Devon Anderson has devoted her career to public service. She was a prosecutor for 12 years at the Houston DA’s office and tried over 100 felony jury trials, including 7 capital murders.
She left the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in 2005 after being elected to serve as State District Judge in the 177th Criminal District Court. While serving as District Judge, Devon also volunteered her time to preside over one of four STAR Drug Courts.
In 2009 Devon left the bench and started her own criminal defense firm. At the end of 2012, Devon ended her practice when her husband was elected Harris County District Attorney.
In 2013, Devon was appointed Harris County District Attorney to succeed her late husband, Mike Anderson. The following year, Devon was elected by the voters of Harris County to finish out his term. After serving in that position for over three years, Devon transitioned from the legal profession to nonprofit work.
She is now the CEO/President of Justice Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals in the 18 Houston Specialty Courts.
Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey, P.E. Harris County Precinct Three
Tom Ramsey has a long track record of improving the safety, infrastructure, livability, and financial health of the communities he serves. An award-winning civil engineer turned senior executive and public servant, Tom has led companies, a city, key action groups, and more throughout his 42-year career.
As Mayor of Spring Valley Village from 2012-2020, Tom reduced the city’s tax rate by 21%, invested more than $38 million in infrastructure, and oversaw Spring Valley’s ascent to safest neighborhood in Harris County, according to relevant FBI statistics. A trusted expert often called upon by his peers and other community leaders, he served on the Harris County Storm Water Task Force and the Imelda Assistance Fund Board.
Tom’s private sector experience spans more than four decades. He served as Senior Vice President of Klotz Associates before selling the company in 2017.
Tom’s deep project portfolio includes the Hardy Toll Road, Brazoria County Master Drainage Plan, Galveston County Master Drainage Plan, Harris County Drainage Plan Update, Houston Safe School Sidewalk Program, Precinct 3 road improvements, multiple hike and bike trails for the Houston Parks Board, and successful infrastructure projects for more than 50 Texas cities and 20 counties.
Much of his work has also included creating sustainable solutions for street and drainage assignments throughout Harris County including the ACEC Award-winning Birnamwood Roadway improvements.
Wayne Staton was born in the Lynchburg, Virginia area in 1951and lived there most of his life. He contracted polio at the age of 8 months. It left him with a weak right hip and leg.
In high school he was valedictorian of his class. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Physics with honors. After college he started his career in computers and has worked in that field ever since. Since 1999 he has worked at BMC Software, where he is a Lead Technical Support Analyst.
In Virginia, he was a Briefing Leader for the Hunger Project and President of the Boonsboro Ruritan Club in Lynchburg, Virginia. Here in Texas, he is active with Rotary International and Landmark Education. He is a past president of the Rotary Club of Sharpstown.
Wayne is married to Gwen Corolla (past president of the Rotary Club of Memorial-Spring Branch). Together they have 6 grown children, 5 grand-children and 1 one great-child. She and he are partners in making the world a better place.
Wayne became a Rotarian in 2007. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, a Paul Harris Society member, a Polio Plus Society member, a Bequest Society member, and a Major Donor. He is the past District 5890 Polio Plus Chair. In 2014 he was District 5890 Rotarian of the year and has twice been named his club Rotarian of the year. In 2016 he received the Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World from Rotary International.
Commissioner R. Jack Cagle Harris County Precinct 4
Commissioner R. Jack Cagle has served as county commissioner for Harris County Precinct 4 since 2011. He was re-elected in 2014 and most recently on Nov. 6, 2018.
As commissioner, Cagle represents nearly 1.3 million residents and manages a staff of 445 employees with a Precinct 4 budget of $290.5 million.
For more than 30 years, he has worked with and served the residents of Harris County Precinct 4 as an attorney, an elected judge, and now as county commissioner.
Until his appointment to Commissioners Court, Cagle served 11 years as judge of Harris County Civil Court-at-Law No. 1. Harris County voters elected him to the bench countywide in 2000 and re-elected him in 2002, 2006, and 2010.
As judge, Cagle consistently earned high ratings from the Houston Bar Association and received numerous awards from legal, business, political, and community groups. Twice recognized as “Judge of the Year” by law-enforcement groups, Cagle was also recognized by the Mexican American Bar Association of Houston and served as an officer in the Association of Women Attorneys. He was elected by his peers to be Administrative Judge for the County Civil Courts and as President of the Texas Association of County Court-at-Law Judges.
He previously served as a representative on the board of the Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Board of Directors of the statewide Public Power Pool.
Cagle is a graduate of Rice University with triple majors in economics, history, and managerial studies, as well as a graduate of Baylor Law School. He is married to Janet, and they have three children: Richard, Victoria, and Elizabeth.
First elected to the Senate in 2014, Senator Paul Bettencourt represents Senate District 7, which encompasses most of West Harris County. He previously served 10 years, from 1998 - 2008, as the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector, where he introduced “Smart Government” at the Harris County Tax Office and developed a customer service-driven organization. His team created the first major county online property tax payment system and the first county tax office website with online vehicle registration in Texas. (His motto was “Get on-line, not in-line.”) He was well-known as the “Tax Man” for his outspoken efforts to cut property taxes.
In the most recent Legislative Session, Senator Bettencourt successfully passed Senate Bill 2, the Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act of 2019, by a vote of 21-9 to bring meaningful property tax reform and relief to all Texas taxpayers. This was the first major property tax reform legislation in almost 40 years, and the culmination of two decades of advocacy. He also continued his work on adult stem cell therapies in Texas by sponsoring HB 3148, building upon previous legislative sessions to get government out of the way, allowing new therapies to flourish and give terminally and chronically ill patients hope for a better quality of life. His work during the 86th Session earned him the distinction of "Senate MVP" by Capitol Inside, "Bull of the Brazos" by Texas Monthly, the Legislative Legacy Award by Texas Public Policy Foundation and he was given the "Citizen's Choice Award" by Empower Texans.
ATTEND VIRTUALLY ---> Teams August 12, 2021 <--- ATTEND VIRTUALLY (Instruction for Microsoft Teams under Read more... below)
Inquiring minds want to know what’s happening in Houston’s larger than “Central Park” construction, huge tunnels, and land bridges. If you recently saw (or missed!) the special report on KPRC TV, join us on August 12th to hear the complete story directly from the President & CEO.
Shellye Arnold's Bio:
Shellye joined the Conservancy in 2013 and has led the creation and adoption of the 2015 Memorial Park Master Plan, launched its associated Capital Campaign, initiated project execution and transitioned the management and operations of 1,100 acres of Memorial Park to the Conservancy. Shellye and the Conservancy leadership team grew the organization from 3 employees to over 50 and from a $500K annual budget to over $30M in operating and capital annual spend. In 2018 the Conservancy announced the largest private donation in the history of the Houston parks system which established a $205 million public-private partnership commitment for Memorial Park’s capital campaign and secured maintenance and operations funding for the Park. This forged a project partnership between the Conservancy, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, the Kinder Foundation and Uptown Development Authority to accelerate the delivery of a significant portion of the Master Plan by 2028. She and her team have also delivered additional Park improvements including the planting of over 100,000 trees/seedlings, ecological restoration work applied to 600 acres of Park space, amenity upgrades, and enhanced user experience. Shellye brings a background in executive leadership and change management from her nearly 20 years at Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq Computer Corporation and McKinsey & Company. Having studied public policy, Shellye spent the first part of her career with the Texas State Legislature, the Texas Department of Commerce, and the U.S.. Department of Commerce. She previously worked as a volunteer in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru delivering public health programs and speaks Spanish fluently. Shellye holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master in Public Policy from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. As a native Houstonian, Shellye cares deeply about our parks, bayous, green spaces and the wildlife that inhabit them. Shellye volunteers in animal rescue and served for 8 years as a leader for Girl Scout Troop 21, the nation’s only special needs Girl Scout troop.
Dr. William Phillips was born in Buffalo, New York and grew up in the Midwest. His undergraduate degree was from the University of Notre Dame. He received his medical degree and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Chicago, followed by a fellowship in spinal deformity surgery at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. After serving briefly on the faculty at University of Chicago, he began his career in pediatric orthopedics at Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He moved to Texas in 1988 and has been on the faculty at UTMB and Baylor College of Medicine.
Dr. Phillips now serves as chief of orthopedics at Shriners Hospital Texas. He has a long history with Shriners. While an orthopedic surgery resident in Chicago, he spent 6 months at the Chicago unit under Dr. Edward Millar. Shortly after coming to Houston in 1988, he joined the volunteer staff at the Shriners Hospital Houston unit where he served for 27 years.
VIRTUAL - CLICK HERE --->AUGUST 26, 2021<--- VIRTUAL - CLICK HERE (See instruction below for first time users on Microsoft Teams)
Marilyn Burgess is your Harris County District Clerk.
A seasoned businesswoman with leadership skills and administrative experience, Ms. Burgess graduated from Louisiana State University with an accounting degree in 1975 and practiced as a CPA for more than 30 years.
Besides her work in the private sector, Ms. Burgess has also served the community. Ms. Burgess led the Texas Parent Teachers Association (PTA) as Executive Director from 1999 to 2001. In that role, she worked with state lawmakers to pass legislation that benefited the health, education, and welfare of Texas children. Ms. Burgess also stood firm against school vouchers that would have redirected tax dollars to private schools.
During her time leading the Texas Parent Teachers Association, Ms. Burgess found her calling to advocate for causes that improve the lives of working and middle-class families, single mothers, and teachers.
Marcel Khouw Senior Project Manager Public Works Department - IDS Engineering Group
Marcel Khouw is a Senior Project Manager in the Public Works Department at IDS Engineering Group. He is a licensed professional civil engineer in the State of Texas and the State of Hawaii. His career has focused on the planning, engineering, construction, and maintenance of public works utilities in the Houston region. He has worked on projects for municipal utility districts in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, and Brazoria counties as well as the cities of Houston, Sugar Land, Pearland, Galveston, and Pasadena. Marcel also serves as the engineer for the Central Harris County Regional Water Authority and the North Channel Water Authority, where he has managed the implementation of the Groundwater Reduction Plan and the conversion to surface water.
Paul Walker Senior Vice President Carollo Engineers, Inc.
Paul Walker is a Senior Vice President at Carollo Engineers, Inc. He has a B.S. and M.S. in civil engineering and an M.S. in limnology. He has worked on water projects throughout the United States for over 25 years serving a variety of municipal, agency, and private sector clients. He is currently serving as the Senior Advisor to the City of Houston on the Northeast Water Purification Plant Expansion.
For further information, see the Houston Chronicle article "Water officials designing, building multi-billion water purification plant near Summerwood."
What do you know about Houston’s History? Our speaker for July 22nd will challenge your knowledge as he embarks on a fast-paced look at what made Houston what it is today. Remember what happened in 1912?
About Houston Historian Mister McKinney......
Join Houston Historian & TV's Mister McKinney as he talks about his series, Mister McKinney's Historic Houston, which travels to HISD and La Porte ISD elementary, middle and high schools, educating and informing Houston's future about its past.
Mister McKinney is an active member in the historical community, he lectures, gives weekly tours onboard Houston's only mobile history classroom, the Houston History Bus, and serves on the boards and commissions of numerous non-profit museums, libraries, educational organizations, including the Harris County Historical Commission, The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park, the LaPorte Bay Area Historical Society, president of the Bellaire Historical Society and vice president of the Harris County Historical Society, the oldest area historical non-profit started in 1923.
ERNIE MANOUSE Senior Producer/Host Houston Public Media
Thursday July 15, 2021 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO --->JULY 15, 2021<--- CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO
Eleven-time Emmy Award winner Ernie Manouse currently hosts and executive produces Houston Public Media’s daily radio program/podcast Town Square with Ernie Manouse,
Manouse is a native of Binghamton, NY, and a graduate of Loyola University Chicago. Manouse started his broadcasting career split between television (with NBC News) and radio (working for iconic Chicago radio station WLS-AM). In 1996, Ernie joined Houston PBS (now Houston Public Media), as an anchor and producer. Over the years, in addition to his Emmy Awards, Manouse has garnered five KATIE Awards, a Houston Press Club Lone Star Award, “Viewer’s Choice” recognition from multiple local and regional publications, and the title of “Ultimate Interviewer” from the Houston Chronicle.
His wit, natural curiosity, and ability to help people tell their stories have been hallmarks of Ernie’s many television projects, such as InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse, an Emmy-nominated and nationally-broadcast interview series, which ran for 15 seasons; his weekly program Arts InSight, which explored issues of importance to Houston arts lovers; and his nationally-syndicated and widely successful Downton Abbey-inspired talk show Manor of Speaking.
Manouse has also hosted and produced the series WeekNight Edition,The After Party, and Houston 8. The list of special and documentaries he has created includeA Mother’s Account: The Stella Byrd Interview;The Last 24;A Murder in Montrose; Houston in Black and White;Getting Here: Journeys from Vietnam, and the annual Houston Public Media Spelling Bee. Additionally, Ernie has moderated numerous televised debates for Council, Mayoral, and U.S. Senate candidates. Manouse can be seen nationally as co-host to finance expert Suze Orman on her bi-annual PBS programs – the most successful series of fundraising specials in PBS history.
Ernie’s commitment to public television extends beyond creating compelling programs. As a pledge spokesman, he has been instrumental in raising millions of dollars for Houston Public Media, and his talents have helped PBS affiliates across the country raise over $100 million in support of educational outreach, broadcasting, and programming needs.
Outside of television, Ernie dedicates tremendous time and expertise in support of the arts, education, and equality. He has served on numerous boards, including terms as vice president for Stages Repertory Theatre, Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, USO of Greater Houston, PRIDE Houston, and Q Fest. Ernie is also a popular host, master of ceremonies, and auctioneer, working with events as diverse as The Pride Parade, the U.S. Military Ball, Houston Grand Opera, and the “Big Board” at the Cattle Baron’s Ball. For the last seven years, Manouse has been touring with Al Pacino in PACINO: One Night Only, a live show where Manouse interviews the acting icon to help raise money and awareness for various arts organizations across the country.
Ernie and his cats Champ & Scout make their home in Houston’s historic Fourth Ward.
Creating an environment so that everyone feels comfortable reporting crimes whether they are a victim or a witness
Biography
Troy Finner was born in the 5th Ward area of Houston
Raised in the Hiram Clarke neighborhood
Madison High School graduate
Bachelors of Science, Criminal Justice, Sam Houston University
Masters of Criminology, University of Houston-Clear Lake
Professional Development
Graduate of Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP)
Police Executive Leadership Institute (PELI)
Federal Bureau of Investigation National Executive Institute (NEI)
Began his law enforcement career in 1990. 31-year veteran of serving the citizens of Houston at the Office of Public Affairs, Southwest Division, South Gessner Division, and the Internal Investigation Command.
Al Smith shares his personal experiences and the lessons he learned from his mother. Included are 17- lessons on what it takes to go from amateur to Pro in all aspects of life, not just in sports or in business.
This book will encourage you, maybe even challenge you to take an all-in, all-pro mindset embracing the attitude and character it takes to both think like a pro and act like a pro!
Al Smith is a former National Football league player. He learned discipline, structure, and values from his mother. Al continues to help people strive toward and achieve their goals. Al is a former executive with the Tennessee Titans, NFL Alumni President, Sports Analyst and former Director of Player Development of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Al serves on the Board of Directors for the NFL Alumni Association and the American Cancer Society and has contributed to multiple organizations including Big Brothers Big Sister, Bridges Domestic Violence, and the Ronald McDonald House. Al is also an Ambassador with the "Fuel Up in Play 60 Organizations". A standout collegiate defensive player of the year award winner and team leader, Al was inducted into the Utah State Athletic Hall of Fame and selected for the State of Utah's All-Century team, in 1987, he was drafted by the Houston Oilers. The Oilers finished 9-6 that year and was second in their deviation. Al's career in the NFL included Pro-Bowl selections and first team All-Pro Honors.
Common myths, truths and (sometimes odd) frequently asked questions about Alaska. Join us for fun, fact, and fallacy about the largest state in the U.S.
About the Speaker: Gayle Knepper, Rotary District 5010
Gayle is a member of Rotary e-Club of District 5010 International (Alaska) and is past governor of the largest geographic district in the Rotary world (Alaska, USA; Yukon, Canada; Siberia & Far East, Russia). She has also served in a range of regional and international Rotary leadership roles.
Her professional background is in strategic business and market development, with a specialty in working with companies entering new and rapid-growth markets. She is chief executive of a strategic development firm working with organizations in North America and internationally.
KPRC Chief Meteorologist Frank Billingsley first called Houston home in 1989, now forecasting Houston weather for 31 years.
For more than three decades, he has made weather clear and easy to understand. “The challenge is taking a complicated subject and making it simple, but I really enjoy it," he says.
"Of course, since Hurricanes Harvey, Ike, Rita and Tropical Storms Allison and Imelda, we've all learned how powerful weather is and while I can't control what happens, I can be there to warn people when their lives or property is in danger. That's what I most love about my career. I feel like I have a chance to give back to the world," Frank said.
In September 2018, Frank made public his Prostate Cancer diagnosis and his decision to pursue a treatment in clinical trials known as Aurolase. The procedure infuses gold nanoparticles into the cancer lesion followed by laser ablation. So far, the treatment has been a success. Frank says, “All men need to pay more attention to their health and, hopefully, my going public has inspired more awareness and action. A simple PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test can save lives.”
Of the millions of people touched by Medical Bridges that we never meet, we got to know this beautiful little girl who was struggling. With the right care and equipment and a first surgery, we celebrated modest improvement. She could breathe a little better and suckle a little longer and smile a little brighter. But there was still a long way to go. The tumorous mass had grown exponentially, and time was running out.
Despite helping Midelovka with every ounce of energy and resources we had, she did not survive the second surgery. It was unavoidable to think "what if." What if the process had been quicker? Would she still be here with us? What if the solar-paneled operating room had been equipped and fully operable? Would local leaders and our resources have been able to save her?
Regardless of these questions, the sad reality is that children and families in need of medical and surgical care are enduring inadequately supplied and broken healthcare systems. Our team grieves. Midelovka will not be forgotten. She is a constant reminder that we must do more to improve healthcare accessibility in Haiti and around the world.
Midelovka is now an angel who is fondly remembered as we continue of mission. Over 100 healthy babies have been born at the Haitian hospital Medical Bridges has equipped. We have photos of every one and we share the joy of the blessings of each birth and the promise of new life.
Much has been accomplished but more needs to be done!
Haiti Babies
Of the millions of people touched by Medical Bridges that we never meet, we have had the pleasure of seeing over 100 babies born in a newly opened hospital in Haiti. In 2019 United Light of Hope partnered with Medical Bridges to help equip a new hospital being built to replace facilities destroyed in the 2010 earthquake. Along with hospital beds, incubators, IV poles and so much more, there was a birthing bed. That bed has been put to good use – opening its doors on December 15, 2019, with 300 patients seen in just the first day. Just one month later Medical Bridges received news and a picture of the first baby born at the hospital on January 14, 2020. Since then, we have received over 100 notifications most with pictures of babies born using the supplies and that one birthing bed sent to Haiti via a 40-foot shipping container. On December 10, 2020 baby number 100 was born and on April 1, 2021, we received the picture below of the first set of twins.
Charles C. Foster is the Chairman of Foster LLP and is based in the Houston office. Recognized as a Best Lawyer in America, Chambers USA Senior Statespeople, Who’s Who Legal: Corporate Immigration Thought Leader, Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employer Lawyer – Immigration, and Top 100 attorney in Houston, his practice focuses primarily on representing multinational companies and foreign investors regarding U.S. immigration law.
Charles received both his J.D. and undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin. He lectures frequently before legal, academic, and professional organizations in Texas, throughout the United States and abroad and has published numerous articles on U.S. immigration law.
Helping Kids Develop Critical Executive Functioning Skills to Thrive in this New Educational Paradigm
Evan Weinberger will define executive functioning skills and discuss their importance in the changing world of education. He will offer helpful tips to parents and grandparents about how to encourage the ongoing development of these critical skills for kids, including those struggling with learning differences. Evan will address important topics such as habits, routines, organization, time management, and more. All participants will leave with creative new ideas they can implement immediately at home.
Dr. Geovanny Ponce Houston ISD - East Area Superintendent
Thursday April 1, 2020
Raised in an impoverished neighborhood in his native Honduras, Dr. Geovanny Ponce experienced first-hand the hardships of poverty. But it was his persistence of going to school and love of reading that opened doors for a better future. Today, through his work in education, Dr. Ponce continues to make a difference in the lives of children, who like him, have little or no opportunities. His calling is that every student, no matter their background or lack of resources will succeed.
For more than two decades, Dr. Geovanny Ponce has proven to be an innovative and knowledgeable educator. His childhood experiences have fueled his passion for supporting the growth of the urban child. Dr. Ponce, an immigrant from Honduras, instills collaborative leadership to ensure students from all social, economic and ethnic backgrounds have equal access to high-quality learning opportunities.
Mary E. Klotman, MD (SPEAKER) Duke School of Medicine, Dean Duke University, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
Mary E. Klotman, MD, was chair of the Department of Medicine at Duke University March 1, 2010 through July 1, 2017. On July 1 she became dean of the Duke School of Medicine and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, Duke University.
Klotman earned her undergraduate (zoology) and medical degrees from Duke, and then completed her internal medicine residency and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine at Duke. She became assistant professor of medicine at Duke before moving to the National Institutes of Health, where she was a member of the Public Health Service and trained and worked in the Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology under the direction of Robert C. Gallo, MD.
In 1994, Klotman joined the faculty at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, where she was a tenured professor of medicine and microbiology and associate professor of gene and cell medicine; she held the Irene and Dr. Arthur M. Fishberg Chair in Infectious Diseases. She served as chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases for 13 years and co-director of Mount Sinai’s Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute. She returned to Duke in March 2010 to become chair of the Department of Medicine.
Klotman is editor of Annual Reviews of Medicine. She was elected to membership in the Academy of Medicine in 2014 and has served as councilor and is past president of Association of American Physicians and past president of the Association of Professors of Medicine. She is a former president of the Duke Medical Alumni Association, and she received a Duke School of Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award in 2015.
Klotman is married to Paul Klotman, MD, a former resident at Duke, now CEO and president of Baylor School of Medicine in Houston. They have two sons.
Paul Klotman, MD (SPEAKER) President and CEO Executive Dean Baylor College of Medicine
Dr. Paul Klotman began serving as president, CEO and Executive Dean of Baylor College of Medicine on September 1, 2010. He received his B.S. degree in 1972 from the University of Michigan and his M.D. from Indiana University in 1976. He completed his medicine and nephrology training at Duke University Medical Center. He stayed at Duke as a faculty member before moving to the National Institutes of Health in 1988, where he became chief of the Molecular Medicine Section in the Laboratory of Developmental Biology. In 1993, he became chief of the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory in the NIDR/NIH. In 1994, he moved to Mount Sinai School of Medicine as Chief of the Division of Nephrology. In 2001, he was selected to be the chair of the Samuel Bronfman Department of Medicine of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
At Baylor College of Medicine, he oversees the only private health sciences university in the Greater Southwest United States, with total research funding of more than $500 million. The medical school is ranked among the top 25 institutions for research and the top 5 for primary care by U.S. News & World Report. The School of Health Professions is among the best in the nation as is the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. As the CEO of Baylor College of Medicine, he oversees approximately 15,000 employees, 3,500 students, residents and fellows, and is responsible for the Baylor medical staff at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, the DeBakey VA Medical Center, Ben Taub Hospital and its affiliated clinics, the Menninger Clinic and the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. He serves on the Board of Directors of St. Luke’s Health System and the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, the College’s jointly owned and governed private adult hospital. The enterprise revenue is over $2 billion dollars with net assets of approximately $2 billion.
Gerry has been a faithful member of our club since 1964 and we can't wait to see him in person as soon as in person meetings are possible. Thanks to Dan Clinton for sending this article.
Impact starts with our Houston Rotarians! We're people like you that have a mission to see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Jennifer Scott Williams NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Manager, Applications Client Support Office
Thursday March 11, 2021 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
CLICK HERE --> March 11, 2021 <-- CLICK HERE (Click Read more... below for instructions)
The International Space Station: A Cool Place for Science
Mrs. Jennifer Scott Williams was born in Oklahoma City, OK. As an Air Force dependent she moved around often, which contributed to her ability to adapt to new environments quickly. After living in Tennessee, Washington, D.C., and Ohio, her family made its permanent home in Panama City, FL, where she graduated with honors from Bay High School in 1996. Thereafter, Jennifer attended Spelman College and the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she received dual Bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and in Electrical Engineering via the Atlanta University Center Dual Degree Engineering Program in 2001.
Once Jennifer graduated, she moved to Houston to work for NASA Johnson Space Center Mission Operations (MOD) as a Space Shuttle flight controller in the Instrumentation and Communications Group (INCO). While there she obtained 8 certifications and supported 24 Shuttle flights, three of which she served as Lead INCO. She attended the University of Houston part time in the Telecommunications program, where she graduated with her Master of Electrical Engineering in 2005.
After her last lead flight, Jennifer took on a rotational opportunity in the JSC Office of Education as the Minority University Research and Education Program (MUREP) manager, where she managed 8 JSC programs with a team of 4 people, all for the benefit of providing research opportunities to minority students in Higher Education.
David J. Firestein is the inaugural president and CEO of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations (Bush China Foundation) and a founding and current member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Prior to joining the Bush China Foundation, Firestein was the founding executive director of The University of Texas at Austin’s (UT) China Public Policy Center (CPPC) and a clinical professor at UT’s Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. Before moving to UT, Firestein served as senior vice president and Perot Fellow at the New York City-based EastWest Institute (EWI), where he led the Institute’s track 2 diplomacy work in the areas of U.S.-China relations, East Asian security and U.S.-Russia relations; Firestein, who held EWI’s lone endowed chair, remains one of the longest-serving senior executives in EWI history. A decorated career U.S. diplomat from 1992–2010, Firestein specialized primarily in U.S.-China relations. Among the honors Firestein garnered during his diplomatic career were the Secretary of State’s Award for Public Outreach (2006) and the Linguist of the Year Award (1997). Toward the end of his State Department career, Firestein served as an elected member of the Board of Governors of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the union and professional association of the United States Foreign Service; in this capacity, he represented and worked to advance the interests of several thousand State Department constituents. He also served as the elected president of the large community associations of the U.S. embassies in Beijing and Moscow.
