Peer Advisory Group Leadership in Greater Houston

Steve Van Ooteghem

Steve brings a unique perspective to his role as Houston C12 Area Chair having been a member of one of the three original C12 groups founded in the Tampa Bay area by Buck Jacobs several years ago. Steve was privileged to learn firsthand the profound impact C12 concepts can have on a business Owner/CEO trying to operate successfully according to Biblical principles in the marketplace.   After launching a business in 1994 that grew rapidly, Steve began to feel the pressures felt experienced by all business owners. Steve wished for a Christian mentoring/sharing group of trusted advisors for the support, education and encouragement he needed to expand his business in a way that was both God-honoring and financially successful.  God brought C12 into Steve's life in His own unique way (ask Steve about it sometime).  Having relocated to Houston, Steve now desires to provide other Christian chief executives with the knowledge, wisdom, and guidance that enabled him to grow in business performance and eternal fruitfulness.   Following college graduation, Steve served three years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an infantry officer in the 1st Recon Battalion stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA.  He later earned an MBA from Indiana University and had a successful 20-year corporate career leading to a position as Regional Vice President for a $250 million public company, Convergent Technologies, Inc.   Steve then went on to build a 21-year career as professional motivational speaker, author and business owner by founding Universal Seminars of America, Inc.  His wife of 40 years, Carolyn, has been Steve's trusted business partner, and best friend.  They have three grown sons together and enjoy serving their church.   Steve’s life verse is: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s Will for you in Christ Jesus” (1Thes 5:16-18).

Kent Major

Prior to joining C12, Kent held leadership roles for over 20 years in telecommunications and technology companies.  He served as President of Alpheus Communications for 7 years, leading a period of rapid and profitable growth as Alpheus expanded its footprint of metro fiber networks and data centers.  During his tenure, annual revenue grew from $18M to $62M and the enterprise value increased by $142M.  Kent has also served in various leadership roles at SBC Communications (now AT&T), Oracle Corp, and Compaq Computer (now HP). Kent’s passion is to help business leaders integrate and transform the key areas of life:  work, family, and faith.  His personal mission statement is to glorify God by effectively stewarding his talents, time, and resources in order to provide maximum service to others.  Kent and Caroline, his wife and best friend for 25 years, have seven children and live in the Houston area.  Kent has a B.S. from Oklahoma State University, an MBA from Dallas Baptist University, and started a Ph.D. at Stanford Business School before launching his corporate career.    

Elizabeth Shaw

I have been called to work with businesses and non-profit management to effectively and efficiently run their business. My past experiences with Accenture and board-level management include twenty-plus years of strategic global consulting with Fortune 500 c-level business executives to transform their organization to optimize and be adaptive in supporting new capabilities. The opportunities with specifically, Accenture, allowed me to work within clients ranging from financial services, retail and high-tech markets to implement proven expertise in structuring and reorganizing IT organizations that met emerging business needs and operate effectively across the United States and Internationally. These opportunities have given me a rich experience and portfolio of client work to draw from in my current calling with C12 helping business owners and CEOs build greater businesses always focusing on a greater purpose. We are at a critical time as we move forward in the marketplace to adapt and change to meet new emerging demands and change the way we do things to strengthen the culture and focus on the mission and vision of what we have been given to steward with our companies.    My family and I have a passion for Orphan Care prevention. I serve on the Board of several organizations spanning from Lifesong for Orphans and MyLIFESpeaks that focus on business is mission, education, public health, and family empowerment internationally and locally. Previously, I served as the Development Chair on the Board for The Source for Women Houston/Texas for six years working to provide free well-woman care focused on Mind, Body, and Soul providing choice and counseling just-in-time.  

Peter Remmes

Peter is a Chairman for C12 of Greater Houston. With over 40 years of professional leadership roles in business and ministry, he has a long track record of Business as a Ministry (BaaM). Prior to joining C12 Peter served as the Regional VP for Apartment Life having led the successful launch of this Businesstry model in the Washington DC market and North Atlantic Region.  Before Apartment Life his ministry experience included Director of Development for Cadence International an international mission organization serving the military community. Preceding Peter’s transition to full time ministry, he was a General Manager for several branch operations at Fortune 500 companies gaining a reputation for successfully reengineering unprofitable organizations.  He also co-owned Remmes Food Brokerage in Upstate New York.  Peter and his wife Anastasia have a full quiver (Psalm 127:4-5) with five grown children and four grandchildren. They have actively served the local church as a Pastor, ministry leaders and lay counselors.