The 1911 Group | SMU Stories

On this week’s SMU Stories episode, ⁠Bill Rowe⁠, ⁠Buddy Ozanne⁠, David Hudnall, and Jim Johnston sit down to reflect on SMU traditions and the history of The Boulevard. They explore the 25th year of Boulevard celebrations at ⁠Southern Methodist University⁠, the evolution of the university, and the growth of the athletic department. David, Buddy, and Jim share how The Boulevard originated 26 years ago under President Turner’s leadership and how it has continued to grow and evolve ever since. Their efforts played a pivotal role in shaping this beloved tradition—and helped pave the way for SMU’s entrance into ACC competition.

This week on SMU Stories, we sit down with Drew Langford. Drew is a managing partner at Trailhead Partners, an M&A advisory firm that helps business owners sell their companies. Drew holds an M.B.A. in Energy Finance from the SMU Cox School of Business (Class of 2018) and a B.B.A. in Finance from Texas A&M University.

Drew's business journey began when he founded TitleMade, a software startup that made county records more accessible for oil and gas landmen. Under his leadership, TitleMade grew rapidly and successfully exited just two years after its inception.

After selling TitleMade, Drew transitioned into the energy sector, joining Dale Operating Company, where he sold mineral asset packages across the country. He also maintained strong relationships with small business owners in the DFW area, assisting them with acquisitions in various industries.

Hear from Drew as he shares valuable insights on entrepreneurship, the energy industry, and navigating the challenges of building and selling a successful business.

Thank you to our corporate sponsors—SMU Cox School of Business, Hilltop Property Tax, Mignon, Sound of a Rose, and Security National Bank—for making this project possible.

In this episode of SMU Stories, we sit down with Jordan Carter, SMU Class of 2009. As Founding Partner of SIG Partners and CEO of B&A Group—a government grant services and software company acquired through a self-funded search in 2020—Jordan brings a wealth of knowledge and insights into entrepreneurship and private equity. He also reflects on his time working with former Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman and his roles in private equity and M&A at firms like Centerbridge Partners, J.F. Lehman & Company, and Centerview Partners.

Join us to learn about Jordan’s inspiring journey, his passion for helping businesses endure, and the unique lessons from his time at SMU.

Join us for an inspiring episode of SMU Stories, where we highlight exceptional alumni making waves in their industries. This week, we talk with Lauren Harper, an SMU alumna, SAG-AFTRA actress, and now Chief of Staff at Kodiak Robotics, a leader in autonomous trucking technology.

Lauren reflects on how her time at SMU, where she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance (2008–2012), provided her with the critical thinking skills, adaptability, and network that have been instrumental in her diverse career. From the stage to the cutting edge of AI and logistics, Lauren shares how SMU’s vibrant culture helped shape her path to success.

In this episode of SMU Stories, we sit down with Austin Federer, an alumnus who has carved a niche in the tax consulting industry. Austin shares his journey to SMU, detailing how the university's vibrant campus life and rigorous academic environment shaped his personal and professional growth. He discusses his transition from a tax consultant to founding his own firm, specializing in valuation, communication, property tax management, and minimization. Austin emphasizes the invaluable role his SMU network played in his entrepreneurial success, offering insights into the enduring impact of university connections. This conversation highlights the significance of leveraging educational experiences and relationships in building a thriving career. 

In this episode of The QB Chronicles: An SMU Football Podcast, former SMU quarterbacks Garrett Gilbert and Kyle Padron break down the SMU's loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship game. Plus, the guys give their thoughts on their College Football Playoff.

In this episode of the SMU Stories podcast, we sit down with Brendon Marks, a proud SMU Class of 2010 alumnus. Brendon shares his journey to SMU, the experiences that shaped him on campus, and the career path that led to his search fund acquisition of Capture H2O, where he now serves as CEO. Under his leadership, Capture H2O is on a mission to save customers one billion gallons of water annually by 2030.

With a background in commercial real estate and a track record of achieving process efficiencies, cost savings, and meaningful environmental impact, Brendon offers a fresh perspective on how businesses can align profitability with sustainability. Tune in to hear his inspiring story and the innovative ways he's driving change in the water management industry.

Pony Hoops Insight is in partnership with The 1911 Group and On The Pony Express. The 1911 Group was founded by Lindsey Brown (Dedman Law ’13) and Mitchell Brown (Dedman College ’10 & Cox MBA ’20) after realizing that there was no efficient networking platform to connect SMU alumni across all of SMU’s schools and programs. With this premise in mind, the goal was to create and host events specifically designed to bring fellow SMU alumni together and promote networking, business development, and collaboration. Our hope is that these relationships may lead to future hires, clients, investors, or business partners. To date, the 1911 Group has hosted a diverse range of networking events, with over 300 SMU alumni joining our network. 

Subscribe to OnThePonyExpress.com for $1 for your 1st week! Join the best message board community of Mustang fans and gain access to a staff that has over a decade of covering SMU. There’s no better time to join On The Pony Express than NOW!

In this episode of The QB Chronicles: An SMU Football Podcast, former SMU quarterbacks Garrett Gilbert and Kyle Padron break down the SMU win over Cal as the Mustangs dominated on Senior Day ahead of the ACC Championship against Clemson! Join the duo as they dive into key moments from the game, discuss standout performances, and analyze the offensive and defensive strategies that shaped the outcome. 

Whether you're a die-hard Mustang fan or just love college football, this in-depth breakdown will give you all the insights you need!

The QB Chronicles is in partnership with The 1911 Group. The 1911 Group was founded by Lindsey Brown (Dedman Law ’13) and Mitchell Brown (Dedman College ’10 & Cox MBA ’20) after realizing that there was no efficient networking platform to connect SMU alumni across all of SMU’s schools and programs. With this premise in mind, the goal was to create and host events specifically designed to bring fellow SMU alumni together and promote networking, business development, and collaboration. Our hope is that these relationships may lead to future hires, clients, investors, or business partners. To date, the 1911 Group has hosted a diverse range of networking events, with over 300 SMU alumni joining our network. 

Join us as we sit down with Ish Simpson, a remarkable SMU MBA alumnus whose journey spans from the football fields of Stanford to Silicon Valley's high-stakes banking world. Ish shares insights from his pre-MBA career with industry leaders like Apple and reveals why he chose SMU for graduate school over other top programs. Learn how his time at SMU laid the foundation for his success in Silicon Valley banking and hear his reflections on the intersections of sports, education, and innovation. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!