With graduation right around the corner, many students at University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business are contemplating their futures. Planning for the future can be a difficult task. In an attempt to help students find their way through this complicated time, McCombs recently hosted their annual Executive Mentorship Dinner.
The mentorship dinner is a way to bring together current students with alumni over an informal meal so they can discuss the trials and tribulations of beginning a career. The event, now in its third year, is also an opportunity for alumni to give back to the school in non-monetary ways.
“I see so much value in this Executive Mentorship Dinner event because it involves all the elements — students, faculty, and alums, and getting alums back to campus and share their tremendous experiences that are beyond the class curriculum,” Ed Tonkon, BBA ’78 said.
Alumni mentors at this year’s dinner included:
- Chad Auler, co-founder of Deep Eddy Vodka and vice president of Fall Creek Vineyards
- Bobby Patton, trial attorney and owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Katie May, founder and CEO, Shipping Easy
- Marc Hafner, chairman and CEO, Revionics
- Ted Herrod, senior vice president and general manager, PepsiCo
- Marcie Zlotnik , founder, StarTex Power
- Bob Zlotnik, founder, StarTex Power
- Zach Petrone, managing director, Highside Capital Management
- Ella Gendel, analyst, Oasis Management
- Kent Capps , vice president of corporate development, Provista
- Michelle Brockwell, executive director of human resources, AT&T
- Tony Dona, co-founder and owner, Thackeray Partners
- Matt Palmer, general manager, technology company, Chevron
- Jeffery A. Hickl, senior tax manager, Deloitte
- Ken Sample, regional credit executive, commercial banking, Chase
- Adam Gauvin, director of product, optimization, and growth at RetailMeNot Inc.