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.

Join Virtually ---> September 5, 2024

Come join the Rotary Club of Houston for RCoH After Dark @ Sixty Vines.

Join our District Governor, Nancy Anderson, as she shares the Magic of Rotary with three long time Rotary Clubs, Harrisburg Founded in 1939; Heights Chartered in 1939; Houston Chartered in 1912.
 

Each Month members of the Rotary Club of Houston sponsors a reception for patients and their families who are staying at Rotary House International. 

Volunteers will chat with participants and share their smiles. A small number of volunteers are needed. 

We will be meeting in Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston’s Moran Meals on Wheels Building at the Southern corner of Fannin and Elgin (adjacent to 3215 Fannin).  It has yellow architectural feature at its roof.  There is a side door to our warehouse that will be marked with Rotary signage, and we will be eating and serving together in that space.  Free surface parking will be available directly across the street at the North Side of Fannin and Elgin.  IM security personnel will be near the corner of Fannin and Elgin in blue uniforms to help guide you to the meeting entrance. 

We will have a good discussion, lunch and significant service that will make a difference in our seniors (we serve 5,000) and refugees lives (we serve 12,000).  

Bernard A. Harris, Jr., MD, MBA, FACP
Chief Executive Officer, Managing Partner Vesalius Ventures
Founder, The Harris Institute/Foundation

Some of us remember being glued to the TV every time there was a space launch. Oh how we cheered "one giant leap for mankind" in 1969. Perhaps we take the Space Station for granted-until we learn there are two astronauts whose short trip has found the stranded for months. What happens to a human in space? With over 7 million miles in space, a medical doctor, and managing partner of a venture capital firm, Dr Harris is positioned well to discuss the new space economy.

Our speaker has a diverse background and has "been there" as an Astronaut with 438 hours and 7.2 million miles in space. Medical Doctor. Author. Philanthropist. Award Winner. Researcher.Business Leader. Flight Surgeon. Scuba Diver. Join us for a fascinating meeting.

Dr. Harris is currently CEO & Managing Partner of Vesalius Ventures, Inc., a venture capital firm, that invest in early to mid-stage Healthcare technologies and companies. He is responsible for managing a portfolio of private assets of early and mid-stage venture investments and operating companies.

He served as CEO and Executive Director, National Math & Science Initiative and led the organization’s efforts to improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement in communities across the country. He has been involved in math and science education for over 25 years through his philanthropy as founder of the Harris Institute & Foundation.

Dr. Harris was at NASA for ten years, where he conducted research in musculoskeletal physiology and clinical investigations of space adaptation and developed in-flight medical devices to extend Astronaut stays in space. A veteran astronaut for over thirty years, he has logged more than 438 hours and traveled over 7.2 million miles in space.

He is a member of the Board of Directors for Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX), MassMutual, and U.S. Physical Therapy (NYSE: USPH). Dr. Harris served as a Board of Director/Trustee for Salient Midstream & MLP Fund and Salient MF Trust, and Barings Fund & BBDC. In addition, he is on the non-profit Boards of the Texas Medical Center (currently Chair), Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and the Harris Institute & Foundation.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Houston, a Master of Medical Science from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Houston and a Doctorate of Medicine from Texas Tech University School of Medicine. He completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, a National Research Council Fellowship in Endocrinology at the NASA Ames Research Center and trained as a Flight Surgeon at the Aerospace School of Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base. He is also a licensed private pilot and certified scuba diver.

Dr. Harris is the recipient of numerous awards, including nine (9) honorary doctorates; (Stony Brook University (SUNY), Morehouse School of Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Washington & Jefferson College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Hartford, Indiana Institute of Technology, University of Houston and University of the Sciences), NASA Space Flight Medal, NASA Award of Merit, National Space Grant Distinguished Services Award, James Bryant Conant Award, a fellow of the American College of Physicians, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the recipient of the 2000 Horatio Alger Award.

He is the author of “Dream Walker: A Journey of Achievement and Inspiration.”

Join Virtually ---> September 26, 2024

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.

Come out for fun and fellowship with your fellow Rotarians!

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

Dear Rotarian Members & Special VIP Guests,

We are delighted to invite you to our next monthly Networking Happy Hour & Forum. This event will be held at Adair Kitchen on Buffalo Speedway on Monday, October 14th from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM ($5 Cash/Venmo at the Door). 