Rick received Bachelor of Building Science and Bachelor of Architecture degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. He was a practicing architect in Manchester, CT for 46 years until his retirement in 2015 when he and Elin made Ft. Lauderdale their residence and began spending summers in Rhode Island.
He joined the Manchester, CT Rotary Club in 1978 and in 2000 received the first of six Paul Harris Fellow awards. For the past six years he has served as District 7890 Chair for Water & Sanitation Projects. In 2014 Rotary International presented him with the “Service Above Self” Award – Rotary’s highest honor and awarded annually to a maximum of 150 individuals throughout the world.
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While vacationing in Guatemala in 2006 Rick attended a meeting of the Rotary Club of La Antigua, Guatemala, making the initial connections that resulted in twenty-five sustainable clean water and sanitation projects completed from 2007 through 2020. His presentation today describes the efforts to fund another two villages in Rotary years 2019-2021 utilizing the ninth and tenth Global Grants.
Genevieve is a 3rd generation Houstonian who graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science from Texas A&M University. She has been married for over 20 years and has 2 children: Garrett and Brianna. She initially worked as a District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America and then went to work in the Audio Visual industry where she designed and sold A/V systems for almost 20 years. She has since pursued her passion and is now a successful REALTOR with many designations for Keller Williams Realty where she helps people navigate through the real estate process.
Genevieve is involved with many organizations in the Houston area including The Boy Scouts of America, Church Activities, Rotary International, and has been with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on the Speaker’s Committee for over 20 years.
She will speak to us about the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and what to expect when you visit, as well as interesting Texas Town Trivia.
Gerald B. Smith Chairman and CEO Smith Graham & Co.
Thursday February 25, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
CLICK HERE --> February 25, 2021 <-- CLICK HERE (See Read more... below for instructions)
Gerald B. Smith is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SGIA (Smith Graham & Co.), a high-quality, competitive investment management firm headquartered in Houston with a full-service office in New York, New York. Founded in 1990, SGIA has served diversified, institutional clients, including public funds, corporations, endowments and Taft-Hartley plans and currently manages over $6 billion in fixed income, Mortgage & Real Estate Debt and equity institutional assets. SGIA is one of the nation’s largest minority-owned investment management firms and one of the largest investment management firms based in Houston. A founding member of the New York Futures Exchange, Mr. Smith has worked with institutional investors to hedge their interest-rate risk by using financial futures.
Houston is suffering through two epidemics, the COVID one and a major crime spree. Our judges and politicians are making it easier for violent criminals to obtain a "get out of jail card for cheap." The new system of Justice seems to tilt in favor of the violent offender being given every consideration, while the victim must live in fear that the perpetrator will exact vengeance against the victim. Is it political correctness gone wild, or a more humane form of justice? If the latter, can our society continue to overlook the spiraling violent crime statistics for Houston?
This Thursday program promises to be one of the most significant programs we will hear this year. Andy Kahan, East Coast Transplant, has spent the last thirty years in Houston in the Mayor's office, as a Houston Police officer, and, lastly, as the Victim Services and Advocacy Director for Crime Stoppers of Houston.
Why, you ask, do we need such an office in Houston? Simply because serious violent crime committed by serious, violent criminals, many of whom are on low bond for violent serious felonies, are being set free by our legal system, only to commit more felonies, including murder... Lenient judges are allowing murderers out on small bonds, many of whom have been previously released on numerous low-cost bonds, still outstanding. No one speaks for the numerous victims of violent crime.
Some blame COVID. Others blame lenient, unqualified judges and lax politicians for the epidemic of violent crime.
You are invited to hear and question the leading expert in Houston regarding the crime epidemic. Interestingly, this crime fighter, a tough-hardened policeman, started his business career while at Northeastern University, Boston, Mass, doing "Singing Telegrams dressed in a chicken Outfit." I feel confident that Andy will discuss those early days when life was easy, crime was minimal, and he did not have to console victims of violent crime.
Invite your friends to attend.
Regards,
Joe Colangelo
Andy Kahan joined Crime Stoppers of Houston in June 2018 as its first-ever Director of Victim Services and Advocacy.
Prior to Crime Stoppers, Andy served as the Victim Advocate for the Mayor’s Office and Houston Police Department for 26 years before retiring and joining Crime-Stoppers of Houston to resume his career as a Victim Advocate. Andy Kahan received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1983 from the University of Houston. He worked as both a Parole and Probation Officer before becoming the first victim advocate in the country to work in a Mayor’s Office. His responsibilities included working with local crime victim’s rights organizations to facilitate the pooling of resources and the exchange of information, accompanying and representing victims before the Parole Board, putting crime victims in touch with local crime victims support and advocacy groups, and court accompaniment.
Charles Denyer was in Washington on 9/11, the day the terrorists attacked the Pentagon. Seeing the events unfold and how the nation responded put a new face on our country and inspired a new mission for him. For the last two decades, Denyer has worked with hundreds of US and international organizations in helping them obtain a true competitive advantage with cybersecurity, data privacy, and regulatory compliance. He is a frequent guest speaker to organizations throughout North America, while also providing essential national security, cybersecurity and advisory services to some of the world’s most recognized brands. He is a founding member and senior partner in two consulting and compliance firms, and is also co-founder of the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA), set to launch in early 2021, and positioned to become North America’s signature voice for today’s current and emerging information security, cybersecurity, data privacy and regulatory compliance laws and regulations.
Hope Houston is a Holistic Humanitarian Initiative to Re-Build & Re-Juvenate “In Need” areas in US cities via Education, Housing, Community Centers & Employment.
Education: We are collaborating with the principals & wrap around specialists and our education stewards at elementary schools merging the gap of children, teaches & families and Their success. We’re outlining their statistics, programs, initiatives, partnerships, their challenges, barriers, needs, goals & their dreams; putting an action plan & program together to reduce and diminish obstacles. Re-igniting The Soul’s “Light”.
Housing & Community Centers: Buy, Build-out & Provide Transitional Housing, permanent Housing & potential Home Ownership, Community Centers, Family Resource Centers, babysitting, tutoring, support groups, mentors, sports, music, arts, choir, after school programs, Partner with Churches to Reach their Community’s & Share the 9 Fruits of The Holy Spirit, collaborate with local gov’t – HISD, Sherriff’s, Precinct Commissioners, Judges, Univ of Houston, Police Dept, personal development for ALL children to clear out the emotional, physical & spiritual abuse. . . So, they can Grow to Be Who They Were Born To Be!!! Re-Building Heart’s & Hope
Virtual-Q was founded in 2009 by CEO, Victor Quinones. With more than 32 years of experience in the information technology industry, his mission was to make IT smart, simple, and scalable for their clients. Virtual-Q provides IT as a Service ™ which features a hosted desktop solution – the “Q”. Designed for companies of any size, the Q reduces on-going costly IT capital expenditures related to the end-user computing experience. Virtual-Q has become a leader in the managed IT services field delivering the highest levels of customer, partner and employee satisfaction and results.
Mr. Quinones serves on the advisory board for Dun & Bradstreet, has received two BBB Winner of Distinction awards and was honored with The Best Place to Work for Commuters and the Clean Air Champion designation by the by the Houston Galveston Area Council. Virtual-Q was recently recognized as The Houston Business Journal’s top 2020 Largest Houston-area cyber security companies and Best Places to Work.
Mr. Quinones studied Computer Science at The University of Houston and was on the Dean’s List. He has received his Microsoft Certified Network Engineer, VMware and Cisco Certified Engineer Certifications.
CLICK HERE --> JANUARY 28, 2021 <-- CLICK HERE (Click on Read more... for Microsoft Team instructions)
Since 1998, Habitat for Horses has worked closely with law enforcement throughout Texas and across the nation, assisting in investigations, temporary holding, documentation, and court presentation in abuse and neglect cases.
The purpose of Habitat for Horses Inc. is a) To promote and secure the safety, well being and health of horses. b) To encourage education concerning the physical and mental health of horses. c) To utilize horses in the growth and mental health of humans, either adult or children, through education, demonstration and connection. d) To study, promote, and enhance the proper training of horses through positive training techniques. e) To provide a home for those horses who are no longer able to be productive. f) To return to health, if possible, those owned horses that are deemed sick or injured.
Rabbi Steve Gross was ordained in 1996 as a rabbi from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio where he also received a Masters of Hebrew Letters. He has served the Houston Jewish community ever since his ordination and is currently the rabbi at Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism where he brings energy and enthusiasm to the pulpit using his guitar to shape the worship experience for young and old alike.
Rabbi Gross sees every religious endeavor as an opportunity to promote community and establish an intimate relationship with God, and he commits a major part of his religious mission to building tolerance and understanding between and among faith communities throughout the city. He is a founding member of T.R.U.T.H.(Travels Revealing Understanding – Trust – Hope), which is dedicated to recruiting and engaging faith leaders from all religious backgrounds to build relationships of understanding and trust through shared experiences of travel and immersion. He is an active participant in the Anti-Defamation League’s Coalition for Mutual Respect and works closely with the Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston on a wide variety of projects which seek to strengthen relationships between faith communities.
With a heavy heart, I announce the tragic passing of our beloved friend and fellow Rotarian, Jason J. Guillory. Jason, armed with an ever-present smile, was a member of the Rotary Club of Houston’s "Back Table Committee."
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jason’s family and friends.
Celebrate the Life and Cherish the Memories
Jason J Guillory
Viewing: Thursday January 14, 2021 6:00pm to 8:00pm There will be a rosary at 7:00pm
Dettling Funeral Home 14094 Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77079
281-497-2121
Funeral Service: Friday January 15, 2021 10:30am
St. Cecilia Catholic Church 11720 Joan of Arc Dr. Houston, TX 77024
713-465-3414
Donations in lieu of flowers please send to:
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 S Danny Thomas Blvd Memphis, TN 38105
Bill Truman Teague(age 83) passed away peacefully at his Nacogdoches home on December 25, 2020. Bill was born October 24, 1937, in Freer, Texas, to Carl Leroy Teague and Gladys Ethel Wade Teague, who both preceded him in death. He grew up in Abilene, Texas; attended Abilene Senior High School; and graduated from Hardin Simmons University with a BS in Medical Technology in 1960 and a commission in the US Army. A lifelong professing Christian, Bill was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Nacogdoches. He served on the Missions Committee; as a member of the FUMC Day School Board; and as a Sunday school teacher. While living in Houston, Bill was active on many levels at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Upon completion of his military obligation, Bill moved to Galveston, TX, where he enrolled in the Blood Bank Specialty course at UTMB. Bill excelled in the program and was soon attracted to Ortho Diagnostics in Raratan, NJ, where he worked with the team that developed RhoGam, the vaccine for Rh negative mothers that would protect their unborn babies. Bill’s gift of leadership propelled him quickly up the professional ladder with administrative stops in Florida and Austin, TX, before being hired in 1975 by the Harris County Medical Society as the founding CEO of Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in Houston, a position he held until his retirement in 2006. Upon his retirement, he was named President Emeritus of Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. As a committed Rotarian, Bill believed in the Rotary motto of “service above self” and lived that creed in all he did. While in Houston, Bill served the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as a Lifetime VP; as a member of the Harris County Sports and Convention Board; a past President of the Rotary Club of Houston and was instrumental in seeing Rotary House International become a reality. On a professional level Bill was one of the few non-physicians to serve as President of the American Association of Blood Banks. Upon retirement Bill and Lynn moved to Nacogdoches, TX, where Bill continued his desire to serve others. He quickly became involved in community activities through the Nacogdoches Rotary Club; the Nacogdoches Booster Club; the SFASU Foundation Board and the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, where he served as interim President and CEO while the search for a permanent CEO was conducted. Bill’s passion beyond his family and his professional life was hunting, fishing, and his deep love for the sport of competing with his beloved Labrador retrievers. Bill approached this hobby with the same vigor and commitment as he did his professional career. In addition to hunting with and competing with his dogs, he was a Past President of the Master National Retriever Club and the current President of the MNRC Foundation.
Marvin Pierre 8 Million Stories Executive Director
Thursday December 17, 2020 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Marvin Pierre is a native New Yorker. He currently serves as the Executive Director of 8 Million Stories. Prior to joining 8 Million Stories, he was selected as a Bridge Fellow with The New Teacher Project (TNTP), Marvin focused his fellowship on developing an alternative education program called “8 Million Stories”. The program seeks to upend the school-to-prison pipeline by supporting previously incarcerated youth as they re-enter school, and curbing unnecessary referrals from schools to the justice system in Houston, TX. Marvin also served as the Assistant Principal at KIPP Polaris Academy for Boys in Houston, Texas. Prior to joining KIPP Polaris, he served as the Dean of Students at Excellence Boys Charter School in Brooklyn, NY. Marvin also worked in the finance at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Marvin holds a B.A. in Economics from Trinity College (Hartford, CT) and a Masters in Education Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston. Marvin is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is an American Leadership Forum Fellow (Class XLI) alumni and was selected into the inaugural class for Leadership ISD. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Tabor Academy. Marvin desires to pursue opportunities in community development and co-found a K-8 school for young boys of color in Houston, TX.
Founding Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Rice University
Dr. Stephen Klineberg has been shaping local thought on the ongoing trends in Houston for almost forty years. As the director of the annual “Kinder Houston Area Survey” (1982-2020), he has tracked the economic outlooks, demographic patterns, life experiences, and beliefs of area residents through 39 years of remarkable change. His book exploring the national implications of the first 38 years of this research, entitled Prophetic City: Houston on the Cusp of a Changing America, was published in June 2020 by Simon & Schuster. Klineberg is the recipient of twelve major teaching awards at Rice and a much sought-after speaker in the Houston community and beyond. He is a graduate of Haverford College, with an MA from the University of Paris, and a PhD from Harvard. He and his wife Margaret have lived in Houston since the early 1970s; they have two children and five grandchildren.
CLICK HERE --> January 14, 2021 <-- CLICK HERE (See Read more... below for instructions)
Bio:
Dr. Geetinder Goyal is the founder and CEO of First Primary Care. He attended medical school at the Government Medical College in Chandigarh, India. Following that, he completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch– Galveston. Dr. Goyal then went on to Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT where his fellowship was in Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine. He is now on a mission to deliver the best primary care in Houston.
Volunteering and Nonprofit Operations During a Global Pandemic
Companies rapidly transitioned to remote and virtual work environments upon the spike of COVID-19 infections throughout Houston. As we adjust to adjust to masks, distancing, online grocery shopping (with curbside delivery) and working from home…What is one thing we can do to uplift our spirits and help others during these challenging times? What does volunteering look like during a global pandemic? Join us as we dive into the Foundation’s virtual volunteering opportunities and learn more about what we are doing to offer safe in-person events.
SPEAKERS:
Kime Smith graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans with a BA in Mass Communications and a minor in Business Administration. Prior to joining the Foundation, Kime served as the Director of Recruitment for Big Brothers Big Sisters helping to mobilize volunteers, as well as creating corporate and community partnerships in the Houston area. She has served as a Big Sister for the last 10 years, and is currently matched to a 11-year-old Little Sister. Kime is passionate about empowering youth to reach their fullest potential, and loves spending time with her Little – baking, reading, and attending Houston sporting events.
José Paulo Calvillo has more than 10 years of experience in the private and K-12 education sectors. Prior to joining the Foundation, he served for five years as an executive assistant to the Houston Independent School District’s Chief Academic Officer and Chief Major Projects Officer. In this role, Jose led several high-profile special projects, was responsible for coordinating administrative staff across nine departments and served as a liaison within the community. Jose earned his Bachelor’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University.
DAN KNECHTGES is the Artistic Director at Theatre Under The Stars where he most recently directed the 2019 production of Elf - The Musical. He is a Tony-nominated director and choreographer working in theater, opera, concert dance, television, film and music videos.
When Dan started at TUTS, he wanted to return to the roots of TUTS by creating incredible musicals that were produced right here in Houston. When he programmed the shows for the musical theatre company’s 50th Anniversary Season, he did so with the intention of having a six-show season that was all self-produced. That season was one of the most successful seasons in the eyes of critics and audiences alike in recent years. Through the shows produced during that season, Dan was also able to re-establish TUTS commitment to casting a mix of local and national theatre artists creating an environment where they can nurture their craft. TUTS 50th Anniversary Season also won four Houston Press Theater Awards: Best Musical (Ragtime), Best Choreography (Stanton Welch for Oklahoma!), Best Musical Director (Marcia Milgrom Dodge for Ragtime) and Best Season. Under his leadership the artistry coming out of Houston’s home for musical theatre is thriving.
CLICK HERE ---> Virtual Meeting <--- CLICK HERE (Click on Read more... below for instructions)
Fake News or Fair and Balanced? Distinguishing Fact from Fiction
Brief Description
How can you help your family separate Fake News from fair and balanced, especially now that most Americans get their news from questionable and deeply partisan sources? In this funny, non-partisan, and interactive online program, former Rice business-school professor Lydia Musher will introduce us to the fascinating technology and counterintuitive techniques that businesses and politicians employ to persuade and manipulate us from both sides of the aisle. You will leave better armed with the tools and resources to help your family make smart choices.
Bio
Lydia Musher is an experienced, parallel entrepreneur whose 20+ year career has been built at the intersection of computer science and communication. For the last seven years, in addition to owning an executive search firm, Lydia was a professor in the business school at Rice University. She holds an MBA from The Wharton School focused on marketing and entrepreneurship as well as MEng and ScB degrees in computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Finally, Lydia is a CBY congregant, the mother of four current and former BYDS students, and the wife of sometimes-cantor, always-oncologist Benjamin Musher. She invites you to submit any questions in advance at http://lydiamusher.com/contact.
Jon Eliot King has been a member of the Rotary Club of Houston for 20 years, he will be missed by all.
Jon Eliot King (1942 – 2020)
Jon Eliot King passed peacefully at his home yesterday, Oct 21st, 2020 with his faithful canine companion "Tiffany" at his side.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be conducted on Wednesday, October 28th at 1:00 PM at Second Baptist Church located at 6400 Woodway, Houston, TX 77057. The service will be in the main Sanctuary. For directions and more information on the location go to www.second.org/locations/woodway
The Ceremony is anticipated to be approximately one hour. Second Baptist Church adheres to current CDC guidelines which in summary include 1) masks are recommended and will be provided on site if you do not have one, 2) social distancing seating will be facilitated, and 3) high risk individuals are encouraged to stay home and view the ceremony online at www.second.org/liveevents.
Final burial arrangements are being made with the Houston VA National Cemetery in Houston, TX. More information on that will be provided at the Celebration of Life Ceremony.
For floral arrangements, The Second Baptist Church recommends a nearby florist, Blossoms Floral Designs at (713)780-7838 which is the preferred method of ordering. Their website is www.blossomsfloral.net For guaranteed on time delivery, please place your order no later than 12:00 PM on Tuesday, Oct 27th.
CLICK HERE --> Nov. 5, 2020 <-- CLICK HERE (Please see Read more... below for instructions)
"Why We Need Our Veterans More Than Ever!"
Born on 1 July 1952 in Pennsylvania as the son of a US Marine World War II veteran, Lieutenant General Hummer retired from the US Marine Corps on 1 Aug 2015 after 41 years of active service. After enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1970, and an honorable discharge as a sergeant in 1973, Lieutenant General Hummer was commissioned following graduation from Albright College, PA, in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psycho-Biology.
His assignments in the operating forces included: Rifle Platoon Commander, Company Commander, Battalion Commander and Regimental Commander within 1st Marine Division; Chief of Staff, Joint Special Operations Command; Director of Operations, US Forces-Iraq; and Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, US Africa Command. Lieutenant General Hummer participated in combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Supporting establishment duties included: Ceremonial Company Commander, Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C; Commanding General, Marine Corps Base Hawaii; Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Pacific; Chief of Staff, US Special Operations Command; and Commander, Marine Corps Forces Reserve and Marine Corps Forces North.
Lieutenant General Hummer is a graduate of several schools within the Marine Corps University; and earned a master’s degree in International Security Studies from the Air War College.
His decorations include: Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Combat “V”, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and other personal awards and decorations.
Lieutenant General Hummer currently volunteers to support veteran service organizations and mentors veterans. He is currently enrolled in seminary working on his master’s degree. He and his wife, Sheri, support fund raisers in support of veterans and their families.
Lieutenant General Hummer and Sheri reside in The Woodlands, Texas. Lieutenant General Hummer and his wife, Sheri, have a son, David, daughter-in-law, Stephanie, grandson Jaxson, and granddaughter, Isla.
CLICK HERE ----> October 29, 2020 <---- CLICK HERE ( See below Read more... for Microsoft Team instructions)
Bio:
Kaveh Badrei graduated from Princeton University in 2020 with a B.A. from the School of Public and International Affairs and certificates in French and the History and Practice of Diplomacy. His academic concentrations include human rights, public policy, and international law. His senior thesis at Princeton studied hybrid human rights tribunals in international criminal law in Cambodia and Sierra Leone. He is particularly interested in the ways that international and domestic institutions can contribute to lasting change and progress in issues pertaining to conflict resolution, social and political justice, and the protection of human rights. At Princeton, he wrote for the Daily Princetonian and was involved with the Pace Center for Civic Engagement. In the past, Kaveh has worked within local government as well as regional and international non-profits––such as the Anti-Defamation League, Danish Institute for Human Rights, and Office of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo––in public policy, legal services, and human rights. He hopes to continue his education and earn his master’s degree in international public policy and human rights.
Summary:
Kaveh is pleased to speak with the Rotary Club of Houston about his passion for public policy, international affairs, and global justice and his vision of a more just, more peaceful, and more humane world. Drawing upon his education in the classroom at Princeton University, his professional experiences at home and abroad, and his own independent research on international justice, Kaveh hopes to share his own practical ideals for a world made more peaceful, more just, and more equal for all and looks forward to discussing his personal aspirations based on the fundamental notion of service above self with the Rotary Club of Houston.
Dena Marks Anti-Defamation League - Southwest Regional Office Senior Associate Director
October 22, 2020 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
CLICK HERE ----> Thursday October 22, 2020<---- CLICK HERE (See Read more... for Microsoft Teams instructions)
"ADL: How It Strives for Justice and Fair Treatment for All"
Dena Marks is the Senior Associate Director of the Anti-Defamation League’s Southwest Regional Office. Her main responsibility at ADL is publicity, but she also serves as a liaison with law enforcement, facilitates various training sessions, coordinates regional fact finding, handles some discrimination complaints, and staffs ADL’s International Affairs Committee and Committee on Law Enforcement, Extremism and Antisemitism. Before joining the ADL in April of 1999, she spent 21 years in television news. She also has worked as a group exercise instructor, personal trainer, freelance writer, waitress, janitor, and for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. She is a native Houstonian.
The virtual presentation will cover some of the history, details, and benefits of a single Rotary Club project which the presenter feels is one of the most helpful projects in all of Rotary. It will include the partnership of the Rotary Club of Houston, the Rotary Club of Houston Foundation, Houston Endowment, and the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. He believes it to still be the largest project by any single Rotary Club and feels the project epitomizes Rotary and the reason one becomes a true ‘Rotarian’. He feels it is something everyone, especially Rotarians and their families, can be justifiably proud and should promote regularly!
Resume of Speaker:
Bill T. Teague
Rotarian since September 1967 (St. Petersburg, FL. President 1972-3) to present, about 53 years.
RCH
Active member 1975 to 2006
Past RCH President. 1986-87
Past RCHF President 1987-91
Elected Emeritus Life Member, January 6, 2006
Paul Harris Fellow-x4
Past Chairman of: Jesse Jones RCH Committees: Rotary House International, Distinguished Citizen Award, Rotary Lombardi Award, Membership Development, Red Badge; and others
Greater Houston Community (member of boards* and graduate**)
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center* (founding CEO and stayed as such on a handshake, no written document, for 31+ years)
Justin Wells is the current Executive Assistant Fire Chief over Emergency Response for the Houston Fire Department. He previously served as the Assistant Fire Chief over Emergency Medical Services. He is a 24 year member that has risen through the ranks from Firefighter to District Chief prior to being appointed to a staff position in 2017. He is crossed trained in both Fire and EMS and has been a certified paramedic for over 20 years. He is now oversees the Department’s response to Fire, EMS, Rescue, Hazmat, and Aircraft incidents along with managing the Department’s 3500+ personnel, 250+ response units, and 93 fire stations covering an area of over 650 square miles. When he isn’t working, he spends time with his wife chasing their children around, coaching little league baseball, and trying to find time to travel. He can be contacted at justin.wells@houstontx.gov.
Dr. Giulio Draetta, MD, PHD UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer
Thursday September 24, 2020 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
CLICK HERE ----> Virtual Meeting <---- CLICK HERE ( See Read more... below for Microsoft Team instructions)
"Of Moonshots and More"
Dr. Giulio Draetta , MD, PHD, is a Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) and Co-Leader of the CCSG Developmental Therapeutics Program. Dr. Draetta graduated summa cum laude from the University of Naples Medical School in Italy and spent many years in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry where he led drug discovery research in oncology.
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Joseph Agris, M.D., has been going on medical missions around the world for decades, providing not only basic medical care but also much-needed reconstructive surgery to children and adults who would otherwise be shunned, even by their own families, due to their appearance. He has also provided critical instruction and education to hundreds of physicians and surgeons at various medical institutions throughout the world.
Aside from his medical mission, Dr. Agris is an accomplished author. His novel, entitled “Mission Divided” is considered his third book in a compilation entitled, the “Dr. Angel” series (following “Tears on the Sand” and “Miracles in Bedlam”). “Mission Divided” is a compelling story of a physician who must on occasion put down his scalpel and take up arms against some of the gravest threats he encountered while serving in Pakistan. Coming this fall, he has a new book coming out about Abu Ghraib during the Iraq war.
Dr. Agris is a graduate of Temple University of Dentistry where he received a D.D.S. degree with honors, a graduate of Albany Medical College where he obtained a M.D. degree, and served as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, also referred to as the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service, as Chief of Surgery. Dr. Agris also stablished the first “Plastic Surgical Program” at the Federal Correction Institute in Long Beach, California in conjunction with the University of California at Irvine. Dr. Agris and his wife, Terry, are residents of Bellaire, Texas.
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Scott Rainey was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended the University of Oklahoma and is a proud Sooner! Scott is married to Martha Bowles, who he met in church in Clear Lake, TX. Scott has a daughter Taylor McConnell who has blessed him with three granddaughters Parker Anne, Charlie Mae, and Mason Rayne. Scott’s Step-Son Chase Cusack lives in New York City. Scott and Martha have three dogs, Desmond, Sophie Ann, and Macie, all Yorkies.
