Chief Larry Satterwhite
City of Houston
Director of Public Safety and Homeland Security

Join us next Thursday, September 24 for a presentation by Chief Larry Satterwhite.  He was Houston’s Interim Police Chief and now is the leader of Houston’s Homeland Security and Public Safety department.  He got us through FIFA without a problem and leads our joint efforts with other federal, state and local departments to reduce the threats to our City.  Come get an inside look at what’s going on and what didn’t go on because we were prepard.  Chief Satterwhite is personal, knowledgeable and experienced.  He is the key player for the safety and security of America’s fourth largest city.  Please come and invite a guest to join you to  understand our shared responsibility to keep Houston safe!

Larry J. Satterwhite is a community-oriented public safety executive with 34 years in law enforcement in the fourth largest and most diverse city in the United States. He is the Director of Public Safety and Homeland Security for the City of Houston. Chief Satterwhite is responsible for protecting Houston and the surrounding region. He is a lead-from-the front problem solver focused on building trust with those he works with and the public at-large.

Chief Satterwhite joined HPD as a cadet on January 22, 1990. During his tenure he has served in Patrol, Investigations, SWAT, Criminal Intelligence, Special Operations, Homeland Security, and Field Operations. He retired from HPD as the Interim Chief of Police and immediately assumed the role of Director of Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Recent accomplishments are overseeing the safety and management of Super Bowl 51 and the World Series in both 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022, and the Houston Marathon over the past nine years. He was on the ground for the myriad protests throughout the city since 2013 and had directly overseen the response to the riots following the death of George Floyd. And he served as the incident commander in response to one of the worst natural disasters to ever strike the United States in Hurricane Harvey. He has a BS in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Strategic Leadership. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Class 264, Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), and the Police Executive Leadership Institute (PELI) Class VII. He has made trips to Washington D.C. to work on police-community relations. In 2014 he traveled to China as a part of a Professional Police Exchange and in 2015 he served as part of a United States Delegation to Kazakhstan where he gave a speech on countering homegrown violent extremism. In 2017 he traveled to Istanbul, Turkey to observe security measures for the 22nd World Petroleum Conference as Houston will host in 2021. In 2018, he traveled to the Republic of Kosovo as a part of the ICITAP program to instruct their federal law enforcement on large incident management and later traveled to Israel to attend a National Counter-Terrorism Seminar.

Chief Satterwhite served in the United States Navy before joining the HPD. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves and attended basic training in 1988 at the NRTC in San Diego, CA. After boot camp he attended the SEABEE training base at Pt. Hueneme, California, as an Equipment Operator. Upon completion, he returned to Texas, finished his bachelor’s degree, and met his military obligation as a reservist. He was Honorably Discharged in August 1995.

As the COVID 19 pandemic emerged across the globe, Chief Satterwhite served as the department’s incident commander in the management and mitigation of the viral threat. He helped lead the way in building a strong partnership between local, state, and federal response agencies as well as our dedicated healthcare workers with all our major hospitals. He was an architect and helped establish the first federally supported Community Based Testing Sites (CBTS) in Houston in March of 2020 and set up some of the first mass vaccination sites in 2021.

Chief Satterwhite is married to his wonderful wife and has two loving, hardworking young adult kids. His greatest skill is understanding the value of the men and women surrounding him and helping them grow into positions where they can be successful and the organization can flourish. It’s about relationships.

BRIDGING THE GAP:

Connecting youth sports to STEM & Career pathways.

Reggie Rusk

Reggie Rusk is a former NFL defensive back, entrepreneur, author, and youth mentor dedicated to empowering the next generation both on and off the field.

His athletic career took off at the City College of San Francisco before he transferred to the University of Kentucky, where he distinguished himself as an All-American, a two-time Team Most Valuable Player, Outstanding Defensive Back, and All-SEC Conference player. Rusk was selected in the 1996 NFL Draft and played six seasons in the league, earning roster spots with the Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Diego Chargers.

Following his retirement from professional football in 2001, Rusk transitioned into entrepreneurship. Over the past two decades, his primary passion has been youth mentorship, guiding countless student-athletes toward academic and athletic success while helping them secure pathways to college.

Currently, Rusk serves as the Vice President of the NFLPA Houston Chapter and is the Founder and Executive Director of Stay Recruited, an organization focused on youth development, education, and career readiness. He is also a three-time Amazon bestselling author, utilizing his experiences to inspire athletes, students, and community leaders.

Beyond Borders: A Journey of Courage, Dignity and Hope
A Special Rotary Club of Houston Program

What happens when the promise of a new life collides with the realities of immigration enforcement? And how does one find the strength to move forward when that experience challenges one’s freedom, dignity and future?

