Gary Maler is the director of the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University in College Station. He has served as director since 2005. Prior to becoming the Center’s chief administrative officer, Maler was the Associate Director. As Director of the Center, Maler focuses his attention on garnering and managing the resources and talent of the Center, creating a work culture that is favorable to creativity, collaboration and accountability and looking for opportunities to grow the Center’s expertise and reputation for excellence. Maler is passionate about strategy and has led the Center in developing a refined list of bold strategic initiatives. Before joining the Center he worked in the private sector in real estate development. His past employers include Friendswood Development Company (FDC) in Houston, Texas. While with Friendswood he performed numerous land suitability and homebuyer preference surveys and the original market studies recommending successful projects including Copperfield, Greenspoint and Kingwood’s office as well as entertainment and retail centers. He also oversaw the construction of those and other FDC projects and managed 16 municipal utility districts and their infrastructure. During Maler’s tenure at Texas A&M, he worked as a Special Assistant on Assignment to the Vice Chancellor for Development of the Texas A&M Research Park, preparing the original ground leases and initial marketing strategies, as well as conducting comprehensive special studies of real estate owned by Texas A&M. He also initiated and identified decision-making criteria that became the underpinnings of a formalized real estate management system at Texas A&M. He has taught strategic thinking in the Mays Business School Center for Executive Development. Maler regularly makes presentations and assists real estate trade associations by conducting focus groups, business planning and strategy development sessions. He has assisted over 90 organizations during his 32- year career at Texas A&M.

ROTARIAN OF THE WEEK

RONALD C. FLOURNOY------Ron was born in Mobile, Alabama and moved to Calhoun County in 1957 with his ALCOA parents.  He graduated from Calhoun High in 1962 and then attended Lamar University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1966.  His professional career began that year when he joined ALCOA at its Arkansas facility.  Then, over the next 34 years, he held technical/operating management positions in the Alumina Refining/Chemicals’ Division in Suriname, SA, Pittsburgh, Pa., Benton, Ark. (twice), Mobile, Ala., Point Comfort (twice), and Jamaica, WI.  Ron was ALCOA’S Point Comfort Operations Manager when he elected retirement in 2000.  He was a Professional Engineer in the State of Arkansas.

Ron has been married to the former Pamela Bundick of Bloomington, TX for 54 years. They reside in Port Lavaca.  Ron and Pam have two daughters, Stacey, married to Greg Wynn of Port Lavaca and Melissa, married to retired Air Force Col. Richard DeMouy now residing in San Antonio, TX.  Ron and Pam have three granddaughters and one grandson.

Ron serves on advisory boards for International Bank of Commerce Upper Gulf Coast, DeTar Hospital and the local Partners in Education group.  He co-founded the Crossroads Career Tech Coalition promoting careers in local business/industry.  He is active in numerous area community endeavors.  He is a member and deacon at First Baptist Church.  His hobbies include history, fishing, travel, genealogy, more fishing, and grandchildren.

Ron’s Rotary sponsor in 1984 was Ben Harriss.  Ron was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow in 2003.  He served as Club President during Rotary International’s Centennial year 2004-5, has served as Club Treasurer, and was Club Secretary 2005-15.  Ron also served as a Rotary Texas P.E.T.S. Ranger in 2007.

Rotarian of the Week

Pam Lambden

Pam was born in Mobile Alabama and relocated to Texas in 1956 when her Dad was transferred with ALCOA.   Pam and her husband Vaughn live in Point Comfort.  She has served on the Point Comfort City Council since 1982 and has served as a Councilwoman, Mayor Pro-Tem and currently serving as Mayor of the City since 1994.  Past President  Port Lavaca Noonday Rotary Club.

Pam served as Past-Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission; served on the GCRPC Board as a Director; has in the past and is presently serving a Governor’s Appointment as Chairman of the Golden Crescent Regional Review Commission for a seven county region.

Was selected “Woman of the Year for 2007” and received the Paul Harris Award in June – 2009.   Serves on the Formosa Plastics Endowment Environment Trust Fund Outreach Committee; Board of Directors for the CAPA Advisory Panel for the Superfund Site at Alcoa, member of the PCCP Committee for ALCOA; member Community Advisory Board for Formosa Plastics Corporation, Board Member for the Calhoun County Senior Citizens Board of Directors;   member of the Calhoun County  Community Action Board for Victoria and Calhoun County.  Served as a Captain for Friends of Scouting Campaign, member of Indianola District Committee, Volunteer for the Calhoun County Habitat Foundation Fundraisers and supporter/contributor for many organizations.