Scott started in the oil and gas business as a Landman in the early 1980’s. When the oil crash of the mid ‘80’s occurred, Scott transitioned into the chemical and environmental business. He moved to Houston in 1990 to work full time in the environmental business doing hazardous waste disposal, and in plant work including tank cleaning. Scott was a part of a startup environmental company that was sold in the late 90’s. He then started his current company, Hydrocarbon Resource Recovery, which trades petrochemicals and fuel products.
Scott is involved in several charitable organizations including Space Center Rotary where he has served in several capacities. He was Club President in 2014-15 and was honored as the Large Club President of the Year. He was an Assistant Governor in 2016-17 & 2017-18, and AG of the Year 2016-17. He was selected to be District Governor for the year 2020-21. Scott is a Major Donor and member of the White Hat Society.
He has served as a member in the Church Council of Gateway Community Church, and he is also a past member on the board of the Clear Creek Education Foundation, where again he has served in serval capacities.
Scott’s passions include His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his family, and Sooner football.
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CHARLES C CANTON The Center for Pursuit President and CEO
Charles C. Canton is President and CEO of The Center for Pursuit. He joined our organization in 2018, bringing with him 15 years’ experience as a distinguished non-profit leader and more than four decades of success in management. Charles was previously Vice President of Operations for Goodwill Industries of Houston from 2002 through 2017, overseeing 65 stores and 48 donation locations. During his tenure, he was responsible for growing the organization into a nationally recognized system of retail operations. Charles holds both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Management and an MBA from Houston Baptist University, where he is also a former Alumni Board Chairman. Charles is committed to the growth and improvement of ways to empower the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He is impressed daily with the motivation of the Board, staff, and clients at The Center. He has been married 40 years and devotes time to family, his first grandchild, and his garden.
Dr. Mary Lee Webeck, HMH Holocaust and Genocide Education Endowed Chair
Take a virtual tour through our Bak Gallery and see a short video with our CEO giving a brief museum overview.
The Samuel Bak Gallery and Learning Center in loving memory of Hope Silber Kaplan is home to the nation’s only permanent Samuel Bak collection with 130 pieces rotated periodically. Holocaust Museum Houston is exceptionally honored that the Samuel Bak Gallery and Learning Center serves as a permanent, international gallery for his paintings, works donated directly to the Museum by the artist. The Bak Learning Center will help visitors understand the content of his works, as well as the rich symbolism used in his paintings. A rarity in the U.S., the gallery itself is circular, comprised of three intimate galleries.
Bak was born in 1933 in Vilna, Poland. His artistic talent was first recognized during an exhibition of his work in the Vilna Ghetto when he was nine years old. Bak and his mother survived the Holocaust through the efforts of his father, his aunt and a Benedictine nun known as Sister Maria who gave Bak and his mother shelter in a convent in Vilna. While both Bak and his mother survived, his father and four grandparents all perished at the hands of the Nazis. Bak’s life-and-death experiences inspired his prolific collection of artwork.
The galleries will continuously display the exceptional work of the artist while teaching children and adults to apply an understanding of the events of the Holocaust and other genocides to their own lives and respond to them successfully by developing social resiliency.
Kirk Watson has been described by Texas Monthly as “A man with a vision of what the community wants, and the moxie to carry it out.” He has been immersed in public policy in Texas for the past three decades, serving first as an appointee of Gov. Ann Richards before being elected mayor of Austin in 1997. First elected to the Texas Senate in 2006, he represented the Austin-area for 13 years.
Watson has been selected to be the Founding Dean of the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs and began his position on May 1, 2020.
Watson’s policy experience spans local and state government. As Senator, he championed education, health care, transportation and government transparency. During his tenure in the Senate, he served as a member and vice- chair of multiple standing and special committees. Most recently he was Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Nominations and also served on the committees overseeing State Finance, Education, Higher Education and the Sunset Advisory Commission. His peers elected him President Pro Tempore of the Senate in 2019.
Art Acevedo was sworn-in as Chief of the Houston Police Department (HPD) on November 30, 2016.
Chief Acevedo leads a department of 5,200 sworn law enforcement officers and 1,200 civilian support personnel with an annual general fund budget of $825 million in the fourth largest city in the United States.
Chief Acevedo believes good communication is vital for a successful community and steadily works to strengthen the bond between the community and its police department. A proponent of community policing, Chief Acevedo refers to the proven practice as “Relational Policing,” an opportunity to forge a relationship with each citizen an officer comes in contact with.
The first Hispanic to lead the HPD, Acevedo brings a unique understanding to the concerns of the diverse communities in the City of Houston. Born in Cuba, he was 4 years old when he migrated to the United States with his family in 1968. Acevedo grew up in California and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne in California. Acevedo began his law enforcement career in 1986 as field patrol officer in East Los Angeles with the California Highway Patrol. He rose through the ranks and was named Chief of the California Highway Patrol in 2005. Acevedo most recently served nine years as Chief of the Austin Police Department.
Chief Acevedo holds various leadership positions with the Major Cities Chiefs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He is married to Tanya Born Acevedo and is the father of Melissa, Matthew and Jake.
The Innocence Project of Texas (IPTX) is the largest, most effective organization in the state dedicated to seeking the exoneration of individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and reuniting the innocent with their families.
Anna Vasquez, Director of Outreach and Education for IPTX , and also on the Board of the Houston Forensic Science Center, will speak about her first-hand experience with being a wrongfully convicted individual. Her story and those of three other women can be seen in the award-winning documentary www.Southwestofsalem.com about “The San Antonio 4”. She will speak also to the issues for prisoners now living under even more isolation with COVID-19, as she was placed in solitary during some of her prison time as she would not sign a confession for the crime she did not commit.
Mike Ware is the Executive Director of IPTX and directs investigative and legal services for the organization. Mike worked for the Dallas County District Attorney’s office and while there, formed the first Conviction Integrity Unit in the nation. These units, now in almost every major county in the country, including Harris County, review legitimate claims of innocence.
Mike will speak on the difficulties of working on forward momentum with cases as many courts are currently shut down, and on the inability to meet with IPTX clients in prison amid statewide lock downs. He will share the latest details on the nationally known Houston case of Lydell Grant and unraveling the actual perpetrator of a case by working with the FBI DNA database. He’ll also briefly discuss the Amicus brief filed by IPTX attorney on another Houston case: Alfred DeWayne Brown. Subject of Episode 8 of the highly watched new Netflix series, Brown spent over a decade on death row. His attorney, Brian Stolarz, will be the guest speaker on an IPTX conference call Thursday evening, April 30th at 7:15 pm. www.innocencetexas.org
First time using Microsoft Teams? Here's what you do. A few minutes before noon, click
If you've previously installed the Teams application, you'll be asked if you want to open it. Click 'Cancel'.
Then click the option to 'Join on the web instead'.
Chrome will ask you if you want to allow teams.microsoft.com to use your microphone and camera. Select 'allow' (or block if you don't want to be seen or heard in the meeting).
You'll be prompted to enter your name. Then click 'Join now' to join the meeting.
The message 'Someone in the meeting should let you in soon' will be displayed. Be patient - the meeting organizer will admit you.
Once admitted, you can click on the movie-camera icon or the microphone icon to toggle your video and microphone on and off.
Judge Lina Hidalgo is the head of Harris County’s governing body. She is the first woman to be elected County Judge and only the second to be elected to the Commissioners Court.
Harris County is the third largest county in our nation. Its population of more than 4.5 million rivals that of the entire state of Colorado. The Harris County Judge and four County Commissioners oversee a $4.3 billion budget that helps fund key county services and institutions.
The County Judge is the presiding officer on the Commissioners Court. As the main governing body of Harris County, the Commissioners Court plays a critical role that is part administrative, part legislative, and part judicial. Its many responsibilities include adopting a budget; setting tax rates; calling for bond elections; building and maintaining county infrastructure such as roads and bridges; and overseeing county courthouses, jails, libraries, parks, and the Harris County Flood Control District.
By state law, the County Judge is also the county’s director of emergency management, leading the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM). In addition to her formal duties, Judge Hidalgo plays an important advocacy role for the County.
Judge Hidalgo believes that our region will remain competitive only through proactive and creative leadership on issues like flood control, transportation, criminal justice reform, and education. She is committed to ensuring that Harris County government is transparent, accessible, and accountable to every resident. She wants Harris County to be a place where everyone can attain the American Dream.
We've missed our in person meetings and will now begin weekly virtual events. First up is Bob Wells who will clarify the SBA's Payroll Protection Plan. Several of our members heard him at a breakfast meeting and said he cleared up the mystery and others would greatly benefit from hearing him.This will be at noon 4/16/20. You are welcome to share the link with your friends and associates.
Prior to this we will hear our weekly COVID update hosted by our member, Stephen Williams. We are so excited the dynamic team of Stephen and the City and Harris County chief health doctors will again answer our questions. Please submit them to me today and log in to HTV at 11 a.m. This time is always subject to change because we are using the City of Houston TV station and breaking news and the Mayor will always come first.
Bob acts as a trusted advisor to owners of small to medium sized businesses. Bob has been a member of our club for four years and is a member of the Board of Directors and past-Treasurer of the club. Bob has nearly 25 years of commercial banking experience with large and small businesses as a loan officer at Northern Trust, Union Bank of Switzerland and Bank of America. He served on the Credit Committee at UBS. He has been a CFO to multiple businesses over the past 15 years and has been a business owner, himself. Bob is passionate about the dreams and goals of business owners.
Rotary Distinguished Citizen Award is presented annually to someone in Houston who exhibits high ideals, leadership and philanthropy. The funds raised support our on-going service activities. This year we are honored to present the Distinguished Citizen Award to David S. Wolff for his service to the growth and development of Houston.
Since it was first presented in 1962, the Rotary Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award has gone to an impressive array of individual Houstonians and Houston institutions. The Rotary Distinguished Citizen Award is the Rotary Club of Houston’s major fundraiser for its many community service projects.
Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
Her current research focuses on the availability of drug treatment for at-risk populations, the opioid epidemic, vaping, and the legalization of medical and adult-use cannabis. She supports policy reforms that treat drug use as a public health issue, such as alternatives to incarceration for drug offenders, needle-exchange programs, safe-consumption sites, drug testing services, expanded access to medication-assisted treatments, and greater integration of substance use and mental health services with each other and with other areas of medical service. Neill Harris received a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from George Mason University. She earned a master’s degree in public administration from Old Dominion University before going on to complete her Ph.D. in public administration and urban policy. She received the Old Dominion University Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award in 2014 and the Simon Scholarship for Academic Performance in 2011 and 2012.
William Martin, PhD
Harry and Hazel Chavanne Emeritus Professor
Department of Sociology at Rice University and
Chavanne Senior Fellow at Rice’s Baker Institute
William Martin directs two programs, Religion and Public Policy and Drug Policy. After receiving his B.A. and M.A. at Abilene Christian University, he graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 1963 and received his PhD from Harvard in 1969. During his 52 years at Rice, 38 as a professor of sociology, he received numerous teaching awards, including a Lifetime Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition to nearly 90 articles in Texas Monthly, his writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Esquire, Harper's, and in professional journals. His books include A Prophet with Honor: The Billy Graham Story; With God on Our Side: The Rise of the Religious Right in America, the companion volume to a PBS mini-series of the same title; and My Prostate and Me: Dealing with Prostate Cancer.
Goodwill in Houston was created following a Rotary Club of Houston meeting. We've heard from Goodwill CEO Steven Lufburrow and now is an opportunity to visit a company of one of our members to look at the inside workings. This rare opportunity is called:
Back To our Roots Meeting
Visit the newest concept store, learn about their computer refurb
We educate, train, and hire individuals with barriers to employment to help them thrive. We connect people, families, and communities to improve lives and to meet the workforce needs of today and tomorrow.
VISION Leading change. Connecting people. Improving potential. For the future of work.
WORDS WE LIVE BY
Integrity We do the right thing and people trust us to keep our word.
Compassion We listen, understand, energize, and inspire others.
Excellence We are committed to exceeding expectations.
Innovation We embrace transformation in our never-ending quest to find new and better ways to change lives.
Unity We are one team with one purpose.
Passion We find great joy by changing lives for the better every day.
HESS Club 5430 Westheimer Ct. Houston, TX 77056 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
"Swartz (coauthor of Power Failure), a Texas Monthly executive editor, delivers a riveting medical thriller in this story of the quest to create an artificial heart. The starring role belongs to a quirky and brilliant workaholic Houston heart surgeon in cowboy boots, Bud Frazier. The book begins and ends with the spotlight on him; along the way, the author takes readers on a rollicking ride with similarly fascinating characters. They include single-minded Australian inventor Daniel Timms and driven surgeon Michael DeBakey, who helped make Baylor College of Medicine into a world-class institution while alienating many colleagues along the way. A few of these people are described in terms more reminiscent of a romance novel than a nonfiction account, including surgeon (and DeBakey rival), Denton Cooley, who “was so handsome... he could make the wives of patients momentarily forget their husbands’ dire circumstances.” Readers will be on the edge of their seats waiting to see how Frazier and company overcome a variety of obstacles, such as the objections of a risk-averse FDA, the fallout from the death of the first artificial-heart recipient, and a last-minute shortage of funds. Told in an appropriately over-the-top style, this is a quintessentially Texas story: sprawling, unpredictable, and teeming with risk and opportunity." (Publishers Weekly)
Mimi Swartz
Mimi Swartz, the author, with Sherron Watkins, of Power Failure, The Inside Story of the Collapse of Enron, is an executive editor of Texas Monthly. Previously, she was a staff writer at Talk, from April 1999 to April 2001, and a staff writer at the New Yorker from 1997 to 2001. Prior to joining the New Yorker, she worked at Texas Monthly for thirteen years. In 1996 Swartz was a finalist for two National Magazine Awards and won in the public interest category for “Not What the Doctor Ordered.” She was also a National Magazine Award finalist for her November 2005 issue story on tort reform, titled “Hurt' Injured' Need a Lawyer' Too Bad!” and won the 2006 John Bartlow Martin Award for Public Interest, Magazine Journalism, for the same story. In 2013 she won her second National Magazine Award (again in the category of public interest), for “Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, Wives,” a compelling look at the state of women's health care in Texas.
Over the years, Swartz’s work has appeared in Vanity Fair, Esquire, Slate, National Geographic, and the New York Times’ op-ed page and Sunday magazine. It has also been collected in Best American Political Writing 2006 and Best American Sportswriting 2007. She has been a member of the Texas Institute of Letters since 1994.
Elena M. Marks is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Episcopal HealthFoundation, a $1.2 billion philanthropy based in Houston, Texas. The foundation works to improve the health and well-being of the 11 million people of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, which covers 57 counties in east, southeast, and central Texas including Austin, Houston, Beaumont, Lufkin, Tyler, Waco and Bryan/College
Station. Ms. Marks is also a nonresident Fellow in Health Policy at Rice University’sBaker Institute for Public Policy where her work focuses on health reform and access to care for low income and uninsured populations. She serves on the boards of Grantmakers in Health, the largest national organization serving the field of health philanthropy, Harris Health System, an integrated health delivery system serving over 300,000 patients annually, and Community Health Choice, a nonprofit, community-based health insurance company with over 400,000 members. Ms. Marks holds a Bachelor’s degree from Emory University, a law degree from the
University of Texas School of Law, and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Texas School of Public Health. Ms. Marks’ previous professional experience includes serving as the Director of Health and Environmental Policy for the City of Houston; consulting in the health care industry with large systems and community-based providers; starting and directing a successful legal placement firm; and practicing trial and appellate law with major Texas law firms.
Thursday's program marks a homecoming for one of Rotary Club of Houston's former Presidents, Steve Lufburrow, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries. In 1987 Steve succeeded his father, Dr. Bill Lufburrow (also a RCoH Past President), as President of Goodwill following Bill's untimely death. Goodwill Industries of Houston was formed at a Rotary Club meeting in 1945 through the vision of W.C. Morris, Sr. and our Club.
Under Steve's guidance Goodwill has become one of Houston's largest employers with many programs designed to help those with a barrier to employment. We welcome back to Rotary, our favorite son, Steve Lufburrow, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Goodwill Industries in Houston, Texas, and Steve's nearly 33 years of service to Goodwill Industries and the citizens of Houston
Steve Lufburrow is President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Houston and the Executive Director of the Goodwill Industries of Houston Foundation. Founded in 1945, Goodwill Houston has continued to grow to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. Today, through its 6 job connection centers, Goodwill Houston provides education, training and job opportunities to people with barriers to employment in Austin, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery and Walker Counties.
Goodwill Houston currently operates 61 stores and 112 attended donation centers and has over 2200 employees, using 95 cents of every dollar from its retail operation to create jobs and help people find meaningful work.
Steve has passionately led the organization’s unprecedented growth since 1986 and credits its success to the tremendous support from donors and shoppers, as well as a superior management team and board of directors. Steve is committed to the execution of new and innovated ideas.
His passion for non-profit leadership extends beyond his decades of service to Goodwill. He has served as a board member of the Galleria Chamber of Commerce; vice president of the Houston Club Board of Directors; president of the Rotary Club of Houston; president of the Texas Association of Goodwill; a member of the St. Luke’s UMC Foundation Board; the Houston Club Board of Governors and the Rotary Club of Houston Foundation. Steve currently serves on University of Houston’s Organizational Leadership & Supervision Advisory Board, a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the Better Business Bureau and the Goodwill Industries International Board of Directors. Steve and his wife Joan are past co-presidents of the Houston Alumni Association for Southwestern University.
Lufburrow has received many awards and recognitions for his work, including the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary Club and the Citation of Merit award from his alma mater Southwestern University and an honorary membership to Beta Gamma Sigma. In 2014, he received the highest honor given to a Goodwill CEO, the Kenneth K. King Fellowship/CEO of the year. In 2016, Steve received The George Washington Distinguished Service Award from the Sons of the American Revolution.
Steve has been married to Joan for over 38 years; together they have two sons, Steven and his wife Sara and their children Leighton, Leslie and Graham, and Will and his wife Terrell and their children Claira, Beckett and Elleigh. He is a singer and drummer in the band Twist & Shout which plays Classic Rock and Roll and Motown music and former drummer with the Christian Praise Band, Encounter. His hobbies include Motorcycle Cross Country Touring.
Judge Vanessa D. Gilmore, United States District Court Judge
Judge Vanessa D. Gilmore is a judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. In 1994 when she was sworn in, she was the youngest sitting federal judge in the nation and the first University of Houston Law Center alum to serve on the federal bench. She was born in St. Albans, New York and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. She was the youngest member of her freshman class at her alma mater, Hampton University in Virginia. Gilmore decided to undertake a career in law after she represented herself and won a minor civil lawsuit. She graduated from the UH Law Center in 1981.
In 1982, Gilmore began a 13-year tenure at Houston law firm Vickery, Kilbride, Gilmore and Vickery where she specialized in civil litigation. Gilmore also became an active member of the Houston civic community, serving on the boards of a number of civic and charitable organizations including a term as president of the YWCA of Houston. She also became involved in the Texas political arena while serving as counsel and teacher in the area of election law.
Her civic activities outside of the courtroom brought her to the attention of Governor Ann Richards who in 1991 appointed Gilmore to the Texas Department of Commerce Policy Board, where she also served as chairperson from 1992 to 1994. Her appointment to that board made Judge Gilmore the first African-American to serve on this board responsible for increasing business, promoting tourism, and developing job training in Texas. In 1993, she also served as chairperson of Texans for NAFTA. In this capacity, she worked regularly with diplomatic leaders, including the President of Mexico, to increase U.S. trade opportunities. Judge Gilmore was nominated to the federal bench by President Bill Clinton in 1994.
Judge Gilmore is the co-author of "A Boy Named Rocky", a book for children of incarcerated parents, and is a frequent speaker on issues related to these children and their families. She has worked on initiatives to help these families with access to resources for their children, including the development of a legal clinic at Texas Southern University. Gilmore is the author of three other books including "Saving the Dream" a fiction novel that Gilmore hopes will encourage other families and single people to pursue their own dreams of parenting through adoption. She is the recipient of numerous civic awards for community service. She spent seventeen years on the board of trustees of Hampton University and has recently completed terms on the board of trustees of the River Oaks Baptist School, and the board of First Tee of Greater Houston. She currently serves on the boards of Texas Children’s Hospital and the DePelchin Children’s Center.
Paula McCann Harris, Director Global Stewardship, Schlumberger
A 31-year career veteran in the energy industry, having worked as a Field Engineer, Sales Engineer, Global Sales Training Manager, Global Project Manager and now in Global Stewardship. Traveling globally to develop business opportunities, she stays committed to decreasing the environmental impact in the communities in which they work while increasing value and revenues through service and technology.
Paula Harris has enjoyed a career in the energy industry working in various capacities with oilfield service giant, Schlumberger. Harris began as a Field Engineer managing operations on offshore rigs throughout the Gulf of Mexico. After years in operations and operation management, she worked as a Sales Engineer and North American Recruiting Manager. Her global positions include Global Sales Training Manager, Global Project Manager and currently, Director of Global Stewardship. Harris has had the opportunity to develop business opportunities and teams throughout Europe, Africa, Russia, China, South America, and Australia. In her current position, she manages Schlumberger’s assets and teams to ensure that the advanced technologies they offer customers are helping them to decrease their environmental impact while optimizing the recovery of hydrocarbons and the impact on the communities they work in. Paula’s global career has focused on helping her teams and the company increase value and revenue through service and technology.
Harris has been appointed to the Space Center Houston Board, Menil Development, and the Texas Energy Planning Council to which she was state-appointed by Governor Rick Perry. She holds memberships to the Society of Petroleum Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, Executive Leadership Council, and American Leadership Forum. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Petroleum Club of Houston.
Harris was elected to the Houston Independent School District Board of Education in 2007. She was an integral part of developing theories of action and developing and enforcing policy, instrumental in the 2008 superintendent search, and served on the finance committee to help develop and manage the districts $1.6- billion-dollar budget. Her emphasis was raising the academic achievement of the 215,000 children in the district and providing policy to increase the output of the 25,000 employees. Paula served as board president and the district was recognised twice by the White House under her leadership.
Harris is the author of 2 books, “For Sister: The Guide for Professional Black Women,” which helps first generation professionals navigate corporate America, and “ When I Grow Up I Want to be an Engineer,” a children’s book focused on introducing girls and minorities to careers in Engineering. The latter has been distributed to over 100,000 children and organizations and has been translated into 4 languages.
Paula is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Petroleum Engineering and a graduate of Abilene Christian University with a Masters in Instructional Leadership with a focus on Emerging Technology.
She and her husband Dwayne are the proud parents of their daughter Madison Serelia Harris.
James Harris, Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity, H-E-B
James Harris is Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity with H-E-B. As director of diversity & inclusion, Harris develops policy, creates programming and sets the strategic direction for the company and the (10) regional diversity councils across the state. These councils provide tactical execution of diversity awareness programming, community engagement and event activation for their respective regions and locations. Additionally, they insure the company’s overall strategy is driven into the marketplace, which creates an emotional connection to the brand.
Harris also leads the supplier diversity direction for the company. He creates, collaborates and connects local, small, minority, disabled and veteran business owners to the company’s procurement and sourcing process. He accomplishes this through building business networks across the state with various councils, chambers and advocacy agencies. This has led to the creation of new and differentiated goods and services for the company. In addition, it has provided job opportunities and economic impact to the communities H-E-B serves across the state.
James serves as director and advisor on many boards and councils; Houston Minority Supplier Development Council’s: SDAC (Supplier Diversity Advisory Council) as Chair, Texas Diversity Council Board of Directors, TrueBlue Inclusion National Member, FMI(Food Marketing Institute) Supplier Diversity Committee and Liaison to FMI’s Collaborative Committee, Houston Area Urban League, Texas NAACP; Corporate Advisory Council as Chair. World Youth Foundation as advisor.
Harris has over 30 years in the food industry and has developed a reputation for driving stakeholder satisfaction by connecting corporate business strategy to customer and community needs. Before joining H-E-B, he had a number of stops along the way to include The Minute Maid Company, Bruno’s, Meijer and Kroger. In these organizations he held director and other key leadership roles.
Harris has received many awards and accolades, nationally and locally because of his business acumen and drive for results. He has the reputation of being approachable, charismatic, strategic thinker, advocator and passionate negotiator.
He is married to wife, Shavonda for 30 years and has two adult children, Carmen and Brandon. They are both recent college graduates and supply chain professionals.
HESS Club 5430 Westheimer Ct. Houston, TX 77056 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Doug Lawson currently serves as CEO of the CHI Texas Division, a $2 billion+ regional health system with 17 hospitals that stretches across the southeastern section of the state and includes CHI St. Luke’s Health in Houston, CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial in the Lufkin-East Texas area, and CHI St. Joseph Health in Bryan/College Station and Brazos Valley region. He also serves as Senior Vice President for Catholic Health Initiatives, the Englewood, Colo.-based parent company of the CHI Texas Division.
Lawson began his healthcare career at Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic in Temple, Texas, and served in Kansas City with the Saint Luke’s Health System and later in Huntington, West Virginia, for Cabell-Huntington Hospital. Following these leadership roles, Lawson returned to Texas and became president of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine and was asked to serve as President of the organization’s North Texas Central Region and Baylor University Medical Center in 2015.
Lawson is a graduate of Texas A&M University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. He went on to complete a Master of Science degree in healthcare administration from Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, and a doctorate in philosophy from Dallas Baptist University. Lawson is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Ann Stern is the President and CEO of Houston Endowment, a private foundation with assets totaling approximately $1.8 billion. Created by Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones in 1937, Houston Endowment’s mission is to enhance the vibrancy of greater Houston and advance equity of opportunity for the people who live here. The Endowment invests approximately $80 million each year in organizations that support its mission.
Prior to joining the Foundation in 2012, Ms. Stern was executive vice president of Texas Children’s Hospital. She previously served as vice president and general counsel for the Hospital. Prior to joining Texas Children’s, she was in private law practice and taught business law at the University of St. Thomas.
Stern received her bachelor’s degree in Plan II from the University of Texas at Austin, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. She also received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.
Stern currently serves as a director on the boards of Invesco Funds, The University of Texas Law School Foundation, The Holdsworth Center and as chairman of the board of Good Reason Houston. She previously served as the chairman of the board of St. John’s School and on the boards of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and Texas Children’s Hospital.
Each year our District Governor visits each club in District 5790. This is an amazing commitment of time and we are pleased to welcome Gary who is supportive and enthusiastic about The Rotary Club of Houston. Please give him a big RCoH welcome.
