2025 Ascend Gala

The Ascend Gala is the college’s opportunity to honor our best and brightest students, alumni, corporate partners, and supporters. Please join us for a plated meal and program at which our Ryan College of Business Hall of Fame inductees, scholarship recipients, Outstanding Students, and other honorees will be recognized.

Please RSVP by Friday, March 21, 2025. Business attire is requested. There is no cost to attend for yourself or invited guests.

Complimentary parking in the Union Parking Garage:

1155 Union Circle
Denton, TX 76203

March 31, 2025

6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
University Union Ballroom 314
1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX 76201

Event Sold Out

Charles Curtis

Charles enjoyed a 43-year career focused on applying information technology to the needs of medium and large aerospace companies. He was Enterprise Architect for Bell Helicopter, following roles as Chief Information Officer at Bell and at Cessna Aircraft, as well as senior I/T leader at Lockheed Martin Fort Worth.

In earlier roles, he led manufacturing systems projects and groups at Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics/Ft. Worth, served in several manufacturing and program management roles, and oversaw financial planning and accounting for the start-up rocket-launching firm Space Services, Inc.

Most recently, Charles served as Executive Director of Information Technology for Austin College and also oversaw three major facility construction and renovation projects at the college.

Charles has supported the Ryan College of Business at UNT since 2006, first joining and then chairing the ITDS Advisory Board, then later joining the Dean’s Advisory Board. After retiring in 2020, Charles rejoined the Dean’s Advisory Board and served as its chair for 2 years starting in January of 2023. He guest lectures in business and IT classes at both Weatherford College and the Ryan College of Business, and is a regular volunteer at the Tarrant Area Food Bank. Charles is a private pilot and lives in Godley, Texas with his wife Cindy and their horses and cats.

Lynn Gravley ('87)

Lynn Gravley is President and CEO of NT Logistics, a third-party logistics provider he founded in 1999. NT Logistics has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in Dallas-Fort Worth for 4 consecutive years as a top finisher in the Dallas 100. Lynn is a two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and was named a Distinguished Alumni by the University of North Texas in 2021. He serves as Chairman of the UNT SCMP Board and Treasurer of Transportation Intermediaries Association Board. In 2018, Governor Greg Abbott appointed him to the North Texas Tollway Authority Board, where he chairs the Finance, Audit, and Administration Committee. Lynn is active in his local church and served on Board of Directors of Christian Care Centers, Inc. He served 12 years on the Gunter ISD Board and was a founding member of the board of the GISD Educational Foundation. He and his wife, Dianne, have three children and three grandchildren.

Woodrow Weaver ('18)

Woodrow Weaver is a proud graduate of the University of North Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management in 2018. During his time at UNT, he was deeply involved in leadership and professional development, serving as President of the Logistics Student Association, a College of Business Student Ambassador, and led his team to win an International IANA Case Competition. These experiences shaped his passion for collaboration, continuous improvement, and developing others—values that continue to guide him today.

Following his graduation, Woodrow joined BNSF Railway, where he has built a successful career in operations leadership. He has held several roles across the BNSF Railway system, including Senior Manager of Service Design, Division Trainmaster, and Terminal Trainmaster. Now serving as Terminal Manager in Minneapolis, MN, he is dedicated to driving efficiency, safety, and innovation in the industry. His commitment to excellence was recognized in 2022 when he received BNSF’s Employee of the Year Award.

Currently pursuing his MBA, Woodrow remains a lifelong learner who is passionate about mentoring and helping others grow. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Hannah, and their two-year-old son, Jetson, who inspires him daily.