If attending in person, please reserve by Septemeber 7, 2026 usingthis link.
LEE ANN FUSELIER Co-Founder & Vice President of Business Development, Alliance Engineers & Project Consultants Member, Gilbert Building Partnership
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.
Invocation
Annette Raggette
President
Raggette Consulting
Pledges
Connie Tilton
Public & Government Affairs Manager
ExxonMobil
Introduction of Guests
Cheryl Bilyeu
Catering Sales Manager
Retired
Introduction of Speaker
John Lee
Director
Lamar Univerity Small Business Development Center
If you would like to serve on the head table for September, feel free to contact Debbie Maxwell at debbie-maxwell@hotmail.com
September
9
Le Ann Fuselier, Restoration of the Gilbert Building
16
Sidney Valentine, LIT
22
Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30 AM at the Foundation of SETX
23
Chelsea Tipton, Symphony of SETX
30
Sandi Massey, BISD
Board Secretary Josh Davis reported changes to membership on August 25, 2026 at our monthly board meeting.
New Member Proposals:
Tim Corzine, Market President, First Financial Bank
Proposed by Brad Brown
Classification: “Financial-Banking-Management”
The Board of Directors meets monthly and the meetings are open to all members. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 22. If you would like to attend the lunch meeting, please make a reservation in advance with the Executive Director.
Joanne Brown
September 9
Jason Apodaca
September 10
Coby Roberts
September 13
Robert Robertson
September 11,1963
63 years
Uliana Trylowsky
September 8, 2004
22 years
John Lee
September 12, 2018
8 years
Jason Apodaca
September 12, 2018
8 years
Diane Thompson
September 7, 2022
4 years
September 2, 2026
Dr. Ashley Dockens
Associate Provost, Lamar University
Dr. Ashley Dockens was the featured speaker at the meeting, presenting on the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in education and society. She discussed both the opportunities and challenges AI presents in academic settings, including concerns about bias in AI detection tools, mental health, privacy, and the increasing difficulty of identifying AI-generated work. Dr. Dockens emphasized the importance of teaching students to use AI responsibly while developing the skills necessary to evaluate and verify information produced by AI.
Dr. Dockens also highlighted Lamar University's “AI in Every Program” initiative, which is designed to help integrate AI knowledge and skills throughout the university's academic programs. She discussed efforts to prepare students for a workforce increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, as well as the proposed Southeast Texas Works Institute, which would provide AI and other workforce training opportunities to members of the community. She noted that while AI can be a valuable tool, it has limitations and should not replace critical thinking, research, or human judgment.
The presentation generated an engaging discussion among Rotarians about the future of AI, including its effects on education, language, research integrity, and everyday life. Dr. Dockens addressed questions about AI's accuracy and limitations and stressed the importance of using the technology thoughtfully and responsibly. The meeting concluded with a Rotary announcement regarding a donation supporting the club's education and literacy focus area. Members were also reminded to check on fellow Rotarians in need and were invited to attend the upcoming program featuring Lee Anne Fusilier on the restoration of the historic Gilbert Building.