Gary and Janice Gillen have two married daughters and one granddaughter. They own and operate Gillen Pest Control in Richmond where he is a member of the Rotary Club. He was named Rotarian of the Year by his club in 2003 and elected President in 2010-2011. He was an Assistant Governor from 2013-2016 and was named Assistant Governor of the Year in 2014-2015.
At the District level he has served as Co-Chair of Fellowship, Chair of the Alumni Committee, Finance Committee, All Club Meeting Committee and the District Conference Committee. He served on the P.E.T.S Vision Committee in 2015.
Gary and Janice are both Paul Harris Fellows with Gary being a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a Paul Harris Society member. He made both daughters Paul Harris Fellows.
You are cordially invited to attend "A Toast and Gentle Roast of Anna Babin,” celebrating Anna's lifetime of service to Houston, on the occasion of her impending retirement from United Way of Greater Houston. Guest speakers will be A-list past and present Chairs of United Way: Jamey Rootes, Current United Way Board Chair and President, Houston Texans, Marc Watts, President, The Friedkin Group, Lynne Liberato, Partner, Haynes and Boone, L.L.P., Stan Marek, President, Marek Brothers. We expect a surprise guest to "pop in" to congratulate Anna.
The event promises to be a memorable one for Rotary and FOR Anna. Please come and invite friends and guests. This Rotary Program deserves a full house of Rotarians and guests to help celebrate the life and accomplishments of one of Houston's finest women, Anna Babin.
Anna M. Babin was named President and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston in August 2005. As chief executive of the nation’s third largest United Way, Babin blends sound business acumen with a deep understanding of community needs. Working closely with corporate and community advisors, she led the organization through the development of three strategic plans, with the most recent, Second Century Vision, set to position the United Way as the leading voice and expert in creating opportunities for low-income families and individuals to thrive. In 2017, under her leadership, United Way raised more than $50 million for immediate relief and long-term recovery following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey on the Houston region.
Babin has focused the organization on issues that assist people to secure a better future with initiatives around family financial stability, veterans services – MISSION UNITED – and educational support to children in their out-of-school time. United Way THRIVE, a collaborative now in its tenth year, has demonstrated the power of partnerships, helping more than 67,000 families achieve their dreams of family financial well-being and independence and delivering a 10:1 return on investment. An advocate for providing accurate and timely information to callers of 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE, she launched and completed a successful capital campaign in 2015 to create a new facility to meet the demand of the growing number of people in need of help. In 2018, 2-1-1 answered 1.2 million calls for help.
A native Texan, Babin holds a degree in business administration from Lamar University and maintains her CPA credential. She serves on diverse community boards and committees, including the Greater Houston Partnership, Executive Women’s Partnership, United Ways of Texas, University of Houston Board of Visitors, Good Reason Houston Leadership Council, and chairs the United Way Worldwide 2-1-1 National Operating Group. Anna was named Houston Business Journal’s2017 Best Non-Profit C-Suite Executive, one of the 2009 Women on the Move by Texas Executive Women, and one of the 200850 Most Influential Womenby Houston Women’s Magazine.
Rotary Club of Houston invites you to bring Rotarians and friends
Monday, October 14, 2019
Riel Restaurant
1927 Fairview St. Houston, TX 77019
(There will be a dsection of the bar reserved for us)
Amazing food, (https://www.rielhtx.com/press for info on that!) great atmosphere and both street and valet parking available. We took notes from the last event to make sure this one is even better!
CLICK HEREto let us know if you can be there so we have enough seats saved.
She is METRO’s first woman chair, appointed in 2016 by Mayor Sylvester Turner. She previously served on the board from 2010 to 2013.
Carrin was a partner of Bracewell where for three decades she worked as a trial lawyer representing diverse clients in major litigation involving commercial disputes, securities matters, antitrust and competition issues, and regulatory compliance. She was the first woman elected to the firm’s seven-member Management Committee. Carrin retired from Bracewell in 2016.
Please join the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce at the 2019 Houston Mayoral Forum hosted in conjunction with Houston Public Media, The Rotary Club of Houston, Rotary Club of Houston Skyline, Rotary Club of Memorial-Spring Branch, Rotary Club of West U and Rotary Club of University Area:
Meet the Candidates and hear their perspective on key issues affecting business.
Asher Price, a Capitol bureau reporter for the Austin American-Statesman, grew up in New York City and has lived in Texas 15 years. He loves barbecue and football. Asher studied English at Yale and has graduate degrees from Oxford and Columbia in public policy and journalism.
Asher Price writes about energy, the environment and state politics for the Austin American-Statesman. Three times the Society of Environmental Journalists has named him a finalist for its beat reporter of the year award.
He is the author of Year of the Dunk, a memoir about basketball, cancer and the frontiers of human potential, and co-author of The Great Texas Wind Rush, the backstory about how the oil-and-gas state became the country's top producer of wind power.
Also speaking: Dave Barron
Dave Barron, Houston Chronicle Award Winning Sports Reporter (Football Writers Association of America) will share his thirty-year-experiences covering Texas Sports.
Dave Barron covered the The Houston Oilers and saw, firsthand, the Bum Phillips, Dan Pastorini, Earl Campbell era as well as the last hurrah season in Houston's Astrodome-1993, featuring, Jack Pardee, Buddy Ryan, Kevin Gilbride, Warren Moon, Bruce Matthews. And, then, the Houston Oilers left town for Tennessee...
Dave will share his stories of the "Luv Ya Blue" Era and Earl Campbell.
This event features a timely talk from COL Chad Carroll, West Point ’94, Public Affairs Director of the new Army’s Futures Command (AFC) located in Austin, Texas at a new $130 million facility. COL Carroll will provide an overview of the command as their team tackles Six Priorities: 1. Long-Range Precision Fires; 2. Next-Generation Combat Vehicles; 3. Future Vertical Lift Platforms; 4. A Mobile & Expeditionary Army Network; 5. Air & Missile Defense; and 6. Soldier Lethality – all of which have been allocated $30 Billion over the next five years. In addition to our distinguished speaker we are proud to announce that other special guests will include WWII, Korea, & Vietnam War Veterans plus active duty members of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, and Air Force and some of their outstanding commanders.
The most dangerous domestic problem facing America's federal government is the rapid growth of its budget deficit and national debt, this year nearing one trillion dollars, more than 4% of Gross Domestic Product. All this will have very serious economic consequences, not only to each of us, but to our children, economic growth and our future standard of living.
Plan to attend this important program presented by Dr. John W. Diamond, Ph.D, Rice University, Baker Institute. Invite friends and clients.
John W. Diamond, Ph.D., is the Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Fellow in Public Finance and director of the Center for Public Finance at the Baker Institute, an adjunct professor of economics at Rice University and CEO of Tax Policy Advisers, LLC. His research interests are federal tax and expenditure policy, state and local public finance, and the construction and simulation of computable general equilibrium models. His current research focuses on the economic effects of corporate tax reform, the economic and distributional effects of fundamental tax reform, taxation and housing values, public sector pensions, and various other tax and expenditure policy issues.
Diamond is co-editor of "Pathways to Fiscal Reform in the United States" (The MIT Press, 2015) and “Fundamental Tax Reform: Issues, Choices and Implications” (The MIT Press, 2008). He has testified before the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, the U.S. House Budget Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the Joint Economic Committee and other federal and state committees on issues related to tax policy and the U.S. economy. Diamond served as forum editor for the National Tax Journal (2009-2017) and on the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation, U.S. Congress (2000-2004). He has also served as a consultant for the World Bank on the efficacy of structural adjustment programs.
He received his Ph.D. in economics from Rice University in 2000.
Who are we?The Original Rotary Club of Houston founded in 1912
What is Rotary? Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Join Steve in a conversation about "The role of civility, politics, and trust in banking and all circles of American life.”
Some sub topics are
1) How the civility of Jesse Jones saved Houston banking during the Great Depression
2) The role of Amegy and Walter Johnson in the Houston banking recovery from the 80’s economic collapse
3) The difference between wealth and capitalism.
4) How social media has threatened the balance between civility and politics.
5) Why George Washington would love the Rotary Club if he was still around.
A founding executive of Amegy Bank, Steve Stephens serves as CEO of Amegy Bank. Amegy has grown to nearly $13 billion in assets and more than 75 locations since Steve joined Walter Johnson (Southwest Bank of Texas) in 1990 as executive vice president.
Steve began his banking career in 1980 at Texas Commerce Bank (Chase) where he joined the lending officer development program. Over a 10-year period of commercial banking experiences, Steve became executive vice president in commercial lending for Texas Commerce - Reagan.
During his tenure at Amegy, Steve has led the bank’s commercial banking, retail, and private banking activities. He has been engaged in all aspects of the bank, enjoying the bank’s entrepreneurial spirit and association with quality bankers and clients. In 2005, Amegy merged with Zions Bancorporation—a $63 billion regional bank headquartered in Salt Lake City. As part of Zions Bancorporation, Steve serves as executive vice president and a member of the Executive Management Committee.
In addition to his Amegy leadership role, Steve is committed to serving the Houston community in a variety of ways. Currently, he serves as board chair and member of Boys & Girls Country, United Way Board, Greater Houston Partnership Board, and Hobby Center Foundation Board. He supports Houston Methodist as chairperson of the President’s Leadership Council and as a member of the Society for Leading Medicine. He is Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum and member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church. Previously, he served on the 2016 advisory committee for the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank).
Steve attended Texas Christian University and received his Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Houston. He contributes to his alma mater as chair of the University of Houston’s Board of Visitors and Bauer College Board.
Steve is married to Anne-Laure Stephens and has four children. He enjoys fishing and other outdoor activities, as well as his farm in New Ulm, Texas.
From Mechanical Engineer to Award-Winning Vintner-No Cure For the Wine Bug
The Story of
Raymond L. Haak
Owner/Winemaker of Haak Vineyards & Winery
HESS Club 5430 Westheimer Ct. Houston, TX 77056
Gather at 11:30 a.m. to meet guests. Meeting Noon to 1 p.m. If you need to leave at 1 p.m. please do so quietly as the speaker will continue to answer questions after the meeting ends.
Raymond holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston, class of 1969. Raymond was born on Galveston Island and graduated from Santa Fe High School. Prior to entering the wine profession, Raymond worked as an Instrument Engineer and was a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas for over 35 years.
In 1969 he began growing grapes and making wines in Santa Fe, Texas. After many years of research and experimentation, he and his wife Gladys, built a state of the art winery in Santa Fe, Texas. The winery consist of over 25,000-sq. ft. including a tasting room, gift shop and 1,800 sq. ft. cellar which is used for aging and fermenting their premium wines and a covered, 6,000 sq. ft. special event pavilion where various concerts, weddings & events are held throughout the year.
They also are growing 3 acres of Blanc du Bois wine grapes on their twelve (12) acre estate.
The new winery opened in December of 2000 and produces twenty (20) different styles of wine including seven (7) different wines from the Blanc du Bois grape varietal including, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Malbec, Merlot, Vintage Ports and Madeira dessert wines. More information may be obtained from the winery’s website at http://www.haakwine.com.
Raymond, and his wife Gladys, were married in 1959 and are the parents of five (5) daughters.
Our new non regular lunches event bring us out to the community. For this event we will go beyond the doors of one of the most historic buildings in Houston, and meet with Dr. Siddiqi who is providing a box lunch for participants.
Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi
President of Houston Community College - Central College
Parking is available in our garage entrance is off LaBranch and Winbern. Please park second level and above and avoid “Reserved” parking spaces. The garage will be the nearest parking area to the Learning Hub Science Building (LHSB-100)
Dr. Siddiqi will welcome us to the historic neo-classical and Art Deco masterwork on the campus of Houston Community College's Central College - on the National Register of historic Places.
Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi is the president of Houston Community College Central. He began at HCC February 1, 2017, after serving in the capacity of interim college president, provost and the vice president of academics and student development at Morton College, a comprehensive community college in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. Prior to Morton College, Dr. Siddiqi served five years at City Colleges of Chicago as the Executive Director of Manufacturing and Skills Programs. Dr. Siddiqi’s tenure in higher education is marked by successful workforce development programs, enrollment growth specifically for the minority student populations, innovative academic and non-academic student support services, and sustainable partnerships with government agencies, K-12, peer institutions, and community-based organizations.
Dr. Siddiqi has a blended work experience encompassing Fortune 500 companies to the institutions of higher education. Dr. Siddiqi worked in manufacturing sector for almost 12 years. During his tenure, Dr. Siddiqi assumed multiple organizational roles and successfully oversaw the completion of multimillion-dollar projects in multiple countries around the globe.
Dr. Siddiqi received his Ed.D. in Adult Education and Higher Education from Northern Illinois University; a Master of Business Administration from Northern Alabama University; and a Master in Industrial Technology from Illinois Institute of Technology. He is a graduate of Institute for Educational Management (IEM) at Harvard University, Executive Leadership Program at Cornell, and Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) at the League for Innovation in the Community College.
In addition to his expansive career experience, Siddiqi is a member of many professional associations, including: American Council on Education, Association for Institutional Research, League of Innovation in the Community College, Project Management Institute, American Society for Quality, National Association of Student Affairs in Higher Education, and recently served as the college representative for the Fulbright Scholar Program. Dr. Siddiqi is serving on the board of directors at Career and Recovery Resources, Association of Talent Development (ATD) Houston Chapter, Bridging the Digital Divide, and South Main Alliance. He is also a committee member of The Hermann Park Rotary Club, Every Student Mentoring Program, Commission on Global Learning, and Third Ward Community Cloth Cooperative.
Dr. Siddiqi identifies himself as an educator. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Siddiqi has taught a variety of courses at graduate and undergraduate level at premium universities and presented at several national and international conferences.
Susan Carroll is an investigative/projects reporter with the Houston Chronicle. Carroll has investigated a wide range of immigration issues while at the Chronicle, documenting abuses and substandard conditions at immigration detention centers.
She previously covered the U.S.-Mexico border for the Arizona Republic and the Tucson Citizen, twice earning the highest honor for print journalists in Arizona, the Arizona Press Club's Virg Hill Journalist of the Year. In 2012, Carroll was named Print Journalist of the Year by the Houston Press Club.
Buck Wood
Austin-based attorney, leading legal voice in election and ethics in government issues
A founding partner of Ray & Wood, Randall Buck Wood is a nationally recognized expert on school finance, ethics, and election law. Buck has tried dozens of cases before the Texas Supreme Court, and since 1992, has served as co-counsel for the 125 Plaintiff-Intervenor school districts in the on-going Edgewood school finance lawsuit. Buck also serves as the General Counsel to the Equity Center, an association of over 500 below-average-wealth school districts committed to ongoing improvements in Texas public school funding as well as special counsel to the Texas Association of School Boards on the state’s ethics and lobby disclosure statutes. Prior to founding the firm, Buck served as Director of the Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of State from 1969 to 1972 where he was in charge of enforcement of the State’s election laws. In this capacity, he oversaw all general and special elections and assisted local government bodies with their elections. After leaving the Secretary of State’s Office, Mr. Wood became the Executive Director of Common Cause, a public interest lobby group chartered to maintain fairness in the governmental process. While serving Common Cause, Mr. Wood drafted and helped pass much of the legislation dealing with open meetings, open records and numerous election laws that govern the operation of public entities today.
Mr. Wood is acknowledged nationally as one of the foremost authorities on public law including election law. As such, he represents many elected officials including House and Senate members and several prominent state judges. In addition, Mr. Wood served in various top level positions in the State Comptroller’s Office, including Deputy Comptroller and Chief Clerk. Mr. Wood has practiced extensively in the property tax area for more than thirty years, representing numerous taxing units on delinquent collection issues and numerous appraisal districts on valuation and related issues. Mr. Wood is a past member of the board of directors of the Travis Central Appraisal District.
Buck is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory based upon confidential surveys of the Bar and the Judiciary. He received the “very high to preeminent” rating for legal ability and the “very high” rating for ethical standards, the highest rating possible in each category. Click here for more information about Randall Buck Wood
Susan Dio is chairman and president of BP America, providing leadership and oversight to BP's U.S. businesses, which employ around 14,000 people. These businesses include oil and gas exploration and production, refining, petrochemicals, supply and trading, pipeline operations, shipping, retail, and alternative energy.
Susan also serves as chairman of the BP America Board of Directors.
Since joining the company in 1984, she has held key operational and executive positions in the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. Before assuming her current role, Susan served as CEO of BP Shipping, where she managed the fleet of BP-operated and chartered vessels that move more than 200 million tons of products across the globe each year.
She also previously served as head of audit for BP's Refining and Marketing segment, as business unit leader of the Bulwer Island Refinery, and as plant manager of Texas City Chemicals.
Beyond BP, Susan is a member of the American Petroleum Institute Board and Executive Committee, the Greater Houston Partnership Executive Committee, and the Ford's Theatre Board of Trustees Executive Committee.
Since 1983, Robert M. (Bob) Eury has served as President of Central Houston, Inc., a private, non-profit membership association, formed to lead the planning and implementation of the redevelopment of Houston’s central city area—principally downtown. Mr. Eury is also the President/CEO of the Houston Downtown Management District, a special assessment district within downtown Houston and President of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, administrator of City of Houston Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #3.
Mr. Eury was Vice President and Director of Research Development for Rice Center prior to starting Central Houston in 1983. During his nine years with Rice Center, his research focused on environmental design, land use/transportation joint development, urban services delivery anddevelopment regulation. Prior to joining Rice Center in 1974, Mr. Eury served as Director of Community Planning studies for the Urban Studies Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky.
Mr. Eury is currently Member Emeritus of Kinder Institute for Urban Research Advisory Board, Ex-officio Board Member and former founding President of Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Chairman of Convention & Cultural Services Corporation, Inc., Ex-officio Board Member of Discovery Green Conservancy, Trustee and past Acting Chairman of Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation, Board and Executive Committee Member of Theater District Houston, Member of the Bond Oversight Committee of Houston Independent School District, Vice Chairman/Board Member of Main Street Coalition, Inc., Member of the Transportation Advisory Committee of Houston- Galveston Area Council and Member of the Advisory Committee of Urban Land Institute Houston. Past leadership includes Chairman of the Board of Stewards of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Blueprint Houston, Texas Downtown Association and the International Downtown Association.
Mr. Eury holds a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Rice University and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati.
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Mr. Eury is married to Gayle P. Eury and together they have two adult children, Christopher and Rebecca andfour grandchildren. His hobbies include distance running (52 marathons), photography and collecting Lionel trains.
Master of Ceremonies – Suzi Howe, Rotary International Director 2020-2022
Installation by – Gary Gillen, District Governor 2019-20
*FMV for lunch is $28.00. All additional funds raised will be donated to The Rotary Club of Houston Foundation for RCH Camp Enterprise Program, providing sponsorship for area high school juniors selected to attend our three day program of instruction, competition and teamwork.
Houston Real Estate Developer for 62 years. Chairman of Welcome Group, landlord to 4,035,000 square feet of Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities in 87 locations in Texas.
First projects in the 1950s and 1960s were Master Planned Communities, Jamaica Beach and Tiki Island in Galveston County, both of which are now separate cities. He later developed apartments, retail centers, hotels and three downtown office buildings.
Honors include: Inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame, Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Houston Business Journal and Awarded an Honorary Doctor’s degree from the University of Houston, where he was a BBA grad in 1949.
Of note, he received the UH Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1970, the UH Bauer College of Business Distinguished Alumni Award in 1996 and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley in 2018.
In the past, he was Chairman of the Board of two Houston banks, was Chairman of an American Stock Exchange company and was on the Board of Directors and owned 10% of the Houston Astros baseball team. In March 2019, he will celebrate his 91th birthday.
He was a long-time Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University of Houston, Chairman of its Drive to Tier One and is now Chairman of its Political Action Committee. He is a Director Emeritus of the Greater Houston Partnership, having served a long time as its Higher Education Chairman.
In the 50s and 60s he served in the Executive Office of the President under Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy. He witnessed the Atom bomb test in Nevada and the Hydrogen Bomb test at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific.
In 1958, he was awarded the Arthur Fleming Award as One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men in Federal Service. Out of 600 who received this award since 1948, Wikipedia lists him as a “notable” twenty along with Astronaut Neil Armstrong (moon landing), Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Fed Chairman Paul Volcker.
He was invited and spoke to a joint session of the New Mexico Legislature. He was appointed Special Ambassador to Nicaragua by President Lyndon Johnson. After World War II, he served for two years as a Naval Officer in Japan, having graduated first in his class in officer’s school.
He married his college sweetheart on the day he graduated from UH, 70 years ago. They have 5 kids, 16 grandkids and 16 great-grandkids, one of whom is in college.
Walt Anderson has been a football official for 45 years and is entering his 24thyear as an NFL Referee and is one of the most recognized football officials in the country. He began his officiating career working little league and high school games in and around Houston, moved to working college games in the Southland and Southwest Conferences before being hired by the NFL in 1996. While in the NFL, he has worked 20 playoff games, including 2 Super Bowls: 35 and 45, 5 Championships, 6 Divisional and 7 Wild Card games. In addition to his NFL duties, he served for 12 years (2006-2018) as the Coordinator of Football Officials for the Big 12 Conference and the CFO West, and created the 8thofficial mechanics which are now used by all Division I conferences.
Trained as a dentist, he started one of the largest and well-known group practices in Houston, with 13 doctors and 45 employees. Because of the time commitments of the NFL, he sold his practice in 2000 to dedicate his full time and attention as an NFL Referee and College Coordinator. Today he is one of the most successful and recognized Referees in the country.
He is married to Afshan, who is also a dentist/skin consultant and works out of her Westchase/Memorial office; they have five children, 4 boys and 1 girl, and reside in Sugar Land, TX.
Founder, President, & Volunteer Second Servings of Houston
Hess Club
May 9, 2019
Have your ever said "look at all the left over food from this event - what happens to it?" Our speaker anwered that question and impacts the lives of many on a daily basis.
Raised in New York, Barbara has called Houston home for 35 years. She graduated from Tufts University in the Boston area, before earning an MBA in Marketing from New York University. After a successful career marketing some of America's leading brands for Unilever, Mars, and Coca-Cola, Barbara piloted a banquet food rescue program known as "Banquet Bounty for the Hungry" for 18 months. It served as the precursor to the nonprofit organization, Second Servings of Houston, which she founded in 2014.
Barbara has always played an active role in the community. In addition to numerous leadership awards, Barbara was recognized by the Houston Chronicle as a “Houston Hero” in 2016. She hasbeen featured on local television affiliates of ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, as well as in national media. She is currently on the Board of Directors of the Houston Culinary Guild, a professional organization for 50 women in the food industry, and provides pro bono leadership to Second Servings.
As founder and CEO of Global Custom Commerce, Jay was an early mover in e-Commerce. In 1993 he bootstrapped his website, built for just $1500 and operated from his garage, into the world’s #1 online window covering store, Blinds.com. In January 2014, Global Custom Commerce merged with The Home Depot. Jay is still active as CEO, driving and integrating GCC’s platform into Home Depot’s interconnected retail strategy.
His early career was as a CPA, and in 1987 he and his wife started a small brick and mortar retail store selling custom window coverings. They sold their store in 2001 and went online full-time.
GCC has been recognized as The Best Place to Work in Houston, Top 5 Workplaces in Texas, one of the 50 Most Engaged Workplaces in America, the American Marketing Association Marketer of the Year, and many others.
Jay is currently on the Innovation Board of The XPRIZE, whose mission is to bring about "radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity". He is an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, has earned a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Houston Technology Center, and writes a column for Inc. Magazine.Jay is a popular speaker on how company culture and authentic core values drive profitable growth.
Brian is the President-CEO and Founder of the Health Performance Institute. He completed his doctoral studies at the University of Houston with a degree in physiology and statistics. Brian is involved in various organizations including Advancement Team Board Member for the Central and South TX region of the American Diabetes Association, Diplomate Faculty Member, Medical Wellness Association and has been a Moderator and Keynote Speaker for national and international conferences on type 2 diabetes. He has been featured in the Houston Business Journal and is also the author of 10 Steps to Breaking the System and Beating Type 2 Diabetes. Prior to serving as the president, CEO, and founder of the Health Performance Institute, his roles included that of a professor at the University of Houston, UT School of Public Health, Baylor College of Medicine as well as a scientist for NASA-JSC – Wylie Laboratories: Astronaut health after long-term exposure to zero gravity.
What is on the horizon for Uptown Houston, or as we commonly say “The Galleria Area” and what is going on there with so much construction? Inquiring Minds want to know.
It covers a vast area with Memorial Park, Galleria, and The Post Oak Boulevard project. and has experienced $3 billion worth of development. This unique urban environment blends international business professionals, fashionistas, city dwellers and tourists from around the globe.
Soaring business towers boasting more than 26 million square feet of commercial office space, and elegant high rise residences designed by renowned architects intermingle with high-end boutiques in a compact and accessible enclave, making for a setting that is nothing less than spectacular.
Each day, more than 200,000 people converge in Uptown Houston to work in prestigious office buildings, stay in more than 7,800 well-appointed hotel rooms, dine in magnificent restaurants and shop in acclaimed stores.
New green spaces and parks that enhance the area’s garden district feel are being created. And everywhere…opportunity abounds. What is next on their horizon?
Bob Ethington joined the Uptown Houston Management District in 2010. His first assignment was to research the history of Uptown and archive the story. That narrative was made into a historical documentary, produced by Texas Foundation for the Arts and featured on PBS. Following that assignment, Mr. Ethington was asked to expand his role to include economic development.
Today, he is Director of Research and Economic Development and Community Liaison for The Boulevard Project. Mr. Ethington has taken part in a number of improvement projects and economic advancement, serving the Uptown Houston area for 8 years.
Nature Healing Nature empowers people to help themselves by bringing their programs into the world. Their mission is to affect dynamic solutions to global issues such as:
Eliminating Water Related Illness on Earth - Action
The Center For Rainwater Harvesting - Technology
Empowering Youth and Adults - Motivation
NHN was founded in 2007 by Mark Illian, father, husband, electrical engineer, process control engineer, who had been all over the world doing engineering projects. NHN shifted everything for Mark and he now works with his wife Monika, traveling to some of the most remote villages in the world, showing people how to clean their water and build dignified latrines using only materials they have readily available. It’s all about affecting behavioral change to eliminate water related illnesses, especially diarrhea, in the world. Diarrhea is the number one cause of death in children less than 5 years of age in Africa, and number two in the rest of the world’s developing countries. NHN began partnering with Engineers Without Borders in 2003. Since then we have been creating successful and sustainable projects in South Africa and Peru.
