Name: Nikki Van Hightower
Title: Retired TAMU Faculty
Organization: Texas A&M University

Bio: Dr. Nikki R. Van Hightower is a retired faculty member from Texas A&M University, Department of Political Science, where she specialized in teaching Women and Politics and State and Local Government, publishing numerous articles on women and politics. She is the founder and former executive director of the Houston Area Women's Center. She has been a candidate for local and state office three times and was elected Harris County Treasurer in 1986, serving until 1990.

Name: Kathleen Y'Barbo Turner
Title: Publisher's Weekly Bestselling Author and Paralegal
Organization: Guideposts Books, Random House, etc.

Bio: Kathleen Y’Barbo is a Publishers Weekly Bestselling of more than one hundred books with over two million copies of in print in the US and abroad. A tenth-generation Texan and certified probate and family law paralegal, she is a member of the Texas Bar Paralegal Division, Texas A&M Association of Former Students, Aggie Women, Sisters in Crime, and American Christian Fiction Writers. To find out more about Kathleen and her latest book THE YES DARE, check out her website at www.kathleenybarbo.com.

Name: Amy Bacon
Title: Gift Planning Officer
Organization: Texas A&M Foundation

Bio: Amy Bacon is an author/historian and a Gift Planning Officer for the Texas A&M Foundation serving Aggies who have generously included Texas A&M in their future plans as well as assisting others who are wanting to learn more about gift planning options such as gifts in wills, retirement accounts, charitable trusts, and other methods of giving. Her career experience includes being a professional fundraiser for Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, University of Houston-Clear Lake, and Rice.

Name: Deeanne Gist
Title: International Bestselling, Award-winning Author
Organization: Simon & Schuster

Bio: With books in trade, digital, audio, large-print, and foreign languages, Deeanne Gist has rocketed up bestseller lists. Her release, Tiffany Girl, was touted as a “Must Year of the Year!” by USA Today and one of the Top 10 Most Anticipated Books by Huffington Post. Her awards include National Readers’ Choice, Librarians’ Choice, Book Buyers’ Best, Books*A*Million Pick of the Month, Seal of Excellent, Award of Excellence, and RITA for Best Historical of the Year. Learn more at IWantHerBook.com.

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Name: Blake Petty
Title: Executive Director
Organization/Company: McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship/Texas A&M University

Bio: Blake Petty ('98) serves as Executive Director for the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship at Texas A&M, where he helps provide services and support to current and former students looking to build and grow their ventures. A Certified Incubator Manager, Mr. Petty also co-founded TAMU's student business incubator, Startup Aggieland, as well as the Aggie Angel Network. Over his career, Blake has helped launch more than 30 new companies, while mentoring hundreds of others launching businesses.

Name: Tim Jeffcoat
Title: District Director
Organization: US Small Business Administration

Bio: Tim oversees SBA in Houston and the surrounding 32 counties. Most of Tim’s career has been private sector leadership roles in international business, marketing and business development. An MBA graduate of Auburn, Tim also has BS degrees in Marketing and Music Business. Tim was nominated as Most Valuable Player at SBA, has completed four iron-distance triathlons and the Escape from Alcatraz, teaches graduate classes in Economics and produces music in his spare time.

Name: Celia Goode-Haddock
Title: Retired CEO
Organization/Company: University Title Company

Bio: Celia Goode-Haddock is a native of College Station and graduated Texas A&M 1972. After graduation she went to work in her father's law firm and title company. In 1984 she and her partners bought University Title Company. It was once a small company but once she became manager it went from last place to first with over 60% of the market share out of four companies. In addition to her work, she has been active in leadership and volunteer positions statewide and locally.