People Who Value Us -- Part Three

“PEOPLE WHO VALUE US”- PART 3

Attorney Ben Hall Wins Freedmen’s Town Fight - P.04

HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS

“HAVE YOU HEARD?” INJURY & ACCIDENT LAWYER: “IT’S ALL ABOUT DIY” - P.11

by Farrah Martinez, Personal Injury & Accident Lawyer

Judge Weiman issues an injuction to save Black History - P.03

“OUR MISSION IS TO INFORM AND EMPOWER PEOPLE STRIVING TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL!” -- AUBREY R. TAYLOR

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BE INSPIRED & INFORMED I

PUBLISHER

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO VALUE US WHENEVER YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO

CONTACT INFORMATION

Houston Business Connections Magazine is published by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications.

957 NASA PARKWAY #251 HOUSTON, TX 77058

(832)212-8735

"Go After Your Dream" “You can start a business, foundation, ministry or corporation any day you choose; but if you plan on running for mayor, controller, or city council in Houston, Texas you must file to do so with the City Secretary by Monday, August 24, 2015.”

“Few folks will argue against the fact that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the greatest civil rights leaders our world has ever known.

God certainly gifted him for the call He placed on His life. But the good news today, is that God has also gifted, favored and anointed you and me for the call He’s placed on our lives as well. Our unique gifts can create opportunities for us. Our gift is a tool God intended for us to

use to create the good life He planned for us here in the earth.

Your gift will make room for you my friend. Check this out: “A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.” I found this in the book of Proverbs 18:16 in the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible. Go after your dream!”

-- AUBREY R. TAYLOR Houston Business Connections Magazine

PROCLAIM THIS TODAY LORD I thank you and praise you for the gift, favor, and anointing You’ve given me. I also thank You for the doors You are opening for me. I am grateful for the courage and strength You’ve imparted into me that I may boldly go after the dream You’ve planted in my heart today. Thank you Jesus!

“We Need People Who Value Us In Positions of Authority!”

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Black History Is Worth Saving In Houston

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“Judge Larry Weiman Saves Black History in Houston.”

80th Civil District Court in Harris County

“

Judge Larry Weiman (Pictured) and Judge Alexandra SmootsHogan listened to the compelling historical evidence in the case and entered several orders protecting these wonderful historic streets, including an injuction to prevent alteration, removal or damage to the streets. Judge Weiman is Judge of the 80th District Court in Harris County.

“

very year we set aside a month to pretend to honor black history in this Country, while the rest of the year we manage to erase evidence of that history from communities. What is a month of memories if the evidence creating those memories is allowed to vanish under the pretext of progress. Black communities, churches and schools are destroyed everyday with appalling frequency in a climate of silence and without any outcry. Children increasingly grow up not having anything tangible to see, feel or experience regarding their ancestral past. Developers and politicians turn deaf ears to the cries of preservationists who seek to salvage the meager vestiges of black history that remain. It is disappointing to hear conversations regarding improvements to neighborhoods that have the unspoken assumption that the artifacts of black history can be easily destroyed without accountability or opposition.

Pitiful indeed is a people who will not preserve or protect their history!

In Houston, a group of courageous citizens recently did the unthinkable. They

Doris Ellis - Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition DORIS ELLIS (pictured center) is the president of the Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition. The Mission of the Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition To inform, educate, and inspire the community to embrace and preserve the proud heritage of Houston's Historic Brick Streets Andrews/Wilson in Historic Freedmen's Town Fourth Ward.

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Attorney Ben Hall wins Freedmen's Town Fight...

Dear Neighbor: As mayor, I will fight for the citizens of Houston like I fought for those in Freedmen’s Town and across this City-- not only to preserve history, but to save the taxpayers’ money by using trenchless technology to improve infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion.

My commitment to you as mayor will be to improve our streets, improve our public safety and protect our neighborhoods. That is the only way that our city can move forward.

I am Ben Hall and I am asking for your vote.

Benjamin L. "Ben" Hall, III 2015 Candidate for Mayor of Houston

Photo: Ben and Saundra Hall

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PAID POL. AD BY BEN HALL FOR MAYOR CAMPAIGN

Sincerely,

PEOPLE WHO VALUE US I

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“

The victory was ultimately attained when two brave and courageous Harris County district court judges -Judge Alexandra Smoots-Hogan and Judge Larry Weiman -- listened to the compelling historical evidence in the case and entered several orders protecting these wonderful historic streets, including an injunction to prevent alteration, removal or damage to the streets.

CONTINUED FROM (PAGE - 03)

stood up, spoke out and stopped the unnecessary destruction of a significant part of black history. They reversed the irreverent disrespect shown by city officials to the accomplishments of original black Houstonians. When confronted with the callous

Africa. The history books do not reveal any evidence of white Houstonians at the time knowing anything about these hidden messages in the bricked streets. Indeed, the recent actions of Houston's mayor and city council demonstrate the ignorance persists. The Freedmen stamped each of the roads with their religious symbolism. The

and better utility lines, city officials wished to remove the original bricks laid by our ancestors.

Progress at any cost can be too expensive! No doubt the Waling Wall in Jerusalem could be replaced with a more perfect and stable modern wall. No doubt the pyramids of Egypt can be rebuilt with

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Freedmen's Town. Just as evident as it is to protect the other mentioned structures so should the streets of Freedmen's Town be protected and preserved.

Thank you to the Freedmen's Town Preservation Coalition members for standing up and speaking out to save this valuable history. Thank you to Doris Ellis

Black History Is Worth Saving In Houston plan of a city hell-bent on destroying 130+ year old bricked streets laid by emancipated black slaves and their descendants--bricks that a racist city at the time refused to allow "white tax dollars" to pay for-- this band of courageous souls protested, risked certain incarceration, and filed suit to protect this precious history.

They succeeded!

The bricked streets of Freedmen's Town, in the Fourth Ward of Houston, Tx., have been protected.

These bricked streets were paid for and installed by emancipated black men and women. These original black Houstonians cobbled together the necessary money required by the city to pay for the bricks when city officials refused to use tax dollars to provide paved streets -- even when it was well known by city officials that the absence of paved roads was causing an outbreak of malaria that was caused by mosquitos breeding in mud puddles in the dirt streets. Instead of abandoning these heartless conditions, these original black Houstonians hewed out of despair a sanctuary of hope. They paid their own money to improve a city that did not care enough to protect them from malaria. Before their improvements to the area, Fourth Ward was described as a "place where no decent white person would dare live."

Unknown to the whites who forced them to pay for and pave their own streets, these black former slaves and their descendants engaged in a secret revolt while laying the bricks. Harkening back to their African roots, they arranged the bricks in a unique "crossroads pattern" that called upon the spirit world to protect them from evil. White Houstonians at the time would not have known of these secret messages in the bricks. To this day, the bricked streets still reveal the clear religious intention of the bricklayers to solicit their "god" and ancestors to help them in the difficult areas in which they were forced to live. The bricks evidence abrupt changes in angles at several locations to coincide precisely with the cardinal angles of the universe (north, south, east and west) consistent with tribal practices of the Yoruba of West

bricked roads are a secret messaging network for early freed slaves. No other location in Houston or Harris County is known to have anything similar.

It is this unique history that Houston's city leaders did not care enough to learn about. It is this history that city leaders were not informed enough to save. It is this history that the City claimed it could improve upon. Under the pretext of progress

modern engineering. No doubt the Leaning Tower of Pisa could have been demolished and a new building constructed for less money than it took to stabilize the old tilting edifice. However, no right thinking person today would allow, let alone encourage, such "improvements." Unfortunately, the same sense of automatic protectionism is not evident when considering the masterpieces that lay in the bricked streets of

for risking her personal freedom by placing her body in the way of city contractors who had commenced removal of the bricks.

Thank you to Catherine Roberts and all the people who contributed funds to pay for the effort, especially the residents of Cuney Homes.

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“Judge Alexandra Smoots-Hogan

Saves Black History in Houston, Texas.”

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PART THREE

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WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO VALUE US WHENEVER YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO

The courageous citizens found a powerful and high-profile trial attorney, Benjamin L. Hall, III, a Harvard trained lawyer and Ph.D. graduate from Duke University, who agreed to take the case against the city and its contractor. Hall charged no fee for his firm's services. Hall and his firm are credited with repelling every legal effort by the City's attorneys and presenting overwhelming and compelling evidence documenting the unique cultural and religious history of these bricked streets. As a result, Judge Larry Weiman enjoined any activity to change, alter, remove or damage the bricked streets of Freedmen's Town.

CONTINUED FROM (PAGE - 05)

The victory was ultimately attained when two brave and courageous Harris County district court judges--Judge Alexandra Smoots-Hogan and Judge Larry Weiman -- listened to the compelling historical evidence in the case and entered several orders protecting these wonderful historic streets, including an injunction to prevent alteration, removal or damage to the streets.

Finally, these courageous citizens found a powerful and high-profile trial at-

office. This has allowed for prompt resolution of cases, thus reducing the cost and stress of litigation for individuals, businesses, governmental agencies and the taxpayers of Harris County and the State of Texas. Judge Weiman is a dedicated public official who follows the law and is committed to being a patient, impartial and fair judge who gives everyone an equal opportunity to be heard.

Judge Weiman kept his campaign promises to: provide oral hearings on any motions that any party wishes to be heard by the 80th District Court, to make rulings as promptly as possible and to streamline

pear before the presiding judge or associate judge, as is the present situation.

Judge Weiman is taking the lead in advocating reform of judicial campaign financing practices by refraining from soliciting or accepting cash contributions from attorneys/litigants with active cases pending in his court, although such practice is legal and common in Texas.

While current judicial campaign finance laws do not make this practice illegal, Judge Weiman, believes that judges should avoid the appearance of impropriety and/or injustice or even the possible perception that "Justice is for Sale.” No-

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is judge of the 164th Civil Court in Harris County. First elected in 2008, Judge Smoots-Hogan (‘Alix’) is completing her first term in office.

Just after law school, Alix joined the Brown McCarroll law firm where she made weekly visits to the courthouse engaging in heavy motion practice and taking substantive witness, party, and expert depositions. After a brief stint at Zimmerman, Axelrad, Myers, Stern & Wise, Alix then joined the litigation boutique of Powers & Slay. While at Powers & Slay, she continued with weekly Courthouse visits for heavy motion practice and trial. Alix

Black History Is Worth Saving In Houston torney, Benjamin L. Hall, III, a Harvard trained lawyer and Ph.D. graduate from Duke University, who agreed to take the case against the city and its contractor.

Hall charged no fee for his firm's services.

Hall and his firm are credited with repelling every legal effort by the City's attorneys and presenting overwhelming and compelling evidence documenting the unique cultural and religious history of these bricked streets. As a result, Judge Weiman enjoined any activity to change, alter, remove or damage the bricked streets of Freedmen's Town.

Mission of the Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition To inform, educate, and inspire the community to embrace and preserve the proud heritage of Houston's Historic Brick Streets Andrews/Wilson in Historic Freedmen's Town Fourth Ward.

About Judge Larry Weiman 80th Civil District Court in Harris County Since his election, Judge Larry Weiman leads ALL Harris County Civil District Courts (and possibly the entire State of Texas) presiding over 195 Jury trials and 145 bench trials=340 total trials and over 11,000 cases resolved and counting, in his first 6 years, 2 months in office! He has QUADRUPLED the number of jury trials in the 80th, since he took the oath of

the weekly oral hearing docket. Before he was elected, hearings in the 80th were mostly scheduled on Fridays at 9:00 a.m.