ROTARY MEANS BUSINESS THROUGH SERVICE NETWORKING
HAPPY HOUR & FORUM

Event Schedule:

• 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM: Networking & Fellowship 
• 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM: Introductions & Forum

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow Rotarians from across our District, share Service Project ideas, and strengthen our fellowship across our Clubs & community.  We look forward to your presence and participation.  I'm truly grateful for the support of our great District Governor Nancy Anderson in helping launch this effort, as we now have over 50 people on our email list & growing.  

Please RSVP by Monday, October 7^th Online at: https://form.jotform.com/242665720941055 to ensure we have an accurate headcount for the event.

Have a great week ahead!  Thank you all for your incredible work in service to our community.  

Warm regards,

Sam

Sam Kelner
President - Bellaire SW Houston Rotary Club 2024-25

Business Performance Advisor to the C-Suite, Insperity

Houston-Gulf Coast Regional Chair, Texas Association of Business
Board Director, Texas Association of Business & Career Gear Houston

(480) 518-1260 cell

Sam.Kelner@insperity.com

Learn more about the Bellaire Southwest Houston Rotary Club by clicking here: Home Page | Bellaire / Southwest Houston Rotary Club (clubrunner.ca)

"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." ~ President John F. Kennedy

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” ~ President Ronald Reagan

Each Month members of the Rotary Club of Houston sponsors a reception for patients and their families who are staying at Rotary House International. 

Volunteers will chat with participants and share their smiles. A small number of volunteers are needed. 

With so much focus on financial health, personal and government, we need to understand the  decisions that impact our every day life. Unraveling the complex and often mysterious questions of how our cities...in this case, The City of Houston, gets its money, where does it go, how does it fund city services, pensions, etc....let's go directly to the person who understand the flow of finances and has to ask difficult questions of those requesting money. 

WHAT DOES THE CITY CONTROLLER DO?
"_{The City Controller serves as the City's chief financial officer. The Office of the City Controller certifies the availability of funds prior to City Council approval of City commitments, processes and monitors disbursements exceeding one billion dollars annually, invests the City's funds, conducts internal audits of the City's departments and federal grant programs, operates and maintains its financial management system, conducts the sale of public improvement and revenue bonds and produces a comprehensive annual report of City finances (CAFR)"}

WHO IS OUR CITY CONTROLLER?

Chris Hollins is a native Houstonian who has served as Houston City Controller since January 2024.  As the independently elected Chief Financial Officer of the nation’s fourth-largest city, Controller Hollins provides oversight of a budget exceeding $6 billion and manages the City’s $6 billion investment and $14 billion debt portfolios.  Hollins is deeply committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and results-driven operations, using his office’s auditing authority to bring new ideas and best practices to City departments that result in cost savings and a higher standard of service to Houston residents.
 
Prior to his service as City Controller, Hollins led the 2020 elections effort in Harris County as County Clerk, gaining national acclaim for protecting and expanding voting rights for 2.5 million Houston-area voters during the most important election of our lifetime. Hollins’s 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.

Hollins holds a Bachelor of Arts with Phi Beta Kappa honors from Morehouse College and completed a joint program with Yale Law School and Harvard Business School, earning both his Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees. 

Hollins is admitted to the State Bar of Texas and Federal Courts for the Southern District of Texas. Before being elected Houston City Controller, he was the Principal Attorney at Hollins Law Group PLLC.  Hollins spent the bulk of his career as a management consultant where he was dedicated to helping large government agencies transform their operations to better achieve their missions and meet the needs of those they were entrusted to serve. 

Hollins and his wife, Morgan, live in Houston’s Third Ward with their daughter, Vivian, and their son, George.  The Hollins family attends Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.

Join Virtually ---> October 17, 2024

Come help us carve our winning pumpkin for the Pumpkins for Polio event at Fort Colony Mall.

PUMPKIN JUDGING CONTEST

District 5890 CLUB COLLABORATION FUNDRAISER

Brad Tutunjian
Vice President Regulatory Policy 
Centerpoint Energy

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.

Join Us for a Meal Packaging Experience with Rise Against Hunger!

