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Darren ShearerÌýis the founder and CEO ofÌýÌý&²¹³¾±è;Ìý, which helps Christ-centered authors and organizations craft, publish, and market messages and stories that glorify God in all spheres of culture. Its imprint,Ìý, has published 215+ books since 2013. He is also founder and director of Christian BusinessÌýLeader and host of theÌýChristian Business Leader Podcast, which help Christian business leaders cultivate Christ-centered companies. He has authored three books for marketplace Christians, including his latest:Ìý. A former Captain in the United States Air Force, Darren earned the United States Air Force Commendation Medal for his meritorious service in Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He holds a M.A. in Practical Theology from Regent University (Virginia Beach, VA), an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Management from Pace University’s Lubin School of Business (New York, NY), and a B.A. in English from Charleston Southern University (Charleston, SC). Darren and his wife, Marie, reside in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina (Waynesville, NC) with their three young boys.

Ross O’BrienÌýserves asÌýChair and Professor of EntrepreneurshipÌýat theÌýCarter School of Business,ÌýDallas Baptist University.ÌýPrior toÌýjoining DBU in 2002,Ìýhe started and ran an Internet services firm in Birmingham, Alabama after working for AT&T’s Business Network Sales division as an Account Executive.ÌýHeÌýbegan the undergraduate entrepreneurship program at DBU as well as the Center for Business as Mission.ÌýIn thisÌýcapacityÌýhe works closely with the Lion’s Den DFW, serving on the core team. HeÌýassistedÌýin launching the Patriot Angel Network, an angel investmentÌýnetworkÌýand served on the Board of Beyond Angels.ÌýRoss holds aÌýPh.D. from the University of Texas at Arlington in Business Administration andÌýanÌýMBA from Dallas Baptist University. Ross and Lisa have beenÌýmarriedÌý39 yearsÌýandÌýlive in Waxahachie, Texas where Lisa runs their independent bookshop, O’Brien’s Bookshop.

Bob Reader joined theÌýfaculty of businessÌýasÌýAssistant Professor of EntrepreneurshipÌýat Dallas Baptist UniversityÌýin 2024, teaching in the areas of business law and technology entrepreneurship.ÌýPrior toÌýDBU, heÌýspentÌý30 yearsÌýinÌýbusiness, where heÌýusedÌýhis science, business, and law backgrounds to co-found six technology startup companies and coach a couple dozen more.ÌýHeÌýhas a passion for world missions and foundedÌýEmerging FieldsÌýin 2019, a 501c3 nonprofit with a unique IRS approval to use 100% of donated funds to build for-profit businesses, so long as they serve within the mission of spreading the gospel among the least reached nations.ÌýBob holds anÌýLL.M.ÌýfromÌýTexas A&M UniversityÌýand aÌýJ.D./MBAÌýfrom theÌýUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.ÌýHe and his wife, Mary, have eight kids, four of whom are still at home!

Todd Stewart is first and foremost a follower of Christ one who seeks to live out kingdom principles and pursue kingdom growth on a daily basis.

Beginning as a forklift operator and later becoming CEO of Gulf Winds, he charted an unusual course for the company: faith first-and profit followed. Todd graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1996 before joining his father in the bold logistics venture of Gulf Winds. His wife, Nikki, has adventured side by side with him through his rise to CEO; the raising of their two beautiful children, Lexi and Lane; and his travels across the globe, sharing the gospel of Christ with family, friends, and colleagues-and with those hungry to hear.

Through the years, Todd has been honored by C12 with the Hero Award and by International Cooperating Ministries with the Rock Award. Todd personally lived the Gulf Winds story-as a son, an employee, the CEO, and finally through the sale of the business. As he dared to run the family company with the mission of impacting eternity and a determination to put God first in it all, he saw firsthand the incredible things God will do with a business devoted to Him.

Moderator

Rick Martinez serves asÌýInterim Associate Dean, Carter School of Business, Entrepreneurship Department Chair, and Professor of Entrepreneurship atÌýDallas Baptist University since June 2022.ÌýHeÌýhas served inÌýnumerousÌýadministrative posts in Christian Higher Education institutionsÌýandÌýhas publishedÌýextensivelyÌýinÌýnumerousÌýpeer-reviewed journals.RickÌýis the recipient of the 2020 Sharon Johnson Award (for contributions to the integration of Business and the Christian faith) from the Christian Business Faculty Association.Prior to his academic career, Dr. Martinez spent six years in the U.S. NavyÌýoperatingÌýnuclear power plants on surface ships.ÌýHe holds anÌýMBAÌýfromÌýBaylor UniversityÌýand aÌýPh.D. in Strategic ManagementÌýfromÌýTexasÌýA&M.ÌýRick and his wife, Peggy, live in Fort Worth, TXÌýandÌýare the blessed parents of 3 amazing young adult children.