Al Reese is a long-time resident of Houston and The Woodlands and has enjoyed an association with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo since 1986. He served on the Corral Club Committee in the late ‘80’s, has been on the Speakers Committee for over five years and annually joins with others to participate in the livestock auctions that benefit the youth that exhibit their animals at The Show.
He has spent most of his adult life in energy and finance. He is Chief Financial Officer at WTD Resources, a private energy company, was a director of Integrity Bank in Houston until it sold to Independent Bank in 2018 and recently joined the board of The Woodland Insurance Company, a private insurance company. He is also the founder of Integrity Growth Group, a company that offers financial and capital market services to both public and private companies.
He is a CPA, a 1971 graduate of Texas A&M in finance and earned an MBA from the University of Houston in 1977. He has a wife of 46 years, two daughters and three granddaughters.
Rotary Club of Houston invites you to participate in a raffle for this beautiful and versatile diamond Tudor watch valued at $4,000.00 or a Wine Basket valued at $1200.00+! Raffle tickets are $100.00 each. Winners will be announced at the 2019 DCA Gala on February 16, 2019. Winner need not be present to win.
Rotary Club of Houston wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to
Mike Till - Mohle Adams (Wine Donation) Bob Baker (Wine Donation) Larry Meeks (Wine Donation)
Chad and Lauren Walters (Wine Donation)
for their generous donations! Find out about the Ben Bridge Difference at www.benbridge.com
In tribute to MLK Day, please take a moment and watch the video taken at a previous RCH meeting of Rev. William A. Lawson, Pastor Emeritus of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston.
The purpose of this event is to support the Rotary Cub of Houston Camp Enterprise scheduled for April 5-7.
This is an intensive three-day weekend program of instruction, competition, and teamwork provided for Houston area high school juniors who are recommended by their school counselors for their scholastic success, extra curricular activities and demonstrated leadership.
Wildcat Golf Club 12000 Almeda Road Houston, TX 77045
The District 5890 Governor visits each club to provide updates on Rotary International and information about District activities. This is an opportunity to speak directly with our District leader. Please join us.
Marcel Khouw is a Sr. Project Manager in the Public Works Department at IDS Engineering Group. He is a geological engineering graduate of Washington State University and a licensed professional civil engineer in the State of Texas and the State of Hawaii.
Marcel’s career has focused on the planning, engineering, construction and maintenance of public works utilities in the Houston region. He has worked on projects for municipal utility districts in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, and Brazoria counties as well as the cities of Houston, Sugar Land, Pearland, Galveston and Pasadena. Marcel also serves as the engineer for the Central Harris County Regional Water Authority and the North Channel Water Authority, where he has managed the implementation of the Groundwater Reduction Plan and the conversion to surface water
Marcel Khouw is the engineer for the Central Harris County Regional Water Authority. I am one of the founding Directors for that Authority. Paul is with Carollo Engineers. Carollo is the coordinating Engineers for the whole project. The CHCRWA is one of the partners in the project. Here is a link to an article that was in the Chronicle on Friday the 14th.
Paul Walker
Paul Walker is a Senior Vice President at Carollo Engineers, Inc. He has a B.S. and M.S. in civil engineering and an M.S. in limnology. He has worked on water projects though out the United States for over 25 years serving a variety of municipal, agency, and private sector clients. He is currently serving as the Senior Advisor to the City of Houston on the Northeast Water Purification Plant Expansion.
For further information, see the recent Houston Chronicle article "Water officials designing, building multi-billion water purification plant near Summerwood."
Dean Gladden is in his twelfth season with the Alley Theatre where he is responsible for the administrative, financial, marketing, facilities and development aspects of the Theatre. His career in the performing arts spans over 35 years. Prior to joining the Alley, he was Managing Director at The Cleveland Play House for 19 years. During his career, he has overseen the production of over 230 plays, including more than 70 world and American premieres. Mr. Gladden holds a BA in Music from Miami University and a MA in Urban Arts Administration from Drexel University. He also graduated from the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program in Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management. He currently is Chairman of the Board for the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Treasurer of the Board of the Theater District Houston, and an American Leadership Forum Fellow. He was past president of The Rotary Club of Cleveland. He has served on the Executive Committee of the League of Resident Theatres and was Vice President of the National Corporate Theatre Fund. He has presented at the Santiago a Mil Festival in Chile, and also conducted Arts Management workshops in Budapest, Hungary, under the sponsorship of The United States Information Agency.
PERRYN LEECH
HGO Managing Director
Sarah and Ernest Butler Chair
Perryn Leech, born in Brighton, England, joined Houston Grand Opera as technical and production director in the 2006–07 season. He became chief operating officer in August 2010, and in May 2011 was appointed the company’s managing director, overseeing all aspects of the company’s operations—including finding and realizing new venues in the event of flooding! He joined Houston Grand Opera after five years at Welsh National Opera (WNO) as technical director, and four years as the production manager at English National Opera. He had an extensive freelance career that included serving as the head of lighting at the Edinburgh International Festival, one of the largest and most prestigious arts festivals in the world. In 2016, he was appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner to serve on his Quality of Life Transition Committee. He is chairman of the board for Theater District Houston and serves as a board member of Houston Grand Opera, Central Houston, and Opera America. In addition, he is a board member and treasurer of the Houston Arts Combined Endowment Foundation and board member and secretary of the Wortham Center Operating Company. He is married to author Caroline Leech and is proud father to three children, Jemma, Kirsty, and Rory.
Two Managing Directors. Two Theatres. Two Stories.
Whether it is protecting the shores of the United States from enemy attack, or carrying the Stars and Stripes into combat, Houston's famed 147th Attack Wing has consistently performed its duties in a typical outstanding manner. The officers and enlisted assigned to the unit are justifiably proud of their membership and point to a long and colorful history to back that claim.
Col Gary D. Jones is the Commander, 147th Attack Wing, Texas Air National Guard, Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Houston, Texas. He is responsible for organizing, training, equipping, and maintaining combat ready forces for rapid deployment and employment on wartime missions for 1,085 guardsmen in support of Joint Terminal Attack, MQ-1B Predator, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Expeditionary Combat Support missions.
Col Jones received his commission in the Air Force through Officer Training School after graduating from Louisiana Technical University in 1995. He completed Undergraduate Navigator Training and Electronic Warfare Officer Training at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla. in 1996, and was assigned to Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., as an RC-135V/W Rivot Joint EWO. In 2000, he was selected to join Detachment 2, 645th Material Squadron, as a Program Engineer in Greenville, Texas, where he directed depot-level maintenance, emergency aircraft repairs, and field modifications for the RC-135 fleet. He also completed a Master's Degree in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma while stationed in Greenville. In 2004, he served as a Reconnaissance Functional Manager at Headquarters, Air Combat Command (ACC) at Langley AFB, Va. While at ACC, he developed policies, plans, and doctrine to organize, train, and equip Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance airborne platforms. In 2006, he was assigned to the Pentagon as the Big Safari Program Element Monitor where he managed 28 Air Force programs and projects. Col Jones left active duty in 2007 and joined the Texas Air National Guard as a MQ-1 Predator pilot at the 147th Reconnaissance Wing. Since then, he has held various positions to include Chief of Training for the 111th Reconnaissance Squadron, Chief of Wing Plans, Assistant Director of Operations, Director of Operations, and Commander for the 147th Operations Support Squadron. In addition, Col Jones is a Master Navigator/EWO and has combat time in The Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Prior to his current position, Col Jones was the Vice Wing Commander, 147th Reconnaissance Wing, Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Houston, Texas.
Col Jones Commander 147th Air Attack Wing - August 23, 2018
Steven (Steve) R. Hill was born in Omaha, Nebraska. The son of an Air Force colonel stationed abroad, he soon moved to Europe where he received his primary and secondary education. Steve returned to the United States to attend Brown University on a military ROTC scholarship, then graduated from Bryant University with a BS in Economics in 1971 and obtained an MBA from Boston University in 1973. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers of the Society of Petroleum Engineers AIME of SPE. Steve served in the Air Force on active duty from 1973 to 1977 and in the Air Force Reserves as an C 130 and F16 pilot until his final discharge in 2001. He speaks French, Spanish and Portuguese.
With over thirty year's professional experience in the oil and gas business, mostly in South America, Mid- East, Pacific Rim and West Africa, Steve has worked for such esteemed companies as Husky Oil-Canada, EXXONMobil, SOHIO, Ocean Energy, Vetco Offshore, Global Marine, Santa Fe Engineers and Constructors, Asea Brown Boveri (ABB),Odebrecht ,Petro Marine, Halliburton, Groupa ICA, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Irving Shipbuilding and provided Business Development support services to 44 other energy related, shipbuilding and related power development companies over the past 30 years. .
Since 1980, Steve has owned and operated his own small “Engineering and Consulting” firm, “S.R. Hill and Associates International, Inc.” (HAI) which was named one of "Houston's fastest growing small firms” in 1987. Through this entity, he offers his expertise to corporations and international oil service companies and public utilities, consulting primarily regarding the commercial development of gas to power projects costing over 100 million USD which involve multiple external partners delivering oil, gas and power through “turn-key” facilities.
From 1990 to 1999, Steve served as the Vice President of Major Projects for ABB's Oil, Gas and Power sectors. Residing in West Africa, he had the responsibility for oil, gas, and power projects known as "Wellhead to Wire line" on a “Turn Key” EPIC approach for the African continent.
Upon returning from Africa, Steve served two years as a Vice President of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. with direct responsibilities for advising Hyundai's Senior Executives with EPIC strategies in the area of Deep Water SPAR/TLP/FPSO and onshore power and process projects primarily in West Africa with major Houston-based oil companies. In that role, he assisted with client interfaces and communication along with the support of contract negotiations. While with Hyundai, Steve contributed in the closing of over two billion USD in Deep Water EPIC contracts with Houston-based clients during 2001 – 2003. Hired by EXXON in 2003 he lived and worked in Shakalin Russia and contributed to drilling 60 six mile horizontal wells to produce the Orlin Development. In 2005 and thru 2011, Steve served as Chief Operating Officer of Oceanic Consultants, leading a team that managed the delivery of a Sub Sea and FPSO project in partnership with ENI of Italy to EPIC an FPSO (floating, production, storage and offloading) vessel for the $600 million “Oyo” development, offshore Nigeria, with First Oil on 5 December 2009, setting an Industry record of 22 months from project sanction to ‘first oil’.2010. Joined Wild Well Control in 2011 and supported their Well Intervention group in Africa.
Today, Steve serves companies as an ADVISOR or MENTOR in the area putting large complex projects back on plan profitability, improving the client relationship and using his vast networks of professional friends and past clients, that admire his shills and abilities, to secure new business for his current clients.
Steve served on the board of Millennium Ventures, LLC (Houston's 12th largest venture capital company) in 2002, and has invested in various movie productions in the state of Texas, is a current member of the National Association of Eagle Scouts, along with the Houston Petroleum Club. He is currently a Certified Facilitator and active member of the Project Management Institute PMI in Houston holding a PMP certification.
Design & Construction of FPSO at Sea. August 16, 2018
Dr. Stephen Klineberg has been shaping local thought on the ongoing changes in the Houston metropolitan region for almost 40 years. Through his work on the “Kinder Houston Area Survey,” now in its 38th year, he has tracked the economic outlooks, demographic patterns, experiences and beliefs of local residents. Under contract with Simon & Schuster, his book, “Prophetic City: Houston on the Cusp of a Changing America” will be released in 2019. Dr. Klineberg is the recipient of twelve major teaching awards and a much sought-after speaker in the Houston community and beyond. He is a graduate of Haverford College, the University of Paris and Harvard University. He and his wife Margaret have called Houston home since the early 1970s; they have two children and five grandchildren.
Lisa Spence is the Deputy Element Manager for Flight Analogs with NASA’s Human Research Program at the Johnson Space Center, providing project leadership and management for human research conducted in a variety of spaceflight analog facilities. In this capacity, she manages the conduct of simulated missions in the Human Exploration Research Analog at the Johnson Space Center, for bed rest studies at a facility in Cologne, Germany, for long duration isolation simulations at a facility in Moscow, Russia, and for NASA human research conducted in the National Science Foundation stations in Antarctica. She began her NASA career as a Space Shuttle instructor, training astronauts and ground personnel in the operations of shuttle systems. Subsequent assignments have included developing training systems, simulators, and curriculum for the International Space Station Program; serving as science program training coordinator for the Shuttle-Mir program in Star City, Russia; international liaison to the Japanese Space Agency, Russian Space Agency, and Italian Space agency for training development; integration engineer for EVA training and development at the Neutral Buoyancy lab; and systems and operations integration engineer in the Constellation Program. She received a BS in Chemical Engineering from Arizona State University, holds Master’s degrees in Computer Systems Design, Public Administration, Biological Sciences, and Communication and Leadership; she is a PhD Candidate in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University.
Steven Ward began his career while still attending college at Texas A&M University. After graduating and having worked for two of the top engineering companies in the country, Steven and partner Ryan Getz set out on their own to form Ward, Getz & Associates, LLP. In 11 years, WGA has built an impressive portfolio with projects across the United States.
With over 19 years of land development experience, Steven has worked on a wide range of project types, sizes, and locations. This extensive project knowledge gives him the ability to effectively assess the specific needs of each unique project in order to deliver the highest quality of work and client satisfaction.
Floodplains Regulations and Development. August 2, 2018
McCormick & Schmick’s restaurant located in Uptown Park.
You do not need to be a member of the Rotary Club of Houston to attend, and please feel free to invite your colleagues!
The purpose of our Power Networking Lunch is to:
Network with the Houston business community
Promote business in the group
Learn from Industry experts
Learn how to speak in public
Perfect your “elevator” pitch
Meet new friends
HAVE FUN
The cost is $25.00 for Rotarians and $30.00 Non-Rotarians, and includes tax and tip for a wonderful three course lunch. To register see events on right side of this page and click either Rotarian or Non Rotarian
We have a very special guest scheduled for this luncheon. We are extremely excited to have Gayle Sutton, Certified Franchise Planner, of Right Franchising, LLC. present. If you have ever thought about owning a franchise, or have wondered about the benefits of franchising, than this is an event not to be missed!
Right Franchising puts people together with franchise opportunities with strong profit margins. Right Franchising finds affordable franchises that match the client’s skill set, financial range and passion. Then, we help our clients with tools and inside information to evaluate the franchise long before they buy.
Right Franchising helps our clients avoid costly mistakes by determining their compatibility with a franchise through a free assessment. The assessment aligns your goals and skill set with the right franchise.
We provide peace of mind, helping clients make an informed decision.
We have a very special guest scheduled for this luncheon. We are extremely excited to have Gayle Sutton, Certified Franchise Planner, of Right Franchising, LLC. present. If you have ever thought about owning a franchise, or have wondered about the benefits of franchising, than this is an event not to be missed!
Right Franchising puts people together with franchise opportunities with strong profit margins. Right Franchising finds affordable franchises that match the client’s skill set, financial range and passion. Then, we help our clients with tools and inside information to evaluate the franchise long before they buy.
Right Franchising helps our clients avoid costly mistakes by determining their compatibility with a franchise through a free assessment. The assessment aligns your goals and skill set with the right franchise.
We provide peace of mind, helping clients make an informed decision.
Art Acevedo was sworn-in as Chief of the Houston Police Department (HPD) on November 30, 2016. He leads a department of 5,200 sworn law enforcement officers and 1,200 civilian support personnel with an annual general fund budget of $825 million in the fourth largest city in the United States.
Chief Acevedo believes good communication is vital for a successful community and steadily works to strengthen the bond between the community and its police department. A proponent of community policing, he refers to the proven practice as “Relational Policing,” an opportunity to forge a relationship with each citizen an officer comes in contact with.
The first Hispanic to lead the HPD, Acevedo brings a unique understanding to the concerns of the diverse communities in the City of Houston. Born in Cuba, he was 4 years old when he migrated to the United States with his family in 1968. Acevedo grew up in California and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne in California. Acevedo began his law enforcement career in 1986 as field patrol officer in East Los Angeles with the California Highway Patrol. He rose through the ranks and was named Chief of the California Highway Patrol in 2005. Acevedo most recently served nine years as Chief of the Austin Police Department.
Chief Acevedo holds various leadership positions with the Major Cities Chiefs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He is married to Tanya Born Acevedo and is the father of Melissa, Matthew and Jake.
Lawrence Dean is Metrostudy’s Regional Director – Houston. Prior to becoming the Houston Regional Director, Mr. Dean lead a team in Metrostudy’s consulting business advising diverse clients, including builders, developers, and investors, on specific sites and potential development programs. He brings abundant experience to this role, having fifteen years of experience in the housing development industry in the Houston area. Mr. Dean has held management roles in land acquisition and development for some of the region’s largest builders including Ryland, KB Home, and D.R. Horton. In the real estate consulting arena, he was also Vice President of a local boutique consulting firm. Mr. Dean holds a Masters of Science in Land Development as well as a second Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, both from Texas A&M. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Houston.
Metrostudy
Metrostudy covers all of Houston: a total of 8 counties. Their survey team drives nearly 12,000 miles and over 2,800 subdivisions every 90 days to provide you with the valuable information you need on future lots, vacant developed lots, homes under construction, and homes that have been completed. Every quarter, Metrostudy also surveys all of the condominium projects in Harris, Montgomery, Liberty, Chambers, Galveston, Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Waller Counties.
Wayne R. Beaumier Sr. is the Chairman of the Board of DAUSA. Past President of two Clubs in Rotary District 5890, Presidential Citation Award winner. He has served 4 times as Assistant Governor, currently serving his third term as District Disaster Chair. Distinguished Service and Community Service Award winner. Club and District 5890 Rotarian of the year.
Multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Paul Harris Society Member, Level 2 Bequest Member, Polio Plus Society Member.
IFSR- International Federation of Scouting Rotarians, Wine, Beer and Whiskey Fellowship, Lifetime Member of each.
Disaster Network of Assistance-Rotary Action Group and Water-And- Satiation Rotary Action Group Member DAUSA is an active member of VOAD- Voluntary Organization Active in Disasters, Gulf Coast Chapter.
Wayne is one of the Ambassadors for the Houston, Texas area. As Zone 21b Chairman is in charge of developing 8 Rotary Districts strike teams. Currently the zone has 4 Domestic response trailers and one commercial drying trailer to assist the public in case of natural or man- made disasters. He has been deployed out of the country four times and has logged over 5,000 volunteer hours. “Wherever” and “whenever” he is needed he response.
Wayne was promoted to Chairman of the Board January 2018 and will continue his zone role as well as helping developed domestic response unit members and international DARTS. (Disaster Aid Response Team) He is employed by Standard Safety Equipment Company a USA based manufacture of high end reusable chemical fabrics and chemical clothing. His focus is on refineries and chemical companies that use Sulfuric or Hydrofluoric acid. He has worked there for more than 25 years and mixes Rotary with his work responsibilities as Vice President of Sales and handles all aspects of the company’s distribution networks worldwide. Standard Safety also manufactures Germ Free Chambers that are used in laboratories and universities for research.
“William J. Boyce lives in Houston, where he practiced law for 18 years before becoming a justice on the state court of appeals. He graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, and from Northwestern University School of Law. Before attending law school, he worked for newspapers in Illinois and Oregon. He is married to Maria Wyckoff Boyce and is the proud father of daughters Emily and Julia.”
Win an extravagant wine basket or dinner for six at Tony's in our event raffle!
SPECIAL PRICE FOR ROTARIANS ONLY: $400 PER COUPLE. LIMITED TIME ONLY
Donna and Tony Vallone, of nationally renowned and beloved Tony’s, Tony’s Catering, Ciao Bello and Vallone’s, have been serving the public for more than 50 years. The Vallones have earned a flawless reputation for exceptional food and hospitality, excellent wine and impeccable service, and continuous, creative, changing menus. Their restaurants have served eight US presidents, numerous foreign presidents, and notable dignitaries from around the world. Tony was the first Texan inducted into the National Restaurant Association Hall of Fame in 1982 and the first American-born board member of the famed Gruppo Ristoratori Italiani of Italy. He is a past member of the Nation’s Restaurant News “Hall of Fame” and was elected to the Culinary “Who’s Who of Texas.” In addition, Tony is the author of the critically acclaimed tony’s…the cookbook and is currently working on his second book. He has appeared on many national and local television programs.
In addition to the culinary contributions, both Donna and Tony donate their time and talents to numerous local and national causes. They both proudly sit as board members of various organizations, including those in the medical field and fine arts in our Houston community.
“Attention to detail” is the common denominator of the Vallone restaurants. Tony’s entire staff is privy to his favorite motto, “You’re only as good as your last meal.”
Ashley was raised in Texas and graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2006.
After graduation she worked in the Houston Texas Medical Center at Texas Children’s Hospital as a Research Associate.
Ashley became involved with Honor Flight when escorting her grandfather, World War II veteran Daniel Kelly to Washington, D.C. with Honor Flight Dayton, Ohio.
Upon returning home in 2013 she joined the newly formed Honor Flight Houston as the Development Director.
In 2014 she became the Chairman for Honor Flight Houston and considers it a profound privilege and honor to serve on the Board of Directors.
Flying WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. to see their memorials is the very least that she can do to honor their extraordinary contributions to our country. ‘These men and women are our national treasures and should be cherished and honored while we still have them.’
Helping Veterans Visit Their Memorials - Time is of the Essence
Based on recent statistics, we are losing World War II Veterans at the rate of approximately 492 per day. This means there are approximately only 855,070 Veterans remaining of the 16 million who served our nation in World War II. Honor Flight Houston will continue to do whatever it takes to fulfill the dreams of our Veterans and help our heroes travel absolutely FREE to visit their memorial.
Trish Morille is an award-winning journalist and marketing communications consultant with more than two decades experience in media, public relations and marketing. After a successful media career in print and broadcast journalism, Trish formed Morille & Associates and worked closely with a small client base focused largely on non-profit organizations. Currently, she is the Executive Vice President of The Lester & Sue Smith Foundation, a private family foundation which has granted over $150 million to numerous non-profit organizations including Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Harris County Hospital District Foundation and Holocaust Museum Houston.
In 2010, Sarah Fisher and Trish Morille co-founded +Works, a Houston-based, grassroots, parent-driven non-profit organization that served as a catalyst for positive community change on bullying and other challenging issues facing children and families. For more than seven years, Trish served +Works as Co-Founder and Executive Vice President on a 100% pro bono basis, with joy. The organization was closed in 2017 and +Works continues to thrive on many of the 16 campuses that engaged in the community-impacting program. Trish continues her advocacy of children, literacy and education through her service with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Ladies for Literacy Guild. Her vision to reach low-income, at risk children through the power of literacy resulted in the creation of Houston’s first super library on wheels, the Curiosity Cruiser which debuted in 2017.
Trish is a founding board member of Dress for Success Houston and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Houston chapter. She is an active member of the Breast Center Advisory Council at Baylor and serves on the Advisory Boards of The Baylor Partnership, Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Purple Songs Can Fly. Trish has been married for nearly 30 years to Rock Morille, with whom she is raising two awesome young adults.
David Balat, 45, was born and raised in Houston, to parents who moved to the United States from the suburbs of Jerusalem and Bethlehem in Israel. David’s father was born deaf and mute, and taught his son about adversity, and his mother taught him to have a strict work ethic. They promoted an English-only household, so David could have the best opportunity for success in their newly adopted country.
David’s father, although born with a disability, never accepted federal aid, believing in working for the things they had. He and his mother owned and operated their own business in the Garden Oaks area for nearly 40 years, passing that passion for success and conveying their entrepreneurial spirit to David.
Successful Businessman
David is a professional healthcare executive and former hospital CEO who specializes in finance and business development. At the age of 24 David got his start in the larger hospital systems out of a lifelong desire to help others. In just 2 years, David moved his way up to becoming an accomplished executive for a large group practice in the Texas Medical Center. David received his undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Houston, and his Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Healthcare Administration from the University of Houston – Clear Lake.
Turnaround Specialist
Yearning to be his own boss and wanting to create a profitable environment for businesses, he began his own consulting firm that specialized in turning around struggling health care organizations. David developed a reputation for rescuing troubled businesses and growing them into thriving, profitable organizations. As a result, David is responsible for turning around numerous companies and creating many jobs in the Houston area to include the communities of Kingwood, Humble and Spring.
Product of the American Dream
David is living proof that the American Dream can be gained through hard work, a great family, and Faith in God.
A long-standing member of his community, David continues to create jobs today. He is a resource in the healthcare industry and is considered a leading expert in his current role as President of the company where he works. He credits his success to his wife of over 20 years who has demonstrated great strength and continued faith in David’s dream to exercise his entrepreneurial passion.
Husband, Father, Conservative Christian
David met his wife Lauren at church in 1994, and they married 2 years later. Lauren is currently attending graduate school to become a Licensed Professional Counselor pursuing her desire to serve her community. David owes his life, his accomplishments, and his loving family to God’s faithfulness.
He and his family have attended church in the district for nearly 20 years and have actively participated in missions, committees, and teaching Sunday School.
Until the devastation that Hurricane Harvey caused, the Balats lived in the Meyerland area with their two teenage children, Abbie and Joshua. In the wake of losing their home, they are seeking to relocate to a more permanent location, while in temporary housing.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS GOLF TOURNAMENT IS TO SUPPORT CAMP ENTERPRISE
In 1986, the Rotary Club of Houston initiated Camp Enterprise as an introduction and practical experience for Houston area high school juniors to the free-enterprise economic system. Students are recommended by their teachers, counselors and administrators based upon their scholastic excellence, extra-curricular involvement, and demonstrated leadership. The Rotary Club of Houston evaluates the applicants and selects students to attend a 3-day experience of instruction, competition and teamwork. Through interaction with business executives and entrepreneurs, participating students are introduced to the challenges and opportunities of the free-enterprise system.
“The most important shot in golf is the next one.” —Ben Hogan—
As vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ Houston Branch, Donald Bowers has executive responsibilities for the Public Affairs, Law Enforcement and Human Resources departments.
Since starting his career at the Dallas Fed as a student intern in the Research group in 1990, Bowers has worked in a number of positions. As a management intern, he completed a series of assignments supporting the Facilities and Accounting functions and was promoted to manager of the Human Resources Department in 1996. Bowers was promoted to operations officer in 2001 and assistant vice president in 2004.
He is currently president of the Association of Rice University Alumni board of directors, a board member of Children at Risk and the American Leadership Forum, a member of the World Affairs Council and an advisory board member with the Discovery Youth Foundation. Bowers is also a graduate of United Way’s Project Blueprint Leadership Development Program.
