Professional Schools Program Symposium Presenters 2018-2019
Thank You
Thank you to the following community leaders and industry professionals who have graciously volunteered their time to speak to students in the Professional Schools Program.
Michael J. Barber,
Certified Public Accountant
at BKM Sowan Horan
With over 19 years of experience in public accounting, Mike provides exceptional client service in the assurance services area for companies in a variety of industries, including mortgage bankers, investment funds, real estate, healthcare and nonprofit.
Mike is an experienced business partner to clients through ongoing business and accounting advice that delivers highly satisfactory results. Mike is also a leader in recruiting highly qualified individuals to the firm. He received both his Bachelors in Business Administration and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He currently serves as a board member for both the Frisco Chamber of Commerce and the Frisco Community Development Corporation. Additionally, he is the treasurer for both the Rotary Club of Frisco and the Dallas Mortgage Bankers Association.
Dr. Dale Ehmer,
Otolaryngologist
at Ear, Nose & Throat Associates of Texas, PA
Dr. Dale Ehmer received his medical degree from UT-Southwestern Medical School graduating in the top of his class with honors. He is also board certified. He subsequently completed his ENT training at the UT-Southwestern Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Ehmer has several publications in medical journals and his research has been presented at multiple national conferences.
Dr. Ehmer’s approach to medicine combines technologically advanced surgical experience with the ability to communicate and relate to his patients and their families in order to provide the best care possible. His goal is to apply extensive knowledge and expertise to enhance the quality of life for both children and adults seeking relief from ear infections, allergies, nasal congestion, sinusitis, tonsillitis, snoring, sleep apnea, thyroid disease, swallowing disorders, hearing loss, facial trauma, and benign or malignant tumors of the head and neck.
Dr. Ehmer was born and raised in Plano, Texas. He graduated from Plano East Senior High School and went on to graduate summa cum laude from the University of Texas at Dallas. He married his high school sweetheart, Corri, and together they have two beautiful daughters, Landry and Blair. Dr. Ehmer and his family regularly attend First Baptist Church of Frisco where he serves on the leadership team in their life group.
Dr. Jody Gill,
Dentist and Owner
at Spearmint Dental and Orthodontics
Dr. Gill attended University of Washington as an undergraduate. While there, she received a Bachelors of Business Administration. She went on to attend dental school at University of Nevada Las Vegas and received her Doctorate of Dental Medicine degree.
Dr. Gill enjoys spending time with her family, photography, traveling, martial arts, and soccer. Last but not least, she has two wonderful dogs: Mary and Lilo.
Kara Hermogeno,
Dean of Engineering
at Legacy Christian Academy
Kara Hermogeno earned her degree in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State and has had various roles in the corporate world for a corn to ethanol company in Iowa and Indiana.
She was a crew supervisor of 15 men including maintenance, she helped with a start-up of an ethanol plant (Indiana), and she worked in Research and Development where she achieved a patent for the application mosquito repellant in Florida.
After much prayer she made the transition from engineering into international missions for 2 years with The Navigators, where she did US and overseas missions. Eventually she moved to Texas, met her husband and started designing various aspects of a farm-based ethanol facility near Gainesville.
A few years ago she became a certified teacher and transitioned once again away from engineering and this time into teaching. She has loved various aspects of all of her jobs and now loves getting students involved more in math and science!!
Kevin Kampe,
President
at Womack Machine Supply
Mr. Kampe graduated from Texas A&M University in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Distribution. He started his career at Womack as an outside salesman in Houston, achieving several top sales awards over 10 years. In 2005 he accepted the newly created role of Pneumatic Products Manager and formed the Pneumatics Division sales team. In 2007, he was promoted to Regional Vice President for North Texas, relocating to Dallas where he still resides with his wife Kelly and their three daughters. In 2009 he accepted the position of Vice President of Automation and later served as Vice President of Corporate Sales Operations and Executive Vice President of Sales before accepting the position of President in 2012. He currently serves on the boards of the Fluid Power Distributors Association (FPDA), the NAW Institute, Texas A&M Industrial Distribution Advisory Board, and One World Health. As the President of Womack Machine Supply, Kevin is responsible for Sales, Customer Service, Industrial Automation Technology, Womack Systems LLC, and Supplier Relationships. Kevin leads the Womack organization to help Customers solve their most complex motion control solutions.
