BLW 2024 Speakers

Sydney Bynes is a dynamic and fashionable rising force in Public Relations and Marketing. She has made significant contributions, leadership, and expertise wherever she goes. Sydney has shown a remarkable talent for creating eye-catching promotional/editorial materials that not only capture attention but also boost brand visibility. Sydney's proficiency extends to crafting compelling communication pieces, including newsletters, press releases, and fashion editorial magazines, which effectively convey key messages and events. 

With a proven track record, she has successfully coached and developed team members for future leadership roles, showcasing her commitment to fostering growth. Sydney excels in team environments, readily collaborating in brainstorming sessions to contribute innovative ideas and drive collective success.

To see what Sydney does in her free time, when she is not being a mogul, follow her magazine's Instagram page @lewkmagazinetx.

Dr. Cameron has had a successful 30 years of industry experience in developing new products and leading a variety of businesses including startups. He is a lecturer in the Management Department at Texas State and has been teaching operations and strategy-based courses for more than 10 years.   

Keny Daniele fell in love with automobile shredders as soon as he was old enough to drive. When he was an unlicensed 15-year-old growing up in the Houston area, Keny’s father, Milton Daniele, put him in charge of transporting scrap in an old, red Dodge diesel truck from his auto salvage yard and salvaged car transportation company, Milton Motors, to a scrap yard several blocks away to sell the items. It was at that facility where teenaged Keny first became captivated by the shredding process. Cut to present day, and the salvaged auto transportation side of Milton Motors remains in business, and Keny, now in his mid-30s, owns and operates a scrap yard on 29 acres in Houston – Prestige Auto & Metal Recycling - as well as a pair of automobiles pick-a-part yards in Houston and Harlingen, Texas, that he runs with his father.  

Joshua J. Daspit, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Management and the Gowens Endowed Professor in Business at Texas State University’s McCoy College of Business. His research is in the field of entrepreneurship, where he studies family businesses. In 2023, he was ranked as one of the “Top 25” family business researchers in the world.  
 
At Texas State, he is the director of the SCALEUP program (https://scaleup.txst.edu/), which is a university-level program focused on helping businesses grow. He has been honored for his contributions to student mentoring and for his dedication to service. Dr. Daspit enjoys working with students at all levels to help them enhance their entrepreneurial mindset and leverage this way of thinking to achieve greater levels of success. 

Seth Frei, Ph.D., is Assistant Dean for Program Assessment and Global Engagement in the McCoy College of Business at Texas State University. He oversees global engagement initiatives, develops new opportunities, and encourages students to engage with the world. As a faculty member, he taught courses in organizational communication, leadership, training and development, and business communication. He earned awards for excellence in online teaching and teaching. Outside work, he enjoys woodworking, gardening, and traveling with his family. 

Diane Gottsman is an internationally renowned etiquette expert, author, speaker, popular media resource, and owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in professional development and corporate etiquette training. Diane understands modern etiquette is more than knowing which fork to use at the dinner table and has spent the last 20 years training business professionals, university students and individuals on how to navigate social and professional situations with confidence and ease.

Diane holds a master’s degree in Sociology with an emphasis on human behavior. She delivers a powerful message while captivating her audience with her engaging, straight forward, authentic demeanor. She is regularly called upon by the media to offer her insight on a wide range of topics to include dining, business, social media, body language, job interview, travel etiquette, as well as a variety of everyday social dilemmas.

Diane has been featured on national television shows, such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Sunday Morning, Fox & Friends, and the The Hallmark Channel. She is the resident etiquette expert for Good Day Austin, Fox 7 Austin, and San Antonio Living, News 4 San Antonio. She is regularly quoted on CNBC, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Market Watch, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and USA Today.

In addition to her work as an etiquette expert, Diane has authored two books and is a sought-after keynote speaker who has earned a well-deserved reputation as dynamic, inspiring, and motivational. She has spoken at conferences and events around the country and considers travel one of her favorite hobbies. A wife and mother of three, she knows firsthand the challenges of balancing a private, social, and professional life. Diane believes success requires four main ingredients: Curiosity, Training, Dedication, and Desire.

Jay Horn is a Senior Wealth Advisor at TCG Advisors, a HUB International company, where his primary focus is on financial planning and investments. His goal is to motivate clients to remain actively involved with their financial planning, retirement planning, and investments. Jay hopes that his help and expertise will satisfy long-term clients and inspire them to offer recommendations to friends and family. Jay seeks to be an internal resource for TCG and hopes to obtain leadership roles in the future. 

