Students sit at table with Austin Fellow at the head

The Austin Entrepreneurship Program at Weatherford Residential College hosts leading entrepreneurs and business executives through the Austin Fellows Program.

During their visit, Fellows dine with residents, lecture in a variety of forums, and stay overnight in Weatherford's Executive Suites. Fellow events give residents the opportunity to network and listen to professionals from the Northwest.

More than 30 Austin Fellows worked with students in the 2011-12 school year, including:

  • Ken Thrasher, Chairman of Compli
  • Jaymes Winters, CEO, Blue Leopard Capital LLC 
  • Diane Paddison, Author and Chief Strategy Officer, Cassidy Turley
  • Kyle David, Professional Musician
  • Jessica Klein, Co-Owner, Mod Pod 
  • Scott McFarland, Co-Owner, American Dream Pizza
  • Anthony Miller, Founder, Stepping Stones Solutions
  • Howard Behar, Founding President, Starbucks International 
  • Steve Gomo, Former Executive Vice President and CFO, NetApp
  • Blake Leamy, Operating Owner, Corvallis Sports Park
  • Matt Till, Co-Founder and COO, OluKai Footwear
  • Jesse Coombs, Professional Kayaker, Filmmaker, & Real Estate Investor
  • Melinda Villalobos, Principle Broker and Owner of ERA Northwest Professional Realty in Molalla, Ore.
  • Dr. Jeffrey Hornsby, Vanier Distinguished Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Director of the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship, Kansas State University 
  • Dr. Dante Di Gregorio, Associate Professor, Anderson School of Management at the University of Mexico
  • Scott Purcell, Chief Operating Officer, Hawes Financial Group
  • Christine Chin Ryan, President, Synergy Consulting, Inc.
  • Holly Peterson, Owner, The Ball Studio Photography
  • Jonathan Eischen, Web Designer & Developer, GeoCatalyst.com
  • Junki Yoshida, Chairman and CEO, Yoshida Group
  • Kevin Sailor, Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual
  • Kelly Fitzpatrick, Associate, Audit, KPMG; AEP/SIFE Alumni