This was commonly referred to by local attorneys as a "cattle call." Now, Judge Weiman has staggered the docket so that the quick, shorter hearings go first and the longer hearings are scheduled throughout the day. This saves the attorneys' time and their client's money.

Judge Weiman has also kept his promise to assist the overloaded Family Law Courts, when possible. In addition to volunteering his service on the uncontested divorce Night Court program, he has tried several contested divorce/child support cases. Judge Weiman regularly offers to try cases for the Family Law Courts when he has openings in his civil trial docket, as periodically occurs since he calls so many cases to trial, which encourages many of them to settle.

Judge Weiman believes that the civil district court judges can help speed up the dockets of the Family Law Courts for citizens who need to get hearings and trials sooner then the current backlog allows.

There is presently a much higher case load in the 9 Family Law Courts than that of the 25 civil district courts. If at least 18 of the 24 civil district court judges would also agree to partner with each of the 9 Family Court judges and their associate judges, then there would be at least two additional civil judges working with each Family Law Court, so that one of them would likely be available one day each week, plus be able to handle some of the trials, when their dockets permit. There are many Family Law attorneys and litigants who would like to have their routine motions and trials heard more quickly by an assisting civil district court judge rather than waiting a much longer period to ap-

body should perceive an advantage or disadvantage based upon whether or not they give money to a presiding judge while they have a case before that judge. Judge Weiman is seeking to change that by example, in the 80th District Court. Even when he ran as the challenger candidate for judge he took this position by requesting that attorneys or parties who had cases pending before the 80th District Court not make cash contributions to his campaign while they were an attorney of record or party in this court, a position he maintains as the incumbent.

Judge Weiman has been a licensed Texas attorney for almost 22 years. He represented plaintiffs and defendants including individuals and companies, in trial courts and appellate courts all over Texas, prior to his election by the people of Harris County. He graduated from South Texas College of Law in 1991 and is also a graduate of the Boston University School of Management with a Bachelor of Science degree and also attended the University of Texas. Also, he is an experienced mediator and received his Mediation Certificate from the A.A. White Dispute Resolution Center at the University of Houston.

Judge Weiman's legal experience includes cases involving: Personal Injury, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Medical/Professional Malpractice, Employment Law, Breach of Contract, DTPA, Toxic Torts, Construction, Real Estate Litigation, Products Liability, Premises Liability, Dram Shop, Divorce Suits, and Family Law.

About Judge Alexandra Smoots-Hogan 164th Civil District Court in Harris County Judge “Alix” Alexandra Smoots-Hogan

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opened her own office for the practice of law in 2008. Throughout her career, Alix defended individuals, homeowners, small companies, and municipalities. Licensed to practice throughout the State of Texas and in the Southern District of Texas for the United States District Courts, her practice areas were commercial litigation, construction litigation, real estate law and litigation, insurance law (first-party and third-party claims), U.S.C. § 1983 claims, family law and personal injury litigation.

As a child at the Kinkaid School, Alix joined the school’s nationally recognized and award-winning policy debate team and credits that experience for solidifying her love of the law. Alix attended the University of Texas at Austin and the University of St. Thomas. While at the University of St. Thomas, she became a columnist for the campus newspaper and was elected as an officer in the Student Government.

She was accepted to South Texas College of Law. During her second year of law school, Alix won a spot on the nationally ranked Trial Advocacy team. During her law school tenure, she won three National Moot Court titles, and was inducted in the Order of the Barristers.

Alix is very active in her community and with several charitable organizations.

Due to her own childhood health issues and family members afflicted with cancer, she is avid supporter of children’s and cancer charities. She is an active member of several community organizations geared toward mentoring women to excel in professional careers.

A life-long Houstonian, Alix lives with her husband of nine years, Eric, and their son, Aedan Cade.

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“Join me in voting for Ben Hall”

Don’t forget to cast your vote for Ben Hall in the race for Mayor of Houston in the upcoming election.

First Day of Early Voting for the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015.

PAID POL. AD BY BEN HALL FOR MAYOR CAMPAIGN

“

A friend will tell you Ben Hall is a person of great character and integrity. Rev. William "Bill" Lawson reminds me that reputation is what people think of you and character is who you are. Ben Hall has a great reputation and is known large and wide for his largess and for what he has done for those we consider the least in our community...That largess means a lot to the people I represent. He has represented the least, the last and the lost and he has earned a great reputation for it. Ben has demonstrated to me his character. Character is who you really are. I have been there in quiet moments when we have had to make some crucial decisions that affect the lives of others and I can tell you that in every moment when Benjamin had an opportunity to be of service to someone in need he always displayed the character necessary to stand up for the people who can’t stand up for themselves.

He’s a person of character.

“

Al Green United States Congressman 9th Congressional District of Texas

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“Carroll G. Robinson is asking for our vote, prayers, endorsement, and support in the 2015 race for City of Houston Controller on Tuesday, November 3, 2015” -- Aubrey R. Taylor Dear Fellow Houstonian: On Friday, a federal judge ruled that candidates for city office, in the 2015 city election, could immediately begin raising campaign contributions.

I am writing to ask you for as generous a contribution as you are able to give at this time to my campaign for Houston City Controller.

As you may remember, I am a former At-Large City Council Member. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund and Houston Community College System.

I have also served on the Board of the National League of Cities, State Bar of Texas, K9s4COPS, Children at Risk and the Northeast YMCA. I would like to work with you to help make life better for all Houstonians and to help make our city greater.

Protecting Taxpayers’ money, Fixing the City Budget, Fixing our Streets, Modernizing city government to reduce its operating expenses, paying down the unfunded pension liability debt and attracting more good paying jobs, businesses, entrepreneurs, construction and development to our city - while respecting and protecting our neighborhoods - will be my top priorities.

I support legalizing casino gaming in Houston and using private investments to connect Hobby and Bush Intercontinental Airports to our light rail system to attract more tourists to our city to generate more sales tax revenue to help pay for core city services.

As City Controller, I will be the Taxpayers’ Voice at City Hall and will work with you to make the City Controller’s Office the Solution Center of City Government.

Please consider making a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500 or more today to my campaign. Together, we can Make Houston Greater! Visit CARROLLGROBINSON.COM to make your donation.

Sincerely,

Carroll G. Robinson 2015 Candidate for City of Houston Controller

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“Experienced, Effective, and Hard-Working for Missouri City”

“I would like to take this moment to congratulate Council Member Floyd Emery for being the only incumbent on City Council in Missouri City, Texas who does not have an opponent in the Saturday, May 9, 2015 General Election. ...Congrats! Keep working for the people of District D.” -- Aubrey R. Taylor Meet Floyd Emery, the Council Member for District D in Missouri City, Texas

Personal History Councilmember Floyd Emery has been married 52 years to his wife, Linda. They have been homeowners in Quail Valley for more than 35 years, where they raised their two sons, Brian and Dennis.

Councilmember Emery retired from Halliburton in 1999 and was employed by Baroid/Dresser/Halliburton for 47 years of service prior to his early retirement. During his tenure, he achieved a successful business career excelling in the management and directorship of Information Technology, Finance and Human Resources.

Community Involvement Councilmember Emery continues to have extensive involvement in various Missouri City and Quail Valley community service organizations. This includes QV Proud as its current president, Citizens for Missouri City’s Future as its president, an active member of the QV Exchange Club, and as chair of the Missouri City Police Officers Association annual benefit golf tournament.

Floyd Emery was elected as the District D City Councilmember on May 14, 2011.

Current City Council Committee Memberships • • •

Long Range Planning Committee (chair) International & Domestic Economic Development Committee Budget & Finance Committee

Previous City Council Committee Memberships • • • • • • •

Community Development Advisory Committee Community Relations Comprehensive Plan Developer Relations (Chair) Drainage / Utility Economic Development Plan Solid Waste Committee

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Governor Abbott Names Lewis Chair of Texas Transportation Commission AUSTIN -- Governor Greg Abbott recently named Tryon Lewis chair of the Texas Transportation Commission for a term to expire at the pleasure of the governor. The commission oversees the Texas Department of Transportation.

Tryon Dexter Lewis of Odessa is a former State Representative from Texas’ 81st District, serving from 2008-2015.

Prior to serving in the Texas Legislature, Rep. Lewis practiced law in Odessa from 1973-1984 with a primary emphasis on civil litigation. In 1985, Rep. Lewis took office as a State District Judge of the 161st District and served in that capacity until February of 2006, after which he returned to practicing law. During Rep. Lewis’ legislative career, he served as the LEWIS Chairman of the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee from 2013-2015 and was the Co-Chair of the Joint House Senate Committee on Judicial Selection in 2014. Rep. Lewis is currently a partner at Atkins, Hollman Jones, Peacock, Lewis & Lyon Law Firm.

Governor Greg Abbott Accepts Site Selection’s Governor’s Cup On Behalf Of State Of Texas AUSTIN -- Governor Greg Abbott recently accepted the 2014 Governor’s Cup, an award given annually by Site Selection Magazine to recognize the top performing state for capital investment attraction in a season that lasts all year. 2014 was the third year in a row and sixth year since 2004 that Texas has been honored with the award.

“I’m honored to accept Site Selection Governor’s Cup on behalf of the people of Texas,” Governor Abbott said. “It’s no surprise Texas is again named the top state for the most new and expanded corporate facilities – this is the third year in a row Texas ranked #1 and the sixth time in the last 11 years. Unleashing the power of entrepreneurs and innovators and securing Texans’ freedom to aspire is the model of success for Texas, and I’m confident Texas will continue to lead the nation.”

Governor Abbott Statement On Tom Mechler’s Election As State Party Chairman AUSTIN -- Former Republican Party of Texas Treasurer Tom Mechler was today elected to serve as GOP Chairman following the resignation of former Chairman Steve Munisteri. Governor Greg Abbott issued the following statement: “Cecilia and I extend our sincerest congratulations to Tom Mechler on his election to serve the state of Texas and the Republican Party as the next Chairman. Having faithfully served as the Party’s MECHLER Treasurer for many years, Tom will not only strengthen the Party, but he will help continue the momentum of our state’s Republican victories and preserve the very values that have made Texas the greatest state in the nation to live, work and raise a family. I look forward to working with Chairman Mechler and the rest of the Republican Party of Texas to ensure the future of our beloved state is even bigger, better and brighter than ever before.”

BEN HALL: “Our city should be very proud of the legacy that these young people are creating” HOUSTON -- Ben Hall recently spent time with two medical students – a young man, Saviour and a young woman, Uchechi, who came to share their road to tomorrow’s MATCH DAY with the listeners of KCOH’s Starting Point. MATCH DAY marks a pivotal point in a doctor’s career as this day dictates where he or she will begin to practice as a resident. “These amazing young people represent years of hard work and dedication. They as well reflect the diversity of Houston’s residents and the future of medicine…Our city should be very proud of the legacy that these young people are creating,” says Ben Hall.

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Injury & Accident Lawyer: It's all about DIY

by Farrah Martinez, Personal Injury & Accident Lawyer

www.InjuryLawyerHOU.com

Do it Yourself?

Attorney Ben Hall recently spent time speaking to students at the World Youth Foundation

providing youth with real world project experiences that promote self-confidence, while accelerating career development & leadership skills.

As the skills gap continues to widen in today’s complex global economy, new approaches to out-ofschool time learning & mentoring are needed now more than ever.

