Back to Entrepreneur Of The Year

Meet the Southwest judges

The success of the program relies on the efforts of our independent panel of judges. These past Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award recipients and civic and community leaders devote significant effort to review and deliberate the merits of each nominee. We deeply appreciate their dedication to the program.

Gabe Abshire

Gabe Abshire is the Chief Executive Officer of Move Concierge, a company he founded to revolutionize the moving experience. With a passion for entrepreneurship, Gabe originally launched Utility Concierge in 2009, pioneering the home service setup industry. His mission is to eliminate the stress associated with moving, a process often considered one of life’s most stressful events, by providing seamless and pain-free relocation solutions for American families.

Gabe’s inspiration for Move Concierge stemmed from his prior experience leading a satellite TV installation business in North Texas. He recognized that establishing utilities and essential services in a new home was a major hassle for homeowners. To address this, Gabe developed a personal concierge service to manage the connection of critical services — such as electricity, TV, security and internet — ensuring a smooth transition for new homeowners. Today, Move Concierge collaborates with a growing number of major companies in the real estate, mortgage and home insurance sectors, helping them add value for their clients by utilizing this innovative service.

In 2022, Gabe was honored as Entrepreneur Of The Year in the Central Plains region. Additionally, Move Concierge was named to the Top 100 Private Companies by the SMU Cox School of Business in 2020 and has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of the Fastest Growing Companies in the US for six consecutive years.

Gabe holds a Bachelor’s in Business from the University of North Texas, where he was an active member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He and his wife are proud parents of a son and a daughter. A committed member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization since 2010, Gabe served on the Dallas board for five years and led the organization’s Accelerator program for three years, helping businesses scale from $250,000 to more than $1 million in revenue. Back to top

Jean Baik

Jean Baik is the founder and CMO of Miss A Stores, Inc. With a strong background in fashion and design, she earned her degree from the University of California, Berkeley, before continuing her studies at Parsons School of Design in New York City. After gaining experience in the fashion industry, Jean, alongside her husband and cofounder Kenneth Baik, launched MISS A in 2013 with a vision to make beauty accessible and fun for everyone.

Inspired by the idea of creating an affordable shopping experience, Jean built Miss A into a go-to destination for beauty lovers seeking high-quality, cruelty-free cosmetics, accessories and lifestyle products at unbeatable prices. She sees the brand as a “playground for experimentation,” where customers can explore new trends, colors and products without the high cost typically associated with beauty.

Since its launch, ShopMissA has grown into a thriving business with more than 1,000 employees and 50 retail locations, offering an ever-expanding selection of beauty and lifestyle essentials. In 2016, Jean took her passion a step further by launching her own makeup and beauty tools line, AOA Studio. Committed to affordability without compromising quality, she continued to innovate with the introduction of Miss A’s lifestyle brand, Official Key Items, the skincare line AOA Skin and the high-performance cosmetic collection AOA Pro.

As Chief Merchandising Officer, Jean is at the forefront of product development, constantly sourcing, curating and launching trend-driven products. She travels globally, attending trade shows and collaborating with manufacturers to bring the latest beauty innovations to Miss A’s customers. Through her leadership and creativity, Jean continues to redefine budget-friendly beauty, making it possible for everyone to discover and express their unique style. Back to top

Dennis Cail

Dennis Cail, Founder & CEO of Zirtue, is an award-winning entrepreneur, technology executive, board member, Navy veteran, Forbes Next 1000 Honoree, D CEO 500 and Entrepreneur Of The Year® Southwest winner. Founded with a mission to drive financial inclusion, Zirtue is the world's first relationship-based lending application that simplifies loans between friends and family. The platform is designed to make it easier to request and approve loans and make and track payments while managing and maintaining trusted relationships. Under Dennis's leadership, Zirtue has experienced rapid growth that has also garnered national attention of major media outlets, including Forbes, Fortune, Inc. magazine, Business Insider, Dallas Morning News, Dallas Business Journal, WFAA and Fox Business News. As a Navy veteran and an SMU graduate with a passion for closing the wealth gap by giving people a hand-up in lieu of a handout, Dennis is an active bank and community board member, including the Dallas Regional Chamber Board, Texas Security Bank Board, Goodwill Board, YMCA Foundation Board and SMU Alumni Board of Directors (Emeritus). Back to top

