2012 Rising Stars

Ryan Oliver

MBA, '06
CMO Advisor
GE

In his current role as CMO Advisor at GE’s Corporate headquarters, Ryan’s responsibilities include exploring new growth opportunities for GE, leading key strategic initiatives for the company, and managing executive-level projects. In this role, he has contributed to the acclaimed GE Works campaign, spearheading a comprehensive study for CEO Jeff Immelt on GE’s impact on the United States. Additionally, he has led efforts to examine opportunities for GE in emerging economies, accelerate the commercialization of GE technologies through stronger partnerships with the start-up community, and infuse GE’s leadership culture with more entrepreneurial traits.

Since graduating McCombs in 2006 with an MBA, Ryan has held many roles within GE. He joined the Experienced Commercial Leadership Program, GE’s flagship management development program for MBA students. He excelled in this program, receiving the Leadership Award at the conclusion of the program. During his time at GE, he has held a variety of roles aimed at growing GE’s commercial presence. He has led marketing campaigns, managed a national sales team, launched a new product, owned strategic relationships for 2 major customers, and implemented global sales force effectiveness measures for an entire P&L. He truly enjoys finding new growth opportunities, working with and for the customer, and contributing to a collaborative, team-oriented work environment.

Always looking to give back, he is proud of his work in creating a strong pipeline of McCombs talent to GE. As the lead recruiter for GE’s MBA hiring needs, he has paved the way for some of the best and brightest McCombs students to GE. Over the past 4 years, top leaders in and out of the classroom have taken their post-MBA pursuits to GE, and Ryan truly enjoys watching “Team Texas” grow and make significant contributions to GE. As a result, McCombs is one of the 10 core schools for GE’s ECLP program, and GE has become one of the top 10 companies for hiring McCombs MBAs. Additionally, along with fellow McCombs alums, he has explored new areas of collaboration between GE and McCombs. In the spring of 2012, a first-of-its-kind partnership was launched between GE and Texas Venture Labs, and the two groups are continuing to find new areas of collaboration. He looks forward to continuing to grow the relationship between GE and McCombs.

On a personal level, he enjoys politics, cooking, reading, traveling, playing tennis (and watching all sports), and is currently training for his second Ironman distance triathlon.

Dominic Sung

BBA '03
Director, Structured Products
BP North America Gas & Power

In his current role as Director, Structured Products Americas in BP's Integrated Supply and Trading business unit, Dominic is responsible for primary client coverage of over 200 clients, helping them to create and execute tailored risk management solutions across the energy value chain.  Focusing on energy consumers in the eastern United States, he works to meet the unique energy needs of each client in numerous commodities, including natural gas, crude oil, power, crude products, and natural gas liquids.

Dominic graduated in 2003 from the Business Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Honors and Finance, minoring in Management Information Systems and joined BP shortly thereafter.  In a rare feat within the energy trading space, Dominic has been with BP for over nine years.  During his tenure at BP, he has held a number of roles in trading, gas supply, structured products, credit, risk, and trade control.

While success can be measured in many ways, Dominic feels that his ability to give back is the true measure of his success.  A board member since 2003, he currently serves as Chair of the UT BHP Advisory Committee.  He and his wife have founded the Dominic and Patricia Sung Endowed Scholarship in Business and have also founded the Linda C. Talecki Gallbladder Cancer Research Fund at Johns Hopkins University in loving memory of Patricia's mother.  Dominic serves at Ashford Community Church as a Young Adults Sunday School teacher and Praise and Worship team member.  In and around the Houston community in which he and his wife live, he volunteers at the Krause Children's Center and for the Education Rainbow Challenge, while being on host committees for Asia Society and Memorial Park Conservancy and singing in Aurea Houston.

Rising Star Honorees

2011

Matt Chasen
MBA '04

David Anthony Murrell
BBA '01

2010

Daniel B. Nelson
B.A. '96, MBA '06

Matt Polze
BBA '99, MPA '99, J.D. '03

2009

M. Christina Clayton
BBA ’02, MBA ’06 (University of Oxford)

Gregory H. Johnson
BS ’84 (Air Force Academy), MBA ’05

2008

Holly Goodrich McMullan
MBA ’04

2007

Tony Rogers
BBA ’90, MBA ’97

2006

Ted Wang
MBA ’96

2005

Jeff Hoogendam
MBA ’95