Member Spotlight | Rotary Club of New Braunfels

Morrigan Land was born and raised in New Braunfels, Texas. Her parents are Gordan Land and Cheryl Casteel Boldt. She attended New Braunfels high school where she played on the volleyball team and went to the state playoffs for volleyball. Morgan graduated early from Texas A&M University with honors. She then went to Washington, D.C. to work on Capitol Hill.

After realizing D.C. just wasn’t Texas, she came home to pursue a legal career at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. Her grandmother, Carter Casteel, an accomplished politician and attorney, who inspired her to pursue a law degree.

During her time at St. Mary’s, Morgan was inducted into the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society, selected for induction into the National Order of Barristers for demonstrating exceptional oral and written advocacy skills, awarded the Dean’s Academic Excellence Scholarship, served as the Vice President of the Student Bar Association, and led the National Trial Team as Co-Captain. Morrigan earned her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University School of Law, graduating with honors. Since graduating, Morrigan has been admitted to practice in three federal courts and now currently works at the family law firm, Casteel & Casteel P.L.L.C.

Outside of the office, Morgan enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing volleyball, and relaxing at local breweries. She is guided by her philosophy to love God and love others through service by volunteering her time to local organizations, her favorite being Rotary. Since becoming a Rotarian in 2022 (thanks to Joe Castilleja) Morrigan has fulfilled her dreams of learning how to cook (Potato Pancakes and sausage) at the Wurstfest Booth. Morrigan currently serves on the Hill Country Craft Beer Festival Committee. Morrigan looks forward to acquiring the tenure of Fred and Cathy and getting even more involved in Rotary.

Trey Palreiro grew up on Baffin Bay in Riviera, Texas with a short stint in Port Huron, Michigan. As a child he loved Legos and all things outdoors, especially Hobie Cat sailing. Trey lived on his grandparents farm with his mom and younger brother, and it was that farm where he learned how to work on cars and trucks, how to weld, and common sense – things you can’t really learn in school. Trey attended Texas A&M Kingsville (not whoop) and graduated with a degree in Computer Science in 2004. He has held a job with Integrity Industries, a drilling fluids company since 2000, and currently remotely manages their IT department. Trey has been married since 2009 to his wonderful wife Laura who is a Speech Pathologist, and they have two awesome kids, a 6 and 8 year old, Tatum and Trace.

As if two small children and a full-time job weren’t enough, Trey also owns an event production company that hosts off-road driving events and races. The Texas Raptor Run is the largest annual gathering of Ford Raptors in the world. Each year over 150 Raptors show up at the Texana Ranch in Blackwell, Texas for a weekend of offroad driving and fun. The event raises money for charity through a raffle, and since 2012 they have raised over $500,000 for various charities, with most of the focus directed at ending childhood cancer though great charities such as St. Baldricks. Trey also leads 3-4 tours a year in Baja Mexico, guiding customers throughout the Baja peninsula on 10-day off-road adventures. Speaking of Baja, Trey is also an avid Desert Endurance Racer, and has finished the Baja 1000 multiple times in the unlimited Trophy Truck Class. Anytime the opportunity is available Trey will hop in a desert race car to navigate or drive!

In 2018, ready for a change, Trey purchased Line-X of New Braunfels and started Comal Truck Gear, a truck accessory shop that works on everything from commercial trucks and vans to Ford Raptors. He moved his family to New Braunfels in September of 2018 with the goal of better education and opportunities for his children. They found exactly what they were looking for in New Braunfels, a much higher quality of life, great friends, and great opportunities to serve the community. Trey joined Rotary in February of 2020 and is making up for lost Covid time with the club now. Trey hopes to continue to grow in the community by becoming involved with non-profits and hopefully Wurstfest. Trey’s favorite drinks are unsweetened Iced Tea, and after work a Ranch Water with a good tequila.

Vanessa Hayes was born in Austin, but made her way down the I-35 corridor and has lived in the New Braunfels/Canyon Lake area for the last 30-years or so. She went to Smithson Valley High School and then attended college at UTSA where she studied business and marketing.

Vanessa has been in the senior living industry for the past 12-years as the Director of Sales and Marketing and she really enjoys and embraces the challenge of new developments and branding a new community. Currently she is the Senior Sales Director for Larkspur at Creekside.

Vanessa is married to Aaron and they have a four-year old daughter, Cora. Homegrown Hayes is their 16-acre family farm where they raise goats, chickens, and ducks – please buy your eggs from her! Vanessa enjoys cooking, hanging out with her family, and exploring.

Vanessa was a 2022 Rising Star of New Braunfels and enjoys being involved in the Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity as much as she can. She traveled to Africa three different times with Habitat Global Build and hopes to go back again with her family. Vanessa has a true giving spirit and enjoys being part of such a wonderful community of other humanitarian friends.

Vanessa joined Rotary in 2020 thanks to Chris Sitton taking a chance on this busy lady. She has enjoyed her time in Rotary and plans to be even more involved in the next year now that she has settled in her current career role. Rotary is such a great example of true service above self and the relationships that are built along the way!

Vanessa's drink of choice is a tea from Buc-ee’s, or after hours is a Maker’s Mark on the rocks with lime.

I am George H. Wrape, but I go by Skip because I was a junior and I worked for my father and he worked for me. I was born in St. Louis, MO and raised there and in Cape Girardeau, MO. I graduated from Regis College in Denver, CO. I worked in meat packing and specialty chemicals before starting my first company in 1986 in Tyler, Texas. The company, Animal Technologies, Inc. is still going.

I joined my first Rotary Club in Tyler in 1993. Rotary has been an important part of my life. I have been very fortunate, and I consider Rotary my way to give back. I am a three-time Paul Harris recipient (been trying to be four for years), and a benefactor. I was President of the Rotary Club of Summit County, Colorado in 2003-2004. In Summit County I became close to our exchange student from Brazil, Guilherme Esteves. He is now a business associate in all my business in the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Brazil. I joined the Cape Girardeau West Rotary Club in 2005. I was International Director in the club and left Assistant District Governor for four clubs in district 6060.

