Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

October 12, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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JOIN VIRTUALLY ===> OCTOBER 12, 2023

This coming Thursday, RCH members and guests will have a unique opportunity to listen to, and question, legendary football coach Jackie Sherrill, as he shares his view that college football is heading down a path that will change it forever. Coach Sherrill will discuss. NIL (name, image likeness), Player Portal Transfers, the new role of NCAA, the breakdown of major college conferences, the impact of unlimited dollars coming from TV and Cable Channels and the effect on other college sports. all leading, inevitably, to a super conference of powerful schools following the NFL model of organization. Interestingly, Coach Sherrill's beloved Texas Aggies are raising the most money through setting up "The Fund" to compensate the "New College Athletes". who are profiting from the new rules. The amateur college football player has died, replaced by the multi- millionaire professional football player. You can bet that the Texas Longhorns, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs and USC Trojans are not far behind.

Jackie Wayne Sherrill is a former American football player and coach. He was the head football coach at Washington State University (1976), the University of Pittsburgh (1977–1981), Texas A&M University (1982–1988), and Mississippi State University (1991–2003), compiling a career college football record of 180–120–4. Sherrill is a studio analyst for Fox Sports Net's college football coverage.

Coach Jackie Wayne Sherill, a former American football player and coach. He won two national championships as a football player at the University of Alabama under coach Bear Bryant, coach Sherill then got his first head coaching job at Washington State. A year later he was hired in Pittsburgh. Coach Sherill coached hall of fame quarterback, Dan Marino, the only defensive player to finish second in the Heisman trophy balloting, or at least the only pure defensive player. He also coached Tony Dorsett and many other players. At Pittsburgh coach Sherill also hired Jimmy Johnson who ultimately ended up coaching, both at the University of Miami and for the Dallas Cowboys, and he coached Dave, he hired Dave Wannstedt, who became a pro football coach. Coach Sherill was then hired by Texas A&M. He was the first coach publicly to get paid more than a million dollars in his contract, which was a huge controversy at the time. Coach Sherill basically turned around the Texas A&M football program. After a couple of years at Texas A&M he started winning and winning. When he won three Southwest conference championships and had some of the best football teams Texas A&M has ever seen, he also started the 12th man kickoff squad back in the early 1980s, it has since become one of the coolest traditions ever in college football. Coach Sherill has always been focused primarily on the wellbeing of his players and coaches. He is a true college football royalty.

Chair of the Day: Rob Lynch (A leading sport's consultant and business strategist), 

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

Thursday October 5, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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Join Virtually ===> October 5, 2023

ADVANCING PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN HOUSTON AND BEYOND

Marc A. Levin is the Chief Policy Counsel for the Council on Criminal Justice

An attorney and accomplished author on legal and public policy issues, Marc began the Foundation’s criminal justice program in 2005. This work contributed to nationally praised policy changes that have been followed by dramatic declines in crime and incarceration in Texas. Building on this success, in 2010, Levin developed the concept for the Right on Crime initiative.

Marc has testified on criminal justice policy on four occasions before Congress and has testified before legislatures in states including Texas, Nevada, Kansas, Wisconsin, and California. He also has met personally with leaders such as U.S. Presidents, Speakers of the House, and the Justice Committee of the United Kingdom Parliament to share his ideas on criminal justice reform. 

Since 2005, Marc has published dozens of policy papers on topics such as sentencing, probation, parole, reentry, and overcriminalization. Levin’s articles on law and public policy have been featured in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Texas Review of Law & Politics, and the National Law Journal, just to name a few. He serves on advisory boards for the Aspen Institute Criminal Justice Initiative and The Marshall Project and on the Executive Committee of the Federalist Society’s Criminal Law & Procedure Practice Group.

In 1999, Marc graduated with honors from the University of Texas with a B.A. in Plan II Honors and Government. In 2002, Marc received his J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law. Marc was a Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow in 1996. He served as a law clerk to Judge Will Garwood on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and Staff Attorney at the Texas Supreme Court. 

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

Thursday September 7, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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JOIN VIRTUALLY==> SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

U.S. CITIZENSHIP: WHY IT TAKES "BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS”
(ESTA NO TIENE FIN: THIS HAS NO END)

The Rotary Club of Houston is proud to present as its September 7^th program, a discussion between Charles Foster, famed Immigration Attorney and advisor to several U.S. Presidents, in conversation with Regina Lankenau, Princeton graduate, Houston Chronicle Asst. Op-Ed Editor, about Regina and her family's travails as they tried to gain U.S. citizenship. It would be a perfect story if Regina and her family's path to citizenship was an easy stroll.  In actuality the country that had been so welcoming would one day reject her entirely.  Five years after the family arrived in Texas and applied for permanent residency, they received a letter announcing that the green card application had been denied, giving the family 180 days to leave the United States or be branded as Illegals-all based on a technicality.  So, the family returned to Mexico feeling "tainted, humiliated and worse just as Regina had received her acceptance to Princeton University.

