SAM ADAMS

• Played college football at Texas A&M University 1991-1994
• Drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks 1994
• Southwest Conference Newcomer of the Year 1991
• First Team All-American 1991
• All South West Conference 1992
• Consensus First Team All-American 1993
• Named National Defensive Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated 1993
• Named South West Conference Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated 1993
• Runner-Up for the Lombardi Award 1993
• Played in the 2000 and 2001 Pro Bowls
• Played with the Baltimore Ravens 2000-2001; Super Bowl Champions (XXXV), 2000
• Inducted into the Texas A&M Hall of Fame 2001
• Played with the Oakland Raiders 2002; Played in Super Bowl (XXXVII), 2002
• Currently a businessman in Seattle, Washington

KEVIN BEAM

• 1993 NAIA 2nd Team All American Quarterback
• 1994 NAIA 1st Team All American Quarterback
• Three time Academic All-Conference
• 1994 Hardin Simmons University BS in Chemistry
• 1998 1999 President, Student Chapter of American Veterinary Medical Association
• 1999 Most Outstanding Veterinary Student Scholarship
• 2000 Texas A&M University Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine
• 2006 Indicted into the Hardin Simmons Athletic Hall of Fame
• 2000 to Present- Partner/Owner Alvarado Veterinary Clinic, currently the largest multi-species veterinary hospital in Texas, employing 16 veterinarians and 50 employees.
• Member North American Academy of Veterinary Orthopedic Surgeons, American and Texas Veterinary Associations, and Texas Equine Veterinary Association
• 2011-2016 Board Member, Tarrant County Veterinary Association
• 2013- President Tarrant County Veterinary Medical Association
• Dr. Beam also serves as the Medical Director and head of the Internship and Externship programs

JASON COLBERT

• 1986 Enlisted in the United States Army Infantry; honorably discharged in 1989
• 1993 Graduated from Texas Tech University with Bachelor of Arts
• Commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Field Artilley
• 1995 Graduated from the University of Houston with a Masters Degree in Public Administration
• 1995-2000 Served as Platoon Leader, Executive Office and Fire Support Officer in the 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
• Served as Commander, Brigade Fire Support Officer and Operations Officers in the 1st Cavalry
• Division, For Hood, Texas (2000-2004) and in Baghdad, Iraq (2004-2005) during Operation Iraqi Freedom
• 2005-2007 Selected to attend the Navy Post Graduate School, earning a Master of Science in Information Operations.
• 2007-2009 Served as Director of Information Operations at Fort Polk, Louisiana and Afghanistan
• 2009-2013 Served as Director of Special Operations Support for a classified Special Ops Task Force, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas and in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Lieutenant Colonel Colbert’s awards include: The Bronze Star, The Joint Meritorious Service Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal (2), The Army Commendation Medal (4), the Combat Action Badge, parachutist Badge (airborne), and Air Assault.

SUSAN COLLINS

• Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 2009 - present; Adjunct Associate Professor in Psychology, University of Washington; Co-Director of Harm Reduction Research and Treatment Center; Clinical Psychologist, Harborview Medical Center 2016 - present.
• Education: Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Washington; PhD Clinical Psychology, Syracuse University; MA Clinical Psychology, Syracuse University; Doctoral Internship, Yale University School of Medicine; BA Psychology and French, University of Texas at Austin. 
• Grants: University of Washington Science in Medicine New Investigator Award 2015; Syracuse Graduate Fellowships 1998-1999, 2001-2002; Rapoport-King Research for outstanding undergraduate research proposals - 1997. 
• Teaching: to prepare the next generation of medical, nursing, social work and psychology providers at University of Washington Harborview Medical Instructor, 2011- present; University of Washington 2008-2014; University of Tubingen and University Hospital, Germany 2006-2007.
• Research Topics: to improve quality of life and to help people with the reduction of drugs and alcohol use through scientific evidence-based substance use treatment; harm reduction treatment for homeless smokers, with alcohol disorders and dependence; law enforcement assisted diversion program; optimal treatment using brief interventions at Emergency Services Center , 2000-2017.
• Articles/Presentations: 52 peer-reviewed articles; 7 abstracts, book chapters, encyclopedia entries. Professional conferences 1999-2016 (53) plus German clinical workshops.
• Honors/Awards: 2015 University of Washington Science-in-Medicine New Investigator Award; 2015 Invited to the White House to speak with the President's Domestic Policy Advisors; 2012 G. Alan Mariatt Award for Contributions to Alcohol Research; Over $6 million in total funding awarded from National Institutes of Health and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Laura and John Arnold Foundation, and others. 

