Joel T. Allison, FACHE
President and Chief Executive Officer
Baylor Health Care System

Joel Allison is president and chief executive officer of Baylor Health Care System (BHCS) in Dallas. Allison’s career includes almost three decades in health care management. Allison received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and religion at Baylor University in 1970 and attended Trinity University's health care administration program where he earned a master's degree in 1973. He is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School and in 2004 he received an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Dallas Baptist University.

Pryor Blackwell
Founding Partner
Bandera Ventures

Pryor Blackwell founded Bandera Ventures with Charles Anderson and Thomas Leiser in May 2003. The Partners have over 60 years’ experience in commercial real estate encompassing in excess of 50 million square feet of development and acquisitions throughout the United States. Before founding Bandera Ventures, he was employed with Trammell Crow Company for 18 years where he was President of the Development and Investment Group. He served as a member of the Executive Committee, the Operating Committee, and the Trammell Crow Company Board of Directors. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University.

Dr Gary Cook
President
Dallas Baptist University

Dr. Gary Cook has been President of Dallas Baptist University since April 1988. The university has grown from 1,859 students in 1988 to 5,400 in 2009. The campus has expanded from 200 acres to 292 acres.

Dr. Cook formerly served on the administrative staff of Baylor University in Waco for ten years. He has also served as a member of the Waco City Council and Mayor Pro Tem of Waco.

Gary Elliston
Senior Founding Partner
DeHay & Ellison

Gary is the senior founding partner of DeHay & Elliston, L.L.P., and specializes in the areas of toxic tort, medical malpractice, professional and product liability litigation. He graduated cum laude from Howard Payne University in 1975 and as a Hatton W. Sumners Foundation Scholar, cum laude, from Southern Methodist University Law School in 1978. In 2007, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Howard Payne University.

Brian Fant
The Law Offices of Brian H Fant, PC

Brian Fant began his legal career with Touchstone Bernays in 1981 after graduating from Baylor Law School. His practice is devoted exclusively to litigation in both Federal and State Courts, representing both corporations and individuals in a wide variety of tort cases involving wrongful death and serious injury claims. Along with his admission into the State Bar of Texas in 1981, Brian has also been admitted into the United States Western, Eastern and Northern District Courts, as well as the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. Brian has taught courses on Consumer Protection and Claims Handling as well as speaking at the Texas Insurance Seminar on Auto Insurance, Tort Reform and Wrongful Death.

Vester Hughes
Partner
K & L Gates

Mr. Hughes' many years of private practice have spanned many aspects of federal taxation. Mr. Hughes has argued two cases before the United States Supreme Court (and been lead counsel in two additional cases before the court, one of which was decided March 7, 2005, in favor of his client). He continues to participate in litigation at all levels of trial and appellate courts, including arguing cases in U.S. Courts of Appeals, U.S. Claims Court, Texas Supreme Court and other courts of administrative agencies as well as presenting cases to Federal District courts and the United States Tax Court. On several occasions he has successfully lobbied Congress on behalf of clients to amend the federal tax laws and he often is called on by staff members of the Treasury Department and the Congressional tax-writing committees for his views on tax policy and pending legislation not directly affecting any specific client but as a public interest commentator.

Stan Thiebaud
Partner
Stinnet, Thiebaud & Remington

Stan has been serving his clients for over 20 years with dedication, advocacy and courtroom success. He has tried over 60 jury trials to verdict with excellent results for his clients. His clients include some of the largest hospital systems and physician practice groups in Texas. He has been recognized as a "Texas Super Lawyer" each year since 2004 through the votes of his peers. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and is a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.

David Watson
Co-Founder and Managing Principal
Direct Development

David is the co founder and managing principal at Direct Development. Direct Development is a regional commercial real estate development and management firm that is active in the shopping center business. David is a deacon at Park Cities Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. He has served as president of the Board of Directors of Dallas area Habitat for Humanity. He is a graduate of Southern Methodist University.