Events

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. 

TBD

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.

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!