I have experienced YaYa moments in my foreign travel and international projects. In 2000 The Rotary Club of Summit County, CO., joined with The Rotary Club of Limon, Costa Rica and built a school in Sixaola, Costa Rica for the Bribri Indians. Two years later we joined with the same Rotary Club in the poorest province of Costa Rica to give away 250 wheelchairs. It was quite a moving experience. In 2009 I was looking for a new international project for my new club, Cape West. I was encouraged to go to Haiti, where I basically was set up to start a school in Thomassique, Haiti where the kids were going to a school under trees. The Rotary Club helped and did what they could, but we ended up starting a not-for-profit organization, OPTE, Out of Poverty thru Education, which is still valid.

The school in Haiti has over 350 students and kids have progressed passed 7th grade. The school only accepts orphans and kids of parents that cannot afford regular schools. It has been given awards in excellence and cleanliness. It is currently being supported by a group out of Springfield, MO headed by Larry O’Reilly of O’Reilly Auto Parts.

I have had a second home in New Braunfels since 2015. It was time to come here full time in June. My wife of 25 years, Colette, originally from Costa Rica, four daughters and four grandchildren, one daughter in Wimberly, one in Gonzales, one recently graduated from Mizzou, living with us here, and the youngest is a freshman at Texas A&M University.

My hobbies are swimming, sailing, and skiing, but can’t do the later much anymore.

New Braunfels Rotary Club To set the record straight, Sandy is not his official name. It is David. He got the nickname Sandy from his middle name, Alexander, at birth. His father-in-law is the only person to call him David. Sandy met his parents in February 1949, but this happening was in the works well before then. Both of his paternal grandparents were roommates at Princeton University and graduated together in 1916. They stay friends for a long-time and both sets of kids crossed paths a bit resulting in a marriage in Princeton and a move to Baltimore, MD. The marriage lasted just five years and his mother, and two sons moved to Sarasota, FL for a requested speedy divorce as Maryland only had a one year waiting period.

Not long after their return to Baltimore, Sandy’s mom met a 39-year-old bachelor and survivor of D-Day on Omaha Beach. After getting approval from both young boys, Jack married all three of them in January 1955. Sandy says Jack was the best man he ever met and his best cheerleader. Sandy's mom had severe asthma, so all four moved to the drier climate of Prescott, AZ in 1960.

Both Sandy and his older brother Taylor went off to boarding school from 8th grade through 12th in the middle of Arizona on a 60,000-acre working ranch. Sandy received a solid education in books and ranching and was proud to have graduated in top 10 of his class. (pause) -- There were only 24 graduates. One of Sandy’s older school buddies went off to Trinity University in San Antonio and suggested he avoid the big Arizona schools and come to Texas. This was a good move for sure, but nonetheless a huge adjustment from Arizona's tumbleweeds.

When he returned home after his TU freshman year, his stepdad bet him $10 bucks (about three tanks of gas back then) that he would marry a Texan. Sandy thought "no way" and confidently took this easy money bet. But, in his sophomore year, he met a delightful and charming Texas girl sitting on the front row of the large Geology lecture class. (If you know Betsy, you would have guessed she would be on the front row). It was the best bet he ever lost as Sandy and Betsy have been married for 48 years.

After graduating and completing his ROTC obligation, Sandy moved back to Arizona to start his business career in advertising agency work. There was only one problem, there were no jobs in 1973. However, Sandy got lucky that his stepdad knew the daily newspaper publisher in Flagstaff, AZ. He got and interview and a job offer in the advertising department in the same day. Hooray! – designing newspaper ads! Not so fast – he was handed a list of over 100 business names on it and was told to, "Go get 'em”. OMG, he discovered he was in the SALES department. Upon calling his biological father with his exciting news he asked his son, "Did you tell them you couldn't sell?" Sandy’s reply was, "No, they never asked me." So, here came the tough-son-statement, "Only one sentence of advice, Sandy. If you don't ASK, you don't GET, and if you don't GET, you don't EAT." After this very short course in sales training, Sandy knew he would have to trade-in his introvert style and become an extrovert quickly, in-order-to survive.

Sandy immediately enrolled in Toastmasters so he could complete a full sentence without saying “AH” and added three Dale Carnegie courses to mold his attitude, confidence, and enthusiasm, resulting in 37 years in the newspaper business in sales, sales management, and publisher of small and large daily newspapers and weeklies throughout five states and seven cities, all essentially in the northwest.

In the second half of his career, Sandy discovered from a bunch of Fishmongers (those who sell fish for a living) at Pike Place Market in Seattle that if you throw fish and connect with shoppers who can catch or drop them, you sell more fish than any location in Seattle. That's when Sandy discovered the secret of successful selling – attitude outsells aptitude, day-in-day-out.

Okay, now fast forward to Texas. Sandy and Betsy’s last move was Betsy's choice with only one exception, the snow shovel doesn't go in the moving van. As both had enjoyed limited time spent in New Braunfels – four Novembers at Wurstfest drinking beer out of clean paint cans with handles – New Braunfels was the obvious choice.

Sandy joined Rotary Club of New Braunfels to gain some connections and was approached early on by Michael Meek to sell Chamber memberships. Well, that post-retirement gig has worked well for 10+ years now. The best part of their adult lives has been spent here in New Braunfels as they were welcomed with open arms and rapid-fire requests to get involved in our community. Both have jumped in with other eager citizens to help where needs must be met, whether it be the New Braunfels Library, YMCA, Rotary, Church, Headwaters, or community projects. Sandy and Betsy are very proud to have two successful sons, two super daughters-in-law, and four young grandchildren to brighten their daily lives. Sandy says he is fortunate to live his days between good and great, and even better to do so here in New Braunfels, TX.

Lou Ann’s family moved from their ranch at Tow, TX., to New Braunfels when she was in the first grade. Lou Ann was a twirler in the New Braunfels Unicorn band and played the flute. She was married to John Seidel for 22 years, and they had four children, Dustin, Sommer, Shannon (who died in a car crash in 2006) & Corey.