Regina's story is just one of the millions of stories of families, individuals, seeking to enter the U.S.  A few like Regina and her family, will gain entrance by navigating the U.S. Bureaucracy, but most who attempt the process try to cross over illegally at the U.S-Mexico border divided by the Rio Grande River-one of the most dangerous ways to enter the U.S. Most face starvation, extreme heat, kidnappers, bandits, corrupt officials, being shipped to huge U.S. cities, exploitation by drug cartels and by some estimates, 60% of children who cross are caught by cartels and exploited for child pornography and drug trafficking.

Please invite your friends to this very important discussion from two experts in the field.

Thanks for participating. 

Joseph Colangelo
Co-Chair, Program Committee 

Regina Lankenau: Assistant Op-ed Editor for the Houston Chronicle's opinion desk, in charge of editing op-eds and letters to the editor. As part of the editorial board, she helps shape editorials and political endorsements and writes some on occasion. She writes a weekly newsletter column inspired by letters to the editor that comes out on Thursdays and touches on topics as varied as the fentanyl crisis, the menace of leaf blowers and the nuances of physician-assisted suicide.

Regina is a native of Monterrey, Mexico and grew up all over – Vienna, Warsaw, Mexico City, Laredo, and Houston, where she attended Klein Oak High School. She most recently worked as a features reporter at a British expat newspaper in Spain. She also co-founded a business providing editing and mentoring for Hispanic immigrants applying to U.S. colleges.

Regina has a degree in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University, where she wrote for the daily paper and co-founded the school’s only international affairs publication. She also collected resettled refugees’ oral histories and worked with immigration lawyers and academic experts to provide more detailed country and area-specific information in support of asylum cases from Central America, the Caribbean and Africa. She speaks Spanish, French and Italian. 

CHARLES FOSTER: Chairman of Foster LLP, based in Houston with offices in Houston, Dallas and Austin. Recognized as a Best Lawyer in America, practice primarily representing multinational companies and foreign investors regarding U.S. immigration law. Charles heads up one of the largest immigration practices in the nation.

Charles has dedicated much of his career to the improvement of his community, serving as senior immigration policy advisor to President George W. Bush, immigration policy advisor to President. Barack Obama, He is the founding Chair of the Immigration & Nationality Law Section of the State bar of Texas, Chairs of Texas Governor’s Task Force on Immigration, chaired various committees on Immigration with Greater Houston Partnership, Governor’s Task Force on Immigration, The American Bar Assn., The State Bar of Texas Immigration committees and was past National President of the American Immigration Lawyers Assn.

Charles has the distinction of having a Hollywood actor, Kyle MacLachlan plays him in a hit movie, Mao's Last Dancer.  The1981 movie discusses famed Chinese Ballet Dancer, Li Cunxin, who decided to stay in America rather than being repatriated back to China by Chairman Mao and sought Charles' advice to help him gain release from the Chinese Consulate in Houston.

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

August 31, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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VIRTUAL ==> AUGUST 31, 2023

Show of Hands - Story of Saddam Hussein
Author Dr. Joseph Agris

If you'd like to purchase a book, please bring cash or check, Dr. Joseph Agris will be signing copies of his book.

This is the story of how a group of determined civilians — with some "secret" help from the White House — rescued seven Iraqi men whose right hands had been savagely amputated, and their foreheads crudely tattooed, by order of Saddam Hussein. Officially the mutilations were punishment for dealing in gold and foreign currency, though the real reason was that the "seven brothers" had spoken out against Saddam's regime. They had suffered for years, not only from being maimed and disgraced but also from confinement in Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison, where countless innocent people were tortured and executed. (Unfortunately, thanks to a small but notorious group of bad actors, abuses at the prison continued even after the American-led coalition ousted Saddam in 2003.)

When journalist and documentary producer Don North became aware of the plight Of the seven brothers, he set in motion an ambitious plan to rescue them, bring them to America, and have a team of American doctors fit them with prosthetic right hands. That's how renowned Houston plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Joseph Agris (aka "The Crazy Texan") became involved. Doc Joe has never been known to say "no" to a challenge.

And it was indeed a challenge, as the seven men had no passports or other identification papers, and the entire mission had to be accomplished without the "official" blessing of the US government. It was the government's "unofficial" blessing that saved the day, in the form of an executive memo — "The Letter" — issued by the Bush Administration. Even with The Letter, however, the mission to rescue the seven brothers, and a secondary mission to address the brutality at Abu Ghraib prison, were difficult and often dangerous.

This novelized memoir by surgeon and adventurer Dr. Joe Agris, who was a key player in the massive and complex effort to rescue the seven brothers and restore them to wholeness, tells an engaging story not only of an audacious mission of mercy, but also of efforts to bring justice to many thousands of victims of the human rights violations committed both under Saddam and under those who removed Saddam from power. The dramatized narrative describes how the rescuers' efforts were continually stymied by red tape, the egos of military leaders, and the arrogance of contract interrogators (not to mention by various physical miseries such as stifling heat and biting sand fleas, and occupational hazards such as encounters with the occasional murderous band of insurrectionists).

