FOUNDER’S COUNCIL
T
he Founder’s Council is a dynamic group of professionals and young leaders between the ages of 25 and 46 founded in 1988 to honor the memory of Tom Slick and to promote Texas Biomedical Research Institute.
THE FOUNDER’S COUNCIL EXISTS TO EDUCATE ITS MEMBERS ABOUT THE LIFE-CHANGING RESEARCH CONDUCTED EVERY DAY AT TEXAS BIOMED.
Historically, the Founder’s Council has distributed 10 to 15 equipment grants per year ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 each. In 2018, the Founder’s Council board of directors voted in favor of distributing fewer yet higher-value grants. We are very proud to report that our grants — which now average $40,000 each — are even more impactful to Texas Biomed.
The mission of the Founder’s Council is to cultivate interest in Texas Biomed among young leaders in the greater San Antonio region who show potential for lifelong support of Texas Biomed. The Founder’s Council has approximately 400 diverse members from all walks of life whose annual contributions and sponsorships help fund equipment grants for Texas Biomed scientists. Texas Biomed had an exciting 2018 as Dr. Larry Schlesinger settled into his new position as President and CEO.
As President of the Founder’s Council, I was honored to be an ex officio member of the Texas Biomed Board of Trustees. In Board meetings, I had a unique opportunity to witness the leadership, vision, and confidence that Larry brings to Texas Biomed. In June 2018, he received Board approval to undertake an aggressive strategic plan to completely rebuild the Texas Biomed campus, increase staff and funding, and most importantly, help Texas Biomed become known throughout the world. Larry has earned the respect of his staff, our board of directors and City leaders. I would like to thank him personally for his guidance and support throughout the year. Because we know that behind every successful man is a supportive woman, I also would like to thank the First Lady of Texas Biomed, Larry’s wife, Judy.
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The Founder’s Council delivered three fantastic Lecture Luncheons throughout the year at which Texas Biomed scientists Dr. Marie-Claire Gauduin, Dr. Ian Cheeseman and Dr. Jordi Torrelles shared their cutting-edge research with our membership and prospective new members. In March of last year, members enjoyed the premiere event, Dining and Discourse, where scientists joined a table of guests in an intimate setting for dinner at The Argyle, allowing for candid conversations around their areas of expertise. In May, we and our prospective members were fortunate to enjoy an informative VIP tour of the Texas Biomed campus, and in October, we hosted a new member event at La Fonda on Main. We especially thank our event sponsors who underwrite 100 percent of our event costs, allowing the Founder’s Council to contribute more substantially to our equipment grants. We concluded 2018 with a holiday party at Dacia and Lanham Napier’s home and were honored to present Dr. Joanne Turner, Vice President for Research for Texas Biomed, with equipment grant awards totaling more than $97,000. The Founder’s Council exists to educate its members about life-changing research conducted every day at Texas Biomed, to empower our members, then to educate their communities and colleagues about the Institute’s efforts and strides. It is our sincerest hope, that once informed, these community leaders also will financially support Texas Biomed so that it may continue for generations its noble and necessary science. This year played a vital role in helping Texas Biomed make a global impact, and we are honored to carry on this distinguished tradition. At the service of Texas Biomed, Trey Dawson, 2018 President, Founder’s Council
