Calendar

Mar
2
Fri
March Monthly Lunch @ El Tiempo "1308 Annex"
Mar 2 @ 11:30 – 13:00

Friday March 2, 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: Ms. Regan Katz, Managing Director, Wortham Insurance

Regan joined Wortham in 2012. Prior to that, she worked in public accounting and for a publicly traded insurance brokerage. During her tenure in insurance, she focused on professional service clients, providing advice on risk management for law firms, non-profit/social service organizations and retail/hospitality.

March’s lunch: Cyber/Privacy Coverage: What’s Next?

2017 was a year of ransomware cyber attacks… WannaCry, ExPetr, BadRabbit changed the landscape of ransomware forever.  Ransomware became a $1B industry in 2016.  In 2017, those attacks became focused on corporations instead of individuals.  The targets of these attacks include everyone- from federal governments, private equity firms, financial institutions all the way to retailers and credit card companies.  Find out why ransomware will continue to be the fastest growing industry in 2018. We will discuss how the landscape has changed, some specific examples and how insurance may provide relief in the event of a cyber attack.

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
Mar
15
Thu
North ‘burbs Happy Hr. @ 3B's Bill's Burgers & Beer
Mar 15 @ 17:00 – 19:00

 Camaraderie, Free Appetizers, Drink Specials

Join us for the first, for 2018, of our quarterly, NORTH SUBURBS area, Happy Hours, with West Point Society of Greater Houston, as we commemorate pre-West Point Founders Day.  All veterans welcome. Bring your family & friends.

  • Free appetizers while they last
  • Drink specials
  • Networking and camaraderie
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
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
Sep
7
Fri
Sept. Lunch: Buddy Wellborn @ Tony Mandola's
Sep 7 @ 11:00 – 13:00

Buddy Wellborn’s Navy Football Preview

Monthly Lunches are back! Join us for our annual Navy Football Preview, featuring Buddy Wellborn ’59.  Buddy is well regarded as a Navy Football expert, having served as NAAA Trustee.  Full bio.

TxGC MEMBERS ALWAYS GET $5 OFF!

  • Advance purchase online: $30 ($25 for TxGC members)
  • Week-of-event & walk-ups*: $35 ($30 for TxGC members)
    • *if seats available
  • TxGC Member discount is provided by a discount code via member-only newsletter

MENU

  • Ice tea, water, soda, cash bar
  • Choice of Sicilian salad or Mama’s gumbo
  • Choice of entree
    • Chicken John Kim: grilled chicken topped in mushrooms, roasted peppers, white wine butter sauce
    • Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce: traditional penne pasta with Mama’s slow cooked meat sauce
    • Blacked Trout: filet topped with etoufee served with red-skinned mashed potatoes and vegetables
  • Choice of chocolate cake or cheesecake
Oct
5
Fri
Oct. Lunch: Austin Huckabee @ Tony Mandola's
Oct 5 @ 11:30 – 13:00

Austin Huckabee

Commissioned as an Armor Officer from Sam Houston State University in 2007, Austin served as an Abrams tank platoon leader and an Air Assault Infantry platoon leader in Baghdad, Iraq from 2009-2010. Since 2012, he as worked for the Houston Police Department as a patrol officer in Greenspoint and Acres Homes, in the Gang Division in a city-wide street level anti-gang unit, and in the SWAT detail as a part-time officer. In 2016, he became a contract instructor for the State Department and Justice Department in Ukraine, training multiple law enforcement agencies in and around Kiev in high-risk tactics.   Austin will talk to us about his experiences in training Ukrainian law enforcement agencies how to handle and respond to high risk tactical situations and the impact of the Ukraine’s current political climate affects its law enforcement’s ability to fight corruption.

TxGC MEMBERS ALWAYS GET $5 OFF!

  • Advance purchase online: $30 ($25 for TxGC members)
  • Week-of-event & walk-ups*: $35 ($30 for TxGC members)
    • *if seats available
  • TxGC Member discount is provided by a discount code via member-only newsletter

MENU

  • Ice tea, water, soda, cash bar
  • Choice of Sicilian salad or Mama’s gumbo
  • Choice of entree
    • Chicken John Kim: grilled chicken topped in mushrooms, roasted peppers, white wine butter sauce
    • Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce: traditional penne pasta with Mama’s slow cooked meat sauce
    • Blacked Trout: filet topped with etoufee served with red-skinned mashed potatoes and vegetables
  • Choice of chocolate cake or cheesecake
Nov
2
Fri
Nov. Lunch @ Tony Mandola's
Nov 2 @ 11:30 – 13:00

TxGC MEMBERS ALWAYS GET $5 OFF!

  • Advance purchase online: $30 ($25 for TxGC members)
  • Week-of-event & walk-ups*: $35 ($30 for TxGC members)
    • *if seats available
  • TxGC Member discount is provided by a discount code via member-only newsletter

MENU

  • Ice tea, water, soda, cash bar
  • Choice of Sicilian salad or Mama’s gumbo
  • Choice of entree
    • Chicken John Kim: grilled chicken topped in mushrooms, roasted peppers, white wine butter sauce
    • Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce: traditional penne pasta with Mama’s slow cooked meat sauce
    • Blacked Trout: filet topped with etoufee served with red-skinned mashed potatoes and vegetables
  • Choice of chocolate cake or cheesecake

Featured Speaker: Richard W. Murray, Ph.D.

We usually call on Richard Murray when an election is near and politics are on our mind. Certainly that is the case now, and Richard will weigh in on the Kavanaugh//Ford situation, as well as his views on everything from Beto v. Cruz to other key state and national races.

Bob Lanier Chair in Urban Public Policy, Department of Political Science, University of Houston

Director, Survey Research Institute, University of Houston Center for Public Policy

Richard Murray is a native of Louisiana with B.A. and M.A. degrees in Government from Louisiana State University (1962, 1963) and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota (1967). Dr. Murray has taught at the University of Houston since 1966, and is the Bob Lanier Chair in Urban Public Policy. After serving as the Director of the University of Houston Center for Public Policy for over nine years, he is now concentrating on the Center’s polling operations as the Director of the Survey Research Institute.

His academic interests are in Houston and Texas politics, focusing on campaigns and elections, political parties and interest groups, and public opinion. Professor Murray has written extensively in these areas including co-authoring Texas Politics: An Introduction (6 Editions, 1972-1992), and Progrowth Politics: Change and Governance in Houston (1991), while teaching courses ranging from graduate seminars to introductory American Government.

Professor Murray has previously consulted in more than 200 political campaigns. He conducts polls for The Houston Chronicle, other media, and local governments, and is the political commentator for the local ABC affiliate, KTRK-TV, Channel 13. In addition, his analyses and commentary are carried by television and radio, as well as print media such as The New York Times, Washington Post, L.A. Times, and The Houston Chronicle.

Professor Murray is married to Deborah Hartman, public relations consultant, and has three sons and one grandson.