A Letter from Keith McNeely

Keith McNeely, our General Manager at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center has been with Smart City for 45 years and will retire at the end of 2024. Throughout his final victory lap, he wanted to share some of his thoughts and reflect on his long journey with Smart City.

PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

Make it a goal every day to help at least one person. It could be as simple as giving directions, showing a customer where the restrooms are, helping a homeless person with lunch or just listening to a team member that has a problem. Just a reminder though; it may not turn out the way you think.

GLOW IN THE DARK WHAT?

Back in the early nineties I travelled to Los Angeles to help our team install a large event. During the move-in we asked the staff to return to the switch room and clear out their orders. Henry De La Rosa and I were standing outside the office when we saw three ladies walking towards us carrying boxes and folding chairs. We asked where they were going, and they said South Hall. South Hall was a hike from where we were, so I asked if we could carry their boxes, and they agreed. When we arrived at their booth one of the ladies asked for my business card, which I gave her.

A week later I am back in Houston driving to work. When I arrive, John Ott is waiting for me at the door with a smile on his face. I knew in an Instant I was in trouble. John’s only request was that I not turn the lights on in my office, and I agreed. There hanging on the walls glowing in the dark were 4 or 5 pairs of men’s underwear. John said the underwear came from a lady in California. The only thing I could think of is that one of the ladies Henry and I had helped sent the clothing to me. John suggested I make up a better story since he had already told my wife, Tricia, about the gift.

That night I carried my box of glow in the dark underwear home. Tricia and I talked about our day and at some point, the box became our topic of conversation. I explained that Henry and I had helped some ladies during move-in for an event and one of them mailed the clothing to me. At that point Tricia said she knew what my brothers were getting for Christmas that year.

All I know is I never saw the box again, nor did I ask about it. Why would a lady mail underwear to a married man? People helping people!