Steve Kean President and CEO, Greater Houston Partnership

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday November 7, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 

Steve Kean
President and CEO, Greater Houston Partnership

The Greater Houston Partnership is the Houston region’s principal business organization.  The Partnership focuses on attracting investment and trade to Houston, building a strong workforce, advocating for sound public policy, and convening a diverse set of Houstonians when major issues arise.

Prior to joining the Partnership in 2023, Steve was Chief Executive Officer of Kinder Morgan, one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America.

Steve has worked in the energy industry since 1985 in various commercial, operational and legal positions, primarily in the wholesale energy and energy transportation and storage sectors. 

Steve is Chairman of the Board of the Saint Constantine School, a classical Christian school in Houston.  Steve also serves on the Advisory Board of the Collaborative for Children. Steve has been an active supporter of the Saint Constantine School, Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School, KIPP Houston, the Collaborative for Children and the Houston Area Urban League.

Steve holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University and a law degree from the University of Iowa.

Steve is married to Melissa Kean. Melissa, the retired Centennial Historian for Rice University, earned her Ph.D. in history from Rice University. She is the author of Desegregating Private Higher Education in the South: Duke, Emory, Rice, Tulane, and Vanderbilt. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.

Steve Kean President and CEO, Greater Houston Partnership 2024-11-05 06:00:00Z 0

Centerpoint Energy - Brad Tutunjian

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77046
 
October 24, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
Brad Tutunjian
Vice President, Regulatory Policy
 
Brad is Vice President, Regulatory Policy at CenterPoint Energy. In this role, he is the company’s key witness in regulatory proceedings, leads innovative projects requiring regulatory approval, heads pursuits of grant funding for resiliency and breakthrough technology projects, and testifies on key policy initiatives before legislators.
 
He began his career in Houston in 1998 and has held various leadership positions in electric and natural gas operations. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Distribution Operations and Service Delivery, focusing on service levels and efficiencies improvement for existing and new electric customers.
 
Brad serves on the executive board of the Low Carbon Research Initiative and the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies. He is former chairman of the board of directors for Utilization Technology Development, a subsidiary of the Gas Technology Institute, and previously served on the boards for Goodwill Industries and the American Red Cross.
 
He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University and is a licensed professional engineer.
Centerpoint Energy - Brad Tutunjian 2024-10-21 05:00:00Z 0

Emily Woodell-Harris County Flood Control District

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday October 10, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 

 

Houston is the Bayous City and while we love the many views we enjoy; we aren't fond of flooding issues that come with the territory. 

 

What is happening with maintenance?

What is the Flood Control District Proposition A on the November ballot?

Does it mean a tax increase?

Let's ask Emily:


Emily Woodell 
Chief External Affairs Officer
Harris County Flood Control District

The Harris County Flood Control District is a special purpose district created by the Texas Legislature in 1937 and governed by Harris County Commissioners Court. It was created in response to devastating floods that struck the region in 1929 and 1935.

23 primary watersheds within Harris County's 1,777 square miles...each watershed has its own independent flooding problems. Each watershed presents unique challenges.

https://www.hcfcd.org/About


Emily Woodell serves as the Chief External Affairs Officer for the Harris County Flood Control District, whose mission is to reduce the risk of flooding in Harris County, the third most populated county in the United States, with a population in excess of 4.7 million, including the City of Houston, the nation’s fourth largest city. She leads communications, precinct coordination and government affairs for the organization, ensuring outreach and engagement efforts are consistent and effective. 
 
Prior to joining the Flood Control District, Emily worked with a Houston-based communications firm and oversaw communications, advocacy, paid media, and public engagement efforts on behalf of a range of public and private sector clients, including the Flood Control District. She brings extensive experience engaging stakeholders and managing campaigns at the federal, state, and local levels.
Emily Woodell-Harris County Flood Control District 2024-10-04 05:00:00Z 0

HAR - Chairman of the Board - Thomas Mouton

story thumbnail

As the dynamic CEO of a premier development company and the co-owner of a distinguished real estate brokerage, Thomas Mouton stands as an influential figure in the Greater Houston area's real estate sector. His extensive experience spans all aspects of the industry, from residential and commercial properties to developmental projects, positioning him as a versatile stalwart in the field.

The Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) plays a pivotal role in shaping the city's real estate trajectory, serving as a touchstone for industry standards, ethics, and innovations. As Chair Elect of this esteemed organization, Thomas is not merely holding a title; he's safeguarding the future of Houston real estate. Gearing up to lead as Chairman of the Board in 2024, Thomas is poised to steer HAR through evolving market dynamics, keeping it at the forefront of real estate excellence.

In 2020, demonstrating his commitment to fostering an inclusive industry, Thomas pioneered the creation of a diversity taskforce within HAR. This initiative has not only championed diverse voices but has also instituted significant changes that resonate with both HAR's leadership and its broad membership.

Born and bred in Houston, Thomas' passion for the city is rooted deep. A proud alumnus of Aldine-Eisenhower High School, he showcased his athletic prowess as a student athlete. His basketball journey continued at Sam Houston State University, where he not only clinched a basketball scholarship but also honed his business acumen, culminating in a degree in business.

Transitioning from a commendable stint in the oil and gas sector, Thomas was drawn to the world of real estate. Initially embarking as an investor, he soon co-founded a real estate firm alongside his life partner and accomplished real estate professional, Indra Mouton. Together, they balance their business aspirations with the joys of raising their four cherished children.

Basketball still occupies a special place in Thomas' heart. Today, he channels his love for the sport into coaching and mentoring his sons, ensuring the legacy continues.

HAR - Chairman of the Board - Thomas Mouton 2024-09-26 05:00:00Z 0
DG Nancy Anderson: Rotary Club of Harrisburg and Houston 2024-09-06 05:00:00Z 0

A Secret Tens of Thousands Already Know

story thumbnail
 
 

As we drive across Houston and surrounding area, HCC signs appear frequently. How many campuses do they have? What academic and trade specialties are offered? What opportunities are there for adults to take enrichments programs. Health sciences certifications, truck driving, construction industry and manufacturing, digital gaming, merchandising, culinary arts, dual credit classes...Real World Education- is Community college for everyone?. What questions do you have for the Chancellor?

Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D.

Chancellor of Houston Community College

Margaret Ford Fisher was named the 9th Chancellor of Houston Community College on January 24, 2024. From 2018-2023, she served as founding president of HCC Online College, leading to the establishment more than 60 fully online degrees and 70 hybrid programs, building a 62,000-plus enrollment.

Before that role, she served 20 years as HCC Northeast College president. There, she led two successful capital campaigns and community support for HCC District annexation. She led development of new, leading-edge STEM energy and biotechnology programs, secured federal and state grants and philanthropic support, and brokered industry relationships that led to high-tech, stackable-certificate programs, state-of-the art facilities, and 14,000 enrolled students.

Since joining HCC in 1985, Dr. Ford Fisher has served in leadership roles, including Interim Vice Chancellor of Instruction, Associate Vice Chancellor of Academics, Dean of Instruction, Division Chair of Arts and Humanities, and English Chair and professor. She has also taught at Texas Southern University, the University of Houston, and Wichita High School South. She was an assistant professor of Intercultural Communications and International Relations at Wichita State University (Kansas) for nine years.

Dr. Ford Fisher has been a lifelong advocate for education locally, nationally, and internationally. She is a long-time member of the HISD advisory committee and a lifetime NAACP member, as well as a long-term Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators advisory committee member and National Congress of Black Women board member. She is a past board member of the Greater Northside Chamber of Commerce and the Greenspoint and Heights Chambers of Commerce. She serves on the International Relations Commission of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and is a member of AACC’s Commission on Technology and Infrastructure Support. She held a three-year elected term on the AACC board and represented the organization before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy on National Science Foundation issues. She was AACC spokesperson at the international meetings of ministers of education in Windsor, Canada.

Her awards and honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Honorable Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at the Rice University Community Forum upon her 2012 publication, Learning for Ownership, and Senior Education Advisor designation by the Honorable Rodney Ellis, former State Senator. She received the LULAC Council 42 Appreciation Award, the W. E. B. DuBois Award from the National Alliance of Black School Educators, the District Award of Merit from the Sam Houston Council of Boy Scouts of America—Antares District, and the Visionary Leaders Award from the Northeast College faculty and staff.

Dr. Ford Fisher has authored more than 50 publications and four books, including the first book on high school dual credit, High School Students Earning College Credit: Guide to Creating Dual Credit Programs (1996).

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in the Teaching of English from Wichita State University and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Houston.

A Secret Tens of Thousands Already Know 2024-08-29 05:00:00Z 0

Understanding the World of AI - Dr Vincent Solis

story thumbnail
A number of our members had the pleasure of hearing Dr Solis speak at District 5890 Conference and knew immediately you would be fascinated by his presentation. In clear language he discussed AI, its impact on society, why we need to understand how to harness that power and know how to ask questions to harness its many applications. 

Dr. Vincent R. Solis
President of Brazosport College

Dr. Solis is a lifelong educator with more than 30 years of experience in higher education. Prior to serving Brazosport College, he held the presidency at Western Nevada College, and has served in a multitude of senior and executive roles during his three decades long career, including providing leadership for Academic, Enrollment, and Student Success divisions and units.  Dr. Solis' academic began at Chemeketa Community College, and he later attended Texas A&M-Kingsville, earning honors in his BA in Psychology and Sociology, an MS in Psychology, and a Doctorate in Bilingual Education.

Throughout his career Dr. Solis has been committed to education and serving the community.  Outside of his professional responsibilities, Dr. Solis is an active community member, previously serving as President of the Community Boxing Club of Brownsville and Chair of the United Way State Employee Campaign. He also contributes to his community as a proud Rotary International member, twice named Rotarian of the Month, and received the 2016 Ignite Member of the Year award for outreach in service of Rotary.  In his current role he is a proud member of the Board for the Dream Center and serves as a mentor in the BISD mentoring organization.    

Dr. Solis is a sought-after public speaker, addressing audiences at the Department of Education, South Texas Hispanic Male Leadership Summit, Rotary, community groups, K12 settings, and civic/governmental entities.  His presentation topics include Artificial Intelligence, Understanding Poverty, Technology, and Leadership.    

He is a fervent advocate for education, frequently sharing his personal narrative of transformation from a high school dropout and youngest child of migrant workers to a professional educator, illustrating the profound and transformative power of education.

Understanding the World of AI - Dr Vincent Solis 2024-08-08 05:00:00Z 0

Ask the FBI with Special Agent in Charge

We have been hearing so much recently about the FBI and other law enforcement organizations, now is your chance to ask questions directly to the head of the FBI Office in Houston. He will provide an overview of the Houston Field Office, discuss lawful access, and answer your questions.  

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

Thursday, August 8, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

 

Douglas A. Williams Jr.
Special Agent in Charge
Houston FBI Office

 

Special Agent in Charge, Douglas A. Williams Jr. began his career as a Special Agent with the FBI in 2002 and was assigned to the Miami Field Office.  During his tenure in the Miami Field Office, Mr. Williams investigated drug trafficking organizations, violent crime and organized crime.  

In 2008, Mr. Williams was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) in the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) at FBI Headquarters (FBIHQ) where he worked in the National Gang Targeting Center.  During this time, Mr. Williams completed a four-month TDY to LEGAT Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom where he investigated public corruption in support of the International Contract Corruption Task Force. In 2010, Mr. Williams transferred to the Special Operations Division at FBIHQ where he served as an operations SSA.

In 2011, Mr. Williams was assigned as the SSA of the Cincinnati Field Office, where he oversaw the violent crime, transnational organized crime and violent crimes against childrenprograms.  During this time, Mr. Williams was the Cincinnati Division SWAT Team Supervisor.  In 2016, Mr. Williams was assigned as the SSA of the Cincinnati Division’s public corruption and complex financial crimes squad where he oversaw public corruption and complex financial crime investigations.

In 2016, Mr. Williams was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) of theHouston Field Office, Criminal Branch II, with oversight over the violent crime, transnational organized crime, violent crimes against children and civil rights programs.

In January 2020, Mr. Williams was promoted to Section Chief of the Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA) at FBIHQ.  During this time, Mr. Williams led a team which managed all FBI interactions with Congress, advised FBI executive leadership on Congressional matters, and oversaw the FBI’s Congressional oversight and investigations response.

In May 2021, Mr. Williams was selected as the Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Field Office.  

In December 2023, Mr. Williams was selected as the Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Field Office.

Prior to his FBI career, Mr. Williams served as a Police Officer for the Kenton County (KY) Police Department. Mr. Williams earned a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, KY and a Master’s degree in organizational management and leadership from Western Governors University.  

Ask the FBI with Special Agent in Charge 2024-08-02 05:00:00Z 0

Houston! We have an Emergency-Ask Dr. Persse

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday August 1, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 

Dr. David Persse
Director of Emergency Medical Services for the City of Houston
Public Health Authority, City of Houston
EMS Physician Director, Houston Fire Department
Chief Medical Officer for the City of Houston
Chairman of the Board for SETRAC, SouthEast Texas Regional Advisory Council

As hurricane clean up is still a work in progress for many across the city, we need to look to the future. We’ve asked Dr Persse to update us on how we should be preparing for the next emergency, how to identify residents/neighbors who might need special services and not realize what is available, how we can mitigate the loss of life in the next crisis, and the scope of SETRAC in our efforts. Rotarian David Persse is uniquely positioned to explain the many moving parts. 

SETRAC has been an effective leader in aligning hospitals, first responders, emergency managers, and public health officials across a 25-county region to plan for disasters and respond in a coordinated fashion.

Dr. Persse's career in medicine started with ten years experience as a field paramedic and paramedic instructor in upstate New York and New Jersey.
After receiving his pre-med training at Columbia University in New York, he then attended Georgetown University School of Medicine. Graduating with honors in emergency medicine from Georgetown, he then completed residency training in emergency medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California.

Dr. Persse is also a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the South East Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council and a previous Chair of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. He is the recipient of the Keith Neely Outstanding Contribution to the National Association of EMS Physicians for his leadership during the Hurricane Katrina response, 2007, and the 2009 Michael K. Copass Award from the U.S. Metropolitan Medical Directors. He is a 2015 EMS Top 10 Innovator Award Winner from the Journal of Emergency Medical Services. Dr. Persse received an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities in Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine and was awarded the ACEP Outstanding Contribution to EMS Award in 2018. Dr. Persse is a Professor of Medicine and Surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Texas Medical School – Houston. He is also a Tactical Physician with the Houston Police S.W.A.T. team.

Houston! We have an Emergency-Ask Dr. Persse 2024-07-29 05:00:00Z 0

THE HOUSTON OF TOMORROW

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday July 25, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 

Ruth N. Lopez Turley, PhD, Professor of Sociology, Director: Kinder Institute for Urban Research Rice University, returns with the latest data about Houston. What responses, priorities, and leadership are needed to address the current conditions. She will show how "magical" numbers can be as they serve as predictions for our city and the U.S. itself. 
 

The 43rd annual Kinder Houston Area Survey provides an unparalleled look at current conditions in the region as well as the “Houston of Tomorrow.” While the same challenges that have weighed on the region over the last few years — crime and safety, affordable housing and the economy — remain at the forefront of people’s thinking, survey results show Houstonians are excited about the next 10 to 20 years and how emerging opportunities may reshape their lives, careers and communities.
 

 

 
 
THE HOUSTON OF TOMORROW 2024-07-19 05:00:00Z 0

An Innovation Guaranteed to Amaze
 

story thumbnail

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

Thursday July 18, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00PM

 

Ever feel a beating heart? 

After 17 years of research in the creation of a total artificial heart - the world’s first permanent heart replacement was approved by the FDA in November 2023 for an EFS (Early Feasibility Study).  Since then behind the scenes, surgeons have been trained, the device has been produced, and patients are now being sought. Small enough for use in a child with enough power for an adult man doing exercise. Dr. William Cohn, MD, Heart Surgeon at The Texas Heart Institute and BIVCOR Chief Medical Officer will amaze us with this life saving and seemingly impossible  invention - and you will be able to hold the actual working device!

Dr. Cohn is an active member of the Professional Staff at THI and served as Director of the Center for Technology and Innovation and Director of the legendary Cullen Cardiovascular Research Laboratory at the THI prior to joining Johnson & Johnson, as the Vice President for Medical Devices Companies and Executive Director of the new Center for Device Innovation at the Texas Medical Center in Houston. 

Dr. Cohn earned an undergraduate degree in Biology and Chemistry from Oberlin College in Ohio, and went on to receive his Doctor of Medicine from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.  He then completed seven years of general surgical and cardiothoracic surgical training at the Baylor College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals and a one-year cardiothoracic fellowship at Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital. After completion of his training, he stayed on as a staff Cardiothoracic surgeon at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and as a full-time faculty of Harvard Medical School for ten years before being recruited back to his hometown.

At THI he has been intimately involved in the development of the continuous-flow, totally implantable, artificial heart and in 2011, Dr. Cohn and Dr. O. H. Frazier successfully implanted the first pulseless total heart replacement device in a human patient.

Medical device development remains his passion and he has been granted more than 90 US patents or patents pending for his medical innovations that have provided the core technology for six venture-backed medical start-ups.

His numerous awards include an honorary doctorate in science from Oberlin College, the Distinguished Scientist Award, given by the MacDonald Fund, and the Edison Award for excellence in human-centered design and innovation for the SentreHEART® Lariat®.  In 2000, Dr. Cohn was named the distinguished Inventor of the Year by the U.S. Intellectual Property Owners Association.  In 2014 he was named Outstanding Inventor of the Year by the Houston IPO.  In addition, in 2014 he received the Innovation award at ICI in Tel Aviv for inventing the TVA everLINQ system for percutaneous AV fistula creation and for founding TVA Medical.  In 2015, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for healthcare innovation by the Houston Technology Center.

Before joining J&J, he was a Venture Partner at Santé Ventures and was the Chief Medical Officer for BiVACOR USA and for Reliant Heart.

An Innovation Guaranteed to Amaze  2024-07-12 05:00:00Z 0

The Humanitarian Crisis in GAZA and The Mideast in Turmoil

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday June 13, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
 

You are invited to hear Ambassador David M. Satterfield (ret)

Director: Baker Institute: Rice University
 
THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GAZA-TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
 
The Rotary Club of Houston is proud to present Ambassador David Satterfield (ret), Director of the Baker Institute at Rice, in one of his first appearances since retiring from President Biden’s appointment as U.S Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues-charged with coordination with U.N, USAID and partners in the region to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
 
Ambassador Satterfield was present early April in Israel, attempting to bring crucial aid to Gaza when Iran launched its drone/missile attack against Israel. He has spent 40 years in diplomatic service and policy management in the U.S., Near East and Europe. 
 
Issues on the table for discussion:
  1. Can there ever be peace between Israel and the Palestinians based on the generations of hatred and past wars and what has happened this time in Gaza?
  2. Has Diplomacy Failed in the Middle East and Gaza?
  3. How to describe the humanitarian crisis in Southern and Northern Gaza affecting two million Palestinians most of them women and children?
  4. Assuming aid finally begins to enter, is it too late to save the millions living there who have been subjected to the most vicious bombardment in recent modern history?
  5. What obstacles stand in the way of life-saving aid?
  6. What should be the proper U.S. response to the constant wars in the Middle East?
  7. What happens to Gaza and the Palestinians, the day after the war ends?  Will Israel rebuild and open it up only to Jewish Settlers as many in the Likud Party champion? 
  8. Will Palestinians be allowed to return to a nearly totally destroyed Gaza? If so, what Palestinian government will be strong enough to govern?
  9. Would Hamas have any role?
  10. How will the rebuilding of a nearly totally destroyed Gaza be accomplished and by whom?
  11. How will Middle East politics change as a result of the Hamas attacks on Israel and Israel’s retaliation?
  12. Has Diplomacy Failed in the Middle East and Gaza?
So many questions, Rotary has the right speaker to begin the discussion of one of the most important issues facing the world. Invite your friends.
 
Joe Colangelo
Rotary Club of Houston
Program Committee
713-412-1875
 

 

The Honorable David M. Satterfield is the director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. He has more than four decades of diplomatic and leadership experience, including service as special envoy for the Horn of Africa, assistant secretary of state, National Security Council staff director and as ambassador to Lebanon and Turkey and charge d’affaires in Iraq and Egypt.

Satterfield’s extensive bilateral and multinational negotiating background most notably includes the 1995 Roadmap for Israel-Palestinian Peace (with the United Nations), the 2000 withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces from Lebanon and Blue Line boundary agreement (with the United Nations), and the 2008 Status of Forces Agreement between the U.S. and Iraq. As the State Department’s coordinator for Iraq, he managed the largest domestic staff in the department’s history and directed fundamental reforms to the Foreign Service.

As director general of the Multinational Force and Observers, Satterfield conceived and directed the comprehensive modernization of military and civilian peacekeeping operations and led fundraising efforts with the U.S. Congress and donor governments.

Among other honors, Satterfield is the recipient of the highest Department of State recognition, the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Award, and the highest award for senior federal executives, the Office of Personnel Management Distinguished Federal Executive Rank Award.

Satterfield is a graduate of the University of Maryland and speaks Arabic, French and Italian. He is married to Elizabeth Ann Fritschle, a career Foreign Service officer.

The Humanitarian Crisis in GAZA and The Mideast in Turmoil 2024-06-07 05:00:00Z 0

Amanda McMillian - United Way of Greater Houston

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday June 6, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 

In October, 1887, a Denver woman, a Priest, two ministers and a Rabbi came together to form what is now called the United Way.
 
Now, one of the world’s largest privately funded charities, they now serve 95% of U.S. Communities and 37 countries and supports 48 million people every year through its network of 1800 local, nonprofit, fundraising affiliates.  Revenues exceed five billion dollars-truly a major factor worldwide in helping the needy of our country and the world,
 
The Rotary Club of Houston is proud to bring to its podium, Amanda McMillian, President/CEO, United Way of Greater Houston, to discuss accomplishments and challenges facing its organization.  For over 100 years, (almost as long as The Rotary Club of Houston), the local United Way has brought together diverse parties and novel approaches to get to the root of complex challenges holding back people.
 
Invite your friends to this important program.
 
Joe Colangelo
Program Committee
The Rotary Club of Houston
713-4121875
 
Amanda McMillian assumed her position as President and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston on May 1, 2020.  Prior to joining United Way, she served as Executive Vice President & General Counsel for Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, where she was a member of the executive committee and was responsible for Anadarko’s legal, human resources, and real estate and facilities functions.  Before her tenure at Anadarko, Amanda practiced corporate and securities law at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.
 
She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Partnership and the Board of Trustees of Southwestern University. She is also a member of the Executive Committee for Upskill Houston, the Advisory Board for the Houston Energy Transition Initiative, the Executive Advisory Board for the Health Equity Collective and the Advisory Board for the Kinder Institute’s Kinder Houston Area Survey. Amanda previously served on the Board of Directors of the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, where she was a past President of the Board, and served on the Advisory Board of the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra.
 
Amanda holds a Bachelor of Arts from Southwestern University and received both a Master of Arts and a Juris Doctor from Duke University. She was named one of the Houston Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs in 2023; was a Texas Executive Women–Women on the Move honoree in 2022; received the Association of Women Attorneys Foundation Premier Woman in Law Award in 2019; was named one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Oil & Gas by the National Diversity Council for 2018, 2017 and 2016; and recognized as one of the Most Powerful Businesswomen in Texas by the National Diversity Council in 2016.
 
Amanda McMillian - United Way of Greater Houston 2024-05-30 05:00:00Z 0

RE-EXAMINING THE VALUE & VIABILITY OF MASS TRANSIT

 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday May 30, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 

 
Bill King, Houston’s conscience and commentator is coming to Rotary.
 
It is no secret that Mr. King has criticized Metro (Metropolitan Transit Authority), for decades, calling some of their plans “the biggest boondoggle” in Houston’s history. But, his arguments are much broader than just Houston.
 
To quote from Bill: “Mass transit and per-capita-ridership, nationwide, has been in decline for three decades. COVID greatly accelerated the trend. We are entering a new era in personal mobility that is rapidly making the concept of mass transit obsolete.”
 
Please invite your friends and guests to this important program where our speaker will offer solutions, not just complain and comment.
 
Joe Colangelo
Program Committee
713-412-1875

 

Bill King is an outspoken independent who has, for years, written about the political dysfunction in our country. But he has done more than just pontificate from an armchair. In 2015, he ran as an independent for mayor of Houston, losing a nail-biting runoff in the closest mayoral race in the city’s history. Prior to running for Houston mayor, King wrote over 500 opinion pieces for the Houston Chronicle and served a stint of that paper’s editorial board. Today he publishes a widely read newsletter and blog, www.BillKingBlog.com.

Over the years he also served as the mayor of his hometown, Kemah, Texas, was a successful businessman and lawyer, and served in many other public and civic capacities. He is perhaps best known for his work on Houston’s evacuation procedures in the wake of the disastrous Hurricane Ike evacuation. His work on a Gubernatorial commission and a regional task force charged with review evacuation procedures won the National Hurricane Conference’s Outstanding Achievement Award in 2006.

Bill’s father was a union pipefitter and he spent much of his formative years “pipelining” across our country with his family, providing him early lessons in the diversity of America and its great natural beauty. He worked his way through the University of Houston as a pipefitter summer apprentice eventually earning political science and law degrees.

The road was not always smooth for Bill. Shortly after leaving law school he was recruited by Houston firm specializing in representing Texas savings and loan association, leading him to enter that industry as principal. After much initial success, he was swept up in the collapse of Texas oil and real estate in the mid-1980s eventually losing everything he had built. He chronicled that life-changing experience in his 2008 book, Saving Face.

Bill has enjoyed a vast variety of experiences during his life, ranging from traveling to Cuba with the late Congressman Mickey Leland to negotiate the release of political prisoners with Fidel Castro to captaining his own boat on a 10,000 nautical mile tour of America and Canada. It is this incredibly diverse set of experiences that have provided the context for his “search for a rational center in American politics.”

RE-EXAMINING THE VALUE & VIABILITY OF MASS TRANSIT 2024-05-29 05:00:00Z 0

J.P. Bryan, Jr.: Maybe The Best Little Museum in Texas

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday May 23, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
 
 
 

J.P. Bryan is known to many for his amazing collection of Texas history in the beautiful 19th century building that was the former Galveston Orphan Home. Saddle up and get ready to travel with him as he shares the vision of the history of the west through his one of a kind artifacts. We will be at Tony's Restaurant, but perhaps a field trip is in our future!

J.P. Bryan, Jr., a native Texan and lateral descendant of Stephen F. Austin, has been involved in the energy and investment industries for more than five decades.  He began his career in investment banking serving as Assistant Treasurer for J. P. Morgan (1966-69), Executive Vice-President and Director of Dominick & Dominick, Inc. (1969-74), President and CEO of The Mortgage Banque (1974-78), and First Vice-President of E.F. Hutton & Company and Director of Investment Banking-Southwest Region (1978-81). Navigating to the energy sector, J.P. served as Chairman & CEO of Torch Energy Advisors (1981-2012), CEO at Bellwether Exploration (1987-97), CEO of Nuevo Energy (1990-95), and President and CEO of Gulf Canada Resources Ltd. (1995-98).

Among his numerous business awards are Texas Entrepreneur of the Year (1994) and Canadian Oil Producer of the Year (1995).

J.P. received his B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin (1958-62); his LLB from The University of Texas Law School at Austin (1963-65); and his BFT from the American Institute of Foreign Trade at Phoenix, Arizona (1966).  While at UT, J.P. was President of his law school and was a member of the Student Honor Council and founder of the International Law Society.  JP was a participant of  the law school’s winning team’s 1st School of Law’s Moot Trial debate challenge. He also started a rare book and printing business at UT, the Pemberton Press which published and reprinted books on Texas history, such as the first biography of Frank Dobie and Frank Hamer; it was then that his passion for collecting Texana and Texas art expanded. Over the years, Bryan has purchased important art and artifacts important to the history of the settlement of the West and Texas.