Beyond the main story, this book also touches on larger issues, such as the role news media and government propaganda play in warfare. Also addressed are the unintended consequences of military action in Iraq, which, two decades later, is still reeling from the instability created when Saddam was ousted. But the core message of A Show Of Hands is that even in the darkest of narratives, there is a ray of light. Or, as Doc Joe says in his Foreword, "Everywhere there are decent people who see a wrong and want to right it, and who will do whatever they can to  help those who can't help themselves." Doc Joe has seen firsthand that America is full of such altruistic people.

The story of the "seven brothers" is a poignant and powerful reminder that despite mistakes, missteps, and difficulty living up to its highest ideals, sometimes America really does get it right.

Occupation: President and CEO, Bettencourt Tax Advisors L.L.C.

Legislative Experience: Senate Member: 2015 - present

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

August 24, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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JOIN VIRTUALLY ===> AUGUST 24, 2023

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.

A champion for conservative solutions to Texas' challenges, Senator Bettencourt has built a strong reputation at the Capitol advocating for taxpayers. In his previous legislative sessions he worked tirelessly to pass conservative budgets, enact a supermajority requirement within a taxing jurisdiction to raise taxes, (which prevented a $100,000,000 tax increase in its first year) as well as author SB 7 which sought to stamp out the growing plague of inappropriate student-educator relationships. A compassionate conservative, Senator Bettencourt has been a leader on "Right to Try" and adult stem cell legislation, fighting for terminally and chronically ill patients across Texas to have better access to treatments and new therapies. Legislation that he sponsored on this important issue was adopted by the American Legislative Exchange Council as a national model other states could follow. He has also greatly expanded dual credit opportunities (SB 1004) for Texas students and Joint-Authored bipartisan legislation to enhance educational opportunities for students through ISD/Charter partnerships (SB 1882).

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

June 29, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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Please come help us welcome our special guest, District 5890 Governor 2023 2024, Heather Rimato.  Heather will officiate the installation of our newest officers and directors for 2023-2024.

ROTARY CLUB OF HOUSTON

113TH INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

2023—2024 Officers

President—Robert Eckels

Past President—Ken Mattox

President Elect—Karen Sotallaro

Secretary—Lisa Dobey

Treasurer—Elizabeth Jackson

Treasurer Elect—David Ahlquist

Sergeant-At-Arms—Nathan Allen

2023—2026 Directors

Mark Enis

Kate Gabriele

Dick Kuriger

Reed Lackey

Satellite Club of Innovation

Chair—Richard Perry

JOIN VIRTUALLY ===> JUNE 29, 2023

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

Thursday June 1, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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JOIN VIRTUALLY ===> JUNE 1, 2023

Dr. Paul Klotman began serving as president, CEO and executive dean of Baylor College of Medicine Sept. 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, rising to the rank of associate professor of medicine before moving to the NIH 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 Mt. Sinai School of Medicine as the Irene and Dr. Arthur M. Fishberg Professor of Medicine and the chief of the Division of Nephrology. In 2001, he was selected to be the chair of the Samuel Bronfman Department of Medicine of the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. The Baylor Board of Trustees named him as the school’s new president in July of 2010.

Dr. Klotman's research has been a blend of both basic and clinical research in molecular virology and AIDS pathogenesis. He developed the first small animal model of HIV-associated nephropathy using transgenic techniques. He is the author of more than 200 publications and he has been a visiting professor and lecturer internationally in the field of HIV pathogenesis. He has been elected to both the American Society of Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians. He is on the editorial boards of journals both in the United States and in Europe and he has served on and chaired numerous study sections including those from the NIH, the American Heart Association, the National Kidney Foundation, and the VA research service.

In addition to his laboratory efforts, Dr. Klotman has been an active clinician, teacher, and mentor. Students from his laboratory have won prestigious scientific competitions. He has trained over 50 clinical fellows, postdoctoral fellows, and students in his laboratory since 1984 most of whom are independently funded. Four of his mentees are now chairs of medicine and four others lead major institutes or centers. He has been listed in both Castle Connelly and New York Magazine as one of the region's Best Doctors. And, he was named Physician of the Year by Mt. Sinai nurses. As the chair of medicine, he moved the Department of Medicine at Mt. Sinai to a top-tier academic program by expanding the Faculty Practice, increasing basic and clinical research revenues, developing new community projects, and focusing on the educational mission.

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

Thursday May 11, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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Andrew S. Friedberg was first elected Mayor of Bellaire in November 2015. He previously served six years as a Council Member, and before that as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. He works as an attorney in the oil and gas industry. 

Education and Experience

An honors graduate of Bellaire High School, Andrew completed a triple-major in Economics, Finance and Government at the University of Texas at Austin. There, he was named Parents' Association Outstanding Student and received the University President's Leadership Award, among many others.

After graduating first in his class at UT, Andrew earned his law degree with honors from Harvard Law School, and served as a judicial law clerk at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Prior to returning to Bellaire, Andrew served six years in the United States Army National Guard as administrative specialist for a military intelligence unit, and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal.

