Hello Longhorn

How do you turn a passion for events into a career raising over $300 million for causes that matter? Meet Jennifer Stevens, BA '95, Life Member, and founder of JHL Company, on this week's episode of Hello Longhorn! Jennifer brings people together for meaningful experiences—and raises millions along the way. From Mack, Jack & McConaughey to FORE Kids ATX and Band Together Texas, there's a lot we ca...

Clay Imports, run by Nick Barreiro, BA '13, Life Member, his brother Zac Barreiro, and Canan Kaba, MA '16, Life Member, creates handcrafted tile, architectural clay products, and home goods in Mexico. Nick never imagined he would go to college, but UT helped shape his journey. He met his wife, Canan, through the university, and together with his brother, they built Clay Imports, whose work can be...

Liz Schoenfeld's, BA '07, BS '07, MA '10, Ph. D. '13, journey to becoming the CEO of LifeWorks started at UT—studying romantic relationships, earning her Ph. D., and eventually becoming an intern at LifeWorks. Today, she is the CEO, helping solve youth homelessness through housing, mental health, education, and workforce services. Learn more about Lifeworks: Lifeworks Learn more about the Longhorn...

Chris Gay, BA '97, BBA '98, took on healthcare because he had a why: friends who lost their lives to something that was entirely preventable. A serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Evry Health, Chris believes doing nothing is not an option. Apathy is not in his vocabulary. One of the fastest growing Longhorn companies, Evry Health is a tech-forward B2B health insurance provider, providing greater...

Maria Cisne Farahani, BA '78, came to The University of Texas from Nicaragua, and her husband, Many Farahani, BS '78, came from Iran. They met for the first time at Contessa West, where Maria was a RA. Now, they own three coffee farms in Nicaragua that produce the beans roasted and sold in Austin known by all as Fara Coffee. Learn more about Fara Coffee:  Fara Coffee Hello Longhorn is brought to y...

Zach Walker, MPAFF '09, and Shawn Kotoske, MBA '21, have impressive resumes, including experience at the NSA, CIA, DIU, and the Pentagon. Now, their business, ATX Defense, helps companies that work with the military ensure they are secure enough to do business with the government, while also helping military organizations modernize the technology they use. Get to know Longhorn 100 winners Zach and...

Amy Jones, BJ '88, Life Member, thought she'd work in magazines. Instead, she became CEO of O'Connell Robertson, an integrated architecture, engineering and interior design firm with a mission-driven approach. And if you've walked around campus, you've likely seen their work—from the Texas Union and North End Zone to the Softball Players Lounge and more. 🤘 Listen to how this Moody College grad tu...

J.B. Sauceda, the Texas Country Reporter, is a man who wears many hats. As the Texas Country Reporter he tells the stories of "ordinary Texans doing extraordinary things." After a career spanning photography, logistics, and even some Texas Humor, he is back on the Forty Acres to finish his degree. Watch Texas Country Reporter: Home - Texas Country Reporter Follow J.B. Sauceda: J.B. Sauceda (@jaybs...

  This Longhorn created the hair tie everyone is wearing. Andrea Nucete-Elliott, BA '17, is the CEO of TIY Products, maker of customizable hair ties that range from a fashion statement to essential athletic gear.   Hello Longhorn is brought to you by LLH Healthcare, the official employee benefits sponsor of Texas Athletics. Better benefits. Greater impact. That's the LLH difference. Discover how y...

Stephen Herrera, MBA '26, is the co-founder and CEO of Pinpoint Irrigation. Pinpoint is building smart hardware that is revolutionizing landscape irrigation to save water, time, and money. Learn how this recent graduate used every resource at The University of Texas to launch his business. Notes: Follow Pinpoint Irrigation: Pinpoint Irrigation If you want to listen to other stories of companies st...

Our season 2 finale of Hello Longhorn features the founders of Pluckers Wing Bar! Hear from Mark Greenberg, BS '95, Dave Paul, BS '95, and Sean Greenberg, BBA '99, about how a simple wing-delivery idea turned into something much bigger—now with 34 locations and years of Polaroids, trivia champions, and core UT memories. Hello Longhorn is produced by the Texas Exes and Sara Light, BS '02, Life Memb...

You can play six degrees of Gary Farmer in Central Texas—but without Texas, Gary would say he wouldn't be who he is today. This week on Hello Longhorn, meet Distinguished Alumnus Gary Farmer, BBA '80, JD '84, Life Member. As President of Heritage Title Company of Austin and past chair of Opportunity Austin, Gary has plenty of stories to share Hello Longhorn is produced by the Texas Exes and Sara L...