Maria Carell

Maria Carell currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of Revision Skincare and Goodier. In this role, Maria is helping the company build on its legacy of being first to market with innovative, science-driven, effective skincare that addresses the signs of aging and promotes overall skin health. She's also leading the brand's growth through acquisitions and expansion into new markets around the globe. Maria has an extensive background in operating, acquiring and developing health care and life science companies, with a particular focus on pharmaceutical and medical device companies. She has served as CEO of Exeltis USA (part of the Chemo Group), as President of Meda Pharmaceuticals and Executive Vice President of MEDA AB (NASDAQ OMX, Large Cap), as CEO and President of Q-Med (NASDAQ OMX, Mid Cap), and as General Manager of Actavis Pharmaceuticals. She has also served in several business development and sales and marketing roles for organizations ranging in size from small entrepreneurial to global multinational companies (Novartis, Johnson & Johnson). Throughout her career, Maria has led organizations to substantial organic growth and guided additional growth through transformational acquisitions. She is also credited with the successful divestiture of Q-Med to Galderma S.A., a transaction valued at approximately $1 billion. Maria has held several board assignments as a board member and as Chairman of the Board in both public and private life science and health care provider companies. She has also been nominated for numerous awards, such as Entrepreneur Of The Year®, Real Leaders Impact Award, the Most Powerful Business Woman Award and Rising Talent at the Global Women's Forum. Maria holds an MSc in International Business/Business Administration from Linkoping University, Sweden. Back to top

Dave Copps

Dave Copps is internationally known as a technologist and visionary, leading the charge in leveraging deep tech to transform markets and shape the future of our world. Dave has founded, launched, and sold two Al companies that have placed machine learning and artificial intelligence in thousands of companies worldwide. He was recently named Entrepreneur Of The Year for the Central Plains and included in the Dallas 500, recognizing the top business leaders in Dallas, and the AI75 as one of the top 75 AI leaders in Texas. 

While serving as CEO of his previous company, Brainspace, he was recognized as Emerging Company CEO of the Year in Texas. Dave currently serves as CEO of Worlds, leading the company in building the AI platform for the physical world. The Worlds platform empowers organizations to radically improve productivity, efficiency and safety by deploying AI-based automation directly into their physical operations. Dave received his BA from the University of North Texas. He is invited to the Aspen Institute’s Roundtable on Al, the XPRIZE Visioneering Board and the U.S. government’s Council on Competitiveness; a Capital Factory partner; and a frequent speaker on AI and startups at conferences, universities and incubators worldwide.

When Dave is not being a geek, he enjoys collecting custom guitars and exotic cars, ocean sailing and family time at his home on the island of Bequia in the Caribbean. Back to top

Abe Minkara

Abe Minkara is the Founding Partner of Legacy Knight. Prior to Legacy Knight, he was the Managing Director at Mark Cuban Companies. Abe managed the portfolio of investments at Mark Cuban Companies with a focus on technology, logistics and consumer product goods (Shark Tank). Abe is also actively engaged as an advisor and board member with a number of companies leveraging his expertise in strategy, operations and capital allocation to help accelerate their growth. D CEO magazine has recognized Abe as one of the 500 most influential business leaders in North Texas for 2020. Additionally he is a member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO Dallas Gold Chapter), an advisory board member at Eosera, an advisory board member at Productable, an advisory board member at Institute of Excellence in Corporate Governance, an advisor at City Rock Ventures, a mentor at Stadia Ventures, an advisory council member at Communities Foundation of Texas and an advisory board member at Eisemann Edge Initiative. Abe received his MBA from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Back to top

Nipa Nobel

Nipa Nobel, an accomplished entrepreneur, civic leader and philanthropist, serves as Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of MTX Group, a leading global technology consulting firm that partners with government agencies and businesses to advance the happiness, health and economics of the communities they serve worldwide. Nipa is committed to supporting women in leadership through a one-to-one ratio of women to men leaders. As a passionate and active community leader, Nipa is a member of the New York City Police Foundation. In 2021, she received an Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award. In 2022, she was named a Dallas Business Journal "Leaders in Diversity Awards" honoree. A native of Bangladesh, Nipa immigrated to the US as a teenager. Outside work, Nipa enjoys spending time with her family. Back to top

