About the Series

The Meadows Center for Entrepreneurial Studies promotes and encourages entrepreneurial thought, business and activities locally, regionally and nationally.

Paula Gold-Williams speaking at Forum Breakfast at the Pearll
Speaker at podium during Forum Series event

The purpose of the Forum on Entrepreneurship Series is to offer the larger San Antonio community and students of St. Mary’s University a forum to hear from some of the most talented individuals in industry and government. Funds generated from the series support student scholarships and encourage entrepreneurial activities in San Antonio and the region. The Forum on Entrepreneurship Series attracts two to three hundred attendees to its bi-monthly events.

Great leaders who have served as speakers include:

  • Preston Woolfolk, CEO, DOCUmation
  • Hunter Woolfolk, CEO, DOCUmation
  • Brigadier General Laura L. Lenderman, United States Air Force
  • Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, President and CEO, greater:SATX
  • Jim Sinegal, co-founder, Costco Wholesale
  • Lanham Napier, co-founder and CEO, BuildGroup
  • Chad McNair, CEO, McNair Java Partners, LLC
  • Kellie Fischer, executive vice president and chief financial officer of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club
  • Robert Kaplan, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
  • Lynda Ellis, owner, president and CEO of Capital Concierge
  • James Garvin, Ph.D., CEO, president and director of CytoBioScience, Inc.
  • Dennis Noll, CEO of San Antonio Area Foundation
  • Bryant Ambelang, president and CEO of NatureSweet Brands LTD
  • Mike Howard, chairman and CEO of Howard Midstream Energy Partners, LLC
  • Shannon Schuyler, principal, chief purpose officer and corporate responsibility leader of PwC, and president of PwC Charitable Foundation
  • Adam L. Hamilton, P.E., president of Southwest Research Institute
  • Stuart Parker (M.B.A. ’95), CEO of USAA
  • Daymond John, founder and CEO of FUBU apparel, author, and marketing and branding judge for ABC’s Shark Tank
  • Paula Gold-Williams (B.B.A. ’84), CEO of CPS Energy
  • Tom Kartsotis, founder of Fossil and Shinola
  • Bill Greehey, chairman of NuStar Energy, L.P.
  • Kelly S. King, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Truist Financial Corporation
  • Randy Harig, CEO of Texas Research & Technology Foundation and VelocityTX
  • Brad Barron, President and CEO, NuStar Energy, L.P.
  • Angela Yochem, EVP and Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Novant Health
  • Andrew Endicott, Co-founder and General Partner, Gilgamesh Ventures
  • Lorenzo Gomez III, community builder, author and public speaker, former director of Rackspace
  • Jacqueline Darna, CEO and medical inventor of the NoMo Nausea, NoMo Migraine and NoMo Sleepless Nights
  • Craig Boyan, President of H-E-B
  • Anna M. Alvarado, Managing Director, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, Texas Capital Bank
  • Randy Smith, Co-Founder and CEO, Weston Urban
  • Cat Dizon, Co-founder and COO, Active Capital
  • Kate Rogers, Executive Director of Alamo Trust
  • Michael Kiolbassa, CEO of Kiolbassa Provision Company
Past Speakers

Forum Speakers

Graham Weston

Graham Weston
Entrepreneur, Former Founder, CEO and Chairman of Rackspace Hosting, Inc.
Thursday, March, 27, 2025
Witte Museum, Dawson Family Hall

7 to 8 a.m., networking
8 to 9 a.m., program

register now

Graham Weston

A lifelong entrepreneur, Weston launched his first business as a seventh grader, marketing organic pork. In high school he developed a business taking photos at livestock shows to sell to the animal’s owners. He went on to attend Team A&M University, where he launched a venture helping local property owners appeal their tax bills. Transitioning into real estate, Weston bought and developed the Weston Centre, which became a premiere location for businesses to headquarters.  

In 1998, he took a chance on an unusual business idea pitched to him by three young computer geeks and co-founded Rackspace Hosting (NYSE: RAX), serving as CEO until 2006 when he accepted the position of Chairman. In the same year, Weston was voted “Best Boss” by FORTUNE Small Business and regional “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernest & Young.  

Weston is passionate about issues of urban development, information technology education and entrepreneurship. He is co-founder of Geekdom, a collaborative workspace and start-up accelerator, as well as the 80/20 Foundation, which seeks to further Weston’s goals through considerable charitable gifts and endowments. 

More about Graham Weston

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Sponsorship Opportunities

To renew your sponsorship, become a new Forum on Entrepreneurship Sponsor, or for additional information about attending, contact forum@stmarytx.edu or 210-436-3124.

Become a Sponsor

Forum Sponsors

  • Title Sponsorship

Board of Directors

  • President
    Paul Hensley, HOLT CAT

    Chairman
    Sergio Palacios, Ph.D., St. Mary’s University

    Vice President-Speakers
    Hector Hernandez, Hernandez Financial Strategies, LLC

    Vice President-Sponsors
    Beth Hair, Vaco

    Treasurer
    Julia Hamon, Wells Fargo

    Secretary
    Pamela A. Luna, St. Mary’s University

    Members

    • Lane Allen, Encore Bank
    • John Bruce, Forvis Mazars
    • Rhonda Calvert, Community Volunteer
    • Jon Crumley, Retired, PwC
    • Violeta Diaz, Ph.D., St. Mary’s University
    • Tres Doran, KPMG LLP
    • Chris C. Edelen, Advisor, Consultant and Investor
    • Tamra Farris, Comerica Bank
    • Paul Garro, St. Therese Province of the Discalced Carmelite Friars
    • Jeffrey Landers, Third Coast Bank
    • Rowena Ortiz-Walters, Ph.D., St. Mary’s University
    • David Pope, Labatt Food Service
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