Kathy Wheatley

Kathy is an accomplished entrepreneur who has created numerous modeling/promotion companies and events from the ground floor. Kathy has an extensive background in marketing and business management. Kathy works with companies in Mexico, Europe, Canada, South America, South Africa, Australia, Peru and the United States.

As a previous pageant competitor and former Miss Texas Petite, Kathy has successfully produced many large-scale events including the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Model Search. As a director for Hawaiian Tropic, she produced 13 US and International winners in 17 years, the most of any other director worldwide. In business for over 27 years, Kathy is also the founder and creator of Ms. Petite International and Miss Petite International. Kathy also produces Charity Golf Tournaments, the Swimsuit USA Calendar and various corporate events. Kathy was a director for Miss USA, Miss America, Miss Planet Beach International and ManHunt Male Model Search. Kathy is married to her wonderful husband Jim and they live in Sugarland, Texas with their dog Max.

Matt Keith – Partner & Producer

Matt Keith, the owner of Leverage Films, has produced nearly 40 projects since 2006. Mr. Keith produced American Bully, an intense, indie thriller. The TV premier brought in over 1 million viewers. In 2011, Mr. Keith produced Alligator X, which was acquired worldwide by MarVista Entertainment. An adaptation of the Jules Verne classic novel, Mysterious Island, followed and premiered as an Original on the SyFy Network. In 2013, Mr. Keith produced the faith-based film, On Angel’s Wings. The film was acquired by UP TV (Uplifting Entertainment). In 2014, Mr. Keith produced the films, A Girl Like Grace starring Meagan Good, Garcelle Beauvais, Raven Symone, Romeo Miller, Paige Hurd and Ryan Destiny. A Girl Like Grace was an official selection for the 2015 LA Film Festival and then he produced A Gift Horse. Most recent, Mr. Keith partnered with 33 Pictures to produce Race To Win starring Danielle Campbell and Luke Perry. In 2017, Mr. Keith was the Producer of the film Urban Country. Mr. Keith is a graduate of Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!) and loves LSU football & will tell you about it.

John Zapalac – Partner & Merchant Banking

John Zapalac – Partner – Merchant Banking – Mr. Zapalac has been involved in the investment banking/private equity industry since 1994, primarily working on middle market leverage buyout transactions. Prior to founding his own firm (www.zhcapital.net), Mr. Zapalac was a Vice President at McFarland, Grossman & Company, a buy-side investment bank in Houston, Texas. Mr. Zapalac’s past work experience includes working as a portfolio manager for BHF Capital overseeing a $750 million debt fund that invested in senior bank debt of leverage buyouts and add-on acquisitions. Ryan, Beck & Company analyzing commercial bank mergers as well as an intern for Trivest Inc, a $250+ million leverage buyout fund, analyzing private equity leverage buyout opportunities. Mr. Zapalac received his BA in finance from Texas A&M University, MBA in corporate finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University and graduated from Citibank’s School of Banking.

Ramon Martinez – Partner, Investor & Serial Entrepreneur

Mr. Martinez is a successful entrepreneur and investor in multiple businesses in the state of Texas. Mr. Martinez founded and sold Total Industrial Services, LLC, an industrial contractor located in Houston, Texas which served the downstream petrochemical industry. Mr. Martinez is a founding partner and investor in Patients ER, located in Mont Belvieu, Texas and Hospitality Health ER, which has locations in Longview, Tyler and Galveston, Texas. In 2018, Mr. Martinez opened up Floyd’s Seafood restaurant and then opened up Casa Julia Mexican food restaurant, which are both located in Baytown, Texas