Barbara Smith

Barbara Smith is Chairman of the Board of Commercial Metals Company (NYSE:CMC). Commercial Metals Company is a Fortune 500 company and leading manufacturer of concrete reinforcing and other steel products, a recognized leader in product and process innovation. Barbara joined CMC in June 2011 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. She was then promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2016 and to CEO in 2017. Prior to joining CMC, Barbara was the Chief Financial Officer for Gerdau Ameristeel and FARO Technologies. Her career also includes more than 20 years of service with Alcoa Inc. In addition to her role at CMC, Barbara serves on the Board of Directors for Comerica Incorporated. She previously served on the Board of Directors at Minerals Technologies Inc. from May 2011 through July 2017. Barbara has been actively involved in various community organizations, including serving on the Dallas and Tampa boards of the American Heart Association. She currently serves as the American Heart Association Southwest Division Chairman. In 2020, Barbara was recognized by S&P Global Platts as the winner of the Global Metals Award, 2020 CEO of the Year. She was the recipient of the 2019 Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST) Steelmaker of the Year Award. In 2022, Barbara received the AIST William T. Hogan, S.J. Memorial Lecture Award, the Central Division and National Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award, presented by Ernst & Young LLP. Barbara is a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Accounting and is also a certified public accountant. In 2013, she was recognized as a Purdue University Old Masters distinguished alumnus. Back to top

James Spann

James H. Spann Jr. is the Founder and General Partner of Boyd Street Ventures (BSV), a venture capital firm based in Norman, Oklahoma. As one of the few Black-led VC firms in the US, BSV invests in under-the-radar startups, particularly in life sciences, HealthTech, FinTech and InfrastructureTech, aiming to generate above-market returns by supporting companies often overlooked by coastal investors.

Early career and education
James earned a Navy ROTC scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of the President’s Leadership Class. After serving as a Marine Corps captain for six years, he transitioned into a 30-year corporate career, holding executive roles in sales, marketing and strategy at Baxter Healthcare, Roche Diagnostics, Medline, AmerisourceBergen Technology Group, Aramark and IBM Watson Health. He holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and has completed executive education programs at Kellogg and Wharton.

Boyd Street Ventures: innovation and impact
James founded BSV in 2021 to capitalize on high-potential startups emerging from Oklahoma’s research institutions. The firm employs a venture studio model, offering hands-on operational support and a network of advisors to help companies scale efficiently. BSV has raised nearly $25 million for Fund I, securing investments from Bank of America, OGE Energy Corp and others, with plans to raise an additional $25 million by mid-2025 and launch Fund II.

Commitment to diversity and leadership
James is committed to diversity in venture capital, ensuring BSV’s leadership and portfolio reflect strong representation from minority and female founders. He serves on multiple boards, including the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, LunaCare, VesprSolar and the Cleveland County Economic Development Coalition.

Through BSV, James continues to drive innovation, support early-stage entrepreneurs and position Oklahoma as a hub for high-growth startups.

Juli Spottiswood

Juli Spottiswood is the Chairman of Onbe, Inc., a FinTech company focused on global payments for Fortune 500 companies. Onbe, Inc. was formed via a majority investment by Centerbridge Partners and the merger of daVinci Payments and Northland Technologies, a subsidiary of Wirecard AG. Juli was formerly the Chairman and CEO of Syncapay, Inc., a holding company formed in conjunction with the acquisition of daVinci Payments by Bain Capital Ventures. Prior to forming Syncapay, Juli was the President & CEO of Parago, Inc., a tech-enabled marketing services and payments company that she cofounded in 1999. The company was sold to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. in 2014. During Juli's tenure at Parago, she pioneered the use of open loop prepaid cards in the corporate incentives space and was a founding board member of the Network Branded Prepaid Card Association. Juli was recognized as an Entrepreneur Of The Year®, both in 2009 and in 2021; won several awards, including the Stevie Award for Women in Business, Best Places to Work; and holds a patent. Juli served as Audit Chairman and board member at Cardtronics PLC, the world's largest retail ATM provider, from 2011 until its sale to NCR in 2021. She currently sits on the board of Billtrust, Inc. and is a member of YPO in both Dallas and Orange counties, where she is the membership chairman. Juli graduated with a BBA in Accounting from The University of Texas. Her career began at Arthur Andersen & Co. where she was a certified public accountant. Back to top

Joe Urso

Joe P. Urso purchased Electrolux North America in 1998 and transformed the company into what is now ActivePure Technologies, a science-driven company and industry leader in creating healthy, safe indoor environments. Joe led the development of ActivePure Technology, which initially was used exclusively by NASA in outer space. ActivePure Technology has been cleared by the FDA as a class 2 medical device, and is used in major hospitals, educational facilities, US military compounds, businesses and homes. It has demonstrated efficacy to reduce exposure to and transmission of infectious disease, reduce sick days and improve academic achievement. In many applications, ActivePure also reduces energy usage, thereby helping reduce carbon emissions. In his childhood, Joe lived in a public housing project in a multigenerational immigrant family. This indelibly influenced his personal mission to do all he can to lift and equalize opportunities for the disadvantaged. ActivePure has empowered him to do so. In June 2022, Joe was honored as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® national finalist. In August 2022, ActivePure Technologies was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America. Back to top