Bowers earned a bachelor’s degree in managerial studies from Rice University and an MBA with a concentration in banking and finance from Sam Houston State University.
Toni Harris Taylor, affectionately known as the Turnaround Queen, has over 25 years’ experience as an entrepreneur. Although she has suffered great personal losses and business challenges, every time she gets knocked down she turns it around by taking drastic steps. Toni brings a level of professionalism and expertise to her clients helping them to take the necessary steps to rise to the ranks of Top 6. As a six figure entrepreneur, Toni shares the strategies she used to grow her business and network nationally and internationally, and helps her entrepreneur and sales professional clients to achieve six figures in record time!
Toni has a BS degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship and a Masters in Adult Education and Training.
Toni HarrisTaylor - CEO of Drastic Steps Marketing
"Disaster Preparedness and Response Ensuring Ongoing Medical Care and Patient Safety"
January 25, 2018
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
DARRELL PILE earned his master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from George Washington University in 1982 and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from James Madison University in 1979.
Mr. Pile has led a progressive career path over the past thirty-six years as a hospital administrator and as CEO of the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council in Houston, and as a community leader.
As a hospital executive, Mr. Pile has led an array of hospitals including acute care, long term acute care, rehabilitation, and psychiatric facilities in both rural, suburban and urban settings. He is also well versed in various ownership models that have included the for-profit hospital industry, hospital districts, joint ventures, and a healthcare system where he was responsible for over forty facilities in Texas.
For the past seven years, Mr. Pile has served as CEO of the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council. The organization has united hospitals, EMS agencies, and community leaders across nine counties to embrace best practices. The population served rivals the size of the nation’s 21st largest state. The results have been commended and published. They include improved stroke outcomes and millions of dollars saved by the timely delivery of the clot busting drug tPA across the region. Likewise, the organization was contracted by the Texas Department of State Health Services to lead the Healthcare Preparedness Program across twenty five counties. The coalition was recently commended for the preparedness, response and resilience of the Houston area healthcare industry following the epic storm, Harvey.
In addition to his extensive career, Mr. Pile has served in a variety of community leadership positions. They have included Chairman of the Northwest Houston Chamber of Commerce, founder of an emergency services district, and board member with a local EMS agency and with a local school district foundation. Mr. Pile also serves on the Governor’s Emergency Care Advisory Council’s stroke committee, he has served on the board of the Texas Emergency Trauma and Acute Care Foundation, and was recently appointed to the University of Texas Health Stroke Institute Community Advisory Board, the board of the Houston Better Business Bureau Foundation, and as consultant to the Harris County Medical Society’s Emergency Care Committee.
Jerry LeVias holds a special place in the history of college athletics. When he entered Southern Methodist University in 1965, he became the first African-American to receive an athletic scholarship in the Southwest Conference. His signing with SMU changed the racial makeup of college football in the South. LeVias made both Academic All-American and Athletic All-American and he led the Mustangs to their first conference title in 18 years.
After earning his Bachelor of Science Degree from SMU, LeVias played professional football for the Houston Oilers and San Diego Chargers. He has received numerous honors recognizing his achievements. They include the SMU Hall of Fame, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, African-American Hall of Fame, National College Football Hall of Fame, Texas High School Hall of Fame, Prairie View Interscholastic League Hall of Fame, and All-American Alumni Award of the Football Writers Association of America. He also is a recipient of the SMU Distinguished Alumni Award.
LeVias currently serves as President of the Executive Board of Directors of Harris County Children Protective Services; Ambassador for the Houston Texans; serves on the senior advisory committee for the Texas Bowl, Houston; and serves on the Executive Board of SMU Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.
Born on 1 July 1952 in Pennsylvania as the son of a US Marine veteran, Lieutenant General Hummer retired from the US Marine Corps on 1 Aug 2015 after 41 years of active service. After enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1970, and an honorable discharge as a sergeant in 1973, Lieutenant General Hummer was commissioned following graduation from Albright College, PA, in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psycho-Biology.
His assignments in the operating forces included: Rifle Platoon Commander, Company Commander, Battalion Commander and Regimental Commander within 1st Marine Division; Chief of Staff, Joint Special Operations Command; Director of Operations, US Forces-Iraq; and Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, US Africa Command. Lieutenant General Hummer participated in combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Supporting establishment duties included: Ceremonial Company Commander, Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C; Commanding General, Marine Corps Base Hawaii; Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Pacific; Chief of Staff, US Special Operations Command; and Commander, Marine Corps Forces Reserve and Marine Corps Forces North.
Lieutenant General Hummer is a graduate of several schools within the Marine Corps University; and earned a master’s degree in International Security Studies from the Air War College.
His decorations include: Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Combat “V”, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and other personal awards and decorations.
Lieutenant General Hummer currently serves as a Senior Mentor to the US Marine Corps and a Senior Fellow to National Defense University, providing guidance, training and education.
Lieutenant General Hummer and his wife, Sheri, reside in The Woodlands, Texas.
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Director Francisco Vazquez, M.B.A., was appointed Medical Center Director of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) on August 22, 2016. Mr. Vazquez serves as the MEDVAMC’s chief executive officer charged with management of one of the most complex VA medical centers in the country with more than 4,600 employees and an annual budget of approximately $974 million. In addition to caring for more than 109,000 Veterans in southeast Texas, the MEDVAMC also serves as a regional and national referral center for many services including cardiac surgery, liver transplant, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy and other neurological disorders, radiation therapy, and spinal cord injury care.
Mr. Vazquez has more than 23 years of federal service with a wide variety of technical and progressive leadership experience. He served as Vice President of Information Management at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, he was the Chief Information Officer at the VA Medical Center in Sheridan, Wyoming, and he also served as the VistA System Manager at the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System. He also has been a civilian employee of the U. S. Navy and held positions in computer and software engineering at the Naval Air Warfare Center (Avionics Division) in Indianapolis, Indiana. Most recently he served as the medical center director at the Wichita, Kansas, VA Medical Center.
A proud Navy Veteran, Mr. Vazquez served as a Surface Warfare Officer onboard the USS Okinawa (LPH3) in San Diego, California from 1986 to 1990. Upon separation from active duty he served for 10 years in the United States Naval Reserve.
A graduate of the Universidad Sagrado Corazon in San Juan, Puerto Rico with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Mr. Vazquez received a Master of Business Administration from Texas Woman's University. He is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Francisco Vazquez, M.B.A. - Medical Center Director
Many children who have experienced abuse and neglect have never known the thrill and anticipation of the holiday season and the excitement that Christmas morning brings. BEARing Gifts is the annual holiday program of BEAR... BE A Resource for CPS Kids. BEAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides emergency items to abused and neglected children. Our greatest need is gifts and toys for children under the age of five and for teens.
Please bring a new gift to our Dec 7, 2017 luncheon meeting
TOY DRIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR BEARing GIFTS
NEW gifts only. (NO USED ITEMS)
PLEASE, NO candy or food items.
IF this gift requires batteries, please include.
PLEASE DO NOT put cash in gifts.
PLEASE DO NOT gift wrap gifts. Donations of gift wrap or gift bags are always appreciated.
Vince Ryan was elected to a four year term as the Harris County Attorney on November 4, 2008 and re-elected in 2012. He is no stranger to the office, having served as an Assistant Harris County Attorney and First Assistant for former County Attorney Mike Driscoll from 1981 to 1987.
In 1987, Vince, with the support and help of many grassroots activists, scored an upset to win a seat on the Houston City Council for District C. He was reelected to two more terms.
Vince was appointed by the President, and later unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, to serve on the Board of the Panama Canal Commission. This bi-national board oversaw the Canal and its historic transition to Panama on December 31, 1999.
Following his service on the Panama Canal Commission, Vince was associated with several prominent Houston law firms and continued his community involvement. In the last decade, he has served on various boards and is a founding board member of the Houston Tampico Sister City Association and the Houston Democratic Lawyers Association.
Born in Houston, Vince was raised by loving parents who instilled within him and his three siblings a sense of service to others.
As the Vietnam war raged, a 19-year-old Vince joined ROTC at the University of Houston and upon graduation became an active duty officer in the United States Army, first serving in Europe and then volunteering for service in Vietnam. He was returned to active duty for Operation Just Cause, which ousted the dictator of Panama, in 1990.
After his service in Vietnam, Vince left active duty and attended the University of Houston Law School. Soon he became active in the Neartown Association. While practicing law, Vince attended Rice University and received a Master's Degree.
Bill Palko currently serves as the Rotary District 5890 Governor for the 2017-2018 calendar year. Governor Palko has been a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of North Shore since June 2005. During this period, he served as Club President in 2010-2011, was the Club Rotarian of the Year in 20112012, Assistant District Governor in 2013-2015, Assistant Governor of the Year in 2013-2014, a member of the Bequest Society, a member of the Paul Harris Society, a member of the Polio Plus Society, and a multiple Paul Harris Fellow.
Governor is a native Houstonian who proudly served in the United States Army from 1973 to 1977. Following his service to our country, Governor Palko earned his Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration from San Jacinto Junior College North Campus and later earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Houston Central Campus. Today, Governor Palko serves as a Senior Vice President at Amegy Bank. He has been married for 36 years to his beautiful bride Debbie and they have two wonderful children, Steven and Michelle
Salute to Veterans luncheon Rotary Club of Houston/ West Point Society/Naval Academy Alumni
November 9, 2017 - starts promptly at 11:30 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m.
Location: Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks, Lane, Houston, TX 77027
SPEAKER: MG Tony Cucolo, the former Commandant of the US Army War College who is now the Associate Vice Chancellor for Leadership Development & Veteran Affairs at the University of Texas System
In addition to our distinguished speaker we are proud to announce that other special guests will include WWII, Korea, & Vietnam War Veterans plus active duty members of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, and Air Force and some of their outstanding commanders.
TABLES ARE SOLD OUT AS OF NOON ON 11/2. ONLY INDIVIDUAL TICKETS REMAIN. DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS ACCEPTED.
Dr. Katherine Persson entered the education field with the passion to teach and help others reach their learning potential. Katherine became the president of Lone Star College-Kingwood in August 2008 after serving 2 ½ years as president of the Portland Community College Rock Creek Campus in Oregon.
Katherine is no stranger to the Humble/Kingwood/Atascocita and East Montgomery County community as most of her educational career has been in the Lone Star System. She began teaching in the Anatomy and Physiology labs part-time when North Harris College opened in 1977. Between her first position and being hired in 1984 at the Kingwood campus as a full-time Biology instructor, Katherine earned her master's degree while working in the department of Neurobiology at the University of Texas Research Institute of Mental Sciences. As a faculty member, she helped develop the first Associate of Applied Science in Biotechnology in the state.
While at Kingwood College, Katherine served as the Biology Department coordinator, associate dean of Science, Health Care, and Applied Technology, and vice president of Educational Programs and Student Development.
Katherine's educational background includes a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas, Austin; a Master of Science degree in Biology from Texas Women's University, Texas Medical Center, Houston; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Texas State University, San Marcos.
In the community, Katherine represents LSC-Kingwood on the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors and on the Community Chamber of Commerce of East Montgomery County board where she was the 2002-2003 chair. Previously, she served as an elected school board trustee for the Splendora Independent School District for 16 years; eight as a board chair. While in Portland, she served as a board member for both the Washington County Vision Action Network and the Beaverton Chamber of Commerce.
In spring 2006, Katherine was awarded the Splendora R. B. Tullis Community Service Award. She has been recognized by the University of Texas College of Education as a distinguished graduate and by the Community College Leadership Program as a visiting scholar and a distinguished scholar. She has been a Kingwood College Teacher Excellence award winner and a Texas Women's University Research and Writing Excellence award winner. After being nominated by her professional administrative assistants, Katherine was recognized by the Texas Educational Support Staff Association as the 2009-2010 Administrator of the Year.
Katherine and her husband Andrew have three grown children and two grandchildren.
Dr. Katherine Persson - President of Lone Star College - Kingwood
Hank Rush has been engaged in the Houston business and civic community for the past 40 years. He has served in successive management positions in three Houston based Fortune 500 corporations, including Texas Eastern Corporation, BMC Software and Stewart Title Company.
Hank also led or was instrumental in the building of two start-up companies during his years in the Bayou City. He served as Lead Independent Director on the board of AmReit for eight years prior to its acquisition by Edens, and currently serves on the Bradmark Technologies Board here in Houston.
His four decades of community activity include board positions on the Houston Children’s Fund and the Houston Symphony, active in the United Way of Greater Houston, and has worked with the Houston Coalition for the Homeless and the IBM Business Partnership for Persons with Disabilities.
Hank holds a magna cum laude bachelor of science degree in Computer Science from Louisiana Tech University, and has completed executive management programs at Harvard University, Penn State, and Rice University. He is a graduate of The Center for Houston’s Future.
He is active in service and leadership roles at the Second Baptist Church of Houston.
Hank has served as Star of Hope’s President & CEO since 2008.
Henry L. “Hank” Rush—President and CEO of the Star of Hope Mission
Mike Waterman is the Executive Vice President of Houston First Corporation and President of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau. Houston First Corporation manages more than 10 city-owned buildings and properties, along with underground and surface parking for nearly 7,000 vehicles. These facilities include the Hilton Americas-Houston hotel, George R. Brown Convention Center, Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Wortham Theater Center, TalentoBilingue de Houston, Miller Outdoor Theatre, Houston First Outdoors (which includes Jones Plaza and other smaller venues) and Theater District Parking. Accordingly, Houston First Corporation is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance, licensing and operation of these properties as the venue for numerous conventions, trade shows and theatrical performances.
Mr. Waterman is a hospitality veteran with more than 26 years in the industry. He joined Houston First Corporation from Marriott International, where he served as Vice President of Sales for the Southwest region overseeing 100 properties, including a grouping of Marriott hotels in the Los Angeles' convention district known as L.A. Live. Mr. Waterman has held a series of executive positions with Marriott International over the last 14 years and served as director with several Marriott affiliated properties from Chicago to Baltimore since 1993.
Matthew Zeve is the Director of Operations for the Harris County Flood Control District in Houston, Texas. Mr. Zeve is oversees the operations of various facets within the District, including Planning, Environmental Services, Engineering, Construction, and Infrastructure. Mr. Zeve has more than 15 years of experience in hydrology and hydraulics analysis. His experience includes floodplain management studies and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) submittals, transportation-related drainage analyses, channel improvements projects, master drainage studies, drainage criteria manual development, watershed impact analyses, flooding forensic analysis, and drainage analysis for new developments. Mr. Zeve is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering. Mr. Zeve is a Certified Floodplain Manager and member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Jeff Linder
Meteorologist
Harris County Flood Control District
Jeff Linder joined the Harris County Flood Control District in 2004 as the District’s first meteorologist. In his primary role as manager of the District’s Flood Watch Program, Mr. Linder implements regular communication with the National Weather Service and the Harris County Office of Emergency Management (HCOEM) during times of flooding while monitoring 140 rainfall and stage gages and collecting data at over 400 bridges located on many of Harris County’s 2,500 miles of channel. In addition, Mr. Linder oversees the operation of the Harris County Flood Warning System and the Regional Flood ALERT Partners group as well as establishing flood levels for all 140 gage sites in Harris County. Mr. Linder holds a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from Texas A&M University. He is a member of the national and local chapters of the American Meteorological Society and of the Texas Gulf Coast Emergency Managers Association, the National Hydrological Warning Council, Texas Flash Flood Coalition, and ALERT Users Group.
Matthew Zeve / Jeff Linder - Harris County Flood Control District
RIP Ian’s theme “Rotary: Making a Difference” resonates with Rotarians. To truly make a difference Rotary must remain the preeminent service organization for the future and the Future is Now. This year you and your club will show your support for RIP Ian’s commitment to Rotary Making a Difference with your “Make a Difference by Embracing the Future” sponsorship. This sponsorship includes a premium placed and decorated table for ten (10), recognition in the event program, two (2) exposition tables for your club to display its great accomplishments and a photo of your entire club with RIP Elect Sam Owori or General Secretary John Hewko at your club’s expo table, or after lunch.
Visionary $750
This sponsorship includes a reserve table for ten (10) and one exposition table for your club to display how your club makes a difference now and in the future.
Rotary Star Couple $200
Premium Seating for two (2) and a photo with RIP Elect Sam Owori or General Secretary John Hewko at your club’s expo table or after lunch.
District 5890 Out of this World Exposition
Highlight your projects and activities to your fellow Rotarians and guests, including RIP Elect Sam Owori. RIP Elect Sam Owori will be visiting expo booths following the VIP Reception (display space only and can be added to any level)
Kim Ogg is the newly elected Harris County District Attorney. She is a native Houstonian licensed by the State Bar of Texas in 1987 and recognized as a specialist in Criminal Law by the Board of Legal Specialization since 1992. Upon taking office, she promised a new era of criminal justice by insuring a just process for the victim, the accused, and the community in every case. She has focused her prosecutors on public safety by prioritizing disposition of crimes against people and property.
Kim's legal career began in 1987 as a line prosecutor for the Harris County D.A. While serving as a Chief Felony Prosecutor, she was appointed Houston’s first Anti-Gang Task Force Director in 1994. From 1999 - 2006, Kim served as the Executive Director of Crime Stoppers of Houston. In 2006, Kim transitioned to private legal practice and became the managing partner of her own law firm.
Kim now brings her strong track record of public service and thirty years of criminal justice experience to the position of Harris County D.A. During the first six months of her Administration, she has successfully advanced major drug policy and bail reform, diversified the leadership of the District Attorney's Office and effected legislative reform on behalf of crime victims.
Edison Toquica began his law enforcement career 28 years ago with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Starting as a detention officer, he graduated the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Academy class of B390.
His law enforcement career expanded throughout many bureaus of the Harris County Sheriff's Office to include the Detention Bureau, Patrol Bureau, Detective Bureau and the Homeland Security Federal Task Force Division.
Edison Toquica earned his way through the ranks of the Sheriff's Office. He was an immediate supervisor and a mid-manager. As a commander he was tasked with managing the HIDTA Major Drug Squads, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, Houston Money Laundering Initiative, FBI JTTF, Multi Agency Gang Task Force, US Marshall's Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force and the Tactical Intelligence Section.
Edison Toquica was then appointed to Major where his command was the Special Operations Bureau and the Criminal Investigations Bureau. As a Major his command included; Homicide, Robbery, Assaults, Sex Crimes, Crimes Against Children, Burglary and Theft, Vice Narcotics, Human Trafficking Task Force, Traffic Enforcement Division, incident Management and the 911 - Dispatch Center.
In January of 2017, Edison Toquica was appointed as the Chief Deputy of the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
Harris County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Edison Toquica
Sonya Reed is senior vice president, Human Resources, Communications and Public Affairs for Phillips 66, a diversified energy manufacturing and logistics company. With nearly 20 years of international experience in human resources, Reed reports directly to Greg Garland, chairman and CEO, and is a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team.
Before joining Phillips 66 in May 2015, Reed served as executive vice president and chief human resources officer for General Cable, where she focused on driving a global people agenda and implemented processes for effective human resource management. She worked closely with General Cable’s board of directors on leadership succession planning as well as compensation strategy and design.
Reed began her career as a commercial underwriter at Zurich Financial Services, where she spent 14 years. She subsequently moved into human resources and ascended through the function, specializing in business partnerships. After a multi-year assignment in Switzerland, she returned to the United States as the vice president of Human Resources for Latin America.
Reed holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Arizona State University and completed advanced studies at Cambridge University in England and the Complutense University of Madrid. She is fluent in Spanish.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Meeting from noon to 1 p.m.
JOEL COWLEY Joel Cowley was announced as the president and chief executive officer of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Monday, Aug. 5, 2013. Cowley joined the Show staff in 2005 as the executive director of agricultural competitions and exhibits.
In this role, he worked with approximately one third of the Show’s volunteer committees while overseeing aspects of the livestock show, horse show, wine show and auctions.
Prior to joining the Show, Cowley worked for Certified Angus Beef LLC, the not-for-profit division of the American Angus Association, where he began as executive account manager in the international division and finished as assistant director of the foodservice division. Before his employment with CAB, he was a faculty member at Michigan State University, where he served as an extension beef cattle specialist. Prior to that, he was employed by Texas A&M University as a lecturer and livestock judging team coach.
An 11-year 4-H member in Wyoming and Colorado, Cowley was active in livestock projects and a member of national champion 4-H wool judging and livestock judging teams. He first attended the Houston Livestock Show™ as an intercollegiate judging contestant in 1985 and has participated in every Show since 1988 as a coach, livestock judge or employee.
Cowley holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Colorado State University, a master’s in animal science from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Michigan State University.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to be of greater service to such a tremendous organization,” Cowley said. “Through the tireless efforts of volunteers and staff, and the generous support of sponsors and donors, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is able to fulfill its agricultural mission, entertain and educate guests, make a significant contribution to the local economy, and assist Texas youth in accomplishing their educational goals — I’m proud to be a part of it all.”
Cowley and his wife, Tammy, have two daughters.
JOEL COWLEY-PRESIDENT & CEO Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Philip “Duane” Steen started with DPS in 1981. After graduating from recruit training, he began his first assignment in Denton as a Highway Patrol Trooper. In June 1984, he promoted to Narcotics Sergeant/Investigator in Austin. He then promoted to Narcotics Lieutenant, Waco, in October of 1992; Narcotics Captain, Garland and Austin, in November of 1995; and Narcotics Assistant Commander, San Antonio and Austin, in September of 2003. In October of 2009, Steen promoted to Major, Criminal Investigations Division, in Austin and promoted to Deputy Assistant Director, CID, in February of 2010. On September 12, 2011, Steen promoted to Region 2 Commander (Houston).
Steen has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Texas A&M University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He has served on the North Texas HIDTA Executive Committee, the Houston HIDTA Executive Committee, Chair of the South Texas Executive Committee, representative to the Drug Demand Reduction Advisory Committee, Steering Committee for the Texas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, and Project Director of the Regional Narcotics Task Force. He is also a past president of NASDEA, the National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies, and is on the Board for the TAG, Texas Anti-Gang, Center in Houston.
Steen is married with two children, eight grandchildren, and enjoys fishing as a relaxing hobby.
Abby Kohut is an award-winning speaker, author, and Human Resources professional who is known around the world as "Absolutely Abby". In the past 18 years, Abby held positions such as Senior Director of Recruiting for Kaplan, Interim Director of Recruiting for Continuum Health Partners, and Manager of Global Recruiting for Alpharma. She is responsible for helping to hire 10,000 people in 8 industries and at all career levels. Abby's website, AbsolutelyAbby.com, was selected as one of the “Top 100 Websites for Your Career” by Forbes and she was also selected as one of the top 100 influential people online according to Fast Company Magazine. She has delivered over 800 live workshops across 34 states on a variety of human resources, job search, social media and business-related subjects during her RV tour around America which began in 2012. Abby has been interviewed on Fox 5, NBC, CBS, ABC, LinkedIn, Monster, Real Simple, The Ladders, Bloomberg Radio, and Forbes. In 2014, CEOWORLD Magazine rated @Absolutely_Abby one of the "Top 25 Women for your Job Search" on Twitter and Business News Daily rated @Absolutely_Abby as "1 of Top 10 Twitter Accounts Every Jobseeker Should Follow". To learn more about Abby, please visit AbsolutelyAbbySpeaks.com
Eventually Is Now
Summer is upon us and the days are longer than usual. It's the perfect time to take inventory of your career path to see if it needs some adjusting. Does it still bring you joy or do you wish you could be doing something else? What have you always dreamed about doing? Absolutely Abby is a NJ resident with a great sense of adventure and mission who walks the walk of living her dream. She will inspire you with her personal success story as she travels across America to help one million unemployed people land in a new job. Walk away from the program with advice and tips on how to pursue the New You in 2017 and get ready to take some action. Like with a GPS, if you know where you want to go, there are several ways to get there. Most importantly, eventually is now!!!
Abby Kohut - Recruiter, Speaker & Career Consultant
Erik Eriksson serves as Chief Legal Officer of Port Houston, overseeing its legal, government relations, pilot administration, and records management functions.
Prior to joining Port Houston in 2005, Mr. Eriksson held successively more responsible legal and management positions at a multi-billion dollar publicly listed holding company.
Mr. Eriksson has been a director of the Southampton Civic Club since 2003, served as its president from 2005 to 2008, and is currently president of the University Place Association and Super Neighborhood. He also is a member of the Executive Committee of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership Board of Directors, and serves on the board of the Houston International Seafarers’ Centers and the advisory board of the Bayou Preservation Association.
A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, Mr. Eriksson is a member of the bar in Texas, California, and New York.
Join us for a celebration lunch at Tony's Restaurant
Complementary Valet Parking
3755 Richmond Ave. 77046
As we "Celebrate Community Leadership" we've asked our speaker, Hank Moore, Futurist and Corporate Strategist™ to discuss “Community Leadership Legends.”
As you know, the Houston City Club is closing and soon we will be moving to a new weekly meeting venue. However, the Houston City Club has informed us that it’s closing sooner than expected and we will be unable to meet there next week. However, we have arranged for what we hope will be a suitable alternative: Tony’s !!
Yes, we will be meeting next Thursday, June 8th, at Tony’s, located at 3755 Richmond Ave. (at the corner of Richmond and Timmons) just steps away from the entrance to the Houston City Club. Our networking social will begin at 11:30 a.m. and we’ll ring the bell and begin lunch at noon. This will be a seated lunch so it’s important that everyone be on time and seated by noon. Also, it is critical that everyone register online so that we can give Tony’s our headcount and they can prepare the menu.
We will be taking a look back at this Rotary year and begin to look ahead. I hope you will make plans to join your fellow Rotarians for a great lunch, at an amazing restaurant, and help us toast the 2016-17 year. Be sure to register online now.
Thanks! See you next Thursday.
Yours in Rotary service,
Tom Vann
President 2016-17
Hank Moore
This will unveil his new book, "Non-Profit Legends." This reflect's Hank's 40+ years of working with hundreds of non-profit organizations, advising boards and fostering leadership programs. "Non-Profit Legends" is the first comprehensive book to cover all aspects: volunteer recruitment-retention, fundraising, planning, board development, corporate cause-related marketing, etc. There's a chapter on the history of public TV-radio and one on causes supported by celebrities, plus motivational quotes. This is the fourth in Hank Moore's internationally-published Legends book series.
