A glittering, star-studded crowd gathered to toast to ZT’s business milestones, raise funds for youth baseball and dance the night away with GRAMMY® Award nominated artist, Robin Thicke

The glittering lights of Downtown Houston shone even brighter on Saturday, December 7, 2024, as ZT Corporate hosted its highly anticipated Chairman’s Gala at the Hilton Americas. With over 1,000 of Houston’s most distinguished guests in attendance, the event not only celebrated the company’s remarkable achievements but also set the stage for a bold future, unveiling ZT Corporate’s visionary roadmap for 2030.

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ZT Corporate’s 27th Annual Chairman’s Gala: Taseer Badar & Robin Thicke (Photo: Business Wire)

The night was a dazzling celebration of ZT’s growth and success, underscored by a commitment to philanthropy and community. ZT Corporate’s Founder and CEO, Taseer Badar, expressed his gratitude, saying, “This year’s milestones were made possible by the passion, dedication, and innovation of our team. We’ve achieved exceptional growth across our healthcare and automotive portfolios, and with the continued confidence of our investors and the tireless efforts of our people, the future is incredibly bright. Our roadmap for the next five years is bold, ambitious, and driven by the ‘ZT Way’—a blend of strategy, excellence, and vision.”

A Night to Remember: Luxury, Entertainment, and Giving Back

This year’s Gala took opulence to a whole new level, offering guests an evening packed with entertainment, luxury, and excitement. The highlight of the night was an electrifying performance by Robin Thicke, the five-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated superstar and The Masked Singer judge. Thicke’s smooth, soulful hits and commanding stage presence set the tone for a night full of unforgettable moments, leaving the crowd dancing long into the night.

But the excitement didn’t stop there. DJ Esther Anaya, a singer/songwriter, music producer, and classically trained violinist whose unique sounds and imaginative performances captivate audiences worldwide. She had guests on their feet as she spun an unforgettable set that kept the energy flowing throughout the evening.

Chester Pitts, the original Houston Texan and community leader, teamed up with the dazzling Miss Universe 2022, R’Bonney Gabriel, as co-hosts, guiding the event with charisma and flair. The duo’s infectious energy had the audience on the edge of their seats as they navigated through the evening’s many thrilling moments.

Exclusive Auctions and Unmatched Generosity

Guests had the chance to bid on auction items that was donated from luxury brands including Prada, Maison Margiela, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, and more.

The live auction, led by Pitts and Gabriel, featured once-in-a-lifetime experiences that had the crowd buzzing with excitement. The Bruno Mars meet-and-greet experience in Las Vegas, donated by Richard and Michelle Knoll, was so hot and in such high demand that the bidding quickly got heated. The couple, clearly moved by the fierce generosity in the room, decided to sweeten the deal—donating an additional Bruno Mars package, giving even more lucky guests the chance to experience the ultimate VIP encounter with the superstar. This gesture sent the crowd into a frenzy, and the auction raised even more for the night’s philanthropic efforts.

Other high-end auction items included a Napa Valley wine experience at The French Laundry (donated by Dr. Doug Yarris and The French Laundry) and a VIP Houston Texans & Mastro’s experience paired with wines from Wine Spectator Grand Award wine list (courtesy of Chester Pitts, The Texans Organization, and Landry’s Inc.) offering guests a chance to indulge in exclusive, world-class experiences.

In total, over $100,000 was raised from the auction items for the ZT Baseball Foundation, a cause close to the heart of Taseer Badar and the entire ZT Corporate family. The foundation’s mission is to ensure that young athletes have access to the tools, resources, and opportunities to succeed in baseball, no matter their financial background. A heartwarming moment of the night came when over 20 ZT Baseball players, back-to-back Gold Medalists at USA Baseball & Champions of the Perfect Game Invitational, were honored for their exceptional achievements on the field and in the classroom, showcasing the power of hard work and determination.

Looking Toward the Future

As the evening concluded, the anticipation for ZT Corporate’s future was palpable. The Gala not only celebrated the past year’s incredible achievements but also set the stage for a bold new era of growth and impact. With a clear vision for the next five years, ZT Corporate is poised to continue its legacy of excellence, leadership, and community impact—both in business and beyond, the ZT Way.

A Champion Mindset for 2025

In his keynote address, Badar unveiled a bold five-year vision for ZT Corporate. Celebrating past milestones, he outlined a forward-thinking path, emphasizing focus and strategic growth as key drivers of the firm's future.

Badar outlined how the ZT Way will unite and propel the business forward into 2025, defining its future through core areas of entrepreneurship, a champion mindset, community and doing the right thing. These pillars were on display throughout the Chairman’s Gala as ZT recapped another dynamic year. Special recognition was spotlighted on the 2024 growth of the healthcare portfolio through diversification as well as transformation of the automotive business through expansion into new markets and boosting retail unit sales.

“We are not afraid to take calculated risks, innovate and push boundaries. At ZT, we thrive on creating possibilities not just for ourselves, but for our investors, our community and most importantly, our team,” said Badar. “As much as we grow with new corporate structures and create processes and management teams, will never lose the essence of who we are. We empower our employees to think like entrepreneurs – it’s in our DNA.”

Badar highlighted the firm’s commitment to staying one step ahead and delivering continuous improvement in an ever-evolving landscape. By emphasizing the importance of action alongside outcomes, he inspired and motivated guests, reinforcing ZT Corporate’s dedication to forging a path toward future successes.

About ZT Corporate

Established in 1997, ZT Corporate is a Houston-based private equity firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles. The firm focuses on healthcare and auto dealerships as core investment verticals. ZT Corporate’s investment team collaborates with its operators to support the day-to-day operations of the firm’s portfolio investments. This close collaboration drives value creation by developing stronger operator-investor relationships, cross-functional expertise, and a deeper understanding of the target industries. Since its founding, ZT Corporate has successfully completed more than 60+ investments, including platform companies and follow-on opportunities with multiple liquidity events for its investors. For more information: www.ztcorporate.com.

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