Our Board

Chairman - TAF

Founder and Managing General Partner

G-51 Capital Management

Rudy Garza focuses on the development of all portfolio companies, syndication partnerships and deal flow. Rudy has served as an investor and board member for over 20 companies, selling several to publicly traded firms including SAP, ADP, Prudential, and Cisco Systems.

Rudy is also an active leader in the venture community, as a longtime member of the NVCA and the Texas Venture Capital Association.  He has served as Chairman of the Board of the University of Texas Alumni Association (“Texas Exes”) in 2011. In addition, Rudy is a lifetime honorary trustee of the Dell Children’s Medical Center Foundation.

Past-Chairman - TAF

Co-Founder

TEXO Ventures

Dr. Sanger is a healthcare investor with over 40 years of experience blending medical expertise with entrepreneurial talents.

Dr. Sanger recently gave a generous gift in honor of the legacy of his parents, Philip and Marjorie Sanger, and his aunt and uncle, Morton and Hortense Sanger, to the School of Undergraduate Studies’ Sanger Learning Center. This gift allowed for the renovation of tutoring facilities and founded the Sanger Learning Assistance Fund, which provides for the hiring of a strategic learning specialist. When fully funded, this specialist will meet the needs of students who struggle with learning disabilities and help them succeed academically.

Secretary - TAF

Partner

Jackson Walker LLP 

Cale McDowell received his Bachelor of Business Administration (Finance), Master of Professional Accounting, and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.

A former Aide to the President and Deputy to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Cale is one of the founders of the School of Undergraduate Studies, which created the endowed Cale McDowell Award for Innovation in Undergraduate Studies in his honor.

Distinguished Teaching Professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences 

University of Texas at Austin

Growing up in Silicon Valley, the nation’s first hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, Brent Iverson saw time and time again how ideas and individuals can change the world, if given a supportive environment. Among many priorities, Iverson focuses on exploring new approaches to supporting student success inside and outside the classroom. 

Managing Director

J.P.Morgan Securities’ Global Wealth Management

 In 2014 and 2015 Scott Holstead was recognized as a FT 400 Top Financial Adviser by the Financial Times. In 2012 he was ranked #33 “Top Financial Advisor” in the state of Texas and one of “America’s Top 1000 Financial Advisors” by Barron’s. Scott worked in the Office of Tax Policy at the United States Department of the Treasury (1989) and in the Office of National Service at The George H. W. Bush White House (1992). 

Retired Banking Executive & Community Volunteer

Kerry Hall was responsible for executing effective strategies within the Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio markets for Texas Capital Bank.
She was the second employee of the newly formed Austin Region and was promoted to president of the Austin Region in 2003. In 2015, Kerry assisted in building out Texas Capital Bank Private Wealth Advisors.

She has served as the chair of the Austin Chapter of American Heart Association and on the boards of Caritas and Visit Austin.  In 2005, Gov. Rick Perry appointed her to Texas One, the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board where she served as a board member until 2011.  Hall also served on the advisory board of Big Brothers Big Sisters and E3 Alliance.

CEO 

Abilitie

With over 20 years of work experience in the learning and development industry, Bjorn creates impactful and engaging solutions that empower emerging and senior leaders to excel in their roles. As the CEO of Abilitie, he leads a talented and diverse team of professionals who design and deliver award-winning leadership development programs and mini-MBAs that teach through team-based business simulations. Abilitie's vision is to make learning fun, experiential, and scalable for organizations across the globe.

Founder 

AngelSpan, Inc.

Joe Milam is the founder of AngelSpan, Inc., with over 30 years of experience in investment and fintech. He has pioneered innovations in angel investing, creating tools like cap-table management and investor relations services. Joe has managed legacy capital for high-net-worth individuals, achieving top rankings in large-cap core management. He has been featured in multiple publications, including Barron’s and Forbes, and has presented at numerous financial conferences across the U.S. Joe is dedicated to improving funding experiences for entrepreneurs and investors.

President & COO

Cumby Group

Jeff Nash is President and Chief Operating Officer of Cumby Group where his responsibilities include oversight of the company’s four operating units.  Jeff has been associated by various business and civic endeavors for over 25 years. Jeff’s 30+ year career has been focused in the fields of finance, marketing and management primarily in banking, consulting and database management.  His responsibilities ranged from officer through founder, leader and chief executive.

Jeff is a lifelong resident of Austin, and received both his B.B.A. and his M.B.A. from the University of Texas. Jeff is also an active civic leader having served on numerous community boards including the University of Texas Alumni Association, Rodeo Austin, Texas Bankers Association, and the American Heart Association, where he was honored with a research grant in his name.  

Chief Investment Officer

Alliance Residential Company

With more than 40 years of experience across 100,000+ units, John Rippel is responsible for identifying development opportunities and directing the acquisition process for existing communities throughout the U.S. As one of the Founding Partners of Alliance, Mr. Rippel led the expansion of the Company into Texas and the eastern half of the country. He began his multifamily career as the partner in charge of south Texas for Trammell Crow Residential; under his leadership, Trammell Crow led the Houston market in residential development. In 1994, he led his division to the successful IPO of Gables Residential where he served as President/COO and board member until 1999. Prior to Trammel Crow Residential, Mr. Rippel was a CPA with Ernst and Young for five years. Mr. Rippel obtained his BBA from the University of Texas at Austin.

CEO

Texas Alternatives Foundation

Jarett has spent over 25 years building and leading privately funded companies and public organizations. At LSU, Jarett developed a self-sustaining entrepreneurship institute, built collaborations with the NFL and MLB, developed the university’s first offering in innovation and creativity, consulted businesses on new product and service development, and worked directly with the Chancellor to develop new methods of revenue generation for the university. Jarett has provided senior executive leadership in both venture backed and bootstrapped companies. He was recognized by President Obama as a "catalyst for change."