1 GEODynamics Inc.
According to David Wesson ’82, CEO of GeoDynamics Inc., “Going to A&M and working with other Aggies, taught me that I could do anything I put my mind to if I was willing to ‘never give up’.” That lesson and attitude paid off as Wesson started a company in the highly competitive and capital intensive oil field services industry.
GEODynamics was created in response to a convergence of broad trends and very specific needs. Changing energy regulations and the desire for U.S. energy independence after the tragic events of 9/11, combined with Shell’s need for new solutions to well completion problems and technologies for increasing well production opened the door for Wesson and his team. Taking advantage of this convergence, the GEODynamics founders created a technology development company with “distributed manufacturing” for well perforating systems and solutions. Their dream was to create a truly global company with “game-changing” technology.
Today, the company is well on the way to realizing that vision. Wesson will tell you that it has gone better than expected. He’ll note that there are always challenges to overcome but, by staying focused on the goals of the company, they stay on track. “On track” means a two-year compound annual growth rate of 537 percent, earning the company the number one position on this year’s Aggie 100.
Wesson attributes their success to many things, one of which is the Aggie Network. He says he has never asked anyone to help him just because he is an Aggie. That Aggie relationship, however, has opened a number of doors and allows him to win the business based on merit and not just an Aggie Ring. He has traveled the world building GEODynamics and says he is always amazed how Aggies will help other Aggies.
GEODynamics’ founder is not ready to start chasing the next dream yet. He has plenty of growth planned for the company. Looking forward, Wesson’s dreams are varied between starting another company, going back to school or teaching and sailing the Caribbean. It will be fun to see where his dreams take him. Congratulations to David and the entire GEODynamics team.
2 CapNet Securities
Ask Bo Ritz ’84 for his advice and he’ll mention focus, milestones and mentors. A two-year compound growth rate of 180 percent shows that the CapNet Securities’ team has taken Ritz’s advice. This Houston-based NASD broker/dealer specializes in investment banking services and prides itself on developing mutually profitable, long-lasting client relationships. Ritz’s entrepreneurial dream was “to live the day-to-day journey.” He did not start CapNet with a unique business model, he chose instead, to create a unique journey. Today he’ll tell you the dream is certainly coming true and he’ll also admit that it has not been without challenges. Experience leads to his advice about focus, milestones and mentors. Even with the challenges, he enjoys the decision-making freedom that comes with being an entrepreneur. A visit to Ritz’s office will give you a clue into what he’d be doing if he wasn’t leading an investment banking firm — his interest in coaching is reflected in sports art and memorabilia, and as he says, he’d love to “coach anything, anywhere.” Obviously, he has been a good coach to his CapNet team.
3 Cardan Enterprises Inc.
It is because of the Aggie Network that this year’s number three company exists at all. Danny Bower ’82 met the brother of a fellow Aggie, also an Aggie, in his mining engineering program, who was buying producing wells. Being native Texans, the idea of owning oil wells seemed natural to Bower and his wife, Carol, and Cardan Enterprises, Inc. was born. Eighteen years later, the couple has lived the ups and downs of the oil & gas industry and Cardan is thriving with nearly a 170 percent compound growth rate over the last two years. Independence and controlling their own destiny were the primary motivators behind launching Cardan. Today, the Bowers will tell you that Danny’s engineering background, coupled with Carol’s planning, marketing and operations expertise have paid off well and the dream is on its way to reality. They’ll also tell you that, if given the chance, the Bower’s would do it all over again. In their mind, the sense of accomplishment gained from running your own company overrules any and all challenges a small company faces along the way.
4 Marvin Tate Communications
Marvin Tate ’75 was a successful independent cell phone company representative and that was a problem. The more successful he became, the more management cut back his territory making continued success more difficult. Tate figured out that, if he was going to prosper, he was going to have to make changes. So, armed with 10 years of experience and a gift for sales, he launched Marvin Tate Communications in 2000. Today, the fast-growing communication company has offices in multiple cities and he has managed to make it a family business by bringing his daughter into the fold. Despite his realization that running your own business requires a huge time commitment, he will tell you that he wishes he had started his business sooner. As he has built his business, he has never forgotten his own experience. He makes taking care of employees his number one priority ensuring that they get what they deserve and in a timely fashion. Tate is living his entrepreneurial dream. His future dreams include his grandchildren attending A&M and possibly being Aggie 100 honorees in the future.