J. P. has also devoted much of his life to his passion for historic preservation. He has been president of both the Texas Historical Foundation and the Texas State Historical Association and was appointed commissioner for the Texas Historical Commission by Governor George Bush.He served on the advisory board for the Brazoria County Historical Museum and was the chairman of the board for the Institute of Texan Cultures. He received an award for historical preservation from the Museum of Southern History, the Wheat Award for historical preservation from the Texas Historical Foundation, the Stephen F. Austin Leadership Award from the Brazoria County Museum, the Briscoe Achievement Award from the National Western Art Foundation, accolades from Architectural Digest, the T.R. Fehrenbach Award for distinguished service and contribution to the promotion and preservation of Texas history, was named a Texas State Historical Association Fellow in 2012, received Preservation Houston’s Good Brick Award in 2013, was presented with the Star of Texas Award by the Texas Historical Foundation in January 2014, and named Houston History Hero 2015 by the Houston History Association. In 2016 J.P. was made a Commissioned Admiral in the Texian Navy and in 2017 was awarded the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Medal. 

In 2019 Texas Governor Abbott appointed J.P. to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Galveston County Ports. OnApril 7, 2021, the city of Houston Mayor, Sylvester Turner, signed a proclamation proclaiming, “J P Bryan, Jr. Day”.In 2023 JP was the recipient of the Houston Treasure Award and has been named one of the 2024 Houston Man of Distinction.

Over the years, J.P. has given, and continues to give, hundreds of speeches to various groups on the history of Texas and the American West. He has written numerous booklets and book introductions, including one on the history of Lonesome Dove and another about artist Tom Lea. Just recently, after years of extensive research, J.P. submitted his book for publication concerning the Texas Revolution and the Battle of San Jacinto. He is currently working on compiling material for 5 books regarding various aspects and personalities of Texas history.

J. P. and his wife Mary Jon spent two decades restoring the Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas. The Gage Hotel has been awarded several distinctions: Geographic Travel Magazine Stay List”, voted the #1 Hotel in Texas and #17 in the United States by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, and the hotel’s famous White Buffalo Bar was selected by Texas Monthly Magazine as “Best Hotel Bar” in Texas.  J.P. and Mary Jon have overseen the restoration of 26 buildings in the town of Marathon.

In October 2013, J.P. purchased the 1895 Galveston Orphans Home in Galveston, Texas.  Today, the restored building houses The Bryan Museum and contains the world’s largest collection of over 70,000 rare artifacts, documents, maps, and works of art relating to the history of the American West.  The Bryan Museum was presented the Texas Historical Commission’s John L. Nau, III Award of Excellence in Museums in September of 2016, and also in that year was named the “Best Art Gallery” by the Galveston Daily News, the “Best of the Island “Gold” Award for the Best Museum” by Galveston.com, and named the “Best Attraction” by the Texas Travel Industry Association/Texas Department of Transportation.  In 2017 the Museum was given the Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Art Gallery and Museum” by the Galveston Daily News, voted “Best of the Island “Gold” Award for Best Wedding Venue” by Galveston.com, and was again voted “Best of the Island “Gold” Award for Best Museum” by the Galveston Daily News.  The following year in 2018, the Museum was again voted “Best of the Island “Gold” Award for Best Museum” by the Galveston.com and received the Reader’s Choice Award as “Best Art Gallery & Museum” by the Galveston Daily News.  In addition to the restoration of the Galveston Orphans Home, J. P. and Mary Jon recently restored 3 historical homes in the city of Galveston.

J.P. Bryan, Jr.: Maybe The Best Little Museum in Texas 2024-05-23 05:00:00Z 0

ED EMMETT - "MY LIFE IN POLITICS: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY"

 
Tony's
3744 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday May 16, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 

"MY LIFE IN POLITICS: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY"

Edward M. Emmett is a Fellow in Energy and Transportation at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.  Currently, his research 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.

Emmett has received international recognition for his work in transportation and logistics policy. He was named Transportation Person of the Year by Transportation Clubs International and one of the Top 20 Logistics Professionals by Logistics Forum.

Currently, Emmett has several key roles in the development of transportation policy.  He chairs the Texas Department of Transportation Freight Advisory Committee and is on numerous transportations related advisory boards.

In addition to his role at the Baker Institute, Emmett is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Northeastern University’s Global Resilience Institute, where his focus is on emergency preparedness  and response and community resilience.  As Harris County Judge from 2007 until 2019, Judge Emmett was Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the nation’s third largest county.  His actions in dealing with Hurricane Ike, the floods of Hurricane Harvey and other community disasters garnered national and international recognition.

Emmett attended Bellaire High School. He graduated from Rice University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and from the University of Texas at Austin in 1974 with a Master of Public Affairs degree.

Emmett has received numerous awards and honors, including Distinguished Alumnus of Rice University, the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and the Presidential Call to Service Award.

ED EMMETT - "MY LIFE IN POLITICS: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY" 2024-05-10 05:00:00Z 0

A CELEBRATION OF LAW DAY

FEATURING JUDGE LINDA F. GARCIA AND JUDGE ERIC ANDELL, MODERATED BY ROTARY CLUB OF HOUSTON PRESIDENT, ROBERT ECKELS

 
 
Thursday May 2, 2024
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

 
Tony’s
3755 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77046
 
 
On May 2, Rotarians and guest will be treated with an important program presented by two distinguished former Judges, lifetime attorneys, public servants who will be part of Rotary’s Celebration of Law Day-a day in the year when we focus on the laws as the rules that bind people living in our country/community and we remember that laws protect our general safety, and ensure our rights as citizens against abuses by other people, by organizations and by government itself.  We have laws to help provide for our general safety: they establish standards, maintain order, resolve disputes and protect liberties and rights.
It is no secret that public trust and confidence in the Rule of Law is at a very low level. Institutions are under siege, law enforcement, Congress and our leaders are under siege.  The country is at a low point in its life and much of our governmental structures and political parties are in conflict.
 
What better time than to have our distinguished President, Robert Eckels, in conversation with two distinguished former judges, all three lifetime Attorneys and major political personalities in Houston and Texas, discuss these important issues.
Please invite your friends to this important program presented by the Rotary Club of Houston-112 years young and still relevant in our community. They can sign up by using the guest prompt In the invitation.
 
Joe Colangelo
Program Committee
Rotary Club of Houston
713-412-1875
 
Linda Garcia Assistant County Attorney at Harris County
 
Linda Garcia currently works as an Assistant County Attorney in Harris County, representing the Department of Family and Protective Services in cases with allegations of the abuse and neglect of children.
  
She began her legal career in 1993 as an Assistant District Attorney under Johnny Holmes.  Linda worked at the DA's office from 1993-1999 and then again from 2008-2015, when she left to become the first-ever Presiding Judge of Harris County Criminal Court No. 16. From 1999 - 2008, Linda served on the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles making release and revocation decisions for incarcerated offenders throughout Texas. 
 
Although she is committed to her practice and public service, nothing is more important to her than her family - husband, Tom Butler, proud Aggie son, Trent, and the three ridiculous dogs they all share.  
 
Judge Eric Andell - Justice, First Court of Appeals, State of Texas 1992 – 2000

In 2018, Judge Eric Andell was appointed by Judge Michelle Moore as Associate Judge to the 314th District Court. Judge Andell served as the Judge of the 315th District Court and the First Court of Appeals. In those capacities he was named “Outstanding Texas Judge” by the Texas Bar Association and was twice recognized as “Appellate Judge of the Year” by the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists. After the Court of Appeals, Judge Andell served as Deputy Undersecretary of Education in Washington D.C. After his return to Houston, he served as an assigned Judge, Mediator and Arbitrator for over 10 years.

Judge Andell has been a community leader involved with children’s issues for over 40 years. He has served on countless boards and commissions, including serving as Vice Chair of the Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County and Chair of the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission. He also sat on the boards of Lemonade Day, Prepared for Life, Harris County Education Foundation and Brilliant Lectures, Inc. Judge Andell has received numerous awards and honors including the “Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service” and is a radio personality on 700AM KSEV’s Talk of Texas Show – The Amigos.
A CELEBRATION OF LAW DAY 2024-04-29 05:00:00Z 0

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM IN HISD AND EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN

 
Dr. Duncan F. Klussman and Taylor Landin: In Conversation with Bill King
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday March 28, 2024
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Houston is pleased to present this very important program, featuring Dr. Duncan Klussman, currently Clinical Asst. Professor, Department of Education Leadership & Policy Studies, Univ of Houston, and Bill King, who has been the voice of moderate Houstonians seeking common sense solutions to our problems for over thirty years.
 
The Houston Independent School District, largest in Texas, was taken over in 2023 and became a dependency of the State of Texas using the power granted to it by a 2015 Texas law allowing the takeover if one school failed state standards for 5 years running. Wheatley High failed to allow the state to either close it or take over the entire school district. Of course, there were more reasons for the takeover-allegations of misconduct by school board members and the ongoing presence of a state conservator who had been overseeing the district for many years.
 
Formerly, Dr. Klussman spent 11 years in SBISD (Spring Branch Independent School District) as Superintendent of Schools. During that tenure Dr. Klussman passed the largest bond program in the district’s history, helped create SKY Partnership with SBISD and KIPP and YES Prep, an innovative partnership between a school district and charter schools; a-one-of-a-kind-event.
 
Problems facing school districts are enormous: Teacher burnout, wholesale resignations, lack of quality replacements, low teacher pay, bloated bureaucracy, unwillingness to fund schools at the federal/state level, unequal resources for schools, elimination of stimulus money to schools from federal sources by Sept 2024, COVID setbacks, the threat from Charter Schools, deteriorating mental health of students.
 
Can the rigid reforms being implement by State of Texas’ appointed Supt. Mike Miles turn around the mostly Black, Hispanic and low-income students in Houston and what is the future impact of the many millions of undocumented border crossers to our schools?
 
Please invite your friends and prospective members to hear one of the most important programs that The Rotary Club of Houston will present this year.
 
Joe Colangelo
Rotary Club of Houston
Program Committee
713-412-1875
 
 
 
Duncan F. Klussmann served as the Superintendent of Schools in Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) from December of 2004 until June 30, 2015. On July 1, 2015 he assumed the title of Superintendent Emeritus. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Klussmann served as an interim superintendent and area superintendent for SBISD. His vast experience includes periods as a school principal and assistant principal, as well as a classroom teacher.

During his 11 year tenure in SBISD, the school district passed the largest bond program in the history of the school district. The $597 million program replaced 13 aging elementary schools, renovated all remaining campuses, provided for new school buses, enhanced athletics facilities, and greatly expanded technology use in the school district. The original program called for the work to be accomplished over a 10 year period of time. As the result of a carefully designed management program, the bond work is scheduled to be completed well ahead of schedule with significant financial savings.

In 2012, Dr. Klussmann helped create the SKY Partnership, which joins together SBISD with KIPP Houston (KIPP) and YES Prep Public Schools (YES Prep) at two district middle schools where new campus program charters now operate. In August of 2015, the partnership expanded into high school. In the Houston region, such an innovative partnership between a school district and charter schools is one of a kind.

In addition, Dr. Klussmann worked closely with the board of trustees, community, staff and students on the creation of the Spring Branch Plan 2012-2017 Goal and Belief Statements. Utilizing a single-focused goal, SBISD doubled the number of students completing a technical certificate, military training and two or four-year degree. This ambitious goal is referred to as Spring Branch T-2-4.

Dr. Klussmann has twice served as president of the Texas School Alliance, an association of 39 of the largest and most influential school districts in Texas. He was recently named one of three 2014 Houstonians of the Year by the Houston Chronicle. A recipient of the Lifetime Member Award from the Texas Parent and Teacher Association, Dr. Klussmann received the TABE Honoree Award for Public Education in 2012. Dr. Klussmann now serves as a board member with United Way, and he remains active with numerous community groups.

A native of Brenham, Texas, Duncan Klussmann lives in Houston with his wife, Marissa, and their three children.
 

Taylor Landin is Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the Greater Houston Partnership. The Greater Houston Partnership is the principal business organization serving the greater Houston region, with over 900 member companies that together employ about a fifth of all metro Houston workers.  The mission of the Partnership is to make the Houston region a great place to live, work, and build a business.
 

At the Partnership, Taylor leads a team of public policy and advocacy professionals who work to advance the Houston business community’s policy priorities at the federal, state and local levels. This is Taylor’s second stint with the organization where he was previously Vice President of Public Policy for three years before joining AT&T as Regional Vice President for External Affairs where he was responsible for stakeholder relations and advocacy throughout Southeast Texas.
 

Taylor began his career working on campaigns and for elected officials. These positions included two presidential campaigns, the Office of Legislative Affairs in the White House and staff for two members of Congress from Texas.

 
HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM IN HISD AND EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN 2024-03-27 05:00:00Z 0

Peter Bhatia, Houston Landing - CEO & VP

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday March 28, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
THE RISE OF THE NONPROFIT DIGITAL NEWS ORGANIZATION
THE HOUSTON LANDING HAS LANDED IN HOUSTON
                        
The basic rule of journalism: “If there is no revenue, there is no journalism.” The speed of declining revenues has been breathtaking. Newspapers are closing regularly. Those that survive have downsized at an alarming rate, citing the reasons as the widespread use of digital technology, changes in readership habits and a decline in advertisement revenues.  Much of the news from traditional newspapers comes from national feeds with much less from Houston reporters.
 
Several weeks ago, we hosted the new Executive Editor of the Houston Chronicle, Kelly Ann Scott, and now we are honored to host an entirely different concept in delivering the news, the greatest threat to the Houston Chronicle and traditional newspapers.
 
Into all this turmoil strolls The Houston Landing which has landed in Houston as an independent, non-partisan news organization, non-profit, digital platform.  No advertisement, free content, no paywalls, no subscription fees. The new concept landed funding from Houston Endowment, the Kinder Foundation and Arnold Ventures and is staffed with brilliant news reporters and experienced executives.
 
Rotarians and guest, The Rotary Club of Houston (112 years young in Houston and still going strong) is proud to present this important program featuring Peter Bhatia, a multiple Pulitzer Prize-winner Editor, the Chief Executive Officer of Houston Landing, which launched in Houston in the spring of 2023.Peter is a Graduate of Stanford University and one of the most honored editors in service to the journalism profession.
 
 Please invite your friends to attend this very important program presented by The Rotary Club of Houston, 112 years young and still going strong in Houston, Texas. 
 
Joe Colangelo
Program Committee
The Rotary Club of Houston
713-412-1875   
 

Peter Bhatia, a multiple Pulitzer Prize-winning editor who has spearheaded meaningful journalism and digital advances at numerous news sites across the country, is chief executive officer of Houston Landing, a non-profit, non-partisan, no-paywall local news site that launched in spring of 2023.

Previously, he was editor and vice president at the Detroit Free Press from 2017-2023, and served as a regional editor for Gannett, supervising newsrooms in Michigan and Ohio.

He was named the Benjamin C Bradlee editor of the year in 2021 by the National Press Foundation. He was honored as Gannett’s employee of the year in 2022. He won the 2018 Robert McGruder Diversity Award, presented by Kent State University for commitment and service to the profession.

Prior to Detroit, he served two years as editor and vice president of audience engagement at the Cincinnati Enquirer, where he led the paper to its first-ever news Pulitzer Prize, for a project that documented the impact of opioid addiction on the Cincinnati area. Bhatia came to Cincinnati from Arizona State's Cronkite School of Journalism. He joined the university in June 2014 as a visiting professor in journalism ethics after a 21-year career at The Oregonian in Portland, where he was editor.

His resume includes helping lead newsrooms that won 10 Pulitzer Prizes, including six in Portland. He is a seven-time Pulitzer juror. He is the first journalist of South Asian heritage to lead a major daily newspaper in the U.S., running The Oregonian from 2010 to 2014. He served as president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors in 2003-04.

Bhatia was executive editor of The Fresno Bee, managing editor of The Sacramento Bee, editor of the York (Pennsylvania) Dispatch and Sunday News, managing editor of the Dallas Times Herald, deputy managing editor of the San Francisco Examiner and a reporter and editor at The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington.

He is a leader in journalism education, having served 13 years as president of the national organization that accredits college schools of journalism and mass communication. He has led or served on more than 25 Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications accrediting teams in the U.S., Middle East and New Zealand. He was honored with the Gerald M. Sass award for service to journalism education in 2022.

He is a 1975 graduate of Stanford University with a B.A. in history and communications. Peter and his wife, Liz Dahl, have two grown children who live in Spokane and Los Angeles, and two grandchildren.        

 
Peter Bhatia, Houston Landing - CEO & VP 2024-03-22 05:00:00Z 0

Ambassador Michael Pelletier:  In Conversation with Charles Foster

 
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday March 14, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
Rotarians and guests are cordially invited to attend an important conversation between Ambassador Michael Pelletier, a 30-year U.S. Diplomat, now the first Executive Director of the Institute for Global Engagement at University of Houston and Charles Foster, RCoH member and advisor to Presidents on Immigration and Border policies.
 
The great international problems of the day all require diplomacy. Whether finding a way to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, addressing climate change, preventing a war between the U.S. and China, how to save two million Palestinians, caught in the most brutal war ever seen in the Middle East, how to solve the problems emanating from the great migration of the poor of the world to more affluent nations- Diplomacy has taken a back seat to military might in the minds of world politicians.
 
The U.S. political dysfunction plus a perceived serious decline in U.S. Influence around the world, at a time when the China, Russia, Iran and N. Korea axis gains economic and military strength, presents even more potential flashpoints.
 
Please invite your friends to attend this timely program where you will also learn about the Institute for Global Engagement. We look forward to seeing you Thursday at the RCoH weekly program- presenting the most important topics and newsmakers and the opportunity to meet the members of The Rotary Club of Houston-112 years strong, prospering and growing.
 
Joe Colangelo
Program Committee
Rotary Club of Houston
713-412-1875

 

For more than 30 years as an American diplomat, Michael Pelletier worked around the world advancing the goals and objectives of the United States government, most recently as the U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros. Now Ambassador Pelletier is bringing his expertise in foreign affairs to the University of Houston, appointed this week as the first executive director of the Institute for Global Engagement, an Aspire Initiative.  

The new interdisciplinary institute aims to enhance students’ international and cultural understanding by embedding learning and research experiences focused on globally relevant topics within all academic programs and disciplines. By expanding the University’s international footprint, graduates will become global change makers known for their capacity to innovate solutions to complex challenges and devise strategies to drive systemic change.

“The Institute for Global Engagement will equip students with a global mindset to meet the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly interconnected world,” said Paula Myrick Short, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Ambassador Pelletier will play a pivotal role in the future of the Institute and the University. He is a visionary and innovative leader with tremendous international experience and global expertise.”

Pelletier was appointed as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar and the Union of the Comoros on January 2, 2019, a position he held for more than two years. He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, and served as an American diplomat from 1987 until his retirement last summer. From 2016-2019, Pelletier was dean of the School of Professional and Area Studies at the Foreign Service Institute, the U.S. government’s premier foreign affairs training provider.

He has served at eight U.S. missions overseas and in senior leadership positions at the U.S. Department of State, including as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in New Delhi, India, and deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs. 

"Global engagement enriches everything we do. I am excited to join UH's great team to build on the University’s strong commitment to international engagement and on the diversity of the University and city of Houston to help take UH global," said Pelletier. “We will work to equip our students with the tools to succeed and thrive on the world stage, while adding value to the community and workforce.”

Pelletier is no stranger to leading ambitious global initiatives, responsible for launching the Dubai Regional Media Hub for the U.S. Department of State to improve engagement with the Arab world. Fluent in Arabic, French and English, he spent three years conducting interviews with journalists and building relationships with Arab leaders to ensure that the United States was part of ongoing international conversations.

The UH Institute for Global Engagement seeks to collaborate with industry partners that have international interests and operations, Pelletier said. Houston was recently ranked the most diverse city in America, according to a WalletHub study.

“By all measures, Houston is a great global city, set apart from many of our U.S. peers by our strong cultural and business ties around the world. In our increasingly interconnected world, it’s more crucial than ever for students to have a deep understanding of these connections to not only drive personal success, but to advance Houston’s prominence on the global stage,” said Bob Harvey, president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, the region’s principal business organization focused on attracting investment and trade to Houston, building a strong workforce and advocating for sound public policy.

Pelletier earned a bachelor’s degree in foreign service from Georgetown University, a Certificat d’Etudes Politiques from Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris, and a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University. He is the recipient of 13 senior State Department awards, including a Presidential Meritorious Service Award and the Linguist of the Year.

The Institute for Global Engagement is the first institute to launch from funding from the Aspire Fund, a landmark $50 million gift to build upon the University’s current strengths, support our ability to recruit renowned faculty and expand thought leadership around four complex, global issues that uniquely underpin the social, political and economic future of Houston and the world. The donor, who is remaining anonymous, launched the fund and the University’s $100 Million Challenge to encourage matching investments from other donors.

 
 
Ambassador Michael Pelletier:  In Conversation with Charles Foster 2024-03-20 05:00:00Z 0

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FELLOW ROTARIANS
ROTARY MEANS CONNECTIONS

 

Tonys
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

March 21, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

 

Rotary is the perfect place to meet new people, take part in activities they are interested in and be part of a community of caring, service-oriented Houstonians. Our Rotary Club of Houston provides the opportunity to connect with others from various backgrounds, with varying world views, while creating lasting memories to enrich each of our lives, plus, making valuable professional connections. Along the way we meet some of the top newsmakers of Houston and Texas.

 On a purely voluntary basis, our President and Program Chair will ask members to give us their elevator pitches about their businesses. (maximum 30 seconds).

For all members, again, on a purely voluntary basis, we will ask questions  (30 second max), such as:

      A piece of advice you would give everyone,

      a top item on your bucket list,

      where you grew up,

      one thing we don’t know about you,

      what your perfect day would look like,

      a day in your life you would love to relive,

      how your life has been different than what you thought,

      your best memory about school,

      the most important person in your life.

We do not expect every member to respond to every question, just the ones you feel that you want to share and feel comfortable sharing.  We should be able to move quickly through questions, saving the ones we don’t ask for later.  No pressure, just a heart-warming meeting.

Joe Colangelo
Rotary Club of Houston
Program Committee
713-4121875

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FELLOW ROTARIANSROTARY MEANS CONNECTIONS 2024-03-18 05:00:00Z 0

Kelly Ann Scott, Editor in Chief,Houston Chronicle

 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, Texas 77046
 
March 7, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 

Rotarians and guests are cordially invited to hear Kelly Ann Scott, newly selected Editor-in-Chief of the Houston Chronicle.

The Houston Chronicle has been named Texas’ Newsroom of the Year, for 2022, marking the fifth consecutive year the newspaper has been honored as best in the state by Texas Managing Editors.

The Chronicle staff has won 27 awards across a variety of categories. Additionally, the Chronicle has been awarded two Pulitzer Prizes, most recently in 2022, in editorial writing for a series on voter suppression in Texas and was named a 2023 Pulitzer Prize finalist for a series of editorials about the Uvalde School massacre.

The Houston Chronicle, founded in 1901, acquired by Hearst in 1987, is part of a conglomerate that publishes 24 daily, 52 weekly newspapers, (San Francisco Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News), as well as cable tv networks (A&E, History channel, Lifetime and ESPN), 35 TV stations,

The Rotary Club of Houston, a 112-year-old institution in Houston, is proud to introduce and welcome Kelly Ann Scott to the Houston community.

Thank you, Kathy Fenninger, Co-Chair, Program Committee, for inviting our distinguished speaker to the RCH meeting.

Joe Colangelo
Program Committee


 

Kelly Ann Scott became the Executive Editor of the Houston Chronicle in September 2023.

From their official announcement: She was previously with “Alabama Media Group, part of Advance Local, where she served as editor-in-chief and vice president of content, leading a team of more than 120 journalists. There, she oversaw the state's largest digital news site, AL.com, and launched several new initiatives, including The Lede, a daily e-edition curated for subscribers in Mobile, Huntsville and Birmingham; the Alabama Education Lab, the state’s first philanthropy-funded journalism initiative; and Reckon, a digital news startup focused on younger readers and those left out of traditional media that has 26 journalists reporting from 15 states.

Under Scott’s leadership, AL.com won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in local reporting and commentary. The New York Times described the two wins in one year as an “astounding feat” for a local news organization. Her team also won the 2022 George Polk Award for local reporting and the 2023 Hillman Prize. In 2021, Reckon won a national Murrow Award for best podcast and AL.com won the Pulitzer Prize in national reporting.”

Kelly Ann Scott, Editor in Chief,Houston Chronicle 2024-03-01 06:00:00Z 0

CHALLENGES OF CRIME PREVENTION IN A CONFLICTED HOUSTON

 
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, Texas 77046

Thursday February 29, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:15 PM
 
 

Mayor John Whitmire has challenged all citizens of Houston to help him solve the crime problems in Houston. The Rotary Club of Houston has responded with a program designed to present the issues in an objective, free of politics (as much as possible), our intent being to continue the dialogue begun by our Mayor including enforcement, prevention, reentry, rehabilitation, border issues and the need for community involvement. 

Most cities in the U.S. are at a crossroad with loud arguments being made about crime prevention, but devoid of any real discussion of any value. Police are under siege. Citizens fear them as being too “trigger-happy.” Crime is out of control. Judges are not doing their job. Due Process is cumbersome and very expensive.

Life in some cities resembles a bad “PURGE MOVIE” where criminals are allowed to commit crimes without punishment.

Mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness, “suicide by cop” are on the rise. Border crossing by millions of poverty-stricken people, worldwide, including, many organized gangs, will, without doubt, contribute to the crime problem. It seems like every criminal has a weapon, many with automatic weapons.

Consider this: According to a reputable study on criminal behavior, 76% of active criminals and 89% of most violent criminals either perceive “NO RISK” of apprehension or are unconcerned for the likely punishments for their crime.” They assume they will never get caught or, if caught, they will be let off with a lesser penalty, plus, any severe penalty, if it comes, will be many years in the future due to our back-logged criminal justice system.

Please invite your friends and potential RCoH members to this particularly important and timely program. Send out our invitation to your friends. We will fill up quickly.


Joe Colangelo
Rotary Club of Houston
Program Committee

713-412-1875

 

Kim Ogg - Harris County District Attorney

Kim Ogg, Harris County District Attorney, is a native Houstonian and has been a lawyer for 35 years.

In 2020, DA Ogg was re-elected to a second term by a margin of more than 120,000 votes. Under her leadership, the Harris County District Attorney's Office is dedicated to community safety through evidence-based prosecution and equal justice for all.

During her first term, DA Ogg successfully advanced major drug policy reform, police accountability through prosecution of police corruption and shootings, diversified the leadership of the District Attorney's Office, and effected protection for crime victims through legislative reform.

As the top law enforcement official in Harris County, DA Ogg's current priorities are to stop the release of repeat and violent offenders on bail through evidence based advocacy in court, to reduce the enormous case backlog, and to push Houston's most important cases to trial and conclusion.

Doug Griffith - Houston Police Officers' Union President
 
Senior Police Officer Douglas Griffith is a Native Houstonian and a graduate of North Shore High School. He graduated Academy Class 142 and was assigned to the Southeast Command Station in 1991. During his twenty-nine years of service with the department, he dedicated twenty years to the Gang Task Force and Divisional Gang Unit. The served four years as a member of the Southeast Tactical Operations D.G.U.  He earned a Masters in Law Enforcement Executive Leadership from California Southern in 2016. Doug was elected to position 11 in 2008, and in 2012 Doug was appointed to the position of Vice President to succeed retired Senior Police Officer J. J. Berry.
 
Andy Kahan - Crime Stoppers of Houston
 
(Mr. Kahan will interview 2 victims of serious crimes)
 

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.

