Letter from 2024 Tau Chapter Grand Master Ryan Jinnette
Dear Tau Alumni & Parents,
It's my pleasure to reach out to you as the current Tau Chapter Grand Master. First, I want to thank the Tau Seniors (Pledge Class '20) and the previous Executive Committee, especially Griffen Croix (past GM), for their dedication, hard work, and guidance throughout their undergraduate tenure.
I'm proud and excited to report that Tau is doing well. This year, we signed more than 60 new pledges in the fall and spring, bringing the Chapter roster to 170 undergraduates. Tau currently ranks 6th in size on the Inter-fraternity Council. Tau is performing well academically, earning an overall GPA of 3.50, ranking above the current University average.
Kappa Sig has a strong presence in campus-wide organizations, most notably the Silver Spurs and Texas Cowboys. Ten Kappa Sigs are members of the Silver Spurs, and four of our brothers are members of the returning Cowboys. We look forward to increasing our numbers as the Cowboys re-establish themselves. Tau brothers won the Silver Spurs' annual Chili Cook-Off and participated in its Spring Jam. Collectively, the Silver Spurs raised $150,000 for the Neighborhood Longhorns Program. Will Gallagher '21 (Grand Procreator) was also recently elected as BEVO XV's handler for the next year, so look for him on game days!
The Texas Cowboys hosted their Spring BBQ during the UT Orange/White game, where they raised over $20,000, benefitting UT Elementary. Tau Chapter's Grand Treasurer, Billy Thackston '21, was also elected Treasurer of the Texas Cowboys! It's great to see our fellow Kappa Sigs in leadership positions in other organizations on campus.
Luke Centanni '21 served as philanthropy chair and produced a highly successful event, Heart of Texas, with Alpha Phi. And, we raised over $2,000 for the Movember Foundation, which focuses on men’s mental health.
For the first time in several years, the Chapter brought back its much-storied Texas Independence Day celebration! We hope to continue this wonderful tradition without interruption for many years to follow.
We enjoyed hearing from several outstanding Tau alums who visited the Chapter this past school year as part of our Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series. Tau brothers Tito Beveridge '81, John Martin '79, Grant Pinkerton '07, and Rick Warren '78 shared with us their own stories -- all quite different and fascinating in their own way.
The Warren Residence Hall and Lodge are still among the most impressive fraternity houses on campus. They serve as a living space for the undergrads and a gathering place for our brotherhood to thrive and prosper. We are working with the Parents' Association to bring capital improvements to the property this summer. Top ideas include:
- Artificial turf for the backyard.
- New surface for the Denton Cooley Sport Court.
- Automatic gate installation for security.
We owe a debt of gratitude to Alumnus Advisor Matthew Ziemnicki '08 and Assistant Alumnus Advisor Grant Shaffer '19. They have been enormously helpful to the Executive Committee and the Chapter at large in our efforts to increase ritual proficiency. We will be forever grateful for their mentoring.
We also send a huge shout-out to Ernie Taliaferro, Aubrey Brown, Mike Chapman, and Dennis and Dylan Fenn. They help keep the Chapter running smoothly, keep us well-fed, and the properties clean. We deeply appreciate their hard work and positive spirits.
Your support has been instrumental in the success of the Tau Chapter. From rush referrals to donations, guidance, and more, your contributions have made a significant difference. I want to personally acknowledge the dedication that parents and alums have shown us. You have made our time at Kappa Sig Tau incredibly special. Thank you for everything you do!
Jinnette '21
Grand Master
Kappa Sigma Tau Chapter
Alumni Speaker Series Features John Martin '79
John Martin, ranked among the top financial advisors in the country, was a featured alumni speaker at the Kappa Sig Lodge on October 16. John shared insights about financial management and his Kappa Sig brotherhood's impact on his life, stating that the bonds he created with his Tau brothers during his college years still remain strong.
"We were a close group who knew we could count on each other. That has certainly played out in my career." His first client came to him by introduction from a Kappa Sig brother. That client is still with him today.