Lou Ann continued her education and received her bachelors degree in 1978 from UT Permian Basin in Odessa. Later, she went on to obtain her Master’s degree in Counseling from Texas State University. In 2000, she married her soul mate, Randy Wallis, and her family went from four children to seven. They now have 13 grandchildren.

Lou Ann has an entrepreneurial spirit, and over the years has had several cottage industry businesses so that she could stay home with her children, as well as being a 5th grade teacher at their school, New Braunfels Christian Academy. She has been a strong supporter of NBCA for 40 years, and currently serves on their Advisory Board.

Lou Ann was in private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor for 20 years here in New Braunfels and feels blessed to have been a part of so many wonderful people’s lives. In 2016, she and Randy started The Masters Roofing, a roofing and remodeling business. The names are significant to them, as they acknowledge God as their provider, and strive to honor Him in all aspects of their business as well as their personal lives. In May of 2017, Lou Ann retired from her counseling practice to join Randy full-time in the business.

Lou-Anne joined rotary in 2018. In 1996, her daughter, Sommer was a Rotary Exchange Student to Australia. Lou Ann has had a love for the program ever since and has served with youth exchange since she joined Rotary. She currently serves as the Youth Lane Chair and the Youth Exchange Officer for our club and is a member of the District Youth Exchange Committee. Lou Ann loves to travel, singing at church, the outdoors, sitting on the porch with her husband, and visiting with friends and family. She and Randy are members of the Soiree Club of New Braunfels, where she serves as this year’s Secretary. Lou Ann’s drink of choice is Tito’s and LeCroix Lemoncello.

Alex was born in George West, Texas, but was raised in Alice, TX. He graduated from high school and joined the Navy, serving as an interpreter while in Spain and Italy. After the Navy, he relocated to Houston where he attended the University of Houston. In 1965 he joined Gulf Oil which later became Chevron. In 1979, he was transferred to Atlanta, Georgia. He and his wife Stephanie stayed there until they got transferred to Concord, CA in 1985. While he was there, he represented Chevron in the community. He got heavily involved in the Chamber of Commerce and became Chairman in 1992. He then focused his energy to the Convention and Visitors Bureau and was Chairman for seven consecutive years. He also served as Commissioner for the City of Concord and while the support was there, he opted not to run for political office. He was also a founding member of the County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

He and his wife retired from Chevron in 2001. In 2002 he and several other partners, along with a talented winemaker, started a new winery. At the beginning they were doing most of the work until the winery made enough money to hire help. For fourteen years they produced award winning red wines. They opted to sell rather than expand.

In 2002 he joined Rotary and got involved in community projects until he was approached to do an international project. The project consisted of driving a minibus to Zocalo to transport handicapped people to medical appointments. It took six days to deliver the bus. When they arrived there, they realized the tremendous need for help in the community. The Rotary club there was three years old and was struggling to get things accomplished. They only had six members and the district was threatening to pull their charter. The California club started mentoring them and helping them with projects that benefitted the community. Within three years, they were the envy of the district having just completed a global grant for 1,400 wheelchairs. Since then, our clubs have been by their side as good partners should, providing humanitarian projects to the community.

Alex and Stephanie have been happily married for 43 years and together have five grown kids, eight grandkids which includes a set of triplets, six great grandkids, and one great-great granddaughter.

As a Rotarian, Alex believes very strongly in the Four-Way Test. His message to his fellow Rotarians is "The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more work well done".

Pat Kenney is not a native Texan but is a Texan by choice. He and his wife, Kim, first moved to Lakeway, TX in 2014 prior to building a home in Vintage Oaks in 2018. Pat was born in 1940 in Lockport, New York, the county seat for Niagara County, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Niagara Falls. He is the eldest of six children of Mark and Josephine Kenney. Having been born just as World War II was beginning, his early years were defined by what was happening during the 40’s and later in the 50’s during his High School years, as the Korean conflict held influence. Even though the late 50’s brought on Rock and Roll and Elvis, it also brought a sense of understanding the cost of freedom and set the tone for the Kenney family to become a Marine Corp, Army, and Navy family from the late 50’s thru the Vietnam war.

In 1965, after college and grad school at Notre Dame, Pat was hired by Chrysler Corp in their Labor Relations/Personnel office. It was an interesting five-years meeting union bosses such as Jimmy Hoffa and race car driver Richard Petty who test drove the Dodge Chargers for the movie Bullett. In 1970, he was approached by Jim Duggan, one of his college roommates, to join him in the life insurance business in Detroit. That led to a 46-year career in the life insurance and pension business, from agent to General Agent, Regional sales manager to Director of Agencies, and finally retiring from Assurity Life Insurance Co in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2016 as Sales Vice President.

Pat spent 32-years in Omaha and Lincoln Nebraska. It was there that a work associate introduced him to the ideals of the Rotary and sponsored him into Rotary 14 in 2001. Pat worked on many projects with the Rotary in Lincoln as well as with Leadership Lincoln before transferring to our club in 2018. It was also in Lincoln where he met his wife Kim in 1996 after the tragic death of his first wife in 1994.

He currently serves as Board President of the Brauntex Theatre, The Facilities Committee of the POA at Vintage Oaks, as well as secretary of our Rotary Club’s charitable contributions committee, is a member of the Scholarship Committee, and is currently helping find sponsors for our 85 Years Celebration. He is looking forward to doing his part for Wurstfest and the Craft Beer Festival. He likes red wine with medium rare steaks, cold beer on hot days, and bourbon on the rocks watching the sun go down. And he likes to remind people that money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you beer, which is basically the same thing.

Felicia Pitcock was born in Louisville, Kentucky and raised in a small sweet rural town in West Tennessee. She grew up riding mini-bikes, horses, and go-carts, working as a farm-hand with her best friend, and singing in a rock-n-roll band. Felicia moved to Texas in 1980, where she graduated from Waxahachie High School and then graduated from SMU with a BBA from the Cox School of Business, where she learned one of the founding principles of Finance, “NO FREE LUNCH”! Moving around a lot was tough but it taught Felicia to adapt, make new friends, and explore new opportunities. She thanks God for always protecting her and putting wonderful wise people in her path.

