Wherever you are, SigEps are a vital part of the cultural and professional landscape. Here, we highlight a few of the notable brothers and locations that make Houston a great place to live, work or visit.

Space City
From leading the Gemini and Apollo missions of the 1960s and ’70s, to serving as home of the space shuttle program for three decades, to managing operations of the International Space Station, Johnson Space Center has been involved in nearly every aspect of the country’s quest to explore our universe. The center hasn’t just increased our understanding of the world beyond Earth: It’s also a major driver of Houston’s economy, with more than 52,000 employees and more than a million visitors each year.

Landing at a Podium Near You
Former astronaut Drew Feustel, Purdue ’89, is embarking on a new kind of launch. When he wasn’t preparing for one of his three missions to space, Feustel represented NASA at more than 200 speaking engagements at schools and events around the world. Since retiring from NASA as acting chief astronaut in 2023, Feustel and his spouse, Indira, who are based in Houston, have launched their own public speaking business. The pair is currently booking appearances to present keynotes and serve on panels at conferences and corporate events in 2024 and beyond. (andrewfeustel.com)

Hurt Hub Helps Businesses

The Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Davidson College launched Amplify Davidson, an initiative to assist local small businesses, in fall 2023. The program provides educational programming, consulting and other services. SigEp brother and longtime Houston resident Jay Hurt, Davidson ’88, established The Hurt Hub with a $5 million gift to his alma mater to create a space where innovators and entrepreneurs at the college and throughout the region can work on solutions to complex issues. The Hurt Hub marked its fifth anniversary in 2023.

A Giving Heart … Deep in the Heart of Texas
Mike Watford, Florida ’75, a SigEp Educational Foundation trustee, is well known in the city for his acts of philanthropy. In addition to making major gifts to the Fraternity and his alma mater, the retired CEO of Ultra Petroleum heads the Watford Family Foundation. Since 2011, the foundation has supported a range of nonprofits, from faith-based organizations to the American Heart Association.

To Market, To Market
Known as one of the country’s most creative marketers, Stu Redsun, Oregon ’87, has been behind some of the country’s most recognized marketing efforts. Redsun’s storytelling approach has resulted in unique and memorable campaigns for leading apparel and technology brands like Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Motorola and Sony. He’s now based in Houston as the VP of Brand & Marketing at WM (formerly known as Waste Management). Part of Redsun’s role is managing the PGA TOUR’s bucket list WM Phoenix Open.

Baseball’s in His Blood
John Hudek, Florida Southern ’89, spent six seasons during the 1990s as a pitcher in the major leagues, including four years with the Houston Astros. The former National League All-Star has continued to influence the next generation of players in the Houston area as a coach.

By the Numbers:

• 1 – Number of Conclaves held in Houston (2019)
• 8 – Number of Conclaves held in the state of Texas
• 3k+ – More than 3,000 SigEp alumni live or work in Houston metropolitan area