University of Texas Investment Management Company, Lee brings a wealth of expertise to his new position. As stated by Mr. Kevin Gast, Chairman & CEO of VVater, Lee’s qualifications as a CPA and his extensive executive experience make him an invaluable addition to the leadership team. Lee holds a BBA in Accounting from the University of Texas, McCombs School of Business, further emphasizing his strong academic background.
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Andrew Stride, a licensed engineer with over a decade of experience, has been appointed as director of operations at A-Gas Canada’s new facility in Ontario. With a background spanning technical, design, and project engineering roles at organizations like Matheson, Air Liquide, and Baker Hughes, Stride brings valuable expertise to his new role. His MBA from Texas McCombs School of Business further strengthens his qualifications, enabling him to implement global best practices and deliver enhanced value to customers.
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David Smith, a seasoned executive with experience at Bell and Textron Aviation, has been appointed as the new president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) following the retirement of Kurt Robinson. With a background in engineering and an MBA from Texas McCombs School of Business, Smith is poised to lead RHC into an innovative future, focusing on new product development and addressing production challenges. Kurt Robinson expressed confidence in Smith’s leadership, emphasizing his strategic vision and passion for the industry.
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Dotti Reeder has been appointed as Market President of Dallas-Fort Worth for Northern Trust, where she will lead the wealth management business serving high-net-worth individuals and families. With extensive experience in wealth management, including roles at Tolleson Wealth Management and JP Morgan, Reeder brings over three decades of expertise in securities trading, investment management, trust administration, financial planning, and estate planning. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in accounting from The University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business, and is actively involved in various organizations, including the Business Council for the Arts: Uniting Commerce and Culture in North Texas, Wesley Rankin Foundation, and the investment committee for Children’s Health System of Texas.
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Jeff Townes has been appointed as Chief Technology Officer of Gorilla Logic, a leading digital product engineering services firm. With over 20 years of experience in technology services and management consulting, Townes will lead the company’s digital engagement with customers, drive innovation through technical and solution development, and ensure Gorilla Logic remains at the forefront of the technology landscape. Previously serving as Partner, Cloud Solutions and Alliances at Credera, Townes brings a wealth of expertise in digital and cloud transformation, with a focus on emerging technology adoption. He holds a BBA in Management Information Systems from the Canfield Business Honors Program at The University of Texas McCombs School of Business.
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Select Water Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: WTTR) appoints Chris George as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, succeeding Nick Swyka. George brings over a decade of experience with Select, previously serving in roles including Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Investor Relations & Sustainability, and Treasurer. Prior to joining Select, George held positions in the Global Energy Investment Banking Group at UBS Investment Bank. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master in Professional Accounting from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.
Read more here.
John Turner, age 52, has been appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Energy Solutions (NYSE: AESI), effective March 6, 2024. Turner, who has over 20 years of oil and natural gas industry experience, previously served as the Chief Financial Officer since April 2017 and as President and Chief Financial Officer since November 2022. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.
Read more here.
On February 22, 2024, the McCombs School of Business welcomed more than 150 scholarship recipients and supporters to the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center for its annual Scholarship Appreciation Event.
Resuscitated in 2023 after a decade-long hiatus, the scholarship event offers an opportunity for individuals who fund scholarships to spend an evening getting to know student recipients. This year’s theme, Beyond Tuition, highlighted experiences that enhance student life outside the classroom.
Dean Lillian Mills greeted the attendees, encouraging them to converse with each other and learn more about student on- and off-campus involvement.
“Tonight, we look beyond tuition to learn what’s possible outside the classroom,” she said. “[With help from scholarship support,] these students study abroad, participate in student organizations, mentor younger students, and land stellar internships.”
During the course of the evening, attendees heard from a panel of MBA students that included Connor Hunerfauth, MBA candidate ’24; Emily McHale, MBA candidate ’25; Alex Mont, MBA candidate ’24; and Cindy Tieu, MBA candidate ’24, and moderated by Ashley Jones, Director of Student Experience, Full-time MBA. Each student shared about their undergraduate experience, their journeys as master’s students, and how to set – and achieve – goals.
Emely Valasquez, MPA ’24, and recipient of the Jessica and Clint Rancher Endowed Scholarship in Accounting and Weaver Endowed Scholarship in Accounting, took to the stage to share her own student story. As one of three daughters whose father never received an education, Emely said she knew attending The University of Texas at Austin was a longshot. Even after being accepted into the University, the cost of living in Austin seemed too daunting to overcome. Then she received a phone call that changed everything.
“On February 22, 2019, I got a call letting me know I had been awarded a full ride to The University of Texas [at Austin], which would not only cover my tuition for four years, but housing and supplies, as well,” she said. “The relief and happiness I felt at that moment was indescribable.”
She recounted how her father worked extra shifts to earn enough money to help her reach her goals, because “for him, higher education was the biggest inheritance he could leave for his three daughters.”
Emily went on to describe the impact her scholarship made, not just on her financial security, but on her life as a UT student. “It allowed me to take full advantage of all the opportunities I was presented with, as I had more time,” she said. “I am proud to stand before you in burnt orange today and share that on May 11, 2024, my father’s inheritance and dream of higher education will be complete, thanks to the generosity of people like you.”
Students Leo Ojeda and Estefania Ramírez also shared their own experiences as scholarship recipients with those in the audience.
Ojeda, BBA Management Information Systems and Marketing minor, is the recipient of the Dr. Timothy W. Ruefli Scholarship in IROM and will graduate in May 2024. As a McCombs Success Scholar, he found a home among his fellow McCombs students despite being the only one from his high school to attend UT Austin. He eventually became a mentor so he could help other students with similar backgrounds.
“My scholarship allows for academic and personal growth, [so I can] fully immerse myself in my passions academically and professionally,” he said. “It allows me to increase my professional network through unique social events, like this one tonight.”
Polly Trigger, Director of Student Affairs Outreach and Scholarships, Office of Student Life, International Programs, took to the podium to share what the study abroad experience means to students, as she highlighted videos submitted from students studying in far-flung parts of the world.
“McCombs has long invested in global learning opportunities for its students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels,” she said. “As a business graduate, no matter your major, you must understand how business works in the global context.”
As part of her talk, Trigger pointed out that 88 percent of study abroad graduates reported having a valuable network of peers from the experience. Ninety-eight percent report they gained soft skills from the program, and 58% of BBA study abroad participants received some level of financial aid. Of those students, almost 40% were classified as high financial need.
“McCombs continues to invest in transformational experiential learning, such as study abroad programs, for which I know we are all grateful, as it truly has the potential to change lives,” she said.
By the end of the evening, scholarship supporters and students had heard about the ways financial assistance can impact all levels of learning.
“This year was very special because we had the chance to recognize the many ways in which our scholarship supporters positively impact our students,” said Sara Jebaily, Associate Director of Stewardship. “These are areas a lot of our supporters aren’t as familiar with, so it’s great to bring them into the spotlight.”
Planning for next year’s scholarship event is underway, and a date will be announced soon. To learn how you can establish a student scholarship, contact development@mccombs.utexas.edu.
See photos from the evening here.
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