After SMU, Felicia took her first job with the US Treasury Department as a national bank examiner in Longview, Texas, where she got to experience how the oil bust and the following real estate market fall-out affected community banks and local businesses in the late 1980’s. Felicia met her first husband there, the late James Dunks, a New Braunfels native, who was also a national bank examiner. After a couple years of marriage, Leah Dunks was born and the family moved to New Braunfels in 1993 to start a financial advisory business. Felicia and James joined the Chamber in 1993, and then the Rotary Club of New Braunfels, where they had the honor of hosting six exchange students. Felicia worked in San Antonio as a credit analyst and then a commercial lender for First National Bank of South Texas. In 2000, Sarah Dunks was born and she continues to be a joy to all. Felicia and her family are forever grateful for the love, prayers and support of our Rotary Club, Oakwood Church, and the entire community after the sudden death of her husband James in 2007.

Felicia was introduced and soon married to Eric James in 2009 and together they have blended their sweet families into one. Eric has three children that graduated from Canyon High School, Megan, Matthew, and Mac James. They now have five grandchildren and one on the way!!!

Felicia resumed her career in 2013 as a real estate sales professional with Berkshire Hathaway where she lives out her passion for helping others find the perfect home in our beloved New Braunfels. She joined the Rotary Club of New Braunfels in 2015, and has served as club secretary, and most recently as President. She feels a duty to Rotary and it is truly her honor to be a member of this club and serve our Community.

James Boyd Vaughan (J. Boyd) was born on Dec 30, 1992, in Kerrville Texas. He grew up on a ranch in South Texas just outside of Runge and graduated from Karnes City High School. He attended Texas A&M University from 2011 to May of 2014 where he received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics. After graduating, he became a full-time employee of Capital Farm Credit in Kenedy. He spent two years in there before moving to New Braunfels with his wife in June of 2016. Along with Capital Farm Credit, J. Boyd has ventured into other Real Estate investments with his father and owns a small cattle herd with his two brothers. He is a proud father of two children, and happily married to his wife Kelsea for over 7 years. Recently, J. Boyd made the decision to take his career into full time Ranch Real Estate Sales under Capital Ranch Sales, where he will be assisting clients to purchase and sell ranches. In addition, he will spend time managing his short-term rental portfolio.

J. Boyd’s hobbies include hunting and fishing, spending time with family, especially his wife and two kiddos, Jameson and Bradleigh. He has a passion for the Lord and is involved with his church, Oakwood New Braunfels, leading a small group, helping with the kid’s Awanas program, and serving in his community.

J. Boyd is thankful for Travis Taylor for introducing and sponsoring him to Rotary in 2018. He is thankful to serve alongside his fellow Rotarians and is looking forward to joining a committee. Hint Hint. His favorite memory in Rotary is flipping potato pancakes at Wurstfest and enjoying the amazing meals from Kathy and her team.

D. Lee Edwards was born in San Angelo, Texas and raised in Midland where he graduated high school. Lee attended Texas Tech University, transferring later to Southwest Texas State University where he graduated with a degree in science.

Lee began working in kitchens at age 14, became a chef at 19, and at 23 was a Sous Chef at the St. Anthony, later becoming the Food and Beverage Director. He continued his career in hotels and restaurants in Texarkana; New Orleans; Columbia, South Carolina; and Charleston, receiving accolades in Southern Living Magazine and other publications.

In 1992 Lee became the Vice President of Carriage House Inns, and in 1997 became the Vice President of hotel development for the Upton Corporation. He served as the Chairman of the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau, and as President of the Georgia Hospital and Travel Association.

Lee was honored as Hotelier of the Year and as Georgia Governor Zell Miller’s aide to camp, before moving to Texas to be near Family. He has been in New Braunfels for 24 years and is the Owner/Broker of D. Lee Edwards Realty, Edwards Commercial Realty, and Edwards Property Management.

He has been a Rotarian since late 1990, serving as President during 911, and was Co-Chair of the Comal County Fair committee. Lee served as President of NBISD School Board and Habitat for Humanity for five years, and is currently Chairman of the New Braunfels Planning Commission.

Lee is married to Caryne Edwards, an outstanding and honored nurse and house supervisor for Christus Santa Rosa Hospital. They have two children, former Councilwomen Aja Edwards, and Adrianna Edwards, plus two grandkids, Everett and Ezra.

New Braunfels has been the home of homes and Rotary the connection to it all. Thanks to Bill Biggadike for getting me involved.

Randy Rodgers learned from his parents at an early age that the call to serve others is the highest calling. As a high school student, Randy accumulated more than 1,500 hours of volunteer work, mostly at summer camps across the state of Texas, teaching campcraft and outdoor skills to children in RAs and GAs, Baptist organizations for children and youth that are similar to scouts. He was recognized for his work with two National Service awards.

Randy grew up in Fort Worth. He attended Richland High School, then undergraduate school at Oklahoma Baptist University, and graduate school at the University of North Texas. Feeling a call to continue serving and working with children, he majored in elementary education.

Following graduation, Randy worked for 30 years as a public-school educator as an elementary and middle school teacher, instructional technology specialist, and district instructional technology and innovation administrator. His work brought him to New Braunfels in 2012. One of his proudest achievements as an educator was founding a student service organization, Students With a Purpose, at the middle school where he worked in Birdville ISD outside of Fort Worth. The organization did a range of community service activities, including trash pickup, campus beautification, graffiti abatement, and more, and is still active 20 years later. Randy retired from education in 2021 and went to work in the mortgage industry.

Randy joined Rotary Club of New Braunfels last year to grow new friendships and because of Rotary’s emphasis on Service Above Self. He jumped in headfirst, doing his first service project four days after his initial Rotary meeting. He has been at as many service activities as possible since, including blood drives, trash pickup, food distribution, and many more.