Jay received a BBA in Management and an MBA, both from Texas State University. Jay has also earned an Accredited Asset Management Specialist® certification. In addition to working as a Senior Wealth Advisor, Jay also lectures part-time at Texas State, where he teaches undergraduate courses on personal finances. Previously, Jay worked in retail and commercial banking for 10 years before deciding to dedicate his focus solely on his career in personal finances. Jay is also a decorated Marine veteran with a passion for helping fellow veterans. 

Jay currently lives in Kyle, Texas, with his wife Alicia, son Kai, and daughter Kennedy. In his spare time, Jay enjoys working on his old Chevy pickup, detailing his vehicles, working out in his garage gym, and watching his children play in their yard.

Tami Johnson is a staff member for Texas State University. She currently operates as Training Specialist within Human Resources on the Talent Development and Communications team. She graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Electronic Media. As Training Specialist at Texas State, she welcomes New Employees every month, coordinates professional development opportunities for all faculty & staff, and facilitates the Leadership Academy certificate program. When she’s not training, she is hosting her podcast of 7 years, offering coaching services on content creation, and/or curating a new playlist series.  

Ms. Bobbie Moore, MBA, is a dedicated educator, lecturer in the Department of Management, and internship coordinator at the McCoy College of Business. Her academic journey began at Texas State University, where she earned her BBA in Management and later pursued and achieved her MBA. With a rich background spanning 15 years at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bobbie honed her leadership skills and fostered meaningful relationships, emphasizing the power of relational leadership.

Driven by a deep sense of purpose, Bobbie returned to Texas State University to inspire the next generation of business leaders. As an instructor, she employs engaging teaching methods and connects students with exceptional internship opportunities, ensuring they gain valuable real-world experience. Bobbie's passion for mentoring is evident in her commitment to instilling the values of leadership, integrity, and lifelong learning in her students.

Beyond the academic realm, Bobbie is a proud mother of two daughters and a nature enthusiast. Her love for the outdoors and birdwatching has earned her the affectionate title of a "bird nerd." Bobbie finds solace in hiking, embarking on road trips with her boyfriend Grady, and enjoying the rustic charm of her family ranch, where she spends time with her pet deer, Lily. In life's simplest pleasures, Bobbie discovers joy and fulfillment, inspiring others to find balance, contentment, and purpose.

Ms. Moore eagerly looks forward to engaging with students in class or through their internship experiences, embodying the spirit of "Eat 'Em Up, Cats."

Jon David "J.D." Perez is a 1st generation college student Texas State University graduate with dual degrees in Computer Information Systems and Business Management in 2005.  While attending the university, JD started his career at Hugo Boss here at the Outlet Malls in San Marcos in 2001. During his 22 years with the fashion powerhouse, JD tenacity has led him to being an Area Manager for the Midwest USA, Vice President of Retail for Hugo Boss Mexico/LATAM, and most recently, working as a Regional Manager focusing on retail expansion over 5 states in the central USA market.    

In 2019, he was awarded Texas State University's Young Alumni Rising Star and in 2023, he was inducted as a Distinguished Alumni for the SMCISD. He currently serves as a University Advancement Board of Trustee here at Texas State and volunteers as a Board Member for the San Marcos Centro Cultural Hispano non-profit.   

David has worked as a Wealth Advisor with PinnacleReach Wealth Advisors for 26 years. He works with select families across the country to assist them in making prudent financial, personal, and business decision with their money. He has consistently ranked in the top 5% of advisors nationally within in broker dealer, Ameriprise Financial.  

David also has a passion for investing and teach younger generations the impact of making sound financial decisions and helping them get started early in their careers. David has two girls, Skylar and Devyne and has been married for almost 25 years.

Brian Schmoekel graduated from Texas State University in Spring of 2012. With an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, he used his time in school to make and launch a business plan for BS Brewing, breaking ground on the brewery the following fall. He’s proud to own the first brewery in Guadalupe County, where he was born and raised. Over the past eleven years he has grown the brewery from a small distribution brewery to a bustling tap room with ten house crafted beers on tap and a full scratch kitchen on site. He lives in Seguin with wife Jenna, four awesome kids, and pet beagle. Outside of the small business life they enjoy hiking, playing board games, and serving in their church.  

Kristin Scholer is Senior Director of Marketing Science at Hearts & Science, a global marketing agency. She leads a team that solves complex business decisions using data and insights to support the strategic initiatives of the AT&T account. She has held multiple analytical roles since 2006 where she has developed a diversified knowledge across retail, energy, hospitality, e-commerce, automotive and telecommunication verticals for domestic and global organizations. She holds a B.S. and an MBA from Texas State University. Kristin currently lives in Dallas with her husband Zach, also a Texas State graduate, and their Great Pyrenees, Layla.   