Dear Rotary Members,

We are thrilled to invite you to a special meal packaging experience hosted by the Clubs of District 5890, including the Rotary Club of Houston, West University Rotary Club, and University Area Rotary Club, in partnership with Rise Against Hunger.

Join us in the movement to end hunger and make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. Together, we can create hope and nourishment for countless individuals.

Register here to participate: Meal Packaging Event

We look forward to seeing you there!

You are invited to a spook-tacular evening of fun, fellowship, and frights for Fun on the Fifth (Thursday) at Paul & Bernice's home!

(Address to be provided after registration and can be found on Club Runner.)

Prepare for a night filled with creepy costumes (there may be prizes for best dressed) and ghoulishly good food and drinks.

Costumes are greatly encouraged!

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

Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024

MD Anderson's Boot Walk to End Cancer is a 1.2-mile walk in the Texas Medical Center — or in your own neighborhood. This 9th annual fundraiser provides support for patient programs, research, prevention and education at MD Anderson, and 100% of funds raised by participants directly advance MD Anderson's mission to end cancer.

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

On Saturday, Nov. 2, put on your favorite pair of boots — cowboy, rain, combat or other — and join thousands across the country for this year's Boot Walk. All ages are welcome to participate. There's fun for the entire family!

Together, we'll give cancer the boot.

Become part of Team Rotary Club of Houston

Donate to Team Rotary Club of Houston

Timeline:

• Registration Opens: 8 a.m.

• Opening Ceremony: 8:40 a.m.

• Walk Start: 9 a.m.

Location:

Texas Medical Center // 6883 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030

Route:

1.2 miles (map and parking details coming soon)

Free Event Day Parking: 

Fannin South Transit Center

1604 West Bellfort Ave., Houston, TX 77054

Free METRORail ride to and from Registration

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.

Come on out and help us put together toiletry bags for our Veterans to be distributed at our Veterans event on November 14th!

There is complementary valet parking or you can park on the 2nd floor.

The Veterans Committee of the Rotary Club of Houston invites you to participate in the “Veterans Day Celebration: Honoring All Who Served Our Country” at the Cloudbreak “Veterans” Community on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.  Our Rotary Club will provide food, beverages, games, and fellowship to our veterans who currently reside at Cloudbreak located at 4640 Main St., Houston, Texas 77002.  Come out and celebrate the military service that these men and women provided to our great country.   Space is limited—so please register on-line.

The Cloudbreak Community is one of several active developments that provides supportive housing for homeless and at-risk veterans in nine cities across five states.  Owned and operated by Cantwell-Anderson, Inc, the Cloudbreak Community in Houston—originally a Days Inn Hotel—has housed nearly 3,000 veterans in transitional and long-term housing since 2003.  The mission at Cloudbreak is to assist “each veteran to overcome life’s obstacles and attain his or her potential through mutuality, dignity and respect for all.” 

If you would like to help support our veterans by donating toiletries and games, click here: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/20L719YD2WJIV

Each Month members of the Rotary Club of Houston sponsors a reception for patients and their families who are staying at Rotary House International. 

Volunteers will chat with participants and share their smiles. A small number of volunteers are needed. 

Point-Counterpoint....Two perspectives from Texas State Representatives about the upcoming legislative sessions.

Rep. DeAyala, Mano - District 133
 

Representative Mano DeAyala represents Texas' House District 133 in West Houston. The district includes Houston's "Energy Corridor" which is home to the global headquarters of several prominent companies within the energy sector and a critical economic hub for Texas. He is currently serving his first session in the Texas House of Representatives. 

In April 2017, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Mano to a six-year term on the board of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice where he serves as the Chair of the Business & Finance Committee and also serves as Trustee of the Windham School District. In July 2020, the United States Trade Representative, Executive Office of the President, appointed Mano to a three-year term as an arbitrator to adjudicate trade disputes under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“USMCA”). 
Mano is a past member of the “C” Club of Houston having served on the executive committee from 2012 through 2021 and as President in 2017. He also served as a Trustee of the Houston Region Business Coalition 2020-2021. Mano has also served on the Board of the Hispanic Leadership Alliance since 2012 and as Chairman from 2017 through 2022.