Leticia Ybarra - Mother of a Murder Victim

“TWO DAYS NO CRIME VICTIM FAMILY WILL EVER FORGET: THE DAY THEY FIND OUT ABOUT THEIR LOVED ONE’S DEATH, AND THE DAY THEY GET A VEDICT ON THEIR CASE. THERE ARE NO WORDS TO ADEQUATELY EXPRESS THE HEARTBREAK.”

After the 2020 murder of her daughter, Jessica, Leticia has been determined to make some good come out of this tragedy in her memory. She plays an active role in promoting homicide victim advocacy and has participated in multiple local news interviews and press conferences, spoken at homicide victim organization events and traveled to Austin to testify in Senate Committee hearings in support of laws aimed at ensuring justice for homicide victims is served more efficiently. As a result of her efforts in supporting SB 402, sponsored by Texas State Senator John Whitmire, SB 402 is now official and expedites trials for defendants charged with murder and capital murder.

Although nothing can make whole the loss of her daughter, she’s dedicated her time trying to leave the community of victims and their families a little better than she found it. Leticia can often be heard saying or signing off on an email with the quote “Jessica’s mama will never go quietly.”

A native Houstonian, Leticia earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Houston and her Master of Business Administration in Financial Management from Lamar University.

CHALLENGES OF CRIME PREVENTION IN A CONFLICTED HOUSTON 2024-02-22 06:00:00Z 0

Houston Mayor John Whitmire

story thumbnail
John Whitmire, the former Dean of the Texas Senate, was sworn into office as Houston's 63rd Mayor on January 2, 2024. He  has served his community his entire adult life.

As a young boy, John worked odd jobs and learned the value of hard work, even shining shoes at a Harrisburg Beer Hall. He also witnessed domestic abuse and moved frequently as a child.

When a fire burned down his family home, the community wrapped their arms around him, donating clothes and providing shelter. That lesson in compassion and empathy would guide him as a public servant.

In his teenage years, Whitmire settled into a more stable life in Houston with his mother, a nurse, and his stepfather, a social worker. Watching his parents help people as public servants steered John towards a career path of service.

After graduating from Waltrip High School, he soon began working for the Texas “Food Stamp” office, at the time a nutrition initiative for poor families. The case numbers became people and families when he was sent out to do house visits. These real-life interactions would become the base for how John would analyze and shape policies.

At the age of 22, a chance meeting with his UH professor, the legendary Richard Murray, presented the precocious Whitmire with the chance to run for a newly drawn Texas House District. The new single-member district showed his home, high school, church, and hospital where his mother worked.

“It looks like they drew that one for me,” Whitmire recalled. And in that moment, his journey as a public servant was solidified.

Throughout his career as a State Representative for 10 years and State Senator for 40, Whitmire has fought tirelessly for district representation across Houston. Notably, he played a key role in establishing the first Latino state senate district in Harris County and has been a staunch advocate for expanding access to early voting in person and Election Day polling locations in African American and Latino communities. His commitment to LGBTQ+ rights earned him the Harvey Milk Award in 1993 for his efforts against the decriminalization of the Sodomy Law. Whitmire has also been a vocal champion of women's rights, backed by a 100% voting record. He has worked tirelessly to preserve the DREAM Act, ensuring undocumented young individuals can access in-state tuition rates. Additionally, he supported workers' compensation for injured farm workers and unemployment compensation.

In a pivotal moment in his life, Whitmire and his family were robbed at gunpoint, an experience that ultimately led to his chairmanship of the Criminal Justice Committee and his fight for public safety.

As a long-serving chair of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Whitmire has demonstrated his ability to strike a balance between being tough on crime and being smart on crime by implementing intelligent reforms. He authored the Sandra Bland Act, addressing law enforcement training, jail resources, and support for individuals with mental illness, substance abuse, or intellectual differences. He also spearheaded grand jury reform, eliminating the "pick a pal" system and promoting diversity in panel selection. Additionally, he successfully led efforts to decriminalize school behavior and expunged thousands of class C misdemeanors from the records of young Texans.

When called on by the people of Houston to run for mayor, Whitmire eagerly accepted the challenge because he believes in answering the call wherever it leads. With a wealth of experience working alongside nine mayors and seven governors, he possesses invaluable knowledge in public safety, infrastructure, and effective problem-solving.

John Whitmire's extraordinary life experiences, unwavering dedication, and a proven track record in getting things done make him a true public servant committed to the well-being of Houstonians.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire 2024-02-15 06:00:00Z 0

ROTARY WRAP-UP:THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY LOMBARDI AWARD

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

January 25, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

 

Rotarians and guests are cordially invited to attend a very special meeting to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Rotary Lombardi Award where we will present the proceeds from that event to our 3 charity partners (American Cancer Society, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Children’s Cancer Center) ,  welcome the 2024 Rotary Lombardi Award co-chairs, Rhonda Walls Kerby and Lindsey Kroll, and recognize Murry Bowden, (The Hanover Company), recipient of our Rotary Community Impact Leader Award. You will also hear from our special guest, Dr. ZoAnn Dreyer, (Professor, Pediatric Cancer Survivorship-Texas Children’s Hospital) who has been a unique part of The Award for almost 30 years.

We anticipate being joined by the 2023 Lombardi Award winner, Laiatu Latu (UCLA) and several past winners of the award via zoom.

This is the perfect opportunity for all Rotarians and guests to personally thank the yearlong efforts of Vicki Brentin, for successfully guiding the event and delivering one of the largest contributions to cancer research, ever, in the fabled history of the Lombardi Award. Congratulations, Vicki, on a job well done.

ROTARY WRAP-UP:THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY LOMBARDI AWARD 2024-01-22 06:00:00Z 0

Paula Harris - SVP, Community Affairs & Astros Foundation Executive Director

LIVING THE LEGACY OF REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
“A CONVERSATION WITH PAULA HARRIS"

The Rotary Club of Houston is proud to present "A Conversation with Paula McCann Harris" on the occasion of the birthday of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King preached nonviolence to solve the many racial and economic divides in America, but he also was a strong advocate on the value of education, a life lived in service to others, and speaking up about things that matter.  Paul McCann Harris' life embodies all the attributes Dr. King asked of each American: Graduate of Texas A&M with a degree in Petroleum Engineering; distinguished thirty-three-year career with the leading oil driller in the world, Schlumberger; elected to the HISD Board of Trustees with an emphasis on promoting STEM education and increasing the academic achievement of the children of HISD; Board Chair of STEM Charter School. Noted author and publisher of books that introduce girls to STEM education with a focus on coding and robotics. Established workshops and global initiatives promoting STEM, especially Robotics and Coding.

Please invite your friends to this important and inspiring program.

Joe Colangelo
Kathy Fenninger

Program Committee

 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday January 11, 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 

Paula Harris was hired as the Astros Foundation Executive Director and Senior Vice President, Community Affairs in November 2021 and enters her second season in the role in 2023.

Harris has over 33 years of experience in the Houston community, both in the professional space as an executive with Schlumberger Ltd. and in the community with a passion for civic interest and volunteerism.

Harris has extensive connections throughout the Houston community, as she currently serves on the boards of Chart Industries (GTLS), Helix (HLX), Hunting (HTG), The Houston Children’s Museum, and the Petroleum Club of Houston. She is a founding board member of the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy, an all-girl’s engineering school serving primarily minority communities in Houston with the goal to graduate girls prepared to attend top engineering universities. Harris has a particular passion for advancing STEM education and career opportunities for all communities, but especially women and underrepresented minorities.

Previously she served on the boards of the Houston Independent School District, the Permian Strategic Partnership in Midland, Texas, Space Center Houston and numerous other education and outreach associations. In 2020, Harris received the Women Who Mean Business Lifetime Achievement award from the Houston Business Journal and in 2019, the Women on the Move award from Texas Executive Women and the United Nations Global Citizenship Award.

In over 33 years in the international oilfield services with Schlumberger Ltd., Harris, educated as a Petroleum Engineer, worked in many roles over three decades with the company. She worked her way up from Field Engineer, working on offshore rigs to leadership positions such as Director of Community Affairs. She retired as the Director of Global Stewardship.

A native Houstonian, Harris graduated with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master of Education in Technical Instruction and Learning from Abilene Christian.

The owner of her own publishing company, Harris has authored, published and distributed two books, including “When I Grow Up I want to be an Engineer.” The book was translated into four languages and over 150,000 copies were distributed globally to schools, museums, and non-profit organizations.

Paula Harris - SVP, Community Affairs & Astros Foundation Executive Director 2023-12-31 06:00:00Z 0

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - Chairman of the Board, Pat Mann Phillips 

story thumbnail

 

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

Thursday January 18, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

 

 

Pat Mann Phillips is a standout volunteer who has made significant contributions to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ since becoming a life member in 2001. In 2023, she was elected as the Chairman of the Board and will serve a three-year tenure starting with the 2024 Rodeo. Known for her genuine, compassionate, and confident yet humble nature, Phillips brings a high level of energy, a positive attitude, and unwavering devotion to the Rodeo. Her primary goal as the newest Chairman of the Board is to collaborate with the Executive Committee to lead the Rodeo, focusing on its core mission of promoting agriculture and supporting Texas youth and education.

Phillips has an extensive history of volunteer work within the Rodeo. She has served on various committees, including the Corral Club – Suites, Directions & Assistance, Jr. Rodeo, and Special Children's committees. In 2009, she played a pivotal role as the founding chair of the Tours Committee, laying the foundation for its continued success. Her dedication to the Rodeo led to her election to the board of directors in 2012 and her subsequent appointment as a Rodeo vice president from 2016 to 2018. During her tenure, she oversaw the Transportation, Magazine, Special Children's, Agricultural Education (formerly Ladies' Go Texan), Souvenir Program, and Communications & Special Services committees. In 2018, she earned a spot on the Rodeo's Executive Committee.

Beyond committee work, Phillips has served the Rodeo in various roles, including Corporate Secretary, member of the Lifetime Committeemen Review Board and the Educational Contributions Review Committee, chair of the Special Events Day Task Force, and the originator and founder of AG4U Day. Her outstanding commitment was recognized in 2012 when she became a Trailblazer Honoree.

Phillips's passion for the Rodeo is shared by her husband, Tim Phillips, who has also dedicated countless hours to volunteering and supporting the organization. Together, they have contributed financially through auction buying groups, season tickets, and donations to the Rodeo's Educational Fund. Tim Phillips, a former chair of the Jr. Rodeo Committee, continues to serve on the Special Children's Committee.

Pat Mann Phillips holds a BBA in Petroleum Land Management and a BBA in Finance from Texas Tech University, where she proudly graduated as a Red Raider. With over 30 years of experience in the energy industry, she currently serves as the executive director of Energy Services for Revenade, a global management consulting firm.

In addition to their involvement with the Rodeo, Pat and Tim Phillips share a love for their ranch in Field Store, Texas, called Trinity Spirit Ranch, as well as the ongoing care and operations of their family ranch in Johnson County, Texas. Pat is also a charter member of Texas Women Venture Fund and a member and former director of Ladies of Texas Tradition. She actively participates as a mentor and board member in organizations such as Amigas Para Niños and the American Association of Professional Landmen.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - Chairman of the Board, Pat Mann Phillips  2023-12-19 06:00:00Z 0

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GERRY GROGIN

story thumbnail

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046 

Thursday December 14, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

 

 

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GERRY K. GROGIN, INTERVIEWED BY RICK OLSEN 
A regular ol’ Aggie who is lucky he didn’t get his rear shot off in W.W.II

 

On December14, the Rotary Club of Houston is honored to present our 97-year-young Gerry Grogin, interviewed by fellow Rotarian, Rick Olsen. The program committee decided to feature Gerry while he is still young and able to remember significant events from his colorful life.

 Gerry and Rick will converse about Gerry’s life and times aided by Gerry’s best friends, Melvin Maltz, class of 47, who will also offer some observations about an Aggie friendship that has spanned 80 years.

You won’t want to miss this “once in a lifetime” opportunity to hear Gerry, and Rick aided by Melvin,  in discussion about Gerry’s ancestors who came from Russia and Poland, how three of Gerry’s ancestors died at the Alamo, how Gerry enlisted in the U.S. Army at 16 and served in the Pacific during W.W.II, you will also hear about the famed Aggie Muster on Corregidor Island  April 21, 1946 and why Gerry is thankful for the Atom bomb and the G.I. Bill.  You will also learn why Gerry has been called Aggie Royalty. Finally, you will hear about Gerry’s sixty-year love for The Rotary Club of Houston.

 Please invite your friends to this incredibly special event in our club’s history.

Joe Colangelo
Program Committee

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GERRY GROGIN 2023-12-08 06:00:00Z 0

Ambassador (ret’d) Michael Pelletier

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
January 18 2024
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 

Ambassador (ret’d) Michael Pelletier was appointed as the founding Executive Director of the Aspire Initiative Endowed Institute for Global Engagement at the University of Houston on August 1, 2021.

Previously, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar and the Union of the Comoros from January 2019 through June 2021. Ambassador Pelletier retired as a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of MinisterCounselor, having served as an American diplomat from 1987- 2021. Ambassador Pelletier oversaw professional tradecraft, orientation, and area studies training as Dean of the School of Professional and Area Studies at the Foreign Service Institute, United States Department of State. He also served at eight U.S. Missions overseas and in senior leadership positions at the U.S. Department of State, including as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. embassy in New Delhi, India, and Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs.

Ambassador Pelletier earned a B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University, a Certificat d’Etudes Politiques from Institut d’Etudes Politiques, Paris, France, and a M.I.A. from Columbia University. He received thirteen senior State Department awards, including a Presidential Meritorious Service Award and the Linguist of the Year. Amb. Pelletier is fluent in English, French, and Arabic.

Ambassador Pelletier is on the Board of Amideast, a leading American nonprofit organization engaged in international education, training, and development activities in the Middle East and North Africa. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Academy of Diplomacy, the Texas Advisory Committee of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, and the Public Diplomacy Council of America. He was named an honorary member of Phi Beta Delta, the honor society for international scholars.

Ambassador (ret’d) Michael Pelletier 2023-11-29 06:00:00Z 0

Houston's Strengths and Challenges

story thumbnail
 
Ruth N. Lopez Turley, PhD
Professor of Sociology
Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
Rice University
 
 
 
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046 
 
Thursday November 30, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 

"Houston's Strengths and Challenges"

Ruth N. López Turley is Professor of Sociology and Director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, which brings together data, research, engagement, and action to improve lives. In 2011, she founded the Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), a research-practice partnership between Rice University and eleven Houston area school districts, representing over 700,000 students. A program of the Kinder Institute, HERC works to improve educational equity by connecting research to policy and practice, working directly with district leaders. She directed HERC from 2011 to 2022, during which she raised over $30M so that school districts would not have to pay for research. She also founded the National Network of Education Research-Practice Partnerships, which connects and supports over 60 partnerships between research institutions and education agencies throughout the country. In 2022, President Biden appointed her to the National Board for Education Sciences, which advises and approves priorities for the research arm of the US Department of Education. She is a graduate of Stanford and Harvard and is originally from Laredo, Texas.

Houston's Strengths and Challenges 2023-11-01 05:00:00Z 0

Ehrin Weiss, Ph.D. - “HOW TO LEAD A MORE MEANINGFUL AND SATISFYING LIFE”

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
October 26, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
Dr. Weiss earned her Ph.D. at the University of Houston. She has a private practice, Houston Family Psychology, where she focuses on helping individuals and families learn to live happier and more meaningful lives by learning new techniques for managing stress, anxiety, and parenting challenges. She also runs virtual mental resilience groups for sales teams with a partner through Psych & Sales.
 
Topic: “How to Lead a More Meaningful and Satisfying Life”
 
Mental health, like physical health, is about more than a lack of symptoms or illness. Many people say that they feel like they’re “just going through the motions” of daily life. There may not be anything particularly wrong, but it feels like something is missing. While trying to keep up with all of life’s demands, it can be easy to lose sight of what makes your life feel meaningful. The good news is that it doesn’t have to stay that way. In this talk, Dr. Weiss will teach you simple, but effective, techniques for leading a more meaningful life.
Ehrin Weiss, Ph.D. - “HOW TO LEAD A MORE MEANINGFUL AND SATISFYING LIFE” 2023-10-12 05:00:00Z 0

IT'S THE END OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL AS WE KNOW IT

story thumbnail

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

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

 

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.

 
Following Coach Sherrill's talk, we will open up the discussion to a panel of former College and NFL Football stars who will share their thoughts about the major changes. Please invite your friends to this thought-provoking Rotary Club of Houston event.
 
Joe Colangelo
Program Committee

 

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), 

 
Panel: 
 
Jerry Bell - (Former NFL Star, Tampa Bay Bucs College: Arizona State)
 
Rob Lynch - (A leading sport's consultant and business strategist)
 
Clint Stoerner - (NFL QB Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, College: Univ. of Arkansas Q.B.)

 

IT'S THE END OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL AS WE KNOW IT 2023-10-06 05:00:00Z 0

Marc A. Levin - Council on Criminal Justice

story thumbnail

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

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

REGISTER HERE

Join Virtually ===> October 5, 2023

 

ADVANCING PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN HOUSTON AND BEYOND

 
Politicians talk about public safety and crime as being their number one issues but few seem to have any ideas beyond jailing more offenders or defunding the police.
 
This Thursday, we have a unique opportunity to hear Marc Levin, Texas Attorney and a leading voice for criminal justice reform through his participation as Chief Policy Counsel for the Council on Criminal Justice and Texas Public Policy Foundation.  Honored by the Texas House of Representatives for his role in justice reform, that body proclaimed: "Mr. Levin's intellect is unparalleled and his research is impeccable."
 
Mr. Levin will discuss policing, pretrial justice and bail issues, diversion, prosecutorial practices, indigent defense, jail management, prison conditions and programs, reentry into society.  He will also discuss the role that mental health and education play in addressing and preventing crime.
Please invite your friends to this important program from a leading voice in the field.
 

 

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. 

Marc A. Levin - Council on Criminal Justice 2023-09-28 05:00:00Z 0

Chris Massey - HCHSA Vice President

story thumbnail

Chris Massey - Vice PresidentHarris County - Houston Sports Authority

(Introduction by J. Kent Friedman, Chairman Harris County - Houston Sports Authority since 2003)

HOUSTON TO HOST 2024 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - JANUARY 8, 2024

Houston is on the clock.  In less than four months, the 2024 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship will make its way to NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.  Today CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock officially handed the game to Houston as the next CFP host city during a ceremonial hand-off.  2024 will mark the 10th College Football Playoff National Championship, which will take place at NRG Stadium on Monday, January 8, 2024.

In continued preparations for next year's game, the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority, the Houston 2024 Host Committee, NRG Par, Houston first, and Texas Bowl sent a group of delegates to Los Angeles to experience and learned firsthand the logistical and operational components that go into hosting this marquee event.

"We're honored and privileged to be entrusted with the 10th anniversary of the College Football Playoff National Championship.  You can guarantee that these next 12 months will be filled with hard work and dedication from the Houston Host Committee and all of our partners in our entire community," Houston 2024 Host Committee President Chris Massey said at the news conference.  "This event is the pinnacle of college football, but also serves as an amazing vehicle to uplift and support our region.  Houston prides itself on its philanthropic spirit.  Along with the collaboration we look forward to sharing with our College Football Playoff Foundation counterparts, I'm eager and excited as we develop a lasting legacy in education."

The 2024 CFP is just one of many upcoming marquee events Houston has the honor of hosting.  Over the years, Houston has set the gold standard for sports commissions all over the country, bringing events and economic value to the city.  Along with the 2024 CFP, Houston will bring some of the sport's most significant events to the city, including the Men's Final Four in 2023, the AAU Junior Olympic Games in 2025, 2027, and 2031, and the FIFA World Cup 2026TM.

With just under a year to go, the Houston Local Organizing Committee is in full swing, planning and preparing for 2024.  Along with the CFP, community initiatives, ancillary events, and other exciting opportunities will also be coming to the city.

Chris Massey - HCHSA Vice President 2023-09-27 05:00:00Z 0

Martin B. Cominsky - Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday September 21, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 

Martin B. Cominsky has been the President and CEO of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, a United Way agency, since 2015. IM collaborates with Houston’s faith community to feed and care for 4,400 homebound seniors through its Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston program; resettles hundreds of refugees from war-torn countries; and fosters youth and community dialogue between and among religions. IM also operates Volunteer Houston, a Points of Light affiliate, which matches people with their passions at area non-profit organizations with a registry of over 100,000 volunteers. He leads a $17 million nonprofit agency with 172 employees.

Previously, Martin served as the Director of the Southwest Region of the Anti-Defamation League, which is headquartered in Houston. Martin was responsible for directing the League’s efforts to combat prejudice, hate and anti-Semitism in this dynamic region. At ADL, Martin developed the school-focused No Place for Hate® program, which now engages and recognizes more than 300 schools in the region in the effort to create K-12 campuses that emphasize respect for diversity and inclusion.

Prior to joining the ADL in 1999, Martin founded the SERVE HOUSTON YOUTH CORPS, which was an AmeriCorps program that recruited high school graduates to serve as tutors and mentors to students in under-resourced schools. Serve Houston received Daily Points of Light Award #1112 for its creative national service work.

In the past, Martin served as the National Director of the Business Volunteers for the Arts program, headquartered in New York City, bringing together the expertise of corporate executives with nonprofit arts organizations. Martin also served as the Assistant to the President of the University of Houston.

Martin has a B.A. from the University of Houston in Journalism, graduating with membership in the UH Honors College, and earned his M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University. He participated in Class XXV of the American Leadership Forum. He is Past Chair of the University of Houston Honors College Advisory Board and is Vice Chair at the Meals on Wheels Association of Texas. Martin was also named as a Most Admired CEO in 2018 by the Houston Business Journal.

Martin graduated in 1976 as a Pasadena High School Eagle. He had many happy times serving as Junior and Senior Class President and was named Mr. Pasadena High School. He received the Pasadena Independent School District Distinguished Alumnus Award of the Year in 2003 and the Pasadena High School Hall of Fame award in 2015.

He is married to Terry and is the proud father of twins.

Martin B. Cominsky - Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston 2023-09-13 05:00:00Z 0

Todd Frazier - Houston Methodist (CPAM)

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday September 14, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 

Todd Frazier
Gerald H. Dubin, M.D. Presidential Distinguished Centennial Director
 Art of Medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital’s Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM)

"A Multi-Media Survey of Houston Methodist's Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM), a Collaborative Arts & Medicine Program Based in the Texas Medical Center"

Todd Frazier has spent 30 years supporting education, research, and accessibility collaborations between education, medicine, and arts & culture communities in America. A composer and graduate from the Eastman and Juilliard Schools of Music, he is the Gerald H. Dubin, M. D. Presidential Distinguished Centennial Director in the Art of Medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital’s Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM). The Mission of CPAM is to effectively translate the collaborative potential of arts and medicine to the holistic healthcare environment of Houston Methodist. Under his Directorship the Center has received the 2023 Texas Medal of the Arts Award from the Texas Cultural Trust, “spotlighting Texas leaders who fuel our state’s economy, improve our health and well-being, and enrich our cultural heritage”, the 2019 International Hamilton Award from the National Organization for Arts in Health, “celebrating the best use of the arts in employee engagement”, and the 2017 Business Council for the Arts Award from Americans for the Arts, “recognizing the best businesses partnering with the arts in America”.

Todd Frazier - Houston Methodist (CPAM) 2023-09-06 05:00:00Z 0

IMMIGRATION - Regina Lankenau & Charles Foster

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

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

REGISTER HERE

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 7th 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.

IMMIGRATION - Regina Lankenau & Charles Foster 2023-08-31 05:00:00Z 0

A SHOW OF HANDS - SEARCH FOR SADDAM HUSSEIN

story thumbnail

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

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

REGISTER HERE

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.

A SHOW OF HANDS - SEARCH FOR SADDAM HUSSEIN 2023-08-22 05:00:00Z 0

Senator Paul Bettencourt

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

REGISTER HERE

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).

Senator Paul Bettencourt 2023-08-16 05:00:00Z 0

Dan Parsons - BBB of Greater Houston & South Texas

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77046
 
August 17, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
The Better Business Bureau
 
PROFILE:     Dan Parsons, President
Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston & South Texas
 
Joined the BBB in 1983; appointed President in 2002
Formerly served as:                  Director of Investigations
                                                  Vice President, Operations
                                                  Vice President, Government & Public Affairs
                                                  Executive Vice President
 
PRIOR CAREER & EDUCATION HISTORY:
 
News & Public Affairs Director at KODA Radio. Other radio news media work in Houston and Pittsburgh Communications graduate of the University of Houston; journalism major at Duquesne University-Pittsburgh Graduate – Council of Better Business Bureau Executive Development Institute
Graduate – FBI Houston Citizens Academy
FBI Directors Citation for “Exceptional Service in the Public Interest” for work against telemarketing fraud.
 
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
 
Chairman             – Houston Consumer Protection Group (coalition of 20 fraud-fighting government agencies)
President              – Better Business Bureau Educational Foundation, Inc.
 
VOLUNTEER SERVICES:
                – Musician at St. Vincent de Paul and St. Theresa in the Park and Holy Ghost Catholic Churches
 
PERSONAL PROFILE:
 
Special Commissioner     – Harris County Civil Court of Law #4
Former Grand Juror         – 179th Criminal District Court-Harris County
 
Downtown Houston resident for 45 years
 

SAVE THE DATE:

August 24, 2023 - Senator Paul Bettencort

August 31, 2023 - Dr. Joseph Agris

Dan Parsons - BBB of Greater Houston & South Texas 2023-08-10 05:00:00Z 0

John McClain

JOIN VIRTUAL - AUGUST 10 2023

 

John McClain, a Waco native who graduated from Baylor in 1975, covered the NFL, including the Oilers and Texans, for 47 years at the Houston Chronicle until his retirement in March 2022. He worked for the Waco Tribune Herald from 1973-76, when he accepted a job with the Chronicle. to cover the original Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association.

McClain has a plaque in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio as the 2006 winner of the Dick McCann Memorial Award (now the Bill Nunn Memorial Award) presented annually by the Pro Football Writers of America to a writer for his long and distinguished coverage of the NFL. He is past president of the Pro Football Writers of America. In 2019, he was voted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame’s second class of media inductees and also received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Baylor Line Foundation.

He's a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Seniors Committee and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

In 2015, he was named as a Gridiron Legend in Texas, becoming the third member of the media behind Dave Campbell and Mickey Herskowitz. In 2019, he was voted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame's second class of media honorees.

McClain can be heard six times a week on the Texans' flagship station Sports Radio 610 in Houston. He also appears on numerous sports talk shows around the country.

McClain also has appeared in eight movies: The Rookie, The Longest Yard, Spring Breakers, Secretariat, Invincible, Cook County, The Game Plan and Make It Rain.

Click on the link to see more: John McClain, Retired Texans / NFL Writer - Houston Chronicle

John McClain 2023-08-10 05:00:00Z 0

Moshe Vardi - Technology and Democracy

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
August 3, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 

TECHNOLOGY AND DEMOCRACY - CAN THEY COEXIST IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA?
(INTRODUCTION WRITTEN BY JOSEPH COLANGELO)

United States society is in the throes of deep societal polarization that not only leads to political paralysis, but also threatens the very foundations of democracy. The phrase “The Dis-United States of America” is often mentioned-the “Us vs Them” mentality.

Widespread social media use has fueled the fire of extreme polarization, which, in turn has contributed to the erosion of trust in democratic values, elections and even scientific facts. Other countries are displaying similar polarization.

How did we get here? What went wrong? Are there any workable solutions and what is the role of government especially since the Russians, Chinese, Iranians and other Governments are already suspected of engaging in widespread programs of social disinformation aimed at the United States. Plus, Chinese social media and business sites spent decades in the U.S. and have complied a vast storehouse of information on most Americans.