Please join the Rotary Club of Houston for a very special and deeply personal discussion featuring Jose Perez, Senior Partner at Foster Global and an attorney specializing in immigration law, and Luis Chacon, a gifted professional musician who immigrated from Venezuela.

Luis will share his extraordinary story of being mistakenly detained by ICE for 21 days because authorities questioned his legal status in the United States. He will reflect on his experience, the impact of detention on his life, and his hopes and aspirations for the future.

Jose, who works every day with individuals and families navigating the complexities of immigration law, will offer his professional perspective on the challenges facing immigrants and the importance of protecting human rights, dignity and the rule of law.

The conversation will be enriched by Luis’s beautiful guitar music, reminding us of the universal power of music to transcend borders, cultures and differences.

This is an opportunity to listen, learn and reflect on the human stories behind immigration, and to explore the values of compassion, justice and mutual respect that bring us together.

Please join us for this meaningful conversation and musical experience.

José Pérez

Senior Partner
Foster Global US & Global Immigration Services

José Pérez is a partner at Foster LLP in our Houston office. Recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Texas Super Lawyers, and Who’s Who Legal, he works primarily in employment and family-based immigration.

José graduated from Texas Southern University and received his undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s University.

José is an active member of his community and is especially involved with immigration issues relating to health care professionals, employment and family-based immigration, and consular issues. He frequently speaks at events such as the National Immigration Lawyer’s Conference and is a co-host of the weekly radio show “Coming to America” on Pacifica Radio 90.1.  José is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is licensed to practice in the State of Texas. His own and his family’s journey to the U.S. in 1965 as Cuban refugees left an indelible mark in who he is: his career choice and on his decision to become an immigration lawyer. As a former refugee, He’s most grateful and honored to be a Cuban-American.

Luis Carlos Chacon

Luis Carlos Chacon is a musician and sound engineer based in Houston, Texas and originally from San Antonio de Los Altos Venezuela. He is passionate for nature, traveling, arts, community work and serving others. During his time in Houston he has contributed with multiple music bands, community projects and sound healing sessions for groups as well as serve as a sound engineer for galas, foundations, weddings and many more kinds of events. He also composes music, plays guitar, bass, piano, ukelele and kalimba.

For more information, contact Martin Cominsky, Rotary Chair of the Day, 713-705-4829

Please join us for the monthly finance committee meeting by clicking on the link below.

JOIN VIRTUALLY --->  October 14, 2026

Bill King

Baker Institute Fellow in Public Finance, Author, Former elected official, Public Policy Expert, Rotarian

Many of us read Bill's varied articles on Public Policy on issues from Electric Transmission, Apartment Rents, FEMA, Immigration, HCAD Taxes, and U.S. Population. His analysis on ramifications for mid term elections is sure to clarify some of the rhetoric we have been hearing. 

Join us to hear the latest news on October 15, 2026.

Bill King is a lifelong resident of the Houston area, earning undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Houston. He has enjoyed a varied business and legal career, including serving as national managing partner of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson and president of Southwest Airport Services Inc. Currently the managing director of a real estate investment firm, King is also on the board of Methodist Retirement Communities.

He wrote for the Houston Chronicle from 2005–15, authoring a biweekly column and serving on the editorial board. King has also written two books, including “Unapologetically Moderate: My Search for the Rational Center in American Politics” (Bright Sky Press, 2014). He is a regular contributor to Real Clear Politics and publishes his own blog at www.BillKingBlog.com.  

King’s community involvement includes numerous public service and volunteer organizations. From 1992–2005, he held various positions with the city of Kemah, including City Council member and two terms as mayor. King chaired a regional task force on the disastrous Hurricane Rita evacuation and its recommendations formed the basis of new regional evacuation plans. In 2015 and 2019, he was a candidate for mayor of Houston.

He has also participated in many charitable and civic organizations, including Interfaith Ministries, Methodist DeBakey Heart Council, Houston ISD Foundation, Crime Stoppers, Galveston Bay Foundation, Memorial-Hermann Foundation, and Trees for Houston. 

Dear Rotarians and Friends,

Please join us for a special reception honoring patients and their family members who are staying at the Rotary House Hotel while receiving cancer treatment.

This gathering is an opportunity to extend Rotary fellowship, offer encouragement, and share meaningful conversation with those facing challenging circumstances. Your presence can make a difference by providing a warm welcome, a listening ear, and a reminder that they are supported by a caring community.

Enjoy an evening of fellowship featuring complimentary food, drinks, and entertainment as we come together to create a warm and uplifting experience for our guests. Whether you stay for a few minutes or the entire event, your participation will help make the evening memorable for patients and families during their treatment journey.

