Distinguished Graduates Join Hall of Fame

McCombs Announces 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees and Rising Stars

Friends and distinguished alumni of the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin inducted four alumni into the school’s Hall of Fame ceremony held in November at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center. The honorees for 2024 were Christopher Bake, BBA ’88; Ray Brimble, B.A. ’74; Bennett Glazer, BBA ’68; and Brien Smith, BBA ’79, MPA ’81.

McCombs also recognized younger alumni with the Rising Star Award. The honorees were Simeon Bochev, B.S. ’12, M.S. ’13; Michael Ginnings, BBA ’09; and Gerardo Guardado, MBA ’10.

The Hall of Fame was established in 1983 in recognition of the University’s centennial celebration, and induction into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed by the McCombs School of Business. Honorees are people who have made outstanding professional contributions to the business community and who have advanced humanity through their exemplary civic, philanthropic, and educational activities. 

The Rising Star Award recognizes young alumni who are making their mark in their respective fields. It was established in 2004.

2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

Christopher Bake, BBA ’88

Executive Committee Member and Head of Origination, Vitol

Christopher Bake retired in July 2024 from his executive duties on the board of Vitol, a global energy and commodity trading company founded in 1966, which had revenue of $400 billion in 2023.

Since joining Vitol in 1995, he held various management positions in London, Dubai, Bahrain, Houston, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Bake was appointed to the Executive Committee in 2009. He formerly worked for BP and Phibro.

He was also chairman of VTTI, an independent provider of global energy storage infrastructure for liquids and gas. In addition, Bake supports The GroundTruth Project, which is dedicated to helping the next generation of journalists in the U.S. and around the world. It focuses on serving communities that have received little attention and advancing sustainability, innovation, and equity in journalism.

Bake is also the founding donor of the Global Sustainability Leadership Institute at UT. He holds a BBA in international business and marketing from UT. He and his wife, Cynthia, have been married for 30 years and have four children.

Ray Brimble, B.A. ’74

Founder and Chairman, Lynxs Holdings LLC
Founder and Chairman, Scymaris Ltd.
Founder, Seed/Pod Holdings LLC

Ray Brimble is the founder and chairman of Lynxs Holdings LLC, founder and chairman of Scymaris Ltd., and founder of Seed/Pod Holdings LLC. His business portfolio combines entrepreneurial, managerial, and academic accomplishments spanning a 49-year career, which began when he founded his first company at the age of 22.

His talent has earned him a place as an international leader in Texas business circles with global impact. He is the founder of the One Skye Foundation–Brimble Family Foundation, a founding board member of the Austin Together fund, a member of the McCombs School of Business Advisory Council, and a member of the International Board of Advisors for the UT Office of the President. 

Brimble holds a B.A. in international studies, ampla cum laude from UT, and an M.A. in international affairs from The George Washington University.

Bennett Glazer, BBA ’68

President and CEO, Glazer’s Inc.

Bennett Glazer is the president and CEO of Glazer’s Inc. He began his career as a salesman in 1968, and in 1996 he took over the family business when he was elected president and CEO of Glazer’s.

Glazer’s Inc. is the parent company that owns 100% of Glazer’s Beer & Beverage and is a substantial partner in Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Glazer’s Inc. also owns various real estate companies.

He received a BBA from UT in 1968.

Brien P. Smith, BBA ’79, MPA ’81

Managing Director and Senior Adviser, Neuberger Berman Private Capital

Brien Smith s a managing director of Neuberger Berman and senior adviser of Neuberger Berman Private Capital. He is a member of the Private Portfolios, Co-Investment, and Private Debt Investment Committees. Smith is also a member of Neuberger Berman’s Private Asset Valuation Committee and the Global Risk Committee. He was senior portfolio manager from 2001 to 2017 and chief operating officer of Neuberger Berman Private Capital from 2017 through 2022.

Before joining Neuberger Berman in 2001, he worked in the middle market private equity firm Mason Best Company LP and its affiliates. He began his career at Arthur Andersen & Co.

Smith is a life member of the McCombs School of Business Advisory Council. He is also on the board of the Ex-Students Association of The University of Texas, chairing its Investment Committee from 2017 to 2024 and serving as the organization’s president for the 2024–2025 school year.

He received BBA and MPA degrees from UT. Smith and his wife, Anne, have been married for almost 45 years since meeting in a finance class at the University. They have two sons and five grandchildren.

2024 Rising Stars

Simeon Bochev, MSF ’13

Co-Founder and CEO, The Compute Exchange

Simeon Bochev s the co-founder and CEO of The Compute Exchange, a seed-stage fully funded artificial intelligence infrastructure startup based in the San Francisco Bay Area. His mission is to build the world’s most trusted, transparent, and efficient exchange for “compute” — a general term for the various components of technology infrastructure, which include central processing units, graphical processing units, and data centers.

Bochev is currently advising dozens of CEOs and businesses, including many in the Fortune 100, and regularly consults with governments on tech, AI, and business policy.

Bochev has a B.S. in electrical and computer engineering and an M.S. in finance from UT, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Michael Ginnings, BBA ’09

Managing Director, Credit Solutions, TPG Angelo Gordon

Michael Ginnings is a managing director at TPG Angelo Gordon. He leads the Credit Solutions Group’s investments in technology and communications. Before joining TPG Angelo Gordon, Ginnings was a managing director at Contrarian Capital Management. He was previously a senior investment analyst at Panning Capital Management and Golub Capital. Ginnings began his career at Evercore.

He received a BBA in finance from UT. He is the incoming chair of New York for McCombs, a council designed to strengthen the McCombs School of Business’ network, increase opportunities for students, and foster alumni engagement.

Gerardo Guardado, MBA ’10

CFO, VP Finance and Development Committee, The Home Depot Mexico

serves as CFO for The Home Depot Mexico. The largest home improvement retailer in the world, The Home Depot operates in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

After more than 25 years as a financial executive, Guardado has well-rounded experience in mergers and acquisitions, business process efficiency, strategic business development, and sales and operations in several industries, including petrochemical, oil and gas, consumer packaged goods, and retail.

Guardado graduated with a B.S. in industrial engineering from Tec de Monterrey and an MBA from UT’s McCombs School of Business.

Guardado and his wife, Alejandra, reside in Monterrey, Mexico, with their two children.

Story by Aidan Keel