JOURDAN ADAIR GIBSON
jourdangibson@yahoo.com Austin, Texas 78704
EDUCATION:
Pepperdine School of Law, Malibu, California. May 2006. J.D. Entrepreneurial and Technology Law Degree. Baylor University, Waco, Texas. May 2003. B.B.A. in Business Entrepreneurship with a minor in Corporate Communications.
LEGAL EXPERIENCE:
Associate, Greene, Fidler & Chaplan, LLP: (March 2006 to January 2007). While working under Scott Chaplan I focused on the real estate side of his law firm, and I was given numerous responsibilities for Urban Holdings, LLC, of which Mr. Chaplan is the CEO. As a legal associate, I prepared cases for trial, interviewed clients, and drafted numerous documents, including motions, briefs, interrogatories, and depositions. Under Urban Holdings, LLC, I was the face and the voice of Urban Seminars, planning, strategizing and implementing nationwide seminars. I also investigated numerous real estate ventures with Mr. Chaplan and participated extensively in all Urban Holding companies, including Urban Consulting, Urban Financial, Urban Eco Housing, and Urban Protective Services. Associate, Venature Capital and Consulting, LLC: (August 2005 to March 2006). Venature is a partnership of investors and managers that provides capital and consulting to start-up businesses. Venature accelerates the growth of new ventures by providing strategic consulting, and by partnering with entrepreneurs to execute their core business operations including sales, marketing, finance, and technology implementation. Venature invests directly in start up companies and helps entrepreneurs raise capital by preparing their companies for financing by introducing their businesses to angel investors and venture capitalists. Business Planning and Estate Planning Clerk, Nixon Law Corporation: (Summer 2005) While working alongside Elizabeth A. Nixon, Esq., I gained extensive experience in business law and estate planning through daily incorporating businesses, drafting wills and trusts documents, and focusing on various other law related responsibilities. Federal Judicial Internship: (Summer 2004) Briefing Attorney Intern to the Honorable Robert Junell, United States District Judge, Western District of Texas. Drafted memoranda, briefs, jury charges, and orders from Motions for Summary Judgment and Motions for New Trials; reviewed (De Novo)-reports and recommendations from the magistrate judge; observed oral arguments, Voir Dire, sentencings, pre-trial hearings, jury trials, and bench trials. Business and Technology Law Training: Corporations Law, Administrative Law, Business Planning, Law of Cyberspace, Antitrust, Intellectual Property, Securities Regulation, Financing for High Tech Start-ups, Patents, Licensing, Capstone Practicum, Advanced Securities Law.
ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE:
Co-founder and Vice President, Captive Audience Billboards, San Angelo, Texas (1997-2001): Created and managed an innovative advertising venture that targeted 3,000 Central High School consumers and provided exposure for a select group of San Angelo businesses; obtained financing based on self-developed business plan; conducted business-patronage surveys and presented findings to business managers; wrote and completed nine-month contracts with 20 local businesses; business earned up to $20,000 annually. Co-creator and Co-chairperson, Governor’s Symposium on Economic Development Through Entrepreneurship, Baylor University, Waco, Texas (1999, 2000, 2001): Conceptualized, planned and
1
hosted first-ever statewide symposium showcasing entrepreneurial successes of Texas high school students; solicited and obtained support of then-Governor George W. Bush and Baylor University’s John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship; contacted and enlisted participation of more than 100 high school entrepreneurs representing 26 Texas high schools; developed event schedule and contracted speakers including recognized Texas-based business leaders such as Adam Gonzales, President of Ninfa’s Restaurants and Café Serranos, and Fred Nichols, CEO of TCA Cable (now Cox Cable); developed media kits and served as event spokesperson; designed and served as judge for “Entrepreneurial Achievement Contest” that resulted in six Baylor University-sponsored scholarships totaling almost $4,000 for the winners. National Spokesperson, REAL Curriculum (1999): Invited by Rick Larson, Executive Director of REAL, to attend and act as national spokesperson for the curriculum at national education conferences. State Spokesperson, REAL Curriculum, Texas Education Agency, Austin, Texas (1999): Invited by Dr. Felipe Alanis, former Deputy Commissioner for Curriculum at the Texas Education Agency, to be student spokesperson for Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning (REAL) curriculum at eight regional TEA conferences; spoke to more than 3,000 teachers, administrators and trustees during concurrent conference sessions; designed and used PowerPoint presentations to supplement talks; authored, published and distributed “How to Help Students Raise Money for Their Own Education,” a guide based on experience gained from coordinating Birthday Bash Community Fundraisers. Entrepreneurial Consultant, FastTrack Program, Baylor University (2002-2003): Advised and assisted a member of the Waco community in creating and running a business. Developed a business plan, created marketing tools and strategies (brochures, flyers, etc.), created and designed a web site, and researched current competition and business practices of the party planning industry.
