CLASS alumni honored at Cougar 100 Luncheon

For the past two years, the UH Alumni Association has recognized the world’s 100 fastest growing companies owned or led by UH alumni at a celebratory luncheon. During this year’s Cougar 100 event, 10 CLASS alumni were recognized for their successful business endeavors.

The CLASS alumni and businesses that were recognized this year are:

• Adame Garza, LLP, Miguel Angel Adame ('00)
• Azur West, a Shu Uemura Salon, Nicolas J. Brines ('92)
• BMW of Bridgewater, Gailon McGowen ('81)
• ExecuTeam Staffing LP, Laura Bowen ('94)
• Galene Financial, Michael Sachs ('97)
• HR&P Solutions, Mike Holley ('90)
• Marketing Plus LLC, Robert N. Livermore ('68)
• Mitton Media, John F. Mitton ('86)
• Stone Creek Psychotherapy and Wellness, Dianne W. Appolito (M.S.W. '82)
• TopSpot Internet Marketing, Anita R. Perez-Valdez ('03)

The keynote speaker at the event was Rushion McDonald, a UH alum and executive producer of the “Steve Harvey Talk Show” and consulting producer of “Family Feud.”

To qualify for this honor, businesses must be owned or operated by a UH alumnus or alumna and candidates must submit financial materials and an application to support their standing.

The UH alumni association believes these cougar-owned or led businesses show the value of a UH education in the workforce. CLASS graduates in particular often go on to have successful careers as economists, journalists, actors, diplomats, lawyers and doctors.

In addition to their recognition at the luncheon, all winners were featured in a recent edition of the Houston Business Journal.