View the Lookbooks to see the all the 2026 cohort participants and who your group members are for this program along with the CEOcircle alumni attending the reunion.

Cohort Lookbook Alumni Lookbook

Bootstrapping Success: Building Infrastructure as You Scale – A Conversation with Paul Hedrick, Founder and Chairman, Tecovas

From selling boots out of the trunk of his car to leading a thriving business with over 40 retail locations, explore the critical decisions entrepreneurs face as they scale, including when to invest in robust systems versus maintaining a scrappy approach. Learn firsthand about the transition from founder-CEO to Executive Chairman, and discover strategies for building a team capable of driving growth beyond a founder’s original vision.

Paul Hedrick, Founder and Chairman, Tecovas

Paul Hedrick is the Founder and Chairman of Tecovas. He founded Tecovas in 2015 and served as its CEO until 2022, having launched and grown the brand to ~$150 million in annual revenue. Today, Tecovas operates over 50 retail locations throughout the United States and achieved over $350 million in revenue in 2025.

Prior to Tecovas, Paul worked at L Catterton on the portfolio operations team and McKinsey & Company as a Business Analyst. He graduated Harvard College cum laude with an A.B. in Economics and a Secondary Field in Mathematical Sciences. Currently, he serves as an advisor to Halfdays and is a member of YPO. He enjoys skiing and fishing in Colorado in his free time

Moderated by: Alex McKindra, Managing Director, Technology Corporate Banking and Co-Head of Global Banking Veteran Initiatives, J.P. Morgan

Alex McKindra is a Managing Director within J.P. Morgan’s Technology Global Corporate Banking Group. He also serves as the Co-Head of Veteran Initiatives for JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. In these dual roles, Alex provides corporate banking coverage for West Coast based technology companies and leads efforts to provide resources and support to veteran business owners nationwide.

Alex joined J.P. Morgan in 1999 as an investment banking associate within the Consumer & Retail Industry Coverage Group. As an investment banking associate, Alex executed numerous mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets and debt capital markets transactions. Prior to Alex’s tenure at J.P. Morgan, he was an associate within Barclays Capital’s Financial Sponsors Group. Alex’s primary focus was the execution and structuring of leveraged buyout transactions for mid-cap private equity firms. He also served as a junior member on Barclays Capital’s Principal Investment Committee where he modeled and structured co-equity investments with private equity clients.

Alex is a graduate of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York and completed a tour of duty in the United States Air Force. Proudly descending from a long line of military veterans, Alex is committed to providing mentorship and “paying it forward” to support the next generation of veterans.

A Conversation with Ken Hersh: Strategic Scaling for Long-Term Success

Ken Hersh co-founded one of America’s largest natural resources private equity firms and grew it to $12 billion under management with 30% annual returns over 27 years—then went on to lead the George W. Bush Presidential Center, increasing its endowment seven-fold. His book, The Fastest Tortoise, makes the case that sustainable scaling is about patience, discipline, and learning fast in industries you know nothing about. This conversation will dig into the capital allocation frameworks, risk management instincts, and leadership lessons that drove his track record.

Ken Hersh, Chairman, HFI Capital Management; Author, “The Fastest Tortoise”

Kenneth A. Hersh is chairman of his family investment office, HFI Capital Management, which invests across the economy with an emphasis on the industrial, financial, energy, real estate and technology sectors.

From 2016 to 2025, he served as President and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, where he implemented its long-term strategic plan and increased its endowment seven-fold to over $420 million. He remains on the Bush Center’s Board of Directors.

Ken made his mark in the private sector as the Co-Founder and CEO of NGP Energy Capital Management, one of the nation’s largest natural resources private equity investment firms. Under his leadership from 1988 until 2016, NGP invested over $12 billion and achieved a 27-year annual rate of return of 30%. In 2023, Oil and Gas Investor magazine inducted him into its Hart Energy Hall of Fame.

In 2024, he was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. He sits on the boards of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation and the Texas Rangers Baseball Club. In 2023, he released his book, The Fastest Tortoise: Winning in Industries I Knew Nothing About, which chronicles his life’s lessons from business and personal experiences.

Ken graduated Princeton University, magna cum laude, with a degree in Politics in 1985 and earned his M.B.A. from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business in 1989.

Moderated by: Raymond Toenniessen, Deputy Executive Director, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families

Raymond Toenniessen is the Deputy Executive Director at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. As Deputy Executive Director, Toenniessen leads over 100 employees located both on campus in Syracuse, NY and in military communities across the country, growing the Institute’s 16 national training programs and community services, its research and evaluation capabilities, its coalition for veteran-owned businesses and employers, the alumni and engagement network, and the policy work in Washington D.C.