Dr. Albert Pang,
Therapeutic Optometrist
at Trinity Eye Care
Dr. Pang was born and raised in British Hong Kong. After his high school, he came over to the United States where he studied at the University of Houston. After his undergraduate study, he continued his graduate study at the University of Houston College of Optometry.
Dr. Pang is a therapeutic optometrist, and he has been in private practice for over 30 years. Besides working at his own office, he is also a consultant for the Texas Health and Human Services. He is a fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology, and a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry.
Dr. Pang’s special interests lie in myopia control and developmental vision, which is the study of vision anomaly due to abnormal childhood development.
Dr. Pang is a believer of lifelong learning. Every year he spends over 100 hours in classes to improve himself so that he can be a better clinician to help his patients.
Logan Stout,
Keynote Speaker & Owner Dallas Patriots
Logan Stout is an accomplished business owner having generated billions of dollars of revenue throughout his career. He is a philanthropist, entrepreneur, best-selling author, keynote speaker and leadership trainer who makes regular appearances on ABC News and travels the world to educate, motivate and inspire.
He is also the founder and CEO of the Dallas Patriots baseball organization and Premier Baseball Academy in Frisco, Texas, which focus on mentoring and leading youth. This organization is one of the largest in the world, providing select teams ages six through eighteen years old with world-class instructors, coaches, and training. Every graduate of the Dallas Patriots baseball organization has earned the opportunity to play college baseball.
Logan Stout and his wife, Haley, have two sons and reside in Frisco, Texas. They are patrons and honorary chairs of the Boys and Girls Club of Collin County, the American Heart Association of North Texas, founders of Youth Athletes Foundation and other charitable organizations. Logan holds degrees in both business and psychology.
For more info on Logan, please visit his website.
John Williams,
Deputy Commissioner
at Southland Conference
The Southland Conference named veteran athletic administrator John Williams as Deputy Commissioner in July 2017. Williams comes to the conference with 35 years of leadership experience in collegiate athletics.
Williams will lead the Southland’s efforts in NCAA governance and affairs, provide executive oversight of the league’s compliance and academic services, and will serve as the primary staff liaison to the Advisory Council, the Southland’s operating body of faculty representatives, athletic directors and senior woman administrators. He will also be actively involved with the Conference’s governing presidential body, the Board of Directors, provide direction and assistance with the league’s strategic plan, and oversee the Southland’s men’s and women’s basketball operations, focusing on competitive and academic success strategies for these sports.
Most recently serving as the athletics director at Southland member UIW Williams began his coaching and administrative experience as an assistant men’s basketball coach at his alma mater, Ball State University, in 1982. He later became head men’s basketball coach at Earlham College (Ind.), served as an assistant men’s basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and held the dual role of athletics director and head basketball coach at the University of Saint Francis (Ind.).
Following a stint as head coach at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Williams began a 12-year stay at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, first as a professional development coordinator followed by a lengthy run as director of championships and alliances. He served as a member of the NCAA’s championship executive team, and served as a hiring coordinator for the championship group for 10 years.
Williams managed 35 national championships in Division I, II and III, overseeing selection processes, budgets, event operations, community outreach programs, and branding initiatives at championship locations. Additionally, he was charged with the NCAA’s diversity and inclusion, professional development, postgraduate and internship programs.
Having earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Ball State, Williams also was a three-time team captain with the men’s basketball team while garnering three honorable mentions for the Mid-American Conference all-league teams. He was a key part of MAC championship teams in 1980-81 and 1981-82, and his 39-point scoring output against Central Michigan as a junior still stands among the top individual performances at Ball State.
Bianca Castro,
News Reporter, First at Four co-anchor
at NBC 5
Bianca Castro joined the NBC 5 team in March 2014 as First at Four co-anchor, alongside Kristi Nelson. She also reports on medical and health care topics that affect North Texans.