For 23 years, the World Youth Foundation (a Houston Texas non-profit organization) has delivered cost-free mentoring programs to communities across Greater Houston and surrounding areas.

Through the efforts of a dynamic volunteer team, business leaders, community advocates, and industry thought-leaders; the World Youth Foundation has designed & implemented the first of its kind Outof School Time Youth Mentoring & Development Program focused on equipping young people with next-generation leadership and workforce skills.

Our unique mentoring program engages students from various schools across Houston and surrounding areas in intellectually stimulating hands-on project experiences that increase selfconfidence, personal empowerment, self-efficacy, interpersonal development, and 21st Century workforce skills in areas of STEM, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and other sectors.

We also focus on health & wellness by starting each mentoring sessions with exercises and workouts for the body, mind, and inner-self.

Today’s youth continue to face new and complex challenges.

Social influences such as America’s shifting economy, increased usage of drugs and alcohol, lack of strong social infrastructure, health and obesity issues, and increased single parent households are changing the landscape of family and community life across this nation.

Programs delivered by the World Youth Foundation (WYF) are needed now more than ever, and our success can only be realized through the support of our WYF parents, volunteers, corporate sponsors and partners.

MISSION Our mission is to “Teach All Youth How to Win in Life against All Odds.”

We accomplish our mission by delivering free out-of-school time mentoring programs focused on increasing self-confidence and accelerating educational & professional skills for all youth belonging to groups that are under-represented in the field of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

Youth between the ages of 6-24 work closely with a breadth of business, education, community, and industry leaders in highly engaging and intellectually stimulating hands-on projects that foster innovation, improve health & wellness, affirm college as an expectation, and promote careers across STEM industry sectors.

The World Youth Foundation students come from diverse communities, educational, and cultural backgrounds. We mentor students as young as 6 years of age through college graduation (25 years of age). This diverse body of students assemble together monthly to participate in hands-on leadership, mentoring, & professional development activities We are the first-of-its kind mentoring organization

BUSINESS CASE FOR WYF

23 YEARS OF DELIVERING SUCCESS WYF is a non-profit organization, celebrating 23 years of community involvement. Our focus is to create a positive "mentoring gateway" for diverse groups of youth, and delivering effective programs that positively impact their future.

WYF focuses on empowering our young leaders with knowledge in areas of better health, improved positive self-esteem, improved decision-making skills, and other important skills required for our youth to achieve significant success in their family, educational, personal, and community lives.

YOUTH PROGRAM DELIVERY EXCELLENCE WYF offers a variety of youth programs in areas of entrepreneurship, advanced career skills, technology, financial literacy, arts enrichment, mentoring, tutoring, leadership training, as well as college prep, improved health, and much more!

Our programs reach a wide range of ages from Kindergarten to high school, all the way through college.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT US? Call (713)523-8484 if you would like more information on the World Youth Foundation, Inc. located inside the Judson Robinson Community Center 2020 Hermann Drive Houston TX 77004.

We live in the age of do it yourself (DIY). I am all for learning new things, cutting costs, and doing things for myself; however, there are some tasks that require a professional to achieve the best MARTINEZ possible results.

While I might watch a YouTube video to learn how to make a school craft project for my four year old or even learn to arch my own eyebrows, I would not watch a video or google to learn "how to repair my own roof" or "perform a root canal" in hopes that one day I might actually perform these tasks myself.

In my mind, there are some tasks that are too important and there is too much at stake to go at it alone.

As a consumer, you must decide which tasks you are willing to learn to do and which task you determine require a professional.

Should I Handle my own Personal Injury Claim?

Studies show that individuals involved in a car accident tend to recover more when they hire a lawyer than those claimants who did not hire a lawyer and handle the settlement alone. Insurance companies are forprofit companies and their goal is to make money and keep their stockholders happy.

Most of us can appreciate that a company needs to make a profit or else they will go out of business. However, in the state of Texas, drivers are required to carry insurance. So the majority of drivers, just like you, purchase insurance with the expectation that if involved in an accident the insurance company will cover it. "Covered" is a broad term when you are dealing with accident or injury claims. Covered is often in the eyes of the beholder.

Every month, quarterly or once a year, you pay your insurance with the promise that if something happens to you that your insurance company will pay your medical bills, that you will be paid for loss of wages, for you pain and suffering and for any other expense or loss you incur as a result of your injury.

Is this a Level Playing Field?

The insurances companies are hoping you DIY since, studies confirm that the insurance companies win financially when you DIY. Take note, insurance companies do not go at it alone they have a team of lawyers that work on their behalf to get the best results for them--NOT you.

If you have started your claim, it might not be too late to hire an attorney. At Farrah Martinez, Personal Injury and Accident Lawyer, we hold insurance companies accountable. Contact Farrah at (713) 853-9296 for a consultation and review of your claim.

www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com - HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS NEWSPAPER n 11

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW I

HISD

The First Day of Early Voting for the upcoming Tuesday, November 3, 2015 General Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015

Meet Terry B. Grier, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools Terry Grier has led the Houston Independent School District into the national spotlight by innovatively meeting the immediate challenges of urban education while crafting a global vision for its 215,000 students on 283 campuses.

In his six years as superintendent of the nation’s seventh largest school district, HISD’s graduation rate has increased to an all-time high while dropout rates have been reduced by more than 50 percent. HISD’s Class of 2014 attracted record offers of scholarships and financial aid exceeding $250 million, and with 8,248 scores of 3 or higher on AP exams in 2014, HISD students earned the equivalent of 24,744 college credits for a potential cost savings of $7.3 million.

HISD’s gains in closing achievement gaps under his leadership led the district to become the first two-time winner of the Broad Prize for Urban Education in 2013, and its approach linking classroom learning to college and careers earned HISD a $30 million, five-year U.S. Race to the Top grant in 2013.

Dr. Grier was the 2014 winner of the Council of the Great Cities Schools Urban Educator of the Year Green-Garner Award and has been named a 2015 Children’s Defense Fund “Champion of Children” for his leadership in connecting children to healthcare coverage.

His leadership in HISD’s “PowerUp” digital transformation saw him named an Education Week “Leader To Learn From” in 2015. PowerUp has put laptops for anytime-anywhere learning in the hands of more than 40,000 high school students (all

65,000 by January 2016), created a district-wide HUB platform for collaboration and to personalize teaching and learning,

and accelerated digital conversion and the elimination of textbooks.

Reflective of Houston’s multiculturalism and of the growing need for students to be competitive internationally, Dr. Grier has championed several global initiatives.

HISD’s consistent expansion of its successful dual language program is on target to have all elementary school students learning two languages in five years. The number of International Baccalaureate campuses has grown to 16, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic (2015-2016) language immersion schools have been created, with plans for a Hindi immersion program.

HISD has joined the Global Learning Network and is a participant in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s international assessment of high school students.

Dr. Grier is widely recognized for his leadership in turning around failing schools. The district’s Apollo 20 program has received state and national recognition for narrowing the achievement gap in HISD’s most troubled schools and for piloting best practices, such as tutoring and increased class time, now used throughout the district.

Under his leadership in 2012, a staggering 69 percent of Houston voters approved a $1.89 billion school construction bond—the largest in the history of Texas.

The program is fully underway, rebuilding or renovating 40 schools, including 29 high schools, and providing major technology infrastructure improvements.

Grier has received accolades for his leadership in eliminating outdated offensive school mascots from HISD, and for his unflinching embracing and nurturing of all students, including refugee youngsters from throughout the globe and those from a neighboring school district disbanded by the state.

He was named Texas Superintendent of the Year Award in 2014 and was a finalist for the national title (among a handful of superintendents receiving the honor in two states — Texas and North Carolina). The American Association of School Administrators presented him with the prestigious Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award for his support of women and minorities in education. And the Southwestern Regional Forum of the College Board presented him with their Martha H. Salmon Leadership Award for his role in expanding advanced placement opportunities for disadvantaged students.

Dr. Grier earned his bachelor of science and master’s degrees from East Carolina University, and his educational doctorate from Vanderbilt University. He has received Outstanding Alumni awards from both institutions.

He and his wife, Nancy, have four grown children, a cat, and a cool dog.

12 n HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS NEWSPAPER - www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW I

HISD

The First Day of Early Voting for the upcoming Tuesday, November 3, 2015 General Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015

Meet Rhonda Skillern-Jones and Manuel Rodriguez, Jr. ton children and citizens, she has received numerous achievement awards and honors, and holds membership in several civic and community organizations.

Manuel Rodriguez, Jr., First Vice President, District III

Rhonda Skillern-Jones, District II, President Rhonda Skillern-Jones was elected to the Board of Education in 2011. She was sworn in as Trustee in January 2012 and served as board secretary in 2012 and 2013, and First Vice President in 2014. She also represents HISD on the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Board of Directors.

Ms. Skillern-Jones, a wife and mother of five children, is a native Houstonian. She earned both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in clinical sociology from Texas Southern University.

In recognition of her community and district efforts to enhance the lives of Hous-

Manuel Rodríguez Jr. was first elected to the Board of Education in 2003 and reelected in 2007. He served as assistant secretary in his first year as a trustee, second vice president in 2005 & 2013, first vice president in 2006, and president in 2007.

A graduate of Stephen F. Austin High School, class of Jan. ’70, he received an associate of arts degree in social sciences from Solano Community College and studied organizational behavior management and marketing at the University of Houston.

He served as a part-time community-relations specialist in the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department's Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations from 1998 through December 2004.

A computer specialist in the U.S. Air Force from 1970 to 1977, he served the Air Training Command in Lubbock, Texas. The 601st Tactical Command Wing and was attached to NATO in Lindsey Air Station, in Wiesbaden, Germany and finished his tour at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif.

Rodríguez’s primary carrier responsibility was as a computer programmer and operation specialist; he was also the Airman Training NCO and was the EEOC/Drug & Alcohol Relation Liaison.

Trustee Rodríguez is also the founder and President of the MARVAA Corporation, which provides assistance in education, housing, and community involvement. Rodríguez served from 2008-2011 as the HISD Director for Houston on the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of School Boards and in 2010 he was elected

President of the Mexican American School Board Members Association. In 2013 he was inducted in the “National Hispanic Institute Hall Of Fame,” and was the recipient of the Houston East End Chamber “2008 Education Impact Award.” He has been awarded an HISD Commendation for Meritorious Service as well as a Community Service Award from the Texas House of Representatives for his long-time dedication in working with Houston youth. He was named a James Deady Middle School Volunteer of the Year and been named one of

the Outstanding Young Men of America.

In 1997 Rodríguez served on HISD's task force to review the state comptroller's audit of the District, and he has been a member of Parents for Public Schools and a national board member for the organization from 2000 through 2005. He was a board member for the Gulfgate Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone and the Hispanic Housing Education. Rodríguez was also alumni president for Austin High School and is a lifetime member, he is currently serving as the SFA Alumni Association Newsletter Editor, and is an active member of the Pecan Park Civic Association and St. Christopher Catholic Church.

Rodríguez and his wife, Virginia, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in May 2013 and have four children. Rodríguez, his wife and all four of their children graduated from HISD schools.

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PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW I

HISD

The First Day of Early Voting for the upcoming Tuesday, November 3, 2015 General Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015

Get to know Harvin C. Moore and Trustee Wanda Adams

Harvin C. Moore, District VII Harvin Moore was elected to the Board of Education in November 2003 and reelected in 2005 and 2009. He served as a board president in 2008.