Thank you for living Rotary's motto, Service Above Self, and for helping bring comfort, connection, and hope to those who need it most.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing good food, great company, and the spirit of Rotary in a truly meaningful way.

Warm regards,

Rotary Club of Houston
Service Above Self

Karin L. Price, PhD
Chief Psychologist
Texas Children's Hospital

TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL SOUNDS THE ALARM:
THE CRISIS OF TEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE

There is perhaps no tragedy more heartbreaking than the loss of a young life to suicide and no greater anguish for parents than discovering that the child they loved, nurtured and believed was happy, was silently struggling with unbearable emotional pain.  Across America, far too many adolescents are battling depression, anxiety, loneliness, cyberbullying, feelings of hopelessness and thoughts of suicide, often concealed behind seemingly normal smiles and everyday activities, often, without parents, teachers or friends recognizing their distress.

Dr. Karin L. Price, PhD, Chief Psychologist, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Associate Prof of Pediatrics-Psychology at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, leads a team of more than 60 behavioral health professionals who are dedicated to addressing the many factors that impact the overall health and wellbeing of children and their families.

Today’s teenager may be the most connected young person in history-and at the same time, one of the loneliest with emotional consequences being anxiety, loneliness, depression, insecurity, anger, withdrawal and in increasing instances, suicide.,

Dr. Price has been featured in prominent regional and institutional news coverage discussing the Pediatric mental health crises and emergency room surges in adolescent suicidal attempts

Where once T.C.H. once treated 40-60 monthly young patients arriving at their emergency rooms. in acute mental health crises, pre pandemic, they now handle 400-500, with symptoms moving from self-harm to active suicidal attempts in children as young as 9 years old.

Dr. Price will discuss suicide prevention, recognizing warning signs of suicide, aggressive behaviors and other behavioral health issues and how to deal with all the pressures affecting young children. She will discuss her ideas on Universal Pediatric Screening, the work of the Zero Suicide Institute, and TCH focus on Stress safety plans for families, the goal being to prepare families before an emergency occurs.

Dr. Price received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Cornell Univ, Weill Medical College, a PhD in Philosophy from the Univ of Connecticut and completed a fellowship in Clinical Psychology at the Univ of Connecticut.

Please invite your friends to this very timely and important program at Rotary

Joe Colangelo
Program Committee

Please join the Rotary Club of Houston, Rotary Club of University Area, and Rotary Club of West U for the District 5890 Rise Against Hunter Service Project.

Volunteer Opportunity-more information to follow

Judy WIlliamson, author, former travel editor of the Houston Chronicle

"Before Google maps and selfies....there was Paper Girl on the loose."

Paper Girl's World - Adventures of a Globetrotting Travel Writer in the 80s (2025 Coffee Table Book of the year by tge editors of ENTREE)

Join Team Rotary Club of Houston / Lombardi Award to give cancer the boot!

Past President Joel Levine (832-641-1859) will be leading the event on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2025. 

MD Anderson's Boot Walk to End Cancer is a 1.2-mile walk in the Texas Medical Center — or in your own neighborhood. This 10th annual fundraiser provides support for patient programs, research, prevention and education at MD Anderson, and 100% of funds raised by participants directly advance MD Anderson's mission to end cancer.

There is no registration fee and no minimum fundraising requirement.  When you register for Boot Walk, you will receive free online and mobile fundraising tools, as well as staff support to help you raise funds and awareness among your friends, families and communities.

On Saturday, November 14th, put on your favorite pair of boots - cowboy, rain, combat or other (sneakers) - and join thousands across the country for this year's Boot Walk.  All ages are welcome to participate.  There is fun for the entire family!

Together we can give cancer the boot!

Become part of Team Rotary Club of Houston / Lombardi Award

Donate to Team Rotary Club of Houston / Lombardi Award

Timeline:

• Registration Opens: 8:00 a.m.

• Opening Ceremony: 8:45 a.m.

• Walk Start: 9:00 a.m.

• Celebration:  9:20 a.m.

Event Day Parking:

UT MD Anderson Mid Campus Building 1 / 7007 Bertner Avenue, Houston Texas 77030

TMC Helix Park Parcel Garage / 1730 Breakthrough Way, Houston, Texas 77030

Dear Rotarians and Friends,

Please join us for a special reception honoring patients and their family members who are staying at the Rotary House Hotel while receiving cancer treatment.

This gathering is an opportunity to extend Rotary fellowship, offer encouragement, and share meaningful conversation with those facing challenging circumstances. Your presence can make a difference by providing a warm welcome, a listening ear, and a reminder that they are supported by a caring community.

