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.

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE 4TH OF JULY!

Come out for fellowship and fun!

There will be an area inside downstairs reserved for the Rotary Club of Houston.

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

New News....Invite your friends to join you to learn about our club. Networking is encouraged so bring your business cards, or phones if you are paper free.  Learn about multi club monthly Rotary Means Business evening meetings. 

We will review goals for the years, introduce committee chairs to discuss their committees and how members can get involved, and hear your suggestions for service projects, 5th Thursday Social locations, and speakers. 

Have a talent to share at Rotary House? Curious how to get involved with The 52nd Lombardi Award? 
 

Get ready to share the Magic!

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. 

Chris Canetti
President, Houston 2026 World Cup Host Committee

Chris Canetti is President of the Houston 2026 World Cup Host Committee and oversees the city’s plans to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Prior to his current role, Canetti served as President of the Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee and led the successful effort to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to Houston. Houston was named a FIFA World Cup host city in June of 2022 after a four-year bidding process.

He took on the World Cup Bid Committee role in 2019 after working 19 seasons as an executive in Major League Soccer.

Canetti was with the Houston Dynamo for 13 years and served as club President for eight years. When he stepped down in October 2018, he was the longest tenured club President in Major League Soccer. He joined the Dynamo in its inaugural season of 2006 as the team’s Chief Operating Officer and was promoted to President in 2010. 

He was a part of three championships with the Dynamo, including two MLS Cup titles and one U.S. Open Cup title. During his tenure, the Dynamo made eight playoff appearances, including trips to seven Conference Finals and four MLS Cup Finals.

Canetti has been on the Houston sports scene for more than 19 years and has established a positive reputation locally and nationally. He was listed on the Sports Illustrated 2013 ranking of the “Top 50 Most Powerful People in U.S. Soccer” by Grant Wahl. He was given Honorable Mention by the Houston Chronicle on the “2019 List of Houston’s Top 10 Most Important Sports Figures” and on the “Top 10 Houston Coaches and Executives for Teams of the Decade.”He was also Named “No. 1 Most Powerful Person in Houston” by AXIOS Houston in 2022 and Honorable mention by Houston Chronicle on 2023 List of “Houston’s Top 10 Most Influential Sports Figures”.

Canetti managed the public-private development of Shell Energy Stadium, a state-of-the art venue that opened in 2012. Since then, the stadium has hosted a variety of great events, from Dynamo games to international soccer, rugby, lacrosse, football, and concerts - including hitshows like Ed Sheeran and Kenny Chesney.  He oversaw the 2010 MLS All-Star Game at NRG Stadium that featured Manchester Unitedand attracted a sellout crowd of 70,000 people, making it the fifth-most attended All-Star game in U.S. history at the time.  Canetti’s was responsible for creating the Houston Dash, the city’s professional women’s soccer team.

Canetti serves on or has served on multiple non-profit boards, including the Greater Houston Boys & Girls Clubs, Central Houston, Inc, Dynamo Charities, Greater Houston Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, and the East End Chamber of Commerce. Over the years, he has led several community initiatives in and around Houston.  He has received numerous honors including the Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Awardand MLS Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year Award. He was honored by the American Diabetes Association with the Houston Chapter’s “Generosity to Mankind Award.”  His most notable community work was in 2013 when he led the efforts to support Newtown, CTafter the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. Canetti organized “Soccer Night in Newtown” which drew global soccer stars such as Landon Donovan and Mia Hamm and brought together the North American soccer community to provide hope and healing for the town. Canetti remained active in the Newtown community, and, in 2014, he was a recipient of the Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award.

Canetti also spearheaded the Dynamo’s efforts to support first responders by recognizing members of the Newtown, CT and Boston, MA Police Departments after tragedies in its communities. He also led an initiative to support the Houston Fire Department after they lost four members of their squad in a 2013 fire.  Under his leadership, the Dynamo organization contributed to the community’s response after the Hurricane Harvey disaster in 2017. Shell Energy Stadium served as a drop off and distribution point for vital supplies, and the club organized two charitable matches that raised funds for the relief efforts.

He also assisted the Santa Fe (TX) community after a tragic school shooting in 2018, working with a group of Santa Fe High School students to help launch a non-profit organization called Hearts United for Kindness.

Prior to joining the Dynamo, Canetti served as the Assistant General Manager for the New York Red Bulls of MLS. He joined the New York organization in 2000 when it was called the NY/NJ MetroStars. He spent six years with the team in various roles, including Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations.

Ironically, Canetti’s first love was baseball, which he played growing up and in college. After graduation from Quinnipiac University (Hamden, CT) in 1992, he spent six years working with the New Haven Ravens, a Double-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Seattle Mariners and Colorado Rockies – the last three as the team’s General Manager. He was just 26 when he was promoted to GM, making him the youngest GM in baseball.

Prior to joining the Ravens, Canetti was an Associate Sports Editor for the Shoreline Times in Guilford, CT. He received his bachelor’s degree from Quinnipiac and was a four-year letterman for the Bobcats’ baseball team.

He lives in the Houston-area with his wife, Judi, and daughters Kara and Ella.

Join Virtually ---> July 17, 2025

Chief Thomas Muñoz

Houston Fire Department 

Mayor John Whitmire has appointed Thomas Muñoz as the chief of the Houston Fire Department. Muñoz, who retired from HFD as an Assistant Chief, most recently served as the City's Emergency Management Coordinator and the acting Director for the Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Muñoz is a member of FEMA's National Advisory Council and has more than 29 years of experience as a first responder and emergency manager. During his 24 years with

the Houston Fire Department, Muñoz oversaw Homeland Security, Public Affairs, and HAZMAT. Muñoz completed the Executive Leadership and Management Certification

from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business and is a Homeland Security Executive Leadership Program graduate from the Naval Postgraduate School.