Pam is a past member of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Board for the Calhoun Leadership Class, member on Partners in Education committee and numerous Task Force Committees. 

Pam retired from Memorial Medical Center with 44 years experience in healthcare and served as the Director of Business/Fund Development and Medical Staff Relations for Memorial Medical Center in Port Lavaca.  Has served as Assistant Administrator and several times as Interim CEO.   Instrumental in establishing the Calhoun County Medical Foundation Fundraising Event which contributes toward the purchase of equipment for the hospital.

She attended Victoria College and South West Texas State College in San Marcos.  Member of Point Comfort United Methodist Church.  Pam and Vaughn celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this past June.  Two sons:  Stephen and wife Lora and Michael.  Two grandchildren:  Dustin and Linnea “ Missy”.  Other special members of the family include their 4-yr old Golden Retriever Murphy.   Having several titles, Pam’s favorite title is that of “Mammy” to her two grandchildren.

Special Guest Speaker

State Representative-Texas, Todd Hunter

Todd A Hunter is currently serving in his ninth term in the Texas House of Representatives. He was first elected to the Texas House in 1988 and retired from public service in 1997, so he could dedicate more time to raising his three young children with his wife, Alexis. He is an attorney at The Law Office of Todd A. Hunter, PLLC in Corpus Christi.

Born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1953, Todd earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas in 1975 and his J.D. from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 1978. He has lived in the Corpus Christi area for almost 40 years, where he met and married his wife, the former Alexis Taylor. They have three children: Todd Jr., a graduate of Texas A&M University – College Station and St. Mary's University Law School; Michael, a graduate of Trinity University in San Antonio and an MBA graduate of Texas A & M Corpus Christi; and Christina, an architecture graduate of the University of Texas in Austin and an MBA graduate of Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Chairman Hunter completed four terms in the Texas House of Representative, serving from 1989 to 1997. In 2008, he was elected to a fifth term and in 2010 to a sixth term serving District 32 which then included Aransas, Calhoun and San Patricio Counties and part of Nueces County. In 2012, he was re-elected for his seventh term and in 2014 to his eighth term and in 2016 to his ninth term, representing District 32 which is currently the eastern half of Nueces County.

For the 85th Legislative Session, Hunter is the Chairman of the Calendar Committee, Vice Chair and a member of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, and a member of the County Affairs Committee.

During his previous terms in the legislature, Hunter served as Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence and the House Committee on Civil Practices and was a key player in important issues such as tort reform and education. He served on numerous important House committees, including the Corrections, Human Services, Redistricting, General Investigating and Ethics, Ways and Means, Elections, Urban Affairs and Higher Education committees. Additionally, Todd served on the powerful Appropriations Committee for two terms and was named Chairman of the Subcommittee on Education and Vice Chair of the State Affairs Committee.

Guest Speakers

Bill Harvey and John Foester

Bill is a native of Fort Worth and served six years in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Texas A&M University with degrees in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and from the University of Texas with a public policy degree.  He began wildlife photography in the mid 80’s while working for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.Rot

John Foester

John grew up in and still lives in Calhoun County.   He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and is a geophysicist in the oil & gas industry and does some ranching on the side.  Some of his pastimes are fishing, hunting, looking for arrowheads, and photography.

Foester Ranch

Louis Foester began ranching in 1858 in the Long Mott area.  In 1879 he bought land in the Clark Station area and moved his family to the new homestead on Chocolate Bayou in 1881.  Over the years, additional lands at Six Mile, Alamo Beach, Coloma Creek, Indianola, and other tracts around Lavaca & Matagorda Bay were purchased by the successive generations of Foesters.  Bill & John took photos on the estate lands of Louis Foester III, John’s father and a great grandson of the founder.  These lands contain a great diversity of habitats and wildlife with bay frontage, salt marshes, oak woods, riparian woods, freshwater lakes, creeks, and cropland that provide ample opportunity for wildlife/nature photographs.

Rotarian of the Week

Colin Rangnow

I was born in Cuero, Texas in 1977 and raised in Victoria. Graduated in 1995 from Stroman High School in Victoria.  I enrolled at Victoria College as a Criminal Justice Major in the fall of 1995. I worked in A/C Heating repair and cattle ranching to put myself through college. I obtained enough hours and saved enough money to transfer to Southwest Texas State University.   Just before I transferred to SWT, I met my wife, Brande, at Schroeder Hall in Schroeder, Texas.

               I worked on obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at Southwest Texas while working a forty hour job at the Walmart Distribution Center in New Braunfels, Texas.  With just two classes shy of a degree, I quit and enrolled in the Victoria Police Academy in the winter of 2001. I graduated from the Academy in May of 2001.

