Meet the 2025 Gulf South finalists

Brandon Webb is the CEO of 3S Services LLC.

3S offers services and SMEs in various aspects of the energy and construction industries, including oil and gas maintenance, electrical distribution, pipeline and facility construction, civil and earthen construction, engineering and design, and a contingent workforce solution.

3S is driven by a robust and proactive health, safety, and environment (HSE) culture that is supported by a dynamic HSE management system. Mr. Webb has most recently developed innovative software called "WebbSight" that allows for real-time data collection and reporting on daily operations. Mr. Webb leads an involved and experienced management team that supports a skilled workforce and a knowledgeable team of SMEs that span the Lower 48.

Jeff Cardenas is the Co-Founder & CEO of Apptronik.

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered humanoid robots. Its goal is to create human helpers to support humanity in every facet of life. Its robot, Apollo, is designed to collaborate thoughtfully with humans—initially in critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond. Apollo is the culmination of nearly a decade of development, drawing on Apptronik’s extensive work on 15 previous robots, including NASA’s Valkyrie robot. Apptronik originated from the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas at Austin and has over 170 employees.

Apptronik’s approach is centered on solving technological and social challenges in robotics, ensuring that its products are not only functional but also psychologically approachable for humans. The company’s strategic partnerships with leading innovators enable continuous refinement of Apollo’s capabilities. These collaborations provide critical real-world testing, data access, and technical expertise, making Apptronik a leader in the rapidly evolving humanoid robotics space.

Jesse Edelman is the CEO of ArchPoint Group.

ArchPoint Group has four divisions:

ArchPoint Consulting solves business leaders’ problems to fuel the growth of markets, brands, and organizations. As one of the world leaders in the OGSM strategic planning methodology, our experiential approach fosters resilient organizations through compassion, accountability, and a shared passion for learning and growth.

ArchPoint Creative is a full-service marketing agency serving clients in the USA and Europe. We focus on brand strategy, creative campaigns, and packaging design, as well as social/digital and omnichannel execution.

Acadian Crossing Consumer Products is a private label product development, sourcing, and distribution company. We have brought the capabilities of a Fortune 500 CPG company—product development, global manufacturing, domestic distribution, integrated logistics, and customer service—to private label categories like disposable tabletop, food storage containers, and pet treats. We source products from 30 factories in nine countries and service our customers from four U.S. warehouses.

ArchPoint Sales is a Texas-based food brokerage that brings together cross-functional capabilities to deliver long-term sustainable results for the brands represented in grocery retail.

Balaji Sreenivasan is the Founder & CEO of Aurigo Software Technologies, Inc.

Aurigo helps infrastructure owners plan with confidence and build with quality through AI-powered software that modernizes how agencies manage their capital programs.

Balaji founded Aurigo in 2003 and built the company from the ground up through a disciplined, bootstrapped approach that laid the foundation for long-term success. Today, with more than $450 billion in infrastructure under management across 40,000 projects, Aurigo supports over 300 customers across transportation, water, healthcare, education, and government sectors.

Aurigo Masterworks is the company’s flagship platform, enabling large public agencies to streamline planning, funding, construction, and right-of-way processes. Aurigo Essentials offers a ready-to-use project management solution for small to mid-sized agencies. The company’s newest innovation, Aurigo Lumina, leverages AI to deliver deep insights, enabling data-driven decisions.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the company has over 600 employees across North America, India, Canada, and South Africa. Under Balaji’s leadership, Aurigo continues to pioneer the future of infrastructure planning through cutting-edge technology and a deep commitment to community impact.

Terry Black is the Founder of Black Family Hospitality.

Black Family Hospitality was founded in 2014 by the Black Family with the opening of Terry Black’s Barbecue in Austin, Texas, honoring their father, Terry. Since then, they have expanded with additional locations across Texas, including Dallas, Lockhart, Waco, and Fort Worth.

