Southwestern Magazine | Fall 2020

Stacey Faulkner ’06 A political science and communication studies double major, Faulkner always knew she wanted to work in the music industry. She worked at a law firm in Georgetown while at Southwestern, which led to a position with Warner Music Group as coordinator of contract administration and eventually spearheading Warner’s international licensing program. Today, she serves as team lead specializing in contractual rights at Facebook, where she is able to combine her knowledge of contracts, licensing, and music. Faulkner appreciates how Southwestern’s flexible curriculum allowed her to forge her own path: “The opportunity to craft independent studies and find internships specific to my interests helped me hone my interests and narrow in on my strengths and further build them out.” Mark Stoner ’03 A business administration major and economics minor, Stoner has been interested in business ever since starting a lawn-mowing service at the age of 12. Today, he is a partner at Bayou City Energy, a private equity firm that provides capital to producing operators in the oil and gas sector. He helps oversee the firm’s investment origination and deal execution and is a frequent presenter at industry conferences. Stoner chose to attend Southwestern because he wanted to be part of a smaller educational community: “I knew Southwestern’s more intimate class sizes would lead to closer friendships, foster more meaningful student–professor relationships, and facilitate a higher standard of personal accountability.” Joi Lakes ’01 A communication major with minors in political science and sociology, Lakes earned her J.D. from the New York University School of Law. She currently serves as a director of business affairs and legal counsel for Disney Television Animation, where she negotiates deals to hire talent such as writers, animation directors, and showrunners and acquires new intellectual property to turn into animated television shows. Lakes credits receiving a King Creativity Grant while a student at Southwestern with inspiring her to follow her dreams. She offers some important advice to current Southwestern students: “Don’t be afraid to fail spectacularly. You will learn the most from your biggest disasters.” Bethany Smith Scully ’03 An elementary education major and political science minor, Scully interned for U.S. Representative Pete Sessions ’78 before working full-time in his o ce after graduation. She went on to serve as scheduler for U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison for five years, an experience that inspired her to pursue her M.P.P. from George Mason University. Today, she serves as an advisor to the chief of staff for Vice President Mike Pence, directing and coordinating the vice president’s schedule and travel. Scully remembers what attracted her to Southwestern: “The smaller class size and campus layout were both very appealing when I was researching schools. After an on-the- spot tour of the institution, my parents and I were sold on Southwestern.” SOUTHWE S T E RN | 2 1 Adam A. Meltzer ’05 After graduating with a B.A. in business from Southwestern, Meltzer earned his M.B.A. from St. Edward’s University. He currently is the managing director of asset management for Vida Capital Inc., where he oversees the acquisitions and sales of all life settlement assets for Vida Capital. Meltzer was one of the first 10 employees of Vida Capital, which is now a multibillion-dollar alternative asset management firm with more than 120 employees. “Entering a start-up as a young utility player and growing with the company to a leadership position has been an invaluable experience and could not have been possible without my liberal-arts education,” he says. “The ability to adapt and grow has been a hallmark of my career.”