If attending in person, please reserve by July 27, 2026 usingthis link.
Payton is a Director at Harris, DeVille & Associates, an issues management firm based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He specializes in strategic planning, strategic communications, public opinion research, opposition research, governmental relations, multimedia production, and community engagement. Payton brings a depth of local and state knowledge to the table when assessing critical issues facing industry clients in the region. His positioning in Southeast Texas ensures that matters of local governmental relations and community outreach receive personal attention. A graduate of Southern Methodist University with departmental distinction in political science, Payton has more than fifteen years of experience in public affairs, state governance, and campaign politics at the state and national level.
Beginning Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the Rotary Club of Beaumont has officially moved back to downtown Beaumont. We are excited to once again call the Neches Room our home.
Our return marks a celebration of our club's rich history while embracing the future. We're proud to be part of the continued renaissance of downtown Beaumont and look forward to welcoming members and guests to our new meeting location.
New Meeting Location: The Neches Room 246 Crockett St. Beaumont, TX 77701
Weekly Meetings: Wednesdays at Noon
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Invocation
Michael Campbell
Executive Director/CEO
Crime Stooppers of SETX
Pledges
Shannah Quinn
Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
Introduction of Guests
Melissa Cornwell
MSO/Owner
Dharma Wellness Medspa
Introduction of Speaker
Brooke Morrow
Executive Director
Reaud Guest House
July
28
Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30 AM at the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce
29
Payton Keith, Golden Triangle Days
August
5
Bobby Beaver, Author of Four Funerals in Mambu
12
Kate Thorne, President of the Junior League of Beaumont
19
Joe Evans, Jefferson County Revision & Inspire, Encourage, Achieve (IEA)
25
Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30 AM Foundation of SETX
26
Wayne Prokopetz, Big Thicket National Preserve's Superintendent
Fabiana Baum
July 29
Joby John
August 2
Arne Almquist
July 27, 2002
24 years
Lori Higgins
July 31, 2019
7 years
Kevin Reed
July 31, 2019
7 years
Shannah Quinn
July 31, 2019
7 years
Scott Mann
August 1, 1985
41 years
Robert Kocot
August 1, 2005
21 years
July 22, 2026
Candace Hemelt
Bob Hope Schools
The July 22 Rotary meeting began with an invocation by Jackie Gunner, Human Resource Manager at the City of Beaumont, the pledge of allegiance led by Dane Timaeus from the Timaeus Law Firm and the introduction of guests speaker by Meg Brown, a nurse practitioner with Molina.
Lee Potter, owner-president of American Air Systems, was introduced as the Rotarian of the day and spoke about the Go 4 the Bell pediatric cancer fundraiser, which has raised over $150,000 and will hold its gala on September 19th.
The Rotary Club of Beaumont welcomed Candace Hemelt, Growth and Special Initiatives Coordinator for Bob Hope School, as the featured speaker for this week's program. Candace provided an informative overview of the tuition-free public charter school, which serves approximately 1,500 students across six campuses in Southeast Texas. She shared the school's mission of providing high-quality educational opportunities through innovative programs, including a Montessori curriculum, dual-language instruction in English and Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese beginning in Pre-K4.
Members learned about Bob Hope School's commitment to academic excellence and student enrichment through a variety of extracurricular opportunities. Candace highlighted the school's thriving fine arts programs, including violin and mariachi ensembles, as well as its strong dual-enrollment partnership with Lamar State College Port Arthur. Through this partnership, many students are able to graduate from high school with an associate degree already completed, providing a significant head start toward higher education and future careers.
Candace also discussed the school's continued growth and success, including plans to expand enrollment to more than 5,000 students by the 2029–2030 school year. She celebrated recent improvements in the Texas Education Agency accountability ratings, noting the Beaumont campus's impressive progress from a D rating to a B rating, while several other campuses have earned A ratings. Her presentation emphasized the dedication of Bob Hope School's faculty and staff to providing exceptional educational opportunities for students throughout Southeast Texas.
The program concluded with an invitation for the community to support Bob Hope School's upcoming Boots and Barbecue fundraising event, featuring former Major League Baseball star Lance Berkman as the keynote speaker. Proceeds from the event will benefit the school's music programs and student scholarships. Rotary members appreciated learning about the remarkable impact Bob Hope School is making in the region and the exciting vision for its continued growth and service to local families.
