May EWI of Houston Monthly Newsletter ewihouston.org PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Happy May to everyone. I feel like May is always a busy time of year for most people. There are graduations, end of the school year events, and summer planning. For me personally, I have 3 destination weddings - - - all this month. I am very blessed to be able to attend each of these joyous celebrations, but there is always a considerable amount planning to go into attending these events, especially when they are out of town. As a friendly reminder, I will not be at the May Monthly meeting but you all will have a wonderful meeting with Rebekah taking practice at the podium. We just wrapped up our biggest event of the Year: Executives’ Night. This year my focus was all about making dreams come true. With the help of our Fundraising Director, Margo Faulkner, representing Sewell Automotive Companies, and her committee, along with Executive’s Night Chair, Tracey Ramsey, 2018-2019 representing The Visa Team and her committee and the entire Officers & Directors Membership, we were able to make many dreams come true President because we raised a total of…. $134,390! WOW! I am so Jessica Witek Sebesta overjoyed and blown away by all the tremendous work and Topgolf Houston—Spring generous donations that went in to making this year a huge Jessica Sebesta President Elect success. Rebekah Wesley Topgolf -Spring Jackson and Company My goal for this year was to at least make sure we raised Secretary $50,000 to match Schlumberger’s generous match donation, and we were able to do Michelle Lang Let It Fly Events that and much more. I am so thankful for each of you and to each of those that contributed to our Business/Career/Development/Programs. Next year’s Leadership Treasurer Sandy Gracia team will be able to make even more contributions to our community. Houston First Corporation The fun does not stop there. On May 22nd we will have our first Ready Rally Communications Candice Sanchez partnering with the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation at Housman Elementary. The Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Philanthropy Committee was able to donate $5,000 to this partnership to provide the Director-at-Large K-5th graders of Housman Elementary books for their continued education all year B/C/DP long. The Philanthropy Committee also donated an additional 500+ books to those Shari Schiffman John Daugherty, Realtors students as well. We hope that you will be available to take part in this exciting event on May 22nd with us. Fundraising Margo Faulkner We also are in full swing with our Scholarship applicants. Judges interviews and video Sewell Automotive Companies interviews will take place this month as well. Membership Carole Pitts Each of you should soak in the fact that you have all played a vital part in the future of John Daugherty, Realtors these children, young adults, and adult’s. How great is it that we all have had a Program significant impact in shaping each of their educational journey. I am so blessed to be a Dell Rosepink Hilton Houston Post Oak by the part of this organization and could not be more thankful for each of your contributions Galleria to making all this possible. Sergeant-at-Arms Elisa Garcia “If you can dream it, you can do it.” – Walt Disney Houston First Corporation Happy Summer Everyone! ~ Jessica INSIDE THIS ISSUE President’s Message 1 Meeting Invite 10 Vision & Goals 18 Calendar of Events 4 Announcements 14 Board of Directors & Advisors 19 Birthdays & Anniversaries 5 Professional Development 15 Leadership Team 20 April Meeting Recap 6 Firm Spotlight 16 1 | Page ewihouston.org Thank you! All funds raised on and for Executive Appreciation Night goes directly to the EWI Business/Career/Development/Program which funds our Scholarship Programs and Literacy Initiatives A Heart-Felt and Sincere Thank You for Your Generosity Auctioneer Scott Droddy Auction Company Meeting Sponsor The Ballroom at Bayou Place Moving and Set Up of Auction Items Atlantic Relocation Systems Photography David Jones, D. Jones Photography On behalf of our future EWISP and ASIST winners, thank you for your generous monetary donation: Amegy Bank Marty Moore Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Carolyn Noack Francine Azinger Pearce Industries, INC Rebecca Bartholomew LaTonya Perez Bud Light/ Silver Eagle Distributors Erica Perez Stephanie Cleary Linda Petticrew Kedrienne Day Lily Portales Thomas Edwards Chanel Quinn Kim Ehmer Sheridan Rampaul EOG Resources Bari Ross Cheryl Fama Candice Sanchez Darcy Fleeman Schlumberger Limited Allen M. Gelwick Jessica Sebesta H-E-B Skerl & Associates Hilcorp Energy Company Mary Speltz Houston First Corporation James Venditto Craig and Stephanie Howard Delynn Walker Virginia Iloff Mary Wilson John Daugherty, Realtors Jeanette Woods Paul Kilian Lockton Companies, LLC Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty Thank you! The Fundraising and Executive Night Committees extend their gratitude to the following firms and individuals for their contributions of auction