Rooted in family tradition and a passion for authentic Texas barbecue, Black Family Hospitality is dedicated to providing exceptional food and service. Beyond their restaurants, they offer full-service catering and private event spaces, bringing the same commitment to quality and hospitality to gatherings of all sizes.

Embracing innovation while honoring tradition, Black Family Hospitality continues to make a lasting impact on the culinary and hospitality landscape, reflecting the family's dedication to excellence and genuine hospitality.

Dr. Andrea Thomaz is the CEO & Co-Founder of Diligent Robotics.

Founded in 2017, Diligent Robotics is an Austin-based AI company that creates robot assistants to help people with physical tasks so they can focus on the work they care about most. Moxi is our hospital robot assistant that helps clinical staff with routine, non-patient-facing tasks, allowing them more time for patient care and helping hospitals save money on staff burnout and turnover costs. Moxi has been successfully supporting several U.S. health systems and focuses on tasks such as gathering supplies and delivering them to patient rooms, delivering samples to the lab and retrieving items from central supply to nursing units. As a company founded by social robotics experts, we're proud to be at the forefront of creating robots that incorporate mobile manipulation, social intelligence and machine learning capabilities. We believe that if we can give people the resources they need to do the work they care about most, we will transform the meaning of "work."

Jeff Chandler is the CEO of Hopdoddy Burger Bar.

With 50 locations and growing, Hopdoddy Burger Bar was founded on South Congress Ave in 2014. The brand has expanded to seven states across the USA and is currently focusing on expansion in Texas and those markets.

Andy Flanagan is the CEO of Iris Telehealth.

We deliver quality, sustainable behavioral health care to those who need it the most while striving to be the best telepsychiatry company to meet our partners’ needs. Our behavioral health expertise helps healthcare organizations, including health systems, CCBHCs, CMHCs, and FQHCs, optimize their programs and deliver best-in-class support to make virtual behavioral health care a seamless, long-term solution. Our telepsychiatry services support all care settings, patient cohorts, and acuity levels—from pediatric to geriatric and low-acuity therapy to high-acuity psychiatry.

Jeff Wilkinson is the Chairman & CEO of Keystone Bank.

Keystone Bank opened its doors in Central Texas on October 15, 2018, with a maverick and entrepreneurial approach to community banking that truly puts the client first. We’re proud to be one of the fastest-growing banks in Texas, founded on the principles of integrity, honesty, and resilience. We have learned that good banking is about one thing: serving our clients by making connections, which is one reason our name is so important to us. In a similar way that a Keystone is the central connection point for an arch, we want to help our clients make the connection between where they are now and where they want to go financially. That starts with our team of experienced bankers, who both live and make decisions locally, connecting with clients to learn more about their unique needs. Then, we do the most non-banking thing we can: we build a custom plan to serve each of our clients. Community banking is about solving problems—not for customers—but for neighbors. Everything about our operation puts the client first—from the way we build relationships to why and how we’ll use technology. We are in the trenches with our clients, keeping a constant ear out for how we can best help them overcome challenges.

Bobby Evans is the CEO & President of Liberty Lift Solutions, LLC.

Liberty Lift Solutions is a full-service artificial lift company known worldwide for premium products, service, and customer care. Initially formed in 2012 as a beam pumping unit manufacturing company, the Liberty Lift product lines now include artificial lift equipment and services in the following areas: Conventional Beam Pumping Units, XL Long Stroke Pumping Units, Sucker Rods, Downhole Rod Pumps and Tools, Automation, Hydraulic Jet Pump Systems, Gas Lift Systems, Plunger Lift Systems, and Spooling and Capillary. In addition to its Houston headquarters, Liberty Lift maintains offices in 26 locations across the United States, Canada, Bahrain, and China.

Jessica Ewing is the CEO & Founder of Literati.

Literati is a pioneering literary company on a mission to inspire a lifelong love of reading. It offers a Kids Book Subscription that delivers expertly curated books to children, helping families cultivate a passion for literature. Literati has also reimagined the traditional school book fair, creating a modern, seamless experience that provides schools with high-quality book selections while making reading exciting for young readers.

