PROGRAM

Program Opens  —  8:00 AM

Welcome

Paul Hensley, Strategic Finance Advisor of HOLT CAT

Paul Hensley, Strategic Finance Advisor, HOLT CAT

Invocation

Father James "Jim" Tobin, S.M., Chaplain, Greehey School of Business, University Ministry, St. Mary's University

The Rev. James "Jim" Tobin, S.M., Chaplain, Greehey School of Business, University Ministry, St. Mary's University

2026-27 Forum Featured Speakers

Sept. 24, 2026

KRISTIN B. GAWLIK

Quantic Electronics

Chief Financial Officer

Kristin B. Gawlik, B.B.A. Accounting ’96, M.B.A. ‘98D

Kristin is a dynamic leader with 25 years of experience in the government contracting domain, of which she has spent the last 15 years in various CFO roles. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer of the Electronics Segment of Arxis, Inc. having served as CFO of Arxis predecessors Quantic Electronics and Qnnect. Arxis, Inc. launched its initial public offering on the NASDAQ stock exchange earlier this year.

Arxis is a leading designer and manufacturer of proprietary, mission-critical electronic and mechanical components engineered for cutting-edge performance in extreme environments serving the Defense and Space, Commercial Aerospace, and Industrial Technology markets.

Prior to Arxis, Kristin was the CFO of BEI Precision, the leader in encoder-based motion control systems for hi-reliability applications. During Kristin’s 5 years with BEI Precision, the company achieved 3x revenue and 4x EBITDA growth through both mergers and acquisitions and organic activity, before the company’s sale in 2021 to Quantic Electronics.

Before that, Kristin was CFO of VT Group, a mid-sized government contracting services provider, and held successive financial and accounting roles, at both VT Group, Lockheed Martin, and US Civil Service where she started her career, after graduating from St. Mary’s University.

At St. Mary’s Kristin was active in the Beta Sigma Phi sorority and the Society of Honors Scholars (SMUSHS), as well as the Accounting Honors Program.
Kristin currently resides in New Braunfels, Texas with her husband Matt and her rescue beagle Willie Ray.

Nov. 19, 2026

RENE DOMINGUEZ

VelocityTX

President & CEO

René Dominguez is the President and COO of the Texas Research and Technology Foundation (TRTF) and VelocityTX, where he leads initiatives that drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth in San Antonio. A proud St. Mary’s University alumnus, René earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the university and has built a career dedicated to community development and business advancement.

Before joining TRTF and VelocityTX, René served as Director of Economic Development for the City of San Antonio, helping attract major companies, support local business growth, and generate thousands of jobs and billions in investment. Today, he is focused on transforming San Antonio’s East Side into a thriving hub for bioscience, technology, and startup innovation, making a lasting impact on the region’s economic future.

Feb. 18, 2027

PETER J. HOLT

HOLT Group

CEO & General Manager

Peter serves as the CEO & General Manager of HOLT Group, a values-based, family-owned company serving the industrial world.

Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, HOLT Group includes companies such as HOLT CAT®, Texas First Rentals®, and HOLT Truck Centers®.
Peter is also a Managing Partner of Ironspring, a network-driven venture capital firm based in Austin, Texas. Additionally, he is the Chairman and Managing Partner of the NBA's San Antonio Spurs.

Peter is the great, great grandson of Benjamin Holt, who introduced the first practical track type tractor in 1904, which he named the Caterpillar®. Peter and his sister Corinna Holt Richter represent the fifth generation of the Holt family business and are proud to carry the distinguished HOLT legacy of service and innovation into the 21st century.

Peter is passionate about community impact through his work in education, nature conservancy, and overcoming generational poverty. He resides in San Antonio with his wife, Lauren Kate, and their children. Peter, along with his family, enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, hunting, and anything related to the game of basketball.

Mar. 25, 2027

AJAY GUPTA

Stirista

CEO & Founder

Ajay Gupta has served as CEO of Stirista since founding the company in 2010 at the age of 26 and has overseen the data-driven, marketing services company’s rapid year-to-year financial growth as it has progressed from 2 employees to a team of nearly 200 spanning three continents. Ajay is an avid sports enthusiast and former NCAA athlete. When not working, he can be seen playing various company sports – tennis, soccer, sand volleyball.

Ajay holds a Bachelor’s degree in financial economics and creative writing with a mathematics minor from St. Lawrence University, as well as an MFA in creative writing from Texas State University. He has been named a Marketing EDGE Rising Star and was part of the San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list. Under his leadership, Stirista has won an Ad Age Best Places to Work award, Deloitte Fast 500, and 7 straight Inc. 5000 awards.

Question & Answer Session

Lane Allen,

Sponsor Spotlight Address

Lane Allen,

Lane Allen, Executive Vice President, Regional President of San Antonio, Encore Bank

Dean's Remarks

Rowena Ortiz-Walters, Ph.D., Dean, Greehey School of Business, St. Marys University

Acknowledgements

Paul Hensley, Strategic Finance Advisor, HOLT CAT

Program Closure

Program Closes  --  9:00 AM

Post Event Networking

Lane Allen,