Enjoy an evening of fellowship featuring complimentary food, drinks, and entertainment as we come together to create a warm and uplifting experience for our guests. Whether you stay for a few minutes or the entire event, your participation will help make the evening memorable for patients and families during their treatment journey.

Thank you for living Rotary's motto, Service Above Self, and for helping bring comfort, connection, and hope to those who need it most.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing good food, great company, and the spirit of Rotary in a truly meaningful way.

Warm regards,

Rotary Club of Houston
Service Above Self

Bob Gebhard Honor Flight (30 min) and Mark McVey Operation Turkey (10 min)

Bob Gebhard Bio

Bob is a proud US Navy Vietnam Veteran, having served from 1965-1968 aboard the USS Harwood DD861. Upon leaving the Navy Bob spent the next 50 years in Banking business. Bob retired as the Executive Vice President at Texas Citizens Bank in Pasadena which he helped start in 2006. Upon retiring Bob became a Certified Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team in 2016.

He has been a Rotarian for 33 years serving as President of the Pasadena South Rotary Club in 1996. Served as District Governor District 5890 2013- 2014. Bob is currently a member and co-founder of the Rotary Club of Greater Houston Veterans. He is also serving as President. Bob received the Rotary International Service Above Self Award. He and his wife Dianne are Major Donors, White Society member and Bequest Society Members.

He also is the Chair for the 50^th Anniversary of the Viet Nam War Commemoration representing District 5890. Bob has been able to recognize over 800 fellow Viet Nam Veterans.

Bob has found his passion helping his fellow Veterans.

He is also an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, in Baytown, the American Legion in Pasadena, and the VFW, in Pearland.

Bob was recently appointed as an Admiral in the Texas Navy. He is also an Ambassador with Honor Flight Houston

Bob and Dianne have been married 45 years. They have a daughter Debra and 4 grandchildren, who live in Farragut, TN with her husband JD Rice.

Dear Rotarians and Friends,

Please join us for a special reception honoring patients and their family members who are staying at the Rotary House Hotel while receiving cancer treatment.

This gathering is an opportunity to extend Rotary fellowship, offer encouragement, and share meaningful conversation with those facing challenging circumstances. Your presence can make a difference by providing a warm welcome, a listening ear, and a reminder that they are supported by a caring community.

Enjoy an evening of fellowship featuring complimentary food, drinks, and entertainment as we come together to create a warm and uplifting experience for our guests. Whether you stay for a few minutes or the entire event, your participation will help make the evening memorable for patients and families during their treatment journey.

Thank you for living Rotary's motto, Service Above Self, and for helping bring comfort, connection, and hope to those who need it most.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing good food, great company, and the spirit of Rotary in a truly meaningful way.

Warm regards,

Rotary Club of Houston
Service Above Self

Dr. Melissa Joyner

Osteoarthritis and Low-Dose Radiation Therapy

Wow-who would have thought this type of treatment could help reduce swelling and relieves pain and stiffness. Similar to getting an X-ray? Targeting the joint that needs relief? Do I have to modify daily activities during treatment? You will hear about one more therapy from MDA.

Melissa Joyner is a Professor in Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and specializes in Breast and Gynecological cancers. She serves in the administrative role of Associate Director of Clinical Operations at the West Houston campus. She is board certified and uses IMRT, VMAT, SBRT, and brachytherapy to effectively treat cancer. She is passionate about educating residents and medical students on delivering high quality and compassionate care. She is a fierce patient advocate and committed to involving the patient in their own care.

She customizes each patient’s care to their specific needs. Her research interest focuses on

education and innovative approaches to treating breast and gynecologic cancers. She was chosen to work on the American Brachytherapy Society’s 300 in 10 initiative with a mission to improveand strengthen resident brachytherapy training across the United States. As a wife and mother who believes that all patients should have access to outstanding and affordable medical care, she has direct personal experience with the impact of cancer on her family. Dr. Joyner serves on the Finance and Government Relations committees for the American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncologists (ASTRO).

The Rotary Club of Houston seeks up to 20 volunteers among Club members and their spouse/guest for The 15th Annual Rotary-Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Hearts for Children Festival.  The Adoption Fair introduces children in the state foster care system availalbe for adoption with prospective parent(s) who have already completed the process to become an adoptive parent in a fun -filled and relaxed atmosophre.  The Fair will include acitivity and game booths, a DJ, Photo Booth, Charicuture Artisit, Toro the Texans Mascot (unless Texans are in the Super Bowl) and lunch.  

Camp Enterprise

High School Juniors
Application information will be available during the Fall 2026.