5 JB Knowledge
James Benham ’01 has a success story with JB Knowledge. The company is testament to the value of student leadership roles and the Aggie Network. During his time at A&M, James was the information management officer for the Corps of Cadets. In this role, he learned a lot about leadership and he met former students that needed help with their business’ information systems. Benham parlayed his expertise, contacts and his problem-solving ability into one of this year’s top 10 businesses. Today, the company is growing at a 93 percent compound annual growth rate and is serving clients in three countries. While creating a company directly from his Aggie experience is rewarding, one of most satisfactory aspects of JB Knowledge for Benham is that his partner in the venture is his father. Being an entrepreneur brings stress, responsibility and liability. Despite that, if you ask him if he’d do it all over again, he replies, “In a heartbeat!” The flexibility and freedom of running his own business win out in Benham’s mind.
6 Vogel Financial Advisors, LLC.
Passion is important for an entrepreneur. It provides energy, focus and the ability to push through tough times. While working for a public accounting firm, Michael Busch ’88 discovered that he had a passion for financial planning and investment management. He takes a lot of pride in building a business that acts as an independent advisor able to take a more comprehensive and holistic approach. Obviously, his passion and approach are paying off as evidenced by Vogel’s number six ranking on this year’s Aggie 100. He admits to being somewhat of a perfectionist which means that his dream of building the best financial advisory firm may never be complete as there is always room for improvement. If pressed, however, he’ll tell you “if I retire, I would enjoy running a small nursery.” Nurturing investments or plants, either way, with Vogel’s passion and approach, it is a safe bet that he’ll be successful.
7 Miner Fleet Management Group
Businesses don’t always develop in straight lines and Miner Fleet Management is a good example. Phil Miner ’80 started with a web-based, electronically-driven model for servicing and supporting their client’s material handling equipment. While it was a well thought-out approach, it was ahead of its time. Miner and his team had to quickly reinvent the business and get in step with their clients. An 85 percent compound annual growth rate indicates that they made the change successfully. In fact, today, the clients are now catching up to Miner’s original vision. Miner’s story is also a good example of the Aggie Code of Honor in action. He relates the story about a customer with financial problems who owed his company money. The large sum was of concern to Miner but a promise and handshake from an Aggie within the troubled business was all it took to put Miner’s concerns to rest and true to his word, the Aggie made sure Miner’s company was paid in full. Aggie values and an innovative business model are paying off for Miner Fleet Management Group.
8 Pentecom
A big company’s inability to competitively bid government projects opened the door to the dream of Kimberly Willmott ’86. While the established company was winding down its activities in Willmott’s area, she dreamed of hiring these people back, giving them great jobs, building a broad customer base and persevering to develop a self-sustaining company. Her dream is well on its way. Today she has hired several of her former co-workers, many in rural East Texas without satisfying job alternatives. Pentecom has a wide customer base and has grown by over 82 percent per year over the last two years. The company will celebrate its tenth anniversary in March of 2007 showing that they are here to stay. Willmott is happy watching her dream unfold and if given a chance, she’d gladly do it again. She loves the freedom to set company direction and challenges of bringing in new business and starting new projects. Looking ahead, she dreams of expanding the company’s services and continued growth.
9 Arch-Con Corporation
The dream of Michael Scheurich ’92 was to start a company that could take on a life of its own and now he has certainly done so — creating the first company to be in the top 10 of the Aggie 100 both years. Arch-Con is well on its way to being a self-sustaining, diverse corporation that will complete construction projects across the globe this year. Scheurich attributes his company’s success to the individuals that have come together as a team and accomplished more than any one person can alone. His advice to entrepreneurs is “when you dream … dream big … because it might just come true.” He’ll also tell them to nurture business relationships like friendships — both require give and take. This year’s 82 percent growth rate continues to grow — up from last year’s 71 percent rate. Clearly, big dreams, team work and solid business relationships are paying off.
10 MEI Technologies Inc.
Formerly Muniz Engineering, this year’s number 10 company was also a member of the Aggie 100 class of 2005. Edelmiro Muniz ’67 started the company in 1992 with the dream of contributing to the exploration of Mars and our solar system — not a small dream! Has it gone as expected? “No, our success has far exceeded my original expectations.” His first surprise along the way was realizing how little he really knew about starting a business. His second surprise was that “common sense made up for a lot of business ignorance.” Muniz attributes his ability to weather the difficulties to his time in the Corps of Cadets. “The Corps,” he says, “gave me the confidence to try things I didn’t know I could do and the discipline to complete everything I started.” Today, MEI Technologies is contributing to space exploration. Muniz, however, is a patient man. He knows that if we don’t get to Mars during his career, his children will finish the project. His dreams outside of MEI include watching his grandchildren embark on their own life adventure. We look forward to seeing them on the Aggie 100 in a few years.
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