Mr. Moore grew up in Houston’s Briarcroft and River Oaks neighborhoods and attended HISD’s Henry Grady Elementary School. He also attended River Oaks Elementary School and Sidney Lanier Junior High School during their first years as Vanguard schools. Active in scouting, Mr. Moore attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1980. After graduating from St. John’s School in 1982, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science

from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in business administration from New York University. A former national bank examiner for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Mr. Moore has worked in finance, marketing, and consulting in Houston for the last 20 years. He now serves as senior vice president for finance and operations at Sentinel Satellite, Inc., a Houston aerospace company.

Mr. Moore, who began volunteering his time and expertise on behalf of public education in the mid-1980s, has tutored and taught at-risk students in the East Harlem Tutorial Program in New York City and in HISD through Communities in Schools, Junior Achievement, and Kids Hope USA. From 2004 to the present, he has served as a Kids Hope Mentor at River Oaks Elementary School. He has served on the board of directors or advisory boards of Teach for America–Houston, KIPP Academy, the Houston Teachers’ Institute, the Neuhaus Education Center, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Reading Institute for Teacher Excellence, Preschool for ALL, the Texas Lyceum, the HISD Foundation, and the Powell Foundation. Mr. Moore has also served as grant director for public education at the Powell Foundation, where he led a six-month research project on reading curricula and teacher training for at-risk elementary students. After that review, he completed teacher training in four of the largest reading methodologies used in HISD. He currently serves on the board of the Texas Education Reform Foundation.

Mr. Moore is the publisher of The Transformation Times, an electronic newsletter which provides current news and opinion on educational issues, trends and initiatives. It can be found at www.harvinmoore.com.

Mr. Moore and his wife Janet have a eight-year-old son and an thirteen-year-old daughter and are active members of the Church of St. John the Divine, which Moore has attended since he was a child.

Wanda Adams, Second Vice President, District IX Wanda Adams was elected to the HISD Board of Education in 2013 after serving the limit of three two-year terms as Houston City Councilmember for District D.

Ms. Adams is a native Houstonian and product of HISD, graduating as a basketball standout from Kashmere High School.

She received an athletic scholarship to Texas Southern University, where she earned her bachelor of science degree in public affairs and a master’s degree in public administration.

She is a professor of political science at

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PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW I

HISD

The First Day of Early Voting for the upcoming Tuesday, November 3, 2015 General Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015

Get to know Greg Meyers and Juliet K. Stipeche

Greg Meyers, District VI

mental affairs committee as well as a board member of the Joint City/County Commission on Children. He received the HISD Apple Pin Award for extraordinary service to schools, and served on his neighborhood association board and as a Cub Scout den leader. Today, he serves as a board member of the Gulf Coast School Board Association, and also coaches youth soccer, basketball, and baseball.

Mr. Meyers earned a bachelor of business administration degree from Texas A&M University, with a double major in management and marketing, and a master of business administration degree from St. Mary’s University, with an emphasis in finance. In 1999, after 12 years in the dentalproducts industry, Mr. Meyers founded his own company. Currently Mr. Meyers works on the leadership team at Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School of Houston.

The son of an Air Force veteran, Mr. Meyers grew up in several U.S. cities, as well as in Okinawa, Japan. A Houstonian since the age of 15, he has developed a tremendous pride in and an understanding of the diversity and people that make Houston great. Mr. Meyers has two sons who attend HISD schools.

Greg Meyers was elected to the Board of Education in 2004 and reelected in 2009.

He served board president in 2010. In his first year of service, he was appointed Juliet K. Stipeche, to chair the Board MonitorAssistant Secretary, ing Committee, which devel- District VIII oped an expanded system Juliet K. Stipeche was elected to the for district accountability that Board of Education in November 2010 to complete an unfinished term. She was rewas adopted as policy in elected in 2011 and currently serves as August 2005. board president. She believes that public Mr. Meyers is active in many areas of community service. He has been the honorary chairman of the Boy Scouts of America Scout Fair, chairman of the board of directors of the Houston West Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the govern-

education is a human right, is the great social equalizer, and is the foundation for a prosperous community.

Ms. Stipeche was born and raised in Houston and is the daughter of immigrant parents from Argentina and Mexico. She

grew up in the diverse East End neighborhood of Houston where she continues to reside today. She was the valedictorian of her graduating class at HISD’s High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice.

She received an academic scholarship to Rice University, earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science, policy studies, and religious studies, graduating magna cum laude, and was awarded the Joseph Cooper Prize as the most outstanding policy studies student in her graduating class.

Ms. Stipeche received her law degree from

The University ofTexas School of Law and is a civil litigation attorney and a certified mediator.

In 2013, Ms. Stipeche joined Rice University as Associate Director for the Richard Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity where she serves as project manager for various programs including the XSEDE Scholars Program, iAAMCS, and Empowering Leadership Alliance – Rice.

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PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW I

HISD

The First Day of Early Voting for the upcoming Tuesday, November 3, 2015 General Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015

Get to know Anna Eastman and Michael L. Lunceford

Anna Eastman, Secretary, District I Anna Eastman’s involvement as parent leader in public education and her passionate advocacy for the arts, public health, and social justice led to her election to the HISD Board of Education in 2009 and re-election in 2013.

An HISD parent since 2002, she spearheaded and led the William Travis Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Ad Hoc Transition Committee in 2003, which facilitated the move of students to temporary buildings while the school was closed for major renovations.

From 2005 to 2007 she served as PTA president at Travis.

A product of public schools in Richardson, Texas, Ms. Eastman graduated from the University of Texas in 1992 with a

bachelor of fine arts degree in art history and earned a master of social work degree in 1993 from Our Lady of the Lake University. After receiving her degree, Ms. Eastman worked as a lead social worker for Communities in Schools in San Antonio.

In 2002, Ms. Eastman and her husband, Brad, cofounded the 11½ Street Foundation, which has recognized outstanding veteran teachers with monetary awards. Today, the foundation provides college scholarships to at-risk children who have graduated from HISD’s Reagan and Jefferson Davis high schools.

As a trustee, she has consistently been involved in board leadership positions, serving as president, second vice president, assistant secretary, and she currently serves as secretary.

In addition to her commitment to public education, Ms. Eastman currently serves on the advisory boards for Holocaust Museum Houston and the Recipe for Success Foundation, is a member of the Undies for Everyone Board of Directors and serves on the Houston Grand Opera HGOco Committee. Twice, she has been nominated as Ally Grand Marshal for the Houston Gay Pride Parade because of her support of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender issues.

She is an American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow.

Michael L. Lunceford, District V Lunceford was elected to the HISD Board of Education in November 2009, served as president in 2012. He is a longtime volunteer with HISD, having held leadership positions within the district for the past 17 years. He served on the HISD Bond Oversight Committee, the HISD District V Leadership Team and the HISD Parent Visionaries. He also served on the school building committees for Henry Longfellow Elementary, Pin Oak Middle and John Pershing Middle, and he chaired

the Master Plan Building Committee for Paul Horn Elementary School.

Mr. Lunceford received a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1981 and is currently the vice president of engineering for Pedernales Energy. He built a career in the field of energy with Mobil Oil, Montex Exploration, Metfuel, and Penwell Energy prior to accepting his current position.

Mr. Lunceford’s two children attended Horn Elementary and Pershing Middle Schools and are graduates of Bellaire High

School. Both children are currently attending college. As a parent volunteer, Mr. Lunceford served as the Horn Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) treasurer and auction co chair. He was also a member of the PTO Auction Committee and the sports Booster Clubs at Pershing Middle School and the football and volleyball Booster Clubs at Bellaire High School.

A native Texan, Mr. Lunceford is a product of HISD schools, having attended Ila McNamara and Horace Elrod Elementary Schools, Walter Fondren Middle School, and Westbury High School. He and his wife, Erin, reside in Bellaire and are members of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church.

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PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW I

HISD

The First Day of Early Voting for the upcoming Tuesday, November 3, 2015 General Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015

Get to know Paula M. Harris and visit www.hisd.org for more information on HISD DON’T FORGET TO VOTE: On Tuesday, November 3, 2015. Trustee Rhonda Skillern Jones (District 2); Trustee Manuel Rodriguez (District 3); Trustee Paula M. Harris (District 4) and Trustee Juliet L. Stipeche (District 8) will be up for re-election in the 2015 General Election.

Paula M. Harris, District IV Paula Harris was elected to the Board of Education in November 2007 and reelected in 2011. She served as Board president in 2011.

Ms. Harris is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds a degree in Petroleum Engineering. In her 20-plus year career with a large oilfield service company, Ms. Harris has held a variety of positions, from field engineer where she managed operations on offshore rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, to sales engineer and North American recruiting manager. As worldwide training manager, Ms. Harris developed business opportunities and teams in Europe, Africa,

the Soviet Union, China, South America, and Australia.

She currently holds the position of Director of Community Affairs at Schlumberger. In this role, she is responsible for the corporation’s community and civic involvement and educational initiatives, which focus on math, science and engineering programs for children.

Ms. Harris wrote the book For Sister: The Guide for Professional Black Women, published in 2003. She formed her own publishing company, MadisonHouse Publishing, and in 2007 published her children’s book When I Grow UP I Want to Be an Engineer.

Ms. Harris is a recipient of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce Woman of Distinction Award, and was a state appointee to the Texas Energy Planning Council. She serves on the Board of Di rectors for Space Center Houston, where she chairs the education committee. Ms. Harris has been profiled in a number of

publications including Money Magazine, Black Engineer, Graduating Engineer, Houston Style Magazine, Houston Women, Houston Defender and Forward Times.

Ms. Harris and her husband Dwayne are the owners of DPM Investments. They have one daughter who attends an HISD school.

The Board of Education is the official policy-making body of the Houston Independent School District. The nine trustees, elected from separate districts, serve staggered four-year terms. The board holds public meetings at 5:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month in the HISD Board Auditorium, 4400 West 18th Street. Printed agendas are available from the Board Services office and the HISD Information Center—both located at 4400 West 18th Street.

Agenda summaries are available online.

Board of Education

www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com - HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS NEWSPAPER n 17

2015 POWER RATINGS I

CITY OF HOUSTON

THESE POWER RATINGS ARE CREATED TO ASSIST YOU WITH MAKING A MORE INFORMED DECISION ON ELECTION DAY

POWER RATINGS

FOR CITY OF HOUSTON ELECTED OFFICIALS

2015 Power Ratings Especially Prepared for Individuals Thinking About Running for Office in Houston on Tues., Nov. 3rd Aubrey R. Taylor Houston Business Connections Magazine

If you ask me, no seat is safe in the upcoming Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election. So I’m not sure why most of the newly declared candidates are flocking toward the open seats being vacated by termlimited council members. Heck, if you ask me, some of the newly declared candidates may come out far better by seeking to unseat an incumbent. This is not an easy task; but if the cards are played right (by developing the right strategy) prepared candidates can win.

INCUMBENTS ARE NOT INVINCIBLE I can boldly make this statement because defeating sitting incumbents for city council is a little different than trying to unseat an incumbent mayor in Houston, Texas. If my memory serves me right, the last time a sitting mayor was defeated was way back in the 1991 City of Houston Mayoral Election when Kathryn “Kathy” Whitmire lost her seat to the late Bob Lanier. But unseating incumbents on Houston’s City Council is a much easier task. Keep in mind that back in the last City of Houston Mayoral Election which took place on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 three incumbent city council members were defeated.