When he is not at Rotary activities, he’s working as a mortgage loan advisor with Trinity Oaks Mortgage. He attends River City Church and is a member of BNI Guadalupe Referrals, Seguin Elks, and the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce (as of this week). If he’s not at a meeting or working a loan, he is hopefully out on the water chasing bass or trout in his kayak.

Randy has been married to his beautiful wife, Missie, for 28 years. She is an elementary PE teacher in Seguin who is far too good for him. His 21-year-old daughter, Reagan, graduated from Tarleton State in May and is getting married to her Aggie fiancé on the 27th of this month. Donations accepted! His son, Reilly, will be headed off to Mississippi State this weekend for his freshman year. If you run into Randy at a local eatery, he’ll probably be drinking a skinny margarita or a Zero Sugar DP.

Heidi Aleman was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. After living in Saudi Arabia and England, her family settled in Texas when she was nine-years-old. Heidi graduated from Humble High School and went on to receive a BBA in Marketing at Southwest Texas State University.

Growing up, Heidi learned the value of hard-work early. At age 11 she began working for her parents' homemade salsa company where she spent evenings, weekends and summers picking parsley, chopping onions, and offering samples at Sam's Club. And you thought the current samples were good!

Heidi was also no stranger to the Hill Country. She was blessed to spend many summers with her grandparents in Horseshoe Bay, camping at Canyon Lake, and losing her cooler while tubing the Guadalupe River. Gruene has close ties to her heart, during college she met her husband, Lonny, a native of New Braunfels, so the decision to make New Braunfels her permanent home came easy. “Ist das lieben shoen”.

Beginning her career, Heidi began working for New Braunfels General Store and Schlitterbahn, selling waterpark equipment worldwide. Having a father that was service driven and involved, Heidi joined the New Braunfels Jaycees and was a member of the Chamber Leadership Class of 2001. She was excited to learn more about the new community she joined and making many new friends in the process.

She attributes these two organizations to her growth and involvement in New Braunfels. She has been actively involved in the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce since 2001. Serving in various committees and positions, previously chairing the annual NB Business Trade Show and Winter Visitors Reception, and currently helping both the adult and youth Leadership Programs. Heidi is a Senior Life Member Blue Coat (Ambassador for the Chamber) and served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. She has been fortunate to be on the NBISD Council of PTAs as hospitality chair, a board member for the New Braunfels Library Foundation, as well as a director and allocations chair for the United Way of Comal County. Her service has spanned from past president for the New Braunfels Jaycees, to current president for the New Braunfels Downtown Association, and many others in between. Heidi has her license as a TX REALTOR, she is an active member of the Four Rivers Association of REALTORS.

Heidi is passionate about giving back and supporting local non-profits. That passion led to being hired as the first paid Executive Director for the New Braunfels ISD Education Foundation where she served for 10 years. Taking the leap to her current role as the New Braunfels division Vice President of Development at Corridor Title which allows her to use her marketing, real estate, and love for our community, daily. She loves the culture, history and festivities that make New Braunfels HOME and is excited to continue giving back as a newly appointed Rotarian.

Heidi loves to travel and attend shows at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio. Her proudest role is MOM to her two sons Zakary (20) and Dylan (18). She and Lonny recently celebrate their 23rd wedding anniversary. She is looking forward to being a part of Rotary, and you can count on her to bring her all to the table as a Rotarian. Published 07/19/22

You can tell by Blythe’s southern twang that she was born and raised deep in the piney woods of east Texas. She graduated from Lumberton High School and attended Lamar University. Blythe married her high school sweetheart, Chris, in 2001 and together they have two daughters, Kylie and Kelly. Kylie attends Texas State University and Kelly will be a freshman at Canyon High School this fall. In 2020 Blythe and Chris decided to make their dreams of living in the Texas Hill Country a reality, and now proudly call New Braunfels their home.

Blythe unknowingly began her banking career as a part-time teller in 1998. Since then, she’s had many different roles and is currently the Vice President, Business Development Officer for Business Banking at Broadway Bank. As a little girl Blythe and her sister would play “bank” using her mom’s old checks. Now she gets to use real money to help businesses with their banking needs.

Blythe joined the Hardin County Rotary Club in 2018 and transferred her membership to the Rotary Club of New Braunfels in 2020. She currently serves as the clubs Scholarship Committee Chair and is on the Interact and Charitable Contributions committees.

She also serves as the Chair of the New Braunfels Women's Business Alliance and is a Board Member of the Crisis Center of Comal County. Blythe’s also a proud volunteer of the United Way of Comal County, Communities In Schools of South Central Texas, CASA of Central Texas, Inc., and Comal ISD. She’s a former director of the Lumberton TX Chamber of Commerce and a 2015 graduate of Leadership Southeast Texas - LSET.

Blythe enjoys serving her community, spending time with family and friends, traveling, shopping with the girls, and listening to live music. She’s an 80’s baby and just wants to Dance with Somebody. She loves pizza on a Friday night with a Whiskey and Coke. Published 07/12/22

Chaz did not grow up here but was born in New Braunfels TX. His father told him that he had traded a river rafting trip to pay for his delivery which even included a complimentary hysterectomy! His mother grew up in Canyon Lake and attended Smithson Valley High School. His father was attending Southwest College where he drove a bus part time for the high school and fell in love with a girl on his route. His father got a job working for Exxon Mobil and traveled around Texas chasing the oil patch. Chaz left New Braunfels as a toddler and moved to San Angelo, later to Midland, and eventually ended up in Granbury where he graduated high school.

Chaz’s father bought a rain gutter business in Granbury so he could help his elderly parents that lived nearby. He encouraged Chaz to go to college to get out of the gutter business. So, Chaz set out for Texas A&M University in College Station, where he received a bachelor’s degree in bioenvironmental science, but more importantly, found his wife there, Erin Gallagher. They will celebrate 15 years of marriage this year and have two boys, Zeke age 8, and Jacob age 6.