Personal Information

Andrew and his wife, Jennifer, are the proud parents of two great kids, a son and a daughter.

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

Thursday April 27, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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JOIN VIRTUALLY ===> APRIL 27, 2023

Donna was born in Olympia, Washington and at three months old was transplanted to Houston. After receiving a Bachelor of Music from the University of Houston, she began her 14-year professional career as a music teacher for HISD. Her final three years were spent teaching children with special needs at T.H. Rogers School.

Married to renowned restaurateur Tony Vallone for more than 36 years, Donna was always by his side in life and in business. Together, they were co-owners of Tony’s in Greenway Plaza. When Tony passed away in September 2020, Donna took the reins of Tony’s and continues to work vigorously, keeping her beloved husband’s legacy and vision alive through the culinary arts and dedication to service that he held as a standard at his flagship restaurant of more than 58 years.

Donna is also extremely active in the community, serving on several boards and advisory committees. She sits on the boards of the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, Theatre Under the Stars, and Friends of Nursing at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Donna has a passion for life, love, and family. Her greatest loves are her late husband Tony and her family, always putting them first in her life. Her second love is music as she enjoys singing and attending music-inspired events around Houston. Donna is also a proud 15-year breast cancer survivor and an advocate for early detection. She will tell you – “a mammogram saved my life” – and as a result is a champion for annual check-screenings.

FUN FACTS

• Donna and Tony Vallone were the recipients of The Rotary Club of Houston's Distinguished Citizen Award in 2018.
• Tony's has been the venue for Rotary Club of Houston's weekly luncheons for several years.
• The food and service are WONDERFUL!

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

Thursday
April 20, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Imagine a day when cancer is treated with something as simple as a Z-Pac. Or a day when cancer is preventable through immunization. Or, better yet, a day when we can declare that cancer has been eradicated. While it might seem unimaginable, with the ever-accelerating advancements in technology, artificial technology, etc., such dreams may become a reality in the not too distant future. And it all starts with RESEARCH.

Since 1970, the Rotary Club of Houston has proudly supported cancer research through the Rotary Lombardi Award. The 49^th RLA was held on December 7, 2022 and this week we will be presenting checks to the American Cancer Society and MD Anderson. We are pleased to have Jenny Todd, Senior Executive Director of the American Cancer Society, Houston; Emily Koch, Associate Director, Leadership Giving and Philanthropy at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Nicholas Navin, Professor and Chair of the Department of Systems Biology at MD Anderson Cancer Center joining us as representatives of these great organizations. Jenny and Emily will be updating us on their fundraising efforts and how the donations from the RLA and other contributors support cancer research.

Please join us on Thursday, April 20 as we celebrate a successful 49^th RLA and turn the page as we focus our collective energies to make the 50^th Rotary Lombardi Award the most successful fundraiser we’ve ever had.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE REPEATEDLY ASK & REASKED – President Kenneth Mattox has put together a tabletop panel of individuals including himself, Roberto Canavati. Dr. David Persse, Dr. James Harrell, Laura Jahns, Annie Song Torres & others who routinely aid others in “Innovative 24 Access in Navigating Recognizing and Responding to potentially life threating medical conditions.”    Without any HIPPA violations, real life cases will be presented and discussed.   Houston is home to some of the most fantastic medical, psychiatric, and surgical care anywhere in the world, but is worthless if it cannot be accessed when needed.   Mechanisms to get the right person, to the right place, to see the right provider, in the right time, will be discussed.  

Every single person attending Rotary Club weekly meetings has experienced those very scary sinking feelings when encountering signs, symptoms, and fears that these perhaps represent the signals that immediate health access is indicated, but concern that an expensive extraneous workup might need to be avoided.  

Various public, private, and even purchased services have been arranged, with names such as “Care Navigator; Concierge Services; VIP Response; and 24 Access” are descriptors of existing vehicles to speedy and professional screening and therapeutic evaluation and care.   

We will be emphasizing the symptoms which should NOT be ignored and what to do for: 

1. Heart Attack and what to expect ----STEMI      Symptom to cath times acceptable
2. STROKE and what can be done and what should NOT be done.       
3. SOME acute Vascular conditions, some of which have minimal symptoms, but need urgent attention.
4. Perhaps some septic and infectious conditions, such as flesh-eating bacteria.
5. Maybe some orthopedic conditions
6. Maybe some cancer conditions
7. Children and burn conditions.
8. What is in place currently.
9. What is available in HOUSTON via EMS directly. 
10. What is being developed.
11. When NOT to over react.
12. Where are the checks and balances on TIME to action in the HOUSTON area. 

There WILL be time for questions from the floor.    You may want to have some paper to take notes. 

Kenneth L, Mattox, MD

VIRTUALLY ===> FEBRUARY 2, 2023

David H. Robbins
City of Houston Airports System
Infrastructure Division, Director of Resiliency

David joined the Houston Airports System a little over a year ago to lead Infrastructure, Program Management and Delivery. During this time, he established an integrated centralized program management system, in lieu of one based on spreadsheets and various distributed data repositories. With this intimate understanding of HAS infrastructure, David was recently appointed as Director of Resiliency for the three (3) airports, Ellington Field/Spaceport, Hobby, and Bush Intercontinental.