Professor Moshe Vardi will explain his theory that the combination of Technology and Economics yielded our current societal polarization and offer some possible solutions.

The Rotary Club of Houston presents a unique opportunity to hear one of the leading Computer Scientists in the country, The product of an Israeli Kibbutz and a veteran of two Middle Eastern Wars, son of two holocaust survivors, unbelievably skilled in technology, but one who advises his Rice University students to consider a life of Service, Dedication and Sacrifice for the betterment of our world.

Please plan to attend and invite you friends as we discuss one of the most critical issues facing our country delivered by one of the most outspoken computer scientists who in 2013 predicted that “INTELLIGENT MACHINES MAY ONE DAY REPLACE HUMAN WORKERS ALMOST ENTIRELY AND…PUT MILLIONS OUT OF WORK PERMANENTLY.”

You won’t want to miss this special Rotary Club of Houston event.

 


MOSHE Y. VARDI

Moshe Y. Vardi is a University Professor, and the George Distinguished Service Professor in Computational Engineering at Rice University.  He is the author and co-author of over 750 papers, as well as two books.  He is the recipient of several scientific awards, is a fellow of several societies, and a member of several honorary academies. He holds nine honorary titles.  He is a Senior Editor of Communications of the ACM, the premier publication in computing, focusing on societal impact ofinformation technology.

 

VIRTUAL MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2023

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 294 559 085 250 

Passcode: dBmryk 

 

Moshe Vardi - Technology and Democracy 2023-07-27 05:00:00Z 0

A Loving Tribute to Vernus C. Swisher

Vern and Alma Swisher will be attending virtually.
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
July 27, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
 
 
Education

*  Doctor of Ministry Degree - Houston Graduate School of Theology; Houston, Texas
*  Professional Mediation Training - Worklife Institute; Houston, Texas
*  Master of Arts Degree - Houston Graduate School of Theology; Houston, Texas
*  Graduate Courses - Texas Southern University; Houston, Texas
*  Fundamentals of Finance and Accounting (extension course) -The University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School
*  Bachelor of Arts Degree in Secondary Education and Social Sciences - Houston-Tillotson University; Austin, Texas
*  L.C. Anderson High School, 1962 Graduate, Austin, Texas

Experience                                                                                                                                       

2/2019 - present   CEO Consulting and Coaching
*      Principal
3/1996 - 2019       Career and Recovery Resources, Inc. (Retired 1/31/2019)
*     Chief Executive Officer
8/1993 - 1996       Julia C. Hester House
*     Executive Director
8/1967 - 1993       Foley’s Department Store, Now Macy’s         

*     Store Manager - Almeda Mall                                  *     Buyer Budget Menswear - Corporate
*     Store Manager - Greenspoint Mall                          *     Assistant Buyer Menswear - Corporate
*     Assistant Store Manager - Sharpstown Mall           *     Group Manager - Sharpstown Mall
*     Divisional Manager - Sharpstown Mall                    *     Assistant Department Manager - Corporate

Religious Background                                                                              

2000 - Present      Pastor - Galilee Community Baptist Church Houston (2006-Present)
                              Pastor - Galilee Missionary Baptist Church of Kenedy (2004 – 2007)
                              Pastor - St. John Missionary Baptist Church on Dowling (2000—2003)
                              Associate Minister - Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church (2004 – 2006)
1986 - 1998          Thomas Care Nursing Home Senior Ministry
1983 - 1990          Assistant Pastor - South Post Oak Baptist Church

Current Boards & Community Affiliations                                                                                                
PrimeWay Federal Credit Union Board, Center for Pursuit Board of Governors, American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow Class XV,

Past Boards & Community Affiliations
Founder & Charter Member of Leadership Houston; Founding Committee Member of Project Blueprint, Spaulding for Children Advisory Board; Rotary Club of Houston & Foundation Board; College of Biblical Studies Board, Immediate Past Chair; Network of Behavioral Health Providers Board; Mayor’s Public Safety Advisory Committee Chair, City of Houston.
United Way of Texas: Board Member/Trustee.
United Way of Greater Houston: Panelist, Chairman of Adult Service; Chairman of Allocations Committee; Chairman of Planning Allocation-Information and Referral; Member of the Personnel Committee; Allocations Redesign Committee, Chairman of Agencies Campaign 1994-95; Planning Committee 1998-99; Public Policy 1995-99; President, Agency Executive Directors Association 2000; Multi-cultural Committee; Project Blueprint; Funding Task Force Committee.
Rotary Club of Houston, Past President; Houston Food Bank Board, Past President; Region 6 Adult Protective Services Advisory Board; Greater Houston Women’s Foundation Board; Disability Policy Consortium of Greater Houston Board; AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence) Interfaith Advisory Council, Target Hunger Advisory Board; The Volunteer Center Board; M.D. Anderson Hospital Volunteer; United Negro College Fund Advisory Board; Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation Board; Texas Commerce Bank-Lockwood/Lyons Board;.

Other:  Houston Evaluation of Community Priorities, Red Cross-Market Street; Inter-Ethnic Forum; John Biggers Exhibition Advisory Committee.

Awards:  Houston Community College Leadership and Success Honoree 2019, Career and Recovery Resources, In. Barrier Breaker Award 2019, Houston Graduate School of Theology-The Delbert and Carol Vaughn Alumnus Award 2016, Mayor's Disability Advocate of the Year 2002, National Women of Achievement  Visionaries of Excellence Award 1996; Citizen of Month, 1995 Houston Defender; United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast Volunteer of the Year 1985; Texas Southern University Humanitarian of the Year 1983.

 

SPEAKER

Kelly Young, CEO
Career and Recovery Resources, Inc.

Kelly Young has 25 years of diverse levels of management experience with a focus on change management, program development, strategic leadership, team building, and organizational design.  She has served as an executive position for the last 19 years.

  • Kelly works with issues involving vulnerable populations, health and wellness, safety and trauma and social justice.
  • Causes she cares about: Civil Rights & Social Action, Education, Human rights, Poverty Alleviation, and Social Services.
  • Kelly is the former CEO of AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc.
  • She has presented at local, state, and national conferences.
  • She has her bachelor’s degree in psychology, from Portland State and her Master’s degree in Managerial Sciences from Amberton University.

 

A Loving Tribute to Vernus C. Swisher 2023-07-24 05:00:00Z 0

Chase Untermeyer

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday July 20, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 

Chase Untermeyer has held positions at all four levels of government – local, state, national, and international — over a period of more than 40 years, with work in journalism, academia, and business as well.

He was born in New Jersey but came to Houston at the age of two. He is a 1968 graduate of Harvard College with honors in government. During the Vietnam War, he served as an officer in the US Navy aboard a Pacific Fleet destroyer and as aide to the commander of US naval forces in the Philippines.

Returning to Houston, Mr. Untermeyer was a political reporter for the Houston Chronicle and executive assistant to the county judge (chief executive) of Harris County, Texas. In 1976, he was elected as a Republican to the first of two terms as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from a district on the west side of Houston.

Mr. Untermeyer resigned his seat to go to Washington in 1981 as executive assistant to then-Vice President Bush. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan appointed him Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. During the first Bush Administration, he was assistant to the President for presidential personnel and director of the Voice of America.

From 2004 to 2007, he served as United States ambassador to the State of Qatar, on appointment of President George W. Bush. He is currently professor of practice at the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston.

He is the author of three volumes of diary-based memoirs of the Reagan-Bush era, When Things Went RightInside Reagan’s Navy, and Zenith: In the White House with George HW Bush. He has also published How Important People Act: Behaving Yourself in Public.

He is married to the former Diana Cumming Kendrick of Sheridan, Wyoming, whom he met in the White House. Their daughter Ellyson, a 2016 graduate of Stanford University, works with Facebook.

 
Chase Untermeyer 2023-07-13 05:00:00Z 0

113TH INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

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

REGISTER HERE

 

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

 

113TH INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS 2023-06-26 05:00:00Z 0

Dr. Esmaeil Porsa - President & CEO, Harris Health System

story thumbnail

Dr. Porsa, MD, MPH, is the CEO of Harris Health Systems, providing Health Care for the over 1 million uninsured & underinsured in Harris County.  Despite two hospitals & numerous county clinics, there are far too few facilities, including beds.  Yet the physicians working there produce high valued care.  Come and hear of his challenges & visions.

Ken Mattox

 

 

 

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

June 22, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

REGISTER HERE

JOIN VIRTUALLY ===> JUNE 22, 2023

Dr. Esmaeil Porsa serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Harris Health System, which is a community-focused, academic and safety-net healthcare system dedicated to improving the health of those most in need in Harris County, Texas, through quality care delivery, coordination of care, and education.

Harris Health operates 45 community-based clinics, health centers and specialty locations and two trauma hospitals: Ben Taub Hospital (Level I) and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (Level III). The system provides high-quality care and treatment for nearly 1.4 million outpatient visits and more than 36,000 hospital cases each year with an operating budget of $2.115 billion.

Prior to his returning to Harris Health in 2020, Dr. Porsa served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Integration Officer at Parkland Health and Hospital System where he had worked since 2007 in different capacities including the Medical Director of the Dallas County Jail Health program, Associate Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President for Professional and Academic Affairs and Interim Chief Medical Officer.

Dr. Porsa completed a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio before earning his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center Medical School in San Antonio. He completed his training in internal medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston where he also served as the Chief Medical Resident. Dr. Porsa completed a Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health as well as a fellowship program in primary care at the UTHSC-Houston medical school in 2005. Dr. Porsa obtained his MBA degree in Health Care Leadership from University of Texas in Dallas in 2017.

Dr. Porsa has a special interest in improving community health through addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and health care delivery in correctional setting. He currently serves as the Vice Chair for the Texas Commission on Jail Standards and is a member of the Certified Correctional Health Care Professional Board of Trustees for the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC).

 

Dr. Esmaeil Porsa - President & CEO, Harris Health System 2023-06-21 05:00:00Z 0

Texas Public Education Rubric confusion REVEALED

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday June 8, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
Texas Public Education Rubric confusion REVEALED.  Learn mystery of multiple Texas Proficiency Exams, but many students can't read, write, or balance a check book?  Have some grade books been cooked?  Most importantly, will the various voucher, TEA-HISD, other school districts plans address or fix the confusing issues.  Presented with narratives & past & present DATA.   If you thought of missing ANY RCOH this year- This is not the one.   Bring curious guests     Reserve early to assure a seat.   Potential for overflow   
 
Kenneth Mattox
Texas Public Education Rubric confusion REVEALED 2023-05-30 05:00:00Z 0

Paul Klotman, M.D. - TMC Helix/BCM

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

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

REGISTER HERE

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.

Paul Klotman, M.D. - TMC Helix/BCM 2023-05-25 05:00:00Z 0

Dr. Asim Shah - Mental Health

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
May 18, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
REGISTER HERE
 
Join Virtually ===> May 18, 2023
 
 
Dr. Shah holds the Barbara & Corbin J. Robertson Jr. Chair in Psychiatry, and is Executive Vice Chair and Professor of Psychiatry, Family and Community Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Texas, and Chief of Psychiatry for Ben Taub Hospital/Harris Health System. He is also Chief, Division of Community Psychiatry & Director of Mood Disorder Research Program at Ben Taub Hospital.  
 
He has received two Fulbright and Jaworski Awards, one for "Teaching and Evaluation" in 2012, and the other for "Educational Leadership" in 2014. He further received the “Rising Star Clinician Award" from Baylor in 2014. He received the Children Mental Health Champion AWARD from Mental Health America in 2018. He was appointed to the Texana Center Board of Trustees in August 2019.
 
Dr. Shah has done numerous media presentations to National and International Radio/TV/Newspapers and has widely presented both nationally and internationally. He is seen on FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC, NPR, PBS as an expert analyst.  He has about 170 peer reviewed publications and chapters to his credit and two books. He has been named by Houstonia magazine and Castle Connolly on their Top Doctors list for Houston since 2013 every year, and received it in 2023 also. He has received the prestigious “Clark Faculty Service Award” from Baylor College of Medicine in 2020, for his services for the community, and also received “Allies of Women of Excellence award”. He is the past Chair for Mental Health America of Greater Houston and Ibn Sina Advisory Board. Currently he is board Chair for Alliance Texas, a refugees settlement agency and in 2021 he was appointed as Board Chair for Recovery Center Houston/Sobering Center by Mayor of Houston for a 3 year term. In 2020, he received "Medal of Honor" from Government of Pakistan, and was included in Foreign Minister's Honor roll list. Pakistan Psychiatric society named him "Most Eminent Psychiatrist" in 2020.
 
He received the prestigious Imma Hogg Award from Mental Health America for 2022, joining the club of William P. Hobby, and John P. McGovern. In 2023, American Psychiatric Association (APA) board of trustees elected him as a Distinguished Fellow of APA.
 
Dr. Asim Shah - Mental Health 2023-05-18 05:00:00Z 0

Lauren Sparks - Founder & CEO, Agility Bank
 

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday May 25, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
Lauren Sparks founded Agility 2020, Inc., the entity that proposed a federally chartered bank, primarily owned and led by women. 
 
With over three decades of community banking and risk management experience, Lauren is uniquely qualified to foster the growth of a community bank that focuses on digital banking. As a business owner herself, she executed exceptional opportunities for entrepreneurs, especially women.
 
In 2009 Lauren formed Third Party Resources, Inc. (3PR Inc.), a woman-owned consulting firm specializing in community banks and financial service firms. 3PR, which serves more than 30 community banks at any given time, also has become a preferred vendor for one of the world’s largest software providers.
Lauren Sparks - Founder & CEO, Agility Bank  2023-05-17 05:00:00Z 0

Andrew S. Friedberg - Mayor of Bellaire

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

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

REGISTER HERE

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.

Andrew S. Friedberg - Mayor of Bellaire 2023-05-11 05:00:00Z 0

THE THREE AMIGOS OF LAW

 
Grotto's - Westheimer
4715 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77027
 
Thursday May 4, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:15 PM
 
 
THE THREE AMIGOS OF LAW
"All you ever wanted to know about Lawyers but were afraid to ask"
 
Note the change of location:  May 4, Thursday, 11:30 am - 1:15 pm, Grotto Restaurant, 4715 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77027.  Complimentary valet parking and free parking garage in the back.
 
Please join us for a special program featuring Robert Eckels, Charles Foster and Rick Olsen, aka THE THREE AMIGOS OF LAW, all prominent members of the Rotary Club of Houston and interesting personalities in their own right, as they discuss, their careers in Law, revealing never-before disclosed facts about their early years, what caused them to want to become Lawyers, the "Ups and Downs" of a career in the law- in other words, "All you ever wanted to know about Lawyers but were afraid to ask"
 
Law Day is held every May 1, to celebrate the role of law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession and its role in building trust in American Institutions and Advancing Social Justice, Protecting Human Rights and Promoting the Rule of Law The United States has 1,350,000 licensed attorneys, 93,000 in Texas more per-capita than any country in the world. It is fitting and proper that we take this day to honor our Three Amigos of Law. Please invite your friends to this important, fun-filled program. 
 
For info: contact Joe Colangelo, Chair of the Day 713-4121875, or jcolan@gmail.com
 
ROBERT ECKELS: General Counsel and Director of Greffex, Inc. a company using genetic engineering for research and development of vaccines and genetic therapy. Robert is also Counsel to the law firm of Husch Blackwell, LLP., a national firm where his practice is focused on representing governmental clients and corporate compliance and finance. Robert’s legal career is built on decades in public service and leadership in the state legislature and as County Judge (executive) of Harris County, Texas, with 4 million residents, America’s third largest county. As County Judge, he created the county department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. After Hurricane Katrina, Robert organized the largest shelter operation in US history as over 60,000 evacuees fleeing the floods in New Orleans found shelter in Harris County’s Astrodome and NRG Park. He served 18 years is chairman of the Texas County & District Retirement System, at $34 billion, one of America’s largest and most actuarially sound pension funds. He is a founder and past director of Texas Central Railway, a company undertaking development of high-speed rail service between Houston and the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Robert earned a national reputation as a leader in health care, disaster response and recovery, transportation, public private partnerships, and finance.
 
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 play 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.
 
RICK OLSEN: Founder and principal of The Olsen Law Firm, P.C.—a national litigation firm with an emphasis on commercial and business-related matters. He has successfully represented individual and corporate clients in federal and state jurisdictions throughout the United States for over twenty years. 
 
Prior to practicing law, Rick served as a Deputy Sheriff for the Harris County Sheriff’s Department for more than a decade. There, he served as a member of the elite motorcycle unit, an accident investigator, and inspector within the Traffic Enforcement Division. Rick believes his law enforcement experience and perspective as a trial attorney continue to serve his clients on a daily basis.
 
Rick has been a member of the Rotary Club of Houston since 2009. He served as President of the Club during the 2017-2018 Rotary year, served as Assistant Governor for Rotary District 5890 during the 2020-2021 Rotary year, and currently serves as Chairman of the Rotary Club of Houston Foundation Board. Rick graduated with honors from South Texas College of Law, where he served as an Articles Editor for the South Texas Law Review. Rick and his wife, Nan, have been married for thirty-one years and reside in Cypress, Texas.
 
THE THREE AMIGOS OF LAW 2023-05-06 05:00:00Z 0

DONNA VALLONE - TONY'S

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

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

REGISTER HERE

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!

DONNA VALLONE - TONY'S 2023-05-05 05:00:00Z 0

ACS & MD Anderson Check Presentation

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 49th 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 49th RLA and turn the page as we focus our collective energies to make the 50th Rotary Lombardi Award the most successful fundraiser we’ve ever had.

ACS & MD Anderson Check Presentation 2023-04-18 05:00:00Z 0

Connor Hagan - FBI Public Service Officer

story thumbnail
Connor Hagan
FBI Public Affairs Officer
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
June 15, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
Since 2018, Connor Hagan has served as an FBI Public Affairs Officer (PAO) providing media support during critical incidents, answering daily press inquiries related to federal investigations, and highlighting significant FBI cases for public attention. He maintains an active FBI social media presence and enjoys working with numerous media, law enforcement, and community leaders throughout Texas.
 
Connor Hagan joined the FBI in July 2015 as a member of FBI Milwaukee’s Special Surveillance Group where he conducted covert surveillance of foreign spies and suspected terrorists related to national security investigations. Within a few years, he shifted into a support role where he provided administrative assistance to the counterterrorism, counterintelligence, human intelligence, and violent crime squads. In January 2018, he transferred to the Houston Field Office in his first posting as an FBI PAO. After two years in Texas, Connor transferred to Little Rock as the sole FBI PAO for the entire state of Arkansas. While in this position, Connor was selected for the FBI’s elite Media Fly Team (MFT), where he was deployed to numerous critical incidents and mass casualty events around the nation during his two-year assignment.
 
After three years in Arkansas, Connor is back in Houston alongside his fiancée and large extended family. Before joining the FBI, Connor studied organized crime and national security while earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).
Connor Hagan - FBI Public Service Officer 2023-04-17 05:00:00Z 0

Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM)

 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
 
 
Brian Murray is the Assistant Deputy Coordinator for Homeland Security & Emergency Management, Public Information Officer, and Communications Supervisor for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM).
 
Murray supervises a communications team specializing in media relations, marketing, social media, communications planning, and public education. Before becoming PIO in June 2019, he served as the Planning Section Supervisor during Hurricane Harvey and the Deer Park Tank Fire incident.
 
Developing the processes and technology for communicating with the public during disasters has been at the center of Murray’s career at HCOHSEM. He helped establish the first physical Regional Joint Information Center at Houston TranStar and his work in developing “JIC Strike Teams” earned HCOHSEM an Outstanding Emergency Public Information Aware from the Emergency Management Association of Texas in 2015. In addition, he was the Public Information Officer of the Houston Area Local Emergency Communication Committee and a member of 2 working groups attached to the Federal Communications Commission’s Communications Security Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) charged with charting the future development of Wireless Emergency Alerts and accessible public information.
 
Murray earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Houston – Downtown as well as a Master of Public Administration and Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security from Pennsylvania State University.
Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) 2023-04-10 05:00:00Z 0

Mark Illian - EWB - Peru Water Project

 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday April 6, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
Mark Illian is an Electrical Engineering graduate of Texas A&M University. He is the father of two wonderful people, a global citizen and founder of the nonprofit Nature Healing Nature whose mission is to eliminate water related illness on Earth by empowering remote, disadvantaged, villagers to embrace pragmatic water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions using only materials and skills that they already have available. He has co-created lasting WASH solutions in Togo, Senegal, South Africa, Kenya, Haiti, Nicaragua, Cambodia and Peru.
 
His engineering work embraces complex process control solutions with emphasis on combustion systems in power, petrochemical, and heavy industries. He is currently establishing his latest company, RainwaterHarvestingHouston.com, as the premier potable rainwater harvesting design and construction company in South East Texas.
 
His volunteer emphasis is as a Program Manager, Project Team Lead, and Travel Team Mentor of several Engineers Without Borders projects in the world. His volunteer work also involves the empowerment of youth and adults in overcoming boundaries that are limiting their highest potential.
Mark Illian - EWB - Peru Water Project 2023-04-03 05:00:00Z 0

Project C.U.R.E.
Delivering Health and Hope Around the World

Each week Project C.U.R.E. delivers approximately three to five semi-truck-sized ocean containers packed with the medical equipment and supplies desperately needed to save lives in hospitals and clinics in resource-limited countries. Janet Thomason and Jo Sullivan will share a behind the scenes look at how this lifesaving work is accomplished.  Both Janet and Jo will talk about their first hand experiences working in communities across the US and across the world. 
 
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday March 23, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
Bios
 
Janet Kalustian Thomason
Project C.U.R.E. Director of National Procurement
 
No stranger to the world of nonprofits, Janet has a diverse history of nonprofit management and board development experience. Currently, she serves Project C.U.R.E. as the Director of National Procurement and is responsible for building relationships with manufacturers, distributors and medical facilities in order to secure the product donations which will ultimately help Project C.U.R.E. save lives in low-resourced countries. Each week, Project C.U.R.E. delivers approximately four semi-truck loads of donated medical supplies and equipment to desperately needy people around the world. Under her direction, the organization has implemented numerous programs to strategically increase the supply of life saving equipment available for countries in need. Approximately 200 cargo containers of equipment and supplies are shipped annually from Project C.U.R.E.’s seven distribution facilities.
 
Janet welcomes opportunities to speak to groups and share how healthcare professionals and related industries can use their resources to strengthen healthcare systems in vulnerable populations.
 
Janet has an extensive entrepreneurial background as well as professional experience in sales and marketing management. Her professional experience ranges from large to small corporations, having worked with Fortune 500 companies, as well as privately held corporations. Janet particularly enjoys opportunities to work within the international community and considers travel experiences with Project C.U.R.E. some of her most memorable experiences. Bringing past experiences together to improve healthcare for those in need has been extremely gratifying – and tons of fun!
 
An active member of the non-profit community both locally and globally; Mrs. Thomason serves on the San Jacinto College Biomedical Advisory Committee and on the Executive Board of The Partnership for Quality Medical Donations, a unique alliance of non-profit and corporate organizations committed to bringing measurable health impact to under-served and vulnerable people through active engagement with global partners and local communities.
 
A native Bostonian, Janet and her husband have lived in Houston for over 35 years. Project C.U.R.E. is all in the family for the Thomason’s. daughter, Dr. Alyssa Kalustian Thomason, volunteers with Project C.U.R.E., and has traveled to Ghana for clinic service. Son, Alexander, is a Biomedical Engineer and regular in our Clinical Engineering department.
 
Jo Sullivan, LMSW
Project C.U.R.E. Houston Executive Director
 
Jo Sullivan is a dynamic, results-driven Executive Director-level leader with a passion for impacting community systems and growing the capacity of nonprofits.
Jo's current role is the Houston Executive Director for Project C.U.R.E. Project C.U.R.E. is the world’s largest distributor of donated medical supplies, equipment, and services to more than 135 countries. Jo is responsible for philanthropy and community outreach in Houston and across Texas.
Prior to Project C.U.R.E, Jo served as Houston SPCA's Chief Community and Development Officer. In her time there, she built a highly impactful development, communications, and marketing team and launched the first Community Outreach program resulting in food pantries, vaccine clinics, and partnerships with leading Human Services organizations in Texas.
Jo's previous professional accomplishments include notable contributions to Save the Chimps, Wounded Warrior Project, Toys for Tots, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and other respected organizations.
In addition to her professional experience, Jo is a Licensed Master Social Worker and holds a Certification in Addictions Counseling. Jo serves on multiple boards and volunteers in prison re-entry counseling, pet foster programs, and teaches storytelling.
Project C.U.R.E.Delivering Health and Hope Around the World 2023-03-16 05:00:00Z 0

Sanjay Ramabhadran - METRO

Tony's
3755 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday March 23, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
Sanjay Ramabhadran
 
Sanjay Ramabhadran’s (pronounced Rahm-bud-run) leadership roles with Houston’s influential civic and business organizations have uniquely positioned him to help steer METRO’s future.  He serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston METRO), the largest transit authority in Texas and for the 4th largest city in the United States, with a 1,300 square mile service area and an annual budget of $1.7 Billion. He is a member of the Transportation Policy Council, the Policy Board for the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) serving a 13-county region.
 
Previously as chair of METRO’s Capital and Strategic Planning Committee, Sanjay helped oversee the planning, design, construction, and launch of major projects that enhance mobility throughout the region.
 
A Registered Professional Engineer, he is a Founding Principal at a consulting firm providing program/construction management services on aviation, transportation, water and flood protection projects. He has served in senior executive and board roles with global and regional firms delivering transportation, water, and flood mitigation projects for 25+ years. He brings this knowledge to METRO at a time when the agency is implementing a $3.5 billion bond program, METRONext, approved by voters in 2019 with almost 70% of the vote.
 
Sanjay has served as President of The Texas Lyceum, an organization that brings together diverse opinions and expertise to focus on issues of critical importance to the future of Texas and catalyzes constructive private sector, public sector and individual responses to these issues. He is a former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Leadership Houston, a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum, and former President of the HESS Club and the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston. His civic involvement has included serving as Steering Committee Member – Houston General Plan; Chairperson of the Houston Mayor's International Trade & Development Council (South Asia); City of Houston – Building & Standards Commission; and Connecting Communities Initiative at Rice University's Kinder Institute.
 
Sanjay’s talent for bringing business and civic leaders together to tackle big challenges has been a hallmark of his leadership. As such, in 2012 he was recognized among Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the United States Junior Chamber. He was previously selected as one of Five Outstanding Young Texans in 2011 by the Texas Jaycees and one of Five Outstanding Young Houstonians for the year 2010 by the Houston Jaycees. Selected as an ASIA 21 Young Leader, he represented the United States at the 2010 Global Asia 21 Leadership Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia. 
 
He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and BITS – Pilani with executive education at the Harvard Kennedy School.
 
Sanjay Ramabhadran - METRO 2023-03-15 05:00:00Z 0

Rice University President, Reginald DesRoches

 
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
March 9,, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00PM
 
 

Reginald DesRoches is Rice University’s eighth president. He also serves as professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and professor of Mechanical Engineering. As president, DesRoches serves as the chief executive officer of the university and its more than 8,200 students, 900 plus faculty, seven academic schools, the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, and many interdisciplinary institutes and centers. He previously served as Rice’s Howard Hughes Provost and William and Stephanie Sick Dean of Engineering.
DesRoches’ primary research interests are in the design of resilient infrastructure systems under extreme loads and the application of smart materials. He has published approximately 300 articles and delivered more than 100 presentations in over 30 different countries. He also has mentored more than 30 doctoral students, many of whom hold faculty positions at top universities around the world.