The Literati Store, the company’s eCommerce platform, expands access to thoughtfully chosen books across various genres, ensuring readers of all ages can discover meaningful stories. Beyond its commercial offerings, Literati is committed to literacy advocacy through nonprofit programs that help provide books and educational resources to underserved communities.

By blending curated book selections, innovative retail experiences, and a passion for literacy, Literati is shaping the future of book discovery and fostering a deeper appreciation for reading across generations.

Asher Kazmann is the President of Locke Solutions, LLC.

Locke Solutions is a pioneering precast concrete manufacturer dedicated to making life easier for our clients in the building industry with innovative, tailor-made solutions. With state-of-the-art facilities in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, and beyond, we design, produce, and perfect precast products that reduce risk and schedule duration, allowing contractors to scale up across diverse building sectors. Our advanced, people-focused philosophy allows us to tackle complex projects and deliver successful outcomes for builders and owners. Whether it’s on-site precast production that cuts down transportation delays or custom designs engineered to your exact specifications, Locke delivers exceptional quality and service—turning complex challenges into concrete realities.

Chip Malt is the CEO & Co-Founder of Made In Cookware.

Made In Cookware (Made In) is a premium cookware brand based in Austin, TX. Founded in 2017 but born of a fourth-generation, family-owned kitchen supply business, Made In creates best-in-class cookware developed in partnership with the world’s finest chefs and foremost craftsmen.

Today, you'll find Made In products in more than 2,500 restaurants, in the hands of James Beard Award-winning chefs at Michelin-starred restaurants across the country, and in over a million home kitchens worldwide. Made In products have garnered over 100,000 five-star reviews, and the company was named one of Inc. Magazine’s best workplaces and Newsweek’s best online shops of 2024.

Rusty Moffitt is the Owner of Moffitt Services.

Moffitt Services is a nationwide leader in fuel distribution and site services, providing reliable fuel delivery, lubricants, and on-site support to industries such as construction, oil and gas, agriculture, and disaster response. Established in 2014, the company has built a reputation for dependability, innovation, and exceptional customer service. Moffitt Services is committed to keeping businesses running with efficient fueling solutions, rapid emergency response, and customized site service offerings. With a focus on safety, technology, and industry expertise, Moffitt Services continues to expand its reach while maintaining its core values of service, integrity, and excellence.

Jasen Gast is the CEO of Oilfield Service Professionals LLC.

Oilfield Service Professionals, Inc. (OSP) is an emerging leader in advanced well construction, completions, downhole intervention, and plug and abandonment solutions for both onshore and offshore markets. The company specializes in innovative technologies, including its patented Drill Pipe Circulating (DPC) Technology and NEXUS Service Packers, designed to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness in drilling and completion processes.

OSP offers a comprehensive suite of services, including wellbore cleanup, casing and tubing solutions, and downhole tool rentals, ensuring optimal well performance throughout its lifecycle. The company serves Tier 1 oil and gas operators, service providers, and drilling contractors worldwide, delivering tailored solutions that maximize productivity and reduce downtime.

Committed to quality, integrity, innovation, and safety, OSP continuously invests in research and development to drive industry advancements. With a customer-focused approach and deep technical expertise, OSP remains a trusted partner in providing reliable and efficient oilfield services across global energy markets.

Travis Boone is the President & CEO of Orion Group Holdings, Inc.

Orion Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ORN) is a leading specialty construction company serving the infrastructure, industrial, and building sectors. Through its Marine and Concrete groups, Orion delivers innovative, high-impact solutions both on and off the water across the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Western Canada, and the Caribbean.

With nearly a century of expertise, our Marine Group specializes in marine construction, dredging, and environmental structures, supporting critical infrastructure such as ports, waterways, and industrial terminals. Our Concrete Group provides turnkey construction services for large-scale commercial, structural, and industrial projects, with a strong background in data centers.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, and with regional offices throughout its operating areas, Orion’s strength lies in its people—an integrated team united by a shared commitment to predictable excellence. Our Engineering group enhances constructability and sustainability, while our Think Partnerships SBE initiative fosters collaboration with diverse businesses.

