John Gustafson
President & CEO
BS 1991, Moody College of Communication

Frontier Waste Solutions is a fully licensed, non-hazardous solid waste and recycling collection service company. They provide a variety of solid waste and recycling solutions including garbage collection, recycling, bulk and brush removal, dumpster rentals, municipal contract services, and roll-off services. They are committed to quality, safety, customer service and environmental responsibility on all fronts. They believe in becoming a part of the communities they serve. 

Blanca Lesmes
Co-Founder & CEO
MBA 2011, McCombs School of Business

Diana Ferguson
CPO
BA 2004, College of Liberal Arts

BB Imaging was founded to bring excellent, compassionate, and complete ultrasound care to patients across a spectrum of needs. They offer full-service onsite support as well as telesonography support through their proprietary FDA-cleared technology, TeleScan. BB Imaging serves patients in a variety of settings and circumstances, including urban and rural locations across the U.S. BB Imaging's mission is to improve health outcomes by making high-quality ultrasound services accessible.
2024 Returning Winner

Ebony Green
CEO
BS 2006, Moody College of Communication, Life Member

The SPEAK Center for Language and Learning is a comprehensive clinic offering a range of therapeutic services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, music therapy, and physical therapy for individuals with developmental disabilities. They also extend support through respite care, habilitation, and attendant care. Their primary patient population are Autistic children and adults. The name SPEAK stands for Supporting Parents and Empowering All Kids, reflecting our dedication to inclusive care. 

Waseem Ansari
CEO
BS 2010, Cockrell School of Engineering

QED Global Solutions is an engineering consulting firm specializing in forensic engineering. They are retained to determine the origin and cause of the reported failure and testify in court if needed.

Jeffrey Givens
COO
BS 2005, Moody College of Communication, Life Member

JDA TSG provides business process outsourcing services to companies so they can focus on delivering the very best experience to their customers. They provide the strategy, highly skilled teams, and energy it takes to make change happen quickly, even on a large scale. JDA TSG holds themselves and the outsourced business processes they deliver to a higher standard than anyone else in the outsourced industry. 

Marlow Nickell
Co-Founder & CEO
BA 2015, College of Natural Sciences

Grocery TV is an in-store retail media network with over 21,000 displays in grocery stores across the U.S. and over 200 retail partners, including Cub Foods, ShopRite, and Winn-Dixie. Retailers partner with Grocery TV to connect their in-store retail media strategy, engage with shoppers, and generate incremental revenue. Brands leverage Grocery TV to reach over 74 million shoppers in brick-and-mortar stores. 
2024 Returning Winner

Hunter Beaton
CEO
BS 2022, Moody College of Communication

Day 1 Bags provides brand new, high-quality bags to youth in foster care instead of trash bags as luggage when they are moving from home to home. They have given over 150,000 bags to youth in need across 47 states. They run intentional campaigns focused on improving the lives of youth experiencing foster care.
2023 & 2024 Returning Winner

Gerardo Castillo
President
BA 2002, College of Liberal Arts;
MPAff 2017, LBJ School of Public Affairs, Life Member

ABML works closely with government agencies, municipalities, and private sector partners to deliver essential services in times of crisis. ABML projects include base camps/ temporary housing, border security, medical field operations, temporary power distribution, and rapid repair and construction of public and private infrastructure. From the front lines against the COVID-19 pandemic to setting up 100% self-sustaining first responder base camp villages, ABML offers national, turnkey management and logistics solutions. 

Jim Sheahan
Franchisee
BS 1990, College of Communication, Life Member

Jim Sheahan, owner of Jimmy Cakes LLC, currently owns and operates 12 Nothing Bundt Cakes bakeries in Texas and Oklahoma and holds development rights to build another six. Sheahan prides himself on building great culture in his bakeries and providing an outstanding work environment for his team members, while serving top-tier products and service to his guests.
2023 & 2024 Returning Winner

Christopher Seals
Co-Founder & CEO
BA 1996, College of Liberal Arts, Life Member

Still Austin Whiskey Co. is the first grain-to-glass distillery to open in Austin, Texas since the end of Prohibition. Their premium, award-winning whiskey can be purchased in more than 30 states or sipped at their tasting room and live entertainment venue, which connects artists, creatives, and musicians who embody Texas culture to a community of whiskey aficionados. All spirits are hand-crafted using grains grown by Texas farmers.
2024 Returning Winner