If you are attending in person, we ask that you usethis link to make a reservation by March 30, 2026.
Bishop David Toups was ordained and installed the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Beaumont on August 21, 2020. Growing up as the youngest of three children in both Louisiana and Florida, he was ordained a priest in 1997 for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and received his doctorate in Rome in 2004. He has previously served in parish ministry in Florida, in the office of the USCCB's Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations in Washington, DC, and as a seminary professor, dean, and rector/president at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. He is responsible for numerous articles and is the author of three books. Since becoming bishop, he has been instrumental in building up the local community in Southeast Texas, especially through his daily broadcast "For the Good," based on his episcopal motto, Romans 8:28, "For those who love God, all things work together for the good."
Invocation
Ainsley Thompson
Marketing Manager
Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau
Pledges
Gigi Mazzola
Physician's Liaison
SETX Cardiology Associates, Vascular Center & Vein Clinic
Introduction of
Guests
Andrew Edwards
Producer
J.S. Edwards & Sherlock Insurance Agency, LLP
Introduction of
Speaker
Tim Sudela
Retired
Please volunteer for Head Table responsibilities through the
Board of Directors at 11:30 AM- Foundation of SETX
29
Youth Day
The Executive of the Year Banquet is scheduled to take place on April 16, 2026, 6:00 p.m., at the MCM Elegante Hotel in Beaumont. This event serves as a significant occasion to recognize and honor an exceptional executive who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in the field of sales and marketing. We are thrilled to announce that this year's Executive of the Year award will be presented to Mr. Robert Turner, President of JK Chevrolet-Subaru. Mr. Turner’s dedication, innovation, and exemplary performance have undoubtedly made a significant impact in our community and beyond.
Join us for an evening to celebrate the many accomplishments of Robert Turner, President of JK Chevrolet-Subaru, and honor his legacy in the Golden Triangle business community.
Meal Ticket Details:
Individual Tickets: $100
Rotary Club of Beaumont Member Ticket: $75
Sponsorship Opportunities Below:
To purchase tickets or a sponsorhip, please click HERE.
T. KELSEY LAMB AWARD FOR BUSINESS ETHICS
The T. Kelsey Lamb Award for Business Ethics is "presented annually to a Beaumont Rotarian who consistently exhibits the highest ethical standards represented by the Rotary Four-Way Test in his or her chosen vocation."
The 2026 recipient of this prestigious honor is Brad Brown.
As described by Robert Kocot, who nominated Brad Brown, this is what he writes.
Despite the fact the man cannot construct a proper joke where the listener might discern a punchline and be obliged to render a chuckle, even if it didn't deserve it... I guess Brad Brown would be my choice for the 2026 T Kelsey Lamb Business Ethics award. Brad has the uncanny ability to look the other way when you're not showing your best side until he can figure a way to line you back out. He does this over and over again. He's done it to me alot! I remember specifically, back when we worked under the same roof, he received unwarranted criticism from one of my superiors and I was very displeased. I was ready to jump in and stomp out this injustice with haste and fury, but Brad granted grace, tolerance, and understanding that could only come by divine intervention or a savvy, skillful deployment of wisdom amassed by practicing what you preach. If you stub your toe, he's got a gift card for a pedicure waiting. If you're to the point of cussing, he'll craft an unfunny joke using your poor choice of diction. If you're ready to cry in despair, he has a calming care in his eyes that needs no explanation. With all the drama, then, out of the way, Brad knows that is where the healing can begin. Brad's a healer, he heals wounds. He's had plenty of trauma to prove his skill. Brad's my choice because he embodies the spirit of Rotary. He no longer needs a 4 way test or a fancy title to facilitate our mission. Those things are temporal. Brad's got his eyes set on making you a better person and for that I am truly grateful.
Andrew Edward's nomination: It is my honor to nominate Brad Brown for the T. Kelsey Lamb, Sr. Award for Business Ethics. This award recognizes a Beaumont Rotarian who consistently demonstrates the highest ethical standards embodied in the Rotary Four Way Test, and I can think of no one who reflects these principles more faithfully than Brad. Although Brad is now retired, he remains instrumental to the Rotary Club of Beaumont. It is especially meaningful for me to submit this nomination, as Brad was the first president I came to know when I joined the club. From the very beginning, I witnessed his steady leadership, integrity, and genuine care for others. Brad is thoughtful, trustworthy, and tireless in his commitment to the betterment of his fellow man, particularly through his service in Rotary. He continues to serve on multiple committees and is a guiding force behind our club’s financial stewardship, offering wisdom and stability that benefit us all. His quiet dedication and ethical example set a standard that others naturally follow. I firmly believe Brad epitomizes the spirit of this award, and it would be a disservice to let another year pass without recognizing the impact he has made on our club and community. On behalf of five generations of Edwards men who have been part of the Beaumont Rotary tradition, and especially in honor of my grandfather, Lum Edwards Jr., a past recipient of the T. Kelsey Lamb Award, I am proud to nominate Brad Brown for this well deserved recognition.
His leadership and contributions that he has made to our club and in other volunteer roles has affected our community. Floyd McSpadden did a great job in describing the impact he has made. Congratulations to the recipient of the T. Kelsey Lamb Award for Business Ethics, Brad Brown.
Our 1.2 million-member organization started with the vision of one man—Paul P. Harris. The Chicago attorney formed one of the world’s first service organizations, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on 23 February 1905 as a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member.
In the initial years of the organization, Rotarians learned about one another and the various diverse professions of the members by meeting in the offices, factories, businesses and firms of the club members. How about doing as one of the original members did back in the early 1900s?
No meeting at the Elegante on April 22, 2026
Where will YOU attend YOUR meeting? Spots are filling up!
The meeting covered several key updates and announcements. Arne and Sharon Almquist were honored as Major Donor Level 2 recipients for their contributions to the Rotary Foundation. The club discussed upcoming events, including a JK Subaru Loves the Earth Day tree distribution on Friday and a pollinator box replanting event at Terrell Park Nature Center on April 18th. Michael Perez announced that Robert Turner will be honored as Executive of the Year at the April 16th banquet, and Brad Brown was selected as the club's nominee for the District Roll of Fame.
Dr. Simmons shared his experiences with Hurricane Rita at Lamar University and his work with BISD, highlighting key issues facing the school district including leadership, safety, discipline, teacher recruitment, parental support, and community involvement. He emphasized the need for strong leadership, a safe environment, effective discipline, competitive teacher salaries, parental engagement, and broader community support to address academic performance challenges.
Floyd McSpadden, chair of the T. Kelsey Lamb Awards, made the announcement of Brad Brown as the T. Kelsey Lamb Award for Business Ethics recipient.