NICK DRAGO

• Oklahoma City University – BA in Dance Performance
• Lambda Chi Alpha, Theta Delta Zeta – Fraternity Educator
• Featured in Dance Teacher, Dance Spirit, and Dancer Magazine cover
• Los Angeles – Professional dancer, actor, writer, film maker
• Appeared in music videos, television shows, television commercials, and film
• Co-Owner – Flow 20 Dance Works
• Co-Host – Nick & Desiree’s Infinite Dance Cast
• Co-Owner – Another Good Sandwich Productions

DAVID EDGERTON

• Graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1998
• Earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas 2000
• Served in the United States Navy as a submarine officer achieving the rank of commander in 2014
• Division Officer on the USS Honolulu (SSN 718) from 2001-2004 with deployments in the 5th and 7th fleets, and a surfacing at the North Pole, The ship earned the Navy Unit Commendation
• Engineer Officer on the USS Ohio (SSGN 776) (Blue Crew) from 2006-2008 during which time the ship’s awards included the Meritorious Unit Commendation
• Executive Officer on USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) from 2011-2012 during which time the ship received numerous awards including the Presidential Unit Citation
• Commander Edgerton became the Commanding Officer of the USS Columbia (SSN 771) in May 2015
• As of 2015, personal awards included the Navy Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (4), and Navy Achievement Medal (3)

TJ FARNSWORTH

• 2001 – Graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
• 2005 – Founder of SightLine
• Named to Inc. Magazine’s list of fastest growing companies in the US-2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
• 2012 – Named as one of the “40 Most Influential Houstonians under 40”
• 2012 – Inducted to the University of Texas Hall of Legends
• 2014 – Named as the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Healthcare
• 2014 – Founder of Inception Fertility Ventures

KATIE (DILDY) GOOSSEN

• Appointed to the United States Air Force Academy – 2000
• Team Captain of the USAF Academy Inter-Collegiate Volleyball Team 2002-03
• USAF Academy Representative to the Mountain West Athletic Conference
• Selected as one of 200 of the “World’s Most Outstanding Young Scholars and Graduate Students” to attend the International Achievement Summit – 2003
• Recipient of Alberta Bart Holiday Scholarship, Oxford University for a Master’s Degree
• Second ever female Wing Commander in the history of the Air Force Academy – 2003
• Graduated from the USAF Academy as Distinguished Graduate (top 10%) – 2004
• Current Occupation – Director of Human Resources, Scaled Composites, Mohave, California, creators of the first ever privately funded space ship (Space Ship One)

CHRIS HUTCHINSON

• 1989: Sporting News Freshman All American, University of Michigan.
• 1989-1992: 4 year Starter for Michigan.
• 1989-1993: 2 Rose Bowl Championships, 4 Rose Bowls, 5 Big-Ten Championships
• 1990-1992: Three time Academic All-Big Ten
• 1991: All Big-Ten Defensive Tackle
• 1992: Multiple Recognitions
• Academic All American - 2nd Team
• College Football All-American Team - 1st Team
• Team MVP, Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year
• Set UM record in single season sack yardage (99), single season sack total (11), second highest career sacks (24).
• 1993: Selected by Cleveland Browns as a free agent, but chose a career in medicine.
• 1994: Graduated University of Michigan Medical School, received the SAEM Award for Excellence in Emergency Medicine
• 1995: Graduated Emergency medicine Residency and earned Outstanding Resident Achievement Award, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI
• 2000-2018: Publications and Presentations on Orthopedics and concussions in sports
• 2010-2018: Assistant Professor at Oakland University William Beaumont Medical School
• Currently: Continues to practice Emergency Medicine at Williams Beaumont Hospital

PAUL JANISH

• Played baseball for Rice University 2002-04
• Chosen to Western Athletic Conference All Star Team 2002 and 2004
• Played on Rice Owls College World Series Championship Team – 2003
• Chosen in the Major League Baseball draft by the Cincinnati Reds organization – 2004
• Played Minor League Baseball for the Reds during 2004-07
• Called up to the majors in 2008 where he played from 2008-2011
• Played for the Atlanta Braves during the 2012-13
• Played for the Baltimore Orioles 2015-16

CHRIS KNAUTE

• Appointed United States Air Force Academy 2003; graduated 2007.
• Team Captain U.S Air Force Academy Men’s swimming team, 4 times chosen MVP; 9-time mountain West conference champion, 2-time conferee swimmer of the year; 2 time NCAA All-American;U.S Air Force Academy Outstanding Athletic Achievement and Athletic Excellence Award recipient- 2006 and 2007.
• Admitted into U.S Air force world class program for swimming, 2007-2008; Competed in 2007 World Military Games and 2008 US Olympic Trials.
• Attended U.S Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot training, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; piloted T-6 Texan II and T-I Jayhawk aircraft, 2009-2010;
• Stationed at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas; piloted over 2000 flight hours in the KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft; performed inflight aerial refueling in support of combat operations over Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya; flew 990 combat flight hours spanning 5 deployments; 2010-2013
• Earned a Masters of Business Administration, Trident University International; 2012
• Stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan earned KC-135R instructor and evaluator pilot accolade; also served as Flight Commander, Operations Group Standardization and Evaluations Branch Chief and Wing Executive Offers to the Vice commander; 2013-2016
• Military decorations include: 5 Air Medals, Ariel Achievement Medal, and 2 Air Forces Commendation Medals for distinguished military service and combat support operation.
• Current occupation as C-40C Clipper Pilot, Major, U.S. Air Force; stationed to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; performs worldwide executive airlift missions for various member of Congress, White House Staff, and Senior military leaders; 2014-present