He also completed the Component National Security Course at the National Defense University in Washington, DC.

After retiring from HFD, he served as the Emergency Manager and Homeland Security Director for Texas City before re-joining the City of Houston as Emergency Management Coordinator with the Office of Emergency Management.

Muñoz also retired as Commander from the United States Coast Guard (Reserve) after 21 years of service. While in the United States Coast Guard, he served as the Deputy Incident Commander for the New Orleans Vessel Removal Projects, the Texas City YSpill Liaison, and the Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer during Hurricane Maria in San Juan, PR. In 2007, Muñoz received the Captain Edward R. Williams United States Coast Guard Reserve Award for Excellence. He is also the recipient of five USCG Commendation Medals.

Muñoz holds a Master's degree in Emergency Management and a Master's degree in Homeland Security from American Military University and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Crisis Communications from Texas Tech University. He received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Houston.

Chief Muñoz succeeds Chief Samuel Peña and will be the department's 37th chief since 1895, when the department became non-volunteer. The City of Houston thanks Chief

Pena for his years of dedicated service to the Houston Fire Department.

Tom Kelchner
2025-2026 District Governor

Join the Harrisburg Rotary, Houston Heights Rotary & Rotary Club of Houston to hear Rotary District 5890 Governor present plans and answer your questions. 
 

From his grandfather to charismatic President John F. Kennedy, Tom Kelchner takes inspiration from personal and global leaders. The common denominators among his heroes were their altruistic and modestly humble approach to the world. Actions speak louder than words. He has shown his belief in big action with big rewards throughout his career.

Come out for fellowship and fun with the Rotary Club of Houston!

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

Join us to meet Anthony Graves who will present his compelling story of 18 years on death row in Texas before being exonerated. 

Anthony Charles Graves  (born August 29, 1965) is a nationally recognized criminal justice reform advocate, author, and the 138th person exonerated from death row in the United States. Wrongfully convicted at age 26 for a crime he did not commit, Anthony spent 18 and a half years behind bars—12 of those years in solitary confinement on Texas death row—before his conviction was overturned and he was fully exonerated in 2010. His story, marked by resilience and the pursuit of justice, has become a touchstone for reform efforts nationwide.

Following his exoneration, Anthony transformed his trauma into purpose. He is the president and founder of the Peer Navigator Project—an innovative initiative that trains formerly incarcerated individuals to serve as expert partners to criminal defense attorneys and as mentors for returning citizens. Through this program, Peer Navigators are equipped to work alongside legal teams and to support individuals reentering society, providing mentorship and guidance during the crucial first 18 months of freedom. The Peer Navigator Project stands as a model for holistic, lived-experience-driven advocacy and reentry support, with a proven track record of reducing recidivism and improving outcomes for justice-involved individuals.

Anthony’s impact extends beyond direct service. His Emmy Award-winning documentary,  Grave Injustice, chronicles his journey and exposes the systemic failures that lead to wrongful convictions, sparking national dialogue and legislative scrutiny. As a sought-after public speaker and consultant, Anthony has testified before the U.S. Senate, contributed to policy reforms, and educated legal professionals on the realities of wrongful conviction and the urgent need for systemic change.

Currently, Anthony serves as Director of Community Outreach at the Harris County Public Defender’s Office, where he leads efforts to build bridges between the legal system and the communities it serves. In this capacity, he continues to champion the integration of lived experience into defense strategy and reentry programming, ensuring that justice is not only served but also restored.

Born and raised in Brenham, Texas, Anthony is the eldest of five siblings and a proud father of three. His life’s work embodies resilience, hope, and the unwavering belief that justice must be accessible and fair for all. Through his leadership, advocacy, and storytelling, Anthony Graves remains a powerful force for change in the American criminal justice system.

A glimpse of LBJ will include a presentation by LBJ Population Health about Food is Medicine followed by a tour of Food Farmacy and an opportunity to prepare a few food bags for patients from 11:30 am -1:00 pm.  The day will end with a tour of LBJ hospital from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm.

Food Farmacy 

Join us on Thursday, September 4, 2025 to hear Dick speak about Defending the Undefendable. His work is legendary. 
 

Dick DeGuerin

Dick is a lawyer who got his start as an Assistant District Attorney in Houston in 1965, putting people in jail, but since 1968 has practiced criminal defense in Houston and around the country, getting people out of jail. In other words, he has fully recovered from being a prosecutor.
 

After working with famed defense lawyer Percy Foreman, Dick formed his own firm, DeGuerin and Dickson in 1982.  He has defended a wide variety of high profile clients, from judges, politicians, and celebrities to just plain folks accused of everything from murder to prostitution. He represented David Koresh during the siege in Waco, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Congressman Tom DeLay, Billionaire Robert Durst, and other newsworthy folks, as well as many less noted cases. Most recently he was lead counsel for the inpeachment Trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Senate. He came in second. Dick maintains his primary office in Houston and is Of Counsel with Liz Rogers and Shane O'Neill in Alpine.  
 

In addition to his active practice, Mr DeGuerin has been an adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Texas School of Law in Austin since 1994.  He is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, as well as other professional organizations.