Mano has previously served on Spring Branch Independent School District’s Finance and Long-Range Planning committees and as a board member of Heritage Ed, a prospective K-8 charter school serving northwest Houston. With the Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association (SBMSA), Mano was a longtime youth football coach and has served as a board member from 2012 through 2022
.
In his professional career, Mano is a senior partner of Buck Keenan LLP. For more than a decade, Mano has been recognized as one of the top Texas Lawyers by Texas Super Lawyers and as one of the top lawyers in the US by Best Lawyers® in America.

Mano received a BBA (Finance) Degree from the University of Texas (McCombs School of Business) in 1988 and his law degree from Southern Methodist University in 1992. 

Mano and his wife of 30 years Melissa reside in west Houston with their three sons, Marcus, Matthew and Mitchell who are all products of Spring Branch ISD.

No meeting due to Thanksgiving holiday.

The Veterans Committee of the Rotary Club of Houston invites you to participate in the “Thanksgiving Day Celebration: Honoring Our Veterans” at the Cloudbreak Veterans Community on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at 11:30 a.m.  Our Rotary Club, with the valued assistance of PDG Bob Gebhard and “Operation Turkey Houston,” will provide and serve a delicious Thanksgiving meal to our veterans who currently reside at Cloudbreak located at 4640 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002.  Come out and share the blessings of Thanksgiving with the men and women who served our great country.   Because this is a service project and not a luncheon, you will have plenty of time to celebrate the holiday with your family.  Space is limited—so please register on-line.

The Cloudbreak Community is one of several active developments that provides supportive housing for homeless and at-risk veterans in nine cities across five states.  Owned and operated by Cantwell-Anderson, Inc, the Cloudbreak Community in Houston—originally a Days Inn Hotel—has housed nearly 3,000 veterans in transitional and long-term housing since 2003.  The mission at Cloudbreak is to assist “each veteran to overcome life’s obstacles and attain his or her potential through mutuality, dignity and respect for all.” 

Join the Rotary Club of Houston in hosting a Christmas celebration at Career and Recovery Resources.

Career and  Recovery Resouces helps people live a life of self-determination and financial competence through behavior and physical wellness, education, worforce development, and affordable housing.

Dr. Stanley Jones is an orthopedic spine surgeon who has an active spine practice in the state of Texas and is a board-certified member of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

Dr. Jones received a B.A. in chemistry from Texas Tech University and an M.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He completed an internship at the University of Utah and an orthopedic residency at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He then served in the U.S. Army as a Captain in the Medical Corps.

Dr. Jones has served as President of the International Intradiscal Therapy Society, President of the Texas Spine Society and previously as Director of Memorial Hermann Hospital Systems Spine Surgery program. He is an active member of the North American Spine Society and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery.

Dr. Jones’ current interests are in the fields of minimally invasive spine surgery and pain management and in the use of adult autologous mesenchymal stem cells for medical benefits to patients.

In 2009, Dr. Jones suffered from a sudden onset of debilitating autoimmune psoriatic arthritis. Although he continued to see patients, his condition prevented him from performing surgery at his full capacity. Dr. Jones located a company in Seoul, South Korea, that had developed a state-of-the-art technology that allowed him to receive the treatment of his own stem cells. Four months after receiving his stem cells, he was able to return to a normal surgery schedule and a life without pain. Dr. Jones is responsible for bringing stem cell technology to Texas from overseas.

Come out for fun and fellowship with your fellow Rotarians!

Inga will be hosting this month.  If you have problems finding the group, give Inga a call or send a text at 346-515-9742.

Supporting cancer research for over 50 years.

http://www.lombardiaward.org

BEAR ... BE A Resource for CPS Kids

The BEAR will provide lunch for participants.

Rotarians will separate gifts by age to create gift bags according to CPS children's wish list.

BEARing Gifts provides holiday gifts to children involved with Child Protective Services who otherwise would have no holiday cheer at all. Over 14,000 children were served with our help last year!

Let's do it again this year! Bring your donation of new, unopened toys to the Warehouse on Thursday December 12th 2024.

*Located at the end of the Brookwood Business Park next to Oaks Dads’ Club (baseball fields). Click here for directions!

Map is attached for the parking lot/baseball field parking.  