In this new role, Robbins will (via master planning effort) define, craft and implement the resiliency program in alignment with the City’s 100 Resilient Cities and C40 Network guidance. Addressing workforce, operations, infrastructure and finance in way of business continuity.

Robbins comes to Houston via San Antonio whereas Chief Development officer for the Airports System, he was responsible for development and implementation of the 20 – year Strategic Development Program, and the accompanying 10-year Capital Improvement Program. As well, he was charged with leading Design, Construction, Planning, Maintenance, Terminal Management, Ecology, Environment, Fleet and Central Utilities Plant.

With Chicago Department of Aviation, he held various positions as Senior Project Manager/Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner managing at various times, Design/Construction and Environment/Sustainability. As Sr. PM for the ($8.5 Billion) O’Hare Modernization. Mr. Robbins’s responsibilities included North Airfield PM, U.P./Metra Rail Relocation, Runway 10Center/Center program, among others. Under the O’Hare CIP Robbins led design and construction for 600 – Million BTU high temperature/high pressure water system, along with 42 thousand tons of chilled water and control upgrades, in the second largest central H&R plant in the U.S.

David’s aviation career began with the Wayne County Department of Airports where he worked as Airport Operations Airfield Supervisor and then Manager of Properties, Planning and Facilities. Prior to joining the CDA, Mr. Robbins was Design and Assets Manager VIII for the Wayne County Department of Public Works Division of Parks where he led a team managing design planning, design and construction for the oldest parks systemin the State of Michigan. He served as program manager for the (Platinum LEED) Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Gateway, as well as Detroit and Rouge River AOC Committee Chair. As a graduate of Eastern Michigan University’s College of Technology, Mr. Robbins holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management, and a Master of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Technology, with concentrations in both Emergency Management and Aviation Management.

Juanita and David have a son and a daughter and very much look forward to another 28 – years of friendship/marriage.

CHRIS BOLEMAN, PH.D.
President & CEO

As Chief Mission Officer, Dr. Boleman led the execution of all mission-related activities, including the livestock and horse shows, educational and commercial exhibits, donors, auctions, sponsorships, grants, scholarships, and other educational programs. A significant part of this position is working in tandem with 46 of the 108 volunteer committees to provide coordinated and collaborative leadership with the Rodeo’s Executive Committee, vice presidents, committee Chairs and staff. In this position, he provided oversight for an approximately $50 million budget and $27 million given annually through scholarships, educational program grants, and graduate assistantships.

In 2019, under the direction of the Rodeo Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, Dr. Boleman was tasked to provide leadership, oversight and management of the Rodeo’s reorganization plan in cooperation with the consultant team. He also led the implementation phase, which took place in the Fall of 2019. Prior to his promotion to chief mission officer, Dr. Boleman served as executive director of the Agricultural Competitions and Exhibits Division, leading the livestock and horse show competition, auctions and wine programs.

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

December 15, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

HALL OF FAME LIMELIGHT: HARRY REASONER
By Katrina Dewey | May 31, 2022 | Lawyer Limelights

Tonys
3755 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77046

December 1, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Topic:
What is Web3 and why is it a game changer?

Summary: presentation will go into what Web3 is, some basics of
blockchain, and how it is different from the traditional hub and spoke
structure of the internet, along with how this technology will change
society.

Bonus:
How FTX is NOT web3 and is actually an artifact from web 2.0
 

Bio:

Giorgio is an Italian-American software developer and entrepreneur.  While working in the Oil and Gas industry in 2011, he was introduced to the bitcoin white paper. Ever since, he has closely followed developments within the ecosystem. After working 7 years at one of the largest commodity companies, Koch Minerals and Trading, he decided to focus exclusively on crypto and founded the web3 focused software development company, Spindletop Digital, that builds web3 focused applications along with advising on web3 related topics. Within the space he has co-founding various web3 companies, such as Fair Bid, and has spearheaded the tokenization of an established Italian hotel on lake Como. He has also been highly active in the community and participated in various discussions with the LAO, Lex DAO, dxDAO, and Art Blocks. In addition, Giorgio runs the Houston Web3 meetup, a diverse group of crypto enthusiasts dedicated to building community, educating and onboarding and being a platform for innovation. The Houston Web3 meetup, has over the years, introduced many people to the basics of web3 along with hosting hackathons, and paneled discussions within the community.

Please join us September 22, 2022, we will be packaging meals for homebound seniors and disabled adults meals as well as their pets.

Meals on Wheels
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
3303 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002

September 22, 2022
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Meals on Wheels/Animeals

Meals on Wheels

Interfaith Ministries’ Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston and Galveston County program provides home-delivered meals to over 7,300 unduplicated homebound seniors and disabled adults in five counties – Harris, Galveston, Montgomery, Liberty and Chambers. The program also delivers weekend meals and a week’s worth of breakfast to about a quarter of our most frail and isolated clients. This nutritional support helps people stay independent and in their own homes. Sign up by contacting us at 713-533-4978.

Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston and Galveston County is able to serve clients with the help of partners like Harris County Area Agency on Aging, Texas Health and Human Services Commission and Managed Care Organizations serving Southeast Texas. In conjunction with the Harris County Community Services Department, Interfaith Ministries reaches out to the remote areas of Harris County, serving elders across the county. Interfaith Ministries also partners with organizations in Liberty, Chambers and Montgomery Counties to deliver these meals.

Additionally, our Animeals program delivers pet food to over 1,300 cats and dogs of Meals on Wheels clients. Interfaith Ministries collects donated pet food that volunteers deliver each month to clients. Learn more about Animeals.

Animeals

The Animeals program was founded so that homebound clients on Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston’s Meals on Wheels program would not feel compelled to share their limited food and resources with their four-legged friends. Thanks to partnerships with other non-profit organizations, we can assist our Meals on Wheels clients with receiving much needed veterinary services (such as vaccinations and spay/neutering).

Volunteers are needed to make monthly deliveries of pet food, adopt a senior and their pet(s), host pet food drives, assist with inventorying donations and organizing the Animeals pets, food room, repackage pet food donations, pick up donations of pet food throughout the community and represent Animeals at special events. Please click here if you are interested in volunteering with us!

If you are unable to donate dog or cat food, Interfaith Ministries can purchase the product on your behalf if you choose to donate online.

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

DAVID AHLQUIST - RAYMOND JAMES

CFP^®, AIF^®

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Decant Urban Winery
948 Wakefield Dr.
Houston, TX 77018

July 28, 2022
5:30 PM -

IN-PERSON ===> REGISTER HERE

The Membership Committee is pleased to announce RCoH's first Happy Hour event of 2022. We will be gathering informally at Decant Urban Winery in the Heights at 5:30 on Thursday, July 28th. It is located at 948 Wakefield Dr. Houston, TX 77018. 

In an effort to increase member engagement in the club, we will be having more informal events like this moving forward. Our hope is that this will give our club an opportunity to form deeper connections with members throughout the organization and strengthen our ability to all contribute to the success of our service projects. 

With that in mind, we look forward to seeing each of you there. 

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

Thursday June 16, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

REGISTER HERE

VIRTUAL MEETING ---> Thursday June 16, 2022

Charles C. Foster is Chairman of Foster LLP, and has thirty plus years of experience representing and advising multi-national companies on U.S. immigration law.

Long recognized as a national expert in U.S. immigration law, Mr. Foster has served as senior policy advisor to both Presidents Bush and Obama during their Presidential campaigns and has testified before both the U.S. House and Senate Subcommittees on Immigration on a variety of occasions. Mr. Foster has led for a decade the Greater Houston Partnership Task Force on Immigration Reform. He is the founding Chair of the State Bar of Texas Immigration & Nationality Law Section. He also serves as Honorary Consul General for the Kingdom of Thailand, and has received several high Royal Decorations from His Majesty, King Bhumibol. Additional service activities include: Chairman of Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston Advisory Board; Chairman of U.S.-China Partnerships; KIND Houston Advisory Board and Chairman of Americans for Immigration Reform. Executive Committee Member of the Greater Houston Partnership; Member of the Board of Directors of the Asia Society Texas Center; American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Houston Ballet, the Hobby Center for Public Policy, Barbara Bush’s Celebration of Reading and Invest in the USA (IIUSA).

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

May 19, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

REGISTER HERE

CLICK FOR VIRTUAL ===> MAY 19, 2022

Edward M. Emmett is a Fellow in Energy and Transportation at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.  Currently, his reaearch efforts are focused on freight mobility, building a resilient global supply chain and understanding the past, present and future role of highways.  Emmett also leads the team that sponsors the annual Houston Global Freight Summit.

Emmett’s background in transportation policy spans decades.  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.

Following his service at the Interstate Commerce Commission, Emmett was president of The National Industrial Transportation League from 1992 until 2003, when he created The Emmett Company, a transportation policy consulting firm.

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

May 12, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

REGISTER HERE

JOIN VIRTUAL MEETING ===> THURSDAY MAY 12, 2022
Click on Read more... below for Microsoft Teams instructions.

Championing the Cause of Leadership: A Look at the Baseball Dynasties

Ted Meyer is a highly rated labor and employment lawyer who represents organizations nationwide in matters relating to leadership and organizational excellence. He has counseled some of the largest employers in the world on how to improve their organizations and has done similar work for smaller teams and groups including churches and non-profits. Ted is also a self-taught baseball historian with a deep understanding and respect for the history of the game and the value of inclusiveness within it. Ted has pursued both passions side by side for over 30 years.

To read about Ted's book: CLICK HERE

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

May 5, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

REGISTER HERE

JOIN VIRTUAL MEETING ===> THURSDAY MAY 5, 2022

Cyber Protection

Big Data. 24-7 information. Robo Calls. Click Bait. Ransomware. Dark Web.

What can do in our business and our homes? How safe is your personal data?

