The Deal Table

In our latest episode of The Deal Table, we had the honor of hosting Tom Leppert- former Mayor of Dallas, CEO of Turner Construction, White House Fellow, and an all-around leadership powerhouse. What stood out most wasn’t just his impressive resume, it was how he got there.

Chris Gannett believes that business is the leverage point for global change- and he’s got the track record to back it up. He has raised millions in funding, contributed to over $500 million in M&A value, and invested in over 50 startups. As a CMO and GM with Sony, "American Idol," Elvis Presley Enterprises, TheBlaze and MediaMath, Chris' work helped achieve multiple Grammy and Emmy Awards, th...

Today’s guest, Jimmy Tran, blends business acumen with deep personal perspective. As the former VP of Corporate Strategy and M&A at CBRE, Jimmy led over $2 billion in acquisitions and played a key role in tripling earnings in just 8 years. He also spent time as a management consultant with Bain & Company, working in Dallas, Hong Kong, and Singapore, helping global leaders make smarter, fas...

Today on The Deal Table, we're joined by Scott Harper- Dallas-based entrepreneur and co- founder of Dialexa, the digital product engineering firm he launched in 2010 with just "$50, a domain name, and big dreams".Under his leadership, Dialexa grew into a powerhouse consultancy serving clients like Uber, Amazon, and Toyota before being acquired by IBM in 2022.Scott helped define "digital product en...

This week on The Deal Table, we sit down with John Donovan, former CEO of AT&T Communications and current investor in some of the most disruptive technologies reshaping the world as we know it. In one of our most thought-provoking conversations yet, John pulls back the curtain on the frontier of innovation- from quantum computing and synthetic biology to AI, space tech, and hypersonics.

Today on The Deal Table, we’re joined by Leib Bolel, founder of Lioncrest Ventures, a firm focused on flexible, multi-product financing solutions for early growth-stage tech companies. He also serves as a Partner at Grayhawk Capital, where he’s spent nearly seven years investing in and supporting B2B software companies. Before that, Leib was the CEO and founder of the Arizona Israel Technology All...

On this episode of The Deal Table, we sat down with Eric Bennett to talk about the next frontier in biotech: brain health. Eric launched Brain Capital Partners and the Brain Superfund in 2025 to invest in brain science venture and growth capital. The Fund focuses on mental health, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, brain injuries, wellness, and longevity. It targets companies offering th...

In this episode of The Deal Table, we sit down with Mara McNeill, a powerhouse in the world of finance, banking, and public service. From scaling Toyota Financial Savings Bank from $1B to $6B in just four years, to navigating complex regulatory waters during the 2008 financial crisis at the U.S. Treasury, Mara brings unmatched experience in strategic leadership, community banking, and transformati...

This week on The Deal Table, we sat down with Victor Vescovo, a true modern-day explorer, decorated U.S. Navy Commander, deep-sea adventurer, Everest summiter, Blue Origin astronaut, and seasoned venture capitalist. From the Mariana Trench to Mount Everest, from space travel to investing in cutting-edge tech and de-extinction, Victor shares the mindset, discipline, and calculated risk-taking that...

On this episode of The Deal Table, we sit down with Suresh Narayanan, an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and visionary leader with deep roots in aviation. From aerospace engineering and military jet modifications at AQRD to driving innovation as COO of JSX, Suresh has been at the forefront of change in the industry. Now, as the founder of Jets MRO, he’s shaping the future of aviation with a p...

Douglas Smith, former Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and current Head of Global Affairs at Orchard Global, dives into the deep intersections of public policy, national security, innovation, and business. From stories behind the launch of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry to cybersecurity risks in private equity and the role of government in advancing green tech, Smith under...

In this episode of The Deal Table, we sit down with General Jim Williams, a two-star Marine Corps General with 38 years of service. From surviving helicopter crashes to negotiating with warlords, General Williams shares incredible stories of leadership, discipline, and risk-taking. We explore the parallels between battlefield strategy and business success, diving into financial literacy, wealth-bu...

Charlie Calise, a veteran marketing strategist and the Chairman Of Imaginuity, shares his insights into brand growth, competitive positioning, and the evolution of advertising in the digital age. With decades of experience working with major brands, he discusses what separates businesses that thrive from those that struggle, how to craft a compelling brand story, and the biggest mistakes companies...

John Terry, co-founder of Churchill Terry and professor at SMU, shares deep insights into business growth, mergers and acquisitions, and financial strategy. With experience across entrepreneurship, corporate finance, and investment advisory, he discusses what separates entrepreneurs from business owners, the challenges of scaling a company, and how to maximize valuation before selling. Key topics...

Jim Keyes: Author, Chairman, Philanthropist, Former CEO of 7-Eleven & Blockbuster Jim shares invaluable leadership lessons learned from running two Fortune 500 companies, diving into topics like navigating corporate change, overcoming adversity, and the power of education. Discover the real story behind Blockbuster’s battle with Netflix, the strategies that fueled 7-Eleven’s growth, and how em...

Building a business isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about execution, funding, and resilience. In this episode, Kevin Lavelle, founder of Mizzen+Main and Harbor, shares his raw, unfiltered journey of scaling a brand from the ground up, securing funding, and navigating the ever-changing venture capital landscape. Follow Kevin:https://www.instagram.com/kevinslavellehttps://www.linkedin.com/...

Abe Minkara, a founding partner at Legacy Knight and former Managing Director at Mark Cuban Companies, dives deep into the world of venture capital, private equity, and high-net-worth investing. Abe shares his insights from evaluating Shark Tank deals, working with entrepreneurs, and navigating the complex landscape of wealth management for ultra-high-net-worth families. Key Highlights:-The truth...

Michael Levy, CEO of Crow Holdings, discusses his transition from a career in New York City with Morgan Stanley to leading the iconic Crow Holdings in Dallas, Texas. Michael shares invaluable lessons from navigating the 2008 financial crisis, his insights on leadership and culture, and how Old Parkland has become a hub for innovation, relationships, and intellectual growth. Key Highlights: - Lesso...