Bianca graduated from Plano Senior High School and then headed south to Baylor University. She interned at a Dallas television station during her college years and her passion for television reporting was ignited. She started her career in Waco, where she reported on a vast range of stories, from President George W. Bush's visits to his Crawford ranch to issues facing our troops at Fort Hood in Killeen.
After several years, she moved to the Texas coast, where she was the primary evening anchor for KRIS in Corpus Christi. She covered several hurricanes that hit the coast during her four and a half years there.
Bianca comes home to Dallas-Fort Worth from Orlando, Fla., where she spent three and a half years as an anchor and reporter at WFTV, the ABC affiliate. After anchoring in the mornings, Bianca hit the streets, turning stories with an investigative edge. She quickly became one of the station’s enterprise reporters who delivered exclusive stories and holding public officials accountable.
Outside of work, she stays busy with volunteer work. She sat on the board of directors for local chapters of March of Dimes, Communities In Schools and Family Outreach of Corpus Christi. She also volunteered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
She and her husband, who’s from Colleyville, have three children and a Maltese and currently reside in Plano.
Scott Griffith,
Founding Shareholder & President
at Griffith Davison
Scott Griffith is the Founding Shareholder and President at Griffith Davison, a firm that provides legal representation in the following areas: construction, real estate commercial litigation, corporate, and oil& gas/energy disputes. Scott has over 25 years of experience helping his construction clients. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Dallas Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and TEXO (Associated General Contractors/Associated Builders & Contractors – Joint Association) where he also served on the Board of Directors from 2009-2012.
He was recently listed in both the Best Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine, as well as the Best Lawyers in America. He has published many works in the field of construction litigation and has also been invited to present at various conferences including the Forum on Construction Law of the American Bar Association and the Associated General Contractors of America.
Mr. Griffith received his BBA from Stephen F. Austin State University before going on to complete his law degree at Baylor University. Mr. Griffith and his wife have four sons. Their oldest son, Conner, is a 2018 graduate of Legacy and their other three boys currently attend LCA.
Dr. Robin Brewer,
Ph.D., RDN/LD – Legacy Christian Academy
Dr. Robin Brewer has been on the faculty at Legacy Christian Academy for nearly 12 years. She has worked in the Early Education Department and proudly educates our littlest Eagles. Dr. Brewer is also a Registered/Licensed Dietitian with a passion to help people see beyond the present and envision the possibilities of their future.
Dr. Brewer is skilled in developing, coordinating, and implementing educational outreach programs and materials for students, families, teachers, patients, physicians, community members, and government workers. She is academically trained as a doctorate level liaison between public health officials and scientists. As a health educator for Your Health Tutor, she provides individual counseling to help create personalized eating and exercise action plans for her clients in addition to developing and teaching strategic workshops on nutrition, exercise, and wellness.
Dr. Brewer earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Michigan State University. She then went on to participate in the Dietetic Internship Program and became a Registered Dietitian while studying at Baylor University. She earned a Master's in Sports Nutrition from Georgia State University before moving on to Emory University, where she completed her doctoral studies and earned a Ph.D. in Nutrition and Health Sciences. Dr. Brewer has three children. Her oldest, Hannah, graduated from Legacy in 2014. Her middle son, Josh graduated in 2018 and her youngest, Benji is currently a sophomore at LCA.
Dr. Kevin Macfarlan,
Chair, Division of Engineering and Construction Management
at John Brown University
Dr. Kevin Macfarlan received his B.S.M.E. and M.S.M.E. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and his Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas. His doctoral dissertation was in the area of computational modeling of gas turbine combustion and the prediction of their pollutant levels. He was employed for nine years at GE Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati where he received three achievement awards. While at GE, he worked on several military jet engine programs, including those for the B-1B, F-14, F-16, F-18, and F-22 aircraft. He also contributed on several novel engine concepts, such as a commercial engine called the Unducted Fan (UDF) and a vectoring exhaust nozzle for the F-16.