KEEFE MANNING

• Ph.D. Virginia Common Wealth University, Biomedical Engineering 2001
• M.S, Texas A&M University, Bioengineer 1997
• B.S, Texas A&M University, Bioengineer 1995
• Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University
• Associate Professor of Surgery, The Penn State Medical Center
• Visiting Professor, Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico de Milano, Italy
• J. Tinsley Oden Faculty Fellow, Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES), The University of Texas at Austin 2013, 2015
• American Heart Association (AHA) Great Rivers Affiliate Research Committee 2013-2015
• Distinguished Honors Faculty, Schreyer Honors College, The Pennsylvania State University 2010-2012 FDA Award
• Group Recognition-Critical Path Computational Fluid Dynamics Team 2010
• Funding Support for Research Activities in Cardiovascular Devices and Fluid Dynamics
• FDA Award Group Recognition-Critical Path Computational Fluid Dynamics Team 2010

RACHEL MCNEILL

• Reporter for KIMD-TV Big 2 News – Midland, Texas 1995-96
• Reporter for KWES-TV – Midland, Texas 1996-97
• Reporter for WLFL-TV - Raleigh, North Carolina 1997-99
• Anchor/Reporter for WWL-TV – New Orleans, Louisiana 1999-2001
• Anchor/Reporter for KPRC-TV – Houston, Texas 2001-Present

Specialties:

• Extensive experience as an anchor and reporter,
• generating stories, live and breaking coverage,
• developing special medical reports

Some of the big stories covered by her over the years include:

• The 2013 Presidential Inauguration,
• 2012 Presidential Election,
• Super Bowl XLVI,
• 2012 Hurricane Sandy/Nor’easter and Gulf Coast hurricane coverage,
• United Nations in New York,
• 2004 Republican Convention,
• Space Shuttle tragedy

Honors, Awards, and Affiliations:

• Anchored Regional Emmy Award winning Evening Newscast 2006
• Named one of New Orleans Magazine’s “People to Watch” July 2000/li>
• Hosts the Rachel McNeil Big Golf Challenge and the Big Taste of Houston/li>
• Serves as a member of the board for the Zina Garrison Academy Serves on the Advisory Board of Dress for Success

YEHUDI MERCADO

• Has worked in Animation, video games, and comic books for over 20 years.
• 2004 – 2006 Co-wrote and directed the animated series “The Trevor Romain Project”
• 2006 Won 2nd Place in the Final Death Big Break Screenwriting Project
• 2006 Wrote and directed the short film “Monster Job Hunter”, official selection in Fantastic Fest and winner of Best Comedy at Dragon’Con.
• 2009 Accepted into the NALIP Filmmakers Workshop for writing and directing Mock Trial
• 2010 – 2012 Wrote and directed “Buffalo Speedway” ( (Devastator Press) graphic novel about his time as a pizza delivery driver in Houston, Texas.
• 2013 Wrote and illustrated “Pantalones”, TX (Boom/Archaia), a graphic
novel about troublemaking kids in a tiny Texas town.
• 2014 Wrote and art directed “The Guardians of the Galaxy: The Universal Weapon” mobile game (Disney Interactive Marvel).
• 2014-2015 Wrote “Rocket Salvage” (Boom/Archaia), a comic mini-series about race car drivers in space.
• Art Director at Playmation and Disney Consumer Products
• Head at SuperMercado Comics and Films

BRADLEY MYLES

• 2002 - Graduated from Stanford University with degrees in Psychology and Political Science; later completed the Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders, Stanford Graduate School of Business.
• 2004 - Joined the founding team of Polaris Project, a non-profit global leader in the fight against human trafficking, and helped to build Washington D.C.'s first Human Trafficking Task Force.
• 2006 - Helped to launch and operate the country's National Human Trafficking Hotline.
• 2010 - Became CEO of Polaris
• Served as a national and international media commentator and authority on human trafficking
• Helped launch national trafficking hotlines in Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  
• Advocated for the passage of over 100 anti-trafficking laws at the state level.
• Helped identify over 40,000 cases of human trafficking in the United States.
• 2014 - Honoree of the National Civil Rights Museum.
• 2017 - Skoll Award for National Civil Rights Museum