Texas Business Hall of Fame

We are proud to announce our 2025 inductees, whose extraordinary contributions as business leaders have helped shape our state and its economic future. Ken Fisher, Founder, Fisher Investments - Dallas Rich Kinder & Bill Morgan, Co-Founders Kinder Morgan, Inc. - Houston Chris & Harris Pappas, Co-Founders, Pappas Restaurants, Inc. - Houston Gary Petersen, Marty Phillips, & Bob Zorich, Co-Founders, EnCap Investments L.P. - Houston Holly Thaggard, Founder, Supergoop! - San Antonio Join us to celebrate their story at the Texas Business Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at the Hilton Americas-Houston. This event is proudly presented by Texas Capital. For more details, visit texasbusiness.org. Texas A&M University Texas Tech University Louisiana State University Kinder Foundation Kinder Institute for Urban Research Rice University Discovery Green Conservancy Memorial Hermann Health System University of Mississippi #TBHF2025

Here are this week's top news stories brought to you by ShowIntell : Former President Bush, Gov. Abbott salute Medal of Honor recipients at National Medal of Honor Museum opening. Major TBHF names who helped make the Museum possible include TBHF Legends Jerry Jones and John Goff (who spearheaded the fundraising for the Museum) and Kathy Hildreth, Ross Perot Jr, Charlie Amato and Gary Dudley (SWBC), and Rex Tillerson. https://ow.ly/Kmjq50VqmVP Anyone can ask Mark Cuban, TBHF Legend, for business advice using his new AI chatbot https://ow.ly/kXto50VqmU7 TBHF Legend Whitney Wolfe Herd is back as Bumble’s CEO, says she experienced complete ‘ego death,’ and is turning the dating app into the ‘Love Company’ https://ow.ly/Uqgb50VqmU5 The Guardian House in San Antonio opens new 'Harvey Najim Campus' to support families in need https://ow.ly/pVig50Vqttg The 2025 Inductees to the Texas Business Hall of Fame have been announced! Congratulations to Ken Fisher, Founder of Fisher Investments, Kinder and Bill Morgan, Co-Founders of Kinder Morgan, Inc., Chris Pappas and Harris Pappas, Co-Founders of Pappas Restaurants, Inc., Gary Petersen, Marty Phillips and Bob Zorich, Co-Founders of EnCap Investments L.P., and Holly Thaggard, Founder of Supergoop! https://ow.ly/gCEu50VqueS

?? March Spotlight: Dennis Cail, CEO & Founder of Zirtue ?? From his experiences growing up in Louisiana to his time serving in the Navy, Dennis Cail saw firsthand the struggles of the unbanked and underbanked. Instead of accepting the status quo, he created Zirtue, the world's first relationship-based lending app, offering a smarter alternative to payday lenders. As the 2024 Douglas L. Foshee Future Texas Legend Veteran Award Recipient, Dennis is reshaping financial inclusion and proving that business can be a force for good. Read his full story and insights on leadership, resilience, and impact. ?? https://lnkd.in/diEsxwkK

The wait is almost over! This Thursday, we announce the 2025 Texas Business Hall of Fame Inductees—visionary leaders chosen by their peers for their business success and their deep commitment to their communities. These trailblazers embody TBHF’s core values of enterprise, community, and excellence. Stay tuned—the official announcement goes live Thursday morning at texasbusiness.org!

Here are this week's top news stories brought to you by ShowIntell : TBHF Legend #TaylorSheridan to receive honorary doctoral degree from Texas State University. https://lnkd.in/gxv-Xf-f Growing a small business? Genesis Park founded by TBHF Legend Paul Hobby launches a $300 million small business investment fund. https://lnkd.in/gvjbpbZN See how TBHF Legend Kendra Scott is revolutionizing retail through experience. https://lnkd.in/ggUHMEkc Three Texas gems,?Southwest Airlines, H-E-B and Texas Health Resources make Forbes top 100 best U.S. employers list. https://lnkd.in/gifHaxYC

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room… ?? Where did Tiffany Masterson come up with the name for her fan-favorite skincare brand, DRUNK ELEPHANT? Hear her tell the story of how her brand was inspired by Marula oil and healthy ingredients at our Creators 2025 event in Houston. To watch the full conversation with Tiffany and Janet Gurwitch, please visit https://lnkd.in/gpeyfj_F. Thank you to our sponsor, JPMorganChase and to Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and Ion Houston for their partnership.

?? Give back while exploring the world with TBHF! We’re partnering with Globe Aware Aware, founded by TBHF Alum Kimberly Haley-Coleman, to offer two exclusive service trips: Cuba (2025) & Guatemala (2026). This is a unique opportunity for Alumni Association members to make a meaningful impact, connect with fellow TBHF leaders, and immerse in new cultures—all while Globe Aware handles the planning. ???? Spots are limited! Check your email for details on how to sign up. #TBHFAlumni #GlobeAware

TBHF is proud to highlight the incredible impact of the Vannie E. Cook Jr. Cancer Foundation, Inc., which has been supporting pediatric cancer care in South Texas since its founding in 2000. Director Laura Martinez Ilgun has been with the foundation for over 20 years, contributing to the opening of The Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children's Cancer and Hematology Clinic in McAllen. This clinic provides vital treatment for young patients in the Rio Grande Valley, ensuring they receive the best care without the burden of long-distance travel. Thanks to the foundation’s generous donors and volunteers, no child has ever been turned away due to inability to pay. To learn more, visit www.vanniecook.org. #LegendaryCauses

Making the jump from corporate life to entrepreneurship is no small feat! ?? Hear Janet Gurwitch share the pivotal moment she spotted a major shift in the beauty industry—and how it led her to launch a groundbreaking cosmetics brand, Laura Mercier Cosmetics. ? Watch the full conversation with Tiffany & Janet Gurwitch here: https://lnkd.in/gpeyfj_F A big thank you to our sponsor, JPMorganChase!

Join us for an exclusive breakfast with Jay Steinfeld, founder of Blinds.com and an early adopter during the dot com boom. Presented by the TBHF Alumni Association, this member-only event is a unique opportunity to hear from a business pioneer and gain valuable insights into entrepreneurship and innovation. Be sure to check your email for registration details—space is limited! ??? #TBHFBreakfastClub