BOARD MEMBERS
FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
COMPANY: JOHNSON, DELUCA, KURISKY, & GOULD, P.C.
George is a 30-year corporate transactional attorney whose practice focuses on small to medium- sized, closely held, and emerging businesses, with operations both domestic and international. He is involved with all legal issues, from business formation to exit events, whether by merger, acquisition, divestiture, or takeout financing. Notable clients include auto dealerships and large oil and gas businesses. His transactional experience includes acquisition, disposition and succession events and strategies. It encompasses corporate securities, real estate, finance, work out and bankruptcy matters. Known as a creative problem solver with a “business first” approach, George has successfully defended his clients in hundreds of litigation, administrative and arbitration matters. George serves as a trusted advisor to his clients and valued resource to colleagues, clients and contacts in a wide array of business, legal and family matters. George is also an active leader in the community. He has, and continues to serve on numerous boards of nonprofits, chambers of commerce, civic groups, benevolent societies, community boards, and educational foundations. He is a frequent speaker and presenter on a wide range of business and local issues. He is a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, the College of William & Mary, and Calvert Hall College High School.
PRESIDENT
COMPANY: VensureHR
Gretchen Lawler is a trusted advisor in human capital strategy, with over 20 years of experience guiding thousands of businesses through the complexities of payroll, HR compliance, and organizational change. As a former business owner, she brings a practical and strategic lens to mergers and acquisitions, helping companies align benefits, manage multi-state payroll tax compliance, and foster culture-focused, compliant HR practices.
In collaboration with VensureHR, Gretchen works alongside a national team of specialists to simplify administrative processes and build scalable HR infrastructure—supporting successful M&A outcomes and sustainable growth across domestic and international markets.
Gretchen holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota. She is the co-founder of the Houston Manufacturing Professionals’ Forum (HMPF) and a former board secretary of the Greater Houston Manufacturers Association (GHMA), reflecting her commitment to industry leadership and collaboration.
She is passionate about helping organizations turn transitional moments into strategic opportunities.
PAST PRESIDENT
COMPANY: Transworld Business Advisors
Austin Tenette is a Senior Business Advisor with Transworld Business Advisors of South & West Texas, specializing in strategic growth and exit planning for small to mid-sized businesses. He leads the Prepare2Sell program, helping owners enhance business value and readiness for sale through webinars and personalized coaching.
Previously, Austin was a certified business coach with FocalPoint and served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at HCC Northeast, where he co-developed the Mattress Mack School of Selling, supporting thousands of entrepreneurs annually. His coaching practice focused on strategic execution, customer experience, and team dynamics.
Earlier in his career, Austin held senior business development roles at two global professional services firms. He earned international recognition for turning around a $42M business unit and later led corporate strategy efforts that contributed to a 26% premium at sale for a $1B services firm.
Austin holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from Cal State Long Beach and an MBA from UCLA. He actively serves on multiple boards across the Houston area, bringing deep expertise in leadership, entrepreneurship, and organizational performance.
PRESIDENT ELECT & SPONSORSHIP CHAIR
COMPANY: EXPONENT PROSPERITY ACCELERATOR ADVISORS LLC
Jason Lee serves as Vice President at Exponent Prosperity Accelerator Advisors, LLC, where he advises privately held business owners on strategies to enhance enterprise value, mitigate risk, and preserve legacy. With a focus on valuation clarity, tax-efficient planning, executive benefit design, and succession strategies, Jason helps clients navigate complex transitions and prepare for long-term success.
He collaborates with a network of financial professionals, including CPAs, attorneys, and CFO-level advisors, to deliver integrated solutions that align business, financial, and family objectives.
Jason is recognized for his ability to translate uncertainty into actionable strategy, guiding leaders through pivotal decisions with clarity and confidence.
SECRETARY
COMPANY: COMMERCIAL REALTY COMPANY
Fred Ash is the founder of Commercial Realty, a boutique real estate firm with over 40 years of experience in negotiating complex commercial transactions. His expertise spans lease renewals, relocations, owner-occupied office, retail, and industrial properties, as well as investment sales. Fred is particularly skilled in structuring 1031 exchanges and guiding retail and land development projects to maximize property value.
With a deep understanding of market dynamics and transactional strategy, Fred plays a critical role in supporting mergers and acquisitions by helping organizations assess and optimize their real estate portfolios. His consultative approach ensures that property decisions align with broader business goals—whether navigating a transition, scaling operations, or unlocking investment potential.
Fred’s long-standing reputation for integrity and results-driven service makes him a trusted partner for companies seeking strategic real estate solutions during times of growth or change.
MARKETING & PROGRAMS CHAIR
COMPANY: THE VISUAL CUE
Owais is the Founder & Principal at The Visual Cue, a branding and marketing firm. He immigrated from Pakistan in 1990 and grew up in Northwest Houston. He began branding small businesses as a freelancer 14 years ago. Since then, he has expanded his team to help growing B2B companies enhance their brand and gain visibility. Owais is a graduate of Houston Baptist University with a double major in Biology and Business.
EVENTS CHAIR
COMPANY: MELTON & MELTON
Melissa Taylor is the Marketing Manager at Melton & Melton, a Houston-based independent public accounting firm with over 60 years of experience serving clients across diverse industries. With a strategic focus on brand positioning, client engagement, and thought leadership, Melissa plays a key role in elevating the firm’s visibility and communicating its value to both longstanding clients and emerging businesses.
Her work supports Melton & Melton’s audit, tax, and client accounting practices by aligning marketing initiatives with the firm’s commitment to technical excellence, responsiveness, and personal service. Melissa also collaborates with internal teams to highlight the firm’s capabilities in areas critical to M&A success, including financial due diligence, tax structuring, and compliance.
Melissa’s leadership helps ensure that Melton & Melton remains a trusted resource for organizations navigating growth, transition, and investment opportunities.
FORMER BOARD MEMBER, CHAIRMAN & TREASURER
COMPANY: VINSON & VINSON
Bob Vinson served the M&A Forum in multiple leadership roles, including Board Member, Chairman, and Treasurer, during its early years. His professional background spans over 30 years in management consulting, business planning, and information systems strategy as Principal of Vinson & Vinson. He worked with more than 100 companies, ranging from startups to global enterprises, across a wide range of industries, including professional services, government, banking, manufacturing, and energy.
Bob also taught graduate-level business courses at Houston Baptist University and the University of St. Thomas, and was an active member of several academic and professional organizations. He holds an MBA with honors from the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management and a BS in Economics with honors from Arizona State University.
His contributions remain a valued part of the Forum’s history.
CHAIRMAN EMERITUS
COMPANY: CSB PARTNERS
Mike Dahlke. Former M&A Forum Chairman and President, a former corporate executive who has more than 30 years of energy and petrochemical industry with Enron Corp, Jefferies & Company, and now as the principal of his own advisory and development firm, CSB Partners, LLC. Leadership roles have encompassed both domestic and international business enterprises. Business solutions crafted in a variety of energy and energy-related industries – oil and gas production, transportation, wholesale marketing, and retail distribution; petrochemical and plastic products production; LPG cylinder, tank, and appliance manufacturing. Strategic thinker, persuasive communicator, and successful leader of divers organizations who builds productive relationships with and among employees, customers, commercial partners, regulators, and special interest groups. Specialties: Expertise includes extensive business/asset acquisition/divestiture structuring, financing, negotiations and integration as well as strategy/business development, operations, and organizational restructuring.