               I started my career with the Cuero Police Department in December of 2001. In November 2002 Brande and I got married.  In the summer of 2003, Cuero PD allowed me to take off an entire month to finish my degree.  At the end of June 2003 I graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree. 

               In 2004 I learned Brande and I were going to have a baby boy. I changed career paths and went to work form the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in April 2005. In July of 2005 Brande and I had our first born.  I stayed with CPS until February 2006. I got back into law enforcement and went to work for Edna Police Department in February of 2006.

               I ended my career with Edna PD and hired on with Port Lavaca Police Department in March of 2008. A few months later Brande and I learned we were going to have a baby girl. In April 2009 we had our second child.

I worked my way through the ranks of the Department.  I was a patrol sergeant for several years and was eventually promoted to Detective.  As a Detective I investigated crimes against persons.  In 2016 I was afforded the opportunity to lead the Department as the interim Chief of Police. I served as Interim Chief of Police for five months.  On November 14, 2016 I was sworn in as Chief of Police for the Port Lavaca Police Department.

But the true accolade in my life is knowing this career path is God’s purpose for me. The support I have from my beautiful loving Wife and the honor to be called “Daddy” and watch two amazing children grow in their own unique way.

Guest Speaker

Lt. Javier Ramos Sr.

*GRADUATED FROM THE VICTORIA POLICE ACADEMY IN DECEMBER OF 2010

*JOINED THE PORT LAVACA POLICE DEPARTMENT IN JANUARY 2011

*IN SEPTEMBER OF 2011 RECEIVED THE LIFESAVING AWARD FOR CARRYING AN ELDERLY MALE OUT OF A BURNING HOME

*PROMOTED TO DETECTIVE EARLY MARCH 2012 AS THE PLPD NARCOTIC OFFICER
 

*CERTIFIED AS A HOSTAGE NEGOTIATER IN FEBRUARY 2013

*RECEIVED OFFICER OF YEAR AWARD IN FEBRUARY 2014

*BECAME CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS DETECTIVE EARLY 2016

*LATE DECEMBER OF 2016 PROMOTED TO CID LIEUTENANT TO CURRENT DATE

Rotarian of the Week

Skip Sockell

Born and mostly raised in Norfolk, Virginia.  My dad was in the Navy, so we moved about every three years.  So, we also spent time in Lakehurst New Jersey, Pittsburgh PA, and Miami Ohio. Mom still lives in Norfolk and I have one brother, Michael.  I graduated from Norfolk Catholic High in 1974 and in from Virginia Tech in 1978 as a chemical engineer (Yes, I'm a Virginia Aggie also known as a Hokie) and started work at Sohio.  We moved to Port Lavaca in 1980 for the construction and start-up of Vistron, now INEOS.  I've worked and lived here for the past 39 years. At work, I’ve held engineering, project, maintenance, operations, site management positions and am now retired and then un-retired at Formosa.

With my ex-wife Kim, I have three children, Melissa, Keith, and Rachel.  They're all grown-up now and live near their mom in New Jersey.  There are 8 grandchildren to watch now: Jacob, Emma, Addison, Cameron, Augie, Vivienne, Charlotte, and Liam. I've been married to Carolina for over twenty-nine years. 

I enjoy riding my bike, running, restoring and now maintaining Dr. Bill Smith’s house in Port Lavaca and his roses, and photography.  Dr. Bill's house has been an experience.  It's over 100 years old and has received a lot of TLC in the last 10 years.  We do most of work ourselves.  So, I've have experience as a carpenter, electrician, and plumber. Come on by, it’s like walking into the 1920’s with AC and the rose garden will be in full bloom soon!

Special Guest Speakers

Darryl One

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. One began his career in mathematics at Illinois State University and subsequently changed his major to music.  He received his undergraduate and masters degrees in composition and later attended Indiana University, completing a masters in conducting.  He participated in the Hans Swarowksy Conducting Competition in Vienna and was invited to attend Erich Leinsdorf's Symposium for Young Conductors in Aspen, Colorado.  Mr. One has recorded a number of new American works for the American Symphony Orchestra League's American Music Project with the Denver Symphony and the Oregon Symphony.  He was also one of four conductors invited to conduct the New World Symphony in Miami for the American Repertoire Project, a program designed to highlight young conductors in America.

 Particularly committed to education, Mr. One has conducted many all-state youth orchestras, several college orchestras, taught as a professor and served as music director for the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.  His culturally relevant education programs have been the center of acclaimed educational concerts in Rochester and Atlanta and he has been a frequent speaker and lecturer both on and off the podium as an advocate for symphonic music.  

