Sixth Annual MAVS100 Showcases UTA’s Legacy of Entrepreneurial Excellence
They came. They built. They conquered. And this year’s MAVS100 event proved that Maverick-run businesses are a force to be reckoned with.
The University of Texas at Arlington College of Business hosted its sixth annual MAVS100 event on May 16, honoring 100 alumni-led businesses at Live! by Loews in Arlington.
The College of Business launched MAVS100 to spotlight alumni-led businesses making waves in their industries and communities.
“When we launched these awards six years ago, our hope was that they would grow into something special, a true celebration of entrepreneurial spirit,” said Rebecca Neilson, assistant dean of the College of Business. “We set out to recognize and honor the visionaries who embody our Maverick heritage.”
Despite weather troubles and multiple other events occurring in the Arlington area, more than 300 people were in attendance.
“You had every reason to turn around and not come, but you still came,” said Harry Dombroski, dean of the College of Business. “... The fact that you came through and didn’t turn around means so much to us and exemplifies the Maverick spirit.”
Collectively, the firms and businesses represented at this year's MAVS100 generated more than $1 trillion in revenue across 3 years. Each of the 100 businesses represented was ranked based on its revenue.
Greg Frazier shakes the hand of Richard Ashton, President of AMD Development LLC. Photo by Ellman Photography.
AMD Development LLC took the top spot this year, recognized as the No. 1 fastest-growing Maverick business for 2025. AMD Development, LLC is an integrated development company based in Prosper, Texas, that specializes in the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing.
AMD Development LLC President Richard Ashton highlighted the importance of his time at the UTA College of Business in helping him achieve his goals. Ashton, a two-time graduate of the College of Business, was a member of the Goolsby Leadership Academy, a program established in 2003 to develop students into ethical leaders and problem solvers by engaging with professionals and executives via internships, exploratory study and special projects.
“It really was an honor for me to be in the first cohort of the Goolsby (Leadership) Academy here at UTA,” said Ashton. “It has made a lasting impact on my life and the resources at the university really are incredible. It has been just a wonderful time seeing the university grow, seeing people around the campus become entrepreneurs, become successful, and follow their passions, and that’s something I did at UTA.”
For both current students and alumni, MAVS100 serves as a powerful reminder: with a Maverick mindset and a UTA education, the sky’s the limit.
To see a full list of past and present MAVS100 businesses, please visit our website at go.uta.edu/MAVS100.
MAVS100 winners pose for a group photo. Photo by Ellman Photography.