ABOUT THESE POWER RATINGS These “2015 POWER RATINGS” will show how David W. Robinson the current (At-Large Position #2) Council Member, Brenda Stardig the current (District A) Council Member, Richard Nguyen the current (District F) Council Member all defeated sitting incumbent city council members back in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

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18 n HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS NEWSPAPER - www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com

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2015 POWER RATINGS I

CITY OF HOUSTON

THE DEADLINE TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT IS MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015

2015 POWER

RATINGS

FOR CITY OF HOUSTON ELECTED OFFICIALS First Day of Early Voting for the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015

TURNOUT MUST BE BETTER IN 2015 Only 18.32% of the more than 953,380 registered voters in the City of Houston took part in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

This means that the race for mayor of the City of Houston was decided by only 174,620 voters.

WE MUST DO BETTER IN 2015 We must do much better on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 in terms of getting out the vote. This must be a collective effort. And I’m imploring you to encourage everyone you know to go to the polls on Election Day.

DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES All candidates who plan to have their name placed on the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election ballot must file for their place on the ballot by Monday, August 24, 2015. So make yourself a mental note of this date if you plan to run for office.

HOUSTON MAYOR Annise Parker, the current mayor of Houston is term-limited and will not be

on the ballot. So the race for Mayor in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election will not include an incumbent on the ballot running for re-election. Thus, there are no front-runners in this race. This PARKER race is wide-open and will be won by the candidate who receives more than 50% of the vote on Election Day. If no candidate receives more than 50% on Election Day, the top two votegetters will head into a December 2015 Runoff Election.

Controller in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election will not include an incumbent on the ballot running for re-election. Thus, there are no front-runners in this race. This race is wide-open and will be won by the canGREEN didate who receives more than 50% of the vote on Election Day. If no candidate receives more than 50% on Election Day, the top two vote-getters will head into a December 2015 Runoff Election.

CITY CONTROLLER’S RACE

MAYOR’S RACE

WHO’S THE FRONT-RUNNER? -- TOO EARLY TO TELL It is way too early to tell which candidate is going to emerge as the front-runner in the 2015 race for Mayor of Houston. The complete field of candidates won’t even be set until Monday, August 24, 2015. So we will release our “POWER RATING” for this race a few days later via www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com.

In the mean time, you are strongly encouraged to ignore the information being put out about who the projected front-runners are in the 2015 Race for “CITY OF HOUSTON MAYOR” by pundits, political operatives, bloggers, and mainstream media.

CITY CONTROLLER Ronald C. Green, the current City Controller for the City of Houston is term-limited and will not be on the ballot. So the race for City of Houston

WHO’S THE FRONT-RUNNER? -- TOO EARLY TO TELL It is way too early to tell which candidate is going to emerge as the front-runner in the 2015 race for City of Houston Controller.

The complete field of candidates won’t even be set until Monday, August 24, 2015. So we will release our “POWER RATINGS” for this race a few days later via www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com.

In the mean time, you are strongly encouraged to ignore the information being put out about who the projected front-runners are in the 2015 Race for “CITY OF HOUSTON CONTROLLER” by pundits, political operatives, bloggers, and mainstream media.

CITY COUNCIL AT-LARGE POSITION #1 Stephen Costello, the current At-

20 n HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS NEWSPAPER - www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com

2015 POWER RATINGS I

CITY OF HOUSTON

THE DEADLINE TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT IS MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015

2015 POWER

RATINGS

FOR CITY OF HOUSTON ELECTED OFFICIALS First Day of Early Voting for the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015

Large Position #1 Council Member for the City of Houston is term-limited and will not be on the ballot. So the race for the Houston City Council At-Large Position #1 seat will not include an incumbent on the ballot running for re-election. Thus, there are COSTELLO no front-runners in this race. This race is wideopen and will be won by the candidate who receives more than 50% of the vote on Election Day. If no candidate receives more than 50% on Election Day, the top two vote-getters will head into a December 2015 Runoff Election.

AT-LARGE POSITION #1

WHO’S THE FRONT-RUNNER? -- TOO EARLY TO TELL It is way too early to tell which candidate is going to emerge as the front-runner in the 2015 race for the Houston City Council AtLarge Position #1 seat at this time. The complete field of candidates won’t even be set until Monday, August 24, 2015. So we will release our “POWER RATINGS” for this race a few days later via www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com . In the mean time, you are strongly encouraged to ignore the information being put out about who the projected front-runners are in the 2015 Race for “AT-LARGE POSITION #1” by pundits, political operatives, bloggers, and mainstream media.

CITY COUNCIL AT-LARGE POSITION #4 C.O. “Brad” Bradford, the current At-Large Position #4 Council Member for the City of Houston is term-limited and will not be on the ballot. So the race for the Houston City Council At-Large Position #4 seat will not include an incumbent on the balBRADFORD lot running for re-election. Thus, there are no front-runners in this race.

This race is wide-open and will be won by the candidate who receives more than 50% of the vote on Election Day. If no candidate receives more than 50% on Election Day, the top two vote-getters will head into a December 2015 Runoff Election.

AT-LARGE POSITION #4

WHO’S THE FRONT-RUNNER? -- TOO EARLY TO TELL It is way too early to tell which candidate is going to emerge as the front-runner in the 2015 race for the Houston City Council AtLarge Position #4 seat at this time.

The complete field of candidates won’t even be set until Monday, August 24, 2015. So we will release our “POWER RATINGS” for this race a few days later. In the mean time, you are strongly encouraged to ignore the information being put out about who the projected front-runners are in the 2015 Race for “AT-LARGE

POSITION #4” by pundits, political operatives, bloggers, and mainstream media.

HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT G Oliver Pennington, the current District G Council Member for the City of Houston is term-limited and will not be on the ballot. So the race for the Houston City Council District G seat will not include an incumbent on the ballot running for re-election. Thus, there are no frontPENNINGTON runners in this race.

This race is wideopen and will be won by the candidate who receives more than 50% of the vote on Election Day. If no candidate receives more than 50% on Election Day, the top two vote-getters will head into a December 2015 Runoff Election.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT G

WHO’S THE FRONT-RUNNER? -- TOO EARLY TO TELL It is way too early to tell which candidate is going to emerge as the front-runner in the 2015 race for the Houston City Council District G seat at this time. The complete field of candidates won’t even be set until Monday, August 24, 2015. So we will release our “POWER RATINGS” for

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www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com - HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS NEWSPAPER n 23

2015 POWER RATINGS I

CITY OF HOUSTON

THE DEADLINE TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT IS MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015

2015 POWER

RATINGS

FOR CITY OF HOUSTON ELECTED OFFICIALS First Day of Early Voting for the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015

this race a few days later. In the mean time, you are strongly encouraged to ignore the information being put out about who the projected front-runners are in the 2015 Race for “DISTRCIT G” by pundits, political operatives, bloggers, and mainstream media.

HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT H Ed Gonzalez, the current District H Council Member for the City of Houston is term-limited and will not be on the ballot. So the race for GONZALEZ the Houston City Council District H seat will not include an incumbent running for re-election. Thus, there are no front-runners in this race.

This race is wide-open and will be won by the candidate who receives more than 50% of the vote on Election Day. If no candidate receives more than 50% on Election Day, the top two vote-getters will head into a December 2015 Runoff Election.

the information being put out about who the projected front-runners are in the 2015 Race for “DISTRCIT H” by pundits, political operatives, bloggers, and mainstream media.

views or opinions of any client, associate, advertiser, friend, supporter, or sponsor, of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications. So please direct any and all questions about these “2015 POWER RANKINGS” to Aubrey R. Taylor Communications at: (832)212-8735.

“2015 POWER RATINGS”

#2

Published Aubrey R. Taylor Communications Candidates hoping to land a seat on Houston’s City Council may freely use these “POWER RATINGS” to determine which seats they should run for in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election. The seat you choose to run for is very important, and could be a huge deciding factor in whether you win or lose on Election Day. So you are strongly encouraged to make a wise and informed decision.

DISCLAIMER

DISTRICT H

WHO’S THE FRONT-RUNNER? -- TOO EARLY TO TELL It is way too early to tell which candidate is going to emerge as the front-runner in the 2015 race for the Houston City Council District H seat at this time. The complete field of candidates won’t even be set until Monday, August 24, 2015. So we will release our “POWER RATINGS” for this race a few days later. In the mean time, you are strongly encouraged to ignore

These “2015 POWER RATINGS” are not intended to sway or influence your vote for, or against, any particular City of Houston Council Member or their opponent. Nor are these “2015 POWER RATINGS” being provided in an attempt to give any particular candidate any sort of advantage of any kind.

STATISTICAL DATA These “2015 POWER RATINGS” are based on statistical data gathered by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, and does not necessarily reflect the

THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE POSITION #2 David Robinson unseated the incumbent council member by the name of Andrew C. Burks, Jr. in a runoff election to earn the right ROBINSON to serve his first term as the At-Large Position #2 Council Member for the City of Houston. To make it into the runoff election David Robinson received (40.50% or 49,667) votes in the General Election. Andrew C. Burks, Jr. received (37.11% or 45,518) votes; Moe Rivera received (16.15% or 19,809) votes; and Trebor Gordon received (6.24% or 7,649). These numbers are based on information we obtained from the Harris County Clerk’s Office.

AT-LARGE POSITION #2

POWER RATING STATUS:

VULNERABLE Council Member David Robinson could be susceptible to being defeated if the right candidate challenges him in

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THE DEADLINE TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT IS MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015

2015 POWER

RATINGS

FOR CITY OF HOUSTON ELECTED OFFICIALS First Day of Early Voting for the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015

the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Mayoral Election. The “VULNERABLE” ranking is based on the “LOW VOTER TURNOUT” in the last election.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT ***Please keep in mind that all registered voters in the City of Houston can vote in the race for the ATLARGE POSITION #2 CITY COUNCIL MEMBER. However, only 18.32% of the registered voters in the City of Houston turned out to vote in the last citywide election.

Now keep in mind that there were more than 953,380 registered voters when this election took place. However, only 49,667 voters chose to vote for David Robinson. So there were over 903,713 registered voters who did not vote for Council Member David Robinson. Thus, if the right candidate enters the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 race and runs a strong race (with a good strategy) against Council Member David Robinson, anything could happen.

#3

THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE POSITION #3 Michael Kubosh beat Roy Morales in a runoff election to earn the right to serve his first term as the At-Large Position #3 Council Member for the

City of Houston. To make it into the runoff Michael Kubosh received (28.19% or 36,234) votes in the General Election. Roy Morales received (17.85% or 22,940) votes; J. Brad Batteau received (8.52% or 10,956) votes; Roland M. Chavez received (12.35% or 15,874) votes; Rogene Gee Calvert received KUBOSH (16.12% or 20,718) votes; Jenifer Rene Pool received (16.97% or 21,812) votes. These numbers are based on information we obtained from the Harris County Clerk’s Office.

AT-LARGE POSITION #3

POWER RATING STATUS:

VULNERABLE Council Member Michael Kubosh could be susceptible to being defeated if the right candidate challenges him in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Mayoral Election.

