Member Spotlight

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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