At Orion, we don’t just build projects—we build lasting partnerships and deliver solutions that shape the future of infrastructure.

Trent Oglesby is the CEO of Percheron LLC.

Percheron executes electrical transmission, utility, wind, solar, and oil and gas projects by bundling engineering, title research, acquisitions, land surveying, and environmental services into one cohesive solution. We refer to this as “Fully Integrated Services.” Our team of qualified project managers uses cutting-edge technology, provides exceptional client service, and delivers accurate and timely results. By integrating land, engineering, survey, environmental, and title services, we eliminate duplication and increase productivity through accountability, allowing you to measure the success of your project by what matters most: on time and under budget.

Percheron has built a legacy of best-in-class services through the commitment and experience of our project management team. For some, the ability to organize and execute projects nationwide is just an ambition. But Percheron offers more than a promise—our record of sustained excellence and client retention proves where we’ve been and where our partnerships can go together.

PJ Popovic is the CEO of Rhythm Energy.

Founded in January 2021, Rhythm is already one of the highest-rated and fastest-growing energy providers in Texas. We created Rhythm to be the energy company of the future, with a vision to build tools that give customers control over their bills, set the bar for digital customer experience, and create a technology platform that connects Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) to energy markets. In just four years, we’ve become a market leader, built a powerful growth engine with strong economics, and are perfectly positioned to benefit from broad market trends.

Danielle Wright is the Founder & CEO of Right Choice Development & Construction.

Founded in 2016, Right Choice Construction is a Houston-based certified City of Houston Women Business Enterprise (WBE) operating within the statewide Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program and the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting program—both under the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Right Choice Construction serves Texas, primarily the Greater Houston area. We specialize in commercial construction projects of all types, including ground-up construction, steel buildings, retail spaces, restaurants, religious centers, corporate offices, industrial facilities, and more.

As a full-service general contractor, Right Choice Construction offers end-to-end project management, handling everything from budgeting and design coordination to procurement and scheduling. Our team ensures the project’s smooth progression, with proactive supervision on-site to keep things on track. We believe in being a resource to our clients, providing expert advice and solutions whenever challenges arise.

We’re dedicated to delivering superior results, with a strong emphasis on communication, collaboration, and client satisfaction throughout every phase of the project.

Bill Bong, P.E. is the President & Co-Founder of RRC Companies.

RRC Companies is a leading multidisciplinary engineering firm serving the renewable and traditional energy sectors.

Since 2007, RRC has been providing full-scope engineering and technical services for the solar, wind, energy storage, data centers, and oil and gas (O&G) industries. RRC specializes in geotechnical, civil, structural, electrical, and SCADA engineering, as well as material testing, land surveying, field services, and project development support.

What sets RRC apart is our unmatched experience and commitment to quality, growth, and innovation. Our open communication ensures seamless collaboration and successful outcomes for clients.

At RRC, we are more than just engineers; we are your trusted partners in building a sustainable future.

Dr. Lefteris Ntouanoglou is the CEO & Founder of Schoox, LLC.

Schoox redefines learning by seamlessly connecting it with development and business growth—something no other platform does effectively. While traditional learning systems focus on compliance and process, Schoox ensures that learning directly impacts employee growth and business success. We integrate all three pillars—learning, development, and performance—creating synergies that help employees build skills, improve performance, advance their careers, and drive measurable results for their organizations. Our platform is designed for engagement, featuring an intuitive UI/UX, gamification, social collaboration, and AI-driven career development. Adaptive Microlearning personalizes learning paths, making skill-building efficient and impactful. Uniquely capable of handling highly complex organizations, we empower global enterprises, particularly excelling in industries with frontline workers. Built on a scalable AI-driven architecture, Schoox continuously improves its skill-matching capabilities, helping businesses develop talent more effectively than ever before. We’re not just another LMS—we’re a platform that transforms learning into a strategic advantage.