The “VULNERABLE” ranking is based on the “LOW VOTER TURNOUT” in the last election.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT ***Please keep in mind that all registered voters in the City of Houston can vote in the race for the ATLARGE POSITION #3 CITY COUNCIL MEMBER. However, only 18.32% of the registered voters in the City of Houston turned out to vote in the last citywide election. Now keep in mind that there were more than 953,380 registered voters when this election was held. However, only 36,234 voters chose to vote for Michael Kubosh. So there were over

917,146 registered voters who did not vote for Council Member Michael Kubosh. Thus, if the right candidate enters the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 race and runs a strong race (with a good strategy) against Council Member Michael Kubosh, anything could happen.

#5

THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE POSITION #5 Jack Christie defeated two challengers who were trying to unseat him. Council Member Christie did so by receiving (55.30% or 69,494) votes. Carolyn EvansShabazz received (31.69% or 39,820) votes; and James S. Horwitz received (13.01% or 16,354) votes. These numbers CHRISTIE are based on information we obtained from the Harris County Clerk’s Office.

AT-LARGE POSITION #3

POWER RATING STATUS:

VULNERABLE Council Member Jack Christie could be susceptible to being defeated if the right candidate challenges him in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Mayoral

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2015 POWER RATINGS I

CITY OF HOUSTON

THE DEADLINE TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT IS MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015

2015 POWER

RATINGS

FOR CITY OF HOUSTON ELECTED OFFICIALS First Day of Early Voting for the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015

Election. The “VULNERABLE” ranking is based on the “LOW VOTER TURNOUT” in the last election.

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER ***Please keep in mind that all registered voters in the City of Houston can vote in the race for the AT-LARGE POSITION #5 CITY COUNCIL SEAT. However, only 18.32% of the registered voters in the City of Houston turned out to vote in the last election when Council Member Jack Christie was running for re-election. Now keep in mind that there were more than 953,380 registered voters during the last citywide election. However, only 69,494 voters chose to vote for Council Member Jack Christie. So there were over 883,886 registered voters who did not vote for Council Member Jack Christie.

Thus, if the right candidate enters the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 race and runs a strong race (with a good strategy) against Council Member Jack Christie, anything could happen.

A

THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT A Council Member Brenda Stardig will be running for re-election in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 General Election. A LITTLE HISTORY: Back in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General

Election, Brenda Stardig unseated the incumbent by the name of Helena Brown in a runoff election to take back the District A seat she lost to Helena Brown in the previous election. To make it into the runoff election Brenda Stardig received (29.17% or 3,545) votes to finish second behind Brown in a field of five candidates. Helena Brown received (38.03% or 4,622) votes to finish first in the General Election. However, Brenda Stardig went on to win the runoff. OTHER STARDIG CANDIDATES: The candidates who were in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election race running for the Houston City Council District A seat were: Amy Peck who received (7.87% or 957) votes; Ron Hale who received (5.22% or 634) votes; and Mike Knox who received (19.71% or 2,395) votes.

These numbers are based on information we obtained from the Harris County Clerk’s Office.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT A

POWER RATING STATUS:

VULNERABLE Council Member Brenda Stardig could be susceptible to being defeated if the right candidate challenges her in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Mayoral Election. The “VULNERABLE” ranking is based on the “LOW VOTER TURNOUT” in the last election.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT ***Please keep in mind that all registered voters who live in DISTRICT A

are eligible to vote in the HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT A race.

However, only 19.17% of the registered voters in District A turned out to vote in the last election. Now keep in mind that there were more than 70,734 registered voters in District A during the last citywide election. However, only 3,545 voters chose to vote for Brenda Stardig. So there were over 67,189 registered voters who did not vote for Council Member Brenda Stardig.

Thus, if the right candidate enters the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 race and runs a strong race (with a good strategy) against Council Member Brenda Stardig, anything could happen.

B

THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT B Council Member Jerry Davis will be running for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, 2015. A LITTLE HISTORY: Back in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election, Council Member Jerry Davis defeated three challengers who were trying to unseat him.

DAVIS He did so by receiving (59.25% or 7,255) votes. Kathy Blueford-Daniels received (22.45% or 2,749) votes; Kenneth Perkins received (10.45% or 1,280) votes; and James “Joe” Joseph received (7.84% or 960)

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THE DEADLINE TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT IS MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015

2015 POWER

RATINGS

FOR CITY OF HOUSTON ELECTED OFFICIALS First Day of Early Voting for the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015

votes. These numbers are based on information we obtained from the Harris County Clerk’s Office.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT B

POWER RATING STATUS:

VULNERABLE Council Member Jerry Davis could be susceptible to being defeated if the right candidate challenges him in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Mayoral Election. The “VULNERABLE” ranking is based on the “LOW VOTER TURNOUT” in the last election.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT ***Please keep in mind that all registered voters who live in DISTRICT B are eligible to vote in the HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT B race. However, only 14.40% of the registered voters in District B turned out to vote in the last election. Now keep in mind that there were more than 95,663 registered voters in District B during the last citywide election. However, only 7,255 voters chose to vote for Council Member Jerry Davis. So there were over 88,408 registered voters who did not vote for Council Member Jerry Davis. Thus, if the right candidate enters the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 race and runs a strong race (with a good strategy) against Council Member Jerry Davis, anything could happen.

C

THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT C Council Member Ellen Cohen ran unopposed back in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election. She will be running for reelection in the Tuesday, November 3, COHEN 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election seeking the opportunity to serve her third and final term as the District C representative.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT C

POWER RATING STATUS:

VULNERABLE Council Member Ellen Cohen could be susceptible to being defeated if the right candidate challenges her in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Mayoral Election. The “VULNERABLE” ranking is based on the “LOW VOTER TURNOUT” in the past elections.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT ***According to numbers we obtained from the Harris County Clerk’s Office there were more than 128,427 registered voters in District C during the

last citywide election. There were 32,489 ballots cast by registered voters in District C back in the 2013 General Election. However, only 23,824 of those ballots were cast for Council Member Cohen who was running unopposed at the time. The difference between the number of registered voters in District C and the number of ballots cast for Council Member Cohen was 104,603. Thus, who knows what would happen if the right candidate (with the right strategy) chose to run against Council Member Ellen Cohen in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 race for District C.

D

THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT D Council Member Dwight Boykins will be running for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, 2015.

Boykins is currently serving his first term as the District D representative. He won the right to serve the people of District D by defeating Georgia D. Provost in BOYKINS a runoff election back in 2013 after finishing first in a field of twelve candidates in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election. THE GENERAL ELECTION

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2015 POWER RATINGS I

CITY OF HOUSTON

THE DEADLINE TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT IS MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015

2015 POWER

RATINGS

FOR CITY OF HOUSTON ELECTED OFFICIALS First Day of Early Voting for the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election is: Monday, October 19, 2015. The Last Day of Early Voting is: Friday, October 30, 2015

CANDIDATES who ran for the District D seat back on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 were: Travis McGee who received (6.21% or 1,068) votes; Keith Caldwell who received (2.70% or 465) votes; Christina Sanders who received (6.69% or 1,151) votes; Demetria Smith who received (2.71% or 467) votes; N. “Assata” Richards who received (10.95% or 1,883) votes; Dwight Boykins who received (42.90% or 7,379) votes; Lana Edwards who received (4.26% or 732) votes; Larry McKinzie who received (2.46% or 424) votes; Anthony Robinson who received (4.24% or 730) votes; Kirk White who received (1.53% or 263) votes; Georgia D. Provost who received (14.39% or 2,475) votes; and Ivis Johnson who received (0.96% or 165) votes. These numbers are based on information we obtained from the Harris County Clerk’s Office.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT D

POWER RATING STATUS:

VULNERABLE Council Member Dwight Boykins could be susceptible to being defeated if the right candidate challenges him in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Mayoral Election. The “VULNERABLE” ranking is based on the “LOW VOTER TURNOUT” in the last election.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT *** Please keep in mind that District D has more than 110,678 registered voters. But, only 19,681 voters participated in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election. This means the race for the District D was decided by only (17.78%) of the registered voters in Dis-

trict D. Thus, if the right candidate enters the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 race and runs a strong race (with a good strategy) against Council Member Dwight Boykins, anything could happen.

E

THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT E Council Member Dave Martin ran unopposed back in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election. He will be running for re-election in the MARTIN Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election seeking the opportunity to serve his second term as the District E representative.

REMEMBER ***According to numbers we obtained from the Harris County Clerk’s Office there were more than 105,417 registered voters in District E during the last citywide election. There were 18,712 ballots cast by registered voters in District E back in the 2013 General Election. However, only 11,913 of those ballots were cast for Council Dave Martin who was running unopposed at the time. The difference between the number of registered voters in District E and the number of ballots cast for Council Member Martin was 93,504.

Thus, who knows what would happen if the right candidate (with the right strategy) chose to ran against Council Member Dave Martin in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 race for District E.

F

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT E

POWER RATING STATUS:

VULNERABLE Council Member Dave Martin could be susceptible to being defeated if the right candidate challenges him in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Mayoral Election. The “VULNERABLE” ranking is based on the “LOW VOTER TURNOUT” in the past elections.

SOMETHING TO

THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT F Council Member Richard Nguyen will be running for re-election in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 General Election. A LITTLE NGUYEN HISTORY: Back in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election, Richard Nguyen unseated the incumbent city council member by the name of Al

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THE DEADLINE TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT IS MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015

Hoang to earn the right to serve his first term on Houston City Council as the District F representative. Richard Nguyen received (51.58% or 3,160) votes to take the District F seat away from the incumbent. Al Hoang only received (48.42% or 2,966) in his losing re-election bid. These numbers are based on information we obtained from the Harris County Clerk’s Office .CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT F

POWER RATING STATUS:

VULNERABLE Council Member Richard Nguyen could be susceptible to being defeated if the right candidate challenges him in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Mayoral Election. The “VULNERABLE” ranking is based on the “LOW VOTER TURNOUT” in the last election.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT *** According to information we obtained from the Harris County Clerk’s Office there are more than 67,105 registered voters in District F. However, only 7,794 voters went to the polls to vote in this race in the last election. So this race was decided by only 11.81% of the registered voters in District F. Thus, if the right candidate enters the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 race and runs a strong race (with a good strategy) against Council Member Nguyen, anything could happen.

the Harris County Clerk’s Office.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT I

POWER RATING STATUS:

VULNERABLE Council Member Robert Gallegos could be susceptible to being defeated if the right candidate challenges him in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Mayoral Election. The “VULNERABLE” ranking is based on the “LOW VOTER TURNOUT” in the last election.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT ***Please keep in mind that District I has more than 62,833 registered voters. But, only 9,553 voters participated in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election. This means the race for District I was decided by only (15.20%) of the registered voters in District I. Thus, if the right candidate enters the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 race and runs a strong race (with a good strategy) against Council Member Gallegos, anything could happen.

J

THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT J

I

THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT I Council Member Robert Gallegos will be running for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, 2015.

Gallegos is currently serving his first term as the GALLEGOS District I representative.

He won the right to serve the people of District I by defeating Graci Garces in a runoff election back in 2013 after finishing second in a field of four candidates in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election. THE GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATES who ran for the District I seat back on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 were: Leticia Gutierrez Ablaza who received (23.09% or 1,976) votes; Robert Gallegos who received (25.06% or 2,144) votes; Graci Garces who received (27.08% or 2,317) votes; and Ben Mendez who received (24.77% or 2,119) votes. These numbers are based on information we obtained from

Council Member Mike Laster ran unopposed back in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election. He will be running for re-election in the Tuesday, NovemLASTER ber 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election seeking the opportunity to serve his third and final term as the District J representative.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT J

POWER RATING STATUS:

VULNERABLE Council Member Mike Laster could be susceptible to being defeated if the right candidate challenges him in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Mayoral Election. The “VULNERABLE” ranking is based on the “LOW VOTER TURNOUT” in past elections.