Please join members and friends of The Rotary Club of Houston as we participate in our annual “Holiday Wreaths for Veterans” service project on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  For the fifth year now, 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—located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038.  Once again, we are honored to join forces with our fellow Rotarians from across Rotary District 5890.  We will focus our efforts in Section P of the National Cemetery (marked by a green arrow on the attached map), along with any other Sections that may require our assistance.  

Bring your family and friends to this memorable holiday event. 

See the information below from the Wreaths Across America-Houston website: https://waahouston.com/wreath-day-info/.

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.
• 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

Each Month members of the Rotary Club of Houston sponsors a reception for patients and their families who are staying at Rotary House International. 

Volunteers will chat with participants and share their smiles. A small number of volunteers are needed. 

Join the Rotary Club of Houston for our last meeting of the year and welcome Chief J. Noe Diaz 
City of Houston, Chief of Police

Ask the Chief: What challenges are you tackling in your new position? What are the priorities for HPD?  As the holiday season approaches, what should we do to keep our family and friends safe? 

Chief J. Noe Diaz was appointed Chief of Police by Mayor John Whitmire on August 14, 2024. Prior to his current appointment he served as the Chief of Police for the Katy Police Department. 

Chief Diaz began his law enforcement career as a correctional officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice from 1987 to 1994.

Diaz completed the University of Houston-Downtown Police Academy in 1994 and worked for the Harris County Precinct Five Constable’s Office until 1996, when he was selected by the Texas Department of Public Safety to attend DPS Academy A-96. Upon completion of the DPS Academy, Chief Diaz was assigned to the Katy Highway Patrol Office as a Trooper.

In 2001, Diaz was promoted into the Narcotics Division of the State Police and was stationed in Houston, where he was assigned to the Harris County Organized Crime Task Force, HPD, ATF, DEA, and the FBI during his seven years as a Narcotics Sergeant.

In 2008, Chief Diaz was appointed as a Texas Ranger and briefly served in Rio Grande City, until returning to the Houston Office, where he was assigned as the Public Corruption Ranger for Company A (Greater Houston Area) for over ten years, working various high profile public corruption investigations. Chief Diaz was assigned to the FBI Public Corruption Border Task Force as a Task Force Officer and maintained top-secret clearance.

Diaz has over 6,800 Law Enforcement (TCOLE) training hours and earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston- Downtown (100 Club Scholarship Recipient) and a Master of Science in Criminology from Lamar University. He is a graduate of the 263rd FBI National Academy and FBI Texas Command College. Chief Diaz also graduated from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, School of Police Staff and Command in 2024.

He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Texas Police Chief’s Association.

No meeting due to Christmas holiday.

GERRY GROGIN
September 8, 1926 - December 25, 2024

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Rotarian Gerry Grogin, Sep 08 1926-Dec 25 2024.

Gerry joined The Rotary Club of Houston on Dec 16 1964 and took pride in his perfect attendance through those many years. We were all honored to know him and will miss his laughter, wit, and stories. 

Gerry’s funeral is Monday Dec 30 at 2:30 at Emanuel el Memorial Park  8341 Bissonnett.

No meeting due to New Year's holiday week.

John Whitmire

Mayor, City of Houston

Join us at our January 9, 2025 lunch to hear

"A Year in Review and a Look to the Future"

JOIN VIRTUALLY ---> THURSDAY JAN 9 2025

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 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 criminalization 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.

Come on out and join in some winter fun!

Connor Grill will be hosting.  You can reach Connor at 941-920-1858.

Meet at the Ice Rink.  You don't need to skate to join in the fun!

PLEASE NOTE: All tickets must be purchased online. Tickets for general admission will not be available for purchase at the ice rink will-call window.   Purchase Tickets

Each Month members of the Rotary Club of Houston sponsors a reception for patients and their families who are staying at Rotary House International. 

Volunteers will chat with participants and share their smiles. A small number of volunteers are needed. 

