Member Spotlight

Marcus is a man of many hats. Laborer, pipelayer, ditch digger, mason, electrician, foreman, superintendent, mechanic, welder, machinist, heavy haul truck driver, and heavy equipment operator. If it has anything to do with heavy site and utility construction, he’s been involved in it. Marcus co-owns and operates a family business, M. C. Ethridge Co. 

 

Marcus was born and raised in New Braunfels, graduated from NBHS in 1993, and went to SWT State University where he met the love of his life, Jennifer. They’ve been married 23 years and are the parents of five awesome kids, Magnus, Margo, Maverick, Marian, and Myron, ages 20-10. Marcus attends Saints Peter and Paul Church, he’s a 4^th degree Knight of Council 4183, President of the Twin Sisters Herman Sons Lodge, and President of the NBHS All Sports Booster Club.

 

In his spare-time you’ll find him with his family in Blanco farming and ranching, or at Lake LBJ fishing and relaxing – or you might even see him with his extended Rotary family.

 

Marcus’ life motto: If you’re going to do it do it right, if your playing play hard, and if your loving love like there’s no tomorrow, and remember to smile.

 

By the way, his favorite meal is anything his wife cooks and his favorite drink is anything she hands him. Honey, I hope you read this. Love you. Published 05/11/22

 

Joyce Yannuzzi is the District Director for State Senator Donna Campbell, M.D. Joyce has been active in politics, at some level, for over 40 years and has loved (almost) every minute of it!

 

Joyce grew up in Dimmitt, Texas and worked on her first campaign for Kent Hance, a hometown candidate for State Senate, who won his race in November 1974 due to her envelope stuffing skills. It sparked an interest in politics that is still going strong, and she has volunteered on, worked for, or managed a campaign in almost every election since then.

 

Joyce completed a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX in 1990 then immediately enrolled in graduate school at Texas Tech. She married her then-husband Frank Yannuzzi, who was an instructor pilot at Reese AFB in Lubbock, had two daughters, Jennifer and Allyson, and moved 14 times in Frank’s 22-year career in the Air Force. Joyce and family arrived in New Braunfels in March 2001 and instantly knew this was home.

 

Throughout her time here, Joyce has served in a wide-variety of organizations as a small way of giving back to a community that welcomed her with open arms to include: Comal County Child Welfare Board; the 100 Club of Comal County (current Scholarship Chair); The Constitutionalist Foundation (founding member and current President); The Sophienburg Board; The United Way of Comal County Board; New Braunfels Republican Women (President); the Braunfels Foundation Trust; a New Braunfels Chamber Blue Coat; the City of New Braunfels Partnership Committee; a 2016 graduate of Leadership New Braunfels; Emerging Leaders (founding member and current Government Relations Chair); and a governor-appointee to both the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board and the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

 

Joyce was honored by her Rotary Club as Rotarian of the Quarter in 2015 and 2016 and was named a Pillar of the Community by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung in 2019.

 

She has served the Rotary Club of New Braunfels as Grants Chair, President, the current Programs Chair, and will begin a 3-year term as an Assistant Governor for Rotary District 5840 on July 1, 2022.

 

Joyce is very grateful to her Rotary sponsor, Mr. Don Miller, who first invited her to a Rotary meeting in September 2014 which was the start of a remarkable journey! Rotary has been incredibly impactful in her life and she feels blessed to be part of the “Best Club in the District” that does so much for those in need in New Braunfels, the surrounding area, and Zacoalco, Jalisco, Mexico, where the club makes an annual service project trip.

 

You can (still) find Joyce out on the campaign trail and, occasionally, downtown New Braunfels at The Downtowner enjoying an old fashion with her best friends, Laura and Lisa. Published 04/06/22

 

Norma Castilla-Blackwell has been the Executive Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Central Texas for the past 19 years in Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, and Hays counties. 

She was born in Reynosa, Coahuila, raised in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and Laredo, Texas, and graduated from Texas A&M International University with the class of 1988. She married her husband Chris Blackwell, a native of New Orleans, in 2002 and they have three fur-babies – Daisy, Sammy, and Jacks. 

While working alongside longtime friend David Ender, she found her passion for community work. In her leadership at CASA she has grown the organization fourfold, bringing in new donors and increasing assets to include owned facilities in New Braunfels and San Marcos. Helping children and youth who have experienced abuse and neglect, CASA of Central Texas now serves over 600 children annually. In addition, Norma pursues her passions by volunteering on various community boards supporting a number of causes. She is currently a Tablescapes planning member for the Braunfels Foundation Trust, and she has previously served on the boards of the Sophienburg Museum, the Canyon Lake Animal Shelter Society, and she is also a New Braunfels Chamber Blue Coat. 

