Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Texas

p. 2 TEXAS ALPHA ACCOLADE Rob Adair joined him as a business partner, launching a development company with Herman Lay (of Frito-Lay fame) as their initial financial partner. After several years of success, David took a (part-time) break from the industry, teaching photography and economics at Greenhill School in Texas. He later returned to real estate, becoming skilled at managing large asset portfolios for multiple companies—including GE Capital, First Gibraltar Bank and, later, Olympus Real Estate Partners, which he founded with the backing of his SigEp brother Tom Hicks. In 1994 he became a Partner at Hicks, Muse, Tate, and Furst. After that, David launched a technology platform, Hyphen Solutions LLC, to support production home builders and their supply chain partners. Today, Hyphen's applications have been utilized annually in the construction of over 30% of all of U.S. home starts each year. He continues to serve as chairman of the board 25 years later. CURIOSITY ON HOW WE BECAME HUMAN In addition to various personal investments and board positions, David sits on the board of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University. The board was founded by fellow SigEp Bruce Schnitzer as well as Don Johanson, the man who found the famous skeletal fossil "Lucy" 50 years ago. The institute was created around Lucy's discovery and led by Bruce; it joined ASU in 1997. David's generous donation funded the IHO Founder's Lab at ASU to honor Don, Bruce, former director Bill Kimbel, and co-founder Tom Hill. David's love of photography (and psychology and storytelling) led him to meet the filmmaker Jonathan Stack, who made the 1998 documentary The Farm: Angola, USA, about a group of men in the Lousiana State Penitentiary (a.k.a. "Angola") and the culture they created there. David worked with Jonathan on photography and production for several films, including as executive producer in the follow-up to The Farm made 10 years later. David and his wife, Mara Batlin, went on to found a documentary film company, Highest Common Denominator Media Group, producing films for National Geographic Network, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Sundance Foundation, and The Discovery Channel. "A specular experience in storytelling and creative efforts, but I'm likely getting too old for these 'all-nighters.'" PRESERVING BROTHERHOOD After the chapter house fire, a devastated David drove to Austin and was among the first to see the ruined building. All the composites were on the floor, covered in broken glass. "I don't know what happened to them, but I wish I had taken them and done a better job of safekeeping some of the old memories from that house." David has only been inside the new chapter house a few times but remains a long-term financial supporter of Texas Alpha; he was also an early lifetime member of the Skull & Crossbones society. "Joining a fraternity introduced me to aspiring young men who taught me things I didn't know," he said. "Those close friendships pushed me to do things I wouldn't have done on my own. That funnel of SigEp experiences in the '60s has now blossomed outward into success in business and my personal life—all a product of the early relationships with these men for which I am eternally grateful." In addition to time spent with his family and SigEp brothers, David enjoys traveling in his offroad RV and taking landscape photos and spending time in nature with his dogs. He recently completed his Certified Integral Coach certification from New Ventures West to hone his mentoring skills. You can connect with David at dbdmac@mac.com David Deniger '68 "The fraternity helped create a new narrative for me: I could change my life and do anything that I wanted to do." (Continued from page 1) Chapter Officers President Connor Cordell '24 Vice President Teddy Gallas '24 VP of Finance Jack Summers '24 VP of New Member Development Luke Pyle '24 VP of Communications Blake Ternan '24 VP of Philanthropy Colin Crawford '24 VP of SLC JP Rathbun '24 VP of Recruitment Harrison Jones '25 VP of Standards Michael Dicecco '25 House Manager Carter Korb '24 Social Chairmen Nash Corcoran '24 Jack McKenna '24 Chaplain Mason Morris '24 T he recruitment team at Texas Alpha is excited to bring in high-quality members seeking to serve our chapter and grow through their time at The University of Texas. Recruitment is an essential component to the success of our chapter, and our team could not be more thankful for the help of our alumni and active members. Please email, call, or text me directly regarding any potential new member reference. Thank you for your support of Texas Alpha! HFF, Harrison Jones '25 Vice President of Recruitment (713) 204-5154 | hrj514@me.com Know a Potential Brother? Let Us Know!

• Cover