Calendar

Apr
6
Fri
April Monthly Lunch @ El Tiempo "1308 Annex"
Apr 6 @ 11:30 – 13:00

Friday April 6, 2018: 11:30-13:30

  • Agenda (times estimated)
    • 11:30-12:00 Networking & margaritas
    • 12:00 Seats, introductions, announcements, lunch orders
    • 12:15 Guest Speaker
    • 12:20-12:30 Lunch plate service during speaker
    • 13:15 Speaker conclusion, final announcements B&G

Speaker: Mr. Rob Eissler, Legislative Consultant at The Schlueter Group

Rob Eissler is a Legislative Consultant with The Schlueter Group of Austin, TX since January 2013. He was previously the President of Eissler and Associates, an executive recruiting firm based in his hometown of thirty-six years, The Woodlands, Texas. He received a B.A. in Architecture from Princeton University, and then served his country as a carrier-based attack pilot and LSO aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) in the United States Navy.

Rob Eissler has spent twenty-eight years dedicated to the public education system of Texas, 18 of which were on the Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees, including two terms as President, and 10 years serving on the Public Education Committee of the Texas House of Representatives, the last 6 as its Chairman. He has also served as the Vice Chair of the House Human Services Committee.

In 1999, he was named one of 25 “Original Hometown Heroes” for The Woodlands by The Woodlands Villager/Courier newspapers and The Woodlands Operating Company, L.P. The Chamber of Commerce named him “Citizen of the Year” in 1991, where he served as the Chairman of the Board in 1988-89. Mr. Eissler has also served as the President of the Woodlands Rotary Club and as a board member of the South Montgomery Y.M.C.A. He coached youth sports for twenty years and is well known as one of the voices of High School Football on the local internet broadcast of area games.

Mr. Eissler was elected to represent District 15 as State Representative in November of 2002. He was appointed to serve as Chairman of the Public Education Committee in his third session. Among many other honors, Rob Eissler was named one of Texas Monthly ́s “Top 10 Legislators” of 2009. He received Honorable Mention for this in 2007. His work on reforming the public school accountability system during the 81st Legislative Session helped place Texas at the nation’s forefront in public education reform. In 2005, he was named one of the Top Texas Legislators of the 79th Legislative Session by Capitol Inside. Rep. Eissler has also been named Legislator of the Year by the Texas Council of Special Education Administrators, received The Texas Foreign Language Association’s Distinguished Public Service Award, The Texas Art Education Association’s Governmental Award for Meritorious Service in the Arts, The Texas Music Educators Association Distinguished Service Award and the Champion for Free Enterprise Award by the Texas Association of Business three times. He also served as a Director of The Texas Education Reform Foundation.

He was presented with the Star Award by Texans Standing Tall in recognition of his efforts during the 79th Legislature to reduce and prevent the consequences of underage alcohol use and binge drinking. He is a member of the Southern Regional Education Board comprised of 16 southern states and was appointed by the Governor to their Executive Board. He has received the STAR award from the Texas Classroom Teachers Association twice. Governor Perry appointed Representative Eissler to the Education Commission of the States in October of 2007 where he represents Texas as one of 7 Commissioners. In February, 2008, he was awarded the Legislative Advocate of the Year by the Texas PTA and the 2008 Friend of Texas Children Award from the United Ways of Texas. He was also awarded Legislative Advocate of the Year by the Texas PTA again in 2009.

Rob and his wife Linda have three adult children and are members of The Woodlands United Methodist Church.

El Tiempo “1308 Annex”: 322 Westheimer Rd

  • Lunch Menu
    • Chips & salsa, guacamole, & queso
    • Choice of Entree:
      • Chicken or beef fajitas
      • Seafood enchiladas
      • Las Vegas platter

TxGC Chapter membership has its benefits…

  • Members get 15% when they enter their promo code at check-out
  • Member’s promo code emailed out in member-only version of Newsletter
May
4
Fri
May Monthly Lunch @ El Tiempo "1308 Annex"
May 4 @ 11:30 – 13:00

May Monthly Lunch: Annual Blue & Gold Officer Appreciation

Annually, the TxGC Chapter honors our area BGOs, recognizing the hard work they do, day in and day out, in ensuring the Naval Academy has qualified candidates from the Houston area, that will represent themselves and our country proud at USNA, and in the Fleet.

If you’re one of our area BGOs, please contact Rich Bulger (rlbulger69@gmail.com, 281-788-3915), to ensure you’re signed up as an honoree, in order to be recognized during the festivities.