Chaz was hired out of college in 2006 to work for Alamo Cement as an environmental engineer and continued that career for 10 years. During that time, he had started doing gutters on the weekends to help pay off student loans and debt. That gutter business continued to grow and grow. Chaz saw the potential of this “side business” and realized it was time to take the leap of faith as a full-time entrepreneur. He stepped down from his position at Alamo Cement, nearly six years ago, to offer Lessards Gutters his full attention. Lessards Gutters is a family business, as Erin works running the inside operations and Chaz handles the outside operations. He loves spending time with his family and hopes to continue to improve and grow his business so he can spend more time doing the things he loves. You may have seen him “One Wheeling” around town. He enjoys being at the coast and traveling. He has a great passion for wine and loves kicking back with good company! Published 07/06/22

Chris Humphries was born in Texas City, TX and graduated from Santa Fe High School. After high school, he attended Southwest Texas State University where he majored in Resource and Environmental Studies and minored in Geology.

After college Chris began his career in the construction industry and worked for a large general contractor. After a few years of traveling with his company, he decided to specialize in the HVAC/plumbing industry and went to work for a mechanical company in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. With aspirations of wanting to live in the Hill Country, in 2001 Chris was able to transfer to a mechanical contractor in San Antonio and chose New Braunfels as his home. In 2008, Chris married his wife Allison, a native of New Braunfels. They have two children, Addison age 11 and Caitlynn age 8.

In December of 2012, Chris decided to partner with one of his best friends and start their own mechanical construction company. They started Team Mechanical of TX with just three employees and today they employ over 100 people, and they are still growing.

As a child, Chris would always look forward to attending Rotary meetings with his grandad. It was not until a few years ago he learned that his great grandad was a founding member of the Texas City Rotary Club and served as the club’s first president. Chris joined the Rotary Club of New Braunfels in 2014 and has served as Sergeant at Arms, YEO, Youth Lane Chair, President Elect Nominee, and President Elect.

Chris is also a proud member of the Wurstfest Association. He has volunteered and coached for the New Braunfels Little League, New Braunfels Youth Soccer Association, New Braunfels Parks and Recreation, YMCA, and Upwards. He was also a recent board member for Communities in Schools, member of the Elks Lodge, and serves on the finance committee for his church.

Chris is extremely dedicated to serving his club and is looking forward to his new role as President. Published 06/21/22

Travis was born in San Antonio and lived most of his childhood just down the road in Schertz. He graduated from Samuel Clemens. He then attended Texas A&M University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance.

After graduating college, he went to work for a commercial real estate valuation company in San Antonio and became a partner in the firm. He then started his own practice in New Braunfels, which was later acquired by BBG, a national valuation company where he managed the South Texas Region. Last year, Travis made a change, leaving the valuation industry to partner with Steve Rodgers in the launch of SVN | Traditions. He has spent his entire 20+ year career in the commercial real estate industry.

Travis is a Leadership New Braunfels Alumni, Class of 2017. He has served both of his professional organizations locally and on a national level, also serving on a couple non-profit boards. He began his Rotary membership in 2012 with the Downtown San Antonio Club as the 2012 Under 40 Class. He is also a life coach for STEPS in New Braunfels and a member of C12, which is a Christian Business Leader organization.

Travis married his wife, Ginger in 2006. After many years of hoping to have children of their own, it became apparent God had something else. They have made a concerted effort to re-allocate those resources to give back to their church, their community, and their friends and family, mentoring and walking alongside the many children in their lives. They have a pair of 14-year-old twin Godchildren, two nieces and many other wonderful young people they love and spend time with.

Travis recently decided to quit watching the news and focus on the areas he can impact. He enjoys his free time being outdoors, whether hunting, spending time at the coast, camping with their RV crew or any other hands-on project, fixing something or making it look better. He recently purchased a ranchito near Goliad and finally has a place of his own to piddle on the new junky tractor…with cows coming soon. Published 06/08/22

Dani was born and raised in Bend, Oregon. She moved Texas in 2007 and then to New Braunfels in 2011. Dani is recently engaged to her longtime boyfriend Chris, and has two sons, Carson who graduated New Braunfels High School this year, and Parker who will be a Sophomore.

Dani has been in banking for over 17 years. Currently she is the Senior Vice President for commercial lending at Moody Bank. In addition to being a member of Rotary, she is part of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber Board of Directors, Vice President for the SPARK Small Business Development Center, member of The Downtown Association Board of Directors, and a Past President of the United Way of Comal County. She is a 2014 Leadership New Braunfels graduate (The Best class EVER), and was also selected as a Rising Star of New Braunfels 40 under 40 in 2017.

Dani likes to spend her free time traveling to anywhere with a beach, hanging out by the pool, or with her two goats Kevin and Karin, and her chickens and ducks.

Many of you have probably had drinks with Dani that usually includes a good Cabernet, ranch water, or a shot of Fire Ball. Published 05/31/22

Doreen was born and raised in Houston, TX, graduating from Westfield High School in Spring, TX, where she played varsity basketball. She attended Texas A&M University where she majored in Industrial Engineering. Doreen married Kevin Fisher in 1988 and they will celebrate 34 years of marriage next month.

Doreen’s career was in the electronics industry and included employment with Motorola, Dell Computer, and two contract manufacturing firms. Her career took her out of the country frequently on business trips, and she holds a US patent for electrical circuit design.

Doreen took an early retirement to finish raising their three children; two daughters and one son. They have two grandchildren, Henry and Harper Ham, who live in Shiner.

Doreen has been a member of several local non-profits, including the Comal County A&M Mothers Club, New Braunfels Noon Lions, Mid-Texas Symphony Guild, Braunfels Foundation Trust, New Braunfels All Sports Boosters, New Braunfels Downtown Association, and the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. She has also volunteered with other organizations, including Comal County Habitat for Humanity, New Braunfels Food Bank, New Braunfels Jaycees, Communities in Schools, Pink Warrior Advocates, and SJRC of Texas.

She is a past Debutante Chairman for the Mid-Texas Symphony, and past president of the Comal County A&M Mothers Club. She currently serves as a board member for the New Braunfels Noon Lions Club. She has also coached youth basketball and served as a youth Sunday School teacher.

