[September 12, 2023 – Blog] A few years ago, my good friend, Todd Maclin called me. I could tell right off the bat it wasn’t just a, “Hey, how are you doing?” call. Todd was on a mission to recruit me to join the Texas Exes board of directors. My first reaction was that I didn’t have the time to devote to another board, but Todd was persuasive.
The rest, as they say, is history. I did join the board and loved reconnecting with the University of Texas’ official alumni association. I am amazed by the 700-plus students who receive scholarships through the Texas Exes each year, and surprised by the hundreds of events and benefits the organization provides.
However, this year, I was chosen to serve as the President and Chair of the Board of the Texas Exes. To say it is a big job would be putting it lightly, but I am enthusiastically off and running.
Being an entrepreneur, one of my big initiatives is to help our “startup,” the Longhorn Business Network, grow and scale. Think of it as Yelp for Longhorns. We are the first alumni association in the country to take on an initiative of this scope.
Here is where you come in. If you, or anyone you know, is a Longhorn business owner, please visit TexasExes.org/BusinessMember and list your business in this resource guide. Our goal is to continue growing this list with thousands of Longhorn businesses, so you can find just the right fellow Longhorn business or person for any job, task or opportunity.
To take it a step further, join the Longhorn Business Network for $1,000 a year (80% is tax-deductible) for more perks and benefits, while supporting Texas Exes programs and scholarships.
My message today is this: Sometimes when you are presented with an opportunity and you cannot add one more thing to your plate, think twice. Had I said “no” to Todd a few years ago, I would have never had the opportunity to help so many students, work with over 570,000 Longhorn alumni around the world and be an ambassador to the University I cherish.
Sometimes, just say, “yes”!
Gay Gaddis
Founder. Author. Artist. Trailblazer.
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