A member of the National Academy of Engineering, DesRoches’ distinctive research record has been recognized for its impact and innovation. He is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Structural Engineering Institute. He received the Distinguished Arnold Kerr Lecturer Award in 2019, the John A. Blume Distinguished Lecturer Award in 2018, and the 2018 Earthquake Engineering Research Institute Distinguished Lecturer Award, one of the highest honors in the field of earthquake engineering. DesRoches is a member of the Academy of Distinguished Alumni in Civil Engineering at Berkeley and an honorary alumnus of Georgia Tech.

JOIN VIRTUALLY ===> March 9, 2023

Rice University President, Reginald DesRoches 2023-03-03 06:00:00Z 0

"BECAUSE YOU ASKED"

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday February 23, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 

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

"BECAUSE YOU ASKED" 2023-02-20 06:00:00Z 0

Michael Hagerty - Senior Producer, Houston Matters

 
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday February 16, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
"Houston Matters: The Daily Guide to All Things Houston."
 
For the past ten years, Michael Hagerty has worked as the senior producer for Houston Matters, the daily radio show and podcast about all things Houston that's heard Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. on Houston Public Media (KUHF/88.7FM), our city's NPR and PBS station (KUHT/Ch. 8). Michael has spent more than 20 years in public radio and television in places like Abilene and Waco, Texas, along with Reno, Nevada. There he dabbled in minor league baseball, spending four seasons as the public address announcer for the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He lives with his wife, Melanie (a Houston native), in Clear Lake in a home built for the original NASA employees (how Houston is that?) with his two children, Louis (4), and Cora (2) and cat, Nunzio. He grew up outside Chicago in northwest Indiana before moving to Greater Houston at age ten and loves Houston so much he roots for the Astros almost as hard as he does his first baseball love, the Chicago Cubs. 
Michael Hagerty - Senior Producer, Houston Matters 2023-02-07 06:00:00Z 0

Coach Jackie Sherrill

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

February 9, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

REGISTER HERE

Join Virtually ===> February 9, 2023

 

Jackie Wayne Sherrill (born November 28, 1943) 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 Sherrill 2023-02-03 06:00:00Z 0

David Robbins - Infrastructure of Airports

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday February 2, 2023
11:30 AM 1:00 PM
 

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.

David Robbins - Infrastructure of Airports 2023-01-26 06:00:00Z 0

HLSR President Chris Boleman, PH.D.

story thumbnail

CHRIS BOLEMAN, PH.D.
President & CEO

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
Thursday January 19, 2023
11:30 AM 1:00 PM

 
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.

HLSR President Chris Boleman, PH.D. 2023-01-19 06:00:00Z 0

Mayor Sylvester Turner

 
Turner was born on September 27, 1954, in Houston, Texas, as the sixth of nine children, and was raised in the Acres Homes community in northwest Houston by his father, a commercial painter, and his mother, a maid at the Rice Hotel. He was senior class president and valedictorian at Klein High School. At the University of Houston he was Speaker of the Student Senate and graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. degree in political science. Turner was a finalist in the Ames Moot Court Competition while obtaining a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
 
Mayor Sylvester Turner serves as the Executive Officer of the City. As the City's chief administrator and official representative, the Mayor is responsible for the general management of the City and for seeing that all laws and ordinances are enforced. Administrative duties include the appointments, with Council approval, of department heads and persons serving on advisory boards.
 
As Executive Officer, the Mayor administers oaths and signs all motions, resolutions and ordinances passed by City Council. The Mayor also serves a legislative function, presiding over City Council with voting privileges.
 
The Mayor is responsible for advising Council of the City's financial condition and presents to Council an annual budget for approval.
Mayor Sylvester Turner 2023-01-19 06:00:00Z 0

Interaction and Strategizing Meeting

Posted on Dec 30, 2022
 
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
January 5, 2023
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
IN-PERSON ===> REGISTER HERE
 
 

First, this is a greeting to each of you, wishing you a healthy happy and productive year 2023. Many right things are in place for this to be a very fruitful year, in all the things we do, say, and hope for. Imagine Rotary is not only our theme for this year, but we have also together learned and participated in many innovative things, and I have a strong premonition that “we ain’t seen nothing yet.”  We are so blessed in our club to have so many forward thinking people in many diverse and balanced areas and disciplines. Both our active members, visitors, and speakers have shared so many “imagine” thoughts this year so far, but we have 6 months more to go as we together rebuild ideas, visions, community, and beyond.

Our first Thursday noon meeting of the Rotary Club of Houston will be on January 5, 2023. I want the program for that day to be US and our visitors, just as we have every week. This should be both a club and individual revitalization. We will involve everyone at every table as we address several things:

  1. Comment about the current and your desired Thursday programs. We will chat about subject matter, titles, as well as specific suggestions. We have a list of ideas which can take us all the way to July 2023, however we do wish to hear from each of you about direction, depth, and ideas.
  2. Your board wishes to know your traditional classification and what projects and committees you are currently on. We want you to give some thought as to whether or not you are currently optimally positioned. Specifically what committee(s) or project(s) do you wish to be involved with. Rule #1 is that everyone must belong to at least one project or committee.
  3. I do want us to also have an in-depth discussion of the projects and committees we currently have and how they need to be restructured. We should NOT have committees with only ONE member. Our committees & projects must be vetted among the entire club, have a chairperson, have a management plan, and have submitted the budget and plan to the budget committee and board.

I am very excited about this upcoming club interaction and strategizing. This is not a member only meeting as many of our visitors and anticipated upcoming new members are part of our 2023 Rotary Imagine good times.

Thank you for the privilege and opportunity of being your President of the Rotary Club of Houston this year.

Kenneth L. Mattox

Interaction and Strategizing Meeting 2022-12-30 06:00:00Z 0

 “Billion-dollar Lawyer” - Harry Reasoner

story thumbnail

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

He’s been a “Billion-dollar Lawyer” for more than three decades, spent time as a clerk to Judge Charles Clark and Judge Thurgood Marshall on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He made a massive impact on antitrust, energy and commercial law in Texas and throughout the U.S.

But what Harry Reasoner would rather discuss as he nears his 60th year of practice are his pro bono matters – from individual child custody cases, to winning the right for prisoners to write confidentially to their lawyers and get books and magazines, to the right of the University of Texas Law School to use race as a factor in admission.

He’s passionate about his work in Guajardo v. Estelle, which resulted in a settlement overseen by the U.S. District Court in Houston that survived for roughly 30 years, granting Texas prison inmates the right to obtain books and magazines and correspond confidentially with their attorneys as well as news reporters.

“One area of our society that could greatly stand improvement is our prisons,” says Reasoner. “We don’t do enough to rehabilitate. You ought to make it so that kids who get there come out with high school degrees.”

Reasoner made partner six years after joining Vinson & Elkins' Houston office. He won a verdict of $1B in 1989 in an antitrust battle over a proposed coal-slurry pipeline and would go on to serve as managing partner for 10 years, 1992 through 2001.

 “Billion-dollar Lawyer” - Harry Reasoner 2022-12-09 06:00:00Z 0

Giorgio Villani

story thumbnail

 

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.

Giorgio Villani Giorgio Villani 2022-11-21 06:00:00Z 0

Vitalii Tarasiuk - Consulate General of Ukraine in Houston

story thumbnail

Tonys
3755 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77046

November 17, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

 

 
Vitalii Tarasiuk
Consulate General of Ukraine in Houston
Consul General
 

Consul General Vitalii Tarasiuk has already met with Ukrainian citizens and organizations in the area, such as the Ukrainian American Cultural Club of Houston, Pokrova Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ukrainian School of Houston, Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church and others.

The U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), www.USUBC.org, congratulates Mr. Tarasiuk regarding his new appointment and looks forward to working with him and his team in Houston. USUBC members worked very closely with Vitalii from 2014 to 2019, when he was Minister-Counselor, Head of Economic and Trade Office at the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA in Washington, D.C.

“The members of USUBC wish Vitalii the best of success in enhancing business, cultural andtrade cooperation between Ukraine and the states of his district”, said President of USUBC Morgan Williams. 

Vitalii Tarasiuk received a Distinguished Service Award (DSA) from the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) in 2019 in Washington, D.C. before he was assigned back to Kyiv.
To read more, please follow the LINK

Vitalii Tarasiuk - Consulate General of Ukraine in Houston 2022-11-01 05:00:00Z 0
COVID-19 Talk with Local Health Authorities KMF 2022-10-13 05:00:00Z 0

Stephen L. Klineberg, Ph.D.

story thumbnail

Tonys
3755 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77046

October 13, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

 

Stephen L. Klineberg, Ph.D.
Founding Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Rice University

Dr. Stephen Klineberg has been shaping local thought on the ongoing trends in Houston for almost forty years. As the director of the annual “Kinder Houston Area Survey” (1982-2020), he has tracked the economic outlooks, demographic patterns, life experiences, and beliefs of area residents through 39 years of remarkable change. His book exploring the national implications of the first 38 years of this research, entitled Prophetic City: Houston on the Cusp of a Changing America, was published in June 2020 by Simon & Schuster. Klineberg is the recipient of twelve major teaching awards at Rice and a much sought-after speaker in the Houston community and beyond. He is a graduate of Haverford College, with an MA from the University of Paris, and a PhD from Harvard. He and his wife Margaret have lived in Houston since the early 1970s; they have two children and five grandchildren.

Stephen L. Klineberg, Ph.D. 2022-10-11 05:00:00Z 0

Houston Police Officers' Union

story thumbnail
Ray Hunt
Executive Director
Houston Police Officers’ Union
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
October 6, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
Ray Hunt is a native Houstonian and product of the Houston Independent School District.  Ray graduated from The University of Texas at Austin and has been employed as a Police Officer at HPD since 1989.  Ray worked night shift for 18 years in SW Houston where he served as a Field Trainer and Evaluator for new officers.  In 1999, Ray was appointed by then-Governor George Bush as a Commissioner of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.  Ray has served as a Board Member, Secretary, Vice President, and President of the Houston Police Officers’ Union prior to being appointed Executive Director.  Ray is married to his high school prom date and they have 2 grown children, 4 grandchildren, and 1 more on the way. 
Houston Police Officers' Union 2022-10-06 05:00:00Z 0

Lunch with a Purpose - Meals on Wheels/Animeals

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.

Lunch with a Purpose - Meals on Wheels/Animeals 2022-09-16 05:00:00Z 0

DOCTORS TALK - PALLIATION & FUTILITY ISSUES

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

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

 
Medicine & Surgery has become extremely complex with fantastic advancements in Diagnostics, Procedures, Technology, and even Regulations.   Todays definitions of the terms:  advanced technology, monitoring, cardiac support, chemotherapy, reconstructions, emergency procedures, etc. are different than just 5 years ago.   Navigating the complex jungle of registrations, regulations, insurance, copayments, consultants, critical care units, telesurgery is frustrating for family, patients, quality reviewers, as well as physicians and trainees.   A rare look into this world will happen this coming Thursday at the Rotary Club of Houston, September 15, 2022 in Tony's Wine Cellar. Space is somewhat limited, so be sure to register early at the Rotary Club of Houston website.  Drs. Loor, Ramsey, and Savi of Baylor College of Medicine who lecture to young trainees and staff on these subjects will share with attendees on these challenges.   This is one of those "MUST ATTEND" events for all Rotarians individual and for their families.     
 
Kenneth L. Mattox, MD
President TRCOH 2022-23
 
Michele M. Loor, M.D. is a board-certified surgeon in Houston, Texas. Dr. Loor earned her medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in 2001 and completed general surgery residency training at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois (2008). During that time, she spent two years completing a Burn Research Fellowship (2005). She then went on to complete her training in a Critical Care and Burn Fellowship at the University of Chicago Hospitals (2009).

After completing her training, Dr. Loor had faculty appointments at both Cleveland Clinic and the University of Minnesota. Her training and time spent at these institutions fostered her interest in the care of patients with complex abdominal wall problems. Dr. Loor offers robotic surgery as an option, which can decrease hospital stay and overall recovery time for her patients.

Dr. Loor’s research interests include surgical critical care, surgical infections, preoperative optimization, and enterocutaneous fistulas.
 
Savitri Fedson, MD, MA is an Associate Professor in the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine, a Clinical Ethicist at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, and an Associate Professor in Cardiology at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. She is a graduate of the MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics Program as a Clinical Fellow at the University of Chicago where she served as a consult attending for inpatient ethics consultation. Dr. Fedson is an advanced heart failure/transplant cardiologist and before her move to Texas, worked with the busiest heart transplant center in Illinois. She has been a speaker at national and international heart failure and transplant meetings on topics such as of End of Life, Ethical Dilemmas in Heart Transplant Candidacy, and Candidacy for Mechanical Circulatory Support.
 
Dr. E. Ramsay Camp, M.D., FACS, is professor and chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. He completed his undergraduate degree at Davidson College and his medical degree at the Medical University of South Carolina. He performed his general surgery training at the Shand's Hospital at the University of Florida and went on to complete a surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in 2007. He joins the faculty of Baylor as the Chief of Surgical Oncology coming from the Medical University of South Carolina where he has practiced for the last twelve years. Dr. Camp’s clinical practice and expertise has focused on treating patients with complex gastrointestinal tumors including pancreatic and gastric malignancies as well as sarcoma and melanoma.

Dr. Camp has an active externally funded research laboratory supported by a VA Merit Award with a focus on mechanisms of chemotherapy and radiation resistance in pancreatic and colorectal cancer. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of various oncology societies including the American Surgical Association, the Southern Surgical Association, Society of Surgical Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Association of Cancer Research, National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), and the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG).
 
Dr. Kenneth L. Mattox is a Distinguished Service Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and Chief of Staff and Surgeon-in-Chief at Ben Taub Hospital, where he has worked since 1973. BTH has been at the forefront of surgical critical care, breaking ground with its automated system for the storage and retrieval of laboratory data in 1975. Dr. Mattox helped develop the internationally renowned Ben Taub Hospital Emergency Center and its equally respected Trauma Center. His reputation as an innovator in trauma care is known worldwide. Dr. Mattox is past President of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma and Secretary-Treasurer of the Michael E. DeBakey International Surgical Society. He previously chaired the Mayor's Red Ribbon Committee to address Houston Fire Department Emergency Medical Services and sat on the Hospital Subcommittee of the Mayor's Special Task Force on the Medical Aspects of Disaster. Currently, Dr. Mattox serves as consultant to the Center for Biologic Evaluation and Research of the FDA. Dr. Mattox has served on the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Houston, Doctors’ Club of Houston, Wayland Baptist University, the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, the Southeast Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council, the American College of Surgeons Board of Governors, and serves as Chairman of the Board of the John P. McGovern Museum for Health & Medical Science.
DOCTORS TALK - PALLIATION & FUTILITY ISSUES 2022-09-15 05:00:00Z 0

Hines - George C. Lancaster

story thumbnail

Since 1957 the skyline of many cities across the globe have been impacted by Hines. 285 cities in 28 countries, $90.3 billion of investment assets under management, and so much more.

Have you visited the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park?

Join us on September 29th as we visit the world of Hines with speaker:

George C Lancaster

Hines Global Head, Marketing and Communications   / Houston, TX
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
September 29, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 

Mr. Lancaster is the firm’s Global Head, Marketing and Communications. He is responsible for internal and external global marketing and communications, including media relations. Lancaster serves as a central resource to Hines’ offices worldwide in the areas of corporate and project marketing and public relations. He also has extensive experience in branding, leasing and property management. Previously he worked in the firm's mixed-use division in retail marketing for the Dallas and Houston Gallerias where he was later responsible for the redevelopment and repositioning of Canal Place, a market-dominant, mixed-use center in downtown New Orleans.

Lancaster graduated from Southern Methodist University with a BFA in Communications. He has been recognized with numerous industry marketing awards including several from the International Council of Shopping Centers. He holds a CRX (Certified Retail Property Executive) designation from the ICSC. He is involved with numerous philanthropic efforts and serves as board chair of Stages Repertory Theatre in Houston and is a member of the Houston Arts Alliance Advisory Council.

Hines - George C. Lancaster 2022-08-30 05:00:00Z 0

Mark Illian - Engineers Without Borders - Peru Trip

story thumbnail

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

September 1, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
 
Mark Illian is an Electrical Engineering graduate of Texas A&M University. He is a father of two wonderful people, a global citizen, and founder of the nonprofit Nature Healing Nature whose mission is to eliminate water related illness on Earth by empowering remote, disadvantaged, villagers to embrace water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions using only materials and skills that they already have available. He is and has co-created lasting WASH solutions in Togo, Senegal, South Africa, Kenya, Haiti, Nicaragua, Cambodia and Peru.  
 
His engineering work embraces complex process control solutions with emphasis on combustion systems in power, petrochemical, and heavy industries. He is also a Program Manager, Project Team Lead, and Team Mentor of several Engineers Without Borders projects in the world.
 
Taylor Rainosek is on a mission to liberate people worldwide from the entanglements of poverty. As a servant leader, she empowers hard-working men and women through education and training. She has traveled to Peru, Mexico, Haiti, and across the US to witness the way infrastructure connects communities and brings them out of isolation. Taylor applies her knowledge, as a first-generation Professional Engineer, to bridge the gap between poverty and prosperity. Her professional career has focused on reinforced concrete and steel structure design in the civil engineering industry. Taylor is a fourth generation Aggie and sixth generation Texan. Besides making a difference in the lives of others, Taylor enjoys outdoor activities with her fiancé, Philip Washington, and duck dog, Banjo.
Mark Illian - Engineers Without Borders - Peru Trip 2022-08-08 05:00:00Z 0

“Deciphering the Markets Difficult Message” 3rd Quarter Market and Economic Outlook

story thumbnail

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

August 25, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 

DAVID AHLQUIST - RAYMOND JAMES

CFP®, AIF®

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Dedicated to helping his clients realize financial independence, David offers comprehensive, sophisticated guidance aimed at demystifying the complexities of the financial world. He understands the hard work clients put into cultivating their wealth, and not only works to preserve the fruits of their labor, but also helps them address the important questions of legacy planning.

From helping clients pursue their philanthropic aspirations, to establishing strategies that help ensure their loved ones are taken care of, David is proud to assist his clients with all of the essential matters money touches. At the end of each day, David sees his job as a catalyst for doing good, and even has specialized experience serving the philanthropic community. When it comes to describing his practice, David closely relates to the book “The Go-Giver,” by Bob Burg and John David Mann. “A good friend introduced me to this book and it validated the way I’ve been running my business for years. It describes almost exactly how our practice is run, particularly when it comes to their Five Laws of Stratospheric Success,” he says.

“Deciphering the Markets Difficult Message” 3rd Quarter Market and Economic Outlook 2022-08-08 05:00:00Z 0

Dr. David Persse-Health Authority, City of Houston

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
August 18, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 

Dr. Persse's career in medicine started with ten years experience as a field paramedic and paramedic instructor in upstate New York and New Jersey. After receiving his pre-med training at Columbia University in New York, he then attended Georgetown University School of Medicine. Graduating with honors in emergency medicine from Georgetown, Dr. Persse then completed residency training in emergency medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California.

After residency, Dr. Persse completed a resuscitation research fellowship at the Ohio State University. Dr. Persse was then awarded a grant from the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine and completed fellowship training in emergency medical services and resuscitation at the Baylor College of Medicine and the City of Houston Emergency Medical Services program. Following his EMS fellowship Dr. Persse became the Assistant Medical Director for the Emergency Medical Services system of Houston. He then moved to California to become the Medical Director of the Los Angeles County Paramedic Training Institute, and the Assistant Medical Director of the Los Angeles County EMS Agency.

 
Dr. David Persse-Health Authority, City of Houston 2022-08-04 05:00:00Z 0

RCOH PHILOSOPHICAL STRATEGY MEETING

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
July 28, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
 
 
VIRTUAL MEETING ===> JULY 28, 2022
 
Many RCOH members, have weekly requested of me that we have more interactive discussions relating to LOCAL crisis social & community issues, avoiding politics, but data driven and be a blue skying broad based strategic planner & resource.   On 7/28 we will have the first such session on Houston/ Harris County/ Texas rising rate of violence associated with deadly weapons of many sorts.    The views/data expressed off line by many in this club to me will be discussed, looking for root causes, process analysis, & possible options for community improvement via Truth, Fairness, Trust, GoodWill, Respect, Benefit.    The composite brain trust of RCOH will make this philosophical social exercise an enjoyable, needed, and outcomes directed locally beneficial function, facilitated by KLM (Kenneth L. Mattox).
RCOH PHILOSOPHICAL STRATEGY MEETING 2022-07-28 05:00:00Z 0

John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science

story thumbnail
John Arcidiacono
President and CEO
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
August 4, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
The Health Museum - Past, Present, Future Roles in Community Education & Development
 
The John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science, or The Health Museum in short, is a museum in the Museum District of Houston, Texas. The museum is a member institution of the Texas Medical Center
 
John Arcidiacono, The Health Museum President and CEO, has 30 years of senior marketing experience helping companies build awareness and drive revenue. Prior to coming to The Health Museum, he served as Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and was responsible for all marketing and public relations activities across the institution including advertising, national sponsorships, market/customer research and analytics and media relations. Prior to joining MD Anderson, he was Chief Marketing Officer at Stewart Title, and in addition to being responsible for all marketing activities, served on the Leadership Team, and was a member of the National Sales Council and Crisis Management Team.

John is a native Houstonian with four children. His family was forever changed 20 years ago by a fatal car crash when their oldest son, Johnny, lost his life, and his second son, Christopher, sustained a traumatic brain injury. The accident has impacted the family in many ways and drives much of their community service. John served on the board of The Institute of Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) Foundation as Christopher spent time there after the accident. John has always been involved in the schools and activities of his children and in the community at large. Prior to joining the museum he raised money for various charities including, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Houston Botanic Garden, The Women’s Fund and Bo’s Place to name just a few. John is an active sportsman, marathoner, and cyclist – putting into action the healthy habits the museum promotes.
John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science 2022-07-26 05:00:00Z 0

Happy Hour - Decant Urban Winery

story thumbnail

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. 

Happy Hour - Decant Urban Winery 2022-07-25 05:00:00Z 0

Flood Control in Houston

 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
In a summer setting record high temperatures in Houston, we are entering the height of the Atlantic/Gulf hurricane season.  From Hurricane Carla in 1961 to the more recent Tropical Storm Allison, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike and Harvey, Houston knows the challenges of building resilience into our community.
 
Five years ago, the voters of Harris County approved a record setting $2.5 billion for flood control projects in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.  Charged with the planning and execution of those projects is the Harris County Flood Control District. 
 
In our meeting on Thursday July 21, Scott Elmer from the Flood Control District will visit with our club about the progress of that plan and a look at the future of stormwater management to protect the people of our community.
Flood Control in Houston 2022-07-15 05:00:00Z 0

MEMBERS ONLY MEETING

REGISTER HERE

TOPICS:

President Ken Mattox has Announcements

Reports from Projects & Committees

Future meetings 

 

President-elect Robert Eckels

President K MATTOX - RCOH Philosophical Strategic Discussion - Contemporary Social Issue

MEMBERS ONLY MEETING 2022-07-13 05:00:00Z 0

“IMAGINE PERSONIFIED REAL TIME”

story thumbnail
On Thursday, July 7, 2022, Dr. Billy Cohn, MD, Vice President of Innovation for the world’s largest medical Company, Johnson & Johnson will speak on “IMAGINE PERSONIFIED REAL TIME” to start the exciting new year for the Rotary Club of Houston.   He is part of a group who developed a one moving part artificial heart constructed in the innovation lab on a 3-D Printer.     ( Note: This is one of those “not to miss” lectures).  Dr. Cohn is also a Professor of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine having been trained by 3 RCoH DCA recipients, Drs. DeBakey, Cooley, & Mattox.
 
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
 
William E. Cohn, MD

Dr. Cohn is a Vice President at Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies (JJMDC) and the Executive Director for the Johnson & Johnson Center for Device Innovation at the Texas Medical Center.  He is also a professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and an adjunct professor of Bioengineering at Rice University, the University of Houston and Texas A&M. Prior to joining JJMC, he served as Director of the Center for Technology and Innovation and Director of the renowned Cullen Cardiovascular Research Laboratory at the Texas Heart Institute.

Dr. Cohn has been deeply involved in developing the continuous-flow, totally implantable, artificial heart. In 2011, Dr. Cohn and Dr. O. H. Frazier successfully implanted the first pulseless total heart replacement device in a human patient. 
Dr. Cohn has been granted more than 90 US patents or patents pending. Since 2012, Dr. Cohn has served as the Chief Medical Officer and on the Board of Directors for BiVACOR and CSI Inc.
“IMAGINE PERSONIFIED REAL TIME” 2022-07-07 05:00:00Z 0
Installation for 2022-2023 Officers and Directors 2022-06-17 05:00:00Z 0
112th Installation of Officers & Directors 2022-06-17 05:00:00Z 0

Charles Foster

story thumbnail

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).

Charles Foster 2022-06-16 05:00:00Z 0

Catherine Brown - Grow Your Club

story thumbnail
MEMBERS ONLY MEETING
 
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
June 30, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
While Rotarians are committed to improving the lives of humans both globally and locally, some of our clubs in the U.S. are not growing in membership. Maintaining the status quo means future business leaders are missing an opportunity to serve their local communities through Rotary.

In our next meeting, sales trainer and author, Catherine Brown, will be sharing a strategy for communicating the value of Rotary membership to the next generation of Rotarians.
 
About our speaker:
Catherine Brown is a veteran of 25+ years of B2B (business-to-business) selling and recruiting. She runs the sales training firm, ExtraBold Sales, where she coaches others to sell with confidence. Her sales system includes psychology research that gets at the heart of why people don’t sell effectively. In her new book, How Good Humans Sell: The Proven Path to B2B Sales Success, she combines best sales practices with social psychology principles. The training can be used in combination with other programs to help people overcome the hesitation that keeps them from recruiting members, fundraising, and closing new business. You can learn more about Catherine on LinkedIn Here
Catherine Brown - Grow Your Club 2022-06-03 05:00:00Z 0

Front Line Kid - Bucky Ribbeck

story thumbnail
Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046
 
June 2, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
We look forward to hosting the spouses of the Rotary International Board of Directors to this meeting. 
 
 
 
Bucky Ribbeck is a board certified pediatrician currently training as a fellow in sports medicine at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital.  Bucky's introduction to the medical field was as a patient in 2009 when he was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma (a rare type of bone cancer).  He was treated with chemotherapy at Texas Children's and with a surgery to remove the tumor at MD Anderson.  While he was a patient, Bucky was invited to be a Front Line Kid at the Rotary Lombardi Award, and he was further honored to have presented the award and spoken at following events.  He is a living and breathing example of the benefits of cancer research, and he hopes to be an example for how people can make the best out of any poor situation with which they are faced.  That is what has kept Bucky involved with volunteer organizations such as The Periwinkle Foundation, The Snowdrop Foundation, and The Rotary Club: all of which provide a great deal of hope and charity for those affected by cancer.
Front Line Kid - Bucky Ribbeck 2022-06-02 05:00:00Z 0

Chris Hollins -Voting: a privilege or a right?
 

story thumbnail

Tony's
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

May 26, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

REGISTER HERE

 
Chris Hollins has shown what local government can achieve when new ideas and accountable leadership are met with real purpose.
Chris led the 2020 elections effort in Harris County as County Clerk and gained national acclaim for protecting and expanding voting rights for 2.5 million Houston-area voters during the most important election in our lifetime. His innovations – which included drive-thru voting, 24-hour voting, online mail ballot tracking, and tripling the number of early voting centers–led to eye-popping record voter turnout despite the ongoing global pandemic.

Chris developed a commitment to public service through the selfless example of his parents and their devotion for improving the lives of others. His father, George, served for 34 years in the Houston Police Department, and his mother, Christie, managed a career as an administrative assistant while raising Chris, his two sisters, and more than 20 young foster children. Chris has served as a mentor to youth for over 20 years and has been a Big Brother for over a decade.