His books “Houston Legends” and “Pop Icons and Business Legends” have been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Hank Moore won the Lifetime Achievement Award from Volunteer Houston, for community leadership.
He is the highest level of business overview expert and is in that rarified circle of experts such as Peter Drucker, Tom Peters, Steven Covey, Peter Senge and W. Edwards Deming. Drucker termed Hank Moore's Business Tree™ as the most original business model of the past 50 years. The Business Tree™ is his trademarked approach to growing, strengthening and evolving business, while mastering change.
Hank Moore has advised many of the top CEOs on strategy, leadership and growth, including Disney, Marriott, Hewlett-Packard, AT&T, United Way, Texaco and hundreds more. He advises companies about the Big Picture issues which profoundly affect the business climate. He has presented Think Tanks for five U.S. Presidents and has spoken at six Economic Summits.
Mr. Moore has provided senior level advising services for more than 5,000 client organizations (including 100 of the Fortune 500), companies in transition (startup, re-engineering, mergers, going public), public sector entities, professional associations and non-profit organizations. He has worked with all major industries over a 40-year career. He advises at the Executive Committee and board levels, providing Big Picture ideas. Hank Moore's website: http://www.hankmoore.com
We will eat lunch and assemble homeless bags. These bags will be distributed to a local agency that services the homeless population of the Houston and greater Houston area.
RSVP needed no later than Wednesday to determine seating and supply requirements.
Edward M. Emmett became Harris County Judge on March 6, 2007.
A member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1979 to 1987, Judge Emmett was chairman of the Committee on Energy, a member of the Transportation Committee, and represented the state on numerous national committees relating to energy and transportation policy.
In 1989, President George H. W. Bush nominated Emmett as a Commissioner at the Interstate Commerce Commission. After being confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate, Judge Emmett served on the commission for three years.
Judge Emmett has received international recognition for his work in transportation and logistics policy. He was named Transportation Person of the Year by Transportation Clubs International and one of the Top 20 Logistics Professionals by Logistics Forum.
County Judge Emmett, working with the county commissioners, manages the nation's third largest county. He also is director of Harris County's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, chairman of the Harris County Juvenile Board and chairman of the Conference of Urban Counties Policy Committee.
Judge Emmett attended Bellaire High School. He graduated from Rice University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and from the University of Texas at Austin in 1974 with a Master of Public Affairs degree.
Judge Emmett attended Bellaire High School. He graduated from Rice University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and from the University of Texas at Austin in 1974 with a Master of Public Affairs degree.
Judge Emmett has received numerous awards and honors, including Distinguished Alumnus of Rice University, the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and the Presidential Call to Service Award.
Judge Emmett and his wife, Gwen, have been married for 41 years and have four children and 13 grandchildren.
Chair of the Board Houston Association of REALTORS®
May 25, 2017
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Cindy Hamman is regarded by her peers as a “REALTORS®’ REALTOR®.” That’s because everything about her background and style underscores an unwavering commitment to help the real estate industry and those who work in it be the very best that they can be.
For evidence of this, one need only look so far as Cindy’s numerous professional recognitions, a few of which include her selection as the Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR) – Montgomery County Chapter Entrepreneur of the Year, receiving the Houston Association of REALTORS®’ (HAR) John E. Wolfe Community Service Award, and her election as the 2017 HAR Chair. Cindy is also on the National Association of REALTORS®’ Board of Directors, and is a Regional Vice President with the Texas Association of REALTORS®.
A native Houstonian and a Vice President of Sales Performance and Recruiting for Heritage Texas Properties, Cindy is a licensed Texas broker with more than 20 years in residential sales management and third-party relocation. For Heritage, in addition to her focus on recruitment and growth, Cindy divides her time between Heritage offices in The Woodlands and Vintage Park, overseeing residential sales activity within those market areas.
Cindy entered the world of real estate sales after years in the energy industry, and quickly discovered that her talents, wit and focus were ideally suited for the challenges of the realty business. But it was later, when presented with the opportunity to be a branch manager of a real estate office, that Cindy truly realized that she had found her calling.
“I want to know my agents when they walk in my door and I want to know their families,” says Cindy. “I particularly love helping to mold the trajectory of their careers and steer them in directions that help them and the clients that they serve.”
Cindy’s benevolent gift for enriching the lives of others extends well beyond her impressive real estate career and industry concerns, however. Her significant contributions to the greater Houston community include her board membership and service as president of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation. She volunteers with the Montgomery County Women’s Shelter and as a camp counselor every year for Candlelighters’ Camp for All, and also lends support to the Montgomery County Food Bank and the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer. In addition, Cindy wages a personal crusade every Christmas on the streets of downtown Houston by distributing blankets, food and Christmas cheer to the homeless.
Besides all the REALTORS® she has mentored, Cindy is proudest of her three children – Daniel, Dustin and Dayna – and having put them through college while maintaining her career. “Making sure that each of my kids has a solid foundation and the tools for success has probably been my greatest but most rewarding challenge. I’m proud to say I have three teachers in the family – two with finance degrees and three with their Masters.”
When she isn’t working, Cindy and her life partner, Lisa Greer, get away to their farm in Waller County. “The farm is a real stress-buster for us. We are learning to be farmers and having the time of our lives.”
Alison Weaver was named founding executive director of Rice University’s Moody Center for the Arts in July 2015. Prior to her appointment, Weaver was the director of affiliates for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. At the Guggenheim, Weaver led its programs and operations in Berlin, Bilbao, Venice, and Las Vegas, while managing its departments of Exhibition Management, Registration, Art Services and Library/Archives in New York. Together with her curatorial colleagues, she implemented a wide range of exhibitions from historical loan shows to commissions by leading contemporary artists. Weaver has a Master of Arts degree from Williams College and an MPhil in art history from the City University of New York. She also holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a B.A. cum laude from Princeton University.
Edward J. Egan, Ph.D., is a fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute and director of the Baker Institute’s McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He was previously an assistant professor of entrepreneurship at Imperial College Business School, in London, England, and the innovation policy fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Egan is an applied micro-economist, specializing in entrepreneurial finance, intellectual property policy and start-up strategy. His research has received recognition from prestigious bodies, including the government of Canada and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Egan has also received recognition for his teaching. He was the recipient of the Earl F. Cheit award for teaching MBA micro-economics and was nominated for a teaching excellence award for his class on government and business. His business plan competition was the highest rated class in the Business for Professional Engineers and Scientists (BPES) program at Imperial College London.
Egan is a serial entrepreneur who co-founded his first high-tech start-up at the age of 19. He worked as a venture capitalist in Vancouver, Canada, and has served as a judge for academic and industry-sponsored business plan competitions for over a decade. He is also active as an R&D and intellectual property consultant, specializing in patent and anti-trust litigation, as well as portfolio management and innovation strategy. Egan has provided advice and services to the U.S., Canadian and U.K. governments, and has worked as a consultant to a wide array of firms, ranging from pre-incorporation start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.
Egan earned a BSc. with honors in physics from University College London and an MSc. in business administration from the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia. He received his Ph.D. from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
Edward J. Egan-McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Dr. Persse's career in medicine started with ten years experience as a field paramedic and paramedic instructor in upstate New York and New Jersey. After receiving his pre-med training at Columbia University in New York, he then attended Georgetown University School of Medicine. Graduating with honors in emergency medicine from Georgetown, Dr. Persse then completed residency training in emergency medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California. After residency, Dr. Persse completed a resuscitation research fellowship at the Ohio State University. Dr. Persse was then awarded a grant from the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine and completed fellowship training in emergency medical services and resuscitation at the Baylor College of Medicine and the City of Houston Emergency Medical Services program. Following his EMS fellowship Dr. Persse became the Assistant Medical Director for the Emergency Medical Services system of Houston. He then moved to California to become the Medical Director of the Los Angeles County Paramedic Training Institute, and the Assistant Medical Director of the Los Angeles County EMS Agency. In 1996 Dr. Persse returned to Houston to assume the role of the Director of Emergency Medical Services for the City of Houston. In May of 2004 he was appointed by City Council as Houston’s Public Health Authority. In his role as Public Health Authority Dr. Persse is responsible for the medical aspects of clinical care quality management, disease control and public health preparedness. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the South East Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. He is the recipient of the Keith Neely Outstanding Contribution to the National Association of EMS Physicians for his leadership during the Hurricane Katrina response, 2007, and the 2009 Michael K. Copass Award from the U.S. Metropolitan Medical Directors. Dr. Persse is a Professor of Medicine and Surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Texas Medical School – Houston. He is also a Tactical Physician with the Houston Police S.W.A.T. team.
Dr. Steven W. Lewis, Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy Associate Director
Dr. Hans Stockton, University of St. Thomas Director for International Studies
Dr. Jon R. Taylor, University of St. Thomas Professor and Chair Political Science Department.
Up until the last few years, American business executives and political leaders thought that foreign investment in China and increasing prosperity would lead to political liberalization in China. Presidents G.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama believed trade would liberalize China and so did American opinion. World powers looked the other way while China rapidly developed into one of the most powerful economies and militaries in the world which took advantage of every trade agreement it signed.
But, over the last few years, the one-party Chinese Communist regimes have become even less tolerant of political dissent, instituted more political repression and a more closed political system, staging televised confessions, controlled the internet, Plus, China has engaged in numerous military provocations as it sought to increase its power in the world.
Because China is so important to the world’s economies and poses a military and economic risk to the United States, it become important to understand what is happening in that country, in particular, the possibility of a banking crisis, the shrinking labor force, the extent of China’s debt levels, health of their property and stock markets, problems of capital outflows, whether China can rebalance its economy to become more self-sustaining, and, leadership transfers this fall.
So many questions: Is China still communist? Is it friend or foe to the U.S.? Should we fear China’s rise, resist it or welcome it? Can the developed world stem China’s theft of business secrets? Can free trade prosper against China’s ownership of much of their industries? What lies ahead under President Donald Trump? Will the next administration learn to use America’s diplomatic, military, and economic resources better than the last three Presidents have done?
Steven W. Lewis, Ph.D., is the C.V. Starr Transnational China Fellow and faculty advisor for the Jesse Jones Leadership Center Summer in D.C. Policy Research Internship Program. He is also a professor in the practice and associate director of the Chao Center for Asian Studies, which he helped found in 2008. His research explores the growth of a transnational Chinese middle class; the influence of advertisements in new public spaces in Chinese cities; the development of privatization experiments in China’s localities; and the reform of China’s energy policies, national oil companies and international energy relations. Through the Transnational China Project, Lewis has organized research conferences with the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. He also has worked with the Energy Forum as the organizing researcher for the Northeast Asia Energy Cooperation Workshops, the Coastal Cities Summit surveys and U.S.-China-Middle East energy relations conferences.
Lewis has also been advisor to the Science Collaboration Across Borders initiative and served as the chief liaison between the Baker Institute, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies and the China Institute for Contemporary International Relations. He is co-director of the Rice Ephemera Archive project of Fondren Library’s Center for Digital Scholarship, supported by the Henry Luce Foundation. He has conducted research and given briefings for The National Bureau of Asian Research; Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Sichuan Petroleum Administration; and the Korean Economic Institute, among others. Lewis is an associate fellow of Asia Society International, an editorial board member of Asia Policy and an academic advisor to the U.S.-China Working Group of the U.S. House of Representatives. He received his doctorate in political science from Washington University in St. Louis.
Dr. Hans Stockton
Hans Stockton is Associate Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences and Director of the Center for International Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. He holds a PhD in Political Science from Texas A&M University. His areas of academic specialization are democratization, elections, and security in contemporary Asia Pacific. He has published articles in journals of political science, economics, public administration, and Asian Studies; authored multiple chapters in edited volumes on military affairs in the Asia Pacific and Taiwan’s political development; and authored two books on development and democratization in East Asia. Dr. Stockton is a Center Associate of the Election Studies Center at National Chengchi University in Taipei. He has served as president of the American Association of Chinese Studies (2015, 2016) and as coordinator of the Conference Group on Taiwan Studies (2012 – 2014). He has also served multiple terms as president of the Southwest Conference on Asian Studies. Professor Stockton has also been the Principle Investigator for multiple, successful grant awards from the US Department of Education, Japan Foundation, and Ministry of Education (Taipei). He has been interviewed by and/or published editorials on matters related to US-China-Taiwan relations and Chinese and Taiwan political affairs in the Washington Observer Weekly, Taipei Times, Taiwan Journal, Southern Daily News, World Journal, Voice of America, e-International Relations, and Houston Chronicle. He has provided political commentary for ABC News Houston, Fox News Houston, the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Radio Taiwan International, NTD TV, Southern Daily, World Journal, and Channel 55.5 international news.
Dr. Jon Taylor
Dr. Jon Taylor is a Professor of Political Science, Chair of the Department of Political Science, and Director of the Master of Public Policy and Administration Program at the University of St. Thomas. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma and has been at the University of St. Thomas since 1998. His areas of academic specialty are in Chinese and U.S. public administration, Chinese and U.S. urbanization, and public administration ethics.
His current research focuses on urban development in Western China, the Communist Party’s online accountability system, measuring public corruption in China, and the role that indigenous Chinese political science plays within the global discipline of political science. His most recent scholarly journal articles include Between Sinification and Internationalization: Chinese Political Science in the Post-Reform Era and The China Dream is an Urban Dream: Assessing the CPC’s National New-Type Urbanization Plan. He regularly contributes opinion and analysis pieces to both Chinese and U.S. media. He is a member of the Association of Chinese Political Studies, the American Political Science Association, the Chinese Public Administration Society, and the American Society for Public Administration.
Mr. Birdwell has over 51 years construction experience relating to environmental and general construction projects. Mr. Birdwell is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. In 1977 Mr. Birdwell founded G.R. Birdwell Construction and in 1989 he founded Remedial Construction Services, Inc. Through hard work, outstanding service and commitment to excellence both companies have grown into multi-million dollar businesses with the majority of work being repeat customers. In 2008, Remedial Construction Services was sold to an investment group. He founded Camp Hope Development in 2012.
Camp Hope provides interim housing for our Wounded Warriors, veterans and their families suffering from combat related PTSD in a caring and positive environment.
The facility opened in 2012 and is located in a quiet and safe setting in Houston, Texas whereby veterans and their immediate family members can find healing, help and hope while benefiting from an intensive peer support and mentoring program for Post Traumatic Stress. In addition to temporary housing, Camp Hope offers a 90+ day PTSD recovery program in which residents: attend group lessons and support sessions with other combat veterans; conduct individual mentoring sessions with certified combat trauma mentors; participate in off-site small group interaction activities (fishing, hiking, local activities and events); and get involved with local churches, businesses and volunteer organizations to assist in their personal healing and educating the community on the invisible wounds of war.
The Camp Hope staff is a unique team of combat veterans and civilian pastoral staff trained in working with victims of trauma and post-traumatic stress. They understand that those who have served this nation continue to struggle with the invisible wounds of combat and are working to assist our troops in putting the pieces of their lives back together. The Camp Hope staff uses the necessary traditional counseling tools and incorporates a faith based approach to help combat the effects of Post Traumatic Stress. In addition, the staff assists veterans with a myriad of issues including job placement, coordination with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and reputable veteran service organizations to assist with claims and benefits, transportation to appointments and peer support groups integration. The Camp Hope community embraces our troops, veterans and their families as they seek the rewarding and fulfilling lives they so richly deserve.
The Thread Alliance (TTA) was founded with the hope that all children will know a childhood free of abuse. It began as an extension of Sheila Aron’s book; I’m Glad I’m Me, Weaving the Thread of Love From Generation to Generation. As Sheila provided her book to organizations working in the field of child abuse, she discovered there was no central entity providing easily accessible information to those seeking child abuse prevention, intervention, or treatment resources. Furthermore, although Sheila found many people were concerned about child abuse, most were unaware how they could personally contribute to ending the cycle.
To fill the gap, Sheila created The Thread Alliance with a dual purpose in mind: 1) to provide comprehensive information regarding Houston-area child abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment resources; and 2) to reach out and encourage individual and community participation in ending child abuse.
TTA is dedicated to achieving the following five goals:
Educate and inform the public about strategies and resources to nurture children.
Engage the community to become involved in preventing child abuse.
Educate and inform the public regarding resources available to prevent impending child abuse or help if abuse has already happened.
Engage the community to become actively involved in the rewarding experience of empowering child abuse survivors to heal and thrive.
Encourage child abuse-related organizations/agencies, regardless of where they lie on the spectrum of prevention to treatment, to form a professional alliance.
All children deserve a childhood free of abuse. The Thread Alliance is dedicated to this mission.
Paul Williams, ACE, CAS, IAM, IEM is the Chief Technology Officer of Pennsylvania-based White Badger Group. Paul is a nationally recognized authority on the white hat defender side of network security.
Paul has forty-one years of breakthrough innovation in cryptography, cyber security, artificial intelligence, high speed databases, professional software development, software quality test engineering, electronics, communications, mechanical engineering, weapons development and defense related technologies. Paul is certified in the U.S. National Security Agency’s InfoSEC Assessment Methodology and InfoSEC Evaluation Methodology and is a Licensed Private Investigator in the state of Texas.
Previously Paul was the Chief Technology Officer of Houston-based counter-terrorism and security consulting company International Shield, Inc., as well as the former Chief Technology Officer of Gray Hat Research Corporation of Houston and Chief Technology Officer of defense contractor Galaxy CSI of Washington, D.C. serving the United States intelligence community. Over the years, Paul has earned an unparalleled reputation across the country for an extensive array of effective cyber security defense solutions and for leading and rapidly solving complex cyber-crime investigations through a variety of innovative and proprietary techniques. As a result, Paul has consulted for and provided tactical and strategic security guidance to numerous Fortune 500 businesses and local, state, and federal government agencies.
Paul has extensive experience in the energy sector securing the SCADA/DCS industrial process control equipment of electric utilities and gas transmission facilities. He has performed cyber, physical and social engineering “Red Team” penetration tests for multiple electric power utility process control facilities across the United States on behalf of the Electric Power Research Institute, an electric power industry-funded technology research organization based in Palo Alto, California. Paul is a co-inventor of White Badger’s Logic Chain Stateful Activity Whitelist (ChainSAW® cyber security technology, U.S. Patent No. 9,245,147).
Paul is an active public speaker who regularly draws coverage from radio, television and print media. He conducts scores of high profile cyber-security speaking engagements nationally and internationally every year attracting large audiences. Paul is consistently featured at seminars and conferences conducted by prestigious national organizations including the United States Secret Service, U.S. Department of Justice, InfraGard, ACP, ASIS, IIA, ISACA, ISSA, and universities and colleges across the nation.
Paul’s passion for computer technology began with his first computer in 1983: a 2K RAM memory Z80 Timex-Sinclair 4-chip microcomputer which he programmed using machine code to solve an astrophysics problem involving the velocity of light. As a result of Paul's special skills in the field of computer security, over the years he has collected a wide assortment of hacking tools, worms, Trojan Horses, and computer viruses for advanced research purposes. His personal collection of 24,000 computer viruses and 1,700 Trojan Horses is used by White Badger for advanced malware research.
Understanding Threats to America's Information Security
Dr. Mattox is Distinguished Service Professor in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, and he is Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery at Ben Taub General Hospital, where he has served since 1973. He helped develop the internationally renowned Ben Taub General Hospital Emergency Center and its equally respected Trauma Center. His reputation as an innovator in trauma care is worldwide. He has made original and significant contributions in trauma resuscitation, trauma systems, thoracic trauma, vascular injury, autotransfusion, complex abdominal trauma and multi-system trauma. His research in preoperative fluid restriction for penetrating trauma shook the foundation of surgical doctrine in this area. Authoring over 600 articles and more than 1000 abstracts, he has also served on six Editorial Boards and has been an Editorial Reviewer for 15 other journals. His textbook, Trauma, is an international best seller, and he is co-editor of the Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, recognized throughout the world. He co-authored the unique, international best seller, Top Knife, a practical guide to trauma care, translated into ten foreign languages. He frequently receives emails from physicians in war zones who refer to this “little book” as their Bible in the OR. He recently concluded his service as Second Vice President of the American College of Surgeons, and has served as an officer in numerous trauma and surgical professional organizations. He is also active in the Rotary Club of Houston and the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science, having served as an officer and on the boards of both. Doctor Mattox is equally adept in the emergency center, operating room, intensive care unit, conference room, courtroom and political arena. Clinician, technician, administrator, educator, researcher, medical statesman and iconoclast equally describe this versatile and controversial surgeon.
Rotary Trauma Surgeon's Analysis of Princess Diana
Tickets are available. Visit Eventbrite and use Lombardi2017 as your password to get your tickets now!
The 47th Annual Rotary Lombardi Award continues the evolvement of the Lombardi legacy and has expanded eligibility of the award to all player positions that are outstanding performers and exhibit great leadership attributes. Join the Rotary Club of Houston, the Rotary Foundation and our great sponsors for a ceremonious night honoring college football's greatest. Enjoy a formal nationally televised ceremony and a chance to mingle with top football notables. The 2016 Lombardi Awards specifically raises funds for the American Cancer Society, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Children's Hospital.
Final Four Rotary Lombardi Award Candidates:
Name
Position
University
Jonathan Allen
DE
Alabama
Lamar Jackson
QB
Louisville
Jabrill Peppers
LB/DB
Michigan
Myles Garrett
DE
Texas A & M
The Rotary Club of Houston Foundation Tax ID No. is 74-6084805. The Rotary Lombardi Award Committee sincerely thanks you for joining our celebration of the best player & leader in Division IA college football.
P.O. Box 22027 | Houston, TX 77227-2027
The annual All-Club Meeting is Tuesday, February 14th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (across from NRG Stadium). This is a great opportunity to gather with Rotarians from throughout the Greater Houston area to exchange ideas and learn more about what is being done to serve humanity here and abroad. John Germ, President of Rotary International, will be in attendance and is the keynote speaker.
The reception begins at 6 p.m. and the dinner/program will start at 7 p.m. Please let me know as soon as possible if you'd like to attend and how many seats you need. We currently have one table that is full and have reserved a second table of 10 that is filling up as well. The cost is $150 per person. You are welcome to call (713 787-2171 ) or email me (Thomas.Vann@RaymondJames.com ) or Deanna (administrator@rotaryhouston.org ) to reserve seats.
For individual tickets - but you wouldn’t be seated at one of our tables – use this link: Click Here
President Trump’s Immigration Policies: What Do They Mean for America?
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Could there be a more timely topic!! Our RCH member Charles Foster is the always the go-to person to cut through the complicated issues and tell us exactly what we need to know.
Charles C. Foster is Chairman of Foster LLP (formerly Tindall & Foster, P.C.), one of the largest global immigration law firms. He is also the honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Thailand. A native of Galveston, Mr. Foster received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Texas and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law. Mr. Foster serves as the founding Chairman of the State Bar of Texas Immigration and Nationality Law Section and a Board member and is past national President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Chairman of the American Bar Association Coordinating Committee on Immigration law and Vice Chairman of the Houston Bar Foundation. During the 2000 Presidential Campaign, Mr. Foster served as the principal advisor to President Bush on U. S. immigration policy and was an advisor on immigration policy issues to President Bush in the 2004 campaign and President Barack Obama in the 2008 campaign. In the 2-16 campaign, he served as immigration policy advisor to Jeb Bush. He is Chairman of Americans for Immigration Reform, a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the Greater Houston Partnership and the GHP’s Immigration Task Force. He is immediate past Chairman of the Asia Society-Texas Center and Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston. He is a past Chairman of the Houston International Festival and past President of the Houston Forum and the Houston Club. He is a Board member and serves on the Executive Committee of the Greater Houston Partnership and is a past Chairman of its Economic Development and World Trade Divisions. He serves on the Boards of the Houston Ballet, the Hobby Center for Public Policy, KIND, Barbara Bush’s Celebration of Reading and Invest in the USA (IIUSA), is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York and past Board member and officer of the Houston World Affairs Council, the Houston Holocaust Museum, the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, the Institute of International Education, Mexican Institute of Greater Houston, Neighborhood Centers and the University of Texas Medical Branch. He developed and co-chaired both the George Bush and James A Baker Monuments in Sesquicentennial Park, Houston and the Robert A. Mosbacher Memorial Bridge naming and monument. He is a recipient of 4 Royal decorations from His Majesty the King of Thailand; he received the 2013 Houston Bar Association Leon Jaworski Award for community service; the 2000 Distinguished Friend of China Award; the 1996 International Service Award of the Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce; was the 1998 Honoree of the American Immigration Law Foundation for Excellence in the Practice of Immigration Law; and the recipient of the 2007 American Jewish Committee Institute of Human Relations Award. He was featured in the film Mao’s Last Dancer. He was designated a ”Texas Super Lawyer” 2003-2012 by Texas Monthly magazine; the “Top Notch Lawyer in Immigration” in the Texas Lawyer“ Go To Lawyers Guide” each year published, as well as Who’s Who In American Law and the #1 Ranked Immigration Lawyer in Texas by Chambers USA 2006-2016. Mr. Foster is married to Lily Foster and they have two children.
President Trump’s Immigration Policies: What Do They Mean for America?
Some past attendees of the Rotary Lombardi Award (February 11, 2017 this year) will remember meeting Samantha and hearing her story. Several of our members recently hears "the rest of the story" which is filled with amazing inspiration from this dynamic Houstonian.
Samantha Loos-Polk is a Registered Nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital Hematology and Oncology Unit. Samantha earned a Bachelor’s in Science of Nursing from the University of St. Thomas Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing. Samantha became inspired to pursue a career in Nursing after being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 13. Samantha not only had cancer, but a rare fungal infection that caused harmful effects to her well-being. She was hospitalized for a total of nine months at Texas Children’s Hospital. Samantha has defeated her disease and is now a five year cancer survivor.
Throughout her college education, she hoped to become a pediatric oncology nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital, where she won her battle. Samantha believes that her education is her top priority, which has helped her succeed, and due to her hard efforts, she has not only become a member of the UST Honor Society of Nursing Sigma Theta Tau, but also the Co-Secretary. Samantha tries to be involved within the community. During her college education she was a Community Assistant for the Residence Halls, an Orientation Leader, and was the Nursing Student Association President. Samantha is also a second degree Black Belt in Tae-Kwon-Do and has competed nationally representing Texas.
Jodie Jiles Director of Business Development - Transwestern
Jodie had a remarkable 26-year career of making a decisive positive impact in investment banking. Licensed in municipal and general securities, Jodie provided solid direction and expert guidance to public finance clients and municipal issuers within the State of Texas. Prior to joining Transwestern, Jodie served as Managing Director of RBC Capital Markets where he orchestrated municipal finance activities and implemented strategic marketing plans with targeted large account clients throughout Texas.
