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

Discussion Topics:

• Immigration Issues
• Fentanyl
• Trade
• Diplomatic-Political Relations

​

Tony Payan
Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies
Director, Center for the U.S. and Mexico

Biography

Tony Payan, Ph.D., is the Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and the executive director of the Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. He is also a professor of social sciences at the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, where he directed the Social Science Doctorate Program from 2009 to 2012. From 2001 to 2015, Payan was a professor of political science at The University of Texas at El Paso.

Payan’s research focuses on border studies, particularly the U.S.-Mexico border. He examines daily life in liminal spaces, cross-border flows—both legal and illegal—and border governance issues. He also explores various topics affecting the U.S.-Mexico relationship.

He has authored, co-authored, or edited nearly 20 volumes on his research, in addition to numerous book chapters, monographs, white papers, issue briefs, and journal articles. Payan has served on several boards, including the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority, the Cross-border Relations Committee in El Paso, Texas, and the Plan Estratégico de Juárez in Ciudad Juárez. He is a member of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Immigration Advisory Committee and previously served on its Mexico Energy Task Force. He was president of the Association of Borderlands Studies from 2009 to 2010 and has been involved with multiple journal editorial boards.

Payan earned a B.A. in philosophy and classical languages and an MBA from the University of Dallas. He received a doctorate in international relations from Georgetown University in 2001.

Charles Foster
Chairman of Foster LLP

Biography

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.

Charles has dedicated much of his career to the improvement of his community. He served as senior immigration policy advisor to President George W. Bush in the 2000 and 2004 Presidential campaigns and as an immigration policy advisor to Barack Obama in the 2008 campaign. He has testified before both U.S. Senate and House subcommittees on immigration matters. He is the founding Chairman of the Immigration & Nationality Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and has previously served as Chairman of the Governor’s Task Force on Immigration, the Greater Houston Partnership’s Economic Development Advisory Committee and World Trade Division, the American Bar Association’s Coordinating Committee on Immigration Law, and the State Bar of Texas Committee on Laws Relating to Immigration and Nationality and is past National President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Houston Forum and the Houston Club and Board member of Ripley / Baker.

Dust off your boots, Put on your hat, and join us for Rotary Night at the Rodeo. Tuesday, 11th March. Get Your Tickets Today...Limit 125 Seats Available CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

WATCH all the fun to be had with BBQ Dinner pre-show and Rodeo Seats with your fellow Rotarians in Section 522.

Have more questions about the event, please contact Event Coordinator, Genevieve Rowland at genevieve@rowland-properties.com

KRISTOPHER LARSON, AICP, LPM

President and CEO

Downtown Houston+

Kristopher Larson is President and CEO of Downtown Houston+ (DTH+) – the non-profit group responsible for providing the thought leadership, long-term planning and implementation of the redevelopment and revitalization of Downtown Houston for nearly 40 years – and its affiliate organizations, the Houston Downtown Management District (HDMD) and the Downtown Redevelopment Authority (DRA).

The HDMD and DRA are special assessment and tax increment districts, respectively, and combine to form one of the largest place management organizations in North America, collectively raising and investing $50M annually in advancing and improving Downtown Houston.

Touting two decades of leadership experience in cities across the nation, Larson is an award-winning urbanist whose career has been defined through his positive impacts on making cityscapes more vibrant places to live, work and play. His vast experience in urban place management, urban design and economic development gives him a unique voice in describing how the confluence of marketplace dynamics, architecture and the public realm can translate into defining placemaking experiences.

Prior to joining DTH+, Larson held positions on both the public and private sides of community leadership across the country, serving as President & CEO for three comparable organizations in Los Angeles, CA, Raleigh, NC, and Grand Rapids, MI, where he led both business improvement and tax increment finance districts.

He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the International Downtown Association (IDA) – where has been the recipient of four Pinnacle Awards in the categories of Leadership, Planning, Advocacy and Marketing – and is a certified Leader in Place Management (LPM) and member of American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Larson was twice honored with the coveted “Top 40 Under 40” in Long Beach, CA and Grand Rapids, MI, and was named as one of 2023’s Top 100 Texas leaders by the Houston Business Journal.  He holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from North Carolina State University and was a Daniel Rose Fellow through the Rose Center for Public Leadership, a collaboration between the Urban Land Institute and the National League of Cities. Larson lives on Allen Parkway, adjacent to the Buffalo Bayou, where he enjoys long runs along the Bayou’s world class trails.