 Beginning this coming summer, Mr. One will direct the orchestral conducting program at the MasterWorks Festival where he regularly conducts every summer.  This festival trains tomorrow’s young musicians and features mentoring with members of major orchestras throughout the world such as the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

 Having conducted orchestras throughout the world, Darryl One has built an impressive career as music director and guest conductor throughout orchestras in America.   Currently Music Director of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra,  Mr. One’s past positions include Associate Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony, National Endowment for the Arts / Affiliate Artists Resident Conductor for the Rochester Philharmonic, and Associate Conductor for the Denver and Charlotte Symphonies, and Music Director of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra.  He has appeared as guest conductor with major orchestras such as the National Symphony, Houston Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Tokyo Philharmonic, and the Teleman Orchestra of Osaka as well as regional orchestras like the Alabama Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Honolulu Symphony, and Syracuse Symphony. Mr. One has conducted at many summer festivals as well such as the Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts, the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, Harbor Lights in Boston, and the MasterWorks Festival in Indiana. Active in the operatic field as well, Mr. One has conducted with Opera Memphis and the Orlando Opera.  

 Music Director of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra since 1995, Mr. One has almost doubled the number of concerts the orchestra performs during his tenure. With innovative combinations of thematic programming, staging, lighting, and concert formats, the orchestra has increased its audience while maintaining a high level of performance.  More importantly, Mr. One has raised the artistic level of the orchestra, making it one of the best orchestras in southern Texas. Many past members of the orchestra who began their orchestral careers with the VSO have gone on to careers with large regional and major orchestras.     

 Mr. One’s past positions include six successful seasons as Music Director of the Modesto Symphony.   Over his tenure, he expanded subscription doubles to triples, added a family series set of concerts, founded the Modesto Symphony Chorus, and began an annual local talent search (“Symphony Idol”) for promising young musicians.  His performances have been marked with a series of concert collaborations with local arts organizations, regular premieres, and innovative use of multimedia and theatrical elements.  

 As Associate Conductor with the Atlanta Symphony, Mr. One conducted on all regular series, special event concerts, designed and conducted the orchestra’s extensive education program, and was the primary conductor for the orchestra’s summer series at Chastain Park.  He was also editor for all the orchestra’s broadcasts on NPR. Prior to his post in Atlanta, Mr. One was National Endowment for the Arts/Affiliate Artist Resident Conductor for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Associate Conductor for the Denver and Charlotte Symphonies.   

Debbie Durham

After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy and working in school districts around Houston, Debbie Durham and her husband, Rodney, moved to Victoria where she has been part of the music community for 35 years, and the education community for 24 years.  Debbie began her association with the Victoria Symphony in 2007 and has immensely enjoyed helping build education outreach.  She and Rodney raised 3 sons here and have added 2 daughters-in-law and 4 grandchildren to their family.  Debbie is the Director of Education for the VSO.

Rotarian of the Week

Jessie Rodriguez

Jessie was born and raised in Port Lavaca, Texas.  After graduating from Calhoun High School, Jessie attended Victoria College and then moved to Houston to pursue his degree.  Jessie graduated from the University of Houston, Houston, Texas with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in accounting.

Upon graduating from U of H he went to work for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company, a certified public accounting firm.  After two years in public accounting he went to work in the savings and loan industry for the next ten years.

Jessie moved back to Port Lavaca in 1987 to accept the position of President of Cal-Com Federal Credit Union, a position he has held since then.

Jessie has been active in the community during his career and has served in many volunteer organizations, both on a state and local level.    He currently serves on the Golden Crescent Workforce Development Board and the Calhoun County Appraisal District Board.  Jessie’s Rotary sponsor was Arlene Marshall.

He has been married to Norma for 48 years.  They have three children.  Kristina, a graduate of The University of Texas, Austin, Jessie III, a graduate of Texas A&M, College Station, and Alyssa, a graduate of the University of Houston, Victoria.  Jessie and Norma have six grandchildren, four boys and two girls.

Jessie and Norma are grateful and blessed that their three children live in Port Lavaca and they are able to visit and see their grandchildren every day.

Guest Speaker

Henry Guajardo

Henry is a native Victorian and serves as the Executive Director for the Golden Crescent Workforce Development Board.  He has 25 years of experience with Workforce Development, formerly working for Teaching and Mentoring Communities, who was the Workforce Contractor for the Golden Crescent, and the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission Older Worker Program.  Henry  graduated from Pan American University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History.    He and his wife Sara have 4 children and 2 grandchildren. 