During his 26 year career Jodie had the pleasure of serving on the Municipal Advisory Council of Texas Board from 1998 to 2002. (Elected Chair, 2000 to 2001).
Jodie was recognized in 2011 with a Distinguished Alumni Award from The University of Texas at Austin. He finds great satisfaction in giving back to the community through involvement in public service, community partnerships, and is a committed member of the following boards, to name a few:
• Texas Business Leadership Council- Executive Committee, 2013 Chairman
• Greater Houston Partnership – 2014 Elected Lifetime Director, 2005 Chairman
• Baylor College of Medicine, Trustee, Executive Committee
• Texas Children’s Hospital, Trustee, Executive Committee
• Texas Heart Institute - Foundation Board
• NAACP – Blue Ribbon Host Committee – National Convention, 2012
• Texas Southern University – Foundation Board Member
• The University of Texas at Austin – Development Board
• UT Health- Development Board
• KIPP Academy, Board Member
• The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas-Houston Branch, Former Director, Board Member
Jodie holds a Master of Professional Accountancy from The University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Southern University.
Sonny Messiah-Jiles
CEO & Publisher – Defender Media Group
Sonny Messiah-Jiles is the CEO and Publisher of the Defender Media Group (formerly the Houston Defender Newspaper), Houston’s leading Black Information Source. The media group includes the Defender newspaper , the website www.defendernetwork.com and several social media sites. She has been at the helm of the company since 1981 when she purchased the newspaper at age 27.
Messiah-Jiles served as the chairperson of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (The Black Press of America), a federation of African-American newspapers across the country. She also served as the National Alumni Chair for the Houston Alumni Organization (University of Houston). Currently, Messiah-Jiles serves as Vice President and Director of Grand Slam, a marketing/investment consulting firm. Her professional activities include being the first African-American female board member of the Greater Houston Partnership, and she currently serves on the M.D. Anderson Board of Visitors. She has served on the Advisory Board of J.P. Morgan Chase-Houston, United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast, Center for Houston’s Future, NAACP-Houston, JobPlus, Hester House, March of Dimes Texas Gulf Coast Chapter, American Diabetes Association, and American Leadership Forum.
Messiah-Jiles recently received the Houston Association of Black Journalists Trailblazer Award. In addition she has been honored with many other awards including the Phenomenal Woman Award, NNPA Publisher of the Year, American Civil Liberties Freedom of Speech Award, YWCA Outstanding Woman of the Year, Jaycees “Outstanding Texan”, “Women on the Move”, UH Distinguished Alumni Service Award and the National Dental Association Civil Rights Award. She has been named by EBONY Magazine as one of the100 most influential Black Americans. She and her husband were awarded the “Community Service Award” by the University of Houston Downtown. In December 2008, Messiah-Jiles was inducted into the Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce inaugural Hall of Fame along with former first lady Barbara Bush and eight other women.
Messiah-Jiles received an undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and did postgraduate work at Texas Southern University and Rice University.
Prior to purchasing the Defender, Sonny worked as a radio news reporter, a television talk show host, and an advertising account executive at the Houston Chronicle.
Messiah-Jiles is married to Jodie Lee Jiles an investment banker. They have two sons, Jodie and Clyde. She is a native of McNair/Baytown, Texas.
Art Acevedo was sworn-in as Chief of the Houston Police Department (HPD) on November 30, 2016.
Chief Acevedo leads a department of 5,200 sworn law enforcement officers and 1,200 civilian support personnel with an annual general fund budget of $825 million in the fourth largest city in the United States.
Chief Acevedo believes good communication is vital for a successful community and steadily works to strengthen the bond between the community and its police department. A proponent of community policing, Chief Acevedo refers to the proven practice as “Relational Policing,” an opportunity to forge a relationship with each citizen an officer comes in contact with.
The first Hispanic to lead the HPD, Acevedo brings a unique understanding to the concerns of the diverse communities in the City of Houston. Born in Cuba, he was 4 years old when he migrated to the United States with his family in 1968. Acevedo grew up in California and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne in California. Acevedo began his law enforcement career in 1986 as field patrol officer in East Los Angeles with the California Highway Patrol. He rose through the ranks and was named Chief of the California Highway Patrol in 2005. Acevedo most recently served nine years as Chief of the Austin Police Department.
Chief Acevedo holds various leadership positions with the Major Cities Chiefs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He is married to Tanya Born Acevedo and is the father of Melissa, Matthew and Jake.
Several months ago, Dr. Ken Mattox asked the program committee to be sure Texas State Representative Sarah Davis was scheduled to discuss a critical issue that is not getting covered in the media. Rotary is very proud of its work in the area of polio eradication, but what are we doing to prevent other diseases that can easily be prevented? Join us to learn about this issue and hear what is on the agenda for the coming session in Austin.
Sarah Davis is a successful attorney, three-term state representative and a fiscal conservative dedicated to limiting the size and scope of government in our lives.
Sarah was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2010, and served on the Public Health and Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committees. Her subsequent re-election in 2012 saw an increase in responsibility in committee assignments. She served on the Public Health, Calendars, and Appropriations committees. Currently she is Co-Chair of the Select Committee to Determine a Sufficient Balance of the Economic Stabilization Fund, Chair of the Appropriations Sub-Committee on Budget Transparency and Reform, and serves on Appropriations, Public Health, Mental Health, Calendars, and General Investigating and Ethics Committees. She served as the Conference Committee Chair of Article II Health and Human Services for the 2016-2017 budget cycle.
Sarah is an accomplished and successful attorney devoting her career to defending against personal injury lawsuits. She is a partner with the national law firm of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, LLP. Sarah's clients include individuals, local businesses, and Fortune 500 companies.
Sarah graduated from John Foster Dulles High School in Sugar Land in 1994. In college, she was a member of the Baylor University debate team. After receiving a Bachelor´s Degree in Economics from Baylor in 1998, she went on to earn her Law Degree from the University of Houston in 2001.
Sarah is a 40 year old breast cancer survivor, and lives with her husband, Kent Adams, and their two Yorkies, Mr. Henry and Barret, in the City of West University Place.
The City of Houston has a serious pension problem involving the three employee pension systems, Police, Municipal Employees, and Firefighters. Depending on which figures you believe, the extent of the debt owed as a result of the City of Houston's unfunded pension obligations ranges from $5 BILLION to a maximum $13.7 BILLION. We simply have no money to continue to fund the generous retiree benefits approved by former Mayor Lee Brown's Administration in 2001, which accepted, without question, very flawed assumptions from actuarial firm, Towers Perrin. Ironically, that firm represented the Firefighters' Pension Fund but the City was unconcerned about the conflict.
To make matters worse, the State Legislature controls Houston's destiny by implementing a law that applies only to Houston, namely, that no changes can be made unless all sides agree to discuss. Worse, the annual contribution the city must pay is dictated by the Firefighters which was given effective control by the State Legislature in the same state Law.
How generous are the benefits under the current agreement?
A long-serving firefighter who retires this year will get a lump sum on retirement day approaching $ 1 million. A police officer will get a lump sum ranging from $1 million to $1.5 million. Plus, they get lifetime annual incomes with guaranteed future annual raises based on higher pay grades than at retirement. Contrast that generous retirement with the hard facts that many American companies are suspending pension plans, leaving loyal ex-employees with nothing. Yet, our civil servants will retire as millionaires while Houston scrambles to find the money to continue operations. Is a major tax increase coming in Mayor Turner's administration?
Our speakers, who will discuss the pending deal negotiated by Mayor Sylvester Turner last month and passed, upon submission and without discussion, by City Council, are three acknowledged experts in the field:
(1) Houston City Controller, Chris Brown, (2) Businessman, politician, attorney Bill King, and, (3) Craig Mason, acknowledged pension expert and retired actuary with 40 years’ experience who served several Mayors as the City representative on those pension boards.
PLEASE INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS WHO CARE ABOUT THE FISCAL FUTURE OF HOUSTON. RESERVATIONS REQUESTED AS WE EXPECT A FULL HOUSE. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 11:45 A.M. AND END AT 1:15 P.M.
SPEAKERS
Chris Brown
Chris B. Brown is a proud Houstonian who was sworn into office as City Controller in January 2016. Chris is a proven professional with the private and public sector experience to be a responsible financial steward, and the commitment to serve his community.
Chris began his career two decades ago, as a trader for Coastal Securities, an investment bank, where he focused on analysis of high tech stocks. After several years, Chris co-founded an equity trading firm. Chris, as head of operations for the equity trading firm, gained first-hand experience with risk management, compliance, reporting, building operations and negotiating complex agreements.
Prior to being elected Controller in December 2015, Chris served as Chief Deputy City Controller, where he managed the day-to-day operations and oversaw the Executive Division of the Controller’s Office. Prior to being appointed Chief Deputy City Controller in 2009, Chris served as City Council Chief of Staff, overseeing community development initiatives and serving as a liaison to the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee.
In addition to his professional experience, Chris is an active participant in his community. He currently serves on the board of the William A. Lawson Institute for Peace & Prosperity (WALIPP), Asia Society of Texas Advisory Board, Texan-French Alliance for the Arts, and Prevent Blindness of Texas. He is a past board member of the TCU National Alumni and SEARCH Homeless Services.
Chris is a fourth generation Houstonian, and has deep roots in the Houston community. Chris attended Briargrove Elementary and Lee High School, where he was a swim team varsity letterman. His family was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church. Chris attended Texas Christian University and obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and later a Master in Business Administration from the University of Houston. Chris, his wife, Divya, an attorney, and their daughter, Milana, reside in southwest Houston.
Bill King
A lifelong resident of the Houston area, Bill King grew up the son of a union pipefitter and worked his way through the University of Houston, earning both his bachelor's degree and law degree there. In so doing, he became the first in his family to graduate from college.
For the last 40 years, Bill has practiced law and run businesses in Houston. After "falling on my face" as he describes his experience during the economic downturn of the 1980s, he picked himself up, rebuilt his business career, and has gone on to serve his community in a variety of ways. In 2012, Bill co-chaired the HISD bond campaign to rebuild its dilapidated high schools throughout the city. The measure won nearly 70 percent voter approval. Prior to that, his efforts to revamp the region's hurricane preparedness plans earned him several gubernatorial appointments and other recognition.
More recently, as a columnist for the Houston Chronicle, and previously as a candidate for Mayor, Bill has earned a reputation as an outspoken advocate for balancing the city budget, investment in infrastructure, and common sense solutions to Houston's most challenging problems.
Craig Mason
Mr. Mason was a management consultant for over 30 years with Mercer, the international human resource consulting firm. As a consultant, he provided advice to employers on the design, implementation, funding and administration of employee benefit plans, with a concentration on pension benefits.
After retirement from Mercer, he became an independent consultant. From October 2005 through August 2015 he provided consulting services exclusively to the City of Houston relative to the three pension plans sponsored by the City. As part of his consulting services to the City of Houston, he served as a trustee on the administrative boards of all three of the City of Houston sponsored pension plans.
Mr. Mason graduated with a BA degree in mathematics from Texas Christian University. He was an Enrolled Actuary and Member of the American Academy of Actuaries during his consulting career with Mercer.
Daniel Weiss, CEO and founding partner of McCann Investigations, LLC, started his 25-year career in the security industry early, working at a maximum-security prison as a graduate student at Northeastern University. Weiss held managerial positions at Wells Fargo and Chubb before becoming the founder of multiple security companies. As a security expert he has been interviewed by leading news organizations. His knowledge covers private investigation, computer forensics, loss prevention, electronic security system design, and surveillance, and his background supports the unique balance between business and former law enforcement―a unique hallmark of McCann Investigations. www.mccanninvestigations.com
Mr Weiss is also the author of the 2015 book, Handling Bad: Inside A Cyber Era Private Investigation Firm
Dr. Curran joined The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2012 as assistant professor of Immunology. In 2014, he was named scientific director of the Oncology Research for Biologics and Immunotherapy Translation (ORBIT) platform, which coordinates development and production of clinical immunotherapeutic antibodies based on novel targets and preclinical reagents originating at MD Anderson.
Dr. Curran completed B.A. degrees in biology and foreign affairs and a minor in computer science at the University of Virginia in 1995, while receiving accolades for the best undergraduate laboratory research project. He went on to receive a Ph.D. in immunology from Stanford University in 2001, where he was awarded the McDevitt prize for the best graduate thesis in his year. Dr. Curran was the first recipient of the prestigious American Cancer Society Levy Fellowship to fund his postdoctoral studies in the lab of James P. Allison, Ph.D.
While pursuing his postdoctoral studies at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Curran published several influential papers describing how T-cell co-stimulatory pathways could be modulated in tandem to mediate immunologic rejection of melanomas in mice. He detailed how combination blockade of the T-cell co-inhibitory receptors CTLA-4 and PD-1 promoted the rejection of a majority of murine melanomas. This work supported the launch of a series of clinical trials in which more than 50 percent of metastatic melanoma patients experienced clinical responses and more than 90 percent survived beyond two years — an unprecedented result that prompted the Food and Drug Administration to make this the first approved immunotherapy antibody combination. In addition, his subsequent immunologic studies of 4-1BB agonist antibodies earned him the Society for the Immunotherapy of Cancer’s prestigious Presidential Award.
In addition to his work on ORBIT, Dr. Curran has established an independent lab at MD Anderson, where his group studies the origins of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and how it can be disrupted to facilitate immune-mediated tumor rejection.
Please RSVP and join us at 11:00 a.m. for the Annual Rotary Club of Houston/West Point Society/Naval Academy Alumni “Salute to Veterans” luncheon as well as an opportunity to sponsor an active duty soldier, sailor, airmen, coast guardsmen, or marine on starting sharply at 11:30 a.m.
This event features a timely talk from GEN Mark Welsh, the former Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force who is now the Dean of the Bush School at Texas A & M.
In addition to our distinguished speaker we are proud to announce that other special guests will include over 100 active duty members of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, and Air Force and some of their outstanding commanders.
This year’s earlier start time allows for the presentation of colors by the Color Guard and live military music and songs provided by the award-winning High School for the Performing and Visual Arts ensemble.
Location: This program will be held at the Junior League of Houston located at 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, next to the St. Regis Hotel that is located three lights East of the intersection of San Felipe and Hwy 610.View Map to 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, TX 77027.
The pre-registration price of this luncheon for members of the sponsoring clubs is $32.00 (based on an increase of cost at this venue) Since we have to register in advance with the Junior League, anyone who does not pre-register will need to pay $35.00 at the door and will be admitted space permitting.
Sponsorship opportunity:
At this luncheon, in support for our troops, we would like to provide everyone an opportunity to sponsor active duty members of the armed forces. Besides paying for your lunch, the cost for each sponsorship is $32.00.
Table Sponsorships of 10 for $500 will include recognition on the program, from the podium and at your premium-located table.
Sponsorships, as well as luncheon payments, may be made by clicking on the following link Click Here (Members of the RCH should follow reservation directions send via email.) (If you are not a member of the Rotary Club of Houston, please skip the member login and underneath the line add your name and email. Then proceed to select option.)
Once on the sign-in page simply put in your first and last name and email address, select Options, then select a Registration Packages: Rotarians, Visitors, West Point Society Member, or Naval Academy Alumni, Unable to attend but would like to sponsor, Table Purchases. Next, select "Optional Add-Ons" and select the number of options desired.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Jon King, Rotary Club of Houston; Chair: Veteran's Day Event
David Hale, Rotary Club of Houston; Chair: Veteran's Committee
Veterans Day Salute from The Rotary Club of Houston
Vivian Shudde, whose degree is in special education and psychology from the University of Texas, feels she was fortunate to grow up in a family with her sister, Vicki, who suffered severe brain damage due to complications which accompanied mumps. Vivian feels her greatest education came from her mother, Yvonne Streit, who is the founder and Executive Director Emeritus of The Brookwood Community and also the founder of The Briarwood School.
The blessings now continue because her own son, Wilson, is functionally disabled and is a resident at The Brookwood Community.
Vivian, who is a member at Grace Presbyterian Church, has worked at The Briarwood School for 25 years and is currently working at The Brookwood Community as Chief Executive Officer.
Although Briarwood has experienced wonderful success for children with learning disabilities, it does not provide an answer for adults who would need full or part time care for a lifetime....therefore The Brookwood Community was born....an environment built to accommodate and enhance the lives of the functionally disabled adult.....an environment where opportunity through education abounds.
Children with severe disabilities become adults who have no place to go after “high school”; therefore, there was a real need for Brookwood. In the early 1980's the vision of Brookwood, a self-contained community environment where these people can learn, work, and live productively emerged and with strong determination has become a reality and home and work to 200+ “Brookwoodians” and whose outreach program actively shares the innovative concepts and techniques with other professional caregivers across the nation and around the world, touching thousands more.
Dr. Douglas Jackson serves as the President/CEO of Project C.U.R.E. Each week, Project C.U.R.E. delivers approximately three semi-truck loads of donated medical supplies and equipment to desperately needy people around the world. Since 1987, Project C.U.R.E. has delivered equipment and supplies to hospitals and clinics in over 130 countries. Project C.U.R.E. is consistently recognized with the highest Four Star ranking from Charity Navigator, and was named by Forbes as one of the top 200 charities in America.
In addition, Project C.U.R.E. sends teams of medical professionals to assist partner hospitals and clinics through the successful C.U.R.E. Clinic program, and provides hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical supplies to traveling doctors and nurses in the form of C.U.R.E. Kits. Recently, Project C.U.R.E. pioneered the design of Kits for Kids, a backpack filled with the items that mom’s in developing countries need to care for their children. More than 15,000 people volunteer with Project C.U.R.E. every year, making the organization one of the most efficient and effective grass-roots organizations in the country.
In addition to his work at Project C.U.R.E., Dr. Jackson has taught at the university level in the disciplines of finance, investments, leadership development, legal and international issues. Most recently at the Korbel School for International Studies, Douglas designed and implemented a graduate course entitled “From Disaster to Development: The Appropriate Response to International Crises.” He is a frequent speaker and lecturer to colleges and universities, as well as civic, corporate and community organizations.
Dr. Jackson is a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, and was the President of the Denver Rotary Club #31. He serves on the Board of Directors for InterAction, WorldDenver, The Nanda Center for International and Comparative Law at the University of Denver, and the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professionals at Regis University. He is a member of the National Who’s Who, Registry #57689, and a graduate of leadership program LEAD San Diego. Past service includes the Institute for International Education which administers Fulbright Scholarships, Leader’s Challenge, and a Ruling Elder of Cherry Hills Community Church (EPC). Dr. Jackson received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Healthcare from the American Red Cross, the CivisPrinceps recognition from Regis University, the 5280 Magazine Philanthropist of the Year, and accepted the CoBiz “Best Places to Work” and Colorado Ethics in Business Award on behalf of the team at Project C.U.R.E.
Douglas graduated magna cum laude from Northwest Nazarene University in 1982, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. In 1985, he earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado at Boulder, receiving the American Jurisprudence Award for Excellence in the study of law. In 1992, he was awarded a Ph.D. in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance and econometrics from the University of Colorado at Boulder, authoring a dissertation on leveraged buyouts and secondary public offerings. Douglas is a member of the Alpha Delta Sigma and the Beta Gamma Sigma national honor societies.
Following his admission to the bar, Douglas administered the legal affairs for the international agricultural firm of CTB, Inc., a Birkshire Hathaway company. Upon the completion of his Ph.D., Douglas opened the Fermanian Business Center at Point Loma University in San Diego, California. As Executive Director, Douglas developed and implemented numerous programs and seminars to advance business opportunities for college students and business professionals in the San Diego community and abroad. In 1995, Dr. Jackson assumed the role of Provost at Colorado Christian University. In this capacity, he oversaw the academic, financial, operational, advancement and student life functions of the university.
Douglas lives in a converted warehouse in LoDo, Denver. He is dad to three beautiful daughters and is the son of Chief Uzoma of Nkume, a Nigerian honor bestowed on his father for Project C.U.R.E.’s work in Africa.
Douglas Jackson, PhD, JD, President & CEO Project C.U.R.E.
Join us to preview highlights from Houston Ballet's current 2016-2017 season, including the world premiere of The Nutcracker. Also hear about Houston Ballet's extensive education and community outreach programs, which last year impacted over 54,000 students from across the city of Houston.
LAUREN ANDERSON, PROGRAM MANAGER, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Native Houstonian Lauren Anderson danced with Houston Ballet from 1983 to 2006, performing leading roles in all the great classical ballets, appearing across the world to critical acclaim, and in the process, becoming one of Houston Ballet’s most beloved stars.
She trained exclusively at the Houston Ballet Academy from the age of seven. She joined Houston Ballet in 1983 as a member of the Corps de Ballet, was promoted to Soloist in 1987, and in 1990 became the first African-American to be promoted to principal dancer at Houston Ballet – and one of the few African-American ballerinas at the head of a major ballet company anywhere in the world.
In January 2007, Ms. Anderson assumed her new role in Houston Ballet’s Education and Community Engagement program where she conducts master classes at area schools, and lectures to students on dance and her historic career as one of America’s most distinguished African-American ballerinas.
In the fall of 2016, a collection of mementos from her career became a part of the permanent exhibition in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
JENNIFER SOMMERS, DIRECTOR, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Jennifer ClagettSommers holds an MFA in Dance, Performance and Choreography from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She has performed with Laura Dean Musicians and Dancers, Street Signs Center for Literature and Performance, and the Albany Berkshire Ballet, where she also served as Ballet Mistress.
Her dance honors include a scholarship to Jacob’s Pillow Choreography Workshop, a Durham Arts Council Emerging Artist Grant, and a Lake Region Arts Council grant in support of new work. From 2000-2005, she served as the Associate Director of Raleigh Dance Theatre (a Southeastern Regional Ballet Association Honor Company) and on the faculty of Meredith College. From 2005-2008, she served on the faculty of the University of Minnesota Morris and taught both dance and interdisciplinary courses.
She relocated to Houston in 2008 and launched a dance program at KIPPSharpstown College Prep. She joined the Houston Ballet Education Outreach department in 2010 where she teaches dance and dance integration classes to students and teachers throughout Houston and greater Harris County. She also teaches for Houston Ballet Academy, and has served on the faculty of and choreographed for the University of Houston.
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Also speaking: Dave Barron
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A founding partner of Ray & Wood, Randall Buck Wood is a nationally recognized expert on school finance, ethics, and election law. Buck has tried dozens of cases before the Texas Supreme Court, and since 1992, has served as co-counsel for the 125 Plaintiff-Intervenor school districts in the on-going Edgewood school finance lawsuit. Buck also serves as the General Counsel to the Equity Center, an association of over 500 below-average-wealth school districts committed to ongoing improvements in Texas public school funding as well as special counsel to the Texas Association of School Boards on the state’s ethics and lobby disclosure statutes. Prior to founding the firm, Buck served as Director of the Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of State from 1969 to 1972 where he was in charge of enforcement of the State’s election laws. In this capacity, he oversaw all general and special elections and assisted local government bodies with their elections. After leaving the Secretary of State’s Office, Mr. Wood became the Executive Director of Common Cause, a public interest lobby group chartered to maintain fairness in the governmental process. While serving Common Cause, Mr. Wood drafted and helped pass much of the legislation dealing with open meetings, open records and numerous election laws that govern the operation of public entities today.
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Walt Anderson
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Steven W. Lewis, Ph.D., is the C.V. Starr Transnational China Fellow and faculty advisor for the Jesse Jones Leadership Center Summer in D.C. Policy Research Internship Program. He is also a professor in the practice and associate director of the Chao Center for Asian Studies, which he helped found in 2008. His research explores the growth of a transnational Chinese middle class; the influence of advertisements in new public spaces in Chinese cities; the development of privatization experiments in China’s localities; and the reform of China’s energy policies, national oil companies and international energy relations. Through the Transnational China Project, Lewis has organized research conferences with the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. He also has worked with the Energy Forum as the organizing researcher for the Northeast Asia Energy Cooperation Workshops, the Coastal Cities Summit surveys and U.S.-China-Middle East energy relations conferences.
Hans Stockton is Associate Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences and Director of the Center for International Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. He holds a PhD in Political Science from Texas A&M University. His areas of academic specialization are democratization, elections, and security in contemporary Asia Pacific. He has published articles in journals of political science, economics, public administration, and Asian Studies; authored multiple chapters in edited volumes on military affairs in the Asia Pacific and Taiwan’s political development; and authored two books on development and democratization in East Asia. Dr. Stockton is a Center Associate of the Election Studies Center at National Chengchi University in Taipei. He has served as president of the American Association of Chinese Studies (2015, 2016) and as coordinator of the Conference Group on Taiwan Studies (2012 – 2014). He has also served multiple terms as president of the Southwest Conference on Asian Studies. Professor Stockton has also been the Principle Investigator for multiple, successful grant awards from the US Department of Education, Japan Foundation, and Ministry of Education (Taipei). He has been interviewed by and/or published editorials on matters related to US-China-Taiwan relations and Chinese and Taiwan political affairs in the Washington Observer Weekly, Taipei Times, Taiwan Journal, Southern Daily News, World Journal, Voice of America, e-International Relations, and Houston Chronicle. He has provided political commentary for ABC News Houston, Fox News Houston, the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Radio Taiwan International, NTD TV, Southern Daily, World Journal, and Channel 55.5 international news.
Dr. Jon Taylor is a Professor of Political Science, Chair of the Department of Political Science, and Director of the Master of Public Policy and Administration Program at the University of St. Thomas. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma and has been at the University of St. Thomas since 1998. His areas of academic specialty are in Chinese and U.S. public administration, Chinese and U.S. urbanization, and public administration ethics.
Paul Williams, ACE, CAS, IAM, IEM is the Chief Technology Officer of Pennsylvania-based White Badger Group. Paul is a nationally recognized authority on the white hat defender side of network security. 
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Art Acevedo was sworn-in as Chief of the Houston Police Department (HPD) on November 30, 2016.
Dr. Douglas Jackson serves as the President/CEO of Project C.U.R.E. Each week, Project C.U.R.E. delivers approximately three semi-truck loads of donated medical supplies and equipment to desperately needy people around the world. Since 1987, Project C.U.R.E. has delivered equipment and supplies to hospitals and clinics in over 130 countries. Project C.U.R.E. is consistently recognized with the highest Four Star ranking from Charity Navigator, and was named by Forbes as one of the top 200 charities in America.
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