Come out for fellowship and fun!

We are pivoting on dates this month because Rotary Night at the Rodeo is March 11th (second Tuesday).

Hope you can join us!

Call or text Karen with any question at 713-858-6115.

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. 

Angela Blanchard
Chief Recovery and Resilience Officer
City of Houston

Angela is known locally, nationally and internationally as a well-respected thought leader, expert practitioner, educator and speaker.  She currently serves as the Chief Recovery and Resilience Officer for the City of Houston as part of Mayor Whitmire’s executive leadership team. 

Blanchard’s proven track record for revitalizing neighborhoods and leveraging diversity stems from her unique approach: building on strengths rather than focusing on deficits; empowering people to maximize their skills and talents; and operating a nonprofit with the efficiency and innovation of a major corporation. Her highly successful framework for community development, Appreciative Community Building, has been a catalyst for neighborhood investment and transformation. She works with leaders in cities around the world as they address complex challenges in communities undergoing upheaval.

Blanchard’s breakthrough achievements in community development and disaster have received numerous accolades: elite awards from top institutions, three invitations to the Obama White House, and extensive press coverage including the New York Times, Places Journal, Wall Street Journal, CNN, The Washington Post, Yahoo News, NPR, Fast Company, The Houston Chronicle, and BBC among many others.

Angela Blanchard is a visionary leader for evolutionary change. For more than 30 years, she was the driving force behind a highly acclaimed nonprofit organization that has impacted and transformed neighborhoods across the Greater Houston. BakerRipley a leader in the community development sector brings resources, education and connection to more than half a million hardworking residents to keep the region a place of welcome and opportunity.

Please join us as we learn more about the City’s plans for our community resilience and response natural, human-made, and weather disasters. 

A Couple of volunters are needed to join us at Interfaith Ministries for a service project for our Interact Club students that attend the Houston Academy for International Studies.  The students will take the bus from HAIS to IM when school ends at 3:30 and will arrive by 3:45.  Their parents will pick them up at 5:00 PM.  A special educational workshop and project is planned for this time.  

At this hour the entry gate will be at 1111 Stuart Street which is between Fannin and San Jacinto.  Volunteers can drive up toward the building and park there.  

On Thursday, April 3rd the Rotary Club of Houston lunch speaker at Tony's Restaurant, 3755 Richmond Rd is Kevin Lilly who leads the TABC (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission). Since 1935 their charter has included keeping organized crime out of Texas. I’m sure our speaker will tell us about a recent event in Houston that might be surprising. Interesting  activities are happening here. What about organized human trafficking? 

Kevin J. Lilly

Kevin J. Lilly has served as Chairman of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission since 2017. He was a Founding Partner of Avalon Advisors, the largest privately owned wealth management firm in Texas. In 2023, Avalon merged with CI Financial, the nation’s largest independent wealth advisory firm, now known as Corient. Mr. Lilly currently serves as Vice Chairman of Corient.

Prior to founding Avalon in 2001, Lilly spent 11 years in the investment banking industry, beginning his career in the Sales and Trading division of Goldman Sachs. Lilly worked for Goldman Sachs both

in New York and Houston.

Lilly was commissioned as a Lieutenant (Cavalry) in the U.S. Army via ROTC at The University of Texas at Austin. He served as a tank platoon leader and tank battalion staff officer and had one overseas deployment. Lilly left federal service as a Captain. He was appointed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2009 to serve as a Regent of the Texas State University System, serving on the Finance and Audit Committee, as well as serving as Chairman of the Texas State University System Foundation Board until 2015. Lilly has published articles on project finance and military tactics.

In addition, Lilly has served as a board member and trustee for several organizations, including the Houston Symphony, Houston Museum of Natural Science, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Houston Methodist Hospital Academic Institute, and Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in Houston. He currently serves as a Colonel in the Texas State Guard and commanded the 8th Regiment during Hurricane Harvey. Lilly currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Southwestern University in Georgetown. He has a bachelor's degree, BBA, from the University of Texas’ McCombs School and a master's degree, MBA, from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business. He resides in Houston and is married with three children.