Dr. Macfarlan has done research for Westinghouse/Siemens and Honeywell Aerospace in the field of gas turbines. Kevin and his wife, Laura, have taught several Sunday school classes. Dr. Macfarlan has participated in a short-term mission trip to Russia. He and his wife have four children: Kyle (a JBU alum working as a Chemical Engineer in the greater Houston area), Ginger (another JBU alum who works for Clorox in Bentonville), Luke (a JBU engineering alum now working toward his PhD in Chemical Engineering at UT-Austin), and Lydia (a Nursing junior at JBU). He also has two beautiful daughters-in-law and one precious granddaughter (with another on the way). He enjoys skiing, working on his car, backpacking, and biking.
Dane Harris,
Chief Revenue Officer
at Aviture
As Chief Revenue Officer for the dynamically-growing Aviture, Dane has leadership for revenue, profitability, marketing and commercial operations. With more than 30 years of military and professional service, Dane is a seasoned leader with extensive experience and success directing a broad range of strategic solutions, implementations, process improvements, and initiatives in rapidly changing environments with the utmost emphasis on client value.
Dane attended Baylor University, where he earned a BBA in Marketing and Management. He later attended Tulane University and completed his studies to earn an MBA. Dane also served in the Army Reserve as a Career Management Officer for over 30 years. Dane has two children at Legacy, Belle and Tres.
Nathan Stone,
Senior Engineer, Small Bone Orthopedics
at OsteoMed
Arch McIntosh,
Chapter Director
at KLIFE
Arch McIntosh attended Texas Christian University and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Communication Studies, with minors in business and studio art. After working as a regional sales director for Compass Group, he attended the Kanakuk Institute- a yearlong masters level leadership and discipleship program where he served as a KLIFE volunteer. Arch has also worked on the leadership team with Kanakuk Kamps in the traveling ministry called Kamp Out. He is passionate about football, art, and music. In Arch’s free time he enjoys writing songs, reading, and painting. Above all, Arch is compelled and commissioned to share the gospel message that saved his own life. His greatest joy is watching students discover their identity in Christ!
Kent Movchan,
President & Chief Operations Officer
at Toni & Guy
Kent Movchan began his journey with TONI&GUY at the TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy in Dallas, TX where he fell in love with the T&G culture and education. He graduated from the TONI&GUY Academy in 2002 and soon began his career at the TONI&GUY Salons in the DFW area.
In 2006, Kent became the Salon Director at the TONI&GUY North Park Salon and after years of hard work and dedication, in 2007 he became a Regional Salon Director in the DFW area. In 2008 Kent accepted the position of Academy Director at the TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy in Dallas, bringing him back to the start of his journey and igniting his passion for academies. In 2009, Kent was promoted to Regional Academy Director, and in 2011 Director of Academy Operations.
In May 2014, Kent was honored to accept a new position as Vice President of Company Owned Academies, and is responsible for the expansion and ongoing development of all company-owned academies. Over the years he has been instrumental in overseeing the conversion of several academies to the TONI&GUY brand and culture, as well as the original flagship Dallas Academy’s relocation to a new facility. With his vast knowledge and experience in academy operations, Kent is heavily involved as a consultant to franchise TONI&GUY Academy locations.
Dr. Charles Dryden,
President
at Executive Physician Consultants
Dr. Charles Dryden has served as President of Executive Physician Consultants for nearly sixteen years. Additionally, he has worked as an Emergency Physician at Baylor Scott & White Centennial Medical Center for the past thirteen years. He was named Chief of Staff at BSW in 2017.
Dr. Dryden earned his Biology/Pre-med degree from Baylor University. He went on to earn his MD from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. He furthered his studies at the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine where he completed his specialty studies in Emergency Medicine. Dr. Dryden lives in Frisco with his wife Lisa and daughter Sophie, who is a junior at Legacy. His older daughter, Hannah, graduated from Legacy in 2018 and is currently a freshman at Baylor University.
Nancy Dowd,
Captain
at Southwest Airlines
Nancy Dowd is a Boeing 737 Captain for Southwest Airlines. She earned her B.S. in Aviation Science from Oklahoma State University in 1995. Nancy worked as a Flight Instructor, Texas Forest Service Fire Detection Pilot, Charter Pilot and Corporate Pilot for Wal-Mart and Bombardier FlexJet before being hired as a Pilot for Southwest Airlines in 2004.
