THE CHALLENGERS You know those running for re-election to Congress. Now meet some of the challengers: Candidate: Sri Preston Kulkarni of Houston, Democrat Seat: District 22 congressional seat held by Republican Pete Olson of Sugar Land Occupation: Diplomat in U.S. Foreign Service for 14 years, serving in Russia, Jamaica, Iraq, Israel and Taiwan; most recently served as a foreign policy and defense advisor on Capitol Hill, assisting Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand with her work on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Education: B.A. from University of Texas in Austin with honors, Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University. Background: Grew up in Houston. His Indian American family immigrated in 1969 to Louisiana, where he was born in 1978, and moved soon thereafter to Houston, where he grew up. Key quote: “I have spent my career trying to reduce conflict in other countries, but right now hostility and conflict are being inflamed in our own country, through the politics of anger and demagoguery, demonization of specific ethnic and religious groups, threats to rule of law, degradation of women, and an undermining of democratic institutions like a free press. The greatest danger to our country right
now is not a foreign power, but the internal divisions in our society. That is why I am coming home to Texas to serve. “With your support, I promise to be a strong voice in Congress for returning to real Texas values, such as truth, fairness, generosity towards others, and respect for the dignity of the individual. With your help, we can make America decent again.”
three rescue dogs and one rescue cat. Key quote: “Healthy people with education and training have an easier time finding work,” observes Steele, “and working people are the backbone of our district. If we can make healthcare and education available to all, economic prosperity is a natural result.”
Candidate: Dayna Steele of El Lago, Democrat Seat: District 36 congressional seat held by Republican Dr. Brian Babin Occupation: Best-selling author, motivational speaker and broadcast personality Background: Dayna Frances Nicholson was born and raised in Houston, and after graduating from Dulles High majored in Pre-Med at Texas A&M University in College Station, before beginning a career as a major market radio disc jockey and becoming known as the “First Lady of Rock ‘n Roll.” In 2010 she was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. Family: She has lived in Seabrook for over 27 years. She has been married to NASA research pilot and author Charles Justiz, Ph.D., for over 25 years, and the pair have three sons. The eldest, Cris, is married and now resides in Colorado with his wife, Elizabeth. Middle son Dack is a college student, currently participating in an internship program in New York, while his younger brother, Nick, is a high school senior. The family includes
Candidate: Adrienne Bell of Pearland, Democrat Seat: District 14 congressional seat held by Republican Randy Weber Occupation: Second grade teacher with
Houston ISD Education: Bachelors in Business Management - Our Lady of the Lake University; Master’s in Education Houston Baptist University; Doctoral student in Higher Education - Texas Southern University Background: Adrienne Bell is a Houstonian who grew up in the South Park community. Her father, who had a 6th grade education, was a car attendant for the Houston Police Department. Her mother, who had a 10th grade education, worked as a waitress and a maid. Adrienne grew up believing in the American dream, and has worked hard to fulfill its promise in her life. She wants to be a voice for the people ignored in our current political climate. Family: She has two children and six grandchildren. Key beliefs: She believes healthcare is a human right, and vows to fight against the loss of protections for pre-existing conditions or coverage for mental illness by pursuing
Medicare for all. She has plans for new investments through federal grants to revitalize the port cities, rebuild infrastructure, and create green jobs across the district. She will push legislation to secure equity in education, because she believes an education should not be based on a student’s zip code. She believes in a woman’s right to choose, and will fight for criminal justice reform. Candidate: Alex Karjeker of Houston, Democrat Seat: District 129 legislative seat held by Republican Dennis Paul Background: A native Houstonian, Karjeker grew up in the same district he is running to represent. Occupation: Karjeker’s career experience includes several years working in Silicon Valley, most recently as a research analyst with Uber, where he worked with both political parties to pass statewide regulations for ridesharing, which the Texas Legislature passed in 2017. Education: He studied mathematics and economics at the University of Texas and earned master’s degrees in public policy and economics from Georgetown University in 2012. Key quote: “If our smartphones can get better every two years, our government should be able to as well,” Karjeker says. “We need a better system to start making progress on important issues like flooding, public education and transportation.”
CIS-Bay Area honors two ‘Everyday Heroes’ at kickoff By Diane Gillebaard
M
ore than 200 supporters
CIS-Bay Area Board President Bob Davee greets attendees Janine Visentin, left, and Frances Jurisich.
80
Honoree Rick Gornto tells his story of growing up at risk.
Bay Area Houston Magazine | NOVEMBER 2018
attended the recent annual campaign kickoff honoring “Everyday Heroes” Rick Gornto and the late Blanche Stasny at Lakewood Yacht Club. CIS-Bay Area Executive Director Peter Wuenschel introduced Jerry Smith and Scott Gornto, who traced the honorees’ long-time commitment to the dropout prevention program that serves Clear Creek and Dickinson ISDs. The late Blanche Stasny was a founding board of directors member who worked for CIS-Bay Area, as well as the Clear Lake Symphony, for more than 30 years. She opened the first Sylvan Learning Center in Clear Lake, also. As a further tribute to Stasny, the Clear Lake Symphony trio entertained attendees at the CIS event.
She continues to support the area›s at-risk students through a yearly commitment from her estate. Rick Gornto came to the CIS-Bay Area board of directors with a visionary idea of the Keep Kids in School Golf Tournament. Since 2008, the golf tournament has raised more than $1.2 million in funding. His passion for golf, along with his leadership, have impacted the lives of thousands of children in CCISD and DISD. Looking around the crowd of supporters, you might have spotted Laura Rodriquez, Jayme Sanchez, Richard Simmons, Aaron Glenn, Jamieson Mackay, Barry Beck, Jeanne deVezin, Lyza Postell, Becky Reitz, Martha Bowles, Scott Rainey, Sara and Glenn Freedman, Ann and Michael Landolt, Emmeline Dowd, Anita Fogtman, Darryl Smith, Robert Cobb, Jamie Harbuck, Janine Visentin, Bob Davee, Joel Trevino, and Frances Jurisich.