McCombs Graduates Shine at Longhorn 100
Their businesses fill the top 10 and 46 slots overall in the Texas Exes awards
Businesses run by graduates of the McCombs School of Business took nine of the top 10 places, as well as the President’s Impact Award, at the Texas Exes’ Longhorn 100 Gala on May 2. Overall, McCombs alumni were involved in 46 of the 100 award-winning companies and firms, making it the most represented school on the list.
“Year after year, McCombs graduates show why our school remains at the forefront of business education,” Dean Lillian Mills said. “I’m incredibly proud to see our alumni dominate this year’s Longhorn 100 results. These awards showcase our community’s collective impact on innovation and growth.”
The No. 1 business was REV GUM, which makes a caffeinated, sugar-free gum. The Longhorn-rich company includes founder and CEO Blake Settle, B.S.A. ’19; head of supply chain Matthew Jernigan, BBA ’20; and head of sales Hannah Shebat, BBA ’18. Two of the company’s co-founders are Reed Burch, BBA ’19, and Sam Ehlinger, BBA ’20.
Two other notable top businesses were No. 4 BeatBox Beverages and No. 8 Direct Digital Holdings. Both have finished in the top 10 during all three years of the awards. “The Longhorn 100 is a powerful showcase of the entrepreneurial spirit at UT Austin. It’s proving, yet again, that what starts here changes the world,” Mills said.
The alumni association presents the awards to recognize the fastest-growing businesses founded, led, or owned by Longhorns. Chet Garner, host of “The Daytripper” TV show, was the master of ceremonies at this year’s festivities, with the help of outgoing Texas Exes CEO Chuck Harris.
“This was only the third year of the Longhorn 100, which was really built by my predecessor, Chuck Harris,” said Robert W. Jones, BBA ’87, the new CEO of the Texas Exes. “There is nowhere to go but up with this event — the number of thriving Longhorn businesses continues to grow, and we look forward to celebrating them for decades to come.”
Another Longhorn-rich company is Siete Foods, the winner of the President’s Impact Award, which recognizes a Longhorn business that has had a lasting impact on an industry, community, or the society at large.
The family business was launched by Veronica Garza, B.A. ’03; brother Miguel Garza, BBA ’09, J.D. ’12; and their mother, Aida Garza. It quickly expanded, and other family members — including father Bobby Garza, BBA ’76, and sisters Linda Garza, B.J. ’97, and Rebecca Garza Cuellar, B.S. ’06, M.A. ’08 — joined the team. The company makes nontraditional versions of Mexican and Mexican American foods.
The full list of winners can be found on the Texas Exes website here.
McCombs 2025 Longhorn 100 Winners
1. REV GUM
Matthew Jernigan, BBA ’20
Head of Supply Chain
Hannah Shebat, BBA ’18
Head of Sales
Reed Burch, BBA ’19
Co-Founder
Sam Ehlinger, BBA ’20
Co-Founder
Austin – Food and Beverage Products
2024 Returning Winner Top 10
John Joyoprayitno, B.A. ’02, MSTC ’13
Co-Founder, CEO, and President
Bhushan Holay, MBA ’13
CFO
Austin – Health Care
3. Water Lens
Keith Cole, BBA ’88
Founder and CEO
Houston – Energy and Environment
Justin Fenchel, MBA ’13
Co-Founder and CEO
Aimy Steadman, B.S. ’08, MBA ’13
Co-Founder and COO
Austin – Food and Beverage Products
2024 Returning Winner Top 10
Fadi Halim Agour, BBA ’99
Founder, CEO
Houston – Legal Services
Brian Peters, BBA ’21
Co-Founder
The Hills – Travel and Lodging
2024 Returning Winner
Diana Diaz, BBA ’85
CFO
Houston – Science and Technology
2024 Returning Winner Top 10
9. Strategar
Yareli Esteban, BBA ’99
CEO and President
Dallas – Marketing and Advertising