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER ***According to numbers we obtained from the Harris County Clerk’s Office there were more than 45,697 registered voters in District J. There were 5,947 bal-

lots cast by registered voters in District J back in the 2013 General Election. However, only 3,894 of those ballots were cast for Council Member Mike Laster.

The difference between the number of registered voters in District J and the number of ballots cast for Council Member Laster was 41,803. Thus, who knows what would happen if the right candidate (with the right strategy) chose to run against Council Member Mike Laster in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 race for District J.

K

THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT K Council Member Larry V. Green ran unopposed back in the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 General Election. He will be running for re-election in the GREEN Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election seeking the opportunity to serve his third and final term as the District K representative.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT K

POWER RATING STATUS:

VULNERABLE Council Member Larry V. Green could be susceptible to being defeated if the right candidate challenges him in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Mayoral Election. The “VULNERABLE” ranking is based on the “LOW VOTER TURNOUT” in past elections.

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER ***According to the numbers we obtained from the Harris County Clerk’s Office there were more than 78,927 registered voters in District K. There were 15,485 ballots cast by registered voters in District K back in the 2013 General Election.

However, only 10,702 of those ballots were cast for Council Member Larry V. Green. The difference between the number of registered voters in District K and the number of ballots cast for Council Member Green was 68,225.

Thus, who knows what would happen if the right candidate (with the right strategy) chose to run against Council Member Larry V. Green in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 race for District K.

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MIKE NEEDHAM General Manager Ben E. Keith Company Mike began his career with Ben E. Keith in 1991, after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in History. He has served in many capacities during his tenure with the company including Warehouseman, District Sales Representative, Produce Specialist, Purchasing Manager, District Sales Manager, and Operations Manager. Since 1997, he has served as the Assistant General Manager and in 2008, was named the General Manager of the San Antonio Division.

In July 2014, he was named the General Manager of the new Houston Division.

SCOTT DAVISON Assistant General Manager Ben E. Keith Company Scott, a Sam Houston State University graduate with a BS in Agriculture Business, has been with Ben E. Keith since 1995. He has held positions such as District Sales Representative, District Sales Manager, and Branch Manager for the Conroe Sales Office. In 2008, Scott was named an Assistant General Manager.

JERRY DUBOSE Assistant General Manager Ben E. Keith Company Jerry is a graduate of Texas A&M who began his career with Ben E. Keith in 1996 as a DSR in the Bryan/College Station area. In 2001, he was promoted to a DSM and then in 2009 was promoted again to the Director of Sales Training and moved to the General Office. In July 2014, Jerry became the newest Assistant General Manager in the Houston Division.

MARK HERZOG Director of Purchasing Ben E. Keith Company Mark came to Ben E. Keith in 2007, with 20 years of food service experience, including Operations as well as extensive

Purchasing duties. He has also served as a Senior Merchandiser and as a Director of Purchasing before joining Ben E. Keith. Mark began his tenure as the Director of Purchasing in our new Houston Division in 2008.

LOU CITRO Branch Controller Ben E. Keith Company Lou began his career as a CPA in Public Accounting in 1981 after graduating with a BS in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University. Lou has over 30 years of accounting experience, most of which has been in the food industry with the following companies; Nabisco Brands, RTM (Arby’s), Huntington Restaurant Group (Chili’s/Denny’s), and Shamrock Foods.

Before joining Ben E Keith Foods in July of 2012, Lou spent ten years with Shamrock Foods as their Controller.

DREW SCUDDAY Marketing Manager Ben E. Keith Company Drew joined Ben E. Keith Company in 2007. He has a BBA in Finance from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. Beginning his career at the San Antonio Division, he has held positions as a District Sales Representative, VPT Analyst, and Business Development /Marketing Specialist. In 2012, Drew was named the Marketing Manager for the Houston Division.

IRENE GALVAN Credit Manager Ben E. Keith Company Irene began her Ben E Keith career in March 2001. She held the position of Assistant Credit Manager in the San Antonio Division for the past 11 years. In 2012, Irene was named the Credit Manager for the Houston division.

SHAUN MCFAUL Operations Manager Ben E. Keith Company Shaun began his Ben E. Keith career in 1999. He has an AA in Business Management. Shaun started his career at the Ben E. Keith Foods division in Amarillo working in several warehouse positions. In 2005 Shaun was promoted to Operations Manager in the Albuquerque Division, Shaun also served as the Safety Manager, DOT Compliance Manager, Transportation Manager and Sanitation Manager while at the Albuquerque Division. In 2012, Shaun moved to Houston to be the Operations Manager.

CRAIG VAUGHN Information Systems Manager Ben E. Keith Company Craig joined Ben E. Keith Company in 1998 as an I.S. Support Specialist for the Oklahoma City Division. He transferred to Amarillo to assume the role of I.S. Support Manager in 2003. Craig is a graduate of UCO with a BBA in Management Information Systems. In 2008, Craig was named the I.S. Support Manager for the Houston Division.

Grayle James JAMES WALLACE Transportation Manager Ben E. Keith Company James began his career in 1994 as a local Route Service Associate for the Dallas/Fort Worth division. He delivered in the Houston and Collage Station markets. As Ben E. Keith grew in the market so did his career. He moved from Route Service Associate to lead RSA then on to be the first supervisor in the Houston market. In 2010, James was named the Transportation Manager for the Houston Division.

credentials in mathematics and physical sciences from California State University, Bakersfield. Grayle has volunteered for many years at multiple FBISD schools, and has served as the PTO/PTA President for Lakeview Elementary, First Colony Middle School and Kempner High School. In the past, she has served as PTO/PTA Treasurer and VIPS Coordinator, as well as serving on the FBISD Parent Advisory, Health Advisory and Discipline Advisory committees. Grayle and her husband, David, have three children, who all currently attend or have graduated from FBISD schools.

President Fort Bend ISD - Position 2 Term Expires - 2015 Grayle James was elected to Position 2 in May 2012. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Secondary Education teaching

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Dave Rosenthal Vice President Fort Bend ISD - Position 7 Term Expires - 2016 Dave Rosenthal was elected to Position 7 in May 2013. Dave is a geophysicist with a private oil and gas firm in Houston and more than 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Geological Sciences in 1987 from the University of Texas at Austin and received a Bachelor of Science degree (cum laude) in Geology from the University of Delaware in 1983. Dave and his wife, Joan, have three children, two of which attend Fort Bend ISD schools.

Jenny Bailey Secretary Fort Bend ISD - Position 6 Term Expires - 2015 Jenny Bailey was elected to Position 6 in May 2012. Jenny worked for the Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC), a financial firm specializing in teacher retirement annuities, as a manager, project coordinator and research analyst.

She also worked for Nova Pension Valuations (NPV) as retirement plan administrator. Jenny received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University of Ohio in 1984. Jenny’s school volunteer experience includes serving on the PTO, fundraising committees, room parent, and a Junior Achievement

teacher, providing her numerous opportunities to interact with teachers and parents. Besides being an active volunteer in FBISD, her other volunteer experience includes First Colony Community Association, Fort Bend Boys Choir, Boy Scouts of America, and First United Methodist Church in Missouri City. Jenny and her husband, Bob, have two sons enrolled in FBISD schools. They have been residents in Missouri City since 1998.

Jason Burdine Fort Bend ISD - Position 1 Term Expires - 2017 Jason Burdine was elected to Position 1 in 2014. His family has called Fort Bend their home for the past seven years. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Education Degree. As an independent contractor with Investment Professionals, Jason has earned numerous accolades for his commitment to exemplary service. He currently partners with a money management firm that specializes in the area of Educational Trusts.

In the Fort Bend community, Jason mentors at-risk youth, and serves as a member of the Ridgemont Elementary and Early Childhood Center’s Campus-Based Leadership Team. Other community involvement has included volunteering at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where over the past ten years he has logged a total of 500 volunteer hours. Additionally, he has served on the District Strategic Steering Committee working collaboratively on the Master Facilities Plan for FBISD. Jason has two young children that will be attending Fort Bend ISD schools in the near future.

KP George Fort Bend ISD - Position 5 Term Expires - 2017 KP George was elected to Position 5 in 2014. He grew up in a tiny village in South India. He began his education learning the local language as he walked barefoot to get to school. As he did his homework in his straw hut by the light of a kerosene lamp and helped his parents farm before and after school, KP dreamed of achieving his greatest goal: coming to the land of opportunity and living the American Dream.

His hard work propelled him out of the poverty of his hometown. He arrived in the U.S. in 1993 to work for a financial firm, and has since earned multiple financial certifications and licenses. KP is currently self-employed as a Board Certified Financial Planner and owns and manages an independent financial planning practice with six other advisors.

Since 1999, KP and his wife Sheeba (an FBISD educator) have raised their three children in Sugar Land. One of his children is a recent graduate, and two are currently attending Fort Bend ISD schools.

KP took the lead in establishing the Hightower High School Academies’ Booster Club in 2013 and served as its first president. He has also served local Indo-American groups, the Sugar Land Rotary Club, and the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the FBISD Parents Advisory Team and State Elections Policy & Affairs Team for State Representative Rick Miller.

KP George is very thankful that God has given him the opportunity to live The Dream. Now, he wants to ensure that our children have the necessary tools to achieve their DREAMS, because they are our future.

Jim Rice Fort Bend ISD - Position 3 Term Expires - 2016 Jim Rice was elected to Position 3 in 2013 and has previously served as Board President and Board Secretary. He has been a resident of Sugar Land since 1981 and is the president of Rice & Gardner Consultants, an engineering and construction management firm. Jim is an active member of the Boy Scouts of America and is currently serving on the Sam Houston Area Council Board of Directors.

He has extensive experience working directly with youth in the Boy Scouts and church, and all three of his sons are Eagle Scouts. In addition, Jim has served on the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors since 2005 and is currently serving a second term as Vice Chair of the Chamber’s Education Division.

Jim is also a 2005 graduate of the Fort Bend Chamber’s Leadership Forum Class.

He serves on the Board of Directors for the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County; the Fort Bend Regional P16 Council, which is dedicated to supporting student achievement; and is co-founder and current Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fort Bend Cares - a 501 c(3) charitable foundation. Jim and his wife Mary have raised three sons who graduated from Fort Bend ISD schools.

Kristin K. Tassin Fort Bend ISD - Position 4 Term Expires - 2017

ber of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, Houston Young Lawyers Association and the Exchange Club of Sugar Land.

In 2011, she was named a Texas Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers magazine.

Kristin was founding PTO president at Heritage Rose Elementary and has served in that position for three consecutive years.

She also served as head of fundraising for three consecutive years, as well as on the Campus-Based Leadership Team and numerous other PTO leadership positions.

She is a member of the FBISD Parent Advisory Council, member of the FBISD Steering Committee for Facilities Planning and is a Mentor Program volunteer.

Kristin and her husband, Shannon, have three children – all of whom attend FBISD schools.

Attend a Fort Bend ISD Board Meetings Fort Bend ISD Board Meetings will generally take place the second Monday of the month to discuss all items that will be considered as part of the agenda at a regular business meeting on the third Monday of the month. The meetings are held in the Board Room of the FBISD Administration Building, 16431 Lexington Blvd., in Sugar Land. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. with Board Recognitions and other Special Meetings that are open to the public. The Board regular business meetings begin at 7 p.m.

