Tom Pennington ’80 recently retired after over 40 years in nonprofit management, fundraising, and higher education, mainly within the fraternity/sorority community. He began at Phi Kappa Psi HQ as an Educational Leadership Consultant, then spent six years at Southern Methodist University coordinating Fraternity/Sorority Life while earning his MA.

Returning to Phi Psi HQ, he managed alumni, insurance, and chapter services before becoming COO of the Phi Psi Foundation for 8 years, where he helped launch the Chapter Scholarship Funds program and grew it into the largest foundation in the interfraternity community.

In 2006, Tom led the American Leadership Academy, a unique Phi Psi education program connecting brothers with alumni in Los Cabos, Mexico. Most recently, he was Executive Director of Triangle STEM Fraternity, overseeing 40 collegiate chapters.

A longtime TAEF Board member and former Secretary, Tom also served three terms as President of the NIC Foundation, co-founded the Foundations Summit, and was National Secretary (SWAG) on Phi Psi’s Executive Council. He resides in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Beginning in technical sales of computer-based building automation and security systems for major corporations, government facilities, universities, and skyscrapers, he advanced to executive roles in Chicago, IL, and Orange County, CA. He served as treasurer on the Security Industry Association board in DC, testified before Congress, and worked globally as a marketing executive. His expertise spans strategic planning, product development, event management, training, communications, pricing, advertising, promotion, and recruitment. He found fulfillment in applying cutting-edge technologies to future challenges.

Now retired, he stays active through volunteer work, improving his golf game, traveling worldwide with his wife Margie of 51 years and friends, and enjoying family life near two daughters and grandchildren. Resettled in the Dallas area, he reconnected with Texas Alpha and frequently attends Longhorn football games. Notably, living near both the Cotton Bowl and Rose Bowl has allowed him to witness every Texas Longhorn National Championship game, regardless of outcome.

Brian Scott Crow is a dynamic operations leader in the semiconductor industry, currently serving as Vice President of Operations, Product & Test Engineering at Skyworks Solutions in Austin, Texas. With a foundation rooted in Klein, Texas, Brian earned his Bachelor’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas (1988-1992). His career spans over three decades, including pivotal roles at Motorola Semiconductor and a transformative 25-year tenure at Silicon Labs, where he progressed from engineer to Senior Director, contributing to the company’s rise to over $1 billion in revenue.

Brian’s commitment extends beyond his professional achievements. He has been a dedicated leader in Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, serving on the National Executive Council as Archon for District V in the early 1990s, and continues to shape the future as a valued member of the Texas Alpha Endowment Fund Board. Married to Jeanna Whitlock Crow for 32 years, Brian cherishes their adult children—Brantley, Olivia, Carlyn, and Lawson—reflecting a life that balances innovation, leadership, and family legacy.

He has been married for 37 years to his beautiful wife, Carol. They have a daughter, Jennifer, who recently married and is planning her “BIG” wedding in Italy. He holds a BBA in Accounting. Both he and Carol are committed to giving back through volunteering. They are founding members of Stonebridge UMC and have chaired the Dallas Heart Ball, as well as organized Texas vs. OU weekend events for the Texas Exes. He has served as Treasurer of the Dallas Texas Exes, as Treasurer and President of the Collin County Texas Exes, and held positions including President, Vice President, and Treasurer for his HOA. Additionally, he has been Secretary and most recently Treasurer of the Texas Alpha Endowment Fund. His fraternity, Phi Psi, has had a profound impact on him, and his best friends are his fraternity brothers. He is driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference.

Justin Smith is a strategic leader and investor in Austin, Texas, specializing in scaling companies at the convergence of finance and breakthrough technologies. With experience at Ernst & Young, Jefferies, Providence Equity, Recharge Capital, and Eakin Park Holdings, he has raised billions, built transformative partnerships, and guided high-growth ventures. Combining finance expertise with an operator’s mindset, Justin drives innovation and market growth. His mission is to accelerate deep tech adoption—AI, automation, robotics—that transform industries and expand human potential. A University of Texas at Austin graduate, he focuses on aligning people, capital, and strategy to build lasting companies.