Lee Ann Fuselier with the Gilbert Building Partnership will be joining us to provide an update on the historic restoration project underway at the Gilbert Building and share the Partnership's plans for the building's future.

Born in Houston and raised in Tomball, Texas, Lee Ann moved to Southeast Texas after marrying her college sweetheart.  Both graduates of Louisiana State University, Lee Ann and her husband Rob have been married for 33 years. They are the proud parents of three grown children—Madeleine, Olivia and Jude—and are also the co-founders of Alliance Engineers & Project Consultants (AllianceEPC), a multidisciplinary engineering and project consulting firm headquartered in Beaumont and serving industrial and public-sector clients nationwide. Lee Ann serves as the firm's Vice President of Business Development.

With more than 25 years of experience as a recruiter and human resources manager, Lee Ann has built her career around developing relationships, connecting people and organizations, and bringing talented people together to create opportunities. Her professional and community involvement has given her a deep appreciation for the importance of strong relationships, local investment, and a shared vision for the future.

As partners in the Gilbert Building Partnership, Lee Ann and Rob are personally engaged in the historic renovation of the Gilbert Building—one of downtown Beaumont's most recognizable landmarks.

Built in 1902, the Gilbert has been part of Beaumont's story for generations. Following the devastating fire that damaged the historic structure, the Partnership saved the building from demolition and are now rebuilding and reimagining the Gilbert's role in the future of downtown Beaumont.

The restoration underway is an opportunity to preserve an important piece of Beaumont's history while creating a new chapter for the building. The Partnership's vision includes revitalized retail and office space designed to bring new businesses, activity and energy to downtown while respecting the architectural character and history that make the Gilbert unique.

During her Rotary presentation, Lee Ann will share the story behind the Gilbert Building Partnership, provide an update on the restoration underway, discuss some of the challenges and opportunities involved in restoring a historic property, and offer a look at the Partnership's plans for the Gilbert's future.

For Lee Ann and Rob, the project represents more than just bricks and mortar. It represents a belief in Beaumont, a commitment to preserving its history, and an investment in the future of the community they have called home for more than three decades.