Featured Speaker: CAPT Paul Tortora, USN (Ret.)

Capt. Paul Tortora, USN (ret), was the first Chair of the new Cyber Science Department at the United States Naval Academy. He recently retired from the Navy following a 26-year active duty career as both a Nuclear Submarine Officer and a Naval Intelligence Officer. During his active service he served and deployed on two nuclear fast attack submarines, two amphibious assault ships, and a nuclear aircraft carrier, conducting peacetime and combat operations across the globe.

His ashore assignments included Director of Training at the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center, on the staff of the Director of Naval Intelligence, as the Intelligence Officer and Naval Aide to the Secretary of the Navy, and on the staff of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Friday May 4, 2018: 11:30-13:30

  • Agenda (times estimated)
    • 11:30-12:00 Networking & margaritas
    • 12:00 Seats, introductions, announcements, lunch orders
    • 12:15 Guest Speaker
    • 12:20-12:30 Lunch plate service during speaker
    • 13:15 Speaker conclusion, final announcements B&G

El Tiempo “1308 Annex”: 322 Westheimer Rd

  • Lunch Menu
    • Chips & salsa, guacamole, & queso
    • Choice of Entree:
      • Chicken or beef fajitas
      • Seafood enchiladas
      • Las Vegas platter

TxGC Chapter membership has its benefits…

  • Members get 15% when they enter their promo code at check-out
  • Member’s promo code emailed out in member-only version of Newsletter
May
25
Fri
NASA Johnson Space Center, TxGC Tour @ Johnson Space Center
May 25 @ 08:00 – 11:45

TxGC Exclusive, Private Tour

  • Limited space- no walk ups
  • Must have TxGC Member code to sign up (provided via member-only email)
  • Three areas will be visited: The Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility, the Mission Control Center and the Neutral Bouyancy Lab
  • The tour will start at 0800 at the Rocket Park near the front gate of the Johnson Space Center
  • The tour will conclude at 11:45 at the Rocket Park
  • We will plan to have an informal lunch in the area afterwards
    • NEW! Lunch to follow at El Tiempo- Webster
  • A list of attendees with full names that match photo IDs must be provided a week before the tour
  • If your name is not on the list, then no tour
  • There is no cost for the tour
  • Pay special attention to Guest Ops Attachment for rules on dress, safety protocol and behavior
Clearlake Lunch (Roadshow) @ El Tiempo Cantina - Webster
May 25 @ 12:30 – 13:30
Houston is a big city!  Our chapter holds centrally-located events to draw our members together.  Sometimes, I bet you wish there was an event in Sugar Land, Pearland, or Katy to help you show that “Beat Army” spirit and socialize with other grads right near your home.  Well, we are bringing the TxGC to you!
To help integrate our neighbors outside of Houston proper and to gain support for our upcoming Top Gun Benefit charity event, we are holding a happy hour event near you.
Pay/order on your own lunch off the menu.  Come out, meet your fellow Alumni, hear about the Chapter, and about our Top Gun benefit.  Enjoy comraderie.
Jun
6
Wed
Pearland Happy Hr. @ BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
Jun 6 @ 17:00 – 19:00
Houston is a big city!  Our chapter holds centrally-located events to draw our members together.  Sometimes, I bet you wish there was an event in Sugar Land, Pearland, or Katy to help you show that “Beat Army” spirit and socialize with other grads right near your home.  Well, we are bringing the TxGC to you!
To help integrate our neighbors outside of Houston proper and to gain support for our upcoming Top Gun Benefit charity event, we are holding a happy hour event near you.  Times and Locations are to be announced.  If you are a local in any of the cities listed and would like to act as a liaison and help pick a location, please contact Michael Vlachakis ’02 (michael.vlachakis@yahoo.com).
Mark your Calendars!
May 25th – Clearlake (lunch)
June 6th – Pearland, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
June 13th – Katy
June 20th – Sugar Land
June TBD – Kingwood
June/July TBD – Beaumont
More details to come.  Stand by to stand by.
Jun
13
Wed
KATY Area Happy Hr. @ Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar
Jun 13 @ 17:00 – 19:00
Houston is a big city!  Our chapter holds centrally-located events to draw our members together.  Sometimes, I bet you wish there was an event in Sugar Land, Pearland, or Katy to help you show that “Beat Army” spirit and socialize with other grads right near your home.  Well, we are bringing the TxGC to you!
To help integrate our neighbors outside of Houston proper and to gain support for our upcoming Top Gun Benefit charity event, we are holding a happy hour event near you.  Times and Locations are to be announced.  If you are a local in any of the cities listed and would like to act as a liaison and help pick a location, please contact Michael Vlachakis ’02 (michael.vlachakis@yahoo.com).
Mark your Calendars!
May 25th – Clearlake (lunch)
June 6th – Pearland, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
June 13th – Katy, Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar
June 20th – Sugar Land
June TBD – Kingwood
June/July TBD – Beaumont
Jun
20
Wed
Sugar Land Happy Hr. @ Ruthie's Tex-Mex
Jun 20 @ 17:00 – 19:00