Joining Rotary one year ago, Doreen currently serves as the merchandise coordinator for the Hill Country Craft Beer Festival, is serving on the committee to revise the club’s scholarship policies, and serves in the Youth Lane as the Interact Coordinator. Her favorite Rotary volunteer shift so far has been serving as cashier at the potato pancake booth.

When she’s not selling kartoffelpuffer, Doreen enjoys the vibrant New Braunfels downtown scene, including live music, tubing, sports, walking her dogs, and drinking cocktails and beer. White Claw and scotch aren’t on her drink menu. Published 05/24/22

Britt enjoys helping others and has been volunteering for many years. He has served as a Rotarian, an Opa at Wurstfest, a New Braunfels Jaycees, and is a Blue Coat with the New Braunfels Chamber.

Britt has been in Rotary since 2006. He was a Board Member for about five years before serving as Club President in 2011-2012. Britt’s passion in Rotary has been in Rotary Youth Exchange (thanks to Kathy Meurin for “voluntelling him” to get involved). His family has hosted four students, his daughter Brittney went on Exchange to Spain when she was 15, and he has served as Rotary District 5840 - South Central Texas Youth Exchange Co-Chair for the past five years. In addition to Youth Exchange, Britt has also enjoyed serving as Chair of our Rotary Hill Country Craft Beer Festival since it’s inception in 2019, working in the Wurstfest Booth, the Fair Booth, and helping with numerous other Rotary Projects.

When Britt is not volunteering, he works as a Mortgage Banker, helping people all over Texas with Financing Solutions for their residential and investment home needs. He has worked in the Financial Services Industry for over 25 years.

Britt was born in 1970 and grew up in the small West Texas town of Roscoe. He graduated from Roscoe High School; that’s right, he is a Roscoe PLOWBOY, one of the few mascots in the state as unique as a Unicorn. After High School, Britt attended and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics. Yes, that’s right, he is an Aggie Plowboy!… It only seems fitting that he would marry a girl from New Braunfels who is an Aggie Unicorn! Britt and Melissa will be married 27 years on June 3rd. They have two Aggie Unicorns, Brittney and Emma. Brittney is 20 and in her second year at A&M, pursuing an International Studies Degree with a Minor in Spanish. Emma is 17 and will finish at New Braunfels High School in December, then start at A&M in the Fall of 2023.

When Britt has free time, he enjoys hiking trips with his family, hunting trips with his brother, and Sunday afternoons at Hoity Toit Beer Joint with local friends! Published 05/18/22

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

Rebecca Brown was born and raised in Sweet Home, Texas. She graduated with a business degree from The University of Mississippi where she was a cheerleader. When her senior year was cut short in 2020 due to COVID, she moved back home and received a job offer in New Braunfels, TX as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. Both of Rebecca's parents are Financial Advisors with Edward Jones, so as a child she always knew she wanted to follow in their footsteps.

In 2021, Rebecca was looking for ways to get involved and engaged in the community. She is involved in both Rotary and the Jaycees. She serves on various committees such as the Hill Country Craft Beer Festival Committee and The Philanthropy Committee for the Jaycees. She is also an Advisory Board Member for the New Braunfels Conservation Society.

In her free time, Rebecca likes to play golf, watch Ole Miss sports, and support local drinking establishments. The Rotary Club of New Braunfels has become an important part of her life. The Membership has made her a better friend, advisor, and community member. Published 05/03/22

John was born in Jamaica in 1943 to Canadian parents. In 1948 his family emigrated to the US and settled in Kingsville,TX, which he calls home. He became a naturalized US Citizen in at age 11.

He graduated from Texas A & I University in 1965 with a degree in physics and math, but his favorite classes were computer programming and data processing. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army Signal Corps. John married his college sweetheart, Linda, in 1966.

Upon completion of his military service, John worked for Humble Oil in Houston in the computer and data processing department.

John had always wanted to be an entrepreneur and moved back to Kingsville in 1971 and started a data processing service bureau. Kingsville was home until they moved to New Braunfels in 2013. During this time, he established and built several successful companies some of which he sold.

John’s father was a Rotarian in Canada and upon moving to Texas, he joined the Kingsville Rotary Club. John joined the Kingsville Rotary Club in 1970. He and his father were father/son members of the Club for many years. Rotary has been a major factor in his life since.

John’s major project with the Rotary Club of New Braunfels was to gather and organize information about the Charitable Contributions Committee (CCC) and to document what had been a collection of oral history and fragmented documentation. He served as Chair of the CCC for two years. He also served on the 2021 Strategic Planning Committee and was involved with helping establish the Science Fest project. He especially enjoys working at the monthly Food Bank Distribution and the HCCB Festival.

John’s other community activities are River Chase Property Owner’s Association, River Chase Veteran’s Association, and the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. He and Linda are members of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

After bringing the family to New Braunfels for several summers to float the rivers, John and Linda decided that New Braunfels would be a great place to retire. In 2005, they bought a lot in River Chase and moved to New Braunfels in 2013. They designed and started building their dream home that year. In 2014, they moved in and settled down to the good life in the Hill Country.

John and Linda have enjoyed 55 wonderful years together. They have three children, Travis, Justin, and Susanna, and five grandchildren, all of whom live in Texas.

Linda says John’s hobby is moving rocks on their property. John’s other hobby is fly fishing. Their joint hobby is travel and cruising. They look forward to another cruise in August and are already planning the next cruise.

John’s drink of choice is a wee dram of Speyside single malt whisky, neat. Published 04/27/22

Glenn was born and raised in Dallas, TX, and moved to New Braunfels in 2013 upon graduating from Texas State University with a degree in Construction Science Management. He had so much fun the first time at Texas State he enrolled in the Masters Business Administration program and graduated in 2017. Glenn met his wife Emily Roblin while attending Texas State and married in January of 2019. They currently do not have any children but have two dogs, Che and Lilly.

