If you are attending in person, we ask that you use this link to make a reservation by November 10, 2025.
For the past 17 years, Charlie Davis taught advanced history courses at Lumberton High School. Currently, he works as an Instructor of History at Lamar State College Orange. He attended Lamar University with the plan of studying history and entering law school. Here he enjoyed courses taught by Dr. Wooster, Dr. Gwin, Dr. Thompson, Dr. Anderson, and Joanne Stiles. These historians altered his life plans dramatically by inspiring him to forgo law school and pursue an advanced degree in history. He graduated with a Master of Arts in History in 2006.
Nevertheless, the decision that most impacted his life was the choice to join the Lamar University Band. It is here that he met his wife. Charlie hopes to continue his education and pursue a PhD in history. His research focuses on Texans held by the Japanese during the Pacific War, and he plans to publish a book on the subject within the next few years.
Invocation
James Guzman
Corps. Officer Jefferson County, TX
The Salvation Army
Pledges
Lee Potter
Owner/President
American Air Systems, Inc.
Introduction of Guests
Caralee Thompson
Program Manager, Children's Miracle Network
CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation
Please volunteer for Head Table responsibilities through the
As we honor Veterans Day, we extend our sincere appreciation to the Rotarians who will be placing flags throughout our community. Your dedication ensures that our veterans are remembered, celebrated, and visibly honored for their sacrifice.
Thank you for your time, heart, and service to our city and to those who served our country.
The Rotary Club of Beaumont’s Vocational Excellence Awards honor individuals who go above and beyond in their professions, exemplifying “service above self” through exceptional service, honesty, and kindness. This year's awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 19.
We invite you to nominate deserving individuals who have made a positive impact in their work. Click on the nomination form below and submit it by November 5, 2025. Join us in celebrating those who make a difference in our community!
Nominate someone who embodies vocational excellence and give them the opportunity to be recognized by our community!
The Rotary Club of Beaumont had its normal weekly meeting on Wednesday, November 5 at the MCM Elegante Hotel. President Uliana Trylowsky called the meeting to order. Serving at the head table were:
Virtue Alexander to give the Invocation, Paul Koester to lead in the pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags, and Fabiana Baum to welcome visiting Rotarian, Rebecca Woodland and to greet our guests. Also volunteering in special areas were: Jamie Strawther and Jason Marshburn working Registration table, Dianne Thompson and Jacques Gagne covering the sale of meal tickets, Bruce Lancaster to assist with IT duties, Andrew Edwards receiving meal tickets and Tim Sudela as photographer.
Announcements included:
*Uliana encouraged participation in the Holiday Committee meeting to follow next week’s Veterans Day program & she stated the “save the date” for Tuesday, December 16 at the Art Museum.
*Terri Potter is taking offers for people to help plan the International Woman’s Day.
*Rotary magazines will be accepted by Cheryl Bilyeu when no longer needed, to be added to packets that Cheryl will assemble for prospective new members.
*Steve Shoemaker sent emails Monday to inform members of a Community Service project to assist Some Other Place with their Thanksgiving store. W 11/19 will sort and setup the store; Tuesday 11/25 will be shopping days for the clients.
*Dena Hughes – encouraged members to nominate someone for the Vocational Excellence Award. Deadline to receive applications has been extended to Monday, November 10th.
*In the absence of Kym Johns, Uliana reminded the audience of Rotary After Hours to be held this Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm at Bruno’s.
Christina Lokey introduced our speaker, Kenneth Williams – the City Manager of Beaumont. Mr. Williams has been in city management positions for many years in cities throughout Texas. He enjoys sports and travel in his spare time.
With the city elections having just been done yesterday, Mr. Williams announced that a 58 million dollar bond for infrastructure passed, namely for streets, drainage and sidewalks throughout the city. The other four components of the bond issue did not pass at this time – both due to grouping with items that possibly the citizens did not think as important and also the titles causing concern, such as using “tax increase” description. He also said that the outcome of the election shows the City Council what people want. If the approval for streets goes well during implementation then the public may be more supportive in the future for some of the other items. He reviewed the plans for the “Streets & drainage” topic, that the next step using engineers to develop a plan of action and a time frame. So much work yet to be done behind the scenes before construction is obvious.
President Uliana reminded that next week’s program will be a Veterans Day celebration. She announced making a contribution to Rotary International on behalf of our speaker, Mr. Williams, in the area of “Community and Economic development”. After reciting the 4-way test, the meeting was adjourned.