Carrie Colbert, BS '99, MBA '09, Life Member, graduated at the top of her class from the Cockrell School of Engineering with a degree in petroleum engineering. After a successful career in the oil and gas industry, she now leads Curate Capital, a venture capital fund focused on investing in female-founded consumer brands—including Longhorn-founded Live Tinted.   Hello Longhorn is produced by the T...

She worked 40–50 hours a week coaching gymnastics to put herself through UT. Now, she's leading one of the fastest-growing Longhorn-owned companies of 2026. Meet Natalie Egan, BA '00, of Jump! Gymnastics, a locally owned gymnastics and early learning center for ages 2–12. Hello Longhorn is a weekly Texas Exes podcast introducing you to Longhorn entrepreneurs and business leaders. We want to know w...

Erine Gray, MPAFF '04, Life Member, believed that the right software could connect millions of people to the help they need and improve the entire system. Findhelp was founded to connect people in need to programs that serve them with dignity and ease. Their software platform enables community organizations, governments, and businesses across industries to easily manage and coordinate care, poweri...

This week on Hello Longhorn, we are introducing Sharon Dastur, BBA '92, a Longhorn Band and McCombs alum turned music executive known by Grammy-winning artists for having "platinum ears."   Sharon now runs Dastur Venture and oversees everything from artist development to helping companies with sonic branding. In fact, the Hello Longhorn music was produced by Sharon and her partner Revelation Beats...

Meet Priya Kumar, BBA '07, Life Member and CEO of Sustainable Inc., on Hello Longhorn this week. Sustainable Inc. is a boutique supply chain consulting firm, delivering high-impact results across sourcing and procurement, logistics and transportation, and demand planning and forecasting.   Learn more about the Longhorn Business Network at www.texasexes.org/connect-longhorn-business-network.     Ab...

This week on Hello Longhorn, meet Jason Bronstad, BBA '02, Life Member, and CEO of MALK Organics. MALK specializes in organic, clean-label, plant-based milks and creamers. MALK is on a mission to clean up the plant-based aisle by crafting dairy-free alternatives that are as simple as they are delicious. Made with organic ingredients you can actually pronounce, free from gums, oils, and fillers, an...

This week on Hello Longhorn, meet Bret Biggart, BA '99, CEO of Freedom Power. Freedom Power delivers heating & cooling, battery backup, solar power, and generator solutions for homes and businesses across the great state of Texas & Florida. Based in Austin since 2007, Freedom Solar has installed more than 281 megawatts of solar panels for tens of thousands of homeowners and hundreds of top compani...

After exploring a variety of careers, sisters Margaret Walker, BJ '97, and Sarah Caruth, BA '00, launched Fraulein Boot Company— blending femininity with vintage flair. Fraulein Boot Company pays homage to Western Couture and the feeling of power and confidence that comes from wearing a pair of these signature showstoppers.   Learn more about Fraulein www.frauleinboots.com Learn more about the Lon...

Diana Skellenger, BS '12, and Sean Skellenger, BBA, MPA '11, Life Member, are the Longhorn couple running Skelly Build, an award-winning, woman owned construction company. Whether it's a home, office, or commercial space, they create your happy place through a simple construction process. They are your builder team, committed to your satisfaction, timeline, and budget.   More info on Skelly Build:...

Derrick Johnson's Defend the Dream Foundation was founded in 2012 with the mission to provide low-income and inner city youth with opportunities and resources to reach their full potential. To date, Longhorn Derrick Johnson, BS '20, Life Member, has created over 23 library's through his foundation. More info here: derrickjohnsonfoundation.org   Learn more about ring week at Texas Exes and how you...

This week on Hello Longhorn, meet the owner of Soto & Co, Meet Rick Soto, BS '08. Soto & Co . designs fine men's suits, custom dress shirts, and other tailored pieces to complement or complete your sophisticated wardrobe.   Learn more about the Longhorn Business Network at  www.texasexes.org/connect-longhorn-business-network . Learn more about ring week at Texas Exes and how you can get your ring!...

What started as a McCombs class project is now an award-winning safety tool voted the No. 1 pepper spray of 2025.   Safely, creates stylish, less lethal self-defense products that have your safety needs covered. Their first product is a lab-tested, maximum strength, holographic pepper spray.   Learn more about the Longhorn Business Network at  www.texasexes.org/connect-longhorn-business-network ....

This week on Hello Longhorn , meet Greg Friedman, CEO of Peachtree Group. Peachtree Group is an investment firm driving growth with a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate assets and other ventures. They focus on real estate acquisition, development, and lending and manage billions in equity, augmented by services designed to protect, support, and grow their investments.   Learn more about t...