Because of her tireless energy and amazing accomplishments, in 2017 she was recognized as the Herald-Zeitung Citizen of The Year and Unsung Hero.

 
The Rotary Club of New Braunfels has become another deeply meaningful part of her life in service to others. Membership in this club has led to friendships and connections with people she might not have ever met. She is a better wife, Executive Director, advocate, community member, and Ranch Water drinker because of Rotary. Published 03/23/22

Steve Rodgers currently serves as the Treasurer of our Club as well as the President-Elect Nominee.  Steve has worked in the commercial real estate industry for over 25 years after graduating from Texas A&M University, and has recently joined follow Rotarian, Travis Taylor, in forming SVN | Traditions here in New Braunfels offering commercial brokerage and property management services.

Steve and his wife, Keri, have been married for 26 years and started dating when Steve was a senior in high school and Keri was a sophomore.  They have two sons, Brayden (23) and Christian (19), both of whom attended New Braunfels High School and then Tarleton State University.

In their free time, Steve and Keri enjoy rv’ing, fishing on the coast, and just being homebodies. Published 02/15/22

Hunger, homelessness, mental health crises, substance misuse. Those words may not be those that many would use to describe New Braunfels, but for Alice Jewell those issues are a way of life. Since the inception of the McKenna Foundation in 2008, Alice has been fortunate to learn about a side of our community that can be scary and uncomfortable to some. Instead of ignoring those realities that face our neighbors every day, Alice feels fortunate to be part of a nonprofit community that is committed to changing lives for the better.

With a unique opportunity to invest funds and forge partnerships that can alleviate crisis, the McKenna Foundation has helped lead the way down difficult paths toward progress while the easy path would have been acceptable. The difficult paths have led to an increase in capacity for the social sector to serve those in New Braunfels and Comal County who are in need, totaling more than $10 million toward strategic, catalytic projects and almost $25 million invested in community nonprofits overall in the last 13 years.

Alice grew up in New Braunfels and is now raising her two children here with her husband, Jeff. Her parents and this community taught her that every day you give everything you can for the people and things you care about. This once small town now faces big city challenges, and all families deserve a chance at “the good life” in New Braunfels. As the CEO of the McKenna Foundation, Alice feels honored to be in a position to convene leaders, make plans, take risks, swing the bat and miss sometimes, educate and occasionally agitate for progress in the community she loves. All that said, she’ll take a whiskey neat. Published 02/08/22

Neice Bell is the publisher of the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung newspaper. She was born and raised in San Antonio and is a sixth generation Texan. Her sixth great grandfather traveled to Texas with Daniel Boone and her fifth great grandfather fought with Sam Houston in the Battle of San Jacinto.

 

Neice attended Schreiner University in Kerrville on an athletic scholarship and started her newspaper career at the Kerrville Daily Times while attending college. She has been in the newspaper industry for 43 years and has published papers in Boerne, Seguin, Lufkin, Kerrville, and New Braunfels. 

 

Neice and her husband Jeff have been married for 18 years and have four children and two grandchildren. She is active in the community and is on the board of directors for the United Way, New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, The New Braunfels Food Bank, and a member of the New Braunfels Manufactures Association. Published 02/01/22

 

Ami moved to New Braunfels in 2003 because it was the geographical center between her workplace and the father of her daughter’s work. They fell in love with New Braunfels at first sight, driving in on the loop off of Rueckle Road – the cliffs and the bluebonnets. Ami is the Roofer Chick. She fell into the industry after following her big brother Scott and doing whatever he was doing. She loves roofing and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. In 2017, Lee Edwards invited Ami to join Rotary. He’s been a mentor for her and if he said it was a good idea, she trusted him. Her favorite memory as a Rotarian is climbing in a tree in Louisiana with a ladder and a chainsaw. In Ami’s free time, we can find her traveling, running, writing, and playing guitar. If Ami could only have one meal for the rest of her life, it would be whatever Kathy is cooking. If you took Ami for Happy Hour, she would order a club soda and some chocolate. She says that White Claws are from Satan. Published 12/15/21