Join Virtually ===> January 16, 2025

Kenneth L. Mattox, M.D., is one of the most recognized surgeons around the world. He is Distinguished Service Professor of the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and Chief of Staff/Chief of Surgery at the Ben Taub Hospital, Houston, Texas. He helped develop the internationally renowned Ben Taub General Hospital Emergency Center and its equally respected Trauma Center. His reputation as an innovator in trauma care is worldwide. He has made original and significant contributions in trauma resuscitation, trauma systems, thoracic trauma, vascular injury, autotransfusion, complex abdominal trauma and multi-system trauma. His research in preoperative fluid restriction for penetrating trauma shook the foundation of surgical doctrine in this area. His textbook, Trauma, is an international best seller, now in its 8^th edition, and he is co-editor of the Sabiston’s Textbook of Surgery, recognized throughout the world. He is co-editor of the second edition of Rich’s Vascular Trauma. A fifth book, History of Surgery in Houston, recounts the last 50 years of Houston’s impressive and colorful surgical heritage. He co-authored the unique, international best seller, Top Knife, a practical guide to trauma care, translated into nine foreign languages. He frequently receives emails from physicians in war zones who refer to this “little book” as their Bible in the OR.

Authoring over 600 articles and more than 1,000 abstracts, he has also served on six Editorial Boards and has been an Editorial Reviewer for 15 other journals. He has been a visiting professor or consultant to more than 800 medical schools, hospitals or health care systems throughout the world. For the past eighteen years, he has been Program Director of the Las Vegas Trauma, Critical Care, and Acute Care Surgery Course, the best attended and most acclaimed trauma conference in the world. In 2008, he added the directorship of another international conference to his “docket,” Medical Disaster Response. In its inaugural year, the course sold out. Doctor Mattox is a member of over 30 professional organizations and is Past President of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, Past Secretary-Treasurer of the Michael E. DeBakey International Surgical Society, and Past President of the Houston Surgical Society and Texas Surgical Society. He also served as Vice President of the American College of Surgeons and the American Surgical Association.

Terry R. Lord

Full bio:

Mr. Lord retired from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2004 after serving as a prosecutor in the Criminal Division for almost thirty years.  He began as a Special Attorney in the Organized Crime and Racketeering Section in 1970 serving on Strike Forces in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.  The Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for the Criminal Division named him the Chief of the Las Vegas Strike Force in 1987.  

Selected by the American Political Science Association in 1990 to be a Congressional Fellow, Lord spent a year in the US Senate as a Legislative Assistant to Senator Joe Lieberman (D-I-Conn).  He aided the Senator with legislative hearings in the Governmental Affairs Committee chaired by the late Senator John Glenn (D-Ohio) and Senate floor debate on a variety of bills.  Upon completion of  the one year Senate Fellowship, Lord returned to the DOJ Criminal Division as the Principal Deputy Chief of the General Litigation and Legal Advice Section (GLLAS).  This section, one of the largest in the Division at the time, prosecuted cases involving immigration and customs fraud, industrial health and safety criminal violations, bribery and graft not involving official corruption, Indian affairs, and many other federal offenses.  From 1994 to 1996, Lord was the Acting Chief of GLLAS.

The AAG for the division appointed Lord to be the Chief of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in 1996.  By this time, the use of the internet to distribute child pornography, and to commercially exploit children on a world-wide basis had become a major social and criminal law enforcement issue.  CEOS led national enforcement initiatives against child pornography rings operating throughout the US while working with investigators from federal, state and local agencies.  Attorneys from CEOS trained prosecutors in US Attorney offices, District Attorney offices and even prosecutors around the world in new techniques in the investigation and prosecution of child exploitation offenses. Lord was a member of theInterpol Committee on Crimes against Children and headed a sub-committee on Legal Training.  This Interpol committee organized and conducted training on child exploitation enforcement for investigators and prosecutors throughout the globe.

The Overseas Professional Training and Development Section (OPDAT) of the Criminal Division selected Lord to be the Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) at the US Embassy in Bucharest, Romania.  From 2001 to 2003, Lord assisted the Romanian Ministry of Justice and the Prosecutor-General’s office in establishing new programs to combat human trafficking, organized crime and corruption.  Training seminars and conferences were held in every part of Romania for investigators, prosecutors and judges.  Lord completed his DOJ career as the Acting Regional Director for Central Europe, OPDAT, working in Washington, DC from 2003-2004.  He supervised and directed RLA programs in eleven countries, although a majority of the efforts focused on the Balkans.

