McCombs 2025 Hall of Fame Ceremony Recognizes 5 Inductees and 3 Rising Star Recipients
On Nov. 20, notable alumni, friends, and Texas McCombs staff members convened at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center for the annual McCombs School of Business Hall of Fame celebration, honoring five new Hall of Fame inductees and three Rising Star Award recipients. This year’s Hall of Fame inductees were Howard M. Berk, BBA ’87; R. Scott Dennis, BBA ’81; James Neissa, BBA ’85; Kent Ferguson, BBA ’80; and Sue Gove, BBA ’78.
Lillian F. Mills, dean of the McCombs School of Business, emceed the event, her last before she steps down in May 2026.
“This is bittersweet for me. I’m in my last year and everything I do is imbued with so much gratitude to have been your dean these six years, and that goes double for being here tonight to honor these incredible alumni,” an emotional Mills said as the crowd stood to applaud her.
The McCombs School established the Hall of Fame in 1983 as part of The University of Texas at Austin’s centennial celebration. The Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made outstanding professional contributions to the business community and who, by their exemplary civic, philanthropic, and educational activities, have advanced humanity. This is the highest honor given by the McCombs School of Business. Recipients are chosen by a selection committee.
Sam L. Susser, Advisory Council chair, commented on the leadership demonstrated by each of the inductees.
“We are tremendously grateful to [the Hall of Fame inductees] for giving so much of yourselves to higher education and the efforts of the McCombs School of Business and the University,” he said.
The Rising Star award was also bestowed on three outstanding alumni. Established in 2004, this award is presented to young professionals who have experienced success in their industry while showing exemplary service to McCombs. These are graduates who have presented themselves as consummate professionals and dedicated businesspeople. Rising Star award recipients are chosen by the McCombs BBA and MBA advisory boards and the dean.
“McCombs presents these awards to younger alumni who have experienced professional success and shown exemplary service back to Texas McCombs,” Mills said. “We are already so proud of you.”
The evening began with opening remarks from Mills, followed by Rising Star recipients taking to the podium to accept their awards. Susser then introduced each of the Hall of Fame inductees, noting each one’s personal and professional achievements before welcoming them to the stage as a video montage honoring each person played.
Susser was particularly moved when presenting the award to friend and fraternity brother Howard M. Berk.
“To be surrounded by people who share your aspirations and do the meaningful civic work together is the most rewarding thing imaginable,” he said. “Tonight, we are here to honor one of those very special people that I’ve grown to respect and love so much: Howard M. Berk.”
Berk, who went on to receive an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1991 after his time at McCombs, is the advisory partner at BDT & MSD Partners. He thanked his family and friends and noted that without his time at McCombs, his journey would have looked very different.
“To be included among this extraordinary group of alumni is humbling beyond words,” Berk said. “UT has given me more than I could ever give back. Our family will forever be intwined with The University of Texas and be proud.”
R. Scott Dennis, CEO of Invesco Private Markets and Invesco Real Estate, spoke next, citing what he thinks being a leader is all about.
“I loved every minute of being at The University of Texas,” he said. “And having the opportunity as an alumnus to reinvest and pay forward what I’ve learned has been a blast.”
Accepting his award, Kent Ferguson, CEO of Healthcare Facilities Development Corp., expressed his deep gratitude to his family and friends who continue to keep him grounded.
“There’s one debt I will never be able to repay, and that’s the debt I owe for the outstanding education I received at the McCombs School of Business,” Ferguson said. “And for that I remain eternally grateful.”
Sue Gove, corporate board director and president of Excelsior Advisors LLC, shared what her time at McCombs meant to her, something she is now able to experience through her granddaughter’s eyes.
“I absolutely believe that it’s true that what starts here changes the world,” Gove said. “And I couldn’t be more proud of being an alumna of McCombs and The University of Texas. It’s changed my world.”
James Neissa, chairman of Rothschild & Co. North America, accepted his award and immediately thanked family and friends in the audience for their unyielding guidance and advice over the years.
“I can’t tell you how lucky I feel to be amongst you, speaking to you,” Neissa said, “and I think what I look forward to in the years to come is to make other people feel lucky.”
The Hall of Fame event takes place every November, with recipients chosen during the spring months. For more information on future nominations and this year’s recipients, please visit the Hall of Fame webpage at https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/hall-of-fame.
2025 Hall of Fame Inductee Videos
Howard M. Berk
BBA Finance, ’87
MBA Harvard Business School, ’91
Advisory Partner, BDT & MSD Partners
R. Scott Dennis
BBA Real Estate, ’81
CEO, Invesco Private Markets and Invesco Real Estate
Kent Ferguson
BBA Finance, ’80
CEO, Healthcare Facilities Development Corp.
Sue Gove
BBA Accounting, ’78
Corporate Board Director
President, Excelsior Advisors LLC
James “Jimmy” Neissa
BBA Accounting, ’85
Chairman, Rothschild & Co. North America
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