CCB Networking Luncheon and Seminar

Darren Shearer is the founder and CEO of High Bridge Books & Media, which helps Christ-centered authors and organizations craft, publish, and market messages and stories that glorify God in all spheres of culture. Its imprint, High Bridge Books, has published 215+ books since 2013. He is also founder and director of Christian Business Leader and host of the Christian Business Leader Podcast, which help Christian business leaders cultivate Christ-centered companies. He has authored three books for marketplace Christians, including his latest: The Christ-Centered Company: 37 Biblical Business Habits to Build a Thriving Company That Honors God and Blesses the World (2023). A former Captain in the United States Air Force, Darren earned the United States Air Force Commendation Medal for his meritorious service in Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He holds a M.A. in Practical Theology from Regent University (Virginia Beach, VA), an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Management from Pace University’s Lubin School of Business (New York, NY), and a B.A. in English from Charleston Southern University (Charleston, SC). Darren and his wife, Marie, reside in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina (Waynesville, NC) with their three young boys.

Ross O’Brien serves as Chair and Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Carter School of Business, Dallas Baptist University. Prior to joining DBU in 2002, he started and ran an Internet services firm in Birmingham, Alabama after working for AT&T’s Business Network Sales division as an Account Executive. He began the undergraduate entrepreneurship program at DBU as well as the Center for Business as Mission. In this capacity he works closely with the Lion’s Den DFW, serving on the core team. He assisted in launching the Patriot Angel Network, an angel investment network and served on the Board of Beyond Angels. Ross holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Arlington in Business Administration and an MBA from Dallas Baptist University. Ross and Lisa have been married 39 years and live in Waxahachie, Texas where Lisa runs their independent bookshop, O’Brien’s Bookshop.

Bob Reader joined the faculty of business as Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at Dallas Baptist University in 2024, teaching in the areas of business law and technology entrepreneurship. Prior to DBU, he spent 30 years in business, where he used his science, business, and law backgrounds to co-found six technology startup companies and coach a couple dozen more. He has a passion for world missions and founded Emerging Fields in 2019, a 501c3 nonprofit with a unique IRS approval to use 100% of donated funds to build for-profit businesses, so long as they serve within the mission of spreading the gospel among the least reached nations. Bob holds an LL.M. from Texas A&M University and a J.D./MBA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He and his wife, Mary, have eight kids, four of whom are still at home!

Todd Stewart is first and foremost a follower of Christ one who seeks to live out kingdom principles and pursue kingdom growth on a daily basis.

Beginning as a forklift operator and later becoming CEO of Gulf Winds, he charted an unusual course for the company: faith first-and profit followed. Todd graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1996 before joining his father in the bold logistics venture of Gulf Winds. His wife, Nikki, has adventured side by side with him through his rise to CEO; the raising of their two beautiful children, Lexi and Lane; and his travels across the globe, sharing the gospel of Christ with family, friends, and colleagues-and with those hungry to hear.

Through the years, Todd has been honored by C12 with the Hero Award and by International Cooperating Ministries with the Rock Award. Todd personally lived the Gulf Winds story-as a son, an employee, the CEO, and finally through the sale of the business. As he dared to run the family company with the mission of impacting eternity and a determination to put God first in it all, he saw firsthand the incredible things God will do with a business devoted to Him.

Moderator

Rick Martinez serves as Interim Associate Dean, Carter School of Business, Entrepreneurship Department Chair, and Professor of Entrepreneurship at Dallas Baptist University since June 2022. He has served in numerous administrative posts in Christian Higher Education institutions and has published extensively in numerous peer-reviewed journals.Rick is the recipient of the 2020 Sharon Johnson Award (for contributions to the integration of Business and the Christian faith) from the Christian Business Faculty Association.Prior to his academic career, Dr. Martinez spent six years in the U.S. Navy operating nuclear power plants on surface ships. He holds an MBA from Baylor University and a Ph.D. in Strategic Management from Texas A&M. Rick and his wife, Peggy, live in Fort Worth, TX and are the blessed parents of 3 amazing young adult children.