Kappa Alpha Order - University of Texas

2 OMICRON UPDATE MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS W hen Jim McBride '80 reflects on his college experience, Kappa Alpha Order was undoubtedly the most memorable part. Although Jim had no previous knowledge of fraternities, it only took meeting a few of the members before he was sold on KA. Jim says, "Eric English '78 invited me over to the chapter house for lunch. I met a number of great guys, enjoyed Stella Mae and Naomi's fried chicken, played a few rounds of 'Beer Hunter'—The Deer Hunter with DeNiro had just been released—and I was all in!" As an undergraduate, Jim developed relationships with brothers built on common experiences that he would only fully appreciate later in life. "My experience shaped the trajectory of my life, being around smart, ambitious, and motivated guys broadened my perspective about what was possible professionally," Jim says. "In pledgeship, we experienced teamwork and shared sacrifice. As an active, you experience messaging and selling during recruitment, you witness or participate in leadership roles, in one of the most difficult of environments, guiding 150 18- to 22-year-old males. Social skills evolve and develop, but perhaps most important is the relationships that yield unquantifiable benefits year after year." Jim is no stranger to being a leader, serving as Omicron Chapter's alumni advisor. Through this role he has maintained relationships with many of his pledge and fraternity brothers and forged new friendships. Jim hopes his continued involvement with Kappa Alpha Order will inspire undergraduate brothers to stay connected for a lifetime. "I took a lot from being a KA and viewed this as an opportunity to give back just a little. Selfishly, working with these young men has been a treat," he says. "Many of the actives I worked with in the late '90s now have significant jobs with lots of responsibilities and it is rewarding to see them prosper. The new group has undergone a cultural transformation and reassumed self-governance with energy and imagination. I could not overstate the importance of having active, engaged alumni who can support, encourage, and guide the chapter." Jim believes the secret to success is preparation, hard work, great mentors, and good luck, all of which of have played a pivotal role in his professional career. Jim has spent a decade running the private investment operation of the family of former President Lyndon B. Johnson. He founded a private equity fund in 2003 that now has $225 million in assets under management. "While quite different, both are very enjoyable," Jim says. When asked what advice he would give to undergraduates or younger alumni who are early in their careers, Jim says, "Don't forget to serve—somewhere, someone, somehow." In his spare time, Jim enjoys golfing and snow skiing. He and his wife, Laura, live in Austin, Texas, and have two children: Ryan (29), who is a Sigma Alpha Epsilon alumnus from Baylor and is employed in real estate finance with Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, and Blair (26), who is a UT Chi Omega alumna and is employed in recruiting and talent development at Keller Williams. E-mail: jim.mcbride@bluesage.com R ichard Sieling '81 decided to join Kappa Alpha Order because he felt it was the best fit for him. "It was a great mixture of young men, many were into sports which I liked, but they also showed a reverence for God, respect for women, and they were all-around nice guys." His undergraduate experience helped him grow as a man. "Being part of Omicron Chapter created a bond of friendship with my brothers that has lasted a lifetime. It was an excellent environment for brothers to offer guidance and correct imprudent behavior. We could help each other stay on the right path and benefit from the experience of the more senior brothers such as Stanley Bould '80 and Joe B. Thornton '79. It definitely helped shape the man I am today." While in school, Richard represented KA as a Silver Spur, an honorary service organization on campus. "It was an honor to serve with two of my pledge brothers, Scott "Smitty" Smith '81 and Robert Whitson '81. Sadly, we lost Robert in 2015. My younger brother, Steve Sieling '83, was also a KA and a Silver Spur." After graduation, Richard's career path took him away from the Austin area. "I worked in Dallas, attended graduate school in Arizona, then New York and overseas to Luxemburg for nine years and London for 11 years with Morgan Stanley and Lord Abbett. Those were the days before internet and e-mail, so staying in touch with my brothers was harder back then." In 2009, he moved back to the Austin area and reconnected with many brothers. "I was tasked with helping organize a pledge class reunion. It was an excellent project to help me reconnect. After being away for so long, it was great to see everyone. While living abroad, I realized friendships really are one of the most important things in life." In 2013, Richard was asked to join the alumni advisory board. "It was a critical juncture for the chapter—we were in the reunification phase with National. A key person in the process was Eric English '78. He did an amazing job in bringing the parties together. I've enjoyed working with Jim McBride '80 and The Hon. Paul Green '71 on the alumni advisory board and their leadership has been instrumental to making the transition a success." Watching the undergraduates step up and take responsibility has impressed Richard. "To see the chapter transition from a house director-led chapter to an officer-led chapter has been great. They have right-sized their financial affairs, tailored operations to fit the chapter, and are working well together as a team." Richard is a financial advisor with US Capital Advisors in Austin. He is happily married to his wife, Jackie, also a UT graduate and a KA Southern Belle. He is very proud of his daughters, Mason and Jenna, and his son, Brett. Richard is very involved in the golf community in Austin and serves on the advisory council for the Masters of Science in Finance program at UT. He also enjoys cattle ranching and running half marathons. E-mail: rsieling83@gmail.com Two Decades and 5,000 Miles Never Dampened the Kappa Alpha Order Brotherhood for Richard Sieling '81 Jim McBride '80 Honors Kappa Alpha Order Through Service and Leadership Jim McBride '80 and his wife, Laura. Ron Jenkins '81, Steve Tomson '81, Tim Permenter '81, and Richard Sieling '81 reunited after 20 years.

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