Our monthly gatherings aim to offer an informational and positional advantage for attendees, whether de-risking investments or servicing deals. Our events are free, thanks to our strategic partners. We invite you to the next topical session.
June 15th, 2026 | 2 PM - 3:30 PM CST
The Fort Worth Club, 12th Floor - Horizon-Terrace Room
306 W 7th St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Free to attend, thanks to our strategic partners.
Comped parking in the Fort Worth Club building.
Overflow comped parking at Cowtown Place Garage - 733 Throckmorton Street
Acquisition Capital & Syndication:
Aligning Equity, Debt, and Operators
A professional gathering and panel offering insights on capital flow relevant to regional banking and professionals in service of capital.
Featured Panelists
Jared Johnson
Vice President & Senior Business Development Officer Vice President
A recognized industry leader in the ETA space, Jared Johnson has completed over $850MM in SBA lending during a career spanning more than 19 years. That involvement has given him a thorough understanding of the impact SBA Lending and small business acquisitions have on the economy and its importance to communities. He has been named SBA Business Development Officer of the year multiple times by Coleman Publishing and holds a BA and MBA, has acquired 2 separate businesses and sold one, is an investor, and hosts an industry podcast. Because of his vast expertise and experience, Jared is often sought after to speak to business brokers and searches.
Caleb Foreman
The Garrison Foundation
Caleb Foreman is a former U.S. Navy SEAL with a proven record of leading high-performing teams through mission-driven strategy and execution in both military and corporate environments. With multiple combat deployments and experience as a Master Training Mentor at the Naval Special Warfare Center, he brings a unique perspective on leadership, discipline, and performance. After earning his MBA from the University of Texas and gaining senior corporate experience, Caleb co-created The Garrison Foundation to help high-performing veterans transition from elite military units into purposeful, financially secure paths through small business ownership and acquisition.
Jacob Hall
Kando Capital
Jacob Hall is the Managing Partner of Kando Capital, a boutique firm specializing in minority equity investments in lower middle market business buyouts. Kando partners with entrepreneurs pursuing Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA or “Search Funds”) and independent sponsor transactions, providing patient capital, strategic guidance, and hands-on partnership across sourcing, valuation, structuring, and post-close value creation. Jacob's leadership style is characterized by his thoughtfulness, inclusivity, and a pragmatic approach to problem-solving which he applies to every opportunity.
Jacob is a leading contributor to ETA education and ecosystem development at The University of Texas at Austin. He serves on the MBA Advisory Board at the McCombs School of Business and teaches graduate-level courses in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition, where he helps guide the program’s growth and curriculum. His teaching blends academic rigor with practical experience, equipping future business owners with the tools to develop investment theses, identify acquisition targets, and execute transactions.
Before founding Kando Capital, Jacob led Decision Analytics at Chevron Technology Ventures, the corporate venture and innovation arm of Chevron Corporation. In this capacity, he advised senior executives on venture capital investments, technology commercialization, and enterprise-scale deployment initiatives across the global organization. During his time with Chevron, Jacob previously held leadership roles spanning engineering, operations, and finance.
Earlier in his career, Jacob served as Chief Operating Officer of Sooner B&B Energy, leading an operational and financial turnaround, and held progressively senior roles at O’Reilly Automotive.
Jacob earned an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin, where he received the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Dean’s Leadership and Service Award. He graduated summa cum laude from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and holds additional undergraduate degrees in Physics, Mathematics, and Petroleum Production-all with Presidential Honors.
A dedicated mentor to emerging entrepreneurs, Jacob actively supports philanthropic and community initiatives. He has previously served as a Board Member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, President of an American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) chapter, and Chairman of the San Juan College School of Energy Industry Advisory Committee.
Invocation Leader
Gilbert Little
Private Banker at First Horizon Bank
Gilbert Little is a private banker with over 30 years of experience in the financial industry, joining Southside Bank as a senior vice president in the North Texas Region in 2018. Previously, he was a private banker for BBVA Compass and a sports marketing agent for PGA Tour golfer Hal Sutton. Little was also a founding partner in the development of Boot Ranch and was involved in the creation of the Hal Sutton Foundation, which led to the establishment of Sutton Children's Hospital in Louisiana.
U.S. and Texas Pledge Leader
Dr. Sasha Ortiz
Private Banker at First Horizon Bank
Dr. Andrea Sasha Ortiz is an international award-winning clinical psychologist, author, TED speaker, and the reigning Miss World International 2024. She specializes in trauma recovery, PTSD, depression, and anxiety, serving veterans, women, and children through evidence-based clinical practice.
She holds degrees from Spelman College, Columbia University, and the University of North Texas, along with an honorary doctorate in Judaic Theology. Dr. Ortiz is also the Chief Beauty Officer of Golden Goddess Beauty Corporation, a global beauty brand she leads as a recognized industry mogul.
Her advocacy centers on economic empowerment for women through her E3 Program and reducing stigma around intimate partner violence. Previously named Internationalist Texas 2022, she has earned multiple state and international pageant titles and serves on several nonprofit boards. She has been honored as one of the New York Journal’s 30 Women Under 30 for her contributions to psychology, women’s leadership, and global community impact.
Veteran Community Leader
Alexia Tuttle
Managing Partner, Tuttle Equity
Acknowledging a rising leader with a heart for supporting veterans and connecting them to capital communities, which God Bless Retirement is honored to facilitate.
We are proud to support the following veteran foundations as official partners with God Bless Retirement events.
The Special Forces Foundation is a non-profit organization supporting U.S. Army Special Forces Green Berets and their families by providing programs and resources for their mental and physical well-being, aligned with the Preservation of The Force and Family (POTFF) program.
The organization offers immediate and ongoing assistance for psychological and relationship challenges, including crisis support, transition assistance, and support for Gold Star Families.
Registration Coming Soon.
Upcoming gatherings. Save the dates.
About the host, God Bless Retirement
An M&A firm offering mid-market competency for the lower market.
We manage the process of
buying or selling a business.
GBR also provides syndication support through accredited-anchored events and deal calls.
Certified Valuations
Our thorough valuations include research and assessment from personnel who are certified by the National Association of Certified Value Analysts.
Getting Deals Done
Working with a broker communicates to the market seriousness about buying or selling a business. Our team's resources, relationships, and capabilities further propel this commitment.
Sourcing Buyers & Sellers
After years of marketplace matchmaking, we leverage private-listed channels with qualified buyers and sellers. We engage relationships and optimize outreach on behalf of our clients.
Transferrable Valuations
Our NACVA-certified valuations and appraisals are accepted by buyers, sellers, banks, courts, and the IRS. We do not use ballpark estimates to protect clients from significant opportunity costs.
Confidentiality Protection
Confidentiality enables businesses to maintain their value without operational disruption or internal discord. Our processes factor this priority in each stage.