Nancy belongs to several Professional Aviation Organizations. She has served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and is currently a Parent Ambassador for North Texas Performing Arts. Nancy’s husband, Darin, is also a Captain for Southwest Airlines and enjoy flying their 1940 Piper Cub together. They live in Frisco, Texas and have a 10-year-old daughter who is in the 5th Grade at Legacy Christian Academy. Nancy enjoys sharing her love of flying with others.
Rob Wechsler,
Founder & CEO
at Blue Star Innovation Partners
Rob Wechsler, Founder, and CEO of Blue Star Innovation Partners (BSIP) is a serial entrepreneur with a track record that includes 4 exits totaling more than $1.5B in proceeds of his own companies, a successful IPO and running the largest payments business in the world, Chase Merchant Services. BSIP is a private equity joint venture funded by Robert and Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys. BSIP has made 6 investments since inception in 2017. Most recently Rob was the founder and CEO of Blue Star Sports, the largest and preeminent provider of sports technology globally. In less than a year, Rob completed 20 acquisitions and returned over 3x to all shareholders in a transaction valued in excess of $300M. Prior to Blue Star Sports, Rob founded, built and exited 2 payments businesses – Century Payment Advisors and Century Payments to Bain Capital and Worldpay. In order to develop his skills, Rob began his career practicing law for Morgan, Lewis & Bockius before starting his first company, Link2Gov. After exiting Link2Gov, Rob was EVP, Global Sales for Convergent Group through its IPO and subsequent sale to Schlumberger and then he was recruited to run the payments business for JP Morgan Chase. Rob is an avid investor and works with several Private Equity funds as an advisor.
Rob currently sits on the Board of Directors of Sparefoot, Government Brands, Neon One and Payrix. He lives with his wife and 3 children in Frisco, Texas.
Jonah Ingram,
Film Director
Ben Pogue,
President & CEO
at Pogue Construction
Ben Pogue was named President and CEO of Pogue Construction in 2009 after previously serving as the Vice President of Operations. Ben has worked in construction since 1995. Ben joined Pogue Construction full time in 2004. His experiences include construction management, estimating, project management, marketing, and business development. Ben leads Pogue Construction as if they are in the “People” business more than the construction business. Ben’s vision is to be the most “People-Focused Community Builder”. He is consistently searching for PLU’s – People Like Us – that demonstrate Pogue’s values and character.
Ben resides in Plano, TX with his family, wife Ashleigh, two sons Hayden and Jackson, and daughters Presley and Charlotte. Faith and family come first for him.
Erick Mida,
Hemodynamic Platform Specialist
Erick received his Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis on Biology from Abilene Christian University. He is currently serving as Territory Manager with Edwards Lifesciences and has an extensive history of working in the medical device industry. He is skilled in Vascular, Surgical, Hemodynamic Monitoring, Sales, Medical Devices, Cold Calling, and Sales Operations.
Sue Thomas,
Nurse Practitioner
Sue Thomas is a graduate of Baylor University with a Masters Degree in Family Practice and also received her Bachelor of Nursing from Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She has attained the following Certifications: Registered Nurse, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Therapy, Aesthetic Injectables; Botox and Fillers, Lipo Dissolve, Mirena IUD Insertion, and Implanon Insertion.
Additionally, Sue is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, North Texas Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association, and Texas Nurse Practitioners. She is also a committee member for District 4 of the Texas Nursing Association. She belongs to the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society.
John Gay,
Certified Financial Planner
John is a Certified Financial Planner professional in Frisco, Texas and has been advising individuals on financial planning issues for more than twenty-five years.
He received a Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of Texas at Austin followed by a Master of Science in Financial Planning at the College for Financial Planning. He has earned the following certifications: Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist, and he was a past Associate Member of the Society of Actuaries (ASA).
He lives in Frisco with his wife and two sons, and they attend Gateway Church in Frisco. In addition to his extensive professional accomplishments, he is also a co-founder of Boy Scout Troop 77 in Frisco.