Today, Chris serves as a volunteer member of the METRO Board of Directors, where he is helping to oversee METRO's $1.3 billion budget, shaping its $7 billion expansion plan, and leading its full transition to renewable fuels by 2030.
He is active in his church and civic club, and he serves on the boards of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and the East Downtown TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone).
 
Chris Hollins -Voting: a privilege or a right?  2022-05-26 05:00:00Z 0

Edward M. Emmett

story thumbnail

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.

Edward M. Emmett 2022-05-19 05:00:00Z 0

BBRC 2022 - Update

 
The BBRC Committee would like to provide an update on our success this fiscal year. We were able to deliver career training with Harris County Juvenile Detention Center (Downtown) and help connect students that are often overlooked to career possibilities. Our club sponsored an Introduction to the Metaverse class taught and led by Kai XR. Attached are some of the results from the program.
 
As a highlight, we were able to survey the students and captured the following results:
  • Seventy percent (70%) of students reported increased knowledge and interest in the Metaverse.
  •  Fifteen percent (15%) increase in the number of students interested in pursuing a career in VR technologies/Metaverse, etc. 
  • Thirty-four percent (34.2%) increase in the number of students interested in seeking out information about the Metaverse, 360° video and/or AR/VR/XR, careers, projects, equipment, or how they can incorporate the technologies into their everyday life. 
We are very excited to continue to partner with preparing our community youth for reaching their highest potential and plan to continue the Metaverse program in the fall.
 
In addition, our committee has been highlighted in the Houstonia this month. Thank you for your continued support for the oldest committee in Rotary. We continue to strive to serve youth above self. Special thanks to our committee members (Phil Hampton, Jim Behrmann, Joel Levine and Monique Johnson-Garner) and friend of Rotary, Valene Samuels.
 
Sincerely,Mercedes Harris
BBRC Chair
BBRC 2022 - Update 2022-05-16 05:00:00Z 0

ASSISTANT GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR

story thumbnail
Rotary Club of Houston's Kathy Fenninger was named Rotary District 5890's Assistant Governor of the year for 2021 2022.
 
Kathy Fenninger
Rotary District 5890
Assistant Governor of the year
2021 2022
 
ASSISTANT GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR 2022-05-09 05:00:00Z 0

A Look at the Baseball Dynasties with Ted Meyer

story thumbnail

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

 

A Look at the Baseball Dynasties with Ted Meyer 2022-04-19 05:00:00Z 0

James Morrison - Cyber Protection

story thumbnail

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.

James Morrison - Cyber Protection 2022-04-19 05:00:00Z 0

Ted Hirtz Obituary

story thumbnail
 
 
 
 
 
Theodore S. "Ted" Hirtz, Jr.
1936-2022
 
 

Theodore S. "Ted" Hirtz, Jr. was born 6 March 1936 to Viola Stamer Hirtz and Theodore S. Hirtz, Sr. in St. Louis, Missouri; called to the Bar in Austin, Texas, December 1963; and headed into the sunset 21 February 2022 from his home in Houston, Texas.
 
Ted Hirtz Obituary 2022-04-11 05:00:00Z 0

Barbara Darnall Clinton Obituary

story thumbnail
 
 
 
 
Barbara Darnall Clinton
1934-2022

 
 
 
 
Barbara Darnall Clinton, beloved wife, mom, and gramma went home with the Lord on April 8, 2022 in Houston, Texas. Barbara was born in Austin, Texas on September 19, 1934 to Dr. Charles Milton and Gertrude "Queenie" Miller Darnall.

Barbara graduated with honors from Austin High School. She represented the City of Austin in the Tyler Rose Festival, the Buccaneer Days in Corpus Christi, and in San Antonio's Fiesta.

Barbara attended Sweet Briar College for two years before transferring to The University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1956 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Music and History. While at UT, she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma and served as their song leader. She was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity.

Barbara began her working career at Tennessee Gas in Houston, Texas. During this time she met the love of her life, Daniel D. Clinton, Jr., on a blind date on a July 4th weekend in 1957. They were married on September 6, 1958.
Barbara Darnall Clinton Obituary 2022-04-11 05:00:00Z 0

Rotary Lombardi Day

story thumbnail

 

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

 

Rotary Lombardi Day 2022-04-08 05:00:00Z 0

Camp Enterprise

story thumbnail
CAMP ENTERPRISE
WRAP-UP AND RECOGNITION LUNCEON
THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 7
at Tony's Restaurant
3755 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77046
11:30AM - 1:00 PM
 

Several of our 2022 Camp Enterprise students will join us this Thursday, April 7, for our regular Thursday luncheon at Tony's (3755 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77046): 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Come see the recap about what our club accomplished through our Camp Enterprise Committee this past weekend! 

You'll also EXPERIENCE a taste of camp when, at the meeting, our campers square off against our club in 4 Quarters of CAMPERS vs ADULTS - Business Simulation Competition.   

Please click the appropriate "Online Registration" link ("Member" or "Guest") on this page and join us for this fun filled Wrap-up and Recognition Luncheon! 

FOR A SPECIAL VIRTUAL PREVIEWCLICK HERE TO MEET OUR 2022 BUSINESS SIMULATION COMPETITION WINNERS! 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND IN PERSON...
...the meeting can be attended virtually via Microsoft TEAMSclick here this Thursday between 11:30AM and 1:00PM to join us online.  

Microsoft TEAMS Link (for copy/paste) if above hyperlink doesn't work:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3a10e6a0ea314b4d128d68554dab1e6fec%40thread.tacv2/1649082784253?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2209a54eb0-775b-490b-89a6-efda8bc70f57%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22e99b369a-b91c-498b-b86a-9985c30662d1%22%7d

-----------------
Camp Enterprise 2022-04-07 05:00:00Z 0
Camp Enterprise Photos Kathy Fenninger 2022-04-04 05:00:00Z 0

The Ion Houston with Sr. Director Joey Sanchez

Joey Sanchez

Sr. Director of Ecosystems at The Ion Houston

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Tony's Restaurant
3755 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77046

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

 

 

Join Virtual Meeting ===> March 31, 2022 <=== Join Virtual Meeting

Joey Sanchez is passionate about Houston, Texas and the future of our city. As Sr Director of Ecosystems his focus is to develop the startup/investor ecosystem. Connections are key to innovation and The Ion is the place to connect. 

WHERE IS THE ION? 

Ground breaking for The Ion at 4201 Main Street (The former Sears building in Midtown) took place in July 2019 and opened July 31, 2022.

The Ion anchors a 16-acre innovation district, the epicenter for Houston's innovation ecosystem, as an inclusive, dynamic, vibrant, and dense hub focusing on quality collaborations between entrepreneurs, incubators, accelerators, corporations, academics, and the Houston community. The 266,000-square-foot building accommodates multiple uses, including class-A office space, shared workspace, prototyping and maker resources, event space, classrooms, food and beverage offerings as well as indoor/outdoor communal areas with shared amenities.

The Ion's Mission:

The Ion anchors, activates, and accelerates the innovation ecosystem through partnerships, pathways, and programs that create opportunities to advance and sustain resilient economic growth in Houston.

 

 

The Ion Houston with Sr. Director Joey Sanchez Kathleen Fenninger 2022-03-31 05:00:00Z 0

Sports and Society with Betirri Bengtson

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

Sports and Society with Betirri Bengtson Kathleen Fenninger 2022-03-24 05:00:00Z 0

Ukraine Humanitarian Project/Omnis Foundation

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. 

ZOOM INFORMATION

The Rotary Club of Houston is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting on Thursday, March 17, 2022. Zoom room opens at 11:30 a.m. Meeting begins at noon.

Join Zoom Meeting

 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88480739932?pwd=UHhCajJJU0VKbmU3TkdrS1hqL1JCQT09

Meeting ID: 884 8073 9932

Passcode: 519239

One tap mobile:

+13462487799,,88480739932#,,,,*519239# US (Houston)

+12532158782,,88480739932#,,,,*519239# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 884 8073 9932

Passcode: 519239

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kSln90CT8 <https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kSln90CT8>  

Ukraine Humanitarian Project/Omnis Foundation Kathy Fenninger 2022-03-17 05:00:00Z 0
Spotlight on our Members Kathleen Fenninger 2022-03-16 05:00:00Z 0

Henry deForest Ralph, Jr. (1933-2022)

 

story thumbnail
Memorial Service - April 9, 2022 @ 2:00 PM
Location - Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church
 
 
Henry deForest Ralph, Jr., age 88, passed away on January 25, 2022, after a sudden, brief illness. "deForest" is survived by his two sons and their wives and children: Forest III, Felicia, Carolyn, Emily, and Noah Ralph; Randal William, Catherine, Austin, and Brooks Ralph; sister Elizabeth Ralph Mertz; sisters-in-law Ruth Page Lawrence and Susan Page; and numerous nieces and nephews and their children.
deForest was born at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC on April 11, 1933, the second of three children of Dorothy Walker and Henry deForest Ralph. (Coincidentally, both his sons would obtain their undergraduate degrees at GU, taking classes in the same, converted old hospital building.) When he was fourteen, he was struck by rheumatic fever and appendicitis. To convalesce, he spent a year in Madeira Beach, FL where his grandfather, the Rev. Philip Ralph, had founded, and was the first minister of, the Church by the Sea. After his return to DC, the Ralph family moved to Tulsa, OK, which is where deForest met his wife-to-be, Martha Austine Page. They graduated together from Tulsa Central High School in 1951.

 
 
Henry deForest Ralph, Jr. (1933-2022)  2022-02-14 06:00:00Z 0

Ralph Bivins - Journalist, Author and Editor

story thumbnail
Thursday January 27, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 

 

 

TOPIC 

What’s next for Houston – aka The Energy Capital of the World? 

Journalist and author Ralph Bivins discusses Houston real estate, growth issues and challenges facing the nation’s fourth largest city. 

Ralph Bivins - bio

Journalist and author Ralph Bivins, editor of Realty News Report, has written about real estate and growth issues for years. 

His column recently won the Best Real Estate Column award presented by NAREE – the National Association of Real Estate Editors.

Bivins, author of Houston 2020: America’s Boom Town –covered real estate for the Houston Chronicle for years.  As a staffer for four daily newspapers, he written about politics, scandals, and the hotel-room murder of a West Texas priest. 

 

Ralph Bivins - Journalist, Author and Editor 2022-01-24 06:00:00Z 0

Mark D Solano - Nuro

 
 
February 3, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
(First time users of Microsoft Teams please see Read more... below for instructions)
 
Mark D. Solano is a native Texan born and raised in the Greater Houston Area. He holds a Bachelor’s from the University of Houston and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from the University of St.Thomas. Mark serves as the City and Community Engagement Manager for Nuro, Houston’s first autonomous vehicle delivery service. Outside of work, Mark sits on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Houston Skyline and serves as the 5890 District Chair for RYLA. Mark and his wife who is also a Rotarian, foster and adopt from their local shelter and currently have 3 dogs who enjoy raising hell and barking while Mark is on work calls.
 
 
 
 
Nuro’s self-driving vehicles are bringing affordable, convenient delivery to Houston in partnership with popular stores and services. That means fewer trips to the store, safer neighborhoods, and more time to do what you choose.
Mark D Solano - Nuro 2022-01-11 06:00:00Z 0

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

story thumbnail

CHRIS BOLEMAN, PH.D.
President & CEO

Thursday January 20, 2022
11:30 AM 1:00 PM

 
Join Meeting ---> January 20, 2022 <--- Join Meeting
 

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.

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo 2022-01-11 06:00:00Z 0

Vernus C. Swisher, Sr., D. Min.

A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 13, 2022
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

WATCH VIDEO ---> VERNUS SWISHER

Vernus C. Swisher, Sr., D. Min.
 

Education

*  Doctor of Ministry Degree - Houston Graduate School of Theology; Houston, Texas
Master of Arts Degree - Houston Graduate School of Theology; Houston, Texas
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Secondary Education and Social Sciences - Huston-Tillotson University; Austin, Texas
* Professional Mediation Training - Worklife Institute; Houston, Texas
Graduate Courses - Texas Southern University; Houston, Texas
Fundamentals of Finance and Accounting (extension course) -The University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School

Vernus C. Swisher, Sr., D. Min. 2022-01-10 06:00:00Z 0
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 2021-12-23 06:00:00Z 0

Holiday Wreaths for Veterans

 REGISTER ---> DECEMBER 18, 2021 <--- REGISTER

Please join members of the Rotary Club of Houston as we participate in our annual “Holiday Wreaths for Veterans” service project on Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 11:00 am to Noon.  The Rotary Club of Houston has partnered with “Wreaths Across America-Houston” to place holiday wreaths on the headstones of our fallen veterans at Houston National Cemetery.  Bring your family and friends to this memorable holiday event. 

See the information below from the www.waahouston.com website:

Important Information –

Parking

  • The best place to park is at Greenspoint Mall and take the free shuttle to the National Cemetery.
  • The parking on the Cemetery grounds will usually fill by 9:00 a.m. so Greenspoint Mall is your best option.
  • Facial Mask must be worn on the shuttle per Harris County Order.
  • Parking on Veterans Memorial Road is not recommended due to the volume of traffic.

Timing

  • 7:30 a.m. –  Free Shuttle Service Starts
  • 8:00 a.m. –  Motorcycle Escort and Trucks Arrive
  • 11:00 a.m. – Ceremony Starts
  • 11:45 a.m. – Wreath Laying Starts  (no wreaths will be laid until the Ceremony is over)
  • 2:30 p.m. –  Free Shuttle Service Stops
Holiday Wreaths for Veterans 2021-12-14 06:00:00Z 0

Brandon de Hoyos - ABC 13

 

December 16, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

REGISTER FOR TONY'S ---> DECEMBER 16, 2021

TEAM Virtual Meeting ---> DECEMBER 16, 2021

 
Register to attend in-person meeting at: 
Tony's, 3755 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77046
 
Brandon De Hoyos has been with ABC13 since 2015. Prior to his role as director of community engagement, he served as the station's digital producer supervisor and web producer. ABC13 is one of the eight Disney-owned ABC stations, and this marks Brandon's 7th role with the Company. Previously, he managed restaurants as an intern at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and was a writer and editor with Disney Publishing Worldwide. Next year, Brandon will celebrate his 20th year working in the news industry. Before joining ABC13, he worked at the The New York Times Company and Houston Community Newspapers. 
Brandon de Hoyos - ABC 13 2021-12-13 06:00:00Z 0

Rotary International Student Exchange Program

story thumbnail

Susan V. Brodbeck
Rotary Club of Lake Houston Area

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

 
 
 
 
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases this will be a Virtual Only meeting. 
 
Click on Link below to join meeting:
 
CLICK HERE ---> January 6, 2022 <--- CLICK HERE
(Please click on Read more... below for instructions for first time users)
 
 

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.

Rotary International Student Exchange Program 2021-11-16 06:00:00Z 0

River Oaks Christmas Lights Tour

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER --->  December 11, 2021

 

Mister McKinney will be our guide for the River Oaks Christmas Lights Tour! 

When you hop on board during the holidays, you’ll get to tour some amazing light displays in the historic River Oaks neighborhood, founded in 1924.

From River Oaks Boulevard to Inwood Drive, you’ll get to see elaborately decorated homes!

While touring River Oaks, McKinney will give you a glimpse into Houston’s past.

So, if you want to see beautiful lights and learn more about Houston, why not get on board and get the best of both worlds.

River Oaks Christmas Lights Tour 2021-11-16 06:00:00Z 0

Maria Aguirre & Garret Berg - Port Houston

story thumbnail

December 2, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

REGISTER FOR TONY'S ---> December 2, 2021 

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

 

Maria Aguirre
Director, Community Relations

Maria Aguirre joined Port Houston in 2021 as the Director of the Community Relations & Events Department, which focuses on outreach activities involving Port Authority and Port of Houston community stakeholders.

Prior to joining the Port, Aguirre worked at Avenue CDC where she served as the Director of Community Initiatives. Her accomplishments include securing a $750,000 grant for the Northline Community and a $675,000 grant for capacity building and advocacy efforts in the Greater Northside. She also implemented the BUILD health challenge grant that helped refer 700 homes to the Health Department Lead Abatement program.

Maria was also selected as the 2020 Houston Texans Campeón de la Comunidad, which honors an outstanding leader in the Latino community who is making a positive impact on the city of Houston through service and dedication to a local non-profit.

Maria is a Cum Laude graduate of Baylor University, with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. She is also a Certified Associate in Project Management. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Harvard University – Extension school.

Garret Berg
Manager, Community Relations

Garret Berg is the Manager of Community Relations for the Port of Houston Authority.  Garret is a graduate of Texas Tech University, where he earned his B.A in Business Administration and Public Relations.  His 10+ years of experience in the marketing and healthcare industries, including his previous position with the Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner’s office, has helped to create a focused passion for working in the community.   His current role with PHA focuses on the maritime industry and stakeholder engagement near and within the Houston port region. 

Garret enjoys spending his free time with his wife and sons.

 

Maria Aguirre & Garret Berg - Port Houston 2021-11-03 05:00:00Z 0

Jeff Lindner, Meteorologist

story thumbnail

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

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

Virtual Meeting ---> November 18, 2021

 
Register to attend in-person meeting at: 
Tony's, 3755 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77046
 
 
 
 
DIRECTOR OF HYDROLOGIC OPERATIONS/METEOROLOGIST
JEFF LINDNER

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. 

Jeff Lindner, Meteorologist 2021-11-03 05:00:00Z 0
RCoH Annual Meeting - Members Only 2021-11-03 05:00:00Z 0

Candidates -  Officers & Directors 2021

 
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Term: July 1, 2022-President-Elect; July 1, 2023-President; July 1, 2024-Immediate Past President
 

Robert Eckels
 
Joined Rotary: 2004
Rotary Service: Board of Directors (2 terms); Public Health Committee Chair; Various committees; Paul Harris Fellow +4
Education: J.D., South Texas College of Law Houston; B.S., University of Houston
Family: My wife and life partner, Jet, and I have been married for 27 years. Our daughter, Kirby, 26, now lives in New York City.
Hobbies/Interests: Public policy and public service. I enjoy travel and the outdoors, (I am a dismal failure at golf.) I enjoy building things. I am probably happiest just watching a movie with Jet on a Saturday after-noon.
 
TREASURER-ELECT
Term: July 1, 2022-Treasurer-Elect; July 1, 2023-Treasurer
 

Elizabeth Pena Jackson

Joined Rotary: 2018
Rotary Service: Finance Committee, Board of Director (current), Rotary Cook-off committee (Current)
Education: I have a Bachelors of Accounting and Masters of Finance from Texas A&M University. I am a CPA. CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) and CFF (Certified in Financial Forensics)
Family: Born and raised in Houston, a few miles from my Husband Ben Jackson. We have been married for 11 years and we have two boys, Pierce and Porter, ages 7 and 5.
Hobbies/Interests: I love traveling, reading and working out (weightlifting, cycling, yoga). I spend most of my free time watching Pierce's sports games (soccer, baseball, football or basketball) or Porter's gymnas-tics.
 
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
Term: July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023
 
Nathan Allen

Joined Rotary: 2015
Rotary Service: RCoH Board of Directors; Camp Enterprise Chair; Paul Harris Fellow
Education: University of Mary Hardin-Baylor—degree in Mathematics, minor in P.E., and Texas teacher’s certification
Family: Three sons: Caleb 16; Toby 13; Spencer 10
Hobbies/Interests: baseball, basketball, swimming, mentoring, board games with family, movies and 90”s sitcoms
 
DIRECTORS
Term July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2025


Hussain Ali – AKA Hussain Ali Jabalpurwala

Joined Rotary: 2018
Rotary Service: Rise Against Hunger, Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP), Youth Committee Chair and
Interact
Education: Sustainable Business Strategy, Harvard Business School, 2021 Bachelors of Science, Information
Systems Technology, University of Houston, 2005
Family: Wife Zahra Ali , 11-Year-old daughter Lamya Ali and son Mohsin Ali who is in 1st Grade.
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking/Kayaking/Camping with family and friends. 2019 I summited 18,240 ft Rush
Peak in the Northern area of Pakistan.
 

Brandon Cofield

Joined Rotary: 2016
Rotary Service: Rotary Lombardi Award Committee as well as Director At-Large
Education: University of Minnesota- B.S.; University of Kentucky- MPH; Texas A&M University- J.D.
Family: Originally moved to Houston in 1994 when I was 4 years old. Since then, I have a 16 month old son
Brandon Jr.
Hobbies/Interests: I am an avid traveler, bourbon fanatic, and a foodie. I also enjoy finding treasures at
thrift stores.
 
Lisa Dobey

Joined Rotary: 2000
Rotary Service: Membership Committee member, Rotary Club of Houston; Paul Harris Fellow +5
Membership Chair, Rotary Club of Greater Bend District 5190 Centennial Projects Chair; Past President,
Rotary Club of Truckee; Treasurer, Rotary Club of Truckee
Education: BA/BBA English and Economics, SMU MA Public Administration, UTA
Family: Married for 31 years
Hobbies/Interests: running and swimming; weekly volunteer at Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry
 
Charles Foster

Joined Rotary: About 1970
Rotary Service: In 1964 I was the recipient of a Rotary Foundation Fellowship to do graduate studies in
international and comparative law in the Republican of Chile ; Paul Harris Fellow
Education: UT BA and JD degrees
Family: Wife Lily and 4 children
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, politics and travel
 

Reed Lackey

Joined Rotary: 2020
Rotary Service: Barbecue Cook Off Competition Committee. I was a part of the team responsible for
setting up the rules and logistics of the competition.
Education: I graduated with a BBA in Finance from Baylor University in 2014
Family: I have an uncle in Houston. The majority of my family lives back in my hometown of Lubbock, Texas.
I make a point of getting out there to see everyone multiple times a year.
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy spending time playing banjo and keeping up with college football
 
Thomas “Kelly” McKee

Joined Rotary: 2021
Rotary Service: Rotary Cookoff Committee
Education: Bachelors of Business Administration and a Juris Doctorate by the University of Houston. I also
hold a certification in corporate intrapreneurship from the University of Houston.
Family: My mother was a nurse ; my father is in IT; my daughter is a lover of the arts; my significant other
is passionate about the latest trends in beauty and fashion.
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, writing, hunting, music, movies, motorcycles, and video games.
 
Sherry Menger

Joined Rotary: 2019
Rotary Service: Director at Large in 2020 and volunteered at Be a Resource for CPS Kids in 2020 and I'm on
the Lombardi Award fundraising committee for 2021.
Education: Texas A&M University 1976-1978; Graduated University of Houston 1979 with a BBA in Marketing;
Rice University Masters Design and Applied Arts 91-92
Family: have two adult children, Misty and Matt. Misty has 3 daughters,; Matt has 2 sons, and another
boy due in December. I'm the proud grandmother of five....going on six grandchildren.
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, cooking and spending time with friends and my precious family.
 
Bob Seekely

Joined Rotary: 2017
Rotary Service: Camp Enterprise Committee; Finance Committee; Membership Committee Treasurer-
Elect; Treasurer; RCoH Bookkeeping + Financial Management Systems + Processes Clean-Up + Streamlining
Project . . . 500+ Volunteer Hours ; Paul Harris Fellow
Education: BS in Business Administration, Ohio State University, 1981 (Honors Accounting Program; Cum
Laude Graduate; Pacesetter Award)
Family: Spouse: Gabrielle (2004) . . . Children: Christopher (1991) + Alexandra (1994)
Hobbies/Interests: Family Man, Motorcycle Sport Touring Enthusiast (BMW), Dogs (Kai), Baseball (Astros)
 
Candidates -  Officers & Directors 2021 2021-10-25 05:00:00Z 0

Ed Emmett

story thumbnail

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

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

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

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.

Ed Emmett 2021-10-24 05:00:00Z 0
1st Annual - RCoH Cook Off 2021-10-12 05:00:00Z 0

Kim Ogg - Harris County District Attorney

story thumbnail
Thursday October 14, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 

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.

Kim Ogg - Harris County District Attorney 2021-10-08 05:00:00Z 0

Devon Anderson - Justice Forward

story thumbnail
Thursday September 30, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
Register to attend in-person meeting at: 
Tony's, 3755 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77046
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Devon Anderson has devoted her career to public service.  She was a prosecutor for 12 years at the Houston DA’s office and tried over 100 felony jury trials, including 7 capital murders.
 
She left the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in 2005 after being elected to serve as State District Judge in the 177th Criminal District Court.  While serving as District Judge, Devon also volunteered her time to preside over one of four STAR Drug Courts.
 
In 2009 Devon left the bench and started her own criminal defense firm. At the end of 2012, Devon ended her practice when her husband was elected Harris County District Attorney.
 
In 2013, Devon was appointed Harris County District Attorney to succeed her late husband, Mike Anderson. The following year, Devon was elected by the voters of Harris County to finish out his term. After serving in that position for over three years, Devon transitioned from the legal profession to nonprofit work.
 
She is now the CEO/President of Justice Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals in the 18 Houston Specialty Courts.
Devon Anderson - Justice Forward 2021-09-30 05:00:00Z 0

Dr. Robert B. Sloan, Jr. - President, HBU

story thumbnail
President, Houston Baptist University
 
Thursday October 7, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
Register to attend in-person meeting at: 
Tony's, 3755 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77046
 
 
 
 
 
Dr. Robert Sloan began his term as the third President of HBU on Sept. 1, 2006.  Under his leadership the university has achieved unprecedented growth in programs, facilities, and enrollment.
 
Dr. Sloan came to HBU from Baylor University, where he served as President and Chancellor from 1995 to 2006.  Previously, he was a faculty member at Baylor U., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Hardin Simmons U.  He also served as a pastor at more than 20 churches in Texas and Oklahoma.  Sloan has written three books and has published extensively during his career.
 
Dr. Sloan graduated from Baylor U. in 1970, earned a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1973, and a Doktor der Theologie insignia from the U. of Basel, Switzerland in 1978.
 
He is a native Texan, having been born in Coleman and raised in Abilene.  He and his wife have seven children and five grandchildren.
Dr. Robert B. Sloan, Jr. - President, HBU 2021-09-29 05:00:00Z 0

Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey, P.E.



Thursday September 23, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
Register to attend in-person meeting at: 
Tony's, 3755 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77046
 
 
 
Join Microsoft Team Virtual Meeting ---> September 23, 2021
 
Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey, P.E.
Harris County Precinct Three


Tom Ramsey has a long track record of improving the safety, infrastructure, livability, and financial health of the communities he serves. An award-winning civil engineer turned senior executive and public servant, Tom has led companies, a city, key action groups, and more throughout his 42-year career.

As Mayor of Spring Valley Village from 2012-2020, Tom reduced the city’s tax rate by 21%, invested more than $38 million in infrastructure, and oversaw Spring Valley’s ascent to safest neighborhood in Harris County, according to relevant FBI statistics. A trusted expert often called upon by his peers and other community leaders, he served on the Harris County Storm Water Task Force and the Imelda Assistance Fund Board.

Tom’s private sector experience spans more than four decades. He served as Senior Vice President of Klotz Associates before selling the company in 2017.

Tom’s deep project portfolio includes the Hardy Toll Road, Brazoria County Master Drainage Plan, Galveston County Master Drainage Plan, Harris County Drainage Plan Update, Houston Safe School Sidewalk Program, Precinct 3 road improvements, multiple hike and bike trails for the Houston Parks Board, and successful infrastructure projects for more than 50 Texas cities and 20 counties.

Much of his work has also included creating sustainable solutions for street and drainage assignments throughout Harris County including the ACEC Award-winning Birnamwood Roadway improvements.
 
Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey, P.E. 2021-09-17 05:00:00Z 0

Wayne Staton District 5890 Co-Chair of Polio Plus

story thumbnail

September 9, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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

 

 

 

REGISTER HERE ---> TONY'S SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 <--- REGISTER HERE

 
Wayne Staton was born in the Lynchburg, Virginia area in 1951and lived there most of his life. He contracted polio at the age of 8 months. It left him with a weak right hip and leg.
 
In high school he was valedictorian of his class. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Physics with honors. After college he started his career in computers and has worked in that field ever since.  Since 1999 he has worked at BMC Software, where he is a Lead Technical Support Analyst. 
 
In Virginia, he was a Briefing Leader for the Hunger Project and President of the Boonsboro Ruritan Club in Lynchburg, Virginia.  Here in Texas, he is active with Rotary International and Landmark Education. He is a past president of the Rotary Club of Sharpstown.
 
Wayne is married to Gwen Corolla (past president of the Rotary Club of Memorial-Spring Branch). Together they have 6 grown children, 5 grand-children and 1 one great-child. She and he are partners in making the world a better place.
Wayne became a Rotarian in 2007. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, a Paul Harris Society member, a Polio Plus Society member, a Bequest Society member, and a Major Donor. He is the past District 5890 Polio Plus Chair. In 2014 he was District 5890 Rotarian of the year and has twice been named his club Rotarian of the year. In 2016 he received the Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World from Rotary International.
Wayne Staton District 5890 Co-Chair of Polio Plus 2021-09-09 05:00:00Z 0
Collaborative Meeting - DG Michelle Bohreer 2021-08-14 05:00:00Z 0

Commissioner R. Jack Cagle

story thumbnail

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.

Commissioner R. Jack Cagle 2021-07-30 05:00:00Z 0

Senator Paul Bettencourt, District 7
 

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

August 5, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

TONY'S REGISTRATION ---> Thursday August 5, 2021

JOIN VIRTUALLY ---> Thursday August 5, 2021

 

Senator Paul Bettencourt, District 7

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.

Senator Paul Bettencourt, District 7  2021-07-29 05:00:00Z 0

Shellye Arnold - Memorial Park Conservancy

 
Memorial Park Conservancy
Shellye Arnold - President & CEO
 
Register to attend in-person meeting at: 

Tony's, 3755 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77046

August 12, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ---> Tony's August 12, 2021 <--- CLICK TO REGISTER

ATTEND VIRTUALLY ---> Teams August 12, 2021 <--- ATTEND VIRTUALLY
(Instruction for Microsoft Teams under Read more... below)

Inquiring minds want to know what’s happening in Houston’s larger than “Central Park” construction, huge tunnels, and land bridges. If you recently saw (or missed!) the special report on KPRC TV, join us on August 12th to hear the complete story directly from the President & CEO. 

Shellye Arnold's Bio:

Shellye joined the Conservancy in 2013 and has led the creation and adoption of the 2015 Memorial Park Master Plan, launched its associated Capital Campaign, initiated project execution and transitioned the management and operations of 1,100 acres of Memorial Park to the Conservancy. Shellye and the Conservancy leadership team grew the organization from 3 employees to over 50 and from a $500K annual budget to over $30M in operating and capital annual spend. In 2018 the Conservancy announced the largest private donation in the history of the Houston parks system which established a $205 million public-private partnership commitment for Memorial Park’s capital campaign and secured maintenance and operations funding for the Park. This forged a project partnership between the Conservancy, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, the Kinder Foundation and Uptown Development Authority to accelerate the delivery of a significant portion of the Master Plan by 2028. She and her team have also delivered additional Park improvements including the planting of over 100,000 trees/seedlings, ecological restoration work applied to 600 acres of Park space, amenity upgrades, and enhanced user experience. Shellye brings a background in executive leadership and change management from her nearly 20 years at Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq Computer Corporation and McKinsey & Company. Having studied public policy, Shellye spent the first part of her career with the Texas State Legislature, the Texas Department of Commerce, and the U.S.. Department of Commerce. She previously worked as a volunteer in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru delivering public health programs and speaks Spanish fluently. Shellye holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master in Public Policy from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. As a native Houstonian, Shellye cares deeply about our parks, bayous, green spaces and the wildlife that inhabit them. Shellye volunteers in animal rescue and served for 8 years as a leader for Girl Scout Troop 21, the nation’s only special needs Girl Scout troop.
 
 
 
 
Shellye Arnold - Memorial Park Conservancy 2021-07-27 05:00:00Z 0

William Phillips, M.D. - Shriners Children's Texas

story thumbnail

 

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

 

 

September 16, 2021
11:20 AM - 1:00 PM

Shriners Children's Texas
William Phillips, M.D.
Interim Chief of Staff - Orthopedics

TONY'S REGISTRATION ---> Thursday September 16, 2021

JOIN VIRTUALLY ---> Thursday September 16, 2021

 
Dr. William Phillips was born in Buffalo, New York and grew up in the Midwest.  His undergraduate degree was from the University of Notre Dame.  He received his medical degree and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Chicago, followed by a fellowship in spinal deformity surgery at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago.  After serving briefly on the faculty at University of Chicago, he began his career in pediatric orthopedics at Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  He moved to Texas in 1988 and has been on the faculty at UTMB and Baylor College of Medicine.

Dr. Phillips now serves as chief of orthopedics at Shriners Hospital Texas.  He has a long history with Shriners.  While an orthopedic surgery resident in Chicago, he spent 6 months at the Chicago unit under Dr. Edward Millar.  Shortly after coming to Houston in 1988, he joined the volunteer staff at the Shriners Hospital Houston unit where he served for 27 years.

William Phillips, M.D. - Shriners Children's Texas 2021-07-21 05:00:00Z 0

Marilyn Burgess - Harris County District Clerk

story thumbnail

August 26, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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

 

REGISTER HERE ---> TONY'S AUGUST 26, 2021 <--- REGISTER HERE
 

ATTEND VIRTUALLY VIA MICROSOFT TEAMS:
 
VIRTUAL - CLICK HERE ---> AUGUST 26, 2021 <--- VIRTUAL - CLICK HERE
(See instruction below for first time users on Microsoft Teams)

 

Marilyn Burgess is your Harris County District Clerk.

A seasoned businesswoman with leadership skills and administrative experience, Ms. Burgess graduated from Louisiana State University with an accounting degree in 1975 and practiced as a CPA for more than 30 years.

Besides her work in the private sector, Ms. Burgess has also served the community. Ms. Burgess led the Texas Parent Teachers Association (PTA) as Executive Director from 1999 to 2001. In that role, she worked with state lawmakers to pass legislation that benefited the health, education, and welfare of Texas children. Ms. Burgess also stood firm against school vouchers that would have redirected tax dollars to private schools.

During her time leading the Texas Parent Teachers Association, Ms. Burgess found her calling to advocate for causes that improve the lives of working and middle-class families, single mothers, and teachers.

Marilyn Burgess - Harris County District Clerk 2021-07-21 05:00:00Z 0

Multi-billion Dollar Water Purification Project

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

Multi-billion Dollar Water Purification Project 2021-07-21 05:00:00Z 0

Mister McKinney’s Historic Houston

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

TONY'S REGISTRATION ---> Thursday July 22, 2021

July 22, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Click on the link below to join the virtual meeting via Microsoft Teams:

 

 

What do you know about Houston’s History? Our speaker for July 22nd will challenge your knowledge as he embarks on a fast-paced look at what made Houston what it is today. Remember what happened in 1912?

About Houston Historian Mister McKinney......

Join Houston Historian & TV's Mister McKinney as he talks about his series, Mister McKinney's Historic Houston, which travels to HISD and La Porte ISD elementary, middle and high schools, educating and informing Houston's future about its past.

Mister McKinney is an active member in the historical community, he lectures, gives weekly tours onboard Houston's only mobile history classroom, the Houston History Bus, and serves on the boards and commissions of numerous non-profit museums, libraries, educational organizations, including the Harris County Historical Commission, The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park, the LaPorte Bay Area Historical Society, president of the Bellaire Historical Society and vice president of the Harris County Historical Society, the oldest area historical non-profit started in 1923.

Mister McKinney’s Historic Houston 2021-07-19 05:00:00Z 0

Ernie Manouse - Houston Public Media 

story thumbnail
ERNIE MANOUSE
Senior Producer/Host
Houston Public Media
 
Thursday July 15, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
 
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ---> JULY 15, 2021 <--- CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO
 
 

Eleven-time Emmy Award winner Ernie Manouse currently hosts and executive produces Houston Public Media’s daily radio program/podcast Town Square with Ernie Manouse,

Manouse is a native of Binghamton, NY, and a graduate of Loyola University Chicago. Manouse started his broadcasting career split between television (with NBC News) and radio (working for iconic Chicago radio station WLS-AM). In 1996, Ernie joined Houston PBS (now Houston Public Media), as an anchor and producer. Over the years, in addition to his Emmy Awards, Manouse has garnered five KATIE Awards, a Houston Press Club Lone Star Award, “Viewer’s Choice” recognition from multiple local and regional publications, and the title of “Ultimate Interviewer” from the Houston Chronicle.

His wit, natural curiosity, and ability to help people tell their stories have been hallmarks of Ernie’s many television projects, such as InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse, an Emmy-nominated and nationally-broadcast interview series, which ran for 15 seasons; his weekly program Arts InSight, which explored issues of importance to Houston arts lovers; and his nationally-syndicated and widely successful Downton Abbey-inspired talk show Manor of Speaking.

Manouse has also hosted and produced the series WeekNight Edition, The After Party, and Houston 8. The list of special and documentaries he has created 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.

Ernie Manouse - Houston Public Media  2021-07-07 05:00:00Z 0
Rotary Club of Houston Installation 2021-06-24 05:00:00Z 0
Rotary Lombardi Award 2021 2021-06-10 05:00:00Z 0

Rise Against Hunger - Jack Wallace

story thumbnail

 

 

Thursday June 10, 2021
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

CLICK HERE ---> June 10, 2021 <--- CLICK HERE

 

 

 

6th Generation Texan

Descendent of Logan Vandeveer, one of the soldiers in the Battle of San Jacinto

Native of Houston area

Grew up in Pasadena, TX

Married to Anne Wallace for 42 years with three children and five grandchildren

Graduated from Sam Rayburn High School

Graduated from San Jacinto College

Attended and Graduated from University of Houston, with a Bachelors of Business

Worked on Masters Degree in Accounting at University of Houston and decided number crunching wasn’t my forte. 

 

Rise Against Hunger - Jack Wallace 2021-05-27 05:00:00Z 0

Troy Finner - HPD Chief of Police

story thumbnail

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 5th Ward area of Houston
  • Raised in the Hiram Clarke neighborhood
  • Madison High School graduate
  • Bachelors of Science, Criminal Justice, Sam Houston University
  • Masters of Criminology, University of Houston-Clear Lake

Professional Development

  • Graduate of Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP)
  • Police Executive Leadership Institute (PELI)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation National Executive Institute (NEI)
  • Began his law enforcement career in 1990.  31-year veteran of serving the citizens of Houston at the Office of Public Affairs, Southwest Division, South Gessner Division, and the Internal Investigation Command.

 

    Troy Finner - HPD Chief of Police 2021-05-21 05:00:00Z 0

    Al Smith - Author and Former NFL All-Pro Linebacker

     
    Thursday June 17, 2021
    11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
     
    CLICK HERE to ATTEND --> Maggiano's June 17, 2021
     
    CLICK HERE for VIRTUAL --> Teams Meeting June 17, 2021 
     
     
    Al Smith shares his personal experiences and the lessons he learned from his mother.  Included are 17- lessons on what it takes to go from amateur to Pro in all aspects of life, not just in sports or in business.
     
    This book will encourage you, maybe even challenge you to take an all-in, all-pro mindset embracing the attitude and character it takes to both think like a pro and act like a pro!
     
    Al Smith is a former National Football league player. He learned discipline, structure, and values from his mother.  Al continues to help people strive toward and achieve their goals.  Al is a former executive with the Tennessee Titans, NFL Alumni President, Sports Analyst and former Director of Player Development of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.  Al serves on the Board of Directors for the NFL Alumni Association and the American Cancer Society and has contributed to multiple organizations including Big Brothers Big Sister, Bridges Domestic Violence, and the Ronald McDonald House.  Al is also an Ambassador with the "Fuel Up in Play 60 Organizations". A standout collegiate defensive player of the year award winner and team leader, Al was inducted into the Utah State Athletic Hall of Fame and selected for the State of Utah's All-Century team, in 1987, he was drafted by the Houston Oilers.  The Oilers finished 9-6 that year and was second in their deviation. Al's career in the NFL included Pro-Bowl selections and first team All-Pro Honors. 
    Al Smith - Author and Former NFL All-Pro Linebacker 2021-05-17 05:00:00Z 0

    Alaska: Russian America Today

    story thumbnail

    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.

     

    Alaska: Russian America Today 2021-05-13 05:00:00Z 0

    Frank Billingsley- Hurricane Forecast 2021

    story thumbnail

    Chief Meteorologist at KPRC-TV

     

    Thursday April 29, 2021
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

     

    CLICK HERE ---> April 29, 2021 <--- CLICK HERE

    KPRC Chief Meteorologist Frank Billingsley first called Houston home in 1989, now forecasting Houston weather for 31 years.

    For more than three decades, he has made weather clear and easy to understand. “The challenge is taking a complicated subject and making it simple, but I really enjoy it," he says.

    "Of course, since Hurricanes Harvey, Ike, Rita and Tropical Storms Allison and Imelda, we've all learned how powerful weather is and while I can't control what happens, I can be there to warn people when their lives or property is in danger. That's what I most love about my career. I feel like I have a chance to give back to the world," Frank said.

    In September 2018, Frank made public his Prostate Cancer diagnosis and his decision to pursue a treatment in clinical trials known as Aurolase. The procedure infuses gold nanoparticles into the cancer lesion followed by laser ablation. So far, the treatment has been a success. Frank says, “All men need to pay more attention to their health and, hopefully, my going public has inspired more awareness and action. A simple PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test can save lives.”

    Frank Billingsley- Hurricane Forecast 2021 2021-04-23 05:00:00Z 0
    Dictionary Project 2021 2021-04-21 05:00:00Z 0

    Medical Bridges - Walter Ulrich

    story thumbnail
    Walter Ulrich
    Medical Bridges - President & CEO
     
    Thursday May 20, 2021
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
     
    Midelovka
    Of the millions of people touched by Medical Bridges that we never meet, we got to know this beautiful little girl who was struggling. With the right care and equipment and a first surgery, we celebrated modest improvement. She could breathe a little better and suckle a little longer and smile a little brighter. But there was still a long way to go. The tumorous mass had grown exponentially, and time was running out.
    Despite helping Midelovka with every ounce of energy and resources we had, she did not survive the second surgery. It was unavoidable to think "what if." What if the process had been quicker? Would she still be here with us? What if the solar-paneled operating room had been equipped and fully operable? Would local leaders and our resources have been able to save her?
    Regardless of these questions, the sad reality is that children and families in need of medical and surgical care are enduring inadequately supplied and broken healthcare systems. Our team grieves. Midelovka will not be forgotten. She is a constant reminder that we must do more to improve healthcare accessibility in Haiti and around the world.
    Midelovka is now an angel who is fondly remembered as we continue of mission. Over 100 healthy babies have been born at the Haitian hospital Medical Bridges has equipped. We have photos of every one and we share the joy of the blessings of each birth and the promise of new life.
    Much has been accomplished but more needs to be done!
     
    Haiti Babies
    Of the millions of people touched by Medical Bridges that we never meet, we have had the pleasure of seeing over 100 babies born in a newly opened hospital in Haiti. In 2019 United Light of Hope partnered with Medical Bridges to help equip a new hospital being built to replace facilities destroyed in the 2010 earthquake. Along with hospital beds, incubators, IV poles and so much more, there was a birthing bed. That bed has been put to good use – opening its doors on December 15, 2019, with 300 patients seen in just the first day. Just one month later Medical Bridges received news and a picture of the first baby born at the hospital on January 14, 2020. Since then, we have received over 100 notifications most with pictures of babies born using the supplies and that one birthing bed sent to Haiti via a 40-foot shipping container. On December 10, 2020 baby number 100 was born and on April 1, 2021, we received the picture below of the first set of twins.
    Medical Bridges - Walter Ulrich 2021-04-15 05:00:00Z 0

    U.S. Immigration and Border Policies Today

     
    CHARLES C. FOSTER
    Chairman, Foster LLP
     
    Thursday May 6, 2021
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
     
    CLICK HERE ---> Thursday May 6, 2021 <--- CLICK HERE
     

    Charles C. Foster is the Chairman of Foster LLP and is based in the Houston office. Recognized as a Best Lawyer in America, Chambers USA Senior Statespeople, Who’s Who Legal: Corporate Immigration Thought Leader, Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employer Lawyer – Immigration, and Top 100 attorney in Houston, his practice focuses primarily on representing multinational companies and foreign investors regarding U.S. immigration law.

    Charles received both his J.D. and undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin. He lectures frequently before legal, academic, and professional organizations in Texas, throughout the United States and abroad and has published numerous articles on U.S. immigration law.

    U.S. Immigration and Border Policies Today 2021-03-23 05:00:00Z 0

    Staying Ahead of the Game

    story thumbnail
    Evan Weinberger
    President and CEO
     
    Thursday March 25, 2021
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    CLICK HERE --->  March 25, 2021 <--- CLICK HERE
     
     
     
    Helping Kids Develop Critical Executive Functioning Skills to Thrive in this New Educational Paradigm
     
    Evan Weinberger will define executive functioning skills and discuss their importance in the changing world of education. He will offer helpful tips to parents and grandparents about how to encourage the ongoing development of these critical skills for kids, including those struggling with learning differences. Evan will address important topics such as habits, routines, organization, time management, and more. All participants will leave with creative new ideas they can implement immediately at home.
    Staying Ahead of the Game 2021-03-19 05:00:00Z 0

    Dr. Geovanny Ponce

    story thumbnail

    Dr. Geovanny Ponce
    Houston ISD - East Area Superintendent

    Thursday April 1, 2020

    Raised in an impoverished neighborhood in his native Honduras, Dr. Geovanny Ponce experienced first-hand the hardships of poverty. But it was his persistence of going to school and love of reading that opened doors for a better future.  Today, through his work in education, Dr. Ponce continues to make a difference in the lives of children, who like him, have little or no opportunities. His calling is that every student, no matter their background or lack of resources will succeed.

    For more than two decades, Dr. Geovanny Ponce has proven to be an innovative and knowledgeable educator. His childhood experiences have fueled his passion for supporting the growth of the urban child. Dr. Ponce, an immigrant from Honduras, instills collaborative leadership to ensure students from all social, economic and ethnic backgrounds have equal access to high-quality learning opportunities.

    Dr. Geovanny Ponce 2021-03-18 05:00:00Z 0

    2 Docs 2 Cities 2 Huge Medical Complexes

    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.

    2 Docs 2 Cities 2 Huge Medical Complexes 2021-03-17 05:00:00Z 0
    Gerry Grogin - Corps of Cadets article KMF 2021-03-10 06:00:00Z 0

    RCoH New Members

    Impact starts with our Houston Rotarians! We're people like you that have a mission to see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
     
    CLICK HERE --> Reed Lackey <-- CLICK HERE
     
    CLICK HERE --> Lisa Dobey <-- CLICK HERE
     
     
    RCoH New Members 2021-03-09 06:00:00Z 0

    The International Space Station:  A Cool Place for Science

    story thumbnail
    Jennifer Scott Williams
    NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Manager, Applications Client Support Office
     
    Thursday March 11, 2021
    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
     
     
     
     
    CLICK HERE --> March 11, 2021 <-- CLICK HERE
    (Click Read more... below for instructions)
     
    The International Space Station:  A Cool Place for Science
     
    Mrs. Jennifer Scott Williams was born in Oklahoma City, OK. As an Air Force dependent she moved around often, which contributed to her ability to adapt to new environments quickly. After living in Tennessee, Washington, D.C., and Ohio, her family made its permanent home in Panama City, FL, where she graduated with honors from Bay High School in 1996. Thereafter, Jennifer attended Spelman College and the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she received dual Bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and in Electrical Engineering via the Atlanta University Center Dual Degree Engineering Program in 2001.
     
    Once Jennifer graduated, she moved to Houston to work for NASA Johnson Space Center Mission Operations (MOD) as a Space Shuttle flight controller in the Instrumentation and Communications Group (INCO).  While there she obtained 8 certifications and supported 24 Shuttle flights, three of which she served as Lead INCO.  She attended the University of Houston part time in the Telecommunications program, where she graduated with her Master of Electrical Engineering in 2005.
     
    After her last lead flight, Jennifer took on a rotational opportunity in the JSC Office of Education as the Minority University Research and Education Program (MUREP) manager, where she managed 8 JSC programs with a team of 4 people, all for the benefit of providing research opportunities to minority students in Higher Education.

     
    The International Space Station:  A Cool Place for Science 2021-03-05 06:00:00Z 0

    George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations

    story thumbnail
    David J. Firestein
    President and CEO, GEORGE H.W. BUSH FOUNDATION
    FOR U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS

     
    Thursday April 22, 2021
    11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M
    .
     
     
     
    CLICK HERE ---> April 22, 2021 <--- CLICK HERE
     
     
    David J. Firestein is the inaugural president and CEO of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations (Bush China Foundation) and a founding and current member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
    Prior to joining the Bush China Foundation, Firestein was the founding executive director of The University of Texas at Austin’s (UT) China Public Policy Center (CPPC) and a clinical professor at UT’s Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. Before moving to UT, Firestein served as senior vice president and Perot Fellow at the New York City-based EastWest Institute (EWI), where he led the Institute’s track 2 diplomacy work in the areas of U.S.-China relations, East Asian security and U.S.-Russia relations; Firestein, who held EWI’s lone endowed chair, remains one of the longest-serving senior executives in EWI history.
    A decorated career U.S. diplomat from 1992–2010, Firestein specialized primarily in U.S.-China relations. Among the honors Firestein garnered during his diplomatic career were the Secretary of State’s Award for Public Outreach (2006) and the Linguist of the Year Award (1997). Toward the end of his State Department career, Firestein served as an elected member of the Board of Governors of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the union and professional association of the United States Foreign Service; in this capacity, he represented and worked to advance the interests of several thousand State Department constituents. He also served as the elected president of the large community associations of the U.S. embassies in Beijing and Moscow.
    George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations 2021-03-03 06:00:00Z 0

    Water & Sanitation Projects

    story thumbnail

    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.

    Water & Sanitation Projects 2021-02-26 06:00:00Z 0

    Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

    story thumbnail

    Genevieve Rowland

    Thursday March 4, 2021
    11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

    CLICK HERE --> March 4, 2021 <-- CLICK HERE

    Genevieve is a 3rd generation Houstonian who graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science from Texas A&M University.  She has been married for over 20 years and has 2 children:  Garrett and Brianna.  She initially worked as a District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America and then went to work in the Audio Visual industry where she designed and sold A/V systems for almost 20 years.  She has since pursued her passion and is now a successful REALTOR with many designations for Keller Williams Realty where she helps people navigate through the real estate process.

    Genevieve is involved with many organizations in the Houston area including The Boy Scouts of America, Church Activities, Rotary International, and has been with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on the Speaker’s Committee for over 20 years.

    She will speak to us about the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and what to expect when you visit, as well as interesting Texas Town Trivia.

    Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo 2021-02-25 06:00:00Z 0

    Gerald B. Smith - Smith Graham & Co.

    story thumbnail
    Gerald B. Smith
    Chairman and CEO
    Smith Graham & Co.
     
    Thursday February 25, 2021
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
     
    CLICK HERE --> February 25, 2021 <-- CLICK HERE
    (See Read more... below for instructions)
     
     
     
    Gerald B. Smith is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SGIA (Smith Graham & Co.), a high-quality, competitive investment management firm headquartered in Houston with a full-service office in New York, New York. Founded in 1990, SGIA has served diversified, institutional clients, including public funds, corporations, endowments and Taft-Hartley plans and currently manages over $6 billion in fixed income, Mortgage & Real Estate Debt and equity institutional assets. SGIA is one of the nation’s largest minority-owned investment management firms and one of the largest investment management firms based in Houston. A founding member of the New York Futures Exchange, Mr. Smith has worked with institutional investors to hedge their interest-rate risk by using financial futures. 
     
    Gerald B. Smith - Smith Graham & Co. 2021-02-19 06:00:00Z 0

    Andy Kahan - Crime Stoppers

    story thumbnail

    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.

    Andy Kahan - Crime Stoppers 2021-02-08 06:00:00Z 0

    Charles Denyer - Cybersecurity

    story thumbnail
    CANCELLED
    This meeting will be rescheduled.  
     
    CHARLES DENYER
    Author
     
     
    Charles Denyer was in Washington on 9/11, the day the terrorists attacked the Pentagon. Seeing the events unfold and how the nation responded put a new face on our country and inspired a new mission for him. For the last two decades, Denyer has worked with hundreds of US and international organizations in helping them obtain a true competitive advantage with cybersecurity, data privacy, and regulatory compliance. He is a frequent guest speaker to organizations throughout North America, while also providing essential national security, cybersecurity and advisory services to some of the world’s most recognized brands. He is a founding member and senior partner in two consulting and compliance firms, and is also co-founder of the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA), set to launch in early 2021, and positioned to become North America’s signature voice for today’s current and emerging information security, cybersecurity, data privacy and regulatory compliance laws and regulations.
    Charles Denyer - Cybersecurity 2021-01-29 06:00:00Z 0

    Hope Houston

    story thumbnail
    HOPE HOUSTON
    LESLIE PEDERSON
    SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
    Soon to be moving to Houston
     
    February 11, 2021
    11:30 am - 1:00 pm
     
    CLICK HERE --> February 11, 2021 <-- CLICK HERE
     
    Hope Houston is a Holistic Humanitarian Initiative to Re-Build & Re-Juvenate “In Need” areas in US cities via Education, Housing, Community Centers & Employment. 
     
    Education: We are collaborating with the principals & wrap around specialists and our education stewards at elementary schools merging the gap of children, teaches & families and Their success.  We’re outlining their statistics, programs, initiatives, partnerships, their challenges, barriers, needs, goals & their dreams; putting an action plan & program together to reduce and diminish obstacles.  Re-igniting The Soul’s “Light”.
     
    Housing & Community Centers: Buy, Build-out & Provide Transitional Housing, permanent Housing & potential Home Ownership, Community Centers, Family Resource Centers, babysitting, tutoring, support groups, mentors, sports, music, arts, choir, after school programs, Partner with Churches to Reach their Community’s & Share the 9 Fruits of The Holy Spirit, collaborate with local gov’t – HISD, Sherriff’s, Precinct Commissioners, Judges, Univ of Houston, Police Dept, personal development for ALL children to clear out the emotional, physical & spiritual abuse. . . So, they can Grow to Be Who They Were Born To Be!!!  Re-Building Heart’s & Hope
     
    Hope Houston 2021-01-29 06:00:00Z 0

    Virtual-Q

    story thumbnail
    Victor J. Quinones
    Chief Executive Officer
     
    Thursday February 4, 2021
    11:30 am - 1:00 pm
     

    CLICK HERE ---> February 4, 2021 <--- CLICK HERE
     
     
    Virtual-Q was founded in 2009 by CEO, Victor Quinones. With more than 32 years of experience in the information technology industry, his mission was to make IT smart, simple, and scalable for their clients. Virtual-Q provides IT as a Service ™ which features a hosted desktop solution – the “Q”. Designed for companies of any size, the Q reduces on-going costly IT capital expenditures related to the end-user computing experience. Virtual-Q has become a leader in the managed IT services field delivering the highest levels of customer, partner and employee satisfaction and results.
     
    Mr. Quinones serves on the advisory board for Dun & Bradstreet, has received two BBB Winner of Distinction awards and was honored with The Best Place to Work for Commuters and the Clean Air Champion designation by the by the Houston Galveston Area Council. Virtual-Q was recently recognized as The Houston Business Journal’s top 2020 Largest Houston-area cyber security companies and Best Places to Work.
     
