Events

ABOUT MARK VELASQUEZ

Mark Velasquez, Director of Public Works for the City of Bellaire. Mark is a dedicated public servant whose leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to community service play a vital role in maintaining and improving the essential infrastructure that supports daily life in Bellaire.

He will chat with us about the wide range of operations in Public Works including streets and drainage, facilities, water and wastewater systems, solid waste services, and capital improvement projects. Municipal Public Works departments ensure that core infrastructiure services remain reliable, safe, and responsive to the needs of residents and local businesses. Mark is known for his thoughtful approach to long‑term planning, his emphasis on sustainability, and his ability to guide complex projects from concept to completion.

ABOUT DR. JOSEPH FLEISHMAN

Education

• Doctoral Degree, Northern Arizona University, Educational Leadership (2009)
• Master’s Degree, Northern Arizona University, Educational Leadership (October 2000)
• Bachelor of Science, Northern Arizona University, Public and Personal Communications with an emphasis in Business

Work Experience

• Associate Dean, Digital & Information Technology Center of Excellence, Houston Community College, TX
• Associate Vice President of Instruction – Workforce Development & Continuing Education, Texas Southmost College, TX
• Vice Chancellor Economic and Workforce Development
• SOWELA Technical Community College, LA
• Director Workforce Training, Idaho State University, ID
• Dean of Continuing Education, Mohave Community College, AZ

Author:

• Covalent Leadership
• Death by Leadership
• Driving Innovation

Artist:

Joefleishmanart.com

*SOLD OUT* Thanks to our supportors, we are a SOLD OUT EVENT!! 

Our annual Bellaire/Southwest Houston Rotary Club wine dinner is Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 6:30 - 9pm at the BraeBurn Country Club. All proceeds benefit the Willbern Heritage Scholarship Foundation. Join us for another fabulous evening of great food and wonderful wines in an elegant venue supporting a great cause!

• Gold Sponsor ($2,500): Logo recognition on all event print material and media, priority seating for 8 people, personal student thank you
• Host Table ($1,800): Table for 8 people
• Individual Tickets ($200 per person)

We will have a SURPRISE Guest Speaker on Thursday, September 24! You won't want to miss it!!

ABOUT LIZ MCNEEL

Liz is deeply committed to giving back. She volunteers as an Alzheimer’s Association Community Educator reflecting her dedication to supporting families navigating the challenges of aging and memory care. Liz also serves on the Board of Houston Area Continuity of Care.

Liz is also the Founder of the Houston Senior Living Series, a seminar series featuring candid conversations with expert panelists. These sessions address the unique and complex challenges that seniors and their families face, providing valuable insights and solutions.

Professionally, Liz McNeel is a REALTOR®, Real Estate Planner, and a trusted resource with two distinct areas of expertise. She serves clients of all ages throughout the Greater Houston region while also specializing in guiding older adults and their families through late-in-life transitions. Her mission is to present all available options, empowering her clients to make informed decisions with confidence.

Liz attended the University of Houston and spent over 25 years as a commercial insurance broker before transitioning to residential real estate, where she has been with Keller Williams Metropolitan for over a decade. She holds the
Certified Senior Housing Professional (CSHP) designation from the PhD-led program at the Seniors Real Estate Institute, further solidifying her expertise in serving the senior community.

ABOUT CHIEF DAVIS FARQUHAR

ABOUT CINDY PURYEAR

Cindy Puryear serves as Chief Strategic Partnerships & Programs Officer at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. Cindy is a veteran educator with 40 years of experience in K-12 education, having served as a special education teacher, special populations specialist, and instructional coordinator. She most recently served four years as Director of Library Services and Elementary Literacy in Houston ISD before retiring in 2018. In that role, she was responsible for leading all aspects of literacy instruction across the District’s 187 elementary schools, including providing professional development and coaching for teachers and administrators and guiding the implementation of a balanced literacy curriculum.

Since her retirement, Cindy led the development and implementation of the Foundation’s Reading Roundup program and has served on the Executive Committee of the Ladies for Literacy Guild leading the community engagement initiatives.

As Chief Strategic Partnerships & Programs Officer, Cindy will be responsible for leading the Foundation’s signature literacy programs and investments in community-based literacy programs, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and increasing engagement of volunteers, particularly our Ladies for Literacy Guild and Young Professionals Groups, in support of our mission.

https://www.barbarabushhouston.org/

ABOUT STAN GALANSKI

Stan serves as Leader of the District 5890 Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and is an active member of Rotary’s Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS).

In 2025, Stan and the Rotary Club of Space Center completed a $108,000 Anti-Child Sex Trafficking Global Grant focused on community education and training, proactive child intervention, and survivor advocacy in Galveston and Brazoria Counties.

Building upon that work, Stan and his club have received approval for a larger $304,000 Global Grant focused on Metropolitan Houston.

Stan will share insight into the human trafficking landscape, the challenges facing our communities, and how Rotary can play a meaningful role through education, prevention, intervention, collaboration, and survivor advocacy.

A Rotarian for 32 years, Stan has served three times as President of the Rotary Club of Space Center and has received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award. His extensive Rotary service has included leadership in both anti-human trafficking initiatives and international Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects.

Join us for an important conversation about a critical issue affecting our communities—and how Rotary is helping turn awareness into action.

ABOUT PDG ERIC LIU

Eric is a first generation Chinese American who was born in Taiwan. He moved to the United States after he graduated from High School. Eric was invited to join the Rotary Club of Memorial-Spring Branch in 2005. He has been active since he joined Rotary with perfect attendance for the last 21 years. Eric met his wife Sandra in 1986 while they were both attending college in Houston. They got married in 1988. They have one son, Blake, who is also practicing Chiropractic in Houston. 

Eric has been volunteering in club, district, zone, and international level within Rotary International. He and Sandra belong to the Major Donor, Bequest, Paul Harris, and White Hat Society. He is currently the District Rotary Foundation Chair of our district and he has been training and facilitating the District Governors internationally and in our paired zones for the last 5 years.     

• Inspire Giving: Lead the club’s fundraising efforts for the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, and endowment funds. Encourage designations like Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) and Paul Harris Fellows.