Lord now lives in Houston, Texas.  He is a 50 year member of the State Bar of  Texas, Vietnam War veteran and educated at Southern Methodist University (BA-1963) and the University of Texas School of Law (JD-1966).

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Jan 30, 2025 A Magical Ride on the Rotary Express All Club Gala

Feb 4, 2025 Nice Winery Guided Wine Class Experience

Feb 6, 2025 CRISES AND OPPORTUNITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Feb 8, 2025 Heats for Children Festival

Feb 13, 2025 Dr. Brian Butler, Chief of Radiation & Oncologiy

Feb 19, 2025 Rotary House Reception

Feb 20, 2025 Jay Zeidman, Chairman Houston First

NO LUNCHEON TODAY THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2025

Please come next week Thursday February 6, 2025 for David M. Satterfield: Challenges and Opportunities in the Middle East

SAVE THE DATES:

Feb 8 2025 - Hearts for Children Festival
Feb 13 2025 - Dr. Brian Butler, Chief of Radiation & Oncology
Feb 19 2025 - Rotary House Reception
Feb 20 2025 - Jay Zeidman, Chairman Houston First
Feb 27 2025 - Orchids, wildflowers-Houston Botanist Joe Liggio
Mar 6 2025 - Mexico-U.S. Relations Under Trump 2.0

Rotary Club of Houston Social

Nice Winery Guided Wine Class Experience

The Rotary Club of Houston seeks up to 20 volunteers among Club members and their spouse/guest for The 13th Annual Rotary-Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Hearts for Children Festival.  The Adoption Fair introduces children in the state foster care system availalbe for adoption with prosdpective parent(s) who have already completed the process to become an adoptive parent in a fun -filled and relaxed atmosophre.  The Fair will include acitivity and game booths, a DJ, Photo Booth, Charicuture Artisit, Toro the Texans Mascot and lunch.  Rotarians spend time playing games with the children starting at 9:00 AM and help prepare them to interact with prospective parent(s) who begin arriving after 10:00 AM.  

Over the past 12 years over 60 children have been adopted as a resiult of the first meeting at the Festival.

All volunteers must  be at least 18 years of age.

Come out and join us for fellowship and fun!

Inga Hebdon (346-515-9742) and Nick Hosn (817-907-0802) will be co-hosting.

Each Month members of the Rotary Club of Houston sponsors a reception for patients and their families who are staying at Rotary House International. 

Volunteers will chat with participants and share their smiles. A small number of volunteers are needed. 

Jay S. Zeidman is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Altitude Ventures, a healthcare investment firm. Before starting AV, Mr. Zeidman was the Director of Business Development for U.S. Capital Advisors and served as an aide to President George W. Bush at the White House. Mr. Zeidman serves as Chairman of the Board for Houston First Corporation in addition to serving on the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission, UT Health Science Center of Houston, and the Emancipation Park Conservancy. Mr. Zeidman was named to the Houston Business Journal’s “40 under 40” class in 2014. He received his undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science from TCU, where he also served as Student Body President, and his M.B.A. from the Jesse Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University.

Orchids in Houston and Texas? Wildflowers?
Unravel the mystery 

Joe Liggio

From a rare native orchid in Memorial Park and other native Texas Wild Flowers, join Joe Liggio, a Texas botanist and environmental scientist, nature photographer, and writer as he shares his insights and photos.

He and his wife Ann wrote Wild Orchids of Texas published in 1999 by the University of Texas Press. His photos and writing have been published in various magazines, including Texas Highways, Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, Science, Orchids (The bulletin e of American Orchid Society), Earth Magazine, Texas Mushrooms, and the Illustrated Flora of East Texas.

Join Virtually ---> February 27, 2025

SAVE THE DATE

MAR 6, 2025 - MEXICO - U.S. RELATIONS UNDER TRUMP 2.0
MAR 13, 2025 - Downtown Houston+ with Pres/CEO Kris Larson
MAR 20, 2025 - Pickering Energy Partners

Come out and join in the Pickleball craze @ Pickle Lab at the ION!

No experience required.  

$10 per person to pay for court reservation(s).

Outside food and drinks are allowed, but alcoholic beverages and glass containers are prohibited.

For parking info:  https://iondistrict.com/visit/getting-here/

Call Connor for questions:  941-920-1858