Our Welcome to the City networking event in Austin will feature inspiring alumni, each recognized as a leader within the Bobcat community! They'll share key moments from their professional journeys and guide interactive networking activities to help you make meaningful connections with fellow alumni.
Blake Absher, MBA
Head of Commercial Banking, Commercial Real Estate, and Regional Executive
Broadway Bank
Blake joined Broadway Bank in 2020 and currently serves as Head of Commercial Banking, Commercial Real Estate, and Regional Executive. In this role, he provides strategic leadership across the San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Houston markets, with responsibility for driving business development, expanding market share, and deepening client relationships. Blake works closely with Broadway teams to execute growth initiatives, support clients, and advance the bank’s commitment to the communities it serves. He is passionate about representing Broadway as a stable, sound, profitable, innovative, and modern financial institution throughout Texas.
Prior to joining the Broadway team, Blake served in the role as the Austin Market President for BB&T now Truist since 2014. He had nearly a 14-year career with BB&T now Truist, where he served in several roles of increasing responsibilities including Market President for North Houston & The Woodlands and various roles in the Retail & Business Bank. Prior to his tenure with BB&T now Truist, he served as the Retail Sales Manager for IBC Bank in Austin.
Blake currently serves on the Board of Directors for United Way for Greater Austin as well as the Advisory Boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, and Texas State University’s McCoy College of Business Center for Banking and Financial Services. Blake has been recognized for his servant community leadership through several community awards to include Austin Under 40 Award Winner, I LIVE HERE, I GIVE HERE’s Big Giver Finalist, Big Brothers Big Sisters Kyndel & Laura Bennett Philanthropy Award, Recognize Good’s Ethics in Business Awards Individual Category, and Seedling’s Fab Five Honoree.
He is a proud graduate of Texas State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management as well as a Master of Business Administration. Blake most recently graduated with Honors from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, class of 2024.
Jessika Zamora
Associate Director - Visual Merchandising
Four Hands Furniture
Jessika Zamora is the Associate Director of Visual Merchandising at Four Hands and a graduate of Texas State University. She leads visual merchandising strategy and execution across major industry trade shows, including High Point Market, Las Vegas Market, and Boutique Design New York (BDNY), as well as customer retail programs and brand experiences. Throughout her career, she has partnered with cross-functional teams to create impactful showroom environments, drive customer engagement, and support millions of dollars in sales opportunities.
Passionate about leadership and professional growth, Jessika has built a career rooted in creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning. Outside of work, she is a wife and mother of two who values family, health, and travel. She enjoys mentoring emerging professionals and sharing her journey from Texas State University to leadership, encouraging graduates to embrace new opportunities and remain open to the unexpected paths that shape a successful career.
Rodolfo Jimenez, PhD
Senior Program Manager - AI Healthcare Security Operations
Amazon
Dr. Rudy Jimenez currently works at Amazon in healthcare security operations, where he oversees AI initiatives to ensure the safe delivery of medication and medical care. Prior to Amazon, he spent over 10 years in higher education working as a consultant for Trellis Company, a Retention Officer with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and as a Director at UT Austin. Rudy obtained his PhD from UTSA in cellular and molecular biology. He graduated from Texas State in fall 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. Outside of his professional career, Rudy has served on boards for the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in the Sciences, the Pflugerville Education Foundation, and Leadership Austin. He also served as a Commissioner for the Hispanic Quality of life Commission for the city of Austin. He is originally from Edinburg, TX in the RGV. Currently he lives in Pflugerville, TX with his wife Jessika, his two children and two beagles.
See you in Austin!
Welcome to the City will foster meaningful connections that support a strong transition from student to young professional within the Bobcat network.