Prepare to be surprised at how vulnerable your computer is and how easy it is to locate your most personal and important information.

James Morrison joined Ntirety in January 2022 as CISO after working for two years at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) as a Distinguished Technologist - Cyber Security.

Prior to working at HPE, James spent 22 years with the FBI as a Senior Computer Scientist, focused on cyber security. He worked on numerous national security and criminal intrusion investigations, as an active Cyber Security Expert, identifying security vulnerabilities and implementing solutions. He was a Regional Program Manager for the FBI Computer Science program and Adjunct Faculty Member for the FBI, teaching multiple classes at Quantico and internationally. 

Prior to his career in the FBI, James was an engineer for Lockheed Martin and a System Administrator the US Air Force at Schriever AFB and Clark AB, RP.

James lives in Houston with his wife Angi and their furry companions.

Randy McIlvoy, 4-Time Emmy Award winning Sports Anchor/Reporter with KPRC Channel 2 in Houston will emcee.

History and how you can get involved? Presented by the 49th Annual Rotary Lombardi General Chairman, Tom Vann

Net proceeds donation from the 48th Annual Rotary Lombardi Award to Dan D'Armond Executive Director for the Greater Houston Area of the American Cancer Society - presented by the 48th Annual Rotary Lombardi General Chairman, A. David Schwarz III.

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

April 14, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

REGISTER HERE

VIRTUAL MEETING ===> APRIL 14, 2022 <=== VIRTUAL MEETING

BETIRRI BENGTSON

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Tony's Restaurant-3755 Richmond Ave, Houston, 77046

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER (in person)

JOIN VIRTUAL TEAM MEETING ===> MARCH 24, 2022

Born in Puebla, Mexico in 1982, Betirri is a local artist in Houston, Texas, internationally recognized primarily by a series of paintings depicting bodiless sport figures in motion.

His work ranges from figurative to conceptual always expressing the essence of an idea or subject.

He is also the official artist of the Houston Lamborghini Festival since 2014.

Some of his clients include Reebok Brazil, Major League Soccer, NFL & Lone Star Sports & Entertainment. His work has been published and featured in magazines and newspapers in Italy, Romania, Brazil, United States, and Mexico.

His exhibit trajectory includes solo shows in Puebla in Mexico, Vancouver in Canada, Moscow in Russia, Houston in the US, and art fairs in Milan, Italy, and Miami Basel. Currently, twelve of Betirri's paintings are part of an international tour called 'Ball in Art' which is organized by a Russian Foundation that started in Moscow in 2018 and touring East Europe and Asia countries until 2022. The exhibit is formed of different artists around the world who paint the subject of football and it will be presented in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup.

Betirri's background is in architecture. He has used his skills in the development of a themed park proposed in East Downtown, Houston. Named Goal Park, it will be the enhancement of the Columbia Tap Trail using it as a platform for the community to practice public health and enjoy public art. This has been a volunteered work since 2015.

Betirri has practiced art professionally since 2012 as an independent artist sustaining one hundred percent from commissions and the sell of his paintings and drawings.

STATEMENT

Sports and a healthy lifestyle play an important role in society in any country. Sports are a way of identity for many. Sports keep us in constant motion, motivated, inspired, and alive. Sports are full of emotions and discipline, just like art. When I was a kid, I wanted to become a professional football (soccer) player, but my asthma condition didn't let me go further as I wished. However, art was the only path to stay as close to the sports as an athlete or manager. Although I admire certain athletes, I believe more in the team effort of most sports. I create timeless masterpieces that express that team effort through a bodiless figure in motion.

My mission as an artist is to reflect the impact that sports have in our society by different visual creative outlets such as painting, muralism and graphics.

- Betirri

Oksana Khariv

Founder, Omnis Foundation

Thursday, March 17, 2022

11:30 a.m. Doors Open at Tony's and on Zoom This Week

To register to attend in person:

CLICK HERE

(Zoom link below)

As we watch the news wondering what is really happening in the Ukraine, our speaker will share her experiences with us. Oksana grew up in the Ukraine during the former USSR where even freedom of speech was denied. She was given the opportunity to study in the U.S. and learned the true meaning of that word. 

Oksana Khariv works in the investment banking division of Citigroup, focusing on energy transition. Prior to joining Citi, she served as an Advisor at ExxonMobil, overseeing global corporate and market development efforts.

Combining her passions for development and philanthropy, Oksana founded Omnis, a non-profit organization committed to restoring communities facing crises through health and education programs.

Oksana studied and lived in Ukraine and the United States, speaks 4 languages and has worked on projects globally. She holds an MBA from SMU and a BA from Lviv State University. 

CHRIS BOLEMAN, PH.D.
President & CEO

Chris Boleman, Ph.D., was named president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ on May 12, 2020. Dr. Boleman joined the Rodeo in 2017 as the executive director of the Agricultural Competitions and Exhibits Division. In 2019, he was promoted to chief mission officer. A native Texan, Dr. Boleman earned a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, where he also has served as Associate Professor.

