Texas Business Hall of Fame’s Post

Congratulations to the Class of 2024 Future Texas Business Legends. Meet this year's incredible recipients here: https://lnkd.in/gFBN-qdi Thank you to Bank of Texas, the 2024 Awards Luncheon sponsor.

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸 We hope today brings you peace, relaxation, and inspiration. #fourthofjuly #independenceday

Please join us in congratulating Frank Coppersmith, the 2024 Miller Family Future Texas Legend Veteran Award recipient. Frank is the CEO of Smarter Reality, Round Rock, Texas an Inc. 5000 and Austin “Fast 50” software developer that provides award-winning training and simulation software to the Department of Defense using virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Frank is an accomplished executive across a range of technologies and markets including education, simulation, entertainment, and defense. He has raised funding from top-tier VCs and led companies from formation through sale. He is a frequent speaker on artificial intelligence and holds patents related to entertainment, training, and computer vision. Frank served 32 years in the US Air Force reserves, with deployments to Turkey, Iraq and Qatar. He was named Austin’s “CFO of the Year” in 2010 by the Austin Business Journal. Frank holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a law degree from Samford University and a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from The Citadel. Thank you to Bank of Texas, the 2024 sponsor for the Annual Future Texas Business Legend Awards Luncheon. We look forward to celebrating with our award recipients in November.

TBHF proudly presents the 2024 Pefanis Future Texas Legend Veteran Award recipient, Joshua Lawton. A former combat medic, Josh has transformed into a distinguished entrepreneur known for his innovative and strategic growth initiatives. His leadership was instrumental in a Presidential Major Initiative's national pilot and his significant contributions at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he focused on high-stakes R&D and technology commercialization. As the driving force behind Squared Compass, Joshua leverages his extensive experience in cyber, project, and product management to serve prestigious clients like HSBC and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency. His leadership extends beyond business, contributing to the Texas Advisory Committee to the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and the Forbes Technology Council. Joshua's entrepreneurial spirit led him to found four companies, with three successful exits, including one recognized as a top Texas startup in 2018. His dynamic career highlights his profound impact on the business and technological sectors, demonstrating a relentless commitment to innovation and excellence. Please join us in welcoming Josh to the TBHF family! Thank you to Bank of Texas, the 2024 sponsor for the Annual Future Texas Business Legend Awards Luncheon. We look forward to celebrating with our award recipients in November.

Meet Dennis Cail II, Founder & CEO of Zirtue, Navy Veteran and SMU graduate, boasts a distinguished profile as an award-winning entrepreneur, technology executive, board member, Navy Veteran, Forbes Next 1000 Honoree, D CEO 500 member, and EY Entrepreneur of the Year-Southwest Winner. Dennis channels his passion for financial inclusion by empowering individuals with a "hand-up" rather than a "hand-out," exemplifying his commitment to servant leadership. Zirtue's aim is to create a financially inclusive world by digitizing and mobilizing loans between friends and family. Zirtue offers the first relationship-based lending application that simplifies loans between friends, family and trusted relationships with an automatic loan repayment process. Dennis is the 2024 Douglas L. Foshee Future Texas Legend Veteran Award recipient. Congratulations Dennis, and welcome to the TBHF family. Thank you to Bank of Texas, the 2024 sponsor for the Annual Future Texas Business Legend Awards Luncheon. We look forward to celebrating with our award recipients in November.

Our next 2024 Texas Business Hall of Fame Inductee is David B. Miller, Co-Founder and Partner of EnCap Investments L.L.C, the leading provider of private equity capital to the oil and gas industry. Miller attended Southern Methodist University on a basketball scholarship and played for the Mustangs 1972 Southwest Conference Championship team. He received his BBA and MBA from SMU in 1972 and 1973. Miller has served on the Board of Trustees at SMU since 2008 and currently serves as Chairman. He received Distinguished Alumni Awards from both SMU and the Cox School of Business and was honored with the Silver Anniversary Mustang Award by the SMU Lettermen’s Association. Miller began his career as an energy lender with Republic Bank of Dallas. In 1980, he co-founded MAZE Exploration, where he served as Co-CEO until its sale in 1986. In 1987 he partnered with legendary oilman, Frank Pitts, in the formation of PMC Reserve Acquisition Co. In the midst of a global energy crisis, Miller wrote the business plan for and co-founded EnCap Investments. EnCap has raised 25 funds and managed $43 billion. It has been instrumental in the formation, capitalization, and growth of some 250 independent energy companies. Please join us in congratulating Mr. Miller on this incredible achievement. To read his full bio, visit https://lnkd.in/gdK6-mRv. Photography by Sarah E Cooper Photography

🌟 Calling all young entrepreneurs in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area! 🌟 The TBHF Alumni Association is thrilled to announce the Outstanding High School Entrepreneur Award in Honor of Coulter and Lily Rush Hoppess! 🏆 This prestigious award recognizes a Texas high school student with exceptional entrepreneurial spirit and business leadership skills. The winner will receive a $2,000 cash prize, an invitation to our annual Induction Ceremony and Awards Luncheon, and a lifetime membership in the TBHF network. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to boost your entrepreneurial journey! To learn more and apply, visit, https://lnkd.in/gF4vQdCz

Reflection, celebration, and strength. We wish you all a festive and meaningful Juneteenth.

TBHF is proud to introduce the 2024 Greg Armstrong Future Texas Legend Veteran Award, Edward Crawford 🇺🇸. Edward is an award-winning business leader and Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Coltala Holdings. Edward’s journey from a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic to impactful leadership roles at Goldman Sachs, the U.S. Navy and building multiple successful companies showcases his commitment to impact and building teams. Edward co-founded War Veterans Fund, aiding war veterans to serve in congress and has served appointments with Texas Economic Development and the Texas Work Force Commission. Edward is a TEDx speaker and leader in the 'Mission and Margin' movement. He is dedicated to integrating service with entrepreneurial success, and nurturing leaders driven by purpose and impact. Edward served as a Naval Intel Officer in Latin America and was the Tribal and Political Advisor for a Special Operations Task Force in Afghanistan earning the Bronze Star. Edward is a Board Member of The Dallas YPO Chapter and has degrees from TCU, Tulane and an MBA from MIT Sloan as a MIT Sloan Leadership Fellow. Welcome to the TBHF family, Edward. We look forward to celebrating you this November in Dallas. Thank you to Bank of Texas, the 2024 sponsor for the Annual Future Texas Business Legend Awards Luncheon. We look forward to celebrating with our award recipients in November.