The Importance of Mentors in My Life
Celebrating with my mentors in person is one of my favorite ways to show appreciation for all they’ve done to impact my life and career. And last night at the Austin Tech Hall of Fame ceremony for the Austin Technology Council was no exception. I always say, “People Will Be What They Can See.”
When I arrived in Austin in 2011, it was John Sibley Butler (a fellow Veteran) who let me audit in the back of his class at the Texas McCombs School of Business to learn how to speak the language of business. He then recommended that I talk with Laura Kilcrease, the godmother of the Austin technology scene. From there, she introduced me to Admiral Bobby Inman, who is credited with helping put Austin on the map. While she was not inducted this year, I will not be the least bit surprised to see Carol Thompson celebrated next year in the Austin Tech Hall of Fame. From the first time she met me at Starbucks near campus, she has been there from the very beginning of my entrepreneurial journey. I would not be where I am today without the four of them supporting my journey.
It was also wonderful to see my former Board mate from the Austin Chamber of Commerce, Joyce Durst, being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Special congratulations to Ashley M. Rose, CEO of Living Security, as a first-time founder winner and proud portfolio company of the Capital Factory team. A big thank you to Lawrence Waugh for being so generous in sharing his Calavista Software space for the event. It was also a great evening to catch up with friends like Kevin Koym, Stephen Straus, Mitch Jacobson, John Howard (who, by the way, accepted the award on behalf of Michael Dell), Cyndi Schultz from the Capital Factory Dream Team, Joel Trammell, Scott Francis, Linda Ginac, Roland Peña, Harvin Moore, and of course • Thom Singer, CSP 🌟, the CEO of ATC for putting it all together.
Next year I hope to celebrate with Pike Powers to recognize his dad, Pike Powers, for all he did to usher in the technology scene in Austin.
Here’s to the future of technology and to all those who make it happen! 🚀
#TechnologyLeadership #Innovation #AustinTechHallofFame #austintech #austintechnology #celebrateaustintech