Ruthie’s Tex-Mex, William Solis ’02 (proprietor)

Houston is a big city!  Our chapter holds centrally-located events to draw our members together.  Sometimes, I bet you wish there was an event in Sugar Land, Pearland, or Katy to help you show that “Beat Army” spirit and socialize with other grads right near your home.  Well, we are bringing the TxGC to you!
To help integrate our neighbors outside of Houston proper and to gain support for our upcoming Top Gun Benefit charity event, we are holding a happy hour event near you.  Times and Locations are to be announced.  If you are a local in any of the cities listed and would like to act as a liaison and help pick a location, please contact Michael Vlachakis ’02 (michael.vlachakis@yahoo.com).
Mark your Calendars!
May 25th – Clearlake (lunch)
June 6th – Pearland, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
June 13th – Katy, Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar
June 20th – Sugar Land, Ruthie’s Tex-Mex
June TBD – Kingwood
June/July TBD – Beaumont
Jul
7
Sat
Top Gun Benefit @ Wakefield Crowbar
Jul 7 all-day

TxGC Foundation’s Top Gun Annual Benefit

In 2014, the US Naval Academy Alumni Association, Texas Gulf Coast (TxGC) Foundation, established a new tradition in the Houston area.  The Top Gun Annual Benefit has become a noteworthy event that has integrated the community members at large with the local veteran population.  The proceeds go to two handpicked, local veterans service organizations (VSOs), selected each year, in addition to a portion going to the TxGC Foundation.  For 2018, the two primary VSOs are Team Rubicon and USO Houston.  These organizations effectively enrich the lives of their members and communities.  Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams.  During Harvey, Team Rubicon was intricate in serving the community at-large, quickly and effectively.  USO Houston continuously adapts to the needs of our men and women in uniform and their families, so that the service member can focus on their mission, serving their country.  The TxGC Foundation supports the mission of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in developing young men and women into our nations future Naval Officers.

Over 800 people have experienced the beach volleyball, Kenny Loggins music, games, fun, food, and camaraderie that the Top Gun Benefit provides while raising, over the past three years, over $20,000 for local veteran charities, enabling them to continue their missions.  With your support, the Top Gun Annual Benefit will continue to surpass each previous year’s numbers.

2018: Top Gun 5th Annual Benefit
Saturday July 7 @ Wakefield Crowbar

  • Food & Drink Specials
  • Beach Volleyball Tournament
  • Silent Auction
  • Family Activities and Games (Kids Activities)
  • Giveaways & Prizes
  • Top Gun Costume Contest

Sponsorships & Donations Wanted

TICKET INFO COMING SOON

STAY UP TO DATE ON TOP GUN BENEFIT FACEBOOK

2017 Results

  • Online revenue: $474
  • Door revenue: $1,291
  • Volleyball revenue: $2,000
  • Auction revenue: $7,135
  • Donations: $889
  • Sponsors: 4,750
  • Total revenue: $16,539
  • Expenses: ($1,539)
  • Net profit: $15,000
    • Funds contributed to benefactors
      • USNAAA TxGC Foundation (50%): $7,500
      • Lone Star Veterans Assoc. (25%): $3,750
      • Team Red, White, & Blue (25%): $3,750
Sep
1
Sat
Navy vs Hawaii Game Party @ Ladybird’s
Sep 1 @ 22:00 – Sep 2 @ 01:00

Splashdown, splashdown. Join us for this last minute, pop up party to watch Navy va Hawaii in their season opener. It’s a late night but we’ll have drink specials and plenty of fun.

Sep
6
Thu
Beaumont Social @ Carmela's Mexican Restaurant
Sep 6 @ 11:00 – 13:00

Beaumont “no-host” Social

  • Informal lunch- all are welcome
  • Pay your own way (no-host)
  • Free appetizers courtesy of the TxGC Chapter
  • Please RSVP via Facebook event page or email to John Augusto (m020234@2002.usna.com)

Come out and meet some of your fellow Alumni in the Golden Triangle