Pi Kappa Alpha - University of Texas

Alumni Updates Charles A. "Charlie" Beckham Jr. '73, a partner in the bankruptcy practice of Dallas-based law firm Haynes and Boone, a 700-lawyer firm with 19 global offices, has been elected chairman of the Board of Directors of the American College of Bankruptcy. The chairman is the chief executive officer of the college and supervises its business and affairs. Charlie has advised clients for more than 30 years and specializes in energy sector workouts, debtor issues and bankruptcy litigation. Charlie's new role follows a two-year term as president of the college, in which he served as the principal operating officer and led programs around the country. It also follows a two-year term as chairman of the Board of Regents of the College. He previously served as president of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, a director of the Texas State Bar and is currently serving on the executive committee of The University of Texas System Chancellor's Council. Ben Woodward '73 was appointed in 2023 as the Presiding Judge of the State of Texas Seventh Administrative Judicial Region by Governor Greg Abbott. Woodward is Judge of the 119th Judicial District for Concho, Runnels and Tom Green counties, where he has served since 1999. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, former board member of its Judicial Section, member of the American Law Institute and Texas Bar Foundation, chair of the College for New Judges and former board chairman of the Texas Center for the Judiciary. Ben earned a BBA in accounting from Texas and his JD from the Texas Tech School of Law. He and wife Gwen reside in San Angelo. He plans to retire from the bench in 2025. Matt Dunn '09 has taken on additional responsibilities within Dallas-based financial holding company Hilltop Holdings. Beginning in May 2024 as vice president of corporate development, Matt oversees Hilltop's merger and acquisition activities as well as investor relations department, and he joins the investment committee of Hilltop Opportunity Partners. Hilltop's primary line of business is business and consumer banking services throughout Texas through PlainsCapital Bank. PlainsCapital Bank's wholly owned subsidiary, PrimeLending, provides residential mortgage lending throughout the United States. Hilltop Holdings also provides a full complement of securities brokerage, institutional and investment banking services through HilltopSecurities. Matt and Danielle have a 2-year-old daughter and another child on the way. They reside in Dallas. Matt is the son of Di and Steve Dunn '73. Matt can be reached at dunn2013@gmail.com. Pi Kappa Alpha Billy Jack Hogg '49 entered Chapter Eternal on December 12, 2023, at the age of 95. Billy Jack was a gifted varsity athlete in high school who went on to play for the Longhorns, including a trip to the Rose Bowl. He briefly served in the Air Force, and upon graduating from the UT School of Pharmacy, he joined the family business, Hogg's Pharmacy, in Gilmer, Texas. Billy Jack also served as the President of the East Texas Pharmaceutical Association as well as the Texas Pharmaceutical Association, helping to keep pharmacies at the highest levels of standards and the forefront of service. Billy Jack was a dedicated and loving father, selfless mentor, admired role model, generous philanthropist—yet modest, humble, kind and always fun. Dr. Kenny Baird '65 entered Chapter Eternal on March 16, 2024. When Kenny was in the eighth grade, he set a career goal to become an orthodontist. That dream was fulfilled when he graduated in 1973 from the Orthodontic Residency Program at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Kenny began practicing in Austin and later moved his practice and family to Georgetown, working full time until his retirement in 2016. It wasn't straight teeth that kept Kenny motivated—it was the cherished relationships that he developed with his staff, his patients and even the parents of his patients that brought him great joy. Kenny was also a family man who loved the outdoors and UT football. Kenny was a steadfast optimist. He never complained about anything—nor did he lament the sufferings and setbacks involved with a multi-year battle with cancer. He chose to see the best in all situations and in all people. CHAPTER ETERNAL Alumni attend the memorial service of Dr. Kenny Baird '65 on April 6. From left: Doug Phelan '65, George Neill '65, Phil Daily '64, Ron Reynolds '66, Bert Dement '66, Jim Carssow '65, Wayne Simmons '65, Rock Onstad '65, John Leonard '66, Dow Hickam '65 and Greg Jones '66. The wreath in Garnet and Gold reads, "The Men of Pi Kappa Alpha."

• Cover