In 2020, the Financial Times named John to its elite group of Top 400 Financial Advisors chosen from the largest brokerage firms in the nation. John attributes his success to his close attention to detail tracking the stock market and his ability to see "the big picture" for long-term performance. His objective is to keep clients focused on their long-term plans rather than reacting to market volatility.
After studying economics at The University of Texas, John launched his career as a financial advisor in 1984. He began with Dean Witter, moved to Rauscher Pierce, then to A.G. Edwards, which later became Wells Fargo Advisors, and now serves as managing director of investments for Raymond James.
John currently serves as a Tau Trustee. He served as both a Trustee and alumnus advisor during the late 80s and early 90s, a time he recalls the Chapter was "recovering from a pretty low spot and beginning to flourish." In 1992, the Chapter presented him with the Frank C. Erwin Award for exceptional support and leadership. He was chosen the same year as Outstanding Alumnus Advisor, a national award given by the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
"To this day, the national award from Kappa Sigma is my most gratifying accomplishment," John said. "Like being named a top advisor by the FT, it was an acknowledgment of a team effort with a group of very loyal people."
John also values philanthropy. "There's no greater feeling than giving back," he said. His chosen charities include the Alzheimer's Association, Partnership for Children (Austin), The Victoria Bach Festival, The American Book Review, David's Legacy Foundation (a resource to fight cyberbullying), The University of Houston-Victoria, The Austin Parks Foundation, and several other worthy causes. He has also given substantial donations to the Tau Chapter capital campaigns to build the Lodge and Warren Residence Hall.
Distinguished Speaker Series Features Tito Beveridge '81
Tito Beveridge, creator and master distiller of Tito’s Handmade Vodka — the largest liquor brand in the country — is, by anyone’s definition, a huge success. But it didn't come easy. He had to reinvent himself several times before finding the winning formula. As the Tau Chapter’s featured alumni speaker on October 1, he spoke candidly about the importance of persevering through setbacks and disappointment.
“People need to learn how to deal with failure,” Tito said. “Learning to be resilient is the best lesson you could ever learn. You are not a failure until you quit.”
Tito’s college years included pre-med studies at Vanderbilt, roughnecking on oil rigs in the summers, and earning geology and geophysics degrees from UT. He started an oil company and ran 300-man seismic crews in Venezuela and Colombia before returning to Texas to start a drilling company in Houston. Tired of “chasing the buck,” he moved to Austin, first working for the Environmental Protection Agency and then as a residential mortgage broker.
Working in the mortgage business, he made flavored vodka to give as Christmas presents to his friends. Enthusiastic responses from friends and strangers who tasted his customized drink prompted him to take the leap from amateur to pro as a vodka maker.
Potential investors, however, expressed doubt that he could get permits or a distributor, leaving him to go it alone. Their negativity didn’t stop him. He used his savings and 19 credit cards to put himself in business.
He crafted a 16-gallon production still and went to work as a one-person production, sales, and marketing force. Then a pivotal moment came with an invitation to the World Spirits Competition. Too busy to attend, he sent a couple of bottles as entries. Tito’s vodka won first place and the double gold medal -- the unanimous choice among the judges -- beating out 72 other vodkas in the international competition.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka is now sold in 156 countries around the world. "Keep reinventing yourself until you get it right," he told his audience.
Tito offered some personal advice as well. “The most important decision you’ll ever make is choosing the person you’ll spend your life with,” he said. “Find someone with a great attitude who believes in you. What are the qualities you would like to see in your kids? Find those qualities in a woman. The person you marry will make you or break you.”
Tito was chosen Kappa Sigma International Man of the Year in 2017, honored not only for building a world-class vodka brand, but also for his generous philanthropic giving and community support, including Tito’s Handmade Vodka for Dog People initiative to support animal welfare causes.
Tito recalled that his mom often encouraged him to “Leave the world a better place than you found it.” He has taken that to heart with a lifelong commitment to giving. “The more you give, the more you get,” he said.