2024 Returning Winner
10. Mainstream Medical Devices
Dana Wilcox, MSTC ’03
CEO
Austin – Manufacturing
12. MALK Organics
Jason Bronstad, BBA ’02
CEO
Austin – Food and Beverage Products
Jeremy Johnson, MBA ’12
President
Buda – Construction, Home Improvement, and Structure
2024 Returning Winner
Wesley Murray, BBA ’14
Co-Founder, COO
Houston – Insurance
16. WildFire Energy
Drew Cozby, BBA ’89
CFO
Houston – Energy and Environment
18. CloudServus
Steve Painter, BBA ’90, MBA ’91
CFO
Austin – Information Technology
2024 Returning Winner Top 10
20. Alto
Will Coleman, BBA ’07
Co-Founder, CEO
Dallas – Transportation and Delivery Services
22. Hamperapp
Jorge Rodriguez, MBA ’23
CEO
Miami – Other
24. Texas Standard
Drew Bagot, BBA ’08
CEO
Austin – Retail and Shopping
2024 Returning Winner
25. MangoChango
Rene Larrave, MBA ’87
Founder, Chairman
Dallas – Information Technology
31. Page
Thomas McCarthy, BBA ’88
CEO
Washington, D.C. – Architecture, Interior Design, and Planning
2024 Returning Winner
34. BB Imaging
Blanca Lesmes, MBA ’11
Co-Founder and CEO
Austin – Health Care
2024 Returning Winner
45. Tempjacket
Brendan Crouch, MSTC ’24
Co-Founder and President
Austin – Manufacturing
49. IRSProb.com
Randell Martin, BBA ’97
Managing Director
Dallas – Business and Professional Services
Carrie Stein, BBA ’95
Co-CEO
Austin – Marketing and Advertising
58. LeMel
Melanie Fitzpatrick, BBA ’08
Co-Founder
Houston – Retail and Shopping
2024 Returning Winner
William Bridges, MBA ’11
Co-Founder, President, Operator
Austin – Arts, Culture, and Entertainment
64. Brandy Perryman Shooting Camp
Amanda Elena Cobarruvias Perryman, BBA ’99
Co-Owner
Austin – Sports and Recreation
Gregory Busch, BBA ’92
Owner
Chesterfield, Missouri – Health care
2024 Returning Winner
66. Pachamama Coffee
Thaleon Tremain, MBA ’00
CEO
Sacramento, California – Food and Beverage Products
Eric Rich, BBA ’92
Partner
Frisco – Business and Professional Services
2024 Returning Winner
John Cerda, MSTC ’03
CEO
Austin – Communications and Telecomms
2024 Returning Winner
74. Abilitie
Bjorn Billhardt, BBA/B.A. ’97
Founder and CEO
Austin – Education, Training, Consulting
2024 Returning Winner
Adam Lampert, BBA/B.A. ’88
Founder, CEO
Dallas – Health Care
Kevin Smith, BBA ’04
Managing Partner
Austin – Banking and Finance
2024 Returning Winner
81. North Texas Real Estate Information Systems
John Robert Pharr, BBA ’72
CFO
Dallas – Information Technology
Ben Steckbeck, BBA ’00
Co-Founder
Austin – Marketing and Advertising
87. Coyle Capital
Brandon White, BBA ’02, MBA ’13
President
Lakeway – Banking and Finance
88. Ticket City
Randy Cohen, BBA ’87
Founder
Clark Kothlow, BBA ’93
CFO and Executive Vice President
Austin – Retail and Shopping
2024 Returning Winner Top 10
Michael Fitzgerald, BBA/MPA ’88
Senior Vice President
Houston – Banking and Finance
Kevin Rammage, MBA ’09
Partner
Scott Chiou, MBA ’09
Partner
Denton Newham, MBA ’06
Partner
Jeremy Dunford, MBA ’13
Partner
Dallas – Education, Training, and Consulting
91. Drafft
Nathan Klatt, BBA/MPA ’95
CFO and Treasurer
Dallas – Food and Beverage Products
92. Venturity
Tracey Huff, BBA ’92
COO
Dallas – Business and Professional Services
Donald Ochsenreiter, MBA ’81
CEO and President
Fort Worth – Manufacturing
95. Risher Martin
Christopher Risher, BBA ’99
Principal
Austin – Construction, Home Improvement, and Structure
Adam Beebe, MBA ’11
President
Houston – Banking and Finance
2024 Returning Winner
97. Neighborhood Veterinary Centers
Shay Hanson, BBA ’02
CEO
Nederland – Pet Services
Iain Howe, BBA/MPA ’02
President
Austin – Accounting and Tax Services
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