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.
May 11th, 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
Enter code: FWCEVENT
Legacy Banking & Long-Duration Capital:
Asset Design, Guarantees, and Control
A professional gathering and panel offering insights on capital architecture.
Enjoy a panel and private capital community alongside civic stewards.
Featured Panelists
Honorary Moderator
Brian Walker
Judge, 2nd Court of Appeals
Justice Brian Walker received his Bachelor of Science from Texas State University, a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Biblical and Theological Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston. Prior to law school, Justice Walker served as an intern on a presidential political campaign, as a Messenger for the Texas Legislature, and as an Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms for the Texas Senate.
During law school in Houston, Justice Walker clerked for the late famed criminal defense attorney Richard "Racehorse" Haynes. After passing the bar exam in 2004, Justice Walker went to work as a prosecutor at the Harrison County District Attorney's office in East Texas, where he served just under two years. After working as an Assistant District Attorney, Justice Walker went into private law practice. Justice Walker worked in private practice for almost fifteen years, handling matters in Military and Veteran's Law, Civil Litigation, and Criminal Defense. During that time, Justice Walker authored approximately 100 civil and criminal appellate briefs and served as first-chair attorney in over 75 civil and criminal jury trials.
While in private practice, Justice Walker received several awards and accolades. In 2012, the Tarrant County Chapter of Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans (TLTV) presented him with the Committee Leadership Award for his work in helping co-found and lead the TLTV program that provides pro bono legal services to indigent military veterans. In 2013, Justice Walker was selected by the Fort Worth Business Journal to their annual “40 Under 40” list of persons in the community under the age of forty who are the most successful in their respective professions and who are making a significant impact in the city through community service. In early 2014, Justice Walker was named a "Fellow" with the Next Generation Project of the Robert Strauss Institute for International Security and Law at the University of Texas at Austin. Justice Walker was selected as "The 2014/2015 Distinguished Alumnus" by his high school alma mater in 2014— the youngest recipient of that award in the several decades that it has been given. In that same year, Justice Walker was named to the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” list by the National Trial Lawyers Association.
Justice Walker was named as a "Lawyer on the Rise" by Texas Lawyer magazine in 2016, an honor given to only twenty attorneys in Texas under the age of forty. Justice Walker was one of only two attorneys in private practice to receive the award. In 2016 and 2017, Justice Walker was selected as a "Rising Star" by "Super Lawyers," the highly selective organization that chooses and ranks the top 2.5 percent of lawyers in the country based on peer review and successful performance in the legal industry. Justice Walker was named as a "Super Lawyer" (top lawyers over forty in the nation) in 2020 and 2021 by that same organization. Justice Walker was also named as a "Top Attorney" by Fort Worth Magazine for the last nine years that he was in private practice.
Justice Walker is a former Judge Advocate (JAG) in the United States Air Force Reserves (USAFR). Justice Walker served nine years in the USAFR and, during that time, was assigned as a JAG to Barksdale Air Force Base (Louisiana), Aviano Air Base (Northern Italy), and Tinker AFB (Oklahoma). In addition to serving as a JAG, Justice Walker was the first JAG in Air Force history to serve as a Flight Commander/Instructor (officer equivalent of a Drill Instructor) at the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base (Alabama). While serving in that capacity for almost half of 2014, Justice Walker trained officer cadets in leadership, Air Force history and principles, drill and ceremonies, esprit de corps, and other aspects of being a United States Air Force Officer. In addition to Justice Walker’s military service and private law practice, he has taught state and federal government as an adjunct professor at the collegiate level.
Brendan Fenno
Director of Family Office Strategy at The Monolith Group
Brendan Fenno is the Director of Family Office Strategy at The Monolith Group, based in The Fort Worth Club. He specializes in estate liquidity planning and capital markets, helping wealthy families raise capital from the institutional bond market to fund multigenerational legacy objectives without requiring cash flow, change in investment posture, or altering advisory relationships.
At Monolith, Brendan coordinates with family offices and their advisory teams - including legal, tax, investment, and governance professionals - to raise the capital necessary to fund estate tax, preservation, succession, and philanthropic planning priorities.
He monitors the ongoing performance of more than $750 million in private bond issuances and over $6 billion in funded life insurance policies. Monolith has raised more than $1.3 billion in private bond issuances over its 20-year history and does not manage investments or custody funds.
With nearly two decades of experience in financial services across banking, wealth management, advisory, firm operations, and structured finance, Brendan has a maintained a deep commitment to legacy-minded affluent families by raising public capital for private use.
Brendan and his family live on the Westside of Fort Worth. He is a founding member of the Young Professionals Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tarrant County, previously served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and served on the board of the Crestwood Neighborhood Association.
Maryann G. Bell
Partner, Wingspan Legacy Partners
Maryann G. Bell leads Wingspan’s Advisory practice helping families create their legacies. She has a deep understanding of the structures needed to design governance and policy for multi-generational, family-owned enterprises. Her thoughtful approach cultivates conversations that drive positive change.
Maryann is an experienced governance expert having chaired seven boards. She has worked with rising leaders over decades with students from Georgetown University and throughout her two decades in finance.
Maryann joined Wingspan after almost 15 years at Goldman Sachs in NYC, Boston, and London where she oversaw the International Shares team. Maryann also serves as Director for the Gallivan Bell Family Office and holds an MBA from Harvard University and BA with distinction from Georgetown University. She and her husband Paul live in Austin, TX. They have three amazing daughters.
Stephen J. Rose
Partner & President, Arlington Family Offices
Arlington holistically stewards more than $16 billion in assets for 84 families across the United States. Driven by the belief that a family’s human capital is as vital as its financial capital, Arlington provides integrated investment and legacy solutions to navigate the complexities of multi-generational wealth. With existing offices in Birmingham and Franklin, Arlington will launch a third office at Old Parkland in Dallas in the fall of 2026. Stephen earned his BA from the University of Virginia and his JD from Harvard Law School. He is married and the proud father of three children.
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.
Dr. Chicotsky on the mission of GBR gatherings.
The purpose of GBR gatherings is to strengthen deal flow in Fort Worth and North Texas while reinforcing the civic priorities that have built our great city. Economic vitality and civic stewardship rise or fall together.
Among America’s top-ten populated cities, Fort Worth is the last grand stand for a model that still works—faith-oriented values, limited interference in personal freedom, sensible regulation, a responsible tax structure, and the enforcement of vagrancy and misdemeanor laws that protect families and proprietors.
These are not abstractions. They are the civic conditions that lower risk, attract capital, reward enterprise, and preserve the moral confidence of a city.
It is our duty to safeguard Cowtown's economic future for decades to come.
Connect with Dr. Chicotsky
GBR's private equity liaison and veteran community leader, Alexia Tuttle.
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.
Upcoming gatherings. Save the dates.
About the host, God Bless Retirement
A family-led capital and transaction advisory firm
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.
Confidentiality Protection
Confidentiality enables businesses to maintain their value without operational disruption or internal discord. Our processes factor this priority in each stage.
Connect with Dr. Chicotsky
Acknowledging a rising leader with a heart for supporting veterans and connecting them to capital communities, which God Bless Retirement is honored to facilitate.
Alexia Tuttle
Managing Partner, Tuttle Equity
About the host, God Bless Retirement
A family-led capital and transaction advisory firm
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.