For the past 8 years, Glenn has worked with Woolsey Construction in New Braunfels and is currently their Chief Estimator. His favorite projects he has been lucky enough to be a part of include the CASA offices in San Marcos and being a part of River City Advocacy office built in New Braunfels.

Outside of work you will typically find Glenn spending time with his wife Emily, riding in off-road motorcycle competitions with his friends and family, or enjoying a water-related activity during the summer.

Glenn is looking forward to the upcoming Hill Country Craft Beer Festival and volunteering at the event to help raise money for all the great causes Rotary contributes to. In addition to Rotary, Glenn is also currently in the Leadership New Braunfels program and is an active member of the New Braunfels Jaycees.

If you took Glenn to a bar he would order a beer he has not tried before. Published 04/12/22

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

Joe Castilleja is a second-generation citizen of New Braunfels and a proud graduate of New Braunfels High School. After high school, Joe graduated from Southwest Texas State with a BBA degree with a concentration in Finance, and is an Alumnus of Pi Kappa Alpha. His education led him to be a career banker where he currently serves as the Sr. Vice President of Community Banking for Frost Bank.

Throughout the years, Joe has participated on numerous boards and committees for our community. To date his involvements, include:

The GVEC Board since 2017, Wurstfest Board, Volunteers in Medicine Board, 2015 Chair of Board for the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, Inc., Zoning Board of Adjustments, United Way of Comal County Board, 2013 and 2018 Advisory Bond Board, Chair of the Unicorn Action PAC, Chair of the Hispanic Mural Project, Chair of the NBISD Facility Committee, Rec Center Advisory Committee, and the Vice Chair of the City of New Braunfels Planning and Zoning Commission.

Joe has been married for 21-years to Kristy Castilleja and they have two children, Dylan and Chloe. When he isn’t volunteering his time, he enjoys playing golf, barbecuing, and traveling. Published 03/15/22

Lindsay is the current Vocation Lane Chair and Festivals Co-Chair. She’s from Lubbock, Texas and a 2005 graduate of Texas Tech University. She married Matt Haas, a native of New Braunfels, in 2008 and they have two children - Kennedy age 10 and Branson age 5.

She’s been an advisor at Hoffmann Financial Services for the past 11 years. She found her passion for community work while working alongside Carroll Hoffmann. Lindsay is the scholarship chair for the Texas Tech Alumni Association of Comal County, a board member of the Sophienburg Museum, and a Tablescapes committee member for the Braunfels Foundation Trust.

In 2019 she was named as a Rising Star of New Braunfels and chosen as that year’s Distinguished Young Leader. The Rotary Club of New Braunfels has become an important part of her life. Membership in this club has led to friendships and connections with people she might not have ever met. She is a better wife, mother, advisor, community member, and beer drinker because of Rotary. Published 03/08/22

Born in Grand Junction, CO in 1968 but soon moved to San Antonio where he lived until he went off to Baylor where he graduated with a Bachelors in Ed, unfortunately in 4 years.

Deciding he didn’t like working while all of his friends at Baylor were still playing, he went back and got his Masters in Ed, graduating for the last time in 1995.

Pretty good for someone who does not like school or studying.

Chris always knew he wanted to work with those who realized how important life is and felt no one knew that more than those who know theirs is about to end so ended up in hospice care.

Chris has been in hospice work for 25 years with the last and best being at Hope Hospice.

In hospice Chris has been a Volunteer Coordinator, Admissions Coordinator, Chaplain, Bereavement Coordinator, Director of Business Development, Executive Director, and now works as a Community Liaison. He does not know what the last one means, but he gets to do a lot of fun things in that position so feels it is the best job at Hope.

As part of that job, he gets to work with the We Honor Veterans Program, honoring Veterans for their service through individual ceremonies as well as helping them with benefits, and educating them and the community about Veterans issues and needs.

In 1991 Chris married way up to Julie his wife of 22 years who now also works for Hope as the HR Manager. This may help Chris keep his job longer than he probably would have on his own.

Chris has two kids, Devin who is 27 and is married to Hailey, both of which are accountants. And, Kaleb who is 17, about to graduate from High School and is headed off to A&M to study Computer Hardware Engineering.

In his free time Chris loves to visit with friends over a cold drink, sit by the fire pit outside, hunt, fish, woodwork, and pretty much anything else that sounds fun.

Chris has been in Rotary for almost three years and loves the family and opportunities to serve he finds here. Published 02/22/22

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

Sometimes in life you must take that leap and follow your dreams to achieve what you want out of life. For Usiosefe Aimiuwu, it was only a matter of time before he made that move.

Usi and his wife, Gomen, who is in medical school, arrived in New Braunfels Fall of 2020. Immediately, he Joined the Rotary Club of New Braunfels through his relationship with JP Kesselring and started networking to get to know the people in the community.

His journey to get here might seem daunting to some. To Usiosefe, however, it was simply a vision and following his plan to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He would tell you it was not easy but having the support of family and Gods grace it was achievable.

Cyber security is something that most businesses do not really think of as important for various reasons and in recent years there has been an inflection point. Banks and insurance agencies are starting to be more assertive making sure this aspect of the business is healthy to reduce liability and risk.

This is why CMIT Solutions of New Braunfels is in this community and ready to help small and medium size businesses reduce their risk tolerance to cyber-attacks and intrusions. Here at CMIT we “Worry about the I.T” so you can focus on your business.

Outside of work, Usiosefe is a family-oriented person. He has two daughters, Erun and Amen (Ahh-men), both attend Walnut springs Elementary here in town. He loves spending time with them and attending community events. He is on the Board of Directors of the Brauntex Theater, a member of the fourth degree Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Jaycee’s, and Seguin and New Braunfels Chambers of Commerce.

Although he did not school in Texas, he is a proud Buckeye who is now making New Braunfels home and loving it. He feel’s New Braunfels have a lot to offer, and this is the right time to be here. He will continue to explore the culture and fun sites like the parks, caverns etcetera in the community and contribute anyway he can. Published 01/26/22

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.

Published 12/01/21

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