Lisa moved to New Braunfels the summer of 2014 with her two boys who were still in elementary school at the time. Her husband had always wanted to live here since he was in college back in the 1980s. So, they built a house and moved. Lisa is a licensed REALTOR who invests in real estate properties. Her grandfather taught her how to look for good properties and the value of triple nets. She joined Rotary in February of 2018 and knew a lot of the members from her leadership class through the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. She joined Rotary as an avenue to give back to the community. Besides Kathy's cooking, her favorite memory has to be the late nights at Wurstfest working the booth. In her free time she likes to volunteer and be with her friends either playing tennis, crafting, shopping, or day drinking! If Lisa could only eat one meal for the rest of her life, it would be a filet mignon with Myron’s butter, and a wedge salad. If you took Lisa to happy hour, she would have a vodka soda with a twist of lime, not a White Claw.  Published 12/08/21

Gretchen is a public librarian, and to her, that is so much more than just getting books for people. She supports literacy in all of its forms - technical, physical, social literacy to name a few. Gretchen advocates that librarians help level the playing field for our citizens - making sure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and live their best lives. Gretchen was originally a CPA, but discovered that her passion was for teaching and learning. A former boss of hers told her that the best way to learn about and become part of a community was to join the Rotary Club. She wants to give a huge shoutout to Don Miller for sponsoring her in 2009. When asked about her favorite memory as a Rotarian, she said the day she was sworn in and the first time she was allowed to cook a kartoffelpuffer. In her free time, you can find Gretchen reading, knitting or gardening. If she could have one meal for the rest of her life, it would be chicken piccata. If you took Gretchen to Happy Hour, she would order a frozen margarita, “the perfect Texas beverage” in her words, not a White Claw.

Lisa moved to New Braunfels in March of 2018 from Port Aransas after Hurricane Harvey. She did not know anyone here but thought it would be a cool place to live. She is a private Spanish tutor, a real estate agent, and a photographer. Lisa was a teacher for 11 years before these many professions. As a real estate agent, she loves to find people the home they love. As a photographer she loves to take photos of this area and show its unique beauty. Lisa was in the Rotary Club of Port Aransas and when she moved here she transferred her membership so that she could be involved as quickly as possible. Her favorite memory as a Rotarian so far is meeting Bill Biggadike. When Bill found out she had nowhere to live, he invited her to move into his guest house where she lived for 9 months before her house in Port A was sold. In Lisa’s spare time, she is soaking up every moment with her grand babies and taking photos. If she could only have one meal for the rest of her life, it would be the Reuben Sandwich from Krause’s. If you took Lisa to Happy Hour, she would order a Texas Ranger whiskey on the rocks, not a White Claw. Published 11/10/21

Michael moved to New Braunfels in the late summer of 1988 for a job with The Chamber of Commerce. He started volunteering for the Chamber in Rockport and decided to make a career out of it for over 30 years. Michael joined the Rotary Club in Rockport because he thinks it's the best service club out there and joined our club when he moved to the area. His favorite part of being a Rotarian is working in the Wurstfest booth. In his free time, we can find him doing yard work or attending his grandchildren's sporting events. If Michael could only have one meal for the rest of his life, he would want a seafood dinner cooked by his wife. If you took Michael to Happy Hour, he would order a Vodka Tonic, not a White Claw. Published 10/26/21

Tyler moved to New Braunfels in 2016 when his insurance firm acquired another agency in the area, and he was asked to move out here and run the southern states operation. Tyler graduated with a degree in Finance, but insurance was his first job out of college. He has now been in the business for 17 years. When Tyler first moved to New Braunfels, he attended a Chamber Mixer where he met Joyce Yannuzzi and she invited him to a Rotary meeting – he has been a member ever since. His favorite part of being a Rotarian are the holiday meetings with music, dancing, and booze. In his free time, we can find Tyler going to concerts or playing golf. If he could only have one meal for the rest of his life, he would have dinner with his wife, any meal is fine. If you took Tyler to Happy Hour he would order a Shiner Bock on David Lasher's bar tab, not a White Claw. Published 10/19/21

Judy moved to New Braunfels in 1979 when her husband's business transferred them from Michigan. Her college roommate lived in Texas and told her, "You don't move to Texas, you immigrate." Judy is a licensed professional counselor and psychotherapist. At one time she had a private practice but retired as an associate professor and chair of the counseling department at San Antonio College. Now, she is a co-founder of Hope Hospice and still volunteers often with her grief support group. She joined the Rotary Club of New Braunfels in 2008 because she wanted to reconnect with the community and find a way to significantly serve. Her favorite memory as a Rotarian is working the Wurstfest booth and working on the Charitable Giving Committee. In her free time, you can find her sorting and pricing books for St. Peter and Paul thrift store. If Judy could only have one meal for the rest of her life, she would have the Hungarian dish, chicken paprikash. If you took Judy to happy hour, she would have a Jack Daniels on the rocks, not a White Claw. Published 10/12/21