As Chief Mission Officer, Dr. Boleman led the execution of all mission-related activities, including the livestock and horse shows, educational and commercial exhibits, donors, auctions, sponsorships, grants, scholarships, and other educational programs. A significant part of this position is working in tandem with 46 of the 108 volunteer committees to provide coordinated and collaborative leadership with the Rodeo’s Executive Committee, vice presidents, committee Chairs and staff. In this position, he provided oversight for an approximately $50 million budget and $27 million given annually through scholarships, educational program grants, and graduate assistantships.

In 2019, under the direction of the Rodeo Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, Dr. Boleman was tasked to provide leadership, oversight and management of the Rodeo’s reorganization plan in cooperation with the consultant team. He also led the implementation phase, which took place in the Fall of 2019. Prior to his promotion to chief mission officer, Dr. Boleman served as executive director of the Agricultural Competitions and Exhibits Division, leading the livestock and horse show competition, auctions and wine programs.

Susan V. Brodbeck
Rotary Club of Lake Houston Area

January 6, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Susan V. Brodbeck
Rotary Club of Lake Houston Area

Susan Brodbeck is retired from a buying and merchandising career of 31 years in May Co. Department Stores in Indianapolis and at Foley’s in Houston.  

Susan graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri with an Associate of Arts Degree in Business and Retailing and then from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing.  After graduating she was a buyer and a merchandise manager for L. S. Ayres Department Stores in Indianapolis, Indiana for 24 years.  In 1992, as a result of a merger, Susan moved to Houston as the Ladies Coat Buyer for Foley’s.  Now, ask yourself...how is anyone successful at selling coats in Texas??  But, during her 9 years at Foley’s Susan earned “Buyer of the Year” 2 times.

She has been a member of Rotary since February 2007 and currently serves as the Rotary Youth Exchange Officer for the Lake Houston Area Club.  During her tenure she has coordinated 26 Inbound and 65 Outbound Rotary Youth Exchange Students.  She also serves as the liaison for the many wonderful Host Families who have hosted the Inbound Rotary Exchange Students from around the globe.  She has also served on the District 5890 Rotary Youth Exchange Committee.  Additionally, Susan served as President of The Rotary Club of Humble in 2014-15.  Organizing and planning are two things Susan really likes to do.

November 18, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

REGISTER FOR TONY'S ---> NOVEMBER 18, 2021 

Virtual Meeting ---> November 18, 2021

Joining the Harris County Flood Control District in 2004 as the District’s first meteorologist is one of many precedents set by Jeff Lindner. In his primary role as Director of the District’s Flood Operations Program, Jeff implements regular communication with the National Weather Service and the Harris County Office of Emergency Management (HCOEM) during times of flooding while monitoring 154 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 he oversees the operation of the Harris County Flood Warning System, the Discharge and Rating Curve Program, and is currently developing a real time flood forecast system. Jeff has developed multiple presentations and preparedness materials on hurricane impacts, flooding, and drought and how to prepare and respond to these weather episodes. Jeff 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. 

November 4, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

REGISTER FOR TONY'S ---> NOVEMBER 4, 2021 

Edward M. Emmett is a Fellow in Energy and Transportation at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.  As a professor in the practice, Emmett teaches classes in transportation economics and policy as well as social policy.  In addition, Professor Emmett is a Distinguished Senior Fellow within Northeastern University’s Global Resilience Institute.

Since 2005, Emmett is the owner of The Emmett Company, a consulting firm advising public and private entities in transportation policy, emergency management, international marketing and strategic development.

From 2007 until 2019, Emmett served as County Judge of Harris County, Texas.  As County Judge, Emmett was the Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, a role which established him as a national leader in emergency response and community resilience. 

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.

Kim Ogg is the 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.

October 28, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

REGISTER FOR TONY'S ---> OCTOBER 28, 2021 

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.

Register to attend in-person meeting at: 
Tony's, 3755 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77046

July 29, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

TONY'S REGISTRATION ---> Thursday July 29, 2021

JOIN VIRTUALLY ---> Thursday July, 2021

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."

https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/atascocita/news/article/Water-officials-designing-multi-billion-water-13230427.php

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 include A 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.

Thursday May 27, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

CLICK HERE ---> May 27, 2021 <--- CLICK HERE

Topics:

• Reducing violent crimes
• Building trust and creating transparency
• 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 5^th 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.

Gayle Knepper, Rotary District 5010

Thursday May 13, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

CLICK HERE ---> May 13, 2021 <--- CLICK HERE

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.

Thursday April 8, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Join Meeting --> April 8, 2021 <-- Join Meeting

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.

Richard S. Lawrence
District 7890 - Chair

Thursday March 18, 2021
11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

CLICK HERE --> March 18, 2021 <-- CLICK HERE
 

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.

       ***********************************************

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.

Director of Victim Services and Advocacy

Thursday February 11, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

CLICK HERE ---> February 11, 2021 <--- CLICK HERE

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.

Bill Teague

October 24, 1937 - December 25, 2020

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.

Thursday November 19, 2020
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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.