The Rotary Club of Beaumont, TX, is a large and diverse fellowship of inspired business, professional, and civic leaders with significant community connections that foster the ideals of Service Above Self and high ethical standards.
If you are attending in person, we ask that you use this link to make a reservation by Monday, May 19, 2025.
Zena Stephens is a native of Beaumont Texas. She is a proud graduate of South Park High School and an Alum of Lamar University.
Zena has been married to her husband Darrell Stephens for 35 years and is a mother and grandmother.
Zena was re-elected Sheriff of Jefferson County, Texas for a third term on November 5, 2024. Zena manages a 80-million-dollar budget and almost 400 employees. She has over 35 years of extensive experience in law enforcement management and operations. Zena Stephens is a dynamic leader who has established a professional culture at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. She is passionate about making a difference in the community and helping others. She understands that enhancing diversity is important in improving relationships by building trust between law enforcement and the community. She is dedicated to recruiting, hiring, and promoting professional leaders that reflect diversity within the community.
Zena began her law enforcement career in 1989 with the Beaumont Police Department where she worked for 7 years. She worked at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office in various management roles for 19 years. In 2013, Zena Stephens became the first female Chief of Police at Prairie View A & M University.
Zena has earned many community awards and been recognized across the country for her law enforcement accomplishments. She is very active in the community and serves on many Boards locally and regionally related to education, law enforcement, family services and education.
Zena Stephens was the first African American Female to hold the rank of Major and Deputy Chief at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. She is also the first African American Female Chief of Police at Prairie View A & M University. Zena Stephens is the first African American and the first female Sheriff in the history of Jefferson County, Texas.
Zena made history again when she became the first African American Female Sheriff in the State of Texas.
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May 21, 2025
Invocation
Fabiana Baum
Attorney
Provost Umphrey Law Firm, LLP
Pledges to USA & Texas Flags
Brooke Morrow
Executive Director
Reaud Guest House
Introduction of Guests
John Rollins
Associate Director-Community Relations & Public Affairs
Lamar University
Introduction of Speaker
Lynn Hill
Co-Owner
NuVation Tek
Please volunteer for Head Table responsibilities through the
Lamar University Barber Shop Quartet- Mason Recital Hall, 7:00 PM
21
Zena Stephens, Sheriff
26
Show Your Colors Flags- Memorial Day
27
Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30 AM
28
Rotary Goes Home
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May is Rotary Month – Let’s Share the Impact!
This month, we celebrate all that Rotary stands for — service, fellowship, and lasting change in our communities and around the world. It’s the perfect time to help spread the word about the difference Rotary makes every day.
✨ Here’s how you can help:
Visit our Facebook page and share your favorite post
Tell a friend, neighbor, or colleague what Rotary means to you
Invite someone to a meeting or service project
Together, we can inspire others to join us in making an even greater impact. Let’s make May a month of connection and awareness for Rotary!
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Lamar University Barbershop Quartet
Come join us for a night of music and fun at the Mason Recital Hall!
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ROTARY GOES HOME
Week of May 28, 2025
Rotary Goes Home, the popular fun event where the weekly Rotary meeting is moved to Rotarian homes, will take place May 27-29 in place of the Rotary meeting on May 28. This traditional event is always a great fellowship experience, getting to know fellow Rotarians in a completely different setting.
We’d love your help! If you’re interested in volunteering to place flags for Memorial Day—our biggest fundraiser of the year—please reach out to Pat Anderson at (409) 782-4057. It’s a meaningful way to give back and make a difference!
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Bel Morian
May19
Raymond Begnaud
May 20
Brad Brown
May 21
Uliana Trylowsky
May22
Jay Wilson
May23
Catie Miller
May23
Wayne Holland
May 24
Emma Nelson
May 25
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Ann Scoggin
May 20, 1998
27 years
Lynn Castle
May 19, 2010
29 years
Derrick Barber
May 23, 2012
13 years
Catie Miller
May 25, 2022
3 years
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PROGRAM REVIEW
May 14, 2025
Beaumont Police Department
Recognition Program
By Tim Sudela and Joanne Brown
On May 14, 2025 the Rotary Club of Beaumont presented the 3rd annual Beaumont Police Department Recognition Day honoring police officers for their service and sacrifice to the community, and their commitment to keep communities safe.
The Beaumont Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors. Rotarian Robert Kocot, past Chair, Beaumont Police Department Recognition Day, led pledges to the United States and Texas flags. The Star-Spangled Banner was sung by Peyton Meeks, Voice of Lamar University. Invocation was presented by Reverand James Lowe, Beaumont Police Department Chaplain. President Michael Perez introduced fellow Rotarian Mayor Roy West to introduce the meeting speaker, Beaumont Police Chief Tim Ocnaschek. Rotarians Jacques Gagne and Kym Johns gave reports of their police ride-along ‘a day in the life of an officer’. Cheryl Bilyeu, meeting chair, presented five awards. Life Saving Award 1 - Officer Mary Chatman and Officer Craig Murphy. Life Saving Award 2 - Officer Stutes, Officer Marcum, Officer Boseman, and Officer Slaughter. Unit Award - Beaumont Police Department SWAT Team. Telecommunicator Excellence Awards - Carolyn Lewis and Monica Brannen. And, K-9 Excellence Awards - K-9 “Loki” and Handler Sgt. Scott Lisenby, K-9 “Küper” and Handler Officer Jay Revia, K-9 “Drax” and Handler Officer Adam Little, K-9 “Rio” and Handler Officer Perry Stockwell, and K-9 “Rhip” and Handler Officer Jacob Leslie. Closing remarks were offered by Beaumont City Manager Kenneth Williams.
Chuck Heare, President, Rotary Club of Beaumont Foundation, presented Beaumont Police Department Chief Tim Ocnaschek a $2,000 donation from the Foundation.
President Michael Perez thanked the 125 Rotarians, police officers, and guests for attending, and closed the meeting with a reminder that Rotary promotional yard signs and Rotary Goes Home sign-up sheets were available after the meeting.
A special thank you to HEB for their contribution to the awards for the Police Recognition dinner. We appreciate all they do for our community.
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