Jim came to the New Braunfels area from Chicago in 1974. He came with his birth family as he was just 14 years old. He later moved his young family to Corpus Christi for 15 years and then back to New Braunfels to stay because he loves New Braunfels. Jim is a financial advisor with Edward Jones. He chose this profession because he loves his work and he loves being able to make a real and positive difference in the lives of his clients. Jim joined Rotary Club because he new some really good people that were members and he was attracted to the opportunity to join others in volunteering for our communities and beyond. Jim's favorite memories are associated with the missions trips to Mexico and to Lake Charles. He says there is no better feeling than the feeling you get when you are helping people that really need the help. In Jim's free time he loves watching his grandkids play at Grammy and Pa's house, or traveling, or fishing, or playing his guitars, or studying the Word of God. Jim's one food would be omelets; bacon, egg, tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions with lots of cheddar cheese. Jim's go-to drink is a Crown and Coke – abso-freaking-lutely not a White Claw. Published 09/29/21

Jacob was born in California but moved to New Braunfels in March of 2020 with his wife Melyn. He moved here after separating from the Marine Corps to work for a family business in Seguin. Jacob is currently a financial advisor with Oakwell Private Wealth Management here in New Braunfels. Prior to working for Oakwell, he was a company commander in the USMC located in Southern California. Both his mother and his father-in-law have been Rotarian's for his entire life and pushed him to join so that he could better serve the community and grow his network. His favorite part of being a Rotarian is the humanitarian efforts that support those in need. He enjoys the happiness and sense of relief we can bring people through our service projects and other volunteer efforts. In his free time, we can find him traveling, taking his dogs to the park or anything to stay active. If he could only have one meal for the rest of his life, he would choose sushi. If you took Jacob to Happy Hour, he would have a Moscow Mule, not a White Claw. Published 09/22/21

Austin was born and raised in New Braunfels, TX. Most of his family is from New Braunfels and when he married his better half in 2018, he gained some family in California as well. Austin joined the Rotary Club in 2017 because he was on the Jaycees Board for about four-years and was looking for another organization to be a part of. His favorite memory as a Rotarian so far, is becoming a Paul Harris Fellow way ahead of schedule, which he attributes to Gary Barr. Something you may not know about Austin is that he is on the radio broadcast of Unicorn Football games doing stats, so listen to KGNB when the Unicorns play. If he could only have one meal for the rest of his life, he would choose Surf and Turf. If you took Austin to Happy Hour, he would order a tequila, with a White Claw afterwards. Published 09/15/21

Don Miller has lived in New Braunfels since 1985, when his job as a financial advisor brought him here. Before Don was a financial advisor, he was a C-130 pilot in the Air Force for 30 years. Don has been in the Rotary Club of New Braunfels for 17 years. He was drawn to join after seeing how involved Rotarians are and the good they do for our community. Don's favorite parts of being a Rotarian are the meetings and the fellowship. In his free time, we can find him financial planning. Something you might not know about Don, he has taught bible study for the last 20 years. If he could have one meal for the rest of his life, it would be anything cooked by Kathy Meurin. If you took Don to Happy Hour, he would order a Titos on the rocks, not a White Claw. Published 09/08/21

Helgard has lived in New Braunfels since 1952. She had connections in San Antonio but fell in love with New Braunfels and moved here instead. Helgard is now retired but she used to be a property manager. 29 years ago, a friend invited her to a Rotary Club meeting, and she loved the attitude and the impact that Rotarians had and decided to join. Helgard's favorite memory as a Rotarian was when she went to a meeting in Hong Kong and they did not have a program, so she ended up being the program. She has been to Rotary meetings in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Germany, and more. In her free time, we can find Helgard reading, dancing, and most of all walking. She has walked in all 50 states and 40 different countries. If she could have one meal for the rest of her life, she would have rouladen and cabbage. If you took Helgard to Happy Hour, she would have a German Riesling white wine, not a White Claw. Published 09/01/21

Bill grew up in Houston and moved to New Braunfels in 1989 when his company was opening positions in both Austin and San Antonio. Bill and his wife fell in love with New Braunfels and he said he would only take the position if he could live here. Bill owns a landscape lighting business now that he started back in 2002. Bill joined Rotary around the time he moved here. He had a friend that was a Rotarian in San Antonio and he suggested that Bill get involved with the club as well. Bill's favorite memory as a Rotarian has been the medical mission trips to Mexico. Bill is passionate about being involved in not only the community, but in his church as well. Bill and his wife love to travel in their RV and have been to several different states. If he could only have one meal for the rest of his life, it would be Liver and Onions with mashed potatoes and peas. If you took Bill to a happy hour, he would order a margarita, not a White Claw. Published 8/25/21

