Fall 2015 Finance & Economics Newsletter

Brilliant Bobcats College Success Series Workshops: Ready, Set, Resume

Entrepreneurial Speaker Series: Robert Lozano, Owner and Operator of American Dairy Queen

Robert Lozano has been a franchise owner and operator of American Dairy Queen since 1987. He is responsible for all business aspects including daily operations, marketing, site acquisition, construction, team building and training. Lozano's DQs are direct license stores from American Dairy Queen, which is a Berkshire Hathaway Company. His companies employ over 650 fellow Texans in forty (40) franchised DQ locations. In 1996, Lozano also became a Managing Partner of R&L Lozano Leasing Ltd. He directs and oversees acquisition, leasing, and management of numerous real estate investments, primarily in South Texas.

In 1996, Lozano co-founded the Lozano Foundation. In 2002, he was a founding member for the Good Samaritan Community Services – RGV. Lozano was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the Federal Reserve Bank Dallas, San Antonio Branch. He has also been the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Greater State Bank for several years now. Lozano is on the Board of Directors and the incoming Chairman for the McAllen Economic Development Council and is a Board Member of the Texas Dairy Queen Operators Council. He has been a Charitable Contributor to Driscoll Children’s Hospital for over 25 years.

Lozano was on the Former Board of Directors for the Alamo Bank of Texas and for International Bank of Commerce. Additionally, he has previously served as president of the following organizations:

• Texas Dairy Queen Operators Council
• Pharr Chamber of Commerce
• McAllen Chamber of Commerce
• Rio Grande Valley Partnership Chamber of Commerce

He is also a past member of:

• American Dairy Queen Project Octane Committee
• Holy Spirit Catholic Church Men’s ACT
• Rotarian of the Pharr, Texas Rotary Club.

Lozano graduated with a B.B.A in Computer Information Systems from Southwest Texas State University (Texas State University).

Laurie Lozano, Owner and Operator of American Dairy Queen

Laurie Lozano, along with her husband Robert, is a franchise owner and operator of American Dairy Queen. She has previously served on the Board for the Texas Commission of the Arts and recently finished serving as President of the International Women’s Board at UTPA. She continues her involvement in this organization as well as various civic organizations in the community.
Lozano is a native of Premont, Texas. The Lozanos have two children, Lensda Lee (1988) and Robert Agustin (1992). The family are active members of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
  

November 3, 2015

 McCoy Hall 119
9:30 - 10:50 a.m.

Brilliant Bobcats College Success Series Workshops: All About Attitude - How Your Mindset Influences Learning

Looking for a great opportunity to gain industry experience and earn some extra cash for the holidays?

Brilliant Bobcats College Success Series Workshops: Putting Off Procrastination

Law School Fair

No registration required!

Brilliant Bobcats College Success Series Workshops: Earning and Learning - Finding Jobs and Internships

Brilliant Bobcats College Success Series Workshops: Study Smart - Strategies and Techniques

Roundtable 360: From Round Rock to the Rio Grande River, 260 Miles y Mas

Entrepreneurial Speaker Series: Luke Bird, CEO, SMOB Services

Luke Bird is the CEO and Co-Founder of SMOB Services, a privately owned oilfield service company in West Texas. Founded in February 2014, SMOB specializes in inspection and maintenance of oilfield tubular goods involved with drilling, production, and transportation of oil and gas commodities. SMOB is now expanding its service line beyond inspection with the goal of becoming the largest oilfield service company in West Texas. Bird credits his two partners and best friends, Bront Bird and Steven Sheffield, with helping this dream come to fruition.

Bird previously held the title of Sales & Marketing coordinator for Biobridge Water Solutions. Bird, his brother Bront, and Tony Duncan founded Biobridge in 2012. The three partners designed, built, and operated three waste treatment facilities. Two facilities located in or around Williston, North Dakota and the other close to Odessa, TX. This was Bird’s original entrepreneurial venture and all three plants are still in operation today.

Bird held the title of Texas Account Manager for Fastenmaster Building Products from 2010-2012. Fastenmaster manufactured and sold building materials to lumberyards and residential contractors around the world.

Bird is a proud graduate of the McCoy College of Business at Texas State University, receiving his Bachelors in Business Management in 2010. He was active in intramural softball, football, basketball, volleyball, and dodge ball while attending Texas State.

Bird is from Odessa, TX and graduated from Permian High School in 2005.

October 20, 2015

 McCoy Hall 119
9:30 - 10:50 a.m.

Taking ACC 3313 in spring 2016? Be sure to sign up for a FREE workshop and get a head start on the semester!

October Policy of the Month: Drop vs. Withdrawal

 Dropping a class means that you will remain enrolled in at least one hour of course work in the current semester and will receive a "W".

The deadline to drop a class for fall is  

October 25th at 11:59 p.m.

Withdrawing is reducing your hours to zero for the current semester.

If you are passing a class at the time you withdraw you will receive a "W" in the course. If you are failing a class at the time you withdraw, you will receive an F in the course.

To withdraw from all courses you will need to complete a Withdraw Request Form through the Registrar’s office. Information about how to request withdrawal from the University and/or access to the Withdrawal Request Form can be found here: http://www.registrar.txstate.edu/registration/withdraw-from-classes.html.

The last day to withdraw from all classes for fall (going to zero hours) is November 19th at 5:00 p.m.

 

You can find the full policy on page 28-29 of the 2014-2016 Undergraduate Catalog

***Financial Aid recipients are encouraged to contact 512.245.2315
to discuss withdrawing and effects on their Financial Aid.***

If you have any questions, please contact the McCoy College Advising Center at 512.245.1993 or stop by 115 McCoy Hall.

October Student Organization of the Month: National Association of Black Accountants

Get to know Valerie Amadi, senior Accounting major and President of NABA (National Association of Black Accountants). The NABA is focused on developing, encouraging and serving as a resource for greater participation by African-Americans and other minorities in the accounting, finance and business professions.  They assist minority students in entering the accounting and finance profession by developing professional skills and providing opportunities for members to network and fulfill their civic responsibility.  They also participate in chapter, regional, and national programs. 

 

Q: How will your major and NABA help you reach your goals?

My ultimate goal is to become a Certified Public Accountant and through NABA, I have been able to build highly transferable leadership and professional skills. I have attended several workshop and conferences to heighten my knowledge and awareness of the field as well as partake in numerous networking opportunities, all of which are essential to a career in the accounting field. 

Q: What resource on campus do you recommend for students to utilize?

There are many useful resources on campus but I will highly recommend student to visit SLAC for academic assistance. As well, students should utilize their professors to help guide them through their career aspirations and professional organizations to enhance their knowledge and exposure to their desired career field. 

Q: What has been the most meaningful part of your McCoy Experience?

The most meaningful part of my college career has been the relationships and connections I have been able to make with other students and professors. Especially through NABA, I have been able to surround myself with likeminded people who continue to motivate me to be successful and achieve my goals.

Q: What makes your organization special/unique?

We are a close knit, member focused organization. Due to this fact, members are able to have more one on one interactions with professional as well as exposure to professors.

Q: What is something you wish someone would’ve told you before you started your college journey?

I wish someone had advised me to fully take advantage of my freshmen year to explore more opportunities including leadership roles and organizational affiliations. My most rewarding experiences has been as a result of my involvement with several different types of organizations around campus.

Q: How can students join your organization? And when are your meetings held?

NABA is open to all majors, but particularly promotes the development and advancement of minority students.  Student can simply join the organization by attending our bi-weekly meetings on Thursday in McCoy 127 and turning a membership form alongside dues.

 

For more information, visit their  website