Beta Theta Pi - University of Kansas

more thAN four WAllS Max Myers '96 Gives Back to Secure the Legacy F or Max Myers '96, staying in touch with aspects of his past are key components for forward movement. rough reconnection, he is reminded of his path to success and memories he hopes to never forget. e same is true for his time with Beta eta Pi. "e Alpha Nu experience was really well rounded; from a focus on academics to intramural sports to social functions, and most importantly, deliberate and purposeful events for my class meant to bring us closer and to create lifelong friendships," Max said. With the valuable influence Beta had in his life, Max knew he wanted to provide similar opportunities to other Alpha Nu brothers. He saw the Continuing the Pursuit of Excellence campaign as an investment he couldn't pass up. "I think it's important to continue the Alpha Nu tradition," he said. "Although times have changed, as they always do, the Beta house is just as strong as it ever was. Winning grades consistently, focusing on sports, and other campus activities are all important things that are continuing at Alpha Nu. I like to know that the opportunity for students to be able to be a part of Alpha Nu will continue well into the future." e lasting bonds developed within the walls of the Usher Mansion continue today. "We had some great times and still do," Max said. "We recently met in Keystone, Colorado, for our 20-year reunion and had 17 of 22 guys come. inking back on my Beta experience, some of the trips and campouts we took as a group were great fun and good bonding experiences. I'm not sure any of us could stay up as late as we once did, but we would have a lot of fun reliving some of those times." ese Alpha Nu experiences also translated into the professional world. Max found that living in a fraternity house had some similarities to working in a large company. In the close quarters, he was able to learn to get along with differing personalities and to grow to be appreciative of the opinions of others. Aer receiving his MBA from KU in 1997, Max went to work for Westar Energy in Topeka. Westar was in the midst of diversifying into unregulated businesses, so it was a quality learning experience for Max to work on the evaluation of acquisitions. Aer moving to Oklahoma in 2005 to work for OGE Energy Corp, in 2014 he co-founded Tall Oak Midstream LLC, a natural gas midstream company based in Edmond, Oklahoma. "It has been a wonderful experience the past few years helping lead a company as CFO that started with zero and in two years we grew rapidly and sold our first set of assets," Max said. "We are blessed to live in a country where this type of growth is possible and the framework and employee talent is present to allow this to happen." Max and his wife, Janie, a KU eta from '96, reside in Edmond. ey have two children: Max (14) and Alex (10). e family enjoys playing sports and water skiing. Max can be reached at mmyers@talloakmidstream.com. AlphA Nu ChApter of BetA thetA pi ALPHA NU: A fAmily trAditioN F or Bill Geiger III '65, joining the Alpha Nu Chapter of Beta eta Pi was not really a question. Not only did he believe it was the perfect fit, Alpha Nu was also a family affair. "My father, Bill Geiger II '42, and uncle, Lynwood Smith '51, were both Alpha Nus," Bill said. "Secondly, there were two Betas from Leavenworth, Kansas, Warren Leitch '62 and Bill McCollum '62, when I was going through rush. Knowing these men and the fact that they rushed me hard just felt like a natural fit; it felt like family." rough all of the ups and downs he faced in college, Bill's choice to join Alpha Nu never wavered. "I had a tough time making grades throughout college. ere were guys studying at every hour of the day, and I had some great late night conversations with some of our best scholars that helped me get focused. But once I became a junior, something clicked, and I was able to relate more to the real world and learn for my future." Upon graduation, Bill spent six months selling concrete at the family business, Geiger Ready-Mix. "I think I was the only one from my class who moved right into my career aer graduation," he said. "Everyone else either went to graduate school, law school or medical school." Aer those six months, Bill spent three years in the Army and served in Vietnam. Once his service was completed, he returned to work at the family business. "It has been exciting seeing our business grow over the years," Bill said. "We now serve the entire metropolitan Kansas City area and take great pleasure in selling concrete throughout the region." Bill does his best to connect with Alpha Nu, and he has been a generous contributor to the chapter's capital campaign. He encourages his brothers to do the same if they have not. "We must compete with all living quarters in Lawrence if we are going to pledge the best men at KU," he said. "We must all come together to do this because the other living places are getting better, and if we sit back, we are going to get beat." Bill and his wife, Cindy, live in Leavenworth, Kansas. ey have three children: Todd Geiger '94, who continued the Alpha Nu family tradition and is COO of Geiger Ready-Mix, Dr. Paige Geiger, who is a diabetes researcher and teacher at the KU Medical Center, and Julie Geiger, a sales representative with the family business. Other relatives of Bill's who are Alpha Nus include his two brothers, Michael Geiger '71 and Adam Geiger '73, and his nephews, David Reuter '98 and Michael Reuter '02. In his free time, Bill enjoys grandchildren activities, KU sports, and he even took up surfing, which he describes as a real challenge that is worth it. He can be reached by e-mail at billgeiger@geigerreadymix.com. Bill Geiger III '65 on Giving Back to an Organization Close to Home

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