Toenniessen graduated from Syracuse University and commissioned from its ROTC program as a Second Lieutenant. He served four years on active duty including a combat deployment to Iraq in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his service. Raymond holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and political science from Syracuse’s College of Arts and Sciences and an MBA from the Saunders College of Business at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Capturing Corporate Clients Through Procurement Strategy

Large corporations with large supply chains present an opportunity to make use of procurement programs at scale. In this panel, you’ll learn more about the certifications and processes that help local and underrepresented businesses grow in this space, from JPMorganChase bankers experienced in this area.

Nancy Minchillo, Vice President, Global Supplier Diversity, JPMorganChase

Nancy joined JPMorganChase in Plano, TX in April 2021 with 15 years Supplier Diversity leadership experience in the technology industry, including Hewlett-Packard Company and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), and DXC Technology, an HPE spin-off.

In her current role, she supports the firm’s Supplier Diversity Market Strategy; a strategy to align JPMorganChase’s buying geographies to cities with significant populations of certified diverse-owned businesses; Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York. She also manages an Ambassador Program of 42 JPMC volunteers to support Supplier Diversity efforts in 20 cities across the country.

Additionally, she recently served on the Board of Directors for the National Veteran Owned Business Association (NaVOBA), and currently serves on the Supplier Development Committee for the Financial Services Roundtable for Supplier Development (FSRSD), and she co-chairs the WEConnect International’s Best Practices Committee.

• Shaunte Robinson, Inclusive Banking Business Development Executive, Midwest, J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking

• Danielle Davis, Inclusive Banking Business Development Executive, Southwest, J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking

Strategic Alliances: Unlocking Long-Term Value in Banking Relationships

This breakout session explores J.P. Morgan’s strategic veteran initiatives, including the Security and Resiliency Initiative, and examines how relationship managers drive long-term value in navigating the evolving landscape between big and small banks. Attendees will gain actionable insights on forging strong alliances with large organizations and leveraging resilient partnerships for sustainable growth.

Hayden Meredith, Executive Director, Innovation Economy, J.P. Morgan Commercial & Investment Bank 

Hayden, originally from Dallas, TX, is married to Emily and are the proud parents of two boys – Henry (9) and Luke (7). Hayden is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and served as an Infantry officer in the United States Army. Hayden has worked on JP Morgan’s Innovation Economy team within the Commercial Bank and has specializes in high growth sponsor backed Applied Technology companies. Most recently, Hayden has specialized in companies investing in American National Security and served as an advisor to the Defense Technology ecosystem at JP Morgan and externally. Hayden enjoys travelling with his family, spending time outdoors and going to sporting events with his family.

Duncan McAloon, Associate, Innovation Economy, J.P. Morgan Commercial & Investment Bank

Duncan, originally from Fairhope, AL is married to Lauren and are expecting a baby girl this summer. Duncan is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and served as an Infantry officer in the United States Army. Duncan has worked on JP Morgan’s Innovation Economy team within the Commercial Bank with specialization in high growth Technology and Disruptive Commerce companies. Duncan enjoys watching professional tennis, Rugby and finding great restaurants.

M&A Mastery: Smarter Deals, Due Diligence, and Growth Strategies

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) offer significant opportunities for business expansion. However, successfully navigating the complexities of due diligence, deal structuring, and risk mitigation is essential for long-term success. This interactive session will provide you with the tools and insights needed to approach acquisitions, partnerships, and investments with confidence.

Jae Kim, Managing Director, Global Banking, JPMorganChase

Jae Kim is a Managing Director in Global Banking at J.P. Morgan. Prior to this role, Mr. Kim was Chief Executive Officer for GIPHY International and Interim CFO based in Los Angeles, where he helped the company go from pre-revenue to post-revenue and led strategic M&A, including Facebook. He previously served as Head of US Strategy & Operations for LINE and President of Cleartrip, a leading internet and mobile travel company based in Mumbai. Before his operating roles, Mr. Kim spent over 13 years as an Investment Banker at J.P. Morgan focused on M&A, Corporate Finance, and Equity Capital Markets, rising to Co-Head of J.P. Morgan Asia Technology Investment Banking. Mr. Kim is a graduate of Northwestern University.

• Marvin Clark, Inclusive Banking Business Development Executive, Southeast, J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking

AI for Changing Landscapes: Smarter Growth, Compliance, and Decision-Making

Artificial intelligence is transforming how businesses scale, optimize operations, and make strategic decisions in an ever-evolving market. This session will delve into how AI-driven insights and automation can support sustainable growth, enhance compliance processes, and improve leadership decision-making.

Frank Coppersmith, CEO, Smarter Reality

Frank Coppersmith is the CEO of Smarter Reality, an Inc. 5000, Austin “Fast 50” and Financial Times 500 software development company from Round Rock, Texas. Recent projects include significant work in training and simulation for the Department of Defense, using virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and entertainment software designs. A long-time entrepreneur, he has raised funding from top-tier VCs and led companies from formation through sale and exit. He has been awarded multiple patents on entertainment, training, and computer vision technologies. Frank holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a law degree from Samford University, and a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from The Citadel. He is a retired USAF reserve officer.