Lilly’s term as Chairman is set to expire on Nov. 15, 2027

Come on out for fellowship and fun!

Call/Text Karen with any questions at 713-858-6115.

Since 1986, the Rotary Club of Houston has proudly sponsored Camp Enterprise, an immersive business training experience for 80 Greater Houston high school juniors.

Every year, 80 students are provided with all-expenses-paid transportation to the beautiful Camp Allen in Navasota, TX, along with accommodation, meals, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience they will never forget! Additionally, thousands of dollars in college scholarships are awarded each year.

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. 

Mike Miles was appointed Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District on June 1, 2023 and left his position as the CEO of Third Future Schools, a network of high-quality public schools in Colorado and Texas that he founded in 2016.

Prior to his latest work, Mike served three years as the Superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District and six years as the Superintendent of the Harrison School District in Colorado Springs. Under his leadership, both districts implemented ground-breaking initiatives, established a high-performance culture, and experienced significant growth in student achievement.

Mike has also served the public interest as a soldier and statesman. He served as a Company Commander and in the Army’s elite Ranger Battalion. Mike later served in the U.S. State Department as a Soviet analyst and member of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. He then served as a Diplomat to Poland and Russia at the end of the Cold War.

Mike holds degrees from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the University of California at Berkeley, and Columbia University.

Join the Rotary Club of Houston for our Annual tradition of assembling 50 Easter Baskets for the Salvation Army Woman and Family Residence.  

The Club provides the Baskets, grass and cellophane bags.  

All Club members participating in the Event are asked to bring 50 of one or more of the items liseted below to put in the baskets.  

• Plastic Eggs
• Candy
• Little stickers or coloring booklets
• stickers
• fun pencils or pens
• small size toys or keychain games
• small size bubbles

Join Rotarians and their guests from across District 5890 on the Party Deck at Daiken Park for Rotary Night at the Ballpark.  Watch the Houston Astros take on the Detroit Tigers in style.  

$65 per person ticket cost will include a $20 Food Credit.  

Registration details to come

History has a new home, Battleship Texas coming to Galveston
Presented by Tony Gregory, President, Battleship Texas Foundation

Anthony K. (Tony) Gregory 

After growing up in Houston, and attending Lamar High School, Mr. Gregory attended Stanford University, where he graduated in 1970 with a degree in history.  After working in various construction industry jobs, he entered University of Texas Architecture School, graduating in 1976 with a specialty in historic preservation.  For a number of years, he worked in architecture/development/construction roles.  In 1992, leaving the construction industry behind, he founded Cornerstone Automotive, an independent automotive repair shop.  He and his wife went on to build and operate 7 shops across Texas.  The first 3 shops were in Houston, and have now been sold.  The remaining 4 shops are located in San Antonio, Temple, and Round Rock.

Following in his mother’s and grandfather’s footsteps, Mr. Gregory joined the Battleship Texas Foundation as a Board member in 2005.  In 2009, he assumed the role of Chairman of the Board.  In 2019, after receiving a substantial grant from the Texas Legislature to restore the ship, he became the President and CEO.  This lateral move allowed him to spend more time managing the repair/restoration project.

Under his leadership the Foundation successfully moved the USS Texas from San Jacinto State Park to a dry dock at Gulf Copper Shipyard in Galveston in 2022.  The hull has been replaced/repaired and is now substantially water tight. The ship remains in the shipyard, where the topside repairs have just been completed; work on the second deck has started.  Public spaces on the ship will be ready in the fall of 2025.  

Recently, the Port of Galveston approved Pier 15 for a permanent new home port for the TEXAS. This location, which is between two new cruise terminals, will provide great exposure to the millions of Galveston tourists.  The goal is to be at the Pier 15 location by Q1/Q2 of 2026.  

Additionally, the Foundation has operated successfully since 2019 with no every day ticket revenue.  Revenue comes from donations, events, and on-line sales. 

Join Virtually ---> May 8, 2025

Come out for fellowship and fun!

Call/Text Karen at 713-858-6115 with any questions.

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. 

