Texas Fiji of Phi Gamma Delta at the University of Texas
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1535194
Excellence in Service and Friendship GENE SHEPHERD '78 BELIEVES IN FAMILY AND FIJI Page 3 Texas Fiji H aving transferred to UT as a sophomore, Gene Shepherd '78 wanted to find the right fit in his new community. He knew little about Fiji before that transfer, but the diversity of membership from across Texas, combined with the humble but high-quality brothers who became his pledge class, made it the right choice. Gene focused intensely on his engineering studies (playing catch-up after his freshman year at a liberal arts college), which did not leave a lot of free time beyond the classroom. He made the most of that time with his Texas Fiji brothers, becoming president of his pledge class and eventually of the whole Chapter. "Many of my deepest friendships are from Phi Gamma Delta, which has served as a cornerstone for my personal and professional life," he said. "From our pledge class there is still a core group of 25 men who communicate and see one another regularly. From my point of view, this is unique aspect of a college experience that few people benefit from." Currently, Gene is the CEO (and a founder) of VTX Energy Partners—the fourth energy- focused, private equity backed company he has started and grown with a core group of co- founders. However, his biggest joy and pride is raising his three sons with his wife, Robin ("although, she gets much of the early credit here!"). Their youngest, Ben '19, became a Ted C. Hager '53 and his wife, Louise, will celebrate 69 years of marriage in June. They live in Dallas, Texas, and are blessed with three children, eight grandchildren, and soon-to-be 11 great-grandchildren. Larry L. Loyd '54 retired from Ernst & Young and lives at a retirement community in Houston, Texas. He is an active volunteer with his Methodist church. Larry has two daughters (one married a Texas Tech Fiji), four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Email: larmarloyd@aol.com J. Scott Susong '64 is retired and serving as a volunteer pastor at Tulsa Bible Church. Scott and his wife, Judy, are enjoying life together in Tulsa, Okla. Email: ssusong1@att.net William E. Pelham '68 is the author of Burke and Damaret: The Wit and Wisdom of Golf's Most Colorful Duo, published in 2017. He lives in Houston, Texas. Email: bill.pelham@comcast.net Kevin E. Hunter '91 lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Lindsay, and their two sons, Holt and Caine. When they aren't watching their boys play sports, the family loves to watch UT games and surf/wakeboard on Lake Austin. Lindsay is a practicing architect, and Kevin is a commercial real estate developer. They also volunteer with Wonders and Worries and the Great Hills food pantry. Email: khunter@cswdevelopment.com Bobby Holland '99 is a football coach living in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, Lorraine, daughter, Birdie, and sons, Robert and Benjamin. Email: bholland825@yahoo.com Peter Kaldis '02 is married to Leslie Frels and has a daughter named Katherine. Peter works for Baylor College of Medicine as a hospitalist in St Luke's. He and Leslie split their time between Houston and Victoria, Texas. Email: pkaldis@gmail.com Jack T. Gannon Jr. '05 practiced law at a Dallas firm for 11 years and is currently on a personal sabbatical. Over the past few months, Jack has summitted Denali (Mt. McKinley) and fielded the John Muir Trail—each of which took approximately three weeks. Jack lives in Hillsboro, Texas. Email: jacktgannon@gmail.com Ben '19 and Gene Shepherd '78 at Ben's UT graduation. Brothers on an alumni hunting trip (from left): Thomas Duncan '11, John Duncan '08, James Duncan '14, David Duncan '13, Patrick McNamara '08, and Chance Moore '06. "Many of my deepest friendships are from Phi Gamma Delta, which has served as a cornerstone for my personal and professional life." You can connect with Gene at gshepherd@vtxep.com Texas Fiji too, and all three live and work in Austin, where Gene and Robin still reside. Philanthropy has always been a pillar of the Shepherd family. While living in Houston, Robin, Gene and their three boys regularly volunteered at a food pantry, and in Austin they have supported (through time and treasure) a number of organizations focused on homelessness, affordable housing, and education. All three sons are Eagle Scouts, so Gene has been heavily involved with the local scouting chapter. At UT, he serves on two boards and is a 2017 recipient of the Cockrell School of Engineering's Distinguished Engineering Graduate Award. "Serving our community has been hugely beneficial to our family, and we have received much more than we have given." Gene sees philanthropy as a crucial Texas Fiji value too, allowing the Chapter to introduce new members, while helping brothers embrace and accommodate societal changes through generations. Gene is grateful to Fiji for opening new doors in life and relationship building, and he hopes future brothers will embrace the same opportunities and have the courage to take on new risks in life. Outside of his family and professional endeavors, he enjoys spending time with his wife and boys and keeping active outdoors. Alumni News