items to our Business/Career/Development/Programs à bientôt Jackson and Company Aeromexico Jordan Capital Management Alley Theatre Kendra Scott– Rice Village Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Landry’s Astros Foundation Las Terrazas Resort and Residences The Ballroom at Bayou Place Let It Fly Events, L.P. Kay and Louis Bart Lockwood, Andrews & Newman Inc. BCDP Committee Martha Turner Sotheby’s Brenda Bishop International Realty Milton Carroll Martin Preferred Foods Communications Committee Membership Committee ConocoPhillips MetalFab D. Jones Photography MetroMarketing Services, Inc. EWI of Houston Leadership Team- MMCarroll & Associates Fundraising/Executive Night Phillips 66 Committees Program Committee Allen M. Gelwick Schlumberger Limited GGT Worldwide Jessica Sebesta H-E-B Sewell Automotive Companies Hilcorp Energy Company Patti and Tom Strawther Hilton Americas Houston The St. Regis Houston Hilton Houston Post Oak Sugar Land Skeeters by the Galleria The Rose Hotel Alessandra Tres Chic Houston Dynamo Michele Votano Houston SaberCats May EWI of Houston Monthly Newsletter ewihouston.org EWI Corporate Calendar of Events May 14 EWI Webinar Watering Weeds, but Expecting Flowers Presenter: Dwight Bailey, Owner / President HelicalWork, Inc. EWI of Houston Calendar of Events May 9 Chapter Meeting Courtyard/Residence Inn/SpringHill Suites Downtown Houston 914 Dallas St., Houston, TX 77002 May 15 Board Meeting Anadarko Petroleum Corporation 609 Main Street, Suite 3550, Houston, TX 77002 June 13 Chapter Business Meeting Hilton Houston Post Oak 2001 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77056 As a courtesy, please remember to RSVP to monthly meetings, EVEN IF you are NOT attending. You can host a table at a Monthly meeting at no extra charge. If you are not receiving the RSVP emails please reach out to SAA Elisa Garcia at [email protected] 4 | Page May EWI of Houston Monthly Newsletter ewihouston.org Birthdays and Anniversaries MAY Elizabeth Norwood May 3 Lisa Krumm Anhaiser—LBL Event Rentals May 13 Kay Bart—Skerl & Associates May 18 The Plaza Group 1 year Let It Fly Events, L.P. 10 years Lexis Florist 10 years Hilcorp Energy Company 12 years CIMA ENERGY, LTD. 14 years Sullivan Group 16 years Skerl & Associates 18 years 5 | Page May EWI of Houston Monthly Newsletter ewihouston.org MARCH MEETING RECAP Submitted by Linda Petticrew, representing Shell Energy Resources Company What a magical evening. For me it was more special because my daughter came with me to share the evening. The Ballroom at Bayou Place was decorated beautifully. The delicious hors d’oeuvres were being passed and the bar was making their signature drinks. There were so many great auction items that is was hard to decide what to bid on and you had to keep up with your bidding because there were individuals out there that were so quick on the bidding. There were also several items you could buy raffle ticket for a chance to win. Our President, Jessica Sebesta announced that before tonight we have raised over $50,000 in monetary donations. This means that the donation match last year from Schlumberger of $50,000 has officially been achieved. THANK YOU Schlumberger!!! Jessica announced all the great philanthropy events we have already done and a few that are left to do this year. The evening got off to a great start, Craig Howard, an owner of The Ballroom a Bayou Place came to the stage to thank everyone who has supported them and used their ballroom for their events within the last year. He announced that he and his wife Stephanie would be donating $5,000 to the EWI of Houston. EWI Executive’s Dr. Raphael Moffett, representing Texas Southern University to give our invocation, then everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner. The dinner was so delicious, what a great combo with braised short ribs and grilled shrimp and a hard choice triple chocolate mousse cake or homemade bread budding. An EWI of Houston ASIST Scholarship winner in 2018, Braxton Smith spoke and told us what is The First Law Student that we have awarded a scholarship to. He attends SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW Houston where he currently has a 4.0 GPA this semester while working 14-16 hour days. He recently finished an internship at the Felony Division of the Houston District Attorney's Office. Braxton will graduate Magnum Cum Laude in May and he has just been published and will be taking the bar this July. Congratulations, Braxton! Next we had new Executive to new member firm, The University of Houston- Downtown speak to us. Johanna Wolfe joined University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) as Vice President for Advancement and University Relations in 2010. Johanna is responsible for fundraising and alumni relations, and provides leadership for marketing and communica- tions operations. She leads an organization of 25 employees, and has successfully led the advancement team to exceed the goal for the UHD Here, We Go campaign – a component of the UH System’s billion dollar campaign – more than 18 months ahead of schedule.