PHILANTHROPY:
Co-founder, Co-host and Coordinator, Birthday Bash Community Fundraisers, San Angelo, Texas (1996-98): Conceptualized, planned and hosted city and county-wide fundraisers for up to 2,500 participants that generated more than $100,000 for San Angelo-area non-profit organizations including the San Angelo Civic Theatre and San Angelo Schools Foundation. Themes included “Blockbuster Bash for Cash,” which was broadcast nationally on Nickelodeon during “Nickelodeon’s Big Help Day,” and “Columbia [Hospital] Celebration on Ice.” Solicited and obtained corporate and individual sponsorships on the local, state and national levels; obtained endorsements of local, state and federal politicians; developed and implemented media plan and acted as event spokesperson on radio (including voicing PSAs), on television and in print media.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS:
Backpacking Expedition, (Summer 2003) backpacked through Europe for five weeks; England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain. International Student, Baylor in Spain (Summer 2000): Spent six weeks immersed in conversational Spanish and full-time studies in Madrid, Spain, to enhance formal Spanish language education. Diplomatic Representative, Stockholm, Sweden (Summer 1999): Spent two weeks in Sweden as guest of U.S. Ambassador Lyndon Olson; Developed an appreciation of diplomatic community and practiced international protocol by participating in various receptions, presentations and other official ceremonies and functions.
COMMUNICATION/PUBLIC RELATIONS/JOURNALISM:
Columnist and Advisory Board Member, San Angelo Family Magazine, San Angelo, Texas (1996 to 2001): Researched and wrote a monthly column for family-oriented, regional publication with a circulation of 30,000; conducted interviews with prominent leaders including First Lady Laura Bush,
2
former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, former Chairperson of the Futures Commodity Trading Commission Wendy Gramm and then-Governor George W. Bush. Developed and serviced advertising accounts; served as first-ever student member of Advisory Board comprised of local political, public service and civic leaders. Broadcast Intern, KLST-TV, CBS Affiliate, San Angelo, Texas (1999): Shot/edited footage and gathered facts as member of field reporting team; developed leads and news previews; gained oncamera experience.
LEADERSHIP:
Urban Seminars Planning and Implementation Committee Chair, (2005-2006) Orchestrated the nationwide strategizing, marketing, public relations, management, and city relations for seven nationwide entrepreneurial seminars through Urban Holdings, LLC. Executive Board Member, Baylor Student Foundation, Waco, Texas (2002-03): Co-created, organized, and led the first-ever state-wide Bear Downs Marathon. Planned and oversaw Campus Promotions including prospective student campus visits; Fall, Winter and Spring Premiers. Recruiter, Baylor Student Foundation, Waco, Texas (2001-2002): Traveled nationwide recruiting prospective Baylor students. Founding Member, Leadership Baylor, Waco, Texas (2001-2002): Served on a six-member team to research, develop and write University leadership curriculum; planned and led leadership seminars for Baylor freshmen; represented Baylor at statewide consortium of other Level-1 University Leadership Programs. Student Representative, “Baylor 2012 Vision” University Strategic Planning Committee, Waco, Texas (2001- 2003): Worked with University administration on developing the University’s longrange, strategic plan designed to raise every college to Tier 1 status over the next decade. Student Body Representative, Faculty and Student Life Committee (2000-02): Only facultyselected student to present student viewpoint, along with Student Body President, monthly on a variety of issues affecting campus life to a faculty committee comprised primarily of deans. President, Executive Board Member and Social Chair, Freshman Leadership Organization, Baylor University (1999-2000): Led organization designed to unit incoming freshman class “socially and spiritually” through social events, praise opportunities and community service. Planned and organized activities ranging from two freshman dances each attended by 3,000 people to “Praise at the fountain,” a mid-week informal worship opportunity, and “Steppin’ Out,” the University’s annual community outreach program designed to improve the living conditions of Waco’s elderly and lowincome residents; one of 50 students selected from 1,000 applicants; first-ever female president. Also served on the Freshman Leadership Organization Selection Committee (2001-03). Freshman Representative, Baylor Student Congress, Waco, Texas (2000-2001): Reviewed proposals and allocated money from Student Life Fund to recognized student organizations to help finance special campus-wide events; one of five freshmen elected to serve on this governing body. Tutor, TAAS Testing Preparation for Disadvantaged Elementary Math Students, Waco ISD (Spring 2001)
HONORS/ACHIEVEMENTS:
Duchess in the Visiting Court of the Coronation of the Queen of Fiesta, San Antonio, Texas (2003): One of eight statewide duchesses appointed by the Board of Directors of the Order of the Alamo and selected to represent their respective hometowns/regions during San Antonio’s annual Fiesta Celebration.
3
Baylor Beauty (2002) Phi Alpha Delta, National Law Fraternity (2001 to present) Decorations and Event Chairman for the Baylor University Chi Omega Sorority (2001-2003) Social Chair of the Baylor University Chi Omega Pledge Class (2001) Sophomore Class Homecoming Queen Nominee, Baylor University (2000) 100 Plus Club, Chonko Business Competition, Baylor Business School (2001): Wrote, as part of a five-member team, a business plan for a travel agency, “Bear Excursions,” that earned a Top Ten ranking in competition. State Champion and National Finalist, Extemporaneous Speaking, Business Professionals of America (1999). Student Business Person of the Year, (1999): San Angelo Rotary Club. Homecoming Princess, Baylor University (1999): Elected as freshman-class Homecoming representative; selected by a panel of alumni judges as the first freshman in the Homecoming Court based on personal philanthropy, scholarship, community involvement and ambassadorship.
4