Advisory Board

Ben Bell, CEO
Brazos Mutual Funds

Ben Bell is the Chief Executive Officer of Brazos Mutual Funds. Ben is a native of Alabama and was raised primarily in Alabama, Georgia and Texas. He received a B.S. in Engineering Science and Sociology from Vanderbilt University in 1982. After graduation and working a couple of years in marketing, Ben received an M.B.A. in Finance from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1986.

Ben’s management experience consists of twenty years of working with closely-held, entrepreneurial, professional service firms from a private equity, Chief Financial Officer and/or Chief Operating Officer perspective. Ben has successfully developed and implemented infrastructure, systems and best practices to stabilize and enhance shareholder value, including increasing EBITDA margins, turning around operations, developing reliable cash management systems, analyzing, negotiating and closing acquisitions and strategic investments, and managing private market transactions.

Ben is a member of the Financial Executive Networking Group, the Board of Directors of Providence Christian School of Texas, the Board of Directors of Camp John Marc, the Board of Advisors of Leapfrog Solutions, Inc. and Highland Park Presbyterian Church. He is a past Trustee and member of the Investment Committee of the Texas Presbyterian Foundation.

Peter Gudmundsson, CEO & Founder
The Priceless Legacy Company, LLC

Peter started PLC(www.pricelesslegacy.com) in 2008 to help people preserve their life stories and lessons for the benefit of future generations. A direct selling company, PLC attracts and retains a growing force of “Legacy Consultants” who meet with older people to interview them, organize their photographs and produce beautiul life story book packages. Prior to founding Priceless Legacy, Peter was CEO & President of Beckett Media, the world’s premier publisher of information for sports collectors. Peter’s earlier business leadership positions include CEO & founder of Design Guide Publishing Ltd, CEO of Jobs.com and President of Primedia Workplace Learning (formerly Westcott Communications). In the 1990s, Peter executed merger & acquisition projects for K-III Communications and prior to that served as an investment banker with Morgan Stanley & Co.

A former US Marine field artillery and intelligence officer, Peter is a graduate of Harvard Business School (MBA) and Brown University (BA, History).

John C. Miller, President & CEO
Taco Bueno Restaurants

John Miller currently heads up Taco Bueno Restaurants, a Dallas, Texas based Regional Mexican Quick Service concept known for its Fast Casual Quality with Fast Food Price and Convenience. John has over 30 years experience in foodservice and has held executive positions in operations, development and franchise.

John began his foodservice career in 1974 with the Taco Bueno division of Casa Bonita Enterprises. His contributions to the chain were instrumental in it's growth and prominence as a regional market share leader in the "quick service Mexican" segment. John joined Brinker International in September 1987 as Vice President Special Concepts and was subsequently named Vice President Joint Venture/Franchise Department in November of 1988. John, along with the Brinker International Franchise Department, developed and provided support services to the Brinker family of Chili's franchises and their growing group of franchise operations throughout the world. On August 10, 1993, John was named President New Concept Development for the primary purpose of developing Cozymel's and the Mexican food division. On May 28, 1994, Brinker International completed it's acquisition of On The Border restaurants which was also included in this division. On April 24, 1997 John was named President of Romano's Macaroni Grill and served there until January 3rd, 2005. Romano's Macaroni Grill grew in both Profits and prominence during John's tenure, from $250M in Sales to over $700M while winning 5 consecutive Dinner House of the Year and 4 Consecutive Italian Dinner House of the Year Honors.

John exemplifies persistence and determination in his career and lives his life with an attitude of commitment and team spirit. His priorities focus on faith, family and fun!

Rhonda L. Shasteen, SVP
Mary Kay Inc.

Rhonda joined Mary Kay in February of 1984. She has held such positions as Manager of Color Marketing, Director of Sales Development, Director of Sales Education and Leadership Communications, and Vice President of Marketing.

Today, Rhonda is Senior Vice President of Corporate Brand Strategy and Sales Support. Under her leadership are all Mary Kay worldwide marketing areas: branding strategy, product marketing, sales promotions, market research, creative services, and advertising.

Rhonda is married to Van and has two grown children, Matthew and Vanessa.

Robin Wantland
Managing Director/President of Commercial Banking
The Highlands Bank

Robin Wantland has been a Texas banker for 29 years and is highly regarded as one of the Dallas-Fort Worth area's top commercial banking experts due to his acute focus upon privately held businesses and their owners. Mr. Wantland most recently served as the national director of Commercial Banking for Compass Bank from 2002-2006, where he led a banking team covering six states that included 13 major metropolitan markets. Among his notable achievements at Compass was his leadership that led to recognition by Greenwich and Associates as a top performer among banks focused on privately held businesses.

Prior to Compass, Mr. Wantland served as a regional director of Business Banking for Bank One/JP Morgan Chase in Dallas. Serving the banking institution for 18 years, he oversaw 200 bankers in 23 markets in six states. Mr. Wantland's career began with First National Bank in Dallas in 1978, where he served for five years and last held the position of vice president of Commercial Banking.

Mr. Wantland earned a bachelor of science degree in marketing and a master's degree in finance from Oklahoma State University. He also holds a commercial banking certification from the University of Virginia and a banking school certification from Louisiana State University School of Banking. Mr. Wantland serves as treasurer of the board for The Family Place and is chairman of the boards for the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association and the Cambridge School of Dallas. Additionally, he is a member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas and serves as an elder at Northwest Bible Church in Dallas.