If you are attending in person, we ask that you use this linkto make a reservation by November 3, 2025.
Kenneth Williams is currently City Manager of Beaumont, Texas. He is past City Manager for the city of Buda, Texas having served approximately 13.5 years there. Kenneth was an ICMA-Credentialed Manager serving as President of the Texas City Management Association (TCMA) in 2019/2020. He is a past board member of the International City Managers Association (ICMA) and currently serves as a board member of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.
Mr. Williams served with the City of Lufkin for 18.5 years having served as Assistant City Manager, Public Works Director, and Emergency Management Coordinator guiding the city through Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Kenneth also served as City Manager for the City of Diboll, Texas.
He enjoys sports, travel, and writing in his spare time. He refereed high school and Division I College basketball and has served in many ministries.
He has served on numerous boards and commissions.
Invocation
Virtue Alexander
Executive Assistant to the Mayor
City of Beaumont
Pledges
Paul Koester
Regional Director Workplace Wellness
Christus Southeast Texas Health System
Introduction of Guests
Fabiana Baum
Attorney
Provost Umphrey Law Firm, LLP
Introduction of Speaker
Christina Lokey
Please volunteer for Head Table responsibilities through the
Tyler Gustafson, Beaumont Area Public & Government Affairs Advisor, ExxonMobil
Classification: "Petrochemicals-Public Affairs"
Resignations in Good Standing:
Nakisha Burns
Jametrice Whitmore
Matt Gully
The Board of Directors meets monthly and the meetings are open to all members. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 18. If you would like to attend the lunch meeting, please make a reservation in advance with the Executive Director.
We would love for you to join us at Rotary After Hours on November 6 at 5:30 PM at Bruno's. It’s a great opportunity to network, catch up with fellow members, and enjoy a relaxed evening of conversation and camaraderie. We look forward to seeing you there!
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!
On Wednesday, October 29, the Rotary Club of Beaumont’s noon meeting was called to order by President Uliana Trylowsky. Joining Uliana at the head table were: Gigi Mazzola providing the Invocation, Diane Thompson leading the pledges to the US and Texas flags, and Sheree Pierce introducing our guests. Also helping to ensure that today’s meeting functioned smoothly were the following: Ruby Leday and Jason Marshburn working the registration table, Robert Kocot and Jacque Gagne offering ticket sales, Lori Higgins receiving meal tickets, Tim Sudela working as photographer, and Bruce Lancaster and MiKayla Bourque on IT.
Announcements included:
*Diane Thompson reporting on the Board Action, with 4 new member proposals: Joe Evans, Donna Gonzalez, Tyler Gustafson & Chenoa Stark. She also announced that 3 members resigned in good standing.
*Uliana announced for Dena Hughes that the Vocational Excellence Award applications were being received with a deadline of November 5th.
*Paul Koester asked members to note the “Bell Ringing for Salvation Army” date of December 6th at the east and south doors of Dillard’s. He is extending a “challenge” for businesses to “duel” and compete for receiving of donations.
*Kym Jons announced “Rotary After Hours” for Thursday, November 6th at Bruno’s.
*Gigi and Diane are co-chairs of RYLA and that applications were being received from Juniors in high schools.
PDG Roger McCabe opened the Polio Plus program by sharing his personal experience of his brother surviving polio and how Roger would help the brother put on his braces every morning before school. Roger then introduced PDG Leon Willhite who told of having visited India on a Rotary trip to promote the vaccinations against Polio. They visited India, seeing the poverty, lack of clean drinking water, poor sanitary conditions etc. that contributed to high incidences of polio. He shared photos showing children and young adults who had severe deformities of the limbs due to the disease. He also told of a surgeon who provided care and performed amputations of the deformed limbs after patients would present to the hospital on Monday and leave on Friday being able to walk with the aid of prosthesis.
As Leon completed his presentation he introduced PDG Hugh Summers who explained the use of iron lungs and had one to display and demonstrate. Uliana volunteered to be a “patient” and to try out being in the iron lung.
To follow Hugh, Jay Wilson Jr encouraged donations to the Polio Plus campaign and offered some interesting facts: polio remains active in only 2 countries of the world, there are 38 cases of polio currently, the first country for the polio campaign started in the Philippines, that Rotary raises $50million each year to the campaign to get a matching grant from the Gates Foundation, etc.
This heart-wrenching Rotary meeting came to a close as the 4-way test was recited and the meeting adjourned.
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