Featured Panelists
The Honorable
Giovanni Capriglione
President, Texas Blockchain Council
Texas State Representative, House District 98
Here is a private-equity-focused version emphasizing capital allocation, risk, governance, and institutional adoption:
The Honorable Giovanni Capriglione is President of the Texas Blockchain Council and a seven-term member of the Texas House of Representatives, where he chairs both the House Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency and the Innovation and Technology Caucus. He has emerged as one of Texas’ principal architects of public policy governing digital assets, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and emerging financial infrastructure.
Capriglione brings a distinctly investor-oriented perspective to that work. Before entering public service, he worked with a Dallas–Fort Worth venture capital and private equity firm and later served as a senior vice president of an investment firm, managing debt and equity assets across American businesses. He is also the founder and president of Texas Adventure Capital, which works with investment fund managers and business owners while focusing on Texas-based enterprises. He holds a B.S. in Physics and an MBA in Finance from Santa Clara University.
His legislative record includes advancing the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and championing the state’s proof-of-reserves framework, which established stronger standards for custody, asset segregation, transparency, and consumer protection within digital-asset markets.
For private equity leaders evaluating the convergence of technology, energy, regulation, and institutional capital, Capriglione offers an uncommon combination of investment experience, technical fluency, and direct legislative authority.
John Nichols
AI Officer - Global Clients & Industries
PwC
John Nichols is a recognized leader in artificial intelligence and innovation, currently serving as the Technology Lead for AI & Innovation within PwC after over three years leading civic integrations with EY.
Passionate about helping public institutions navigate the complexities of digital transformation, John works closely with city governments, state agencies, and public education systems to drive meaningful change through emerging technologies. He has played a key role in developing responsible AI frameworks, advancing the adoption of AI/ML in secure environments, and modernizing infrastructure with cloud-native, compliant solutions.
John’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to public service and innovation, especially in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas. He partners with leaders across government and education to ensure technology is applied in ways that are ethical, scalable, and inclusive. Whether collaborating with CIOs, economic development teams, or innovation labs, John brings a people-first approach rooted in trust, empathy, and a long-term vision for impact.
He has spoken on AI at national forums, led executive conversations with state leaders, and partnered with organizations including the White House, Microsoft, and AAAE. John also serves on the board of the Keller Education Foundation and is a strong advocate for AI literacy in underserved communities.
At the heart of it all, John is a community builder. He believes the most powerful innovations are those shaped by the needs of the people they serve and he works every day to make that belief real.
Invocation Leader
Lance Cashion
CEO, Forge Room Foundation
Lance Cashion | Founder & CEO, Forge Room Foundation | Elder & Lay-Pastor, King's Cross Fellowship
Fort Worth, Texas native with 25+ years of integrated leadership across ministry, business, and community service.
Lance is the Founder & CEO of the Forge Room Foundation and an elder and lay-pastor at King's Cross Fellowship in Fort Worth. From 2014–2023, he served as a Local Outreach Pastor, overseeing domestic outreach, grant funding, and strategic partnerships at a Fort Worth church.
Before ministry, Lance built a diverse business career — owning a wealth management firm and insurance agency, serving as CTO and VP of Marketing at one of the nation's largest privately owned insurance agencies, and building a successful career in the electronic music industry as an artist, label owner, and promoter.
A commissioned Colson Fellow, Lance received the Charles W. Colson Medal in 2022 for pioneering Colson Fellows programs in the local church. He serves on several nonprofit boards, the Tarrant County 5 Stones Taskforce, and Texas Governor Abbott's GRACE initiative. His anti-trafficking work has taken him to Northern Iraq and opened direct communications with the White House.
Lance holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Rollins College. He hosts the Revolution of Man Podcast and Blog, and speaks on worldview, culture, and leadership.
He and his wife, Kathryn, have two children and a rescue dog — and enjoy time at their ranch.
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 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 North Texas Associate Broker, Blake Oliver
Blake leads GBR's M&A brokering and helps facilitate capital fundraising for clients, both for private equity and individual companies with traction and defensibility. GBR attendees are encouraged to contact Blake to explore service offering alignment.
blake@godblessretirement.com | 405-626-2396 (m)
GBR's private equity liaison and veteran community leader, Alexia Tuttle.
Alexia Tuttle
Managing Partner, Tuttle Equity
Acknowledging a private capital community 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.
October 20th, 2026 | 2 PM - 3:30 PM CST
The Fort Worth Club, 12th Floor - Sunset-Trinity Room
306 W 7th St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
$20 entry fee.
Comped parking in the Fort Worth Club building.
Overflow comped parking at Cowtown Place Garage - 733 Throckmorton Street
Public Markets & Y'all Street:
The Rise of Regional Exchange Power
Insight into "Y'all Street" from a leading panel. Enjoy a professional gathering relevant to regional banking and professionals in service of capital.
The Chicotsky family and God Bless Retirement (GBR) host frequent gatherings on different areas of private capital markets with the aim of offering an informational and positional advantage for attendees, whether de-risking investments or servicing deals. Our events are only $20 thanks to our strategic partners, and newcomers are welcome.
About the host, God Bless Retirement
Syndication & Deal Flow Support
We raise capital. Connecting private equity funds to accredited families with active deployment schedules and a range of investment theses.
Events for Private Capital
Enjoy panel gatherings and deal rooms where private equity funds offer term sheets for accredited families alongside service providers and civic stewards.
M&A Brokering
Offering both buy-side and sell-side services, which include certified valuations and effective targeting of private and public marketplaces.