Ted Ross is the CEO & Co-Founder of SpyCloud.

SpyCloud transforms recaptured darknet data to disrupt cybercrime. Its automated identity threat protection solutions leverage advanced analytics to proactively prevent ransomware and account takeover, safeguard employee and consumer accounts, and accelerate cybercrime investigations. SpyCloud's data from breaches, malware-infected devices, and successful phishing attacks also powers many popular dark web monitoring and identity theft protection offerings. Customers include seven of the Fortune 10, along with hundreds of global enterprises, mid-sized companies, and government agencies worldwide. Headquartered in Austin, TX, SpyCloud is home to more than 200 cybersecurity experts whose mission is to protect businesses and consumers from the stolen identity data criminals are using to target them.

Wayne Wilson is the CEO of SynergenX.

SynergenX is a leading provider of hormone replacement therapy, specializing in testosterone and estrogen treatments. SynergenX offers in-clinic and at-home self-injection services to help patients manage hormone imbalances. The company also provides weight management treatments, including weight loss injections. SynergenX's key focus is on personalized care to enhance overall well-being, energy levels, and quality of life for its patients.

Sunil Patel is the Founder & CEO of Tekmetric.

Tekmetric, the leading auto repair technology company, improves auto repair shops through the relentless pursuit of innovation.  Built for modern auto repair businesses, Tekmetric’s all-in-one, cloud-based platform integrates shop management, payments, marketing, technology integrations, and real-time data—empowering shop owners to streamline operations, drive profitability, and deliver an exceptional customer experience.

Founded in 2017 by Sunil Patel, Tekmetric was created to solve a fundamental challenge: outdated, inefficient shop management systems that hinder business growth. Traditional server-based software, manual spreadsheets, and paper-driven workflows made it difficult for shop owners to scale efficiently. Recognizing the need for a smarter solution, Sunil and his team built Tekmetric—a seamless, data-driven platform that not only optimizes shop performance but also elevates the experience for both shop owners and their customers.

By providing transparency, efficiency, and actionable insights, Tekmetric enables auto repair shops to run smarter, work faster, and grow stronger in an increasingly competitive industry.

Jason Hayes is the President of Top Coat Fabrication.

Top Coat Fabrication is a custom fabricator for numerous industries and is gradually working its way into renewable industries as well. We fabricate all types of process piping, ASME pressure vessels, structural steel and custom skid packages, which can be any combination of those three. We ship our products anywhere from 5 miles away to overseas.

Kris Jones is the President of Truck and Equipment Repair of Texas.

Truck and Equipment Repair of Texas was established to bring a true customer service experience to the truck equipment industry. We enjoy serving and working with the businesses and residents of our community, as well as our valued customers from all over the state of Texas and the United States.

We have the capability to install a wide variety of products, and we take pride in the fact that we can provide the highest quality of work for your vehicles. Our installations include, but are not limited to:

• Flatbeds
• Liftgates
• Service truck bodies
• Cranes
• Hoists
• Dump bodies
• Scissor lifts
• Van packages
• Air compressors
• Truck toolboxes
• Our installation abilities extend far beyond this list, and we look forward to working with you to improve your business.

Darryll Dewan is the CEO of TSS, Inc.

Integrates advanced technology and AI solutions.  

Tony Hartl is the President & CEO of Undefeated Tribe Operating Company LLC.

Undefeated Tribe is a franchisee of the Crunch Fitness system that owns and operates health and fitness facilities currently located in Texas and Oklahoma, with additional rights to operate facilities under the Crunch brand in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and Washington.

Wayne Morton is the CEO of Wind Energy Transmission Texas.

WETT is an owner/operator of a high-voltage transmission system regulated by the Texas PUC. Several gigawatts of wind, solar, and battery storage are connected to the WETT system, providing environmentally friendly and reliable power sources to Texas ratepayers.