The Dunham College of Business invites you to attend the 2026 Awards Dinner and Brown Distinguished Lecture. Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026 About the Brown Distinguished Lecture Series In 1972, the Brown Foundation, Inc. established the Herman Brown Endowed Chair of Business and Economics at HCU to honor the memory of one of Houston’s great pioneers. With his brother, George R. Brown, Herman Brown created Brown & Root, which evolved into one of the largest engineering and construction firms in the world. Generous philanthropists, the brothers together founded the Brown Foundation, which has awarded more than $1.35 billion in grants since its inception. The Herman Brown Endowed Chair, and the activities associated with it including the Brown Distinguished Lecture, have enriched the academic life of the University and the resources of the Houston business community for more than 20 years. Past presenters have included: 2024 James D. “Dan” Rollins III Chairman of the Board and CEO Cadence Bank 2023 Bob Harvey CEO Greater Houston Partnership 2015-2022 No Lectures Fall 2014 Christopher W. Kersey Managing Member, Camden Partners Holdings, LLC Spring 2012 T. Paul Bulmahn Chairman CEO and Founder, ATP Oil & Gas Corp. Fall 2012 David Weekley Chairman David Weekley Homes 2009 Pete Miller President and CEO, National Oilwell Varco, Inc. 2008 Larry Kellner Chairman and CEO, Continental Airlines 2007 Joel V. Staff Chairman and CEO Reliant Energy, Inc. 2006 James T. Hackett. Chairman, President and CEO, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation 2005 Bob Beauchamp MS ’87 President and CEO, BMC Software Inc. 2001 Larry Farmer Halliburton Brown & Root 1999 Walter Johnson Southwest Bank of Texas 1997 Gordon Bethune Continental Airlines Fall 1996 Archie Dunham Conoco, Inc. Spring 1996 Gene McDavid Houston Chronicle 1995 Jack S. Blanton Eddy Refining Company 1994 Robert C. McNair Cogen Technologies, Inc. 1993 Linnet F. Deily First Interstate Bank of Texas 1992 Dan Wilford Memorial Healthcare System 1990 Dr. Bob Gower Lyondell Petrochemical Company 1988 John F. Woodhouse SYSCO Corporation 1987 Harold S. Hook American General Corporation Fall 1985 Sam F. Segnar HNG/Internorth Spring 1985 Daniel C. Arnold First City Bancorporation of Texas, Inc. 1984 John Cater M/Corp.