Called Meetings are scheduled on an asneeded basis, although Texas law does allow the Board to call an emergency

meeting in a crisis situation.

In accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, the Board has the privilege to meet privately in closed session to discuss matters related to personnel, student discipline, security, land acquisition or to consult with legal counsel. No action, however, may be taken during a closed session.

Board of Trustee Elections Information Your Board of Trustees, comprised of seven local citizens, provides an important public service to the Fort Bend community and serves without compensation. In accordance with the Texas Elections Code, Fort Bend ISD calls Board elections for the second Saturday in May of each year. Vacancies occurring after the election are filled by appointment until the next election is conducted.

Trustees are elected to three-year terms on a rotating basis. Two are elected each year, one from each side of the district (Position 1, 2 and 3 on the West, and Positions 5, 6 and 7 on the East). Also, every third year, the “at large” Position 4, is elected.

The seven Board of Trustees members are voted on by all residents of the district, and represent all residents of the district.

Kristin Tassin was elected to Position 4 in 2014. She has lived in Missouri City for 17 years. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Quantitative Business Analysis (Computer Science option). She also earned her Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University Law School. She is currently employed as an attorney at Dry & Tassin and is Co-Founder/Director of the charitable organization, Father's Joy. Kristin is a memKristin K. Tassin Jim Rice Jenny Bailey

Dave Rosenthal

Jason Burdine Grayle James

K.P. George

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Higher Dimension Church www.higherd.net Pastor Terrance H. Johnson, frequently referred to as Pastor J, is the founder and senior pastor of Higher Dimension Church.

His education derives from American Baptist College located in Nashville, TN, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Sociology. Pastor J is known throughout the country as a premier preacher with extraordinary gifts in biblical exposition, interpretation, and proclamation according to the Higher Dimension Church website.

His wife First Lady Torsha Johnson, is spiritually gifted in leading women to the heart of God by developing and nurturing dynamic women's ministries. They are both native Houstonians and have three sons, Terrance, Thailan, and Theophilus, and one daughter, Tirzah. Pastor Johnson and First Lady Johnson uphold and exemplify strong family values; believing the church is only as strong as its families.

Visit the website link for more information on this ministry.

reach to the world’s poorest citizens. Together they co-pastor the St. John’s United Methodist Church located in Downtown Houston that began with 9 existing members in 1992. St. John’s has grown to over 9,000 members (30% were formerly homeless) in 21 years into one of the most culturally diverse congregations in the country where every week people of every social and economic background and ethnicity share the same pew.

The Rasmus’ attribute the success of the church to a compassionate group of people who have embraced the vision of tearing down the walls of classism, sexism, and racism and building bridges of unconditional love, universal recovery, and unprecedented hope. A recent inhouse poll revealed the number one reason people attend St. John’s is because they can “feel the love” from the parking lot to the pew.

Visit the website link for more information on this ministry.

began her career in her family’s business.

Now as a supportive wife, mother of two children and a co-pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, Victoria is an inspiration and mentor to women everywhere. She is committed to helping women, children and families discover their purpose and reach their highest potential in Christ.

Victoria has recently released a new book from Simon and Schuster, called Love Your Life: Living Happy, Healthy and Whole. In the book, Victoria offers today’s busy modern woman a simple and practical plan to help them embrace joy and live life to the fullest. She speaks directly to women harried by the pressures.

Visit the website link for more information on this ministry.

St John’s Church www.stjohnsdowntown.org Juanita Rasmus is a Spiritual Director with a desire to see a merger between the contemplative life and active life in society. Rudy Rasmus is an author, and global humanitarian with a passion for out-

Dr. H. Edwin Young was born and raised in Laurel, Mississippi and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age of 12. While in college at the University of Alabama , he felt led by God to become a pastor, and transferred to Mississippi College to continue his education. Dr. Young's preparation for the ministry continued at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

His first pastorate was in North Car-

www.kingdombuilders.com Kirbyjon H. Caldwell is Senior Pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church.

Under the leadership of Caldwell since 1982, Windsor Village Church member-

olina, and he pastored in North and South Carolina until 1978 when he moved to Houston, Texas to become the pastor at Second Baptist Church where he continues as senior pastor today. The congregation has grown from 2,000 members in 1978 to over 60,000 members on 5 church campuses. Dr. Young served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention and has authored many books including The 10 Commandments of Marriage, The 10 Commandments of Parenting, and Healing Broken America.

Dr. Young and his wife, Jo Beth, have three sons, all in ministry: Ed (author, speaker and senior pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas), Ben (author, speaker and associate pastor at Second Baptist Church, Houston), and Cliff (Creative Media and Communications director and associate pastor for Second Baptist Church, Houston, and founding leader of the contemporary Christian group Caedmon’s Call.) Dr. Young and Jo Beth have eleven grandchildren who light up their lives.

Visit the website link for more information on this ministry.

www.brentwoodbaptist.org

Lakewood Church www.lakewoodchurch.com Joel Osteen is a native Texan and the Pastor of Lakewood Church, which according to Church Growth Today is America’s largest and fastest growing church. On July 16, 2005 after completing $95 million dollars in renovations, Joel moved Lakewood Church into its new 16,000-seat home — the former Compaq Center. It is the largest regularly-used worship center in the United States. Each week Joel delivers God’s message of hope and encouragement to more than 38,000 attendees. According to Nielsen Media Research, Joel is the most watched inspirational figure in America. His weekly sermon is broadcast into every U.S. television market where it is viewed by seven million Americans each week and more than 20 million each month. His weekly broadcast is also seen in almost 100 nations around the world according to the Lakewood Church website.

A life-long Houstonian, Victoria

www.second.org

Windsor Village United Methodist Church

Brentwood Baptist Church The Reverend Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff has been married to the former Doris Ernestine Gardner since 1980. He is a native of Lumberton, North Carolina; where in 1962, he began his Christian journey by uniting with The Mt. Sinai United Holy Church of Lumberton. Seven years later, he answered his Call to Ministry while attending Morehouse College. He served as pastor of the Cobb Memorial United Holy Church in Atlanta, Georgia for eight years.

Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff was elected as pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church of Houston, Texas in February 1980 and by the year 2000 had grown it from a 500 member congregation to a mega-church of 12,000. The congregation has reached a plateau of more than 7,000 members with over 5,000 worshipers attending its two Sunday morning worship services.

Visit the website link for more information on this ministry.

Second Baptist Church

ship has increased from 25 members to more than 16,000, making it one of the largest Protestant Churches in the country.

As a result of Caldwell’s effective social entrepreneurship, both Caldwell and the Windsor Village Church Family have been featured extensively in national and international print and broadcast media, including U.S. News & World Report, the British Broadcasting Corporation, The Wall Street Journal and the CBS Evening News.

Caldwell was included in Newsweek’s “Century Club”, the publication’s list of 100 people to watch as America moved into the 21st century. .

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Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church www.wheeleravebc.org The Reverend Dr. Marcus D. Cosby, the third child born to the late Mr. Rogers Cosby and Mrs. Bobbie J. Cosby, serves as the Senior Pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. A proud native of Chicago, Illinois and a product of Emmanuel Baptist Church where Dr. L.K. Curry served as pastor, Cosby received

Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia and the Doctor of Ministry Degree in Homiletics from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, Illinois.

Dr. Cosby is married to his high school sweetheart, Mrs. Audrey Marie Cosby, and they have been blessed with three beautiful daughters, Adrienne Marie, Ashley Marie and Aliyah Marie and two sons, Marcus D., II and Matthew D. Cosby.

Visit the website link for more information on this ministry.

the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and English from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, the Master of Divinity Degree in Homiletics and Christian Education from the Morehouse School of

Grace Church www.grace.tv Pastor Steve Riggle is the founding pastor of Grace church, the president of

Grace International, and executive member of the Houston Area Pastors Council.

Steve holds a Masters Degree from Oral Roberts University and a Doctorate from The Kings University. Becky has led women’s ministry in the local church, taught bible studies, and speaks at conferences and women’s events across the United States and internationally. Her desire is to encourage women of all ages to grow in God’s word and to live out their God given purpose. Steve and Becky take every opportunity to be with their family and friends.

A motion picture is in production that chronicles the unmistakable hand of God moving in Steve and Becky’s life during a mission trip in the Philippines where they were taken hostage in an attempted prison break and were the only survivors.

We’re Building Winning Lives...

The mission of Bishop K.J. Brown Ministries is that through the preaching and teaching of the gospel that a multitude of men, women boys and girls will come to know the Lord Jesus as Savior. We also endeavor to be a source of encouragement, inspiration, information and for those that already know the Lord as Savior and desire to strengthen their relationship with the Lord.

Our vision at Bishop K.J. Brown Ministries is to raise up a Church that is a light in the world . Not just the local assembly, but the Body of Christ. We endeavor to be strength for the weary, hope for the worn, healing for the wounded, and encouragement for the well. As we patiently wait for the return of Jesus Christ our Lord.

“God Wants U 2 Win! God has a plan to prosper your life. Trust in God's Ways Listen to God's Voice. Follow God's Instructions. Move Forward in Faith and Win!” -- Bishop K J Brown

2015

w w w. b i s h o p k j b r o w n . o r g www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com - HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS NEWSPAPER n 31

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her alma mater, bringing to her classroom not only experience as an elected official but a long career in public service for organizations and agencies including the Houston Housing Authority, Harris County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Association, and the Mayor’s Assistance Office.

The HISD trustee has traveled throughout the world – Africa, Europe, and South America – as an international ambassador for the City of Houston.

As a public servant, Adams has been committed to support for the homeless, veterans, the disabled, and mentally ill, and is a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness. Among the organizations for which she volunteers are the Houston Area Women’s Center, YMCA, YWCA, Keep Houston Beautiful, and Meals on Wheels in the Sunnyside community.

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She serves as a trustee for the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and a national officer for the Social Action Commission for Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Ms. Adams is also a member of Leadership Houston Class 30.

Ms. Adams is a Sunday school teacher and international missionary for the Fountain of Praise church, through which she participated in a mission to Cape Town, South Africa, in 2013.

Among her honors are being featured in Houston Woman’s magazine’s Top 50 Women in Houston, the Houston Area Association for the Education of Young Children’s Elected Official of the Year Award, selection to RollingOut.com’s Top 25 Women, and the Award of Distinction from the National Forum of Black Public Accountants.

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____________________ CONTINUED FROM (PAGE - 15)

She remains of counsel at the law firm of Nagorny & Stipeche, P.C. Ms. Stipeche is a member of various professional organizations including the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Hispanic Professional Organization, and Houston Hispanic Bar Association.

Over the years, Ms. Stipeche has also mentored, tutored, and volunteered at HISD schools. She has been active in her community, serving on the IdylwoodCivic Club, volunteering for organizations such as YaEsHora, the Human Rights Campaign, the American Heart Association, Barbara Jordan Ambassadors’ Program for Disabled Youth, the American Red Cross, TalentoBilingüe de Houston, and the Urban Souls Dance Company.

In 2013, she was nominated and admitted as a Fellow in the Texas Bar Foundation -- an honor reserved only for the top 1/3 of 1% of Texas attorneys – based on her dedication to the administration of justice and her high professional standing among her peers. Ms. Stipeche is also a Fellow for the American Leadership Forum – Houston/Gulf Coast Chapter’s Core Class XXXI.

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