Phi Kappa Psi - University of Texas

ALPHA AVALANCHE | TEXAS ALPHA | PHI KAPPA PSI | | SPRING/SUMMER EDITION 2022 "My decision to join Texas Alpha Chapter was based on the values the organization represents as well as the ability to make a meaningful impact on campus," Alan Orwick '16 shared. Since graduating, Alan has embodied what it means to be Phi Kappa Psi and displays it in his day-to-day life. Alan cherishes several meaningful moments from his undergraduate experience, including float trips down to New Braunfels, formals and tailgates. Most notably, however, Alan recalls being a rush captain and the impact it had on him. "Rush doesn't just allow new members to experience what being a Texas Alpha may be like, but it also gives the current brothers an opportunity to grow closer outside of the academic year," Alan explained. When Alan graduated, he worked at Apple as a software engineer, but his aspirations led him to start his own company, Dominant Strategies: "My passion was more suited to work in the blockchain industry, so I took a leap of faith and decided to develop new and innovative solutions in the blockchain space. Being the CEO of a new company is exciting; we can innovate rapidly in an emerging industry." Since starting Dominant Strategies in January of 2022, Alan and his team closed a $10 million seed round to create new solutions that go back to the research that Alan was part of in his undergraduate years. Alan elaborated, "With the close of this seed round, we will be able to hire amazing talent and out-maneuver incumbents in the cryptocurrency and fintech industry." Even though Alan's time as an undergraduate member of Texas Alpha saw its end, he stays connected when given the opportunity. He often finds himself on campus as a visiting scholar for the McCombs School of Business, noting, "I can always find a few excuses to drop by the chapter; it's great to see how the chapter is doing." The fraternal experience created a foundation of skills for Alan, teaching him that anybody can be a leader if they put their heart into it. Opportunities to pitch ideas, meet people and create a network ultimately resulted in a support system, or brotherhood, that always roots for his entrepreneurial endeavors. In the future, Alan would like to get involved in charitable causes hosted by the fraternity to give back to younger generations and ensure that they have the resources they need to become successful as alumni have always done in his experience. When he's not running his own business, Alan is going in between his plethora of hobbies, including videos games, trying new restaurants, reading books, golfing, spending time with friends and loved ones and taking his golden retriever to the park. THE START OF SOMETHING NEW ENTREPRENEUR ALAN ORWICK '16 LEARNED FROM THE BEST "Phi Psi presented me many opportunities to receive mentorship in leadership and business from alumni and older members. The chapter promoted a culture of collaboration and support that was vastly influential to my career." Curious how a recent graduate navigated a business of his very own? You can connect with Alan at alan@dominantstrategies.io.

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