Ben Mayberry

With a distinguished 50-year career in Houston's technology sector, Ben Mayberry has left an indelible mark on the industry. For 25 years, he has been the driving force behind Winston Sage Partners, aiding numerous smaller companies and making strategic investments. Under his guidance, Winston Sage has facilitated several mergers and acquisitions,  served in part-time executive positions, and offered consulting services. In addition to startup investments, the company's ventures include the acquisition and expansion of a sod farm in 2004 and the successful launch of Winston Sage Custom Homes. (Interestingly, while Ben's partner favors a Winston fly rod for fly fishing, Ben leans towards a Sage.)

In 1987, Ben co-founded BSG, a Houston-based systems integrator that capitalized on the burgeoning personal computer market. From humble beginnings with just two employees, BSG grew exponentially to over 650 staff and multiple offices within a decade, culminating in its sale in 1996. BSG also played a pivotal role in recruitment efforts at Rice University and the Jones Graduate School of Business. An ardent supporter of Houston's entrepreneurial community, Ben was one of the founders of the Houston Angel Network (HAN) and served as its second President. His initial efforts made HAN one of the nation's most active angel networks. He has also been an investor and participant in multiple startups.

Ben's commitment to education and mentorship is evident in his decades-long involvement with the Jones School. He served as President of the Alumni Association in the 1980s and was one of the founders of the Jones Partners, serving as its second President. Additionally, Ben was an adjunct professor for eight years and has been a judge in the Rice Business Plan Competition for two decades. His academic journey includes earning a B.A. in Mathematical Sciences from Rice University in 1973 and a Master of Accounting from the Jones Graduate School in 1976.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Ben has provided crucial insights as a board member for several private companies, earning a reputation for his candid and occasionally contrarian perspectives. In 2016, after 15 years of managing a ranch in the hill country and breeding whitetail deer, Ben opted to trade the Texas heat for a summer retreat in Montana.