William M. Taggart IV has spent over 35 years working on major projects in deepwater oil/gas, shale oil, copper mining, and refineries.  He is recognized as a subject matter expert on systems that control industrial applications and protect personnel, equipment, and the environment from those industrial processes.  He took those skills and wrote "Fixing America:  An Engineer's Solution to our Social Cultural and Political Problems".  A book that Kirkus Reviews called "A timely, level-headed analysis of America's most polarizing political issues."  This book takes America's problems and analyzes them with a nonpartisan, factual, data-driven approach to reach simple solutions that can be implemented.  The book invites a discussion of the issues that America is grappling with.

You are invited to come be part of our last Fun on the Fifth (Thursday) event for the 2024 - 2025 Rotary year at Paul and Bernice's home. 

We (or rather Paul) will be firing up the grill with all your favorites - hamburgers, hot dogs and all the sides.

Bring your appetite and feel free to bring a dessert (optional, but appreciated)!

Come out for fun and fellowship!

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

Avalyn Castillo Langemeier 
Foster Global, Partner

Immigration update for friends and family-This presentation will enlighten and surprise you with news you can use immediately especially for traveling domestically and internationally this summer. 
 

Avalyn Castillo Langemeier is a partner at Foster LLP’s Houston office and is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She has been recognized by Who’s Who Legal: Corporate Immigration, Best Lawyers in America, The Legal 500 Next Generation Partners, and Lawdragon 100 Leading Immigration Lawyers. She also was recognized by Texas Executive Women as a Woman on the Move and by Houston Women’s Magazine as One of 50 Houston Influential Women in 2023.  Avalyn focuses her practice on business and employment immigration and compliance, including visas, permanent residence, and Form I-9 compliance. She is a frequent speaker on immigration.

As we prepare to embark on an exciting new Rotary year together, I want to again extend my heartfelt congratulations and sincere gratitude to each of you for stepping into these vital leadership roles.

I’m truly inspired by the plans already taking shape for the year ahead, and I look forward to building on the strong momentum we’ve gained over the past years. The continued success of our club depends on all of us working together, supporting one another, and staying committed to the values and mission of Rotary as exemplified in the Four-Way Test.

Our first step forward will be the Strategic Planning Session, scheduled ahead of the July 1st start to our Rotary year.  

Thank you again for your dedication and service. I’m excited about what we’ll accomplish together.

Come out for fellowship and fun!

Text/Call Karen with any questions 713-858-6115.

2025 - 2026 Officers

President—Joel Levine
Past President—Karen Sotallaro
President Elect—Tom Vann
Secretary—Kate Gabriele
Treasurer—Dillon Burr
Treasurer Elect—Shahla Mohammad-Hosseini
Sergeant-At-Arms—Connor Grill

2023 - 2026 Directors

Dick Kuriger

2024 - 2027 Directors

Mike Dougherty
Chuck Finnell
Inga Hebdon

2025 - 2028 Directors

Martin Cominsky
Nick Hosn
Jennifer Hudson

Director At Large

Jeff Tallas
 

Full course buffet dinner including Filet Mignon and Lemon Chicken, Appetizer, Salad, Sides, Dessert, Beverages,Coffee and Tea

Cash Bar

Business Casual Attire

We are supporting BEAR (BE A Resource for CPS Kids) Back to School.  

Please bring school supplies ( pencils, pens, paper, notebooks, folders , binders, erasures, glue sticks, etc, ).  

BEAR will have drop boxes for BEAR Back to School at the Installation.  

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. 

Rotary Club of Houston Final Meeting of the 2024 - 2025 Rotary Year

As we close out a successful and impactful Rotary year, we invite all members (and guests) to join us for a special final meeting dedicated to reflection, recognition, and celebration.

Program Highlights:

Year in Review:  A look back at the major accomplishments, service projects, guest speakers, and moments that defined the 2024 - 2025 Rotary year.

Member Recognition & Awards:  Honoring Outstanding Rotarians whose dedication and service exemplify Rotary's values.  

Special Thanks:  Expressions of gratitute to our outgoing officers and board members for their leadership, and a warm welcome to our incoming leadership for 2025 - 2026.

Join us as we celebrate all that we have acheived together and look ahead to another inspiritng year of SERVICE ABOVE SELF.

No Meeting - Several of us will be in Calgary for the Rotary International Convention.

NO MEETING

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE 4TH OF JULY!

Come out for fellowship and fun!

Call/text Karen at 713-858-6115 with any questions.