    Mr. Quinones studied Computer Science at The University of Houston and was on the Dean’s List. He has received his Microsoft Certified Network Engineer, VMware and Cisco Certified Engineer Certifications.
    Virtual-Q 2021-01-27 06:00:00Z 0

    Habitat for Horses

    story thumbnail

    Rebecca A. Williams
    Executive Director

    Thursday January 28, 2021
    11:30 am - 1:00 pm

    CLICK HERE --> JANUARY 28, 2021 <-- CLICK HERE
    (Click on Read more... for Microsoft Team instructions)

     

    Since 1998, Habitat for Horses has worked closely with law enforcement throughout Texas and across the nation, assisting in investigations, temporary holding, documentation, and court presentation in abuse and neglect cases.

    The purpose of Habitat for Horses Inc. is a) To promote and secure the safety, well being and health of horses. b) To encourage education concerning the physical and mental health of horses. c) To utilize horses in the growth and mental health of humans, either adult or children, through education, demonstration and connection. d) To study, promote, and enhance the proper training of horses through positive training techniques. e) To provide a home for those horses who are no longer able to be productive. f) To return to health, if possible, those owned horses that are deemed sick or injured.

    Habitat for Horses 2021-01-25 06:00:00Z 0

    Building Bridges of Understanding, Trust and Hope Through Faith
     

    story thumbnail
    Rabbi Steven M. Gross
    Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism
     
    Thursday January 21, 2021
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

    CLICK HERE ---> January 21, 2021 <--- CLICK HERE
     
     
     
    Rabbi Steve Gross was ordained in 1996 as a rabbi from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio where he also received a Masters of Hebrew Letters. He has served the Houston Jewish community ever since his ordination and is currently the rabbi at Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism where he brings energy and enthusiasm to the pulpit using his guitar to shape the worship experience for young and old alike. 
     
    Rabbi Gross sees every religious endeavor as an opportunity to promote community and establish an intimate relationship with God, and he commits a major part of his religious mission to building tolerance and understanding between and among faith communities throughout the city. He is a founding member of T.R.U.T.H.(Travels Revealing Understanding – Trust – Hope), which is dedicated to recruiting and engaging faith leaders from all religious backgrounds to build relationships of understanding and trust through shared experiences of travel and immersion. He is an active participant in the Anti-Defamation League’s Coalition for Mutual Respect and works closely with the Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston on a wide variety of projects which seek to strengthen relationships between faith communities.
     
    Building Bridges of Understanding, Trust and Hope Through Faith  2021-01-14 06:00:00Z 0

    Rest in Peace Jason Guillory

     
    Jason J. Guillory
    1985 - 2021
     
    With a heavy heart, I announce the tragic passing of our beloved friend and fellow Rotarian, Jason J. Guillory.  Jason, armed with an ever-present smile, was a member of the Rotary Club of Houston’s "Back Table Committee."
     
    Our thoughts and prayers are with Jason’s family and friends.
     
    Celebrate the Life and Cherish the Memories
    Jason J Guillory
     
    Viewing:
    Thursday January 14, 2021
     6:00pm to 8:00pm
    There will be a rosary at 7:00pm
     
    Dettling Funeral Home
    14094 Memorial Dr.
    Houston, TX 77079
    281-497-2121
     
    Funeral Service:
    Friday January 15, 2021
    10:30am
    St. Cecilia Catholic Church
    11720 Joan of Arc Dr.
    Houston, TX 77024
    713-465-3414
     
    Donations in lieu of flowers please send to:
    St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
    262 S Danny Thomas Blvd
    Memphis, TN 38105
     
     
    Rest in Peace Jason Guillory 2021-01-05 06:00:00Z 0

     “All days are good, some are just better than others.” ~Bill Teague

    story thumbnail

    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.

     “All days are good, some are just better than others.” ~Bill Teague 2020-12-28 06:00:00Z 0

    Marvin Pierre - 8 Million Stories

    story thumbnail

    Marvin Pierre
    8 Million Stories
    Executive Director

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

     

    Marvin Pierre is a native New Yorker. He currently serves as the Executive Director of 8 Million Stories. Prior to joining 8 Million Stories, he was selected as a Bridge Fellow with The New Teacher Project (TNTP), Marvin focused his fellowship on developing an alternative education program called “8 Million Stories”. The program seeks to upend the school-to-prison pipeline by supporting previously incarcerated youth as they re-enter school, and curbing unnecessary referrals from schools to the justice system in Houston, TX. Marvin also served as the Assistant Principal at KIPP Polaris Academy for Boys in Houston, Texas.  Prior to joining KIPP Polaris, he served as the Dean of Students at Excellence Boys Charter School in Brooklyn, NY. Marvin also worked in the finance at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Marvin holds a B.A. in Economics from Trinity College (Hartford, CT) and a Masters in Education Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston.  Marvin is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is an American Leadership Forum Fellow (Class XLI) alumni and was selected into the inaugural class for Leadership ISD.  He currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Tabor Academy. Marvin desires to pursue opportunities in community development and co-found a K-8 school for young boys of color in Houston, TX.

    Marvin Pierre - 8 Million Stories 2020-12-17 06:00:00Z 0

    HOUSTON on the CUSP of a CHANGING AMERICA

    story thumbnail
    January 7, 2021
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
     
    CLICK HERE ---> January 7, 2021 <--- CLICK HERE

     
    Stephen L. Klineberg, Ph.D.
    Founding Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
    Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Rice University
     
    Dr. Stephen Klineberg has been shaping local thought on the ongoing trends in Houston for almost forty years. As the director of the annual “Kinder Houston Area Survey” (1982-2020), he has tracked the economic outlooks, demographic patterns, life experiences, and beliefs of area residents through 39 years of remarkable change. His book exploring the national implications of the first 38 years of this research, entitled Prophetic City: Houston on the Cusp of a Changing America, was published in June 2020 by Simon & Schuster. Klineberg is the recipient of twelve major teaching awards at Rice and a much sought-after speaker in the Houston community and beyond. He is a graduate of Haverford College, with an MA from the University of Paris, and a PhD from Harvard. He and his wife Margaret have lived in Houston since the early 1970s; they have two children and five grandchildren.
     
    HOUSTON on the CUSP of a CHANGING AMERICA 2020-12-15 06:00:00Z 0

    Dr. Geetinder Goyal

    story thumbnail
    First Primary Care
    Founder and CEO 
     
    January 14, 2021
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
     
    CLICK HERE --> January 14, 2021 <-- CLICK HERE
    (See Read more... below for instructions)
     
     
     
    Bio​:

    Dr. Geetinder Goyal is the founder and CEO of First Primary Care. He attended medical school at the Government Medical College in Chandigarh, India. Following that, he completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch– Galveston. Dr. Goyal then went on to Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT where his fellowship was in Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine. He is now on a mission to deliver the best primary care in Houston.
    Dr. Geetinder Goyal 2020-12-14 06:00:00Z 0

    Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation
     
     

    story thumbnail
    Thursday December 10, 2020
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
     
    CLICK HERE --> Join Meeting <-- CLICK HERE
    (For instructions see Read more...)
     
    Volunteering and Nonprofit Operations During a Global Pandemic
     
    Companies rapidly transitioned to remote and virtual work environments upon the spike of COVID-19 infections throughout Houston.  As we adjust to adjust to masks, distancing, online grocery shopping (with curbside delivery) and working from home…What is one thing we can do to uplift our spirits and help others during these challenging times?  What does volunteering look like during a global pandemic?  Join us as we dive into the Foundation’s virtual volunteering opportunities and learn more about what we are doing to offer safe in-person events.
     
     
    SPEAKERS:
     
    Kime Smith graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans with a BA in Mass Communications and a minor in Business Administration. Prior to joining the Foundation, Kime served as the Director of Recruitment for Big Brothers Big Sisters helping to mobilize volunteers, as well as creating corporate and community partnerships in the Houston area. She has served as a Big Sister for the last 10 years, and is currently matched to a 11-year-old Little Sister.  Kime is passionate about empowering youth to reach their fullest potential, and loves spending time with her Little – baking, reading, and attending Houston sporting events. 
     
    José Paulo Calvillo has more than 10 years of experience in the private and K-12 education sectors. Prior to joining the Foundation, he served for five years as an executive assistant to the Houston Independent School District’s Chief Academic Officer and Chief Major Projects Officer.  In this role, Jose led several high-profile special projects, was responsible for coordinating administrative staff across nine departments and served as a liaison within the community. Jose earned his Bachelor’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University.
     
     
    Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation   2020-12-04 06:00:00Z 0

    TUTS - Artistic Director, Dan Knechtges

    story thumbnail

    CLICK HERE --> December 3, 2020 <-- CLICK HERE
    (For instructions click on Read more... below)
     
    Thursday December 3, 2020
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
     
     
     
     
    DAN KNECHTGES is the Artistic Director at Theatre Under The Stars where he most recently directed the 2019 production of Elf - The Musical. He is a Tony-nominated director and choreographer working in theater, opera, concert dance, television, film and music videos.
     
    When Dan started at TUTS, he wanted to return to the roots of TUTS by creating incredible musicals that were produced right here in Houston. When he programmed the shows for the musical theatre company’s 50th Anniversary Season, he did so with the intention of having a six-show season that was all self-produced. That season was one of the most successful seasons in the eyes of critics and audiences alike in recent years. Through the shows produced during that season, Dan was also able to re-establish TUTS commitment to casting a mix of local and national theatre artists creating an environment where they can nurture their craft. TUTS 50th Anniversary Season also won four Houston Press Theater Awards: Best Musical (Ragtime), Best Choreography (Stanton Welch for Oklahoma!), Best Musical Director (Marcia Milgrom Dodge for Ragtime) and Best Season. Under his leadership the artistry coming out of Houston’s home for musical theatre is thriving.
     
    TUTS - Artistic Director, Dan Knechtges 2020-11-30 06:00:00Z 0

    Lydia Musher - Professional News Evaluator

    story thumbnail

    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.

     
    Lydia Musher - Professional News Evaluator 2020-11-12 06:00:00Z 0
    Salute to Veterans Donations 2020-11-12 06:00:00Z 0

    Jon Eliot King (1942-2020)

    story thumbnail
     
    Jon Eliot King has been a member of the Rotary Club of Houston for 20 years, he will be missed by all. 
     
     
     
     
     
    Jon Eliot King (1942 – 2020) 
     
    Jon Eliot King passed peacefully at his home yesterday, Oct 21st, 2020 with his faithful canine companion "Tiffany" at his side.
    A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be conducted on Wednesday, October 28th at 1:00 PM at Second Baptist Church located at 6400 Woodway, Houston, TX 77057. The service will be in the main Sanctuary.  For directions and more information on the location go to www.second.org/locations/woodway
    The Ceremony is anticipated to be approximately one hour. Second Baptist Church adheres to current CDC guidelines which in summary include 1) masks are recommended and will be provided on site if you do not have one, 2) social distancing seating will be facilitated, and 3) high risk individuals are encouraged to stay home and view the ceremony online at www.second.org/liveevents.
    Final burial arrangements are being made with the Houston VA National Cemetery in Houston, TX. More information on that will be provided at the Celebration of Life Ceremony.
    For floral arrangements, The Second Baptist Church recommends a nearby florist, Blossoms Floral Designs at (713)780-7838 which is the preferred method of ordering. Their website is www.blossomsfloral.net  For guaranteed on time delivery, please place your order no later than 12:00 PM on Tuesday, Oct 27th.  
    Jon Eliot King (1942-2020) 2020-10-23 05:00:00Z 0

    Lieutenant General Steven A. Hummer - Retired

    story thumbnail

    Thursday November 5, 2020
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

    CLICK HERE --> Nov. 5, 2020 <-- CLICK HERE
    (Please see Read more... below for instructions)

     

     

    "Why We Need Our Veterans More Than Ever!"

    Born on 1 July 1952 in Pennsylvania as the son of a US Marine World War II veteran, Lieutenant General Hummer retired from the US Marine Corps on 1 Aug 2015 after 41 years of active service.  After enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1970, and an honorable discharge as a sergeant in 1973, Lieutenant General Hummer was commissioned following graduation from Albright College, PA, in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psycho-Biology.

    His assignments in the operating forces included: Rifle Platoon Commander, Company Commander, Battalion Commander and Regimental Commander within 1st Marine Division; Chief of    Staff, Joint Special Operations Command; Director of Operations, US Forces-Iraq; and Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, US Africa Command.  Lieutenant General Hummer participated in combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

    Supporting establishment duties included: Ceremonial Company Commander, Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C; Commanding General, Marine Corps Base Hawaii; Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Pacific; Chief of Staff, US Special Operations Command; and Commander, Marine Corps Forces Reserve and Marine Corps Forces North.

    Lieutenant General Hummer is a graduate of several schools within the Marine Corps University; and earned a master’s degree in International Security Studies from the Air War College.

    His decorations include: Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Combat “V”, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and other personal awards and decorations.

    Lieutenant General Hummer currently volunteers to support veteran service organizations and mentors veterans. He is currently enrolled in seminary working on his master’s degree. He and his wife, Sheri, support fund raisers in support of veterans and their families.

    Lieutenant General Hummer and Sheri reside in The Woodlands, Texas. Lieutenant General Hummer and his wife, Sheri, have a son, David, daughter-in-law, Stephanie, grandson Jaxson, and granddaughter, Isla.

    Lieutenant General Steven A. Hummer - Retired 2020-10-22 05:00:00Z 0

    Kaveh Badrei - RI Scholarship Candidate

    story thumbnail

    Thursday October 29, 2020
    11:30 AM- 1:00 PM

     

    CLICK HERE ----> October 29, 2020 <---- CLICK HERE
    ( See below Read more... for Microsoft Team instructions)

     

     

     

    Bio:

    Kaveh Badrei graduated from Princeton University in 2020 with a B.A. from the School of Public and International Affairs and certificates in French and the History and Practice of Diplomacy. His academic concentrations include human rights, public policy, and international law. His senior thesis at Princeton studied hybrid human rights tribunals in international criminal law in Cambodia and Sierra Leone. He is particularly interested in the ways that international and domestic institutions can contribute to lasting change and progress in issues pertaining to conflict resolution, social and political justice, and the protection of human rights. At Princeton, he wrote for the Daily Princetonian and was involved with the Pace Center for Civic Engagement. In the past, Kaveh has worked within local government as well as regional and international non-profits––such as the Anti-Defamation League, Danish Institute for Human Rights, and Office of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo––in public policy, legal services, and human rights. He hopes to continue his education and earn his master’s degree in international public policy and human rights.

    Summary:

    Kaveh is pleased to speak with the Rotary Club of Houston about his passion for public policy, international affairs, and global justice and his vision of a more just, more peaceful, and more humane world. Drawing upon his education in the classroom at Princeton University, his professional experiences at home and abroad, and his own independent research on international justice, Kaveh hopes to share his own practical ideals for a world made more peaceful, more just, and more equal for all and looks forward to discussing his personal aspirations based on the fundamental notion of service above self with the Rotary Club of Houston.

     

    Kaveh Badrei - RI Scholarship Candidate 2020-10-22 05:00:00Z 0

    "ADL:  How It Strives for Justice and Fair Treatment for All"

    story thumbnail

     

    Dena Marks
    Anti-Defamation League - Southwest Regional Office
    Senior Associate Director

    October 22, 2020
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

     

     

    CLICK HERE ----> Thursday October 22, 2020 <---- CLICK HERE
    (See Read more... for Microsoft Teams instructions)

    "ADL:  How It Strives for Justice and Fair Treatment for All"

    Dena Marks is the Senior Associate Director of the Anti-Defamation League’s Southwest Regional Office. Her main responsibility at ADL is publicity, but she also serves as a liaison with law enforcement, facilitates various training sessions, coordinates regional fact finding, handles some discrimination complaints,  and staffs ADL’s International Affairs Committee and Committee on Law Enforcement, Extremism and Antisemitism. Before joining the ADL in April of 1999, she spent 21 years in television news. She also has worked as a group exercise instructor, personal trainer, freelance writer, waitress, janitor, and for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. She is a native Houstonian.

     
     
     
    "ADL:  How It Strives for Justice and Fair Treatment for All" 2020-10-22 05:00:00Z 0

    Rotary International Convention 2022

    story thumbnail
    Jeff Tallas
    Thursday October 15, 2020
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
     
    CLICK HERE ----> October 15, 2020 
    (See Read more... below for Microsoft Teams instructions)
     
     
     
    Tallas Insurance 25 years - Owner
    24 year member of Rotary club of Sugar Land
    Past President Rotary Club of Sugar Land
    District Governor Rotary D5890 2007-2008
    Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Brazos River Authority
    Father to Connor(15) and Lawson(14)  
    Rotary International Convention 2022 2020-10-14 05:00:00Z 0

    Links to Previous Meetings

    Our weekly meetings have been via Microsoft Teams since March 2020. Recordings are located below.
     
    Troy Finner
    Houston Chief of Police
    Click here for Video ---> May 27, 2021 <--- Click here for Video
     
    Walter Ulrich
    Medical Bridges
    Click here for Video ---> May 20, 2020 <--- Click here for Video
     
    Gayle Knepper
    Alaska: Russian America Today
    Click here for video ---> May 13, 2021 <--- Click here for Video
     
    Immigration and Border Policies Today
    Click here for video ---> May 6, 2021 <--- Click here for Video

     
    Links to Previous Meetings 2020-10-05 05:00:00Z 0

    Bill T. Teague - Jesse H. Jones Rotary House International (Rotary House Hotel)

    story thumbnail
     
    Thursday October 8, 2020
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
     
    CLICK HERE----> Virtual Meeting October 8, 2020 <---- CLICK HERE
     
     
     
    Description of Presentation:
    Jesse H. Jones Rotary House International
    The virtual presentation will cover some of the history, details, and benefits of a single Rotary Club project which the presenter feels is one of the most helpful projects in all of Rotary. It will include the partnership of the Rotary Club of Houston, the Rotary Club of Houston Foundation, Houston Endowment, and the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. He believes it to still be the largest project by any single Rotary Club and feels the project epitomizes Rotary and the reason one becomes a true ‘Rotarian’. He feels it is something everyone, especially Rotarians and their families, can be justifiably proud and should promote regularly!
     
    Resume of Speaker:
    Bill T. Teague
    Rotarian since September 1967 (St. Petersburg, FL. President 1972-3) to present, about 53 years.
    RCH
    • Active member 1975 to 2006
    • Past RCH President. 1986-87
    • Past RCHF President 1987-91
    • Elected Emeritus Life Member, January 6, 2006
    • Paul Harris Fellow-x4
    • Past Chairman of: Jesse Jones RCH Committees: Rotary House International, Distinguished Citizen Award, Rotary Lombardi Award,  Membership Development, Red Badge; and others
     
    Greater Houston Community (member of boards* and graduate**)
    • Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center* (founding CEO and stayed as such on a handshake, no written document, for 31+ years)
    • 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**
     
      Bill T. Teague - Jesse H. Jones Rotary House International (Rotary House Hotel) 2020-10-02 05:00:00Z 0
      Balancing Service and Needs in the Fire Service 2020-10-01 05:00:00Z 0
      Dr. Joe Agris - Doctor, Author and Rotarian 2020-09-24 05:00:00Z 0
      Dr. Giulio Draetta MD, PHD - "Of Moonshots and More" 2020-09-24 05:00:00Z 0
      Dr. Giulio Draetta , MD, PHD - " Of Moonshots and More" 2020-09-24 05:00:00Z 0

      Balancing Service and Needs in the Fire Service
       

      story thumbnail

      Justin Wells
      Houston Fire Department
      Executive Assistant Fire Chief - Emergency Response

      Thursday October 1, 2020
      1130 AM - 1:00 PM

      CLICK HERE ----> October 1, 2020 <---- CLICK HERE

      Justin Wells is the current Executive Assistant Fire Chief over Emergency Response for the Houston Fire Department.  He previously served as the Assistant Fire Chief over Emergency Medical Services.  He is a 24 year member that has risen through the ranks from Firefighter to District Chief prior to being appointed to a staff position in 2017.  He is crossed trained in both Fire and EMS and has been a certified paramedic for over 20 years.  He is now oversees the Department’s response to Fire, EMS, Rescue, Hazmat, and Aircraft incidents along with managing the Department’s 3500+ personnel, 250+ response units, and 93 fire stations covering an area of over 650 square miles.  When he isn’t working, he spends time with his wife chasing their children around, coaching little league baseball, and trying to find time to travel.  He can be contacted at justin.wells@houstontx.gov.

      Balancing Service and Needs in the Fire Service  2020-09-22 05:00:00Z 0

      Dr. Giulio Draetta

      story thumbnail

      Dr. Giulio Draetta, MD, PHD
      UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
      Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer

      Thursday September 24, 2020
      11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

      CLICK HERE ----> Virtual Meeting <---- CLICK HERE
      ( See Read more... below for Microsoft Team instructions)


       

      "Of Moonshots and More" 

      Dr. Giulio Draetta , MD, PHD, is a Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) and Co-Leader of the CCSG Developmental Therapeutics Program. Dr. Draetta graduated summa cum laude from the University of Naples Medical School in Italy and spent many years in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry where he led drug discovery research in oncology.

      Dr. Giulio Draetta 2020-09-21 05:00:00Z 0

      Dr. Joe Agris - Doctor, Author and Rotarian

      story thumbnail

      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.   

      Dr. Joe Agris - Doctor, Author and Rotarian 2020-09-08 05:00:00Z 0

      District 5890 Governor - Scott Rainey

      story thumbnail
       
      Thursday September 10, 2020
      11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

       
      CLICK HERE ----> Join Virtual Meeting <---- CLICK HERE
      (First time on Microsoft Teams see Read more... below for help)
       
       
      Scott Rainey was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  He attended the University of Oklahoma and is a proud Sooner!  Scott is married to Martha Bowles, who he met in church in Clear Lake, TX.  Scott has a daughter Taylor McConnell who has blessed him with three granddaughters Parker Anne, Charlie Mae, and Mason Rayne.  Scott’s Step-Son Chase Cusack lives in New York City.  Scott and Martha have three dogs, Desmond, Sophie Ann, and Macie, all Yorkies.
       
      Scott started in the oil and gas business as a Landman in the early 1980’s.  When the oil crash of the mid ‘80’s occurred, Scott transitioned into the chemical and environmental business.  He moved to Houston in 1990 to work full time in the environmental business doing hazardous waste disposal, and in plant work including tank cleaning.  Scott was a part of a startup environmental company that was sold in the late 90’s.  He then started his current company, Hydrocarbon Resource Recovery, which trades petrochemicals and fuel products.
       
      Scott is involved in several charitable organizations including Space Center Rotary where he has served in several capacities.  He was Club President in 2014-15 and was honored as the Large Club President of the Year.  He was an Assistant Governor in 2016-17 & 2017-18, and AG of the Year 2016-17.  He was selected to be District Governor for the year 2020-21.  Scott is a Major Donor and member of the White Hat Society.
       
      He has served as a member in the Church Council of Gateway Community Church, and he is also a past member on the board of the Clear Creek Education Foundation, where again he has served in serval capacities.
       
      Scott’s passions include His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his family, and Sooner football.
      District 5890 Governor - Scott Rainey 2020-09-01 05:00:00Z 0
      Charles C. Canton - The Center for Pursuit 2020-08-27 05:00:00Z 0

      Charles C Canton - The Center for Pursuit

      story thumbnail
      Thursday August 27, 2020
      11:30 am - 1:00 pm
       
      CLICK HERE ---> Virtual Meeting <--- CLICK HERE
      (Instructions for 1st time users click Read more... below)
       
       
       
       
       
      CHARLES C CANTON
      The Center for Pursuit

      President and CEO
       
      Charles C. Canton is President and CEO of The Center for Pursuit. He joined our organization in 2018, bringing with him 15 years’ experience as a distinguished non-profit leader and more than four decades of success in management. Charles was previously Vice President of Operations for Goodwill Industries of Houston from 2002 through 2017, overseeing 65 stores and 48 donation locations. During his tenure, he was responsible for growing the organization into a nationally recognized system of retail operations. Charles holds both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Management and an MBA from Houston Baptist University, where he is also a former Alumni Board Chairman. Charles is committed to the growth and improvement of ways to empower the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He is impressed daily with the motivation of the Board, staff, and clients at The Center. He has been married 40 years and devotes time to family, his first grandchild, and his garden.
       
       
      Charles C Canton - The Center for Pursuit 2020-08-21 05:00:00Z 0
      DCA 2020 WATCH RAFFLE TICKETS 2020-08-20 05:00:00Z 0
      Deepi Sidhu - Houston Texans Insider 2020-08-13 05:00:00Z 0

      Dr. Mary Lee Webeck, HMH Holocaust

      story thumbnail

      Thursday July 9, 2020
      11:30 am - 1:00 pm

      CLICK HERE ----> Join Virtual Meeting <---- CLICK HERE

       

      Dr. Mary Lee Webeck, HMH Holocaust and Genocide Education Endowed Chair

      Take a virtual tour through our Bak Gallery and see a short video with our CEO giving a brief museum overview.

      The Samuel Bak Gallery and Learning Center in loving memory of Hope Silber Kaplan is home to the nation’s only permanent Samuel Bak collection with 130 pieces rotated periodically. Holocaust Museum Houston is exceptionally honored that the Samuel Bak Gallery and Learning Center serves as a permanent, international gallery for his paintings, works donated directly to the Museum by the artist. The Bak Learning Center will help visitors understand the content of his works, as well as the rich symbolism used in his paintings. A rarity in the U.S., the gallery itself is circular, comprised of three intimate galleries.

      Bak was born in 1933 in Vilna, Poland. His artistic talent was first recognized during an exhibition of his work in the Vilna Ghetto when he was nine years old. Bak and his mother survived the Holocaust through the efforts of his father, his aunt and a Benedictine nun known as Sister Maria who gave Bak and his mother shelter in a convent in Vilna. While both Bak and his mother survived, his father and four grandparents all perished at the hands of the Nazis. Bak’s life-and-death experiences inspired his prolific collection of artwork.

      The galleries will continuously display the exceptional work of the artist while teaching children and adults to apply an understanding of the events of the Holocaust and other genocides to their own lives and respond to them successfully by developing social resiliency.

      Dr. Mary Lee Webeck, HMH Holocaust 2020-07-04 05:00:00Z 0
      110th Installation of Officers and Directors 2020-06-22 05:00:00Z 0
      New Hobby School of Public Affairs 2020-06-12 05:00:00Z 0

      New Hobby School of Public Affairs - Kirk Watson

      story thumbnail

      New Hobby School of Public Affairs
      Kirk Watson - Founding Dean

      Thursday June 18, 2020
      12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

      CLICK HERE ----> Join Virtual Meeting <---- CLICK HERE

      Kirk Watson has been described by Texas Monthly as “A man with a vision of what the community wants, and the moxie to carry it out.” He has been immersed in public policy in Texas for the past three decades, serving first as an appointee of Gov. Ann Richards before being elected mayor of Austin in 1997. First elected to the Texas Senate in 2006, he represented the Austin-area for 13 years. 
       
      Watson has been selected to be the Founding Dean of the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs and began his position on May 1, 2020. 
       
      Watson’s policy experience spans local and state government. As Senator, he championed education, health care, transportation and government transparency. During his tenure in the Senate, he served as a member and vice- chair of multiple standing and special committees. Most recently he was Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Nominations and also served on the committees overseeing State Finance, Education, Higher Education and the Sunset Advisory Commission. His peers elected him President Pro Tempore of the Senate in 2019. 
       

      New Hobby School of Public Affairs - Kirk Watson 2020-06-12 05:00:00Z 0
      Dr. Kenneth L. Mattox, M.D., F.A.C.S. 2020-05-21 05:00:00Z 0