Michael Smith is an Internal Audit and Enterprise Risk Partner in KPMG’s Advisory business with over 25 years of experience leading audit, risk and compliance programs. Michael leads a dedicated innovation team that works across our KPMG network to help clients’ execute against their core IA and SOX needs, drive risk management improvement and advance core internal audit capabilities. His approach focuses on connecting the enterprise and IA agendas — across culture, people, technology, and process - to create a more valuable and resilient IA team.  Michael serves as the U.S. Solution Lead for Internal Audit and previously served as the U.S. Lead of KPMG’s Intelligent Automation for Internal Audit and ICOFR Team.   

Annette received her undergraduate degree from Texas State University, completed her Juris Doctorate at the University of Iowa College of Law and obtained her MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business Executive Program.   

Annette has close to 20 years of experience working on Wall Street for such companies as Citadel, Goldman Sachs, Markit, PwC and is currently at Royal Bank of Canada.  

Annette has spent her career focused on derivatives regulation, front-to-back trading process, overall firm process improvement, project management, legal trade confirmations & currently working on risk & regulatory initiatives that affect the Cloud environment. Overall, Annette has enjoyed new learning opportunities and has grown her career through her love for learning and collaboration.  

Annette volunteers on the Board for the FWA, serves on the University of Iowa College of Law Foundation Board & participates as an advisor for several non-profit organizations which includes Sigma Kappa. Annette enjoys free time with her husband, Jeff Fausey, and daughter Paige.

Brian Tomlinson received his BS in Accounting from the University of Kansas and his Master’s of Accountancy from the University of Houston. Brian is a Certified Public Accountant in Texas. Brian began his career at KPMG in 2010 and recently was promoted to Tax Managing Director in our Austin office. His public accounting experience is primarily focused working with our federal tax group, including both compliance and consulting engagements. Through his consulting experience, Brian have further developed his communication and problem-solving skills which he has been able to use to better lead his engagement teams. In addition to federal tax experience, Brian has developed state and local as well as international tax experience through the many clients that he serves. Brian leads the recruiting efforts for Austin Tax.  

Mr. Wiesenthal, possessing more than a decade of retail, operations, and customer service expertise, earned his Bachelor of Science in Communications Studies from The University of Texas, with a specialized focus on Corporate Communications. Furthermore, Jared serves as the founder and CEO of New Heights Menswear, a clothing company committed to catering to the needs of high school and college students nationwide. 

With a family legacy in men's clothing extending across three generations, Wiesenthal has seamlessly integrated his admiration for classic tailoring into the narrative of his entrepreneurial venture.

Accomplished Executive with wide ranging operational and initiative intensive experience managing large portfolios for private equity partners. Jeff has 30 years of professional experience in wholesale industrial distribution, serving multiple private equity partners. He has been instrumental and a key partner in growing businesses over $1B. Resourceful and creative with strong leadership and interpersonal abilities which have led to numerous strategic successes. 

Proven ability to turn around underperforming people, branches, regions, and divisions quickly, driving change that results in growth and profit improvements. Expertise with macro and micro–Change Management, M&A, Sales Management, Operations, Pricing Optimization, CRM, E Commerce, and achieving Private Equity Strategic Goals and Partnerships.

Paige Woolery received her BBA in Accounting and a minor in Communications from Washburn University. She is a Certified Public Accountant in Kansas and Texas as well as a Certified Internal Auditor and a recipient of the William S. Smith Certificate of Honor Award. Paige is a member of KPMG’s Advisory practice focusing on providing internal audit and Sarbanes-Oxley assistance services. Paige has been in the KPMG internal audit team since August 2007. Paige’s current and past clients include some of the leading entities in the energy, manufacturing, public sector, restaurant, technology, and financial services industries. Paige also helps lead KPMG’s SOX Center of Excellence with responsibilities to assist in developing and enhancing services related to internal controls, including the control portfolio analysis and SOX Health Check methodologies and the SOX On Demand managed service offering. Paige provides subject matter professional support in the delivery of key SOX engagements, deploys technology-enabled SOX programs, and creates and delivers trainings for KPMG professionals and clients. 

Has over 12 years of experience in higher ed. She began her journey with student success at Texas A&M University-Kingsville where she served as Assistant Director for Peer Mentoring. She then continued her journey to Texas State working with the Title V CAFE grant where she assisted with building a Career Readiness Institute for Juniors and Seniors. As a first-generation student herself, giving back to students and assisting with their student success is one her passions.