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.

• 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

• Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center* (founding CEO and stayed as such on a handshake, no written document, for 31+ years)
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo*
• Goodwill Houston*
• St. Luke’s United Methodist Church*
• Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation*
• Brazosport Retriever Club*
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome*
• FBI Course**
• American Leadership Forum**

Thursday September 17, 2020
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

CLICK HERE ----> Join Virtual Meeting <---- CLICK HERE
(First time using Microsoft Teams see Read more... below for instructions)

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.   

Click here for Video ----> August 27, 2020 Virtual Meeting <---- Click here for Video

CONGRATULATIONS ANNIE DUCURON - 

Marcelo Abvarez is the winner!!!

CLICK here for Video ----> Thursday August13, 2020 <---- CLICK here for Video

Mimi Swartz
Executive Editor Texas Monthly 
and 
Author of Power Failure and

Ticker: The Quest to Create an Artificial Heart

REGISTER HERE

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.

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
 

REGISTER

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.

MLK Salute

Let’s make this personal. Joining us this year is a panel of Houstonians who will share their stories and answer the question:

What is the Impact of Dr. MLK and influence on your life?

Moderator: US District Judge Vanessa Diane Gilmore, Southern District of Texas

Paula McCann Harris, Director Global Stewardship, Schlumberger

James E. Harris, CDP, H-E-B, Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity

REGISTER

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.

Gary Gillen

District 5890 Governor 2019-2020

Thursday, November 14, 2019

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.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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.  

THIS MEETING REPLACES THE THURSDAY LUNCHEON FOR SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

Thursday, September 19, 2019

5:30 P.M. 

McCormick & Schmick’s Uptown Park

1151-01 Uptown Park Boulevard

Houston, TX 77056

Please register so we can reserve an area to meet

John W. Diamond
Director, Center for Public Finance
Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Fellow in Public Finance
Rice University's Baker Institute

Is a Debt Bomb and an Economic Crisis Coming?

REGISTER HERE

HESS Club

5430 Westheimer Ct.

Houston, TX 77056

Is a debt and economic crisis coming?

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

Is there an attendance requirement?     NO. While we always love to see members and guests, we have so many opportunities for participation outside our lunch meeting.

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.

Click "Read More" for additional Questions....

Ethical Issues Surrounding the $40 Billion Texas Education Fund

Susan Carroll and Buck Wood

HESS Club

5430 Westheimer Ct., Houston, TX 77056

Gather at 11:30 a.m. for conversation. Meeting will start at noon and end at 1:15 p.m.

REGISTER HERE

Susan Carroll

Houston Chronicle award winning journalist

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

2019-2020 ROTARY YEAR BEGINS

MEMBERS ONLY

Hear about plans for the year from Board members and Committee Chairs.

Featuring the great unveiling of the 

Rotary Club of Houston

HISTORY AT A GLANCE

REGISTER HERE

Hess Club

5430 Westheimer Ct.

Houston, TX 77056

New lunch prices

Meal Plan pre-pay bargain selections-see your renewal mailing

Punch Card $35/per

On Line Registration $40

Walk-In $45

The Rotary Club of Houston

Cordially invites you to the 

The 109th Installation of the 2019-2020 Officers & Directors

June 13, 2019

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tony’s Restaurant

3755 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77046

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Donation* $50.

Officers

Kathleen Fenninger, President

Mel Gross, President-Elect

Bob Seekely, Treasurer

Jim Behrmann, Treasurer-Elect

Natalie Wriston, Secretary

Rob Adams, Sergeant-At-Arms

Larry Meeks, Past President

Directors 2019-2022

Dan Clinton

Charles Dabney

Charlie Ewing

Lauren Walters

Bob Wells

At Large 2019-20

Richard Kuriger

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.