Rotarian of the Week

Jim Ward

Special Guest Speaker

United States Representative Michael Cloud

Michael Cloud is a Constitutional Conservative who represents the 27th District of Texas in the U.S. Congress and defends American values, while working for economic growth, our Constitutional liberties, and a strong national defense.

Thanks to his experience as a small business owner, Michael understands the importance of cutting regulations and getting federal bureaucracy out of the way to allow our economy to thrive. As a longtime District 27 resident, he is committed to serving his fellow Texans in our district. And as a husband and father, he recognizes the urgency of transforming Washington and preserving for future generations the liberty and prosperity we enjoy as Americans.

Rotarian of the Week

Melissa Sterling

Melissa was born in Waco, Texas and moved to Port Lavaca in her 7^th grade year of Junior High School.  She is married to Joe Sterling from Lubbock, Texas, and has 5 children. Her two sons, Steven & Lucas Morris live in Denver Colorado; Steven works for the NFL Team the Denver Broncos and Lucas is an IT Contractor; her daughter Joey Gregory works with her mom at Gulf Coast Title Company .  She also has two step-daughters, Connie Sterling who is a realtor in Temple, Texas, and Candace Hirsch, a stay at home mom in Abilene, Texas.  Melissa’s passion is History and therefore thoroughly loves her job as the title examiner at Gulf Coast Title Company.  She has been in the title/real estate business since the late 70’s.  In her spare time, she loves spending time with her grandchildren (all 6 of them) and on the back porch at her home in Goliad, Texas.

Guest Speaker

Dallas Franklin

Dallas is a local real estate broker for RE/MAX Land and Homes on the Bay in Port Lavaca. He is originally from Rockport Texas and moved to Port Lavaca in 2008. He is currently the Education Foundation president and is in his 3^rd  year of a 3 year term. Dallas is married to Brooke Franklin and has one son (Luke).

Dallas is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, and a 5 time platinum award winner which recognizes top production for 1 year earnings. He is currently ranked 5th in Texas for gross commons earn in vanguard markets for REMAX.

Rotarian of the Week

Eric Teehan

Eric Teehan – Administrator, Port Lavaca Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Eric Teehan is originally from San Antonio, has lived in Sacramento, College Station, and Houston, as well.  He moved to Port Lavaca 15 years ago with his wife Jennifer, who is a Port Lavaca native.  Eric and his family attend First Baptist Church of Port Lavaca.  Jennifer is the head Chemistry teacher at Calhoun High School, as well as the Student Council Sponsor, FCA Co-sponsor, Class of 2023 Sponsor, the Pre-Teen Youth Coordinator at FBC and assists with Youth.  Eric has five children:   Kaitlyn -who is pursuing a Business degree at Sam Houston State University while working full-time at the corporate office for HEB; Ethan - who is attending Texas A&M University in pursuit of a Mechanical Engineering degree, is a member of Theta Chi, coaches his intramural basketball team, and is working for HEB; Reagan – a Freshman at Calhoun High School, the Greenhand Officer for FFA, basketball star, and Upwards Basketball Coach at FBC;  Julia – also a Freshman at Calhoun High School, Class President, Student Council and FFA member, volleyball star, basketball star, and track star; and Darcy – a student at Travis Middle School involved in band and having received the highest science grade in all of the science classes on her most recent CBA exam.

Eric attended the great universities of Texas – Texas A&M University and the University of Houston-Victoria.  The University of Houston-Victoria allowed Eric to graduate with a BBA in Accounting.  Eric began working in accounting after graduating, but quickly discovered that free coffee exacerbated his ADHD and moved into operations management, where ADHD is celebrated, and the coffee is still free.  Eric has served as the Administrator for Port Lavaca Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the past 6 years leading a strong team that created a strong growth in census during his tenure.

Guest Speaker

Jennifer Rayburn

Jennifer Rayburn- Director of Advancement, Gulf Bend Center

Employed by Gulf Bend Center as an Advocate for the Center services in our community and the communities we serve.

Jennifer is a native of Victoria and has a professional background in recruiting in the oil & gas industry with additional experience in HR and corporate recruiting in the staffing industry. Following a failed attempt at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Holland, as an art major, Jennifer returned to Texas, fully utilizing the top 10% of her high school graduating class scholarship earnings at both Bee County College and Victoria College, before relocating to the “Windy City”. While in Chicago, Jennifer began the work that would lay the foundation for her work with Gulf Bend Center .Now, for the rest of the story…

Professional Background-

CL Thomas/Pilot Thomas Logistics/Thomas petroleum-HR Recruiting

Randstad/Spherion-HR Specialist/On Premise CSS/Sales Director

Hope Community Church/Uptown Baptist Church/Parkway Church-Ministry Director/Missions