David was born and raised in Bulverde. He moved to New Braunfels from San Antonio four years ago after falling in love with this town. David is a State Farm Insurance representative. He joined Rotary because he wants to be more involved in the community and the statement "Service Above Self" resonated with him. He is also involved with The Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce and The Jaycees. One thing you might not know about David is that he cannot play intramural kickball without tearing his ACL. If he could have one meal for the rest of his life, it would be a medium rare steak. If you took David to happy hour, he would order an Old Fashioned, not a White Claw. Published 8/18/21

Marion and her husband moved to New Braunfels in 1973. Her husband was a professor at what was then Southwest Texas State University, and when they could not find a place to live in San Marcos, they thankfully settled here. Marian owned and operated a boutique downtown on the square for many years before she retired. She joined the Rotary Club in 1986 and was one of the first few female members. Her favorite thing about being a Rotarian is the friendships and meeting the new young members! Something people might not know about Marian is that in her early career, she was a flight attendant. If she could have one meal for the rest of her life, it would be a light lunch and a heavy dessert, cooked by Kathy. If you took Marian to a happy hour she would order a glass of Kendall Jackson Chardonnay, not a White Claw. Published 8/11/21

Kathy was born and raised here in New Braunfels, TX. We all know her as our amazing caterer, but she has an education in nursing. Years ago, at her parent's anniversary party, a friend suggested that she open up a catering business on the side and she has been keeping bellies full ever since. In 1983, back when the Rotary Club was male only, someone asked her to cater the meetings. In 1987, when the club began admitting women, Kathy was one of the first to be invited, and she became the first female president in 1993. Kathy is passionate about the Rotary Youth Exchange Program and looks forward to that coming back in 2022. Kathy has two sons and four grandchildren. Something you may not know about Kathy is that she loves being outdoors with nature. Wide open spaces are her happy place. If Kathy could have one meal for the rest of her life, she would have ribs or homemade fried chicken. If you went to happy hour with Kathy, she would order an Amaretto Sour, not a White Claw. Published 8/4/21

Mike was born and raised here in New Braunfels, Texas. His family has been here for six generations. He married his high school sweetheart when they were both 19, and have been happily married ever since. Mike is currently working on his new business venture, 1845 Meat Co. Mike joined the Rotary Club of New Braunfels in 1974 when he became the General Manager of New Braunfels Smokehouse. His predecessors had all been Rotarians and he followed in their footsteps. His favorite thing about being a Rotarian is the comradery among the members. A fun fact about Mike that people might not know is that he loves dogs. In his free time, we could find Mike working on the farm and restoring an old barn. If Mike could only have one meal for the rest of his life, it would be a medium rare ribeye steak. When Mike goes to happy hour, he orders a Jameson and ginger ale, not a White Claw. Published 7/28/21

Fred grew up in Cuero, Texas and moved to New Braunfels in 1965 to buy a dental practice. Before New Braunfels, he was in West, Texas, where he became a Rotarian. His father-in-law was a charter member of a Rotary Club in 1927. Because of this connection, his wife encouraged him to join the Rotary Club. He has been a proud Rotarian for 56 years! His favorite memory as a Rotarian was in the early ‘70s, the club members took out personal bank notes to rework the plaza downtown. If you have a minute, ask Fred to share this story with you! In his spare time, you can find Fred working on cars or his yard. Fred is a proud founder of the New Braunfels Car Club. If Fred could only have one meal for the rest of his life, it would a chicken fried steak. If you went to a Happy Hour with Fred, he would order a Gin and Tonic or a beer, not a White Claw. Published 7/21/21

John grew up in the beautiful city of Shiner, TX. He moved to New Braunfels in 1973 to pursue his career as a Real Estate and Business lawyer. He is the first lawyer in his family. John has been married for over 50 years and has 2 children. His daughter is a pathologist at MD Anderson and his son works for the Department of Agriculture in Austin, TX. In 1974, two of his law partners introduced him to the Rotary Club of New Braunfels and he has been a member ever since. John has fond memories over the years of the youth exchange program which he has been very active in. Something you might not know about John is that he loves old cars. When asked the question, if you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? He answered, "Something made by Kathy Meurin." In John's free time, we could find him watching movies, reading books or traveling. If you went to Happy Hour with John, he would order a cold beer or a margarita, not a White Claw.  Published 7/14/21